Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Finals (6)
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Dirt was creeping up from the floor. The man glared at Ichie with a furious expression. Ichie racked her brain for a way out in this tight space. Should she kick over the table and bolt toward Chun-bae? Or grab the knife and hurl it to catch him off guard? Neither option felt like a real escape.
She swung the gleaming blade lightly through the air in a feint. The man seemed mildly irritated by her pathetic provocation.
"Fuck, you should've gotten out nice and easy when I told you to. Huh? Why make this a pain in the ass? Fuck."
He thrust out his hand, and the swirling dirt from behind the door surged toward Ichie like a wave from all sides. Her red eyes flashed in that instant, and the entire blade glowed crimson. The hunter flinched mid-motion. The red aura at the tip of the sword was no joke.
The dirt piled up higher than Ichie's height, crashing down on her. She braced herself and swung the sword in a wide arc at the mound. A vivid red afterimage traced her swing's path, curving in a circle that vibrated in place before rocketing forward like a shell.
"Wha? Huh?"
The crimson flash collided head-on with the dirt. The earth that had been barreling toward her to swallow her whole shattered into pieces, scattering everywhere. But the red trajectory didn't stop there—it flew straight for the hunter's throat. He ducked on instinct, barely dodging the scarlet sword wind.
Kwachik!
A gruesome sword scar marred the hallway. The hunter patted his pounding chest in relief and turned back to Ichie. She had poured everything into that one strike, panting heavily and sweating. Her glowing red eyes had faded back to brown. He grinned and said,
"Fuck, that was close. Were you seriously trying to kill me just now? Huh?"
Chun-bae froze in shock, stopping his cheers. The hunter shifted his gaze from Ichie and yelled at Chun-bae.
"Keep cheering, you little shit! Do my words sound like dogshit to you? Huh?"
"Y-Yes! Got it!"
Chun-bae nodded frantically and spun around to resume his dance. Ichie glanced at Chun-bae, then back at the man. He cracked his knuckles and began gathering dirt again. The earth scattered by her earlier strike regrouped behind him like an aura.
"You son of a...!"
The man raised his hand and shouted. From both sides of his gaping mouth appeared pale, frozen fingers. Seong Ha-yeon, covered in dirt and frost clinging to her entire body, yelled at Ichie.
"Fuck, kill that thing! It's a summon!"
She then gripped the man's face barehanded and poured her power into him.
"Uwaaaaaah! Aaaah! Euwaaaah!"
The man screamed and thrashed where her hands touched. The dirt he controlled scattered wildly, kicking up a massive dust cloud. Amid it all, he struggled to pry Seong Ha-yeon off. Ichie dragged her heavy body through the dust, leaping over the table.
"Wh-What? What the hell!"
The man finally shoved Seong Ha-yeon away and clutched his face. It was as good as blinding himself with his own hands. Seong Ha-yeon stepped back slightly, steadied her stance, then floated into the air and unleashed a spinning kick at his head. She nailed his temple perfectly, sending him crashing to the floor like a bowling ball. He passed out cold. Seong Ha-yeon caught her breath and straightened her clothes.
But the uncontrolled dust still filled the room thickly. Panicked, Chun-bae stopped dancing mid-move and shouted.
"Wh-What? Misaki-chan! Misaki-chan! Answer me! Say something! Misaki-chan!"
Through the dust, Misaki's silhouette appeared—twin tails and a flowing dress. Chun-bae reached out to her in anxious relief. Misaki took his hand. His fingertips trembled. The shadow wavered. She wasn't calling him "Master." Chun-bae wiped the thick dust from his face. Brown sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Mi-Misaki-chan?"
The dust began to clear slowly. Misaki's face came into view. She stared blankly upward, hiccuping, her head shaking. And just below, a blue blade piercing through her chest. Chun-bae couldn't believe it.
"Uh...! Uh...!"
Before his eyes, the blade twisted once. Misaki's body shuddered, unable to withstand the pain. Then the blade shot upward like a launched spear. The dust swirled again. Her shadow split in two, and a cloud of blood erupted.
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Chun-bae screamed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Now they would really win. Victory was in sight. Kim Ju-seong thought that as he put his strength into his leg, planning to kick him square in the face and end it. Jeong Su-hyeon was still holding out stubbornly, but there was no way for him to escape from here.
Kim Ju-seong retracted his leg and thrust it forward powerfully, yelling,
"Uryaaaaah!"
At the same moment, he felt his strength drain away. Just before the kick connected, Jeong Su-hyeon shook off his grip and retreated. The kick sliced emptily through the air, throwing Kim Ju-seong off balance. He couldn't understand it. Why was his power fading like this? Why wouldn't his body respond? It felt like swimming through a giant blob of jelly—heavy body, limp limbs.
"Uh... Uuh...!"
Jeong Su-hyeon, who had briefly stayed cautious, charged in. Kim Ju-seong gritted his teeth and raised his arms to block somehow. He barely lifted them. Through the gap, he saw Jeong Su-hyeon's right arm shining dazzlingly.
All throughout the grapple and pin, Jeong Su-hyeon's left arm—no, his right now—had been building up damage. Silver trails wove intricate patterns in the air. Kim Ju-seong faced the blinding flash bearing down on him. Jeong Su-hyeon's voice rang out.
"Fuckin' take this!"
Jeong Su-hyeon recalled the Omnipotent Being's teachings. He remembered the punch Kim Yu-jeong had taught him when they first met. He stepped forward with his best form, twisting his waist for maximum torque, and launched his arm like a missile.
Kwang!
Kim Ju-seong managed to block the fist with his arm. But it was like cushioning a cannonball—his arm simply shattered. Punching through the crushed muscle and bone like tofu, the fist extended like a bullet.
With the fist pressed to his face, Kim Ju-seong experienced his own broken arm slamming into it. A metallic thud rocked his skull, launching his body into the air. His limp arm dangled.
Kim Ju-seong, airborne, plummeted to the ground. The climb to the finals had been sweet yet grueling, but the fall was over in seconds. Jeong Su-hyeon panted as he stared at him. The fallen Kim Ju-seong trembled.
He couldn't lose. He had too many people counting on him. He was his grandma's hero. She was waiting at home, yelling "My boy!" and cooking him delicious meals. A few bandages would fix this. So he couldn't lose.
The referee didn't call the match despite Kim Ju-seong being down. Two S-Rank Hunters sighed deeply and shook their heads.
"No!"
Kim Ju-seong forced himself up again. Eyes rolled back, he roared at the air, raising his broken arm.
"No! I haven't lost! I haven't lost!"
He acted like Jeong Su-hyeon was right in front of him, flailing wildly at empty space, waiting for a block. Through his hazy vision, Jeong Su-hyeon charged again. He swung his already-broken left arm at him. But it wouldn't connect properly. Jeong Su-hyeon sidestepped easily and drove another fist into his gut.
"Uwaaak!"
The punch burrowed deep, like a spring-loaded piston, sending Kim Ju-seong flying backward. He bounced once on the floor, rolling head over heels before trying to rise, only managing to crane his neck upward like a goose.
His eyes rolled back, body convulsing, blood gushing from his mouth and nose.
"Kuh..."
With a short groan, he passed out. The arena fell utterly silent. Shock and silence filled the air. People clutched their mouths; others blinked in disbelief. Some sobbed gripping sports toto slips; others hugged in shared joy.
Only after a few more seconds did the referee stammer,
"M-Match result... Bo-Bomber Jeong Su-hyeon... victory!"
Jeong Su-hyeon thrust his hand high as the referee declared his win. Like a general signaling a charge, thunderous cheers erupted from the arena. He faced them head-on with a wide grin.
In his mind, the Omnipotent Being's voice echoed.
"Well done. You never gave up until the end."
"Thanks to you, Omnipotent Being."
And with that, he slowly closed his eyes and fainted.