Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Martial God (4)
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"That's unexpected..."
Han Yu-ah. When I heard her final request to me, I was genuinely surprised.
In a way, she really was that old man's granddaughter... She strongly pleaded with me to spar with her, even if just occasionally.
It was a rare opportunity to fight someone with such powerful physical superpowers, so she wanted more experience against it.
I wasn't someone with a lot of free time, so I thought about refusing, but her gaze made it hard to say no outright.
In the end, we agreed that she'd come along to the Superpower Training Center whenever I went to practice, and we'd spar then.
When I asked why she was making such a request, she said that the last time we'd fought, her sword swings hadn't affected me at all, which fascinated her.
Hearing her marvel at how strong my mental fortitude must be to make that possible nearly made me puff up with pride without thinking.
'This is the Stat Cheat too, I suppose...'
Of course, mental strength was one of the stats, and mine being too high meant her attacks just didn't land on me.
Anyway... At first, it wasn't easy to chat with each other, but as we pulled out one or two common topics, we soon found ourselves talking enjoyably.
Well, most of it was still about hero work or combat, but still.
She seemed to enjoy these conversations too—her stiff expression from earlier had softened quite a bit.
Having lived this long without much romantic experience with women, I had no idea about typical topics women might like, but fortunately, she enjoyed these kinds too.
Though I wondered if I should really call that fortunate...
As we talked about superpowers and villains, we soon arrived at the Superpower Training Center.
"So this is the Superpower Training Center..."
I worried a bit as we entered, but contrary to my fears, no one stopped me.
The identity scanner didn't block me for being Powerless.
The staff acted just as they always did.
'I just... walk in?'
It was a fresh shock.
From what she'd said, the government had already updated my ability entry to physical superpower user.
I'd been skeptical, but being able to enter like this confirmed it.
On top of that, while most people had to pay to get in, I entered for free.
"This is... probably Grandpa's doing too."
This was that old man's doing as well...
Honestly, it felt a bit burdensome.
But since I wasn't exactly rolling in money, getting in without paying was a huge plus.
Still, it left a weird feeling in my chest.
"Um... I feel kind of sorry. For making you come to the center with me like this..."
"No... I need to check it out myself anyway... and more than that... um..."
Oh right, we'd agreed to spar if we came to the superpower center together.
Starting today...
"Shall we do it right now, then?"
"Ah... Are you sure you're okay? You just sparred with Grandpa..."
"Of course I'm checking my condition and asking. Don't worry."
We'd both put in a bit more sincerity, but from what I saw, that old man hadn't gone all out either.
My body just couldn't hold up even to that level of effort.
Seeing that made me feel how cruel time could be.
A man who'd been so strong back then had weakened this much...
As I followed her to the training arena inside the center, curiosity and a bit of mischief bubbled up, and I cautiously asked her.
"In your opinion, Yu-ah, if Grandpa in his prime fought me, who do you think would win?"
"...Pardon?"
She looked completely caught off guard by my question.
She probably never expected me to ask something like that.
"Even if you ask that out of nowhere..."
"It's just your personal opinion, so no pressure—feel free to answer."
"Ugh..."
She seemed to think for a moment, then carefully opened her mouth.
"I don't know exactly how strong you are, Do-yoon, so it's hard for me to say for sure, but..."
She pondered again, nodded, and continued.
"Grandpa now can't compare technically to back then. He used to bulldoze with overwhelming power alone, but now he relies more on technique. And rightly so—he has martial arts mastery worthy of the title."
That was... certainly true.
When I'd looked up info on the S-Rank Hero Martial God, I'd naturally seen videos of him in action.
In those, a single punch warped the terrain, and he could alter the weather in an instant with his power.
He wasn't called Martial God for nothing back then.
"But Grandpa in his prime... he'd probably still match your strength. Of course, if he had his peak body combined with his current technique, who knows..."
She seemed about to explain more but held back, as if deciding not to say anything further.
Then, with a complicated expression, she looked back at me and said.
"...Please don't ask questions like that from now on. It's too awkward to answer..."
Hmm... A bit disappointing.
She could've just said outright who would win.
I wouldn't feel great if she said I'd win, nor bad if she said the old man would—no ego stroking needed.
That spar had gone beyond playful; hearing flattery wouldn't change how seriously I'd taken it.
That old man was plenty strong.
To be blunt, without my overwhelming power that ignored technique, I never would've beaten him.
Especially that final blow—even blocking it didn't fully stop the impact. I flew back instantly, smashed into the wall, and collapsed part of the Hero Association building.
His current condition held him back; otherwise, he gave off the vibe that he could've kept fighting, like it was nothing.
In other words... back in the day, he threw punches like that—or stronger—as casual hits.
If someone like that had his prime body plus his current skills...
'Might not beat him...'
I couldn't be confident of victory.
My win now came purely from the gap in physical abilities.
"Let's give it a try sometime..."
A retired man still had that much power.
No matter that he was once Korea's strongest, he was retired.
Even winning unscathed without much effort didn't mean much—how many stronger people were out there?
I could skip martial arts for now, but I needed to learn how to use my body properly at least.
"The plan's gone awry."
The man in the robe spoke, and the others around him flinched in surprise.
"Ahh... Those foolish acolytes have finally stirred things up..."
"Doomsday is upon us... Bring pain to the world..."
"I offer this body to inflict suffering...!"
"Enough."
At the robed man's raised hand and word, they all froze as if someone hit pause.
"I need a proper explanation for this incident, Number 12."
"Sure. It's something you'd like, anyway."
"What is it?"
"There was another survivor. A test subject."
"...!"
The man's eyes widened at the boy's words.
"Is that true?"
"Why would I lie? And from what I saw, he's about my level. Or maybe a bit weaker."
"Even so, it's good news... This brings us one step closer to our goal..."
"Hmph... They failed too, you think it'll work?"
"..."
The man glared at the boy with bulging eyes.
The boy just shrugged nonchalantly and looked away.
"...Capture him, no matter what it takes."
"That'll be tough."
"What?"
"That guy's got no leverage for blackmail. Orphan, no parents, no friends... Heard he's even in touch with the Association—probably became a hero."
"...And what of it?"
"Top-notch personal strength, no weaknesses... Totally annoying."
The man let out a small sigh at the grumbling.
"I'll provide full support. Bring him by any means."
"Can I make a scene, then?"
"As much as you want."
If they got that man, it would mean the end of everything.
Then, anything in the way—Hero Association, government, heroes—could be swept aside.
Doomsday would come.
The doomsday to usher in a new era.