Chapter 57
I’ll translate the chapter into natural English and format every system-style line as styled HTML, keeping the chapter title on the first line exactly as required.CHAPTER_TITLE: Chapter 57
■ A Rift has formed.
■ It is in a nearby location.
■ Move there immediately.
“What? A Rift?”
“A Rift, all of a sudden?”
“Team Leader……! This is……!”
The investigation team panicked and looked to their team leader. Even so, Kwak Yeoncheol’s face twisted with irritation, but there was no sign of wavering.
“Calm down. For now, we head to the destination.”
“……Understood.”
Rumble—! The ground shook beneath us. The faint trembling somehow felt as though it was growing stronger the closer we got to the destination.
Then, not long after, when we reached the place where Yuseongin was supposed to meet him.
“……What?”
Kwak Yeoncheol froze, staring ahead.
Homicidal intent detected.
Hero's Super-sensory
Something brushed the tip of my nose. The smell of blood. What was that? A chill ran through me, and a strange sensation rose up along with it.
It didn’t take long to understand. The source of the blood scent I was now sensing was……
Blood……
It was the smell of blood. A foul stench I normally would never have noticed, now caught by my unnaturally sharpened sense of smell.
“This is……!”
Someone shouted. There was no point in stealth or ambush anymore. The scene laid out before us made that obvious.
People lay collapsed across the floor of the abandoned factory, and beneath them the ground was slick with blood. A sight that made you want to retch just looking at it.
……They’re dead?
Everyone was dead. There wasn’t the slightest sense of life. In other words, these were corpses.
The tips of my fingers trembled. Corpses. People lying dead in front of us. And ahead of them, I could see a green, warped Rift. The warning window that had just appeared was probably referring to that Rift.
Was this real? Just as my head went blank for an instant—
“……Combat preparations…….”
Kwak Yeoncheol gave the order, and the investigation team instantly shifted into formation.
Rumble. Thunder rang out from somewhere. Jin Yeonhui wrapped herself in lightning qi.
“……Lee Jinwoo.”
She called my name quietly. That single word brought my mind back to life.
Clink. The bracelet on my wrist transformed, changing into the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.
“Oh, my.”
A voice came from ahead.
At the center of the corpses—likely the team that had been sent to make the arrest—stood a cloaked figure.
??? : Olga’s Killer
Yoon Yeon. She was wearing a mask, so the information was limited, but I knew exactly who that bastard was.
An uninvited guest has arrived.
“Terrorist……!”
Kwak Yeoncheol spoke.
I wonder how you found us……? I didn’t leak any information.
Before the words even finished, Kwak Yeoncheol seized his massive sword and charged. A pressure suited to a body that heavy, but—
……Honestly.
Thwack—!!!
“Ghk!”
He was knocked back by the sword Yoon Yeon swung and rolled across the floor.
Isn’t it rude to lunge at someone while they’re talking?
“Team Leader—!”
Just as the investigation team rushed to support Kwak Yeoncheol—
You’ve got spirit. But the people you brought with you are a little pathetic—
Yoon Yeon began to speak, and in that instant a flash of light shot forward.
Jin Yeonhui reached Yoon Yeon before anyone else. She moved her thunder sword and summoned lightning.
Crackle-rumble-rumble—!!!
Lightning Empress
Kuaaaah—!!!!
Lightning burst from her blade in a flash of blinding brilliance. With a thunderous roar, Yoon Yeon’s body split in two, but—
“Tsk.”
Jin Yeonhui clicked her tongue.
Homicidal intent detected.
I turned my head.
Yoon Yeon hadn’t died.
Yes, I heard you had arrived too. That does make this a little troublesome. It throws the balance off.
“…….”
Jin Yeonhui fixed Yoon Yeon with a cold stare. By then, Yoon Yeon was standing on the second-floor railing.
Click.
Rumble. Lightning surged along her sword. Jin Yeonhui kept drawing power into herself as if she had no fear of her opponent at all.
Homicidal intent detected.
It felt different. Jin Yeonhui was different from the one I’d faced in Doseong’s Rift last time.
This……
What is it?
Tzzztzzzz—!!!
A lightning unlike her usual one coursed through her body.
Thin strands of thunder qi gathered at the tips of her fingers.
“Thunder Spirit Emperor Chain.”
At the single line Jin Yeonhui spat out, the air warped.
Rumble—!!!! Just as something was about to begin—
That won’t do.
Yoon Yeon seized something in her hand.
Woooong—!
“……!”
Something was caught by my senses. The moment I took a step forward, something appeared in front of Jin Yeonhui.
A green box.
■ Korka’s illusion has reacted.
■ Korka’s authority has been confirmed.
Korka?
The skill spat out words I couldn’t understand.
“Jin Yeonhui……!”
Jin Yeonhui, too, seemed to react at the sight of the green box, but—
Flash—!!
Light burst out from the green box. And when I saw that, something came to mind. That thing.
……The one she used on Irene.
Could it be the same thing? It felt similar to what had happened then. If so, then surely—
Fwoosh—!!!
The green light swallowed Jin Yeonhui whole, and then it faded away. The place where she had been standing was now empty.
“The Lightning Empress……!”
The investigation team cried out in alarm.
The Lightning Empress is troublesome.
Yoon Yeon spoke. At the same time—
She’s annoying to deal with, but I can’t exactly kill her outright either.
The voice shifted to behind my back.
I moved to swing my sword at once, but—
And that’s true of you too.
Grip—!
“……!”
My throat was seized. My field of vision shifted at once. Whoosh—!!! Yoon Yeon grabbed me and started moving.
Something appeared before my eyes. That was—
The Rift……!
A Rift glowing green. It filled my vision, and then—
You’re coming this way.
With Yoon Yeon’s silky voice, my body was dragged straight into the Rift.
■ You have entered a Rift.
■ Korka’s lingering dream.
With the notification, I came to my senses. I pushed myself up at the splashy feeling against my body.
What is this?
I looked down. My body was lying on green water.
“……!”
I sprang up in shock.
Awake, are you?
The instant I rose, a voice came to me. Someone was standing in front of me.
Hello?
It was the terrorist, Yoon Yeon.
“…….”
I glared at her. Thankfully, the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword was still in my hand.
This is our first time meeting, isn’t it? The hero of Yeouido?
“……Why did you drag me here?”
Oh…….
At my question, Yoon Yeon let out an impressed breath.
You’re bolder than I thought. I expected you to look at least a little shaken. Did you adapt that quickly? Or are you fearless? Or maybe—
Slosh. Yoon Yeon walked toward me, stepping across the water’s surface.
Maybe you’re bold because you don’t know you’re going to die here. I’m curious.
“…….”
I tightened my grip on the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.
Don’t do that. It’s meaningless in here.
“……What do you mean, meaningless?”
System not showing up? It should be, soon enough.
No sooner had Yoon Yeon spoken than something appeared before my eyes.
■ You have entered Korka’s domain.
■ Those who are not Korka’s apostles are cursed by the Rift.
■ Physical attributes have fallen. (-50%)
■ Use of authority has been restricted.
Korka’s domain?
The instant I saw that familiar word, a ridiculous curse was laid across the Rift.
Then I understood why Yoon Yeon was standing there so brazenly.
Just as I was thinking that, the curse seemed to fit into place—
■ Korka’s illusion has been activated.
■ Resistance to Korka’s curse detected.
■ The illusion has reacted to Korka’s Rift, increasing physical attributes. (+30%)
■ Command over the Korka Rift currently located here has transferred to the master of the illusion.
■ The master may decide whether the people present may leave the Rift.
Pop. Veins stood out across my arms.
What.
What was this bizarre situation? Unlike Yoon Yeon’s confident words, something else was happening. The curse had disappeared, and instead—
I’m getting a buff?
This Rift had granted me a buff. The reason seemed to be Korka’s illusion.
……What the hell.
What connection could those terrorist bastards have to Korka?
Whatever it is.
It was obvious that this was to my advantage.
How is it? Surprised, aren’t you?
“…….”
Yoon Yeon didn’t seem to realize what state I was in.
This is why all your knights and the Association can come at us all they want and it won’t matter.
“……This Rift. Did you open it?”
That’s right. It’s a place you people can’t even find, let alone enter and then leave.
It inflicted curses on others’ bodies—
Though it’s only a guess.
—while on people like me, it seemed to grant buffs instead.
And as for you, Lee Jinwoo, you probably understand why I brought you here too, right?
The reason for revealing a major secret. It was obvious.
“You’re planning to kill me?”
Correct.
Her voice was full of amusement.
You’re going to die here. Ah, and don’t worry about what’s outside.
As if she had prepared something.
It’ll take quite a while for Jin Yeonhui to return, and before that happens the investigation team will all die in the trap Yuseongin prepared.
……
So that had been the bait. My face creased on its own.
Our senior had his eye on you specifically, but…… well, whatever. If you’re going to die anyway, may as well take care of you now.
“Senior?”
You know. That idiot you hit back at Yeouido.
“…….”
She seemed to be talking about that clown-faced bastard.
So he really had survived.
Honestly, he should’ve kept his head down. Why go around making a fuss?
Click. A dagger appeared in Yoon Yeon’s hand.
Homicidal intent detected.
I’m not exactly hurrying death along here.
Her skill surged, and my body moved. I twisted my upper body to dodge, and Yoon Yeon’s body drove in toward me.
I had avoided the attack.
Hm?
When I dodged, surprise flickered across her face. I swung my sword right away.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Sword sliced the air. Yoon Yeon’s body moved like wind.
Fast.
The divine sword drew an awkward line through empty space and came to a stop.
What is this?
From the slight distance between us, Yoon Yeon spoke.
How did you dodge that?
You’re A-rank.
“…….”
You must have some kind of skill, then?
She was too fast. I’d need to activate the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword after all.
But—
“……Just one more thing.”
I quietly withdrew the divine sword and turned it back into a bracelet.
What are you…….
“Ten years ago.”
Huh?
“Do you know about the terror attack that happened ten years ago?”
Ten years?
Yoon Yeon tilted her head.
What is ten years ago? Ten years……? Ah?
As if she had understood something, Yoon Yeon spoke.
Are you talking about the Reverse-Colored Earring Incident? That would be the only thing, then. Why do you ask?
“…….”
Blood vessels rose in my eyes.
“Were you involved with it?”
I don’t know why you’re asking that. If I were involved, what would change? That incident was too long ago. Ah, of course it was a major blast. Was something about it connected to you? For example—
Her amusement deepened.
—your family was involved and died?
“…….”
Looks like I hit the mark, huh? Hahaha.
Seeing my reaction, Yoon Yeon said,
That’s funny. Was there someone tied up in that incident? I didn’t know that. What, are you planning to get revenge if it’s true? Ahh…… fine. If that’s how it is.
Swish.
Yoon Yeon’s aura turned cold.
Since I’m going to kill you anyway, why don’t I give you a little gift?
The dagger in her hand spun halfway through the air, disappearing and reappearing in her grip.
There was a connection.
Thud.
It’s awkward to call it ours, but there’s definitely something there. How’s that? Is that a satisfying answer?
“…….”
Satisfying?
“……Very. More than enough.”
My heartbeat quickened.
My heart thrashed wildly of its own accord.
I’m glad you’re satisfied. Then now—
Yoon Yeon was about to rush me again. Looking at her, I said,
Die—
“Yoon Yeon.”
……What?
She stiffened. At my call, her body halted.
You just said what…….
“Should I call you Seong Jiyeon? Doesn’t matter, I suppose. Your real name is Yoon Yeon anyway.”
……You?
“I hope what you just said is true.”
■ The Heavenly Demon Divine Sword leaves the body.
■ The sword’s power is released, returning to its original state.
■ The power of the War God has been restored.
Slowly, a black martial robe wrapped around my body, and with the heat surging up from within, a black mask settled into my left hand.
Click.
Without thinking, I put the mask on my face.
Wha……? Wait…….
Yoon Yeon’s voice shook violently as she took in my appearance. It seemed like she recognized something—
■ The gap between the reincarnator and the Gate is immense.
■ Calculating the grade difference and adjusting the power multiplier.
■ The reincarnator’s attributes have increased by 2,000%.
And then—
Splosh.
Water sprayed upward. From the spot where I had been standing, my body scattered into the air. Where I reappeared was right in front of Yoon Yeon’s nose.
“……!”
Before Yoon Yeon could move at the sight of me—
Crack.
I seized her face with my hand and slammed her into the ground.
“Ghk.”
With a single muffled groan—
Kuaaaaaaang---!!!!
The water surged upward, and the ground shook violently.