Chapter 718
Chapter 718
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 718
Chapter Title: Academy Savior
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Sung Ha-ri charged straight in.
I focused my gaze on the motion of the spear she swung. Thanks to Spirit Eye (S), I could keep up with the spear's movements reasonably well. But just because I could see them didn't mean I understood them.
'Every time the spear swings, the space around it distorts. Even with immense power, that's impossible. She's not using any special technique... Is it not the space distorting, but the air currents making it look that way?'
Either way, it was power beyond common sense.
"It's over. Deus can't block that ajumma."
Makina said. I agreed. Of course, Sung Ha-ri alone would have struggled. The raid team bought time, and I'd blown off the Machine King's lower half, letting her rampage inside easily.
'This is my only chance. Hacking.'
I took control of the Machine King. Its fingers, aimed at Sung Ha-ri, suddenly veered toward Ethan. Caught off guard, even Sung Ha-ri couldn't react instantly. Ethan did, but he lacked her skill.
Thirty fingers assaulted Ethan simultaneously. His body tore apart.
'Got that bastard for now. Whew.'
Sung Ha-ri hesitated briefly—less than three seconds. Then she pressed on, smashing everything in a straight line to the AI chamber Leviathan had predicted.
The Machine King was destroyed.
I looked to the sky. From the horizon, the world crumbled slowly. A beautiful yet chilling sight.
At the dungeon's core, a passage to the outside appeared.
"...It's done. As expected of Sung Ha-ri-nim. Without her, we couldn't have cleared it."
Sara said, filled with admiration.
"As expected. Unnie Ha-ri it is."
Han So-hee nodded as if it were obvious.
"Scary ajumma."
Makina shuddered.
???
Holding Sung Ha-ri's hand, we exited the dungeon. I figured it'd be empty—this was an unofficial raid, unannounced. But over a hundred people waited: no civilians, mostly Hero Association heroes and staff from Chicago branch.
"They're back!"
"Dungeon cleared!"
"That kid... fell into the dungeon, huh."
"Wait, some people are missing?"
A man and woman approached from the front.
The man was stocky, bald with a red mustache. Oliver, Chicago branch chief of the US Hero Association.
The woman was Korean.
White coat draped over her shoulders, long dark brown hair. Pale skin, sharp eyes. Expressionless face.
Over 180cm tall, bust rivaling Sung Ha-ri's. Under the coat: white skinny jeans, black top. Uniform-like attire.
I knew her.
'...Kang Ji-young. Korea's S-rank Hero.'
From the original story, featured more prominently than Sung Ha-ri. One of Maruhan Academy's three deans.
Nickname: 'Pioneer of Earth and Heaven.' One of Korea's Five Heavens with Sung Ha-ri. Also called Dungeon Destroyer. Korea's top dungeon clearer.
'Not dean yet. In the original, she takes the post in five years.'
We stared. Oliver chuckled, glancing at Sung Ha-ri.
"Details later, but without you, no clear. On behalf of the US Association, my thanks."
"Later. Especially how Yu-jin ended up in the dungeon."
"...Haha."
Oliver sweated. Desperately brainstorming excuses. He eyed me—help?—but I dodged. I had my own troubles. Back at the hotel, Sung Ha-ri would scold me. Probably spank my butt after ages.
Sung Ha-ri shifted her gaze.
"Ji-young. Didn't expect you here."
"Korean Association chief was noisy, so I checked. Heard an intriguing incident—looks resolved."
Kang Ji-young's eyes dropped to me. Our gazes locked. Her charisma weighed the air.
Familiar vibe. Like a fantasy king or arch-noble.
"Your son?"
"Yeah. First time seeing him? Sung Yu-jin."
"Hello. Noona."
I bowed childishly. She stared blankly.
"Yu-jin. Mommy's friend. Call her ajumma, not noona."
I knew. Academy classmates. Sung Ha-ri dropped out.
"Nice to meet you, ajumma."
"...".
Kang Ji-young glanced at Sung Ha-ri incredulously, then turned.
"Kang Ji-young! Where?!"
"Back to Korea. Confirmed you two safe—my job's done."
"Still so stiff. Dinner before you go!"
"Later, in Korea."
I stared at her back. White coat ruined the view.
'Beauty rivaling Sung Ha-ri. How to bed her... Ironclad woman. Normal won't work.'
???
"Yu-jin. Your promised gift. Meant something else, but... as apology too."
Oliver knelt before me, handing a wrapped box eye-level. Intriguing.
Chicago chief's gift—nothing useless.
"What's inside?"
"Open it."
"...Not dangerous, right?"
Sung Ha-ri beside me narrowed her eyes. Oliver nodded, checking her.
"Safe. Would I give a kid something risky? Open here, fine."
"Yu-jin. Open it."
I'd planned to anyway. Pulled the ribbon. It unraveled. Inside: elegantly packaged potion.
"Oliver. What potion? Looks suspicious."
"Calm. Ha-ri. Druid's Potion. Top elixir. Heals old wounds without aftereffects, boosts stats even if healthy. Emergency or now."
S-rank elixir.
But I wasn't thrilled.
'Increases potential...'
My potential sucked. Slight physical boost now, that's it. I pondered, eyed Sung Ha-ri.
"Mom. What to do?"
"Your call, Yu-jin. It's your gift."
Traits: Spirit Devourer (S), Indra's Thunderbolt (SS) Skills: Divine Spear Unity (SS), Spear Throw (S), Combat Sense (S), Purification (D+), Barrier (C+) Affection: 100 Psychology: Yu-jin's state seems off from usual.
※ Stats reduced by Spirit King's Binding (SS).
I frowned. Sung Ha-ri's lowered stats irked me more than before.
With Spirit King's Binding, they'd drop further over time.
I shook the Druid's Potion. Pale purple liquid sloshed.
"Mom. Look."
"Hm? Looking."
"Closer. See anything weird?"
"Weird?"
Her face neared. Her scent hit. Dick twitched. Held back. Not now.
"Pretty color, no weird—hup?!"
Used Moment to uncork and pour into her mouth. Before she spat, pressed her throat. Gulp. She gripped me hard, eyes fierce.
"Yu-jin! You! What?!"
"Mom's unwell. Gave it to you. Knew you'd refuse."
"...Unwell? I'm fine. Good potion for you."
"Want you alive forever."
"...Yu-jin."
Her face crumpled. Angry but not.
Clap clap clap.
Oliver teary-eyed, applauding.
"Bravo! Never seen a filial son like Yu-jin! Ha-ri, you raised him perfectly. Wish my son half like him."
"...Anyway, thanks, Yu-jin. But no next time. Mom's fine. You eat next. Got it?"
She hugged tight. I saw tears at her eyes. Now she'd spread willingly.
"Yeah."
Traits: Spirit Devourer (S), Indra's Thunderbolt (SS) Skills: Divine Spear Unity (SS), Spear Throw (S), Combat Sense (S), Purification (D+), Barrier (C+) Affection: 100 Psychology: Yu-jin's state seems off from usual.
※ Stats reduced by Spirit King's Binding (SS).
Sung Ha-ri's physical stats rose. Temporary, though. Would drop again.
'How to break Spirit King's Binding... No clue yet. Status ailment—elixir maybe?'
Could invest elixir in her. But if Spirit King rebinds, wasted.
"Can't just take—gotta give back. Meant later, but... Mom's gift."
Sung Ha-ri fitted an iron bracelet on my wrist.
From this S-grade dungeon, probably.
"Thanks, Mom!"
Kissed her lips. Oliver watching annoyed me. Without him, tongue in, straight to sex vibe.
'No sleeping tonight. Heh.'
???
Back to Korea.
Went to grandparents'. Learned spearmanship from Sung Ha-ri, spirit arts here. Few usable, but...
"Whoa! Spirits everywhere!"
Makina gawked. Spirits' eyes fixed on her.
"Uh, uh, feels dangerous. Discriminating? 'Cause I'm unique?"
"All good ones. Not discriminating—expectant."
"Expectant? Of wh-what?"
Makina rolled eyes anxiously. Her look suddenly resembled Sung Ha-ri's.
Thud.
Grabbed her head.
"Uh, Yu-jin?"
"Kids! New recruit!"
Tossed Makina at the spirits.
Spirits cheered.
"Kyaa-hoo! Fresh meat after ages!"
I waved spirits back. Soon, Makina's screams echoed. She'd adapt eventually.