Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Part 21. Revelation (1)
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After finishing up his work in the underground labyrinth, just as he was about to head back, Yoo Ji-tae led Yeoreum to an unfamiliar spot. The walls there were spaced far apart, making it feel just like a plaza.
"What's this place?"
Yeoreum looked puzzled.
That's when a tall man wearing sunglasses emerged from the far side of the labyrinth. He was skinny, but Yeoreum sensed an aura from him like facing a giant.
"......"
This guy's insanely strong.
Yeoreum's expression turned serious.
"Nice to meet you. I'm BM."
"B... M?"
Yeoreum's eyes widened in shock.
She had more interest in the strong than anyone. While living in the Lair, she'd researched world rankers she might face someday, so she knew the name 'BM' too. Excluding the global number one, 'Oscar Blanc', he was the strongest superhuman known to the world.
"......"
Yeoreum knew how secretive BM was. Unable to hide her How the hell did he...? expression, she shot Yoo Ji-tae a sparkling look.
Eye signal: I love you!
Yoo Ji-tae shook off the thought that popped into his head. He must have misread her eyes.
Thump thump. Thump thump...
Yeoreum's heartbeat sounded louder and faster than usual.
"Red-haired girl. You want to spar with me?"
"Uh? Yeah! I know you. I looked you up a while back."
She was like a fan meeting their idol.
But BM didn't recognize Yeoreum. He had zero interest in Lair cadets.
"Got it... So, I just need to spar with her here?"
Yoo Ji-tae nodded at BM's words. He'd come at Yoo Ji-tae's request. It was an odd ask for him: fight this girl I know once?
"No need for long talks. Start whenever you're ready, girl."
Yeoreum licked her lips and thrust her hand into empty air. Into her subsapce Cheonri (Heaven's Law). Then she began pulling out the sword she'd bought with Yoo Ji-tae's money.
"Hey, can I ask one thing?"
"Sure."
"Are you stronger than Javier?"
BM answered Yeoreum's question in a flat, emotionless voice.
"There are five humans in this world stronger than that guy. And I'm stronger than those five."
He was gilding his own face, but it didn't come off as arrogant or boastful.
It was just stating plain fact. And that struck something in the heart of the young dragon who sought strength.
"Well, guess we'd have to fight to know for sure."
Probably Yoo Ji-tae was the strongest she'd ever met.
But for some reason, he didn't feel like a proper 'rival'. So even living with him, she rarely felt the urge to crush him or her heart racing.
Whoa, fuck...
But now was different.
Yeoreum felt her pulse pounding.
The world's second-strongest human.
She wanted to go all out for real.
"Fight ends when one surrenders. Got it?"
"Okay."
Yeoreum took a deep breath, circulating mana through her body, then kicked off the ground.
The match was one-sided.
Yeoreum spat fire from her hands and chained sword strikes with perfect rhythm. She'd once said she never formally learned swordsmanship. Maybe that's why—her swordplay had a wild edge. Irregular timings that would throw off anyone properly trained. Unpredictable because it strayed from orthodoxy.
But it didn't work on the returnee. He read every attack to the end and dodged or blocked with simple moves.
"......"
Sweat-drenched Yeoreum furrowed her brow.
The fight was all her offense. Even when openings appeared, BM didn't counter. To her, it felt like he was underestimating her big time.
"Hey. Aren't you going too easy?"
As BM opened his mouth to reply, Yeoreum suddenly spewed flames from her mouth like an eruption. Fireball (B) cast orally.
A new pattern so far. The fireball hit BM and exploded. Flames soared high. But even with the hit, Yeoreum didn't relax.
As flames and smoke cleared, massive bat-like wings wrapped around BM like a shield. A perfect miss. But the moment the wings parted, Yeoreum charged again.
A sneaky ambush, maybe. But she knew she was the underdog. It felt shitty, but she knew the weak had their ways.
And if it led to victory, she saw no problem.
Screeech!
Her sword tore through air. BM dodged by a hair, Yeoreum gritted her teeth and kicked off air to close in.
"Don't just dodge—attack too. Look down on me and you'll regret it?"
Then BM spoke.
"Seems like a misunderstanding."
Arandot.
The world where boy supers he'd come with were labeled 'demons' and slaughtered.
He survived there 15 years.
"In my life, not once have I..."
Stabbed by swords, spilling blood; gutted by spears, holding in entrails by hand as he fought. Couldn't count comrades dying to tiny mistakes. When swept in blood seas near death, what propped him up were corpses of yesterday's drinking buddies.
That was his 15 years.
"...ever underestimated an opponent."
That's when it happened. As Yeoreum swung her sword into his range, her eyes flew wide in shock.
Suddenly, sharp blades pressed against her back. Claws sprouting from BM's wings. Did those wings have claws? No, when did they grow? She definitely hadn't let her guard down.
"Maybe you're the one underestimating me, girl?"
As Yeoreum tried to twist sideways, thinking she could dodge if not for her back—
Claws were already reaching her flanks too.
Yeoreum halted, dropped her senses, and scanned with eyes. Dozens of claws had surrounded her rear and sides unnoticed.
Too focused on senses, she'd missed seeing them.
"You're strong, girl. Impressively so for your age."
"......"
Only forward to move.
"Good power. Great instincts. Never seen magic cast from the mouth—what technique is that? Blew my mind."
But straight ahead, bone spikes from BM's hand slowly approached her.
"You'll be a ranker soon."
The spike touched her forehead.
"......"
"Anything left?"
"Fuck... Knew I'd lose, but didn't think I'd get shut out like this. I lose."
"Then say it."
The words declaring defeat and end: 'Surrender'.
Yeoreum sighed deeply, bowed her head, and whispered.
"...Asshole."
......
But BM's claws didn't withdraw.
She'd planned to rush if he relaxed...
Puns won't cut it, huh. Yeoreum slowly lifted her head, flashing a seductive smile as she muttered.
"...Not buying it♥"
"Fuck..."
After that, Yeoreum moped for days.
"What're you staring at."
She got a bit prickly too.
Not like when she lost to Javier and dug into a hole. She'd accepted this loss. But her pride still stung bad.
"Ugh... Best avoid her now..."
So Gaeul sneaked glances and steered clear.
"She'll be fine if left alone."
Bom said casually.
"......"
But Winter seemed somehow regretful.
It was Saturday morning. After a week of human-like school grind, the girls lounged in the dorm, sleeping in.
Yeoreum sat in the living room corner where the guardian used to be, brooding alone.
"......"
Winter cautiously approached such Yeoreum.
Then gently touched her hair as she hugged her knees.
Her head lifted. Irritated scowl.
"What."
"......"
"Beat it, kid. Can't you see your unni's in a bad mood?"
"......"
Winter gauged her mood and backed off. On her way to Bom's room, she peeked her head out again. Stared at Yeoreum awhile. Finally, Yeoreum snapped.
"What the—?!"
"......!"
Startled Winter hid behind the door again.
At the same time—crash! A plate shattered. "Mommy!" From Gaeul's room. Spooked by Yeoreum's yell, Gaeul emerged with her gloomy face, holding the broken omelet plate.
Anyway, amid that, Yeoreum stomped like Yeopo toward Bom's room.
And faced Winter hiding behind the door.
"What. Spit it out."
"......"
"Got something to say?"
The kid nodded hesitantly.
"What."
"...If I open door."
"Huh."
"...You'll do it."
Open door, and she'll do it?
What bullshit... Then Yeoreum remembered. A few days back, in the underground labyrinth, eye-fighting the kid—she'd said it.
"Hey. That was 'I'll convince if you move aside', not open the door."
"......?"
"No, you little runt. Totally different."
"......"
Winter fidgeted, eyeing Yeoreum.
"...Then, no?"
"You kidding? Obviously not."
"......"
Winter hung her head, staring at the floor. Totally dejected.
Yeoreum turned to head to the living room. But stopped short. Turned back and asked again.
"Hey, Yoo Winter."
"......?"
"Want me to? Convince that guy to play with you."
"...Really?"
"Do it?"
First time Yeoreum saw a dragon shake her head so eagerly.
"Fine."
Yeoreum charged straight to Yoo Ji-tae's room.
He seemed troubled today, eyes closed the whole time. Knock knock. "Yeah." His voice came.
Yeoreum opened the door and cautiously approached him at his desk.
"Um, hey."
"Yeah. What."
Yoo Ji-tae looked at Yeoreum entering. And the blue-haired head peeking from behind her against the wall.
"Got plans this weekend?"
"Nope."
"Good. Perfect."
Yeoreum turned to Winter with a smile.
Winter's eyes sparkled, nodding vigorously. Tiny fists clenched.
Eye signal: Please...!
Yeoreum nodded back like Got it.
"Not a big ask anyway. If you're free today and tomorrow..."
Yeoreum paused, brushing her hair behind her ear. White ear peeked through red locks.
"Go on a date... just us two?"
She bowed her head shyly.
Pure fake, of course. Yeoreum glanced back, smirking. Saw Winter's face stiffen in real time.
Yeoreum held back laughter.
"......!"
Winter stared at Yeoreum blankly for a sec. Couldn't accept reality. Then her brow slowly furrowed.
"...Yeah. Sure."
Yoo Ji-tae's reply hit like another shock, crumpling her face more.
Soon, tears welled in Winter's eyes.
"......"
Winter mumbled something incoherently. But no words came. The blue-haired kid fled back to Bom's room teary-faced.
Slam! Door shut.
Then, Bom reading in the living room spoke up.
"Huh? Yeoreum, we're going to WOC live tonight, right?"
WOC was the pro league for 1-on-1 superhuman fights. Bom had booked to cheer her up, first match tonight.
"I know. Me too. Gotta go today."
"Then?"
"Think a dragon like me would forget?"
Yeoreum tsked and whispered to Yoo Ji-tae.
For some reason, he looked satisfied.
"Anyway, that was a joke."
"Yeah."
"Winter wants to hang with you."
"...Really? Got it."
After saying it, Yeoreum hesitated, then looked away.
"And... after, see me a bit too."
"What?"
Yoo Ji-tae asked back. Yeoreum turned to leave his room, tossing casually over her shoulder.
"No, just... hang with me too......"