Chapter 422: Human World[R-18] (60)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 422: Human World[R-18] (60)
I quietly watched Im Hwa-yeon, who was smiling on the stage.
“She’s really improved.”
“She has,” Im Hye-rin agreed with a short reply.
Though she had a few minor cuts on her face from Ri Mei's attack, Im Hwa-yeon's expression was more confident than ever.
A moment later, the smartphone in Im Hye-rin’s pocket vibrated.
She answered it nonchalantly.
“Yeah, okay… So that’s how it is. Got it. Get ready to release the data to the press.”
Finishing the brief call, Im Hye-rin’s lips curled into a smirk.
“What was that about?”
“I had some things looked into. The results are in.”
“What did you have looked into?”
“It’s about you.”
Im Hye-rin continued in a calm tone.
“It was strange. The government wasn't controlling any of the negative videos or statements about one of its own ability users, an S-Class at that. And with the whole world focused on you right now, it's been too quiet.”
“So, did you find anything?”
“Yeah. Interestingly enough, the Sun Guild is involved. Those bastards orchestrated the whole thing.”
Im Hye-rin crossed her arms and went on.
“I knew the Sun Guild was close to the government, but I never thought they'd go so far as to tarnish the reputation of one of their country's own S-Class users.”
“...Hmm. Is this revenge for what happened last time?”
When I asked quietly, Im Hye-rin gave a slight nod.
“Knowing Oh Jeong-seok's personality, it's highly likely. He's the type who cares a lot about his image, so he wouldn't just let it go.”
"Still, it's ridiculous that the government is being pushed around by a single guild."
“Well, it's a well-known fact that the Sun Guild helped put the president in office. Besides, it's not just any guild; it's the guild that represents Korea. The government has no choice but to walk on eggshells around them.”
Her eyes narrowed as she continued.
“Still, it's annoying. I let them off easy by just kicking out the son. For them to keep crossing the line like this… it's not even funny.”
“You're not planning to cause trouble, are you?”
At my words, she gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
“I'd love to. But now's not the time. Still… I felt like I had to screw them over at least once to feel better, so I've prepared a little prank.”
“Is this related to the data you mentioned releasing to the press?”
“Yep. If you win, that data will be released at the same time. Public opinion is all about timing.”
I chuckled softly. That's just like her.
“I guess I’d better win, then.”
“That goes without saying… If you win by a landslide this time, the government won't be able to mess with you so carelessly anymore. There's still a sense that they can look down on you since you only recently became an S-Class. They haven't properly grasped the extent of your skills yet. The fact that you don't have a proper affiliation yet probably played a part, too.”
“True, I'm still only temporarily affiliated with the Association. But the government is more incompetent than I thought.”
"Well, it's not like the old geezers running our country have only been incompetent for a day or two... Ah, Hwa-yeon's coming."
I turned my gaze to the approaching Im Hwa-yeon. Descending from the stage to the cheers and applause of the crowd, she looked like the star of the show.
"How was I? Was I cool?"
"Yeah. You seem to have grown a little."
“Heehee, that was so refreshing. I feel like I've leveled up.”
As Im Hwa-yeon’s face lit up, Im Hye-rin added with a low laugh.
“My daughter, you're all grown up now.”
“Seriously, I've been grown up for ages, but you still treat me like a kid.”
“You're right. You're already grown up.”
Im Hye-rin said with a proud expression, then turned her head.
“Now it's your turn, Seo-yun. Go show everyone just how strong you are.”
I smiled faintly.
“Maybe then my weird 'Sex King' nickname will finally change.”
Im Hye-rin chuckled softly and tilted her head slightly.
“It never sounded that bad to me, actually. Every time I hear it… it kind of sounds right.”
Im Hye-rin gave a mischievous smile, and Im Hwa-yeon patted my back.
“Hey, go give them a real show!”
Just then, Raymond Crowley’s voice boomed across the arena.
“And now—! It's time for the final match! The fateful showdown that will decide it all!”
The crowd erupted at once. With the score tied at one-to-one, the winner of this match would determine the victor of the Korea-China National Competition.
“From China, the final contestant! The swordsman who calls himself the greatest under the heavens! The Heavenly Demon, Ryu Ja-ho!”
With grand background music, Ryu Ja-ho walked slowly to the center of the arena, his shoulders held straight.
The voice continued.
“And—from Korea, the final contestant! He may be known by the absurd nickname 'Sex King'!”
Instantly, a mix of laughter and jeers erupted from all corners of the stands.
“But behind that nickname is the savior who rescued Belfast, the new, strongest multi-ability user who has captured the world's attention in an instant!”
Raymond’s voice rose to a crescendo.
“Jin! Seo! Yun!”
I slowly rose from my seat, gripping Bi-yeon in my hand.
“Indeed—who is the stronger ability user!”
“Will it be the swordsman who calls himself the greatest, Ryu Ja-ho! Or will it be the rising star, Jin Seo-yun!”
From the Chinese side, chants of “Ryu Ja-ho! Ryu Ja-ho!” burst forth, while the Korean side echoed with shouts of “Sex King! Sex King!”
I watched Ryu Ja-ho as I walked toward the arena. He was already waiting for me in the center.
He’s certainly not ordinary.
But there was nothing to be afraid of. At best, he was child’s play compared to the Transformation Realm masters I had met in the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual.
Ryu Ja-ho looked down at me, the corner of his mouth twisting into a sneer.
“I saw the footage of your battle in Belfast. You didn't use a sword then. What happened to that form? Why are you holding a sword now?”
It seemed he had only seen the video of me using Spirit Fusion.
“Swordsmanship is my actual specialty.”
“Ha, to dare use a sword before me… How absurd.”
Ryu Ja-ho’s gaze grew even colder.
As he slowly raised his hand, the greatsword floating behind his back was pulled into his grasp as if defying gravity. The heavy blade cut through the air, letting out a low, metallic hum.
“I will show you the pinnacle of swordsmanship. I will carve into your very bones the true essence of the sword, something a nobody like you could never hope to comprehend.”
I quietly gripped Bi-yeon’s hilt and met his gaze.
He’s dying to show off.
Just then, Bi-yeon vibrated in my hand and spoke to me.
‘Seriously, has he been watching too many wuxia dramas? And I looked him up—that idiot… he's only three years older than you.’
‘...?’
‘Isn't that ridiculous? I was so shocked when I found out that face is three years older than yours.’
At her words, I couldn't help but speak aloud.
“That face… is only three years older than me?”
Instantly, Ryu Ja-ho’s eyes flashed.
“You bastard! Do you mock me just because you have a pretty face?! To think you're such a pathetic fool who judges people by their looks!”
He raised his sword high, his voice rising with it. Veins popped on his forehead in anger, and I could feel a faint trace of Aether gathering at the tip of his sword.
Bi-yeon giggled and whispered.
‘That idiot's pissed. Goad him some more.’
I shrugged and said.
“Sorry, sorry. But how old are you, really? You look like you're over forty.”
“I'm twenty-four!” Ryu Ja-ho answered, practically screaming.
“Really? What happened to make your face look like that?”
“You son of a bitch! How dare you!”
—Craaaash!
Unable to hold back, Ryu Ja-ho swung his sword. A wave of sword energy, cloaked in a black aura, flew toward me.
But the attack was too direct. A strike that had lost its composure to rage.
I dodged it by slightly shifting my body to the side.
“Angry? We haven't even started yet.”
“Die! Heavenly Demon Sword Art (Macheon Geom-beop), Descent of the Heavenly Demon (Cheonma Gang-rim)!”
As Ryu Ja-ho lifted his sword above his head, a massive black energy descended from the sky. It was as if a giant sword was falling from the heavens.
Wow, the name sounds impressive, at least.
But its power was lacking. Compared to the attacks of the Transformation Realm masters I'd faced in the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual, it was child’s play.
I held Bi-yeon horizontally and parried it lightly.
—BOOM!
A massive shockwave rang out, but I didn't budge an inch.
“Is that all you've got?”
“Grr! I'm not done yet! Take this!”
Ryu Ja-ho furiously unleashed a barrage of attacks.
—CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
A storm of sword strikes raged. The black energy surged like waves as the arena floor cracked and dust kicked up.
Cheers and gasps erupted from the crowd.
“Heavenly Demon! Heavenly Demon!”
“Just kill him already!!”
“What the… Isn't Jin Seo-yun getting his ass kicked?”
“No, look closely. He's dodging everything.”
Just as they said, I hadn't moved an inch from my spot. With just a slight twist of my body and the tips of my feet, Ryu Ja-ho's strikes were cutting through nothing but empty air.
His physical abilities are certainly befitting an S-Class. But… his swordsmanship is a mess. It looks like he's never seriously learned how to use a sword.
‘Yep, I checked Kkeomu-wiki. It says he reached S-Class at nineteen on pure physical ability alone. And apparently, he's never lost a single fight with that black energy. So be careful. That's the real danger.’
‘Acknowledged.’
I quietly narrowed my eyes, focusing on the black energy swirling at the tip of Ryu Ja-ho’s sword.
Each time a strike grazed past me, the black energy writhed like a living snake.
And as the fight continued, I became certain.
This is definitely a curse.
No wonder all his opponents were defeated so helplessly.
It could be dangerous if it hits me.
But so far, it wasn't a problem. Ryu Ja-ho’s swordsmanship was just that terrible. There was no chance of the curse even touching me.
“Heh heh, I'll give you this, your evasion is S-Class. But let's see how long you can keep dodging like a rat.”
As Ryu Ja-ho spoke, he raised his greatsword. The black energy began to envelop the area like a fog.
—Wooooong...
The black energy pouring from Ryu Ja-ho’s body grew thicker, starting to obscure even his own figure.
“Black Smoke Hell (Heugyeon Ji-ok)!”
With Ryu Ja-ho’s shout, the black energy surrounding him expanded explosively.
The black Aether, which had been rising like a thick fog, suddenly transformed into a formless smoke and covered the entire arena.
—Ruuuumble!
Ryu Ja-ho’s voice echoed from within the fog.
“This is my forbidden technique. The moment my energy touches you, your body will slow and your mind will be consumed…! This is a true domain of death, one that cannot be blocked by a mere sword!”
“That's a grandiose way of describing a curse.”
“Grr! Black Smoke Hell is not such a low-class thing!”
Ryu Ja-ho’s enraged voice came from within the fog.
“My Black Smoke (Heugyeon) is no mere smoke. It is a curse forged from demonic energy that makes every breath heavy. It will coat your lungs, paralyze your nerves, and inflict a pain that seeps into your very flesh—within this smoke, you will be slowly and brutally incapacitated.”
I looked around and scoffed. Visually, it was certainly impressive.
But that was all.
“All talk and no substance.”
“You… you bastard! Die, smothered in my demonic energy! Black Smoke Demon Sword (Heugyeon Ma-geom)!”
At that moment, a streak of black energy shot out from the fog, transforming into a sharp blade that stabbed toward my neck.
—Swish!
I twisted my waist to dodge, sweeping Bi-yeon downward. The black blade cut through the air and shattered the ground behind me.
“Stop running and face me head-on!”
Another attack flew from the fog. I quickly raised Bi-yeon and deflected its trajectory.
‘How long are you going to play with him?’
‘Heh heh, long enough to pay him back for all the insults.’