Chapter 43: Reality (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43: Reality (12)
In the underground shopping arcade, dimly lit by flickering fluorescent lights, the faces of the gathered ability users were all etched with tension. Kim Jeong-hu unfolded a map and began to speak.
"First, I'll brief you on the barrier currently surrounding the city. We believe it was cast by an S-class ability user. Given that a full day has passed and the Association still hasn't been able to break through, we can assume they are a top-tier barrier user. Furthermore, it's highly likely they're using an artifact to amplify the barrier."
At Kim Jeong-hu's words, the expressions of the twenty or so ability users in the arcade grew even darker.
"Are you saying there's a chance the Association won't be able to break it?" a middle-aged man, who had earlier introduced himself as a psychokinesis user, asked in a raised voice.
"I don't think so. It will eventually be broken, even if it takes time. The problem is time. The key is how quickly the Association and the Seoul guilds can penetrate the barrier."
"Then what are we supposed to do until then?"
The question came from a woman who looked to be in her late twenties. She wore a black suit, now stained with dust and sweat.
"We need to delay whatever Twilight's Fang is planning for as long as possible, until support arrives."
"They have an S-class and A-class ability users on their side. Can we really do that on our own? Besides, moving blindly without any accurate information on the enemy is..."
As the psychokinesis user spoke, murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd. The underground arcade filled with anxiety and fear.
"The S-class barrier user will likely be focused on maintaining the barrier, so it's improbable they'll be able to join the fight. As for information on Twilight's Fang..."
Kim Jeong-hu turned his head to look at Go Deok-bae, who was standing behind him.
"Mr. Go Deok-bae will explain."
Go Deok-bae stepped forward.
"First, let me brief you on the current situation..."
He spread a document on the table and pointed at the map. A red pen in his hand moved across its surface.
"Twilight's Fang has established complete control, with the broadcasting station as their center of operations. We've identified one S-class, two A-class, and five B-class ability users. They also have numerous C-class users positioned around the area."
With every movement of the pen, a red circle was drawn on the map. A diagram of the enemy's deployment, centered on the broadcasting station, began to take shape.
"The main problem is the location of the S-class user. We haven't been able to pinpoint it exactly. However, we have a probable location."
The sound of breathing in the arcade grew heavier. The very mention of "S-class" was a crushing weight in the air.
"Mister, where do you think they are?" Im Hwa-yeon asked in a calm voice.
"This is just my guess, but there's a high probability they're hiding in the center of the broadcasting station. If you look at the map, the barrier is spreading out in a dome shape from there. And..."
Go Deok-bae paused, his expression turning more serious.
"This is just my speculation, but there might be more than one S-class user."
Everyone tensed at his words. If there were two or more S-class users, the situation was far more dire.
"Do you have any proof?" Jeon Do-eun asked, her usual playful demeanor gone.
"An S-class user wouldn't have orchestrated something like this alone. To pull this off in a city so closely tied to the Association and major guilds, it's highly likely they have a combat-type user to protect the barrier caster."
Go Deok-bae's words sent everyone into deep thought.
"So, at least two S-class users... and two A-class users as well," Im Hwa-yeon said with a grave expression.
"That's right. Plus five B-class, and a whole bunch of C-class..."
A hint of tension crept into Jeon Do-eun's voice. The situation was much worse than they had anticipated.
"A frontal assault is impossible with our current strength."
Just then, a group of people rushed in.
"Mr. Kim Jeong-hu, we have a huge problem!"
All eyes turned to the newcomers. Their faces were fraught with urgency.
"What is it?" Kim Jeong-hu asked, looking at the man in the lead.
"They're installing an Aether Nova at the broadcasting station!"
At his words, a look of terror crossed the face of every person in the underground arcade.
I had no idea what an Aether Nova was, but judging by the looks on everyone's faces, it was something incredibly serious.
"Hwa-yeon, what's an Aether Nova?" I whispered to her.
"...It's a bomb. One made by condensing aether. If it goes off, this entire city will be wiped off the map."
The coldness in her voice underscored the gravity of the situation. This was far more dangerous than I'd thought.
Well, are we fucked?
Before I could even process it, Kim Jeong-hu spoke again.
"How large is it?"
"We thought it would be C-class at most... but Mr. Baek Hoon, our clairvoyant, confirmed it. He said it looked to be at least B-class in scale."
The faces of Im Hwa-yeon and Jeon Do-eun darkened even further.
"A B-class scale..."
"Seoul is going to be blown away..."
Panic began to ripple through the terrified ability users. Anxious voices filled the air.
"Are we all going to die?"
"What do we do..."
"We have to get out of here..."
Fear and chaos spread in an instant.
"Everyone, calm down!" Kim Jeong-hu shouted. "This is no time to panic. We need to remain calm and come up with a plan."
The area quieted at his words. He then addressed the ability users.
"We must inform the Association of this immediately."
"And how are we supposed to do that?! The only means of communication is at the broadcasting station, and there's an S-class user sitting right on top of it!" someone cried out in a despairing voice.
"How much time do we have left?" Im Hwa-yeon asked, staring intently at the map.
"Two hours... maybe less. The device will be fully installed by then."
Silence fell. If they couldn't retake the broadcasting station in two hours, Seoul was doomed.
Watching everyone waver, I slipped a hand into my pocket and touched my smartphone.
The situation was far more serious than I had imagined.
I needed to enter the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual and gain enough power to fight on equal footing with at least an S-class user.
First, I need time to get stronger.
Just as I was about to pull out my phone, I felt something approaching from above the ceiling.
-BOOM!!!
With a sudden explosion, the ceiling of the underground arcade collapsed. Concrete fragments rained down like hail, and dust swirled like a storm.
"See? Just like I said. Follow the rats and you'll find them all huddled together~"
A man in a mask emerged from the cloud of dust. A crazed smile was plastered on his lips, visible beneath the mask.
"Ugh... what a pain. Let's just get this over with and go back."
"Sparkling Twinkle Diva makes his entrance, kkyung!"
Two more men appeared from above. One was the Gay Bastard, and the other was a man with a deep scar carved into his face.
Then, from behind them, at least twenty armed individuals dropped down from the opening.
The combat-ready ability users in the arcade immediately took their stances. Flames erupted from Im Hwa-yeon's hands, and electricity sparked around Jeon Do-eun.
The Gay Bastard leaped down and landed in front of me.
"BOY! I missed you so much!"
He spread his arms, trying to hug me. Goosebumps erupted all over my body as I quickly backed away.
"Get lost!"
"Aww~ Why are you running away?"
His disgusting gestures made everyone around him grimace.
"Haaah~ That gay bastard is at it again. Hey, gay boy~ Stop playing around and finish it quickly," the Masked Man said with a sigh.
Simultaneously, the members of Twilight's Fang activated their abilities and attacked. In an instant, the arcade turned into a battlefield. The sounds of explosions, screams, and clashing powers filled the air.
I swung my katana at the charging Gay Bastard.
-Clang!
He blocked my attack and took a slight step back.
"BOY~ Your attacks are stronger than yesterday, aren't they?"
Just then, Im Hwa-yeon launched a blast of fire and moved to my side. The man hissed as her attack hit him.
"Again! Again! The pussy is trying to steal my man!"
He instantly rushed toward Im Hwa-yeon.
"Flame Surge!"
A wave of fire erupted from Im Hwa-yeon's fingertips, causing a massive explosion as if to incinerate everything in its path.
-BOOM!
The incredibly powerful flames shot up to the broken ceiling.
"Hahaha! A pussy's flames can't pierce my skin!"
At his taunt, the corner of Im Hwa-yeon's mouth curled into a cold smirk. A newfound confidence shone in her eyes.
"Things will be a little different this time, you gay bastard!"
With her shout, her firepower exploded. The increased aether turned her flames a brilliant blue. The temperature in the arcade skyrocketed in an instant.
-BOOM!!!
A torrent of blue flames, on a completely different level than before, burst forth. The inferno, radiating heat as intense as the sun, swallowed him whole.
"Kyaak! What is this! It's different from before!"
His tone changed as he let out a pained scream for the first time. His tough skin began to glow red-hot.
"Now it's getting through, huh?"
Im Hwa-yeon smirked as she pressed her attack.
"When did you get so strong, pussy!"
He tried to charge through the flames, but I blocked his path.
I readjusted my grip on the katana and infused it with my internal energy. The blade cut through the air as I swung it at him.
I felt the tip of the sword slice his skin. I swung faster, harder.
"Kyaak...! My skin! Cutie Crusher!"
Pink glitter exploded from his fist.
-BAM! BAM! BAM!
His fists rained down like a machine gun. I dodged and parried each punch before ducking low. I slipped under his outstretched arm and swung my sword.
-Swoosh!
A white blade of energy slashed across his side.
Wounded, he retreated.
"Haa, haa. BOY! Now I'm mad! Transform!"
His body shimmered as pink glitter erupted from him.
"Love Guardian! Twinkle Super Diva will now fight you for real!"
With those words, he charged again.
-BAM! BAM!
His attacks were stronger than before. The shock of his fists clashing with my katana sent a numbing sensation up my arm.
"Twinkle Rainbow Crusher!"
An even more intense pink light burst from his fist. His attacks were faster and more powerful than before.
-CRASH! THUD! BOOM!
The impacts felt like they would shatter my katana.
Crazy bastard.
His frenzied assault continued relentlessly.
"Hey, duck!"
I heard Im Hwa-yeon's voice from behind me. I immediately dropped to the ground.
A torrent of incredibly powerful flames flew over my head toward him. The blue inferno engulfed not only the Gay Bastard but also the Twilight's Fang members behind him.
"Uwaaah!"
"It's hot!"
"Aaargh!"
The flames swallowed everything amidst horrific screams. The ceiling of the arcade began to crumble.
"We need to get out of here, now!" Kim Jeong-hu shouted, and the non-combatants began to move frantically.
Then, from within the pillar of fire created by Im Hwa-yeon's flames, the Gay Bastard's voice rang out.
"Twinkle Love Shower!"
Pink energy burst out in the shape of a heart.
I grabbed Im Hwa-yeon and dodged. The floor melted where the pink attack had passed.
"Don't underestimate it just because it's heart-shaped! My love can melt even steel!"
I continued to dodge his attacks while holding Im Hwa-yeon. The floor melted wherever the pink hearts landed.
Held in my arms, she whispered to me. Even though she was out of breath, her voice was firm.
"Hey, can you hold that bastard off for five minutes?"
Her expression was serious. It looked like she was preparing a major technique. The blue flames in her hand began to burn more intensely than ever before.
"Five minutes should be enough, right?"
"Yeah. I'll hit him with something big."
I nodded and let her go. As she backed away, I tightened my grip on my katana.
I dodged his attacks and countered.
"Twinkle Love Storm!"
Pink energy exploded from his body.
-BOOM! BOOM!
Just have to last five minutes...
Behind me, Im Hwa-yeon was gathering a massive amount of energy. The blue flames around her grew more and more intense.
As I focused on the enemy in front of me, I sensed an unseen presence heading for Im Hwa-yeon.
"Hwa-yeon! Watch out, it's a stealth user!"
The moment I spoke, a man in a mask dropped from the ceiling, flying toward Im Hwa-yeon with a dagger.
Just as I turned to rush to her, Jeon Do-eun appeared and attacked the masked man.
"Lightning!"
"Gyaaaah!"
A brilliant bolt of lightning pierced the masked man's body. As he screamed, Jeon Do-eun finished him off and shouted.
"Honey, don't worry about her! I'll protect her!"
Reassured by her words, I focused on the Gay Bastard in front of me. He was panting, and had stopped his tricky long-range attacks to engage in close combat.
Pink glitter sparkled as he swung his fist. It was an attack imbued with an iron-like energy.
"Twinkle Rainbow Splash!"
A massive fist flew toward my face.
-KRAAANG!
I swung my katana to block his punch. A deafening roar echoed as the steel-like fist and my sword collided.