Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Hahoe Mask Rise (1)
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“The news lately, and the incidents... it's clear they've dropped off sharply.”
“For real. Just a little while ago, I was thinking we might be on the brink of total disaster.”
Lately, everyone living not just in Seoul but across Korea was feeling it viscerally.
The nation's public safety had skyrocketed to an absurd level.
Compared to the worsening news from abroad, the disparity was jarring, and this phenomenon had now deeply embedded itself into everyone's daily lives.
Of course, there were several reasons one could point to.
The Ability Management Bureau, a government agency, had been working tirelessly, and the Guardians under the Returner Association had racked up impressive results in capturing criminals. Their contributions couldn't be ignored.
But those in the know were all aware.
There was one more entity whose name rightfully belonged above theirs.
— Anonymous Honestly, without Hahoe Mask, our country would've been a total mess like everywhere else. Agree? — Netizen123 Guardians worked hard too, but the difference before and after Hahoe Mask showed up is too stark to cover for them. — ConspiracyFan But seriously, what's Hahoe Mask's deal? Gotta be multiple people pretending to be one, right? The mysterious figure known as Hahoe Mask had appeared out of nowhere, taming Seoul's nights before starting to show up across the entire country.
Rumors about him spread like wildfire, impossible to contain, and soon they were popping up frequently on celebrities' SNS and TV shows.
And riding that wave was one internet community exploding in popularity...
📰 Top Posts Hahoe Mask Sighting Locations Compiled Celeb Mentions of Hahoe Mask Link Collection Story of Meeting Him Right in Front of Me 💬 Dawn's Shrine The fan site for Hahoe Mask, 'Dawn's Shrine'.
Named after the traditional image of the Hahoe Mask and his nocturnal activities around midnight, it had quickly gained massive traction.
Naturally, interest in this modern dark hero wasn't limited to the general public.
Ability Management Bureau, Crime Investigation Division, Hahoe Mask Task Force.
“Uwaaaah—! How long do we have to keep chasing these dead-end leads?! Isn't it time to give up? Just let him do his thing!”
“That punk's flipping out again. Hey! Rookie, it's time for your meds!”
“Yes, Team Leader! Argh—! You bastard. You think we wanna do this? Orders from above—what can we do?”
Thwack! Thwack—!
Senior agents monitoring CCTV footage smacked the back of Kang Taesan's head as he lost it again, generously doling out discipline.
The rookie had this condition where he went berserk without regular beatings—heartbreaking, but necessary.
“This guy's skull is practically magnetized to my hand today.”
“Ow, that hurts! Senior! I'm good now! Senior!”
“Alright, kid. Anyway, our job is tracking Awakener crimes. No slacking—let's work.”
“...Ugh, got it.”
And so, the government agency's pursuit of Hahoe Mask continued unabated...
Korean Returner Association, Seoul Southern Branch.
“Tch, still looks like Blood Alliance is connected to Hahoe Mask. Especially the Heterosis faction.”
“Heterosis? That's the elite combat unit rising fast in the Blood Alliance, right? Led by that level 8 vampire using the alias Heinz?”
“Yeah. After purging the hardliners, they've been expanding peacefully, so we've turned a blind eye...”
Underground groups were like weeds—chop one down, another sprouts up.
Better to empower cooperative ones like the current Blood Alliance to self-regulate. It was efficient all around.
The results had been satisfying so far. With Blood Alliance control plus fear of Hahoe Mask, their territories maintained solid security.
“No matter how I look at it, Hahoe Mask is acting independently but getting intel from Blood Alliance too.”
“Intel... you mean the hit list?”
“Well, you could put it that way.”
Branch Chief Yoon Jiyoon frowned during her chat with her secretary, then sank into her chair.
Even she found Hahoe Mask too risky to probe rashly.
Based on known facts alone, he was a powerhouse on par with a world's demon king.
Mess with him wrong, lose the current balance, and if he rampaged... Seoul's heart would become a disaster zone.
“...Let's watch a bit longer for now.”
In the end, she chose to observe.
Ability Management Bureau, Returner Association.
Beyond these major players, countless intel groups, crime syndicates, and even the Reverse Heaven Society were secretly investigating Hahoe Mask.
Impossible to discuss Korea's current state without him.
And in that midst...
Vrrr—
[Kehheheh— To think there's still scum pulling this crap. Got some guts, huh? Guess I'll crack you open and check myself.]
“A formation? Who are you?!”
Hans faced a fresh reaction after ages.
He thought he'd instilled enough fear in the underworld, yet here was a murderer not even hiding, greeting him with that attitude.
“...So you're that Hahoe Mask punk. Quite the reputation these days. Impressive demonic aura.”
He even burned with fighting spirit facing him.
Not mere ignorance from recent return.
Even with Hans suppressing his heart's energy, few could face him so boldly.
'Means he's that confident in his skills.'
Roooar—!
As expected, a heavy aura erupted from the foe, swelling his presence.
A murky, mixed, yet weighty and oppressive energy filled the barrier Hans had set.
'Aura built from siphoning others' life force? Unique. To reach this level with such unstable power without becoming a cripple.'
Maybe a unique skill tied to it.
The density surpassed even Outerica's Imperial Guard Captain Conwell.
“Indeed, your fame isn't empty. Never thought Hahoe Mask was a Jiangshi, but you've mastered some special technique, huh?”
Current Hans wore the full Hahoe Mask, hiding his skull, but concealing fully from such a powerhouse was tough.
Earth had diverse unique skills, so excuses existed.
[Kekeke, it's been ages since someone faced me so boldly. This'll be fun.]
“Hah— Let's see how long that fun lasts.”
Krunch—!
Before words finished.
A brutal rupture exploded nearby.
A strike piercing his black magic barrier at insane speed.
But dozens of 'Abyss' tendrils from Hans at impact blocked the follow-up.
Their counter didn't land big either.
As Abyss serpents lunged, the foe was already distant, eyes vigilant.
'Fast. Martial world origin specialized in PvP, huh? First time facing this level of lightness skill.'
Swift strike and retreat.
Lightness skill—staple of martial arts/internal energy worlds dubbed 'martial realms'—was a nightmare for mages.
“...What is that? No ordinary demonic energy. So insidious yet pure... Even Heavenly Demon wasn't this level.”
The man, hands cloaked in crimson-black aura mimicking demon claws, scowled.
His earlier bravado gone, direct contact with Abyss had him on max alert.
'Too late to realize now.'
Thud—
Hans's light foot stomp sent insidious waves rippling outward along the ground.
Where they passed, thick Abyss swallowing light rose, overlaying the barrier.
Zzzzt! Zzt!
The original barrier was shaky for containment, so reinforcement for sure kill.
No good if he shattered it with mobility.
“...Hah! Facing me and you fiddle with formations leisurely? Before the Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor?!”
Infuriated by Hans's nonchalance, the foe ground his teeth, spitting it out.
Boasting his flashy title proudly!
'Ugh, 'Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor' from his own mouth? So childish... Not embarrassed?'
Embarrassing even as spectator.
But unlike his pitying thoughts, the ever-gentlemanly Hans played along to spare the foe awkwardness.
[Kehheheh— Nothing more annoying than letting slipped prey. Come, let's get serious!]
His worn conscience felt no sting.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Boom!
“Kuhuk! You tenacious bastard!”
About an hour passed.
The fight dragged longer than expected.
Foe's power was formidable, but that mobility was the real hassle.
Midway escape attempts damaged the barrier badly; pre-reinforcement would've let him slip.
'But ending soon. Good, wraps before 'Entity Projection' times out.'
Shiiiing—!
Abyss spread net-like from his extended hand, blocking escape routes.
“Damn! What kinda messed-up energy is this?!”
Despite death eroding via wounds, he thrashed wildly.
'No wonder the confidence. Fresh returnee, minimal mage PvP experience.'
Sadly, standard black magic barely worked on Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor.
His body aura granted massive anti-magic, refined demon claws severed offensive flows.
Deflecting, redirecting, or splitting spells easily—meant extra effort.
[But meaningless before Abyss.]
Abyss countered him perfectly.
His already turbid inner energy fouled and destabilized on contact.
Accumulating damage whether parried or blocked.
Maddening for him.
Yet even this was Hans weakened vs. Auterica potency.
'Unlike black magic, Abyss halves efficiency on Earth. Like holy power... Some energy-based rule? Still unclear.'
Overlooked before, but vs. strong foes, flaw showed.
Needed experiments comparing energies—easy for him.
Still, far superior to plain black magic.
And enduring this long? No pushover...
Stab! Stab! Spurt!
But resistance ended.
“Gahk!”
Abyss tendrils finally pierced unerringly.
Death's erosion devoured his battered flesh ravenously.
[Excellent. You'll make a fine undead. Unexpected boon.]
“Kraaak! Shut your crap! I am the Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor who ruled Ganghwan Realm in terror! Think I'll die pathetically here in Profound Realm?!”
Roooar—!
Vast inner energy surged with frantic demon claw rips at Abyss.
But body wrecked, vast energy useless.
'Ganghwan Realm... Vaguely recall from dimension research.'
Called that realm's terror? Similar to Hans.
Learning a peer, he couldn't hold back.
Shrak!
“Krrk!”
Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor thrashed, bound by surging Abyss.
Hans approached slowly, hand on his head.
[Terror of Ganghwan Realm... Like me. Since you shared, I'll return the courtesy.]
Foe introduced first; rude not to reciprocate.
In the pitch-black Abyss-shrouded space.
The absurd being, forged from world's negativity, loomed over the man, slowly speaking.
[I am the terror descended upon Outerica, continent's despair, ruler of death—the Immortal King.]
No need for name.
...Meaningless to this guy anyway.
Soon, Abyss from Hans's hand—
fully engulfed the Thousand-Slaying Demon Emperor's body.