Chapter 276
Chapter 276
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 276
Chapter Title: Hahoe Mask Returns (1)
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In the depths of the abyss.
The entity closely observed the lifeform that had suddenly intruded into its domain.
No matter how meaningless the concept of time was to it, even this being wasn't entirely devoid of boredom.
So it was only natural to take an interest in this sudden irregularity.
"Could it be... a god? A god stuck away in a place like this. Hmm, in that case..."
Simply maintaining its form within this space was enough to pass.
Not only was its flesh impeccable, but the dignity of its very existence was beyond reproach.
Yielding to its rising curiosity, the entity decided to play a little prank.
Ruuuumble—
Waves of churning chaos swept through all directions.
Yet the lifeform—the Ban Cheon Society Leader—didn't so much as bat an eye.
As if the space itself had twisted around him, he simply let it flow past naturally.
"...Is this that kind of world? What a hassle. I prefer a hands-off approach."
Even amid it all, the Ban Cheon Society Leader muttered calmly.
But the domain's ruler cared little for what the other said.
It had long ceased to concern itself with the egos and personalities of mere mortals.
Thus, its next action came without the slightest hesitation.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ "Aah— My lord! My god—" Its possession. Its slave. Its plaything.
It pulled out one of the souls it had replicated and stored, shoving it into the other's body.
If it could seize that flesh terminal successfully, wouldn't retrying that recent failure go much faster?
'Gods are all the same—arrogant no matter the world.'
Narrowing his eyes at that, the Ban Cheon Society Leader clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Unnecessary tricks."
💥 CRITICAL HIT! 💥 -Kreeaak—!
He shredded the foreign intruder inside him to pieces.
And at that moment, a pair of massive wings over three meters long unfurled from his back.
Fwaaah—
Sunset-hued radiance spread, pushing back the chaos and abyss engulfing everything.
It was a foreign divine power unseen in this world.
Squirm—
The surrounding space writhed unpleasantly in response.
The torn slave soul was no big loss—plenty of copies remained.
What irked it was that irritating aura.
Daring to wield divine power in its domain?
Yet alongside the fury came curiosity.
A divine power it had never encountered before.
Undoubtedly the energy of an outer god, not from this Outerica.
And this lifeform wasn't borrowing it from someone else—it emanated from within itself.
Meaning the other possessed divinity.
At the very least, it had the qualifications to face it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ "Kreea— Aah... My god..." Even as the replicated soul cried out until the end before crumbling away, the entity paid it no mind.
"A god... Looks like you're the type cast out from your seat."
Churn—
Having touched a reverse scale, the space roiled violently in reaction.
Fallen or not, a god was a god.
Just expressing emotion warped the space with its pressure.
Yet amid the tempest, the Ban Cheon Society Leader continued unflinchingly.
"How about a chat before getting worked up? If you don't show yourself, I'll just head back as is."
His eyes, gleaming with an eerie light, fixed on the sunken entity in these depths.
He didn't like gods, but this one trapped here... it couldn't be called a proper god anymore.
It seemed long banished from its throne and sealed away.
And that meant—
'It has its own regrets. I can use that.'
It would undoubtedly aid in wrapping things up here.
Of course, entering this dimensional prison and trash heap was a problem in itself.
'This'll take longer than expected. But...'
Surveying his surroundings, his brow furrowed slightly.
Amid the turbulent storm of disordered energies sweeping everywhere, a subtly familiar aura lingered.
'...Hmm. Just my imagination?'
He soon dismissed it.
The dregs of worlds were much the same everywhere, and he had no leisure to dwell on it now.
Thus, in the abyss blanketing all directions.
The black curtains of two worlds met.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The internet site Dawn's Hahoe Shrine, which had been rapidly gaining members.
Even this site, which exploded in growth from the start, was now seeing its momentum wane.
Most potential members had already joined, but the prolonged absence of their central figure played no small part.
'Well, it's a fan site, so what can you do.'
They had all banded together, inspired by the exploits of the dark hero 'Hahoe Mask.'
But with the man himself suddenly vanishing, morale was bound to suffer.
Even among those steadfastly praying for his return, unrest was slowly spreading.
📰 Breaking News Rumors that Hahoe Mask died in Japan? 💬 Comments — Anonymous (Link) They posted a bloodied, broken Hahoe Mask mask and robe claiming it's proof. Is this real? — User123 No way, fake, total fake. — Fanboy It's been over a week since Hahoe Mask went dark, right? About ten days? What if it's real... — Skeptic Not even a month. You're all freaking out over a short break;; — Reply ↳ Reply Honestly, if he'd wrapped up Japan and dipped, I'd get the break. But stopping midway screams kingly god-tier vibes, right? — WorriedFan ㅜㅜ No sightings in Korea either. Even if not dead, maybe really hurt? — Loyalist If you're alive, at least signal survival lol. We'll forgive a break, you bastardㅠㅠ His merciless judgments of unforgivable criminals had improved domestic security, and his overseas exploits had made headlines. Supporters were more numerous than expected.
Not just on the fan site—similar followers cropped up across other communities.
Naturally, more started linking him to Heinz 2nd, 'Phantom,' who was recently gaining fame.
Not mere suspicion of ties, but...
📰 Breaking News Copycat suckers are pissing me off. 💬 Comments — Frustrated Who made Korea this peaceful? Seeing that Opera Ghost mask wannabe flip when Hahoe Mask shows up is disillusioning;; Not a few over-immersed fans saw them as rivals.
Those directly helped by Hahoe Mask or benefiting from his actions.
But such sentiments didn't gain much traction.
— Neutral Yeah, kinda. They trash Hahoe Mask the second they get a chance. — Pragmatist Did Hahoe Mask patent it? As long as it gets safer, who cares? Don't nitpick. — Reply Fr, black cow or white cow, results matter. — Hesitant Grateful for the efforts, but black magic creeps me out a bit..ㅎㅎ; — Reply ↳ Reply Me too. What if black mana backfired and that's why he dipped? Could snap and turn villain anytime. — Anti Whoa... could be. — Defender Ugh, their anti propaganda is gross. Hahoe Mask's support stemmed from public safety merits, and Phantom's budding fan site 'Opera House' pushed back hard.
'Hmm, Heinz's fandom is growing faster than expected. Probably because he never shied from cameras from the start.'
Hans could teleport in a blink, but Heinz's range wasn't narrow.
Limited to Seoul, he could reach anywhere in minutes.
No black magic stigma, vampire suspicions thoroughly masked by 「Existence Denial」. And above all...
📰 Breaking News Seoul Dark Hero Phantom Legendary Photo 📰 Breaking News Day 5 of 1 Phantom a Day Dragon Eye Prayer ⭐ Top Comment — Excited Insane lol look at this, ridiculously handsomeㅋㅋ Unlike Hans, his striking looks played a huge role.
It started with a single post-judgment photo taken by chance.
The opera half-mask couldn't hide his overwhelming beauty.
'That one was impressive, even to me.'
A single shot that went viral online.
Heinz 2nd, in a tailored suit and white half-mask, glancing back under moonlight.
No posed shot, but the photographer—a pro—zoomed from afar, creating a pictorial scene.
'Plus a hint of 「Enchantment」 seeped into the photo.'
His elevated presence seemed to affect it naturally.
Acquired after Alpha but forgotten until then.
Scattered criminals around him became props accentuating his dangerous, fatal charm.
'Can't compare to the shrouded black wizard Hahoe Mask.'
Likely why Heinz 2nd's popularity surged among women.
Shallow looks-obsessed times, but reality.
'Doesn't matter since both are me. Maybe form a blatant masked secret org?'
Name like... Masquerade?
Include Heinrich and all avatars...
'No, later.'
He reined in his wandering thoughts, focusing on the imminent plan.
Shiiieek—
A fierce whoosh cut the silence.
Moonlight-hid night.
Faint sea waves below shifted to glittering city lights.
A fantastical city of vibrant colors.
'Let's see. Location...'
Thus, at a point high above Shanghai after crossing the sea.
[...Found you.]
Hans intoned coldly, 「Abyss Eye」 pinning the target's precise spot.
Tight security that would've evaded without prior intel.
A familiar presence detected within.
'Ban Cheon Society East Asia Branch Chief, Yulryeongja.'
No need to hesitate now.
They'd likely detected his Shanghai arrival.
Time for swift resolution.
Hans plummeted faster than his flight speed.
And finally.
Kwaaaang—!
The barrier blocking ahead shattered in a deafening blast.
Fireworks heralding Hahoe Mask's revival.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In an office reflecting lavish decor and night views.
"Hoo."
North America Branch Chief Scribe consultation done, Yulryeongja sank deep into his chair.
Turning toward the window, he extended his right hand sideways, grasping his teacup.
Slurp—
Leisurely break with splendid nightscape.
Gazing blankly out the window, his eyes drifted to his right arm, face naturally souring.
From his nape, thin metal wires split into five strands connecting to his fingertips.
A cutting-edge magitech prosthetic by Doctor, for the arm lost in Hahoe Mask's mental world, forcing movement per intent.
'Hahoe Mask...'
Flexing his fingers slowly, he fell into thought.
The Society's archfoe, vanished post-Japan some time ago.
By now, something must've gone wrong for him too.
Not just their one-sided losses.
His frown eased at the thought.
'Countermeasures progressing steadily. Once Scribe coordination finishes, finally...'
However.
Didn't an old saying go like that?
Speak of the tiger and it appears.
If a mere tiger, how much more a world's demon king...
Beep—! Beep—! Beep—!
Not strange even if mere thought summoned it.
-Lord Yulryeongja! Emergency! Shanghai airspace now...!
Base alarms blared.
Urgent comm from security subordinate.
And simultaneously.
<High-Energy Approach Alert!> <High-Energy Approach Alert!> <High-Energy Approach Alert!> <...> Blood-red messages scrolled in his left prosthetic eye.
Crash—!
Teacup shattered from his hand, but he bolted up with aid device, ignoring it.
No, couldn't spare a glance.
Kwaaaang—!
The building shook violently.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kekeke— It's been a real long time, hasn't it.] The voice he'd just recalled—from the netherworld—froze the space.