Chapter 493
Chapter 493
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 493
Chapter Title: Secret (2)
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Kang Taesan, a rookie agent in the Crime Investigation Division of the Republic of Korea's Ability Management Bureau.
Dealing with ability users who wield powers despite being ordinary humans in body was never an easy job.
Especially when those targets weren't just any ability users, but criminals. How much harder could it get?
"Gah!"
Though most of his duties leaned toward assisting government-affiliated ability users with investigations and arrests, stepping up to the front lines to handle things directly was still just as dangerous.
No, since he had to protect his own body in emergencies, it was arguably even more precarious.
Why would villains who'd already crossed the line treat him like a regular civilian?
"Urk!"
In other words, training wasn't optional for investigators—it was directly tied to survival.
In that sense, it was only natural that Kang Taesan's physical abilities were exceptional, as he never slacked on training even for a single day.
'Impressive. Both his mental fortitude and physical prowess are top-notch. His split-second combat sense goes without saying. At this level, he won't drop dead anywhere even if I send him off right now.'
I'd already known from 「Analysis」,
but pushing him to the brink firsthand confirmed he exceeded even my expectations.
It went beyond mere talent—his 'unbreakable conviction' and 'tenacious will' were propelling him past his limits.
"Alright, short break."
"Kuh! Hah, haa—!"
I smiled in satisfaction at Kang Taesan, sprawled on the ground in tattered clothes.
While tapping a hefty club engraved with all sorts of runes against my palm.
"You barbaric bastard... Be honest. You got some grudge against me, don't you?"
"Hey now, why are you saying that? I already explained everything. This method hits the mark for you right now."
"Don't bullshit me! Even if that's true, who keeps beating on vital points while I'm rolling on the floor?! You call that human?!"
He popped open a potion with shaky hands and downed it in one go, venting his rage.
Fair enough. After getting pummeled for over a day straight, anyone would feel the same.
But that didn't mean I'd go easy on him.
"You didn't suffer any real serious injuries, though, right? I told you—this club's a magic tool too. It just amps up the pain, but it's actually better for strengthening your muscles and bones. If you're that worried, chug another potion."
"...Damn it! Round two, you punk!"
"Oh? Recovered already? Pretty effective, huh?"
In truth, even with time dilation giving some leeway, we'd only bought a few days.
And a few days had its limits on what we could achieve—
'So we have no choice but to focus on the most crucial part.'
Above all, survival was key.
Etching the necessary movements into his instincts.
That was the essence of this training.
Whoosh—!
The club extended forward, thick with killing intent so tangible it took form.
The first time he'd faced it, his body had frozen, letting the attack land easily. But thanks to the training since, he was now gritting his teeth and managing to move somehow.
'Most other worlds run on the law of the jungle—might makes right.'
A primal realm ruled by violence and savagery.
If you froze up in fear just to survive there, you couldn't accomplish anything.
You might even die pointlessly in a situation you could easily win.
'He's gotten somewhat used to killing intent from front-line work as an investigator.'
But he always had to prepare for the worst.
The killing intent on this club was far from ordinary.
It was at the pinnacle level... from a being who'd reached the absolute human limit.
A feeble mind might suffer a heart attack just from proximity—the aura stimulated survival instincts, weaving chaotically through the air.
'At least I've confirmed the power of 「Indomitable Will」.'
For someone freshly awakened, coping with this harsh killing intent was surely thanks to that.
His unique skill was bolstering his already extraordinary mental strength.
Thwack!
But everything had its limits.
"Cough!"
Kang Taesan finally took a hit to the solar plexus and curled up.
Yet the club didn't stop.
Killing intent surged like it would split his skull in two.
"You son of a—!"
Just before the blow reached his head.
Kang Taesan drooled from his mouth but instinctively leaned back and retreated.
Then, eyes wide, he gauged the follow-up attack his body had been conditioned to anticipate.
'That's it. Lose your cool to pain or fear in any situation, and it's over.'
With his 『Return Pass』, as long as he kept his wits, he could flee back to Earth anytime.
To do that, he needed to stay composed and think clearly no matter what hit him.
"Think this training's good enough. Good work."
Confirming it had all taken root properly, I withdrew the club and nodded.
Was this talent?
Even after feeding him a 『Growth Elixir』 beforehand, his rapid progress was truly motivating.
"...Hoo, I really wanted to land one hit."
Kang Taesan sighed, relaxing his body at my words.
The moment he did.
Swoosh—
The club sliced through the air with a sharp whistle.
He ducked his head quick and launched backward.
"Knew you'd pull this, you bastard! I ain't taking it lying down forever!"
"Oh? Not bad."
By the time we'd wrapped up ambush response training too, it was starting to darken outside.
They returned to the central Seoul base—the villa they'd lived in before moving.
I wanted to keep training until the time limit, but with his family to consider, that wasn't feasible.
"...Felt like days passed, but outside it's only been a few hours."
He shook his head with a sigh.
He'd heard about it, but experiencing time dilation firsthand was oddly surreal.
If a brief stint felt this way, what about returning after years in another world...?
"Still, thanks to you, I can return anytime if trouble hits. Makes me feel at ease. I'll just tell Grandma it's a secret mission abroad. No point worrying her with the truth."
"...You could go and come right back. No need to risk it and waste time there."
"Can't do that. It'd just complicate things. I already reported to the higher-ups—what excuse would I have for returning so fast? I'd get grilled."
He couldn't tell anyone about the 『Return Pass』.
Revealing it would just burden the generous friend who'd given it to him.
And one more reason...
"In a way, this is an opportunity. For a run-of-the-mill agent like me to grow stronger and climb up. Can't let a golden chance like this slip away."
Awakened ones lost their growth momentum the moment they returned to Earth.
Using the 『Return Pass』 early would leave him a so-called returnee in name only—a total weakling.
Kang Taesan, with his hidden ambitions, wouldn't waste the opportunity he'd finally seized.
"Fine, if you're set on it, can't stop you."
I'd known he'd say that.
That's why even now, Howard was holed up in the 「Dragon Lair」 forge, hammering away.
"For now, spend time with Grandma, then come back once she's asleep. I'll watch over you until the transfer starts."
"...Huh?"
"What's with the 'huh'? You weren't planning to waste time sleeping at home, were you?"
Even sleep was better in a time-dilated space.
That way, he could prep more in the extra time.
Just like before.
"R-Right. Yeah, that's the way."
"By the time you return, I'll have gifts ready. Look forward to it."
I flashed a reliable smile at the lip-twitching Kang Taesan.
He seemed more uneasy seeing it, though.
Eh, probably just his imagination.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Midnight had just passed.
I brought Kang Taesan, who'd arrived with heavy steps, back to the hideout.
"What's this?"
I handed him a backpack stuffed with gear.
Fresh off the forge, still hot.
"What else? Told you before you left—I'd prepare gifts."
"...Yeah, but I already have gear."
"Ditch those. Use these. Way better. Straight from Howard Industries, custom-made."
"Whoa? Those are impossible to buy even with money. How'd you... Oh, right. It's that blood ally group's company."
The Bureau-issued gear wasn't bad.
Unobtrusive design to blend in anywhere, solid protection without hindering mobility.
But mass-produced stuff couldn't compare to masterpieces handcrafted by a master dwarf smith.
'Tweaked with 「Technological Revolution」 too, so they'll hold up in any world.'
Couldn't send high-grade magic tools galore, sadly.
They usually required certain energy levels or specs.
"Whoa, what's this? The backpack space is huge. All this magic gear? Unless it's made in that world, it won't work anyway."
"Think I'd hand it over without considering that? All usable. You're good."
"...For real? I knew something was up when they started mass-selling magic tools worldwide, but this? How much are you hiding...?"
While he marveled at Howard Industries' tech, I offered one more item.
A weapon form he'd be most familiar with as a trained agent.
A sturdy holster of monster leather, holding a matte black pistol.
"You know how to use a gun, right?"
"What kinda question is that? It's the only defense a non-ability investigator has. But firearms don't work in other worlds... Wait, no."
Kang Taesan, who'd given up on being surprised, quietly took the holster.
Of course, it wasn't ordinary.
Crafted with extra care by Howard in the 「Dragon Lair」, where time flowed a hundred times faster than Earth. A secret masterpiece.
"Just to check—any religion you follow?"
"Nah. Kinda interested in the Auterica Church lately, but not devoted."
Centered on the iconic saint who crossed dimensions, the Auterica Church was rapidly expanding on Earth.
Heinrich had been busy dealing with it for a while.
No patron god? Perfect, all conditions met.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, face serious.
"...Wanna make a contract with me?"
"What? Contract?"
A strange energy rose from my hand on his shoulder.
The power of 「Chains of Oath」, borrowed from Hesferon.
"Yeah. It's... my unique skill. I can grant special powers to those who trust me. Kinda like holy power."
"What the hell? You some cult leader?"
"Something... like that?"
Couldn't deny it outright.
If anything, not just leader—I was the object of faith itself.
"You can channel that power through the gun, amplify it, and fire. Generates energy bullets—no reloading needed."
The pistol was forged by dwarf smith Howard, embedding faint divinity into the core. Closer to a holy relic or divine weapon than a mere magic tool.
Microscopic compared to Heinrich's holy sword, sure.
'But for now, that's plenty.'
Holy power ignored world laws—a superior energy.
Not on par with untouchable top-tier like the holy sword, but it outclassed most high-grade magic tools.
'Taesan's trust in me is 94%.'
From what I'd learned, over 90% meant no betrayal, even at risk to their life.
At that level, he could wield most of the faith-empowered holy force with minimal loss.
Handy size—returns to hand anytime, anywhere if desired.
Full-auto capable, each shot rivaling a sniper rifle.
Holy-based, not physical—pierced bio-armor, magic barriers, anything.
With this, he could handle himself and escape any scrape.
As long as he didn't face pinnacle foes who casually swat sniper rounds from beyond perception.
"...Thanks, Seonghyeon. Must've been tough giving an outsider like me such precious stuff. The Return Pass too..."
After the contract.
Feeling the power in the pistol, Kang Taesan spoke quietly.
Even as a collaborator, handing organizational secrets to his friend—not himself—was a big deal.
This surely shook Han Seonghyeon's standing in Masquerade quite a bit.
No matter the circumstances, it pained him to drag his friend down.
"It's fine. We're not strangers. Plus, you can help us out after you return."
"...Yeah, that works. I've supported Masquerade's moves all along. Since the Hahoe Masks started."
"Oh yeah, name the gun. It'll be your main weapon."
"Huh? A name..."
Gazing at the black pistol, he chuckled.
"Black Star. After you, Seonghyeon."
Star (星) from Seong, black (玄) from Hyeon.
Black Star.
A bit childish, but nothing fit better.
"...My name's hanja isn't that."
"Shut it. Intuitive's what matters."
The friendly banter didn't last.
Plenty left to do.
"Alright, let's train to get you used to the gear before transfer."
"...Huh?"
"No worries about breaking it. Black Star's tough, self-repairs too. The protective gear..."
No sooner said than the club reappeared.
Twice as thick as before, it radiated bone-chilling menace.
"...Brought spares just in case. Swap if it breaks."
His fresh smile clashed with his paling face.
As their fortunes crossed, two days passed in the dilated space.
An otherworld transfer circle formed beneath Kang Taesan.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Early morning.
"Huh?"
A girl, hands clasped in prayer before heading to work, tilted her head.
A strange energy was welling up from within her.
"What's this?"
Trust level: 98%. Fanatic devotee.
Hubert Merchant Group's chairman secretary, Diana, blinked innocently.