Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Smartphone and Choi Tae-seong
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Japan had tried to cover up Kaguya's death but failed.
The news of Kaguya, one of the Strongest 7 and Japan's spiritual pillar, spread across the world in an instant.
The first to hear was Kang Mu-hyuk, South Korea's president and one of the Strongest 7, known as the Sword God.
"...You're saying that fanatic bitch is dead?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"...Do you think that makes any sense?"
"I couldn't believe it at first either... But after multiple confirmations, it's true. She was killed by an unidentified assailant amid the collapse of the black tower."
He had heard through the system that Japan's black tower—the Tower of Gluttony—had collapsed.
So he naturally assumed Kaguya had conquered it... but killed by some mystery assailant?
It was a story too unbelievable to accept.
The security chief glanced at him cautiously before adding,
"Reports say everyone in Japan witnessed the scene."
"Kaguya is dead... Any info on the unidentified assailant?"
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say only the Strongest 7 could kill one of their own.
Yet killed by some nobody... It gnawed at Kang Mu-hyuk.
The security chief replied,
"East Asian appearance. No distinctive features, just ordinary-looking... No player matches that description. Ryu O-shin from China is the closest bet, but... witnesses say he used a sword, unlike Ryu."
"Only me and America's Jack Roar use swords, so not Ryu. Then..."
A fleeting thought: maybe a Thousand Knight contracted to a 5th hierarchy constellation.
'Less than 0.001% chance... but not impossible. All 6th hierarchy constellations clawed their way up after winning.'
Kang Mu-hyuk knew about the "Throne Wars" from his own constellation, Edge of the Sword.
All 6th hierarchy had risen through brutal wars, and 5th hierarchy eyed their seats hungrily.
So maybe a Thousand Knight. But he wouldn't jump to conclusions.
"...Keep monitoring Japan. Report any new intel immediately."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"You're dismissed."
Once the security chief left,
Kang Mu-hyuk sank deep into his office chair and let out a long breath.
'That fanatic bitch is dead...'
Kaguya's death among the Strongest 7 was too unexpected, leaving a bad taste. Killed by some nobody or a Thousand Knight? Unbelievable.
But more than that, it made him grin.
Gr-rin!
His toughest rival was gone.
'Good riddance anyway. Now only... Jack Roar left?'
For ranking 2nd Kang Mu-hyuk, the only real threat was ranking 1st, America's Jack Roar.
Heavenly Horse Ryu O-shin showed no interest in Kaguya's death.
The weak were culled—that was natural. Even for the Strongest 7.
"She never belonged in the Strongest 7 anyway. Just squatted there with her petty tricks. No vessel for true supremacy."
Victory would be one thing, but defeat invited scorn. Ryu meant it.
"I'm different. I'll reach the peak... become heaven above heaven and rule the world."
Yet Kaguya's death planted caution in Ryu.
Even the Strongest 7 could fall.
Russia's Vladimir found Kaguya's death intriguing.
His dull, boring life might finally change.
"Unidentified assailant... One of the Strongest 7 like me? A Thousand Knight? Or... an Irregular? Fascinating either way."
What if that assailant comes for me? Would I die like Kaguya? Or...
Shiver!
Just imagining it thrilled him; Vladimir flashed a creepy smile.
Italy's Aria mourned Kaguya and condemned her killer for shattering Japan's peace.
"We will find the one who destroyed Japan's peace and make them pay."
Not close with Kaguya, but they shared the role of national guardians—and as influencers with over 100 million followers, a sense of kinship.
So Aria declared to the world: she would punish the mystery assailant.
"No matter what it takes."
Ranking 1st Hero and humanity's strongest, Jack Roar, suspected Kang Mu-hyuk as Kaguya's killer.
Japan's Kaguya and Korea's Kang were incompatible on every level.
'Swords wouldn't easily overpower her, but not impossible. Kang could do it.'
But Jack had no intention of getting involved.
US-Japan allies or not, no justification for intervention.
And underground towers popping up in America demanded his attention.
...Above all, can't leave Arhim unchecked to chase Asia. Who knows when he'll strike.'
The decisive reason Jack couldn't move: South America's ruler, Death Lord Arhim.
A mad monster threatening to destroy North America—humanity itself—kept him pinned.
'My mistake. Should've killed him then...'
Sparing Arhim was Jack's worst blunder.
A regret he'd fix at any cost if possible.
Too dangerous to touch now.
He could still beat Arhim—just didn't want the fallout shaking America. Not because he couldn't win.
'Don't weaken. I'm the Hero.'
Jack swallowed his regret, hoping Japan's peace held.
Back in South Korea, Lee Sang-hyun scratched his head. Choi Tae-seong's smartphone was blocked.
"Hmm..."
Seemed Choi blocked it while he was in the Tower of Gluttony.
"Sorry, but can't be helped."
Lee Sang-hyun headed straight for Choi to get a new phone.
Choi was in Yongsan, not Itaewon, deep in serious talk with his crew.
Entering the basement office, Lee knocked out all of them, including Choi.
"Urgh... ugh..."
"F... fuck..."
"Again... damn it..."
"...Ugh... ah... ah..."
"...Son... of... a..."
Thud.
No rank 3 black hunters—probably elsewhere. Just Choi and his men.
Tremble.
But Choi didn't pass out.
"Ugh... ah... ah!!"
Eyes bloodshot, drool flowing, but he endured.
Beyond mental fortitude—a "talent."
Incredibly, Choi had talent for water attribute. One he'd never glanced at.
'Impressive.'
Lee stopped trying to knock him out. Surprising water talent, and he wanted to talk.
"Gah... heuk! Heuk...!"
Choi heaved ragged breaths, forcing his fading consciousness back. Glared at Lee with wide eyes.
Gasp! Heave! Gasp!
Didn't recognize Lee—no closeness or history.
"Talk...! Let's... talk! Why... why me? What'd I do?! Enemies?! Why me!!"
His voice brimmed with pent-up rage and grief.
"What'd I ever do to you!!"
Lee answered Choi's plea honestly enough.
"Nothing to me. Just doing bad shit, so I did the same."
"Fuck... fuuuck!! That make sense?! Does it?!"
Other reasons maybe, but that was the big one. Bad guy deserved bad.
"Makes perfect sense. Chosen one, and this is what you do."
Twisted logic, but par for the course these days.
Hit a nerve? Or absurd? Choi trembled.
"Me... you think... I want this?! Think I'd choose this shit?! Fuck... no talent... that goddamn lack of talent forces this!!"
"......"
"I'd be pro hunter if I could!! No sleazy life!! But... no talent? What then? Strut and die?!"
Choi's wall of no talent was agony only he knew.
"Fuuuck!! FUUUCK...!!"
"......"
Lee didn't spout empty "find honest work" crap. Irresponsible noise anyone could say.
But curiosity struck.
If no talent twisted him...
Talent now—could he change? Would Choi become different? Truly?
Lee wondered.
Novels and comics always killed without second chances, no bullshit.
"Then talent would change you."
"Now you're just..."
Face twisting in exhaustion, Choi trailed off.
Lee approached. Choi flinched back in panic.
"W-wait...! I-I got heated... said stuff I didn't mean..."
"I'll give you talent. Change."
Before "what?" escaped, Lee pressed power into Choi's heart.
"Gaaack?!"
Choi's memory cut there.
Awakening, Choi felt and saw his transformed self.
"W-what... is this..."
So dazed he couldn't tell dream from reality.
Still felt like a dream.
Not even top 30 million, let alone 3 million... 2.7 million? Too absurd for reality.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
But real. Happened in minutes.
"One more time. Change now. You got that damn talent."
"Uh? Uh-uh..."
Choi nodded blankly.
Still wavering between miracle and dream.
Lee grabbed Choi's smartphone—shiny new model.
"Need it ongoing, so don't block it. Come looking again, I'll beat you."
"Ah? A-ah..."
Business done, Lee left Choi and exited the basement.
Whether Choi improved or worsened—time would tell. No bad vibes.
Good feeling, even. Guy despaired over no talent; now maybe reformed.
Lee powered up the phone, searched news, set next target.
'Brazil first. Something's off there.'
Next: Brazil. Blood Empire ruled by Strongest 7 Death Lord Arhim.
Lee planned to conquer the black tower looming there.