The Noble's Reckoning
A meeting of the world's elite hunters existed. They called themselves the Nobles. Composed of only a handful of individuals, their names alone were known in every nation. Yet on that day, hunters belonging to the Nobles had engaged in an exceptionally deep discussion regarding their skills.
There were countless varieties of skills, so opinions naturally diverged. However, one point drew unanimous praise from every hunter present. “Skills of the time series,” one said, “possess infinite potential depending on the user's ability.” “I agree,” another added. “I’ve faced it once before… it’s terrifying.”
Time-series skills. Future sight or short-term reversal. The ability to stop or accelerate time itself and control an opponent’s movements. “It’s nothing short of divine power,” they concluded. Every gaze in the room turned toward the single middle-aged man in their midst. The only hunter here possessing time-related ability. While his capacity to handle monsters fell short of the absolute best, everyone knew the truth.
“…”
This man stood a chance of victory against any one-on-one duel, but the odds were extremely low. And far more terrifying was the fact that his time-related ability remained underdeveloped. If he ever mastered it perfectly, “the God of Hunters” would be an understatement. Such a power was both rare and precious.
At that moment, the woman facing the hunter with time ability spoke. “But aren’t there only five hunters possessing time-related skills?” “I wonder if anyone who has it simply hasn’t revealed themselves. After all, a skill of such merit has no reason to hide.” If time-related ability existed, its market value would skyrocket—hundreds of billions, perhaps. And with free mastery of it, “one could command national-level power on their own.” “You mean it still doesn’t exist?” “The possibility is high. Some fool might be hiding his true worth.”
As the meeting dragged on, meaningless chatter continued. The hunter possessing time ability finally spoke. “Let’s conclude today’s meeting. If any other outstanding hunter emerges later, we can investigate then.” “I’m getting bored.” “Let’s meet again sometime. Once a year is too frequent.” “Agreed. Reducing it to once a year isn’t a bad idea.”
Naturally, the next meeting would address the very topic now. “Let’s wrap this up. Good work, everyone.”
A hunter possessing time-related ability—perhaps even now, at this very moment…
‘Does he even exist?’
Leaving behind only that faint hope, the Nobles concluded their meeting.
* * *
Fwooosh!
“……”
A sharp, piercing sensation dug into the back of his right thigh, accompanied by the sound of something snapping. Kang Seungho bit his lip tightly and swung his sword in a desperate arc.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
The office wall completely shattered, and a gust of wind rushed in from outside. The top floor was already more than half destroyed. And…
“W-what did you do?”
Kang Seungho limped forward, his face twisted in confusion. The sensation he had felt moments ago… was not a magic-related one. Definitely not. “Time… skill?”
Kang Seungho’s eyes flickered. With his vast combat experience, he instantly understood. The air flow had subtly changed. Within that shift, only this man moved with sudden acceleration. And the man named Ha Dojin checked the message floating before his eyes before turning his gaze back to Kang Seungho.
[Initialization conditions not met. Time Distortion skill available in 600 seconds.]
He had intended to drive his blade into the enemy’s thigh and sever the tendons. ‘But…’
The bastard reacted far too quickly. No, perhaps his very body was different from those he had fought before. If he had wasted even another 0.5 seconds, Kang Seungho’s sword would have split his head in two. No matter how skilled the enemy was, ‘once the blade pierces the body, instant paralysis is inevitable…’
Kang Seungho had instead seized the opportunity by attacking the halted Dojin. An overwhelming concentration. Impossible to gauge exactly, but… ‘The battle I fought after raising myself to 250 levels provided the bastard with an enormous foundation.’ He had thought it would be an easy victory, but Dojin now reflected on his own arrogance. Pride, after all. Even if superiority existed, the basic rule of assassination was to kill swiftly without hesitation. “……”
Dojin exhaled softly and lifted Arkal’s Wrath. He had already known it would not be easy. His judgment had simply grown clouded due to too rapid growth from the ???-grade blessing. ‘Concentrate.’
Dojin relaxed his body, bent his knees lightly, and lowered his stance. Yet Kang Seungho, unfazed, spat, “How… how did someone like you…”
Fury burned in his voice at the time-related ability of the man before him. Until now, time-related hunters had been exceedingly few, yet each had unleashed overwhelming power. He could not accept it. No… ‘I must kill him.’ Before that bastard could fully wield his time skill, before he grew stronger still. A chill ran down his spine. He was certain—if he failed to kill him now, no opportunity would ever arise. Fuuuuaaaaaah!
Massive mana erupted like flames around Kang Seungho’s body. He was already severely burdened and in a dangerous state, but it no longer mattered. “Die!”
The torrent of mana unleashed from his sword surged toward Dojin. And at that exact instant… Kwoorururururururururung!
Dojin sidestepped the attack, and the spear of energy launched by the enemy sliced straight through the entire building in half. Kwoorururung!
With a deafening roar, the whole structure collapsed. At the sight, “E-Evacuate!” “It’s insane!” “What kind of monster just did that!” The hunters of Firebird Guild watched in horror as the 12-story building vanished in a single blast, shielding the injured Red Circle hunters beneath them. Pa-bam! Kwoorururung! Boom! Boom!
If they had been even a second later, they would have been crushed under the rubble and died. “Hah… hah… insane…” “What happened to the two of them? Did they die?”
The impossible scene left them staring at the ruined building. But… Kwoang!
Amid the explosion, debris flew in every direction from the center of the collapsed structure. Firebird Guild hunters shook off the incoming fragments and looked toward the spot. “Damn bastard…!”
There, with a twisted expression and bleeding from his wounds, stood Kang Seungho. He gripped his blazing sword and stared at one particular spot with murderous intent. Ha Dojin. In that brief instant, not only had he dodged the attack, but he had also thrown a dagger to halt the enemy’s movement. Simultaneously, he had fled outside the collapsing building. How… “How in such a short time…”
Kang Seungho bit his lip harder. If he remained still, the enemy would surely take him. Kugugu-gugu-gugu-gugu-gugu-gugu!
The momentum flowing from his body caused the surrounding ground to tremble violently. Hunter’s expressions hardened at the overwhelming pressure. Even awakened beings, ‘One person’s power… is it possible for someone to be this strong?’ Just facing the pressure made their bodies shake. Was this the level of a world-class hunter? Yet Dojin, standing directly in the face of that pressure, observed Kang Seungho with a calm expression. ‘This… is not Kang Seungho’s style.’ Kang Seungho had always been composed, seizing the opponent’s weakness to maintain his own pace. But… ‘His mind is racing.’ Why? Because of the movement he had made earlier? Dojin frowned slightly. It was indeed difficult, yet Kang Seungho should have been capable. However, something one thing Dojin had overlooked. The current Kang Seungho was undoubtedly stronger than the one Dojin remembered from the past life. He had already reached 250 levels in that previous existence. But the Kang Seungho Dojin knew was the version from 7 to 8 years ago. In other words, the gap in experience was overwhelming. Simply gaining power from a higher level did not make one endlessly strong. One had to master the skill accurately and adapt to constantly changing situations. In that sense, the difference between Dojin and Kang Seungho had already widened to the sky and earth. Dojin had fought thousands of battles using Time Distortion. Even if Kang Seungho possessed the most brilliant new blessing skill, perfect control was impossible. “Uaaaaaaaah!”
Already losing his sanity due to the gap with Dojin, Kang Seungho charged forward. Dojin moved swiftly. Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
Every single attack from Kang Seungho tore through the city. The spear of energy extended from his sword split roads and destroyed buildings. Thanks to control over the area, civilian casualties were avoided, but “That crazy bastard… how the hell is he going to clean up afterward?” “He’s completely lost it.”
Firebird Guild hunters swallowed hard at the rampaging Kang Seungho. Yet none could intervene. Who could stop such a mad assault? Hye-jin watched Dojin with worry. He was barely managing to evade, but if he were ever swept away… ‘No matter how excellent the armor from SW Technology, he would still take enormous damage.’ The full impact could not be avoided. But… Pa-bam!
Dojin dodged Kang Seungho’s attack with movements resembling a circus act, closing the distance. And soon, the gap between them shrank to within five meters. When he took one large step and the distance became reachable with a single hand stretch, “Do you dare challenge me to a direct confrontation!”
Kang Seungho roared and charged at Dojin. If it was a fight of strength against strength, he had nothing to fear. No matter how skilled the enemy was, ‘Without a sneak attack, perfect concealment is impossible…’ Kang Seungho gripped his sword and closed the distance. And… Swooosh!
His left hand reached out and seized the collar of Dojin’s clothes. Or rather, he tried to. “Time Distortion.” Uuuuung!
Once more the world’s flow slowed, and only Dojin moved freely within that space. ‘Acceleration, Night Walker.’ Ssu-suk. His body shook violently to the sides. Whish!
In an instant he vanished. Dojin had precisely calculated the cooldown of Time Distortion and closed the distance with Kang Seungho. The enemy would never refuse a direct confrontation. And within the slowed world, Dojin’s sword alone shone brightly. Swaack!
It split Kang Seungho and poured a red rain into the empty air.