Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Beijing Gate (2)
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Incheon Airport's outer training grounds.
This was a site the Korean government had hastily secured.
The news of two National Power-level Hunters facing off had thrown the Korean government and the Superhuman Management Bureau into chaos. With desperate effort, Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk had secured permission to use a nearby training ground in just thirty minutes.
Standing in the center of the training field were Kim Hyun and Liu Guoliang.
Liu Guoliang, facing her, slowly opened his mouth.
"[One last time. You really intend to do this?]"
His voice was thick with warning.
In response to Liu Guoliang's question, Kim Hyun cracked her neck side to side.
"Ah, shit. I don't speak Chinese."
"[You must want a beating to come to your senses.]"
"Talky. Just start already."
Kim Hyun beckoned with her finger.
Liu Guoliang's eyebrow twitched instantly.
"[......Fine.]"
The next moment.
Liu Guoliang's eyes changed.
At the same time, an immense aura erupted from his body.
'This is......!'
Chae Seol-ah, watching from the stands, went pale. An oppressive pressure crushed her, making it hard to breathe.
'This is the true aura of a National Power-level Hunter......!'
"Impressive, for sure. First time seeing it up close, though......"
Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk muttered with a tense expression.
"The Supreme Under Heaven title isn't hype."
Meanwhile.
The Chinese officials gazed down at the field with relaxed expressions. They were already certain of the outcome.
Their own National Power-level Hunter, the Supreme Under Heaven Liu Guoliang, wouldn't lose.
'Korea's National Power-level Hunter? Just a newbie who ascended recently.'
'Lord Liu Guoliang has reigned as one for over ten years.'
'Not someone a puny country's hunter can handle.'
'Lord Liu Guoliang will teach that rude woman a lesson.'
On the other hand, Kim Hyun in the center of the field.
"Yawn."
Was letting out a big yawn.
Seeing that, a vein bulged on Liu Guoliang's forehead.
"[......What incredible nerve.]"
"Chinese again...... If you're in Korea, learn some Korean."
Kim Hyun said while picking her ear with her finger.
"Anyway, gonna start or what? Short on time."
That instant.
Kwaaaa!
Liu Guoliang's body shot forward explosively.
Tremendous speed.
Not only Chae Seol-ah in the stands, but even S-Rank Hunter Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk could barely track his movements.
'Fast!'
But Kim Hyun, facing him directly, felt differently.
"Slow."
She casually tilted her head, dodging the punch Liu Guoliang threw.
Kwang!
The air exploded like a bomb.
Tremendous destructive power.
Enough to leave an ordinary hunter on the brink of death.
But Kim Hyun dodged it with ridiculous ease.
"[......!]"
Liu Guoliang's eyes widened.
'[Dodged it?]'
So naturally, like it was nothing?
'[Luck?]'
Liu Guoliang's eyes narrowed.
He unleashed a barrage of attacks.
Pabababang!
Punches and kicks rained down. The air exploded wildly from the force in each strike. Limbs breaking the sound barrier triggered sonic booms.
But Kim Hyun evaded every one with minimal movement.
"[Th-this......!]"
The Chinese officials' faces stiffened.
An unbelievable sight.
Dodging the Supreme Under Heaven Liu Guoliang's attacks so lightly!
"Dunno what's what, but looks like Kim Hyun's got the edge!"
A smile spread across Chae Seol-ah's face.
"As expected of Kim Hyun......!"
Thus, thirty seconds passed.
Not a single attack from Liu Guoliang had touched Kim Hyun.
"[......]"
As Liu Guoliang stood shocked by that fact.
Kim Hyun let out a light sigh.
"About this much?"
"[What?]"
"Nothing special."
Kim Hyun grinned.
"My turn now, right?"
That instant, she lightly stomped the ground.
Black spikes erupted from the earth.
'Can't kill him.'
She planned to go easy.
Meanwhile, the moment the black spikes rose, Liu Guoliang's instincts screamed a warning.
'[Danger!]'
He immediately leaped back.
But the black spikes chased him at terrifying speed.
Kwakwakwa!
Spikes bursting from the ground shredded the spot where Liu Guoliang had stood.
"[Ngh!]"
Liu Guoliang barely dodged, but his clothes tore.
"Oh?"
Kim Hyun tilted her head.
"Good dodge. Nice reflexes."
"[......]"
Liu Guoliang clicked his tongue. Cold sweat dripped down his back.
'[That attack just now......]'
It had pierced his protective aura and torn his clothes. A direct hit would've caused serious injury.
No, maybe worse.
Kim Hyun beckoned with her fingers again.
"Then, continuing."
Kugugung!
Dozens of black spikes generated around Kim Hyun.
"[......]"
Liu Guoliang's face hardened.
He could tell.
Each spike held the same power as before.
'[This......]'
Could he dodge?
No, even if he could.
'[No chance to attack.]'
Best defense is a good offense, they say.
She was living that motto.
This was the power of someone freshly ascended to National Power-level? A Returnee, they said—from the start of her return, she had this strength?
"Now."
Kim Hyun swung her hand.
Instantly, dozens of black spikes flew at Liu Guoliang.
Kukukuku!
Liu Guoliang moved desperately.
Pababang!
He dodged with minimal motion. Unavoidables, he punched away.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
But each clash drew blood from his hands.
His protective aura? It crumbled on contact.
'[At this rate......!']
Liu Guoliang gritted his teeth.
His movements changed. While dodging, he began closing in on Kim Hyun. Ranged was disadvantageous. Needed to force close quarters!
"Oh, not giving up?"
Kim Hyun said admiringly.
"I like that. Then, crank it up?"
She extended her hand.
That instant.
Kukukukukung!
The black spikes doubled in size.
"[......!]"
Liu Guoliang's eyes widened.
This was beyond dodging.
'[Then......!']
Liu Guoliang steeled himself.
Red energy burst from his entire body.
"[Heavenly Dragon Fist......!]"
Liu Guoliang's signature ultimate technique.
A full-body charge enveloped in aura, honed over ten years—his strongest move.
"Ooh."
Kim Hyun's eyes sparkled.
"Looks legit."
Liu Guoliang charged at Kim Hyun, wrapped in red aura.
Kwaaaa!
Tremendous speed and power.
Ground shattered underfoot, air tore apart.
Chae Seol-ah and Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk in the stands held their breath.
"Th-that's......!"
"Liu Guoliang's killing blow......!"
Meanwhile, hope lit the Chinese officials' faces.
'That technique......!'
'He'll win for sure!'
But.
"Hm."
Kim Hyun nodded at the charge.
"Fun technique."
That was it.
She thrust out her right hand.
A massive black spike formed in her palm.
On another level from before—in size.
On another level in density.
"Then, as promised, take one hit."
Kim Hyun hurled the spike.
Kwaaaaaang!
Black spike and red energy collided head-on.
Pabababak!
A massive shockwave blasted outward.
The training ground cracked, surrounding structures shook.
"Kyaaak!"
Chae Seol-ah screamed.
Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk quickly threw up a barrier.
"Everyone, get down!"
The Chinese officials hurriedly took cover.
And then.
The shockwave subsided.
Dust cleared, air settled.
The center of the field came into view.
"[Kuhuk......!]"
In the middle, Liu Guoliang knelt.
Blood poured from his body.
Meanwhile, Kim Hyun.
Stood unscathed, arms crossed.
She smirked and said.
"Your loss?"
"[......]"
Liu Guoliang lacked even the strength to reply.
Total defeat.
No, "defeat" felt too mild.
'[This woman......]'
What was she?
He, who had reigned as China's National Power-level Hunter for a decade, the Supreme Under Heaven of East Asia, conquering countless S-Rank Gates.
Helpless like this?
Was this even human power?
Liu Guoliang's eyes held no more arrogance or wariness.
Only pure awe remained.
"[......I lost.]"
He bowed his head.
"[You are victorious.]"
"Chinese again...... Hey, Seol-ah. Get an interpreter."
Kim Hyun muttered irritably.
At her words, the interpreter hidden among the Chinese officials rushed over. The others hurried to support Liu Guoliang.
Once the interpreter was ready, Kim Hyun cleared her throat lightly and spoke.
"So, I won, right?"
"[Yes. You won.]"
"Then time to claim my prize."
At that, Liu Guoliang looked puzzled, then nodded in realization.
"[Fine. I lost, so I pay the price. What do you want?]"
Kim Hyun grinned at the question.
She jerked her chin.
"Hand over the Beijing Gate to me too."
"[......What?]"
Liu Guoliang's eyes widened.
"[Clear both solo? Ridiculous! Not enough time physically!]"
"I'll handle it."
Kim Hyun shrugged.
"Not into Chengdu or wherever since I don't know it—no sightseeing vibe there. But Beijing and Shanghai are famous spots. Wanna check 'em out."
"[What......?]"
Liu Guoliang stared at Kim Hyun, dumbfounded.
Treating S-Rank Gate clears like tourism?
'[Is she insane?]'
Like before.
She just didn't seem human at all.