Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Beginning of President Baek Juseok's Downfall (2)
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“Let’s go. To save your father.”
“You... you’re really going to help?!”
“Yes, but I can’t guarantee it’ll cure him completely. Please keep that in mind.”
“Of course! I’m already so grateful that you’re even willing to try!”
Kang Eunbyeol’s face lit up as she hurriedly led the way. In a secluded corner of the spacious office, she activated a hidden artifact, revealing a secret space.
-Whirrrrr
With the hum of the artifact, a passageway opened up.
“This way!”
Kang Eunbyeol took the lead, guiding me inside.
The path opened into a vast chamber, where nurses, doctors, and numerous mages stood waiting.
“Everyone, please step outside for a moment.”
At her command, they filed out without a word.
Wow, the daughter of the Hunter Association President really does have some pull. All these people just come and go at a single word.
As the crowd dispersed, a man lying on a sickbed came into view. He looked to be in his forties or fifties.
Kang Eunbyeol bowed deeply to me.
“This is my father. I’m begging you, please take good care of him.”
I nodded to her and approached the Hunter Association President on the bed.
-Hummm
An immense wave of demonic energy poured from his body.
Whoa, what kind of artifact did he use to end up like this?
From what I could tell, the demonic energy was trying to erode his mind, and he was barely holding it back through sheer force of will. That’s why he couldn’t regain consciousness.
In short, if I could just deal with the demonic energy, he’d likely return to normal.
“By the way, are these walls sturdy?”
Kang Eunbyeol looked puzzled at my question.
“What do you mean...?”
“Oh, I need to absorb and then release the demonic energy. With this much, I’m worried it might wreck the place.”
Understanding dawned on her face.
“No need to worry. This area is protected by S-rank defensive artifacts and layers of shielding spells from countless mages. It won’t even scratch from most impacts.”
“Hmm... Well, that should be fine then. You won’t hold me responsible if a little damage happens, right?”
“Of course not. Even if you demolished the entire building, I wouldn’t blame you. Don’t worry.”
With her firm assurance, I approached Hunter Association President Kang Seongho.
“Oh, and Miss Kang Eunbyeol, mind if I borrow some of your mana?”
“Pardon? What should I do?”
“Just stay next to me. If we’re touching, I can draw from you. Give me your hand.”
“My... hand?...
“Yeah, what else is there to grab?”
I took her offered hand in my left.
Alright, backup battery secured.
With preparations complete, I placed my right hand on Kang Seongho’s body and cast the spell.
“Absorb.”
-Whooooosh
Demonic energy surged into my body at an insane speed.
Dozens of alert windows popped up. Ignoring them, I cast another spell.
“Recovery, repeat.”
[B] Recovery (Repeated)
Recovering a portion of damage to the body.
- [B] Recovery effect activated. Partially recovering damage to the body.
- [B] Recovery effect activated. Partially recovering damage to the body.
.
.
.
My tissues tore and mended in an endless cycle. Agonizing pain flooded every inch of me.
Recovery could heal physical damage, but it didn’t dull the horrific torment of directly absorbing demonic energy.
My veins swelled across my body, and tinnitus rang in my ears.
-Reeeee
I kept absorbing for a good while longer.
That’s enough.
The moment my body screamed at its limit, I chanted.
“Release.”
-Vreeeeee
A massive clump of black demonic energy shot toward the wall.
-KABOOM!
-RUMBLE RUMBLE
“Wh... what the...?”
The demonic orb punched straight through the wall and kept flying.
-Whoooosh
-Thud
Drained of mana from supplying me, Kang Eunbyeol collapsed, dizzy.
She stared blankly at the hole.
S-rank artifacts and shields from countless mages... pierced in one shot?
A chill ran through her.
If this man were her enemy attacking from outside, she wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Th... that’s impossible...
B... but Father... how is he?
As Kang Eunbyeol looked at her father, a faint groan came from him.
“Ughhh...”
Frozen in place, she watched him stir.
“Father...”
Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at him.
“Ugh... What in the world happened...? Eunbyeol, why are you crying?”
“Waaahhh... Daddy...”
She rushed over and hugged Kang Seongho. He gently pushed her back.
“Ow... Hold on, Eunbyeol. Daddy’s body hurts a lot right now. Can you give me some space...?”
“S... sorry... I was just so happy...”
Wiping her tears, Kang Eunbyeol approached me and knelt in gratitude.
“Thank you... truly, thank you. I’ll never forget this grace and repay it someday.”
Only then did Kang Seongho notice me.
“Uh... who might you be...?”
I answered him.
“Hello. I’m the Masked Instructor, a creator. Due to circumstances, I can’t show my face—please understand.”
Kang Eunbyeol chimed in with more details.
“After you used that artifact, Father, you’ve been unconscious from demonic poisoning. He absorbed the demonic energy and cured you.”
Kang Seongho let out an astonished sigh.
“To think I was suffering from demonic poisoning... That explains how I felt. I nearly died for real.”
Still seated, he bowed his head deeply.
“You’re my savior. Thank you so much. I’m sorry I can’t stand to thank you properly—my body won’t move yet.”
I waved off their thanks.
“It’s nothing. I was just trying to save a life.”
“No, demonic poisoning has no proper cure or healing spell yet. If not for you, I’d be dead.”
“Hmm... You’re not wrong there.”
Without a doubt, I was the only mage in the country who could absorb this much demonic energy and live.
Kang Seongho said to me,
“You saved my life, Instructor. I’ll repay you properly.”
“Eunbyeol, bring the sub-space vault with the S-rank artifacts.”
Oh... didn’t see that coming.
Excited at the chance of something useful, I waited.
-Whirr
Kang Eunbyeol opened the vault, spilling out hundreds of S-rank artifacts onto the floor.
Whoa, this is insane.
Artifacts worth tens of millions each, lined up by the hundreds—it looked unreal.
I asked Kang Seongho,
“How many can I take?”
“All of them, if you want.”
Whoa...
I sighed, scanning the S-rank artifacts.
After a long look, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Great effects, super expensive if sold... but stuff I already have or don’t need.
Any mage would beg for one, but nothing fit my needs.
“Hmm...”
Noticing my letdown, Kang Seongho spoke.
“Of course... Someone who can cure demonic poisoning wouldn’t be satisfied with S-rank artifacts. My mistake—forgive my rudeness.”
-Clink
He shattered the necklace around his neck, and a sword materialized before me.
Whoa, he had this?
▶ Hellhound's Fang Absorbs some stats from slain foes, allowing continuous growth. Suppresses recovery effects on hit targets.
※ Some stats are sealed. They unlock upon growth.
Artifacts ranged from SSS to F-rank, with varying acquisition difficulties.
But after a dungeon reset, you could rarely reacquire them from the same monster.
[Legendary] artifacts, however, were one-of-a-kind. No reacquiring possible. Their value was beyond money.
Legendary and growth-type weapon? Insane.
Growth artifacts were exceedingly rare; most had fixed stats, no room for improvement.
A growth Legendary? Must take it.
“You sure it’s okay to give me something like this?”
Politely asking, Kang Seongho smiled.
“If I’d died, it’d be worthless to me. Please take it. Do you use [Aura] by chance?”
Aura: The power only the divinely chosen could wield, temporarily enhancing body-contact weapons.
No Aura, no swordsmanship worth a damn.
Swordsmen were rarer than mages, yet considered superior in power—thanks to Aura.
I couldn’t use Aura, of course. It was genetic.
“No, I can’t wield Aura.”
“A pity. Still, this sword will serve you well. Please accept it.”
Feigning reluctance, I picked it up and swung it lightly.
Wow, so light. I’ve got money to burn anyway—maybe find a use for it somewhere.
I thanked him, sword in hand.
“Thank you. I didn’t do this expecting rewards.”
“Haha, what wouldn’t I give my lifesaver? Anything else you want, just say.”
“No, asking for more after this would be rude.”
I paused dramatically, insincerely.
“No, really—anything within my power.”
Pretending to think, I said,
“Well, if you insist... there’s one thing.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“Do you know President Baek Juseok?”
“Of course—the famed head of a prestigious academy.”
“Right. We had a personal run-in earlier...”
As I trailed off, Kang Eunbyeol explained to her father.
“He used a dark artifact mid-spar, nearly killing others? Utter madness.”
“Exactly. He’s in custody now, but I doubt that’s his only crime. A guy hoarding dark artifacts must have more skeletons.”
“Hmm... Fair point. Someone like that surely has dirt.”
“Yes. So, any connections at the national agency NPS?”
“Not enough to force them, but with cause, I can nudge—enough pull for that.”
“Perfect. Could you have them search President Baek’s home and academy? If he’s guilty of anything, he should pay. Something’s bound to turn up.”
“Sigh... I’ll try, but NPS’s top brass is unpredictable. Hard to promise, but I’ll push as far as I can.”
“That’s enough. Thank you.”
Soon after, NPS agents raided President Baek Juseok’s Helmont Academy and residence.
-Click
-Click
Dozens of swordsmen surrounded both locations and moved in.
“Wh... what is this?! Get out!”
Yang Hangil, mid-class with other instructors and staff, blocked the NPS team. NPS Team 1 Leader Kim Eunchan responded.
“We have a search and seizure order. Step aside. We’re searching the premises.”
Yang Hangil shouted in disbelief.
“Wh... what?! Who authorized this?! Search and seizure? We’ve done nothing wrong! Do you even have the authority? This is illegal!”
“Direct order from above. Step aside, one last time.”
“No way! Raiding a prestigious academy without cause? You think we’ll just watch this tyranny?”
As Yang Hangil yelled and the instructors blocked the path, Kim Eunchan drew his sword coldly.
“Final warning. Obstructing, and we’ll subdue you to enter.”