Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Lv. 8 Nova Rank
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Lv. 8 Nova Rank.
It was a grade that didn't exist in the old grading system.
People online would jokingly call particularly standout S-Ranks "SS-Rank" every now and then, but the AAA system had outright separated it into its own category.
Strong enough to vie for number one in any mid-tier power.
That was the Lv. 8 Nova Rank.
'Though the U.S. has over a hundred of them.'
For reference, even South Korea—which boasted a decent Awakener force—only had two who were considered Nova Rank... or SS-Rank, as they were sometimes called.
The line between regular S-Ranks and Lv. 8 Novas came down to awakening Will and Soul Force, which only happened at a rate of one in every five S-Ranks.
'With over five hundred S-Ranks in the U.S., it's mathematically sound that there'd be over a hundred Lv. 8 Novas.'
Thinking about how all those Novas would vanish alongside America's downfall was enough to make anyone despair.
Will and Soul Force were indispensable powers against the apocalypse.
If even half of America's Novas had survived, humanity wouldn't have been pushed so far back during the early stages of Phase 1 and 2.
Anyway, enough idle thoughts.
Do-hyun eyed Smith charging straight at him.
'I don't usually care for these WWE-style exhibitions.'
Don't get the wrong idea—Do-hyun didn't particularly enjoy fighting.
After nine regressions filled with endless battles, what was there left to find fun about it?
What Do-hyun loved was devouring evildoers.
Fights with righteous types that didn't whet his "appetite" were just a hassle.
'Still, if I want his cooperation, I need to show him what I'm capable of.'
Swoosh—
Do-hyun vanished.
It was the Shadow Knight's signature combat technique: a stealth skill.
Of course, it wouldn't work on a Nova like Smith.
"Cheap tricks!!"
Boom—!!
A fierce aura erupted from Smith's body once more.
Smith was a Guardian Knight, one of the knight classes specialized in defense—the type commonly called a "tank."
His skill activated, wrapping his entire body in a seamless mana barrier like armor.
No matter the blind spot, no attack could pierce the full-body shield.
'Man, I covet that skill. If he were a villain, I could've faked a mistake, killed him, and stolen it. What a shame.'
The Devourer of Evil Destruction could only consume villains' abilities.
Guardian Knight was a rare class even among villains, making its skills hard to come by.
"There!!"
But Smith's strengths went beyond his ironclad defense. He pinpointed Do-hyun's hidden position and charged.
Terrifying speed.
His senses and reflexes might lag, but he planned to bulldoze like a proper tank with raw power.
Do-hyun casually sidestepped. It looked like he was dodging out of fear of the charge.
Seeing Do-hyun's reaction, a flicker of disappointment crossed Smith's face.
'All that hype, and he's just average after all. Was taking down three S-Ranks at Pearl Harbor pure luck?'
Smith had counted the days until he could meet Do-hyun.
He was a hero with a true sense of justice—a rarity these days.
Countless Awakeners naturalized in America, but none truly cared for her.
Not rare. Nonexistent.
If they had that sense of duty, they wouldn't come to America in the first place.
Those who did only prioritized their own greed.
A hero like Do-hyun, fighting for America, was enough to set a patriot like Smith's heart ablaze.
'Of course, the righteousness he showed at the Hawaii base is treasure beyond any other hero. But if his skills matched... he could accomplish so much more.'
Smith twisted his body toward where Do-hyun had dodged.
A supple pivot, impossibly fluid for such a bulky charge.
He'd aimed to subdue Do-hyun "gently" without injury, but then—
Flash—!
Do-hyun countered with a knife straight at Smith.
'Sharp instincts.'
The knife flew precisely toward Smith's shoulder.
Clearly, killing three S-Rank villains wasn't mere luck.
'But instincts alone aren't enough.'
His skill blocked nearly all physical attacks perfectly.
In other words, it was the natural counter to a Shadow Knight's low frontal damage output.
Thinking it would teach Do-hyun a valuable lesson, Smith powered up his skill and met the attack head-on.
But—
Stab!!
"??"
Smith couldn't process what had just happened.
Do-hyun's knife had pierced right through his shoulder.
Ignoring the skill entirely.
'How...?'
No time to freeze up.
Do-hyun yanked the knife free and struck again.
'Hold on? Isn't this enough?'
It was just sparring to test each other's strength.
Normally, they'd stop here. But Do-hyun showed no sign of holding back.
He thrust the knife forward with an impassive face.
A chill ran down Smith's spine at Do-hyun's eyes.
'What kind of gaze is that?'
He'd seen eyes like that before.
From a horrific murderer who killed without emotion.
Nicknamed Butcher.
Do-hyun's eyes mirrored that killer's—emotionless, indifferent to taking life.
'...Genocider?'
Smith knew Do-hyun was suspected of being Genocider.
Even if true, he'd figured he was a vigilante of justice.
But those eyes didn't belong to a champion of justice.
Stab—!
Do-hyun's knife plunged into Smith's knee.
Ignoring the skill again.
"Urk!!"
Smith finally buckled, dropping to one knee.
The knife had severed his tendons and ligaments— he had no choice.
Completely neutralized.
Do-hyun's shadow loomed over him. Staring down into those eyes, Smith swallowed hard.
The fact that this was a U.S. military base, that Do-hyun would never kill him here— all that vanished from his mind.
Only the terror of death enveloped him.
Then.
Do-hyun extended a hand.
"Good work out there."
"Ah...?"
"I know you held back your Soul Force and sparred at my level. I learned a lot, thanks to you."
Smith blinked.
The chilling gaze from moments ago seemed a lie. Do-hyun's eyes were now bright and cheerful.
"Looking forward to working with you."
One field revolutionized by Arcane Science was medicine.
Especially trauma care.
Shoulder and knee tendons severed—an injury that would've required major surgery—was treated easily.
"Shouldn't it be time you graduated from getting carted into emergency care? You're not some regular agent anymore, Smith—you're a three-star general now, a commander. Get your head in the game."
A supporter-class healer scolded Smith while treating his wounds.
This wasn't her first time dealing with one of his "accidents."
"No, I was just planning a light spar. This injury? Not my fault..."
"I went all out to exploit your skill. I figured you'd want my best effort. I'm truly sorry for hurting you."
Do-hyun's polite, courteous demeanor left Brigadier General Smith flustered.
The fear and horror from earlier were still vivid, yet now Do-hyun seemed like a completely different person.
'Looks like I can gloss it over. Worth playing along.'
In truth, Do-hyun could've subdued Smith far more easily during the bout.
If Smith had used Soul Force, it might've been different, but no Lv. 8 without it could match him.
He'd dragged out the duel on purpose. It served his goals.
"It was an honor to spar with a legend of the U.S. military."
"Honor? That's laying it on thick."
Smith snorted, but Do-hyun stared straight into his eyes.
"No exaggeration. Back in Korea, I'd heard all about you—your legendary feats in the military. I respect you deeply."
"Respect..."
"Yes. Respect."
Smith nodded hazily, almost unconsciously.
Exactly.
Do-hyun had just used a skill on Smith—a subtle enchantment to foster affinity.
'Imprint fear once in the mind, and mental domination becomes much easier. He'll be useful in Washington.'
If his suspicions about the Washington political scene were correct, he'd need to pull off some risky moves.
Having a living legend and untouchable hero like Smith as backup and shield would help immensely.
Treatment done, they had time to talk.
The enchantment was so mild, Smith never noticed.
"Kim, ever thought about joining the military?"
"The military?"
"Yeah. I came today to recruit you, despite my embarrassing showing. Things are heating up with rival nations. The U.S. military needs talents like you. I promise treatment better than any private firm."
Rival nations.
China, specifically.
The world's second Awakener superpower.
'They're even suspecting China of backing the Hawaii attack.'
Do-hyun didn't know the true mastermind behind Pearl Harbor.
It involved Silicon Valley's Chinese Big Tech, Mephistech, but whether actual China was behind it was unclear.
Could've been a frame job.
'Regardless, China's movements are suspicious. Just think about how the U.S. military got embarrassed by their Awakeners in the Taiwan conflict.'
Still, no interest in the military.
"Sorry. I want to serve America my own way."
"HPD? Your skills would shine there..."
"Not interested in HPD."
"...Then a private firm?"
Money Snakes.
The path most incoming S-Rank Awakeners chose.
But Do-hyun shook his head.
"No plans for a private firm either."
"Not going anywhere...? You're not thinking of turning villain, are you?"
Do-hyun just smiled.
Smith had hit the nail on the head.
A villain ruling America.
That was Do-hyun's goal.
Not that he'd actually become one.
He needed to stay in the light.
'I have to be more praised and cheered than anyone. Only then can I truly rule America.'
That was why he'd come to Washington.
Right on cue, the news arrived.
"Porter has arrived at the base VIP lounge."
Do-hyun's discreet request to meet President Jonathan had drawn him straight to Andrews Base.
Even as Pearl Harbor's hero, a private audience with the president was a stretch—but he'd been granted it thanks to one word Do-hyun asked to relay.
—Blood.
It meant vampire.
The president's immediate visit confirmed he was under vampire threat.
'Wonder how the vampires will play this?'
They were likely monitoring his every move.
In other words, Do-hyun had deliberately exposed himself to them.
'Gotta bait the hook if you want to fish.'
The thought of devouring vampires soon thrilled him.
Do-hyun hummed softly toward the lounge, but paused, head tilted.
"S-Sir?!!"
The President of the United States was hanging from the ceiling.
President Jonathan had dismissed his guards for a moment, then hanged himself, apparently.
Lucky miss. Do-hyun arrived at the perfect time to save him.
He was rushed to the hospital.
'Look at these bastards.'
Do-hyun's lip curled.
The timing of the suicide attempt—right as Do-hyun reached the room—couldn't be coincidence.
Vampire handiwork.