Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Awakening
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Magic is Firepower: The method the newbie told us is pretty damn hard...
↳ Pkacchu: I tried it a few times and fucked up too.
“Is my explanation too vague?”
The other mages who couldn’t follow my instructions.
Well, everything I know is just stuff I picked up by roughly watching and copying.
No proper theoretical knowledge, so of course my explanations would fall short.
“How about I draw a picture?”
With that thought, I started drawing.
My drawing skills are terrible.
“But sand control is different.”
Like sand art, I sprinkled sand on the floor and drew a picture.
Drew a person, marked the mana flow on top.
A moving picture was completed.
I uploaded a short video, and after a few minutes, the first success story appeared.
Fridge: Am I first after all?
Fridge: (If I can do it nation con)
↳ Anonymous (3R3.33T): How’d it go?
Fridge: It’s insane? Even roughly calculating, my firepower feels 1.2 times stronger?
Fridge: Too big to share for free...
↳ Anonymous (3R3.33T): No point hoarding it anyway.
Fridge: Hunters have limited ways to spec up. Plenty of places would be interested in this.
Fridge: Announce it and shit’ll hit the fan?
“Does that mean I’m one step closer to the Nobel?”
A smile crept onto my face involuntarily.
Of course, there’s no Nobel Prize for magic.
But something like the Nobel Peace Prize—even the US President gets that—maybe I could snag one too?
Hell, maybe write an autobiography and win the Literature one.
While lost in silly thoughts, more testimonials started popping up.
Magic is Firepower: I succeeded too!!!
Magic is Firepower: Mine’s even better? Maybe great synergy with fire magic.
Magic is Firepower: Damn, this is too good?
Magic is Firepower: Wanna shove the newbie in my mouth and go rarararuru on him.
↳ Pkacchu: (Mint-head looking pitifully ♿️♿️♿️ con)
Fridge: But what about Beetle? He needs to succeed.
A moment later, a comment went up.
↳ Beetle: Succeeded. Just now.
↳ Beetle: Feels possible now.
↳ Beetle: Just applied for a retry.
***
Kim Suho still hadn’t left his Swiss lodging.
He couldn’t return to Korea until he overcame this wall.
“...Thanks, everyone.”
Kim Suho smiled faintly as he read the comments.
A wall he never could’ve beaten alone.
He looked down at his hands once more.
No reason to hesitate anymore.
Kim Suho immediately contacted the International Hunter Association.
“I request a retest for 55th floor clearance possibility.”
***
World Hunter Association headquarters special training ground.
In the center stood the Demigod, his arrogant expression unchanged.
Arms crossed, frowning.
“Kim Cardian? Back already?”
His voice dripped with blatant doubt and irritation.
“People don’t get stronger from a few days of training. Hope you’re not being stubborn for nothing.”
Hunters from other countries waiting around murmured excitedly as they watched the two.
But Kim Suho didn’t waver.
He silently walked to the center of the training ground and stood before the Demigod.
Not a hint of tension.
Kim Suho calmly unpacked his gear and began preparing.
“Huh?”
“What’s that?”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Kim Suho was holding a staff in each hand.
“Two staffs?”
“Did the pressure drive him mad?”
“No way he clears the wall like that?”
“Shut up! All of you, quiet!”
The Demigod bellowed.
The other hunters fell silent instantly.
The Demigod spoke seriously.
“Kim? You confident?”
“Of course.”
“Good spirit. I like it.”
At the same time, an intangible aura erupted from the Demigod’s body.
The pressure of the world’s number one ranker.
Normal hunters couldn’t even stand under that force.
But Kim Suho didn’t budge.
Kim Suho quietly raised both hands.
Still holding the two staffs.
A bizarre preparation stance no one had seen before.
“Here I go.”
With Kim Suho’s short words, mana surged through his body.
Storms exploded from both hands.
“This is...!”
Shock flashed in the Demigod’s eyes.
Not the magic that scattered helplessly under one punch just days ago.
Any thought of tanking it vanished instantly.
Kwaaaaang-!
The Demigod thrust out his arm.
The two storms collided, ripping up the entire training ground floor.
“Interesting.”
The Demigod murmured lowly.
Instead of replying, Kim Suho moved both hands again.
He had no intention of stopping.
He had to prove everything while the momentum lasted.
Shweeeeeeak-!
The air flow across the entire training ground shifted.
All surrounding air gathered before Kim Suho, forming a massive whirlwind.
“Urk!”
Nearby spectators grabbed walls to avoid being blown over.
“Nice!”
The Demigod roared.
He charged straight into the storm.
His cape fluttered wildly.
“Sky-Shatter!”
Kim Suho’s all-out strike.
A spiraling wind spear aimed at the Demigod’s heart.
“Hah——!”
The Demigod thrust out his right fist with a kiai.
Fist and wind spear clashed in midair.
Puuuuk-!
A tearing explosion, blood sprayed simultaneously.
“....”
Kim Suho gasped roughly and collapsed in place.
The Demigod was speechless too.
He silently looked down at his right fist.
Drip.
A drop of blood leaked from the solid fist onto the floor.
“...My god.”
The silence filling the training ground shattered with someone’s voice.
Suppressed gasps of shock erupted soon after.
“Blood, he’s bleeding....”
“The Demigod... got hurt by an attack?”
“Impossible. I heard his body tanks S-rank monster hits barehanded....”
Incredulous expressions all around.
The Demigod slowly raised his head amid the murmurs.
He licked the blood from his fist, nodded in satisfaction.
Then addressed the crowd.
“Shut your traps, you vermin.”
All noise stopped like a lie.
The Demigod swept his cold gaze over the hunters.
“Anyone who leaks today’s events outside, I’ll personally give you a 30-day swim boot camp in the Pacific.”
“......”
“Not just about my blood. Don’t say Kim Cardian used two staffs either. Got it? Can’t stand every scrub showing up with dual staffs.”
Everyone swallowed dryly and nodded.
Only then did the Demigod turn to Kim Suho with satisfaction.
“Perfect pass, Kim.”
The Demigod clapped Kim Suho’s shoulder with his bleeding hand.
“Impressive. Truly impressive. At this level, not just 55, you can aim higher.”
Kim Suho finally relaxed and exhaled shortly.
Genuine admiration shone in the Demigod’s eyes.
He grinned and said,
“Good thing. My movie shoot cam didn’t waste time.”
“...Movie?”
“Yeah, this is my third flick.... Wanna beat Endgame’s box office this time? Come watch. Promote it to your circle. Korea’s sole S-rank, great ad value?”
‘Who the hell thinks like this....’
For some reason, a certain Korean mage popped into Kim Suho’s head.
Fortunately, she hadn’t agreed to any movies or shows yet.
As his mind went blank,
“Hey, Kim. Thinking of forming a team for a ‘big event’ later. Interested?”
“Big event?”
Kim Suho asked puzzled.
What kind of event would make the world’s number one form a team personally?
“Yeah. Great for humanity. That’s all for now. Contact me if interested.”
The Demigod gave no further details.
Just a meaningful smile.
“Not just anyone. Gathering the world’s top real deals. Obviously, less flashy than me.”
He turned and walked out of the training ground.
Kim Suho watched his back, lost in thought.
Sudden approval and a mysterious offer.
But more important: he’d overcome the wall.
Kim Suho clenched his fist.
The sensation of victory lingered vividly.
Time to enter the tower.
***
I was rolling around watching TV.
Today’s snack: king earthworms.
Sandworm doesn’t steal these, so I’ve been eating them a lot lately.
Fellow worms maybe?
[Sandworm feels inexplicable discomfort.]
A familiar face had been on screen for a while.
[Korea’s Sole S-rank, Hunter Kim Suho Challenges the Devilish 55th Floor]
Days ago, Kim Suho returned from Switzerland and headed straight to Seoul Tower without rest.
Nationwide attention, naturally.
What was on now was right before he entered.
Interview clip in front of reporters.
“Asking success odds is meaningless. Even if low, I can’t not do it.”
One short sentence.
That was all he left.
“Two hours since Hunter Kim Suho entered the tower. Considering past 55th floor challengers averaged over three hours, still...”
The TV announcer cautiously reported.
I muttered with a king earthworm in my mouth.
“About time he comes out....”
I knew better than anyone how much stronger Kim Suho had gotten.
Maybe slicing the boss’s neck and casually looting right now.
As I pondered relaying or reposting from Hunter Gallery,
[BREAKING NEWS]
[Hunter Kim Suho Clears 55th Floor!]
Huge text plastered across the screen.
Studio announcer yelled, unable to hide excitement.
“Breaking news! Just in! Hunter Kim Suho has cleared Seoul Tower 55th floor!”
Cut to live site.
Exhausted but standing tall: Kim Suho.
As he appeared, waiting reporters swarmed like bees.
“Hunter! One word on your thoughts!”
Amid the question barrage, Kim Suho stayed calm.
He smiled faintly at the camera and spoke steadily.
“Thanks to the support of the citizens. Because of you, I didn’t give up.”
I couldn’t help smirking at the sight.
That heroic act seemed a bit awkward somehow.
Kim Suho added one more line.
“This clear wasn’t my power alone.”
Up to then, I hadn’t thought much.
Makes sense.
He’d have his backup team.
“Then, at the crucial moment, vital advice came from an unexpected place. Impossible without it. I want to express thanks here.”
“Huh? That?”
No specifics, but I knew.
Who Kim Suho was thanking.
Felt good, honestly.
I sank deeper into the sofa, thinking.
“Wonder if I’ll be on TV every day like that later?”
Just imagining made my chest tingle.
Life under all the spotlights?
Bit scary to reveal my face, but.
Maybe try it once.
Watching TV Kim Suho, I muttered.
“I’m at 35 now... exactly 20 floors difference.”
Counted on fingers.
Far if far, close if close.
“For now, just cheer him on.”
I opened the gallery familiarly.
Sure enough, Hunter Gallery was in chaos.
[Title: Breaking) GodSuho 55 clear dddddd]
↳ Lmao lololol
↳ Damn national pride rising...
↳ Honestly Demigod ain’t shit now? Our Suho bro wins sg
[Title: Citizens rest easy. Seoul is safe]
↳ Fuck this time it really is lololol
↳ Fr real lol
World Cup win vibes.
A-rank hunters’ group chat no exception.
[Manho Jeong: Hunter Kim Suho!! Truly amazing!]
[Sejin Lee: Congrats, sunbae!]
A-rank congrats nonstop.
[Kim Suho: Thanks.]
Short and concise.
S-rank weight.
“Ha.... Gotta act that cool later too.”
Damn, looks too cool.
Imagined my interview as I closed messenger.
Couldn’t send congrats there.
Logged into Mage Gallery.
[Title: Bro ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Author: Beetle]
[Dancing frog con]
[Fireworks frog con]
[Hard keeping face in front of people. For real.]
“Jeez, unbelievable.”
I smirked.
No trace of the cool interview or group chat vibe.
Magic is Firepower: See? Told you dual staffs clears.
↳ Pkacchu: Congrats.
Fridge: ㅊㅊㅊㅊ
↳ Anonymous (88U.8T8): Bow head to Seoul’s king....
Kim Suho, reading our comments for a while, posted anew.
↳ Beetle: Thanks everyone, really. Impossible without you. Sincere.
↳ Beetle: Extra thanks to newbie. Made Demigod bleed thanks to you.
↳ Anonymous (88U.8T8): Nosebleed at least?
↳ Beetle: Nah not that much...
↳ Anonymous (88U.8T8): You let me have that then.
Warmest gallery atmosphere ever.
I nodded satisfactorily reading comments.
Other mages’ congrats and jokes kept coming below.
“Hmm....”
I smiled faintly without realizing.
Chest tickled oddly.
Different from pleasure of concept posts or topping ranks.
Much quieter, subtler satisfaction spreading.
“Weird. So weird.”
Helping someone.
Watching their success.
Never properly felt this before.
“Thinking about it, never had friends to help....”
Pre-awakening life: monotonous as hell.
Just hammering keyboard in my room.
Cold wall always between world and me.
Online ties: superficial, fleeting.
Trolling, mocking, one-way info grabs.
That was all my relationships.
True empathy for struggles, giving what I had to help? Never existed.
Always me first, my desires priority.
“......”
But now different.
These weird mages chattering on screen.
No longer just monitor nicknames.
People sharing secrets, leaning on in crises.
My meager knowledge helps them.
Their success becomes my joy.
Today I realized that first time.
“...Do I have friends now?”
I murmured softly.
My soliloquy echoed in empty living room.
Soon shook head.
“Friends? Not like ‘I have internet friends’... friends my ass?”
Friends felt too close, awkward.
Acquaintances. Knowers. That fits.
I quietly turned off the monitor.
Darkness fell in the room.
In that darkness, for the first time, I didn’t feel lonely.