Chapter 7 - Angering the Amazon Queen (3)
In that tense moment, I step forward gripping the keenly sharpened kitchen knife, swinging it with precise control.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Even neutralized by my abilities, it seems a B-rank superhuman lives up to her name—Min Eunjeong effortlessly dodges my knife swing.
"Tch."
I knew she'd dodge that. I expected it, but I don't follow up. No matter how weakened she is, if I let her get within arm's reach, I'll lose in an instant. It's like a seasoned hunter keeping distance from a distant beast, waiting for it to expose a weakness.
First, let's test her liver a bit. I subtly retreat and grab a potted plant I'd scouted earlier, hurling it at her face with all my strength.
"Hey! That's an expensive bonsai I got as a gift!"
The flying pot smashes right into her face and shatters. Pakak! It sounds like hitting a rock, shards scattering everywhere.
"Aaaagh!"
Taking a direct hit to the face without a single scratch. As expected of a superhuman body. But the pain must be real—Min Eunjeong clutches her struck cheek, writhing in agony.
Seizing the opening, I close in slightly and swing the razor-sharp knife at her carotid artery. No matter how tough a superhuman, severing a major blood vessel means uncontrollable bleeding.
"Urgh!"
Min Eunjeong staggers from the pain but somehow steadies herself. Already recovering from the auditory damage? Her regenerative power truly surpasses my imagination.
Then once more. Let's make it burn.
I put the whistle around my neck (bought from a nearby stationery store) to my lips. Then I retreat as far as possible and mutter internally to activate Sensory Amplification.
Sensory Amplification: Hearing 50x (Range limited to 6m radius around me)
Piiiieeeeek!
I immediately grab the whistle with my fingers and blow it mercilessly toward Min Eunjeong. The piercing noise echoes shrilly through the house. Luckily, I'd plugged my ears with earplugs beforehand, avoiding the damage, but Min Eunjeong—without them—collapses on the spot, wailing like a newborn baby.
"Aaaagh! Aaaaagh! It hurts, it huuuurts!"
Even to normal ears it's unbearable; amplified 50x on top of her superhuman hearing? How excruciating must that be? No B-rank superhuman could endure brain-rattling agony like that.
Just as I planned.
The fight unfolds so easily it's hard to believe I'm facing a superhuman. Whittle away her stamina bit by bit while she suffers, then strike when she shows an opening—plunge the knife into her throat! Easier than slicing cake. As long as I don't get careless, that is.
I've handled pistols and machine guns a few times, but never knives. Precisely stabbing the carotid? Even a kid interested in anatomy could manage that. I'm no samurai. I'd handle it worse than a housewife in the kitchen. Reminding myself of that, I lean forward slightly.
"It hurts... huuuurts..."
Still, look at her bawling like a child. Sensitive to pain, huh? That's the problem with those born strong. They fly high from the start, but when they fall, they crash helplessly into the abyss. She bragged in that magazine interview about never losing once? Impressive. Real impressive. People get stronger after tasting defeat once or twice.
I charge at Min Eunjeong, who's sitting there clutching her ears. Not thinking it's over—just aiming to wound.
Taat!
"Ugh?"
Oh shit, she was faking it? Min Eunjeong extends her long leg, tripping mine and sending me tumbling.
"Get over here, you tiny-dicked fuck!"
Spitting vicious curses, she releases her ears and lunges at me as I sprawl from the tackle. Luckily, my body reacts instantly; I scramble back, evading her brutish grasp.
My slight agility helped, but mostly her weakened state from my abilities made it easy.
"Hoo."
Let her touch me even a little, and I'd be shredded like winter rice. This frail body is nimble but not tough.
If I were up against a normal person, I'd widen the gap and blast them with abilities till they dropped dead.
Her freakishly durable body somehow withstood noise that would've burst eardrums and damaged other organs in a regular human. I had earplugs plus water-soaked cotton inside... yet she moved fine bare-handed. They say excessive noise can kill—how is she built?
Does her recovery multiply damage by 100x too?
Then I need a quick decisive blow. I retreat, grabbing a long pole I'd eyed like the pot.
"Humans hunted massive beasts not just with smarts and stamina, but thanks to the cheat weapon called the spear."
Sounds like a smug know-it-all. No interest in history, but muttering something feels right.
Before Min Eunjeong recovers and charges, I swiftly tie the kitchen knife to the pole's end with cloth. Crude spear complete.
"Stab or throw—either way, lethal."
Fixed the short reach; now maintain distance. I back away slowly, slipping out of her attack range.
We're now five steps apart; the long pole reaches with just two steps forward.
"Ughhh, my head... my heeead!"
"Die!"
Like a brave soldier, I shout and step forward twice, thrusting the spear. Throwing would've been flashier, but I'm no glory hound—compromise with grit.
The spear tip grazes her side. Unlike a dumb beast ignorant of blades, thinking Min Eunjeong twists away.
But pain-slowed, her clothes rip cleanly on the honed edge.
No wound at all.
What kind of body is that? Even beasts with thicker fat than humans would bleed from a stone spear graze—let alone this sharper modern blade!
Not a drop of blood, not even a scrape. Stunned by her ironclad flesh. Can I really kill her head-on?
Don't think like that.
Not ready to give up. From what I've seen, victory's possible. But now I need urgent movement.
Have to target a weakness I can pierce.
Retreat again, recast auditory amplification. While she writhes, thrust into the carotid depths for sure kill.
If she charges first, it's over. But weirdly, she's docile now.
Pain fried her brain? Even superhumans lack pain tolerance.
Forcing happy thoughts, I slowly back away.
Sensory Amplification: hearing, 6m radius, ratio...
Sensory Amplification: Hearing 500x (Range: 6m radius)
500x this time. Pain so intense it'll scorch her brain. Avoided high ratios fearing backlash, but her insane body reminded me: to kill, risk my own.
Lose my hearing? Fine. Kill the one ahead.
Long-lost sensation. As family and assets grew, I preserved myself—my death/injury dooms the whole crew. If I'd fought superhumans recklessly back then, maybe I'd still rule.
Who knows.
No dwelling on lost past. Focus now. Shake head, clear cobwebs, stare ahead. Sticky sweat beads on spear-grip hand. Swallow hard, bite whistle with front teeth, blow hard.
Piiiieeeeek!
Metal-scraping screech fills the house again. Hit directly by my ability, Min Eunjeong slumps with soul-left eyes.
Dead? Blood streams from both ears.
Should've done this sooner.
My ears ring—jiing—some hearing damage, but cheap for victory. Lose everything in defeat; no whining over ears. No more babying my body.
Anyway, confirm kill first?
Her head bowed, body twitching—muscles alive. Not instant death? Whatever, thrust spear at throat for finish.
Tung!
Suddenly, spear tip bends and shatters, fragments raining down. Stunned, I realize Min Eunjeong's gone.
"Damn it!"
Survived that? No death or blackout? Even with plugs, my ears hurt!
Drop broken pole, bolt to front door.
Plan change! Escape now! Caught by her, who knows the hell she'll do!
Nimbly hop to door, grab knob to open—
"Uwaaaagh!"
My body lifts. Soft pressure crushes from above.
"Finally... finally... got you, you little brat!"
Ah, aaa! Nooo!
***
"Hehe..."
They say anglers fish for the thrill of the catch. Never got it till now.
"..."
I gaze at the brat who melted into sleep the moment I held him. Chubby cheeks, baby fat plump and bouncy. Poke with finger—boing boing. Adorable.
"Ah, so cute. Wonder how tasty these cheeks are?"
Chwap, chwap—suck on the chewy flesh. Like glutinous rice cake. Want to snap! and bite off, but no.
"Hoo, hoo—so much I wanna do first! But save that for later. Contact first..."
Hehe, cute thing. Injecting life into my lonely single life. Gonna vent all the stress you built up. Slowly stroke soft blond hair—body twitches. Underripe male, but young souls are delicacies. Tonight, the moon shines so bright.