Chapter 372
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 372
Chapter Title: The Paladin's Contract
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Alright! It's finally done!
Jang Dae-hwi checked the video in front of him and let out a cheer.
The three days he had promised Jeong Hoon.
He had succeeded in completing the video within those three days.
Holding my breath until the video drops
For real, cant you edit faster?
Its so damn slow
Ugh, Im going insane
Editor, get to work already?!
These bastards?
Calling the guy whos been grinding day and night slow?
Fine.
Ill upload the finished video and make them eat their words.
Jang Dae-hwi gritted his teeth and uploaded the video.
As soon as it went up, people clicked on it like theyd been waiting, and the views started climbing in real time.
Wow, this is insane.
Thanks to the aftermath of this live stream, HoneyTube subscribers had already surpassed 300 million.
If civilization hadnt crumbled with all the blackouts, forget 300 millionthey couldve easily hit 400 to 500 million.
Editing on point lololol
Way easier to understand than the live stream.
Seeing it from different angles makes it click.
Thats why Honey One said not to rewatch the live and wait for the video.
Gonna use this right away.
Put that thought on hold if youre hyped up to try it immediately lololol
You know what they sayif it looks easy when that guy does it, its because hes that good.
True People who could apply this instantly wouldnt be desperate for the video lololol
Damn, stop hitting where it hurts
Jang Dae-hwis lips kept twitching as he read the comments.
Hed heard plenty of praise for his editing before, but it always felt fluffy and good.
After checking the reactions for a bit, Jang Dae-hwi called Jeong Hoon.
Yeah, hyung.
Uploaded the video!
Oh, then come back over.
Huh?
Hed said it hoping for some praise, but why was it going this way?
Hyung, you must be exhausted. Ill help you recover.
So this meant starting training disguised as recovery, right?
Haha, Im fine. I havent slept, so I should just crash for a bit.
Thatd be a waste of time.
No, its not that big a waste.
Then come in 4 hours.
Haha.
No way.
I dont want to go.
Dont be late.
But Jeong Hoon showed no mercy.
In the end, the sleep Jang Dae-hwi got was barely three hours.
When Jang Dae-hwi, done with editing, slipped into bed, Jeong Hoon was having a serious conversation with Thanatos.
Someone intervened?
Yeah. What do we do with that guy, Master?
Hmm.
The one Jeong Hoon and Thanatos were watching was James Marcus.
He had been defending Earth alone against the invasion but, for some reason, wasnt closing the rift and had taken position there.
Even when ten incarnations contracted with Thanatos formed a party and entered that dungeon, James Marcus mercilessly drove them out.
The silver lining was that he hadnt harmed any humans from Earth.
How did he intervene?
Jeong Hoon furrowed his brow.
The alien energy emanating from James Marcus.
That was proof hed become an incarnation.
The problem was that hed contracted with someone other than Thanatos.
If left as is, the timer would hit zero.
Master, should we just gather the incarnations and push him out?
No, cant do that. We dont know who James Marcus contracted with.
But he hasnt killed any Earth humans, so maybe its fine? Or are we just gonna watch the timer hit zero?
No. Ill go myself.
Yourself?
Yeah.
As Jeong Hoon stood, Tenebris hurriedly tried to stop him.
What nonsense is that? Its obviously a trap! Cant you tell?
I know.
Logos, Psyche.
Even with Tenebriss help hiding his presence, the named ones spotted him easily.
Thats why hed felt isolated for no reason.
Hah, what the hell are you thinking?
Tenebris was worried because it was clear they were using that human as bait to lure Jeong Hoon out.
That guys almost level 2,000 now. Plus, his innate talent is off the charts, and hes an incarnation. Sheer numbers wont cut it.
He didnt roam blocking invasions alone for nothing.
He had the skill and guts to pull it off.
How about taking the folks who finished the 6th awakening?
No.
Jeong Hoon was moving with the resolve to catch the named ones eyes.
He couldnt risk dragging others into it.
Hah, so frustrating.
Dont worry too much. Unlike last time, I can handle the Creator Engine now.
True, but.
No time for more explanations.
James Marcus was in LA, USA.
Jeong Hoon hurriedly headed to LA.
What the hell are you doing?
An irritated voice rang out.
James Marcus tilted his head.
Something wrong?
Why are you letting humans go unharmed?
James Marcus had annihilated the forces that crossed the rift.
50,000 troops.
He didnt think eliminating the commander, Banas, meant he could control them.
So he chose annihilation.
But with such numbers, it was tricky, so he finished by wiping out the vanguard, front lines, and main force.
He couldve pushed to the rear to close the rift, but he held back since he needed to hold until the timer hit zero.
The problem was the users coming after.
Theyd become incarnations, formed parties, and came here to block the invasion.
James?
Whys James here?
Those who recognized him couldnt hide their surprise.
Ill handle this place, so move to somewhere else.
Americas strongest paladin on the continent.
No American could not revere him.
So the incarnations left without complaint.
The Transcendent didnt like that.
Fool! Youre the master of this place now. You have a duty to kill all intruders!
Nonsense. My role is to guard the rift until the timer hits zero.
Dont you want power Fine. Ill add one thing. Kill every human that comes from now on. Do that, and Ill double your reward.
Jamess lips curled at the generous offer.
Youd better keep that promise.
James raised his sword and shield, leaving the main force to head to the portal at the vanguard.
No need to push to the main forcehed kill humans here.
Just as he arrived at the portal, one human entered.
But it was someone James knew very well.
Honey One.
Hes been waiting here?
As he crossed the portal, James Marcus appeared before him.
Now I get it. That bastard contracted with Beelzebub.
Beelzebub?
Yeah. One of the five named ones.
Then whats Baal?
Jeong Hoon glanced at Baal, who was staring at James Marcus with fearful eyes beside him.
This guy isnt the real Baal.
Not real?
Exactly. Hes a being made from a fragment split off Beelzebub. Theres another Baal in the demon world besides this onesame deal.
Really?
As Tenebris finished explaining, Baal slowly nodded.
Thats right. I am Baal, yet a fragment of him.
So thats why you tried to become Jecheon?
To shed the label of mere fragment.
Yes.
That was the ultimate reason Baal had stuck with Jeong Hoon, risks and all.
James, why did you contract with Beelzebub?
Jeong Hoon turned to meet Jamess gaze.
Why, got a problem?
James smirked and tilted his head.
Plenty. I at least thought you were sincere about protecting Earth.
Originally, the role of the regressor was James Marcuss.
Hed repeated regressions to prevent Earths destruction, failed in the end, and passed it to Jeong Hoon.
So why had he fallen for Beelzebubs temptation?
Tch, ancient history. Anyway, pleasejust leave quietly.
Leave?
James Marcus couldnt match Jeong Hoon.
Knowing that, he was asking politely.
I refuse.
Of course, Jeong Hoon had no intention of complying.
I see. Then Ill have to do everything to stop you from closing the rift.
James Marcus aimed his sword at Jeong Hoon.
If you can.
Jeong Hoon stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon and lunged forward.
In an instant, he closed in on James Marcus and swung a fist at his face.
Gahk!
James Marcus couldnt even raise his shieldhis head snapped sideways, and he flew back.
He couldnt defend if he couldnt even read the movement.
Why choose that path if one punch sends you flying?
Muttering with a pathetic look, Jeong Hoon started to step forward.
Two hours until the timer hit zero.
He had to close the rift within that.
Wait.
James Marcus staggered to his feet.
The impact was hugehis eyes were unfocused.
Gonna keep going?
Urk, youre not passing.
James Marcus raised his sword and shield again.
His contract was temporary.
Once the quest with him ended, the contract would forcibly terminate.
Jeong Hoon noticed and stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon again, standing before James Marcus.
Snap out of it.
His fist slammed into Jamess face again.
Gahk!
James Marcus flew back once more.
What are you doing? Get up!
As his consciousness nearly faded, Beelzebub spoke.
Cant.
Tch, fine. Ill give you a poweruse it to block him.
Jamess eyes gleamed at the word power.
For real?
Yes. Hold on a bit. Once the timer hits zero, I can take control. Then I promise you the ultimate reward.
.
James painfully stood.
Good. Ill send my puppet right now. Team up and keep him from escaping.
Puppet, huh
James chuckled softly as he looked at Jeong Hoon.
Yeah. This is enough.
As he stood, Jeong Hoon was already in front of him again.
Youll keep the promise?
Jeong Hoon paused at Jamess words.
Somehow, his fist was already touching Jamess face.
Damn no dodging that.
It was an awe-inspiring speed with no time to block.
Did you really get the power?
Yeah. But why hit so hard? Were you really trying to kill me?
Thats how you fool them.
Jeong Hoons lips curled up.
Youre a real joker Previous.
James immediately used Previous.
Passing the power hed just received from Beelzebub to Jeong Hoon.