#49 Surprisingly Handsome Carron is Belgium's Hero. And One of the World Rank 3 Powerhouses.
Carron, surprisingly handsome, was Belgium's hero. And one of the world's top three powerhouses. Kang-ho understood his intent.
"Wise choice."
Rushing into dangerous power was for rookies. Knowing one's limits was the foundation of true strength. One must distinguish what couldn't be done from what shouldn't be done. Power beyond one's capacity only invited disaster.
"Can you... handle this power?"
Kang-ho pondered Carron's question. "Not sure."
"......"
"But I think I can resist its temptation."
Carron nodded at Kang-ho's words. "Then I'll entrust it to you. This thing... it's dangerous. Even for protecting my homeland..."
"Do it."
Kang-ho pocketed the Eternal Crystal. Relief bloomed on Carron's face, like a heavy burden lifted.
"Now I can breathe easy."
"That so."
"It's strange." Carron smiled faintly. "I always feel this way around you. Even fifteen years ago."
Fifteen years ago—the time Kang-ho first met Carron—flashed in his mind.
"Yeah...... I see."
Kang-ho noticed the gloves Carron wore. Just two pairs in existence—one for Carron, one for him. Otherworldly treasures, not of Earth.
'That bizarre gate where starlight rained down.'
A special commission from the blacksmith who appeared there.
"There was an Awakener using the Star Seat Gloves recently, right? SS-rank, King or something?"
Kang-ho nodded at Carron's question. "King. I lent them to him."
"Your disciple?"
"Not exactly. Or maybe kinda. Something like that."
"You might not know, but King's blowing up lately. Pretty famous in Belgium too."
"Oh?"
Carron smiled. "Yeah. Anyway... seeing no more Star Seat Gloves pop up, that bizarre blacksmith is probably gone for good."
Carron had met the nameless, origin-unknown smith in the heat of battle too. It almost felt like a dream.
Kang-ho thought it over, then shrugged. "Maybe. Let's head out first."
Back in the gym, tests raged below.
"No way, he won again!"
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"Wasn't he with King?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Wondering what the fuss was, Kang-ho looked down.
"......"
Theo stood there. Before him loomed a massive skeleton in motion—Kang-ho recognized it instantly.
'That's his father.'
A skeleton soldier, about two meters tall. Blue mana cloaked its frame; only part of its skull was bone. Crimson light leaked from its eye sockets, its body gleaming blue.
Whoosh—!
The skeleton swung a fist. The opposing A-rank Awakener flinched back in shock. But the skeleton was faster. Its left hook stopped inches from his face.
Thud.
The A-rank collapsed to his knees.
"I forfeit."
"An A-rank forfeiting?!"
"Who is he?"
"That's Vape, A-rank #3."
"Holy shit... who is that guy? Debuting without a guild?"
The crowd exploded.
"One-shotted C, B, and now A. S-rank tester next?"
Kang-ho nodded slightly at Theo's prowess. 'Summons really boost his output.'
Like Kang-ho himself. Strong barehanded, but his Beast Master ability shone with contracted beasts. Theo seemed the same.
"Impressive," Carron marveled, eyes wide. "That mana—pure beyond belief. No idea the training method, but it's insane."
"Right?" Kang-ho agreed lightly.
Soon, S-rank #30 flew out defeated. Next came S-rank #7, Carromman.
Theo eyed him, pointed, and mouthed to King. Kang-ho read his lips.
'That the bumpkin you mentioned? What a sight...'
Pop!
Kang-ho appeared beside Theo, staring him down.
'Mana drain's no joke.'
Indeed, Theo's mana was depleting abnormally fast. Maintaining the skeleton was a huge strain. Sweat poured from his brow; mana nearly gone. Pushing further risked disaster.
"That's enough."
[B-but I could take that hick...]
Smack—
Kang-ho lightly smacked Theo's head.
[Ow! Why?!]
"Who trash-talks so openly?"
[Huh?]
King pretended to look away, and Carromman's face darkened ahead.
"We forfeit this round. Kid's a bit slow—forgive him."
Carromman paled. "Ch-Choi Kang-ho?"
Kang-ho just smiled.
'Even nerfed like this, he could handle top S-ranks. Good gauge of his prime.'
"It's Su-nam hyung!"
"Su-nam hyung?!"
"Su-nam hyung's hot!"
The crowd finally recognized Theo.
"Su-nam hyung's badass!"
Cheering erupted. Theo, frowning moments ago, grinned dopily, looking around.
[Heh heh. Not bad now. Who's that guy?]
"This is Carron. Say hi."
King's eyes sparkled, extending a hand. "N-nice to meet you."
"King, huh? Meeting celebs today—lucky! Haha!"
[What's 'Su-nam hyung' mean? Codename's registered.]
"As what?"
[Hades.]
The Greek god of death.
"Fitting find."
King and Theo fist-bumped lightly, beaming proudly.
"......Anyway, solid showing today. Good job."
[R-really?]
Theo's face lit up. Kang-ho had his number now: weak to praise.
[Huff... pant... pant...]
Theo clutched his chest, gasping. He'd been holding it together.
"Recover and go again next time."
[Got it. Dad-skeleton's half-gone—tough to maintain.]
Crackle—
The skeleton crumbled, leaving half a skull. Theo pocketed it tenderly, waved to the crowd, and exited.
Kang-ho waved to his old friends, who smirked and waved back.
"You've changed for sure."
Carron smiled in Kang-ho's Cheorwon cabin. "Have I?"
"Yes." Carron nodded. "Back when I first met you, you were like a raging beast."
"Was I?" Kang-ho chuckled, handing him tea.
"Now... like a sheathed blade. Still sharp, though."
"Your Korean's improved."
"Studied hard. Haha!"
Carron glanced at Seol-a. "Heard you waited ages for someone. Her?"
Kang-ho grinned, petting Seol-a's head as she fixated on a crawling ant.
"Yep."
"And those friends changed you?"
"Who knows."
Kang-ho suddenly scowled toward the back. "No Dashida—bad for health!"
"That's bullshit, bro!"
Kang-ho's health mantra: real ingredients only, no chemicals.
Carron chuckled. Then sobered. "Things feel off lately. Rumors of a Daybreak rerun fifty years on."
Kang-ho nodded silently.
"No Mine appeared yet. Korea too, I hear. But someday..."
Carron trailed off. Kang-ho finished. "We prep for Mine return."
Carron nodded gravely. Soon, a feast hit the table. His face brightened.
"Whatever happens, we'll handle it. This generation's way stronger than ours."
Kimchi jjigae loaded with pork belly, grilled samgyeopsal, ssam veggies.
Seol-a tasted the stew, eyes widening. Gulp! She gaped at Kang-ho, gesturing wildly.
'This is ridiculously good!'
Her eyes followed: 'Why never share before?' A hint of resentment.
"Ugh......" Kang-ho rubbed his forehead.
After dinner, Carron prepared to leave. "Stay the night."
"Can't. More stops. Stay safe."
"You too."
King bowed deeply in awe; Theo waved, stunned.
"Later."
Whoosh!
Carron vanished in afterimages, shrinking to a dot.
"That's really World Rank #3 Carron? I follow him on SNS."
King nodded excitedly. "See? Explosive reactions already."
Of course.
[Heh heh.]
King wasn't the only one swarmed with likes.
Hades felt distant from "Su-nam hyung," though.
As King slept, Kang-ho and Theo eyed the Eternal Crystals. Two now—from the Demon Realm.
"How many are there?"
[No clue. Baal was collecting these?]
Theo tilted his head. Kang-ho held the two Eternal Crystals, pondered, then infused mana simultaneously.
Vmmm—
Clang!
Suddenly, like magnets' N and S poles snapping together, the two Eternal Crystals fused into one.