Chapter 51
Chapter 51
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Overwhelming the Assassins
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The villains cheered when the order came down from the Union.
"Kya! 10 billion to take out that famous rookie these days? This is a total steal!"
"And we get to split his gear too, so the real profit's gotta be several times that!"
"Scram! I'm taking this mission!"
"Bullshit! You snagged that sweet gig last time! Sit this one out!"
The bounty on Choi Shin-hyeok's head was a whopping 10 billion.
Plus, all the diverse gear he carried would go to whoever took the job, so it wasn't that no one wanted it—it was that too many did.
In the end, they selected based on mission points and skill.
Even that wasn't enough; they had to bribe the mission officer too.
And right now, in this moment...
They regretted shelling out those bribes to come here.
Ka-gaga-gang!
"Crazy! Shadow! We got no beef with you!"
"After going after the Young Master's life, you think words like that will work?"
"Damn it! We'll back off right now..."
"If you leave that heavy, useless lump on your shoulders behind, maybe I'll consider it."
"Son of a bitch!"
Shadow—Hong Man-seok—completely overwhelmed his single villain opponent.
Sensing Man-seok's iron will to never let him go, the villain gave up on escape and poured everything into fighting back.
Of course, it should have been impossible.
Man-seok was strong enough to handle two villains alone.
Yet the villain could stand against him for one reason.
"Urgh!"
Kraaaah!
"Shadow! How long do you think you can hold out protecting that girl?! No matter how strong that undead is, you really think some Gold Tier can block my blade?!"
Because Man-seok had to lend a hand to Han Su-ah and her Dullahan against another villain.
The Dullahan was an A-rank undead rivaling a Diamond Tier player, but an undead was still an undead.
It was only natural for it to fall short against a player of the same tier.
Plus, the Dullahan prioritized Su-ah's defense, so the villain ignored defense entirely and pressed her with pure offense.
At this rate, the Dullahan would crumble first, and Su-ah's head would roll.
To prevent that, Man-seok had no choice but to watch this side too.
In other words, Man-seok was facing two villains while also ensuring Su-ah and the Dullahan's safety.
"Keep this up, and it won't be long before that precious Young Master's head lands in our hands. Let's end this nice and easy. Honestly, we don't even need his neck. Our own heads matter more."
Knowing that, the villain calmly taunted Man-seok.
Let Shin-hyeok go, and we'll let you go too.
A true villain's attitude—self-preservation over the mission.
But Man-seok tilted his head.
"That's weird."
"What?"
"The Young Master is clearly dominating you villains. So why would his head fly off?"
"...What the— You maniac!"
At Man-seok's words, the villain's gaze snapped to Shin-hyeok and the two villains fighting him.
Then came shock and curses.
Because he realized one fact.
"Those fucking bastards can't even take down a kid with just the two of them?!"
"Well, chit-chat's over. I could do this all day, but you guys can't."
"...Son of a bitch! Beat these punks quick and we bolt!"
The time limit was on them, not Shin-hyeok.
Shin-hyeok wasn't just holding even against two villains—he was crushing them.
At this rate, those two would fall soon, and Shin-hyeok would join this side.
Then escape would be impossible.
Realizing that, the villain's attacks grew desperate.
Ka-ang! Ka-ang! Kang! Ka-ang! Kang!
"Th-this madman...!"
"What kind of impact...!"
The two villains blurted in dismay under Shin-hyeok's relentless assault, holy sword in one hand and demonic spear in the other.
The holy sword was fearsome enough, but each clash with the demonic spear sent shockwaves rattling their organs.
The more they traded blows, the more they lost.
Paleness spread across their faces from internal injuries, limbs trembling uncontrollably.
Defeat before they could do anything seemed inevitable—
"...Use it."
"...You serious? Using that here means berserk..."
"Fuck berserk! You wanna die now worrying about going mad later?!"
"Hoo, fine. We'll use it."
"Damn right."
Watching their exchange, Shin-hyeok scratched his chin with the spear shaft, intrigued.
"Got some trick up your sleeve?"
"...Kid. I'll admit, your skill's real. Handling spear and sword without a single tangle. Felt like three, four weapons coming at once. Yeah, you're no gear-dependent punk."
"Oh, villain approval? Not thrilled."
Shin-hyeok smirked at the apparent leader of the assassination squad.
Their praise meant nothing to him.
Ignoring the sneer, the villain leader thumped his chest coldly.
"I'll go all out now."
Pu-hwaaaaaak!
"Demonic energy. You're a demon."
Shin-hyeok finally clocked it as the man's demonic energy erupted.
Demons and villains were paper-thin apart; it was common for one to become the other.
Then the second villain unleashed his too, prompting Shin-hyeok to regrip his spear.
Demonic energy seeped into their marrow, eyes blackening, veins bulging.
A sign they were slowly going mad.
Aware of it, they assumed stances for a quick finish.
Right then—
"Villains really are brainless. Forgot what spear I'm holding already?"
"...!"
Pu-hwaaaaaak!
Demonic Energy Release
Purer and greater than the foes' combined
Shin-hyeok's whole body erupted with demonic energy—more than both villains' combined, and purer.
No hint of madness despite wielding it. Their jaws trembled.
"H-how? Handling demonic energy without berserk corruption?!"
"Impossible!"
Demonic energy was potent but came with demerits.
The more you used, the more it consumed you, leading to berserk madness.
The higher the intake, the faster it hit—yet Shin-hyeok wielded more than their sum without issue.
Scoffing at their disbelief—
"You expect those ruled by demonic energy to match one who rules it?"
"You're... claiming you rule demonic energy?"
"If you can't believe your eyes, gouge out those knothole peepers."
"......"
A sharp thrust to the gut.
The leader shut his mouth, speechless.
But only briefly.
"Dice are rolled. Six or one—we'll see. Here I come."
"...Hm."
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu!
Shin-hyeok let out a faint groan as the leader forged his demonic energy into a razor-sharp blade.
Impressive power, undeniably strong.
But not enough to beat Shin-hyeok.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art - Heavenly Demon Divine Formula
Seizes control of surrounding demonic energy
Kwa-dudududuk!
Seizing and dominating ambient demonic energy with Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Aiding with Heavenly Demon Divine Formula.
The emperor's method—absolute superiority over fellow demonic energy users.
The leader's blade shattered and scattered, then crushed him per Shin-hyeok's will.
As his face paled at his own energy turning against him—
"Kwaaaaaah!!!"
The other villain went fully mad.
Demonic energy rampage.
Losing control, it devoured him.
Berserk maxed instantly; he frothed blood, growling incoherently.
Shin-hyeok slammed his spear butt into the ground.
"True Black Demonic Flame."
Kung! Hwarururuk!
True Black Demonic Flame
Ebony flames engulf the spear shaft
Jet-black flames coiled around the spear shaft, blazing.
Not done yet.
"Reinforcement."
Reinforcement
+10% weapon attack power
Inherent skill boosting weapon attack power: Reinforcement. +10%.
"Throw Reinforcement."
Throw Reinforcement
Additional attack power on throws
Inherent skill for throws: Throw Reinforcement stacked on.
Prep complete. Shin-hyeok pulled his arm back like a bowstring.
Ku-dududuk!
Every muscle realigned for one perfect throw.
Achy pain from the taut strain—then release.
Kwaaaaaah!!!
The demonic spear rocketed like lightning, black-red trail slicing air toward the berserk villain.
"Kraaaaaah!!!"
Berserk demons lost reason and self, ruled eternally by demonic energy—but gained overwhelming power.
No corruption worry meant 200% demonic output.
His aura was formidable.
'Even I couldn't guarantee victory. The might of one fully surrendered to demonic rule.'
Strong enough the leader couldn't claim win either.
So he wondered: Could that block Shin-hyeok's strike?
Wonder answered.
Kung!
"......"
"Hm, solid power."
One strike.
One throw—upper body from head to chest vaporized. Lower half toppled with a thud.
Shock didn't end there.
"Nice cool night air."
"...Insane. Impossible."
A massive hole gaped in the Alchemist Korean Branch's outer wall.
Not unusual.
High-tier players were superhuman; punching building holes was routine.
But this was the Alchemist Korean Branch.
Post-Dimension Arena, key buildings used dungeon and arena byproducts.
This one was no exception.
Especially here—high risk of raids for loot or alchemist kidnaps—so tougher than government halls.
Even Diamond Tier villains needed a few minutes pounding.
One throw did it. No wonder the shock.
But that wasn't the point.
"Return."
"...Ah."
Chak!
The spear that punched the hole and flew far was back in Shin-hyeok's hand.
That mattered most.
"True Black Demonic Flame - Throw Reinforcement - Reinforcement."
"N-no."
The trinity empowered the spear again.
Shin-hyeok added the finishing touch.
"Mortal Strike."
Kiiiiing!!!
Mortal Strike Spear
Vortex of destructive power at spear tip
Mortal Strike Spear.
Rune skill: Mortal Strike triggered.
Vortex of terrifying force echoed from the tip.
───────!!!
No warning—a demonic spear swallowed the leader in incomparable might.
Not just upper body—most of lower gone too. Legs remained; beyond, a hole dwarfing the first.
"Return."
Chak!
Shin-hyeok gripped the recalled spear and strode forward.
Toward the mastermind, the perpetrator.
"That all the cards you had?"
"......"
"Pathetic."
Toward Seong-hoon, soul shattered, speechless.
Shin-hyeok leveled the spear blade at his throat.
"Hand over Ms. Baek Hyo-rin."
"I-I'll give her..."
Brutal overwhelming force.
Seong-hoon yielded.
The world's top alchemist fell into Shin-hyeok's hands.