Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Start of True Education (5)
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Kim Hak-jun reached out and grabbed Su-ho's hair. The monsters watching this had bloodshot eyes that darted wildly.
Kim Hak-jun yanked Su-ho's hair and hurled him straight in front of the monsters.
Su-ho's body floated into the air before crashing powerlessly to the ground. Tao stared at the motionless Su-ho and muttered.
"What a waste. He's still A-grade. Should've just kept rolling him around?"
"You saw it earlier. Even half-dead, that bastard was glaring at me. No chance of reforming scum like that."
He'd crippled Helpers before, but this was the first time he'd killed one. Yet Kim Hak-jun showed no hint of guilt or regret as he continued.
"Just makes me feel even dirtier."
A human life meant less to him than his own mood.
"Yeah, tsk."
Tao felt the same. He clicked his tongue as he confirmed the monsters surrounding Su-ho, then turned away.
A massive gust of wind blew behind the two as they walked off without a second glance. With it came a spray of dark red liquid splattering onto Tao and Kim Hak-jun's clothes.
They froze at the chilling sensation, slowly turning their heads. What they saw behind them made them go rigid.
Dozens of monsters had their necks cleanly severed. The severed heads lay rolling on the ground.
Thud, thud, thud, thump.
One by one, the headless monster bodies began toppling sideways like dominoes.
Thud.
Only after the last monster fell did Kim Hak-jun and Tao spot the figure standing amid the corpses.
Stunned by the scene before them, both men's gazes locked onto the same spot.
"Th-that's..."
"Flame Chains... Isn't that SSS-grade Jin Seong-hyeok's technique?!"
The flickering chains of flame slithered through the air like snakes before slowly descending. A low baritone voice emanated from between the chains encircling someone like a pet serpent.
"Regretting not cleaning up the trash while I handled the monsters."
Jin Seong-hyeok casually rolled his neck side to side before extending his hand. Red haze-like energy rose from the ground in an instant, surging straight toward Kim Hak-jun and Tao.
"Hngh!"
"Krrk!"
The crimson psychokinesis bound their bodies. Soon, the two floated into the air. Kim Hak-jun twisted desperately, unleashing his flames to break free. But the fire pouring from him was simply absorbed into Jin Seong-hyeok's psychokinesis.
Only one person possessed the ability to absorb a Hunter's powers.
The first and last SSS-grade: Jin Seong-hyeok.
Oblivious to the fact that Jin Seong-hyeok had possessed Su-ho's mind and was now controlling his body, Kim Hak-jun screamed.
"You... bastard! What the hell are you?!"
Jin Seong-hyeok tilted his head at an angle.
"Me? Can't you tell? I'm Cha Su-ho."
Su-ho's body, untrained compared to his own battle-hardened physique, couldn't fully manifest Jin Seong-hyeok's powers.
Even so, he controlled everything with a single finger.
"Since when do Hunters kill people instead of monsters?"
As Jin Seong-hyeok flicked his index finger downward, the airborne Kim Hak-jun and Tao slammed into the ground.
Bam!
"Urk."
Staring at the two rolling on the floor with stifled groans, Jin Seong-hyeok continued.
"Education, was it? Let me show you what real education looks like."
Jin Seong-hyeok smirked mockingly on Su-ho's face.
"Watch closely, Cha Su-ho."
He murmured softly while raising his index finger. Tiny sparks flew, rapidly elongating into a long whip from his fingertip.
As Jin Seong-hyeok swung his finger from left to right, the crackling blue whip lashed across Kim Hak-jun's body.
"Gaaargh!"
Jin Seong-hyeok stepped toward Kim Hak-jun, whose body convulsed like he'd been electrocuted.
"Don't you know Hunters can't survive without Helpers?"
Crackle, snap!
The whip struck Kim Hak-jun's back again before vanishing, revealing charred skin peeking through the burned Hunter suit.
"I've got just the punishment for superior pricks like you."
Crackle, snap!
Looking down at the trembling Kim Hak-jun, Jin Seong-hyeok said.
"What if I stripped away that precious power of yours?"
Strip away his power? Tao paled as he glanced between Jin Seong-hyeok speaking through Su-ho's face and Kim Hak-jun.
He'd already noticed the odd shift in speech and mannerisms. Hunters who could shape energy at will were rare enough to count on one hand.
And he'd definitely used chains.
It was famous among S-grade and higher Hunters. The SSS-grade Hunter swept away monsters with chains made from his powers.
"N-no way..."
Plus, the one and only person on Earth who could absorb or erase a Hunter's unique abilities.
"...J-Jin Seong-hyeok?"
The god-monster they revered: Jin Seong-hyeok.
Jin Seong-hyeok's gaze shifted at the sound of his own name from Tao's lips.
"Jin Seong-hyeok is dead."
Even knowing that—even though the one speaking was clearly Su-ho—Tao's suspicions wouldn't stop.
Not everything about Jin Seong-hyeok's abilities was public. He was known for psychokinesis and some elemental control, but Tao suspected there was more. Goosebumps prickled his skin.
Tao was smarter and quicker on the uptake than Kim Hak-jun. He realized the person before him might not be Cha Su-ho, but Jin Seong-hyeok.
Because if it was Jin Seong-hyeok, it was possible.
"...Should've realized it when an F-grade became an A-grade Helper."
The crackling blue whip poised to strike Kim Hak-jun halted mid-air at Tao's dazed mutter.
"He won't remember this anyway."
Kim Hak-jun had long passed out. Jin Seong-hyeok glanced indifferently at the man by his feet and turned away.
"S-stay back...!"
He strode toward the terrified Tao and reached out.
"You need to be erased."
"Aaagh!"
His hand seized Tao's head in an instant. As Jin Seong-hyeok's palm touched him, Tao's shuddering body went limp.
'J-Jin Seong-hyeok?'
Jin Seong-hyeok paused at Su-ho's voice in his mind.
"Ah. Feeling movable now?"
'...Not yet. But my mind's clear.'
"Good. Wait a bit. I'll hand over control soon."
As Jin Seong-hyeok reached for Tao again, Su-ho asked.
'What're you planning? Seems enough already.'
"Enough? I told you earlier."
Jin Seong-hyeok let out a hollow chuckle.
"I'm stripping their powers."
Center 1 was in chaos. Two S-grade Hunters had lost their powers and been crippled in the Evil Zone. Worse, Kim Hak-jun and Tao had also lost their memories, so the government and Association were pressuring Center 1 to find answers immediately.
Naturally, Su-ho—who had gone into the Evil Zone with them—was summoned.
His opponent was none other than the Center Director of Center 1.
"...This'll be fine, right? I've only seen the Center Director in photos."
Su-ho eyed the IV needle in his arm with worry.
"No way he noticed Jin Seong-hyeok entered my body...!"
'Don't worry.'
Jin Seong-hyeok replied nonchalantly.
'They just wanna ask why you're the only one unscathed.'
"...Is this unscathed? Feels like I got beaten all over."
'You did get beaten.'
"Well, true, but!"
He had no comeback. It was true.
"Jin Seong-hyeok seems kinda annoying."
'First time hearing that.'
"...Yeah, who'd say that to an SSS-grade."
Su-ho sighed.
"So... those two Hunters are done for now, right?"
'Pretty much. No powers, no memories—they'll live as Civilians now.'
"Guess that's a relief."
They were Hunters who'd abused Helpers and tried to kill him. Arrogant on their powers alone, it was fitting punishment.
'Forget them. Focus on recovering.'
"You're looking out for me..."
'Thought you were young, but your body's an old man's. Build stamina and muscle after discharge.'
"Old man?! I've got muscle! Look!"
Su-ho yanked up his gown, revealing a lean belly with defined abs. Jin Seong-hyeok tsked.
'Any random Civilian has more muscle than you.'
"Even so, I'm a Helper!"
Ignoring Su-ho's protest, Jin Seong-hyeok pressed on.
'After discharge, I'll train you properly.'
"No thanks from Jin Seong-hyeok...!"
The door burst open at Su-ho's shout. It was the same nurse from before.
"...Helper Cha Su-ho... As I told you last time, Jin Seong-hyeok is..."
Thus, Su-ho endured the nurse recommending psychiatric counseling amid Jin Seong-hyeok's mocking laughter.
Straight after discharge, Su-ho headed to the Center Director's office. A one-on-one with the Director. He halted, face tense. Min Gi-uk turned to him.
"This is the Center Director's office. I'll wait here."
Su-ho bowed politely to the courteous Gi-uk, his gaze shifting to the door.
Just looking at it choked him.
'Why so nervous?'
'It's the Center Director.'
'So?'
Su-ho shook his head slightly. Jin Seong-hyeok had probably never had anyone above him. Born with power, everyone had worshipped him.
Too much hassle to explain, Su-ho ignored it.
After deep breaths to calm his pounding heart, he slowly turned the knob. Through the widening gap, he saw three or four people. One spotted him and approached quickly.
"Helper Cha Su-ho?"
"Y-yes. That's me."
"I'm Seo Yo-seop, secretary to the Center Director of Center 1. This way. He's waiting."
Yo-seop, around Su-ho's age, briskly led him inside.
Knock, knock.
A deep, resonant male voice came from within.
"Let him in."
The Director's tone made it clear he was expected; Su-ho tensed up again.
"Go ahead."
Yo-seop opened the door. Pushed inside, Su-ho stepped forward as it shut behind him.
His first thought on seeing the interior: cold. Even an operating room wouldn't feel this sterile. Nothing extraneous. White marble floors, steel desk and bookshelves, a sofa and table for guests. That was it.
He'd expected something grander, like or beyond the Helper lounge. It was surprisingly modest.
"Helper Cha Su-ho?"
Su-ho snapped to at the voice. He'd been scanning the room and forgotten the Director.
He bowed deeply.
"Sorry for the late greeting. Hello, Center Director."