Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Difference in Power (1)
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By the time Cha Su-ho had hurriedly finished preparing and arrived at the teleport zone, everyone was already gathered, having rushed over after receiving the alarm.
Including Center 1, all five branches were staring at Derek with anxious expressions in front of the teleport zone.
Derek, dressed in a pristine white gown, finally spoke once he confirmed that all the Hunters and Helpers had arrived.
Reset. The Hunters' and Helpers' faces grew grave, as if they hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
Derek's eyes shook with aimless fear. It was understandable.
Ever since monsters had appeared in the city, spaces for civilians, Hunters, and Helpers had been strictly separated, and the teleport zone had been moved inside the Center where Helpers and Hunters were stationed.
Because of that, if the teleport zone was destroyed and monsters broke through, the Center would take the first hit. If the Hunters and Helpers were out in the field and no one was left, the remaining examiners and security personnel wouldn't stand a chance against the monsters.
If monsters got through, it would be as good as a death sentence.
Derek's gaze turned to Su-ho.
Since Jin Seong-hyeok's death, there had been no Hunter capable of clearing the Last Zone. Even when the Association gathered SS-grade Hunters for repeated attempts, they would flee after less than an hour inside.
Especially the Last Zone, which Jin Seong-hyeok had primarily cleared, had virtually no information available.
Derek's eyes were pleading. They seemed to beg Su-ho for salvation. Su-ho's heart began to race. It wasn't just because of the Hunters' and Helpers' gazes fixed on him since the Last Zone was mentioned.
It wasn't because Derek was pleading toward him like a prayer.
Last Zone. It was the realization that only he, who had inherited Jin Seong-hyeok's legacy and become SSS-grade, could clear it.
'...Can I do it?'
Jin Seong-hyeok chuckled.
'Stop pretending to be weak. You're looking forward to it.'
Me, looking forward to it? Was his madly racing heart not from fear, but anticipation?
'True powerhouses don't get excited over the weak.'
Jin Seong-hyeok's voice came calmly.
'Their hearts race when facing the strong.'
It felt like his currently pounding heart was urging him: Hurry to the Last Zone.
'Then I'll need to get tremendously stronger.'
'No need to get stronger. Just pull it out and use it.'
Su-ho knew exactly what that meant.
'I've pulled out about half. The other half depends on you.'
Half. A little more effort, and Jin Seong-hyeok's full power would be his. Then, clearing the Last Zone would be possible.
The only issue was that time was running short.
'I'll have to work harder.'
'Good, as long as you get it.'
The deep, lowered voice turned forward.
'Now's the time to show your skills in the Dead Zone. Live up to that SSS-grade title.'
Su-ho's feet moved. No one had dared step forward upon hearing the Dead Zone had reset. The prospect of fighting all those monsters again felt daunting.
In that moment when no one else moved first, Su-ho stepped up. Everyone flinched as they watched him casually head toward the Dead Zone teleport.
An Ji-young, who had been watching Su-ho, also started walking. Then, one by one, the other Hunters and Helpers began heading to the teleport.
After all, for those born as Hunters and Helpers, fighting monsters was an undeniable fate.
"Cha Su-ho, that's cool. Now that you're SSS-grade, you're not scared anymore?"
Su-ho answered Ji-young's playful tone.
"I am scared."
"Huh?"
"Not of the monsters, but of losing my comrades."
Ji-young paused, then gave a light smile.
"That was cool just now. For real."
"Ah..."
"And don't worry. We're not as strong as you, but we're tough."
Ji-young extended her hand to Su-ho.
"Let's go."
One by one, they entered the teleport. Once it was packed full, the doors closed.
A mechanical voice announced they were heading to the Dead Zone. Everyone stared ahead with resolute eyes.
The endless cycle of resets and days of just slaying monsters seemed never-ending, but surrender wasn't an option. If they didn't handle it, the world would perish.
With the mechanical chime, the teleport doors opened. At the sight of monsters visible through the widening gap, everyone assumed combat stances.
Among them, Su-ho took the lead first. Watching his back, everyone recalled someone. The one who always volunteered to go first without hesitation whenever heading out.
Whoosh-. Red chains swirled around Su-ho's body as if they'd been waiting.
Jin Seong-hyeok had done the same. Before other Hunters and Helpers could move, he'd sweep away monsters with his red chains.
With overwhelming power.
Kieeeek-.
Kekekeng-.
The Sterions, clustered like an army of ants, were charred without a trace. Su-ho strode across the blood-soaked ground, then turned his head. He gave a light smile to the Hunters and Helpers staring at him.
"Shall we go?"
At Su-ho's words, the Hunters and Helpers sprang into action. Perhaps itching for a fight, Kai-cheong and Masa charged ahead first, slaying every monster in sight.
There was no need for Su-ho to join in. Masa, Kai-cheong, and the other Hunters were handling it well, and the red chains were moving on their own accord.
Occasionally, Helpers approached Su-ho. They didn't seem to know he didn't need a Clean.
Having experienced Jin Seong-hyeok, they knew one or two weren't enough for a Clean. They assumed the same for Su-ho.
But unlike Jin Seong-hyeok, Su-ho didn't need a Clean at all.
"Ah... I don't need a Clean."
He truly meant it, but the Helpers seemed to think it wasn't enough. They couldn't even fathom a Hunter not needing a Clean. That was the very reason Helpers existed.
In the end, excluding A-rin, who was dedicated to Eun-woo, and Kwon-oh, busy Cleaning others, the Helpers from Center 1 and Center 5 swarmed him.
Su-ho waved his hands at A-shang's words.
"No, really. I don't need a Clean."
"No... I mean, I really don't need a Clean."
He needed to explain in detail before they misunderstood further. About his condition.
"Probably because I'm a Helper too, my body auto-Cleans itself."
Su-ho gave an awkward smile to the Helpers staring at him in shock.
"I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. A sudden... mutation, I guess."
Mutation. Not the most flattering term, but it was the only word that fit his situation.
A-shang's eyes widened as he spoke.
As Su-ho thanked the Helpers chiming in one by one...
Right after dealing with the Sterions, a pack of Pubkills appeared—including the reset leader. They seemed to be scouting for a new base.
Seeing Clark's dissatisfied face, Jin Seong-hyeok muttered.
'How about pretending it was an accident and snapping that guy's neck later?'
'...No matter how much I dislike him, I can't kill people.'
Jin Seong-hyeok clicked his tongue regretfully.
'Fine, then show him some real power. Shut him up for good.'
'Then...'
There was a technique he'd developed mimicking Clark. To prove a point to someone like Clark who felt underestimated, he needed the perfect demonstration.
Su-ho extended both hands. Blue threads began emerging from the tips of his fingers.
Clark froze at the sight. It was exactly like how he drew out his psychokinesis. Even down to weaving them into a dense web aimed at the monsters.
Clark's expression twisted at Rony's words. It was confirmed. Exactly the same method as Clark's technique.
The blue threads gripping the leader sparked. Red chains moved toward the Pubkill leader, now helplessly electrocuted.
Roar-.
Having fought the leader once before, he knew how to handle it. He knew it got annoying if it pulled out bones and muscles, so finishing it quickly was best.
Slicing and burning the wriggling muscles swiftly, he precisely bisected both heads. Of course, without forgetting to incinerate them.
The leader, unable to counterattack amid Su-ho's relentless assault, was soon shattered and burned to pieces.
Everyone stood frozen, staring blankly ahead. They'd seen it before, but it was still overwhelming.
And Su-ho calmly watching the monsters even while casting the technique was fascinating.
The images of Jin Seong-hyeok and Su-ho impassively sweeping away monsters kept overlapping, inevitably.
Su-ho turned back as if his work was done, his face relaxed. Unlike other Hunters, with no buildup of power overload, his condition was as fresh as when they started.
Eun-woo, standing beside Ji-young, spoke at the sight.
"He's SSS-grade, same as Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok."
Ji-young smiled, knowing what Eun-woo would say next.
"Yeah. But he seems even stronger, right?"
"Yes. Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok never got a proper Clean."
"That's why he's stronger. No limits on his power."
The two kept their eyes fixed ahead. On Su-ho, walking leisurely toward them as if his task was complete.