Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Difference in Power (7)
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The sparring match between Eun-woo and Su-ho became a hot topic among the Hunters and Helpers for quite some time. It even got to the point where Masa was the first to ask Su-ho if she'd make a good opponent for him.
The Hunters and Helpers marveled at Eun-woo's swordsmanship while praising Su-ho's quick responses. And recalling how Su-ho had sent Eun-woo flying at the end reminded everyone once again that he was SSS-grade.
This sparked inter-Hunter sparring matches in Branch 1, where such bouts between Hunters weren't familiar. Ji-young took on the role of referee. Watching Eun-woo and Su-ho's match had heated up the atmosphere, and they needed someone to cool it down appropriately—plus, everyone agreed that Ji-young, as Branch 1's leader, was perfect for the job.
Branch 5, which had long held Hunter-against-Hunter spars, showed up every time Branch 1 had a match, watching like it was some official event. Eventually, they even voiced their desire to spar with Branch 1 themselves.
While the Hunters and Helpers from Branch 1 and Branch 5 were all caught up in sparring, it was a golden opportunity for Su-ho.
A chance to test new skills right there on-site. No one would be paying attention to him, and no one would come looking—that made it even better.
'I just need to keep Secretary Min Gi-uk busy.'
Jin Seong-hyeok muttered in disbelief at Su-ho's words.
'How, when he comes checking on you every time?'
And that was fair—Gi-uk was meticulous about taking care of Su-ho. From meals to checking in on his condition every morning and evening, he never missed a beat. It had gone beyond feeling watched to feeling like he was being raised.
'We'll make a way. So, where are we heading for the field op?'
'The Dead Zone should be mostly cleared out from the last sweep. Only a few stragglers like Catchers and the boss Deadrock left.'
If they ran into Deadrock in the Dead Zone by some bad luck...
'Not yet. I haven't even tested the new skill on monsters.'
Su-ho nodded in agreement with Jin Seong-hyeok's words. That left only one option.
The Evil Zone.
A place where Su-ho could handle the monsters solo and test his new skills.
No more time to waste.
'Secretary first.'
Su-ho immediately called Gi-uk via the watch on his wrist. As soon as Gi-uk arrived in his room, Su-ho spoke up.
"Secretary Min Gi-uk. I'm planning to do some mental training in my room today..."
"In your room?"
Mental training in his room instead of the Hunter testing chamber? Gi-uk had every reason to be puzzled.
"Yes. I'm curious if my mental power activates as effectively in other places besides the Hunter testing chamber."
Gi-uk nodded, as if that was a reasonable curiosity.
"It's my room, after all, and with the new skill, I want to focus extra hard today. So, I'm asking a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yes. Please just leave me alone today. I'll be in the room anyway, so nothing to worry about, and I want to concentrate solely on myself. No calls either."
There was no reason for Gi-uk to object if that's what Su-ho wanted. He was the secretary—his job was to accommodate Su-ho's requests.
"Skipping meals too?"
"Yes, but I'll bring in a protein drink, so no worries."
"Understood. I'll wait until you come out, then."
Gi-uk bowed and left. The moment the door closed, Jin Seong-hyeok spoke.
'Get ready.'
Su-ho headed straight to the bathroom. He filled the tub as usual and opened the gate. Staring at the tub rippling with black aura, he said to Jin Seong-hyeok,
'Let's go. Time to test the new skill.'
He dove into the tub and emerged right in the heart of the Evil Zone.
Arriving in the Evil Zone brought back memories he'd tried hard to forget. It wasn't a welcoming place for Su-ho—he'd lost Tae-il here. He'd probably feel guilty every time he came back.
'Hope I don't run into a Betded.'
He meant it. He didn't need a Betded as his test dummy for the new skill.
'Betdeds won't come this way.'
Jin Seong-hyeok continued, sensing Su-ho's unease.
'This is.'
A faint vibration rumbled from the ground.
'Centepi territory.'
Su-ho scanned his surroundings and spotted where the earth had bulged up. It felt like something might burst out any second. He'd felt this before. Instinctively shifting into combat stance, he watched as the ground swelled in a straight line like freshly plowed furrows, racing toward him at terrifying speed.
Thud thud thud—.
The earth rose right up to where he stood, and something burst out. A hard shell mixed black and red, its body divided into dozens of segments, each sprouting sharp legs twitching in different directions.
Kieeeek!
A Centepi. Its size, about as big as Su-ho, suggested it wasn't full-grown. The adults he remembered were taller than five-story buildings.
'A juvenile? Feels bigger than a baby though...'
Dark green fluid dripped from the Centepi's mouth. Su-ho grimaced at the sight.
'Still looks gross as ever.'
'Take it out before the others swarm.'
There were surely more Centepis nearby. If they swarmed, it'd be dozens, not just one or two.
'Got it.'
No time to waste. Su-ho flicked his fingers, and whoosh—a flame chain emerged. Insurance in case the new skill didn't land.
Gazing at the Centepi with the flame chain ready, it was time to put his practiced skill to use.
Su-ho snapped his thumb and middle finger with a sharp click.
Kyaeeek!
This was no stationary glass or ball. The constantly moving target made it hard to read its vibration frequency.
In that split second, the Centepi lunged, its sharp mandibles on its mouth aimed at Su-ho's face.
Whoosh—.
The massive red chain devoured the Centepi in one go. Watching its ashes scatter in the air, Su-ho tensed up again.
'This time, it'll work.'
'It better. Quite a few are coming this time.'
Rumble—. The ground shook. Far stronger than before, incomparable.
Thud thud, plop.
The bulging earth mounds all surged toward Su-ho at once. Then, things burst out from them simultaneously.
Kieeeek! Kieeek!
Su-ho steadied his breath short as more Centepis emerged from the ground one by one.
'Aim for the split second. That one second when their movement pauses.'
It required intense mental focus. Su-ho, whose mental power had grown considerably, was confident. As he concentrated, everything in his vision slowed, as if time itself had stretched.
Even the Centepis' movements.
'Got it.'
One Centepi locked in his sight, frozen. At the same moment, a click echoed from Su-ho.
Boom—!
It was instantaneous. The Centepi's body exploded, dark green liquid splattering everywhere.
'That... worked, right?'
'Good job. Do it again.'
Su-ho focused once more. He wasn't at Jin Seong-hyeok's level of popping multiple at once. He could only handle one at a time.
Whenever several attacked together, Su-ho took one, and the red chain swept the rest. He was lucky to have it—without the flame chain, he wouldn't have even considered Centepis as training partners.
Kyaeeek!
Centepis kept bursting from the ground. When he first encountered them, he'd thought they were disgustingly numerous, but now he was grateful.
It gave him so much practice.
Facing them, he was getting the hang of it. Pouring mental power into each one at the start felt worlds apart from now.
Kkieeek—, Kieek!
Click, click, click.
As Su-ho reached the point of taking them down one after another, Jin Seong-hyeok spoke.
'Try multiples at once.'
'Huh? All at once?'
'Yeah. Not one—release several simultaneously.'
Easier said than done.
Su-ho stared straight ahead. Plenty of bulging earth mounds remained. Ample Centepis to leap out—perfect for practice.
Why not.
He snapped his fingers at the surging Centepis.
Boom—!
One at first,
Boom, boomb—!
Then two. Next, three. Building up one by one. No rush, steady. As the number Su-ho handled at once increased, the flame chain's workload naturally decreased.
By the time no more mounds rose and the ground was torn up, Su-ho could handle five or six charging Centepis simultaneously.
Boom—! Boomboom, boom, boom boom!
Gazing at the Centepis exploding like fireworks, Su-ho's eyes drifted to his body. What a mess. His Hunter suit and hair were soaked in the remnants.
'Smells awful too.'
His nose had gone numb to the stench already. Better wash before it set in. If he ran into Hunters or Helpers smelling like this, they'd clock it as monster reek instantly.
Su-ho checked his watch. Half a day gone since arriving in the Evil Zone.
'Time flies.'
'You lose track in the field. Especially fighting monsters.'
Su-ho nodded in agreement.
'Time to head back.'
Back in his room via the gate, Su-ho showered three or four times. The Centepi stench clung like it'd been marinated.
Finally giving up, he lay on the bed and mimed snapping his thumb and middle finger.
The image was still vivid. Centepis bursting with each click.
Thrilling, goosebump-inducing. He felt a step closer to the Jin Seong-hyeok he'd always admired.
'Hyung.'
'What.'
'Think I can catch up to your fingernail soon?'
Jin Seong-hyeok burst out laughing.
'Still miles away. Popping five or six Centepis at once and you think you've caught my fingernail?'
Classic Jin Seong-hyeok, brimming with pride.
'If you'd caught up, you'd have wiped out every Centepi here—the ones charging and the ones still buried—in one go.'
Su-ho shook his head.
'Just watch. Tomorrow, I'll pop even more.'
'Not holding my breath.'
Ignoring Jin Seong-hyeok's chuckle, Su-ho let his heavy mind pull him into sleep.
'Tired, huh.'
Jin Seong-hyeok confirmed Su-ho was out, watching his consciousness fade. No wonder—he'd burned so much mental power; his brain needed rest.
Su-ho picked it up faster than expected. He'd thought one at a time would be lucky; instead, five or six simultaneously.
'Fun raising this one.'
Jin Seong-hyeok hoped Su-ho would catch up soon. So he could clean up the mess he'd made. Muttering to the unresponsive Su-ho,
'Sorry, but.'