Chapter 27: Nam Taegu

[Scouter]

-An item from a world-famous comic book. In the Game based on that comic, it was used as a convenient ability rather than an item, so it was granted as a skill instead of an item.

–Allows you to see an opponent’s stats.

Yohan stole the Scouter’s ability from Jeong Cheolwoo.

After checking Seoyoung and Jeonghu’s stats, who were with him, Yohan felt he’d gained a truly useful ability.

“A thought is just a thought……”

Yohan looked around.

Not only had he not brought a car, but there wasn’t any time right now to pick up anything from Bucheon Station or E-Mart.

That’s because Nam Taegu, who’d received the radio message, would surely be coming back this way.

“Father, before we go back, can’t we let the people downstairs go free?”

“Yes, let’s do that. Innocent people might become victims……”

“Even if you look at it coldly, losing people itself will be a blow to the Bucheon Brothers Clan.”

“Yes, Seoyoung is right.”

Even as they chatted quietly, Yohan’s family went down to the basement and released all the people who had been forced into slavery.

To those who tried to express their gratitude, they warned that the Bucheon Brothers Clan would soon be coming and hurried them to escape, then Yohan’s family quickly left Bucheon Station as well.

“Father, it looked like there were some usable cars at Bucheon Nam Station. Don’t you think there might be a decent one at Bukbu Plaza too?”

“Yes, you’re right. If there’s a good one, let’s take it.”

“Understood.”

Jeonghu took the lead, exiting out the northern gate of Bucheon and searching among the cars and buses that made up the barricade.

“There’s a truck, uh… two sedans, and a Carnival van. Which one should we take?”

“Let’s take the Carnival.”

“Wouldn’t the truck be better?”

“Oh, I didn’t mention this. There are military vehicles like cargo trucks and Dazzi left behind by the army at Bucheon High School. Wouldn’t those be better than a regular truck?”

“Hmm… If it’s a modern cargo or Dazzi, that’d be better… If it’s an old one, it’ll be a headache.”

As a former military driver, Jeonghu’s face lit up but then he seemed to hesitate, about to launch into a full-blown military vehicle rant.

At that moment, Seoyoung spoke up before Yohan could.

“Is this really the time for chit-chat, oppa? We need to get out of here!”

“Ah, sorry. Let’s talk about cars later at Bucheon High, Father! I’ll explain about the military vehicles.”

“…Not that I really want to hear it.”

While they talked, Jeonghu got into the Carnival’s driver’s seat, started the engine, and was about to head toward the shelter.

“……!”

Yohan heard the sound of multiple vehicles moving.

But not from the north—this time, it was from the south.

It seemed Nam Taegu and his subordinates, having received the radio, had arrived.

“Uwoooaaahhh!”

Suddenly, a shout filled with rage echoed out.

It was so loud even Jeonghu and Seoyoung could hear it.

“Looks like Nam Taegu is really pissed off.”

As Jeonghu calmly started the engine and drove away, Yohan nodded.

“Who wouldn’t be? There’s nothing more infuriating than coming home to find it ransacked. Let’s leave them a parting gift before we go.”

“Huh?”

“Seoyoung, just like you did at the southern plaza, turn Bukbu Plaza into a sea of fire.”

“Yes, Dad.”

The moment Jeonghu barely stopped the car, Seoyoung swung her staff and hurled several fireballs at the barricade wall of Bukbu Plaza.

KWAANG!

Just like at the southern plaza, a tremendous explosion rang out and the barricade burst into flames.

“Father, should we head back now?”

“Yes… No, wait.”

Yohan stopped again.

A massive energy was rapidly approaching. It was so fast, it seemed the person must have mastered light footwork.

“What’s wrong, Dad?”

“Someone’s coming.”

No sooner had Yohan spoken than the flames parted like the Red Sea.

And what stretched out toward them was none other than a black Strong Vital Energy.

Seeing the Strong Vital Energy hurtling toward their car, Jeonghu stepped on the gas in a panic.

By a hair’s breadth, the energy grazed the rear of the car and split an empty building apart.

In that chilling moment at the overwhelming power, a man stepped through the parted flames.

“Father, it’s Nam Taegu!”

“Nam Taegu…!”

Black Strong Vital Energy surged from his entire body like flames, his eyes darkened, and his twisted face looked like a demon god.

At that suffocating aura, Jeonghu and Seoyoung were at a loss for words, but Yohan quietly opened the car door.

“Ah, Father! What are you doing?”

“Dad, let’s just go. He looks way too dangerous…!”

Judging by his children’s pale faces, even Yohan seemed to think this opponent would be tough.

“It’s fine.”

Only Yohan kept a calm face as he stepped out of the car.

It was impressive, coming through those flames, but in a way, this was perfect.

A rare chance to face Nam Taegu one-on-one.

Since Jeong Cheolwoo had been killed and Nam Taegu returned at just the right moment, this opportunity had arisen.

If he didn’t deal with Nam Taegu now, who knew what might happen later.

It was risky, but he had to settle things.

-Game End Notification (30 minutes before the game ends)

As if on cue, a notification chimed at just the right moment to match Yohan’s thoughts.

Only 30 minutes left in the Loot War. Whoever won this fight could become the strongest in Bucheon.

“Is it you…?”

Nam Taegu looked at Yohan and asked in a heavy voice.

Suppressing his rage, his voice trembled, and Yohan silently nodded.

In that instant,

“You bastard!”

Nam Taegu, unable to hold back his anger any longer, unleashed it. Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy, burning like a living flame, shot toward Yohan.

The Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy came so fast it was hard to follow with the eye, but Yohan dodged to the side with Projection Step and launched Asura Blood God Palm at Nam Taegu.

As the crimson energy shot toward Nam Taegu, he countered by unleashing Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy to block Asura Blood God Palm.

KWAANG!

The moment the two energies collided, Yohan grinned and Nam Taegu’s expression darkened.

He could feel his Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy being pushed back slightly by Yohan’s Asura Blood God Palm.

“You…!”

Seeing Yohan’s grin, Nam Taegu unleashed even more powerful Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy.

Faced with the roaring energy, Yohan didn’t hesitate. Using Projection Step, he charged forward and drew the Heavenly Demon Spear.

“……!”

Nam Taegu’s eyes widened at Yohan’s rapid approach.

He’d never seen anyone move so quickly.

‘What ability lets him move like that?’

He wondered, but there was no time to think.

As Yohan closed in, he used Break Step and thrust the Heavenly Demon Spear at Nam Taegu.

There was no time to shrink back from the speed.

This was the man who had killed his subordinates and forced him here by killing Cheolwoo-hyung.

He was a mortal enemy who had to die.

Fueled by rage, Nam Taegu’s veins bulged and the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy burned even hotter.

“Graaaah!”

Nam Taegu clenched his fist and swung at Yohan’s spear.

Spear and fist collided.

Normally, the spear should have the overwhelming advantage, but the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy defied common sense.

KWAANG!

With a tremendous crash, Yohan was knocked back by the shock.

While Yohan spun in the air and landed, Nam Taegu, having overpowered him, began wildly swinging Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy at him.

As the energy swept toward him in a crescent shape, Yohan poured all his inner power into the Heavenly Demon Spear.

WOOOOONG.

A blade aura—no, a spear aura—burst forth, something only a master could do, and met the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy head-on.

BAM!

Yohan didn’t know the true nature of the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy. But after exchanging a blow, he could sense it was an energy beyond a mere blade aura.

But the real surprise came next.

The moment they clashed, a strange energy seeped into the hand holding the Heavenly Demon Spear.

He wondered if it was dark energy, but it wasn’t.

‘This is… Heavenly Demon Divine Art is absorbing his energy…!’

The unique ability of Heavenly Demon Divine Art was eagerly drawing in Nam Taegu’s energy. The level was extraordinary—even after just one clash, a massive amount of energy was being sucked in.

‘It really is the Heavenly Demon’s power.’

He didn’t know which Game the Heavenly Demon came from, but it was being absorbed even faster than energy from other items.

“……What are you?”

Nam Taegu seemed to feel it too.

Seeing Nam Taegu take a step back with a hardened expression, Yohan immediately charged at him.

Their powers were similar, and Nam Taegu had higher burst strength, but crucially, Yohan could absorb Nam Taegu’s energy—while Nam Taegu could not do the same.

It was a situation that put Nam Taegu at a clear disadvantage, and he realized it.

Still, he couldn’t just ignore the incoming attacks.

While hesitating, Nam Taegu exchanged several more blows with Yohan, but as he kept feeling his energy drain away, he started dodging Yohan’s attacks instead.

“What’s wrong, huh? Can’t handle me?”

“You… coward!”

Nam Taegu growled, his eyes black as night.

With his rage, the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy surged even fiercer.

“Fine, let’s see who wins!”

BAM!

With a single attack, Nam Taegu forced Yohan back. Then, with blazing Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy, he began bombarding Yohan.

“Thanks, you bastard!”

Yohan grinned and swung the Heavenly Demon Spear.

As the incoming energy clashed with the Heavenly Demon Spear, Yohan’s expression hardened.

“So, cheap tricks don’t work at long range?”

Nam Taegu smirked as he unleashed a barrage of Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy at Yohan.

Seeing the countless sharp streaks of energy flying at him, Yohan gritted his teeth and unleashed Asura Blood God Palm – Fifth Form: Asura’s Fury.

KWAANG!

As the explosions obscured his vision, Yohan charged at Nam Taegu.

Expanding his senses to locate Nam Taegu, Yohan swung the Heavenly Demon Spear in a wide arc.

BAM!

“Guh….”

Yohan’s attack landed squarely, but surrounded by Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy, Nam Taegu suffered only minor damage.

He even swung Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy at the spot where the spear had cut.

BAM!

Another fierce clash.

The energy of Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy was absorbed through Yohan’s hand.

If he could recover as much as he spent, there was no more reason to hold back. Yohan channeled the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to the fullest and began pressing Nam Taegu with all his might.

WOOOOONG!

The Heavenly Demon Spear, filled with Yohan’s inner power, began to vibrate violently with a fierce spear aura.

Sensing the ominous pressure, Nam Taegu also ramped up his Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy, and once more, the two collided.

BAM!

The ground shook with a deafening boom.

A battle of monsters—no one could tell who had the upper hand. At that moment, pushed back several steps by Yohan’s all-out attack, Nam Taegu faltered.

Yohan’s inner power, at its peak, was now surpassing Nam Taegu’s.

The rage-fueled aura of the Heavenly Demon’s Strong Energy began to falter, and even Nam Taegu hesitated.

Yohan gritted his teeth.

‘I have to finish this now.’

Once more, Yohan poured his full 10-star power into Asura’s Raging Wave.

A crimson wave swept toward Nam Taegu like a tide.