The sparring match ended with my defeat.
After landing a powerful blow with Burning Impact, I lost consecutively.
‘Her gaze has changed.’
Jessica must have been so frustrated about losing once that she threw herself into the fight with all her might, and I couldn’t help but lose.
Insane spell combinations and mana control.
With the endless mind games and added experience, it was difficult for me, who was comparatively inexperienced, to hold my ground.
I truly felt the power of an SS-rank Hunter.
‘Thanks to that, I’ve learned a lot.’
Through Jessica’s combat, I grasped the strong fire magic.
The structure and principles behind it.
If I use this well and modify it, I could combine it with various other spells.
On top of that.
I learned a lot about combat as well.
Jessica’s long-accumulated experience.
I absorbed all the mind games and magic combinations embedded in that experience through this sparring.
The next time we face off, the result will definitely be different.
- Sparring session ended.
Before the announcement ended, Jessica collapsed onto the floor.
“Ugh. I’m exhausted.”
“Then take it easy.”
“I said I’d fight with everything I’ve got.”
“You’re not trying to kill me, are you?”
“Ah, I don’t know. I’m hungry.”
Same here.
Maybe because it was the first time moving so intensely, hunger started creeping up on me.
“Let’s go grab something to eat.”
“Know any good places?”
“The President probably knows well.”
I reached out to Jessica.
Grasping her hand, I pulled her up and we left the sparring arena.
Those watching in the lounge came down.
“My eyes have been opened. Such an amazing magic battle.”
“Really… I couldn’t stop admiring your sparring.”
At President Lee Changgeon and the Secretary’s words, Jessica slumped.
“I’m hungry. Can’t we eat first?”
“Any particular dish you want?”
“Meat.”
“There’s a Korean beef place I go to often. Let’s go there. Change your clothes and come out.”
“Okay.”
Watching Jessica head to the locker room, I went to the men’s locker room to change.
Normally, I’d have to wash up, but with magic, it’s easily done.
‘Clean.’
Confirming the sweat smell and stickiness had vanished, I stepped outside.
Then, we all went up to the ground floor together.
Jessica, standing to my left, crossed her arms and spoke.
“I’ll hand over the S-rank dungeon tomorrow. There’s one that came up on a floor I own, so I can give it immediately.”
“All of them?”
“Just two. For the rest, I have to get something in return before handing them over.”
So, we secured two Guardians.
I wonder if I can find the others in a week.
I want to find them sooner.
I should look for other ways to obtain S-rank dungeons.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Just as we were about to walk toward the main hall, the Secretary shook her head.
“The main hall is currently packed with people. If you go out through the emergency exit at the back, it’ll be less troublesome.”
“Oh.”
Dokkaebi and the Twelve Constellations.
Since many had watched earlier, news must have already spread. People gathered to watch.
We headed to the place the Secretary pointed out.
Opening the door, we stepped outside where a car was waiting.
A luxury sedan.
Its sleek black doors opened on their own.
“You can take this.”
“Thanks.”
“Thank you.”
We all got into the car.
Then the doors closed automatically.
Vroooom!
The driver pressed the accelerator and the car started moving.
Following the road, the car headed toward the front of the Association.
Since the Association’s exit and entrance are the same, leaving had no other way.
Still, hidden inside the car, there was no worry of being spotted.
“Ah… I’m so hungry I have no strength.”
“Eat a lot. I guarantee the place has great taste.”
“Can I tag along?”
President Lee Changgeon looked at Yoo Seolha as if asking why she’d even ask such a thing.
“You’re a key figure in the business, aren’t you? Of course, you should come.”
As we were leaving the Association in good spirits, an unsettling feeling crept in.
A sticky yet strange sensation.
‘Perception.’
I spread my mana around to gather information. Something was installed throughout the Association.
They emitted a strange aura.
At the same time, something approached rapidly.
Woong!
Turning my gaze toward the window, every nearby citizen collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.
Simultaneously, a figure appeared.
People dressed in red suits with black shirts.
They drew their swords as they charged toward the car we were in.
Mana poured out from the long, sweeping sword swings.
“Everyone.”
“Absolute Barrier.”
I spread mana to cast a barrier spell.
Kwaaang!
Unable to block all the sword auras, the shockwave hit the car.
Screeeech!
The driver slammed the brakes and the car swayed.
It crashed into a safety bar straight ahead and flipped over.
I stretched my hand forward and formed a magic circle.
“Fire Burst.”
A huge explosion erupted from the magic circle, blowing away the car’s underside.
Boom!
It forced back those charging toward us.
[Using Gold Dragon’s Eye.]
Quickly scanning the information, I identified the attackers.
Their affiliation was Blood Pavilion.
Blood Pavilion is the guild formed by Blood Fiends.
And Blood Fiends were the masters of Small Blood Fiend Mujin, who had targeted me on the 11th floor of the labyrinth.
‘Is this a disciple’s revenge?’
Even so, I never imagined they would cause trouble right in the middle of the Korean Association.
“What the hell are these guys?”
“Blood Pavilion.”
“Where the Blood Fiends are.”
I nodded at Jessica’s question.
“Yeah.”
“Did you have some kind of business with that guy?”
“The Blood Fiend’s disciple came looking for me on the 11th floor. Challenged me. So I beat him up and sent him away.”
“You got bit by a total mad dog.”
“Not really an acquaintance. He’s just famous for attacking recklessly without distinguishing friend from foe. More insane than me.”
Jessica clicked her tongue and bit her lip slightly.
“But something feels off. No matter how hungry I was, I couldn’t have missed something like this.”
“They set up an array that dulls senses, weighs down the body, and increases mana consumption.”
“That crazy bastard. He’s deadly serious.”
“We’ll need to help. Can you?”
“I want to, but I’m starving. My mana’s also drained. I have no strength.”
If that’s the case, there is a way to fix it.
“This is the chance. Kill them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching enemies rushing in from all sides, I summoned the Guardians.
Shuaaaak!
Orcs, Lophenheim, Goblins, and Praira appeared.
As soon as they were summoned, the Guardians assessed the situation and immediately moved.
Meanwhile, I teleported everyone in the car as a group.
We put a considerable distance between ourselves and the enemies.
Moving inside a building, I laid down the unconscious Yoo Seolha, the driver, and Lee Changgeon.
From the Dragon Lair, I took out Balak’s rice balls and Anne’s highest-grade mana recovery potions.
I tossed one each to Jessica.
“What’s this? And this?”
“That’s my summon. This is just for eating—”
Then I shoved the rice ball into her mouth.
It quickly eased her intense hunger, and drinking the mana potion restored her depleted mana.
Kwaaang!
Koong!
Looking at the battlefield, I spread the perception magic even further.
Were those the only reinforcements?
Or had the Blood Fiend come personally?
I needed to check properly.
Following my senses, I found a place radiating the same energy as the Blood Pavilion members.
On the rooftop of the building across from the Association.
There was the Blood Fiend.
“Wait for me. I’m coming soon.”
High above on the rooftop of a tall building.
The wind blew, making the Blood Fiend’s red cloak flutter.
At his waist, a radio emitted static.
- The target has exited. Activate the array.
- Yes.
A red circle was drawn around the Association building.
With a flash of red light, everyone inside collapsed.
Destruction Blood Angel Demon Array.
An array that sucks the life force and mana of those inside, and transfers power to one who has mastered a special martial art.
- Crackle. Target the car leaving the entrance.
The black car came into the Blood Fiend’s sights.
Blood Pavilion members dashed toward the car flying toward the entrance.
Elite Blood Pavilion swordsmen.
Sword auras streamed from their swings, aiming for the car.
It seemed they used defensive magic, but it was useless.
The car overturned as it was.
An explosion ripped through, blowing off the car’s undercarriage.
With a brilliant white light, monsters and humans scattered.
- What are those things?
- Kill them immediately!
- …Ugh!
- Aahh! These guys aren’t normal!
Summons drew attention, while the Dokkaebi vanished.
The Blood Fiend watched calmly.
Nothing would change by prolonging time.
As long as the array was active, Blood Pavilion members wouldn’t die easily.
- Goblins eliminated!
- Orcs defeated.
As the Blood Pavilion swordsmen picked off monsters one by one, a red-haired woman appeared.
- Blood Fiend, this is Jessica of the Twelve Constellations. What are your orders?
The Blood Fiend sent an order.
- Kill them if they try to block us.
Crackle.
- Understood.
After exchanging words, Blood Pavilion members charged at Jessica.
At that moment, fierce flames erupted.
Kwaaang!
A tremendous explosion swallowed the Blood Pavilion swordsmen.
As the black smoke cleared, the charred Blood Pavilion swordsmen appeared.
One by one, the flesh burned black by the array’s influence fell off, and new flesh grew back as the swordsmen charged Jessica again.
Dokkaebi and Jessica stood no chance.
The sparring had drained their stamina and mana completely.
Even if not,
‘It’s hard to use your true power where there are many civilians.’
They care about civilian lives, but Blood Pavilion members wouldn’t give a damn.
- …They’re surprisingly energetic despite the sparring?
- What kind of magic are they throwing around?
- There’s no opening!
But contrary to the Blood Fiend’s expectations,
Jessica moved relentlessly, targeting the Blood Pavilion swordsmen.
Kwaaang!
Kwaaang!
Violent explosions erupted one after another.
The swordsmen were utterly helpless.
“Pathetic.”
Throwing herself off the edge of the building, she plunged down.
With a refreshing breeze, she split the air, delivering a powerful kick.
Puuhng!
Like stepping on a platform, she dashed through the air.
Though a light leap, her speed was faster than anything.
At the speed of light, the Blood Fiend landed in front of Jessica.
His sword sliced through Jessica’s magic.
Chhaaak!
“This is your last chance. Step back if you don’t want to die. Our target is the Dokkaebi.”
“Bulls***. Go to hell.”
“Why did you side with the Dokkaebi?”
“Go ask the Grim Reaper in hell.”
“You’ve gotten boring since I last saw you.”
The Blood Fiend swung his sword calmly.
He sent a red sword aura flying toward those nearby.
To block the crescent-shaped strike, Jessica used Teleport.
“Mana Shield.”
Kakagang!
The hastily formed mana shield blocked the Blood Fiend’s attack, but it wasn’t the end.
The following sword swing surged wildly in all directions.
“You crazy bastard! If you harm civilians…!”
Jessica used Teleport repeatedly to block the Blood Fiend’s attacks.
Watching this, the Blood Fiend sneered lightly and delivered a finishing blow.
A deadly strike that Jessica couldn’t block, having used up all her mana.
Chhaaak!
A sword scar appeared on Jessica’s chest, blood spurting out.
“Ugh!”
“Stay right there.”
The Blood Fiend raised his sword and scanned his surroundings.
‘Where’s the Dokkaebi?’
He awakened his senses and found the Dokkaebi’s presence.
The place where the array’s medium was located.
He detected human presence at one of those spots.
It seemed the Dokkaebi was moving to disrupt the array.
But the medium was hidden well, making it impossible to find with just senses.
‘Such foolishness.’
Wooooh!
Ssssss.
But once again, the Blood Fiend’s expectations were wrong.
The red circle centered on the Association disappeared, and the array was dismantled.
“…They disrupted the array?”
Even if lucky enough to find the medium, dismantling it was a whole other matter.
Without proper knowledge of the method,
The array’s power would overwhelm and cripple the user.
That’s why he didn’t assign other members.
But the Dokkaebi managed it.
It was amazing, but there was no time to be surprised.
Their goal here was to kill the Dokkaebi.
The Blood Fiend turned and looked at the Dokkaebi mask approaching him.
“You’ve walked straight into hell of your own accord.”
“I’ll show you what real hell is. Look forward to it.”