Chapter 149
“Oh? He’s dead.”
Choi Hyun-seok muttered softly.
Korkan, who had collapsed on the ground, had a hole blown through his chest.
Although he thought he’d finally met a worthy opponent after so long, he didn’t expect him to go out so anticlimactic.
“I did use quite a bit of force, but enough to kill in one hit?”
“It seems he tried to take it head-on without blocking with magic,” said Rachel, tapping Korkan’s head.
“He was so overwhelmed by the hero’s power that he couldn’t even think to defend!”
“Hmm, that’s quite possible. I was pretty amazing after all.”
Just as the hero and his dedicated fairy were talking nonsense,
An alert rang in his ears.
[Level up!] [Level up!] [Level up!]
Choi Hyun-seok’s eyes went wide.
“What? I wasn’t expecting it, but I gained 3 levels.”
“Well, that’s only natural!”
“Really? He was quite strong, but not enough to warrant 3 levels, I’d think.”
“Your combat powers were similar. At your level, hero, it’s hard to find opponents with similar physical specs.”
“Ah, I guess you’re right.”
He had forgotten since he’d been dealing with monsters for so long.
In the normal world, it’s rare to find monsters with combat power of around 100,000.
Considering that knights, called human weapons, usually have combat power of 10,000-20,000, it made sense.
“Kwang!”
Just then, Bobo came down from Abelson’s arms and approached Korkan.
Bobo’s mouth opened wide.
Crunch!
And just like that, it swallowed Korkan’s corpse.
Though he wasn’t sure how it managed to swallow Korkan, who was several times larger, at least the corpse was gone.
“Great! The evidence destruction is perfect too.”
Choi Hyun-seok picked up Bobo while patting its head.
“Let’s get out of here. Nothing good will come from staying here long.”
“Yes…”
Abelson’s face darkened as she nodded.
Choi Hyun-seok could guess the reason but pretended not to notice.
There was no need to poke at painful areas.
“Then let’s go!”
“Yeah!”
Choi Hyun-seok shouted energetically, and Rachel responded.
The hero party’s precarious journey was beginning again.
***
Escaping the enemy’s encirclement wasn’t particularly difficult.
The enemies were being extremely cautious after realizing what happened to Korkan.
However, there was one problem: their persistent pursuit.
“Hero! 11 o’clock and 5 o’clock!”
“Ah, this is getting really annoying.”
Choi Hyun-seok frowned as he ran through the forest.
Soon after, he spotted enemies lying in ambush in the trees.
“Eek…!”
Their faces turned to panic, probably not expecting to be discovered.
Choi Hyun-seok blew their heads off to ensure they wouldn’t follow again.
“Why do these guys who aren’t even worth experience points keep following us?”
They were all hunting dogs of the Holy Empire of Gatren.
Their combat power was quite strong at 20,000-30,000, but for current Choi Hyun-seok, it wasn’t even a warm-up.
He barely gained one level after dealing with more than ten of them.
“Having to play hide and seek every time I take one down really isn’t worth it.”
“Hero! Is that what you’re worried about right now? If we keep getting tracked like this, someone really strong will find us!”
“Ah! You’re right.”
They were being so persistent in following to avoid losing track of Abelson and Choi Hyun-seok’s location.
If their position remained exposed like this, eventually a powerful enemy would come.
They needed to shake off the pursuit before then.
“Since Cork or whatever his name was got taken down, they’ll probably send someone much stronger than him.”
“That’s right. The next enemy won’t be as easy to deal with as that guy. If they send a Legend-rank, we’ll be like *gack*!”
Rachel made a dying gesture by drawing her hand across her neck.
“Are Legends that common?”
“Well no, but what if, you know?”
“Hmm…”
This definitely wouldn’t do.
It was dangerous as Rachel said.
Above all, it was incredibly annoying to have them following all day, monitoring and ambushing whenever possible.
“No choice then. We’ll have to use that.”
Choi Hyun-seok said with a grave expression.
Rachel and Abelson turned to look at him.
“Do you have a solution?”
“Ms. Abelson. Get on my back.”
“What…?”
Choi Hyun-seok’s chosen method was simple.
‘We just need to run at an overwhelming speed they can’t follow.’
He’d run for hours until his stamina ran out.
Even while carrying Abelson and Bobo, with his overwhelming physical abilities, it wouldn’t be a problem.
[Crepitus Mode]
Volcano-like organs appeared on Choi Hyun-seok’s hands and behind his calves.
“My control isn’t perfect so it might be a bit bumpy. Hold on tight.”
“W-wait…!”
“We’re departing!”
In an instant, demonic energy exploded and Choi Hyun-seok flew into the sky.
“Kyaaah! Hero! This is so fun!”
Rachel, clinging to Choi Hyun-seok’s clothes, laughed gleefully.
In contrast, Abelson’s face, riding on his back, had turned pale white.
“T-too fast! Just a little slower…”
“This is just the beginning.”
Choi Hyun-seok grinned and properly increased the output.
Kwaaaaa!
Choi Hyun-seok, Abelson, Rachel, and Bobo shot off like a beam of light, clustered together.
The hunting dogs pursuing them from the ground could only stare blankly at the sight.
“What was that…”
“Write up a report. It’s his new ability.”
“Sigh, the repentance room again. I’m sick of this.”
The hounds prepared to return, their spirits dampened.
***
Kiaran.
As a member of the hounds, he had recently gained the Pope’s trust.
With the disappearance of the existing trusted Cardinal Elrond, he was given immense power as his replacement.
At the very center of power.
It was natural, given his position serving beside the Pope, who was no different from God himself.
However, recently a major problem has befallen him.
Important operations had failed one after another.
Particularly, not a single mission related to Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson Mariette had succeeded.
‘This is truly serious.’
A report came in that Korkan, another member of the hounds, had died.
This was a critical matter as Korkan was an elite even among the hounds.
They had even lost Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson Mariette after nearly capturing them.
What would happen when he reported this situation?
The Pope wouldn’t simply let this pass.
‘It would be fortunate if we just have to spend time in penance and return to the hounds’ original duties.’
That was thinking optimistically.
At worst, he might be purged after being branded incompetent.
The Pope had cast aside even Cardinal Elrond, who had been like his limbs.
Kiaran too was ultimately just another component.
He could be replaced anytime if the Pope wished.
Perhaps a replacement had already been found.
‘One way or another, I must report this.’
Kiaran knocked on the door of the Pope’s private chapel with a dark expression.
“It’s Kiaran.”
“Come in.”
Opening the door, he saw an elderly figure in white vestments sitting in a chair.
‘He doesn’t even pretend to pray anymore.’
The Pope used to always appear to be kneeling in prayer.
But for some time now, he no longer showed such appearances.
He just sat in his chair, quietly gazing out the window.
Pope Orban turned his chair to look at Kiaran.
“A report?”
“Yes.”
“You’re here to tell me that Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson escaped.”
Kiaran’s eyes widened for a moment.
‘How does he know…?’
This report had just been delivered.
As the person in overall charge, the Pope shouldn’t have known before Kiaran reported it.
However, the Pope already knew everything.
“And Lord Korkan died as well, I hear.”
“That’s correct…”
“He was a young and capable talent, how regrettable. Another star of the Empire has fallen.”
“Yes…”
Kiaran hung his head low.
His heart began to race.
‘Who could it be? Who reported to the Pope first…’
Only Kiaran’s direct subordinates within the hounds participated in this operation.
Yet the fact that information had reached the Pope’s ears simultaneously with, or even before his own report, carried significant implications.
‘Could it be…’
Just as Kiaran was grinding his molars.
The Pope spoke.
“I trusted you, Lord Kiaran. Because you were exceptionally intelligent, perceptive, and excellent in execution. Though not a genius in any single field, you excelled in all areas, which made you seem even more suitable.”
“…”
“But lately you bring nothing but disappointing news. Was my judgment of you incorrect?”
“That is…”
Kiaran tried to say something, but the Pope cut him off.
“Lord Kiaran.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to live?”
Kiaran’s pupils trembled.
The Pope’s eyes facing him were buried in wrinkles.
Though outwardly just an elderly figure, his gaze held a sharp energy that seemed to pierce through one’s heart.
Kiaran felt his breathing become labored and rapid.
“This is your last chance.”
Pope Orban said, closing his eyes.
“Choi Hyun-seok’s growth rate continues to exceed our expected range. We can’t afford to give him any more time.”
“Yes…”
“I will provide you with additional support. Handle this within a month.”
“Thank you!”
Kiaran exclaimed.
One month from now.
They had roughly figured out Choi Hyun-seok’s destination.
With additional support here, he was confident of certain success.
“However, as this operation takes place in a foreign kingdom, there must be no disturbance. I trust you understand what I mean.”
“Of course!”
“Then you may go.”
Kiaran bowed deeply and left.
After the chapel door closed.
The Pope sighed.
“Tsk, with such a lack of talent. How can I proceed with great work with peace of mind?”
“I apologize.”
Though the Pope was alone in the chapel, a response was heard from thin air.
The Pope continued naturally.
“Based on their movement route, we assume their destination is the Mariette Kingdom. Contact the Mariette Kingdom and take measures.”
“Yes.”
“And we need to reorganize the intelligence department. They haven’t gotten anything right since Operation Red Nightmare.”
“I will reorganize it.”
One of the main roles of the Imperial Intelligence Department is to analyze the military strength of other kingdoms and the Demon King’s Army.
Particularly, the military power of notable figures like Reidrun and Choi Hyun-seok was very important information, but none of their analyses were accurate.
“Ah, lastly…”
The Pope paused briefly as if thinking about something.
This meant that the next matter to bring up was important.
“What happened regarding magic and necromancy?”
“We are investigating throughout the empire’s territory, centered on the capital.”
“We must turn this crisis into an opportunity. Be careful not to let information leak to other kingdoms. Eventually, when they are cornered, they will have no choice but to take our empire’s hand.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
The Demon King’s Army prepared a counterattack.
The Pope was thinking of using it in reverse.
‘We can deal with the Demon King’s Army anytime. Now is the time to use the strategy they’ve laid out.’
The Pope sensed that the day when the empire would swallow the continent was not far off.
***
“Phew, I think we’ve shaken off the pursuit by now.”
Choi Hyun-seok caught his breath lightly.
His stamina had dropped significantly after moving for a long time in Crepitus Mode, which consumed a lot of magic.
“How far are we from the Kingdom of Mariette?”
“Without a map, I’m not sure of the exact location… But I think we’ve entered the kingdom’s territory.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Choi Hyun-seok’s face brightened.
Finally, the end of their long journey was approaching.
“We should arrive within four days at most. If we can just get the direction right.”
“Then let’s stop here for today and get some rest.”
Choi Hyun-seok sat down on the ground.
‘I’m tired.’
Delayed fatigue was setting in.
Fighting the resurrected legend Lophar Dozer using necromancy.
Rescuing Abelson and engaging in battle before his injuries had fully healed.
Then moving recklessly again to shake off the pursuit.
Even someone like Choi Hyun-seok couldn’t help but accumulate fatigue.
“Huah…”
“Hero, are you very tired?”
“I’m fine. I’ll feel refreshed after a nap. By the way…”
Choi Hyun-seok turned to look at Abelson.
Even while tired, he remembered something he had to do.
“Abelson, do you have a communication crystal?”
“Yes, here.”
The communication crystal that Reidrun had handed over.
Choi Hyun-seok examined it carefully after receiving it.
‘I should contact them.’
This was something that had been on his mind.
When he met Jalmus, the demon who used necromancy in the village.
When he asked if he was Park Hyun-a’s subordinate, the demon shouted angrily, ‘That woman is not the Corps Commander!’
‘Of course, it’s Lord Onyx. He’s the only true commander of the 4th Corps!’
And then he left behind some meaningful words,
‘Hah, that woman is going to die soon anyway. No, she’ll become Lord Onyx’s loyal subordinate.’
After hearing this much, it felt too suspicious to just ignore.
‘Well, since she helped me before… I should let her know.’
Based on the circumstances, it was clear that Park Hyun-a was facing an impending crisis.
It would be better to contact her before it was too late.
However, one big problem remained.
“How do I use this thing?”
Choi Hyun-seok didn’t know how to operate the communication crystal.
Then Rachel, who was beside him, climbed onto the communication crystal.
“This works with magic!”
“Just put demonic energy into it?”
“Of course not! Hero, use your brain. This isn’t some toy that will work just by cramming demonic energy into it recklessly. If you do it wrong, it might break!”
She could have just said no in one word, but she had to ramble on.
Choi Hyun-seok unconsciously clenched his fist, then relaxed it.
Rather than getting angry, figuring out how to use the communication orb came first.
“Then how do you use it?”
Rachel put on a serious expression and fell into thought.
“Hmm…”
While stroking her chin and frowning, she suddenly smiled brightly.
“I don’t know either!”
“…”
“How would I know how to use demonic energy!”
“Right. It’s not your business.”
Choi Hyun-seok grabbed Rachel’s collar with his fingers and lifted her up.
Rachel panicked and struggled.
“Aack! A violent hero! The hero is hitting his dedicated fairy! A man hitting a woman!? Eeek, help! Someone in the neighborhood please help… Kyaaah!”
As always, Rachel was asking for trouble.
