chapter 48
From the very beginning,
Lee Hyun never thought that Chief Eom Gi-seon would realize he was a “Gui-lai” (demon servant).
“If there had been another witness at the scene, there’s no way I wouldn’t have known. Heh heh heh.”
“Exactly,” he thought.
The place where Mukeshi had died was surrounded by Saojeong’s cursed talisman scrolls—a place akin to a restricted area.
Could anyone have trespassed there without him noticing?
Absolutely impossible.
“Heh heh. Even if you’ve fallen in rank as a celestial being, if you can’t take down a human, the name Saojeong would be wasted.”
So, Lee Hyun guessed that Chief Eom probably just happened to be in the underground waterway and stumbled clumsily upon the scene.
Sure enough, even laying a few traps revealed gaps.
But Chief Eom didn’t care about such things at all.
When checked with Hwa-an Geumjeong, it became clear:
[Truth]
It seemed he was genuinely interested in the duel.
“Heh heh. Not to exploit weaknesses, but a born fighter who feels pride in facing a strong opponent. Heh heh heh.”
“A brainless brute. He dares to challenge this old man’s disciple without knowing his place?”
“Heh heh heh. And now he doesn’t call him ‘temporary master,’ just ‘disciple’.”
“No, I…!”
“No excuses. Heh heh heh. Disciple, our master is pleased with you… heh heh!”
“This guy… really!?”
The baby monkey climbing onto the tiny turtle’s shell to tear at its head was truly a sight to behold.
The little turtle, however, had completely hidden inside its shell, frustrating the baby monkey.
“Actually, this is fine. I can finally test the [Mahakala] achievement.”
Mahakala.
The secret technique of Shiva, the god of destruction, also famously known as the “Dance of Shiva.”
It was a skill Sun Wukong had been teaching him for several days.
Thanks to this, Lee Hyun was able to unlock his third unique skill, [Bull’s Step].
And then:
[Successfully learned the basics of Shiva’s Secret <Mahakali>, ‘Pradipika’!]
[Would you like to add it to your skill window?]
[Cancelled. Components of <Mahakali> have been integrated into existing skills.]
…
[Skill integration failed.]
[Skill integration failed.]
…
[Skill integration succeeded!]
[The existing skill ‘Bull’s Step’ has absorbed elements of ‘Mahakali,’ increasing its potential.]
[‘Bull’s Step (F)’ has been upgraded to ‘Raging Strike (E)’!]
He had successfully reborn his skill into a more powerful version.
Lee Hyun was about to test its effects in the duel.
Swish.
Lee Hyun slowly assumed his stance.
Bluish-white lightning ignited on the axe, crackling like roasting beans.
“…Why is the atmosphere suddenly turning like this?”
The duel arena became tense in an instant.
Kim Min-jung glanced between the two, bewildered, but
Crack-crack!
Chief Eom seemed pleased with the moment, boldly revealing his legacy technique:
[Legacy ‘Baby General Uturi’ demonstrates its majesty!]
The cloth covering his shoulder suddenly tore, revealing small white wings.
Whoooosh!
“If you’re Korean, you might’ve heard of the Uturi legend… though the ending is tragic, I… ugh!”
Chief Eom had to abruptly duck as a massive axe flew toward him.
Lee Hyun had thrown a bloody strike.
Bang!!
“Suddenly attacking while talking—what the…!”
Lee Hyun dashed forward this time.
Despite the distance, he closed it instantly, slashing diagonally.
Chief Eom raised his sword vertically.
Clang!
The metal rang as if it might snap.
Lee Hyun smiled coldly, keeping his face close.
“You wanted a duel? Since when do we settle this with words?”
“Hah! So that’s how you play it? Fine, let’s do this properly!”
Chief Eom also smiled coldly and resumed the clash.
Clang-clang!
The axe slid along the blade, aiming for Chief Eom’s neck.
“Hmph!”
But Chief Eom laughed lightly, twisting to evade, drawing another sword with his left hand.
Fluid twin-sword technique.
Lee Hyun struck the axe downward.
Fzzzzz!!
[The deep breath of the Douksini (A) enhances the weapon’s power.]
[Raging Strike (E) activated!]
[Raging Strike (狂忿擊)(E)]
Goblins are playful and love wrestling. They learn various wrestling styles from other civilizations and use them to tease friends. But they are easily provoked and can cause havoc if they see blood.
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Type: Combat Skill
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Effect: Strong attack, cumulative stack enhancement
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Origin: Folktale ‘Goblin Wrestling Ring’
Lee Hyun was pleased that Bull’s Step, previously just a charging skill, had expanded its potential like Douksini’s deep breath.
Its power now surpassed the previous version by at least two tiers.
Bang! Bang! Boom!
Axes and swords collided relentlessly.
The shockwaves shook the buildings.
“What strength…”
Chief Eom, despite his confident smile, struggled with the vibrations along his sword.
Though he had dueled many skilled fighters before, none matched the raw power Lee Hyun displayed.
“…Comparable to Executive Ho? That’s impossible!”
Lee Hyun’s [Strength] stemmed from the sub-function ‘Soul Ice Strength’ of the Snow Queen narrative—a solid, ice-like power.
Moreover, Raging Strike’s attack stacks grew as the offensive continued.
Even during the period of restraint, Lee Gun-san recognized the combination of Soul Ice Strength and Raging Strike.
Kraaaang!!
“Damn it…!”
But the baby general Uturi in the legend was an exceptional warrior who could face numerous soldiers alone.
Chief Eom had confidence in his brute strength.
Bang! Bang!
The impacts grew larger and larger.
“Men are unbelievable… Fine, you two handle this yourselves.”
Kim Min-jung stepped back to the arena’s edge, clearly unwilling to watch further.
Yet her eyes remained sharp.
One was her former boss, the other a former lover—an outrageous combination, but as hunters, both were top-tier.
Observing alone was already inspiring.
“Eom Gi-seon… before, he relied only on overwhelming strength. Did he secretly study swordsmanship?”
Judging by skill alone, he could rival the late Team Leader Jung.
They were close to earning ranker status.
“Also, the senior seems to have gained something over five days. Similar to Bull’s Step but different. Before it was just a reckless charge, now cumulative damage accumulates with continuous attacks. Movements are cleaner too.”
Kim Min-jung noticed that Lee Hyun’s attacks had become far deadlier than four years ago.
Pure offense, ignoring defense entirely, yet every skill fit perfectly like a precise machine.
No wasted energy, fully efficient movements.
“What… is this?”
“Exactly why I was shaken.”
“At this rate, it’s not a duel—it’ll leave someone half-dead.”
The onlookers were stunned.
Kraaaang!!
Chief Eom vomited blood and was flung backward.
“What? Is a zombie getting smashed?”
“Who’s the opponent… isn’t that Team Leader Z? Temporary assignment!”
“Insane. Was he always that strong?”
The nickname “Zombie” came from colleagues who watched the duel arena.
Even when knocked down, he would rise repeatedly like a zombie.
This time was no different.
Bang!
With a tremor, Chief Eom rolled across the floor again.
His appearance was shocking—hair disheveled, gym clothes torn to shreds.
Only his gaze toward Lee Hyun blazed intensely.
Lee Hyun remained calm as ever.
“Is that all? Disappointing for such a bold move.”
Not a single breath was disturbed.
“Hey, Zombie, stop. It’s ugly.”
“You don’t seem like someone who can stop him.”
“Yeah, man. Know when to quit, or your soul will get shredded too.”
“Damn it…! Everyone shut up! Who’s getting shredded?!”
Chief Eom yelled at his colleagues’ unsolicited advice, though it had no effect.
“Look at him, no self-awareness. Total death flag.”
“No, he’s just embarrassed. If he breaks his head again being stubborn, he’ll quiet down.”
“But even if he passes out, he’ll probably keep mouthing off.”
“AAAH! Just shut up!!”
Kim Min-jung looked exasperated, glancing between Chief Eom and the colleagues.
From their conversation alone, one could guess their relationship.
Their behavior hadn’t changed over the years.
Meanwhile, Chief Eom gritted his teeth and glared at Lee Hyun.
“What the hell is this? Even in ‘The Pied Piper,’ it wasn’t like this…!”
[Legacy ‘Baby General Uturi’ wings twitch, ready to flap at any moment.]
Finding a gap was nearly impossible.
It felt like facing an indestructible wall.
“Should I use it? But I didn’t plan to unless it’s for this old man… Damn. How can I take one more step forward?”
Even after multiple barrages, Lee Hyun didn’t budge. Closing the distance was difficult.
Just one step… that might open a path.
But every time he tried, Lee Hyun’s attacks intensified.
He swung the axe as if he didn’t care about getting hurt, occasionally grabbing by the collar and kicking with martial techniques beyond ordinary perception.
Berserker.
If one word could describe Lee Hyun in battle, it was that.
“…Come to think of it, it was similar with the curse sorcerers.”
Chief Eom had witnessed Lee Hyun’s combat by chance, trailing behind at a distance out of boredom with Team Leader Jung.
Although he was an ex-lover, he still intended to protect Kim Min-jung if she were endangered.
…and he wasn’t entirely free of jealousy seeing her constantly with Lee Hyun these past few days.
Yet,
“That worry was a luxury. His skills are overwhelming.”
When Lee Hyun dominated the curse sorcerers, it was astonishing—even Chief Eom was unconsciously absorbed.
Thus arose the competitive pride—to duel him, to see if he could surpass the current obstacle.
But now, he had only encountered an even bigger wall.
He felt foolish for thinking this intuitive, instinct-driven person could be a Gui-lai wizard.
“Wizards see the world only through logic and reason. But this person relies entirely on instinct—perhaps more than me.”
Chief Eom finally made up his mind.
At this rate, he’d only make a spectacle of himself.
Better to use all he had.
He raised his right hand.
The wings by his armpits expanded, enveloping his arm.
[Legacy ‘Baby General Uturi’ wings channel immense strength!]
Swish!
His right hand swelled as if wearing a giant gauntlet.
He drew the greatsword given long ago by Executive Ho.
“With this…”
Swoosh—
“…I’ll aim to win with a single strike.”
He swung his right arm fiercely.
The sword, imbued with legacy power, smashed the air with incredible destructive force.
Lee Hyun did the same.
Fzzzz!!
Lightning surged as he slammed the axe down.
[Douksini’s Rage erupts!]
Kraaaang!
The greatsword and axe collided violently, sending a shockwave.
Clang-clang-
A metallic breaking sound rang out.
Clang! Swish—
The greatsword, unable to withstand the axe’s destructive power, snapped.
Fragments flew straight toward Kim Min-jung.
“…!”
“…!!”
Both Lee Hyun and Chief Eom’s gazes snapped to her.
“Min-jung!”
Lee Hyun quickly threw the axe to intercept the fragments.
But before he could—
“Jjagiya!!”
“…!?”
It wasn’t even him, but Jjagi.
With a short, sharp shout that didn’t fit the tense moment, Chief Eom lunged toward Kim Min-jung.
Thud!!
