NOVEL WEB Chapter 39
39.
Albert Einstein once said that humans can only use 10% of their brains in their lifetime.
If that logic were true, then hitting someone on the head should have a 90% chance of doing absolutely nothing.
*Bam!*
*Bam!*
*Bam!*
Shockwaves erupted one after another from the Blue Dragon Guild. A pitch-black figure broke through the guild members and advanced.
“Pathetic.”
It was Kang Mi-young.
She subdued the Blue Dragon Guild members in the lobby with a Handback Strike, taking them down indiscriminately.
Whether Kang Mi-young’s skills were exceptional or the logic was full of holes, it was gradually becoming clear.
But from what I saw now, it was definitely nonsense from pop psychology.
[‘Automatic Combat’ has been activated.]
Lee Seong-han glanced sideways to check the enemy.
‘There are fewer now.’
The lobby was cleared by the overwhelming performance of the Kang sisters. But there were still remnants of the Blue Dragon Guild left.
The Golden Sun Knight, who was in the lobby, shouted.
“Get him! Buy time no matter what! Even if it means taking hostages!”
“This bastard. Where do you think you’re going? Fireball! Torrential Rain!”
Kang Mi-young crossed her arms in an X shape and slammed them down like pressing piano keys.
“Ugh!”
*Boom──!*
*Crash!*
Before the Golden Sun Knight could finish his sentence, [Fireball] exploded.
It was almost like a downpour.
“You won’t break through with such tricks!!”
The knight held up his shield and endured. But he could only endure. He couldn’t advance or retreat.
Surrounded.
A desperate situation.
“Reverse Flow!!”
The knight let out a furious roar.
A blue barrier formed, and the fireball melted like snow. Reverse Flow. One of the skills of the knight class. But he wouldn’t last long.
“That guy.”
“If we can somehow capture him, right?”
“They’ll falter.”
The eyes of the remaining remnants changed.
They had to capture him no matter what.
They shot that look at Lee Seong-han. The Kang sisters simultaneously glanced at Lee Seong-han. His face was full of confidence. They were slightly panicked.
“Seong-han!”
Kang Jin-young shouted while preparing her magic. It was natural to be worried.
He was a man.
A male Awakened One could never defeat a female Awakened One.
At least, that perception was deeply rooted.
Lee Seong-han quietly replied.
“I can handle this. Leave it to me!”
“……Ugh.”
“Alright. I’ll trust you.”
Kang Jin-young let out a groan.
Kang Mi-young nodded as if she understood.
Though their reactions were opposite, there was a strong sense of trust.
Even while chanting her magic, she had a doubtful expression. Like, “Is this really going to work?” Well, believe it or not.
Lee Seong-han had grown in his own way. It wasn’t like he had been lazing around for half a year.
“I’ll crush you! Crush you!!”
Just then, an opponent appeared.
The opponent was a burly Barbarian.
It had been a while since he fought a human. Was it the first time since the Ronin Puppet?
The Barbarian was clearly the guy who had been right next to the Golden Sun Knight. Probably a close aide or something.
The Blue Dragon Guild was a mess.
Just a bunch of big-bellied idiots, huh?
Filling their ranks with such lowly individuals, they were nothing but a shiny shell.
“He’s coming.”
Lee Seong-han quietly shouted.
The Barbarian’s level was low.
Especially since his intelligence seemed inversely proportional to his strength.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be recklessly swinging a battle axe while charging.
He must know that’s a stupid move.
Changing plans.
‘Show me the weakness. Please.’
The traits responded.
His eyes snapped open. His pupils dilated, and he felt like he had entered the fourth dimension.
The Barbarian’s body split into several parts, each assigned a color.
Red.
Blue.
‘There. Aim for that.’
His upper body was quite durable, probably from working out. His attacks wouldn’t even scratch it.
But the lower body wasn’t.
That part hadn’t been exercised much, so it was vulnerable.
If it’s just to buy time…… it’s doable.
Once he gathered the information, his movements became faster.
[‘Automatic Combat’ has identified the enemy and derived the optimal strategy!]
[Automatic Combat] let out a happy scream.
This was the perfect enemy to feel how much he had grown.
…
…
…
[Perfect strategy.]
[Derivation complete!]
[Enemy target approaching!]
[Evading by moving to the side.]
As [Automatic Combat] reported, the Barbarian arrived.
“Die!”
He kicked off the ground and jumped, then landed heavily! A skill of the Barbarian class. Jump and slam attack.
Despite his size, he flew through the air.
He slammed his axe down right where Lee Seong-han had been. Whether it was combat sense or not, [Automatic Combat] whistled in admiration.
“Die!”
*Boom───!*
The Barbarian’s axe blade slammed into the ground, creating a shockwave.
Got him.
Just like the boss said, got him!
The smell of blood rose to his lips as the dust settled.
He was definitely dead.
Where does a lowly man, even an F-rank, dare to block the Blue Dragon’s path!
The Barbarian’s smile began to fade as the debris disappeared.
Because Lee Seong-han was gone. He looked around.
How did an F-rank dodge at such speed? Something smelled fishy.
“You, you rat bastard! Where did you go?!”
The Barbarian struggled to pull out his axe, rolling his eyes.
Rat bastard. First time hearing that. It just made him feel dirty.
Lee Seong-han, who had rolled to the side.
He sharpened his senses and raised his sword. If he charged, he would slash horizontally.
The target was the Barbarian’s legs.
Normally, there should be a clear *clang* of metal hitting metal.
*Slice!*
The sound of bone and flesh being cleanly cut. It echoed in the Barbarian’s ears. Pain instantly shot through his cells.
Right ankle severed.
Tendons cut.
This was the worst.
Loss of Combat Ability.
The Barbarian’s eyes rolled back. Huh, how did a male Awakened One defeat a female?!
“You, what kind of bastard are you!”
The Barbarian, who had lost his balance, knelt on one knee. He clenched one eye shut, probably feeling the sting.
He wouldn’t be able to stand.
Lee Seong-han finally caught his breath. Whew, that was tough. His stamina was drained.
Though [Automatic Combat]’s level had increased and improved.
He still felt he needed more stamina training.
Moreover, he was just here to buy time. Not to stand on the front lines, but to be used as a quick reserve. A second-stringer.
They’d come to deal with him after drawing aggro.
“Ugh! Where did you go, you rat─”
The Barbarian couldn’t even finish his sentence.
*Twang───!*
Kang Mi-young, wearing a hood.
She quickly drew her sword and stabbed. A pitch-black mask – borrowed from Kang Jin-young – obscured her face.
The Barbarian, who had just pulled out his battle axe.
He quickly parried and staggered back.
“Huff, huff.”
“Your weapon is gone.”
Kang Mi-young explained in a low voice.
Aura Blade. Something that could cut through anything, akin to a Sword Master’s secret technique.
The battle axe, forged from demon stone, lost its form and crumbled.
“Now.”
Kang Jin-young, who was on the side.
She seized the moment and chanted her magic.
“Lightning Spear!”
*Zap zap zap──!*
Yellow spears appeared one after another in the air. Several bolts of lightning sparked around them.
One.
Two.
Three.
The Blue Dragon Guild members fell one after another. The Barbarian included.
The half-naked female Barbarian who had just tried to capture Lee Seong-han.
*Thud.*
A 190cm giant collapsed.
This must be what it means for heaven and earth to shake.
[Fireball], [Lightning Spear] combo.
A classic mage’s attack method.
Wiping out enemies with an overwhelming number of projectiles.
The Barbarian was roasted before he could react. They didn’t kill him. Killing an Awakened One was a serious crime. They were keeping it legal.
“Shit!”
The Golden Sun Knight was startled and fell backward. Deep burn marks were left on both sides of his face, making him look hideous.
‘S-rank. That’s definitely the Iron Blood Empress!’
The knight shuddered. The reddish aura emanating from her.
It was certain. What the hell is that guy?!
The knight shouted at the remaining remnants.
“Re, retreat! Call the healers!”
Kang Jin-young threw the Barbarian with all her might. The Golden Sun Knight, catching the Barbarian, fled with the remnants. They always caused trouble around this season.
This is why I don’t move alone─ Kang Jin-young sighed.
“Situation resolved.”
Kang Mi-young looked around and removed her mask. All signs of life were gone.
She handed the mask back to Kang Jin-young.
People would come soon.
She was currently on a break. Returning with such a surprise show? It was bound to be a big topic. Kang Mi-young didn’t want that.
‘It’ll be hard to meet.’
Lee Seong-han was an important talent.
That’s why she hated the thought of handing him over to others.
“The security is lax. It’s better for our Hunter Management Bureau to handle the protection than this unreliable espionage agency.”
“Bullshit. You’re coming back, right? Why are you messing around here?”
Kang Jin-young scoffed.
“After receiving help, now you’re playing dumb? Ridiculous,”
“That’s that, and this is this. Seong-han is watching. You better answer quickly.”
“……Ahem, we received a dispatch report and came.”
“Wow.”
“Let’s go first. We’ve already achieved today’s purpose. Sir. Please take care of yourself.”
Kang Mi-young quickly fled.
At an incredible speed.
* * *
The conversation didn’t last long.
“Drop your weapons.”
“I’m a mage.”
“Drop. Your weapons.”
Ah, these stupid tin cans, this is why I hate them─ Kang Jin-young whispered with her arms raised.
“Are we okay?”
“Don’t worry. The Blue Dragon guys threw the first punch. We’ll be fine. It’s just a formality. Rules are important, right?”
What do you do when someone who doesn’t follow the rules flatters you? I swallowed my words.
“By the way, where’s the Major?”
“She ran off. What else would that coward do?”
Kang Mi-young had disappeared after saying she had achieved her goal.
“Raise your hands.”
The conversation was cut off. A humanoid security robot was aiming a rifle at them. At this distance, it was instant death. Black-clad special forces.
Being unmanned units made of demon stone, they were tricky to deal with.
‘Hunter Association Security Department. Is this where they show up?’
Generally called the Security Department, but they were an organization supported by various defense contractors.
They were practically a small army. With Awakened Ones in short supply in Korea, even this equipment was a blessing.
Lee Seong-han timidly raised his arms.
“Halt!!”
A shout came from afar. The rifle-wielding troops lowered their guns. Likely following a superior’s orders.
A man.
Middle-aged.
A voice I’ve heard before.
“……That guy.”
“Is that him?”
“Yes. Hide behind me. Who knows what he’ll do.”
“I, I’m not a puppet.”
Kang Jin-young growled in a low voice.
“Puppet or not, you’re still a bunch of ignorant humans who don’t know your worth.”
The android stepped back, creating a gap like parting the Red Sea.
The middle-aged man ran through the gap.
A longsword was visible at his waist.
“Ah, here you are! I heard there was a commotion in the lobby, and I knew it had to be you. Hoho. No need to cause a fuss, just lower your weapons.”
At the middle-aged man’s command, the troops retreated.
“Good to see you again.”
“……Ah, Chairman?”
He lightly bowed and shook hands enthusiastically. His arm movements were youthful and vigorous, not matching his age.
“Hohoho, this is the second time we’ve met face-to-face this year. You should’ve given me a heads-up if you were coming. I’m really grateful for what happened back then. Really. Especially for kicking out those useless freeloaders.”
“I’m sorry for acting out of line.”
Lee Seong-han let out a deflated sigh and held his forehead. This was a big deal. It might even make headlines.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve taken care of everything. Come, come over here. There’s a way to pass the test. Promotion, of course!”
Huh? There’s such a method? Lee Seong-han’s eyes widened. Then there was a brief silence.
Ah. I get it.
He looked at him dazedly.
“Would you like to join the Hunter Association?!!”
｢Should I kill that old man?｣
This scene feels familiar.
* * *
Lee Seong-han felt like he was going to lose his mind.
His secret plan to take the promotion exam had gone awry.
Lee Seong-han, who failed the promotion exam.
He ended up serving in the military until he was 100 years old.
“Woo! Oh! If you wait for a hundred years, discharge will come! If you don’t remember waiting, isn’t that NOT WAITING?!?!”
“Talking nonsense again?”
“Sir. Calm down. Take this medicine first.”
“What kind of medicine is this?”
“The elixir of immortality.”
“……Kill me.”
“No.”
“It’s not happening. It’s not happening. Let’s live together forever, okay?”
…
…
…
*Snap!*
Lee Seong-han woke up from the nightmare.
“Gasp, gasp.”
The nightmare of serving as a specialist sergeant until 100 and dying of old age. He woke up in a cold sweat and wiped his forehead.
“I thought I was going to die.”
The scariest part was?
The Kang sisters didn’t age at all and were growling beside him. The signs of it actually happening gave him chills.
“Kyaaaah!”
He let out a girlish scream and quickly got up.
A normal classroom.
The Hunter Association’s written exam hall.
The sun was setting outside the window, and the exam seemed to be over as there was no sign of activity.
Lee Seong-han held his forehead.
The promotion exam had four stages, so in his mind, he had barely taken the first step. But to make such a mistake! Oh, dear.
But Lee Seong-han didn’t know.
He had already passed the paperwork.
Not far from the exam hall was the Awakening Management Office. This secret place handled various important tasks for the Association.
The examiners were reviewing the documents and test materials.
“Hmm, this document is something. A man with multiple irregular hunts, even dispatched by the Hunter Management Bureau? Still a regular rank, but…… is this information reliable?”
“Still a rookie with no experience… wait, what’s this? The recommender is the Hunter Management Bureau’s Special Operations Commander.”
“Gasp! Is that for real?!”
It was a secret that he had passed the first document screening due to some pressure(?).