Chapter 26: The Beginning of Baek Jooseok’s Downfall (2)
by Afuhfuihgs“Let’s go. Time to save your father.”
“Are you… really going to help?!”
“Yes, but I can’t guarantee this will cure him completely. Please keep that in mind.”
“Of course! Just attempting it is more than I could ever ask for!”
Kang Eunbyul’s face brightened, and she hurried ahead. She activated an artifact hidden in the corner of the large office, revealing a secret passage.
Bzzz
With the sound of the artifact activating, a pathway appeared.
“Right this way!”
Kang Eunbyul led the way, guiding me forward.
Following her, we entered a large room where nurses, doctors, and several mages were standing by.
“Everyone, please step outside for a moment.”
With just a single command, all the people quietly left without protest.
‘Wow, being the daughter of the Hunter Association President sure comes with power. She just tells them to go, and they all obey without a word.’
As the crowd began to leave, I finally saw the man lying on the bed. He looked to be in his 40s or 50s.
Kang Eunbyul bowed her head slightly and said, “This is my father. Please, I’m counting on you.”
I gestured to her that I understood and approached the bedridden Hunter Association President.
Whirrr
An overwhelming amount of demonic energy was pouring from his body.
‘What kind of artifact did he use to end up like this?’
At first glance, it seemed like the demonic energy was trying to consume his mind, but the Hunter Association President was fighting back with all his might. That seemed to be why he had lost consciousness.
In other words, if I could remove the demonic energy, there was a good chance he could return to normal.
“By the way, are the walls here sturdy?”
I asked Kang Eunbyul, and she responded with a confused expression.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Oh, I’m going to absorb and release the demonic energy, and with this much of it, I’m worried the surroundings might get completely wrecked.”
She understood and replied with a nod.
“Don’t worry. The area is surrounded by S-class defense artifacts, and the mages have cast multiple protective spells. Nothing will be damaged, no matter the impact.”
“Well then, I suppose that takes care of it. Just to be sure, you won’t hold me responsible if this place does end up getting a bit smashed, right?”
“Of course not. Even if you destroyed the entire building, you wouldn’t be held responsible. So please, don’t worry.”
Reassured by her confirmation, I approached the Hunter Association President, Kang Seongho.
“Oh, by the way, Kang Eunbyul, do you mind if I use some of your mana?”
“Huh? What should I do?”
“Just stand next to me. As long as you’re close and touching me, I can absorb it. Give me your hand.”
“W-Wait… my… my hand?”
“Yeah, well, there’s nowhere else to hold onto, right?”
I grabbed her outstretched hand with my left hand.
‘Alright, now that I’ve got my backup battery ready…’
With everything in place, I placed my right hand on Kang Seongho, the Hunter Association President, and began chanting the spell.
“Absorb.”
Whoooosh
In an instant, the demonic energy surged into my body at an incredible speed.
- ※Warning! Excessive mana is being injected into your body.
- ※Warning! Your body is experiencing extreme strain! Immediate recovery is advised…
Dozens of warning windows popped up, but I ignored them and cast another spell.
“Recovery, repeat.”
- [B] Recovery effect activated. Damage to the body is partially restored.
- [B] Recovery effect activated. Damage to the body is partially restored.
My body tissues were continuously being destroyed and healed in an endless cycle. An overwhelming pain surged through every part of me.
Although the recovery spell could repair the physical damage, it couldn’t alleviate the excruciating pain caused by directly absorbing the demonic energy.
My veins bulged all over my body, and a loud ringing began to echo in my ears.
Biiiiiiiiii
I continued to absorb the demonic energy for quite some time.
‘That should be enough.’
Just as my body was about to reach its breaking point, I chanted the release spell.
“Release.”
Pheeeeew
A mass of black, condensed demonic energy shot toward the wall in an instant.
KA-BOOOOOOM!
Rumble rumble rumble
“What… what is happening?”
The orb of demonic energy pierced through the wall in a flash and kept going for quite a while.
Whoosh
Thud
Kang Eunbyul, drained of mana after supplying it to me, collapsed onto the ground, dizzy from the sudden exhaustion.
She stared blankly at the gaping hole in the wall.
‘He just pierced through the S-class artifacts and all the protective barriers set up by those mages in a single hit?…’
A chill ran down her spine.
If this man had been her enemy and attacked from the outside… She realized she probably wouldn’t have had any time to react.
She probably would have.
‘No… this can’t be happening…’
‘But… what about my father? What happened to him?’
The moment Kang Eunbyul looked at her father, a faint groan emerged from him.
“Dad…”
Seeing her father writhing, she froze in place, unable to move.
“Father…”
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at him.
“Ugh… what on earth is happening… Eunbyul, why are you crying?”
“Waaah… Dad…”
She rushed over and embraced Kang Seongho. He pushed her away gently.
“Ugh… Just a moment, Eunbyul. I’m in a lot of pain right now. Could you step back for a bit…?”
“I’m… I’m so sorry… I’m just so happy…”
As she wiped her tears, she knelt down before me and expressed her gratitude.
“I really… truly thank you. I’ll never forget this grace for the rest of my life and will repay it.”
Only then did Kang Seongho notice my presence and asked,
“Um… may I ask who you are?”
I replied to Kang Seongho.
“Hello. I’m the Masked Instructor, working as a creator. I hope you understand that I cannot reveal my face due to circumstances.”
At that moment, Kang Eunbyul added an explanation from the side.
“Dad had been unconscious ever since he got addicted to the demonic energy after using an artifact. This person absorbed the demonic energy to cure him of that addiction.”
Upon hearing this, Kang Seongho gasped in astonishment.
“Really… I was addicted to the demonic energy, and that’s why my body ended up like this… I almost really died…”
He bowed his head deeply in gratitude while sitting.
“You are my benefactor. I truly thank you. I’m sorry I cannot stand to express my gratitude due to my condition.”
I waved my hand dismissively at Kang Eunbyul and Kang Seongho.
“It’s alright. It was all done to save a life.”
“No, this isn’t just that. There are still no proper cures or healing spells for demonic energy addiction. If it weren’t for you, I would have certainly died.”
“Well… that’s not entirely wrong.”
To be honest, I might be the only mage in the country capable of absorbing this much demonic energy. Especially in a situation where I’m still alive and unscathed.
Kang Seongho turned to me and spoke.
“You are the one who saved my life. I will repay you appropriately.”
“Eunbyul, bring the spatial vault where the S-rank artifacts are stored.”
‘Oh… I didn’t expect this.’
I remained still, hoping I might acquire some useful artifacts.
-Whoosh
As Kang Eunbyul opened the spatial vault, hundreds of S-rank artifacts spread out on the floor.
‘Wow, this is insane.’
Seeing hundreds of artifacts, each worth at least hundreds of millions, lined up was surreal.
I asked Kang Seongho,
“How many can I take?”
“If you wish, you can take them all.”
‘Wow…’
I sighed and looked over the S-rank artifacts.
After a while, I honestly couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
‘They’re all good effects, and they’d sell for a high price, but… they’re either things I already have or things I don’t need.’
For ordinary mages, just receiving one would warrant deep bows of gratitude, but nothing seemed necessary for my current situation.
“Hmm…”
Noticing my disappointed expression, Kang Seongho spoke.
“Oh dear… If you’re someone who can solve demonic energy addiction, then of course, S-rank artifacts wouldn’t satisfy you. I made a mistake. Please forgive my rudeness.”
-Clank
As Kang Seongho broke the necklace around his neck, a sword appeared before my eyes.
‘Wow, he had this?’
[Legendary]
▶Hellhound’s Fang
- When you kill an enemy, it absorbs a portion of their stats, allowing the sword to grow continuously. It suppresses healing effects on the target. Some stats are sealed. When the sword grows, the sealed stats will be unlocked.
From SSS to F rank, there are different difficulty levels for obtaining artifacts.
However, when a dungeon resets, there’s a common feature where you can reacquire artifacts from the monsters that dropped them, but at a lower probability.
On the other hand, a [Legendary] artifact only exists as a single piece in the world. Reacquiring it is naturally impossible. Its value is incalculable in monetary terms.
‘A legendary item with growth potential? This is insane.’
Growth-type artifacts are extremely rare, and most artifacts have fixed stats. In other words, typical artifacts have no room for improvement.
But a legendary weapon with growth potential? I absolutely had to accept it.
“Is it really okay to give me something like this?”
I asked, if only out of courtesy. Kang Seongho smiled and replied.
“You would have left me with nothing if I had died. Please take it. By the way, can you use [Aura]?”
Aura. A power only those chosen by the gods can wield. It temporarily enhances weapons that come into contact with the body.
Those who cannot use [Aura] do not walk the path of the swordsman. Without [Aura], practicing swordsmanship is futile.
Even though there are significantly fewer swordsmen than mages, each of them is evaluated as superior due to this [Aura].
Naturally, I couldn’t wield Aura. It is passed down through genetics.
“No, I can’t use Aura.”
“That’s unfortunate. Still, even without it, this sword will surely be useful. Please accept it.”
I pretended to be resigned as I picked up the sword and swung it around.
‘Wow, it’s really light. Since I have plenty of money anyway, I should look for somewhere to put it to use.’
I picked up the sword and expressed my gratitude.
“Thank you. I didn’t do this expecting such a reward.”
“Haha. What can’t I do for my savior? If you want anything else, please feel free to ask.”
“No, asking for more after receiving something so great would be a burden.”
I hesitated, speaking words I didn’t truly mean.
“No, really, if you just tell me, I’ll do whatever I can.”
I pretended to think for a moment and then spoke to Kang Seongho.
“Well… if you insist, there is one thing I would like to request.”
“What is it? Please tell me.”
“Do you know about President Baek Jooseok?”
“I know him; he is famous as the president of a prestigious academy.”
“That’s right. I had a personal conflict with him earlier…”
As I trailed off, Kang Eunbyul explained to Kang Seongho.
“Wow… Using a dark artifact during a duel and almost killing others? That’s truly insane.”
“Exactly. Of course, he has been captured now, but I personally believe such a ruthless person wouldn’t just commit such a minor crime.”
“Hmm… That’s definitely the case. If he possesses a dark artifact, there are surely other suspicious aspects.”
“Yes, that’s my opinion. So, do you happen to have connections with the national agency, NPS?”
“Hm… While I can’t forcibly mobilize them, I do have connections that could encourage action if there’s a valid reason.”
“Oh, then could you perhaps request a search warrant for President Baek Jooseok’s residence and the academy? If he has committed any crimes, he should face proper punishment. There must be something to find if they search.”
“Sigh… I’ll try to see what I can do, but I can’t guarantee what will come of it. President Baek Jooseok is not an ordinary person, and the head of the NPS is quite unpredictable… So, I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best to ask.”
“That’s enough. Thank you.”
A little later, the NPS dispatched to President Baek Jooseok’s Helmunt Academy and residence.
- Thud
- Thud
Dozens of swordsmen simultaneously surrounded Helmunt Academy and attempted to breach the premises.
“What… what is the meaning of this? Get out immediately!”
Yang Hangil and several teachers, along with staff members who were in class, rushed out and shouted to block the NPS team. The team leader, Kim Eunchan, replied.
“An order for a search and seizure has been issued. Please step aside. We will be searching this location from now on.”
Yang Hangil shouted incredulously.
“What… What the hell?! Who gave you permission to do this?! A search and seizure? We haven’t committed any crimes! Do you have the authority for this? Isn’t this illegal?!”
“This is an order from higher-ups. I repeat, please step aside.”
“I won’t! A search and seizure at a prestigious academy? Do you think I can stand by and watch such tyranny being committed without any justification?”
As Yang Hangil shouted, other instructors gathered around him to block the way. Kim Eunchan drew his sword and coldly stated.
“This is your last warning. If you do not step aside, I will consider it a refusal to comply with orders and will subdue you to gain entry.”
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