Ch.116Past Connections Are Dangerous (3)

“Henesia, what information did you get?”

“Wait, I’m filtering it right now.”

In the middle of a desolate open space devoid of any buildings or modern conveniences, two women in distinctive attire were positioned.

Among them, the woman holding a staff that emanated powerful energy, Henesia Loben, spoke.

“I’m pretty much done. There’s some useful stuff here. I have a rough idea of our next destination too.”

“…Any traces of the teacher?”

“It seems certain that she’s on this planet. But I don’t know the rest yet.”

The two who had crossed from Thebes to Earth with Serejia’s help had landed among an unidentified human settlement and ended up engaging in an intense battle.

Though somewhat bewildering, it wasn’t a bad outcome since they were able to extract knowledge from their enemies and acquire this planet’s language and various cultural aspects.

“Well, it wasn’t without some gains.”

After their initial battle, they raided another information hub using the memories they extracted from the humans there.

It wasn’t a gentle method, but this place was unknown territory to them.

They needed to handle matters as efficiently as possible.

In response, the woman who was absently handling her sword with an indifferent expression, Astride, asked a question.

“…Where’s our next destination?”

“A place called Korea. There was something concerning in the memories we extracted.”

“Is the teacher there?”

“At the very least, we should be able to get more information.”

According to the memories of humans at this American military base, there was apparently a national conflict with a necromancer named Baek Eunha recently.

Of course, only the name matched, with nothing else in common with the Baek Eunha that Henesia knew, but there was definitely something that bothered her too much to ignore.

If so, they would simply check it out first.

“My stamina is fine. Let’s move right away.”

As the two were organizing their thoughts, they simultaneously turned their gaze southward.

Click.

Shing.

Astride, who had first drawn her sword about a knuckle’s length, stood up and spoke.

“We have visitors.”

“Hmm. Could be those hunters? Apparently some of them are quite strong.”

“Yes. They don’t seem that weak.”

“You can sense that from this distance? You’re still a monster.”

Henesia smiled slightly.

If Astride, who had strict standards, showed such a reaction, it must certainly be those S-rank hunters they had read about in the humans’ memories.

But she wasn’t particularly worried.

“I suppose we should check them out.”

They were among the top five strongest beings on planet Thebes. No matter how renowned these visitors might be in their country, they couldn’t possibly match up to them.

“Don’t kill them. We need to extract more information.”

“…Okay. Got it.”

Facing the three enemies who appeared from across the sky, Astride and Henesia quietly summoned their magical power.

#

Just as Joseph had informed me, sure enough, not long after, I received a call from the Association.

[Yes. The Association was thinking the same thing. So you’re saying Eunha has nothing to do with this, correct?]

“Of course. Why would I do something so troublesome?”

Korea’s Hunter Association readily believed my words, but that alone wouldn’t resolve everything.

Russia and America would likely continue to pressure Korea.

So I conveyed my carefully considered thoughts to the Association.

“Instead of wasting energy, how about sending a message that I’m willing to cooperate actively?”

[Active cooperation?]

“Tell them I have circumstances and can only show my face in four days. There are plenty of excuses—like I’m in the middle of training to gain enlightenment or something.”

It was an excuse, but for someone of S-rank hunter caliber, such situations weren’t uncommon.

If I showed such a conciliatory attitude, neither America nor Russia could push further without losing face.

‘Whatever happens, my power will return in four days.’

By then, I won’t need to be considerate anymore. I can just clear away anything that bothers me and resolve the situation.

It seemed like a perfect plan. As I was peeling tangerines on my bed with a satisfied smile, Vice Chairman Seo Dahye responded.

[It certainly doesn’t sound like a bad idea. We’re also concerned about those impersonating Eunha. I’ll contact the upper management about this.]

“Good. Let me know when you reach a conclusion.”

[Yes, understood. Have a peaceful day.]

Click.

After ending the call, I crossed my arms and fell into thought.

‘It’s definitely concerning.’

I don’t know who’s so eagerly using my name, but the incidents they’re causing are quite unusual.

‘Could it really be Hades?’

A group that has both a grudge against me and possesses considerable military power.

Honestly, Hades is the only one that comes to mind.

But it’s unlikely that two countries would simultaneously stage such an act.

‘……’

However, there are also several aspects that make Hades an unlikely culprit.

If their purpose was clear, it might be different, but not knowing what the other side is thinking is truly frustrating.

“…I don’t know. Why do I have to worry about this troublesome matter?”

Anyway, everything will be resolved in just four days.

Just four days of patience.

As I was thinking this, someone came to visit me. It was Song Hayeon.

“Hello.”

“You’re early.”

“So I just need to stick by your side and protect you for the next four days, right?”

“Don’t expect that much. You’re just there to buy time in case of emergency.”

Based on the information gathered, the enemy likely possesses skills comparable to an S-rank. Song Hayeon is obviously no match for them yet.

“Come on, I’ve really improved a lot. You never know.”

“Then try if you want. If you die, I’ll just turn you into a skeleton and use you as a chair.”

“……”

There was actually a more convenient term, “예시엘” (Yesiel), but I didn’t want to reveal my weakness to someone who primarily uses holy power and has such straightforward ethics.

Since I couldn’t summon Chaehwa without my magic, unfortunately, Song Hayeon was the best option available.

“…I’m a valuable asset too. Look at Lee Jichul. He’s so busy he won’t even glance this way.”

“He’s genuinely busy. He has to take care of his younger sister too.”

“What, do you think I’m unemployed?”

“When you’re not exploring dungeons, that’s exactly what you are.”

Since that wasn’t entirely wrong, Song Hayeon grumbled as she went to make her coffee and my hot chocolate.

Despite her complaints, she takes such good care of me when she’s here. She really is fundamentally a good person.

I was thinking maybe next time I should stop putting it off and help her create a high-level undead.

“There’s nothing to do. Should we turn on the TV? What do you want to watch?”

“News.”

“Okay. I’ll switch to that.”

The screen showed a helicopter filming an intense storm happening at a distance.

Faint traces of magical power and the constantly changing environment around it.

Without much thought, one could infer that someone was engaged in battle.

“Huh? What’s going on? From what they’re saying, is this in America?”

“…It’s quite a high-level fight.”

At that level, there’s a high probability that an S-rank hunter is involved.

Moreover, judging by the traces, it’s not an individual conflict but a battle involving multiple people.

The fact that such a battle is occurring in broad daylight clearly means…

Ring ring ring.

Sure enough, as I was blankly watching TV, my phone rang indicating someone’s call. It was none other than Joseph.

Click.

“What’s up?”

[Urgent news came in. There’s a massive battle happening in America right now. I guess you might already know?]

“If it’s that, I was just watching it on the news.”

[Then listen carefully. It seems the combatants are those recent intruders and America’s S-rank hunters.]

I thought something was off, and sure enough, it was related to that matter.

Joseph continued urgently, indicating that wasn’t all.

[And just now, it’s been decided on the ground.]

“What happened?”

[All three of America’s S-rank hunters were defeated. And apparently one of the intruders barely even helped.]

“……”

That was extremely surprising information.

If true, it means they fought against S-rank hunters in what was essentially a three-on-one battle and won.

It’s certainly impossible unless there’s a significant skill gap.

“Seems like they’re not just any random group.”

“T-three against one means they essentially have Seven Star level skills, right?”

“I suppose so.”

I shifted my gaze intently to focus on the battle scene still being broadcast on screen.

Although I couldn’t see much since I’d lost my power, I might still be able to catch some clue.

And, quite shockingly, I was able to detect a subtle sense of dissonance.

‘Huh?’

A powerful sword strike that left magical traces near where the helicopter was positioned.

That form of technique was clearly etched in my memory.

And.

‘No way.’

As far as I knew, there was only one person on Thebes who could use it with such perfection.