Ch.147The One Who Cannot Stop – 1

What’s this? Why am I suddenly getting goosebumps?

It feels like some kind of energy… as if someone is trying to harm me from somewhere.

“Arbiter Seojin Baek? Is something wrong?”

“Huh? Ah. No, it’s nothing. Where were we?”

“You had just climbed up the hill and encountered the boss monster.”

“I see. Well, at first there was only one boss, but after a while…”

As I explained the situation, the branch office clerk typed diligently on the keyboard.

Apparently, they needed detailed explanations to create a more comprehensive report.

Thanks to that, not just me but all team members had to provide thorough accounts.

Hmm. Looking at this situation, it feels like we’re at a police station giving statements.

This place is the Superpower Academy branch building located in Changwon.

This is where they brought us after taking us out of the dungeon.

As soon as we arrived, the clerks, who must have already heard the news, came rushing out.

“Welcome! If you could wait just a moment, people from the Association headquarters are on their way!”

That’s what they said while eagerly shaking our hands.

It seems the news had already reached the Association in that short time it took us to get to the branch.

I was reminded once again of how impressive my team members’ backing is.

“…and that concludes it. After completing the subjugation, we immediately came out and reported the situation.”

“I see. You’ve been through a lot inside the dungeon. Additionally, I sincerely apologize that the Association failed to check the interior beforehand and permitted entry to the dungeon.”

There’s no need to apologize. This wasn’t negligence but rather something beyond anyone’s control.

Who in the world would have thought that a dungeon’s environment or monsters would suddenly change?

And two bosses? This isn’t some super-raid game—who would have considered that possibility?

After finishing the report, I declined their offer to guide us to a resting area.

It’s already tough enough working on weekends, and the reason for their work today is such an extraordinary situation.

I thought it would be better to handle these minor matters ourselves.

“I’ll find my way. You have a lot to do, please stay seated.”

“Ah! Th-thank you! The break room is straight down the corridor on the right!”

With words of encouragement, I walked down the corridor and entered the break room.

Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo were already seated there, apparently finished with their reports.

“Arbiter!”

“Looks like you two are done. Are Soohyun and Hyunwoo Lee still at it?”

“Yes. They seem to still be working on it.”

That’s strange. I expected my account to be the longest and take the most time.

After all, I was in an observer position, so I saw much more than the others.

Moreover, Hyunwoo went in first, followed by Soohyun.

“They’re not telling strange stories again, are they?”

“…Well, what Hana unnie said sounds oddly plausible.”

While that possibility isn’t zero, he’s not exactly the type with a loose tongue.

I was wondering if that could really be the case when the door suddenly burst open.

“Oh. I see everyone’s already here.”

Speak of the devil. Hyunwoo, you’re definitely not a gentleman.

“Come sit down, junior. You weren’t adding strange explanations again, were you?”

“Strange? I only mentioned things that needed to be shared.”

“Such as?”

“That to defeat the Mist Lake monster more easily, it’s important to build up endurance through basic training, and that one shouldn’t easily crumble under pain, so it’s good to practice getting hit on purpose…”

Having heard enough, Dasom Yoo delivered a fierce flick to his forehead with an “Oh, for goodness sake!”

That’s exactly what she meant by strange explanations. Adding that it was unnecessary.

“Ack! What? Why is that a strange explanation?!”

“Because you’re giving weird advice instead of the necessary situation report to people who are already tired from coming to work on a weekend! They’ll figure that stuff out on their own even if the Association doesn’t tell them, so just do what you’re asked to do!”

“But I was told not to just do what I’m told!”

“By whom?!”

“By Arbiter Baek!”

…What is he saying all of a sudden? Why am I being brought into this?

I looked at Hyunwoo in disbelief, and Dasom Yoo beside me turned to face me.

It felt like she was asking if this was true, so I immediately shook my head.

“I never said anything like that.”

“Yes, you did! After the evaluation, you said that if I only do what I’m told, I’ll never grow…”

“That’s not relevant to the current situation at all!”

Dasom’s merciless forehead flicks continued.

Hit him more, hit him more. He’s probably used to getting hit anyway.

As I sat watching Dasom disciplining Hyunwoo, I felt a slight tremor from within my body.

Woong—

It’s starting again. The shadow hidden inside me keeps causing disturbances.

I’ve kept it hidden because showing it would only cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

If it keeps acting up like this, I might not be able to keep it much longer.

I worry that perhaps it hasn’t fully assimilated yet.

This is different from simply mimicking what Minseong Kang’s sword or Hyuk Kwak’s spear showed me.

This time, I took one of Sujin Hyun’s shadows and made it my own.

I hope there won’t be any problems, but I can’t be certain.

It’s not pure mimicry but taking something that already existed.

That means it could potentially break free from my control.

‘Maybe I should get rid of it before something happens.’

But when I think about what happened in the dungeon earlier, it feels like such a waste.

Why was Sujin Hyun able to become such a powerful S-rank?

How did she maintain her notoriety even after becoming The Elder?

It was all thanks to the characteristics of her shadow ability.

Minseong Kang’s and Hakjun Ma’s swords, and Hyuk Kwak’s spear all go where their arms and hands direct them.

They can’t target the opposite direction while looking forward. Even if possible, it would only be momentary.

And that applies to the next generation of geniuses like Hyunwoo and Soohyun as well.

But Sujin Hyun is different. More precisely, her shadow is different.

She can attack and defend in any direction she wants, whenever she wants.

Although its solidity can’t compare to weapons infused with magical power, it’s enough for unpredictable attacks.

That’s why I can’t bring myself to give up even a single shadow.

Fighting against Sujin Hyun, nearly falling victim to her shadow multiple times, I realized:

Unpredictable attacks are the ultimate hidden weapon in truly high-level combat!

Wooooo—

But if it keeps acting like this, damn it, I’ll have to give up that hidden weapon.

If it’s truly breaking free, I’ll have to dispose of it immediately.

Returning to Sujin Hyun would be the better outcome. As long as it doesn’t suddenly stab someone nearby.

I decided to try controlling it one more time and dispose of it if there’s no hope…

‘Huh.’

Suddenly, a chilling sensation penetrates my entire body.

Like being thrown outside naked in sub-zero temperatures.

I’ve felt this sensation before, always for the same reason.

Why did I only notice now? Despite all these hints.

The answer is that the opponent’s stealth was exceptionally good.

Even my senses only detected it when it was already very close.

“Everyone!”

Cursing, I grabbed the three people sitting beside me and pulled them close.

Almost simultaneously, everything before my eyes turned pitch black.

*

“Cough!”

My entire body feels like it’s being torn apart. My battered body won’t calm down.

Sujin Hyun slowly raised her hand and wiped her mouth.

The dark red blood clearly revealed her completely broken physical condition.

“If you push yourself one more time, you might actually die.”

Those were the words of The Elder, who could be considered somewhat on good terms with her.

It wasn’t said with exaggeration or mockery.

It was sincere. A fact without a shred of falsehood.

The Elder, formerly S-rank Sujin Hyun, surely knew this.

Yet she dragged her broken body back to the scene of revenge once more.

Information obtained after torturing a government official—the location where research and experiments would resume.

Right here in Changwon. Sujin Hyun had finally made it here.

The plan was simple. Eliminate everything related. Make sure they never dare try again.

Then secure evidence, spread it nationwide, and make the leaders panic and flee.

When the security weakens, kill them all at once.

She was thinking of starting with a surprise attack on the Association branch.

It’s just a branch office. Not a place with many people.

The reason for targeting the branch is to divert attention.

This way, most people will think it’s a villain’s terrorist attack.

Terrorist attacks on the Superpower Academy happen occasionally.

By doing this, she can draw attention here and carry out her revenge relatively easily.

‘I need to suppress my presence as much as possible.’

If she’s not careful, Jiyoon Han, who’s tracking her, might detect her.

Despite creating as much confusion in her movements as possible, the investigation net is closing in.

In her current physical state, not only fighting but even escaping would be difficult.

For this reason, Sujin Hyun suppressed her magical power as much as possible.

This worsened her physical condition, but she had no choice.

She had left traces of her magical power elsewhere to buy more time.

Finally arriving in Changwon, she headed straight for the branch.

Having been an ability user before, she could easily locate the branch office.

Swish!—

With a slight gesture, dark energy gathered at her fingertips.

It’s a bit different from before. Both the number of shadows and the density of magical power are much lower.

‘I don’t need to completely destroy it.’

Out of concern for the people inside? Surely not.

She knows she’s gone too far to think about such things now.

And she herself has abandoned any thought of seeking forgiveness.

The reason for not using all her magical power is that it would leave stronger traces.

To make it look like a villain’s terrorist attack, she needs to keep it as weak as possible.

‘But why, of all places…’

She only realized it just before launching her attack.

Due to extremely limiting her magical power use, and her abnormal physical condition.

That man, Seojin Baek, is right down there. She’s certain.

She can sense the shadow he took from her.

That one strand that she can no longer control, that has completely passed under his control.

Sujin Hyun bit her lip but didn’t withdraw her magical power.

The water was already spilled—he was now an “enemy” beyond understanding.

Showing mercy would only make him come to interfere immediately.

With that thought, Sujin Hyun infused more magical power.

Then, without a moment’s hesitation, she thrust the dark shadows into the branch building.