Ch.164164. Dokgo Jun’s Conviction

I had been mistaken about one thing. The enemy had summoned both Dokgo Jun and me simultaneously.

In other words, this was likely a scenario designed to pit me against Dokgo Jun.

However, we met “too quickly.”

Before my eyes stood Korea’s strongest Jaeger, holding an enormous greatsword in one hand and an axe in the other.

Though they had clearly orchestrated this encounter, we met before reaching the intended destination.

Moreover, unlike last time, he had drawn out his weapons received as a priest right from the start.

It meant he had already sized me up.

While I was thinking this, Dokgo Jun moved.

He simply swung his greatsword in a straight line.

This was Dokgo Jun’s first full-power strike that I’d ever witnessed. I needed to evade by prioritizing mobility.

As I leaped up in one breath, the spot where I had been standing was completely crushed. A massive crater formed, and sewer fragments shot up into the sky.

The destructive power was strong enough to shake surrounding buildings and shatter every window.

As I drew my sword, Dokgo Jun approached, smashing through a building.

Our blades met, creating a shockwave, but no shockwave formed on Dokgo Jun’s side.

[Analysis Complete]

-Rank increase

-Opponent has energy absorption capability

Dokgo Jun’s magical power grew enormously, and I was momentarily overpowered.

Weapons filled with immense magical power were now targeting me.

I have the advantage at long range.

[Skills]

-Missile Launch

-Tracking Laser

Missiles launched all at once, followed by a laser that tracked the opponent’s movements.

As explosions occurred in mid-air, my circuits sent a warning.

The moment my reflexively raised sword collided with his greatsword, his axe came flying.

That single blow caused pain I had never experienced as an evolved being, and I was sent flying.

As I raised my head, the surrounding buildings were gradually collapsing.

No, this shouldn’t be happening.

Dokgo Jun kept trying to kill me.

Does he absorb power with the axe and then release it? A simple but powerful ability.

But it won’t matter anymore.

Now that I understand his characteristics.

I needed to engage in close combat. I confronted Dokgo Jun head-on as he charged at me.

I could see it. My circuits gradually captured his terrifying attacks, and at that moment, I deliberately struck his axe.

[Trait Nullified]

In the brief moment when the axe’s ability was nullified, Dokgo Jun’s expression changed.

As soon as that opening appeared, I activated Beast’s Radiance.

[Skill]

-Beast’s Radiance: Reduces magic resistance and resistance, increases all stats, and attacks the targeted enemy indiscriminately. (Reduced control)

My hands and missiles moved contrary to my will. They moved solely to brutally seize and kill.

Wounds were carved into the body of the supposedly invincible Dokgo Jun.

His greatsword and axe were knocked away as I pushed forward savagely.

Just as the rare sight of Dokgo Jun’s body becoming covered in wounds was unfolding, I felt a strong impact in my abdomen.

An irregular kick I had never experienced before had landed.

Dokgo Jun lunged at me like a demon.

Exactly two more times. When I took a hit to my waist and my wound burst open, I realized my circuits were beginning calculations again.

“Thank you, monster. I think I’m getting stronger because of you.”

Dokgo Jun was laughing like a madman. By the third attack, his wounds had turned into a bloody mess, but he didn’t care.

His movements became faster, and his magical power blazed like an active volcano.

“At my age, it’s strange to talk about growth, but I’m glad to have met a monster like you.”

“…”

He had become faster and stronger. Was this the realm of an avatar? No, I could still track him.

The moment my circuits captured his movements again, I launched a counterattack.

Dokgo Jun spat blood as he retreated, then struck the ground with his axe once more.

He can absorb energy that way too? If it’s energy absorption, does that mean he doesn’t necessarily need my energy?

This was power unlike anything I’d seen before. I needed to dodge and attack again.

[Analysis Complete]

-Evasion recommended

-Subject’s body cannot keep up with magical power

My circuits provided the answer. Dokgo Jun’s body had reached its limit.

I could win. Against Dokgo Jun.

As I was about to dodge that ominous energy, I realized something.

The scene of our battle flashed before me, and I remembered that the girl I had saved was somewhere nearby.

What was happening now? Was she still alive?

I figured someone of Dokgo Jun’s caliber wouldn’t make the mistake of involving surrounding buildings.

But the traces of our battle had severely damaged the nearby structures.

What if another impact like that was transmitted again?

At that moment, nothing else mattered. When Dokgo Jun flashed something behind me, I rushed toward the girl.

Breaking through the building, I grabbed the startled girl and jumped.

Just as I felt an ominous heat behind me, a fierce impact struck my back.

“Gugh!”

I felt pain as if my stomach would be pierced and my back would be torn off.

Holding the girl with both hands, I collided with the ground.

I managed to stop with difficulty, but my entire body was not normal. With every movement,

I could hear buildings collapsing. Even breathing was uncomfortable, and in this battered state, Dokgo Jun approached.

Dokgo Jun came toward me with a terrifying expression. But it wasn’t the killing intent I had seen before.

Though he looked angry, it was also a face that seemed to be restraining something uncontrollable.

I couldn’t know his true feelings. His face looked complicated. This strongest Jaeger quietly opened his mouth.

“I lost.”

I heard words that couldn’t possibly reach my ears.

*

Geniuses stand out from an early age. While not all do, most have such episodes from their youth.

Dokgo Jun, this strongest Jaeger, naturally belonged to the category of those who showed promise early on.

This was from an earlier era when summoning spirits directly chose people, in a time when there were few of them.

Before the summoning spirit came to him, he fought monsters barehanded.

It was possible because monsters were weaker than they are now.

His reckless anger was connected to the death of his family.

[Because of you… Because of you…]

He fought until exhaustion, and when he was on the verge of death, a summoning spirit came to him.

For his courage, anger, and bravery.

From the moment he accepted the summoning spirit, he became strong enough to face A-class threats.

As if he was born for it. In a short time, he protected his city and nearly eradicated the monsters.

But his bravery was also a source of fear. He was so angry that he dismissed even the current hardliners as trivial.

He was so independent that other Jaegers or those who came to scout him shook their heads.

The only ones he could somewhat communicate with were the younger generation he met while chasing monsters.

They were the members of the current three major guilds.

Park Tae-sang, Jo Sung-hee, and Seo Jin-hoon. They built their reputation together for years.

As things stabilized, society began to establish systems. Each had their own forces, but Dokgo Jun remained alone.

As mentioned earlier, he had mellowed over time. When he was younger, he was more violent and disobedient, causing leader-figure Seo Jin-hoon constant worry.

He was so stubborn that fighting with Park Tae-sang was a daily routine, and Jo Sung-hee often threw both of them into the sea.

When things got serious, Seo Jin-hoon would step in to mediate.

So even when they split into independent forces, Dokgo Jun remained alone, but he didn’t mind.

However, monsters grew stronger, and his independent actions distanced him from public sentiment.

And traitors existed then as they do now. A traitor who sided with monsters ambushed him, putting him in mortal danger.

It was Seo Jin-hoon who saved him then.

[Come. You need to act with broader thinking. You’re a valuable talent.]

Having his life saved, despite his twisted personality, he was semi-forcibly incorporated.

But while working together, Dokgo Jun discovered a “weakness” in Seo Jin-hoon.

‘Jin-hoon hyung is now weaker than me?’

Whether due to differences in talent, he had somehow surpassed Seo Jin-hoon. Of course, leadership qualities and combat qualities are different.

But the fact that leader Seo Jin-hoon was now below his own skill level gave him a strange sense of victory.

He was doing better than Seo Jin-hoon. This sense of superiority manifested in acting on his own in battles, which eventually led to disaster.

Particularly on that day, they had fought quite intensely.

Seo Jin-hoon argued with Dokgo Jun about his arbitrary actions.

Normally they would have reconciled, but Dokgo Jun’s superiority complex caused trouble here.

[I’m stronger than you, hyung! You just think I can’t do it. All the team members believe in me! Because I’m stronger!]

After these harsh words, Dokgo Jun became completely isolated from the team.

Dokgo Jun was stronger and they trusted him? The team members answered by leaving him.

‘Why? Why? I’m stronger.’

While he was drifting apart, the infamous apartment incident occurred.

A monster that appeared in a household was the strongest entity they had encountered so far.

Dokgo Jun demanded to fight to show his strength, but Seo Jin-hoon prioritized saving lives.

[First evacuate people, then just buy time.]

[Everyone will die that way. We should kill it when we can! Fine! Our relationship ends today. Let’s not see each other anymore.]

After announcing the breakup, Dokgo Jun fought fiercely with the monster.

There was definitely a chance of victory. Only, everything fell apart when the already damaged apartment began to collapse.

A child was falling before Dokgo Jun’s eyes.

No matter how tough he was, he couldn’t bear to watch someone die before him.

But as if by fate, Seo Jin-hoon jumped in to protect the child.

The monster’s attack was the same. And while protecting the child, Seo Jin-hoon was fatally wounded.

[Jin-hoon hyung!]

The surprised Dokgo Jun threw the monster away, but it was already too late.

But Seo Jin-hoon was angry instead.

[You idiot! It’s not me! The building is about to collapse!]

Regardless of strength, Dokgo Jun had no choice but to follow Seo Jin-hoon’s charisma at this moment.

[Always prioritize people. Understand? Don’t cause damage with unnecessary fights. That’s the mindset you should have as a Jaeger! Got it! You have plenty of potential, so don’t be swayed by emotions.]

This was the last conversation with Seo Jin-hoon. As Dokgo Jun fought monsters from all directions and prioritized hostages, he realized why team members didn’t follow him despite his strength.

His mindset was redefined at this time.

But during the apartment collapse, while running around, Seo Jin-hoon was sacrificed, and Dokgo Jun carried a heavy burden for life.

He shed tears at the press conference, speaking about his responsibility for Seo Jin-hoon’s death.

As time passed, Dokgo Jun changed.

From being harsh and stubborn, he took over the guild again and created the current White Dragon Guild, putting his arbitrary past behind him.

Monsters must be killed. But people always come first.

That motto that Seol Yu-hwa had heard was born right here.

Dokgo Jun knew how great it was to save a child in a life-threatening situation.

Even if it was a monster he hated so much.

‘This is ridiculous. I heard everyone had evacuated! What is that girl doing here?’

Shocked, Dokgo Jun stammered before finally speaking.

“You…”

Before his eyes, a blood-covered wolf monster was holding a child.

Where on earth had this child come from?

‘Did I almost kill someone again by not looking around?’

Being obsessed with battle and disregarding surrounding damage. He had almost committed the same mistake again.

But the wolf had thrown itself. Without hesitation in a life-threatening situation.

“How long has that girl been there?”

Of course, this wolf monster couldn’t speak human language. But Dokgo Jun simply couldn’t remain silent.

Because he had almost repeated the mistake from Seo Jin-hoon’s time.

“Mister…”

With the eagle, he had thought it was just a ploy. To look good to humanity.

Because death wasn’t nearby. But every time stories of monsters helping humans emerged, it greatly disturbed Dokgo Jun.

The unwelcome help from monsters. But this one had thrown itself, prepared to sacrifice its life.

The past unfolded like déjà vu, and Dokgo Jun threw his sword and hammer to the ground.

He couldn’t hear what the crying child was shouting, but he could guess the meaning.

“I was mistaken. You protected that girl. Admirably.”

A shocking statement that would never normally come from Dokgo Jun’s mouth.

“A Jaeger is meaningless if they can’t protect people. The anger, the hatred, it’s all because there are people to protect. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself again. I lost.”

Dokgo Jun declared defeat and turned around.

But darkness began to fall around them.

Hazy mists formed in the air, creating walls.

[The great Dokgo Jun declaring defeat… how surprising?]

[It’s different from what we expected, but it’s enough.]

Multiple voices were heard, and a sinister energy surrounded him.

The executives of the Goegyeopdan were somehow gathering around Dokgo Jun.