Ch.664Chapter 25. Let it Unfold (14)

On the internet, or more precisely in the underworld, there had been discussions like this.

-Is there a way to steal the awakening marks from those who awakened through Patriotic General Do Ji-hwan?

This topic, which operated under the premise that awakening marks were some kind of attachable items, apparently garnered significant interest on the dark web.

-Isn’t that just a physical phenomenon?

-It’s just a hypothetical. Or should we discuss the mana flowing inside the body?

-Let’s debate that separately and focus on this topic for now.

All kinds of discussions took place on the dark web.

Unspeakable, vile conversations circulated, completely disregarding the fact that the subjects had “become pregnant,” though that was a falsehood.

The Syndicate’s ability users have been tracking down and dealing with such people, but even these collaborators can’t handle things in real-time on the Korean peninsula right now because of the World Cup.

But there are those who are trying to act on the discussions from the dark web.

Like this madman standing before me—China’s S-class ability user who calls himself “Divine Flame Emperor.”

“Hahaha! You’ve appeared, Scholar Hat!!”

[Tch.]

My sneak attack targeting his cradle from behind lacked precision.

I definitely felt the impact of my Goblin Club, but it wasn’t the sensation of breaking the cradle.

“I anticipated that and wore steel diapers!”

[Aren’t you embarrassed as a grown adult?]

“Better diapers than becoming impotent!”

Ka-ang.

The Divine Flame Emperor slapped his lower body with his hand, and the sound was that of striking metal, not flesh.

“It’s a silver cradle protector made of mana silver! A specialized protection against trash like you who aim for the cradle!”

I have no desire to see the lining inside his pants, but it probably resembles something like a bulky pelvic guard from SF fantasy.

Whatever the form, it doesn’t matter.

What’s important now is that my sneak attack failed because of that crazy armor.

[Zenros won’t be easy.]

“Hehehe. What about you? Are you wearing diapers too? If not, I’ll burn you! But before that!!”

Whoosh.

“First, I’ll take Do Ji-hwan’s awakening mark!”

“Ugh?!”

The Divine Flame Emperor reached out toward Atalante.

Soon, flames extending from his right hand gripped Atalante’s neck, and that fiery grasp lifted her into the air as if it had physical force.

“Hand it over quietly! If you don’t, I’ll roast you, World Cup or not!”

“If… if you attack me like this… do you think your country will hear good things?!”

“I’ll answer with a line from Korean movies. Winning is all that matters!”

Do all Chinese people think like that?

Or did they educate even an S-class ability user who borrowed his name directly from the mythological “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors” like that since childhood?

Either way, if left alone, the World Cup will be in serious trouble.

And just because one cradle attack was blocked doesn’t mean I plan to stop after one failure.

“Where do you think you’re approaching!”

[!!]

As I tried to sneak closer, flames erupted from his other hand, stretching toward me.

Kwaduk!

If I hadn’t quickly pushed off the ground and jumped, I would have been crushed by the fiery grasp like the utility pole behind me.

[I’ve figured out your ability, roughly.]

“Do you think my ability ends with just this much?”

[……!]

Clank, clank.

Holes opened up in the arm that had grabbed the utility pole.

Like openings forming on the surface of flowing magma, powerful flames began to surge from the holes as soon as they appeared.

“Burn!!”

Whoosh!!

The flames erupting from his entire arm scorched the surrounding area.

The released flames burst forth several meters in length, and I swung my Goblin Club forward to create distance.

[Tch.]

As the battle continued, the surrounding area grew increasingly hot.

The heavy machinery in the factory district began to melt, starting with the plastic parts, and soon the iron frames began to fall as the melted plastic disrupted their balance.

[You’re quite good at causing havoc in someone else’s country.]

I can’t take him away separately.

That room is for “demons,” specifically extraterrestrial demons.

It’s designed to trap otherworldly beings in the cracks of the world, not usable against humans of this world.

So what then?

How do I defeat an ability user with ridiculous firepower who’s wearing mana silver diapers to protect his cradle?

[I didn’t want to bring this out.]

I struck the ground hard with my Goblin Club, then formed an image in my mind.

Material creation.

Designing from start to finish with mana, implementing it as quickly as possible.

“Oh. A bow…?”

The Goblin Club, which had been shining like a baseball bat, disappeared, and a new weapon appeared in my hand. The Divine Flame Emperor sneered at the rather long bow I was holding.

“This woman was also doing archery when I caught her. And now you’re trying to attack me with a bow? Is that your original power? Or are you just committed to your concept?”

[If I followed my concept, you’d die in one hit.]

I casually raised the bow toward the sky.

“Hahaha, you fool! You’re going to shoot like that? Planning to shoot mana arrows into the sky, then make them explode and rain down? Like a thousand flower rain!”

[That technique exists, but this is different.]

This is a one-hit kill.

[Demon Dog Bow, Stingray.]

Ta-ang.

I shot the arrow.

The arrow, flying toward the sky like a stingray, drew an arc and fell toward the Divine Flame Emperor.

“Demon Dog Bow…? Ha…! Seems like you brought something from some strange place, but it won’t work on me! If I burn everything—”

Sasasak!

The arrow, Stingray, glided through the air gracefully like a stingray swimming in the sea.

Like a flight unit avoiding a curtain of bullets, it dodged the pillars of flame erupting from the Divine Flame Emperor’s fiery arms and finally reached his vicinity.

“It’s useless! My cradle and everything else are invincible—”

[If there’s a gap, it will penetrate. That’s enough.]

The Stingray that attached to the Divine Flame Emperor’s body spread itself thinner than clothing and burrowed between the gaps in his clothes.

It entered through his coat, seeped into the fabric, and moved along his back.

“Wh-what?!”

[Good ink seeps very lightly into Korean paper. Even if the paper’s condition is rough and violent.]

Surururu.

The Stingray that entered continued to seep deeper inside.

[Atalante. This is the fundamental reason why ability users should equip their costumes with mana.]

While controlling the Stingray, I pointed at the Divine Flame Emperor, who still held Atalante captive.

[Even the clothes you wear can become weapons depending on the opponent.]

Saaaa.

Following the fabric, along the threads of intricately woven clothing, along the seams of the innermost underwear, the Stingray moved and finally headed downward.

And then.

[If you wanted to protect your cradle with mana-infused metal, you shouldn’t have tucked your underwear inside.]

“Ugh, uwaaaaah!!”

As the Stingray followed the seams of the cotton shirt and finally poked its head inside the mana silver diaper.

[Bite it off.]

Kwaduk.

[If you tried to tear off someone else’s skin and organs, you should have remembered that the same could happen to you.]

Kwaduk, kwaduk, kwaduduk.

* * *

“…Thank you.”

[Don’t mention it. I’m doing this for the Syndicate.]

Though I’m wearing the Scholar Hat, there’s no reason to hide my identity as a Goblin from someone who already knows.

[Remember this. Even a coward should know when to bow before a stronger opponent, unless it’s a situation where you must risk your life.]

“Do you do that?”

[Of course.]

But because I’m always risking my life, I never have to back down.

And knowing that such situations always repeat, I try to fight only in the most favorable conditions where I can win.

[How did you end up out here?]

“…I received a message.”

[A message?]

“Yes. A threat that if I didn’t come out for a duel, I would never see my crew member again….”

[Figures.]

Though she’s a Syndicate collaborator, there are those who haven’t directly received help from the Syndicate like this.

[Kidnappers who take children always say one thing: don’t tell the police. But if you really don’t alert the police, you might not be able to save the child at all. Remember that.]

“That means….”

[Several people have already contacted the Syndicate. We immediately sent people and took measures.]

“Ah.”

[Though the Syndicate is publicly known as a villain organization, and we do engage in some villainous activities, we’re still an organization capable of handling at least this much.]

I’m not trying to criticize her for not trusting the Syndicate enough.

I just want to say that trusting the Syndicate makes things easier and reduces the factors to worry about.

[Focus on preparing for the World Cup match with peace of mind. The Syndicate will rescue your crew member.]

“…Understood.”

Atalante’s expression was somewhat complicated, but soon she placed her hand on her chest and smiled brightly.

“As someone bearing an awakening mark, I’ll do my best. I’ll show a battle that won’t shame others or my country. Even if villains like this stand in my way.”

[Good. Give it your all. Because…]

So I can show off more spectacularly.

[I won’t go easy on you.]

“…Pardon?”

[You haven’t seen your preliminary opponent, I guess. I saw it and came to rescue you personally.]

Greek hero S-class female archer.

Atalante.

Her opponent is.

[Goblin. Me.]

Goblin.