Ch.86Tyrant Lee Ji Cheol (6)

Exactly one week after the fight with Lee Jicheol, I finally regained the power that had disappeared.

‘…I guess the penalty period is about a week.’

Honestly, this isn’t a technique I can use openly.

However, I should think of it as having gained a secret weapon.

– Now that I behold my master’s true form, I too am overjoyed beyond measure. Why not eliminate these inferior humans and reign supreme over this planet?

“Why would I bother? Besides, I haven’t even used my real power yet. Last time was at most 40% of it.”

– Ohhh…

Seeing Gordon’s surprised spirit form, I couldn’t help but feel smug, and a slight smile escaped my lips.

Even if it’s a flawed technique, having a way to regain some power is incredibly significant.

The sense of security alone was completely different.

Now, even if a powerful enemy appeared, I could just endure a week of discomfort and crush them if necessary.

It meant I no longer needed to cower before anyone.

The rumored founders of Hades? The renowned S-rank hunters from various countries?

All insignificant. If they crossed me now, they would be crushed pathetically without even being able to resist.

“Are you listening? Even someone like you will just return to dust if you act up now.”

“……”

Kagagagak.

Kagak.

Chaeng.

Looking at Chaehwain, who had once again emerged from the Book of Death on her own and was now maintaining her weapon, I began lecturing her, venting my frustrations.

“Failing to recognize your master from the start disqualifies you. I saved you when you were groaning in your grave, and you show no gratitude…”

As I continued pointing fingers and grumbling beside her, Chaehwain suddenly stood up from her seat.

“What, what? Are you really going to try something? You’ll regret it.”

“…Strange energy.”

“What energy?”

After hearing Chaehwain’s words, I expanded my energy sense and indeed felt a familiar energy approaching our house.

Thump.

Thump thump.

“…It’s me.”

It was Lee Jicheol, who had become a dragon person and formed a contract as my subordinate.

#

Lee Jicheol is an S-rank hunter.

He’s been a hunter for 6 years now, but he reached the S-rank position just after his first year of awakening.

No one could stop him in his youthful vigor, and he rose steadily to become one of Korea’s representative hunters.

That’s when the anomaly occurred.

[Sir, guardian. Please listen carefully without being alarmed. The patient has contracted a disease that hasn’t existed in the world until now. I’m not entirely sure, but it might have emerged after the Day of Great Change.]

His only family, his younger sister, had contracted an unknown incurable disease.

After that, Jicheol lost his peace of mind. His actions became more violent, and he occasionally resorted to illegal activities to find a cure for the disease.

After three years, Jicheol earned the nickname “Tyrant” and became feared by the public.

‘……’

But despite reaching that point, his sister’s condition still didn’t improve. Rather, the attending physician had only added that there wasn’t much time left.

That’s why Jicheol joined hands with Hades. They had asserted they could bring him what he wanted.

However, ridiculously, Jicheol was defeated from a direction he never expected. Just when the plan was nearing completion, everything collapsed in an instant.

‘Damn it.’

In a situation with no other options.

But Jicheol still had one possibility left.

That target was Baek Eunha.

‘…I hate to admit it, but his power is abnormal.’

During the battle with Baek Eunha, Jicheol didn’t fully understand what it meant to become a dragon person.

But after some time had passed, Jicheol couldn’t help but be amazed at how completely different his body had become.

‘Both physical abilities and mana usage were far superior to before.’

Especially when drawing up mana, his skin would become harder, like the scales of a mythical dragon, giving him high defense.

‘Such immense power, can it really be freely transferred to others like that?’

It was truly a moment when everything Jicheol had known collapsed.

Even when he released his power, he felt that Baek Eunha’s strength was already beyond conventional frameworks.

At the very least, it wasn’t something that could be ranked with grades like B-rank or A-rank, as hunters commonly discussed.

‘If I borrow his power, perhaps…’

He might find a way to save his sister who was dying from an unidentified disease.

Understanding Baek Eunha’s power, that was the first thought that came to Jicheol’s mind.

That’s why Jicheol didn’t hesitate to seek out Baek Eunha. It no longer mattered whether they were enemies or not. Even if the chance was thread-thin, he had to grasp any possibility.

“…It’s me.”

“Why are you coming here without being called?”

“I have something I want to ask you.”

Glancing to the side, he saw a Death Knight with tremendous energy staring at him from behind its mask.

‘He had more subordinates. Quite strong. Perhaps even stronger than me…’

Feeling a chill, Jicheol paused briefly before continuing.

“Is it possible to cure diseases with your power?”

“Diseases? Depends on the type. There are ways for most of them.”

“Then I beg you. Help me just once. If you do, I promise to serve you wholeheartedly afterward.”

Faced with Jicheol’s serious demeanor, Baek Eunha also changed his expression and began to consider it briefly.

The result was acceptance.

“Alright. You’re my subordinate now anyway. I might as well take care of you.”

Having made his decision, Baek Eunha called over the nearby Death Knight and, after a brief struggle, stuffed it back into the Book of Death.

“Just get in there quickly. Geez…”

And so, Jicheol guided Baek Eunha to the special patient room in the large hospital where his sister was staying.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The signals from medical devices all around echoed in their ears, and in the clean private room lay a young girl.

The girl was sleeping soundly with various small equipment attached to her body. Looking at her, Jicheol spoke.

“After the Day of Change, my sister contracted an unknown rare disease and has been receiving treatment continuously. But there’s been no improvement, and she still can’t go outside.”

“…I understand roughly what you mean.”

After briefly looking at her with interest, Baek Eunha approached the girl lying on the bed and began to check her condition.

Tok.

Took.

Whoosh.

“Ah, so that’s it.”

“…Is treatment possible?”

“Of course. This level isn’t difficult at all.”

Jicheol flinched for a moment but still couldn’t fully trust those words.

After all, it had been impossible despite all his searching for a solution.

But Baek Eunha, without hesitation, raised his hand while drawing up mana.

Then suddenly he grabbed Jicheol’s forearm and made a cut with the edge of his hand.

Slice!

“…What are you doing all of a sudden?”

“Hold still. I need some of your blood.”

After working for about 20 minutes on the spot, Baek Eunha produced ten small glass vials containing medicine with a reddish energy.

“Give her one every 24 hours, for a total of 10 days, and she’ll recover on her own.”

“Is that really true?”

“Believe it or not. Just don’t come asking for more later.”

With that, Baek Eunha left, and Jicheol followed his instructions, giving his sister the medicine once a day.

Then, something amazing happened.

“…It’s strange, brother. I felt like I was dying just the day before yesterday.”

His sister, who couldn’t even stay awake for more than a few hours a day, suddenly regained her vitality completely.

The attending physician, unable to hide his agitation, delivered the results to Jicheol after conducting tests.

“…I don’t know how to tell you this. All her readings are normal! We’ll need more time to be certain, but it’s fair to say she’s already cured. What on earth happened?”

“Is that so…”

The moment he heard the doctor’s words, Jicheol felt years of pent-up anger dissolve in an instant.

He immediately went back to find Baek Eunha and knelt before her—something he had never done in his entire life.

“I sincerely thank you. As promised, I will follow you. Command me as you wish.”

“No, I could give you orders anyway? It’s fine, just go back quickly. Seoha will be here soon…”

Beep. Beep. Click.

Ring ring ring.

At the sudden sound of the door lock operating, Jicheol and Baek Eunha stopped talking and turned their heads.

And then.

“……”

Splash.

Roll roll roll.

Soon, from Baek Seoha’s hands, who had witnessed the scene, wrapped king crabs tumbled out.