episode_0118

“Alright, then.”

Yoo Dahee chuckled confidently as she stretched her wrists and ankles.

“Let’s finish this quickly before the other heroes arrive. It’s a matter of honor, Lee Jinhyuk. I don’t usually kill people. Not directly, that is.”

Yoo Dahee’s casual announcement of murder plans left everyone speechless.

Receiving a death threat in person was a first for me.

Honestly, it’s a bit intimidating.

“Are you giving me special treatment? I appreciate it.”

“Haha! Don’t mention it.”

Yoo Dahee chuckled lightly, exuding a sense of ease.

She seemed quite relaxed.

Objectively speaking, the current situation wasn’t favorable for Yoo Dahee.

Soyoung was incapacitated, and Alex and John were injured and struggling.

The only remaining forces for Yoo Dahee were herself and Ryan.

While both of them were powerful, it didn’t mean we were significantly inferior to them.

Moreover, time was on our side.

If we could delay a bit, the police or heroes would arrive.

But Yoo Dahee didn’t seem rushed at all.

It felt like she was confident in her ability to escape with her comrades, no matter how dire the situation.

There seemed to be a glimmer of trust in her.

She didn’t seem like the type to resort to hostage situations.

Well, unless Yoo Dahee was a fool, she would have prepared some tricks in case of emergencies.

What hidden tricks did Yoo Dahee have up her sleeve?

There were a few possibilities that came to mind.

Considering the worst-case scenario…

…Yoo Dahee might not rely on her psychic powers.

Or rather, if she brought out ‘that’ created by her psychic powers, we could face a significant problem.

Especially since we wouldn’t know what ‘that’ would entail.

“Come to think of it, my bad feelings have always been right.”

As my ominous premonitions had mostly come true, my anxiety intensified.

“If we assume Yoo Dahee has a hidden card, she’ll use it immediately when the situation turns unfavorable.”

So, let’s finish this before more people arrive.

I don’t aim to defeat Yoo Dahee.

Let’s target inflicting injuries for now.

If we’re lucky, we might even take one of her arms.

Unlikely, but who knows.

“Well, rather than dealing with Yoo Dahee, it’s better to divert her attention so that Alex’s group can handle her.”

“Then let’s start… now!”

At that moment, Yoo Dahee vanished.

Hyun Hwan Lee.

Once again, she used Hyun Hwan Lee.

Only a faint trace remained where Yoo Dahee had been standing.

Yoo Dahee deliberately moved back and forth to confuse our gaze.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

She was lightning fast.

Even veteran heroes struggled to keep up with her movements.

“Over here, over here… huh?”

“Hah!”

Swish!

With a swift motion, Soyeon’s sword sliced through the air.

The sharp blade grazed Yoo Dahee’s hair as she slightly recoiled, looking surprised.

Even though Soyeon was just an academy student, it was unexpected that she could keep up with Yoo Dahee’s movements using Hyun Hwan Lee.

Honestly, it was quite surprising.

Pro hero Han Seo-woo was struggling to read the movements properly, but it was So-yeon who blocked Yoo Da-hee’s movements.

“What’s up with you?”

Yoo Da-hee blinked his eyes.

“You read it? The path and movements of Lee Hyeong-hwan?”

“If so?”

“Huh.”

Yoo Da-hee exclaimed shortly.

“I knew you had the skill to compete with Joon, but honestly, it’s a bit strange.”

“What is?”

“You couldn’t even keep up with the Illusionary Divine Beast’s movements during the midterms, right? Come to think of it, your skills have improved so much compared to back then?”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s only been a few months, you know?”

It was not unreasonable for Yoo Da-hee to react with confusion.

“You were hiding your skills back then?”

The So-yeon of the midterms and the So-yeon now were different enough to be considered different people due to the difference in skill level.

After awakening, So-yeon grew rapidly, gaining the skills of the top rank in just a few months.

Of course, lacking in combat experience and skill proficiency, she could not be treated as a normal top-ranked or top-tier hero.

However, once So-yeon started using her psychic abilities in earnest, the story would change.

With such high potential psychic abilities, she could create numerous variables.

It was a quite formidable ability, as if she was the protagonist.

According to the setting, if So-yeon could fully utilize her psychic abilities, she could even defeat Yoo Da-hee in a one-on-one fight.

“Or did you grow? In just a few months?”

“…”

“If that’s the talent you have, well. You’re quite interesting too.”

“Shut up and come at me.”

“Sure, why not.”

Yoo Da-hee slowly raised his magic.

“Shall we test it out?”

“Who said we’re testing each other?”

Yoo Da-hee rushed in.

This time, he did not use spells like Lee Hyeong-hwan or the Illusionary Divine Beast.

Looking at So-yeon facing Yoo Da-hee head-on, she tightly gripped her sword and shield.

“Block this once!”

“Ugh!”

He swung his fist full of magic.

The fern-like fist collided directly with the shield.

Kwah, ahh, ahh!

At that moment, with a deafening sound, dust rose like a whirlwind.

So-yeon bit her lower lip tightly and blocked Yoo Da-hee’s fist.

Yoo Da-hee laughed as if he was enjoying himself.

“Haha, the shield is quite sturdy, isn’t it? Good thing?”

“So-yeon!”

Han Seo-woo immediately whipped his whip.

A whip that uses the original power to unleash a supersonic charge.

The whip is the first sonic weapon created by humans.

Even an untrained civilian can create a sonic boom and exert enough force to tear flesh apart.

But when a top-ranked hero like Han Seo-woo wields it seriously, it will not just tear flesh but shatter bones.

No, it could even exterminate monsters, not just humans.

“Oh, right in the middle?”

Of course, Yoo Da-hee wouldn’t be seriously injured.

But it’s okay.

Han Seo-woo’s whip tied Yoo Da-hee’s left arm tightly.

Yoo Da-hee glanced down at his tied left arm for a moment, then turned his gaze towards Han Seo-woo.

“Aisha! Now!”

“Yes!”

Before Han Seo-woo’s shout even ended, Aisha rushed in.

Dual swords slashing like a flash.

But Yoo Da-hee just smirked and swung his left arm, ignoring the whip tied to it.

Although Han Seo-woo was holding on tightly, he was being dragged along as if an adult was playing tug-of-war with a child.

A perplexed Han Seo-woo.

“I’m not even a physical enhancement ability user, so what kind of strength is this…!”

“I’m just a bit stronger than usual.”

Yudahee tightly gripped Aisha’s twin swords with her right and left hands.

The crimson light flickered on Aisha’s blades, but Yudahee exerted force as if it was nothing, slashing her sword.

The two swords, fragile like bamboo, could not withstand Yudahee’s grip.

Aisha furrowed her brow and stepped back for a moment.

Quickly, I threw two usable swords to Aisha using the teleportation ring.

While Aisha was catching the swords, Soyeoni swiftly joined the fray.

With my enhanced vision, I could barely keep up with the lightning-fast sword strikes threatening Yudahee continuously.

However, Yudahee remained calm and composed throughout.

Soyeoni relentlessly swung her sword, but not a single strike landed on Yudahee.

Not only Soyeoni, but Han Seoun and Aisha also swiftly joined in, but there was no significant change.

Yudahee skillfully blocked, dodged, and deflected their attacks.

Her fists, imbued with immense magic, not only deflected all their weapons but also started pressuring them in return.

A miraculous sight of one person fending off the attacks of three.

How could she block six hands with just two of her own?

She’s no ordinary growth-type chicken.

“Damn, can’t even intervene.”

I clenched my fists tightly, watching them fight Yudahee. I wanted to help, but I couldn’t.

Their movements were too overwhelming for me to follow.

I felt like I would only get in the way if I intervened.

Originally, I planned to provide support with the right orders, bows, and items, but seeing them fight directly made me hesitate to intervene.

…At times like this, I feel truly powerless.

Planning strategies, providing items, and teaching appropriate responses are all I can do.

I felt a strange sense of helplessness at the thought of intervening in the battle and potentially being a hindrance.

Standing idly by and watching while Soyeoni and the others risked their lives in battle felt… off.

I don’t know.

I’m feeling a bit off.

If I had a useful superpower, I wouldn’t just stand by and watch like this.

“…I find it quite amusing. In the past, I was so scared of fighting and monsters that I wanted to take a bus with Soyeoni, but now…”

When I first recalled memories from my past life, fighting dangerous villains and monsters seemed endlessly terrifying.

So, I planned to use the protagonist’s group… Soyeoni, Ishiwoon, Kang Daehan, etc., to defeat the rebellion members causing chaos in South Korea.

But now, I didn’t want to just stand still while Soyeoni and the others were injured.

I wanted to be of some help.

They were risking their lives, getting hurt, and fighting because of me. I had to repay their sacrifice.

If only I had some power… some useful superpower…

Today, I felt my powerlessness even more.

“…Ah, it was so nice for a while.”

“Haa, haa, ugh.”

Yudahee muttered to herself, taking a break from the fight.

It seemed like she received a call on the wireless earphones in her ears.

It was probably Isabelle calling. Could it be?

“Is this the end? The other heroes have almost all arrived, right? By the way, you’re quite skilled, aren’t you? Honestly, I was planning to take one of your arms, but you managed to block them all.”

“Huuh, huuh, ugh.”

Soyeoni, panting heavily with her shield and sword raised, just glared at Yudahee with fierce determination.

“Yijinhyeok, you didn’t participate until the end? Why are you just watching? Did you think these guys would be enough? If so, it’s a bit embarrassing for your pride.”

It’s not that I don’t want to, I can’t.

If I step up, I’ll definitely get beaten up, how can I step up?

“Or did you treat me as this girl’s experience points? But well, she’s definitely amazing. The more she fights, the stronger she gets. Should I say she grows in real-time?”

“Haa, haa, haa.”

“I was a bit skeptical earlier, but after fighting myself, it became clear. She didn’t hide her strength during the midterm, she really did grow. With this rate of growth, she might become a monster in the future?”

“Haa, haa, whoo.”

Yudahee had a look of anticipation mixed with a hint of regret.

“I feel a bit threatened… Hmm… Alright, I should put you on the list of targets to kill. Personally, sparing you would be fun, but it could be a hindrance to future plans.”

“Hah, if you’re going to kill me, then do it… Haa, haa.”

“Kikik. You’re about to pass out, kid. How about catching your breath properly before speaking?”

In a good or bad way, Soyeon and I caught Yudahee’s attention.

Perhaps it would be best to rely on the church until Yudahee is defeated.

The church should be safe for now.

“Alright, alright, then slowly… Oh, huh?”

Thud!

Yudahee’s body trembled for a moment.

It seemed as if she was being crushed by a powerful force.

No, it’s not gravity. It’s telekinesis, powerful telekinesis.

This level of telekinetic ability would be rare in Busan, with only one person having it.

“Hoo… What’s going on here?”

In the distance, a familiar woman’s figure began to appear.

“I got a call and came, Yijinhyeok… But what’s going on here?”

“Ma’am!”

“I’ve told you to call me instructor, how many times, Jinsuyeon?”

High-ranker Hong Daye.

She played a significant role in resolving the Busan outbreak incident and was once mentioned as a candidate for the top 10 in her prime.

Despite experiencing aftereffects, her ranking was 93.

This was evidence of her outstanding original abilities.

“White hair! It’s good to see you!”

A familiar voice was heard from a little further away.

Turning my head, I could see Kang Daehan and the Black Shadow Clan bodyguards running towards us with long spears.

Among them was the top-ranked fighter, Ju Hwayoon.

“Repay the humiliation from the midterm… I’ll get you, white hair!”

“Ah, Daehan, let’s go together, it’s dangerous here.”

Suddenly, Hong Daye and Kang Daehan’s group arrived.

Now, their combined strength far surpassed Yudahee’s group.

So Yudahee would probably use it.

Her trump card.

If she really prepared a trump card.

“Well, a lot of people have come. Then I have no choice but to…”

Yudahee took out a small orb-like object from her pocket.

Ah, damn.

I was right about that.

“I have no choice but to use this.”

“Hey, Yudahee.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’ll send you off, just take your people and go.”

“Huh?”

Yudahee looked at me unexpectedly.

“It seems like you don’t know what this is about. Only our members would know, it’s amazing.”

“Enough, just go.”

Now that I’ve confirmed that, there’s no point in fighting unnecessarily. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to arrest Alex and his group, but I did manage to confiscate the pocket dimension leather pouch, so I’ve achieved half of my goal.

So there’s no need to be too greedy…

“But you don’t like that? I’ll just use it.”

“Hey, hey?!”

Hey, you crazy bastard!

Crack!

Suddenly, the orb shattered, activating its effect.