episode_0219

Eileen is a villain strong enough to overpower Lee Cheonsang. I’d estimate her skill probably reaches special S-rank. In other words, like the great mages including Seol Hayeon, or monsters like the Sword Saint and the Gwon Hwang.

Normally, she would be an opponent too high-ranking for me to dare face.

‘I can handle it.’

After all, she’s not an opponent I haven’t already defeated once, is she? I had already succeeded in taking her down in Istanbul.

CRASH!!

As I blocked the explosions bursting from the iron fragments with an ice shield fanned out like a fan, I calmly condensed Heavenly Lightning at my fingertips.

As it happened, I coincidentally had two abilities sourced only from the Cheon family. And according to what I tested the day before joining the subjugation force… the abilities of Cheon Soyul and Cheon Hyeon-a boasted extremely superior compatibility.

That’s why Cheon Hyeon-a, no, my sister-in-law, could reach special A-rank at that age.

“──Hoo.”

Exhaling a short breath, I directly faced Eileen. Thanks to my deterrent attacks scattering cold air, her approach was somewhat blocked.

Furthermore, this was likely the most optimal attack timing I could get.

If the fight dragged on, I could also display sustained abilities through super-regeneration, but even then, there was still a possibility of being at a disadvantage.

‘If I’m going to do it, now’s the best time.’

CRASH!

I immediately stomped the ground and erected a massive ice wall. I wanted to summon an ice tree, but unique magic couldn’t be used redundantly.

If I summoned an ice tree here, the one on the sea would probably vanish with a pop.

I needed to end this without using the ice tree if possible. For now, it was a diversion to momentarily block Eileen’s assault.

“…What a useless thing to do.”

As expected, as soon as I set up the ice wall, large and wide enough to fill the space, Eileen muttered in a cold voice.

“You don’t think this will stop me, do you? Lee Hyunjin.”

That was the end of her words. Soon, from beyond the ice wall, continuous explosions erupted along with the sound of iron fragments being violently swung.

Not only the ice wall but the entire space vibrated violently under the impact of the explosions, but…

──────────────── [Copying Cheon Hyeon-a’s unique ability, One Point (一點), according to attribute.] ────────────────

It was just a trick to buy time anyway. I knew it wouldn’t hold for long, and what I was aiming for was an off-beat timing through that momentary gap.

Crackle, sizzle, sizzle…!!

The golden lightning energy covering my right arm began to swirl, resembling a dragon.

Its momentum and power seemed capable of sweeping away everything in front of it the moment it opened its maw.

“…You.”

Just then, Eileen, who had completely shattered the ice wall and met my gaze, hardened her expression.

She swept her gaze over my arm just once, then immediately stomped the ground as if folding it, her demeanor completely changed.

Moving like that, she succeeded in closing the distance to me in an instant, using her body in a way unbefitting a mage.

“…I was a little faster, wasn’t I?”

“…!”

I twisted my lips, full of scorn, and Eileen, with wide eyes, swung the iron fragment down at me.

And from my outstretched right arm, a thick flash of light shot forth with a roar.

──────!!!

Originally, my specialty was maximizing power through fusion magic, combining lightning and ice, and sometimes fire…

But I didn’t do that now. Instead, the magic deployed was focused on a single attribute.

The ability that pierces a single point with a momentary power boost, the ability that made Cheon Hyeon-a a famous ‘glass cannon’ in the Korean Awakened world…

Now, it was mine. The flash of light pierced the space, and my vision flickered along with a delayed thunderclap and the sound of something like a wall crumbling.

CRACK!

And what was that echoing sound? Eileen and I gazed at each other with hardened expressions, then simultaneously turned our attention to one side.

For the token signifying the victor of this brief skirmish had fallen there.

The black iron fragment. That rare metal staff, practically Eileen’s symbol as an S-rank serial killer, fell down, miserably shattered.

To put it slightly hyperbolically, its appearance was almost as if it had been disassembled to an atomic level.

“Hmm…”

Eileen’s expression remained hardened, but I could detect considerable turmoil and complexity in her inner thoughts.

Perhaps it was a cherished weapon? I couldn’t know, but it didn’t matter anyway.

WHOOSH!

“…!”

Just because her weapon was gone didn’t mean Eileen’s abilities had vanished, did it?

Of course, that iron fragment seemed more special than most weapons…

At the very least, I couldn’t miss this opening. I swiftly stomped the ground, then in one stride, took a position in front of Eileen and kicked her.

THWACK!!

In any case, the leg strength I gained from being the strongest in close combat was not to be underestimated.

Even if she had a very sturdy body. She was a mage, after all, wasn’t she?

“Hoo…”

I looked down at Eileen, who had been powerlessly kicked and fallen to the ground, and wiped my sweat.

Seeing her cheeks flushed red, I felt a slight twinge of apology.

“Mmhmm.”

…But it couldn’t be helped. I abruptly cast aside my personal feelings and summoned plant tendrils. With them, I tightly bound the dangerous woman’s arms and legs.

Although it was the iron fragment that took the direct hit from the flash, it seemed its owner wasn’t entirely unaffected.

“…Hoo, wooh.”

Eileen exhaled with difficulty, seemingly a little paralyzed.

Her appearance, similarly drenched in sweat with things sticking to her, was truly captivating.

‘Fucking hot.’

I felt a tiny desire raising its head… Yes, but no matter what, now wasn’t the time.

I was someone who knew how to distinguish between time, place, and situation. Probably.

Instead, I approached in a somewhat casual stance and crouched in front of the fallen Eileen.

And suppressing the desire to rub her large breasts, I calmed my emotions by idly toying with a few strands of her black hair.

“…What are you doing? This.”

With just that, Eileen looked up at me with a very murderous expression.

Of course, I nonchalantly continued moving both hands. I won, didn’t I? What are you going to do about it?

I opened my mouth, looking down at her with a sharp expression.

“Where is Haru, Eileen?”

Eileen glared at me without answering. I couldn’t help but flinch slightly, reading the meaning in her gaze.

“…Where is Haru?”

Right, well. Since we had a conversation before, I guess I could use polite language.

I let out an awkward cough and repeated the same question again.

A short time passed in silence, but.

The answer that came back was not to my question.

“…You’ve gotten much stronger.”

“Suddenly?”

Eileen said that, slightly narrowing one eye, and I tilted my head.

Really, out of the blue?

“Is such rapid growth day by day a privilege only for otherworlders? Or is it merely a fortuitous convergence of heaven-sent talents?”

“…”

But at her next words, I couldn’t help but change my expression slightly.

“Just now… What did you say?”

Otherworlder, she said? Did I hear that correctly? As I lightly tapped my temple and lowered my voice, Eileen let out a low laugh.

“Ah, come to think of it, I haven’t mentioned this separately, have I?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I know that you and the cult leader share the same hometown.”

“…”

“It’s something I only heard recently. Perhaps, yes. About three months ago.”

I frowned and retraced my old memories at her words. Was three months ago exactly when I first met these two women?

I had been quite flustered a moment ago, but listening to her, it didn’t seem too strange.

After all, Eileen seemed to be Haru’s closest confidante, unlike the other bishops.

Even if they exchanged various secrets, there wouldn’t be anything surprising about it.

I let out a deep sigh and poked her side chest with the back of my hand.

“Forget that, just tell me where your cult leader is already.”

“…You’re still as naturally sexual with your touches as breathing.”

“If you don’t like that, then quickly…”

“Lee Hyunjin.”

Just as I was considering whether to just grab her breasts and press her again.

Suddenly, Eileen, who had completely changed her expression, tone, and voice, looked at me seriously.

I paused my teasing hand and fixed my gaze. Just as I was about to wait for a moment, wondering what she was about to say.

“…I’ll make a direct offer. It won’t be bad for you either.”

“Huh?”

“Please rape Haru.”

“?”

Eileen delivered a bizarre statement in an utterly nonchalant voice.

Do what?