Chapter 43
The faces of the ability users gathered in the underground shopping arcade, where the fluorescent lights flickered dimly, were all taut with tension. Kim Jeong-hu unfolded a map and began to speak.
"First, I'll explain the barrier surrounding the city. It is presumed to be a barrier created by an S-rank ability user, and if the Association still hasn't managed to break through it after a day, then its creator is likely one of the highest-ranking barrier ability users. Moreover, there is a high possibility that they are using a barrier-amplifying artifact."
Kim Jeong-hu's words darkened the expressions of the roughly twenty ability users gathered in the underground shopping arcade.
"Are you saying there's a possibility the Association won't be able to break through the barrier?"
The middle-aged man on the left, who had introduced himself as a telekinesis ability user, raised his voice.
"That shouldn't be the case. Even if it takes time, the barrier will eventually be breached. The problem is time. The key is how quickly the Association and Seoul's guilds can break through it."
"Then what are we supposed to do until then?"
The question came from a woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. Though she wore a black suit, it was already stained with dust and sweat.
"We need to delay whatever the Twilight Fangs are planning as much as possible until support arrives."
"They have an S-rank and an A-rank ability user, so can we manage that on our own? Besides, moving recklessly without even knowing the enemy's exact information is…."
Voices of agreement came from here and there at the telekinetic's words. Anxiety and fear filled the underground shopping arcade.
"The S-rank barrier ability user is likely unable to participate in battle because they are focused on maintaining the barrier. And as for information on the Twilight Fangs…."
Kim Jeong-hu turned his head and looked at Go Deok-bae, who was standing behind him.
"Mr. Go Deok-bae will explain."
Go Deok-bae stepped forward.
"First, as for the situation around us…."
Go Deok-bae spread documents across the table and pointed at the map. The red pen in his hand moved across it.
"At present, the Twilight Fangs have completely taken control of the area centered around the broadcasting station. The identified ability users are one S-rank, two A-ranks, and five B-ranks. And a large number of C-rank ability users are dug in there as well."
Red circles were drawn on the map each time the pen moved. The enemy's deployment gradually took shape around the broadcasting station.
"The particular problem is the S-rank user's location. We haven't been able to determine it precisely. However, we do have a probable location."
The breathing of the people gathered in the underground shopping arcade grew heavier. The very word S-rank pressed down on the air with its weight.
"Sir, where do you think they are?"
Im Hwa-yeon asked in a calm voice.
"It's just my guess, but there's a good chance they're hiding in the center of the broadcasting station. Looking at the map, the barrier spreads out in a dome centered on the station. And…."
Go Deok-bae's voice paused. His expression grew even more serious.
"This is only my guess, but there may be more than one S-rank ability user."
Everyone tensed at Go Deok-bae's words. If there were two or more S-rank ability users, the situation was even more serious.
"Do you have any basis for that?"
Jeon Do-eun asked seriously, having put aside her usual playfulness.
"An S-rank ability user wouldn't have carried out something like this alone. To pull off something like this in a city where the Association and major guilds have a close presence, there is a good chance there is a combat ability user protecting the barrier user."
Everyone fell into deep thought at Go Deok-bae's words.
"Then that means at least two S-ranks… and two A-ranks as well."
Im Hwa-yeon said with a serious expression.
"That's right. And five B-ranks, plus countless C-ranks…."
Tension colored Jeon Do-eun's voice. The situation was far more serious than expected.
"With our forces, a frontal breakthrough is out of the question.“
It was then that a group of people entered.
"Mr. Kim Jeong-hu, we have a big problem!"
Everyone's gaze turned toward the people who had rushed in. Their faces were filled with urgency.
"What happened?"
Kim Jeong-hu asked the man at the front.
"They're installing an Ether Nova at the broadcasting station!"
Fear swept across the faces of everyone in the underground shopping arcade at his words.
I didn't know what an Ether Nova was, but judging by the expressions on everyone's faces, it seemed to be something extremely serious.
"Hwa-yeon, what's an Ether Nova?"
I whispered softly to Im Hwa-yeon.
"…It's a bomb. A bomb made by condensing ether. When it explodes, it could wipe out this entire city."
Her cold voice added to the gravity of the situation. Things were even more dangerous than I had thought.
‘Hmm, are we fucked?”
Without even having time to think, Kim Jeong-hu continued speaking.
"How large is it?"
"I thought it would be about C-rank… but Mr. Baek Hun, the clairvoyant, checked it and said it appeared to be at least B-rank in scale."
Im Hwa-yeon's and Jeon Do-eun's expressions darkened further at the words of the person who had just entered.
"If it's B-rank scale…."
"Seoul will be blown away…."
The ability users, overcome with fear, began to panic. Anxious voices rose from all around.
"Are we all going to die?"
"What should we do…."
"We have to get out quickly…."
Fear and confusion spread in an instant.
"Calm down!"
Kim Jeong-hu shouted loudly.
"We don't have time to panic. Now is the time to calmly come up with a countermeasure.“
The area fell silent at Kim Jeong-hu's words. He then addressed the ability users.
"We need to inform the Association of this immediately."
"What are we supposed to do on our own?! An S-rank is sitting there at the broadcasting station—the only place with a means of contacting the outside through the barrier!"
Someone shouted in a despairing voice.
"How much time do we have left?"
Im Hwa-yeon said while staring intently at the map.
"The device will be fully installed in two hours… or sooner."
Silence descended. If they failed to retake the broadcasting station within two hours, Seoul would be blown away.
Watching everyone panic, I put my hand into my pocket and touched my smartphone.
The situation was more serious than I had thought.
I had to enter the Yin-Yang Manual and grow strong enough to fight an S-rank ability user on equal terms, at the very least.
'First, I need time to get stronger.'
It was the moment I was about to take out my smartphone. I sensed something approaching beyond the ceiling.
-Boom!!!
The underground shopping arcade's ceiling collapsed along with a sudden explosion. Concrete fragments poured down like rain, and dust whipped around like a storm.
"Told you~ Just like I said, if you chase rats, you'll find them all gathered together like this~"
A masked man appeared through the cloud of dust. A manic smile hung from the mouth visible beneath his mask.
"Ah… what a pain. Let's finish this quickly and go back."
"Sparkle sparkle, Twinkle Diva appears, kyung!"
Two more men appeared from above. One was a gay bastard, while the other was a man with a deep scar across his face.
Then roughly twenty armed people fell from above behind them.
The combat ability users in the underground shopping arcade immediately assumed battle positions. Flames sprang up from Im Hwa-yeon's hands, and electricity crackled around Jeon Do-eun.
The gay bastard jumped in front of me and landed.
"BOY! I've missed you so much!"
He spread his arms and tried to hug me. Goosebumps rose all over my body as I quickly backed away.
"Get lost!"
"Aww~ Why are you running away?"
The people around us grimaced at his disgusting gestures.
"Haa~ That gay bastard's starting again. Gay Gay~ Don't play with him too much; finish this quickly."
The masked man sighed as he spoke.
At the same time, the Twilight Fangs used their abilities and attacked everyone around them. The underground shopping arcade instantly became a battlefield. Explosions, screams, and the sounds of colliding abilities blended together.
I swung my Japanese sword at the charging gay bastard.
-Clang!
He blocked my attack and stepped back slightly.
”BOY~ Your attack's gotten stronger than yesterday?“
Just then, Im Hwa-yeon approached me while launching flames. The gay bastard, struck by her attack, began to huff angrily.
"Again! Again! That pussy's trying to steal my man!“
He instantly charged at Im Hwa-yeon.
"Flame Surge!"
The wave of flames that began at Im Hwa-yeon's fingertips erupted into a massive explosion, as if it intended to burn everything away.
-Boom!
The flames, carrying tremendous firepower, shot up as high as the broken ceiling.
"Hahaha! That pussy's flames can't pierce my skin!"
The corners of Im Hwa-yeon's lips rose coldly at his provocation. A confidence different from before shone in her eyes.
"It'll be different from last time, you gay bastard!"
With her shout, the firepower increased explosively. The increased ether transformed the flames blue. The temperature of the underground shopping arcade soared in an instant.
-Boom!!!
Blue flames on an entirely different level erupted. The fire, radiating heat as intense as the sun, swallowed him whole.
"Eeeek! What is this?! It's different from before!"
His tone changed, and for the first time he let out a scream of pain. His once-tough skin began to redden from the heat.
"Now it's getting through?"
Im Hwa-yeon curled her lips and pressed the attack.
"How did you get this strong all of a sudden, pussy!"
He tried to charge through the flames, but I stepped in front of him.
I adjusted my grip on the Japanese sword and infused the blade with internal energy. The blade cut through the air as I swung it at him.
I felt the tip bite into his skin. I swung it faster and harder.
"Eek…! My skin! Cutie Crusher!"
Pink glitter burst from his fist like an explosion.
-Boom! Boom! Boom!
His fists rained down like machine-gun fire. I dodged and knocked away each incoming punch, then immediately ducked. I slipped under his outstretched arm and swung my sword.
-Whoosh!
White sword energy slashed across his flank.
The gay bastard, his flank cut open, retreated.
“Huff, huff. BOY! I'm angry! Transform!”
His body sparkled, and pink glitter burst out like an explosion.
"Guardian of Love! Twinkle Super Diva will fight for real!“
With those words, he charged at me again.
-Boom! Boom!
Attacks stronger than before came raining down. The impact transmitted through the sword every time it collided with his fists made my arm go numb.
"Cutie Rainbow Crusher!"
An even more intense pink light burst from his fist. Attacks faster and stronger than before came pouring down.
-Boom! Thud! Boom!
The impact was strong enough to make it feel as though my Japanese sword might break.
'Fucking crazy bastard.'
His crazed attacks continued without pause.
"Hey, duck!"
I heard Im Hwa-yeon's voice behind me. I immediately lowered my body.
A blast of fire carrying tremendous power flew over my head toward him. The blue flames engulfed not only the gay bastard but also the Twilight Fangs behind him.
"Aaaagh!"
"It's hot!"
"Aah!"
With horrifying screams, the flames swallowed everything. The ceiling of the underground shopping arcade began to collapse.
"We need to get out of here quickly!"
At Kim Jeong-hu's shout, the civilians began moving hurriedly.
Then, amid the pillars of flame blazing from Im Hwa-yeon's fire, the gay bastard's shout rang out.
"Twinkle Love Shower!"
Pink energy burst outward in the shape of hearts.
I scooped up Im Hwa-yeon and dodged. The floor melted wherever the pink attack passed.
"Don't underestimate it just because it's heart-shaped! My love can melt steel too!"
With Im Hwa-yeon in my arms, I continued dodging his attacks. The floor melted wherever the pink hearts flew.
She whispered in a small voice while in my arms. Despite her labored breathing, there was strength in her voice.
"Hey, can you hold that bastard off for five minutes?"
Her expression was serious. She seemed to be preparing some massive technique. Blue flames burned more intensely than before in her hands.
"Five minutes should be enough, right?"
"Yeah, I'll hit him with one big attack."
I nodded and let go of Im Hwa-yeon. While she moved back, I tightened my grip on the Japanese sword.
I dodged his attack and counterattacked.
"Twinkle Love Storm!"
Pink energy burst from his body.
-Boom! Boom!
'I just have to hold out for five minutes…'
Behind me, Im Hwa-yeon was gathering some enormous energy. Blue flames burned increasingly fiercely around her.
While I was dealing with the man in front of me, I sensed an unseen presence moving toward Im Hwa-yeon.
"Hwa-yeon! Watch out, there's an invisible ability user!"
At the same moment, a masked man flew down from the ceiling toward Im Hwa-yeon with a dagger in hand.
As I turned to rush toward Im Hwa-yeon, Jeon Do-eun appeared and attacked the masked man.
"Lightning!"
"Aaaaargh!"
Brilliant lightning pierced the masked man's body. After striking the screaming man, Jeon Do-eun shouted.
"Honey, don't worry about this area! I'll protect you!"
Reassured by her words, I focused on the gay bastard in front of me. He was huffing, and, having stopped his troublesome ranged attacks, he closed in for close combat.
Pink glitter sparkled as he swung his fist. The attack carried a steel-hard force.
"Twinkle Rainbow Splash!"
A massive fist flew toward my face.
-Kaboom!
I swung my Japanese sword and blocked his fist. A thunderous roar rang out as the steel-hard fist collided with the sword.