Chapter 39:It’s not a denial.

Albert Einstein said that humans can only use 10% of their brains while alive.

If that logic is true, it means that when you hit your head, there’s a 90% chance that nothing will happen.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Successive shockwaves erupted from the Blue Dragon guild’s side. A jet-black figure advanced, breaking through the guild members.

“Too weak.”

It was Kang Miyoung.

She subdued the Blue Dragon guild members in the lobby with the back of her hand and overpowered them relentlessly.

Whether Kang Miyoung’s skill was outstanding or the logic was full of holes would be determined later, but for now, it seemed like popular psychology was bullshit.

[‘Auto Battle’ is activated.]

Lee Sunghan glanced at the enemy.

‘There are a lot fewer of them.’

The lobby was cleared by the overwhelming performance of the Kang sisters. But there are still remnants of the Blue Dragon guild.

The golden-tanned man in the lobby shouted.

“C-catch that guy! Buy us some time, somehow! Even if it’s a hostage!”

“This f*cker. Where do you think you’re going? Fireball! Downpour!”

Kang Miyoung crossed her arms in an X shape and pressed down as if playing the piano.

“Argh!”

Bang!

Kaboom!

Before the golden-tanned knight could even finish speaking, [Fireball] exploded.

It was almost like a torrential downpour.

“This won’t break through!!”

The knight held up his shield and endured. But he could only endure. He couldn’t advance or retreat.

A desperate situation.

A last stand.

“Aegis!!”

The knight shouted in a desperate voice.

A blue barrier surrounded him, and the fireballs melted like snow. Aegis. One of the skills of the knight class. But it won’t last long.

“That guy.”

“Yeah, if we can somehow catch that guy?”

“They’ll hesitate.”

The eyes of the remaining remnants changed.

They have to catch him somehow.

They glared at Lee Sunghan with such eyes. The Kang sisters simultaneously looked at Lee Sunghan. He had a confident expression. They felt a chill and were startled.

“Sunghan!”

Kang Jinyoung shouted as she prepared magic. It’s natural to be worried.

The other side was male.

They can never win against a female Awakener.

At least that’s the deeply ingrained perception.

Lee Sunghan calmly replied.

“I can handle this side. Please trust me!”

“……Sigh.”

“Alright. I’ll trust you.”

Kang Jinyoung let out a groan.

Kang Miyoung nodded as if she understood.

They had contrasting reactions, but they seemed to have a strong feeling of trust.

Even while chanting magic, she had a sullen expression. As if to ask, “Will that really work?” Well, it was a matter of trust.

Lee Sunghan had grown in his own way. He didn’t just play around for half a year.

“Break! Break!!”

Just then, an enemy appeared.

The opponent is a bulky barbarian.

It’s been a while since he fought against a human. Is it the first time since the rogue doll?

The barbarian was definitely the one who was stuck to the golden-tanned man’s side. He must be something like a close aide.

The Blue Dragon guild is a mess.

Should he call it a bloated body with a big build?

Because it was filled with such low-class people, it was just a pretty but useless thing.

“He’s coming.”

Lee Sunghan quietly exclaimed.

The barbarian’s level was low.

Especially, his intelligence seemed to be inversely proportional to his strength.

Otherwise, running while swinging a war axe indiscriminately.

He must know that it’s a stupid move.

He also changed his plan.

‘Tell me the weak points. Please.’

The traits responded.

His eyes snapped open. His pupils dilated, and he felt like he had entered the fourth dimension.

The barbarian’s body was split into several parts and assigned colors.

Red.

Blue.

‘That’s it, I have to aim for there.’

He seemed to have worked out quite a bit, as his upper body was durable. To the point where his attacks wouldn’t even scratch it.

But his lower body was different.

It seemed like he hadn’t worked out that part much, so he could land effective hits there.

If it’s for buying time… it’s doable.

Let’s collect information reliably.

The action became faster.

[‘Auto Battle’ analyzes the enemy and derives the optimal solution!]

[Auto Battle] let out a happy cry.

It said this was the perfect opponent to feel the growth it had achieved.

[Perfect solution.]

[Derivation complete!]

[Hostile target approach confirmed!]

[Turning sideways to evade.]

As soon as [Auto Battle] reported, the barbarian arrived.

“Die!”

He jumped off the ground and landed heavily! It’s a skill of the barbarian class. A jump followed by a falling attack.

He flew into the air, not fitting his large body.

He slammed his axe down on exactly where Lee Sunghan had been. He had some battle sense, as [Auto Battle] even whistled as if it were unusual.

“Die!”

The barbarian’s axe blade hit the ground with a shockwave, creating a crater.

Got him.

He caught him as the boss said!

The dust cleared, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

There’s no way a lowly man, an F-rank at that, could block the Blue Dragon’s path!

The barbarian’s smile began to fade as the debris disappeared.

Because Lee Sunghan was gone. He looked around.

How can an F-rank avoid it with such speed? Something smelled fishy.

“Y-you, you rat-like bastard! Where did you go?!”

The barbarian struggled to pull out his axe, rolling his bloodshot eyes.

A rat-like bastard. It was the first time he had heard such a thing, and it made him feel dirty for no reason.

Lee Sunghan, who had rolled to the side.

He sharpened his longsword, bringing his senses back to life. He quickly slashed horizontally as the barbarian charged.

The target was the barbarian’s leg.

Normally, it should have made a clang! The clear sound of metal clashing.

But.

Slice!

The sound of bone and flesh being cleanly severed. It traveled through the barbarian’s ears. The pain shot up through his cells in an instant.

Right ankle severed.

Tendon severed.

It’s the worst.

Loss of combat ability.

The barbarian’s eyes widened. H-how can a male Awakener defeat a female?!

“Y-you, what are you!”

The barbarian, losing his balance, knelt on one knee. He closed one eye tightly, feeling a stinging pain.

It must be hard to stand.

Lee Sunghan finally caught his breath. Phew, that was hard. His stamina consumption is also severe.

[Auto Battle] has improved as its level increased.

But he still felt that he needed more stamina training.

Moreover, he’s only meant to buy time. He’s not in the front lines, but a reserve, a second-stringer.

Since he drew aggro, they’ll come to deal with him.

“Ugh! W-where do you think you’re going, when you can’t even scream when you’re stepped on-“

The barbarian couldn’t finish his sentence.

It was Kang Miyoung in a hood.

She quickly drew her sword and stabbed. A black mask, which he didn’t know where she got it from – Kang Jinyoung lent it to her. Because of that, her face was obscured.

The barbarian, who had just pulled out his war axe.

He quickly parried and stepped back.

“Gasp, gasp.”

“Your weapon is gone.”

Kang Miyoung explained in a low voice.

Aura Blade, capable of cutting through anything, it’s like the secret weapon of a Sword Master.

The war axe, forged from refined magic stones, lost its shape and crumbled.

“Now is the time.”

Kang Jinyoung, who had been on the side.

She took the opportunity and chanted magic.

“Lightning Spear!”

Whoosh!

Yellow spears appeared in the air one after another. Several bolts of lightning crackled around them.

One.

Two.

Three.

The Blue Dragon guild members fell one after another. Including the barbarian.

The scantily clad female barbarian who had been trying to catch Lee Sunghan until just now.

Boom!

The 190cm giant fell on her back.

The earth trembled, that’s what it meant.

[Fireball], [Lightning Spear] extreme damage combo.

A textbook attack method for magicians.

Annihilating the enemy with an overwhelming number of projectiles.

The barbarian was cooked without having time to react. She didn’t kill them. Killing Awakeners is a serious crime. She’s following a relatively legal path.

“D-damn it!”

The golden-tanned knight was startled and fell back. Deep burn marks on both sides of his face made him look hideous.

‘It’s an S-rank. That’s definitely the Iron-Blooded Empress!’

The knight shuddered as he felt a chill. The reddish energy that appears in the aura.

It was certain. Why is she doing this to that man!

The knight shouted to the remaining remnants.

“R-retreat! Call for a healer!”

Kang Jinyoung threw the barbarian with all her might. The golden-tanned man who caught the barbarian fled with the remnants. They’re known to be quite unruly during this season.

This is why I don’t move alone. Kang Jinyoung sighed.

“Situation resolved.”

Kang Miyoung looked around and took off her mask. All signs of life were gone.

She handed the mask she was holding to Kang Jinyoung.

The people will probably be here soon.

She’s currently taking a break. If she returns with such a চমক? It will surely become a hot topic. Kang Miyoung didn’t like that.

‘It will become harder to meet him.’

Lee Sunghan is an important talent.

Therefore, she hated the idea of handing him over to others.

“Your security is lax. I believe that our Hunter Management Bureau should handle security rather than this uncertain intelligence agency.”

“What nonsense. You said you were returning? Why are you loitering around here?”

Kang Jinyoung snorted.

“I received a report of a dispatch after accepting help. It’s an outrageous story.”

“That’s that, and this is this. Sunghan is watching. You better answer quickly, okay?”

“…Ahem, I came because I received a dispatch request.”

“Wow.”

“I’ll be going first. I’ve already achieved my goal for today. You. Be careful with your body.”

Kang Miyoung quickly fled.

It was an incredible speed.

The conversation didn’t last long.

“Please discard the weapon.”

“I, I’m a magician.”

“Please discard the weapon.”

Ah, these stupid tin cans, this is why I hate them. Kang Jinyoung muttered, holding both arms up.

“Are we okay?”

“Don’t worry. The Blue Dragon started it first, so we’ll be fine. It’s a formality. Rules are important, you know?”

Who is the one not following the rules right in front of me? He wanted to say something but just swallowed it.

“By the way, Major?”

“She’s gone. What is that scaredy-cat going to do?”

Kang Miyoung said she had achieved her goal and then disappeared.

“Please raise your hands.”

****

The conversation was cut off. Humanoid security robots were pointing rifles. At this distance, it’s instant death. A special forces unit dressed in all black.

It’s a drone unit made of magic stones, so it’s tricky to deal with.

‘The Hunter Association security department. Is this necessary?’

It’s generally called the security department, but it’s an organization supported by various defense industries.

It’s safe to say it’s a small army. In Korea, where there are few Awakeners and a lack of countermeasures for gates. Even this kind of equipment was a godsend.

Lee Sunghan hesitantly raised both arms.

“Stop!!”

A shout was heard from afar. The soldiers with rifles lowered their guns. As if they received an order from a superior.

It’s a man.

A middle-aged one at that.

It’s a voice he’s heard somewhere before.

“…That person.”

“Is it him?”

“Yes. Stay behind me. Who knows what he might do.”

“I, I’m not a doll, though.”

Kang Jinyoung growled in a low voice.

“Whether you’re a doll or not, the essence is that they’re all ignorant people who don’t know your worth.”

The androids stepped back, creating a gap as if parting the Red Sea.

A middle-aged man came running through the gap.

He could see a longsword at his waist.

“Ah, you were here! I heard there was a disturbance in the lobby, and I knew it would be you. Haha. Don’t worry about the weapons, he won’t cause any trouble.”

The middle-aged man’s orders made the soldiers retreat.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“…Ah, President?”

He bowed lightly and shook hands, holding both hands. The hand shaking his was youthful and energetic, unfitting for his age.

“Hahaha, it’s our second time meeting face-to-face this year. If you had told me you were coming, I would have given you a heads-up. I’m really sorry about last time. Really. Moreover, you even got rid of those useless idlers.”

“I apologize for acting without permission.”

Lee Sunghan scratched his forehead, making a deflated sound. This is bad. It might become big news.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve taken care of it all. Now, come this way. There’s a way to pass the exam. Not just promotion, but!”

Huh? There’s a way like that? Lee Sunghan’s eyes widened. Then a brief silence settled.

Ah. I get it now.

He looked at him with half-closed eyes.

“Do you have any intention of joining the Hunter Association?!!”

‘Is this old man trying to kill me?’

It’s a scene he’s seen many times before.

Lee Sunghan felt like he was going insane.

His plan to quietly take the promotion exam was thwarted.

Lee Sunghan, who failed the promotion exam.

He ends up serving in the military until he’s 100 years old.

“Woo! Oh! If you wait just one day, you’ll be discharged! If you can’t remember waiting, does that mean you weren’t WAITING?!?!”

“You’re talking nonsense again?”

“You. Calm down. Take this medicine first.”

“What is this medicine for?”

“It’s the elixir of life.”

“…Please kill me.”

“No.”

“It can’t be, it can’t be. Let’s get along weeeell~ forever, okay?”

…

Thud!

Lee Sunghan woke up from the nightmare.

“Gasp, gasp.”

A nightmare about working as a specialist until he was 100 years old and dying of old age. As soon as he woke up, he was startled and wiped his forehead.

“I thought I was going to die.”

Moreover, the scary part is?

The Kang sisters didn’t age a bit and kept growling beside him. It was even more terrifying because it seemed like it could actually happen.

“Kyaaaaaak!”

Like a young girl, he screamed and quickly got up.

An ordinary classroom.

It was the Hunter Association’s written exam site.

The sun was setting outside the window, and since the exam was already over, no one was around.

Lee Sunghan touched his forehead.

The promotion exam consists of four stages, so he thought he had barely taken the first step. But to make such a mistake! Oh, my goodness.

But Lee Sunghan didn’t know.

The documents were as good as passed.

Not far from the exam site, the Awakened Management Agency. This secretive place was a department that handled various important tasks for the association.

The examiners reviewed the documents and exam materials.

“Hmm, this document is something something. Here, he’s a man, but he has a lot of experience hunting irregulars, and he was even dispatched by the Hunter Management Bureau? His rank is still ordinary, though… Is this information reliable?”

“He’s still a greenhorn who hasn’t had much experience… What’s this? The recommender is the Special Forces Commander of the Hunter Management Bureau.”

“Huh! Is that for real?!”

It was a secret that the first document screening was passed without any problems due to some pressure(?).