Chapter 81: Overwhelming Power

“Arghhhh!”

Shin Jun-ho let out a blood-curdling scream as he writhed in agony, having taken a direct hit from Lee Hyun-seung’s

gun. After a while, he steadied himself and looked at Lee Hyun-seung.

“What… What the hell is going on?”

Shin Jun-ho was utterly perplexed as he observed Lee Hyun-seung, who appeared unscathed. It didn’t make sense.

He had witnessed with his own eyes that Lee Hyun-seung, who was defenseless, had taken a direct hit from his fatal

attack.

Lee Hyun-seung was merely a Gunmage. The fact that he survived without any defensive gear was already shocking.

But what was even more baffling was the orange-glowing weapon in his hand.

In this stage, only basic weapons were permitted. Yet, in Lee Hyun-seung’s hand was a ‘Unique-grade’ handgun. Shin

Jun-ho couldn’t comprehend it.

“You… you must have used some cheap tricks.”

Shin Jun-ho came to a conclusion. He assumed that Lee Hyun-seung had smuggled in recovery artifacts and the gun

before entering the stage.

Although it was unclear why Lee Hyun-seung hadn’t used them until now, that was the only explanation that fit the situation.

As Shin Jun-ho stared at him with accusing eyes, Lee Hyun-seung recalled what had just transpired.

“Urgh…”

Lee Hyun-seung was bleeding profusely. He had taken Shin Junho’s attack, imbued with dark energy, head-on.

His organs felt ruptured. Several bones were broken. His head pounded, and his body refused to move any longer.

Cough!

Lee Hyun-seung coughed up blood. As he did, Yoo Hee-yeon approached him, mumbling softly.

“Why…? Why did you…? I would’ve survived anyway…”

Lee Hyun-seung glanced at her, his thoughts cold and clear.

‘That ungrateful brat. I knew it would be like this.’

Yoo Hee-yeon was a person who would do anything to achieve her goals. She had no empathy, no remorse. She once

even framed Lee Hyun-seung as a stalker just to steal his spot as the top scorer in the written exam.

Her vile nature was evident to anyone who had crossed paths with her.

Therefore, her lack of gratitude didn’t surprise him.

‘Anyway, I saved her because I needed to survive.’

Using Yoo Hee-yeon as bait had been a calculated decision. If he had left her to die, the aftermath outside the stage

would’ve been unbearable for him.

He had acted impulsively in the moment, but saving her provided a valid excuse when confronting Yoo Han-beom

and Kim Hee-ra later.

No matter how angry they became, he could simply say, “I saved her life, didn’t I?” That would silence them.

Still, a sense of rage bubbled within him.

‘Why is she like that… every time.’

Crack.

His clenched fists trembled with fury.

Regardless of his motives, he had saved her life. And yet, her indifferent attitude felt deeply wrong to him.

‘Ah… I feel dizzy…’

Lee Hyun-seung swayed. He had lost a lot of blood, and now even his head spun as though he was about to faint.

‘Just a little more… I’ll rest for just a bit…’

His consciousness slipped further away.

‘I still need to take down Shin Junho… and save Han Seong-gil…’

Han Seong-gil was a valuable asset. Today was the first time he had fully controlled his Berserker trait, and his

combat skills were exceptional.

With proper training, Han Seong-gil could become a true monster on the battlefield.

Thud.

Lee Hyun-seung collapsed as his body gave out.

Yoo Hee-yeon stood before his unconscious form, her gaze filled with confusion.

“Why…? It doesn’t make any sense… You didn’t take any money from me… You weren’t promised any reward… So

why…?”

Tears streamed down her face.

It was the first time in her life that she had experienced such selflessness.

Until now, people only approached her for money, artifacts, or power.

If she promised them great rewards, they would obey her commands. Bow when she said bow. Crawl when she said

crawl. Some would even lick the ground if she asked them to.

But no one had ever risked their life for her.

Because no amount of money or power could compensate for death.

‘Why did he…?’

There was no logical explanation.

She had offered Lee Hyun-seung nothing in return. In fact, she had ruined his life by framing him as a stalker.

Even if he saved her, there was nothing for him to gain. The relationship between them had already soured beyond

repair.

No one from the Artemis Guild would reward him for saving her life.

Lee Hyun-seung knew that. He wasn’t ignorant. He was the top scorer in the written exam—someone who always

considered the consequences of his actions.

Swish.

Yoo Hee-yeon shook her head. She couldn’t grasp his intentions.

His actions made no sense.

Cough!

Lee Hyun-seung, still unconscious, coughed up blood again.

At this rate, he was going to die.

Step.

Yoo Hee-yeon stretched out her hand.

She summoned every ounce of mana left in her body.

Huuuuuung.

A soft light began to envelop Lee Hyun-seung as her mana transferred into him.

Huuuung.

Hyun-seung Lee’s wounds began to heal one by one. His once-pained expression gradually softened.

“Urgh…”

Yoo Hee-yeon, having used multiple spells in a short period, was already drained of mana. Restoring all of Lee Hyun-

seung’s injuries with her depleted mana was a daunting task. Still, she didn’t stop.

‘Why am I…?’

If Lee Hyun-seung died here, she would secure the top spot in the written exam. The practical exam would also likely

work in her favor, given that Lee Hyun-seung had been the one to make the most significant contributions in this

stage.

Yet, her body moved instinctively.

“Just… a little more… Just a little more…”

–Fwooooosh!

Yoo Hee-yeon poured the last of her mana into healing Lee Hyun-seung. His external wounds were fully healed, but

he still hadn’t opened his eyes. It seemed his internal injuries hadn’t completely recovered.

‘My… my power isn’t enough…’

Just as despair was about to set in—

“Move! Right now!”

A voice rang out from afar.

Jeong Eun-seo was running toward them, her expression frantic.

She fixed her gaze on Yoo Hee-yeon, who appeared to be reaching out toward Lee Hyun-seung as if to attack him.

With a cold glare, Jeong Eun-seo spoke sharply.

“You’re… truly despicable. How could you try to attack someone you were supposed to be saving?”

“N-no, that’s not—”

“Shut up! If you don’t step away right now, I’ll attack you myself.”

Jeong Eun-seo’s face twisted with fury. Yoo Hee-yeon glared at her for a moment before finally stepping away from

Lee Hyun-seung.

Jeong Eun-seo rushed to check his condition.

“Hyun-seung…”

His external injuries seemed minimal. Considering the incredible abilities he had displayed before, it wasn’t

surprising. He must have used some unknown skill to reduce the damage.

Still worried, Jeong Eun-seo used all of her remaining mana to heal him, just in case.

“Gasp…”

At last, Lee Hyun-seung’s eyes fluttered open.

“Eun-seo…?”

Without a second thought, Jeong Eun-seo threw her arms around him.

“Why… Why did you do that? Why did you take such a dangerous risk? You could have died! If something had

happened here, your life could have been in real danger. Why did you save me, save others, without even caring

about yourself? Why?”

Tears streamed down her face as she buried her cheek against his.

Lee Hyun-seung gently pushed her back and got to his feet, dusting off his clothes.

“Thanks for healing me.”

–Swish.

Jeong Eun-seo blinked in surprise as he started to walk away.

“Where… where are you going now? You’re not planning to fight Shin Jun-ho, are you? You’re still in no condition to

push yourself!”

“Han Seong-gil is fighting in my place. I have to go.”

“But… What can you do if you go? What can you possibly achieve against that monster?”

Jeong Eun-seo’s voice trembled with concern, but Lee Hyun-seung simply smiled and raised his hand toward the sky.

“Perfect timing.”

[The crafting of a random Epic~Unique-grade automatic pistol has been completed.]

[Since no specific type of weapon was chosen, the chances of acquiring a higher-class pistol have increased.]

[A Unique-grade automatic pistol has been created.]

–Fwooooosh!

From the sky, a weapon descended in a swirl of orange light.

[Unique] Arne’s Automatic Pistol

・An artifact cherished by the goddess Arne during her lifetime.

This pistol, imbued with Arne’s blessing, increases the user’s magic power by 15.

▶ All attacks made with this pistol are imbued with divine power from the goddess.

▶ While holding the pistol, the user’s overall stats receive a buff.

▶ The wielder gains access to an A-rank Gunslinger-exclusive skill of their choice.

Lee Hyun-seung read through the weapon’s description and muttered quietly to himself.

“Jackpot.”

Jung Eun-seo stared at Lee Hyun-seung with blank eyes.

“U… Unique…”

A Unique artifact, comparable to the highest grade, that was difficult to purchase even with money. The beautiful

orange hue of the weapon spoke volumes about its value.

Jung Eun-seo could no longer stop Lee Hyun-seung. He had already demonstrated an unbelievable level of power

with just the basic weapon. Now, he had obtained an even more extraordinary weapon.

Lee Hyun-seung began walking slowly toward Shin Jun-ho.

“You… You resorted to cheap tricks.”

Assuming that Lee Hyun-seung had smuggled in his handgun, Shin Jun-ho muttered to himself. But Lee Hyun-

seung paid him no mind.

• Swoosh

He simply raised his gun.

Jung Eun-seo could no longer stop him. He had already shown overwhelming power with a basic weapon. Now, he

wielded an absurdly powerful weapon.

Lee Hyun-seung walked toward Shin Jun-ho, step by step.

“You… You used a cheap trick, huh?”

Shin Jun-ho, convinced that Lee Hyun-seung had smuggled in his firearm, muttered in frustration. But Lee Hyun-

seung didn’t respond.

• Swoosh

He merely raised his gun once again.

Shin Jun-ho’s severed arm showed no signs of regenerating. His skin, instead of healing, began to rot like a blocked

faucet refusing to release water.

• Fwoosh!

A radiant light emanated from the wounded area.

“This… This can’t be happening…”

It was divine power. But it wasn’t just any divine power—it was a force so pure that even demonic healing powers

were rendered useless.

“Aaaaagh! This… This is impossible! Why does a mere Gunslinger possess such power?!”

Shin Jun-ho screamed as he charged at Lee Hyun-seung.

• Thud! Thud!
• Swoosh

Lee Hyun-seung raised his gun again. This time, however, he didn’t fire.

[B] Amplification – Temporarily increases the power of all skills. The degree of increase depends on the job’s grade

and level.

[C] Agile Footwork of the Gunslinger – When a firearm is equipped, movement speed temporarily increases. The

increase is affected by the job’s grade and level.

As mana began to envelop Lee Hyun-seung, his movements became impossibly swift and light.

• Dash!

Lee Hyun-seung charged toward Shin Jun-ho, who was rushing at him with ferocity.

[C] Gunblade Technique – Enhances both offensive and defensive maneuvers using a firearm. The boost in strength

is affected by the job’s grade and level.

• Whoosh!

Shin Jun-ho swung his remaining arm in an attempt to strike Lee Hyun-seung.

• Swish!

But unlike before, Lee Hyun-seung effortlessly dodged the attack.

In the next moment, he stepped onto Shin Jun-ho’s arm and leaped into the air.

• Whirl!

As he descended rapidly, Lee Hyun-seung spun his entire body like a top, accelerating as he fell.

• Boom!

When Lee Hyun-seung’s gun struck Shin Jun-ho, who was now pinned to the ground, the impact was amplified by

gravity and momentum.

[Legendary] grade correction effect – Deals additional damage to enemies.

“Aaaagh! Aaaaaargh!”

The pain was unimaginable. Shin Jun-ho’s organs, bones, and flesh were all being torn apart and disintegrated in

real-time. The grotesque agony surged over him like waves.

• Swoosh

Lee Hyun-seung stood above the fallen Shin Jun-ho, gazing coldly down at him.

“I’ll give you a chance to end your life now. Reflect on your sins and stab yourself in the throat.”

However, Shin Jun-ho’s response was predictable—another attack.

Tentacles shot out from Shin Jun-ho’s body, lunging at Lee Hyun-seung.

• Whoosh!

Lee Hyun-seung dodged the attack with a slight twist of his body and, without hesitation, sliced through the

tentacles.

• Boom!
• Thud, thud, thud

The remnants of the tentacles scattered across the sky like falling debris.

“You’ve just missed your last chance.”