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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Cho Se-hyeok ran a hand through his hair, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that rivaled any wild beast. But Lee Seong-jun remained unfazed, even scoffing slightly.
“Hmm… You don’t seem strong enough to back up those words.”
Lee Seong-jun’s mocking smile twisted Cho Se-hyeok’s features in a grimace. It sounded like condescending ridicule from a loudmouthed, inexperienced brat, a washed-up has-been clinging to past glory. And Cho Se-hyeok wasn’t entirely wrong. He’d accurately gauged Lee Seong-jun’s intentions.
“I’ll look forward to it”
Cho Se-hyeok growled, his face contorted like a demon’s, as he focused on Lee Seong-jun’s movements.
“Such arrogance. You dare speak like that before me, the Rookie Slayer?”
Lee Seong-jun’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at Cho Se-hyeok’s cautious demeanor, then a smirk returned to his face. He wasn’t just a mindless brute. This was a skilled martial artist, a formidable opponent.
‘If he were truly mindless, he wouldn’t have escaped Korea with the Myungye Group.’
It made things slightly more complicated, but it wasn’t a problem. The outcome wouldn’t change. He wouldn’t have orchestrated this encounter if he thought he couldn’t win. He’d engineered this one-on-one fight because he was certain of victory.
“We’ll see whether it was arrogance or confidence, once this is over.” As Lee Seong-jun finished speaking, Cho Se-hyeok lunged forward.
Thud!
It wasn’t an ordinary step. He channeled his ki through his feet, propelling himself forward with a swift, gliding motion, as if on ice.
Whoosh!
Lee Seong-jun recalled the information he’d gathered as Cho Se-hyeok closed the distance.
‘So this is… the Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting skill.’
Cho Se-hyeok’s S+ rank unique skill, acquired upon becoming an Awakened. He’d suspected as much.
‘It’s like watching the North Sea Ice Palace’s ice techniques.’
And he was at the peak master level, at that.
‘…Not bad.’
The combination of his physical abilities and the Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting skill certainly warranted his SS-rank. But it wasn’t beyond his expectations. As Lee Seong-jun observed him, Cho Se-hyeok closed the distance and threw a punch, sharp ice shards erupting from his hand.
‘Is that an application of Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting?’
It wasn’t a martial art technique, so he couldn’t tell exactly how he did it, but the application itself was quite impressive.
‘Not bad.’
But now wasn’t the time for analysis. Cho Se-hyeok was still pressing his attack, and he was completely exposed. A smirk appeared on Cho Se-hyeok’s face.
‘I had high hopes for the Super Rookie who defeated Song Seung-jun, but this is disappointing. Is he just a puppet created by the Association and the White Tiger Guild?’
He hadn’t expected Lee Seong-jun to be so slow to react. He’d been foolish to expect more. Just then, he felt a heavy impact on his arm.
‘What?’
His eyes widened in surprise as his punch was deflected.
‘He read my attack? When? How?’
There was no time to ponder. Lee Seong-jun was already in close range, unleashing a flurry of punches.
‘Dangerous…!’
Cho Se-hyeok desperately tried to block the incoming attacks.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
On the surface, it seemed like an even exchange, but in reality, it was a one-sided beatdown. Lee Seong-jun’s face remained relaxed, while Cho Se-hyeok was constantly on the defensive.
‘Why?!’
No matter how fiercely he attacked, his blows couldn’t connect. Lee Seong-jun effortlessly deflected every attack, as if predicting his every move.
‘Is he… reading all of my movements?’
As doubt crept into his mind, the precarious balance of power crumbled.
“Gah—!”
A blow to the gut sent Cho Se-hyeok stumbling backward. Something was wrong. This wasn’t the inexperienced rookie he’d expected.
‘…His skill rivals the Five Guild Masters.’
Cho Se-hyeok’s eyes trembled as Lee Seong-jun scratched the back of his head, feigning disappointment.
“This is… underwhelming.”
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In a dark Seoul alley, Hong Min-gi, the 1st Team Leader of the Presidential Security Service, and Jo Kang-hyun, Lee Seong-jun’s dedicated management team leader, emerged, their suits stained with blood.
“They were clearly prepared.”
“The resistance was stronger than anticipated.”
Several well-known B-rank and above villains had appeared, creating a difficult situation. But they were no match for the Association’s elite PSS.
“Teams 2 and 3 have also completed their subjugations.”
Lee Su-hyeok, Kim Ji-young, and Lee Seo-yun were safe, the operation a success, but there was no time for celebration.
“…Cho Se-hyeok didn’t show up.” The primary target was nowhere to be found. Jo Kang-hyun frowned. “This means…”
“Yes, he must have gone after Hunter Lee Seong-jun.” Hong Min-gi and Jo Kang-hyun nodded grimly and climbed into the waiting support vehicle.
“Let’s go!” The vehicle sped through the streets, sirens blaring, but the atmosphere inside was heavy.
“…This is the worst-case scenario.”
They’d never have approved of Lee Seong-jun’s solo operation, but he’d been insistent. This situation, with Cho Se-hyeok and Lee Seong-jun facing each other alone, was exactly what the Association had wanted to avoid.
It was only natural. A fight between Cho Se-hyeok, the SS-rank Rookie Slayer, and Lee Seong-jun, a newly minted Rookie? The outcome was predictable. Jo Kang-hyun shook his head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts swirling in his mind.
“But… we provided him with information. He has a chance, doesn’t he?” Hong Min-gi’s response was chilling.
“…He won’t last more than ten minutes.”
They could reach the designated abandoned construction site within five minutes if they hurried. It seemed like enough time, but the unexpectedly fierce resistance from the other villains had cost them ten precious minutes, their golden window of opportunity.
They were already out of time.
“Is there… really no hope?” Jo Kang-hyun’s desperate gaze was heartbreaking, but Hong Min-gi couldn’t lie. Cho Se-hyeok wasn’t an SS-rank villain for nothing.
“Cho Se-hyeok’s physical abilities alone rival those of the Five Guild Masters…”
Hong Min-gi’s expression darkened.
“But his most dangerous asset is his S+ rank unique skill, Binding Martial Stage.”
Cho Se-hyeok wasn’t called the Rookie Slayer without reason.
“It traps his target in a circular arena, barely five meters in diameter, preventing escape and forcing close-quarters combat.”
“…”
Jo Kang-hyun bit his lip, understanding the implications. Trapped in a confined space, forced into a melee fight?
Lee Seong-jun, with his inferior physical abilities, was at a severe disadvantage. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Cho Se-hyeok had another unique skill.
“As you know, he also has the S+ rank unique skill, Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting.” As the name suggested, it allowed him to manipulate ice. But that wasn’t all.
“…It also allows him to drastically lower the surrounding temperature to minus 100 degrees Celsius.”
While Hunters were superhuman, they weren’t immune to the effects of extreme cold. Even a Hunter would succumb to frostbite in such conditions. With a significant difference in rank and physical abilities, the sudden drop in temperature would cripple Lee Seong-jun.
It would be a completely one-sided fight.
“Cho Se-hyeok… he truly is the worst possible opponent for a Rookie.”
Jo Kang-hyun’s trembling hands betrayed his anxiety. Hong Min-gi could only offer one reassurance.
“…We can only hope we get there in time.”
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“You’re weak, having only fought against rookies. You’re pathetic…”
Lee Seong-jun’s open disdain twisted Cho Se-hyeok’s features into a demonic mask.
“You’re stronger than other rookies… but that’s about to change.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Despite Lee Seong-jun’s relaxed smile, Cho Se-hyeok remained calm, his eyes cold as he assessed the situation.
‘…Super Rookie, Lee Seong-jun.’
He was far more skilled than he’d anticipated. But it wasn’t hopeless. In fact, he had the advantage.
‘His technique is comparable to the Five Guild Masters, but… his physical abilities are below SS-rank.’
If he used both Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting and Binding Martial Stage, he could easily overwhelm him. Of course, Lee Seong-jun might have prepared countermeasures, knowing he was coming. But Cho Se-hyeok’s eyes didn’t waver.
‘Even if he knows… he can’t defend against it.’
He hadn’t been slacking off in China. He’d been hunting rookies, gaining experience and growing stronger. Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting had evolved from S+ to SS-rank, and he could now lower the temperature to minus 200 degrees Celsius.
He could create an environment where even a Hunter would freeze instantly. No amount of preparation would matter, unless Lee Seong-jun had some rare ability to regulate his body temperature.
His calculations complete, Cho Se-hyeok’s eyes burned with murderous intent as he activated his unique skills.
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