Episode 25. Black Spear

Rumble!

Boom!

Whoosh!

It was as if a natural disaster had struck.

The ground shook, mountains crumbled, and the sky was filled with dark clouds and thunder. It looked like the world was facing its end.

What on earth was happening here?

Then, at some point,

Crash!

“Ugh…”

A man who had been slammed into the ground from the sky staggered to his feet. He was a black man with dreadlocks, possessing an incredible physique and muscles that seemed made of steel. Yet, despite his imposing appearance, his entire body was drenched in blood. On closer inspection, he was covered in numerous cuts and tears.

He wore a look of disbelief at the situation.

At that moment,

“Is this all you’ve got?”

A man descended slowly from the sky. He had long hair and eyes like a snake. In his hand was a black spear.

“I had high expectations since you’re one of the ‘13 Stars of the Sky,’ but this is disappointing. The name ‘Destroyer’ would be ashamed.”

“You…”

The black man, filled with rage, quickly scanned his surroundings.

“Looking for your comrades?”

Just then, a voice came from behind, and with a thud, a figure appeared and threw something to the ground.

“…!”

It was the black man’s comrade, his partner whom he had relied on and fought alongside for a long time.

“J-Jaina…”

He called out cautiously, but there was no response from the woman lying on the ground.

That meant…

“She’ll be waiting for you, so if you follow now, you might not be too late.”

“You damn bastards! Aaaah!”

Bloodshot eyes, the black man let out a beast-like roar and pulled back his body.

Whoosh.

An immense energy began to gather in his fist.

[Mega Blast]

His ultimate strike.

He intended to unleash it upon the enemies before him.

“I’ll kill you all!”

His eyes gleamed with a murderous intent that was impossible to contain.

At that moment,

Thud.

His body jolted.

Looking down, he saw a massive spear piercing through his chest.

He hadn’t even sensed it.

Another enemy was present…

The energy that had gathered in his fist dissipated like a snowstorm.

And then,

Swoosh.

Splurt!

As the massive spear was withdrawn, a large hole appeared in the black man’s body. Blood poured out in torrents.

“Gah…”

Thud.

His knees hit the ground.

The giant man stared blankly at the gaping hole in his chest.

“How could this… Who are you… Cough!”

Every time he opened his mouth, his body convulsed, and blood gushed from his mouth, nose, and chest.

“This… damn… I can’t believe… this is how I…”

Soon, his head drooped lifelessly.

“Heh.”

The man with snake-like eyes chuckled at the fallen figures.

“If this is all, the others won’t be much of a challenge either. Heh, hahahaha!”

One of his companions clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Don’t get cocky. You’ve only taken down two S-ranks.”

“Hmph, they’ll be no different.”

“Well, that’s likely true. Hehe.”

A man in a yellow robe, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly.

“Let’s head back. He’s waiting.”

Vroooom.

Suddenly, three beams of light descended from the sky toward them.

Their bodies were soon sucked into the rays.

Boom!

With each clap of thunder, a massive shadow appeared intermittently above the clouds, its identity unknown.

Swoosh.

Now, the only sound left in the eerily quiet place was the relentless pouring rain.

* * *

“You have no idea how surprised I was by your sudden visit.”

Park Daehan was sweating profusely.

An unexpected visitor had suddenly appeared in his office, catching him completely off guard.

If it were anyone else, he could have found a reason to avoid the meeting. But the man before him was not someone he could treat so casually.

“Haha. I apologize for the sudden visit. It just happened that way. But you were informed that someone from the Japanese association would be coming, right?”

“Yes, well… I was. Hahaha…”

I just didn’t expect it to be you.

Trickle.

Park Daehan poured tea into an empty cup.

His throat was parched from the unexpected appearance of such a big shot.

Who was this person that even the seasoned Park Daehan was so flustered by?

“I just came to convey the Japanese association president’s message that both countries should not hesitate to join forces on the matter we discussed. Regardless of the relationship between Korea and Japan, this is a crucial issue.”

“Of course, I think the same.”

There was no disagreement on the matter at hand.

It was about a terrorist organization currently causing the most trouble worldwide.

─ Black Spear -

Recently, governments around the world suspected them of being behind numerous social, economic, and war-related issues. ‘Black Spear’ was a highly dangerous terrorist organization threatening not just one nation but the entire world.

They were an extremist group claiming that only the awakened were the true new humanity, and the unawakened were not to be protected or followed but dominated. But if that were all, there wouldn’t be so much concern.

The problem was the formidable power they possessed.

“Two of the ‘13 Stars of the Sky’ have fallen. As you know, they weren’t ones to be taken down so easily.”

“Hmm.”

Park Daehan nodded at the man’s words.

The ‘13 Stars of the Sky.’

A term referring to the top 13 hunters in the global rankings, some even considered them closest to the Legendary Rank. In theory, it wasn’t wrong.

Except for the Legendary Rank, they were undoubtedly the strongest in humanity.

Or so it was thought…

‘And it was Destroyer and Jaina.’

One of the strongest in close combat, utilizing a body as tough as steel, and a mage adept in illusion and ice magic, both taken down in a single day?

Park Daehan couldn’t believe it.

He couldn’t easily picture them being defeated.

They were that formidable.

Far beyond the level of average S-ranks.

To think there existed a being capable of taking them down, excluding the Legendary Rank.

Park Daehan’s expression grew increasingly grave.

Then suddenly,

He glanced.

Park Daehan looked again at the man sitting across from him.

It was astonishing.

That this man had come personally to deliver the Japanese association president’s message.

He wasn’t someone who fit such a role.

Park Daehan nodded in response.

“Understood. If the time comes when we need to join forces, I’ll gladly do so.”

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to convey the president’s intentions. Now that I’ve delivered the message and received your opinion, I’ll take my leave.”

The man smiled warmly.

Then he sighed deeply, shrugged, and shook his head.

“Sigh. Honestly, our association president worries too much about unnecessary things. It’s because he’s old. Old age.”

The man’s demeanor changed drastically once the formal conversation ended.

A bewildering shift in attitude.

‘Yeah, that’s more like it.’

This was the man Park Daehan remembered.

Though the Japanese association president was almost like a grandfather to him, speaking so casually seemed a bit much. But then again, it was something only this man could do.

“If needed, I could just step in and take care of everything myself, right?”

“Haha…”

Of course, that would be ideal, but for him, or rather, for them to move, it wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Not unless an entire continent was at risk of being wiped out.

“Anyway, I’ll be going now. There’s someone I need to meet while I’m here. Goodbye.”

The man smiled and disappeared into the elevator.

It felt like a storm had just blown through.

Could there be another person as carefree as him?

Well, one person did come to mind.

“Whew.”

As the tension eased, Park Daehan’s legs nearly gave way.

Even without hostility, it was natural to feel tense.

Such was the presence of that man.

But still,

‘If not, then just wipe them all out…’

For someone representing a nation to speak so casually about matters that concerned hunter association presidents worldwide could be seen as arrogant.

But coming from that friend, Park Daehan could accept it.

Arrogance changes depending on who speaks it.

As far as Park Daehan knew, there were only a few people in the world who could say such things.

Probably only 12 people. Just 12.