novelraw Chapter 285 : Chapter 285
Chapter 285 : Chapter 285
Chapter 285: Advice
Ho-cheol interlaced his hands and lightly rested his chin upon them.
He silently stared intently at the gun aimed at him.
The Trait did not manifest.
However, that was only in the realm of Trait's expression and manifestation; it didn't mean all the training he had undergone up until now had vanished.
Ho-cheol's physique, which had undergone training that put him on a different level from ordinary humans, could fully observe and react to a pistol.
This level wasn't even a threat.
The problem was that there was no way Byeong-hoo wouldn't know that.
Yet, the fact that he aimed the gun with such confidence was extremely simple.
That gun must not be an ordinary gun.
The bullet itself could be imbued with a Trait, or if the gun itself was an object created through a Trait, its power would be vastly different from a typical gun.
A Trait that freely changes the trajectory and achieves 100% accuracy on the target.
Or one that multiplies the power several times, adding destruction comparable to a missile.
Perhaps both.
Even Ho-cheol could not avoid a fatal wound.
Nevertheless, Ho-cheol was composed.
If he had come with the intention of killing him, he wouldn't have chattered incessantly like this; he would have simply pulled the trigger aimed at his forehead the moment they met.
The fact that he was cautiously probing meant that he himself found something awkward about the situation.
And Ho-cheol’s prediction was correct.
Byeong-hoo simply leaned his head slowly, observing Ho-cheol as if studying him, while keeping the gun aimed.
At first glance, the situation appeared to be overwhelmingly in Byeong-hoo's favor, but the man himself clearly didn't think so at all.
According to the information he had obtained, Ho-cheol had also vanquished a Giant Monster.
Although its size and specifications could only be roughly guessed based on Ho-cheol's account, it was by no means inferior to the whale monster he himself had defeated.
No, the probability was high that it was even stronger than that monster, which was still fully in the process of recovery.
A formidable and dangerous enemy that absolutely couldn't be defeated without reaching Transcendence.
Transcendence was the evolution in the direction he most needed.
Since that evolution instantly leapfrogged the category of human, it was impossible to even imagine.
If Ho-cheol had also achieved Transcendence, he would be able to break through a situation like this easily enough.
The reason Byeong-hoo went so far as to explain his Transcendence and pressure Ho-cheol was not merely a warning.
It was to ascertain the form in which Ho-cheol's Transcendence was realized.
The only way to deal with an enemy who had reached Transcendence was for him to reach Transcendence as well.
Given Ho-cheol’s intelligence, the existence of this technique would be exposed eventually; it was only a matter of time.
Therefore, revealing his hand early and gaining another advantage was the best approach.
He once again probed Ho-cheol, asking, “Are you not afraid? The moment this bullet penetrates your head, everything ends.”
“Well.”
Ho-cheol released his interlaced hands and lightly shook them.
“We aren’t the type of people to fear death, are we? Because there are things far more important than life.”
The fact that he had concealed it until now suggested it was likely a Counter Type.
And considering Ho-cheol's Trait of Time Acceleration, in the worst-case scenario—
He might be able to rewind time.
It might be an exaggerated delusion, but Ho-cheol was fully capable of using something like that.
In a battle between Awakened Individuals where both parties didn't know each other’s information, assuming and responding to all kinds of situations was an essential element.
The mere fact that his Trait’s form was closer to Activation Type rather than Passive or Conceptual was sufficient gain.
“If I pull the trigger right now, I won't have to be dragged around by the variable that is you anymore.”
Byeong-hoo slowly applied force to the finger resting on the trigger.
Just before the muzzle could spout fire, he directed his hand downward.
Bang—!
The bullet did not penetrate Ho-cheol’s forehead; it pierced his table.
Ho-cheol clicked his tongue, looking at the table with the hole drilled through it.
So, the power was exactly as expected.
The exterior was ordinary wood, but this desk was made of a special material whose durability meant that even if a bomb exploded right in front of it, it wouldn't sustain a scratch.
The fact that it had remained intact even when Ho-cheol hit it nervously sometimes was proof of that.
A hole was easily created in a table with such durability.
If Traits couldn't be used, Ho-cheol’s body would likely be riddled with holes.
“I know full well that even if all your limbs are severed, you’d still bite off your opponent’s windpipe with your remaining teeth.”
The reason Byeong-hoo went so far as to reveal his hidden technique to threaten him was simple.
Beyond concepts like strength and weakness or good and evil.
He was simply a being that Byeong-hoo didn't even want to face.
That was Ho-cheol.
If it came down to a simple fight to the death where they both abandoned decorum and tore at each other, there was no one as outstanding as Ho-cheol, disregarding everything like magnitude of power, compatibility, and all such things.
“But you understand, don't you? I will spare no means or methods now.”
Byeong-hoo put the gun back in his pocket.
“It would be best not to ignore my advice.”
At those words, Ho-cheol chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
Byeong-hoo's expression, as he looked at Ho-cheol, was still serious.
Although Ho-cheol was only displaying a light attitude right now, Byeong-hoo knew better than anyone what was hidden beneath that thin exterior.
He recalled the memory of his first encounter with Ho-cheol.
His initial impression of the Ho-cheol he first saw was just that he looked younger than expected.
This young kid is already engaging in Villain activities?
The future of this country is truly dark.
— It was probably that kind of thought.
At that time, Byeong-hoo, as the Hero 'The Sun', had already solidified his S-rank No. 2 position.
And Ho-cheol was nothing more than a rookie Villain who had just reached B-rank.
At that time, the only thing he could do with his Trait was accelerate his own body.
His skill was also nothing more than that of an ordinary small-fry Villain that could be found anywhere.
However, he was forced to change his mind within just a few minutes.
Despite the power Ho-cheol possessed then, which could barely handle one A-rank Hero, he shook off Byeong-hoo’s pursuit, instantly defeated one A-rank Hero and two or three B-rank Heroes, and escaped from the scene.
Even though Byeong-hoo was in a situation where he couldn't use his full power among civilians, it was an unprecedented incident where he first let a Villain escape.
It wasn't just the power or nature of the Trait; the human himself possessed an innate tenacity and the ability to instantly grasp and exploit the opponent's fatal weakness.
“It doesn't matter how scary a face you make.”
Byeong-hoo clicked his tongue and turned around.
The small Sun that had been burning moments ago also lost its light and vanished.
Then, as if that truly was the end of his business, he immediately disappeared out of the office.
Ho-cheol, left alone, let out a hollow laugh once again.
It wasn't just because his threat was ridiculous.
By now, Wolf-Fang would be buzzing around on patrol, wearing the burn mask, building an alibi.
And since he met Byeong-hoo in person at this time, his own alibi was also perfectly established.
Moving forward, it became easier for Ho-cheol to operate under his new identity without fear of being exposed.
A contest where skill or judgment had absolutely no room to intervene, purely determined by which side was luckier.
Ho-cheol had won that round.
He lightly rubbed the hole in the desk with his finger.
And he mumbled softly.
“What a pathetic human being.”
It was quite pitiful to see him following the path he himself had taken and planned to do over a decade ago.
Ultimately, the end of that path was...
Ho-cheol's gaze fixed on the hole in the desk.
The hole drilled downwards was dark, much like Byeong-hoo’s future.
It was truly a regrettable matter.
***
“Let’s grab a meal sometime.”
It was a hollow promise, closer to a common greeting or empty promise.
However, the recipients didn't seem to regard it that way at all.
As a result, Ho-cheol couldn't resist the insistence of Da-yeon and Ye-jin and had a meal with the two of them.
A high-end restaurant located downtown.
In fact, any place would do as long as he could fill his stomach, but the burn mask Ho-cheol was wearing was enough to make his appetite drop even by his own estimation.
He searched for a space separated by a room out of consideration for the other customers’ dining experience.
In fact, one of the reasons was that he had been refused entry several times before choosing this restaurant.
Although, as a high-end restaurant, a dress code existed, Ho-cheol wore the suit he usually favored, and the two students wearing Clington's uniforms was sufficient.
The Clington formal uniform possessed the decorum suitable for such an occasion.
Ho-cheol was lost in a strange sentimentality as he looked at Da-yeon and Ye-jin sitting across the round table.
It had been quite a while since he saw them wearing their uniforms again.
In the second semester, it was hard to even see their faces, and when he did, they weren't in uniforms.
Leaning against the backrest, he chuckled.
Come to think of it, Da-yeon's first impression was that of an extreme uniform addict.
When he ran into her even before the semester began, she was already walking around in her uniform.
“You remember that archery range where we first met?”
“Of course.”
Da-yeon responded with a small laugh as Ho-cheol spoke, recalling that time.
How could she forget her first meeting with Ho-cheol?
That day became the catalyst that changed her past, present, and future.
It was no exaggeration to say it was the day she was reborn.
Just thinking about it relaxed the corners of her mouth, and a warm sensation rose from deep within her chest.
But that smile quickly vanished.
“When I pointed out your archery posture a bit, you got all cranky and told me not to interfere, didn't you?”
Her expression hardened as he recalled the intensely prickly Da-yeon from their first meeting.
Shame and embarrassment rushed in like a tidal wave.
Her ears flushed bright red.
“W-what happened then was...”
Da-yeon offered her excuse in a small voice.
Ye-jin, watching her, seemed highly entertained, clapping her hands and bursting into laughter.
Ho-cheol chuckled at that and added,
“Speaking of impact, you were quite something too. Giving me trouble just because I couldn't use the kiosk.”
“Eh.”
She froze in the same posture she was in while clapping.
In fact, Ye-jin’s first meeting was also in the classroom, but the proper conversation they had was later at the student cafeteria.
While Ho-cheol at least spoke to Da-yeon first, Ye-jin essentially started a quarrel with Ho-cheol first.
The situation reversed, and this time Da-yeon's eyes sparkled as she asked about that incident.
As they were talking animatedly—
Knock, knock, knock—
The room door opened with the sound of a knock.
A chef wheeled in a cart.
He placed trays on the table, and then removed the round covers from the plates.
Ye-jin gulped, watching the food continuously being placed on the table.
Although she received a regular salary from the Swordmaster’s office now, most of that money was remitted to Ye-jin’s home, the orphanage.
Such high-end food was something she had never dared to dream of.
She asked in a trembling voice, “C-can we really eat this?”
“You’re already holding the knife and fork, despite asking that.”
Ho-cheol smiled lightly and gestured.
“It must have been quite a struggle patrolling with this mask for a few days, so I should buy you this much. And also,” Ho-cheol tapped the table with his fingertip.
“It’s not just to feed you. I have something to say.”
Ye-jin, who was about to rush into the food, paused.
He corrected his posture and looked at them with a notably serious gaze.
“It’s a pretty important and serious subject that I thought about considerably. But it seems I really have to tell you.”
At his words, the two who had been chattering moments ago closed their mouths and watched Ho-cheol’s expression.
Just how important was this topic?
“It’s about your, no. Our future.”
At that moment, the atmosphere of the restaurant changed completely.
Ye-jin even put down the cutlery she was holding and straightened her back rigidly, and Da-yeon bent over, hiding her upper body beneath the table.
A hissing— sound came from behind her.
When Da-yeon straightened up again, her face was flushed red compared to before.
“You two.”
Ho-cheol took a deep breath, looking at the two who were sending him a gaze that suggested they were ready to listen at any time.
“Have you ever thought about quitting being Heroes?”
“...Eh?”
“What did you say?”
Faced with a question completely different from what they had been imagining, they couldn't help but utter foolish sounds.