novelraw Chapter 171 : The Pinnacle of the World (2)
Chapter 171 : The Pinnacle of the World (2)
The Pinnacle of the World (2)
"Which country do you consider the most wary of?"
A reporter asked this question to Sol Mayer.
For this Odyssey, UK harbored great hopes in this young genius.
UK, too, was a powerhouse with five S-rank hunters participating.
Among them, Sol Mayer was confidently chosen as the captain over the other four hunters.
"The United States."
Sol Mayer looked around at the crowd and declared boldly.
"I will show you all how I defeat Ryan Knox in this Odyssey."
Ryan Knox.
The prodigious swordsman who succeeded Owen McGregor.
Although currently in his mid-thirties, he became S-rank at the age of 25, and was once the youngest S-rank swordsman ever.
"Times are always in need of a new genius, aren't they?"
The ambition of UK's young genius mage. Having become a great mage at the age of 22, his statements were full of confidence.
With a small cheer and thunderous applause, camera flashes kept popping off, and Sol Mayer wore a satisfied smile.
"But, didn't you, hunter Mayer, lose to an A-rank hunter in Korea?"
That was, however, until a reporter raised a hand and spoke amid the cheers.
"I heard that A-rank hunter was even only seventeen years old..."
The reporter did not stop there.
"And in Korea, there's also Shin Ah-yeon, right? And Lee Soo-ah too. Didn't both of them become S-rank at an even younger age than you, hunter Mayer?"
Though she asked with a face of genuine curiosity, anyone could notice the mockery hidden in the reporter's words.
"I was still very young myself then, and she was only an A-rank hunter—so we couldn't have had a real fight. If I had truly used magic, that young hunter wouldn't have been able to withstand it."
Despite such provocation, Sol Mayer maintained a relatively calm tone.
In fact, Sol Mayer, back then, fought a Korean hunter—Yeon-ji—and did not even use his Conceptualization Technique.
Considering that the Conceptualization Technique is the basis of S-rank hunters, his words weren't an outright lie.
Of course, even so, for an S-rank hunter to lose to an A-rank hunter was something that hardly happened.
"And... you mentioned Ryan Knox, but before we even get to him, could you defeat Hunter Alencia?"
The hunter who single-handedly subdued the SS-rank over-monster Titan.
She too became S-rank at the age of twenty, even younger than Sol Mayer.
"Well, I will show you the answer to that directly in the match."
That, and nothing else, was all Sol Mayer could say in response to the reporter's words.
CRASH!!
"Damn it!"
Back at the hotel, Sol Mayer grabbed anything he could and threw it.
He simply could not contain the fury boiling within his chest.
"If only I hadn't lost to Hwang Yeon-ji, that bitch!"
He still ground his teeth when the memory came to him.
He wished he could have insisted that she wasn't just some ordinary A-rank.
'That was definitely not a skill or experience someone of that age should have.'
It couldn't be explained away as mere talent.
There was a kind of experience and the fighting style of the weak blended seamlessly into Yeon-ji—something that could not be acquired by talent alone.
"You're not finished yet, so I wish you wouldn't get so riled up."
As Sol Mayer went on breaking things, a voice spoke to him.
It was his private suite—there should have been no one else there, yet Sol Mayer's face didn't change at all.
"I was just a bit worked up, that's all."
"Chester, you're not normal right now. You need to be careful at least until Odyssey begins."
Sol Mayer's older brother, Chester Mayer.
That's what the man called him.
'Yeah, there's no need to get worked up for no reason.'
He was no longer the same as he had been when he faced Yeon-ji in the past.
He was now victorious, having succeeded in taking everything from the genius Sol Mayer.
"Right. If you notice any changes in your body, contact me right away. We need to monitor your condition regularly."
With those words, the man vanished in an instant, black smoke billowing in his wake.
A particular 'magic' that modern magic couldn't even hope to imitate.
Ironically, the power with which that man had cast magic was the same as Yeon-ji's.
"Demon, huh."
If it was the same power as the man's, then it was possible that Yeon-ji was also somehow related to the demons.
An ally?
No, that didn't seem likely.
'Not that it matters.'
What mattered now was absorbing all of 'Sol Mayer'.
By utilizing the Conceptualization Technique, perfected with the power of the demons, he intended to make not only Sol Mayer's talent and magic, but also his Conceptualization Technique, his own.
"Sorry, Sol. But you did enjoy all the good things until now, didn't you?"
No longer trapped in the shadow of his younger brother, only Sol Mayer—the greatest genius of UK and a great mage—remained at this place.
***
"What on earth..."
Gong Je-hun couldn't believe his eyes.
In just two days, the group draw was scheduled.
The official opening of Odyssey was still a few days away, but the first public appearance would be at the group draw.
'Will I even be able to attend the draw?'
Seeing what was unfolding before his eyes, that was the only thought in his head.
First, Hong Ji-hak was hit by a chair swung by Shin Ah-yeon and collapsed.
True to his status as an S-rank hunter, he tried to get back up and counterattack even after being knocked down by the surprise chair attack.
Of course, Shin Ah-yeon would never sit and watch that.
A loop made of magic power bound Hong Ji-hak's rising hands and feet, immobilizing him, and the chair struck his head three times in a row.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Getting hit by a regular chair would hurt, but this was an S-rank hunter—Shin Ah-yeon—wielding it.
Even if she was a mage, if she used magic power to enhance her strength, it could not be underestimated.
And she did it three times.
Right on the back of the head.
Hong Ji-hak, hit in the back of the head three times in a row, was out cold.
"For now, hunter Hong Ji-hak is the first one out, so he'll get the very last, fifth spot."
Despite such ruthless violence, Park Jung-woo coolly evaluated and wrote down the order in his notepad.
Naturally, Gong Je-hun—and the other association employees—could only gape in shock.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!"
At Park Jung-woo's actions, Sword King Shin Yu-baek shouted in outrage.
"We are S-rank hunters! What kind of tyranny is this! Even President Jin Su-hyuk never treated us like this!"
With a bang, Shin Yu-baek slammed his sword to the ground as he shouted.
The subtle wave of magic power radiated out and drew attention.
Sword King Shin Yu-baek—his imposing presence fitting his reputation—pressured Park Jung-woo.
"Hunter Shin Yu-baek, I'm not President Jin Su-hyuk."
"...!"
Despite that awe-inspiring force, Park Jung-woo responded in a calm voice.
He did not even look at Shin Yu-baek.
He only glanced back and forth between the other hunters who were fighting and the notepad in his hand.
"And I am also the manager of Korea's Odyssey national team."
"I... have no intention of participating in such an unfair competition."
"How is it unfair?"
Only then did Park Jung-woo's gaze turn to Shin Yu-baek.
"To devise correct strategies, shouldn't we first accurately assess the skills of Korea's representatives?"
Though sudden, it was a perfectly reasonable argument.
And once Odyssey began, there would be no time for this kind of thing.
By coincidence, Park Jung-woo's conduct was merely unexpected, not problematic.
"Hmph, at any rate, I'm dropping out."
"All right, then you'll be placed in the same spot as Hunter Hong Ji-hak."
"..."
Once hailed as a national treasure of Korea's hunters, Sword King Shin Yu-baek received no mercy from Park Jung-woo.
Naturally, Shin Yu-baek glared at Park Jung-woo, but the latter's expression did not change in the slightest.
'How can he be like that?'
Shin Yu-baek could not understand.
He had restrained his strength, yes, but it was still the presence of an S-rank hunter.
Even without killing intent, an average person would collapse under his aura.
'But not even the slightest change in expression?'
He vaguely knew that Park Jung-woo was no ordinary manager.
Jin Su-hyuk hadn't explained in detail, but Park Jung-woo was someone he kept a close eye on.
The feats reported in the media said as much.
Whether all of it was true was unclear, but he was extraordinary—of that, Shin Yu-baek was certain.
Even so, for someone to remain completely unaffected by the presence of an S-rank hunter and Sword King...
"So please, put the chair down."
At Park Jung-woo's next words, Shin Yu-baek snapped out of his thoughts.
He whirled around to see Shin Ah-yeon standing, holding a chair.
"A mage, and you're swinging around a chair?"
"If I use magic, won't this person notice?"
Ah-yeon smacked her lips regretfully and set the chair down.
At the exchange, Shin Yu-baek gaped.
'This person?'
It was his first time meeting Ah-yeon in person.
He had heard she was a tremendous genius, but he hadn't expected her to be so insolent to a much older veteran in the field.
"What, does that offend you?"
As if reading his thoughts, Ah-yeon curled her lips into a crooked smile.
"I have no intention of respecting anyone who exudes their magic-filled presence at ordinary people."
"..."
Shin Yu-baek, who was about to speak, fell silent at her next words.
"... That was a mistake. My apologies."
"As long as you understand."
Even though he apologized, Ah-yeon glared at him, then disappeared with the chair.
She apparently planned to keep using the chair.
That arrogance irritated Shin Yu-baek, but also surprised him.
'I didn't even notice her presence.'
Ah-yeon had said using magic would make "this person" notice.
It meant she had sneaked up, keeping herself as hidden as possible, to smack him with a chair—just so he wouldn't detect any magic.
Not at all the behavior of an ordinary mage.
'... These people are certainly not to be underestimated.'
Shin Yu-baek watched the fierce pecking order battle before his eyes.
Lee Soo-ah, Baek Hojun, and Shin Ah-yeon.
Even though they were on friendly terms, the three fought without holding back.
'Hm? Something feels off.'
The battles between Ah-yeon and Soo-ah were especially intense.
With the fight raging, Hojun, without an opponent, just stood there awkwardly.
'What are those two doing?'
Not taking part in the pecking order match as a reserve, Hwang Yeon-ji watched the two fight with an exhausted look.
She was the only one who knew the reason those two were fighting so fiercely right now.
And, precisely seven hours later, the rankings among Korea's S-rank hunters were determined.
***
Although the official opening of Odyssey was a week away, the moment when the event actually "started" was exactly three days prior to opening.
Why three days before? Because that was when the group draw, which would shape the future of the Odyssey, would be held.
"It's been a while, Veil. Feels like it's been three years since we've seen each other?"
Veil Robinson, reporter for America's MHN TV station, naturally looked over at the man sitting beside him. He was a journalist from ZVC, considered one of America's six major broadcasters. Veil had run into him a few times while covering stories.
"Ah, long time no see, Peter."
"I can't believe it's Odyssey season again. Time flies. Is there a country, other than the US of course, that's caught your eye this time?"
America, the eternal favorite to win Odyssey.
Ever since Owen's appearance, they had practically dominated the event, and now even Alencia had joined the roster.
With a squad dubbed "the strongest ever,"
Peter wore a smile full of pride.
"Absolutely. This time, I'm keeping a close eye on Korea in this Odyssey."
"Korea?"
Peter frowned, surprised by the unexpected answer.
"Korea's in this time? Wait—don't tell me they thought it was a music festival by mistake or something?"
"You're a bit out of the loop. This time, it seems Korea has really sharpened its blades."
"Is that so? Funny, though—I don't think anyone saw the Korean representatives at the party hall yesterday."
Every evening at Odyssey, there were simple parties for Hunters to mingle.
With each one being an S-rank representing their nation, the parties were as important as the Odyssey itself.
But the Korean S-rank hunters had not shown themselves even once at any party since arriving.
'What are they doing, anyway?'
Since their arrival in America, the Korean reps hadn't taken a single step outside the accommodation assigned to them.
At first, he thought it was jet lag, but after two days of this, even Veil was starting to wonder.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
My theory is that Ah-yeon thinks she would awaken her Conceptualization Technique by attacking other people in the back.
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