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Chapter 56 - Phantom Dragon, Ride the Wind (5)

Shin Eunah, a leading superhuman in Korea’s top 20s, her incredible ability matched her with beauty, made her a renowned celebrity, and, thus, many rumors circulated about her. Rumors like she was dating the second-generation member of an influential family, or that she held the real power of the association through the use of her beauty and body, or that she was even the result of a national experiment to create the strongest artificial superhuman. Most of them were mere gossip or bullshit, but there was one rumor that wasn’t.

That was that she was hiding her full power. Many of her fans in Korea argued that she was only 317 in the international rankings only because she didn’t have a chance to show off her skills beyond that, or perhaps because she didn’t need to.

‘I believe it.’ Karen Stringfield wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment as she watched the scene unfolding beyond the shield around her and her party. Her eyes were focused on the very image of the Thunder Empress, with shining golden eyes as she controlled the lightning around her.

“Thunderbolt – multiple. Reload. Thunderbolt – dispersion. Back. Thunderbolt – repeat, repeat.”

“She’s a monster.”

“Don’t group up, you idiots!” People in dark costumes with intricate patterns and masks on their faces moved in to attack Shin Eunah. They used magic in conjunction with swords, spears, and bows to try and finish her off. However, the lightning around Shin Eunah negated their offensive and was even pushing them back despite the difference in numbers. With each blink of the eye, bodies burnt by lightning fell to the floor. It was hard to tell what was actually going on, but Karen, who could enhance her reaction time, was able to understand the battle unfolding before her.

‘Amazing…I wouldn’t be able to deal with one of them properly. No, it’s weird no matter how you look at it! All of them have to be at least A-rank, what the hell?!’ She couldn’t even guess why she was being attacked by other humans while they were training inside the gate. All she knew was that Kang Shin-hyuk had suddenly disappeared, and soon after, another gate appeared inside where these unknown people came out of.

“Fuck.” Do Woojin swore quietly as he watched the battle beside her. They were safe inside a protective shield Shin Eunah activated the moment Kang Shin-hyuk was taken into an irregular gate.

“What the hell is happening?”

“They were targeting us and decided to attack. I bet they kidnap superhumans and brainwash them.” It was Baek who answered Do Woojin. He was wearing a subdued expression that didn’t fit his normal attitude, but even Karen could tell he was outrageous right now.

“Kidnap? Brainwashing?!”

“Don’t worry too much, reinforcements will probably come soon. I assumed this might happen. No…this situation will end before the reinforcements arrive.”

“Hey, wait…were we used as bait?”

“Can’t stop practicing just because you knew it was dangerous. That’s why our escort is her.” With Baek’s terse response, Do Woojin’s annoyance was growing full. He couldn’t stand how calm Baek was being.

“How can you be so calm?!”

“Does it look like that?” Do Woojin immediately closed his mouth to Baek’s sharp response. He recalled Baek’s face when Kang Shin-hyuk was dragged away into that irregular gate and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“No…alright.” Baek waved him off and crossed his arms, looking out to the fierce battle beyond the shield. Rather, he looked at the one-sided battle that Shin Eunah was fighting. The monsters that arrived were already annihilated, and only those with excellent skills had been able to hold on. The game seemed to be coming to a close, however, as she drove them back without a single gap in her defenses. Somehow, to him, she felt angrier at herself than them. He wondered if they had anything to do with Jormungand, or if she felt responsible for the student she lost.

‘…Shin-hyuk.’ Baek bit his lip at the memory of his friend. He felt like he was at fault for letting him get taken; he could barely stand it. Yet, all Baek could do we stay inside this shield. He was confident he could fight these masked enemies, but he would only get in Shin Eunah’s way right now.

“Uh, guys? Right there!” Karen grabbed onto Do Woojin and Baek’s sleeves, pointing. They turned their heads in time to see cracks forming in the air.

“What is that?”

“… It’s a gate collapsing.” Baek muttered blankly in response to Do Woojin.

“What kind of gate is that…?”

“That’s where Shin-hyuk was dragged in.” Baek prepared himself for battle. If Kang Shin-hyuk came back alive, then that would be that. But it would be arrogant to think that Shin-hyuk, or even himself, could clear a mysterious irregular gate alone after being tricked by the enemy.

‘If so…I have to be careful.’ As Baek quietly watched, the crack gradually increased to make a black hole the size of a person. From within…nothing came out.

‘What?’ His eyes grew thinner as the black hole began to shrink until it finally disappeared. If the gate was destroyed, something should have come out, whether it be the human who destroyed it or the monster that killed said human. But nothing came out.

‘No, there is!’ He opened his eyes wide. It felt really faint, but there was a human accompanied by a small creature. They were slowly getting closer to them. Baek looked away towards Shin Eunah, who was still fighting. She showed no sign of noticing what was happening. She was running wild with anger as her foes charged at her. Turning his head again, Baek could faintly hear a small voice in the ear mic.

-Open the shield.

It was Kang Shin-hyuk’s voice. As soon as Baek heard it, all the energy in his body left.

“You… it’s really you…”

-I’m Kang Shin-hyuk, who came back alive thanks to the 1.5 million won sword you bought me as a birthday gift, so open it up quickly.

“Huh? Baek, what did you say?” Baek ignored the gaze of Karen and Do Woojin as he stretched his arms out of the shield. It would attract people from outside the shield into it. It was dangerous and couldn’t be used while being attacked. But the enemies dealing with Shin Eunah weren’t in a situation where they could focus on Baek. Quickly, someone who grabbed onto his hand was pulling into the shield. At that same time, his hiding was completely released, and the appearance of Kang Shin-hyuk wearing rags that were once his school uniform was revealed.

“Thank you.” He was clearly exhausted, but alive regardless.

“Shin-hyuk, is that really you…”

“What?!”

“Kang Shin-hyuk!” Karen and Do Woojin didn’t give him a chance to say anything. Those outside the shield also began to realize that someone else had joined them.

“How did he make it out of that gate?”

“Focus!”

“Hey, report to headquarters…!” The fighters of Jormungand seemed visibly embarrassed at the scene before them.

“Lightning – multiple links!” Shin Eunah swept them all away with golden lightning. She seemed to calm down a bit after confirming Kang Shin-hyuk’s safety. As such, Jormungand’s elite combat unit was neatly taken care of.

***

Reinforcements arrived shortly after all the work was done. Of course, it wasn’t because they were late, but because Shin Eunah’s response was too fast.

“A magic tool that forcibly generates an irregular gate… I’ve heard the rumors, but it could form a gate inside another gate…”

“It appears that the rumors of them working with intelligent monsters was true.”

“This is a problem. If a raid like this is possible, anyone who enters a gate is in danger.”

“We have to manage the gates more thoroughly… there’s no excuse. Damn it.” The elite troops of various guilds, including Vanguard and Baekyang, were gathered in the D+ gate for a meeting.

“This countermeasure meeting is important, but right now, the students need a break.”

“Yes, that’s right. Sorry.” Baekyang’s guild submaster, Lee Jin-young, shuddered at the anger in Shin Eunah’s voice. He knew she had turned Jormungand’s elite unit into charcoal.

“It’s best not to discuss this in front of the children.”

“I’ll send them back to the school dormitory right now. Shin Eunah, why don’t you accompany them? You’ve fought a fierce battle and should take a break too. We’ll contact you later.”

“Yes, I will.” At the words of Lim Hoon, leader of Vanguard’s 1st team, Shin Eunah nodded and led the children to the gate’s exit.

“Are you really okay, Shin-hyuk?” Riding in a limousine arranged by the association on the way to the dormitory, Karen carefully questioned him. Just by looking at the condition of his clothes, you could tell how seriously he had suffered. His jacket was torn, and the armor he wore underneath his shirt had holes in it. His pants were torn as well, and what remained of them also had holes in them. Strangely, there were no wounds on his flesh.

“I’m okay. Actually, I wasn’t, but thanks to that potion I drank, I’m fine.”

“Where did such a potion come from?!”

“An angel sent it.” In response to Kang Shin-hyuk, Shin Eunah, who was sitting in front of them, flinched. Karen puffed her cheeks at Shin-hyuk, who wouldn’t answer her properly, but she has pushed away as Baek jumped in.

“Were there any bad guys there?”

“There were only monsters. I guess… wasn’t it meant to isolate us?”

“Maybe…it was meant for Shin Eunah? Were they trying to quarantine the teacher to kidnap us?”

“Perhaps originally, but it got me instead.” If that were the case, it meant their ability to control monsters and generate irregular gates wasn’t perfect. Kang Shin-hyuk thought that was the most plausible case. The monsters inside the gate had been too strong to deal with a couple of students; no doubt, it was intended to contain Shin Eunah.

“What was the difficulty level?” Do Woojin asked next, and Kang Shin-hyuk smiled at the concern he could feel from him. But he couldn’t be honest. It would’ve been impossible for him to clear that gate without the Hero Universe.

“It was difficult, I barely survived.”

“What was its rank?”

“Ah, Woojin? Stop bugging this boy who had a hard time clearing the gate! Look at the state of his uniform and read the mood!”

“No, but…sorry.” Do Woojin apologized honestly, dropping his shoulders. Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head to let him know it was okay.

“Actually, it was so crazy that I can’t remember the difficulty level. There’s no need to apologize.”

“…I see, it must’ve been hard.” Do Woojin looked a little depressed. Kang Shin-hyuk looked over at Shin Eunah. It was astounding to see her fight with those enemies outside of the shield. It was a battle that matched the expectations of the title Thunder Empress.

“…” Shin Eunah was in the front seat staring back at him. Her eyes were filled with confusion and impulse.

“… I’m glad you’re okay.” She finally said that and turned away from him. They arrived at the entrance to the school, and the car quietly climbed the hill past it. He wondered how he should interpret her words just then. Everyone in the group could sense the strange atmosphere between them and wondered the same.

Meanwhile…

“I told you.” Kang Shin-hyuk smiled bitterly as he spoke to Shin Eunah. He had no intention of avoiding her anymore, so he decided to confess.

“Because it’s okay, trust and wait.”

“…!” Shin Eunah turned to him so fast he was worried her neck would break.

“That…so after all…”

“Teacher, I need to talk to you about something. Could you please set aside some time in the afternoon?”

“…Huh. Okay.” Before she could react, he decided to push forward. She desperately suppressed her words and nodded a few times. Unfortunately, they weren’t the only ones there.

“…Guys, what are you trying to really say?”

“What? What the hell? Why do I feel like you’re stabbing me in the back?”

“No, it’s a report on the gate. All of you calm down.”

“Aren’t you the one furthest from reality?” The students began to argue as they sensed the two’s unusual atmosphere. A spark from Shin Eunah quieted them, however.

The limousine came to a halt, the main school building was right in front of them.

The long practice had finally concluded.