Chapter 145
The enormous presence felt just by looking at him was suffocating.
However, I couldn't back down out of fear.
'If I retreat without gaining any information here...'
Today's events won't simply remain a mere incident.
I had to find a way to break through his defenses, engage in direct combat, and accurately assess Lee Seong-jun's abilities.
'Surely... there must be an opening somewhere.'
Mizunohara narrowed his eyes, trying to find a weakness in Lee Seong-jun.
But it was no different from before.
No, if anything, his defenses seemed even more impenetrable.
'A head-on battle is absolutely impossible...'
What if I used ninja techniques to deceive his eyes and launch a surprise attack from his blind spot?
It was the standard ninja approach and a strategy that had brought down countless monsters and powerful opponents until now.
However, Mizunohara couldn't bring himself to put this idea into action.
His instincts, honed through countless battles, were sending out a warning.
'...I'll die.'
It wasn't just about attacking from behind.
No matter which angle he approached from, the result would be the same.
He would meet a miserable end without even being able to put up a proper fight.
As countless scenarios of his death flashed through his mind, the vast difference between him and Lee Seong-jun became palpably clear, and cold sweat began to pour down his back.
'Mo-monster...'
It wasn't an exaggeration.
Lee Seong-jun possessed monstrous strength and presence, quite literally.
There was no denying it anymore.
'...Lee Seong-jun has completely surpassed Japan's calculations.'
This duel could be seen as a disaster brought about by his own lack of insight.
However, it wasn't irreversible.
Swallowing hard, Mizunohara immediately bowed his head.
"I-I've lost."
Hearing Mizunohara admit defeat, the elite Japanese ninjas of the Aqua Guild let out shocked exclamations.
"The Master lost?"
"Impossible...!"
Who was Mizunohara Kento?
He was one of the active rankers who had earned the title of Master among ninjas.
He was considered one of the strongest in all of Japan.
Yet this Mizunohara had declared defeat without even exchanging blows.
It meant his spirit had been completely crushed.
In other words, he had felt an overwhelming difference in power.
"I had some expectations... but this is rather disappointing."
Shaking his head, Lee Seong-jun left without a hint of lingering attachment, bringing the duel to a definitive end.
However, the commotion wasn't entirely over.
Anger was rising in the eyes of the Chinese hunters surrounding the area.
It was an understandable reaction. Lee Seong-jun was now known as the benefactor of the North.
How could they look kindly upon Mizunohara, who had shown such disrespect to Lee Seong-jun?
It was only natural that Wei Zhigang, who could be considered China's representative, directed his fierce anger towards Mizunohara.
"To show such disrespect to Lee Seong-jun, the benefactor of the entire North...! I will never forget this day."
"I apologize. Due to my lack of discernment, I failed to recognize Hunter Lee Seong-jun's abilities and showed disrespect."
Although Mizunohara immediately apologized, acknowledging his own mistake, it wasn't enough to completely quell the anger rising in Wei Zhigang's eyes.
"You better keep that promise."
"I swear on my title as a Master Ninja that I will make an official apology for this incident."
The title of Master Ninja was Mizunohara's highest honor and a position that carried Japan's prestige.
It wasn't something to be mentioned lightly.
Of course, even with this, the spilled milk couldn't be put back into the bottle.
"..."
After glaring at Mizunohara with anger-filled eyes, Wei Zhigang turned his back.
* * *
Although there had been a brief commotion, no further conflict arose due to Mizunohara's attitude of acknowledging his own mistake.
Of course, the duel between Lee Seong-jun and Mizunohara had momentarily halted the incineration work as it drew the attention of the hunters, but it wasn't a significant issue.
To be precise, it could be said that work efficiency had actually improved.
After the duel, Mizunohara and his ninjas were running around frantically to remove the bad impression they had made.
Thanks to this, they were able to incinerate all the corpse piles in just one day after starting the work.
'...Now I can finally rest comfortably.'
Despite the vast number of corpses, there weren't many hunters who could handle fire abilities.
And among them, those who could cause widespread explosions were even rarer, which meant that he, Lee Seong-jun, had no choice but to move busily.
As a result, he had been incredibly busy without a moment's rest.
Although it couldn't be called a fair exchange, after completing the incineration work, he was able to receive definite preferential treatment in China.
In fact, due to the request of Chinese hunters, he was given accommodation in the VVIP Deluxe Suite of the Oriental Hotel, operated by the Mandarin Group, a top-class hotel located in Beijing.
As a luxury room costing tens of millions of won per night, it not only had a living room and bedroom but also a separate workspace.
Moreover, the view outside the window showed a dazzling cityscape, and the interior was decorated with eye-catching beautiful ornaments.
However, all of this was unnecessary for Lee Seong-jun at the moment.
After all, what Lee Seong-jun wanted to see wasn't the fancy decorations or beautiful scenery.
"Now I can check my rewards in peace."
With anticipation, Lee Seong-jun immediately called up the green hologram window.
[Achievement - End of Death]
All stats (Strength, Agility, Vitality, Blood Energy) increase by +5.
Monsters of S-rank and below, as well as enemies below a certain level, will feel the fear of death and doom just by facing the user 'Lee Seong-jun', and all their stats will decrease by 20 percent.
Since it was applied to a new interface called Achievement rather than the existing title, even just the increase of 5 in all stats could be considered quite satisfactory.
But the ability of End of Death wasn't just about increasing stats.
'Reducing the enemy's stats by 20 percent...'
Looking at the criteria specified in the hologram window, it wouldn't activate against high-level strong opponents or in fierce battles.
However, if asked whether it had no utility, he could immediately shake his head.
'It will definitely be effective when hunting ordinary monsters.'
He had already been hunting in gates with a clear difference in power, and now an additional 20 percent stat reduction effect would be added.
It wasn't just about making hunting a little easier.
'At this rate... I could go hunting in gates of a higher rank.'
He could once again boost his slowing level-up speed.
This alone could be considered quite satisfactory, but the Achievement interface was only part of this growth.
[Status]
Name: Lee Seong-jun
Job: Sacred Arts Master
Title: Conqueror
Achievement: End of Death
Level: 168
Strength: 69 (+42), Agility: 68 (+43), Vitality: 69 (+42)
Blood Energy: 89 (+51)
Bonus Points: 63
Looking at the status window floating in the air, an undisguisable smile spread across Lee Seong-jun's face.
'It was quite a harvest.'
His level had increased by 21, from 147 to 168.
As mentioned before, even rankers needed at least 4 months to gain a single level after reaching level 130.
Even for Lee Seong-jun, known for his steep growth curve, this was an incredible advancement.
However, what made Lee Seong-jun happiest was something else.
'63.'
The number of bonus points he had accumulated reached a whopping 63.
'With this... I can raise the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique to 9 stars as soon as safety is secured.'
It meant he could enhance the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique as soon as he returned home to Korea.
It signified that he could achieve explosive growth once again.
Naturally, a satisfied smile spread across Lee Seong-jun's face.
'This is quite pleasing.'
For a martial artist who craved strong power and higher realms, the benefits provided by the Force system were, so to speak, insanely attractive.
'...I'm looking forward to seeing what other abilities it will show in the future.'
Of course, he had no intention of relying entirely on the system.
The system was merely an aid.
Lee Seong-jun didn't forget that he needed to fully absorb it as his own in preparation for any contingency.
As Lee Seong-jun was inwardly recognizing the path he needed to take and steeling his resolve, it happened.
Ding dong-!
The hotel's bell alarm sounded.
'Who could it be?'
Since there was no one who would visit so suddenly, Lee Seong-jun tilted his head slightly and walked towards the door.
Looking through the intercom, he saw a familiar face.
"Dragon-Subduing City Lord?"
"I have something urgent to discuss, so I've come without an appointment. If it's alright with you, could we talk for a moment?"
Even after seeing his face, the curiosity wasn't fully resolved; if anything, it had grown.
He had heard during breakfast at the hotel that Wei Zhigang was going to a meeting with high-ranking Chinese officials.
Moreover, Wei Zhigang's expression visible through the intercom was deeply shadowed.
'Has something happened?'
Although questions were rising in his mind, there was no need to ponder alone.
Lee Seong-jun immediately pressed the green button on the intercom with his index finger and opened the door.
Right after, Wei Zhigang entered the room and bowed his head to Lee Seong-jun.
"...First, I'd like to apologize."
Lee Seong-jun, with a hardened expression, sat down on a nearby chair and asked:
"Rather than an apology, I'd like to hear what this is about."
"It seems we won't be able to properly compensate you for the subjugation of Lethar and the corpse army this time."
It was an utterly absurd and brazen statement, but Lee Seong-jun's expression remained calm.
He hadn't done it expecting compensation in the first place.
Moreover, if Wei Zhigang truly intended to withhold compensation with such a brazen attitude, he wouldn't have come to apologize like this.
It meant there was a special reason behind it.
"I'm truly sorry! If only I had been more capable, this wouldn't have happened...!"
Indeed, Wei Zhigang's appearance of biting his lower lip hard to suppress his anger showed not a hint of deception.
That's why the doubt in Lee Seong-jun's mind grew even stronger.
"Could I know the exact reason?"
"W-well..."
At Lee Seong-jun's question, Wei Zhigang, with a guilty expression and bowed head, carefully opened his mouth and began to explain.