Chapter 181
Seong-jun Lee, who had obtained information through Chinese hunters, immediately lured out Zhang Xiaoying through a secret communication line, and the effect was undeniably successful.
In less than an hour, two black silhouettes were entering the forest.
'One is Zhang Xiaoying, and the other is...'
After contacting Victoria, the investigation examiner of the World Returner's Union at the airport, Seong-jun had gathered information about them.
Because of this, he could instantly identify the blonde man approaching alongside Zhang Xiaoying.
'Inspector, Kenneth Branner.'
Apart from knowing that he held the highest position as an investigation examiner, there wasn't much publicly available information. However, just from the aura emanating from him, it was clear he was a top-tier powerhouse.
Although this was an unexpected variable, there was no need for great alarm.
'Zhang Xiaoying wouldn't have planned something like this alone.'
He had proven his strength and ability by single-handedly blocking the Black Gate.
It was unlikely that they would launch an attack without any countermeasures.
It seemed they had come up with their own strategy, but before coming to America, Seong-jun had achieved his 5th class advancement, reaching a new level of growth.
Whatever they had prepared, he could show abilities beyond that.
With a relaxed smile, Seong-jun immediately set his feet in motion.
Whoosh-
With the sound of wind, Seong-jun dropped from the sky and immediately faced Zhang Xiaoying and Kenneth.
"...Coming as soon as you received the contact, you're more diligent than I thought."
Kenneth's brow furrowed at the sight of Seong-jun showing a cold smile.
"This... seems quite different from the situation we planned, doesn't it?"
"There's been a slight miscalculation, but it won't be a problem."
Zhang Xiaoying had to respond as calmly as possible to Kenneth's somewhat reproachful tone.
However, Zhang Xiaoying was also feeling considerable confusion.
'To think all the Shadow Operatives were subdued...'
Commonly known as Shadow Operatives, these were hunters secretly trained within China, specialized in espionage activities.
In fact, the stealth techniques employed by the Shadow Operatives were so excellent that even he, Zhang Xiaoying, couldn't easily detect them.
Yet, in just an hour, all the Shadow Operatives had been subdued.
Considering the travel time, it would be fair to say they were detected as soon as they started tailing.
This alone was astonishing.
But the most surprising point was something else.
'...The contact definitely came through a secret line.'
It meant that Seong-jun had extracted information from the Shadow Operatives, hunters trained through special training.
'Those guys wouldn't spill information even if it meant death...'
Seong-jun had immediately made the Shadow Operatives talk.
Zhang Xiaoying couldn't even guess what method he had used.
'He must undoubtedly possess mental abilities as well.'
This was information not included in the report provided by the Chinese government.
Which meant...
There was a high probability that Seong-jun's combat abilities also exceeded the report.
'...Things have become quite complicated.'
No, it would be fair to say that the original plan had simply failed.
Originally, this would have been a situation where they should have immediately left.
But there was not a trace of wavering in Zhang Xiaoying's expression.
'My strength is also beyond what was originally planned.'
To exaggerate a bit, it could be said to be a world of difference.
It meant the outcome wouldn't change.
"To call us out alone while knowing we were secretly following you..."
As Zhang Xiaoying nodded with a curved smile on his lips, a golden flash sparkled from Kenneth's hand behind him.
Wooong-
As the resonating golden energy enveloped Zhang Xiaoying's body, Seong-jun's eyes narrowed.
'A buff?'
Having consistently used such abilities himself, Seong-jun could instantly guess Kenneth's ability.
Indeed, the strength of Zhang Xiaoying's body, enveloped by the golden energy, was explosively increasing.
Finally, Zhang Xiaoying, his eyes flashing, kicked off the ground and shot towards Seong-jun.
"You were too arrogant-!"
"...Whether it's arrogance or not, we'll know once we fight."
Kwaboom-!
The energies of Seong-jun and Zhang Xiaoying collided in mid-air, causing an explosion.
Babababam-!
In the midst of the ceaseless exchange of blows, Zhang Xiaoying couldn't help but feel astonished.
'...He's overwhelming.'
He had launched dozens, hundreds of attacks.
Yet, not a single one had managed to land.
The gap in combat ability, both in experience and technique, was palpable.
He could be called the best among the numerous powerhouses he had encountered as a member of the Guardians.
'He's truly a monster without equal.'
It was a stroke of luck to face Seong-jun now, with Kenneth's assistance.
'If I had faced Seong-jun alone... it would have been certain defeat.'
In other words, for now, he had a fair chance of winning.
'So far, it's been a perfect stalemate.'
Looking at the current battle situation with Seong-jun's continuous attacks, it might seem one-sided.
However, contrary to appearances, Seong-jun's attacks weren't posing much of a threat to Zhang Xiaoying.
'The synergistic effect between my SSS+ skill Earth-Shattering Destiny and Kenneth's SSS-grade skill Blessing of Sacred Light, along with his other buffs, is beyond what I expected.'
It was no exaggeration to say he had become an invincible shield.
Of course, merely defending wouldn't be enough to seize victory.
'If I can drag this out...'
He could buy time for Kenneth to activate his second ability – debuffs.
It meant he could impose various restrictions that even members of the Guardians would find challenging.
No matter how strong Seong-jun was, he would inevitably fall helpless.
'At that moment... if I seize the opening, I can decisively grab victory.'
Having finished his mental calculations, Zhang Xiaoying raised both arms to cover his body.
He waits and waits.
Like a predator waiting for the right moment.
Amidst the relentless barrage of attacks, as Zhang Xiaoying maintained a quiet silence while harboring intense killing intent, Kenneth's voice rang out in a near shout.
"Now!"
Woong-!
Black energy erupted from Kenneth's hands, enveloping Seong-jun's entire body in an explosive surge.
'So his buff ability wasn't everything?'
Seong-jun narrowed his eyes, observing the black energy covering his body.
'Judging by the sinister energy, it must be a curse-type ability.'
Now he understood the confidence Zhang Xiaoying had shown.
The Inspector, Kenneth Branner, was the ultimate supporter, equipped with both enhancement abilities (buffs) and weakening abilities (debuffs).
'If they didn't have such a hidden card, they wouldn't have dared to challenge me in the first place.'
As Seong-jun was looking around, checking the black energy covering his entire body, Zhang Xiaoying, with a sardonic smile, burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! How does it feel to experience the helplessness of not even being able to struggle properly?!"
Zhang Xiaoying shouted at the top of his lungs, unleashing the pent-up killing intent as he stomped the ground.
"Your arrogance has hastened your doom-!"
His expression was full of confidence.
It was as if he had already grasped victory.
Of course, it didn't take long for Zhang Xiaoying's illusion to crumble.
Whoosh-!
Seong-jun's fist, cutting through the wind, struck Zhang Xiaoying's unguarded abdomen as he charged recklessly.
Kwaboom-!
With a tremendous noise, Zhang Xiaoying's body, leaving a straight scar on the ground, crashed into a nearby rock.
The immediate physical pain wasn't particularly severe.
But the mental shock was indescribable.
"H-How?"
Zhang Xiaoying's voice trembled, unable to hide his bewilderment.
Kenneth's SSS-grade debuff skill, Punishment of Sacred Light, inflicts numerous status ailments including burns, frostbite, electrocution, bleeding, poisoning, curses, hallucinations, and illusions.
Given the multitude of status effects it induces, it inevitably imposes at least two, and sometimes dozens of restrictions.
It should have completely sealed all movement momentarily.
Yet Seong-jun was moving no differently than before.
It meant he wasn't under any restrictions at all.
'This is impossible...'
Where did things go wrong?
Could it be that he knew about the plan from the start?
As various thoughts raced through his mind, a hypothesis suddenly struck him.
"No way...?!"
Zhang Xiaoying furrowed his brow and quickly shifted his gaze to Kenneth standing behind him.
"Were you in cahoots with him from the beginning, deceiving me?!"
"Fuck, don't spout nonsense! I definitely used it properly!"
Kenneth's expression showed considerable confusion as he shouted back.
It meant he wasn't lying.
'Right... if he had intended to deceive me from the start, he wouldn't have applied the buffs either.'
Then there was only one hypothesis left.
"You're saying he resisted all the status effects of Punishment of Sacred Light...?"
Facing Zhang Xiaoying's violently trembling eyes, as if an earthquake had struck, Seong-jun let out a slight smile.