< 118. Shock and Terror (16) >
Kim Cheol-soo felt a dissonance between perception and sensation.
'What is... going on?'
The mentor, who had requested to borrow the kitchen for a moment, made an inexplicable demand: to send all the police officers out into the corridor. Kim Cheol-soo insisted that as the person in charge, he would stay, and after some deliberation, Min-jun reluctantly agreed.
After the situation was sorted, Min-jun unexpectedly raided the pantry. He pulled out dozens of preserved food items, tore open the bags, and poured them into the frying pan, adding oil before finally turning on the heat. The cooking process was completely chaotic. The frying pan emitted a grumbling sound, as if protesting.
Kim Cheol-soo was deeply disturbed by the scene.
"Ugh!"
The disgust was not due to the absurd cooking method.
He knew that the silver frying pan had been used to knock out the assassins and that the black one was used for other purposes. Thus, the only part contaminated was the handle. Nonetheless, the fact that a torture device was being used for cooking caused a visceral feeling of revulsion and fear.
Moreover, the mentor's expression was...
'So calm!'
It went beyond calm—it was an expression of sheer boredom.
He was using the torture device to make something resembling fried rice. But both the tools and the ingredients were problematic.
The preserved food bags contained items meant to be mixed, and those that were not. For example, staples and desserts. Yet the mentor had committed visual violence by stir-frying them all together.
As a result, the dish looked like something you'd feed a stray dog. If it had to be named, it would be aptly called 'Dog Food Fried Rice.'
Yet, despite this...
'What is that maddening smell?!'
Kim Cheol-soo felt a hunger he had forgotten due to his nervousness. His senses were pierced with such sharpness they felt like they might puncture his brain. He felt overwhelmed and exhausted, as if all his inner strength had been drained.
The aroma was so enchanting it could be called celestial. The beautiful scent emanating from the frying pan filled the room.
'The smell of a monk crossing a temple wall should be used to describe such a masterpiece, not a firebrand!'
Despite this miracle, Min-jun's expression remained weary. However, the smell was so compelling that even Min-jun's indifferent gestures and movements seemed almost reverent. His precise actions, cutting out all unnecessary movements, exuded an aura of a master who had spent hundreds of years cooking only dog food. If such a master existed, that is.
'Teacher...'
The former student felt a mix of awe and regret looking at him.
The person they had reunited with across the years had learned black magic, now carried separate frying pans for killing and torture, wielded them without hesitation for their respective purposes, and became an adept at creating world-class delicacies that could enchant people with just their aroma.
Though there was a slight oddity in the final product, it only added to Kim Cheol-soo's confusion.
He murmured to himself.
'Yes, teacher... what kind of life have you been leading all this time?'
As Min-jun prepared dozens of servings of dog food fried rice, the atmosphere in the living room with the gathered legislators changed. The conversations gradually diminished and then fell completely silent.
In fact, when Min-jun started cooking in the kitchen with his remark, "Are you hungry?", they had initially scoffed.
Some of those who had been brought in early had already been fasting for more than half a day. However, they had no intention of eating whatever was presented to them. In a situation akin to being kidnapped, they couldn't be sure what might be mixed in. They intended to wait until the rescue team arrived, knowing that a day or two without food would not kill them.
But as time passed, all they could think about was what the chef in the kitchen was making.
As more time went by, the desire to eat the dish grew until it completely consumed their thoughts.
"Mr. Kim."
"Ah, yes! Sir."
Kim Cheol-soo, lost in thought, was startled by the sudden call. Min-jun, shaking the pan casually without turning his head, said.
"Could you check outside for a moment? See what's happening?"
After checking the living room, Kim Cheol-soo returned, looking somewhat pale.
"Everyone's eyes are bloodshot... They are only staring at the kitchen. When I went out, I was horrified to see all twenty-nine members glaring at me."
Nodding, Min-jun murmured again.
'It's still too dangerous. Its performance is dangerously impressive.'
The reactions of Kim Cheol-soo and the legislators to the same smell were drastically different, let alone the difference from Min-jun's.
The frying pan said in a cheerful tone.
=Most of those people have little to no special abilities. Their resistance is practically nonexistent. They will react extremely well to the effects. Besides, I've used quite a bit of my power as requested. But... It seems my power now falls short compared to yours, doesn't it? It's different from when we first met.=
Only after a reasonable amount was prepared did Min-jun taste the dish. He frowned.
'It tastes terrible.'
It was only slightly better than the dishes Cassie used to make before getting the frying pan.
He threw the plate onto the table and scanned the faces of the legislators.
"While the secure line is being prepared, let's at least have a meal..."
The legislators didn't give him a chance to finish his sentence.
Seeing them scramble to get the food, Min-jun clicked his tongue.
They looked like beggars who hadn't eaten for days rather than members of parliament. They shoveled down the grotesque food Min-jun had made, eating each serving as if they were starving. They finished every last grain of rice and every crumb of biscuit, staring at the empty plates with regret.
To them, Min-jun said calmly.
"I would like to request your cooperation once again."
The spark had vanished from their eyes as they looked at Min-jun. Their pupils were glazed over as if hypnotized.
They seemed to be under the influence of some drug.
"Let's not make this a bigger issue than it needs to be. Could you please trust me and help out?"
They complied. The secure line, which was said to take time, was set up immediately. The legislators contacted their offices and homes, providing the alibis Min-jun had requested.
Now, whether they waited here for a long time or not, they would do so without resistance. They were fulfilling their role as bait. This method was the best for handling the uncontrollable third-party legislators.
Even though Min-jun had managed things so perfectly, he felt more concern than satisfaction.
'If that guy really is a fragment of Asif-1, I understand why the committee is so desperate to find him.'
Even the most famous mind-controlling species have limitations. They can only control effectively when they have tendrils or similar devices attached to the target. The ability to control someone's mind through food was unheard of.
The scarier part was that no abnormalities were detected in the dish, no matter how Min-jun examined it. It was clean both magically and scientifically.
In other words, the chances of getting caught were very low.
'The outcome...'
Min-jun was currently controlling twenty-nine members of parliament according to his will.
Though it was uncertain how long this control would last.
Min-jun looked at the frying pan left in the kitchen. Having been left on the heat for a long time, it was still radiating a lingering effect. It had been abandoned, still emanating mental waves due to the intoxication of its influence.
'I need to test its abilities further. Just how far can it go?'
While engrossed in future plans, the legislators finished their calls and sat quietly at their desks. They dutifully followed Min-jun's command to 'stand by.'
How much time had passed?
"...!"
Min-jun sensed something and smiled.
Someone, lured by the bait, was approaching.
'I expected this.'
From Blade's perspective, twenty-nine was too many to deal with individually.
After one had died due to the initial formal request, the personal security of the remaining legislators had been increased. If they continued to kill them one by one, the other legislators would fall into hysteria, scatter, or flee abroad.
So it's best to handle them all at once when as many as possible are gathered. The legislators knew this, which is why they were angry with the police stationed here.
Despite this, the choice to deal with them this way came from Min-jun's confidence in capturing Blade.
"You've walked right into my trap."
Having taken over the body of the former colleague, Blade was advancing deeper, evading the police guarding the vicinity of the safe house.
His body suddenly tensed and froze.
"..."
He stopped in his tracks.
At that moment, a voice was heard.
"Quite sharp, aren't you?"
Blade's gaze fixed on the man.
It was Min-jun, who had been waiting by the door.
At Min-jun's command, the police were keeping their distance, merely observing the situation.
"Your skills are beyond what I expected."
Moments ago, Min-jun had unleashed the most powerful curse set against Blade. However, Blade had deflected it all. The agent glanced at the longsword in Blade's hand.
'That must be the main weapon. It looks quite ordinary. It's so plain it wouldn't be recognized even if seen from the outside.'
And the host it was currently consuming...
'If he's a weapon master immune to curses, he'd be among the top on Earth. He doesn't seem to be that skilled.'
Min-jun's eyes grew stern.
'The host's body has been enhanced beyond its limits. That's why curses don't affect him.'
He nullifies the interference from the Empire that causes physical anomalies. It was truly a transcendent physique.
In other words, a superhuman.
'As a result, once used up, it'll be destroyed.'
At that moment, the assassin spoke.
"I have no business with you. Please step aside."
Then, he raised his sword and pointed towards a building beyond Min-jun.
"The ones to be dealt with are the twenty-nine inside. Nothing more. I won't cut down anyone else."
Since it was a discarded body anyway, there was no need to kill indiscriminately just because he recognized the face.
Instead of responding, Min-jun drew shadows up from behind him.
Whoosh!
The black streaks rushed towards the Ego Sword.
Min-jun charged with shadows enveloping his entire body. He took on the form of a non-human monster. He focused the black coating on his arms, turning them into blades.
At that moment, starlight-like aura scattered around the assassin's sword. It was of unusual intensity and density. A pure white sword aura.
The sword and shadows clashed.
Boom!
"...!"
The air vibrated. They stood in a standoff with their weapons locked. It was nearly an equal contest of power.
Amidst the shadowy veil, Min-jun's eyes narrowed. He was not a weapon master, but he had seen many people with such abilities. His centuries of accumulated insight told him.
'This level is among the best even by extraterrestrial standards!'
He couldn't imagine the assassin originally having such abilities. The sword was what had elevated him to this level.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fierce battle continued. The sword and darkness collided repeatedly. Each clash sent shadow droplets and light particles flying. The surrounding police heard a deafening roar, akin to thunder striking a mountain.
"Oh my god…!"
The onlookers held their breath. An unbelievable battle was unfolding. To their eyes, it was impossible to see how the two figures moved and attacked each other.
The only way they could somewhat keep track of their positions was the dizzying black-and-white afterimages and the flashes of explosions, which indirectly indicated their locations.
Boom!
Even Blade, who initially tried to deal with Min-jun at a moderate level, was taken aback by Min-jun's offensive. He increased both the power and speed of his attacks. As he fought the shadows with a peculiar strategy, his sword's aura expanded, and the shadows wrapped around it, piercing through the sharp trajectories of the sword to strike beyond.
For a brief moment, it seemed like Blade was being pushed back.
"...!"
However, the assassin appeared to make a decision, increasing the output of his sword.
Swinging heavily and mightily.
The shadow's outer layer collided with the blade again. The metallic clash resonated, as it had hundreds of times before.
But this time, a different kind of resonance accompanied it.
Crack!
Min-jun was caught off guard for the first time.
Cracks appeared in the flesh of the shadow monster. The pure white sword aura dug into the rippling flesh. The shadows had been cut.
It was the first time in several hundred years.
'This bastard!'
He immediately tried to heal the monster. As dark magic was draining away.
Screech!
'What's happening?!'
The shadow scattered pieces of darkness like grains of sand in all directions. The black coating disintegrated and boiled away. The monster, which should have moved like limbs, suddenly became uncontrollable. The form enveloping his body began to collapse.
As Min-jun directly communicated with the summoned entity, he realized something.
'They've tampered with its mind!'
The moment the sword inflicted damage on the shadow, Blade's power had affected it.
'Attempting brainwashing? On my summoned creature?'
It wasn't perfect control. If it had been, the shadow would have attacked Min-jun immediately. The creature was confused by the conflicting influences pulling it in different directions.
Whoosh!
Min-jun decided to cancel the summoning. The shadow vanished, revealing the summoner's bare body.
Swoosh!
Blade did not miss this opportunity. Like a white meteor, leaving afterimages, he charged. The sword aimed for Min-jun's neck.
At that moment.
The summoner felt extreme irritation.
'This piece of metal… truly a bother!'
The agent immediately recited an incantation. However, there was a brief delay before it took effect. A delay long enough for the sword to target his neck.
He needed something to deflect the incoming weapon. With the shadow bound, something of equal strength was needed...
"...!"
A suitable object came to mind.
The summoner still did not fully trust his predecessor. But he did trust the technological prowess and pride of Endelion.
His hand reached into the air. As he curled his fingers into a fist, a blunt weapon appeared in his hand.
It was a brilliantly shining silver frying pan.
In an instant, Blade saw it. And just as his neck was about to be severed, he assessed his opponent holding the cooking utensil.
'A lunatic corrupted by dark magic.'
The assassin lunged towards the neck. At the same time, the summoner blocked it with the wide surface of the frying pan, like a shield.
Blade did not stop his thrust. He pressed forward with the intent to pierce through the thin cooking tool. The sharp edge of the sword became a fierce point.
As it touched the silver-coated surface.
--------!
A thunderous roar that seemed to tear apart the world enveloped everything.
< 118. Shock and Terror (16) > End