Chapter 138
“A new skill?”
“Educate him first!” the man shouted as the looming anxiety engulfed him.
"You arrogant brat. This is your end,” said the wolf-like challenger.
The wolf-like challenger grimaced and approached Lee Shin, swinging his arm. His sharp claws seemed sufficient to tear Lee Shin apart in an instant.
"Ugh!" the wolf-like challenger gasped.
His paw was stopped mid-air by an invisible force.
"What's going on! What the hell are you doing to me! Let go of this! Let me—” Bewildered, the challenger struggled to get out of the unknown grip, but it was futile.
The man with glasses, the leader of this back alley, stared at Lee Shin with a stern face. He could tell from Lee Shin’s expression, aura and even the tone of voice, that nothing had changed since their first encounter—not even after the fight had begun.
‘Were we that insignificant to this guy even from the beginning?’
At that moment, Lee Shin raised his hand and a surge of energy began to flow above his hand.
[Blitz Gun]
Baaam—!
Pizz— Pizz—!
A golden flash of light shot forward in a straight line. Then, the trail of light disappeared, revealing the figure of the wolf-like challenger in its wake. From his legs to his head, his whole body was charred black. He had dropped to his knees, and then suddenly, with a thud, he collapsed to the floor.
The Blitz Gun not only swept him away, but also caused the building to collapse into a pile of debris.
"What… the hell… is going… on…?" The man, who had challenged him to a fight, stared dumbfounded at the fallen wolf-like challenger.
The unimaginably powerful Blitz Gun was fired in the instant Lee Shin raised his hand, without even a moment’s pause for an incantation. The wolf-like challenger was clearly a skilled individual far beyond the average challenger. Yet, he collapsed helplessly. Seeing this, the man pressed a small button that he carried around without hesitation.
"H-h-hey t-t-there…” The man tried to get Lee Shin’s attention.
However, Lee Shin had no time to listen to the man’s nonsense. Ignoring the man, he shot his mana toward the sky.
[Thunderbolt]
Baaam—! Pizz—! Booom—! Crack—! Babaam—!
Five consecutive lightning bolts struck without giving the challengers a chance to react. Those who were struck by the thunderbolt shook and collapsed to the ground. The man with glasses frantically looked around in all directions.
The five who were directly hit by the thunderbolt died on the spot, while the rest, by simply being in close proximity, were all electrocuted and fell. Everyone else had been defeated in the blink of an eye.
‘Shit! This is insane…’
However, this was not the end of Lee Shin’s attack.
[Zombification]
Lee Shin soon unleashed his black mana onto the wolf-like challenger.
[Turang has been transformed into a Zombie.]
The charred body of Turang, the wolf-like challenger, started to twitch.
"Heek!" The middle-aged woman with red hair, who was electrocuted and lying on the floor, was shocked by the sight, her eyes wide and mouth agape.
However, she was not the only one shocked. As the writhing Turang rose from his spot, the remaining challengers who had not lost consciousness crawled back, face-down on the ground.
"Krrrr..." Turang seemed to have lost all sanity.
A moment later, black light appeared over the pupils that were just ash a moment ago. As the challengers trembled in fear at this sight, Turang bent his knees and kicked off the ground. His target was the leader among them—the man.
The next moment, Turang grabbed the man’s neck with his paw.
"Krr...ugh...!" the man gasped.
Taken aback by the unexpectedly strong grip, the man clenched his teeth and grabbed Turang’s wrist in return. He wanted to twist and break the wrist, but he felt something strange.
‘This mana is...?’
As the man pushed his mana into Turang’s arm, he could sense a chilling and eerie flow of mana within. The mana inside Turang exuded a dangerous aura that felt as if one should not touch it.
"Kraaaah!" Turang roared.
"Ugh!” The man gasped as Turang lifted him by the neck and slammed him onto the ground.
"Hmm..." Lee Shin, walking slowly near them, used psychokinesis to lift the man up again.
The eyes of the trembling man focused on Lee Shin.
"Who was the superior one between Turang and his owner?” Lee Shin asked the man in a mocking tone.
"I-I, I was, I was the superior one. If you spare me... I'll give my life to... Uh!" The man tried to explain.
Without bothering to hear the response, Lee Shin choked the man. In fact, he wanted to learn more about the Zombification skill using these challengers. However, it was difficult to conduct a detailed analysis of the skill since Lee Shin did not know the original abilities of the challengers.
"Kek..." the man groaned.
Lee Shin released his psychokinetic grip on the man. The man, who had turned pale, gasped for breath and drooled. Then, Lee Shin looked up at the others. They were all contemplating when would be the right time to escape from him.
"So, if we were to fight these guys here, how many of them could we defeat?" Lee Shin asked the man.
"Three... Oh no, I mean, I could probably defeat up to four... I think," the man replied. With Lee Shin, the man was walking on eggshells.
Lee Shin nodded and turned the other four fallen challengers into Zombies and raised them up. At that sight, the man looked at the charred challengers with a desolate expression. The four Zombies, emitting sinister glares and letting out eerie cries, charged toward him.
"Kek…!" The man thought it would be a hard fight.
The man responded quite calmly, but he could not withstand the combined attack of the four Zombies and eventually fell down.
"Stop! Please... please spare me!" the man cried out in terror.
The man, whose shoulder was torn apart, screamed in agony as he looked at Lee Shin. After hearing the man’s cry, Lee Shin made the Zombies retreat, approached the man and crouched down.
"Now, let's have a talk. Who is the one having your back… that made you so confident?” Lee Shin asked the man in a cold voice.
The man trembled as if he was panicking.
‘This guy is calculating.’
The man was trying to evaluate who would be stronger—the one who was watching his back or the wizard in front of him. Lee Shin could read his obvious train of thought, just by looking into his eyes.
"Stop trying to get yourself out of this situation. If you don't answer immediately, I'll just kill you right away," said Lee Shin.
"J-Jack! Jack will come. Jack is watching my back. Alright? That Jack, who is the strongest in Redcon.”
"Jack? Could it be… that Jack from the Tune of the Drunkard?" Lee Shin asked the man to clarify.
At the mention of Jack's name, Lee Shin’s expression, which had been expressionless all along, finally changed.
Jack from the Tune of the Drunkard was one of the challengers Lee Shin had seen in his previous life. He was a famous challenger even within the Tower due to his outstanding abilities.
'Now that I recall, this must have been the time before he climbed the Tower.'
"Tsk, don't even think about running away. If Jack comes, you're done too. If you really want to survive, beg for mercy right now. If you do, I might be able to persuade Jack and spare your life," Lee Shin replied.
The man's attitude changed in an instant, as he saw Lee Shin’s reaction. He had thought that Lee Shin was frightened by the name Jack.
"I've already called Jack a long time ago. And we have taken pictures of you already. If you stop now and negotiate with us—” the man could not finish his sentence.
"Bring him here," Lee Shin said calmly.
"What? Ha... Haha! Don't try to act cool. You already know what Jack is lik—,” the man replied.
"Yes I do. So bring him here quickly, before I kill you myself,” Lee Shin said.
The man, who was momentarily startled by Lee Shin’s calm demeanor, glanced at him. Lee Shin’s face was a little flushed.
‘Hmm… What’s going on…? There seems to be some kind of a change in him though…’
No matter how strong this wizard in front of him was, the man thought it would be difficult for him to defeat Jack. Moreover, Jack was a natural enemy to wizards, as he was an exceptionally skilled individual. The thought of Jack losing never crossed the man’s mind. The man slowly rose to his feet and brushed off the dust from his body.
"Well then, for now, you’re letting us go—” said the rest of the challengers.
"Try to hold on until that guy arrives. Then you guys might be able to survive,” Lee Shin said.
Lee Shin started to send the Zombies toward the challengers, who finally regained their consciousness.
"You guys will have to fight hard," Lee Shin said with a smirk.
***
"Ugh…?Didn’t I tell him to stay here? Where did he go?” Vuela, who had arrived at the Central Square to look for Lee Shin, furrowed his eyebrows.
No matter how much he looked around, he could not find Lee Shin anywhere.
"Ask the challengers who came up with him.”
"Ugh, that's annoying," Vuela muttered.
The next moment, Vuela approached a Korean challenger who was still in the Central Square.
"Do you know where Lee Shin is?" Vuela asked the challenger.
"Huh? I’m sorry, but um... who... are you?" Park Hye-Won looked warily at the Elf who suddenly approached her and asked about her Master.
"I'm Vuela, his comrade," Vuela replied.
"Sorry? You’re his comrade…?” Park Hye-Won asked.
It was the first time she had heard that. Lee Shin had never mentioned Vuela or said anything about having a comrade, so she found it hard to believe.
"Well, I’ve never heard of that before,” Park Hye-Won said.
"Hmm... it seems like you're not that close to Lee Shin," Vuela replied.
"Excuse me? I'm close to the Master! I am… not his disciple yet… but well, I've learned magic from him, at least," Park Hye-Won replied.
"What? What's your name?" Vuela asked.
"I'm Park Hye-Won," Park Hye-Won replied.
Vuela’s eyebrows furrowed upon hearing her name because he knew who Park Hye-Won was.
"So… you were one of those people the Koreans talked about?" Vuela asked, looking at her.
"Oh, you know me?" Park Hye-Won asked.
"Yes I do, I heard about you when I was clearing a stage with the Koreans on the 20th floor," Vuela explained.
"Oh, I see," Park Hye-Won replied.
Park Hye-Won did not fully believe what Vuela was saying. Just as she was about to ask more about Vuela’s identity, Baek Hyun approached them.
"Huh? Huh??” Baek Hyun seemed surprised.
"Why?" Park Hye-Won tilted her head and asked Baek Hyun because he seemed surprised.
"Isn't he Vuela?" Baek Hyun asked.
"That's right," Vuela replied.
"Wow! You're the Elf who climbed the Tower with the Master!" Baek Hyun exclaimed in excitement.
"How do you know him?" Park Hye-Won asked.
"Haven't you checked the community yet? There's a video called ‘Vuela’s Exploits in the Tower with Lee Shin!'" Baek Hyun explained.
"What? A video was uploaded? Did the Master just leave it be?" Park Hye-Won asked him with surprised eyes.
In order to film the video, they needed to set up a camera. However, the farthest distance the camera could go to film was still within Lee Shin’s sensory range. Therefore, it was impossible to film him secretly. Both Park Hye-Won and Baek Hyun could not understand why Lee Shin, who had always prevented anyone from filming him without exception until they reached the 21st floor, would allow it now.
"Ahem!?I don’t think that’s the important part here. Don’t you guys know where Lee Shin is?" Vuela, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly cleared his throat and then asked.
"Oh, I don't know that either. He went somewhere alone a while ago... But why is your face suddenly turning red?" Park Hye-Won asked.
"Ugh, never mind if you don't know," Vuela replied.
The next moment, Vuela hurriedly turned around and walked away. Cigarate, who had been standing next to him, also followed along.
"Why doesn't this guy check his messages?" Vuela muttered in an annoyed voice.
"Don't we need to find out more?" Cigarate asked.
"Hmm..."
While the two were contemplating, Jack suddenly appeared from the darkness.
"Hey, show some respect!" Vuela shouted.
"I've locked up all the ones you have captured. Here’s the key and if you go to District 37, 5-1, you'll be able to find them there. Do whatever you want from here," said Jack.
Jack threw a small key to Vuela.
"Thanks," Vuela replied.
"Jack, can I make another request?" Cigarate asked Jack.
"A request?" Jack asked.
Upon hearing news about Lee Shin, Cigarate felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.
"Lee Shin has finally arrived. Please help find his whereabouts," said Cigarate.
"Huh? Why would you want to do that? He will contact us soon,” Vuela asked Cigarate.
"Alright, I’ll ask for compensation after I find hi—" Jack could not finish his sentence.
"Mr. Jack!"
Suddenly, a barefooted man rushed toward them.
"What's the matter?" Jack furrowed his eyebrows and asked.
"A strange person has appeared in the residential district. Our people have been captured. We need your help," said the man.
"...Who is this guy?" Jack asked with a cold voice.
"I'm not sure. We need your help as soon as possible," said the man.
"Fine," Jack replied.
The next moment, Jack shifted his gaze and looked at Cigarate.
"I guess you’ll have to make that request later," said Jack.
"Alright, we have no other choice anyways. We'll search on our own," Cigarate replied.
As Jack disappeared, Cigarate clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, what a bad timing," Cigarate grumbled.
"Well, there’s nothing we can do. But I mean Lee Shin is a guy we don’t have to worry about. He's probably doing something sneaky on his own," said Vuela.
"Sneaky… Yeah, you’re right,” Cigarate replied.
Thinking back to the 15th floor, Cigarate nodded. The man who had called for Jack had also hurriedly left with him, leaving only the two of them. Then, they reopened the community and searched for Lee Shin’s whereabouts.
At that moment, a reply came from Lee Shin.
# Lee Shin - I'm currently in the residential district.
# Vuela - What? Why did you go there? It's only filled with troublesome people.
# Lee Shin - I had something to do here. Anyway, as you said, strange people have caused trouble, so come here right now. I can't make any moves right now.
# Vuela - Tsk, fine.
Vuela clicked his tongue and turned off the community.
"What’s the matter?" Cigarate asked in a curious voice.
"Lee Shin said he's in the residential district right now," Vuela replied.
"He’s in the residential district? You mean the one on the outskirts?" Cigarate tried to clarify.
"Yeah, it seems like some troublesome situation has arisen there," Vuela replied.
"What? But wait, did you say the residential district?" Cigarate looked at Vuela with a stunned expression.
"So what?" However, Vuela, who still had not fully grasped the situation, looked at Cigarate with a puzzled face.
"Just now, Jack went to the residential district," said Cigarate.
"Huh? Oh… you’re right…” Vuela muttered.
The next moment, they looked at each other.
"Those strange guys must have been..." Cigarate muttered.
"The one from earlier? Jack and Lee Shin will fight each other?” Vuela asked.
If the people Lee Shin got involved with were indeed Jack's people, then a fight between them was inevitable.
"Huh, no way. I have to confront Lee Shin first." Cigarate hardened his expression and spoke.
"Uh, what nonsense. You should face me first before challenging Lee Shin." Vuela furrowed his eyebrows and glared at him.
"Tsk, I can already beat you," Cigarate replied.
"You're still talking nonsense. Then show me right away—.” Vuela could not finish his sentence.
“No, we’re going to be late. We have to go there right away and stop them from fighting,” said Cigarate.
Considering Jack's speed, it would not take him long to reach the residential district. If they were late, they might not be able to stop their fight.
"I don't understand why you want to stop them from fighting. I think it will be quite interesting to watch. Besides, we get to see Lee Shin’s skills again,” said Vuela.
"No, the fight will not be fair if I already know his skills. I want to fight him on equal grounds, that’s why,” said Cigarate.
Vuela just chuckled and did not object to his words. Although Cigarate seemed to have his own reasons, Vuela thought that Cigarate was mistaken. Lee Shin’s power, as witnessed on the 20th floor, had reached a level where even if the opponent used the most underhanded means, their victory could not be guaranteed. Now, on the 30th floor, it was unimaginable how much stronger Lee Shin had become.
"Let's just go for now," said Vuela.
Vuela shook his head, looking at Cigarate, who dreamed of having a fierce face-off with Lee Shin.
Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experience