Chapter 194
“I failed to notice something even a human could sense?”
Although a shadow had caught Illaphael, he found it more shocking that his response was slower than Choi Yeonseung’s.
“How did you notice it?”
“This isn’t the time to ask that, is it?” Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded. Illaphael should focus on getting rid of the black shadow holding onto him before asking questions. No matter how strong Illaphael was, he was insignificant compared to Choi Yeonseung. Choi Yeonseung had more combat experience, more skills, and, above all… he was a constellation.
“These attacks don’t affect me.”
“If you’re going to say that, you should’ve just avoided it...”
Ignoring Choi Yeonseung, Illaphael spread his wings open. A powerful wave of magic attempted to tear apart the black shadow.
Thump!
… However, the black shadow only shook. The unexpected result made Illaphael’s eyes tremble.
“...... ”
Choi Yeonseung initially didn’t understand what was wrong. He thought Illaphael was simply preparing his magic. However, when nothing changed, he finally realized that Illaphael had failed.
“You failed?”
“No.” Illaphael spread his wings open again.
Thump!
… The black shadow remained.
“I don’t think you can cut it with magic. Should I help?”
Instead of answering, Illaphael drew his sword in hopes of cutting it using a different method. With a roar, the sword enveloped in divine flames collided with the shadow. However, it didn’t cut through.
Choi Yeonseung shook his head. “Make way. I’ll cut it off.”
“......”
Illaphael nodded, finally realizing that he could no longer be stubborn. However, at that moment, an ambush dropped down on them.
Bang!
Choi Yeonseung swung his sword upward, then threw a punch with his other hand, unleashing unimaginable destructive power with a single peak-class blow. Choi Yeonseung was currently under the protection of the angel constellation.
‘He’s not just any normal hunter!’
Marcaidel stopped the attack he had launched with his staff, the shock causing him to tremble. He heard this human was a close-range specialist who used a special skill called martial arts, but he didn’t expect him to be this strong.
[Marcaidel has used the ‘Crown Collector’s Shadow.’]
“!”
The world sent a warning message as a black tentacle-like shadow emerged from Marcaidel’s sword. Seeing Illaphael get captured and do something stupid, Choi Yeonseung just couldn’t take it anymore.
Boom!
He extended his finger and fired a powerful internal energy bullet at Marcaidel to keep him in check, not kill him. Thinking he didn’t have to change stances just to block it, Marcaidel stood still and simply took it head-on. Taking advantage of that little gap, Choi Yeonseung immediately rushed in and unsheathed his sword. If Marcaidel’s sword was imbued with evil magic, then Choi Yeonseung could just grab the wrist holding it than the sword itself.
Witnessing magic containing constellation powers stunned Marcaidel. The melee combat masters in the Abyss were armed with powerful and fraudulent skills. They were so powerful that they had become arrogant.
Choi Yeonseung was fundamentally different from them. He started as an underdog, so he was good at these types of techniques.
Choi Yeonseung fired a concentrated fist energy through the gap that Marcaidel had shown. The Concentrated Energy Arts technique that Choi Yeonseung executed was so powerful that Marcaidel vomited blood.
-... Nice move!
Being hit with the concentrated fist energy made Marcaidel immediately realize that Choi Yeonseung was far stronger than he thought. Hence, he changed tactics. Marcaidel quickly slipped into the shadows of his dungeon and moved away.
‘Tsk.’
Choi Yeonseung was disappointed. If he had locked the opponent down a bit longer, he could have already killed him...
‘That demon is no joke.’
His current opponent was in a completely different league compared to Glenn, the ex-champion who used to be under the collector constellation’s influence. However, that was only natural. Human hunters had only been fighting for decades at most. Meanwhile, most of the Abyss races already had hundreds or thousands of years of combat experience. They inevitably had a huge difference in accumulated combat experience and skills.
“Come out! Fight me fair and square!” Choi Yeonseung exclaimed. He knew it wouldn’t work, but he threw it out on the off chance that it could. Surprisingly, the provocation worked well for the prideful tribes of the Abyss since they found it quite humiliating to be told such remarks by a weak race like humans.
-I acknowledge your skills, warrior of the Incarnation.
However, Marcaidel simply responded verbally instead of showing himself.
-I covet your body. I’m going to add it to my collection.
“......”
Choi Yeonseung frowned.
‘This is why necromancers...’
However, contrary to Choi Yeonseung’s provocation, Marcaidel was quite serious. Marcaidel?was a demon skilled in both black magic and magical swordsmanship. It was really rare for a human to gain the upper hand against him in close-range combat. He couldn’t help but feel excited at the thought of how powerful he would become if he could get his hands on Choi Yeonseung and use him.
“Illaphael, are you okay?” Choi Yeonseung checked on his ally now that Marcaidel had disappeared.
“......!”
Much to Choi Yeonseung’s shock, Illaphael’s face was turning black because of the shadow that was still holding onto him.
“This magic… is more powerful than I thought.” Illaphael gritted his teeth.
Assuming that Marcaidel would be waiting in the center of the dungeon with the president of France was a mistake. Marcaidel was playing a much more active role than Illaphael had anticipated. Rather than staying in the center of the dungeon, he waited at the entrance to snipe down Illaphael using the power his constellation had bestowed upon him.
It was a huge gamble, but it worked. What further bothered Illaphael was that he could’ve avoided this situation if he had just listened to the advice of Choi Yeonseung, who had already sensed this surprise attack earlier.
“I’ll cut it now.”
“Cutting doesn’t work. The magic power is already eroding my body.”
The hunters belatedly realized the situation and started to talk. It was similar to a black magician contaminating a corpse with magic when raising the undead. In other words...
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung.”
“?”
“You have to kill him.”
An angel as strong as Illaphael becoming the puppet of their opponent was a terrifying thought. All the powers and blessings they had received from him would go to the other side. Even if it meant they would have to retreat, they had to kill Illaphael.
“Isn’t that too much?”
“It’s not! You have to kill him!”’
Choi Yeonseung and the hunters had different standards. Choi Yeonseung wasn’t too flustered since he had experienced more severe cases in the Abyss, but for the hunters, this was an extremely dangerous situation. They didn’t expect to face this situation as soon as they entered the dungeon, but since they were already here, they couldn’t help but act based on principles.
“Kill me,” Illaphael said with determination. It was better to die than let Marcaidel’s magic power erode and turn him into Marcaidel’s puppet.
“Yes. I understand.” Choi Yeonseung began punching Illaphael, surprising the hunters.
‘We told you to kill him, but at least say something before you do!’
Bang!
Choi Yeonseung infused internal energy into Illaphael with each attack. The pure internal energy, which had been refined to the limit, began to emit white light and burn inside Illaphael. Not long after, it began to push out the shadow that Marcaidel had summoned using his constellation’s power.
“...!!!”
Illaphael looked at Choi Yeonseung in astonishment. The attacks didn’t just have internal energy. Power of existence was also imbued in them. How could a mortal unleash such a thing together with internal energy? Didn’t he know how much strength was needed to use it?
“Hmmm… It’s pretty persistent.”
“I… I told you to just kill me!”
Choi Yeonseung ignored Illaphael. Although other hunters were watching, he couldn’t afford to lose a combatant like Illaphael.
“I don’t have to use my internal energy.”
Choi Yeonseung closed his eyes and sharpened his senses. The dungeon they were in was swirling with great magic power. Martial artists could absorb and turn it into internal energy. He normally would’ve taken his time settling it down, but…
Choi Yeonseung absorbed the magic power, immediately turned it into internal energy, and sent it into Illaphael.
“Aaaaaaack!”
“H-Hunter Choi Yeonseung. Wouldn’t it be better to just kill him? No matter how cheeky and arrogant he is, torturing an angel to death is a bit...”
Flustered, the hunters watching from behind tried to stop Choi Yeonseung. Illaphael’s scream was filled with so much pain. Even his expression, which had been coldly emotionless, distorted with sweat. No matter how unavoidable the situation, this was still the household member of a constellation. He should be granted a swift death. Torturing him like this...
“Aaack! Aaaack!”
“I’m sorry. You would have been in far more comfort if I did this with my internal energy, but I have to save it for the fight.”
He was fighting against the constraints in this realm, so he had to pay attention to his internal energy. In this situation, he couldn’t run himself dry. However, all Illaphael felt was genuine killing intent. It would have been better not to say that, so why did he?
‘I can’t believe there is a guy like this!’
Marcaidel admired Choi Yeonseung. It was quite dissatisfying to miss a fish as big as Illaphael. However, he really coveted Choi Yeonseung’s ability. He now understood why the collector constellation made the suggestion!
‘I’m sorry, master, but I must have that mortal!’
Marcaidel would study and master martial arts through Choi Yeonseung, then pass it on to his subordinates. The thought of arming his death knight army with martial arts delighted him.
***
“... First of all, I want to express my gratitude, human.”
“For the pain?”
Choi Yeonseung looked at the angel with a shocked expression. The races of the Abyss lived for so long that many of them developed twisted tastes. The succubi even had to confine themselves because of their uncontrollable desires. The angels could be just like them.
“No, I’m grateful that you saved me.”
“Ah. That’s good to know.”
The hunters were very surprised when Illaphael was freed from the black shadow. It was unbelievable, but he survived!
“I’m glad you have been freed, angel.”
“I knew all along that you would survive.”
“... I’m going to kill you if you don’t get out of my sight.”
After being told that he was cheeky and arrogant, the comfort of the hunters was like pouring oil on the fire.
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung. I think the angel is angry.”
“It’s okay. I’ll stop him if he does anything.”
“Human. What do you think we should do?” Illaphael asked Choi Yeonseung now that he had regained his magic power.
“All that matters is we rescue the kidnapped president, right? If so, then we just have to reach the center without falling for worthless tricks.”
-Listen carefully, humans.
Marcaidel spoke again.
-Do you want to save the king of France?
“He’s the president, not the king. Our opponent doesn’t even seem to know the difference...”
-If you do, then there’s only one way you’ll save him. Dedicate that human to me. If you do, I swear on my master that I will return the king to you.
Marcaidel was talking about Choi Yeonseung. From the hunters’ perspective, It should have been bound to sound tempting. They only had to sacrifice one person to save the king of a kingdom, which was a great feat!
‘Come on, fight each other, mortals!’
“I’m sorry, but the president of France isn’t that important.”
“Honestly, if we can’t get him back, then it can’t be helped.”
-...... ?
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