After the sparring with Fiore. Returning to the hotel, Kang Yoo-sik washed his body and focused once again on the swordsmanship he wielded during the sparring. ‘The more I think about it, the more absurd it is…’
Having only used magic, he fought on an equal footing with Fiore, who was considered the best swordsman among S-class hunters. He knew that Sword Soul was a fraud among his unique skills, but seeing it like this, he thought it was a bit harsh.
‘What?’ This time, Percival’s swordsmanship also played a part.’ Basically, the swordsman’s optimal swordsmanship in the current situation was quite important. Surrounding environment, attacking enemies, user's stats, or sword-related skills.
In addition to that, considering numerous factors, the optimal swordsmanship was drawn in front of the individual. Because of that, when the situation changed, the swordsmanship also changed accordingly, and again when Percival taught him some swordsmanship. The swordsmanship, which should have been easily subdued, had been changed to subdue in one blow!
‘Perhaps this swordsmanship is Percival’s real ability.’
When he didn’t know anything about swordsmanship, he thought it would be one of his many abilities, but this time he was certain as he took a peek at some of them through Swordsmanship.
The reason why Troyes became a disaster-class demon and survived in a fierce battle with 7 S-class hunters was probably because she was able to perfectly handle this swordsmanship. ‘It wouldn’t be bad if I completely switched to being a swordsman.’
It was not that his magic skills were bad, but considering the potential to grow in the future, swordsmanship with the example of Diamond Sword might be better. It was a matter for her to think about seriously, so Kang Yoo-sik thought for a moment, and he quickly came to a conclusion.
‘It's a bit like that.'
He didn’t hate swordsmanship, but he felt cumbersome, like wearing clothes that didn’t fit her body a bit. Besides, her swordsmanship required her to fight face-to-face with the enemy, so she only increased the risk of getting hurt.
‘I’m not even the Geumgang Shingeom.’
The core skills may be the same, but she herself didn’t want to fight impatiently because she couldn’t possibly die that way. Kang Yoo-sik, who decided to use swordsmanship only when hiding his identity or stabbing unwary people in the belly, wiped himself and came out. Lucia and Fiore were waiting for her in the living room, and Kang Yoo-sik sat across from her and opened her mouth.
“First of all, I will explain to you two in more detail what Walpurgis Night is like.” Kang Yoo-sik explained based on what he had seen and experienced before returning to his hometown, and the two people who heard the story made slightly cautious expressions.
“Then, will we be able to meet the Pandaemonium characters there too?”
“Perhaps. Pandaemonium is a loyal customer among the participants.” Pandaemonium was the largest of the seven territories. In addition, there was no hesitation in attracting Mine, so every time Walpurgis Night opened, they aggressively recruited them.
In addition, since this event itself was a place where each faction showcased their strength in a way, Pandaemonium would definitely not be missing. “…Wouldn’t it be dangerous to meet with us?”
“Is it because of Agares before?”
At Kang Yoo-sik's question, Fiore nodded. Previously during Cosa Nostra's internal struggle, Agares, a catastrophic monster who participated as a reinforcement, became a half-trooper due to Fiore, Ahn Seol-ha, and Ban Hye-young's pincer attack.
Since he was a high-ranking official, he could definitely get along with him, but there was no need to worry about that part. “Walpurgis Night is implicitly a non-combat zone, so there is no need to worry. And if you bring up the events of that day, you lose more.”
Back alley thugs had begun to make a fuss to pay for treatment, but those who had settled down in the underworld like Pandaemonium would be in a hurry to hide such things. What was there to brag about when you intervened in the internal struggle of another organization and started it, and then it was smashed to pieces? “I can grumble a bit, but just think of it as child’s play and pass it on. That's just it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Your explanation is very intuitive.” Kang Yoo-sik started talking in earnest at the sight of the two smiling as if the tension had been relieved. “There are a total of two things I am aiming for in Walpurgis Night this time.”
From there, the two people looked at it with a serious look, and Kang Yoo-sik calmly explained. “The first is to find out why the Revelation of the Fallen suddenly held Walpurgis Night. And the second… … Steal one of the items stored in that venue.”
His response slightly froze the surrounding atmosphere, and after a while, Fiore asked in an absurd voice. “Are you going to steal something from there?”
"Yes." Walpurgis Night was held in a different location each time, so there were few valuables kept inside.
However, that was just one thing. Every time Tacheon's Revelation held Walpurgis Night, there was an item that Kang Yoo-sik was aiming for. “Ugh. Isn't that a bit too reckless? If there was only a revelation from the Fallen, it would be okay, but if it's a place where executives from other organizations also participate….”
It was difficult to avoid all of their attention, and if one were to get caught, one may end up antagonizing the whole underworld as a reward for breaking the rules. It might be worth it, but in Fiore's eyes, the risk was far too great. Recognizing such concerns, Kang Yoo-sik calmly spoke. “It is definitely dangerous. But you don't have to worry about others like that.”
"Well?"
“We aren’t the only ones who are making tweaks.” Fiore, who had a puzzled expression on her face, soon understood the meaning and smiled bitterly.
“Indeed… There must have been a reason for the tacit agreement.”
“All the guys from the back world are there.”
All that mattered was success or failure, survival or death. And Kang Yoo-sik was confident that he could do both. Although he hadn't tried it himself before returning, he had been instrumental in making it a success. “If you two refuse, I will try another route. If I get caught, I might be in trouble.”
It was never going to happen, but if one didn’t seek consent in advance, even a good relationship would eventually creak. “Um….”
When Fiore thought carefully about what to do with Kang Yoo-sik's response. “Is that what the boss means?”
Lucia, who had been quietly listening to the story, asked. These were unwaveringly transparent eyes and pure questions without any ulterior motives. Seeing that, Kang Yoo-sik opened his mouth, realizing how he should answer. "Yes. That's what I mean.”
“Okay. Then that is enough.” Lucia smiled and bowed her head toward Kang Yoo-sik. “I will follow your orders, boss."
There had been acceptance without hesitation. Fiore's eyes widened at that sight, and Kang Yoo-sik's gaze soon went to the ring on his left hand. "Indeed… … It didn't just mean that.”
Fiore, who accurately recognized the relationship between Kang Yoo-sik and Lucia, bowed her head in the same way, feeling a little regretful. “I will also follow your orders.”
At this, Kang Yoo-sik stroked the ring on the ring finger of his left hand at the sight of the two bowing their heads. In addition to this, he opened his mouth with a satisfied smile. “Then let’s start by matching the party outfits.”
* * *
Dark night sky and quiet mountain road.
The surrounding scenery, which seemed to be enveloped in silence, made me feel like he had violated a place he shouldn't have entered. ‘Wherever you go, the entrance is the same.’
Kang Yoo-sik calmly looked outside in the silence, and after a while, he saw a sturdy barricade blocking access. However, the car in which Kang Yoo-sik and his party rode rushed toward the barricade without slowing down.
Two-woong—
With a faint ripple, a new landscape unfolded before his eyes. It was a mansion that shone brightly under the dark night sky. In addition to this, there were numerous luxury foreign cars advancing towards the entrance. The atmosphere changed in the blink of an eye, and Lucia and Fiore also looked at each other with slightly surprised expressions. "Incredible….”
“I couldn’t believe I was hiding it completely like this….”
He felt a faint sense of difference, but he had never imagined that it would cover a third of the mountain. Realizing again what a huge festival Walpurgis Night was, the two people's expressions hardened slightly, and Kang Yoo-sik smiled. “Don't be too surprised. You will be more surprised when you go in.”
After passing through the main gate of the mansion and stopping in front of the main gate, attendants dressed in suits and waiting neatly opened the door. Kang Yoo-sik, who got out of the car, looked at the mansion in front of him while adjusting his suit. ‘He’s ignorantly big….’
There were exterior walls and blue roofs. It was a magnificent and splendid appearance like a mansion in France, but the surrounding lights shined on it, making it look even more splendid. Lucia and Fiore, who came down afterwards, also looked up with nervous eyes as if they were slightly overwhelmed by the scene, and Kang Yoo-sik whispered a small whisper. “It goes up.”
The two, seated on either side with Lucia in the middle, climbed the stairs and headed for the main entrance of the mansion. “Could you show me the invitation?”
In response to the question of the attendant who was guarding the front door, Lucia took out an invitation from her bosom and handed it over. After confirming the contents, he stepped aside and bowed his head. “Welcome to Walpurgis Night.”
Upon entering the mansion, the central staircase leading to the second floor was immediately visible, and the attendant who had been waiting inside approached. “I will take you as the president.”
The three of them followed the attendant to the venue on the second floor, and Lucia, who was examining the surrounding decorations, asked quietly. “The servant who was guarding the entrance just now. Perhaps….”
“It's not a catastrophe, it's a top-notch mine. It’s about the same level as an S-class hunter or a little less.”
“At that level, you can consider it an S-class hunter.”
At Kang Yoo-sik and Fiore's explanation, Lucia made a slightly absurd expression. “To have that kind of person as a gatekeeper… It's amazing.”
“Because that would be enough to catch trespassers. The person in charge of security is probably a catastrophe.”
In addition to this, among those who were invited, there must be a number of disaster-class demons or S-class hunter-class strongmen. Lucia, who had only heard the story and experienced the scale of it, caught her breath with a tense expression. “Even though I’ve heard of it beforehand, seeing it in person is different… .”
“Everything is like that. Don't think too hard though. Even if it’s extreme, we follow the rules inside the venue.”
While talking, we arrived at the entrance of the venue where the party was being held, and Kang Yoo-sik touched the mask on his face. It was a mask created by remembering the memories he used before returning. It was a dull shape with red lines on a black background, but the reaction around it was quite good.
‘Especially he liked it.’
If that was the case this time too, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to talk. After adjusting the red and white masks that Lucia and Fiore were also wearing, the attendant confirmed that they were ready and opened the door. The door opened and the chairman, who was having a party in full swing, appeared.
In addition to this, the moment the eyes of those inside it poured toward the entrance. Kugu-gung—
The feeling of pressure had begun to emanate from the whole body. He hadn’t done anything special, he just looked at the newcomers normally. However, only the very faint emotions contained in it were filled with ignorant magical power and oppressed the three people.
“Ugh….”
What happened because dozens of people gathered in the venue all had powers comparable to those of S-class hunters. Lucia's posture was about to break under the pressure, and Fiore's face stiffened slightly at the sight. ‘But if you radiate more power than this….’
Even if it looked hostile, it would surely be difficult. The moment when Fiore's eyes were about to frown over the mask at the exquisite pressure that prevented them from helping each other….
Huung! Kang Yoo-sik's magical power gently relieved the pressure that was pouring down on Lucia. “Stand up, keep your head straight.”
“…Yes."
At Kang Yoo-sik's story, Lucia brightened her eyes and straightened her posture, and the three of them shook off the pressure and entered the venue. ‘Did I even have time to help others….’ ‘
There was something different about that black mask.’
Everyone in the venue focused their attention on one person, Kang Yoo-sik.
"You… What did you just do?”
"I'm used to controlling my magic. It's not such a big deal.”
Kang Yoo-sik didn't think much of it, but Fiore made an admiring expression. Even though he used the same amount of magic as himself, he even deemed to help Lucia. This was because it meant that the ability to control mana had been excellent. ‘It amazes me every time I see it….’
When Fiore looked at it curiously. Lucia put on an embarrassed expression. "Sorry. Even though I was prepared, it was still quite dangerous….”
“If you stop, you’ve done well. Even if people around me help me, there are often cases where I can’t stand it and kneel down.”
“Is that so?"
“I’m sure of it."
Before returning, he had been just like that. Recalling his past memories, Kang Yoo-sik sipped his glass, realizing how different he had become. ‘Come to think of it, did Ahn Seol-ha arrive?'
Kang Yoo-sik, who calmly looked around the venue, soon found three people far away. She was a woman who wore a silver mask and dress and had begun to talk to others. She was a woman in a black mask and dress who quietly sat beside him.
In addition to this, a woman in a blue mask and dress eating only dessert while slightly dissatisfied. He covered her face and even changed the color and style of her hair, but the atmosphere had given her a sense of who she was.
‘It looks like Ahn Seol-ha came without a problem.’
Now, all that was left was to start working in earnest by resolving the story with Mine who would come to them soon. While Kang Yoo-sik was waiting for his turn…
“Now we will reveal the next item.”
The voice of the presenter standing on the stage resonated, and all the eyes of those around him turned to it. “This item is still a young human, but it is a quality product with great potential. It must be useful in that it can be used either way.”
The moderator briefly introduced the product, looked sideways, and after a while, a neatly dressed product walked out. There was pale skin with her dark brown hair. Now, she was about the age of a senior in elementary school, but she didn't show any emotion in her eyes.
‘…What is it?’
It was a face he was seeing for the first time, but he felt strangely familiar. In particular, the urge to hit her in the back of the head grew rapidly, and Kang Yoo-sik frowned at the unfamiliar sensation
While Yoo-sik looked at him strangely…
“The brand name is Escar.”
It was at that moment when the voice of the moderator was heard. A huge bolt of lightning then struck Kang Yoo-sik's head.
Escar, a catastrophe who gave clues that ruined his business. He was up for auction!
“I will start the auction now!”
At the same time as the moderator's declaration, hands were raised from all over the place, and the amount was quickly updated. In the meantime, Kang Yoo-sik frantically racked his brains over how to boil and eat that bastard, and raised his hand as he came to a conclusion.
“Five times.”
And with that, he smashed the fiercely going auction.
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