Translator: Vine
Translated At: Nyx Scans
Chapter: 61
"Master!"
Sungyoon shouted loudly.
His voice was so powerful that Jehwi, standing right beside him, nearly jumped.
Everyone's gaze, except for Yoo Hwan and Eunha, momentarily turned towards Sungyoon.
And through the crowd, Jaemin strode forward and stood squarely before him.
"Let it go, Do Sungyoon. Just as it's getting interesting, are you planning to pour cold water on the duel?"
"Are you sane? You see Master's condition and still talk about a duel?"
Yoo Hwan had deactivated 'Golden Fillet'.
Anyone from Immortal would know what that meant.
However, Jaemin had no intention of backing down.
Jaemin was the Immortal Guild's second-in-command, and Sungyoon was the third.
However, that ranking was merely based on the order of joining the guild; their combat abilities could be considered nearly equal.
Yet, Sungyoon, a skilled individual on par with himself, was rescued by a contract hunter from Wolf, and an F-Class at that?
Absurd.
That wasn't all.
'She's not just some F-Class anyway, right?'
Yoo Hwan had clearly said so.
Jaemin intended to confirm the truth with his own eyes.
"I'll warn you once more. Let it go."
"If you plan to interfere with the duel, I'll cut you down, even if it's you."
Ssssst—
A red blade materialized menacingly above Jaemin's shoulder.
'Blade Manifestation'.
A unique ability of Jaemin's that Sungyoon knew well.
Staring at the blade aimed at him, Sungyoon bit his lower lip and spoke.
"Are you telling me to just stand by and watch my lifesaver get beaten up?"
"That woman saved you guys, didn't she?"
"If that's true, she won't go down with a single punch."
"Heo Jaemin, you...!"
Screech. The red blade slowly turned towards Sungyoon.
"Do Sungyoon. Don't disappoint Master any further."
A voice colder than the blade.
Not only Jaemin, but most of the guild members were looking at Sungyoon, who was defending Wolf, reproachfully.
Amidst the gazes piercing him like arrows, Sungyoon ultimately couldn't move any further.
A faint shadow fell beside Sungyoon, who clenched his fist in frustration.
"It's alright."
Sungyoon lifted his head.
The man with the good-natured smile was undoubtedly the man in the suit who had been sticking close to Eunha.
"You are—"
"Ah, I'm Park Jehwi from Silver Moon Management, in charge of managing this hunter."
"Silver Moon Management..."
Oh dear, I left my business cards behind.
Jehwi awkwardly scratched his cheek and added.
"Thank you for defending Ms. Hunter. But, it'll probably be fine."
Truthfully, until the duel began, Jehwi too had been trembling with anxiety.
Anyone who had heard even a little about Monkey King Yoo Hwan would know what a formidable figure he was.
His grip, capable of crushing the neck of a large monster with bare hands, was renowned, and there were even rumors that his physical strength was on par with China's Wang Wei, famous as the incarnation of the Ox Divine Beast.
However.
"Our Ms. Hunter is no pushover either."
Look. Jehwi discreetly gestured behind him.
His face was like that of a parent boasting about their child who had won first place in a math competition.
[Stance ① ▶ Chimpanzee │ Transformation Complete. Attack Power increases by 30%. Current Accumulated Training 931,864/999,999.]
[Power of the Twelve Divine Beast 'Monkey Shouldering the Heavens' ▶ When 'Golden Fillet' is released, an additional buff based on training level is granted.]
[Attack Power additionally increases by 93.18%.]
Crackle—
Red sparks flew around Yoo Hwan.
For an instant, Yoo Hwan's pupils flashed widely, and despite the absence of wind, his hair began to flutter.
"Alright, now it's my turn."
As Yoo Hwan clenched his fist, crackle, the menacing sound of bones popping echoed through the air.
And at the same time,
Tap!
Yoo Hwan vanished from sight.
Fast.
A speed impossible to follow with the eyes.
[Passive ▶ 'Cat's Whiskers' activated.]
'Behind!'
Barely sensing his presence, Eunha quickly twisted her upper body.
Kwaaaaaang—!!!
The ground beneath her feet vibrated madly, and her vision was instantly obscured by dust.
"...!"
Eunha reflexively raised both arms to cover her face.
The ground surface shattered, sending fragments of gravel flying in all directions.
Finally, when her blurry vision cleared, Eunha's pupils dilated slightly.
'The ground.'
It was only about 5cm from the tip of Eunha's shoe.
The spot was deeply caved in, as if a meteorite had fallen there.
Immense destructive power.
Staring at the menacing scar left on the ground, Eunha unconsciously muttered.
"...If I had been hit, I would have died, nine times out of ten."
So it was a lie that no one died in duels?
Then, a low chuckle was heard through the dust.
"You weren't hit, were you?"
Thump, thump.
Yoo Hwan approached, kneading his fist.
Despite creating such a massive manhole in the ground, his bandaged hand was perfectly fine.
Even considering he was an Awakened, his toughness was unbelievable.
'This is an S-Class physical enhancement hunter.'
Even if Eunha were to strike the ground with all her might right now, she couldn't expect this level of destructive power.
"I knew you'd dodge. I have a pretty good eye for people, you see."
Yoo Hwan stroked his bristly beard and looked at Eunha.
Eunha too met his gaze directly, without averting her eyes.
With Golden Fillet released, Yoo Hwan's attack power was currently several times higher than usual.
She must be feeling the difference in combat power keenly.
Yet, to maintain eye contact with him for so long after he released Golden Fillet showed not only skill but considerable guts.
In that case, he couldn't just stand by.
"Won't you join Immortal?"
At Yoo Hwan's sudden offer, Eunha remained silent for a moment before answering curtly.
"...Contract period."
"When the contract ends?"
"I'm thinking of quitting."
"Hunter work?"
"..."
Eunha didn't answer.
Yoo Hwan spoke with a genuinely uncomprehending expression.
"Why? Where else can you find such a great profession?"
Among modern professions, where else could one find a job that guaranteed such high income?
Of course, it included hazard pay, but the number of hunters dying during missions in modern times had long since plummeted.
With a certain amount of know-how, one could secure both wealth and fame while preserving one's life.
Moreover, for the combative Yoo Hwan, there was no job more perfectly suited.
However, the answer that came back from Eunha was surprisingly blunt.
"I'm sick of it now."
"...Huh?"
Yoo Hwan let out a short laugh.
She looked like a rookie who had just started her hunter activities.
'Just listening to her talk, you'd think she was a veteran hunter who'd been through decades of hardship.'
Yoo Hwan stared at Eunha as if fascinated.
"It's my turn next, right?"
Swoosh—
Eunha slightly lowered her upper body.
Yoo Hwan blinked a couple of times, then grinned.
"Yeah. Come at me."
Fwoosh!
Thwack, crunch! Whack!
No further conversation followed.
Only fists flew between the two.
Dust rose, and streetlights swayed.
Thick, web-like cracks spread across the ground where they stood.
The bandages wrapped around Yoo Hwan's fists had long since frayed.
"Impressive. You're the second person to dodge my attacks more than five times."
"Really?"
Eunha, having lightly dodged even the sixth attack, replied casually.
Yoo Hwan, as if expecting it, chuckled and asked.
"Aren't you curious who the first one was?"
"Not really."
"You're no fun in that regard."
Contrary to his words, Yoo Hwan's eyes held a look of intense interest.
Such a shame.
The one who felt regret usually lost.
Yoo Hwan decided to try his offer once more.
"Are you sure you don't want to join Immortal?"
Vroom! Kwaaang!!
"I have no intention of joining a guild."
Eunha, dodging Yoo Hwan's seventh attack, answered firmly.
At that, Yoo Hwan retorted somewhat bluntly.
"Then why did you go to Wolf's side?"
"I didn't join Wolf. It's just a contract. When the contract ends..."
Pause.
Eunha sharply lowered her gaze.
It was because her left wrist, which she had unconsciously touched, felt empty.
"Is this what you're looking for?"
Yoo Hwan dangled a thin, slender thread bracelet.
Observing the worn-out bracelet with curious eyes, he let out a light sigh.
"Ah, dear. It's a bit torn—"
It was then.
The eyes of Eunha, standing before him, suddenly turned golden.
Her pitch-black pupils seemed to slit vertically like a beast of prey, and then—
Whoosh!
She vanished from sight.
Simultaneously, a suffocating pressure constricted his breath.
'Dangerous.'
It was an instinctive judgment.
[Stance ② ▶ Orangutan │ Transformation Complete. Defense Power increases by 40%. Current Accumulated Training 673,218/999,999.]
[Power of the Twelve Divine Beast, 'Monkey Shouldering the Heavens' ▶ When 'Golden Fillet' is released, an additional buff based on training level is granted.]
[Defense Power additionally increases by 67.32%.]
He had never imagined he would use the Orangutan stance here, a stance he had never once transformed into outside a gate.
No, he hadn't even thought of using it.
—Until she changed her gaze, that is.
The woman before him seemed to close the distance in the blink of an eye, and then, in another instant, with a 'tap!' sound of her heels, she was several steps away.
'That oppressive feeling just now, what was...'
Something cold trickled down his spine.
It was for a very short moment.
Though he didn't want to admit it, Yoo Hwan had been 'overwhelmed' in that brief instant.
The fact that he had transformed into the Orangutan stance before even thinking was proof of that.
The most surprising fact was something else entirely.
The worn-out bracelet, which had been in his grasp just a second ago, was now back in her hand.
It had happened without even Yoo Hwan noticing.
"...I lost."
Eunha, staring blankly at the broken bracelet, suddenly declared her defeat.
"...What?"
Yoo Hwan, firmly maintaining the Orangutan stance, let out a deflated sound, looking dazed.
"I said I lost. The duel."
Eunha said once more, her gaze still fixed on the broken bracelet.
"..."
"..."
A not-so-short silence flowed.
Eunha, carefully tucking the bracelet into her sleeve, slowly began to move.
"Let's go back, Manager-nim."
"Huh? Ah..."
Jehwi, watching the situation from afar, blinked blankly.
His sister, Jerim, wore the exact same expression.
Eunha turned sharply.
Snapping back to reality, Jehwi said, "W-well then..." bowed repeatedly to those around, and hurriedly followed Eunha.
"Just a moment! W-wait up, Ms. Hunter! Jerim, let's go."
"U-uh, okay!"
As they disappeared like the wind, the Immortal guild members who had been watching the duel from afar erupted in cheers.
"Master! You're truly amazing!"
"See, it was nothing!"
Judging by their reactions, they all seemed to think Eunha had tucked her tail and fled.
Except for two.
"...Master."
Approaching Yoo Hwan were the guild's second and third-in-command, Jaemin and Sungyoon.
"Are you just going to let her go like this? The duel isn't over yet, is it?"
Jaemin clenched his fist in frustration.
But contrary to Jaemin's reaction, Yoo Hwan brushed the dust off his martial arts uniform and said.
"It's fine. We wouldn't have reached a conclusion with her anyway."
"What do you mean by that?"
Jaemin frowned, as if uncomprehending.
Wasn't it?
That statement implied Master's skill was equal to that woman's.
"She's the type who can't display her true abilities within the rules of a duel or competition."
Sometimes, a single exchange of fists can reveal more about an opponent than ten conversations.
Therefore, Yoo Hwan had realized it without any filter.
Rewrapping the loosened bandage around his fist, Yoo Hwan spoke with a somewhat heavy expression.
"I always say this. The way to win a duel and the way to kill an opponent are different."
"Yes... And so?"
"She doesn't know the former."
"Um, so that means."
"She's a practical fighter, you idiot."
Sungyoon, who had been listening quietly, pressed Jaemin's forehead firmly.
Yoo Hwan glanced at them briefly, then shifted his gaze in the direction Eunha had disappeared.
"...Right. So a conclusion wouldn't have been reached."
As if chasing her retreating figure, now a mere dot, his red eyes remained fixed there for a long while.
'An F-Class practical fighter hunter, the Princess of Dark Flare, huh...'
He took out the 'Ocean's Tear' Eunha had given him from his pants pocket.
