Chapter 222: Chapter 222

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 222

Haruto Iwase and Shun Kaneda.

Both were sharpening their blades of vengeance.

All because of one Korean.

“I still can't sleep just thinking about that bastard.”

“Haruto, I completely agree with you.”

Shun Kaneda’s thirst for revenge was especially intense.

How many times had he died at the hands of that insane Korean?

Because of him, they lost their items and couldn't log into New World for a while.

During that suspended time, they cursed the Korean like mad.

They exhausted every method to cast curses, and as a result, an opportunity for revenge arrived.

The beings they contracted with were a bit different from ordinary Transcendents.

Instead of relaying messages, they spoke directly to them.

It wasn’t just curiosity that drove them; the lure of being granted the power for revenge was the deciding factor.

And, upon making the contract, they received explosive power and were continuously informed of locations filled with fortune for growth.

Thanks to this, Haruto Iwase, Shun Kaneda, and their companions became incomparably stronger than before.

“Getting revenge isn’t impossible.”

Shun Kaneda’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Shun, we have to kill him no matter what.”

Haruto felt the same way.

He had been stripped of his Transcendental powers by that guy.

His contract with the Transcendent was for the same reason as Shun Kaneda’s.

And behind them stood twelve guild members.

They were people Shun Kaneda had convinced to join.

They, too, were lured by the promise of power and had taken on the quest to kill the Korean.

[Avatar Quest: Eliminate]

- Requirement: Avatar contracted with Upper Apostle-grade Transcendent

- Reward: Level up by 40 + Class Rank Up

- Description: Succeed in your revenge.

Upon a successful revenge, they would gain a massive 40-level increase, and their current class rank would advance by one tier.

It was an unbelievably generous reward.

Especially for Shun Kaneda and Haruto Iwase, their rewards were of a different dimension.

Shun Kaneda was promised a hidden class advancement, allowing him to replace the Dark Lord.

And Haruto Iwase was granted the promise of yet another Transcendental power.

“Finally, we’re going to crush that bastard.”

Haruto Iwase surveyed his surroundings with eyes blazing with fury.

Using a round-trip ticket, they quickly arrived in Seoul, South Korea.

“Yes, this time, we’re going to kill him.”

Shun Kaneda, originally friendly towards Korea, had come to hate it intensely due to the Dark Lord’s plunder.

They could only track him while he was inside a dungeon.

Following the Transcendent’s instructions, they waited patiently.

***

“As you said, they’ve shown up in Seoul.”

Across from Yeo Min-Ji sat Jeong-hoon.

And beside him sat his mother, Lee Na-yeon.

“Who on earth are those guys that you’re talking about so seriously?”

His mother was unaware of the existence of Haruto Iwase and Shun Kaneda.

“They’re targeting me.”

“Targeting… you?”

“Yes.”

Jeong-hoon nodded.

Only then did his mother’s expression turn serious.

“This won’t do. If they’re coming after my son, I can’t just stand by.”

Unlike before his return, she had continued growing as a Genesis Sniper.

As his mother, she would surely be a great help to Jeong-hoon.

“Thank you. I wanted to explain why they’re after me.”

Jeong-hoon briefly explained what happened in New World.

Of course, he left out the part about repeatedly killing them and causing their accounts to be suspended.

“So… they believe you stole their items, thinking they were entitled to them?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Ridiculous. Items go to whoever gets them first, don’t they?”

“Apparently, they didn’t think so.”

Jeong-hoon chuckled bitterly.

“We can’t just ignore this. I was holding back because you asked, Jeong-hoon, but Ho-Yeong’s side will respond strongly.”

Yeo Min-Ji was also furious.

But Jeong-hoon shook his head.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Why? There are only 14 of them.”

“It’s highly likely they’ve made a contract with a Transcendent.”

“A Transcendent…?”

These unidentified figures who had approached them, now materializing into reality—those were the Transcendents.

If one makes a contract with them, they’re bound to live as complete puppets, but they gain tremendous power.

“The fact that 14 of them have come to Korea together means they’re tracking me. In other words, the contract is complete.”

“…So what do you plan to do?”

“I’ll just need some support. I’ll handle them myself.”

“But still…”

“It’s fine. I’ve got a plan.”

Jeong-hoon smiled slightly.

“A plan?”

“Yes."

***

Perfect.

The group waiting in Seoul headed straight for the dungeon he’d entered.

But standing guard outside were more than 20 users.

‘Dark King.’

Shun Kaneda recognized him instantly.

One of Korea’s elite Seven, the Dark King.

Yeo Sunwoo was preparing for a dungeon raid.

In other words, if they get past these people and enter the dungeon, the target will be there.

One corner of Shun Kaneda’s mouth twisted upward.

“It’s a trap.”

“I think so, too,” Haruto Iwase said, biting his lip.

Through information gathered beforehand, they knew the target was affiliated with Ho-Yeong.

Whatever the case, it seemed the target had anticipated their ambush.

“Could it be that he’s also made a contract?”

Kaneda asked with a frown.

No contract?

Iwase gestured towards Ho-Yeong’s forces with his chin.

“Should we just crush them?”

“…But the leader’s the Dark King. It won’t be easy.”

“So, are we giving up on revenge?”

“Is there any other way?”

Can he intervene to that extent?!

Kaneda’s face lit up. He knew that even in a contract, intervention beyond issuing quests was uncommon.

As expected, the Transcendent they contracted with was different from the usual ones.

“Urgh!”

“Damn it! What’s happening all of a sudden?!”

Their reaction was immediate.

Including the Dark King, Yeo Sun-woo, the users fell into confusion, and their previously impenetrable formation began to waver.

However it was done, the blocked path was now clear.

“Let’s go.”

Kaneda led his group into the dungeon.

Not long after, the Ho-Yeong forces, who had been thrown into disarray, regained their composure.

“G-Guild Master!”

“Yes, the dungeon?”

“It seems the entrance is sealed! We can’t get in.”

“Just as… Hoon said.”

A Transcendent.

Whoever these entities were, they were capable of defying all logic.

To think they could cloud the vision of those outside the dungeon entrance.

Even worse, the previously open dungeon entrance was now sealed, making entry impossible.

‘There are levels among Transcendents.’

Jeong-hoon had provided brief information about Transcendents, though it was unclear how he’d obtained it.

Those who assist growth through contracts and quests are at the Apostle grade.

Those able to intervene briefly in reality are at the Demon King grade.

Of course, their influence is limited to their contractors’ vicinity, with greater reach inside dungeons.

‘But there are restrictions, right?’

What those restrictions were, he didn’t know, as Jeong-hoon hadn’t elaborated.

“Guild Master, what should we do…? The young lady is inside…”

Park In-tae asked with a troubled expression.

“It’s alright. Hoon is in there with her.”

Even as Yeo Sun-woo spoke calmly, his face betrayed worry.

No parent in the world could be completely untroubled when their child was in danger, no matter how capable Jeong-hoon might be.

But what was done was done.

All that was left now was to wait for their return.

* * *

[Master! It looks like they’re inside!]

‘They managed to break through, so it won’t be easy.’

Jeong-hoon had deliberately stationed Yeo Sun-woo and some Hoyeong guild members outside the dungeon.

‘If they contracted with an Apostle-grade Transcendent, a battle would have broken out outside.’

He had asked them to prevent entry, but there’d been no contact from Yeo Sun-woo.

That was per Jeong-hoon’s request.

In case of combat, they were to send an SOS signal; otherwise, he asked them not to reach out.

The lack of communication suggested the Transcendent had actively intervened.

‘That means it’s Demon King grade.’

Jeong-hoon’s brow furrowed.

Why was a Demon King-level entity intervening twice this early?

He didn’t know the reason, but the priority now was eliminating the intruders.

“Well, shall we begin?”

“…I didn’t expect your plan would be a straightforward brawl,” Yeo Min-ji remarked, on guard and ready for battle by his side.

“We’re martial artists, after all.”

Jeong-hoon grinned.

“That’s true.”

She chuckled as well.

“And we’re not alone.”

Jeong-hoon summoned Fenrir and Michael.

“Yes, Master.”

“You called?”

Both stood respectfully, their posture disciplined.

With Jeong-hoon summoning them more frequently, even Michael had become more obedient.

“Good. There’s something I need you two to do.”

“What would that be?”

“Soon, intruders will come this way. Lend your strength.”

If they were Avatars, he would eliminate them without mercy.

It wasn’t long before familiar faces appeared.

Jeong-hoon’s mouth twitched.

‘Shun Kaneda, Haruto Iwase.’

Just like Lee Hwa-rang, these traitors from before his regression now faced him again as Avatars.

Such a cruel twist of fate.

“Hey, you damned Joseon scum!”

Shun Kaneda shouted, his eyes blazing as he glared at Jeong-hoon.

Jeong-hoon raised his middle finger with a smirk.

“Th-that bastard?!”

Beside him, Haruto Iwase’s face twisted in fury.

“Ha, you idiot. Do we look like easy prey to you now?”

At Kaneda’s question, Jeong-hoon nodded.

“Yeah. You look ridiculously easy.”

“.......”

"Stop stalling. If you're going to attack, do it already. I'm not here to waste time."

Jeong-hoon flicked his fingers, and Fenrir, standing behind him, activated his power.

[The giant wolf Fenrir uses Hunter's Gaze.]

Hunter's Gaze.

[Movement speed decreased by 20%.]

[Enemies are inflicted with fear.]

[All stats decreased by 10%.]

As the debuffs applied, Jeong-hoon began his own preparations. Layering multiple buffs, from Black Field to Celestial Aura, he stacked debuffs on the opponents.

"W-what is this?!"

"Damn it!"

Shocked expressions spread across their faces as they felt their strength draining.

"This'll be over in one shot."

Jeong-hoon drew Anima’s bowstring.

The ultimate arrow.

His intent was clear: end it swiftly.

[All debuffs are dispelled.]

Suddenly, all the stacked debuffs vanished without a trace.

It was the work of the Transcendent contracted with his opponents.

‘Of course, so that's your move.’

The Transcendent had no choice but to intervene. If these contracted avatars were annihilated, it would lose its status as a Transcendent. To prevent that, it had paid an additional cost to dispel the debuffs.

"Is it you? The true form of the projection?"

The Transcendent gave no response, but that was all Jeong-hoon needed.

Because he already knew the answer.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]