The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 434



Only Krnovel

Episode 434

#434. Why did you plan something like this?

Kang Mu-hyeok carefully observed the shape of Mana in the sky.

Although others might not be able to see it, he and Thomas were the only exceptions, as mana addiction affected their five senses.

“Did you draw it with mana? What kind of geometric pattern is that…?”

“It’s a magic circle.”

“Is that a magic circle? That can’t be. There must be quite a few conditions and materials required to activate a magic circle. And even Thomas Hunter has never seen the structure of a magic circle before. How is that possible?”

“When I fought Mirage at Mungyeong Pass. I saw it then.”

Only then did Kang Mu-hyeok remember the report on the Battle of Mungyeong Pass that he had received.

The story was that Thomas broke Mirage’s magic circle.

‘So you remembered the entire mana structure back then and recreated it? And you replaced it all with mana, ignoring all the necessary conditions and materials?’

Kang Moo-hyuk spoke while looking at the mana shapes swaying in the sky.

“But is it okay to activate something like that indiscriminately? It must have been hard to fill up all the missing parts with mana. I’m worried that Thomas Hunter’s body might get damaged if this continues.”

“It’s okay because I haven’t activated it yet. I just drew a picture. When that magic circle descends to the ground and settles, the mana will increase by tens of times. However, it will definitely attract attention. People won’t be able to rush in without thinking.”

“I don’t think that’s just a glance?”

Kang Moo-hyuk seemed to know why Thomas had come out with the magic circle that Mirage had used.

‘Because this is Europe.’

Since ancient times, Mirage has been using various crafting items and magic circles to supplement its lack of power.

While most guilds and hunter organizations developed magic circles to deal with monsters rather than humans, Mirage used them solely to deal with hunters who got in their way.

Most of the battle records of Mirage were not shared, so Kang Mu-hyeok had not been able to find out about them. However, starting from the last battle at Mungyeong Pass, the World Hunters’ Federation had searched for related records and had acquired all information about Mirage.

It was clear that Thomas had come up with this method because he recognized that the magic circle was one of Miraju’s unique fighting methods, as he also shared some of it.

“Indeed. If you’re a European hunter who has fought many battles with Mirage… Especially an S-rank hunter, you would know what this mana means. However, that could have provoked the opponent even more.”

“If it comes down to it, let’s start with that.”

Kang Moo-hyuk expressed his embarrassment by scratching the back of his head.

‘Is it because Thomas is a hunter? Or is it because he is S-rank?’

Sometimes the solutions were one-dimensional.

I know I don’t have to go back because I have the power, but then I would be no different from Joo Se Ah.

To put it in more detail, is she a smart Joo Se Ah?

‘No, it’s worse. Because they can use planned violence.’

It’s not that Joo Se Ah is stupid. She’s one of the few true hunters who knows how to use her power properly. It’s just that the aftereffects of using her power are so dire that she has an image of being violent.

On the other hand, Thomas, who at first glance seemed docile, could single-handedly level a city with his mind. He was a true strategic weapon.

The reason why this was possible was because he was a wizard who could freely manipulate mana, and he knew how to utilize his extraordinary brain activated by mana addiction.

‘In this regard, Thomas Hunter and I use our heads differently.’

As an ordinary person, Kang Moo-hyuk preferred strategic and planned solutions.

As a hunter, Thomas solved problems based on tactics and improvisation on the spot.

Even the magic he used was often combined and improvised according to the needs of the field.

The fact that the mind was more focused on magic and combat using it was what created the current situation.

Kang Moo-hyuk felt the need to touch on this at this point.

“Thomas Hunter.”

“yes.”

“I understand Thomas Hunter’s confidence, but our purpose is dialogue. Doing it that way is intimidation.”

“Isn’t this the way the captain uses it best?”

“That is… I can’t refute that. But I want to say first that there is a difference between talking and doing it with force. Talking with a sword in hand only diminishes the sincerity on my part.”

“I see what you mean. I guess I was being rash. To be honest, I’m a hunter myself, but most people aren’t the type of people you can have a good conversation with.”

Kang Moo-hyuk agreed with Thomas’ words with a slightly distorted smile.

“Put away the magic circle. And I will go alone. Thomas Hunter, stay behind.”

“Is that okay? It would be better if I stayed nearby just in case?”

“It will only instill unnecessary caution. Since the magic circle has already been shown, the demonstration of power is sufficient, and if a non-hunter approaches, the Archduke will not act rashly.”

“Don’t trust the character of an S-rank hunter.”

“I just hope that Edoardo is a hunter like the rumors say.”

Soon, as they were almost at the location Thomas had pointed out, Kang Mu-hyeok stopped the car.

Thomas got out of the car. He bent down and looked at Kang Mu-hyeok through the open window.

“There is some distance, so I will mark the captain just in case.”

Thomas’ unique magic seeped into Kang Mu-hyeok.

No matter how far away a target was, it could be tracked in an instant once captured, and magic could be cast immediately within sight.

Previously, when flying monsters were scattered throughout Seoul at the Bukhansan Gate, this magic was used to subdue them in a short period of time.

Thomas was concerned about Kang Mu-hyeok’s body being sensitive to mana, so he quickly changed the magic combination to make the magic cover his skin.

“Okay, I’ll be off.”

The car driven by Kang Mu-hyeok moved away from Thomas.

Thomas slowly rose into the sky. He was still quite far from his destination, but if he went up into the sky, the other party would be able to see him and he would have no choice but to be conscious of it.

‘I can’t just sit back and do nothing just because the captain told me to.’

Kang Mu-hyeok will also calculate this and come out with it.

Thomas decided to wait and simulate what it would be like to fight an S-rank.

“The only one I’ve ever faced is Zhou Gilma. Is Edoardo stronger than her?”

* * *

Kang Moo-hyuk got out of the car and put on Iron Will’s armor coat that was left in the backseat.

If the opponent was S-rank, wearing an armor coat had no defensive power. No, even if the lowest-ranked hunter threw a punch right away, Kang Mu-hyeok wouldn’t be able to block it.

The armor coat worn by Kang Mu-hyeok had to have a symbolic meaning rather than a defensive one.

‘I carry the Iron Will sign on my back. That alone is enough.’

Kang Mu-hyeok walked along the pier at the yacht mooring area.

At the end of it all, a middle-aged man was sitting there holding a fishing rod. He glanced at Kang Mu-hyeok and looked him up and down.

Although it was an indifferent gaze, Kang Moo-hyuk felt like he was being dissected. His five senses, more sensitive than others, were activated. He felt a sense of dread. It was as if he had been thrown naked into Antarctica.

At that moment, when it seemed as if white steam was about to burst out of Kang Mu-hyeok’s breath, Edoardo opened his mouth.

“No matter how I look at it, you’re not a hunter. Judging from the armor coat you’re wearing, it doesn’t seem like you had anything to do with what happened earlier. What are you? A member of Miraju’s group?”

“First, I’d like to apologize for the magic circle earlier. It seems that one of our guild members went a bit overboard with his self-introduction.”

“Self-introduction? If an S-rank introduces themselves like that, let’s see who dies.”

“I’m sorry about that too. I’m just recently reached S-Rank, so I’m not familiar with these rules.”

Edoardo reacted to the words, “A beginner S-rank.”

“I know you’re Asian, but if you’re an S-rank who just recently rose through the ranks… I can’t think of any other name than Joo Se-ah. Am I guessing right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Sorry for the late introduction. I am Kang Mu-hyuk, the leader of Iron Will.”

The giant stood up. That’s what Kang Mu-hyuk felt.

As Edoardo stretched out both legs and raised his body, the manas around him seemed to stir all at once.

“Shouldn’t S-ranks be reporting in advance when visiting other countries? I haven’t heard anything like that.”

Edoardo pressured Kang Moo-hyuk. Kang Moo-hyuk was breathless. He had to spit out words, but he couldn’t make a sound as if something was stuck in his throat.

At that moment, a gust of wind blew across his body. He felt refreshed and at the same time, the pressure that had been weighing on his body disappeared.

Erardo flinched, drew his sword, and pointed it at the southern sky.

The S-rank hunter’s eyesight discovered a dot in the sky.

The spear of mana aimed at him was floating above that point, revealing an ominous aura.

“A wizard? I’ve never heard of Joo Se Ah being a wizard. Judging from the fact that he’s a man, he’s not Joo Se Ah. Was that guy the one who made the magic circle earlier?”

Kang Mu-hyeok, who had finally caught his breath, opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry, but we have never broken any laws.”

“What the hell is that? There’s this unidentified guy out there targeting me?”

Edoardo replied, keeping the tip of his sword fixed on a distant dot.

For a moment, his interest was piqued.

‘If it’s Iron Will, then he must have come because of me? Judging by the atmosphere, he doesn’t seem to be an enemy. Who is that mysterious hunter? And this young man didn’t seem to be shaken at all by the threat just now. Doesn’t he know that he just came close to death?’

Edoardo still kept his poker face, but Kang Moo-hyuk noticed that his mind was becoming complicated.

‘After all, the existence of Thomas Hunter is enough to cause confusion in many ways.’

Kang Moo-hyuk continued speaking without missing the opportunity.

“It means that we have never illegally processed the entry of an S-rank hunter. The hunter you see over there is an S-rank that has not yet been recognized.”

“Whether it’s illegal or not. Is there any point in keeping S-ranks under the law in the first place?”

“Then, just think of it as a shortcut.”

“That’s a pun.”

Kang Mu-hyuk was glaring at him with eyes that would make any person wet their pants just by looking at him.

Kang Moo-hyuk said, calming his pounding heart.

“A joke is only fun if the other person matches the rhythm. In order to have a smooth conversation, I think we should put away our weapons and take our places. What do you think?”

“Huh! An unofficial S-rank, a magic circle that can only be used in Mirage, and a guy who talks nonsense right in front of me, all together, are you having fun? How did you even find my location? When I go fishing, even the Gloria Guild can’t find me. Wait! Now that I think about it, that guy’s a member of your guild, so that means there are two S-ranks in one guild. What are you talking about, you? Why did you come up with something like this?”

Edoardo realized once again that the opponent before him was a big shot. Otherwise, he would not have come to meet him with such a dangerous combination that had never existed in the world.

Aside from Edoardo’s heightened alertness, Kang Moo-hyuk felt the need to look back on the current situation.

‘Edoardo is being overly cautious? Why? I just wanted to go out and talk about the purchase.’

Something was going wrong.