Chapter 113: Heaven (4)

“I barely escaped.”

I sighed and looked around. There were no signs of anyone nearby.

Those three lacked the talent for stealth or the mystique to create talents like Sung Han-byul possessed, so I think I had shaken them off.

When assassination orders came up, they just killed everyone around and say, ‘If there are no witnesses, it’s an assassination.’

“Such a hassle, really.”

To say that Kim Seo-hyun’s rival was merely bothersome would be an understatement.

She’s confident in everything she did and knew how to separate personal matters from business. That’s why she received undivided attention from the Hundred Temple.

“That’s why I avoid her.”

Most of the gods of the Hundred Temple were interested in her.

Getting involved with her likely meant getting involved with the gods as well.

After catching my breath and looking around, I soon realized I was in an unfamiliar place.

“Where is this?”

I had come far to shake them off and ended up in a place with few people.

There was just one restaurant in the middle of the road, with other buildings barely visible in the distance. That’s why I liked our country the best.

“Hey guys, do you know where this is?”

“……”

“……”

Seo Ga-yeon and Kim Seo-hyun didn’t respond.

Upon closer inspection, I realized I was holding their hands. Kim Seo-hyun’s face was red, and Seo Ga-yeon was fiddling with my hand.

“Kids?”

“Huh? Uh, what’s up?”

“Yeah, I’m listening.”

They seemed not to have heard.

“No, it’s nothing. It’s almost dinner time, shall we eat early at that restaurant?”

“Should we? The restaurant looks like a nice bistro; it might be good.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

I led the group into the restaurant.

The restaurant had a bright atmosphere and felt quiet. The smell was inviting. Hmm, it’s good enough.

“Not bad.”

For a place we found in a hurry, it seemed decent. We sat down and looked at the menu.

“What’s with the ‘Ice Mealworm Pasta’?”

“There are many normal items, but some weird ones too.”

Ice Mealworm Pasta? Who orders something like that? I shook my head in disbelief and ordered a steak and pizza.

Ding-dong.

“Welcome!”

The front door opened, and a customer entered.

Hong Yu-hwa, with her red hair fluttering, dressed in a blue and black dress, appeared.

Following her, Sung Han-byul, with her black hair tied to the right, wearing a white box tee and jeans, came in.

“Ugh.”

They reacted strangely upon seeing me. That made me sad.

“Yu-hwa?”

“Yeah. Are you here for dinner? This place is quite far, isn’t it?”

Hong Yu-hwa asked, looking at me curiously.

“Yeah. Want to join us?”

“…I’d like to, but I’m here for business today. Let’s eat together next time.”

Hong Yu-hwa said with a hint of regret.

She sat down behind me, talking business with Sung Han-byul. Perhaps it was about sponsorship.

The food arrived shortly after.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Steaks, pasta, pizza, and hamburgers were served.

As we were eating, the door opened and someone entered.

Normally, I wouldn’t have cared, but something about it irked me.

-Lee Seo-ha.

Eternal Heaven quietly called my name.

I looked to the front.

Something ominous seemed to be happening.

I closed my eyes and turned on a switch in my mind.

Click.

A sound of something turning on filled the air, and I opened my eyes. The flow and colors of the world’s mana bloomed before me.

“…Mine.”

However, some force was suppressing the magic energy.

How? That was my first thought.

A drug to suppress a Mine’s magic wasn’t due to be out yet.

I examined the Mine with my Reading ability but saw no particularly notable talents or characteristics.

“Seo-ha?”

Sensing something odd in my behavior, Kim Seo-hyun called my name softly.

Seo Ga-yeon moved next to me and whispered.

“Seo-ha, that person…”

“Yeah, it’s a Mine.”

“…That person is?”

Kim Seo-hyun asked with a puzzled expression. It meant the Mine had concealed their magic energy so secretly that even she couldn’t notice.

I heightened my Sword Demon senses and then sensed the presence of two individuals outside the door.

-It’s a Mine. They’ve concealed it as secretly as that guy. How can a mere Mine…

“Exactly.”

I found myself in agreement with Eternal Heaven’s observation.

A man, disguised as a Mine, approached me. I stood up.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

He spoke in fluent English, smirking as he said,

“Hey, Oriental. Looking for trouble? You look like a wretched parasite. Should I tear off your arms and legs?”

I quickly translated his words with my Reading ability and then replied slowly,

“Yes. A Mine who has sold their soul to an extraterrestrial being.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

At my words, the sound of weapons being drawn resonated from behind him.

“Damn, was I found out already? I paid extra to hide my magic, and this is a scam?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s not a scam since the believers didn’t notice. It’s just that guy who’s strange.”

Two adult men burst through the door, transforming into Mines, their magic energy surging and their muscular bodies growing larger.

“Since we’re caught, shall we clean up? Ah, sorry to the owner here.”

One of the Mines snickered.

“Please, spare me!”

“If we spare you, you’ll just report us to the gods. That’s what America hates. If we don’t set up a barrier, the report goes straight to the gods. And then, at least hundreds of priests will come. No hard feelings, but you gotta die.”

The Mine extended his hand, filled with murderous intent, towards the chef.

Swoosh!

“Aaargh!”

Faster than that, a Black Shadow from my right shoulder blade struck, slicing off the Mine’s arm.

The Mines were on guard, as if that could solve anything.

“Ga-yeon, what do you want to do?”

“…Can I step in?”

“Yeah, it seems about time.”

I examined Seo Ga-yeon with Divine Sight. Her level was now intermediate.

I looked at her and assessed her talents and stats using Reading(-).

[Name: Seo Ga-yeon]

Strength: 10 Agility: 10 Stamina: 13.

Magic: 30 Spirit: 30 Dexterity: 10.

◈ Talents

-Starlight Magic(?), Song of the Stars(B), Heart of an Aspiring Girl(B-) and 3 others.

◈ Skills

-Presence Detection(A), Stealth Movement(B+), Mental Image Manifestation(B) and 5 others.

◈ Physique

-x.

A status window with many empty slots unfolded.

Starlight Magic was a form of positive magic power. Song of the Stars was a talent that utilized this magic in one’s mental imagery.

Heart of an Aspiring Girl was a talent related to appearance, aimed at becoming progressively more beautiful. It should not be underestimated for merely making one more attractive. It elongated the arms and legs and harmoniously transformed the body. There were descriptions suggesting her beauty could eventually rival that of Ershil.

Presence Detection and Stealth Movement seem to have developed while she was stalking me.

-…Lee Seo-ha, aren’t you bothered by seeing such things?

‘Well, it seems fine for now.’

It’s less problematic than with my ex-girlfriend and the one before that.

“Then I’ll do it.”

While talking with Eternal Heaven, Seo Ga-yeon spoke up.

“…You’re letting Seo Ga-yeon fight alone?”

“Yes.”

Hong Yu-hwa asked from the side, while Sung Han-byul looked upset.

“Seo Ga-yeon is talented, but she’s not ready to face three Mines yet!”

“That’s not true.”

I shook my head at Sung Han-byul’s words, needing to clarify this.

“Here, our Ga-yeon is the best fighter. Even in Mine hunting, she overwhelmingly surpasses me.”

“Seo-ha, you too?”

Hong Yu-hwa’s eyebrows rose.

Indeed, that’s what I believed. With Seo Ga-yeon’s level, she could kill even the highest-ranking Mine in one strike.

Of course, there were various conditions, but even so, it’s an abnormal situation.

A middle-ranking Mine killing Seo Ga-yeon? It might be possible if about a hundred of them came at once. About a 1% chance.

“There’s such a possibility?”

“Yes. She has the strongest potential here. Even stronger than me.”

“…Yeah.”

“Is this how he flirts?”

Sung Han-byul muttered. Why did she think it’s flirting?

“Hans. That man over there is the most dangerous.”

“It seems so. The skill he just showed with the wings, he’s either equal or superior to me, known for my speed.”

“Then we have to use this.”

The villain pulled out something resembling handcuffs from his pocket.

Why was that there? I looked at the handcuffs, puzzled.

“Already? No, right. Their momentum, it’s not normal. Better to use the secret weapon than getting caught.”

Old handcuffs.

They looked like binding circles but appeared quite sturdy. Strong enough that even a hero with limited magic power couldn’t break them.

And inside them was a power very familiar to me.

“Are you going to use that artifact? As you know, it harbors immense corrupt power. Even the gods from outer space reject its strange energy.”

“If we only have one, we might as well use it for restraining. Capture that man first.”

-…Is this what they mean by getting more than bargained for?

‘Exactly.’

I chuckled at Eternal Heaven’s remark.

“Oh no. This is a big problem.”

Just my luck, the Mine had brought the legacy of the Heavenly Demon.