Chapter 133: Hunt? (5)

It goes without saying, overpowering terrorists of hunter level who weren’t even heroes was hardly a challenge.

Even without my intervention, Kim Seo-hyun could easily subdue them in an instant.

‘Something’s odd.’

However, this situation was undeniably peculiar.

They’re targeting the Overlord’s private jet. Logically, it didn’t make sense, yet here we were.

‘…Come to think of it, this is China.’

Currently, China was engulfed in chaos, surpassing even the tumult of the Warring States period.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Despite its vast size, the number of factions claiming sovereignty within China was staggering. There were as many as 60 such groups, and their numbers were still growing.

This meant that China was still embroiled in conflict.

In such a war-torn period, it’s understandable that survival took precedence over all else.

If this were a martial arts novel, it would be akin to bandits launching a sudden attack.

“Seo-hyun, take care of them for me.”

“Huh? Okay.”

Kim Seo-hyun, slightly puzzled, advanced towards the hunters.

“What’s this? Just two pretty boys?”

“I’m interested in that flight attendant over there.”

“I like that man with black hair.”

My talent, Reading(-), translated their words. Kim Seo-hyun smiled at the last woman’s comment, quickly approached her, and incapacitated her with a strike to the solar plexus.

“Ugh, what!”

“A hero? Why here!”

“Wait! Where is this place? It’s clearly a private jet for the wealthy!”

The terrorists exclaimed in a flustered manner.

Could it be that they genuinely didn’t know and committed the act of terrorism?

‘No, that’s not the crucial point.’

The Overlord’s private jet was fortified with various security measures for appearances. It would be impossible for beings of their level to penetrate them all at once.

‘An artifact?’

Artifacts.

These were items that emerged from ruins in worlds where dimensions intersected.

Artifacts possessed a power from a different dimension than that of ordinary artifacts or weapons.

They governed the power of concepts, meaning even a low-grade artifact could wield dangerous powers if utilized correctly. They acted as a kind of interference with concepts.

Certain artifacts also served as motifs for special stats known as ‘conceptual stats.’

‘Usually, they appear around the middle of the story.’

Well, it didn’t matter.

The highest grades started to appear from the middle to the late parts of the story. The original work was already quite ruined. It’s best not to get too hung up on the original work and to act flexibly.

I stood up and picked up what appeared to be an artifact.

I activated Reading.

「The Black Hand that Harbors Illusions」

: Once a day, it allows entry into the interior of a being caught in sight.

‘…It’s a subtle artifact.’

Artifacts typically had such effects.

Like being able to go anywhere on Earth once a month, or a spear that hits its target unconditionally. From dangerous to subtle artifacts, there’s a variety.

Well, such artifacts had their uses in terms of infiltration, so I took it first.

“What should we do with these guys?”

“…It’s subtle.”

If we really had to do something, dealing with them would be easier and simpler.

They probably didn’t come here with good intentions, so it wouldn’t be unjust.

“Please, spare us, heroes!”

The terrorists cried out in Chinese.

I looked at Kim Seo-hyun. Kim Seo-hyun looked at me. Her emotions were unreadable.

I didn’t want to spare them, but there was no need to get our hands dirty. More than anything, Kim Seo-hyun was the protagonist, embodying the role of good. There’s no need for bloodshed.

“Before that, does anyone know where this artifact came from?”

“I, I know!”

The woman who had taken a liking to me earlier spoke up.

“That artifact was obtained by breaking into ruins with the Black Flame of the Black Phoenix.”

“…Black Phoenix?”

The information was more interesting than expected.

“Yes, yes. It’s a divine beast currently flying all over China, gathering strength. This being uses black flames to burn everything to ashes.”

“Are its flames that powerful?”

“Yes… Its flames have the powerful ability to burn all kinds of special abilities.”

“Is that so?”

I looked at Black Heaven.

-That’s right, Master. It’s the Phoenix. It’s the one that received a portion of the power from the previous master.

-You must be careful. Unlike other divine beasts, this one admires the Ravenous Horse and has transformed its body into its own by incinerating it.

‘Heaven Defying Body, huh.’

I wore a peculiar expression.

The more I heard about the Phoenix,

The less I felt I could possibly lose to him.

“You, you’re going to spare us, right?”

“Yes.”

I would spare them.

But not in the way they hoped.

“Let’s break the Dantian of those who have trained in martial arts, and the core of those who have trained in magic. Cut their tendons as well.”

“Let’s do that.”

Kim Seo-hyun nodded agreeably.

Personally, I think doing such things was more horrific, but it seems Kim Seo-hyun didn’t think so. Some of the terrorists seemed relieved, probably taking it as a sign they wouldn’t be killed right away.

Of course, it wouldn’t be ordinary. Medicine of this era was quite advanced, so there were ways to revive even completely shattered Dantians or cores.

‘These people wouldn’t have the money or anything to afford that, though.’

Still, you never knew.

I negated theirs with the Energy of Defying Heaven.

“May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

After finishing the job, Kim Seo-hyun approached me.

“Why did you spare them?”

She looked at me with eyes full of questions.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Huh? Seo-ha, you’re usually merciless to your enemies. I thought you would kill them.”

Did it seem that way?

Well, I would have if Kim Seo-hyun wasn’t there.

“You don’t like it.”

“Huh?”

Kim Seo-hyun blinked at my words.

“I didn’t do it because you don’t like it.”

“…Seo-ha considered that?”

“I consider it. Most of the time, there’s no need to bother, but.”

Others perceived them as Mines or villains. While those two were quite different, if labeled as a villain, they were treated ruthlessly.

Ershil chose to kill rather than hand them over to the police. Hong Yu-hwa did the same. Seo Ga-yeon would comply without any complaints if I decided to do it.

But Kim Seo-hyun was different.

She was the most important existence in this world.

I looked at Kim Seo-hyun. She was looking at me with a blank expression.

“You spared them because of me?”

“That’s right.”

Kim Seo-hyun, who had been lazily smiling, leaned back in her chair and covered her face.

“Seo-ha, you might want to restrain yourself a bit.”

“…What?”

Could she have caught my intention?

“Sometimes, when I look at Seo-ha, I think it might be quite difficult to approach you.”

“To me?”

I was puzzled.

I thought I had been continuously helpful or friendly to the main characters, keeping my distance from others.

“Yes, there’s that. Seo-ha might not notice because you’re not very observant.”

“…”

Me, not observant?

But reflecting on what my girlfriends from my past life said, I might indeed be oblivious in this aspect. After pondering for a moment, I just kept silent.

“Actually, I don’t really enjoy fighting with others and seizing something. Maybe it’s my nature.”

Kim Seo-hyun looked at me.

“But now, I find myself being too greedy. To the extent that I can’t control myself.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

After that, our conversation fell into silence.

During the awkward silence, as I leaned back in my chair, a frantic voice came from inside.

“Sorry, but the plane cannot proceed to the destination; we need to land on a different route for a while before taking off again.”

“We can’t go to our destination?”

“There are too many flying monsters nearby, posing a high risk of crashing midway.”

“I see.”

Kim Seo-hyun nodded immediately.

This was one of the reasons why many nations were installing warp gates. The air and the sea had long become domains of monsters.

“How long will it take to reach our destination by car from where we land?”

“It will take at least 15 hours.”

At this rate, waiting might be a better option.

We landed temporarily in a city and received several cautions.

“Even though you are guests of the Overlord, please remember that China is currently in a state of war. There are not many who would dare to touch the Overlord’s guests, but few will immediately recognize you as such.”

With that, the flight attendant pinned an emblem on our chests.

“Still, wearing this should at least help you avoid any unnecessary confrontations.”

“I see.”

Neither Kim Seo-hyun nor I planned to stay quiet here, so it didn’t really matter.

‘We are not lacking in strength.’

Unless an entity of the highest caliber decides to be hostile towards us, there’s no danger.

‘Capturing a top-tier entity alone is difficult now.’

It would be different once my condition fully stabilizes.

But how often did top-tier entities roam around? Even scouring the whole world for Mines, villains, and heroes combined, there were barely 100 of them.

And most of them were heavy-sitters, so even if you wanted to meet them, it’s difficult.

“Shall we take a short tour then?”

“Why not. I didn’t expect such an opportunity to come so soon.”

Kim Seo-hyun came up next to me and said.

“It feels like a date, doesn’t it?”

“Does it? Should I play the escort then?”

As I casually replied, Kim Seo-hyun blushed slightly and said.

“So, are we on a date today?”

I was in a bewildered state.

How did it come to this?

“…So-sorry, Seo-ha!”

Kim Seo-hyun’s behind was sitting on my face.

She happened to be wearing a skirt, so her plain white panties were in contact with my mouth. Kim Seo-hyun’s slightly hot thighs were squeezing my face.

And there was the Overlord, looking on with a displeased expression, standing next to Kim Ara, who wore a bewildered look.

“…Somehow. The reason you didn’t fall for the seduction…”

Kim Ara looked at me as if she thought I were gay.

Why did this happen?