Chapter 247: Chapter 247

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 247

James Marcus was understandably flustered.

No matter how bad that Korean’s attitude might be, it wasn’t enough of a reason to attack outright.

At that moment, Alessandro used magic to send a telepathic message.

[This is a good chance to test his skills.]

Skills?

When James tilted his head in confusion, Alessandro’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

[Let’s see if that bastard deserves to act like that toward us.]

What kind of nonsense is this?!

Stop it right now!

Sensing James’s unease, Alessandro quickly added another comment.

[Well, that’s just one reason… Also, I really hate East Asians.]

A racist remark?!

Alessandro was a friend James had connected with through the game.

Ever since the game became reality, Alessandro was a comrade he had to rely on even more.

Never in his wildest dreams did James imagine such words would come out of his mouth.

“Anyway, calm down!”

James Marcus quickly stepped in between them.

At that, Jeong-hoon sneered and pointed the tip of Leviathan’s sword at James.

“You saw that Fire Spear just now. You know it wasn’t just for intimidation, right?”

“……”

James couldn’t say a word.

As Jeong-hoon said, Fire Spear wasn’t a spell used to intimidate.

It had been aimed precisely at his head, and if he hadn’t dodged…

‘It would’ve pierced through my head.’

And in a truly horrifying manner.

“What’s the point of being over Level 400 if you can’t even dodge something like that?”

Alessandro smirked.

“Interesting.”

Jeong-hoon smirked in return.

Perhaps disliking that expression, Alessandro’s eye twitched slightly.

If Jeong-hoon were to back down even now, Alessandro was willing to forgive him.

“Let’s see how far that expression of yours goes.”

With those words, Alessandro conjured countless ice spheres.

They were Ice Missiles, a higher version of Magic Missile.

Though it was a 3rd-circle spell, each Ice Missile carried a severe chill.

That meant even as a 3rd-circle spell, it consumed a significant amount of mana.

‘A mage can adjust the power of their magic depending on mana consumption.’

And the power of those Ice Missiles was at a 6th-circle level.

It meant Alessandro was serious about obliterating his opponent.

If that’s the case, it’s time to give him a taste of my newly evolved martial arts.

Jeong-hoon temporarily sheathed Leviathan.

[Wow, Master. How about just killing that bastard?]

‘I agree. He’s an irredeemable jerk.’

Mukho and Anima were furious.

“Hey!”

“What are you doing to our hyung?!”

Ha-jin and Bong-Goo shouted angrily at Alessandro.

Jeong-hoon gestured to the two to stay back.

“It’s fine. Magic like that won’t even leave a scratch on me.”

“Oh, really? Then try handling this one.”

As Jeong-hoon smiled confidently, Alessandro glared at him and fired the Ice Missiles.

Countless Ice Missiles surged toward Jeong-hoon.

However, Jeong-hoon stepped forward using True Heavenly Demon Lord's Steps, dodging the missiles just before they struck him.

The missed missiles exploded on nearby mountains and forests, wreaking havoc.

Meanwhile, Alessandro’s eyes widened as he struggled to track Jeong-hoon’s speed, which was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye.

Sensing imminent danger, Alessandro hastily deployed Absolute Barrier.

A defensive magic of the 8th circle.

CRASH!

A deafening roar overwhelmed Alessandro’s senses.

“Ugh!”

A groan escaped Alessandro’s lips involuntarily.

Even with the barrier in place, the shock reverberated through his entire body.

“You’re quick to react. Without that barrier, I would’ve killed you in a single hit.”

The attack had been nothing more than a punch.

[Absolute Barrier has sustained 4% damage.]

Just one punch had caused a 4% dent in the Absolute Barrier.

‘This doesn’t make any sense!’

Absolute Barrier was an 8th-circle magic Alessandro had acquired after his 5th class advancement.

There was no way a mere 4th-class martial artist could break through it.

But what was this overwhelming force?

Jeong-hoon smirked, clenching and unclenching his fist.

A dark aura pulsated around his hand.

True Heavenly Demon Fist Technique - 1st Form.

Even without using any buff-type skills, his strength was this devastating.

‘I’ll toy with him a bit longer.’

Ending things too quickly felt like a waste.

Alessandro, who prided himself on being one of the chosen, the first mage to ascend to the supreme domain, would be thoroughly crushed.

“…Hey, East Asian. Care to tell me your stats?”

Alessandro no longer underestimated Jeong-hoon.

The speed he couldn’t follow with his eyes, the devastating punch—it was far beyond what someone at Level 431 should be capable of.

It meant his stats were disproportionately high for his level.

“What’s wrong? Starting to feel nervous now?”

“……”

“That’s why you should pick your battles wisely.”

You bastard.

You’re dead here.

Jeong-hoon locked eyes with Alessandro, stepping forward again with True Heavenly Demon Lord's Steps.

This time, his fist swung toward Alessandro’s side.

CRACK.

The barrier started to fracture further.

Panicked, Alessandro activated Insight Eye, a 5th-class skill.

‘I can read him!’

Only then did Jeong-hoon start to grasp Alessandro's footwork to some extent.

“Now, I’ll kill you.”

Alessandro consumed a massive amount of mana to cast Creation Fire.

A spell that conjures flames, allowing their intensity and form to be adjusted based on the caster's mana.

Encircling himself with fire, Alessandro set it spinning around him.

Whoosh—

The flames, reaching the level of the 8th circle, whirled violently, forming a ferocious storm of fire centered on Alessandro.

“Alessandro! Please, stop! Everyone, get behind me!”

James Marcus, his face pale, raised his shield.

He prepared to block the storm with Holy Shield.

However, Ha-jin and Bong-Goo stood rooted in place as if frozen, unable to move.

‘That won’t harm Hoon.’

‘Hyung-nim! Just crush him already!’

From the moment Alessandro had attacked Jeong-hoon, they couldn’t view him favorably.

Moreover, with what Jeong-hoon had demonstrated so far, it was clear such a storm wouldn’t faze him.

As if responding to their trust, Jeong-hoon began activating his skills.

Black Field, followed by Celestial Aura.

Meanwhile, Alessandro found himself debuffed, causing the storm to weaken noticeably.

“What the—!”

As the storm subsided, Alessandro’s gaze wavered.

Jeong-hoon once again moved using True Heavenly Demon Lord's Steps.

This time, Alessandro couldn’t read his movements at all.

‘Insight Eye can’t track him?!’

Crack.

Absolute Barrier began to take damage again.

Jeong-hoon continued to strike relentlessly with his martial arts.

Whenever Alessandro attempted to counter with magic, Jeong-hoon would evade with his footwork and retaliate with punches against the barrier.

Smash!

[Absolute Barrier has sustained 91% damage.]

[Absolute Barrier has sustained 96% damage.]

[Absolute Barrier has been completely destroyed.]

Crash!

In the end, the Absolute Barrier shattered entirely, unable to withstand the onslaught.

“So, what will you do now?”

Jeong-hoon smirked.

The drawback of Absolute Barrier was its 600-second cooldown after activation.

Though a relatively short or long time depending on the context, in this case, its quick destruction rendered Alessandro vulnerable.

‘True Heavenly Demon Fist Technique, 2nd Form.’

During the process of breaking the barrier, the technique had advanced from its 1st form to its 2nd.

Jeong-hoon used True Heavenly Demon Lord's Steps to close the gap, delivering a punch squarely to Alessandro’s face.

Thwack!

“Gah!”

Alessandro cried out in pain, stumbling backward as he clutched his face in agony.

“Now, it’s time to return the favor.”

With those words, Jeong-hoon began pounding on Alessandro.

Though Jeong-hoon’s attacks targeted only Alessandro’s face and upper torso, the devastating damage from the Heavenly Demon Fist Technique was amplified by its defense-ignoring attribute, causing excruciating pain.

“P-please, stop!”

Alessandro clung desperately to Jeong-hoon’s waist, his trembling hands betraying his fear. His face was a complete mess, smeared with blood and swelling.

Leaning in close, Jeong-hoon whispered softly into Alessandro’s ear.

“Why should I stop?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know my place!”

“Don’t give me that crap. You were just trying to kill me, and now you think an apology will make it all better?”

“Th-then what do I need to do?”

Blood dripped from Alessandro’s eyes, nose, and mouth. His cornea had been damaged by one of Jeong-hoon’s punches. Yet, it was evident that Jeong-hoon’s anger was far from subsiding.

Before his regression, Alessandro had betrayed him. And now, after the regression, he had the audacity to launch a magical assault, cloaked in a veil of righteous indignation.

Even the most forgiving of people wouldn’t let such actions slide.

“Well, here’s the thing. I’m not a particularly magnanimous guy. Unless you give me your life, I don’t think I’ll feel satisfied.”

“P-please, anything but that—!”

Thud!

Jeong-hoon cut him off with a brutal knee strike to the stomach. Alessandro’s grip on his waist slackened, and he crumpled over, writhing in pain.

“Stop! We’re sorry! Please, just let him go!”

James Marcus, who had been watching the situation unfold, intervened hastily.

Initially, he had stayed out of it, knowing Alessandro was at fault. However, it was clear now that if this continued, Alessandro’s life would be forfeit.

“Let him go? Why should I?”

Jeong-hoon tilted his chin toward the broken Alessandro, signaling James to look.

James nodded reluctantly.

“...I’ll take full responsibility. Just spare Alessandro.”

“That won’t do.”

Jeong-hoon summoned Seven Deadly Sins.

The sudden appearance of the demon startled both James Marcus and Amelie Reina, who had been watching from a distance.

“What’s up? Why’d you call me?”

“You hungry? Feel free to absorb his stats.”

Jeong-hoon pointed at Alessandro.

“Really? Sweet!”

The demon’s grin widened as it advanced toward Alessandro.

To prevent any potential resistance, Jeong-hoon struck Alessandro’s neck, rendering him unconscious.

Thud!

“Time for a feast!”

Seven Deadly Sins began absorbing Alessandro’s stats.

[Absorbing stats...]

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

James Marcus unsheathed his sword and charged at Seven Deadly Sins.

Clang!

Jeong-hoon intercepted the attack with Leviathan, preventing James from interfering.

“Stand down, or do you want more of this?”

“Please! Alessandro was wrong, but this is too much! There’s no need to go this far!”

“Spare me the lecture. If I were weaker than that bastard, I’d be 100% dead right now.”

The magic Alessandro had wielded was undeniably powerful.

“...That’s true.”

Even James Marcus couldn’t refute Jeong-hoon’s logic.

Jeong-hoon smirked.

“Of course, I’m not going to kill him.”

James’s face lit up at those words.

“Really? You mean it?”

Jeong-hoon nodded.

“Yes.”

Initially, Jeong-hoon had considered ending Alessandro’s life. But that would’ve made his revenge far too easy and unsatisfying.

No, a true punishment would be to let Alessandro live in misery.

‘I’ll drain every last one of his stats.’

To rebuild his stats, Alessandro would need either rare items or to level up. However, given that Alessandro was already beyond level 500, further leveling was practically impossible.

‘In other words, he’ll be forced to face the harsh reality of being a weakling.’

A man who had always ruled from above, now reduced to struggling as a powerless underdog just to survive?

There could be no sweeter revenge.

“What about... that thing?”

James shot a nervous glance at Seven Deadly Sins.

“I can’t allow that.”

Jeong-hoon’s tone was cold.

“I’ve never let anyone who crossed me walk away unscathed.”

“...”

“So, make your choice. If you don’t back off now, this ends in blood.”

“I... I understand.”

Faced with Jeong-hoon’s chilling warning, James Marcus had no choice but to step back.

Whatever the outcome, it was clear Alessandro had brought this upon himself.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]