The Hero Returns

“What is this?”

The Great Wall Guild was one of the largest Chinese guilds based in Guangzhou. The guild master, Zhu In, saw the note that came to the guild and frowned.

“It’s a terror report from the Dump Guild.”

“Dump Guild? Aren’t they the ones who caused the trouble in Beijing? Those bastards killed Lin Zhuming.”

“Yes. Their new goal is Guangzhou. It says…” The guild member who brought the note pointed out the map on the tablet screen. “They’re aiming here.”

“Damn it…”

Zhu In put his face in his hands. He was not interested in the entertainment business, but since it wasn’t far away, he knew something was going on.

“Of all the times… There are a lot of people because of Hwang Jun-peong now.”

“Perhaps that is their goal.”

“Are they attacking civilians?”

“If the raid had failed in Beijing, the civilian casualties would have been enormous. They don’t distinguish between awakeners or civilians,” the guild member said.

Zhu In sighed. “Why the hell did they send us a note?” he thought.

Zhu In had no idea what to do and put his head in his hands again. If the Dump Guild really was trying to terrorize them, he couldn’t imagine how much damage it would be. The case of Beijing was a problem, but that was not all. The Dump Guild was rioting in the United States, Korea, and other countries.

“We should move, shouldn’t we?”

He didn’t waste a lot of time worrying. Now that he’d seen the note, he could not just let it go.

“How many people should we bring?”

“Lin Zhuming died. We should get as many as possible.”

“Will we be okay?”

“Contact all the other guilds. Especially those that were close to Lin Zhuming. If we suggest first, they will probably accept.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t drag your feet. Do it now.”

At Zhu In’s word, the guild member immediately started to make the call. Zhu In also called another guild he was acquainted with.

“Yes, yes… Yes?”

The guild member was surprised and dropped the phone. When he looked at Zhu In, he had the same look, too.

“Sir. This guild… said they got the same note.”

“…Same here.”

Both of them hung up. They made a few more phone calls, but it was the same. The same note had been sent to all the guilds in Guangzhou.

“What the hell is going on?”

***

Bam—!

Hwang Jun-peong’s hand and Su-hyeun’s sword hit. Hwang Jun-peong grabbed the sword surrounded by blue Flame. He shined his eyes.

Whoosh—!

The other hand reached out. Hwang Jun-peong’s hand tried to pierce Su-hyeun’s chest.

Swish—

Slash—

Su-hyeun turned his sword and struck the hand. That hand was sharper than any sword. Su-hyeun had already fought him once, so he knew about his ignorant fighting style.

Swish, swish—

Slash—

Su-hyeun’s sword cut into Hwang Jun-peong’s skin. Torn pieces of clothing fell. Blood dripped, though it wasn’t a deep cut.

Rumble, rumble—

The cut skin healed quickly. Hwang Jun-peong ignored Su-hyeun’s sword and quickly swung his hand again.

Crack—

Again, the sword and arm struck.

Whoosh—

Crack—!

The magic that scattered from the sword and arm swept across the living room. The furniture was thrown, and windows broke. Hwang Jun-peong realized he could not catch Su-hyeun easily. Both their eyes sparkled.

“I guess I can’t defeat him easily,” Su-hyeun thought.

It would have been nice if he could. Not only in the future but also now, Hwang Jun-peong was a top S-Rank awakener. It looked like Hwang Jun-peong was thinking of a similar thing. He closed and opened his hand that had been hitting Su-hyeun’s sword several times.

He said, “Shouldn’t we stop now?”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“Nothing good will come of this for either of us.”

“Not really.”

“I am Hwang Jun-peong. You will be in trouble if the world learns that you attacked me.”

“That will only happen if people don’t know that you are an awakener.”

“I just wanted to remain an actor. I didn’t mean to deceive people… I have a lot to say. I mean, I will be criticized a little, though.”

It seemed like he had spent a long time practicing those lines. Hwang Jun-peong shrugged as if it was not a big deal.

“My status will only increase if it’s revealed that I’m an awakener. Not being able to act anymore will be sad and not fun, but what can I do?”

Hwang Jun-peong grinned and looked at Su-hyeun again.

“So, what do you say? Do you still want to do it?”

Whoosh—

Boom, boom, boom—!

Hwang Jun-peong covered his face with his arms as flames burst out around him.

Su-hyeun walked through the flames covering all sides and replied, “The answer is too obvious.”

“…If you continue like this, civilians will be harmed.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a back-up.”

“You really… want to see this through to the end?”

“Do you think I came here just to play with you?”

Su-hyeun’s eyes turned blue. His magic started to amplify. Hwang Jun-peong gave Su-hyeun a pale look.

“You damn bastard…”

Crunch—

As Su-hyeun took a step, the solid marble floor of the penthouse cracked apart.

“Your play will be over today.”

***

All the awakeners’ guilds in Guangzhou gathered in one place. Including the biggest one, the Great Wall Guild, there were a total of 12 guilds. This was the first time since the New Year’s party of the Chinese Awakeners Guild Association.

“I don’t think anything happened.”

“Let’s wait. I’m sure it didn’t start yet.”

“What if nothing happens…”

“Then that is good. I hope we were just deceived…”

Each guild’s masters gathered in one place and talked.

There were countless people around them. All of them were fans who came to see the actor, Hwang Jun-peong.

“It’s been a while since Hwang Jun-peong was last seen, yet people are still standing here? They must be huge fans.”

“He’s such a big star. My kid really loves Hwang Jun-peong, too.”

“Isn’t he old? Do they really like that old man?”

“He is in his forties. But he’s not the same as other men the same age. He has a mature charm.”

The female guild master of the Meta Guild sparked her eyes as if she was a fan of Hwang Jun-peong.

Purr—!

From somewhere, an unfamiliar cry was heard. Many people looked in that direction.

“Look, look!”

“Mo… monster?”

“It’s a monster!”

A small dragon was flying in the sky and crying. The area was in an uproar. People started to run away.

“It is a monster… But…”

“Why is that so small?”

The awakeners, including the guild masters, looked at the small dragon and made confused faces. It was a monster, but it was too small to be a threat.

“But still… I guess we have to get rid of it.”

“Yes, we should.”

Whoosh—

Crack—!

As he finished his word, Zhu In reached out his hand and threw a lightning bolt at the dragon. The sky flashed. Zhu In turned his gaze from the sky.

“This should be enough,” he thought.

“Lo—look!”

Purr—! Purr—!

The dragon was not dead. Zhu In turned his head in astonishment. The dragon quickly flew. Soon, it came closer to them.

“Is it still fine?”

There wasn’t even a mark. When he looked closely, he could see the dragon had a thin magic layer around it.

Flap, flat—

The dragon was Miru. Miru flew to Zhu In, who threw a bolt of lightning at him. Zhu In reached out his hand again, wary of Miru. Another guild master stopped Zhu In.

“Hang on. Wait a minute. It has something around its foot.”

“…What?”

Purr—

Miru shook its paw as if understanding what he said. Zhu In opened the paper wrapped around Miru’s paw. There were squiggles. It seemed like the writer wrote it in a hurry.

“Please, take care of civilians. Please, evacuate people in the C&D Tower,” Zhu In read out loud each word on the paper. Then, he mumbled, “What the hell is this about?”

C&D Tower was the building in front of them. But the note said to evacuate those in here.

“Wait. Is this related to terrorism?” he thought.

It was at that moment.

Rumble—

He heard a small explosion come from the top of the building. Then, he could feel a giant magic wave. Zhu In shouted in surprise.

“Terror!”

People screamed.

“Run, run away!”

The note was not a joke. The terror from the Dump Guild began. The terrorist attack in Beijing was not that long ago, and now they committed a terrorist act in Guangzhou.

“Evacuate civilians first! Quickly!”

“Yes, sir!”

The twelve guilds, including the Great Wall of Zhu In, began to move quickly.

***

Clang— Clank—

Rumble—

The top floor of the C&D Tower was completely devastated. Because of the aftereffect of the fight, the furniture had been obliterated, and everything was burning.

Whoosh—!

Hwang Jun-peong grabbed Su-hyeun’s neck. When he tried to strengthen his grip, Su-hyeun’s sword cut off Hwang Jun-peong’s wrist.

Slash—

Puff—

The severed had blurred and disappeared. It was a trick with hallucination skills. At that moment, a sharp hand stretched out from behind.

[Doppelganger.]

Clank—!

Hwang Jun-peong’s hand could not reach Su-hyeun’s back. It was blocked by the sword. It was a doppelganger who had the same shape as Su-hyeun, but it did not have a face. The doppelganger’s sword blocked Hwang Jun-peong’s hand. Hwang Jun-peong braced his arm and pushed down on Su-hyeun’s sword. At that moment, the doppelganger skill disappeared, and Su-hyeun turned his body.

Whoosh—

Boom, boom—!

The power of the Flame skill gathered at the sword’s tip before bursting out. The attack increased the distance between the two men.

“Phew—”

“What the hell are you doing?”

Hwang Jun-peong gave Su-hyeun an incredulous look. Su-hyeun had relentlessly attacked him as if he would not back down. But he only fought defensively. Hwang Jun-peong did not expect that.

“You don’t have enough energy anymore? I’m disappointed…”

“Disappointed my ass. I know you’re happy now.”

“I do enjoy bullying.”

“You’re an asshole.”

Tap, tap—

Su-hyeun tapped the floor with his foot a couple of times. Then he looked around. He could see Miru through the broken window.

Purr, purr—!

“…Is that so?”

At Miru’s crying, Hwang Jun-peong turned his gaze. He wondered what was going on as he strained his eyes.

“No way… Did you?”

Hwang Jun-peong rushed to the window. Many awakeners gathered outside. People were evacuating because of the fight. And the awakeners were helping the remaining people.

“You and I are the only ones left in this building.”

Earlier, Su-hyeun had spread his magic throughout the building and checked how many people were left inside. It looked like the awakeners had evacuated all everyone. They would arrive soon.

Only

“Well, then…”

[The transfiguration skill: Imoogi.]

[Indomitable body.]

[The Flame.]

Crack, crack—

Scales began to grow on Su-hyeun’s body. The hard body turned dark, and blue Flame surrounded his body. For a flash, his magic wave changed. Hwang Jun-peong finally realized Su-hyeun had been buying time for people to escape.

Su-hyeun said, “Now let’s end this.”