âYou said youâre Marquis Laote, right?â Sung Joon asked fluently in the other world language. Jang Hoon and Shin Chul couldnât follow along as they didnât understand the other world language, but it wasnât as if they were completely lost.
Thatâs because anyone could learn the other world language on Earth if they worked at it. It was just really hard.
âHmm!â
Laote curiously looked at Sung Joon, as Sung Joon could speak in his worldâs language.
âYouâre just an insignificant human and otherworlder, yet you can speak our language?â
The highest ranking members of the Species Alliance like the Vampires, Elves, or Dwarves, were inclined to believe that they were superior to humans. Obviously Sung Joon didnât like that they thought that.
âWhere did you learn our language?â
âWhatâs the point in telling you? Youâll be dead soon,â Sung Joon said, throwing out a light provocation.
âThatâs what you call a challenge?â
Laote acted calm, but it seemed like Sung Joonâs provocation had ended up working. The sword in Laoteâs hand was enveloped by a red aura. Sung Joon smiled and took two steps back.
âIâll leave the minions to you.â
Sung Joon decided to leave the minions to Shin Chul and Jang Hoon. There was nothing more bothersome than minions getting in the way while fighting against the boss.
âYou donât have to worry about us.â
âWeâll finish them quickly and come help you with the boss!â
The two spoke confidently.
âKill them,â Laote commanded and the Vampire Knights moved first. Laoteâs intent was likely to launch a surprise attack on Sung Joon once he found an opening, but Shin Chul and Jang Hoon took on the minions. With a single leap, Sung Joon escaped the melee and landed in front of Laote.
âTch!â
Laote clicked his tongue and finished casting his blood magic. The red magic circle on the floor spewed red blood, formed into sharp blades, and then rushed Sung Joon like a storm.
âThis is high-rank blood magic! You must be careful!â Rihsubalt warned. The technique looked incredibly dangerous, even to Sung Joon. The marble floor was ruined, and the sound of blades cutting through the air intensified.
âItâs not over yet!â Laote yelled. Sung Joon sensed the movement of mana from behind him. He turned his head ever so slightly, turning his gaze backwards, and saw a blood red wall.
âIs he trying to cut off my escape route?â
If Sung Joon were a mage, he wouldnât have allowed the spellâs completion. Unfortunately, despite being a bit special, he was still a âHealerâ.
âLaoteâs blade is cursed. If youâre cut by it even once, your blood will explode, and the damage would completely destroy the affected region,â Rishubalt warned. Because he had experience fighting against Laote before, he was already well aware of this.
Sung Joon looked at Marquis Laote and smirked. Laoteâs blood explosion may be fatal, but that just meant he needed to avoid Laoteâs blade.
âRest in peace.â
âBlink.â
Laote, who thought heâd completely corned Sung Joon, gestured and a storm of blood advanced upon Sung Joon.
The storm of blood advanced instantaneously with a speed akin to high-speed movement. Seeing that, Sung Joon used âBlinkâ.
âBlink?â
Blink was a difficult to handle magical technique that was only really used by high-rank magicians or the Imperial Armyâs Pan-Dimensional Task Force.
Laote was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected maneuver. Sung Joon reappeared on Laoteâs left.
âGale Sword.â
Sung Joon unleashed his Gale Sword, which was a combination of sword winds with high-speed movement that instantaneously closed the distance.
Sharp sword winds poured out, but the red blood that collected onto the floor blocked them.
âThis is active protection magic!â Rishubalt explained.
Active protection magic was a continuous spell that was maintained until the caster stopped supplying the required mana.
There was a continuous strain on mana, but because it was a continuous spell, it enabled the caster to focus wholly on offense.
It was classified as high-rank magic, and the magical formula was incredibly complex, so not many people could actually use it.
âIf you want to pierce through it, then you need to use an attack with the force of aura.â
âDo I have no choice but to use the Illusionary SwordâŚ?â
Sung Joon muttered to himself. It seemed like the Illusionary Sword, which summoned thirty-one illusionary aura blades that cut and stabbed, would easily be able to pierce through the active protection magic.
Sung Joon calmly planted his feet, and channeled his mana.
When Laote saw the flow of Sung Joonâs surging mana, he realized that Sung Joonâs was preparing to unleash an exceptional attack.
âI wonât let you do as you please!â
Laote summoned dozens of blood spears, directing them towards Sung Joon. At the same time, he used high-speed movement to close the distance.
Sung Joon not only evaded or defended against all the blood spears, but also parried Laoteâs own attack and even managed to counterattack.
âUgh!â
Due to the sudden counter, Laote groaned and stepped back. If it werenât for the active protection magic, he wouldâve been on the receiving end of Sung Joonâs counterattack.
âThis is the first time Iâve seen such nigh-perfect swordsmanship since RoukelâŚ!â
Laote was flustered, but he pressed on, calmly attacking Sung Joon with his sword. As Sung Joon and Laote crossed blades, Sung Joon widened his stance and calmly widened the distance. Then, in that instance, he channeled his mana and lunged with his sword.
âIllusionary Sword!â
âThis technique isâŚ!?â
Thirty-one illusionary swords rushed towards Laote. Laote had only briefly seen the Illusionary Swords, but he realized from its inception that his active protection magic wouldnât be able to defend against it. Heâd brandished his blade clad in red aura while casting high-rank defensive blood magic and tried to defend.
But it was impossible for a Vampire noble to block all the illusionary swords, let alone one with his skills.
âAH!â
He yelled in agony as his left arm was severed. Laote tried his very best, but it didnât matter. Laote used his blood magic to stem the bleeding and retreated.
âTell me. Otherworlder⌠How do you know of a forgotten technique that only Roukel knewâŚâ
He didnât think heâd ever live to see another Illusionary Sword used. Laote voice was shaking tremendously. Sung Joon smirked and surveyed the situation around him.
Shin Chul and Jang were doing well. There were only five Vampire Knights left. Sung Joon opened his mouth with a calm expression.
âGo and tell themâŚâ
Sung Joon used high-speed movement right as he opened his mouth, causing him to vanish. Laote sensed a presence behind him and quickly turned around. However, Sung Joon wasnât there. Laote then sensed a presence to his right.
âThat Roukel has returned.â
âShit!â
Sung Joonâs lightning fast slash severed Laoteâs right arm. Laote couldnât bear the pain and Sung Joon, upon seeing Laote flailing around, smiled icily.
âThat is, if you can.â
Sung Joon aimed for Laoteâs heart and lunged. Laote attempted to dodge the blow, but he had lost both arms and it was difficult for him to even keep his balance, so using high-speed movement was impossible for him.
âUgh!â
Ultimately, his lung was completely destroyed. Red blood spilled out of Laoteâs mouth, but Sung Joon didnât stop there. He drew his dagger and followed up with another attack.
His dagger sliced through Laoteâs throat. Red blood burst out like a fountain. It was fatal, even for Vampires who naturally possessed a high regeneration rate.
âUgh! Damn it!â
Laote felt despair. He calmly assessed the situation, but no matter how he looked at it, there was no hope left for him. He couldnât even use his blood magic to staunch the bleeding due to the severe pain.
Finally, Sung Joon pulled out the sword that had destroyed Laoteâs lung and swung it, cutting Laoteâs stomach. He continued, stabbing Laoteâs left shoulder.
âAH!â
Laote let out an agonizing scream; Sung Joon smiled coldly and opened his mouth.
âHey, Species Allianceâs underling. I wonât let you go easily, so donât worry.â
âP-Please⌠let me liveâŚ!â
Sung Joonâs killing intent seemed to freeze the air. Laote begged for his life, but Sung Joonâs expression remained cold and unchanging.
âSorry, but Iâm not stupid enough to be merciful to my enemies.â
âAHH!â
His blade had pierced Laoteâs right thigh. The more the pain, the clearer it became that he wouldnât survive.
Sung Joon continued to torture Laote until he couldnât even utter a scream; only then did he end his life.
âAbsorb.â
Sung Joon absorbed the mana from Laoteâs corpse.
âYour synchronization rate has become 53%,â Rishubalt reported. Sung Joon nodded his head with a satisfied expression.
âWeâve finished up over here as well.â
That was Shin Chulâs voice. Jang Hoon pierced the last remaining Vampire Knightâs chest with his greatsword.
âLetâs get out of here.â
Theyâd cleared the elite S-rank dungeon. All that was left was returning home.
* * *
After clearing the elite S-rank dungeon, the group sold its magic stones. Sung Joonâs share was about $80 million. The total assault time wasnât very long, even when they factored in breaks, which proved the efficiency of party play.
But because Shin Chul and Jang Hoon, while talented, couldnât utilize âAbsorptionâ, they had to rest for at least one week following an S-rank dungeon run. Therefore, he had to alternate between solo and party play.
âIâm a bit tired today.â
Sung Joon spent his sluggish afternoon sitting in one the large garden chairs. Since it hadnât even been two days since heâd gone through the elite S-rank dungeon with Shin Chul and Jang Hoon, they were resting in another building.
The silence was broken by the sound of their security being installed, and the disturbance rang in his ears.
âIâve brought some refreshments.â
One of the caretakers approached him, and left snacks and tea on the table and left. He had three caretakers for the mansion, as the mansion was so large.
He vacantly watched the workers work, but then his phone rang and he realized that he was getting a call.
Sung Joon took out his phone and checked the display. Chief Na Han Soo was calling him. Sung Joon brought the phone to his ear and opened his mouth.
âHello?â
âChairman. Construction for expanding the facility is finished. I felt like I had to inform you.â
âAh⌠Thank you. Iâd like to see just how much the laboratory has changed.â
âI think you can come in today. Itâs still messy as construction was just finished. I feel like itâd do wonders for everyoneâs mood if you were to visit, Mr. Chairman.â
âThen Iâll get going immediately.â
Sung Joon went over to the garage, and drove his car over to the laboratory.
Joo Sung, the head researcher was waiting in the parking lot for Sung Joon. Once she saw Sung Joonâs Hunter sedan, she immediately bowed her head and politely greeted him.
âThere are no problems, right?â Sung Joon asked. Sung Eun nodded her head and opened her mouth.
âYes. Thereâs nothing of note.â
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She moved first.
âPlease come this way. Iâll show you facilities inside the laboratory.â
Sung Joon, led by Sung Eun, looked over the laboratoryâs facilities. In the middle of the tour, Han Soo joined in as well.
He introduced the new research facilities with an overwhelmingly confidence expression. Sung Joon, whoâd finished his visit to the laboratory and returned home, learned from Jung Chul that the security system was fully installed.