CH 9

Despite her young age, was it because she was already a top-class A-Rank ability user who had traveled around the world?

Baek Hwa-seon could immediately recognize the man’s identity.

“Glaco!”

As an A-Rank hallucinator, the man who made a name for himself in the underworld like Crewell was none other than his true identity.

She naturally came to know the identities of the other four as well.

“Ashen Wolf!”

As one of the organizations formed by the hallucinators, those who were with Glaco were members of the guild Ashen Wolf and his teammates.

Considering the nature of Ashen Wolf, which aims for a small number of elites, the probability that Glaco’s teammates were all A-Rankers was high, and her expression could only stiffen.

As if aware of her expression or not, the confrontation between Glaco and Baron was becoming more and more tense.

Although he was following from a distance while hiding, Glaco was listening carefully to what Baek Hwa-seon was saying.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Did you catch Crewell?”

“He seems like a foreigner, but he speaks Korean well. Is he a Korean adoptee?”

“Is he a agent sent by the Union?”

“Is baldness hereditary?”

Questions kept coming without any answers.

They were each speaking their minds, but while Baron remained calm, Glaco seemed to be sufficiently stimulated as his face gradually turned red.

In contrast, the surrounding air became even cooler, and the temperature had dropped to the level of what could be considered a mid-winter.

And that’s when Baron’s decisive blow came.

“Grow, hair, grow!”

It was a childish provocation that meant nothing, but it had enough power to get under Glaco’s skin.

“Kill him!”

As if he had already given up on trying to gather information about the opponent, he exerted his strength roughly, and the members of the Ashen Wolf guild jumped out in unison.

All of the members of Glaco’s team, who were A-Rank hallucinators, turned into a fierce storm and bared their savage teeth.

Clang! Clang! Bang!

As soon as Baron and Baek Hwa-seon stood up, the bench they were sitting on exploded and was shattered by the attack of the angry mob.

The attackers split into pairs and chased after Baron and Baek Hwa-seon.

It seems that all four of them were specialized in physical enhancement, as their physical agility and movements increased in a split second during the pursuit, making their movements appear dizzying.

In the midst of the collision, Baron’s eyes caught something, as if he had sensed something.

‘Huh?’

He felt resistance pushing against his body.

He could feel the raging gusts trying to constrain his body. In that moment, he realized that this chill was acting as a sort of barrier and shackle to hold him in place.

On the contrary, it seemed like the Ashen wolf members were being empowered instead. As time passed, their physical abilities became even more agile, and their fangs and claws became sharper. Adding their enhanced physical capabilities, it made it even more difficult to confront them.

Is it because they were each ability users who had reached A-Rank?

As Baek Hwa-seon began to show signs of gradually falling behind, she took step after step backwards, her complexion beginning to darken.

The subtle sensation of suppressing the body’s senses, which Baron felt, was also being experienced by her.

However, if there was a difference, it was that Baron immediately sensed the change in his body, while she had not yet clearly grasped this aspect.

Furthermore,

‘I am not fully recovered yet…’

Due to an injury suffered during an overseas mission, she was not in perfect condition at the moment.

It was a situation where they could not help but fall behind in many ways.

‘Hmm… it’s dangerous.’

Baron looked at Baek Hwa-seon with a sidelong glance and then looked at the rushing attackers.

Was the feeling that they seemed to be bewildered just a misconception?

“Can we avoid this?”

“Do we need to counterattack?”

It was definitely not a misconception.

They were surprised by Baron’s flexible response and physical prowess.

Glaco’s own abilities were considerable, but his practical abilities on the battlefield were of a type called ‘Field,’ with his specialty being manipulating ice bonds.

It was the ability to slow down enemies and push allies forward, making them feel faster and stronger in comparison.

But what’s this?

‘Why? How is he still so agile?’

As time passed, the influence of the Field should have become stronger, but instead, the enemy seemed to have adapted in that time and gradually matched their movements. He were even mounting a counterattack, which was unexpected.

The members of the Ashen Wolf guild are all talented individuals who come from special forces, and even if they hadn’t undergone physical changes through awakening, a few of the lower-ranked individuals were just human weapons to be used at will.

However, these individuals underwent physical changes through awakening and further strengthened themselves with their physical abilities.

These individuals, who were not unworthy of being called superheroes, are none other than the members of the Ashen Wolf guild.

‘We are being pushed back…?’ Glaco’s expression stiffened as he watched.

He pushed his ability to the limit in response to the opponent’s adaptability, hastily raising the limit of the field. Since it wasn’t a sequential flow, there was a recoil inside him and his nose began to bleed.

It was the fear of the opponent that caused him to be overwhelmed.

Papapapang…

As if influenced by that, the punch that passed by Baron’s face shook his eardrums with even stronger waves.

It felt like a gust of wind was about to blow and strike, a freezing wave of damage hit from a distance, making the skin tingle.

Although he shook his body here and there to shake it off, was he really a power type ability user with physical enhancement abilities after all?

“It’s definitely different from Chrome or Crewell. That’s for sure.”

It was an obvious point.

Crewell’s specialty was using the Observer’s ability to observe the opponent and predict the flow of their power through almost precognitive predictions to bring the battle to a close.

It was a fact that the physical ability of his body itself was lacking compared to an A-Rank, and in addition, for Baron who couldn’t be predicted, he was too easy of an opponent.

Is it because of that?

“I haven’t stretched my body in a while.”

Baron’s mouth twitched slightly upwards, indicating that he was feeling good.

‘This guy!’

His actions had caught the attention of the charging wolves and Glaco who had been watching.

‘Since it’s just a matter of time before we catch that bitch anyway.’

Glaco quickly signaled one of his team members who was attacking the Baek Hwa-seon and sent him towards Baron.

Baron laughed loudly in response to the sudden pressure.

“That’s right. It’s more efficient to have a group of three for the test.”

With an incomprehensible shout, his movements became even more chaotic.

Zap! Bam!

As the numbers increased, the attacks that penetrated his body at regular intervals became more frequent.

They all aimed for the weak points like true special forces veterans, launching their attack relentlessly. Some even attempted to sneak attack him, but Baron remained unfazed.

‘Is he a monster?’

‘He can withstand this?’

‘Fuck!’

At the same time, the expressions of the three men charging towards him twisted in pain as the impact increased and a sharp pain surged through their wrists.

‘Why is he so tough?’

‘He’s not even a monster, this is unbelievable…’

‘It’s not like he’s wearing ogre leather or anything.’

They were the ones striking, but the damage seemed to be accumulating back onto them.

Did he read their emotions?

“Why are your fists so weak?”

Baron taunted them at a timely moment.

“Don’t tell me you don’t even have a single gun?”

Basically as A-Rank physical ability users, their bodies were often more lethal weapons than guns, so it was rare for them to bother with guns.

When hunting high-level monsters, of course, they would be armed not only with firearms but with sufficient weaponry, but the situation now was completely different.

Of course, that didn’t mean they were empty-handed.

From their arms, they drew several short swords, with their sharp and ominous edge, making it clear that they were weapons specifically designed for hunting monsters.

And it happened.

Spit…pew, pot…swoosh!

Baron’s clothes were torn apart, and blood splattered everywhere. Finally, his tough body started to get some scars.

They were not fatal and all superficial wounds, but the chill that went through them opened up the wounds even more and quickly aggravated the injuries.

Baron’s gaze briefly drifted away from the battlefield and landed on Glaco.

‘He seems quite useful in a long-term battle.’

As his gaze turned, it quickly shifted to Baek Hwa-seon.

Thanks to the situation changing to a one-on-one battle, things had improved quite a bit, but it still seemed like she was pushed back, having suffered significant losses while facing the previous two.

“Maybe she’s a future prodigy or something, but now she’s still a newcomer whose talent outshines her experience.”

Of course, the injuries suffered overseas also played a significant role.

In any case, it was true that her performance was somewhat lacking compared to her reputation.

This was also a conclusion drawn from not knowing the fame of the Ashen Wolves.

Because the members of the Ashen Wolves are true elites who possess not only experience and skills but also talent, to the extent that even a single team member could surpass the team leaders of most high-level guilds.

With only a few members in the double digits, maintaining their position as a top group in the underground world was a clear example of their skills.

Moreover, it wasn’t just all disappointment.

‘Hooh… But she has adapted to the shackles somehow.’

It was impressive to see her start moving within the gusts of Glaco, not just withstand them.

As Baron observed her method, his eyes flickered.

‘Is that…? Look at this!’

His eyes, which were shining, quickly turned back to the spot.

Pop, pop, pop…

The swords of the oncoming wolves were fierce enough to dispel his contemplation.

‘Let’s forget about Baek Hwa-seon for now and focus on these tough guys. Plus, now that I’ve warmed up properly, why not give them a little surprise gift?’

Baron said with a raised corner of his mouth.

“In combat, it is proper to face weapons with weapons.”

As he spoke, his hand went into his pocket, and as it came out, the pupils of the approaching members of the Ashen Wolves grew wide.

It was because something unexpected had popped out.

‘A gun?’

‘T-Twin pistols?’

‘Not that!’

Before the thought of cheating could even enter their minds, the barrel spewed flames.

Bang. Ttaang. Bang…

It was a sudden shot fired at close range during the hand-to-hand combat. Even if they were A-Rank physical abilities user, gunshots at this range could not be ignored.

Moreover, it was an unexpected timing for the gunshot. Who would have thought that two nice-looking guns would pop out of that shabby outfit?

“Ugh…”

“Ouch!”

As expected, two of them groaned and fell to their knees. The remaining one staggered back with a crumpled face.

Baron’s powerful kick flew towards the two bleeding from their shoulders and sides.

Thump!

They collapsed with groans simultaneously.

Their jaws dropped as they collapsed unconscious. The remaining man was taken aback, but did not dare to rush forward or bare his teeth.

He was not a match for him even when they were three on one. He barely dodged the bullets with his short sword, but fighting back was futile.

Baron, who was spinning the guns in both hands, revealed his teeth and laughed.

“Even though it’s 3 against 1, no, considering this weird wind, it’s practically 4 against 1. This much has to be done for it to be fair, don’t you think?”

And then came the parade of gunfire.

Bang bang bang… bang… bang…

It was only a moment that he dodged with his short sword.

But it was difficult to withstand the firepower from not one, but two guns concentrated at close range. In the end, even the remaining one had to kneel.

And around this time, the battlefield was already losing its heat.

Baek Hwa-seon and the wolf that had been chasing her were also facing the sudden situation, and they were staring with their eyes fixed, without moving. Likewise, Glaco was just staring with a stupid, bewildered face, rolling his eyes.

The appearance of the gun was undoubtedly unexpected and surprising, but it was not shocking to the point of being overwhelming.

In fact, there was something else that made him astonished.

‘But… to be defeated so easily like this?’

Glaco’s jaw was hanging down.

Although the firepower of the gun was certainly not to be underestimated, what was even more impressive was the wielder’s exquisite body movements.

He showed off his impressive movements, firing his guns loudly in a space that wouldn’t be strange to even have a brawl in. but there was no ability to stop it.

Even the last wolf was no exception to this.

It was difficult to understand why he was acting so recklessly in his “field.”

‘He’s not a superhuman, is he?’

That was the extent of his thoughts.

The barrel that was hunting the wolves was fixed on him.

“Shit!”

Amidst a curse, another spark burst out.

Taang…