Chapter 291

(291)

Dissipation (4)

The erosion vanished, but not all the monsters. However, they were visibly weakened as the eroded gate empowering them was destroyed, and it became possible for the hurried superhumans to slay them.

"Mr. Puppeteer!"

Bridget ran through the air towards Kang Shin-hyuk, who felt everything was lost. After killing most of the remaining monsters, the situation was coming to an end.

"What about unnie?!"

"...Sorry."

"It's a lie, right? Both of you are so strong..."

Even in that urgent situation, Bridget managed to observe Kang Shin-hyuk and Shin Eunah fighting against an unknown beauty. In fact, their fight had been so intense that she couldn't help but see them. And the two, who were already strong, grew stronger as they fought that beauty. Maybe we could make it through- they exhibited such a force that it made those who were there feel that optimism.

"But why did... Huh? Where is she?!"

"It's my fault."

Kang Shin-hyuk spoke emptily as he stared at the Great Heavenly Spirit.

"If it wasn't for this..."

How long had he thought of it as a simple battery that only supplied energy? Had he even thought of the possibility of it going berserk while he put Halo's branches in it? No, of course, he thought it might be dangerous. However, if he hadn't done it, he wouldn't have been able to fight against Janus. It wasn't rational, but in that situation, he made the best choice he could... As a result, the gate had exploded with Shin Eunah. Wordless and motionless, Kang Shin-hyuk sat on the cold ground as a calm message appeared in his retinas.

-No, she isn't dead.

'... That's great timing, administrator.'

He laughed unbidden at the exquisite timing of the message.

-Janus vanished with the gate, and reconnection was possible. I tried to get her out as quickly as possible...

'With your power, Janus's expulsion was accelerated... Something like that?'

-That's right, but...

As if guessing at Kang Shin-hyuk's mood, even the administrator hesitated. He didn't know how hard the admin actually worked to force Janus out, but the situation was already terrible.

'It's okay, more than that...'

-Yes, member.

For the first time, Kang Shin-hyuk felt negatively towards the administrator who had been consistently devoted to him as there was some doubtful corner in his mind. But for now, he suppressed it.

'She isn't dead?'

-That's right. The magical explosion that took place was created by the Heavenly Spirit's involvement and resulted in the creation of a very small dimension. Eunah was trapped there.

Well, it was a massive explosion. The gate going berserk wasn't too serious, but the magic of Shin Eunah, who literally boasted infinite magical power and had even evolved... On the surface, it seemed that Shin Eunah had rushed to the gate alone, but the Great Heavenly Spirit was already resonating with both of them. Not only did it have an effect on that magical explosion, but that was influencing the orb as well.

'That dimension... Can you access it?'

-That isn't possible with the power of the Hero Universe.

However, the administrator had some good news.

-But, there is a possibility that the Great Heavenly Spirit is still connected to that dimension.

Another laugh came out of him at the admin's words. Kang Shin-hyuk watched the slowly changing orb carefully before hefting it in his hand. He thought it might take a while for it to be completed.

'It means to wait.'

-That's right. She will be safe, so rest assured.

'It's as if you know she is safe.'

-Sorry for not being helpful in time, member.

In response to the polite apology, Kang Shin-hyuk was suddenly aware of how openly he had spoken to the administrator. Even if the admin was involved in this matter, his only option was to trust the administrator for now. Kang Shin-hyuk felt truly foolish.

'I'm sorry, I know you're on my side.'

-I'm very sorry, member. For the administrator... It was unstoppable.

That was right. Kang Shin-hyuk shook off the myriad of emotions arising in him and slowly opened his eyes. Claire's face was right in front of him.

"Okay...?"

She probably already knew about Shin Eunah. Just as Eunah was precious to Kang Shin-hyuk, she was also an irreplaceable person to Claire. However, she was trying to hide her heart out of concern for him. Perhaps that was an attitude befitting of a real adult.

"I'm sorry, Claire. I should've..."

"I know you did your best. I, because I lack ability..."

The two shared the feelings only they could. Shin Eunah meant different things to each of them, but that sense of loss was common. They didn't say anything further as they hugged each other and stood still for a while.

"Mr. Puppeteer... What should I do..."

"Sorry... But she's still alive..."

Kang Shin-hyuk, having barely calmed down thanks to Claire, spoke quietly. Who wasn't dead? Shin Eunah? As Bridget's eyes widened, he continued urgently.

"I'll tell you later. There are other things to take care of now."

"Yes."

Claire must've heard the explanation from the administrator, too, as the two exchanged a meaningful glance. Kang Shin-hyuk turned around after putting the Great Heavenly Spirit in his inventory. Everyone was recovering the bodies and taking care of the injured, but many eyes were glancing at him even in the midst of that. He let out a sigh.

"Shall we help too?"

"Yes. Fortunately, the damage is limited to the gym."

"All of the key talents were concentrated here..."

The damage had been great. When the rookie matches were over, the presentation ceremony was scheduled to be held there, so most of the students were in the gym. It wasn't just students, either. Many key personnel from the world's leading guilds were there as well to observe future talent. And although the members of Masked Bacchus struggled with all their might, about 40% of them had been lost forever. Kang Shin-hyuk confirmed that most of the people he was close to were safe and felt a little disgusted with himself at the relief it brought.

"Shin-hyuk..."

When the work of confirming the casualties was mostly finished, Baek In-ha approached. His gloomy disposition, which he'd never seen before, proved the seriousness of the situation.

"Oh Hye-na?"

"She's sleeping."

Dominated by Oh Joo-young's thoughts, she had stabbed Kang Shin-hyuk, so she must've been doing badly.

"I don't know what to think, but in the end, she helped me a lot... And you did well."

"...Thank you."

"It's okay."

"Junior... That, let's take a break first and talk later. Huh?"

The members of Masked Bacchus flocked to him, following behind Baek In-ha. They also saw Shin Eunah vanish, but they didn't want to mention it as they knew Kang Shin-hyuk only looked alright on the outside. Kang Shin-hyuk felt his frozen heart warming up as his colleagues tried to comfort him in their own clumsy manner.

"Please wait a moment."

However, one of those watching them opened his mouth. He was a scout who belonged to the No. 10 guilds in Korea, and Kang Shin-hyuk remembered seeing him in his first year.

"Is Kang Shin-hyuk the Death Puppeteer, Shin Eun-hyuk?"

"That's right."

Kang Shin-hyuk nodded, unable to hide it any longer. A wave of surprise spread around the survivors.

"No, how did that happen... Did you hide your age and sneak into this school...?"

"The fake status is Shin Eun-hyuk, but... Can we discuss it later?"

"Oh, that, excuse me."

The scout, full of admiration and disbelief, urgently stepped back. Everyone was eager to ask about Kang Shin-hyuk, especially to take their minds off the situation around them.

"No, really, Shin Eun-hyuk's a minor? Wait, he's now No. 1?"

"Shut up, idiot!"

"Rather, what about the association? This happened in Shinyoung. Does it make sense that they haven't come?"

The people didn't dare bother him further and withdrew as Kang Shin-hyuk cleared the situation. He, wanting nothing more than to retire with his colleagues, stopped listening to them. It was natural there was no interference from outside while the gate had been eroded, but it was strange that there was no one from the outside when the gate was destroyed. No, didn't Shin Eunah come to support them in the middle? So, shouldn't the association already have noticed? It was natural for them to arrive by now, but...

"Crazy."

"Well, why suddenly..."

"Uh..."

"No way..."

At that moment, a superhuman who took out his phone to check the situation let out a cry. Gradually, amazement and silence spread among the people who gathered around him. Kang Shin-hyuk also frowned and tried to listen from a distance, but suddenly a great sound rang out from somewhere in the distance.

-Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

It was such a massive explosion that, even though it was coming from far away, the sound didn't quiet down at all. Kang Shin-hyuk urgently climbed the half-collapsed gymnasium to take a look. A huge building located a few kilometers away was being consumed by a large flame.

"What..."

"Wait, there..."

Baek, who had followed hastily, muttered quietly as he saw it.

"No, you're joking... that's the association HQ...!"