Chapter 306

Lizard Tail (2)

"Next up, I will introduce the artifacts produced by Tim Fantasia from California, USA."

"Ah!"

"Oh, already..."

The contest had begun smoothly. The World Prize was also a place to select the world's greatest artifacts, but its true purpose was to show the abilities of artisans from each country and broaden each other's knowledge. By the time the contest finals were being introduced, the ranking was already confirmed, which was the presentation order. In other words, the later one was presented, the higher the ranking, so every time a piece of work was released, different teams were sighing with relief and disappointment.

"The chairman was so dazzling, but it remains the same."

Kang Shin-hyuk responded with laughter to Lee Manwoo's words.

"Where is humanity going?"

"Junior, what's the rank of the one that came out now?"

"A-. Wasn't it more than last year's contest level?"

Originally, it belonged to the level of luxury if it even exceeded B-class, but with so many high-ranking gates, the level of artifact materials had naturally increased. The artifacts being submitted were of a higher level than before. However, among the craftsmen, many weren't convinced of the rankings and voiced resentment as they thought they were the only ones to produce such artifacts.

"They still need mental training."

"What's the use of mental training in creating artifacts?"

"My senior still needs some too."

"That attitude pisses me off a little."

Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head lightly at Lee Na-hee running at him. He knew for sure that mental cultivation was important for the creation of artifacts because of his experience as Anvil, but he couldn't tell Lee Na-hee about that.

"You'll know someday too."

"That's...! I have a longer career!"

"Shin-hyuk was a better craftsman than you from the moment he first picked up the hammer."

"Well... Be prepared because I'll show you my work isn't an easy opponent."

Lee Na-hee hadn't shown him the final process of her work. She couldn't have surpassed his level alone, but he wondered what he could expect to see when she shouted so loudly. And another surprising fact was that Ebiger Hammer hadn't come out yet, even though more than half the participating teams had been called. Certainly, the team won gold last year, but that was a competition for rookies, and they had only created a C-rank artifact. However, the fact that their name hadn't been called so far when the works that approached A-rank were being announced meant that they had exceeded that level...

'I guess their potential was great, given their growth in just one year...'

Kang Shin-hyuk smiled as he felt the gaze of that blonde beauty on him from across the room. But if Lee Na-hee knew his thoughts, she would've started yelling at him.

"Ah."

Eleanor, who was sitting on his left, let out a single exclamation. The reason was easy to see, as Wilford and Prince William were entering the theater. Of course, not only that. He could feel the royal knights coming in as if to guard his back and the energy scattering all over the theater. They were superhumans with the ability to move in secret. Moreover, the negative energy they exuded was similar to that of Wilford and the superhumans from Zeus they had met in Africa.

'Somehow...'

Kang Shin-hyuk looked at William's complexion. Although he was pretending to be calm, he was unable to hide his emotions. Then it was clear that Wilford had caught on to today's plans, or at least made him think there was something suspicious. Kang Shin-hyuk looked into the secret space of the theater, where Olivia was hiding. She, too, seemed to stiffen as she realized that Wilford had brought troops that were beginning to search the theater. She seemed to be struggling to see if they could detect the secret space she was stowed in. It was only a matter of time, however. They would be familiar with the royal palace's secret facilities, so finding her before the convention was over would be simple.

'If I don't interfere.'

Kang Shin-hyuk quietly sent out his energy. It wasn't his spiritual power, but the energy of the Royal Dragon. Eleanor, noticing his eyes were stained with five colors, was clearly relieved as she gently leaned over to him.

"Please."

"Don't worry."

"I'm very jealous of your secret exchange... Can't you include me?"

"Concentrate on the stage."

It wasn't bad that Kang Shin-hyuk had been interested in British magic construction, as it had given him a thought on how to apply it to his own energy. By moving energy, hiding or revealing things, it was an ability that perfectly matched him, and he was skilled enough to apply it after just a few days.

-Saaahhh

As a result, his energy permeated the threat and created new distortions. Barriers that couldn't be easily found overlaid the secret spaces that already existed. It would take someone of Janus's skill to pierce them. Along with that, a few traps were set up to trick those who searched those secret spaces. Kang Shin-hyuk was surprised by himself at his capability.

'Isn't this completely like magic?"

Kang Shin-hyuk just laughed. Previously, Golden Dragon Fighter had been unparalleled in strengthening himself, but Royal Dragon was of a different level entirely. After fully grasping and evolving oneself, he gained the power of authority to intervene. It was the ability to change everything in the world, starting from one's own viewpoint and gradually moving onto others. It was amazing as it was, but he would eventually be capable of astonishing results. If he used Royal Dragon like he had Golden Dragon Fighter, it would've decayed its value.

'If I could've used this like this when I fought Janus...'

Even if preventing the explosion was impossible, he could've distorted its direction. It would've been possible to cut off the synchronization so that Shin Eunah hadn't disappeared. But thinking about that didn't give him the ability to turn back time. He just had to believe that one day they would reunite and do his best until then.

"Well?!"

It was then that Wilford exclaimed as he looked for a seat, horror plain on his face. The reason was obvious, as all the men he had sent out were trapped by Kang Shin-hyuk's barrier. It had been so secret and swift that Wilford couldn't dare track down its source, but he figured out that the signals from his men were cut off.

"Your Majesty, why are you doing this?"

One of the staff at the World Prize approached Wilford. He had screamed loudly enough that even with the ceremony in full swing, he had drawn attention. Wilford shook his head, saying it was okay with an ambiguous smile as he felt everyone's gaze.

-Death Puppeteer, are you listening?

Then, pretending to be calm, he sat down and communicated with Kang Shin-hyuk. He was using a communicator prepared with the Chiral, and, of course, it was an object that had been properly taken by Kang Shin-hyuk.

"I'm listening."

Kang Shin-hyuk responded naturally as if he hadn't noticed what was happening around him.

-Demons are hiding in the theater. I'm planning on raiding the theater, so you have to help me.

"I see."

Kang Shin-hyuk wasn't brainwashed in the first place, so he wasn't sure, but after all, this ability didn't seem easy. If it was complete, why bother making such excuses instead of ordering him to find and kill Olivia? It was evident that there was a gap in the ability, supporting the idea that William was attempting to save Olivia.

"But it's hard to move because the contest is in progress."

-Wouldn't it be fine to make an excuse to go to the bathroom? I want you to show your ability as No. 1 in the world rankings.

"Hmm, then I will."

After finishing the communication, Kang Shin-hyuk thought about how to act from now on. Now that he had given up on getting more information by sticking to Wilford, the only question was when to reveal Wilford's identity and kill him...

"Claire?"

-Bartender's whisper: Huh?

"Come now. Hide."

-Bartender's whisper: Okay.

Immediately afterward, a pleasant sense of weight landed on Kang Shin-hyuk's knee. It was Claire, having used nanobots to make herself transparent.

"What can I do?"

"Wait a minute, prepare for treatment. When I send the signal, first of all, Prince William over there."

"Who's the idiot next to him?"

"He's going to die today."

"Hey, uh, yeah."

Claire, who kept her heart as a middle schooler, sent a signal that she liked what he said, but he would be treated as a fool if they kissed now. Lee Na-hee and Eleanor, sitting beside him, couldn't be fooled, however.

"Oh, unnie?"

"Unnie..."

"Don't be so loud. I'll move for a moment."

"Hey, but it's the second half."

Obviously, only ten teams were remaining. However, Kang Shin-hyuk spoke lightly as she looked at him with a worried expression.

"Your name will be called first anyway. I'll go out first and take some time."

"I really want to hit you."

"What?"

"Ah, unnie, that's not it."

While she expressed her condolences, having forgotten Claire was there, Kang Shin-hyuk got up very quietly, using light and dark mastery little by little.

'I think I can use [Dawn] now. Should I thank the Godslayer?'

As he made fun of himself, Wilford's voice came into his ear.

-The demons are pretending to be Olivia. Don't listen to it and kill it for sure.

"I see."

Yeah, this way, William was a bit out of the brainwashing. Really, this stupid guy... Kang Shin-hyuk sighed as he started to move. First of all, those who were trapped in the barrier were pulled together and neutralized. And likewise, those hiding in the secret space were forced to unite with Olivia.

"Cha?!"

"What is this?"

"Your Majesty?!"

It was a secret space created with magic, with perfected soundproofing equipment. Kang Shin-hyuk softly appeared in front of Olivia's bodyguard, forced to the ground somewhat coercively, and Oliva was looking down on them with wide-open eyes.

"Shin Eun-hyuk!

"Now, pretending to be amazed. Didn't you mean to give your life to me when I came here today?"

"If you know that far, I've nothing more to say."

"The people in the search team have been taken care of, so relax."

"Haha, that's great."

Olivia laughed as she watched him; she looked a lot more fragile than the last time they met.

"Should I first give you a kiss of gratitude? Honestly, I could manage something more if you feel like it.."

"Don't say that too loud, or you might end up getting killed."

If she were caught by Claire, it wouldn't end as a joke. Kang Shin-hyuk sighed and looked down at the stage. The blond beauty of Ebiger Hammer, who won third place, left the stage resentfully, and Lee Na-hee, in second place, was called alone.

"You have to wait a bit. Soon it will be over."

"What does that mean?"

"First place. The artifact I created."

Then Olivia, who turned her attention to the stage, shouted in astonishment.

"No way, did you know the situation here from the time you were in Korea?!"

"No."

Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged.

"Originally, all games have a second stage— or something along the lines of that."