Chapter 980: Crescendo Of The Conflict [Pt 2]
Sung Han Soo's heart pounded against his ribcage as he looked around him.
The chaotic scene behind him fading into a blur, and the bloody sight before him nearly made him retch.
The deafening explosion that had rocked the grand symposium still resonated in his ears, a reminder of the peril they had narrowly escaped.
Sweat trickled down his forehead, mixing with the dust that clung to his skin, as he took in deep breaths to steady his racing pulse.
Relief washed over Han Soo as he surveyed the scattered and disoriented Hunter Association representatives from around the world.
They were dazed, their faces etched with shock and gratitude for their survival.
'It has to be Miss Vida who rescued us.' Han Soo thought to himself.
Though he had no memory of her swift and decisive actions, he could think of no one else who could have done anything even close.
He was a bit surprised by her heartlessness in causing such a bloody mess by killing all the Zenith Hunters that obstructed them, but Han Soo reckoned it was for their own good.
The mere thought of Aloe Vida brought a genuine smile to his face. In the midst of chaos, she had been their beacon of hope.
'Still... what a mess.'
The pungent odor of blood overpowered his senses, causing Han Soo's mind began to replay the events of the Grand Symposium.
The reality had been nothing like he had expected.
He had imagined an atmosphere of intellectual exchange, a gathering of brilliant minds discussing the intricacies of Gates and Dungeon Raids; all with the goal protecting the world from supernatural threats.
But instead, it had been a battleground. The unexpected enemy, Chad, threw everything into disarray, and they had all barely come out unscathed.
'Thankfully, Hyung Jared and Miss Vida were able to sort things out in the end.' A smile of relief washed over his face.
'But...'
Guilt gnawed at Han Soo's conscience as he replayed his own actions—or lack thereof.
He had felt paralyzed, unable to contribute anything of value while chaos reigned around him.
He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, a silent testament to his frustration and self-reproach. How had he allowed fear to paralyze him?
"Even after all the training. After everything I was taught..."
Determined to make amends, Han Soo vowed to himself that he would become a better Hunter.
He would no longer let his insecurities dictate his actions.
He would train harder, study deeper, and hone his skills until he became a force to be reckoned with.
The shame he felt now would fuel his determination, pushing him to exceed his own expectations.
With a resolute nod, Han Soo took a final glance at the smoldering ruins of the auditorium, knowing that the scars ripple effects of today's event would forever mark this turning point in his life.
He joined the other representatives, their expressions mirroring his own mix of relief and determination.
The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but Han Soo was ready to face them head-on, driven by the knowledge that the world needed Hunters like him, now more than ever.
And thanks to being so immersed in his thoughts, he failed to notice the enemy approach.
... Until it was too late.
>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<
The ground shattered as a certain silhouette descended from the sky, it's shadow-coated figure dancing with the wind.
"Color me surprised. I never expected this outcome!"
The shadowy figure finally took on a stable form, and as soon as it brought down its hood, the face of the malefactor became evident.
It was none other than Gyu Pol.
"Hahahaha! Look at all this ruin. Even after all this chaos and death, you all are still alive. What a bunch of cockroaches."
The moment Sung Han Soo heard this, his chest tightened in anger.
"I suppose I ought to take care of the trash. Since that scary woman has gone off to face the boss, I don't need to worry about anyone else here."
Han Soo knew how powerful the Pillars at the Zenith were. They were acclaimed to be worth the power of a thousand Hunters.
Even a bunch of S Class Hunters would have a hard time facing a single Pillar.
'Not to mention the fact that everyone seems somewhat exhausted after being controlled by Chad. I feel fine, but...'
Everyone else wasn't in top form. It seemed like an impossible situation from the get-go.
Amid all of this, Han Soo looked forward, his eyes focusing on Gyu Pol as he asked himself a fundamental question.
'What should I do?'
Even after one month training with Jared, he still had no real idea how powerful he had become.
Compared to his Hyung, though, Han Soo knew he was plenty lacking.
'Still... I can't just watch. Not again!'
He had promised himself that he would do better. That he would protect people and be the hero the world needed.
How could he even dream of doing so if he couldn't take a single step forward?
'I'll do it! I'll use that move!'
He had to use his strongest transformation and most powerful move at the same time.
That was the only way he could be assure dog victory.
'I need to hurry!'
*********
"You maggots never cease to amaze me. I'll make this quick for your sakes." Gyu Pol's voice echoed among the audience, and an amused grin shone on his face.
"Pol, you bastard! You'd really do this to innocents? To think you were part of the Shadows of Light. How low have you really fallen?" Chairman Sung responded, his words coated with sadness.
"Zip it, old man! In this world, power is everything. As long as I have enough power to stand above others, I don't care about little shits like you!"
"I-is that really... how you've always felt...?" The Chairman's voice quivered, his hand clutching his chest and his face squeezing in pain.
"Of course, you old fool!" Gyu Pol snickered malevolently. "I've always been this way!"
"Is that... so..." Sadness clouded the old man's face.
Clearly, despite his efforts trying to convince himself otherwise, Chairman Sung still cared about his previous protege.
To think he couldn't see him for what he was until it was too late...
'I really am a fool'
"That's enough!" The voice of a confident going man soared through the air, and Hunter Sung Han Soo stepped forward.
The other Hunters were either too worried or tired to even elevate their voices beyond a certain pitch, but this young man seemed fine.
He left the tired group and walked right in front of them, determination locked in his eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Gyu Pol said, his brows twisting upward in both confusion and disgust.
He didn't really care for lowly worms, but this young man was different. He was a tiny ant that had the glare of a tiger.
It infuriated him greatly.
The young man finally stopped moving, not out of fright, but our of sheer determination.
"My name is Sung Han Soo, and right here, right now, I will stop you!"