The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

A sharp, menacing aura tore through the air with relentless speed.

Like a bullet, a blade of aura streaked toward Kang Hyunsoo's back. If he didn’t act, it would pierce him without fail.

But as the deadly attack closed in, Hyunsoo reacted instantly.

Thud! Roll! Boom!

He dove to the side, rolling to evade the strike, and the attack missed, smashing into the floor with a deafening crash.

Though he hadn’t seen the attack coming, Hyunsoo had managed to avoid it for a simple reason:

“Master, there’s someone approaching from behind!”

Swallow had warned him just in time.

Hyunsoo stood up and turned to face his assailant.

It was none other than Ji Wonhoon’s secretary.

The man’s appearance was identical to the Babylon agents depicted in confidential files Hyunsoo had studied.

“What the hell is this? And what’s with those things?”

Hyunsoo gestured toward the scarred floor and the glass tanks filled with strange, writhing forms.

But Ji Wonhoon’s secretary didn’t answer.

Sword in hand, the man glared at Hyunsoo with icy, calculating eyes. The tension between them was palpable, as if the slightest movement could trigger a full-blown fight.

After a long silence, the secretary finally spoke, his tone measured but suspicious.

“…I thought you were an intruder. How did you get in here?”

“I wandered in while trying to find my way out.”

Hyunsoo slipped the security chief’s access badge into his back pocket as he replied.

Even from behind, his tailored suit and composed demeanor made it unlikely the secretary would mistake him for anyone else.

Swallow, who was circling overhead, chirped in agreement.

“He’s lying. He knew exactly who you were and attacked anyway.”

Hyunsoo silently agreed but chose not to point it out.

He had more pressing concerns.

Turning his gaze to the glass tanks, he asked, “What are these? What exactly is going on here?”

“These are part of our university’s research, but I’m not at liberty to disclose the details. Please, leave immediately. This is a restricted area.”

The secretary evaded the question, gesturing toward the exit. It was clear he wanted Hyunsoo gone as quickly as possible.

But Hyunsoo had no intention of leaving.

“Research, huh? Is this officially sanctioned?”

“I’m not sure what you mean. This is none of your concern, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. Please follow me out.”

“None of my concern? Fine, let’s see what the Hunter Bureau has to say about it.”

Hyunsoo pulled out his phone and began recording the scene.

The secretary immediately rushed forward, blocking the camera with his hand.

“Photography is prohibited.”

“Oh, really? Is that because you’re researching Life Absorption Magic here?”

“……!”

The secretary froze, his expression betraying his shock. Hyunsoo had hit the nail on the head with alarming precision.

Seeing the reaction, Hyunsoo smirked and pressed further.

“So, it is Life Absorption Magic. I wasn’t mistaken.”

“How… how do you know about that?!”

“I’ve got my evidence. Time to report this to the Hunter Bureau, along with your little stunt of knocking out and abducting the tournament participants.”

Life Absorption Magic.

A forbidden practice that converts the life force of living beings into mana. Unlike necromancy, which manipulates the dead, Life Absorption Magic draws from the vitality of the living, often leading to the slaughter of the weak.

It was universally banned for its inhumane and unethical nature.

At first, Hyunsoo had doubted his own eyes. The idea that Jaewon University—a government-supported institution—could be conducting such experiments seemed absurd.

In his previous life, he had only encountered Life Absorption Magic once while dealing with a cult in Japan under the request of the Japanese Hunter Bureau.

But now, here it was, hidden within a university’s research facilities.

As Hyunsoo began recording the glass tanks, he attempted to contact Choi Jiwoo to report his findings.

Swish!

Before he could make the call, the secretary attacked, swinging his sword to destroy Hyunsoo’s phone.

The blade came in fast, a sudden and precise strike from close range.

But Hyunsoo was ready.

With fluid movements, he dodged the attack and widened the gap between them.

As he evaded, a sly grin spread across his face.

“You’re with Babylon, aren’t you?”

“……!!”

His calm yet accusatory tone left no room for doubt.

Hyunsoo had suspected it from the beginning.

The secretary’s face, identical to the agents he’d seen in classified documents, the abduction of the hunters, and the underground Life Absorption Magic lab—all the clues pointed to one organization: Babylon.

The secretary’s wide eyes betrayed his panic as he stammered, “Wh-what is Babylon?”

“Don’t play dumb, Andy Kim.”

“……!!!”

Hyunsoo’s words struck like a hammer. He had remembered the secretary’s name from the confidential files.

The effect was immediate. Realizing his cover was blown, the secretary dropped the pretense.

“You know far too much.”

Andy Kim gripped his sword with both hands and lunged at Hyunsoo with deadly intent.

Swish!

Andy Kim lunged forward, his movements so swift they left afterimages in their wake.

“So, you’re finally admitting it,” Hyunsoo muttered, smirking as he drew his twin swords.

Until now, he had exercised caution, considering the possibility that Andy might be innocent. But with the man’s open hostility, Hyunsoo no longer needed to hold back.

Clang! Rumble!

“Ugh…!”

To Hyunsoo’s surprise, Andy’s strength exceeded expectations.

The clash of their swords sent shockwaves reverberating through the air. Hyunsoo’s feet slid back under the sheer force of the impact.

The difference in raw power was clear.

[Activation Triggered]
[Crimson Flame (B)]

Flames erupted along the blade of Hyunsoo’s sword as he activated one of his skills to turn the tide.

But Andy wasn’t fazed.

“You think that’ll help?”

Andy retreated slightly before launching a flurry of sharp magical blades, each one slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Clang! Clang! Clang-clang-clang!@@novelbin@@

Hyunsoo parried the incoming attacks with his twin swords, regaining his stance.

This guy’s tough… tougher than I expected.

In combat between hunters, a brief exchange was often enough to gauge an opponent’s strength. And when the opponents had similar talents, this became even clearer.

Andy was far from ordinary. His movements, power, and precision were on another level.

Hyunsoo recalled hearing rumors of Andy’s exploits—his level was estimated to be over 400, and he had orchestrated a successful terrorist attack against the U.S.

For now, victory seemed uncertain, no matter how hard Hyunsoo pushed himself.

[Activation Triggered]
[Blades of the Sky (B)]

Hyunsoo swung his twin swords, sending two arcs of aura flying toward Andy.

But Andy easily dodged the attack and closed the gap between them in an instant.

Before Hyunsoo could react, Andy struck his swords upward, disarming him momentarily, and then delivered a powerful kick to Hyunsoo’s abdomen.

Boom!

“Gahhh!”

“Master…!”

The force of the kick sent Hyunsoo flying backward, smashing him through a wall and into the next room.

Damn… That kick was no joke.

Thankfully, Hyunsoo had activated his Trust Armor, which absorbed much of the damage. Without it, he might not have survived the blow.

Thud, thud!

Amidst the falling debris and dust, Hyunsoo quickly pushed himself back to his feet, shaking off the rubble that covered him.

But as he stood, a shocking sight unfolded before him.

“What the hell is this? Why is there suddenly…?”

“Wait… isn’t that Kang Hyunsoo?”

In the spacious area beyond the wall, hunters who had been abducted from the banquet lay on mobile beds.

Next to them, staff members—dressed in the same uniforms as those from the banquet—were connecting the hunters to IV lines filled with a glowing, purple liquid.

Hyunsoo didn’t know what the substance was, but he was certain it wasn’t good for the hunters.

The staff’s reactions confirmed it.

Instead of showing concern at Hyunsoo’s sudden appearance, they muttered coldly:

“The drug didn’t work on him. Capture him alive and begin the brainwashing process.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, sir!”

Under Andy’s orders, the staff began encircling Hyunsoo, quickly forming a large group.

From a single opponent, Hyunsoo now faced dozens of enemies.

Given their numbers and Andy’s formidable strength, the logical choice was to retreat.

But Hyunsoo didn’t move.

“Charge!”

“Heh. Just give up, champ! We’re not so bad once you listen to reason.”

“Everyone resists at first, but in the end, they all love this power!”

As Andy and the Babylon agents rushed him, Hyunsoo stood motionless, waiting.

“Master, I’ll set up a barrier for you! Let’s break through one side!”

“No. Not yet.”

Hyunsoo let them come, his calm demeanor masking his growing intensity.

He had a plan.

[Activation Triggered]
[Full Bloom (S)]
[For 30 seconds, latent beauty is maximized.]

[Appearance Power: 999]
[Appearance Power Bonus: All stats +1,998]

Flash!

A radiant aura burst from Hyunsoo, his presence magnified to an overwhelming degree.

Now that his Appearance Power was at its peak, he had everything he needed to fight.

And with the enemies clustered together:

[Activation Triggered]
[Stomp (C)]
[Frenzied Slash (B)]

Boom! Slash-slash-slash-slash!

“What… What is this?!”

“Gaaaahhh!”

Hyunsoo’s stomps shattered the ground, and his relentless slashes tore through the Babylon agents.

[Swordsmanship Quest 18 Complete.]
[Subdue 20 talented Awakened (33/20)]

Amidst the chaos, Hyunsoo felt a surge of satisfaction as yet another quest was completed.