The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

"It can't be helped. In that case… I'll give you this."

"This is…?"

Back when I was discussing Babylon with Choi Jiwoo at the Hunter Bureau, she handed me an item.

It was small enough to fit in one hand, yet it exuded an air of importance.

The item Choi Jiwoo pulled from her pocket and gave to me was:

[Consumable]
[Summoning Orb]
[Effect: When broken by a significant impact, the entity contracted to this orb will be summoned.]
[Contracted Entity: Lv. 470, Choi Jiwoo]

A unique and powerful item.

As I inspected the orb, Choi Jiwoo added a brief explanation.

"If it's destroyed, I'll be summoned. If Babylon appears or you're in danger, break it."

"This is… quite reassuring. No, it's incredibly reassuring. But, Hunter Choi Jiwoo, aren't you busy with subjugation duties? While I appreciate it, why are you going out of your way to help me this much?"

I was genuinely grateful, but it was difficult to understand her motives.

In my previous life, Choi Jiwoo had struck me as a cold and professional Hunter. We’d crossed paths, but her demeanor had always been strictly business.

Yet in this life, not only had she sought me out first, but she’d also shared classified information and given me an item worth, at the very least, billions of won.

Our relationship had completely transformed from what it had been before my regression.@@novelbin@@

"Could it be that she harbors feelings for the Master?" Swallow muttered in his typical sassy tone while hovering in stealth mode.

But Choi Jiwoo waved off the idea with a matter-of-fact tone.

"It's just part of my job. Hunters in major guilds like Samcheon are well-protected, but Hunter Kang Hyunsoo is not. If I handed this off to another department, it would take too long to process."

Though her explanation was slightly awkward, it was still a kind gesture. Thanks to her proactive efforts, I learned a great deal, and with the item she gave me, I could move more confidently.

Having this meant that no matter what threats emerged, I could at least call for her aid.

And now, with the realization that the enemies before me were Babylon operatives—and far too strong to handle alone—

Crack!

[You have destroyed the Summoning Orb.]
[A portal linked to the contractor will open in 30 seconds.]

I smashed the orb I had been carrying, summoning Choi Jiwoo.

"Haahh…!"

Despite only having 30 seconds to prepare, Choi Jiwoo responded perfectly, as expected of a seasoned Hunter.

As soon as she emerged from the portal, she targeted Ji Wonhoon, who was casting magic, without missing a beat.

Her rapier shot toward Ji Wonhoon, who had been preparing his next spell.

"W-What the…! Gahh!"

Though Ji Wonhoon twisted his body to evade, he couldn’t avoid having his side slashed.

Sssshhhk!

Blood sprayed, staining his clothing.

It seemed like just a little more time, and Choi Jiwoo would have sliced through his neck—

But before that could happen—

"President!"

Andy lunged forward, swinging his sword at Choi Jiwoo.

Despite his injuries, he managed a desperate counterattack.

However, his movements were clearly dulled.

Before Andy's sword could even graze her, Choi Jiwoo leapt back and returned to my side.

"So that's… Choi Jiwoo? How is a Hunter Bureau operative here…!"

"An emergency portal…? Kang Hyunsoo, I see you had a contingency plan all along!!"

Andy and Ji Wonhoon gritted their teeth as they recognized Choi Jiwoo.

As members of an illegal organization constantly at odds with the Hunter Bureau, they instantly pieced together what had happened.

Choi Jiwoo, too, quickly assessed the situation.

"Andy Kim… So Hunter Kang Hyunsoo's words were true. You’re alive. But seeing Ji Wonhoon and these faculty members as part of Babylon… That’s unexpected."

Without needing further explanation, she pieced everything together from the prior tip-off that Andy Kim bore a resemblance to Ji Wonhoon’s secretary and a quick scan of the scene.

Having such an intelligent partner saved me the trouble of lengthy explanations.

As the pressure on me lifted, I rose to my feet, wielding both the flaming sword and Choi Taehun's blade.

"Ji Wonhoon seems to have talent in fire magic. Andy's skill matches what I read in the reports—he's proficient with a sword. Their estimated levels are above 400."

"Thanks for the information. But… can you fight?"

"Who do you think subdued all those Babylonians lying over there?"

“…I’m curious about how you managed that, but I’ll ask later. If we waste time, they might escape again!"

Choi Jiwoo glanced at the incapacitated Babylon operatives, her curiosity evident. But she quickly pushed it aside, launching herself toward Ji Wonhoon.

Given the nature of Babylon’s operatives, granting them time would likely mean summoning a violet portal to flee.

Fortunately, Ji Wonhoon didn’t seem inclined to run.

"To think a secret I’ve guarded for years would unravel so easily…!"

Clenching his teeth, Ji Wonhoon summoned a pitch-black staff and began casting.

Fwoooosh—!

A massive fireball, at least 1.5 times larger than the one that had blasted me earlier, hurtled toward Choi Jiwoo.

But as expected of a level 470 Hunter—

"Haahhh!"

With a swift strike of her rapier, Choi Jiwoo split the fireball in two.

BOOOOM!

She pierced through the ensuing explosion, closing the distance to Ji Wonhoon in an instant.

The fight shifted from a long-range duel to a close-quarters battle.

"This can’t be happening…!"

In desperation, Ji Wonhoon hastily constructed a violet aura barrier. But perhaps due to its rushed formation—

Sssshhhhk—! Crack!

"Urghh!!"

Choi Jiwoo’s rapier broke through the barrier and slashed his thigh.

Victory seemed to tilt in her favor.

But then—

"You damned wench…!"

Andy growled, gripping his sword with both hands, intent on aiding Ji Wonhoon despite his battered condition.

Unfortunately for him, he didn’t make it.

"Where do you think you're going? You’re fighting me."

[Skill Activated]

[Stone Splitter (D)]

CRAAACK—!

A massive blade strike cut across Andy's path.

The attack was mine.

[Swordsmanship Skill: Stone Splitter (D)]
[Effect: Temporarily creates a long aura blade at the tip of the sword, capable of splitting stone over a range of up to 10 meters. Range can be adjusted at the cost of mana: 10 mana per meter.]

This was a new skill I had obtained after surpassing 100 proficiency in swordsmanship.

The skill generated a massive, transparent aura blade above my sword, cutting through space itself with an almost otherworldly precision.

Although its grade was D, the raw attack power it packed was comparable to a C-grade skill, making it one of my staple abilities in my previous life.

And now, with dual-wielding amplifying its destructive potential, its power had more than doubled.

Andy must have sensed the danger, as he stopped advancing altogether.

Instead—

"Kang Hyunsoo… I didn’t want to kill the tournament winner, but I have no choice."

He shifted his target.

While Ji Wonhoon was struggling, his life didn’t appear to be in immediate danger, so Andy redirected his focus to me.

I launched a critical strike at him, firing Sky Blade toward his direction.

"What are you babbling about, loser?"

"You dare…!!"

The taunt landed perfectly.

Andy deflected Sky Blade and charged at me, his anger evident.

There’s no better way to provoke someone than to ignore their pride.

The once stoic Andy had lost his composure, wildly swinging his sword while spouting insults.

"Do you think you, who hasn’t even reached level 200, can defeat me?"

"Sure, there’s a level gap. But in terms of swordsmanship? I’m ten steps ahead, no, maybe a hundred."

But honestly, I didn’t care about his words.

Even if he underestimated me, I only needed to prove him wrong through skill.

Andy seemed to feel the same way.

He unleashed a flurry of attacks, his sword techniques creating explosive shockwaves.

I countered with something even greater.

[Activation]
[Trust Armor (A)]
[Crimson Flame (B)]
[Raging Slash (B)]

I enveloped myself in a transparent armor, ignited the sun’s fire along my dual swords, and unleashed a dome of sword energy in all directions.

"……!!"

Andy halted mid-charge, unable to advance further.

The overwhelming force of my Raging Slash forced him back.

He didn’t even attempt to retreat—

[Activation]
[Charm (D)]

I locked eyes with him, radiating an aura of allure.

Of course, being a man, he wasn’t mesmerized, but the brief hesitation was enough.

He failed to widen the distance, leaving himself vulnerable to my flaming Raging Slash.

"Arghhhhhh!!"

Andy’s screams echoed through the wide space as he was caught in the storm of attacks, flung far back, and left in tatters.

For a moment, I thought I had secured victory.

But then, an unexpected variable emerged.

"Khugh… Do you think you can defeat me with just this…!"

BOOOM!

Andy, in his battered state, rose with a roar. His body surged with energy, his aura turning violent as he began to berserk.

He swung his sword, sending waves of violet aura flying toward me.

"…!"

"Master, that’s dangerous!"

I raised my dual swords and activated Trust Armor again. Behind me, Swallow conjured a brilliant shield.

But—

Claaang!

"Ughhh!!"

Andy’s berserk swordsmanship shattered Swallow’s shield and tore through my armor, leaving gashes on my side and shoulder.

The sheer force of his potential was overwhelming, and it wasn’t just me who felt it.

The same was true for Ji Wonhoon and Choi Jiwoo’s battle.

"You think you can face me alone? How amusing, Choi Jiwoo!"

BOOOM!

"Ahh!"

"Choi Jiwoo, are you okay?!"

Choi Jiwoo was thrown toward me, unable to withstand the explosion.

I quickly moved to catch her, her momentum sending us both sliding back slightly.

Although the battle had turned to close combat, Ji Wonhoon’s berserk state and the violet flames he wielded had pushed her back.

Even with reinforcements, we were being overwhelmed again.

"At this point, we should just destroy everything, Director. The damage will be massive, but we can clean it up by calling it an accident."

"Fine, let’s do that."

Until now, it seemed they had been holding back to protect the other Babylon operatives and Hunters in the vicinity. But now, they appeared ready to unleash their full potential.

"Master of Hell, grant the flames of perdition to these fearless fools…!"

As Ji Wonhoon raised his staff and chanted,

Ruuuuumble!

A massive figure of flames, resembling a demonic visage, formed in midair.

The building began to tremble, and the inferno’s heat stretched from the floor to the high ceiling, growing in size.

At that moment,

"That magic…"

"It’s Hellfire Fiend, Master."

Both Choi Jiwoo and Swallow were visibly shaken.

It was no wonder.

I had no idea how Ji Wonhoon had learned it, but Hellfire Fiend was the ultimate skill of Rodible, the boss of an S-rank Hell Dungeon.

I couldn’t predict how destructive it would be in his hands, but if he completed the spell, this underground space—and the building above—would be utterly obliterated.

The sheer firepower was enough to crush anyone’s will to fight.

Even Choi Jiwoo, realizing the stakes, seemed paralyzed as she bit her lip and stared at the unfolding magic.

But despite the seemingly hopeless situation—

Step. Step.

"K-Kang Hyunsoo…?"

I walked past Choi Jiwoo, stepping forward.