Chapter 72

“What’s your relationship with Quaker?”

“Did the hood come off?”

“I don’t know.”

I cut off Woo-sung’s question with a single stroke.

I had no intention of revealing personal information, and keeping it vague would only frustrate the other person more.

Not that it would make much of a difference anyway.

Still, it was a moment of vulnerability, however brief.

I adjusted my grip on the spear and tensed my toes.

The opportunity I had… was just one.

If I failed this time… it was hard to say if there’d be another chance.

Even if my opponent wasn’t a battle-hardened User, they were still a villain who’d been through countless battles.

“Huh… fine. I’ll just break your limbs and ask then.”

“If you can, go ahead.”

I moved my body to avoid the vibrations under my feet. Stalactites were forming one by one on the ceiling.

Probably to keep me from sticking to the ceiling.

No matter how skilled the opponent was—having someone cling to the ceiling and annoy them would be irritating.

Dodging the stalactites forming every second, I dropped from the ceiling. My target was the top of their head.

I adjusted my grip on the spear and took my stance.

“Let’s wrap this up.”

“You’re cocky. A brat like you…”

“Old man, why don’t you shut your mouth?”

I infused equal amounts of Gravity and Repulsion into the spear.

The spear vibrated. The moment the balance of force broke, it would shoot out like a bullet.

But… I couldn’t rush it.

The moment the distance between us closed, I headbutted the ground and retreated.

“Let’s play a little O/X quiz. Will I attack? Or won’t I?”

“You think you’re in control?”

A frustrated response came back at my joke-laced words.

Yeah, that’s how it is.

But—for someone wary of my approach, my spear had to be on their mind.

Small objects like nails couldn’t pierce walls, so they wouldn’t feel threatened, but a spear?

A spear with a blade that looked sturdy?

Even if it wasn’t an ordinary spear, a User’s spear could carry an unknown amount of force, so they couldn’t just ignore it.

Even if they were an executive, they were still a non-combatant with little battle experience, so even more so.

I exploited that.

And if I kept gnawing at their nerves… eventually, even they would show a gap.

I kept circling around them, testing the waters.

By showing a mix of hesitation and aggression, I could pressure them into becoming more aggressive.

“Stop being annoying and just die!”

Looks like they’re planning to end it with this move.

Spikes began rising from all directions. Spikes large enough to kill instantly if hit. At that moment, I stepped forward.

Now was the time—

For my spear to pierce through them.

I threw the spear through the spikes. It was a normal throw, but the power behind it was anything but ordinary.

The moment the Gravity holding back the compressed Repulsion was released, the sound of the spear tearing through the air was deafening, filling the lobby.

And the result of the spear’s strike was just as terrifying.

“…Huh.”

“A bit shallow.”

The spear was embedded deep enough that only the handle was visible.

“Kid, have you run out of moves?”

“Maybe?”

“Your impatience is showing.”

“Says the guy hiding in a turtle shell.”

I threw out a response to distract them while grabbing the handle.

I wasn’t foolish enough to just pull the spear out.

Just—

“Hey, you like shoddy construction?”

“I’ve never done shoddy construction—”

“Do you know what my ability is?”

I infused Repulsion into the spear’s tip through the handle.

As much as I could.

“Th-this is…!”

“Hiding in a narrow cocoon doesn’t make you invincible. You’re… being killed by your own ability.”

Being narrow means there’s less space to move.

The moment Repulsion was released from the spear’s tip, their body would be pressed against the cocoon’s walls.

They only had three choices.

Use their ability to disrupt mine,

Release the cocoon and create distance,

Or quietly endure the Repulsion.

They wouldn’t choose the third option, so their choice would be—

That one.

I tilted my head to dodge the spike flying toward my face.

“Wow, that’s intense. Trying to put a hole in a young man’s face with a bright future ahead? Jealousy is ugly, no matter how ugly you are.”

My joke was answered with another spike.

Trying to make me let go, huh?

Then before I let go, let me give you a little gift.

I removed the Repulsion.

And—

I infused Gravity into the spear’s tip at full power.

Unlike the pushing force of Repulsion—

This was a pulling force.

The force concentrated at the spear’s tip.

With the vibrations transmitted through the handle, the middle-aged man’s unpleasant scream echoed.

“I can’t… die… in a place like this…”

Must’ve hit a vital spot.

Not my intention, but a nice bonus.

I let out a sigh of relief as I watched the cocoon crumble.

That was close.

This time, really.

If they had been a bit smarter, I would’ve been the one dying.

The fact that I knew about them, and they hadn’t fully grasped my ability, were the factors that gave me the upper hand.

Even a skilled User can be caught off guard if they don’t understand their opponent’s ability.

That’s how battles between Users go.

Unless you’re at a level where brute force like Quaker’s can’t be countered, not knowing your opponent’s ability is always a fatal weakness.

“You’ve got a big hole in your stomach.”

“Qu… Quaker…”

“I’d like to ask more about Quaker, but…”

With their intestines spilling out, a proper conversation wasn’t possible.

I’d have to be satisfied with taking down one of Quaker’s key executives.

Without hesitation, I turned my back and surveyed the wrecked lobby.

…Getting out is going to be a pain.

They’d die soon, but constructs made by abilities don’t disappear even if the User dies.

“Hah…”

I gripped the bloodied spear and began clearing a path.

—————————————

“This must be the center.”

Si-woo looked around the central square with curious eyes.

Benches placed here and there, people walking around in comfortable attire.

A peaceful atmosphere.

A scene hard to believe after navigating through that hellish maze.

“That’s right. I heard they appear around here sometimes. Probably only the Village Chief knows the exact location…”

“The Village Chief? Like a mayor?”

“Yes.”

‘Whatever the decision, I need to meet the Village Chief.’

Having come this far, I had to meet Park Jung-woo no matter what.

That was the conclusion etched in Si-woo’s mind.

‘No matter his circumstances, he’s a would-be terrorist, so he must be arrested.’

I have to catch him.

If I don’t, there’s no telling how many victims there’ll be.

That’s always how terrorism works.

“I’ll guide you to the Village Chief’s house!”

Sang-ah led Si-woo through the square, stopping in front of a somewhat shabby house (also a shop) in the corner.

Then she turned her back and said.

“If you’re going back, meet me at the bench in the corner of the square!”

“Thank you.”

“It’s only natural, so make sure to prepare a generous reward!”

At Sang-ah’s bold request, Si-woo smiled and took out his phone.

“Could you give me your account number?”

“You’re going to pay me right here?”

“Yes. Just getting this far has been a huge help.”

Si-woo added a bit more than the usual guide fee. Sang-ah checked the amount and made a complicated expression.

She wasn’t just a regular guide—she’d led him through the maze market, entangled in Park Jung-woo’s complicated situation.

“Thank you. This’ll keep me and my sibling fed for a while!”

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

Without hesitation, Si-woo entered the hardware store run by the Village Chief.

Watching from behind, Sang-ah looked at Si-woo’s back with a complicated expression, then turned and walked back to the square.

There was nothing more for her to do.

Whether he arrested Park Jung-woo or came out empty-handed, it was entirely up to Si-woo now.

“Sir, I came to ask you something.”

“A hero, huh.”

A gaze full of wariness, though not outright hostile.

Si-woo smiled at the rare look.

What’s important for a hero.

It’s always a reassuring smile.

“I’m looking for Park Jung-woo. By any chance—”

Before he could finish.

A murderous burst of laughter engulfed Si-woo.