Chapter 71

<Chapter 71: The True Way to Use It (3)>

I followed Instructor Pi Jin Ho to a place near Sokcho.

“Oh, you’re here.”

As soon as I entered the East Coast Monster Rampage Headquarters, a huge man greeted me.

“Nice to see you. I’m Son Seho.”

Ranked 76th in the S-rank superhuman world rankings.

He’s ranked 4th in Korea and is also the leader of Korea’s top guild, ‘Guardian’s Resolution’.

“My name is Kang Seo-yul.”

“Jin Ho, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a long time.”

Son Seho is 56 this year.

He’s a senior to Instructor Pi Jin Ho, and has been active as a professional superhuman for over 40 years.

“Let’s get right to it. We don’t have much time.”

We followed Son Seho. As we passed one tent, dozens of pairs of eyes fixed on me.

They all had a formidable presence.

Considering that there are only three guild leaders whose faces I recognize, including Yu Hwa, it seemed to be a representative meeting.

Why am I here in such a place?

“He’s the key to this operation?”

“It’s disappointing. Do we really need the power of a cadet in a national crisis?”

Half of them looked at me with skepticism.

“It’s a good thing if Korea’s most promising superhuman resolves Korea’s crisis.”

“It’s better than seeking help from barbaric Japanese or noble Americans.”

The other half viewed me positively.

Even the negative looks weren’t just about doubting me, it felt more like they were lamenting their own shortcomings.

“Anyway, we need someone with the attribute of thunder to deal with this.”

Son Seho, now seated at the central seat, spoke with a bitter smile.

“You two, sit there.”

Noticing my confusion, Son Seho kindly pointed to the empty chairs nearby. We sat down.

“Let me explain from the beginning.”

A hologram appeared in the center. It was a report that objectively summarized the current situation.

“We found the cause of the underwater monster outbreak that occurred all over the East Coast this dawn.”

A giant squid-like monster appeared on the hologram screen.

“Kraken. A disaster-level monster that has already appeared in Australia.”

A monster called the king of the sea, known to have a perfect command over marine monsters.

“I see.”

With that, I understood everything.

“Hm? You understand?”

“Yes.”

The reason I, a mere cadet, was summoned.

“The Kraken is characterized by strong physical defense and regenerative power. While its magical defense is poor, it has a formidable resistance to fire attribute attacks.”

I continued, slightly surprising Son Seho.

“As it is immune to fire, the only attack that can simultaneously suppress its regeneration and deal fatal damage is a thunder attribute magic, right? That’s why I was summoned?”

Surely, the Kraken in Australia was burned to ashes by the top 9th-ranked superhuman from the USA, the Thunder Emperor.

“You’re as knowledgeable as I heard. Didn’t they say you got full marks in every written test?”

Son Seho laughed heartily.

“That’s right. Unfortunately, in Korea, the only superhuman who can handle the thunder attribute is Cadet Kang Seo-yul.”

“…Is it difficult to get help from the USA?”

Wouldn’t it be better to get help from the US than relying on an untested person like me?

“It’s not difficult. However, the price we have to pay them is too high.”

“I see.”

It was natural to give a lot in diplomatic negotiations between countries.

“Additionally, we’d probably have to pay a separate fee to that guy, Raije (the Thunder Emperor).”

As soon as Raije’s name was mentioned, there were sounds of tsk-tsking from all around.

“Don’t even bring up that insufferable jerk.”

“I can’t even imagine how much we’d have to give to get that guy moving.”

He’s infamous for his nasty temperament, so it’s no surprise that many people dislike him.

…There’s really nothing likable about him.

“Do you have any other questions?”

Son Seho’s deep eyes pierced into mine. They were intense eyes that reflected years of experience. I met his gaze head-on and responded,

“Is your daughter, Son Seho Guild Master, going to be in charge of my support?”

Son Seho’s eyes slightly widened, and then he smiled as if amused.

“You really are sharp.”

Son Seho’s daughter, Son Hyerin, is known to possess a very special buff-type ability called ‘Cosmic Energy’. She’s a top-tier supporter.

While my brain-attribute magic might be Kraken’s weakness, with my mediocre magical power, I wouldn’t be able to inflict any damage on Kraken.

“Right. Including Hyerin, we’ve prepared all sorts of support for you.”

And Son Seho would undoubtedly be aware of this. Naturally, he would have something prepared to compensate for my inadequate magical strength.

“You just have to cast down lightning from a safe distance. If we can somehow handle its regeneration ability, we’ll take care of the rest.”

“Suppressing its regenerative powers?”

“Precisely.”

I knew it.

I was right.

This seems doable.

“If this goes well, you won’t be disappointed with my reward.”

The reward from Son Seho.

Words that magically invigorated even a lack of motivation.

“I’ll do my best.”

* * *

It’s said that the Kraken is leisurely swimming in the middle of the East Sea. Thanks to that,

we’re currently flying nearby in a helicopter.

But can this really be called a helicopter?

Why is it so quiet?

Maybe it’s because it’s a special helicopter that uses magic as its power source.

“You seem relaxed.”

As I was looking around the helicopter, the woman sitting next to me spoke. It was Son Seho’s daughter, Son Hyerin.

“Not really. I’m incredibly nervous. You, on the other hand, Son Hyerin, seem very at ease.”

“Not at all. I’m very nervous.”

“Hmm.”

She doesn’t look like it at all.

In a word, Son Hyerin could be described as a classic maiden. She gives off an image as if she lives in an old European castle, perhaps arranging flowers all day. She also seems a bit spacey at times.

“Hyerin always has that expression.”

Yu Hwa, sitting opposite us, chimed in. Yu Hwa was onboard as a guard, just in case of any unforeseen situations.

Pi Jin-ho and other superhumans are on their way to the destination on another helicopter.

“She’s naturally spacey. If there was a spacing-out competition, she’d definitely come in first, don’t you think?”

“What are you saying…”

Yu Hwa and Son Hyerin were the same age.

They were classmates from the Korean Superhuman Academy, and I heard they are quite close.

“Well, regardless of her personality, her abilities are remarkable. You can trust her.”

“…Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Son Hyerin asked with her usual expression and the same tone of voice.

Somehow, her calmness is rubbing off on me.

“Anyway, she’s truly beyond imagination. So, you can let loose to your heart’s content.”

Yu Hwa grinned mischievously.

What Yu Hwa probably meant to say was,

‘Even if you reveal a bit of your hidden power, no one will doubt you.’

Though there’s no need for that kind of assurance.

“Yes.”

I acknowledged it nonetheless.

In reality, Son Hyerin’s “Cosmic Energy” is considered a top-tier buff skill even among the best.

If it weren’t for its 30-day cooldown, it would be almost flawless.

When an A-rank superhuman receives the “Cosmic Energy,” they are said to achieve stats similar to those of an S-rank superhuman.

Being an E-rank like me, I will gain power almost equivalent to B-rank.

On top of that, if I utilize the single-use magic amplifier (which I heard costs 5.2 billion) provided by the association, I’ll be able to wield a thunderbolt even more powerful than what I could in the great labyrinth.

“We are 1 minute away from the target point! The others are almost there as well,”

The pilot informed us of our arrival.

“Then, let’s get ready. Hyerin.”

“Okay.”

Responding to Yu Hwa’s words, Son Hyerin tightly gripped my hand.

“The cosmic energy will aid you.”

Along with her words that radiated a unique charm, a bright light flowed throughout my body.

Thump-

My heart raced.

Veins pulsed vigorously, and muscles expanded. Magic circulating within those veins spun wildly, amplifying its volume. The remnants of a power more intense than when holding an ancient artifact surged throughout my body.

“…This is the [Cosmic Energy].”

It truly feels like the entire universe is assisting me.

“We’re done.”

Son Hyerin let go of my hand.

“The effect lasts for 15 minutes. Be careful.”

“I know.”

I’m aware of it.

“We have reached the target point! The interception teams are also ready!”

Following that, we arrived at the target location. We switched the helicopter to hover mode, held it precisely in mid-air, and opened the door.

Whooosh-

A gust of wind swept across me. I looked down as the wind brushed against me. I saw a massive squid swimming amidst the blue sea.

“Isn’t the distance too far?”

Just as Yu Hwa said, it indeed seemed a bit too distant.

“They said that if we get any closer, there’s a high likelihood that the creature will detect us.”

“From this far?”

“Yes. They mentioned it’s based on the analysis from the battle in Australia, so it must be accurate.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

Yu Hwa expressed her astonishment again.

“It’s okay. Distance doesn’t matter.”

Thunderbolt.

The judgment of the heavens.

There are no blind spots under the sky.

“Then, let’s begin immediately.”

I took a deep breath, holding the disposable magic amplifier.

The ‘Grace of Mana’ is already equipped. An immense amount of magical energy, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, flows through my body.

Crackle-!

Sparks flew from the magic amplifier I was holding.

Snap, snap!

Increasingly intense.

As it absorbed my magic, the electrical energy grew stronger.

“……”

I heard someone gulp from behind me.

I ignored it and continued to concentrate my magic.

Zzzap-!

Just as the previously brimming magical energy began to wane…

“Releasing it.”

The bolt of lightning swirling in my grasp ascended to the skies.

Clang-

At the same time, the magic amplifier shattered into pieces.

Rumble-!

A sound of thunder echoed from the heavens.

Thunder from a blue sky without a single cloud.

Everyone was mesmerized by this peculiar spectacle, and at that very moment…

Boom-!

“Ah!”

“Kyaa!”

“Argh!”

A deafening roar resounded, piercing our ears.

* * *

“…”

“…”

Only silence flowed from the response center that had been monitoring the situation through the helicopter’s camera.

“…I, I confirm the Kraken’s death.”

Upon hearing the operator’s report, everyone snapped back to their senses.

“Dead?”

Even if one had received the top-tier buff skill ‘Energy of the Universe’, that kind of power is unheard of. It’s comparable to a lightning strike.

“What’s the magic power level?”

Son Jeho, suppressing his astonishment, asked the operator. Perhaps Kang Seo-yul’s magical power was unexpectedly high.

“Excluding the amplification from the magic amplifier, the contained magical power itself slightly surpasses the graph of a B-rank superhuman!”

Everyone gasped in astonishment again.

“You’re saying they used such an absurdly powerful magic with just B-rank power?”

“How efficient is their magic utilization?”

“The intensity of the magic might be beyond the standard.”

Even if lightning was its weakness, a large monster remains a large monster. A disaster-level monster remains a disaster-level monster.

It was inconceivable that it would die from a single spell from a mere B-rank superhuman, even if it was a lightning strike.

“…So, excluding the power stats, they’re a perfect genius.”

Son Seho, with a dazed look, was scanning the chart again when a radio transmission reached him.

―Crackle… This is Observation Team 2.

The static-filled radio sound gradually became clearer.

―We experienced a brief EMP-like phenomenon caused by the intense mana, causing a radio interruption. The Kraken is currently silent. Shall we move in?

Son Seho let out a weary chuckle.

“Tell all the standby superhumans to return. Inform them the situation is over.”

―Situation over… You mean?

“Yes.”

* * *

The situation was safely resolved.

With the death of the Kraken, the sea monsters that were continuously emerging onto the land started disappearing rapidly.

Today, being Friday, all the alarms were finally lifted.

There was significant material damage, but almost no casualties. Importantly, there were no deaths. People praised the government and the superhumans for their swift and accurate response.

Among them, I was obviously the one who received the most attention and cheers.

“… It’s not even surprising anymore.”

I shook my head while reading online articles.

[Korea’s Thunder God defeats the Kraken in one blow.]

[Never before has a rising star shown such a dazzling performance.]

[15 reasons why the public pins their hopes on Kang Seo-yul.]

It felt like adding dry wood to a dying flame.

…Well, I wonder if gaining more popularity now will make any difference. I don’t pay much attention to it.

“Master, look at this article.”

Jia handed me her phone.

[The talk of the town: 5 seconds. We calculated the intensity, efficiency, and density of the lightning (working name) used by Kang Seo-yul based on its magic power content.]

“… What’s this?”

It was such a pointless article. Maybe it was because it was officially announced that the magic power content of the lightning that defeated the Kraken was B-rank. The number of people doing these useless calculations has increased.

“If these calculations are accurate, the intensity or efficiency of his magic surpasses even that of S-rank superhumans.”

It’s not like I’m a dragon or something.

* * *

“It’s simply because the Kraken had the ‘Evil’ attribute.”

To be honest, the only way to describe defeating the Kraken in one blow was sheer luck.

Vulnerable to lightning, with an ‘Evil’ attribute? This is totally divine punishment.

The Kraken simply couldn’t withstand this dual polarity and naturally oxidized.

“Ugh, another practical exam gone down the drain. I need to increase my rank quickly.”

I sighed.

“Huh? Didn’t you hear?”

Jia tilted her head.

“What?”

“I heard the director is awarding commendations this time.”

“…What’s the use of a commendation? It only helps when looking for a job after graduation.”

It’s a reward I don’t need. Same goes for the government’s certificate of appreciation.

“There are extra credits attached to the commendation.”

“What?” (again! read on galaxytranslations97.com)

There are added benefits?

“Did you really not know? There are extra credits attached to the government certificate as well.”

I was taken aback for a moment.

“…Seriously?”

“Yes. Think of it as bonus points awarded to cadets who contribute to society or elevate the school’s reputation.”

…When did that become a thing?

“They said the ranks would be updated today. It should be out by now.”

Jia fiddled with her smartphone.

“Ah, it was released 30 minutes ago.”

Then she handed the phone back to me.

[1st. Shin Jia.]

[2nd. Ha Si-yeon.]

Up to here, it was the same.

The crucial part was right below.

“Whoa.”

[63rd. Kang Seo-yul.]

Suddenly climbed up 44 ranks.

The shocking thing is that this wasn’t the end.

“After getting the director’s commendation next week and adding the extra credits…”

Jia smirked.

“You’ll probably land somewhere between 3rd and 40th?”

“…”

Was ranking up always this easy?

…What have I been doing all this time?