#204
Head of the Buncheon Society (1)
‘What an extraordinary guy.’
That was Hans’s first impression upon meeting his opponent.
Having completely inherited the ‘Undead King,’ his sensing abilities had extended to an astonishing level.
Now he could envelop the entire area of Seoul with simple perception, and if he concentrated on a specific target, he could grasp not only their level but also their tendencies and abilities to some extent.
It was a sensation as if he were looking down from a slightly higher place than others.
That was the biggest change in perspective he’d experienced.
‘But, who is that author…’
He couldn’t tell.
‘It feels like I’ve never had this kind of feeling from Hans before.’
That ‘I don’t know’ was all Hans could comprehend.
[What’s this? Who are you?]
But a big shot is supposed to never lose composure, regardless of the situation they face.
His expression remained calm, yet he expanded his senses, quickly analyzing his current situation.
‘The dimensions have separated and the coordinates have been distorted. Moving out is impossible. Likewise, nothing can come in from outside.’
In fact, when he found himself in a difficult situation during his activities on Earth, he had quite a few options to respond.
Whether it was using “Hero’s Footsteps” to create additional avatars or transforming into Hans with “Entity Projection” for an ambush.
But—
“You seem quite busy. Have you finished assessing the situation?”
It was a question thrown by an unknown man in a friendly tone, as if asking a friend.
As he said, in this space, he could use no methods at all.
The closed world, a high-level magic used by the Buncheon Society’s officials and the Undying Castle in Auterica…
‘This is on a completely different dimension. Can someone artificially create a space like this?’
The very ‘dimension’ that existed was different.
Even though it was a Unique Skill, he couldn’t even grasp the principle behind it, so what more could he say?
He wondered if using the “Dimensional Teleportation Circle” could allow him to cross dimensions, but for now, it was more important to properly assess the opponent.
It would be foolish to reveal his cards without knowing much about the enemy.
[Well, this is annoying. So it’s really the Buncheon Society? You never get tired of popping up, do you? Seems that last time’s destruction wasn’t enough.]
For now, he focused on gathering information.
He provoked his opponent, gradually raising his aura.
Goooor—
A dark energy erupted from Hans’s body, engulfing the area in a smoke-like manner.
At the same time, the brightness of the world dimmed by several degrees, and frost began to form with the sudden drop in temperature.
The black magic continuously produced from the Heart of the Undying, along with the Abyss itself, consumed the surrounding space.
“Hoo.”
Indeed, this aura seemed threatening to the man, who frowned and cautiously stepped back, yet somehow still emanated an air of relaxation.
“That heart… Is it a medium that directly allows the world’s death? It doesn’t seem very stable. It’s not something anyone can use.”
“Ooh! Head, that’s not the point right now! If we resolve that issue, it could be an incredibly efficient energy source! It’s a different emotion from the first encounter with Callicast’s technology!”
Suddenly, a third voice interrupted.
Hans’s gaze shifted to the side of the man.
“Isn’t it the new concepts and principles! That innovation is the driving force behind the world’s advancement, right? Indeed, the mysteries vary by dimension. Head, please let me study that! What knowledge will it present me with—!”
There was a scruffy middle-aged Westerner whose eyes sparkled with madness, drooling as he gazed at Hans.
Unlike the first newcomer, he seemed unable to completely overcome Hans’s Aura of Fear, as his body trembled slightly…
Yet his eyes were already consumed by some kind of desire.
‘What an unusual reaction. What the heck is this guy? No, more importantly, Head?’
There was no doubt that in this situation, the Head’s identity was obvious.
[Ah, so you are the head of the Buncheon Society.]
At that query, the man—the Head—had a vague smile appear on his lips.
“Yes, I’m the head of the Buncheon Society. I’m the one who instructed Hahoe Mask to interfere with you at every turn.”
[Oh? That sounds unfortunate. But what should I do? That interference will continue from now on. Hehe—.]
“Hmm, is that so?”
Despite Hans’s cheeky comment, the Head only nodded with a calm demeanor.
However, right after that brief exchange…
Swoosh—
Hans suddenly sensed an entity intruding into his domain and instinctively withdrew.
Crack!
At the same time, a chilling sound echoed outwards.
The spot where he had stood moments ago.
The space was utterly crushed as if it were being squished by an invisible giant’s hand.
“Seems like you can react to this degree. Capturing you will be a bit of a hassle.”
[Huh— You’re a bit impatient. Of course, I prefer violence over conversation!]
Zziing— Zziing! Zziing—!
Dozens of black magic circles rapidly unfolded around Hans.
Although the majority of this space was already under the opponent’s control, in the area influenced by the Abyss, he could project a level of force similar to usual.
“Let’s see what you can do.”
The Head casually reached out his hand towards Hans, and at the same moment…
The ‘world’ surrounding Hans all bared its teeth simultaneously.
Rumble—!
As if trying to expel the pathogens entering from within, the space repeated its collapse.
In response, the black magic filled with Abyss spread outwards, and the sound of colliding spaces twisting reverberated through the heavens and earth.
‘…This is tricky. This isn’t just about manipulating space. It feels like I’m fighting an entire world.’
While the situation appeared evenly matched for now, this was essentially the enemy’s home ground.
He had no idea how many tricks his opponent had left, so facing straight on was hardly a good situation.
Moreover, the way the opponent was acting suggested they weren’t truly exerting their full strength either.
“Indeed, is this the world’s death? Quite a troublesome power.”
“Whoa—! Impressive! But aren’t you going to summon any undead? Show me the Bone Dragon! If there are other undead, show me those too!”
No matter how he looked at it, that relaxed demeanor seemed to indicate that they were hiding some trump card.
Neither the Head nor the wild-eyed man beside him seemed to consider even for a moment that they could lose.
‘Hmm, what should I do? I think it might be better to avoid making bold decisions here…’
But the lack of urgency here was mirrored on his side as well.
‘Right, for now, it’s best to extract his secrets while retreating. Let’s save the undead for now.’
Just encountering the Head of the Buncheon Society was already a significant gain.
After all, Hans’s capabilities were already known, so if he could mingle appropriately and see what hidden trump card they had, it would be a perfect outcome.
‘Withdrawing after the reconnaissance is not a loss yet!’
He had a versatile escape skill, “Summoning Release,” that was effective in any situation.
*
Inside a spacious room filled with complex mandala patterns structured like a maze.
The dimly lit space was brightened by many candles, adorned with various ceremonial objects made of precious metals.
Hoo—
In the center of this gloomy yet exotic space, thick smoke began to rise.
“Report.”
Simultaneously, a languid female voice gently echoed.
“Yes, Oracle. For now, the situation in Africa is going very smoothly. The encroachment in key countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa is in the final stages…”
After that, a report from a subordinate, dressed head to toe in black fabric, continued for a while.
Starting from Africa, moving through South America, and facing slight resistance in North America and Europe.
Haa—
While the conversation progressed, a brown-skinned woman lounging on a low sofa in the center indulged leisurely in her hookah, barely listening.
“…And the situation in East Asia is still not looking good. In addition to a full retreat in Korea, Japan has recently suffered a significant blow as well…”
“Japan.”
Then, when mentions of a recently monitored region came up, she interrupted her subordinate’s words to quietly murmur.
“Is the Head in Japan?”
“Yes, he has gone to personally capture Hahoe Mask, accompanied by the Doctor and Yul Ryeong-ja.”
“…Hahoe Mask, you say.”
At that remark, she gently closed her eyes, and a droplet-shaped red jewel on her forehead shimmered under the flickering candlelight.
“Tch, Korea has been progressing with caution, yet it seems it wasn’t enough after all.”
Opening her eyes again, she silently sighed and put the pipe back in her mouth.
While actively engaging with China and Japan, her expansion in neighboring Korea had been rather slow, reflecting the Oracle’s wishes from long ago.
Despite that considerable caution, things had still gone wrong…
‘Thinking about how that Doctor will be making noise already gives me a headache.’
And that Hahoe Mask was no different.
No matter how much he transcended the limits of his realm, as long as he existed in the same world, escaping her insight wasn’t that easy.
Yet he had been able to easily slip from her gaze, creating a significant commotion.
‘Whatever tricks he used, his existence hasn’t been firmly established. …Well, to create such a situation, he must have some trump cards.’
Indeed, he was a being filled with uncertain elements from start to finish.
The kind of entity she dreaded the most.
Typically, she would opt to take more time to observe until she had a clear grasp of the opponent, but…
‘…This time the Head took direct action, so it is perhaps unnecessary to go that far.’
The Oracle slowly exhaled smoke while listening to the ongoing report from her subordinates.
Meanwhile, her thoughts were still occupied with the Head and Hahoe Mask.
Though currently, various restrictions prevented her from taking active measures, in reality, there was no one on this Earth who could oppose his will.
As long as no god descended into this world.
‘I’m curious. What kind of abilities does Hahoe Mask possess?’
This was understandable as—
The Head had already led several dimensions to ruin.
He was a monster that consumed the world itself.
*
The straight black flash bent in a refracted space.
The dreadful curse that enveloped the surroundings lost its way in the disconnected space.
Hellfire, burning even souls, was sucked into the broken space and vanished.
And finally…
Crack!
Amid the chaotic clatter of battle, the sound of bones shattering blended in.
“What a pity. I thought I’d end it for sure this time. Were you still hiding some stamina?”
The Head of the Buncheon Society twisted his lips in disappointment.
In one hand, he held Hans’s left arm, which had been reduced to black ash, crushed to pieces.
‘…This is troubling.’
Hans was flexing his freshly grown left arm, turning his skull slightly as he assessed his position.
Having thought this encounter was merely a preliminary battle for information, he had become too complacent, nearly exposing his heart to the opponent’s attack.
‘His attacks don’t even land properly while the efficiency of his space erosion is off the charts. At least in this space, there’s no way my energy can compete.’
Even if his magic was nearing infinity, such a difference in control would inevitably widen the gap.
This would pose a significant obstacle when they eventually faced off for real.
‘But it’s not entirely without merit.’
Hans elevated his magic again, fixing his gaze on the Head of the Buncheon Society.
[Yes, I expected it, but you really aren’t a pure human either.]
“You should feel honored. It’s not often that I reveal this side of myself. It seems this would be less tiring than dragging it out, don’t you think?”
Flap—
With an imposing voice, a radiant sunset glow erupted from the Head’s body, enveloping the surroundings.
As the Abyss surrounding Hans melted away, holes began to appear in the defenses set to counteract space erosion.
‘Ugh!’
Crack!
Despite hastily dodging, this time his right ankle was taken out.
It was a follow-up attack paralleling the earlier one that had claimed his left arm, using the magic essence of the black magic and Abyss.
It was Holy Power.
‘Of all things, the worst match-up! But that guy seems to have no restrictions on power!’
Every returnee using Holy Power would find that it weakens on Earth.
This was an unavoidable consequence of the power’s mechanism, which Hans himself had directly experienced through Heinrich.
Of course, Hans’s Abyss was also a similar situation.
‘…Is that linked to his appearance somehow?’
Flap—
Just as that thought crossed his mind…
With a rough flapping sound, the reddish sunset light covered the area once more.
The Holy Power emanated from the Saint Heinrich surpassed anything he had used in Auterica.
“Shall we end this quickly as I’m getting tired?”
From behind the Head, a halo glimmered, and a pair of giant wings stretched out over three meters long.
The Head of the Buncheon Society was—
‘The head of an evil organization is an angel… what kind of messed-up situation is this!’
No matter how you looked at it, he was pure angelic in essence.
