Chapter 76
Suhyeok remained silent for a moment.
The reason was simple.
The villain whose body he had possessed was...
Hugo.
The man who had pitted the Villain Association and Hero Association against each other, creating the disaster unfolding before him.
Because of that, the villains had suffered losses so severe they were practically annihilated.
The Hero Association had also lost countless S-Rank heroes.
Only one remained.
Kim Hana.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"I'll never forgive you...!! Hugo...!!"
Her fists came one after another without pause.
Her entire body shone brightly, almost like a star.
Despite her exhaustion, she continued attacking with terrifying ferocity, trying somehow to break through Suhyeok's guard.
Each time he redirected one of her punches, the surrounding rubble shattered into powder.
CRASH! BOOM!
She fights by relying on natural strength and combat instinct.
Even though I'm deflecting her attacks, my hands are going numb.
[‘Ruler of the Battlefield’ watches with interest while stroking his chin.]
[‘Goddess of Wisdom and War’ shows interest in her aggressive fighting style.]
.
.
.
The Constellations were highly interested.
Of course, most of them seemed even more interested in her appearance.
Wow, how is she still pretty even while looking that messed up? ㄷㄷ
That's a hero? Protect me too. Protect me.
Host, remember this well. If you leave even a single scratch on her body, you will have to face our ‘Church of Hana.’
When did she get a fan club? hahaha
Count me in too lol
Seong-a, who had been watching the battle without revealing herself, asked,
[ Dad, want me to fight instead? ]
No need.
This will be over soon anyway.
Suhyeok redirected another attack and briefly created some distance.
Then he checked Kim Hana's condition.
"Haa... haa...."
She bent forward, breathing heavily.
Both her arms and legs were trembling.
She could barely remain standing.
At this rate, she would collapse soon.
She had clearly passed her limit a long time ago.
...The real problem is this.
[Clear Condition: Make S-Rank Hero No. 1 Kim Hana ‘doubt’ you.]
The doubt the System wanted.
Most likely, it wanted Kim Hana to begin questioning Hugo's true identity.
"The peace we barely managed to maintain..."
Kim Hana's voice trembled.
"You ripped it out by the roots."
"All because of that ridiculous bullshit you said...."
She ground her teeth.
"Tell me the real reason."
"Why did you kill everyone?"
"What the hell was it all for...!!"
"..."
The reason Hugo had killed every S-Rank Hero in the Hero Association except her was supposedly simple.
He simply couldn't stand their pathetic attempts at playing hero.
"You're probably laughing behind that precious mask of yours, aren't you?"
"This is exactly what you wanted...!"
"Cough! Cough!"
"Haa... haa...."
According to everything currently known, Hugo was practically the mastermind behind this entire catastrophe.
To Kim Hana, he was someone who had to be eliminated.
If that had actually been true, then yes.
But the real truth wouldn't come to light until more than twenty years later.
Everything Hugo had done...
Had been done to destroy the Villain Association.
The heroes and executives he had killed had all been secretly collaborating with the Villain Association and committing countless atrocities behind the scenes.
Everyone was shocked when the truth was broadcast.
All the evidence and records appeared on national television.
And especially you, Kim Hana.
The villain she had so desperately wanted to kill...
Had never truly been a villain.
No one knew how the truth had eventually been revealed.
By then, thirty years had already passed, and no one even knew whether Hugo was alive or dead.
Whoooosh.
Kim Hana forced her ability to activate again.
It was obvious at a glance that she was pushing herself too far.
[A target eligible for Trait Plunder has been detected.]
[Trait - Kim Hana]
Supernova (S)
Enhanced Body (A)
Kim Hana-Style Martial Arts (A)
Latent Trait (???)
[Condition: Inflict an enormous psychological shock upon her.]
Just like when Suhyeok first met Kim Hyuna, Kim Hana possessed a Latent Trait.
That likely meant her hidden talent was exceptionally high.
Supernova (S).
The Trait that had made her the No. 1 S-Rank Hero.
And at the same time...
The Trait that had prevented her from growing any stronger.
Her fighting style relies far too heavily on her ability.
And the more she uses it, the greater the strain on her body.
[Many Constellations lament the sight of such talent being unable to fully bloom.]
That was why her natural combat instinct had failed to shine properly during the fight.
"Haa... haa...."
"Even if I can never use my ability again..."
Kim Hana raised her head.
"I'll still kill you...!"
Step. Step.
At that moment, Suhyeok sensed someone approaching from behind.
An enormous amount of mana.
Enough to fill not only the surrounding area...
But the entire city.
"I didn't expect the fight to last this long."
A woman's voice came from behind.
"Looks like you were struggling quite a bit, Hugo."
She laughed softly.
"If I'd known, maybe I would've come a little later."
"Fufu."
A woman approached with light footsteps, radiating an overwhelming presence.
Her long hair reached her waist.
A beauty mark beneath her chin immediately drew attention.
The instant Kim Hana saw her, all color drained from her face.
BOOOOM!!
"Keugh...!"
"Cough, cough!"
She suddenly vomited blood.
Her eyes turned completely red.
Kim Hana slowly raised her head.
The moment she recognized the woman, her expression froze.
"How... how are you here...?"
"This was entertaining."
The woman smiled.
"I never imagined you'd drive our Villain Association..."
She paused.
"No."
"Everyone."
"To the brink of destruction."
She was the leader of the Villain Association.
S-Rank Villain Merlin.
The worst villain in the world.
"You're the only hero left now."
She tilted her head.
"It's strange to say this, but..."
"We've made it this far thanks to you, Ego."
Before Suhyeok could move, Merlin wrapped one arm around his neck.
She brought her face closer and whispered seductively.
"Join forces with me."
"No."
Her lips curled upward.
"Become my servant."
"Kill that girl right now."
"Then we'll take this country."
"We can do it."
"You know that too, don't you?"
[A target eligible for Trait Plunder has been detected.]
[Trait - Merlin]
Disaster (S)
Stacking (S)
Curse Enhancement (A)
Shaman (A)
Tempting Whisper (A)
[Condition: Kill her while she is off guard.]
Suhyeok stood still as though he had been charmed.
Merlin smiled in satisfaction and turned toward Kim Hana.
"Keugh...!"
