Chapter 102

To glimpse the future—it was a phrase Han Kangyoon had never heard before.

But hearing it now, all the puzzle pieces that had existed until this moment seemed to click into place.

“…You can glimpse the future?”

“Yeah. Like the Prophets people talk about. Of course, it’s not as amazing as it sounds.”

Han Seoa had certainly heard rumors a few times before—whispers of Prophets treated as the most important figures across the world.

But for Han Kangyoon to be one of them… it was a story she had never even considered.

To make matters worse, the shocking revelations didn’t end there.

“Actually, I was supposed to die originally, back on Yeongwoldo.”

“…What?”

“But I saw my own future, and in the end, I couldn’t accept it. I ended up changing it.”

She had no idea. This was the first time she was hearing such a story.

“Maybe you becoming the Sacrifice for the ritual was because of that influence. I’m sorry.”

“No, no. That’s not it at all…”

Come to think of it, Han Kangyoon had been the first to notice the anomaly that occurred with Han Seoa back then, quicker than anyone, and had stopped it.

And it was the same when he used the self-sacrificial Forbidden Art during the conflict with the professors.

‘So he knew in advance that would be the way out?’

Han Kangyoon, who had said without hesitation that everything would be fine in a situation that seemed utterly hopeless.

Recalling that memory, Han Seoa realized that what Han Kangyoon was saying truly wasn’t a lie.

He was simply speaking the truth.

“…You can really see the future?”

“Only partially. And it’s not always right.”

“It’s a very sudden story, but… yeah. If that’s it, I can understand.”

Han Kangyoon, who had glanced at her, added,

“It’s a rather delicate topic, so I’ve been hesitating until now, unable to bring it up.”

“No, thank you for telling me. I won’t tell anyone else.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Truthfully, because she hadn’t heard anything until now, Han Seoa had wondered if perhaps she wasn’t someone Han Kangyoon could trust and rely on.

But now, all the accumulated questions and frustrations inside her melted away like snow.

‘…Surely, the one who must have been the most troubled and frustrated was Oppa.’

Even though he clearly knew what would happen ahead, he couldn’t consult anyone and had to solve it alone.

Until now, knowingly or unknowingly, Han Kangyoon had been fighting lonely battles over and over.

“…If there’s anything you need, tell me anytime.”

She might not be of much help as a combatant, but now that she knew this fact, she could at least assist in steering the situation as Han Kangyoon wished.

“Alright. Thank you.”

With that, Han Kangyoon’s story ended. And Han Seoa, thinking of what would happen tomorrow, asked him quietly,

“By any chance… did you see what happens to us here?”

“No, I don’t really know that.”

“…I see.”

“But we’ll definitely be able to get out.”

His words held conviction. A mindset that, separate from glimpsing the future, believed in his own will without a doubt.

Sensing that, Han Seoa realized once again that no matter what happened or how, Han Kangyoon was still just Han Kangyoon.

“Yeah. I’ll trust you.”

And so, the day of the decisive battle finally arrived.

‘…Well, telling Han Seoa was probably for the best anyway.’

I had already given the same excuse to Yohan before, and among Yoo Haon’s group, Han Seoa was the perfect candidate to lend weight to my intentions if needed.

‘Besides, she’s probably been harboring doubts for a long time.’

During the Yeongwoldo incident, the situation was too urgent, and we were too busy solving immediate problems.

There must have been many situations that didn’t make sense to Han Seoa, who witnessed everything.

‘……’

And truthfully, there was another reason I readily answered Han Seoa’s questions.

‘The Witch’s Sorcery of the Ancient Witch Verdi.’

After clearing this ‘Black Forest,’ I planned to pass on the knowledge of Verdi I gained through it to none other than Han Seoa.

Since it’s a Witch’s Sorcery, I, being male, can’t use it anyway, and giving it to anyone else would just be a waste of a treasure.

In other words, its owner was essentially only Han Seoa.

‘If I don’t lay the groundwork in advance, it would be hard for her to accept if I suddenly told her to learn a Witch’s Sorcery.’

But now, Han Seoa firmly believes I possess the talent of a Prophet.

Even if I give sudden instructions, she would likely follow them without question most of the time.

‘The estimates are all in.’

Now, it’s just about making them all a reality.

I hurriedly moved my steps toward the promised location, and soon all members, including Yoo Taejin’s group, had gathered.

“We’ve done enough simulations, but is it really possible?”

Yoo Taejin asked me with a worried look.

Of course, he probably isn’t doubting the operation anymore. He’s likely just concerned about the excessive risk burden I bear in this plan.

“No problem. I’ve already confirmed it.”

What I prepared over these two days wasn’t actually anything grand.

I checked the operation with Yoo Taejin’s group and, with their help, enslaved every Black Panther I encountered at the forest’s entrance.

Then, I deliberately sent them deep into the forest where the Manticore was, making them engage in battle.

‘Well, the outcome was predictable.’

The Black Panthers, killed without leaving a trace before the powerful monster. However, that sacrifice wasn’t meaningless at all.

‘With this, I’ve exhausted all of the Manticore’s poison.’

The Manticore and the Seven-Horned Serpent, the Area Bosses of the ‘Black Forest’ in the north of the Eternal Labyrinth, each possess powerful poison as one of their weapons.

‘And that’s quite troublesome.’

It makes close combat difficult for the Martial Faction, and if you try to shoot Cursed Techniques from afar, you’re too busy just blocking the poison.

If that were possible indefinitely, it would be nothing short of balance-breaking, wouldn’t it?

So, back when I was at the company, I directly tampered with the poison-producing organs in their bodies and limited their storage capacity.

In other words, if they use all the poison stored in a short period, they need some time to replenish it.

‘And that’s not the end.’

Through the sacrifice of the Black Panthers, I closely analyzed and observed the Manticore’s attack patterns over these two days.

As a result, I became certain. The Area Boss Manticore is still using the unique attack pattern I personally created for it, unchanged.

‘…It’s almost embarrassingly identical.’

If that’s the case, then it’s simple. Just by seeing the Manticore’s preparatory movements, I can predict its next action.

That will be the key to clearing it.

“…Leader, we’re almost at the deepest part now.”

“Understood. Let’s proceed carefully, everyone.”

Yoo Taejin skillfully guided the group, leveraging his seven years of experience, and with my Shikigami Art added, we were able to reach the Manticore’s nest without any major battles.

“What’s going on? I don’t see it.”

“…Didn’t you say it was here just a few hours ago?”

Mikael and Jang Hansoo were flustered, but there was no need to worry. I knew the behavioral patterns of every creature here.

“Due to the continuous battles with the Black Panthers, it’s likely resting inside the nest to recover.”

This was actually favorable. It meant the Manticore’s condition wasn’t at a perfect one hundred percent.

“Do you see that sunken ground over there?”

“Yeah. I see it.”

“That’s the spot. Once ready, we’ll simultaneously fire Offensive Spells.”

With that, the battle will begin, and there will be no turning back.

However, no one here hesitated anymore.

Soon, each member unleashed their most powerful Cursed Techniques and fired them, and with a tremendous roar, the ground began to shake.

Crrrrack!

Kwa-jajajak!

Kugugugugu.

And then, a fierce, enraged scream echoed.

[Kwaaaaah—!]

The sound that shook the atmosphere made our bodies stiffen involuntarily, and simultaneously, the Black Forest’s Area Boss, the Manticore, revealed itself.

[Kyaaak!]

Kwaaaang!

The Manticore violently stomped its foot, shattering a nearby rock, then wrapped its tail around it and began hurling it toward us, who were frozen in place.

“Everyone, get behind me!”

Sswaeaeaek!

Kwaaaaang—!

Yoo Taejin, who still had some composure, deployed the Intermediate-Rank Defensive Art, Wall of the Azure Sky, and though we felt the shaking impact, we all safely avoided the attack.

However, the surrounding scenery that soon became visible was devastating.

“What, what is this…?”

“…It’s truly a monster. To think just hurling a rock with brute force has this much power.”

The ground split into several fissures as if an earthquake had struck, and rock fragments embedded themselves within them.

Facing that overwhelming power, an unmistakable fear had appeared on the faces of the group.

Even Yoo Taejin, who blocked the attack, frowned, but there was one person who stepped forward without hesitation.

Naturally, that person was me.

“There’s no need to be anxious.”

“……”

“I’ll take on the attack as planned.”

Leaving only those words, I moved toward the furious Manticore.

Feeling the powerful killing intent of the Predator, yet also a certain emotion emanating from the form I had created.

‘Damn it, is this really the right call?’

That was the thought that immediately seeped into Choi Taekil’s mind the moment he first faced the Manticore.

‘Tch.’

Of course, he knew there was no turning back now. Even if he died here, he had no intention of regretting it.

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t picture defeating the monster before his eyes.

‘…36 years as an Exorcist, and I’ve never seen a creature like this in my life.’

Choi Taekil had faced A-rank Specters, classified as calamity-level, during his active days as an Exorcist, but the Manticore before him radiated an even more formidable presence.

Even Yoo Taejin, the strongest in the group, would absolutely not win in a one-on-one fight. He was certain of that the moment he saw it.

“I’ll take on the attack as planned.”

When Han Kangyoon began approaching the Manticore according to the plan, Choi Taekil, though reluctant to admit it, was deeply impressed.

‘This crazy bastard. He actually wants to fight that thing head-on after seeing it?’

He’d heard it was dangerous, dangerous, but he hadn’t known the Manticore was to this extent.

Yet Han Kangyoon moved forward without hesitation, as if nothing would change anyway.

Even though he had volunteered for the most dangerous role himself.

‘Is buying time against something like that even possible?’

It made no sense no matter how he looked at it, but since Han Kangyoon was so confident, he must have something in mind.

As Choi Taekil wavered between doubt and belief, the conversation he had with Choi Dain last night flashed through his mind.

[…What was his skill like, you ask?]

[Yeah, I know he’s a capable guy, but if he makes a mistake in tomorrow’s operation, we’re finished too. I just can’t feel at ease.]

And to Choi Taekil’s question, Choi Dain had answered like this.

[Uncle, have you seen the Leader fight enough to get sick of it?]

[Of course.]

[Then what have you thought watching him until now?]

[Well, he’s amazing. He’s the Leader, after all. Stuff like, I want to reach that level too, right?]

[Yeah. I’m roughly similar. But…]

What Choi Dain uttered afterward, honestly, still didn’t feel real to him.

[…When I saw him fight, I thought, I guess I really can’t become a Special-Rank Exorcist.]

[What?]

[It wasn’t a fight I could emulate. At least not in my lifetime.]

It wasn’t jealousy or admiration—just simple understanding and acceptance.

‘…Tch. No matter how many times I see it, the power he possesses doesn’t seem that great.’

But Choi Dain, a genius who had already reached a level close to 2nd-Rank at the age of twenty-five, had evaluated him that way.

Choi Taekil understood the meaning too.

‘If he can really face that monster, then fine. Show me.’

If he does that, then at least, as promised, Choi Taekil will pour all his power into attacking whenever an opening appears.

And soon after, Choi Taekil would come to realize.

What Choi Dain’s words had meant. What the secret to Han Kangyoon’s skill was, allowing him to hold his own against Woo Kibeom despite his relatively lacking power.

And finally, that such an absurdly unfair talent for combat existed in this world.