So What? (1)

The instant Kim Dojun appeared, the gaze of the man, who had just moments ago been glinting with desire, turned toward him.

The same went for Ji Seung-gon and Jin Tae-sik who stood behind.

And that is what they saw when they shifted their attention.

"Grrr—"

In Kim Dojun's hands, one in each, were the Mangchok Brothers.

"What the...?"

Ji Seung-gon muttered as if he couldn't grasp the situation.

Mangchok Brothers, while not belonging to him but to others with whom he shared a cause, were infamous and powerful figures whose reputations were well known. Beginning with the Kawasaki Family massacre that brought them notoriety, to the recent murder of 280 people—including 28 sorcerers—in Brazil, those first-class criminals had been responsible for it all.

And yet, even though several sorcerers of their own rank reportedly attacked them, and even though the brothers used the sorcery acquired from wiping out an entire family, they lost?

Even if Kim Dojun was famous for being the disciple of 'Explosion God,' in the end he was still a student unable to go beyond the title of 'Sorcery Institute' student.

Ji Seung-gon, with an incredulous expression, looked closely at the Mangchok Brothers held on either side.

Even from a bit of a distance, their faces were swollen and bruised.

Additionally, they each had a rock and a piece of wood shoved into their mouths.

"... You're feisty, aren't you?"

As the man whose hand was around Han Soyeon's neck asked, Kim Dojun tossed the Mangchok Brothers forward and spoke.

"These bastards got plenty of twigs and gravel in their mouths during our fight, so I decided to return the favor."

"And you, you found out we're here by taking those guys out, right?"

"You're sharp."

At Kim Dojun's words, the man nodded, "Oh," as if impressed.

"I see."

He said that, released Han Soyeon, and walked toward the two men.

CRACK-!

"Keugh!? Grr—grraagh!"

CRACK-!

He killed the Mangchok Brothers, who were writhing on the ground, in an instant.

The two corpses quickly went limp, their bodies convulsing for just a moment before they stilled, red blood pooling around them.

Watching this with a chillingly blank expression, the man soon shifted his gaze and, putting on a smile again, said,

"Alright, I'll admit it. Those guys were no slouches wherever they went, but seeing them dealt with like that, you must be quite strong."

"I could prove it to you right now."

"No need—I'm here to make you a proposal, actually."

"A proposal?"

At Kim Dojun's question, the man nodded.

"How about we work together?"

"Don't make me laugh."

"Just hear me out. It's less a partnership, more like this—you helped us by taking care of those two and making it this far, so you can help us out some more and get what you want in return."

"Get what I want, you say?"

"Yeah, you may have your thoughts, but I can offer a lot to a strong guy. Of course, if you really partner with us long term, I can offer much more."

The man gestured to Han Soyeon and spoke to Kim Dojun again.

"If you join me, I'll grant anything you want, whatever it is."

Kim Dojun, wearing a look of absolute disbelief, replied,

"... So, your offer is, if I help you exploit Han Soyeon, you'll give me whatever I want, is that it?"

"Spot on! And whatever you want right now, if it's within our means, we'll deliver."

"Oh yeah? Then sure, let's do that."

"I thought you'd—"

"First, I'd like all of you to drop dead right here. Including the old fart and that wrinkly bastard in the back."

"..."

"What, didn't you say you'd give me anything? Was that a lie?"

The man, about to respond, closed his mouth, looking momentarily dazed.

"Turns out, you're not so smart after all?"

He kept grinning.

"So what, you idiot?"

Kim Dojun shot back immediately.

"..."

The man fell silent, his face hardening.

"Hand over Han Soyeon and get lost, unless you want to die."

Nevertheless, Kim Dojun kept talking through the silence.

The man, finding this ridiculous, let out a mocking laugh before speaking.

"You really don't know who I am, do you?"

"How the hell would I know you, you damn idiot?"

"... Really? So you really don't know who I am...? Well, guess I have no choice but to show you."

He hardened his lips and tried to form a hand seal—

"Not going to happen...!"

Kim Dojun was already standing before him, even as the man was nearly done with the hand seal.

However.

As Kim Dojun's fist swung, intent on striking, the man's left eye began to glow.

"Too late."

The man—no, the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer—smiled as geometric patterns appeared.

"Baekjumuhyo (One Hundred Spells Nullified)."

He unleashed his Divine Construct.

KEEEEEEEE—!!!!

An ear-clawing sound ripped through the air.

"...!"

At that, Kim Dojun immediately recognized the familiar sensation as the world began to be painted over in darkness.

"This insane..."

He realized this was a Divine Construct Unleashing that only those at the apex of this world's sorcerers could use.

"Well then, let's take our time killing you. Me, the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer, will kill you, the guy with no sense of fear."

Soon, Kim Dojun,

saw the man standing with a pattern in one eye, smiling at him.

"Tsk."

The moment he was trapped in the Divine Construct, not knowing how the enemy's ability would activate, Kim Dojun narrowed his eyes in tension.

Whether responding to Kim Dojun's expression or not, the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer spoke with ease.

"What, surprised? Your Lightning Sorcery isn't activating."

"...?"

At this question, Kim Dojun tilted his head slightly. But the man, absorbed by his own confidence, was already holding a knife.

"Now do you understand why I'm called the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer?"

He asked as he looked at Kim Dojun.

"That's right! The moment anyone steps into this world, they lose their powers. No matter how strong a sorcerer is, inside this world I created, they're just an ordinary human. Of course—"

Even though Kim Dojun hadn't said a word, the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer grinned ecstatically.

"Even the S-class sorcerers I killed; all of them."

Having said that—

"In this place, all sorcery is nullified?"

After a long silence, Kim Dojun spoke, and the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer gleefully rolled his pitch-black eyes as he answered.

"Those who wield power by connecting to external sources, like divine descent or summoning shikigami, I can sever with my unique sorcery alone, but people like you, who use 'sorcery' directly, have to be brought inside here. Plus—"

"—Of course I become an ordinary human too, but that doesn't matter, since sorcerers who can't use sorcery are never stronger than me. Even before I became a sorcerer, I drifted through back alleys and committed countless murders; I'm the one called the 'Second Jack the Ripper.' So—"

The man, the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer,

"I'll let you die in helplessness, too."

Twisted a smirk to his lips.

"First, I'll start with my fists, then move on to the knife."

He laughed.

"After I've carved your whole body with a knife, I'll shoot your forehead through with a gun."

After his thorough explanation of this Divine Construct's power, Kim Dojun's tightly pressed lips started to form

"... Is that so?"

an even broader, darker smile than before.

####

When Han Soyeon saw Kim Dojun trapped in the giant barrier, she immediately tried to use divine descent.

'... It won't work?'

The man before her had disappeared, but even so, she was unable to employ divine descent and found it odd—only briefly.

"Give up, Han Soyeon. Either way, until tomorrow you won't be able to use divine descent of your own will."

At the sound of Ji Seung-gon's voice, she turned her head.

"From the moment your power was sealed, you were already caught by my interference spell. Unless I permit it, you'll never use divine descent again."

He looked at her, smiling broadly.

"... Do you really think I'd participate in your divine descent ritual as you wish?"

Han Soyeon's question.

To which Ji Seung-gon answered,

"You've figured out a bit, haven't you? Yes, as you say, I'll be using you in the divine descent ritual to get what I want."

"..."

Han Soyeon only stared at the association president, saying nothing.

But he, seeing her like that, remained completely composed.

"Of course, I didn't expect you to cooperate from the start, but that doesn't matter—I have ways to force you. And if that fails, I can just use Kim Dojun over there instead."

He said this.

"..."

At that moment, Ji Seung-gon noticed a trace of anxiety flicker through Han Soyeon's eyes, and glanced at Jin Tae-sik.

"Let's go. Anyway, they'll fetch Kim Dojun from over there."

With that, Ji Seung-gon walked smugly inward.

Jin Tae-sik, who had been restraining Han Soyeon, followed after him.

####

'Sorcery Killing Technique murderer.'

He was classified not just as a high-level criminal, but as a special-class criminal—a man whom hundreds of sorcerers had died to, S-class sorcerers among them. No sorcerer ever wanted to meet him.

Had it been some other criminal, they would at least attempt to resist with sorcery, but the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer's own sorcery, ironically, nullified all other sorcery—a truly unique ability.

This was why sorcerers feared him, and why he himself had so much confidence.

He was certain that he'd never lose to a fellow sorcerer.

... Until he got thrashed by Kim Dojun.

THWACK—!

"Guh!"

Kim Dojun's fist mercilessly struck the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer's face.

His body threatened to fall backward.

But Kim Dojun immediately grabbed the murderer by the collar.

"You made! Me! Worry! For nothing! You bastard!"

With each word, he landed another blow on the man's face.

Unable to understand why he was being beaten one-sidedly, the murderer tried to pull out his knife.

"Where do you think you're going!"

CRACK!

"AAARGH!"

Kim Dojun snapped the man's right arm without hesitation.

"You had the nerve to call this a fair fight and then pull a knife?"

"Wa—!"

THWACK!

Another punch from Kim Dojun.

The murderer, dizzy, tried desperately to fight back with his fists.

"Throwing punches out in the open like that won't work!"

SMACK!

Kim Dojun dodged easily and landed another punch.

"How could this...!"

Yelled the Sorcery Killing Technique murderer, his face smashed to a pulp.

"So, you're the 'Second Jack the Ripper,' huh?"

Kim Dojun mocked him, sneering just as the murderer had before.

"Wha—how—how are you...!"

The murderer, unable to defend himself, stuttered.

"You picked the wrong opponent."

Kim Dojun climbed on top of him, drew back his fist, and declared,

"I've got a nickname, too."

He said.

"They call me the Mad Dog of Cheonho-dong. Ever heard of that, you bastard?"

CRACK!

Kim Dojun's fist landed once more on the man's face.

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