Episode 161 Hahoe Mask Rises (1)
"I can definitely feel the decrease in incidents and accidents, both from the recent news and in real life."
"For real. Just a while ago, I was worried that something big might happen."
Everyone living in Korea, not just Seoul, could clearly feel it.
That public order in the country had improved unbelievably.
The phenomenon, which even felt strange compared to the news from overseas, where the situation was still deteriorating, was now deeply ingrained in everyone's daily lives.
Of course, there were several reasons for this.
The Supernatural Ability Management Bureau, a government agency, was working hard, and the Guardians under the Returnee Association also achieved many successes in arresting criminals, so their contributions couldn't be ignored.
But those in the know were all aware.
That there was one more being who deserved to be mentioned above them.
-Honestly, if it wasn't for Hahoe Mask, our country would be a mess like the others. Agree?
-The Guardians are working hard, but the difference before and after Hahoe Mask appeared is too big to cover up.
-But what is Hahoe Mask's true identity? Is it really several people pretending to be one?
Hahoe Mask, the mysterious figure who appeared one day and pacified the nights of Seoul, and eventually started appearing all over Korea.
The rumors about him spread rapidly and uncontrollably, and even celebrities started to mention him on social media and TV shows.
And thanks to that, a certain online community was growing explosively…
<Hahoe Mask Sighting Locations>
<Collection of Links to Celebrities Mentioning Hahoe Mask>
<Story of Meeting Him in Person>
It was 'Dawn's Shrine', a fan site dedicated to 'Hahoe Mask'.
The name was taken from the traditional image of the Hahoe Mask and his tendency to be active in the middle of the night, and it was rapidly growing in popularity.
Naturally, it wasn't just the general public who were interested in this modern-day dark hero who was receiving so much attention.
Supernatural Ability Management Bureau, Criminal Investigation Division, Hahoe Mask Investigation Team.
"Ugh—! How long are we going to chase after him like this?! Isn't it time to give up? Let's just let him do his thing!"
"That bastard is losing it again. Hey! It's time for the rookie to take his meds!"
"Yes, Team Leader. Ugh—! Do you think we want to do this? We're just following orders."
Thwack—!
Senior agents hit Kang Tae-san on the back of his head as he was watching the CCTV footage and ranting, gladly administering punishment.
This rookie had a condition where he would have a seizure if he wasn't hit periodically, so it was a painful but necessary measure.
"This kid's head feels so good to hit today."
"Ah, ow! Senior! I'm back to my senses! Senior!"
"Good, rookie. Anyway, our job is to grasp the situation regarding awakened ones' crimes. Let's work without getting personal."
"…Ugh, yes, sir."
And so, the government agency's efforts to track down Hahoe Mask continued…
Korean Returnee Association, Seoul Southern Branch.
"Tsk, I still think Hahoe Mask is connected to the Blood Alliance. Especially the Heterosis faction."
"Heterosis is the elite combat group within the Blood Alliance that's been rising rapidly lately, right? The leader is a Level 8 vampire who uses the alias Heinz."
"Yes. They've been relatively peaceful since driving out the hardliners, so we were turning a blind eye to their expansion…"
After all, no matter how much you tried to eradicate them, underground organizations were like weeds that grew back.
So it was more efficient to support a group that cooperated with maintaining order, like the current Blood Alliance, and have them manage themselves.
And the effect so far was very satisfying. The combination of the Blood Alliance's control and the fear of Hahoe Mask had created a fairly good level of public order in their jurisdiction.
"No matter how I look at it, it seems like Hahoe Mask is receiving separate information from the Blood Alliance and acting on it, in addition to his own activities."
"Information… you mean the hit list?"
"Well, you could say that."
Yoon Ji-yoon, the branch manager, frowned and sank into her chair as she talked to her secretary.
Even she couldn't recklessly investigate Hahoe Mask, as he was too burdensome.
Based on the facts that had already been revealed, he was a strong individual who could be considered a Demon King level in most worlds.
If they offended him and he lost control, it would literally be a disaster in the middle of Seoul.
"…Let's just watch for a little longer."
In the end, she closed her eyes and chose to observe the situation.
The Supernatural Ability Management Bureau and the Returnee Association.
In addition to these representative organizations, countless intelligence agencies, criminal organizations, and even Heaven's Turn Society were secretly investigating Hahoe Mask.
It had reached the point where they couldn't discuss the current situation in Korea without mentioning Hahoe Mask.
And in that situation…
Wooong—
[Hehehe— To think there's still someone doing this. What a bold bastard. I should cut his stomach open and check for myself.]
"Is this, a formation? Who are you?!"
Hans was facing a refreshing reaction after a long time.
He thought he had instilled enough fear in the underworld, but he came here to catch a guy who was committing murder without even trying to hide, and this was his attitude.
"…So you're that Hahoe Mask. I've heard your name a lot lately. Indeed, what a sinister magic power."
He was even showing fighting spirit after facing him.
It wasn't just recklessness stemming from ignorance because he had recently returned.
No matter how much Hans was concealing the energy of his heart, not many could be this confident while facing him directly.
'He must be confident in his skills.'
Goooo—!
As expected, a heavy presence started to emanate from the opponent's body, and his presence grew stronger.
A messy and turbid energy, as if it was a mixture of various energies, but heavy and oppressive, spread throughout the barrier Hans had set up.
'Is it energy accumulated by stealing the life force of others? Interesting. To think he could reach this level without becoming a cripple with such unstable energy.'
Maybe he even had a unique skill related to it.
The density of the energy he possessed clearly surpassed that of Conwell, the captain of the Azeria Empire's Royal Knights.
"So, it seems like your reputation isn't just for show. I didn't expect Hahoe Mask to be a Jiangshi, but it seems like you've completed some unique grand magic."
Hans was currently wearing a complete Hahoe mask and concealing his skull, but it was impossible to completely hide his energy from someone this strong.
Of course, it was something he could make excuses for, as there were all sorts of unique skills on Earth.
[Hehehe, it's refreshing to see someone confidently facing me after a long time. Very interesting.]
"Heh— Let's see how long that amusement lasts."
Crackle—!
Before he could even finish speaking,
A violent cracking sound erupted from nearby.
An attack at an incredible speed, piercing through the dark magic power barrier in an instant.
But his surprise attack couldn't continue because of the dozens of 'abyss' that erupted from Hans the moment he was hit.
His counterattack also didn't have much effect, but…
The moment the abyssal snakes tried to pierce him, the opponent was already far away, watching him with wary eyes.
'He's fast. As expected of a martial arts expert. I've never seen anyone using this level of movement technique before.'
A swift attack and escape.
Movement techniques were commonly used in dimensions where martial arts and internal energy were the main focus, commonly called 'Murim' dimensions, and they were inevitably troublesome for mages.
"…What is that? It's not ordinary magic power. Such a sinister yet pure energy… Even the Heavenly Demon wasn't at that level."
The man, who had covered both his hands with dark red energy that resembled a demon's hand, frowned and spoke.
His previous confident attitude was gone, and he was extremely wary after directly facing the abyssal energy.
'It's too late to realize that now.'
Thump—
A sinister wave spread in all directions from Hans's light step.
And a thick abyss, as if absorbing even light, rose from the place where the wave passed and enveloped the barrier surrounding them.
Crackle! Crackle!
It was to reinforce the existing barrier, which he felt was a bit unstable for containing the enemy, to ensure a clean execution.
It would be troublesome if he broke through the barrier with his mobility and escaped.
"…Ha! You're leisurely setting up a formation while facing me? In front of this Heavenly Demon Emperor?"
Perhaps his actions offended the opponent, who was sharpening his energy, as he gritted his teeth and spoke through gritted teeth.
Proudly revealing his flamboyant nickname!
'Ugh, how childish, calling himself the Heavenly Demon Emperor… Isn't he embarrassed?'
He was embarrassed for him.
But unlike his inner thoughts, which found the opponent's words and actions pathetic, he played along so he wouldn't feel awkward, as a gentleman who was considerate of others.
[Hehehe— There's nothing more annoying than letting go of prey I've already caught. Now then, let's begin in earnest!]
Naturally, his worn-out conscience didn't hurt at all.
____________________
Boom!
"Ugh! You persistent bastard!"
About an hour passed.
The fight dragged on longer than expected.
Actually, the opponent's strength was also formidable, but it was especially troublesome because of his mobility.
The damage to the barrier, which had been shaken by his escape attempts, was also significant, and he would have really lost him if he hadn't reinforced it beforehand.
'But it's almost over. I should be able to finish it within the "Individual Projection" time limit.'
Whoosh—!
Abyssal energy spread like a net from his outstretched hand, blocking the opponent's escape route and enveloping the surroundings.
"Damn it! What is this shitty energy?!"
The enemy fiercely resisted, forcibly moving his body even as death eroded his flesh through his wounds.
'He was definitely confident. He must not have much experience fighting mages since he hasn't been back for long.'
Unfortunately, ordinary dark magic didn't work on this Heavenly Demon Emperor.
The protective aura covering his body granted him powerful magic resistance, and his sharply honed Demon Hands severed the flow of aggressive magic power.
He could even deflect, parry, or completely sever most dark magic by following the flow of magic power, so it couldn't be helped that it took more effort than usual.
[But it's all meaningless in front of the abyss.]
Unfortunately for him, his energy had a terrible compatibility with the abyss.
His already turbid and unstable internal energy started to be contaminated and shaken whenever it encountered it.
Damage accumulated steadily, whether he deflected it with his attacks or blocked it with his protective aura.
It was enough to drive him crazy.
But actually, even this was Hans's power significantly weakened compared to his might in Auterica.
'Unlike dark magic power, the abyss's energy is half as effective on Earth. Like holy power… There seems to be a standard based on the energy, but I don't know yet.'
It was something he hadn't really paid attention to before, but the drawback was clearly revealed as he unleashed his full power against a strong opponent.
After all, he could personally experience and compare it through various energies, something others couldn't do.
But even though it was less effective than in Auterica, its power was still overwhelmingly greater than just using dark magic power.
And the opponent who was enduring it for this long was also someone he couldn't underestimate…
Thud! Thud! Whoosh!
But his resistance was over.
"Gah!"
Finally, abyssal tendrils started to pierce his body, which he couldn't dodge.
The erosion of death, like a starving beast, greedily devoured his battered body.
[You're excellent. You'll be reborn as an amazing undead. What an unexpected jackpot.]
"Kraaagh! Don't bullshit me! I am the Heavenly Demon Emperor, the terror of the Kanghwan Realm! Do you think I, who have reached the 'Mysterious Realm', will die here so pathetically?!"
Gooo—!
The Demon Hands, which tore away the abyss with a violent gesture, his powerful internal energy fluctuating.
But it was all useless now that his body was in this state, no matter how much internal energy he had.
'Kanghwan Realm… I think I saw it somewhere when I was researching dimensions.'
But to think he was called the terror of an entire dimension, he was quite similar to Hans.
He couldn't just stand by and watch after learning that the opponent was a colleague.
Clank!
"Ugh!"
The Heavenly Demon Emperor started to struggle, bound by the abyss, as it swarmed him from all directions.
And Hans slowly approached him and placed his hand on his head.
[The terror of the Kanghwan Realm… You're similar to me. This is fate, so I'll let you know something special.]
It was rude not to answer after the opponent introduced himself.
And so, inside the space enveloped in a pitch-black abyssal barrier,
A grotesque being, as if created from all the negativity in the world, looked down at a human and slowly opened his mouth.
[I am the Immortal King, the terror that has descended upon Auterica, the continent's despair, the ruler of death.]
He didn't reveal his name.
…It would be meaningless to tell this guy anyway.
And then, the abyss emanating from Hans's hand— completely engulfed the Heavenly Demon Emperor's body.