Chapter 260

Changwang’s Challenge (1)

Changwang.

The moment I sensed the Chinese old man’s hostility.

Swish, swish, swish!

My skeletons simultaneously released Polymorph.

At the same time, with a cha-ring! sound, they each drew their weapons.

‘Damn it.’

I sighed inwardly.

Why does something like this happen from the very first break?

Was I never meant to rest in the first place?

“As expected, it was you.”

He, who had already approached me, opened his mouth.

“Yes, who else in the heart of Seoul would possess such an aura besides you?”

“Hmm, President of the Immortal’s Society, what brings you here without any notice?”

Swish.

I spoke as I slowly removed my mask.

“And in such a blatantly hostile manner at that.”

“……!”

The standoff between me and Changwang.

At that sight, the Samseong-dong area instantly became paralyzed.

“O-oh my god! It’s Ju Dong-hoon!”

“Holy shit! Those model-like guys just turned into bones! Were they skeletons all along?”

“Whoa, how can skeletons take human form? Is that even possible?”

“Right, their actions were almost exactly like humans too!”

“As expected, is this the Skeleton Emperor?”

“Well, he is a Hyper Ranker. Almost a god-tier hunter, so we shouldn’t even try to understand.”

Some were shocked seeing my subordinates all transform at once.

“By the way, why did Changwang come all the way to South Korea?”

“Right, the atmosphere doesn’t seem normal.”

“Changwang lost his Hyper Ranker position this time, right? It’s understandable he’d be pissed.”

“But to come here so openly like this? What’s he trying to do, being pissed off like that!”

Conflicts between Rankers can quickly escalate into international conflicts.

Because each country views their own Rankers as more than heroes.

Anyway.

The rumors spread through phones, SNS, and various communities, instantly propagating worldwide.

“It’s a scoop, a scoop!”

“Film it!”

Reporters nearby rushed over shouting ‘Got it!’.

“It’s a live personal broadcast!”

“Guys, this is huge! Rankers are facing off here! No cap! It’s real!”

Some streamers were openly filming and broadcasting.

Amidst the sudden focus of attention, Changwang paid no mind and revealed a thick fighting spirit.

“We have unfinished business from before, don’t we?”

Jinja looked at me with cold eyes.

“That time, Sophia, that old woman, interrupted us before we could finish.”

Whirik!

Changwang smoothly spun his spear.

“…….”

I stared blankly at that sight.

Hmm.

When we met in the past, he was clearly an old man with an overwhelming presence.

Every movement was flawless, and just his aura alone was so suffocating it felt like there was no answer.

But.

‘Seems doable?’

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed.

Well, I just finished fighting intensely with the God of Fighting (SSS-grade) and Apostles (SS-grade).

There’s no way Changwang would seem impressive.

Everything is relative.

In soccer terms, it’s like playing in La Liga or the EPL and then facing a K-League Ranker?

Of course, it might not be a perfectly apt analogy.

“Hoo.”

I exhaled.

“There are many spectators here. How about we change locations?”

“Change locations?”

“Yes, if it’s unfinished business, didn’t you come to fight me?”

“Correct. More precisely, I came to reclaim the position you took from me. Right here, with this spear of mine.”

……!

A declaration to reclaim Changwang’s position!

The meaning behind those words was clear.

“What does that mean?”

Murmur murmur.

The audience’s whispering grew louder.

“Reclaiming a position, there’s only one way.”

“Kill him.”

“Insane, did he just declare he’ll kill Ju Dong-hoon in the heart of South Korea?”

“That bastard. Is he crazy?”

“Get lost! Go back to your country right now!”

People became agitated.

Some threw water bottles, others pointed fingers and made rude gestures into the air.

But.

Gugugugu…….

As Changwang furrowed his brow and emitted a violent aura.

“Uh, uhhh?”

“Sh-shit?”

“Move back! Get back!”

Startled people gradually increased the distance.

Thus, the circular space that had formed in the heart of Samseong-dong began to expand.

Bang! Bbaang!

The widened space even threatened cars.

Eventually, all roads became paralyzed.

And then.

“Apologies.”

Changwang opened his mouth.

“But I cannot move locations.”

“……?”

“This is South Korea. Stalling for time won’t benefit me. Moreover, defeating you in front of so many spectators is necessary for the world to acknowledge it, isn’t it? That I am 10th rank, that I am the true Hyper Ranker……!”

“Hmm.”

I frowned.

What kind of unreasonable situation is this?

Last time, he suddenly thrust his spear and demanded a spar.

This time, he openly says he’ll kill me?

“Tsk tsk.”

Finally, I clicked my tongue.

“If you’re going to go crazy, you should do it gracefully. Has senility struck you too harshly, old man?”

“What did you say?”

“Simpanchang mentioned it? Something about Entering Demonization, I think. My teacher said it. Entering Demonization equals senility.”

“Are you spouting nonsense in front of me right now?”

“Well, whether it’s nonsense or whatever.”

Whoosh!

As I swept my hand downward, a spear appeared simultaneously with flames coiling around my arm.

My ultimate asymmetric combat power, a God Slayer-grade weapon.

“Since you’ve come with the intent to kill me, Changwang, you should also be prepared to die.”

I lowered my voice coldly.

That senile old man wants to kill me.

Then, shouldn’t he also be prepared to lose his life?

Receiving something and returning even more—that is my creed.

“Let’s see it then. That Pear Blossom Spear or whatever it’s called.”

The atmosphere in the Samseong-dong mini-colosseum, which had formed a circle, changed rapidly with Ju Dong-hoon’s counter.

“Uh, uhh!”

“This looks like they’re really going to fight?”

“Shouldn’t we run?”

“E-everyone, run away! Rankers of this level clashing is practically a national disaster!”

“Kyaaaah!”

People began fleeing one by one.

Some attention-seekers or those whose curiosity overpowers their survival instinct remained.

But the majority were people who knew how to value their own lives.

When Rankers fight, buildings fly and cities crumble, and these are Hyper Rankers.

Moreover, rank 10 and 11.

It was literally like having a nuclear bomb in the heart of the city.

But, even amidst that.

There were those who pushed cameras forward and climbed surrounding buildings……

「Passion Reporter Live!」

「Remember? That HBS reporter who got the Ju Dong-hoon scoop at the vacant lot on the hill before!」

「Skeleton Emperor vs Changwang.」

「Live Samseong-dong Situation!」

「Viewers: 320,515」

“Huff, huff! Reporting live, everyone! This is Samseong-dong! Changwang, who suddenly appeared, provoked Ju Dong-hoon, and Ju Dong-hoon has accepted! Yes yes, Changwang, that bastard. Truly a bad guy! How dare he lay a hand on our Ju Dong-hoon?”

A reporter drenched in sweat shouted while running up the stairs.

Then, settling on a floor of appropriate height, he promptly created a clean broadcast feed.

Clearly the skill of a veteran, not someone doing this for the first time.

“Got lucky! But you know? Luck is also a skill. But, this time, I’m really scared. It’s a truly trembling moment!”

└ Insane.

└ Is this guy first again? For real, the scoop king.

└ What is HBS doing, not raising his salary.

└ At this level, isn’t he possessed?

└ By the way, wtf, what’s going on? Why is Changwang picking a fight with the Emperor?

└ I’m worried…….

Everyone was worried.

First, they hoped Ju Dong-hoon would be safe.

Second, they hoped Samseong-dong would be safe.

Because a serious fight between high-level Rankers could cause massive casualties.

“Hoo.”

A reporter who let out a faint sigh gripped the camera tightly.

He focused on the street and Ju Dong-hoon.

A tense moment, not knowing what would unfold.

“Alright then! I’ll begin the broadcast in earnest!”

“Hmm.”

I looked at Changwang before me.

One of the hunters called the strongest currently on Earth.

‘Interesting.’

It’s interesting and also something to look forward to.

How will I be able to handle Changwang, when I easily captured Kali Pena?

‘But.’

I shifted my gaze to the spear held in my left hand.

‘Of all times, now. I have little energy.’

[Hunter: Ju Dong-hoon]

[Title: Skeleton Emperor]

[Energy: 450/4,220]

I had already poured all my energy into the Destruction Dragon’s egg.

The energy recovered throughout the entire movie was a mere 450.

That was a bit regrettable.

‘Really.’

Can I fight a life-or-death battle with this energy?

While I was thinking.

“You dare tell me to be prepared to die?”

Tap tap.

Changwang slowly tapped the ground with his spear.

“Do not be arrogant, young child. Ranks are ultimately just numbers. Reversals can happen at any time.”

Simultaneously, Changwang’s aura transformed once again.

Into the presence of a demon, not an old man.

“Come at me. I will show you how vast my world is.”

Kwagagaga!

At the same time, an explosive aura burst forth.

A scene where the asphalt cracked and stones flew just from the aura alone!

“…….”

Gulp.

I swallowed my saliva and tightened my grip on the spear.

Honestly, I’m not worried.

Because I’ve survived situations worse than this multiple times.

Moreover.

The South Korean government has probably been fully notified by now, and reinforcements should arrive soon.

The Association will probably call Hasera, right?

Because Changwang’s actions are a clear ‘invasion’.

[Kim Jin-ah: Guild Master!]

[Kim Jin-ah: Are you okay?]

[Kim Jin-ah: What’s happening this time!]

[Berserker: Coming soon, little brother.]

[Thunderclap: Changwang, is he crazy? He’s basically singing a song asking to be killed.]

…….

The Otherworld chat was already in chaos.

[Simpanchang: My friend.]

[Simpanchang: I’m sorry it turned out this way.]

[Spacian: I heard the news, are you alright?]

[Water Witch: What news?]

[Spacian: Tsk tsk, your information is so slow. Check the news right now.]

[Water Witch: Whoa, what! That bastard Changwang finally came looking for you? Ah, Simpanchang is here……. Sorry.]

[Simpanchang: No……. It’s fine. It’s perfectly understandable.]

…….

This time, the Dragon Slayer group chat was also bustling.

“…….”

Just as I quietly pushed the chat window aside.

“……Professor.”

Arin, who was beside me, spoke.

“This time, shouldn’t the Professor rest on the sidelines?”

“What?”

What does that mean?

I looked at Arin.

“You seem low on energy. If you think about it, your ability is us, so why do you always try to step forward yourself?”

“……I agree, My Lord.”

Tae Yangi also stepped forward.

“After becoming Skeleton King, through constant training, I can output about 80% of my prime power. And.”

Whoosh!

He swung his spear.

“Spears are my specialty, My Lord. That Pear Blossom Spear or whatever. I will shatter it.”

“Please trust and leave it to us, Master.”

Kuoong!

Kaden slammed his shield onto the ground.

The asphalt cracked.

‘Oof.’

No need to ask for compensation for that, right?

Well, Changwang already tore up all the asphalt anyway.

If we’re going to claim damages, we’ll do it from that Chinese side.

“Master. Do we just need to fight that bastard?”

Hong, hooook!

Mu-gak twisted his waist and lightly kicked the air.

And even Dana, silently praying.

‘These guys…….’

I looked at them with a touched expression.

Thinking about it, it’s true.

That I became rank 10.

Of course, it’s partly because I developed.

But their growth must have definitely been reflected too.

Because.

I am a Necromancer.

Essentially, my core Unique Ability isn’t Myriad skills, but ‘Skeleton Summoning’.

“Alright.”

I nodded and took a step thud! backward.

“Just this once, I’ll trust you guys.”

The opponent isn’t just any Ranker.

He’s a top-tier Ranker who has experienced being a Hyper Ranker.

And I was going to face such a person alone?

‘That’s arrogance.’

Using any means necessary to win.

Not letting my guard down.

That is the stance I should take right now.