Jinhyuk and Steven stood face to face against each other .
"Haha , it will be too much fun killing you Jinhyuk" said Steven
"Oh ? You sure you aren't mistaking anything ?" said Jinhyuk
"You brat "
Steven's hands glowed red as two building on both his sides got covered in red mana . Jinhyuk didn't flinch . He stood straight as he watched Steven's actions . Steven threw them towards Jinhyuk .
[Ding]
[Skill : Aura Sword (SS) activated]
Jinhyuk slashed his hand once as both the buildings divided in half fell on the ground near the hunters . Jinhyuk saw down and observed that the hunters were luckily not hit by the building. Jinhyuk raised his hand towards them and a barrier was formed surrounding them .
Jinhyuk's hands also got covered in blue aura
[Ding]
[Skill : Commander's Authority (EX) activated]
Jinhyuk covered Steven from both sides and slammed him on the ground . Steven got up as he saw Jinhyuk looking down towards him . His anger now crossed all bounds . He disappeared and appeared behind Jinhyuk and threw a punch . Jinhyuk disappeared from his position as he appeared some meters infront of Steven looking towards him .
They both released intense mana as they disappeared together . They appeared and clashed their moves before disappearing again . Each of their blows shaked the ground . Everyone watching the fight were having difficulty standing . Jinhyuk was now in full power , he wasn't holding back any drop of power which he did in his previous fights . Steven was proving equally strong against Jinhyuk .
Steven's life force was decreasing rapidly as he coughed up blood . Steven looked towards his hand and it was shaking proving the instability in his body . Jinhyuk had stopped .
"It's the end Steven"
"You dare !?"
Steven again threw a punch on Jinhyuk which hit his face but Jinhyuk didn't move . Steven's whole body started to shake . Jinhyuk punched Steven as he went down and crashed on the ground forming a huge crater . Jinhyuk was levitating . Steven came out of the rubble as he wiped the blood beside his mouth .
"N-No , I can't be defeated like this"
"After all these time , I finally f-found a way to kill you"
"I can't lose"
"I CAN'T !!!!"
Steven released his mana again as he came in front of Jinhyuk . This time Steven caught him off guard as the punch send Jinhyuk flying as he crashed inside a building . The hunters were in a shock but suddenly a laugh was heard from the building . Jinhyuk came out with his left hand bruised and blood dropping from his forehead covering his right eye .
"Haha , so you want the hard way "
Jinhyuk disappeared as he appeared behind Steven . The feeling which ran through Steven stunned him . It was like he was just a little cat infront of a raging beast . Jinhyuk placed his hand on Steven's face as he gave a cold expression .
"Disappear"
[Ding]
[Skill : HellFlame (EX) activated]
Jinhyuk released a purple blue flame from his hand as it covered Steven . The flame rushed covering Steven and continued going in a straight line towards the sky . The flame stopped as a burnt , half-dead Steven was seen in Jinhyuk's hand .
"Y-You c-can't b-beat me , b-brat"
Jinhyuk released him . Steven floated through the air as he crashed on the ground forming a crater . Jinhyuk was still on air but he was clearly exhausted . His physique returned to normal . He wasn't able to control his flight as he quickly decended where the others were standing . Jinhyuk landed on the ground as he wobbled a little . He was about to fall but Sumi caught him tight in her arms . Jinhyuk just smiled a little as he was about to lose conciousness .
"I did it , Sis" said Jinhyuk (in a tired and childish tone)
"You did well . Now sleep" said Sumi
Jinhyuk's conciousness slowly drifted away as he entered a deep slumber .
-TWO DAYS LATER-
Jinhyuk woke up after two days from the fight . The recoil of his new physique could be well understood by him . After Jinhyuk woke up he saw the system in front of him .
[Ding]
[The host's body is internally damaged due to the aftereffects of "Mystic Physique (T)"]
[All powers of the host has been temporarily decreased by 80 % for the next 3 days]
[Time Left before full power restoration : 57:52:25]
Jinhyuk left a sigh . He woke up and could already feel powerless . He left the room as Sumi was in the living room preparing breakfast . As soon as she saw Jinhyuk she hurried towards him and caught him by the shoulders . She checking him thoroughly from up and down as she became sure of his condition .
"Is something wrong ?" asked Jinhyuk
"Are you okay ? You seem down" said Sumi
"Oh that ? My powers are sealed for the next 3 days"
"What ?"
"Yes , for the next 3 days . I am just a normal human"
"Really ?"
"Why do you seem excited ?"
"Its nothing . I am just happy"
"Happy ?"
"Yeah . You know after you awakened , you worked so hard everyday to maintain the peace of the city but never take any rest . I am just happy that you can rest for the next 3 days . Leave all the work to your sister . I can even take care of you"
"Haha"
Jinhyuk sat on the table as Sumi sat beside him . She picked up the bread coated with butter and brought it near Jinhyuk . He didn't complain or insist on eating on his own . He just ate it like a kid . He wasn't hating the feeling of being fed by his sister .
'Well , sometimes this too isn't bad'
Jinhyuk and Sumi completed breakfast as Jinhyuk got up . He had to head to the hospital first to visit Deok-gu .
"Sis , I have to go to the hospital"
"Why ?"
"Deok-gu is admitted"
"Right . So can you drive ?"
"No"
"Then ?"
"Today I will be the passenger for once"
"Haha …. Alright"
Sumi cleaned up as she took the keys of Jinhyuk's car . They both went to the garage . Sumi took out the car from the parking as Jinhyuk sat and they drove off to the hospital . After reaching the hospital , they both got out of the car and headed towards the reception of the hospital .
"Good Morning" said Jinhyuk
"Good Morning . W-Wait , are you Sung Jinhyuk ?"
"Um , yeah"
"I-I see . Good Morning Jinhyuk-ssi"
"Can you please tell me which room was Kim Deok-gu assigned ?"
"Y-Yes , he is in Room 3-A on the third floor"
"Thank you"
Jinhyuk and Sumi headed towards the lift .
"You are pretty popular around the city" said Sumi
"Yeah , shut it"
They reached Deok-gu's room and knocked . They heard a light "Come in" as they entered . Deok-gu was lying on his bed which was raised to help him sit comfortably . Jinhyuk raised his hand .
"Yo , you okay ?" said Jinhyuk
"Jinhyuk ?" asked Deok-gu
"Yeah ?"
"Why are you here ?"
"Is this place off limits ?"
"No , but…"
"Leave it at that . Now , tell me , why were you scared the last time I saw you ?"
"W-What are you taking about ?"
"One week ago , when I saw you at home . Why were you panicked ?"
"Alright , its no use hiding anyway . You remember Minji ?"
"Minji ? Oh , your cousin ?"
"Yeah"
"So , what about her ?"
"She went to Spain for her vacation and got kidnapped"
"Kidnapped ?"
"Yes"
"By whom ?"
"The Demonic Human Organization"
"What !?" said Jinhyuk (standing up)
"I was shocked at first too"
"Do you have any proof ? And how did you even know where she was"
"Due to my mission"
"Mission ?"
"Yes , the mission you gave me to infiltrate the demonic humans . There I got the information about a girl who was captured from Spain and who is assigned as the new sacrifice . At that time , I got the call from my aunt that Minji was missing from Spain ."
"It all makes sense"
"That's why I was scared that something might happen to her"
"Last Question , do you know how much time she has before she becomes a sacrifice ?"
"Honestly , I don't really know but according to what I heard it may be less than 2 weeks"
"2 weeks , huh…"
"Jinhyuk , I have a favor to ask of you "
"To save your sister , right ?"
"Y-Yes"
"Don't worry , I currently have my powers sealed due to the fight last time but I will leave for Spain in 3 days"
"Thank you"
"Don't mention it , now get some rest . I will go back ."
"Alright"
"Sis , let's go"
Jinhyuk and Sumi came out of the room . They walked for some time but when Sumi saw that they were at a suitable distance away from Deok-gu's room , she caught Jinhyuk's arm . Jinhyuk looked back at her .
"How are you planning to save her ?"
"Just the usual"
"But , you just recovered"
"Don't worry . I won't use that form unless someone as strong as Steven appears"
"I will worry about you"
"Don't , you will also be coming with me"
"What ?"
"Yeah , I can't leave you here to travel alone in another country"
"You really are a kid"
"You think so ?"
"Hmph"
Jinhyuk's phone rang . It was Seol-ah calling . Jinhyuk picked it up.
"Hello"
"Oppa , are you okay ?"
"Yeah "
"That's good news . Anyways , I want to tell that come to the Sky Hotel"
"Why ?"
"Chris and Sophie are about to leave for their homelands"
"Alright"
Jinhyuk and Sumi went towards the car . Jinhyuk told her about the call with Seol-ah and their destination for now. They reached the Sky Hotel . It was a 5-star Hotel , so the hospitality was top notch . Jinhyuk's car was sent to the parking as they entered . They were greeted politely upon entering . They asked the receptionist and headed towards Chris's room with a butler . He and Sumi reached there as Jinhyuk asked him to leave . He bowed in respect and left . Jinhyuk knocked and he heard the "Come in" voice from inside . He and Sumi entered .
Chris , Sophie and Seol-ah are all present there . Jinhyuk and Sumi went and sat on the chairs assigned for them . Their discussion began .
"Jinhyuk-ssi , are you okay ?" asked Chris
"Yes , I have been observing too that you are looking pale after your last battle" asked Sophie
"The issue is my powers are currently in a sealed state right now . In about 2 days , it will be released" said Jinhyuk
"That's quite a difficult situation" said Chris
"That's correct but I would like to discuss some other issue"
"What is it ?"
"Sophie , I have to go to spain in a week"
"Spain" asked Sophie
"Yes , the person I saved last time had his cousin kidnapped by the Demonic Humans"
"What ?"
"Yes , I would like your help in this matter"
"Alright , I will help as much as I can"
"Thank you"
"Now , I would like to discuss something Jinhyuk-ssi" said Chris
"Sure"
"I would like to know what to do with the Demonic Humans in America"
"I suppose I don't have a say in this matter"
"W-What do you mean ?"
"It's quite simple . America does fall under me or I am not American . So , the situation there is out of my control but I can say that I will give my full support if you need help with something"
-sigh-"Thank You Jinhyuk-ssi"
"Hmm"
Their discussion was over and so Jinhyuk , Seol-ah and Sumi got up . They left the room after saying their last farewell . They went and entered the car . Seol-ah saw that Sumi was driving the car and it surprised her .
"Are you not driving oppa ?" asked Seol-ah
"Nope" replied Jinhyuk
"Why ?"
"Don't feel like to"
"Ah , Okay"
Jinhyuk's phone rang up . He took it out to see that it was the Association President calling . Jinhyuk picked up .
"Hello"
"Jinhyuk-ssi , it's me"
"Yes , please tell President"
"Um , is it possible for you to come to the Association with Sumi-ssi and Seol-ah-ssi ?"
"Not at all but why ?"
"There's someone who would like to speak with you"
"I understand"
"Thank you"
Jinhyuk hung up the phone and told both of them about the matter .
-30 minutes Later-
All of them reached the Association as they entered and went to the President's Office . He knocked on the door as a "Come In" was heard . Jinhyuk , Sumi and Seol-ah entered . They all saw a man wearing a black suit sitting on one of the chairs . They entered and the man stood up looking towards them . The man came towards Jinhyuk and forwarded his hand for a hand-shake . Jinhyuk also did the same .
"My name is Joseph Walter . Nice to meet you"
"My name is Sung Jinhyuk , nice to meet you too"
"I suppose those ladies accompanying you are Ms. Sung Sumi and Ms . Cha Seol-ah"
"That's right"
"Thank you for the Information"
The man took out a card and gave it to Jinhyuk . He took it as he looked through it . The Details were :
Joseph Walter
Management of Law for Hunters
International Hunters Association
New York - 10038
'IHA ? That's Interesting'
"You came here from IHA , right ?"
"That's correct"
"The purpose ?"
"Well , its kinda like this ….."
The man quickly came back two steps as he took out a dagger from his pocket as he swang it towards Jinhyuk . Both Sumi and Seol-ah reacted to it but Jinhyuk didn't . They failed to stop him as the knife came and stopped before hitting Jinhyuk . A smile spread on Jinhyuk's face.
"Good reflexes . Surpassing two S-Ranks despite being only an A-Rank is truly remarkable"
"Thank you"
"Now , kindly explain what's this about ?"
"Don't get me wrong . A person is too much interested in you and requested me to test your skills"
"I get it . Now , tell me this person's name"
"What if I don't ?"
"That's your choice but better not regret it"
"I will keep that in mind"
"So , now , Did you really come from the IHA ?"
"That's right"
"So , your actual reason ?"
"What can I say ? We really need your help"
"About what ?"
"Dealing with the Demonic Humans"
"I decline"
"W-Why ?"
"America doesn't fall under my jurisdiction and I don't owe a favor to anyone"
"You are quite skeptical"
"You could say that"
"All right . I will say just two more things"
"Go on"
"As you know , the IHA has a ranking for the hunters around the world"
"Is that so ?"
"Yes , as Steven Marker who was on Rank 1 died and he died by your hands then you are awarded with the Rank 1 among the hunters . The Association also requests you to participate in the Radiance Tournament"
"Radiance Tournament ? I heard that name before"
"That is an international level competition between hunters"
"I remember . But according to me , S-Ranks are not allowed to participate let alone the top 10 strongest"
"You are quite the detective . That's correct but this year the S-Ranks and the Top 10 are decided to be allowed participation "
"And the match allignment"
"That's for certain that the S-Ranks will be collided with the S-Ranks and the Top 10 with hunters in that ranking "
"That is interesting"
"I am glad you like it . Your invitation will be sent to you within 5 days and the competition is held on September 12th"
"I understand"
"Thank you . Now , I shall take my leave"
Joseph went and picked up his bag and left the office . Jinhyuk looked towards Joseph who went out of the door and headed towards the lift . Jinhyuk turned towards the President .
"This was quite a surprise President"
"I am sorry Jinhyuk-ssi . I had no idea this was gonna happen"
"It's fine , actually , I need your help with something"
"Yes , please"
"I and my sister both will travel to Spain at the end of this week"
"Spain ?"
"Yes , its something related to the Demonic Humans"
"I understand . Your tickets and the Hotel will be booked by the Association . Don' t worry"
"Thank You and Goodbye"
"Goodbye"
Jinhyuk turned towards the door as he , Sumi and Seol-ah walked out . They both were quiet the entire time they were in the President's Office . Sumi looked towards Jinhyuk with a worried expression .
Jinhyuk turned towards the parking as he walked towards the car .