Overlord of Blood and Iron

This was definitely a big crisis for Kang Chul-In. 

If he got hit by the Vortex, the body part that was struck would definitely be torn off.

But what if it was the Mega Vortex?

… He would die if even the slightest bit of it touched him.

In the past, Lucy was able to use this powerful authority of her’s to wipe out over 10,000 soldiers of Alex Rothschild in one blow.

He had to dodge it.

Unless he wanted to be swept up by the winds and ripped into shreds, Kang Chul-In had to dodge the Mega Vortex.

“KANG CHUL-INNNNNNN!!”

Listening to Dorian’s fierce roar, Kang Chul-In activated the second phase of Overdrive.

Bang!

The mana inside of his body started to rampage…

Badum.

Badum! Badum!

And the beating of his heart started to disperse the mana throughout his body.

I can dodge it. I’m fast, and I… have no limits.

Hypnotising himself, Kang Chul-In tricked himself into believing that he wasn’t the level 40 Kang Chul-In right now, but rather Kang Chul-In in his prime.

His leg muscles contracted to their limits, and the phase two Overdrive allowed Kang Chul-In to transcend the limits of his body.

BANG!

Creating a sonic boom, Kang Chul-In ‘distorted’ the space around him. He had shown the most he could, no, more than what his most should be able to show.

“Kang… Chul-In?”

Dorian was startled. Kang Chul-In was no longer anywhere to be seen.

But there was no more time to be startled. 

It was because the Mega Vortex that had been aiming for Kang Chul-In hit the ground, and created a huge tornado that ripped apart the Valhalla plaza.

“Agh!”

Screaming pitifully, Dorian was hit by flying debris and smashed against a nearby wall.

“What in hell…”

Looking around, everything was in ruins.

“Kang Chul-In… What about Kang Chul-In?”

Dorian quickly looked for his comrade.

“Kang Chul-In!!!”

Shouting while looking through the rubble, Dorian looked for Kang Chul-In. And…

“Kang...Chul-In?”

He was able to find Kang Chul-In, who was pointing Kaiforce at Lucy’s neck.

---

“It’s over.”

Kang Chul-In said.

However,  Lucy’s answer disappointed him.

“I… am an unstoppable existence.”

“Unstoppable?”

“You must know too… My life force is no longer here.”

“...There might be an opportunity.”

“Will there be one though?”

Lucy faintly smiled.

Swoosh…

She started scattering into dust particles. First it was just parts of her, and then it was her entire body--- purplish particles in the shape of a dark elf.

And finally, she was gone.

“Go.”

Kang Chul-In hoped the best for his former subordinate in the afterlife.

He didn’t apologize for discarding her. It was because he still didn’t regret choosing Laputa over Valhalla.

If I hadn’t had been defeated, this would have never happened.

Instead, the desire to take revenge on his previous life became even more intense.

Everything started that day when they had lost the war.

So…

This time, I won’t fail.

He didn’t want to see any more suffering from his subordinates.

I won’t lose anymore.

Kang Chul-In promised himself.

“Kang Chul-In.”

At that moment, a stiff voice interrupted Kang Chul-In’s thoughts. It was Dorian, who seemed to have a lot of questions to ask.

“Who… are you?”

“No. Not right now.”

“...Will I ever be able to hear the truth from you?”

“Maybe another day.”

“But…”

Dorian suddenly pointed to where Lucy had vanished.

“What’s that?”

Kang Chul-In instinctually followed Dorian’s finger, to where…

The Core of the Abyss…

It was the core, which Kang Chul-In had given to Lucy in the past.

Walking closer to it, Kang Chul-In stretched his arms towards it.

The grey bluish sphere that was the Core slowly dissipated, being absorbed into Kang Chul-In’s body.

With that, Kang Chul-In was able to obtain Vortex.

[You have learned ‘Tempest: Vortex’ Level 1 (Maximum Level 5)]

[Tempest: Vortex is extremely compatible with Lord Kang Chul-In.]

[+30% Mastery]

[Tempest: Vortex has been increased to Level 3]

[When you reach Level 5, you will be able to use ‘Mega Vortex’.]

-----

Arshelly was having a wonderful experience every day in Seoul, South Korea.

Although she was unable to enter elementary school because she still didn’t have some common knowledge, she was able to quickly absorb the things she looked at and studied.

Arshelly was smart, sensible, and most of all, could learn 100 when she was only taught 1. If geniuses in this world existed, Arshelly would definitely be considered as one.

But just as most geniuses have problems within their lives, Arshelly did too. Recently, she had gotten bullied in the Piano Academy she went to.

The reason… was because she was too talented.

“S-She… She must be a genius!”

Even the piano teacher who had attended the famous ‘Berklee School of Music’ thought that she was a genius. 

It had to be so.

Who wouldn’t be surprised if a 9-year-old girl that had only been learning piano for a week memorized not only all of the musical scores in the academy, but also all the notes on the piano?

That wasn’t even it.

She had a perfect pitch which allowed her to copy any song perfectly after listening to it once, confusing everyone on how such a genius came to be.

“Hey!”

One day, when the piano teacher had left for just a while, a girl called Park Seul-Gi suddenly shouted at Arshelly.

“How can I help you?”

Arshelly answered politely.

“You… you don’t have a dad, right?”

But Park Seul-Gi laughed.

“No.”

Arshelly continued to respond calmly.

“I also have a wonderful dad. It’s just that he’s busy and can’t come to pick me up right now.”

“Stop lying!”

“I’m not lying…”

“Ha! Be quiet. You don’t even have a dad. You liar.”

“Hmm… you can think of it in that way if you want. Do as you like.”

Arshelly spoke one last time to Park Seul-Gi, and put her fingers back on the piano.

“HEY!!”

Because Arshelly ignored her, Park Seul-Gi screamed in rage. She then...

“You little…”

Started grabbing onto Arshelly’s pitch-black hair…

“How dare you ignore me!”

“Oww…”

And started pulling.

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