Chapter 94

Various videos about Contractors and monsters are uploaded to NewTube.

There were diverse videos about handling weapons, efficiently using abilities, monster characteristics and strategies, but among them the most popular category was monster hunting.

In particular, videos featuring heroes with overwhelming power and abilities on a different level were more popular than those showing ordinary Contractors in action.

Videos of the Ark Knight wielding brilliant sword techniques while wearing beautiful pure white armor, or War God displaying various abilities using numerous martial arts equipment, would dominate the popular video rankings.

However, as nothing lasts forever, one day a new video suddenly rose to the top rankings, surpassing both of their videos.

-Shooting Star.

A simple title.

Though it was an plain name that didn’t suit modern times, viewers unanimously agreed that no other title could be more fitting.

Mobility that defied common sense by leaping over buildings in a single bound, overwhelming attack power that finished elite monsters in one hit, and the exhilarating way of advancing straight toward the target regardless of any interference.

Among all that, the most impressive part was the ending of the video.

The scene of running up a high-rise building’s exterior wall like flat ground and piercing through the ogre on the rooftop became so popular that it even made it onto regular broadcasts.

When it was later revealed that the video’s protagonist was the hero who had eliminated the mysterious city that had appeared in Korea recently, the response became uncontrollably intense, like oil poured on fire.

People from around the world focused on every move of the new hero.

And to meet these people’s expectations, Yuseong was filming a new video showcasing his activities today.

‘It’s like they’re shooting a movie here.’

Yuseong frowned while looking at the drones floating in the sky.

The drones, which had only numbered a few when operations first began, had now increased to several dozens.

These drones served as filming equipment to capture his activities from various angles, rather than providing fire support or information.

The thought of those videos being edited and spread worldwide from the footage captured from multiple angles by those drones made him feel nauseous.

GROOOOAR!

“Ah, sorry.”

Snapped back to attention by the bear’s fierce roar, Yuseong threw his body backward to dodge the attack.

While he might have been willing to take a hit trusting in his physical capabilities if it were a normal bear, getting hit by the front paw of a monster bear the size of a house would definitely not end as a joke.

‘This should be enough, right?’

Having finished his calculations, Yuseong awakened the two energies sleeping in his heart and dantian, wrapped them around his whole body, and charged toward the bear.

Using Flash Step to accelerate from a standstill to maximum speed in an instant, and using Meteor Step to add weight.

Then, unleashing Shadow Moon Style 16’s Rock Piercing by focusing all his body’s power into a single point…

BANG!

With an explosive sound, the bear slammed into a nearby building and perished without even managing a death cry.

No matter how tough the monster was with defense capable of withstanding a tank’s main gun, it was impossible to endure a focused strike carrying the monstrous strength of Tyrant that could even shatter dragons.

“As expected, the finishing move was Shooting Star!”

“Never gets old no matter how many times I see it. You got that clearly on film, right?”

“Mr. Han! Please give us a brief interview! Just say anything, even if it’s short!”

While it would have been impossible in a crowded downtown area swarming with monsters, people quickly began arriving since the battle took place in a spacious area on the outskirts.

Reporters swarming in and camera flashes going off in all directions.

After giving some appropriately crowd-pleasing platitudes, Yuseong boarded the trailer under the protection of security guards.

“Phew, I’m sick of it. So sick of it.”

Sinking into the sofa, Yuseong sighed and shook his head.

While he could understand it given how popular his videos were and how much they sold for, he still couldn’t help feeling annoyed.

“…I expected to gain some fame, but this is far worse than I anticipated.”

There were several reasons he could point to.

The only hero who responded to America’s request for aid, Americans’ love of creating heroes, and the desperate image-making and support from higher-ups who wanted to make him American.

America played a significant role in things reaching this state.

However, he couldn’t simply blame America since he had also contributed significantly to the situation.

Shooting Star.

The name people gave him after seeing how he took down the Ogre Magician.

Even he had to admit the sight was breathtaking – leaving clear golden and silver trajectories as he soared skyward through a barrage of magic.

This was unexpected.

Originally, Yuseong thought it would be difficult to gain much attention even while active in America.

Compared to other heroes, his combat style using Tyrant’s brute force seemed plain, even pathetic.

“Simple brute force combat. And given the stamina limitations, not even head-on battles but more like guerrilla warfare hitting targets and running – that shouldn’t be enough to gain popularity.”

Jumping over buildings and defeating monsters in one hit?

Heroes could alter terrain and take down hundreds or thousands of monsters.

But the final scene changed everything.

Regardless of raw power, the visuals alone were equal to or even surpassed other heroes in beauty.

‘Who could have known it would turn out like this when I just used skills appropriate for the situation without thinking much about it.’

He wasn’t really complaining.

The newly acquired skills were far too satisfying for that.

<Shooting Star>

-Grade: A-

-Momentarily unifies spirit, qi, and divine energy stimulated to their limits to pierce through enemies with power that transcends limitations.

-This skill’s power is proportional to the sum of the user’s strength, internal energy, and magic power stats.

-This skill’s power increases exponentially with the user’s speed.

The skill that pierced through the Ogre Magician.

Named Shooting Star after what people called it, this skill was more of an ultimate technique unlike his existing Shadow Moon Style 16, Combat Technique, Thunder Fist, or Vacuum Step.

He was pleased that despite not being brought from another world, it had the highest grade except for the unmeasurable Forbidden Knowledge skill and Eye of Truth.

<Cloud Mist>

-Grade: B+

-A skill that wraps the user in special energy capable of both attack and defense by simultaneously wielding opposing forces that normally cannot coexist. Requires careful attention when using.

-This skill’s attack and defense power are proportional to the sum of the user’s internal energy and magic power stats.

-The Cloud Mist’s attack and defense power increase as distance to the user decreases.

-The Cloud Mist’s attack and defense power decrease as distance to the user increases.

‘To think this would become a skill.’

A technique that emanates force throughout the body.

Though slightly disappointed when it didn’t become a skill despite thinking it was quite an innovative idea, it unexpectedly gained recognition as a skill when deployed using both internal energy and magic power simultaneously rather than just one or the other.

Named Cloud Mist for its appearance of being wrapped in clouds and mist, this skill had very unique effects.

A technique that originally only activated through direct bodily contact unexpectedly created air currents externally and became an area effect skill affecting the surroundings.

The dreamlike currents mixing gold and silver colors and leaving faint afterimages were an added bonus.

In some ways, this skill was the true protagonist behind Yuseong gaining fame.

Without Cloud Mist, Shooting Star wouldn’t have been called beautiful.

“The other one, well, it’s not bad to have.”

A skill that slightly increases all stats and recovers health when in extreme situations.

As a C+ grade skill it would normally be quite satisfactory, but coming right after obtaining B+ and A- grade skills, it didn’t seem particularly impressive.

In any case, these acquired skills synergized with the reasons listed above to help Yuseong gain fame rivaling other heroes in a short time.

Thanks to that fame, he was now in a difficult situation where external activities were nearly impossible except when hunting monsters, with reporters and paparazzi frantically chasing after him, but…

‘This works out better actually.’

All these people would serve as witnesses to verify his alibi.

Yuseong tapped on a phone number that filled his recent call history on his smartphone.

A somewhat tired male voice came through before the second ring.

-Is there something you need?

“I’d like to go camping here today.”

-There’s a dinner scheduled after this with the Governor of California attending. Many figures from political and business circles will be gathering – would you please reconsider?

“I’m sorry. But I really want to try camping in the desert just once. Is there no way?”

An absurd reason.

However, the man’s response was equally absurd.

-I’ll cancel the schedule.

“Thank you for accommodating my unreasonable request.”

-Not at all. Please let me know if you need anything else.

A faint smile appeared on Yuseong’s lips as he ended the call.

Since he had been making random requests while carrying out operations across America, they would feel complaints but not suspicion.

There was no need to worry about the governor and business figures who suddenly found themselves chasing chickens.

‘If they don’t want to be socially buried, they’ll control their anger.’

Recently, a relatively influential politician criticized the sudden schedule changes through SNS after being inconvenienced.

Yuseong’s response was to upload a short video to NewTube.

-Due to accumulated fatigue from continuous battles, I had no choice but to cancel the schedule to avoid affecting the next day’s operation. If you want, I can postpone the currently planned operation and reschedule the cancelled appointment or meet in person to apologize. I’m truly sorry.

What happened after that was predictable.

Public opinion erupted with comments like “Is your appointment more important than operations crucial to America’s fate?” and “While some risk their lives fighting monsters on the frontlines, others make entitled complaints from safety while tapping on smartphones.”

The politician quickly posted an apology message after sensing the ominous atmosphere, but the situation had already deteriorated beyond control, and he instantly lost all influence and fell from grace.

If he were an ordinary Contractor or in normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have escalated this far.

However, Yuseong was currently the hero receiving the most attention worldwide and carrying out an irreplaceable important mission.

At least until all operations were completed and he returned to Korea, there was absolutely nothing good that could come from antagonizing Yuseong.

“Well then, shall we get started?”

Of course, he hadn’t really cancelled the schedule because he wanted to go camping.

After finishing his meal, Yuseong returned to the trailer and took out the small cylindrical device received from Sophia, installing it in a corner of the trailer.

A one-time spatial transfer device capable of round trips.

Though it was disposable and could only travel about 400km, according to Sophia it was precious equipment she barely obtained by spending most of her karma.

‘Wonder what would happen if I ran off with this.’

Letting out a small laugh, Yuseong then took out Alice’s Soul Stone and the doll.

-Eh? Didn’t you say I shouldn’t come out for a while?

“Something came up. Just wait a moment.”

After guiding Alice’s soul as practiced, the doll began moving shortly after.

-It doesn’t seem like you called me for improving the spell, what’s going on?

“I need to deceive people. It’s nothing difficult – just show signs that someone’s here by slightly moving the curtains or dropping things. Can you do that?”

-Ah! Can I use the laptop too?

“As much as you want. You know how to use it, right?”

-I remember everything!

“Good. I’ll be back soon, so I’m counting on you here.”

The internet access records would also serve as evidence of his presence here.

After setting up the laptop in front of Alice, Yuseong approached the spatial transfer device installed in the corner and placed his foot on the button on top.

‘Hope I don’t end up somewhere strange…’

“…Let’s finish this quickly and go home to do quests to my heart’s content.”

Hesitating would only waste time.

As he steeled his resolve and applied force with his foot, his vision rippled and the scenery instantly changed.

An endless expanse of vast desert.

And in the middle of it, massive runways and buildings.

“…This really is Area 51.”

Area 51.

The center of various conspiracy theories and the place where Sophia was waiting.