207 – Lightning Ability is Generally Strong #3
In the distant past, an age where even records were not properly kept,
the human race, living hidden in caves, ascended to a higher level as living beings when they learned to handle fire.
This was the dawn of the era of the civilized people who had surpassed barbarism.
The energy of fire gifted humanity the boldness to drive away dark nights and ferocious beasts.
Then came the 20th century.
Humans made explosive progress once more under the blessing of electricity. In many ways, it could be referred to as an evolution.
Following the so-called Age of Fracture after the fifth industrial era, when a room-temperature, room-pressure superconducting material was discovered, humanity underwent a tremendous change.
The era of the superhumans had begun, surpassing the civilized.
Electricity was that powerful, and the users of electric-based abilities became specialists who were welcomed and treated well everywhere in the 21st century.
Among these electric-based ability users, the one known as the peak was Han Juyeon, the Thunder Lord.
It was said that in terms of sheer firepower, he wasn’t inferior to the S-Rankers.
Fuzz, Fizzzzzzz-!
I could sense sparks starting to fly from everything in the hallway where I was hiding and all the surrounding objects.
Shiver-.
It was an eerie feeling, goosebumps rising all over my body and my skin tingling as if I were being microwaved.
Fuzz-!
─Grrrr…!
The squirrel beast, Kkungkkungi, seemed annoyed as its fur bristled due to the static electricity.
Every time the small squirrel beast Kkungkkungi took a step with its tiny front paws, sparks, Fuzz, Fuzz, jumped out vividly.
“Hey, you guys, come back first!”
I prioritized evacuating the animals into my arms.
Han Juyeon probably noticed the elimination of his team members and began unleashing his full power.
Full power─and electric power.
From now on, it can be considered the ‘real beginning’.
And our team’s situation was, surprisingly, despairingly unfavorable.
“Ugh, the problem is, this place is a power plant!”
“After pushing me into a corner, you might think you’ve got the upper hand. But the mice in a corner are you. Choosing the power plant as your stronghold was your worst move.”
Han Juyeon had released all his accumulated electric power at once.
Flash, Crack-!
Han Juyeon’s body began to glow faintly with a bluish light.
The clothes draped over Han Juyeon’s body instantly burnt away, revealing the white superconductor suit underneath, which accentuated his athletic body.
Fuzz, Fizz-!
Han Juyeon’s hair stood up like lamb wool, imbued with electricity.
This was the liberation state called Thunder, which had firmly established Han Juyeon among the top A-Rankers.
Now that all his teammates had fallen, Han Juyeon no longer needed to restrain his power.
“There exists energy in every place in this world, invisible to the naked eye.”
Han Juyeon was now holding the energy of lightning itself, a natural phenomenon, within his body.
Through his eyes, the energy flowing in this place was vividly visible.
Though it had long been abandoned, this place was once a power plant responsible for all the electricity in the area.
The dormant energy ripples followed Han Juyeon’s movements, flashing and exploding.
Flash, Flash, Fizz-!
Fizzzzzzzzzz-!
“If you don’t reveal yourself right now, I’ll fry you where you stand!”
The abandoned power plant had been transformed into a giant microwave by Thunder’s Han Juyeon.
There were tales about elemental ability users like Cha Yura and Seo Ye-rim who, by releasing their suppressed powers, could alter the natural environment in large areas.
Han Juyeon was no different.
Boom, Rumble-!
The sky above the power plant was now surrounded by countless dark clouds, and lightning began to strike—this anomaly brought on by the full power release of a single person.
At this moment, Han Juyeon’s power clearly surpassed the A-Rank level.
“Everyone knows that electricity runs better through wet things, right? This whole place is damp with steam. If I unleash my power in this situation─.”
Fizz-!
Han Juyeon’s hand glowed intensely with a blue light.
If this force were unleashed forward, the electric wave would sweep across the corridor and overwhelm the area.
“Even if Awakened ones have magical defenses, it’ll feel like your insides are being flipped over.”
Han Juyeon tapped the air like a seasoned musician.
Whoosh-!
As if emitting resonant chords of a grand organ, powerful electric waves surged through the corridor and surrounding objects, sweeping away everything in their path.
Superelectric Wave.
Han Juyeon’s signature and primary skill.
“Ahhhh!”
Soon, a scream echoed from far away. It was a male voice and the one Han Juyeon was looking for.
“My limbs are paralyzed─.”
“Well fought, Hayildo, but you’ve ended up in a sorry state.”
“I thought you’d say that. I came well-prepared for the lightning, you see. This, it’s made from king ant leather!”
Swish-.
Hayildo showed the suit he was wearing underneath his overcoat.
It seemed to be of decent quality.
‘A discharge-proof function, I see.’
However, it didn’t seem to have completely blocked Han Juyeon’s power.
The cold sweat Hayildo was breaking out in was proof.
‘I need to remove him quickly.’
Han Juyeon was resolute.
Among the A-Rankers, there was none more threatening to Han Juyeon than Hayildo, and indeed, that was the case.
Han Juyeon was confident and skilled enough that knocking Hayildo out here would secure his certain victory.
Swish-.
At that moment, as he raised a finger toward Hayildo,
“Go, Miong!”
Puff-.
Something sprang up near Hayildo.
Clank-.
It swiftly attached to Han Juyeon’s palm like a glove.
Fizzzzzz-!
The large discharge happened then.
Han Juyeon felt his own power being sucked into the object attached to his palm.
“…!”
“Got it! It’s done!”
Hayildo jumped up from his seat, celebrating.
What was happening here exactly?
Hayildo explained,
“The engine of my Miong enhanced by my magic consumes a lot of power but grants complete immunity to electric shocks…! When hit by electricity, it actually grows stronger…!”
“…!”
Han Juyeon looked again at what was attached to his palm. Now it was clear—it was a cutting-edge AI drone. It was spider-like and emitted a peculiar cry.
−Meooong…!
While Han Juyeon’s attention was taken by the steel spider Miong, Hayildo deployed the animals he had kept hidden.
“Come on, Bang Bang, Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn…! Miong will block Han Juyeon’s electric powers as before…! Let’s surround and take him down while that happens…!”
−Hieeoom…!
−Kkungkkung…!
−Zoozh…!
The powerful sequence of animals.
This situation wasn’t looking favorable to Han Juyeon.
However, Han Juyeon remained calm.
“I’ve opened my power source, you say? Don’t be mistaken. Thinking you can seal me with such machinery is laughable─.”
Han Juyeon’s voice reverberated like splitting steel.
Han Juyeon, despite the mechanical spider adhered to his hand, thrust forward powerfully.
“Thunderbolt Fist!”
Kuwaaaaaagaagaagaagaagak-.
It was an attack where intense electricity surged with the punch. Han Juyeon’s maximal attack radiated outward like growing tree branches, making Hayildo and the animals shudder as they were caught off guard.
“Eep…!”
Hayildo, convulsing, collapsed onto the floor.
To him, Han Juyeon conveyed the cold reality.
“Hayildo, no matter how clever your tricks, you can’t win against overwhelming power. When strength is great, your head doesn’t need to suffer.”
With that, Han Juyeon was about to knock Hayildo out─
−Grrrr…!
The squirrel beast Kkungkkungi, its fur bristled from the electrocution, shook on the floor.
The honey ant Ahn Ahn and the ghost spider Bang Bang also lay on the ground trembling after being electrocuted.
Seeing this, Han Juyeon’s mind wavered.
‘…Tch, the animals…!’
Swish-.
Han Juyeon quickly withdrew the arm he had thrust forward.
The animals that had been attacked by the electricity began to stabilize their small breathing as their conditions improved.
The small squirrel beast Kkungkkungi shook its fur off with a tremor, and Han Juyeon thought.
‘…So cute…!’
That was it.
Han Juyeon liked animals and was especially fond of small ones.
Seizing this opportunity, Hayildo rose quickly, seemingly recovering.
“Indeed, my assumptions were correct. You like animals, Han Juyeon. After looking at your profile, it was noted that when fighting animal-type demons, you tend to be rather passive and your win rate drops.”
“…”
“Hayildo, who controls animals, versus you who can’t harm animals. This fight is clearly in a superior-inferior relationship. Go, everyone, attack!”
Puff-!
Taking advantage of Han Juyeon withdrawing his attack, various animals rushed toward Han Juyeon.
−Kkungkkung…!
−Zoozh…!
−Hieeoom…!
The sight of small animals charging straight toward him was stirring Han Juyeon’s heart even more.
Soon, Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn, and Bang Bang clung onto Han Juyeon’s arms and legs, shaking them in all directions.
It looked similar to threshing barley during the autumn harvest.
“Ugh…!”
Han Juyeon could empathize with the feeling of clothes spinning in a washing machine. Though small, the animals’ strength was as powerful as the larger demons he had faced so far.
To escape this situation, he’d have to discharge electricity at full power.
However, doing so would surely injure the animals.
Indeed.
The victory in this fight had now become apparent.
“Handling animals is my legendary Hayildo. Just by facing me as an enemy, Han Juyeon, your defeat was already decided. Han Juyeon, you cannot win against me.”
“Grgh…!”
Han Juyeon was angry.
Because Hayildo’s words were true.
On one hand, it was impossible not to think, ‘If only there were no animals…!’
Of course, handling animals was Hayildo’s talent and skill and was by no means dishonorable…
But in such a situation, it couldn’t help but feel unfair.
Puff-.
At that moment, the animals that had been attacking Han Juyeon backed off.
“Even so, we wouldn’t feel satisfied just ending it this way, would we? I’ll fight without the animals too.”
—
