Min Ha-rin had become a 3 star Wizard. She learned to properly utilise most of the 3 star spells, and her mana control and understanding of Magical Science had risen a level.
Now, regardless of what would happen in the future, she would be able to be of some assistance.
Leo’s growth was in no way lacking when compared to hers. He had mastered all of the basic forms of the Warrior King Fist, and he had already begun to mix it somewhat with his own martial arts.
“…”
Lukas expected them to be quite talented. Given that they had the power of transformation.
Nevertheless, they both still managed to exceed his expectations.
From the perspective of a master, he should have been pleased, but the first thing that Lukas felt was confusion.
Even if they were supposed to be fast, this was too fast.
To become a 3 star Wizard in a month?
This was something that was impossible even for the greatest geniuses whom Lukas had met in the past.
It was the same for Leo.
Mixing different martial arts was something that even Masters would struggle with. And yet, Leo was now blending the two he knew with ease.
‘It’s not just Leo and Min Ha-rin.’
The growth capability of the humans in this universe was abnormal.
In Lukas’ home world, the study of Magical Science was something that was developed over thousands of years.
During those long years, countless humans worked together to develop it.
It had a history that allowed one to describe it as a culture instead of a field, and over time, the bodies of the humans also adapted to be able to use mana.
But this universe was different.
Although he had secretly transmitted techniques and tricks to them, it had only been a few decades since the existence of mana was discovered.
And yet, there were already several beings who could be called Archmages.
This was not something that could be described with effort, talent, teaching, and luck, nor could it be attributed to the fact that he was assisting them from the shadows.
It was like…
‘The universe itself seems to be boosting their growth…’
This thought appeared in his mind, but Lukas shook his head. It was too early to come to a conclusion.
In any case, it was a good thing for him that there was a fast growth rate.
The only concern would be that they might become intoxicated with pride, but that wasn’t something that could be associated with Min Ha-rin or Leo.
‘And today.’
The duel between Gerard and Leo would take place.
He’d heard that it would be held in the 2nd Duel Room at 10am. Naturally, Lukas would go watch, and Min Ha-rin would too.
‘Leo is still weaker than Gerard.’
It was true that Gerard was still a bit better than Leo. But Lukas didn’t think that Leo would lose.
Lukas got up from his seat.
He decided to leave the room now in order to not be late. The 2nd Duel Room was located three floors below him. In other words, it was on the 8th floor.
Lukas walked to the elevator.
Ding-
The elevator door opened.
There were many people inside. This fact alone wasn’t surprising.
What surprised Lukas was their appearance. These weren’t hunters from the European headquarters.
The group consisted of only Asians. Something that was rare to see in Europe.
“…”
One of these people appeared surprised when he saw Lukas. He seemed to hesitate for a second before his expression changed, becoming harsh.
And everything that happened next happened in a flash.
“You… this guy!”
The man swiftly closed the distance and grabbed Lukas’ collar.
* * *
The Duel Rooms, together with the Training Rooms, were some of the most elaborately built rooms in the headquarters.
As the levels of the hunters increased, it became harder for them to find improvement through simple training.
The best way for them to find their flaws and improve were to fight against similar or stronger opponents.
Min Ha-rin nodded while looking at the outer wall of the Duel Room.
‘It’s just as good as our branch.’
If the durability was poor, it would not be able to withstand the destructive power of high-level hunters.
The Duel Room was also large and well-maintained.
The number of Duel Rooms in the headquarters was small, but this wasn’t much of a problem since most of the hunters were usually on missions.
Min Ha-rin chose a corner in the stands and took a seat, feeling it was fortunate that she’d come early.
Her gaze swept across the room. There were more people there than she expected.
“Leo and Gerard are having a duel?”
“Leo’s win rate against humans is monstrous, but…”
“But his opponent is Gerard, isn’t it? He’s the man who’s most likely to become Sir Nicholas’ successor.”
“More than that, why are they fighting all of a sudden?”
“I heard that Leo caused the dispute.”
“Ha. That ungrateful guy. It seems he forgot that Gerard was the only one willing to accept him after he failed as a hunter.”
Min Ha-rin almost shouted at those words.
She knew how Leo had been treated by Gerard.
That bastard! Filled with anger, Min Ha-rin looked down at the duel ground.
Leo and Gerard were faced off against each other. And a strange tension filled the room.
‘You must win, Junior Brother.’
Min Ha-rin had learned a lot about this Junior Brother, named Leo, over the past few weeks. And she’d come to accept him.
When she heard about Leo’s traumatic past, his current situation, and his goal, she couldn’t help but feel some similarity to herself.
Min Ha-rin grew accustomed to Leo because she had two younger siblings of her own. And Leo, who had long yearned for such a relationship, always expressed his feelings without losing his courtesy.
Naturally, this allowed the two disciples to form a close relationship much sooner than Lukas expected.
How could Min Ha-rin have any good feelings for Gerard?
In her eyes, he was a perverted bastard who deserved to be killed hundreds of times for what he’d done to her cute Junior Brother. If she hadn’t given up swordsmanship, she might have stood up and fought in his stead.
‘Of course, I’d never do that.’
This was Leo’s fight.
Min Ha-rin took a deep breath to conceal the anxiety she felt.
Then, she looked at the clock on the wall.
‘10 o’clock.’
The duel was about to begin.
Min Ha-rin turned her eyes to the door.
Lukas, who’d said that he’d definitely be there, was nowhere to be seen.
* * *
Lukas looked at the man who was grabbing his collar.
The man seemed to be in his mid-30s, with a small physique and a cold expression on his face.
It wasn’t a face he recognised.
“What’s going on?”
There was a small uproar.
The Asian hunters seemed shocked at the sudden turn of events.
A man in the middle of the group opened his mouth.
“Otsuru, do you know this person?”
“Yeah. You guys go greet President Nina first. I have something to discuss with this guy.”
The man looked at Lukas with a slightly suspicious gaze before nodding.
“…fine, but don’t stir up too much of a fuss. This isn’t East Asia.”
“I know.”
As if they didn’t care about it anymore, the hunters all walked past Lukas.
And when the sound of their footsteps grew further and further away before disappearing completely, the expression of the man named Otsuru changed again.
“Please forgive my rudeness.”
He whispered in a soft voice before kneeling on one knee.
Lukas fixed his rumpled clothes.
“You are?”
“This one is called Otsuru.”
It was a name he’d heard before
Banyo Otsuru.
He was one of the best Japanese hunters.
Of course, this was Lukas’ first time meeting him in person, but Otsuru seemed to know him.
“I heard about you from the old man.”
“Na Jong-cheol?”
“Yes.”
When the Bow God, Na Jong-cheol, was mentioned, Lukas had no choice but to change his attitude.
He was one of the transformers whom Lukas had saved while wandering around the world.
That was already decades ago.
Na Jong-cheol was a man who could remain calm in any situation and who had a very upright and straightforward attitude. Due to his excellent bow handling skills and unique charisma, he became the head of the ‘Demon Trappers’, one of the top three guilds in Korea.
It had already been decades since Lukas had saved him. He was old enough to have witnessed when the Demons first appeared.
He should already have been past seventy by now.
Otsuru raised his head and spoke in a serious voice.
“You are in a very dangerous situation right now.”
“Dangerous?”
“Yes. I’m sure there are people watching us right now…”
His voice faded at the end of his words.
Lukas thought about Leo’s fight with Gerard, but he felt that listening to what Otsuru had to say was more important.
“Let’s go to my room.”
He headed to the room with Otsuru, who closed the door carefully before sighing.
“I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I didn’t want your existence to be revealed to Kim Go-hyuk and the others…”
“I’m guessing that something has happened in East Asia.”
“Yes. Most of the hunters there are looking for your whereabouts.”
“Why?”
Otsuru’s voice became solemn as he spoke.
“Because our new President ordered it.”
New president.
Lukas soon realised what this meant.
“…is it Nodiesop?”
Otsuru shivered when he heard the name.
“You know him? Yes. He took control of East Asia. He gathered the hunters with powerful influence together and subdued them in one fell swoop. He showed power against which no one dares to stand.”
“…”
“We don’t know who he is, but one thing is clear. His abilities are completely unheard of.”
Lukas fell silent for a moment before asking.
“What about the hunters who were with you?”
“They are part of a group who came here to look for Master.”
“How did you know my location?”
“We heard it from Lee Jong-hak in Germany.”
Lukas froze at those words.
Then he looked Otsuru in the eyes. Otsuru held his gaze for a moment before lowering his head and continuing.
“They will soon start scouring the entire European headquarters, so we must move quickly. This is our only chance while they talk to Nina.”
“Where are we going to go?”
“I have secured a temporary safehouse.”
“…let me ask you one more thing before that.”
“Yes.”
“What did Na Jong-cheol say about me?”
“He said that you were the Master who supported mankind from the shadows. He also said that a lot of heroes were saved by you.”
Lukas looked at Osturu again.
His head was still bowed.