Episode 80: The Guardian Gate and the British Magic Association (4)
The people gathered in the main hall of the British Magic Association. John Wesley stood at the side of Wayne Burns, both looking at the stage.
“What do you think, President? Do you think that Kang Min-hyuk truly can defeat A-class monsters?”
“No…the conditions aren’t good for that.”
Wayne Burns was contacted by John Wesley the day before the event to inform him of Kang Min-hyuk’s visit. It was known that he would demonstrate his power against A-class monsters, but that information wasn’t disclosed, in case it burdened the young wizard. However, Magnus Larson had coaxed him to the stage, arranged into a hazardous place.
Wayne Burns continued, “I believe in Kang Min-hyuk. He has no reason to lie. However, when he defeated the A-Class Death Knight, he had the advantage of a shield of reinforced warriors…under such protection, a wizard’s power can double. Now, he is alone. He won’t have the fullness of his power.”
It was extremely reckless. But it was too late to turn back; Kang Min-hyuk took Magnus Larson’s bait and made a very disruptive offer.
Magnus Larson never dreamt that Kang Min-hyuk would face A-class monsters one-on-one. It was impossible! Even a sixth-circle wizard would struggle to cast quickly enough and indeed die facing such a dreadful monster in close combat. The proceedings had taken an unexpected twist, and Magnus Larson found himself in a state of confusion. Several people criticized him bitterly.
“I know what you doubt, but if Kang Min-hyuk dies, will you be able to bear the responsibility?”
“What the hell are you thinking? What is the basis of your suspicion? Kang Min-hyuk is dedicated to the progress of magical academia, and you wish to ruin him!”
In the fierce momentum of Kang Min-hyuk’s supporters, Magnus Larson firmly shut his mouth. Everyone’s eyes turned to the stage. Could it be possible? Yes, he had succeeded in the dungeon, surrounded by allies, but a one-on-one fight was a very different setting.
The audience’s eyes were fixed on Kang Min-hyuk’s ascent to the training hall.
* * *
Thud.
The cage’s door was closed. Right in front was the A-class monster, Giant Mantis.
Kieek.
The beast was bound. The faces of those who watched him grew darker as it fluttered as if to attack.
The Giant Mantis was one of the lower A-class monsters, so it was used for experimentation. That’s not to suggest that the Mantis was weak – its tough outer shell made it one of the best in terms of self-defense, and its sharp forefoot could cut through steel. Aside from that, its range was longer than a regular monster’s – its forefoot attack from a great distance could be very dangerous.
‘What will happen if I defeat an A-class monster?’
Yoo Jae-myeong was known as the first, and Kang Min-hyuk would be honored as a latecomer – it was an ideal picture. Kang Min-hyuk’s previous feelings of inferiority from Suhomun had transformed, and now he was the object of envy. Unlike his handing glory to Yoo Jae-myeong, this was his opportunity to be recognized by the most renowned magicians.
The stage was set. Wayne Burns’ stubbornness had been the push he needed to proceed.
The moment Kang Min-hyuk raised mana and finished casting, the Giant Mantis was released from bondage.
Kie eh eh!
The Giant Mantis jumped out. The space between the opponents was less than 50m. The Giant Mantis quickly closed the distance. However, before the beast even attempted to attack, Kang Min-hyuk’s magic changed the surrounding terrain.
“Tae-san.”
Thud!
Rumble.
The ground shook.
The land where Kang Min-hyuk was located soared, and Kang Min-hyuk occupied an advantageous highland that could not be touched by enemy attacks. But it was not entirely safe. The Giant Mantis spread its wings and jumped into the air, and although it lacked the speed of a flying monster, it was still able to gain height.
“Explosion.”
Bang!
Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwang!
Kieek.
Giant Mantis screamed and crashed to the floor in the powerful explosion – its wings flapping feebly – burnt by the blast, it lost the ability to fly. Kang Min-hyuk deliberately focused his firepower on the wings and aimed at the Giant Mantis, who looked up at him from the floor.
He began double casting. His head turned tight, and he quickly completed the magic.
“Rune flare.”
“Rune flare.”
Kwaang!
Rumble Rumble!
The Giant Mantis was helpless. A 10m high iron spear surrounded the training center, and Kang Min-hyuk had ascended to an unreachable height, safe from the Mantis’ jump. The monster tried to attack Kang Min-hyuk while driving the thorns of its forefoot onto Tae-san’s pillars. However, before it came up, inch by inch, Kang Min-hyuk’s magic exploded.
“Rune flare!”
Quaang-!
Rumble!
What Kang Min-hyuk wanted to show wasn’t his melee combat ability. Without the help of a reinforced warrior, defense was the priority. He didn’t even utilize moving to cast.
Kang Min-hyuk had learned ‘Taesan’ in the S-class dungeon Dark City. It was useless as an offensive tactic, but it had separated Jeong Pan-ho and the transcendental death knight from the battle and was undoubtedly an excellent utility. With Tae-san, Kang Min-hyuk gained the privilege of occupying a lofty position.
The Giant Mantis jumped and tried to attack Kang Min-hyuk, but couldn’t reach.
“Explosion.”
Kwaang!
Kwakwakwang!
Kang Min-hyuk’s mind split and two brains concentrated their power into creating a single spell. Magic that was supposed to take a few minutes was completed instantly, and the Giant Mantis could not attack Kang Min-hyuk. After being beaten several times, they burned out the skin of the Giant Mantis. The Mantis was impervious to magic lower than grade five, and Kang Min-hyuk exceeded that, managing to inflict damage.
The Giant Mantis’ hard skin made it a more troublesome opponent than the Werewolf due to its remarkable defensive ability, but by this point, the beast was in pain. As it staggered about, it could not climb the pole, indicating that its limit had been reached. It seemed as though it would collapse immediately. Its endurance was great due to its size and skin – another monster would have crumbled much earlier.
“Huh.”
“How can this happen.”
“Oh, my God!! I never thought that kind of magic could exist.”
Perplexed voices rose to the stage, and Kang Min-hyuk felt many eyes burning into him. They were overwhelmed by the spectacle of Kang Min-hyuk fighting the Giant Mantis without any sign of struggle. Through the simple strategy of securing a safe location, he evaded disaster.
In the subjugation video, Kang Min-hyuk succeeded with the warriors’ help, but he battled the Mantis alone, proving his strength. The wizards gathered there experienced intense and complex feelings…a wave of awe passed through the crowd, bringing hope for the future. They had never believed that a wizard could rise from their secondary position into one of personal power.
For the crescendo, volcanic mana struck the Giant Mantis, tearing its final breath from its lungs.
“Explosion.”
Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwang!
The monster fell to the floor, engulfed in flames, and burnt to an unrecognizable lump.
“Whoah!!”
“He really defeated the A-class monster!”
* * *
Silence fell in. The audience stood, still as statues with mouths agape. Kang Min-hyuk used mana to project his voice.
“You know, I’m angry now. You took me for granted – pushed me to prove myself!”
He was acting, but the audience didn’t know that. He was projecting the image of himself he wanted them to believe in.
“You think you can buy the knowledge I’ve worked so hard to develop? Of course, a billion pounds is a lot of money. With that money, I could live my life without worrying about money. But do you think that my knowledge has a price? If I wanted money, don’t you think I could have already achieved everything I want?”
Money wasn’t crucial to Kang Min-hyuk.
“Is it so bad for me not to disclose what I know? It ties me to the guardian gate and cuts down what I have accomplished? After this event, I read the articles on Suhomun that were published in Korea. You will see that I have nothing to do with the Suhomun anymore.”
Kang Min-hyuk was now reprimanding celebrities in the magic world…they were overwhelmed. Wizards who could walk proudly, unchecked wherever they went, bowed their heads to Kang Min-hyuk. The display of his power had stunned them.
Kang Min-hyuk’s gaze turned to Magnus Larson, and he said in a stern voice, “You said you are Magnus Larson from the American Magic Association, right?”
He flinched, as though expecting a blow, “That’s right.”
“Okay. I’ll remember you.”
That was it.
The brief exchange gave the audience goosebumps. Kang Min-hyuk had proved himself to be the protagonist of the revolution and the future archmage. This meant rejection for Magnus Larson.
People around him dropped their gaze, stepping back to disassociate from him physically. Some were long-term friends and acquaintances of his, but they daren’t express that.
That was the moment Kang Min-hyuk established himself in front of some of the world’s most influential wizards.
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