The Returned Hunter Has Awakened to a Hidden Class - Chapter 139

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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139

Chapter 139

Valderion’s Gate (2)

Barbatos is a demon who wields a massive axe as his main weapon.

A two-handed battle war axe.

The blade is thick, the width is broad, and the center of gravity is extremely weighted toward the head.

In other words.

Once swung.

It’s difficult to stop.

Buuuuung-!

The axe falls from above to below.

Like a massive meteor plummeting down.

Swish-

Kim Jun twisted his foot half a step to the side.

He doesn’t take it head-on.

A greatsword is different from an axe.

「Dragon Eater」.

A double-edged greatsword.

Long, with a center of gravity relatively close to the center.

Slashing, thrusting, pushing.

Of course, it can’t compare to a dagger or nimble blade, but it’s faster to transition than that demon’s axe.

Using that advantage, he deflects the ruthless axe’s trajectory.

Kaang—!!

The axe and greatsword clash.

Kim Jun didn’t raise his blade to block head-on.

He slightly angled the blade to let it slide off.

The massive impact travels through his wrist and reverberates to his shoulder.

An axe that crushes with weight.

A greatsword that deflects with angles.

Kwang-!

The axe embeds into the ground.

The earth cracks like a spider web.

A shockwave bursts out in a semicircular shape.

Kim Jun was already moving.

Pulling the greatsword’s handle.

An overhead slash from close range.

Hwaleuleuk-

Flames blaze along the sword’s path.

Simultaneously.

Dark magic wraps around those flames, amplifying the wave.

Chwajajajajajak-!

It’s not a straight line.

It’s a curve.

A trajectory aimed at the axe’s long recovery motion.

However.

Kwagak-!

Barbatos rotates using the axe handle as an axis.

He doesn’t abandon the weight.

He connects the recovery motion directly into a horizontal slash.

Greatsword and axe.

Head-on collision.

Kwaaaaang-!!

This time, Kim Jun’s footing gives way.

The axe is heavy.

Its instantaneous striking power is overwhelming.

Barbatos’s red eyes gaze at Kim Jun without wavering.

“The Gate.”

Short breath.

“Will not be breached.”

It was the same before regression.

Same words.

Same tone.

Without emotional fluctuation.

Simply.

The voice of one performing their role.

Kim Jun chuckled softly.

‘Still the same.’

Kim Jun had not unleashed all his power.

He was merely activating 「Yeonje」 and attacking with pure swordsmanship.

Channeling only sword energy, engaging head-on.

Because.

This demon.

‘I like him, you know. Actually, this guy was the candidate instead of Satan.’

Not an enemy to be crushed.

But someone he wanted to test steel against steel with.

That kind of opponent.

Even now he could square his damage with the ‘Ruler of Perfect Squares’ title.

He could also kill instantly with 「Rampage」 and 「Assassin Lord」 that he hadn’t unleashed yet.

But he didn’t want to fight in a way that would crush his spirit.

A kind of respect between those who wield weapons.

Kuwoong-

Barbatos lifts his axe.

This time it’s not a downward strike.

Rotation.

Half a turn with his waist as the axis.

Circular trajectory.

Space domination.

“I will definitely block it! Human!!”

“I’m a demon too.”

The most terrifying aspect of an axe isn’t its cutting power.

It doesn’t cut through space, but occupies it.

Buuuuung-!

The massive axe blade sweeps in a semicircle.

It’s not just where the blade touches that’s dangerous.

The entire ‘radius’ included in that trajectory instantly becomes Barbatos’s domain.

A weapon that devours a wide area whole.

Chaeng-!

If a sword is a line.

Bukwagagak-!

An axe is a plane.

It’s akin to a kind of ‘expansion’.

Each time he swings, the radius gradually widens.

Take one step back, and that spot becomes his.

A pushing method.

Stacking semicircles layer upon layer, slowly driving toward the edge.

Combat that pushes enemies with the edge of that circle, not the tip of the axe blade.

Try to flee, and the next circle is already drawn.

Try to defend, and another circle overlays that defense.

Occupying space layer by layer like this, ultimately leaving no center empty.

Kwarrrrr-!

Pressure remains where the axe passed.

Air compresses.

Space to dodge shrinks.

Kim Jun held his greatsword horizontally.

He lowered his stance.

Pulling his left foot back.

With weight on his right foot.

A thrust.

Shwaaaek──!

The sword tip pierces in a straight line.

The axe is wide.

But heavy.

The center of its rotation trajectory is relatively slow.

He stabs that center.

Ting-!

The sound of metal scraping.

The axe handle shifts slightly.

In that moment.

Kim Jun twisted his wrist.

A simple “Slash”.

Sword energy explodes.

Hwarrrrreuk-

Flames spread along the blade.

Black magic power expands as if devouring those flames.

Kwajijik-

But Barbatos doesn’t retreat.

One step forward.

Kuwoong-!!

A headbutt with his entire body behind it.

Using the axe like a shield.

Weight against weight.

The greatsword is pushed back.

Kim Jun’s feet slide half a step backward.

‘This is why it was difficult.’

Before regression.

Even after annihilating the Legion.

Because of this one bastard.

How many times he had fallen.

An opponent too heavy to face in an utterly exhausted state.

Even after clearing out his entire Legion.

Barbatos’s distinctive combat style that he presents.

Trapped in a circular trajectory, continuously being pushed back.

Not cutting, but a fight slowly driving toward death.

Kwaaang-!!

Another collision.

This time Kim Jun goes in first.

Continuous slashing.

From high to low, then diagonal.

Sparks remain along each sword path.

Darkness fills each sword strike.

It’s not simple flame.

Fire that burns while devouring.

The afterimage left by black magic power wavers as if eroding space.

Barbatos blocks all that ‘burning’ with his axe handle and blade.

Pabababa…

Precise.

He doesn’t use excessive force.

He understands the weight of the axe.

No waste.

Kwaang-!

Finally.

The two weapons completely lock together.

Blade against blade.

Force against force.

Kim Jun’s eyes glow red.

“I like you.”

The flames grow thicker along the blade.

Black magic power swirls together.

“Won’t you open it nicely for me?”

Barbatos’s teeth are revealed.

For the first time.

Very faintly.

Something resembling a smile crosses his face.

“That door can only be opened with my life!!”

The magic power in the axe surges explosively.

Between the two weapons.

Pressure explodes.

Kwaaaaang—!!

Debris from the collapsed Citadel flies in all directions.

However.

Neither backs down.

Greatsword and axe.

Weight and technique.

Will and role.

Barbatos tries to expand his own domain.

Kim Jun breaks through it and advances.

“Is this all you’ve got?”

“Not yet!!”

Putting his body weight behind it, using the axe’s weight.

Buuuung-

He puts all destructive power into each strike.

Kwaaaaang-!!

The axe’s advantage is destructive power.

But Barbatos’s axe is not mere brute force.

The angle of rotation.

The position of his feet.

The center of gravity.

Everything is calculated.

Unbecoming of its destructive power, it is surprisingly static and precise.

With each swing, the air splits with a sharp crack.

Within the space Barbatos occupies, his opponent’s movements slow by a beat.

Fighting within that domain itself is already a disadvantageous battle.

Barbatos has refined this axe technique for eons.

The method of overlapping circles, expanding radius, and sealing gaps.

Its perfection is such that even Lucifer once nodded in acknowledgment.

Precise.

Persistent.

Brutal.

But.

Clang-

Clang-

Kagagagak-!

“…!”

That human doesn’t dodge.

He enters the circle willingly.

In the center of the occupied space.

He clashes head-on.

He doesn’t try to escape the axe’s radius.

Instead, he cuts through that radius.

The massive axe blade and the greatsword not even half its size.

The weight difference is obvious.

The length is incomparable as well.

Even so.

Kim Jun reads the axe’s center precisely.

Just before the blade makes contact.

The point where force is applied.

The axis of rotation.

He strikes only at that core.

Deflecting.

Flowing.

Twisting it away.

He tears the axe’s surface with a line.

The occupied space is divided by a single sword path.

Barbatos’s eyes waver greatly for the first time.

“Haa, haa…”

Strength begins to slowly drain away.

Against one who seeks to reach Hell’s end, the guardian of that gate fought desperately.

He cannot match the Grand Demons.

But even so.

He has proven himself.

Before being trapped in the Tower.

And after being trapped as well.

Whether that human made a contract with Lucifer.

Whether he subdued Satan.

Perhaps that human might become the new king of Hell.

“No. It doesn’t matter.”

That was not important.

Barbatos cuts off his thoughts.

Who assigned this mission?

Whose castle is this?

Why must he protect it?

He doesn’t ask himself.

“It doesn’t-“

Swooooosh-

The axe blade completes a semicircle.

“Matter!”

Kwagagagagak-!

He knows.

That there’s already no chance of victory.

The legion has been annihilated.

What Barbatos sees before his eyes is.

Two dragons.

Belphegor.

Satan.

Andras.

And countless legions of Belphegor and Satan.

The battlefield has long been settled.

What remains here is only himself.

“Huuuu…”

Barbatos catches his breath.

Blood flows down.

His left arm-

Thud-

Falls, scattering blood.

In his abdomen.

Puwook-!

A sword is deeply embedded.

Even so.

He doesn’t let go of his axe.

“Really… you have no intention of giving up.”

Kim Jun asks in a low voice.

He already knew the answer.

But asks once more with a regretful heart.

Unlike regular field monsters, boss-level monsters don’t ‘regenerate’.

The moment he climbs to the 100th Floor and grasps Hell’s throne.

Kim Jun obtains the Gate of Hell.

Its summoning targets are ‘everything’ in Hell.

That’s why he asks, asks, and asks again.

“My mission… is completed through death.”

His breathing is rough.

“No more words! Come at me!”

At those words, Kim Jun’s eyes narrow slightly.

It’s stubbornness.

It might be foolishness.

But such a guy.

Cannot be carelessly finished off.

So he shows respect.

Kim Jun slowly readjusts his grip on the greatsword.

Hwaryeok-

Flames rise along the blade.

Red fire first wraps around the blade.

Then.

Hwareureureuryeok-!

Black flames, the “Black Flame,” cover over it.

The two flames don’t devour each other.

Overlapping, they stretch long along the blade.

The earth distorts like a mirage, heat and abyss intertwine as the surface of space melts away.

In this state.

He could end it with just a movement of his fingertips.

One strike.

With that single blow, the Gate would collapse.

But Kim Jun didn’t do that.

Kwaak-

Strength enters the hand gripping the sword.

He fixes his feet.

He doesn’t retreat.

Perhaps.

His current stance is threatening even to Kim Jun himself.

A stance that abandons evasion.

A choice that discards defense.

Like two knights.

Charging with lances aimed on a straight line in a mounted joust.

There is no dodging.

There is no deflecting.

Just.

Who goes deeper.

More accurately.

Who strikes first.

That’s all.

Kuwoong-

Simultaneously, feet plant down.

The ground caves in deeply.

Barbatos’s axe pours down head-on.

From top to bottom.

Crushing blow.

All remaining magic power is loaded into that single strike.

Kim Jun as well.

Thrusts his greatsword straight forward.

The flames and “Black Flame” compress into a single trajectory.

It’s not a swing.

It’s not a cut either.

A straight line.

Only one point.

Kaaaang—!!

The axe blade and greatsword collide head-on.

In that moment.

Not impact.

But stillness.

The axe and greatsword, unable to push each other back.

They clash at a single point.

And.

Crrrrrack—

The crack started from the axe.

Barbatos’s eyes widen greatly.

The axe blade splits along the fracture.

Kim Jun’s sword doesn’t stop.

It pierces through.

Tearing the surface.

Penetrating the center.

Straight through.

Thunk-

It pierces through the armor and penetrates the chest.

It doesn’t stop.

It pierces through Barbatos’s back, penetrates straight through the City Wall debris standing behind him.

And drills straight through even the cliff layered further behind.

As if a single line was dividing the world.

Following the pierced trajectory.

A beat late-

Kwaaaaaaang-!!

The structures behind collapse in a chain reaction.

Starting from Barbatos’s body, a single hole extended straight through.

“This far… is it…”

The axe falls powerlessly from Barbatos’s hand.

Thud-

The massive body takes a step back.

His knees buckle.

Even so.

He smiles.

“Kugh… Strong. Human.”

Kim Jun slowly pulls out his sword.

Barbatos’s massive body tilts forward.

Crash-

He collapses onto the bridge.

The 90th Floor of Hell itself.

A boss that ordinary Hunters couldn’t defeat even with 100 people.

The final gate.

Had fallen like that.

Kim Jun exhales quietly.

“You fought well.”

With those words.

Flicker-

The flames die down.

「Black Flame」 subsides.

[90th Floor cleared!]

[Rewards will be distributed!]

[Skills 「Gatekeeper’s Presence A」, 「Vanguard’s Presence A」 acquired!]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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