The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 164

Above the barrier that had been erected to block the hotel where Shin Se-ah was staying, Shin In-hyuk was locked in a fierce battle with Tkish.

‘Indeed, you possess the skills worthy of the title ‘Mado’ [a master of magic]. That’s some impressive magic.’

Tkish, who had been reduced to dust by Shin In-hyuk’s magic and scattered into the air, had somehow returned to his original form.

There was no warning, no gradual reforming of his body from the scattered dust. It was as if he simply reappeared, fully intact, in the spot where he had been standing before.

This had happened five times already.

Shin In-hyuk had killed Tkish a staggering five times, yet each time, he resurrected as if nothing had happened.

‘…What in the world is your magic?’

Judging by its quality, density, and the energy it exuded, it was no illusion or trick. The man before him was undeniably real, resurrecting perfectly at the moment of death.

‘I believe I mentioned it to the Green Magic Tower Master last time. It’s immortal magic. I never die,’ Tkish replied with a smile.

‘Nonsense. There is no power in this world without a price. I don’t know what law governs your resurrection, but there will certainly be an end to it,’ Shin In-hyuk countered, casting another spell.

The 3-attribute fusion magic, the pride of the Mado family’s secret technique, ‘All Element,’ completely annihilated Tkish’s body.

Tkish was burned, crushed, and torn to shreds. A lump of charred remains, barely resembling a human form, fell to the ground.

‘I told you it was useless.’

But a moment later, the lump of coal vanished, and Tkish was back in his original, unscathed state, standing in the same spot.

It was like a bizarre dream. It was the sixth time he had witnessed it, yet it remained a sight he couldn’t comprehend, no matter how many times he saw it.

‘…There’s no change in the amount of mana I sense. Is his resurrection not activated in exchange for mana?’ Shin In-hyuk’s eyes narrowed sharply.

This was quite different from the information he had received from Min Ga-yeon, who had fought Tkish one-on-one in the past. She had said that his mana decreased slightly each time he resurrected.

But now, there was no sign of that at all.

‘If it’s not mana, what is he using as a price to achieve such a god-like feat?’

There was absolutely no such thing as a power without a cost.

Min Ga-yeon had said that during their encounter, Tkish had intentionally tried to buy time. She even mentioned that he had attempted to gain time by giving them information.

‘The fact that he tried to buy time like that proves that his resurrection is not infinite.’

If there were no price for resurrection, there would be no reason to waste time with words. He could simply fight, die, and resurrect infinitely.

There was a definite limit to that resurrection magic. If he could find it, he could definitely deal with him.

‘All Element 8th Circle Magic.’

‘Bigbang.’

Shin In-hyuk’s palms collided, producing a loud ‘clap’ sound. At the same time, the air around them distorted.

Said to contain the energy of the universe’s birth, ‘Bigbang,’ the magic with tremendous power befitting its name, turned everything around it into ‘nothing.’

Tkish was completely annihilated, not even a speck of dust remaining.

‘While it’s to solve the secret of my magic, aren’t you consuming too much mental power?’

But after two seconds, he was back to his original form without fail.

‘Alright. How about this? If you answer my question, I’ll give you a hint to solve the secret of my magic,’ Tkish said with a smile.

‘I’ll ask you, Head of the Mado family. How did you get here?’

This operation was designed with perfect calculation. It was a flawless plan to lure Shin Ha-yul using Shin Se-ah as bait.

Shin Ha-yul should have only brought ‘Kim Seok-hyun’ at most. But what was this?

Contrary to expectations, Shin In-hyuk himself had come in person.

‘And even scattering the Shadow Squad members around to surround me. Did you already know what I was trying to do here?’

Shin In-hyuk, Kim Seok-hyun, and even the Shadow Squad. The full force of the Mado family currently in the United States was concentrated here.

It was as if they were certain that a battle would take place here, and they were all surrounding the area in full battle readiness.

‘If I said I came without knowing, would you believe it?’

‘Of course not?’

‘That’s my answer,’ Shin In-hyuk replied with his usual expressionless face.

‘Indeed. This situation itself is the answer. That’s what you mean,’ Tkish chuckled softly.

‘I made a mistake. I wasted the only chance to ask a question,’ Tkish shrugged his shoulders with an exaggerated gesture.

‘But a promise is a promise. Regardless of my mistake, I have to give you a hint.’ Tkish’s smile deepened.

‘The price of my resurrection magic is…’

‘I don’t need it,’ Shin In-hyuk cut off Tkish’s words.

‘I’m not foolish enough to be played by your silver tongue.’

There was nothing more dangerous than information that could not be distinguished between truth and falsehood. Doubting and anticipating was beneficial to the opponent. Therefore, he would not be manipulated by the enemy’s eloquence. He wouldn’t even listen.

This was Shin In-hyuk’s personal battle rule.

‘Considering you don’t need it, why did you ask what kind of magic it was earlier?’

‘That was a self-question.’

It wasn’t a question he asked because he thought he would get a real answer. Sometimes, simply verbalizing a problem could bring a solution to mind. Shin In-hyuk had merely verbalized the question for that purpose.

He also had the purpose of buying time while catching his breath.

‘…Hmm. You’re as difficult as I’ve heard,’ Tkish clicked his tongue with a bored expression.

‘This is troublesome. With the situation like this, I can’t go save my client.’

Client.

Shin In-hyuk frowned at the word. He was enraged by the fact that a member of the Mado family had dared to become a client of the Black Magic Tower.

‘This, I think it’s better to cancel the mission. I’m sorry to Shin Se-ah, my client, but…’

Shin Se-ah, my client.

Shin In-hyuk’s expression slightly distorted at the proper noun that was clearly uttered intentionally.

‘Indeed. Regardless of how the situation has turned out, he’s planning to put all the blame on Se-ah.’

Everything was as Shin Ha-yul had said. Shin Ji-han had joined hands with the Black Magic Tower and planned to use Shin Se-ah to eliminate Shin Ha-yul.

Even the 5% or so of doubt that had been plaguing Shin In-hyuk’s mind completely disappeared. In Shin In-hyuk’s mind, Shin Ji-han’s existence was painted black.

‘Then I’ll be on my way. I’m not stupid enough to keep carrying out a mission that’s destined to fail.’

Tkish chuckled as he felt the huge mana approaching from all directions. In about three minutes, all sorts of powerful forces would gather in this place. He had to leave before that.

‘Eight minutes have passed since the barrier was deployed. With this much time, they must have dealt with him for sure.’

Just in case, he had given them an illegally modified AI as well as illegal doping drugs, so even if something unexpected happened, they would have succeeded in dealing with Shin Ha-yul.

‘If he used both, Shin Ji-han’s level is at the 7th Circle Master level. No matter how strong Shin Ha-yul is, he’s not a force he can deal with.’

There was no way Shin Ha-yul was alive. Tkish was so sure of it.

‘I hope Shin Ji-han used both the chip and the drug, so that I never have to see him again.’

It would be one thing if he only used the AI chip, but if he used the doping drug as well, he would never survive. No, there were combinations of doping drugs and chips that could allow survival, but Tkish had deliberately given him a combination that would lead to 100% death.

‘You little bug. Trying to climb up.’

It was to make sure that Shin Ji-han, who was acting like he was something and giving orders, was killed.

‘I just need to kill Shin Ha-yul, no matter what.’

The conditions of this mission were to kill ‘Shin Ha-yul’ and to prevent Shin Ji-han from being disgraced. The survival of the client, Shin Ji-han, was not included in the mission.

‘If he had known his place, he could have lived.’

Arrogant Shin Ji-han. Annoying Shin Ha-yul.

Tkish smiled inwardly as he thought of the two of them.

‘Then, I’ll see you again when I have the chance.’

Tkish threw his body backward.

‘I have no intention of letting you go.’

‘Well, I don’t think you’ll have a choice but to let me go.’

At the same time as Tkish retreated, he made a ‘snap’ sound using his index finger and thumb.

Woo-woo-woo-!

Was that the trigger? The barrier began to disappear rapidly.

‘I wonder if you’ll even think about chasing me?’

At the center of the disappearing barrier, three men and women slowly appeared in the center of the completely destroyed hotel.

The first to appear was Shin Se-ah.

‘…!’

Shin Se-ah, who was not moving at all in a pool of blood. Shin In-hyuk’s eyes widened at the sight.

Tkish’s smile deepened even more.

‘Now is the time.’

Now that Shin In-hyuk was distracted, this was the perfect opportunity to leave. That’s what Tkish thought as he was about to leave.

‘I wish—’

A voice was heard.

‘…!’

A voice that shouldn’t be heard. The voice of a man who should have turned into a simple lump of meat by now.

Tkish’s eyes widened with confusion and shock.

‘Could it be, did he lose?’

Tkish looked at the center of the barrier with his pupils fully dilated.

The first thing he saw was Shin Ji-han’s completely tattered appearance. And the next thing he saw was Shin Ha-yul, standing next to Shin Ji-han, muttering something.

There was only one thing that scene meant.

‘That idiot!’

Shin Ji-han had lost. He was miserably defeated even after using the AI chip and illegal doping drugs.

‘How can he not kill even a kid like that after using both the drug and the chip!’

Tkish cursed with all his heart and turned his body. Whatever it was, it was right to leave this place first. Staying in this place any longer was very dangerous.

Tkish threw his body with all his might. Currently, Shin In-hyuk seemed to be surprised by the condition of Shin Se-ah and Shin Ji-han, and his gaze was turned towards them. At this timing, he could definitely escape.

‘…!’

Shin In-hyuk regained his senses in 0.1 seconds at Tkish’s movement and immediately used magic to not miss Tkish. But it was already too late.

In the battle of 8th Circle mages, 0.1 seconds was like 10 seconds to ordinary people. Shin In-hyuk’s magic could not stop Tkish. Frankly, it didn’t matter if he got hit. After all, Tkish resurrected even if he died.

‘Shin In-hyuk’s weakness is the lack of continuous firing ability.’

If he ran away at the same time as he resurrected, Shin In-hyuk would have no choice but to suck his fingers [a Korean idiom meaning to be left with nothing].

Kwaaaang-!

Shin In-hyuk’s magic exploded behind Tkish. Since it emphasized speed, the power was somewhat weaker, but it was still more powerful than most 7th Circle magic. However, the impact did not reach Tkish.

‘Shin Ha-yul. I will definitely kill you.’

Tkish glared at Shin Ha-yul with sharp eyes. No matter what, he would definitely kill that bastard. He vowed and vowed again.

Tkish’s figure completely escaped Shin In-hyuk’s range.

‘I’ll escape to the 4th hideout as it is, and quickly leave the United States.’

He turned his body in the direction, recalling the escape route he had planned in advance, and started flying with all his might. No, he was trying to fly.

Tudduk!

‘…My body won’t move?’

Tkish’s body wouldn’t move. He was moving mana to fly, but his body was completely stiff as if it was fixed in the air.

‘This is…’

It was as if someone was forcibly holding his body.

‘How far into the distant future is that kid reading?’

‘…!’

A voice was heard from above Tkish. A ferocious voice reminiscent of a wild beast.

‘I complained a lot about not being asked to do something as trivial as waiting. Now I have nothing to say.’

Tkish’s gaze turned upwards.

‘…Charles!’

Charles, the leader of the hunting dogs [a group of elite fighters]. She was suppressing Tkish’s body using her specialty, telekinesis.

‘Why are you…!’

‘That’s none of your business.’

Charles clenched the fist she was holding out towards Tkish even tighter.

‘Kuek!’

The physical force that was pressing down on Tkish became even stronger.

‘You won’t be able to move. No, I won’t let you move.’

Charles raised her other hand as well, slowly clenching her fist. The pressure pressing down on Tkish became more and more intense.

‘You bas…’

You bastard.

Tkish couldn’t even finish saying that word.

‘Permafrost.’

Before he could speak, Shin Ha-yul’s ‘chant’ was completed. Tkish, who had instantly turned into an ice statue, could no longer speak.

‘This is…’

Inside the ice, Tkish’s pupils trembled like an aspen leaf. He was trembling with bewilderment, as if he couldn’t understand the current situation.

‘You won’t be able to resurrect.’

Charles twisted one corner of her mouth as she looked down at Tkish.

‘You. You’re not dead yet,’ Shin Ha-yul said.

If it was a guy who didn’t die even if you killed him, then you just had to capture him alive without killing him.

‘Now, shall we have a little chat?’

Charles made eye contact with Tkish and smiled sarcastically.