Trinity Build — Part 3
“Don’t you think this is strange?”
That evening.
One of the hunters spoke up.
“What’s strange?”
“It’s about the Legion Commander. Suddenly ordering a duel? He’s someone who stays silent no matter what happens.”
It was strange indeed.
The Hunter Association President nodded.
“Haha, that just means our President is impressive.”
“Exactly. It’s clear that the Legion Commander is backing the President. Otherwise, there’d be no reason to issue a duel.”
“Isn’t Director Kang nothing more than child’s play for the President? Once he crushes him, the path to glory is wide open.”
“President! Once you become the Third Legion Commander, you won’t forget about us, will you?”
“Ha, these guys, already drinking kimchi soup before the rice is cooked.”
Although the flattery was obvious, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
After all, it was nearly impossible for Director Kang to beat him in the duel.
The Hunter Association President took a sip of his drink, pleased, but the hunter who spoke first spoiled the mood.
“Maybe it’s not because of the President.”
“Huh?”
“If not because of the President, then who?”
“Well, it’s just my opinion, but there’s a chance Director Kang might not be the opponent tomorrow.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“Who else besides Director Kang could face the President?”
“Do you think Manager Lee or Manager Park, both level 4, stand a chance?”
Everyone wore incredulous expressions.
They shook their heads and clicked their tongues.
But the Hunter Association President narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
He found some truth in what the hunter had said.
“It’s possible. Hunter Kim, you mentioned Warrior Kim defeated the President of the Cleaner Association and the Lion Knight alone, didn’t you?”
“Yes. When he took down the Cleaner Association, people thought the rumors were exaggerated. But after defeating the Lion Knight, nobody doubted it anymore.”
“The Lion Knight is only a level 4! No match for the President!”
“That’s not true. The Lion Knight is someone we’ve all at least heard of. And when Warrior Kim fought him, he was still a 3rd-level, not a 4th.”
It wasn’t clear what level Warrior Kim had been during the fight with the Cleaner Association.
After all, Warrior Kim had jumped straight from level 1 to level 3, skipping level 2 entirely.
So he was likely level 3 at that time as well.
At least, that was the Hunter Association President’s thought.
According to survivors from the Cleaner Association, the black flames caused by Divine Fever weren’t visible at that time.
A level 3 Warrior defeating a level 4.
The Hunter Association President felt an instinctive sense of caution rising.
If a level 3 could defeat a level 4, then a level 4 could potentially defeat a level 5 as well.
‘No way.’
If the Legion Commander had noticed this…
If the duel had been arranged for that very reason…
The Eastern Army Legion Commander was a highly combative individual who revered strength.
He particularly favored promising Warriors. If he saw potential, he wouldn’t hesitate to take them as disciples or pass down his martial arts.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Eastern Army itself was made up of those disciples.
“It’s not impossible for the Legion Commander to act that way. But would he risk turning our Association into an enemy just for one level 4 Warrior?”
“I agree. Why would the Legion Commander back some Warrior Kim he barely knows?”
“Unless they’re related by blood…”
“Hmm?”
Director Chun stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening.
It made sense.
A blood relation.
The surname was different, but what if they were connected through the maternal side?
Or, what if Warrior Kim was an illegitimate child?
“That makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“If Warrior Kim is the former Legion Commander’s grandson or disciple, it’s possible.”
“In that case, he could overcome the level difference.”
“Perhaps he’s learned the Invincible Black Tiger Swordsmanship.”
“The Invincible Black Tiger Swordsmanship…”
The most famous swordsmanship in all of Korea.
If Warrior Kim had heard this, he would’ve scoffed, saying he’d rather learn one of the Three Great Sword Arts. But these men were dead serious.
The Hunter Association President’s face turned somber.
“We can’t let our guard down.”
The hunters exchanged uneasy glances.
“President, perhaps it’s best to withdraw now…”
“Hmph. Withdraw? Don’t be ridiculous. Canceling an already established honor duel would only enrage the Legion Commander. He’d see it as an insult to his honor. There’s only one solution.”
The Hunter Association President clenched his fist.
“An overwhelming victory. That’s the only way.”
Veins bulged in his hand.
As he focused his eyes, the world turned red.
On the crimson world, a web-like magical pattern emerged.
The mutated gene implanted in his body was reacting.
‘True Blood.’
The Hunter Association President recalled the mutated gene he’d acquired years ago after great difficulty.
Although it had been implanted, he hadn’t dared to awaken it. The fear of losing his reason and becoming a mutant had held him back.
But maybe, just maybe…
Today might be the day to awaken that mutation.
The next day at noon.
The Hunter Association President stood face to face with Warrior Kim in the plaza in front of City Hall.
The weather was gloomy.
Heavy clouds hung low as if rain might fall any moment.
“Before we begin, I’ll brew a potion.”
“You must make it solely with your own abilities. If you fail, it won’t be permitted.”
“Of course.”
Warrior Kim skillfully used his alchemy tools to craft a potion.
No one could argue that it wasn’t his own ability.
‘The Legion Commander’s kin knows alchemy too?’
Someone like the Legion Commander wouldn’t normally allow such trivialities.
Regardless, Warrior Kim drank the potion and prepared his equipment.
“Begin!”
As soon as Division Commander Koo unleashed his mana, the fight commenced.
Crack!
He immediately activated his mutation.
Not True Blood, just the existing mutation.
His blood circulation sped up. Magic-infused blood surged from his heart. His muscles toughened, keratin spread across his skin, his nails grew into steel-like claws, and his fangs became sabertooth-like.
“Gasp!”
“A vampire!”
“He’s a mutant?!”
The onlooking citizens were startled and began murmuring.
Of course, they were.
Vampires were an extinct monster.
Acquiring their mutation gene was extremely rare.
With his transformation complete, confidence surged within him.
Vampires were strong.
Even superhumans with outstanding physical abilities couldn’t match their strength.
He’d personally defeated dozens of warriors before.
With overwhelming strength!
With reflexes surpassing human limits!
Tack!
Warrior Kim kicked off the ground.
In an instant, he closed the distance like lightning, swinging his shield.
How laughable.
Swinging a collapsible shield instead of a solid steel one?
Sure, it glimmered with magic, but so did his own fully enchanted gear.
From head to toe, he was outfitted with magical equipment.
“Foolish wretch!”
He swung his arm with all his might.
A force strong enough to bend steel.
Claws sharp enough to pierce iron plates.
And a surge of dark mana rising ominously!
He planned to shatter the shield and inflict a fatal blow in a single strike.
The image of Warrior Kim’s twisted expression was vivid in his mind.
But at the moment when his claws collided with the shield…
Boom!
He felt it.
Something had gone horribly wrong.
“Urgh?!”
The world flipped.
The sky became the ground, and the ground became the sky.
He spun several times before darkness overtook him.
Though he only blacked out for a moment thanks to the vampire’s incredible regenerative power, what he saw upon regaining consciousness was a Holy Sword glowing with a silvery radiance.
“Guh-uhk!”
He barely managed to deflect it.
The dark mana in his claws was shaved away in chunks, and cracks formed in his once-proud steel-like nails.
The Hunter Association President couldn’t believe his eyes.
His claws, which had remained unscathed even against magic swords, were damaged.
He couldn’t understand.
What he didn’t know was that in the previous clash, [Giant’s Strength], [Close-Combat Mastery], [Smash], and [Slash] had all activated simultaneously.
Even the initial charge was the result of [Giant’s Strength], [Close-Combat Mastery], [Dash], and [Shield Bash] combining to deliver an attack exceeding the power of a level 5 Warrior.
And thanks to [Iron Skin] and [Undying], Warrior Kim suffered no recoil from his own strikes.
Reality hit him like a brick.
‘He’s stronger than a level 5 Warrior!’
It was far different from what he had imagined.
Instead of elegant sword qi and godlike movements, Warrior Kim was pressing forward with raw, brutal physical strength.
Even now, that shield of his was glowing as it came flying at him!
The Hunter Association President barely managed to block it by crossing his arms.
The terrifying impact that followed tore through his arms as though he’d been hit by a cannonball.
“Guhhh!”
At this rate, he would lose for sure.
‘He’s been hiding his level!’
But how?
He had only been certified as a level 4 a few days ago.
Even during their encounter at the Hunter Association, and just yesterday, Warrior Kim had undoubtedly been radiating the mana waves of a level 4.
But that was the only explanation.
The fundamental gap in power between levels was not something that could easily be overcome!
Unless you were a natural-born titan of strength or equipped with mythical-grade gear from head to toe.
“Raaahhhhh!”
The Hunter Association President let out a savage roar.
Blood burst from his veins, spraying everywhere.
He had no choice but to awaken the mutation—True Blood.
Once a Warrior got the upper hand, a Reinforced had only one way to turn the tide.
Crack! Crack!
His body began to transform.
While his lower body remained the same, his upper body stretched and grew unnaturally.
His spine curved forward, turning him into a grotesque hunchback. His already bloodshot eyes elongated vertically, splitting into narrow slits that ran almost an entire span of a hand, transforming into something utterly inhuman—no longer the eyes of a creature, but fissures ripped into reality itself.
“Monster!”
“He’s a mutant!”
The citizens who had gathered to watch screamed in terror.
From the corner of his eye, the Hunter Association President saw Division Commander Koo unsheathing his sword, prepared to intervene.
The Hunter Association President muttered a mantra to himself over and over.
‘I am Byungjin Yoon. I am Byungjin Yoon…’
The most critical thing for a Reinforced when awakening and mutating was to retain their sanity.
Without control, the rampaging mana would spiral out of control, turning them into nothing more than a mindless mutant beast.
‘I am Byungjin Yoon, I am—Guhk!’
Smash!
A massive blow slammed into his temple.
Even as his mutation and awakening were still in progress, Warrior Kim had rushed in and struck him with his shield.
The Hunter Association President let out an inhuman wail.
“I’m in the middle of awakening! Don’t attack me!”
“What kind of nonsense is that? If you didn’t want to get attacked, you should’ve finished awakening before the duel started.”
Warrior Kim showed no mercy.
He kept up his relentless assault, just as he would in a game.
The Hunter Association President’s [SR Vampiric Shapeshifter] traits were [Vampire], [Mutant Claws], [Mutant Muscles], and [Evolution].
If his evolution completed and he entered his second phase, the difficulty of defeating him would multiply several times over.
Even a full party of level 5s would be annihilated.
The synergy between the traits—Vampire, Mutant Claws, and Mutant Muscles—was simply unmatched.
‘I have to finish this before that happens.’
Warrior Kim’s eyes gleamed with deadly intent.
His Holy Sword slashed across the Hunter Association President.
His shield slammed into his chest.
And his hand axe swung toward his head.
Each time, black flames erupted.
Flames so cruel and unrelenting they seemed anything but divine, burning his entire body.
The Hunter Association President’s dark mana was devoured mercilessly, and his nervous system screamed in agony.
“Gaaaahhhhh!”
He howled in pain and lashed out, swinging his massive arm.
His arm, now elastic like a rubber whip, struck Warrior Kim with a thunderous blow.
“Ugh!”
Even though his mutation wasn’t fully stabilized yet, the power was overwhelming.
The combined strength of his mutated genes and his hulking size sent Warrior Kim—who stood over two meters tall—flying several meters back.
But Warrior Kim got up immediately.
Like a roly-poly toy, he bounced back to his feet.
“Raaaahhh!”
And then he charged again.
The Hunter Association President, still in the middle of his awakening, had no way to stop him.
He tried to extend his grotesquely swollen arms, but it wasn’t enough.
The Holy Sword, wreathed in black flames, pierced through his palm and came within inches of his face.
“Arghhh!”
He swung his arms wildly.
The force of his attacks could shatter boulders.
But no matter how many times he struck, Warrior Kim didn’t falter.
On the contrary, Warrior Kim only pressed closer, launching counterattacks with increasing ferocity.
The Hunter Association President was sure his blows were connecting—yet Warrior Kim’s only visible reaction was a faint twitch of his eyes.
“Gaaaahhh! Die! Just die already!”
How was this happening?
How was this even possible?
Even a level 5 Warrior would have their bones shattered by such attacks.
The situation was utterly unbelievable.
The mutated gene True Blood, once fully stabilized, would allow him to reach level 7 and beyond.
And yet, here he was, losing to a mere level 4 Warrior.
At first, he thought Warrior Kim might be a level 5. But the weak mana waves he radiated clearly indicated he was still just level 4!
“Raaaahhhh!”
He unleashed what he thought was a decisive strike.
Just as Warrior Kim swung his hand axe into his shoulder, the Hunter Association President retaliated with a powerful blow to his temple.
Warrior Kim didn’t dodge.
The attack landed squarely on his temple, which should’ve knocked him unconscious on the spot.
But it didn’t.
Clang!
With the sound of metal, Warrior Kim endured.
His entire body briefly hardened into something resembling solid steel.
It was the unique activation effect of [Iron Fist].
On top of that, Warrior Kim had swapped traits, layering six defensive traits all at once.
As a result, Warrior Kim withstood the Hunter Association President’s desperate strike—and with that, the outcome of the duel was decided.
Warrior Kim adjusted his stance.
He rotated the Holy Sword slightly behind him and shifted his weight.
Abandoning his hand axe entirely, he gripped the Holy Sword with both hands.
The dense, radiating waves of mana made the Hunter Association President realize the end was near.
“I won’t go down like this!”
The Hunter Association President’s evolution was nearing completion.
The sense of impending doom helped him regain control over his reason.
He managed to stabilize his mana.
The monstrous transformations of his body began to revert to normal.
If he could just hold on through this moment, the tables would turn!
If he could survive this one attack!
Then the world would be his.
At minimum, he’d reach level 6.
Perhaps even level 7.
No longer would he remain the Hunter Hunter Association President—he could even become the Third Legion Commander!
A vivid dream of triumph unfolded before his eyes.
But then Warrior Kim thrust his sword forward.
The moment mana bloomed from Warrior Kim’s body in a brilliant white light.
The radiant energy coalesced into the shape of a meteor.
When that meteor, now a sword, began its devastating descent—
The Hunter Association President realized.
There was no stopping it.
“…Ah.”
He reached out with trembling hands, as if to grab hold of something.
But it was futile.
The world turned blindingly white.
And then, his consciousness faded.
Forever.
–TL Notes–
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