Chapter 31 – The Tyrant of Hwan City
Ji-ho stood atop a broken watchtower, the wind howling past him like the cries of the innocent he'd failed to save. Below, Hwan City sprawled like a beast asleep—glittering towers masking the filth beneath.
This was the domain of Councilor Han Jae-shik, the sixth name on the list.
A man hailed as a "hero" for protecting his district during the Rift Wars.
A man who ran three of the largest Awakened Mercenary Guilds in the eastern provinces.
A man who trafficked weaker Awakeneds to the Devil's Association in exchange for influence.
"He sells people like cattle," Ye-jun muttered, eyes locked on the lights below. "Even children."
Ji-ho didn't speak. He was studying the logo again—the angel-turned-devil—burned into every checkpoint, armor plate, and broadcast logo.
This city was loyal to the Devil's Association. Deeply. Blindly.
And yet… that only made Ji-ho's resolve sharper.
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They spent the next four days infiltrating the city.
Not charging in.
Planning. Watching. Waiting.
Ji-ho evolved with every kill—assassinating high-ranking mercs, disabling surveillance systems, dismantling entire patrol squads in the dead of night.
His Destructive Poison Aura spread like a disease in the shadows.
The moment anyone came close, their bones cracked, their senses collapsed, and they died choking on their own screams.
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They found an underground lab on the fifth night—beneath the luxurious Jae-shik tower.
What they saw there shattered even Ye-jun's hardened nerves.
Dozens of awakened children—strapped to machines that drained their life force, converting raw aura into crystallized Devil energy.
Ji-ho's hand shook as he reached for the controls.
Ye-jun broke the restraints on every child, whispering comfort, tears in his eyes.
Ji-ho placed a devil stone bomb by the core generator. "They won't feel pain anymore."
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At dawn, the sky lit up red.
The tower exploded, the city thrown into chaos.
And Ji-ho stepped out into the burning ruins with his black cloak billowing, his pendant glowing.
"Han Jae-shik…" he growled, as sirens echoed, "you're next."
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From the rubble emerged the tyrant himself—an S-rank Awakener, blessed with the power of illusion and manipulation.
Han Jae-shik floated above the ruins, dozens of high-ranking mercenaries flanking him.
"So this is the insect causing problems," he sneered. "You should've stayed in your cage, brat."
Ji-ho said nothing.
His eyes glowed crimson, the Eye of Evil scanning every soul around him.
112 ways to kill them.
86 cleanest paths.
14 most painful.
He chose the last option.
"Let's begin."
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The sixth hunt had begun.
And Ji-ho would turn the entire city into a grave before it ended.
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