The Return of the Disaster-Class Hero

Chapter 104: Public Execution (1)

At that moment, Chun Sungjae was near a hospital within the Scorpio Saint’s holy ground.

‘Ah! This is driving me nuts.’ He was losing his mind.

That’s right. He felt like his life was in danger. The reason was the pursuers tracking him down.

“Chun Sungjae! Your efforts are useless! Come out!”

“Thirteenth Saint? Hmmph! The new Saint probably can’t take more than one blow.”

The men and women searching the forest near the hospital ground their teeth.

“In the first place, why are we legitimizing the thirteenth Saint? We should use this opportunity to wipe them out.”

“Yeah! Our prestige will go down if there’s an additional Saint. We have to get rid of this terrible Saint early on.”

“He can’t be too far away! Search the surroundings!”

“We just have to avoid Lee Gun!”

Chun Sungjae, who was hiding above in a tree, furrowed his brow.

‘It seems the twelve Zodiac Saints are having a get-together.’

More than a hundred people were near him. Of course, there was a reason for these people making such a big fuss.

[Lee Gun-affiliated temple has its first disciple in Chun Sungjae!]

[A bonus skill can be acquired if a temple’s first disciple is killed!]

[This skill is “Faith Destroyer,” an SS rank skill!]

The media was basically putting up ads about him.

‘He’s the new Saint, so I can see why they are doing this.’ Chun Sungjae had expected this to happen when he became his uncle’s disciple. Why?

Disciples rarely developed new skills. ‘Aside from during the baptism, skills do not show up afterward.’

In Baptism, a Zodiac or a Zodiac Saint awakened the humans. It was an awakening ceremony.

After receiving the baptism, the humans would become superhumans and unlock skills. These skills were called “Disciple Skills.”

Each person unlocked unique skills. These skills were influenced by the distinct characteristics of the Zodiac they served and their own personality.

For example, if a person talented at running met the Sheep Saint, that person might develop a skill called “Make Money Rain Dash.”

These were the abilities of the disciples, and their worth varied depending on those skills. However, that didn’t matter right now.

“I found him! Over there!”

“!”

Even the high-ranked disciples had come to kill Chun Sungjae.

“Get out of the way! He’s mine!”

“General-nim!”

“Faith Destroyer can destroy a Saint! We have to acquire it!” The man who said this raised his weapon, an enormous ax! “Lee Gun’s disciple is nothing!”

Imbued with enormous strength, the ax hit the tree.

Kwahng!

The strike sent an enormous tree falling toward Chun Sungjae’s head.

‘Tsk!’ Chun Sungjae opened his arms. Then, he disappeared as if something had sucked him in. It was the Teleportation spell. He reappeared on the neighboring tree.

Boom!

Chun Sungjae then put his hand over his mouth as if he was stopping himself from throwing up.

“Oohk…!”

The young man was suffering from space-time motion sickness. He wasn’t used to this teleportation spell, as it was new to him. The Gemini’s Teleportation had changed into something new when he became Lee Gun’s disciple.

Unaware of this, the ax-wielding man let out a cruel laugh as he raised his weapon again. “Since you’re still a kid, I’ll give you a chance! You probably know this, but in the past, two people acquired the <Faith Destroyer> skill! They are the Libra Saint and the Pisces Saint!”

Chun Sungjae could understand what the man was about to say, so his brows furrowed. It was expected.

“One of them earned the Faith Destroyer skill through surrender! You should reject your Zodiac and Zodiac Saint like him! Beg for your life! Then I might let you live!”

What was this idiot saying? Chun Sungjae furrowed his brows. ‘This pig is trying to imitate Uncle.’

This was understandable. Many people coveted the <Faith Destroyer> skill.

Some years ago, something had happened to the Taurus Saint and the Capricorn Saint. The first disciples of these two Saints had been killed. In the aftermath, the existence of the <Faith Destroyer> skill was announced to the world.

This skill was powerful. Of course, the risk associated with it was very high, so it shouldn’t have been a skill that generals would desperately try to claim. Yet they did. They pounced on the opportunity for a reason. What was it?

‘Skills are formed only during the baptism.’

In other words, one couldn’t acquire new skills afterward. Of course, the skills changed as the awakened being rose in rank, but that was only their existing skills upgrading.

For example, a disciple might acquire the “Apply Poison” skill. The skill could rise from the C rank to the S rank, but in the end, it would be the “Apply Poison” skill even if its range and effectiveness had changed.

‘The truly lucky ones can transform their skill as it upgrades.’

Despite the transformation, however, the skill’s basic nature didn’t change. It had been the case for Chun Sungjae, too. ‘I share blood with my father, but that doesn’t mean I want my skills to resemble his.’

Yes, it might have been due to his father’s influence, but Chun Sungjae had acquired a fire magic skill called “Bonfire(C).”

When he became a B-rank awakened being, it had become a skill called “Campfire(C).” Thankfully, the skill evolved into the “Witch Burning” skill when he became an A-rank awakened being.

If the skill evolved well like his, a problem wouldn’t occur. However, the truly unlucky disciples found their skills evolve into something useless when they rose in rank. That was a situation that would make them curse.

For example, the “Bonfire” skill could also evolve into the “Stove” skill when one reached the A rank.

Anyway, this was why base skills were important and why the disciples looked for other ways to acquire new skills.

That was how this situation around Chun Sungjae’s “Bonus skill” had come to be.

‘I understand why they are doing this.’

Chun Sungjae looked at the general who held an ax that looked similar to Lee Gun’s ax. As if to make matters worse, this man had worn a mask similar to Lee Gun’s.

The man raised his ax as if he was putting on airs. “Well? What’s your answer?”

“Go get some hair implants, you pig.”

“…!”

As the enraged general was about to swing for Chun Sungjae’s neck…

“!”

Flash!

Chun Sungjae shot a flare toward the sky.

Pahng!

[Capricorn Rental Skill]

[Festival Fireworks (C)]

Light spread across the sky as if a firework had detonated in the air. The fireworks unexpectedly spelled out “LEE GUN FOREVER” in the sky. Then something surprising happened.

Boom!

[I found you, human bastard!]

[You’re hiding here like a mouse!]

The Constructs sent by Lee Gun appeared in front of Chun Sungjae, their eyes fiery.

[How dare you use Master’s voice to trick us and run away!]

[However, we have got you now! We will kill you this time for sure!]

Chun Sungjae didn’t even glance at the Constructs; he just yelled toward the forest, “That’s right, you idiots! Try killing me! What? You can’t kill me? I should’ve expected this from the losers trying to acquire a Bonus skill.”

Hearing the provocation, Chun Sungjae’s pursuers showed themselves. They had been cautious, thinking Lee Gun was nearby, but there had been no indication that Lee Gun would appear here.

Moreover, these pursuers were baffled at Chun Sungjae’s provocation.

“You’ve been running away like a dog until now, so why?”

“I’ve been going easy on you since you’re a kid!”

The hidden assassins also charged toward Chun Sungjae.

“Kill him!”

The Constructs’ eyes turned round as if they were baffled. Their reactions were normal.

[How dare you, you lowly humans!]

[You dare lay hands on the prey of a Zodiac?]

This had angered all the Constructs, and they roared.

The first one to move was Eeny. The warrior king Jarl planted his enormous blade into the ground.

Koo-goohng!

The ground split open, and countless warriors appeared from the crack. The warriors ruthlessly grabbed the assassins by their heads.

“Ahhhk!”

“What… what the hell! Constructs?”

The next to move was Meeny. The giant Jotun used its hands to shred its enemies.

“Ahhhhhhk!”

Miny was the last. The Berserker roared into the sky, leaving the heaven and earth trembling.

Koo-goo-goo-goong!

The pursuers tried to run away, but they fell to the ground as they clutched at their ears. Then, they also threw up.

“Shit! Using Constructs is cheatin— Kuhk!”

Chun Sungjae let out a sigh of relief as he watched the free-for-all fight occurring below him.

[Your Contribution has increased.]

‘As expected, high-rank disciples give ample EXP.’

The EXP that he received was secondary. The Contribution and EXP that went to the Zodiac were high.

‘I have no idea what kind of Zodiac I am under.’

During the Gemini temple’s awakening ceremony that he had participated in, Chun Sungjae had caught a glimpse of the Gemini. Chun Sungjae wondered if he would encounter his Zodiac during the baptism. Well, it didn’t matter in the end.

The Fairy Monarch spoke as if it was worried about Chun Sungjae.

[Oh, young contractor, I liked everything about this, but wasn’t calling forth the Constructs a big gamble?]

“!”

As expected…

Flash!

Something flashed behind his head.

‘!’

“Fuck!” Chun Sungjae cursed as he quickly jumped off the tree. Something was falling toward him.

Kwah-gwa-gwa-gwahng!

It was Berserker’s bombardment. Along with it, voices erupted from all directions.

[Kill him! How can a mere human be in charge of commanding all the Constructs! I won’t believe it!]

[That little shrimp is our leader? Get rid of him!]

“Ahhhk!” Chun Sungjae started running away again.

The Fairy Monarch clicked its tongue.

[See? You’re going to die.]

“Shut up?!”

[You used the bonus rewards, so you can’t regenerate anymore.]

“Fuck!”

[You have the qualifications, young contractor. However, you really are going to die.]

If it thought he was going to die, it should help him instead of running its mouth!

“Help me! You entered my body last time, and you helped me!”

The Fairy Monarch clicked its tongue as if it found the situation regrettable.

[I would help if you had any skills left within your body.]

“…!”

That was right.

Was it because he left the Gemini temple? All the magic skills that Chun Sungjae had learned from the Gemini temple had disappeared. It started with the skill that he had learned first. His skills disappeared in order.

In truth, this was why he kept running away from confronting the Constructs and disciples. He had signed a contract when he entered the Gemini, and the contract had been executed.

[If you leave the temple without permission, all the skills will be automatically erased.]

‘I can only use Teleportation and the junk rental skills.’ That wasn’t all.

[Since you haven’t received the official baptism, magical energy isn’t being freely provided.]

[You can’t use all of your abilities.]

Chun Sungjae grinned when he heard his uncle’s voice, but at the same time, he realized he was in a bit of a pickle. ‘I’ll die if things proceed like this.’

Many rental skills were for his pursuit as a geek. Thankfully, he still had his teleportation skill, but it seemed its level was too low.

The max teleportation range was two meters, and every time he used the skill, his body would get harmed. So, he could use Teleportation only a limited number of times.

However, that wasn’t the problem right now. ‘Although the Constructs are also a problem, the bigger problem is…’

The Fairy Monarch’s mood worsened as it looked toward the forest.

[As expected, one of them is still hidden…]

“…!”

Yes, someone amongst Chun Sungjae’s attackers gave off a terrible feeling. This person refused to show up despite Sungjae’s provocation. Moreover, this attacker was an odd one that avoided even the Constructs’ detection.

‘What is this person? They seem to be human.’

The attacker was too odd to be a normal disciple of the twelve Zodiac Saints. This was why Sungjae thought, ‘I have to go to Uncle to release my skills.’

However, he had no way of reaching Lee Gun. He didn’t have the money to rent a teleportation skill.

At that moment…

[The bonus skill of the first disciple, Return, has been created.]

“!”

Chun Sungjae’s face brightened.

Suddenly, it seemed the strange attacker had sniffed that Sungjae was about to run away. The person started attacking Sungjae. The attacker who had refused to show up despite Chun Sungjae’s various provocations was on the move.

Kwah-gwa-gwa-gwahng!

“Koo-oohk!”

Chun Sungjae felt his shoulder dislocate as a bombardment fell on him. The pain from the injury was a bonus. He clutched at his injured shoulder.

“Ah-oh…!”

However, something surprising happened.

Flash!

A green light started circulating on his shoulder.

[Divine Attribute]

[Conditional Regeneration]

It was a Divine Skill activated through the Serpent Bearer’s Divine Attribute. Unlike the Disciple skills used by an individual, this was a joint skill that anyone affiliated with the temple could use. In simple terms, the disciples of the Serpent Bearer could use the regeneration skill. Of course, this came with a condition.

[Chun Sungjae’s condition for using Regeneration: Praise the Serpent Bearer with sincerity.]

The information surprised Chun Sungjae. It wasn’t referring to his uncle. It told him to sincerely praise the Serpent Bearer! ‘I don’t know who that is, so I wonder if it’ll be possible to…!’

However, what he thought didn’t matter.

Kwahng!

The bombardment came once again and injured his leg.

“Koohk!”

Chun Sungjae ground his teeth. ‘Shit! If only I were strong enough to be the dirt under Uncle’s toenails!’

At that moment!

[Conditional Regeneration has been activated.]

“…?”

The effect was slow, but his wound was healing.

Chun Sungjae tilted his head in puzzlement. However, his confusion lasted only a moment.

‘!’

The mystery opponent sent another bombardment as if they were daring Chun Sungjae to regenerate from the next attack.

Kwah-gwah-gwhahng!

“Koohk!”

This time, the attack blasted his side! Chun Sungjae ground his teeth again. ‘Shit! Uncle would have dodged this with his eyes closed!’

[Conditional Regeneration has been activated.]

“…???”

Shocking his opponent, Chun Sungjae’s body started recovering once again. That wasn’t all.

‘If it were uncle, he would’ve sent that person flying with just his finger!’

[Conditional Regeneration has been activated]

[There is no place to heal. The number of uses will accumulate.]

“???”

Pissed off at this, the hidden attacker came out of the shadows.

‘!’

The attacker was a young woman, and it seemed she wanted to finish Chun Sungjae once and for all. She raised her hand.

It didn’t take long for the situation to surprise Chun Sungjae. ‘What the hell! That’s…!’

He didn’t even have time to be surprised about Conditional Regeneration.

Pah-jeek! Pah-jee-jeek!

Everything around the woman’s hand disappeared.

She was erasing divine magical energy and skills. It was as if she could even erase a disciple’s faith and contribution.

The Fairy Monarch became vigilant.

[That’s the ability of a secretary!]

“Secretary?”

The woman disappeared and reappeared right in front of him.

‘!’

Her hand was close enough to touch Chun Sungjae! However…

Boom!

The woman was sent flying as the sound of a large explosion rang out.

Chun Sungjae’s face brightened. Only one person could’ve done that. “Unc—”

But…

“Who said you could mess with my son? You want to die?”

“Dad?!”

Yes, the one to appear was Hugo Otis.

Chun Sungjae looked on in surprise. “What the hell? Why is Dad here?”

Hugo felt a surge of anger when he saw his son’s openly disappointed expression. “Dad came to rescue you, so why is your expression…”

“What about Uncle?”

“What? Gun is next to me—” An odd expression appeared on Hugo’s face when he turned his head. “??”

He had assumed Lee Gun was next to him, but no one was there. Lee Gun was gone. “What the hell? When the hell did he make himself scarce again?”Chun Sungjae turned his head as if he sensed something. “Ah! He is going toward Mom’s hospital room!”

Hugo’s face crumpled.

Fuck! Really!