Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game

118 – Auction House and Thieves (8)

118.

“Alright, then.”

Yudahee smiled boldly as she rotated her wrists and ankles.

“Let’s finish this quickly before other heroes arrive. Know it’s an honor, Lee Jinhyuk. I’m not good at killing people. Not directly, that is.”

It’s quite bewildering to have a murder threat so kindly announced by Yudahee.

I’ve experienced all kinds of murder threats in person.

Honestly, it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

“Are you giving me special treatment? Thanks for that.”

“hahahaha! Don’t mention it.”

Yudahee laughed lightly and made a jest.

She seems quite relaxed.

Objectively, the current situation is not very favorable for Yudahee.

Song Yung is already incapacitated, and Alex and John are gasping for breath with injuries.

Currently, the only normal forces remaining for Yudahee are herself and Ryan.

It’s undeniable that both of them possess quite powerful forces, but it doesn’t mean that we are significantly weaker than them compared to the swingers.

Moreover, time is on our side.

If we stall for just a little time, the police or heroes will come rushing in.

However, Yudahee doesn’t seem the least bit anxious.

It feels like he has the confidence that, no matter how unfavorable the situation, he can escape from here with his colleagues.

There seems to be a corner of trust.

It doesn’t seem like he’s just going to grab civilians and stage a hostage situation.

Well, unless Yudahee is a fool, he must have prepared some ace in the hole just in case.

Indeed, what could be Yudahee’s hidden ace?

Actually, there are a few things that come to mind immediately.

Let’s consider the worst-case scenario among them…

…Could it be that Yudahee is not using his supernatural ability?

No, to be precise, it could be a quite troublesome situation if he brought ‘that’ created by Yudahee’s supernatural ability.

Especially since we can’t predict what will come out of it.

‘Come to think of it, I always had an accurate sense of impending doom.’

Since I’ve almost always been right about ominous premonitions, my anxiety has intensified even more.

‘Assuming Yudahee has an ace up his sleeve, if people gather and the situation is deemed very unfavorable, he’ll likely use it right away.’

In that case, let’s finish it before people start crowding in.

I don’t wish for Yudahee to be defeated.

For now, let’s aim to inflict some injuries.

If luck is on our side, maybe we can take away at least one arm.

There’s no way that would happen.

“Well, rather than dealing with Yudahee directly, it would be better to attract her attention so that Alex and his group can handle her well.”

“Then let’s begin… shall we!”

At that moment, Yudahee’s figure vanished.

Ihyunhwanwi.

Once again, Ihyunhwanwi was used.

In the spot where Yudahee had just been, only a faint and blurry afterimage remained.

Yudahee deliberately moved around in all directions, disrupting gazes.

Snap! Crackle! Pop!

Indeed, it was dazzling, with flashes in the east and flashes in the west.

Spectacular. Even with my eyes following, it seemed insufficient.

Even veteran heroes seemed to find it challenging to keep up properly.

“Over here, this way… huh?”

“Ha!”

Swish!

With the sound of determination, Soyeon’s sword sliced through the air.

The sharp blade brushed past Yudahee’s hair, not cutting a single strand, but Yudahee, with a slightly surprised expression, stepped back.

No matter how remarkable, it was somewhat surprising that Soyeon, just a mere academy student, could follow Yudahee’s movements using Ihyunhwanwi to this extent.

Honestly, it was a bit astonishing.

Even Han Seo-woo, a former pro hero, was momentarily frozen, unable to read the movements properly, but it was Soyeon who intervened and blocked Yoo Da-hee’s movements.

“What’s up with you?”

Yoo Da-hee blinked her eyes.

“You read it? Hyung Hwan-wi’s path and movements?”

“If so?”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Da-hee sighed briefly.

“I knew you had skills enough to compete with Jhon, but honestly, it’s a bit strange.”

“What is?”

“You couldn’t even keep up with the movements of the Phantom Spirit during the midterm exams, right? Come to think of it, your skills have improved to an incomparable level since then?”

“When are you talking about?”

“It’s been only a few months, at most.”

Yoo Da-hee’s puzzled reaction was not unwarranted.

“Did you hide your skills back then?”

The Soyeon of the midterm exams and the current Soyeon could be expressed as different people due to the difference in skill level.

After awakening, the growing Soyeon quickly acquired skills at the level of the top rank from the high rank in just a few months.

Of course, the lack of combat experience and mastery of techniques makes it difficult to treat her as a normal top-rank or the best-rank hero.

However, once Soyeon starts using her psychic abilities in earnest, the story changes.

As her psychic abilities have such high potential, it is possible to create numerous variables.

Considering how cheat-like this ability is, one might even think she’s the protagonist.

In the given setting, if Soyeon can fully utilize her psychic abilities, she would be able to defeat Yudahee in a one-on-one battle.

“If not, have you grown in a few months?”

“…”

“With that level of talent, well, you’re interesting too.”

“… Noisy, come at me.”

“Sure, why not.”

Yudahee slowly conjured up magic.

“Shall we test it?”

“Who said anyone’s testing anyone.”

Yudahee charged forward.

This time, he didn’t use any spells like Hyunghwanwi or Hwanshinbo.

Facing Yudahee head-on, Soyeon tightly gripped her sword and shield.

“Give it a try!”

“Ugh!”

With a fist charged with magic, he swung.

The fist, like a thistle, collided directly with the shield.

Crack, aaah, aaargh!

At that moment, a piercing sound accompanied by dust erupted.

Soyeon bit her lower lip tightly and successfully blocked Yudahee’s punch.

Yudahee laughed as if enjoying himself.

“hahahaha, the shield is quite sturdy, isn’t it? A good thing, I suppose?”

“So-yeon!”

Han Seo-woo immediately swung his whip.

A supersonic whip that utilized origin power.

The whip was the first sonic weapon created by humanity.

Even an untrained civilian could create a sonic boom and unleash enough power to tear flesh apart.

But when a superior hero like Han Seo-woo wielded it sincerely, it would go beyond flesh and completely shatter bones.

No, it could even annihilate monsters, not just humans.

“Oh, is it getting hot?”

Of course, he wouldn’t be able to inflict any significant wounds on Yoo Da-hee.

But it was alright.

Han Seo-woo’s whip tightly bound Yoo Da-hee’s left arm.

Glancing briefly at her arm, which was bound like a rope, Yoo Da-hee casually turned her gaze towards Han Seo-woo.

“Aisha! Now!”

“Yes!”

Before Han Seo-woo’s shout could finish, Aisha swiftly attacked.

Dual swords slashing like flashes of light.

However, Yoo Da-hee just smirked and swung her left arm, completely ignoring the whip that was bound to it.

Though Han Seo-woo was holding on tightly, he was dragged along like an adult playing tug-of-war with a child, powerless.

A bewildered expression crossed Han Seo-woo’s face.

“Even if you’re not a body-enhancer, what the hell kind of power is this…!”

“I happen to be a bit strong.”

Yoo Dahee quickly grasped Aisha’s twin swords with her right and left hands.

The crimson glow emanated from Aisha’s blades, but Yoo Dahee, seemingly unfazed, exerted strength, causing the blades to yield.

Two blades broke like dried twigs, unable to resist Yoo Dahee’s grip, despite being quite formidable.

Aisha frowned and stepped back momentarily.

Swiftly, I used the spatial ring to summon two decent swords and tossed them to Aisha.

While Aisha was dealing with the new weapons, Soyeon quickly attacked.

The lightning-fast, nimble sword strikes from Soyeon threatened Yoo Dahee continuously, nearly imperceptible to my naked eye.

However, Yoo Dahee remained consistently composed.

Soyeon relentlessly unleashed numerous sword strikes, yet none reached Yoo Dahee.

Not only Soyeon but also Han Seowoon and Aisha joined the fray, but there was no significant change.

Yoo Dahee skillfully blocked, dodged, and deflected their attacks.

Her magically empowered fists not only repelled their weapons but also began pressuring them in return.

A mysterious spectacle unfolded as she effortlessly fended off the attacks from three opponents.

How can she block six hands with just two of hers?

It’s not just some evolving chicken, after all.

“Damn, can’t even intervene.”

I clenched my fists tightly, watching Yoo Dahee battle the three, wanting to help but unable to do so.

It’s overwhelming to watch their movements with my own eyes.

I felt like I would just get in the way if I intervened for no reason.

Originally, I intended to support them with appropriate orders and items, but after seeing them fight, I didn’t dare to intervene.

…At times like this, I feel truly powerless.

Planning the strategy, providing items, and teaching appropriate countermeasures are all I can do.

I felt a strange sense of hesitation, as if I would only be a hindrance if I personally joined the battle.

To just stand there and watch while Soyeon and the others risk their lives and fight… it’s a strange sight.

I don’t know how to put it into words.

I’m feeling quite down.

If I had a useful supernatural ability, I wouldn’t just be standing here watching.

“…It’s really amusing. In the past, I hated fighting and was scared, and I wanted to take the bus with Soyeon. But now, what’s this?”

When I first recalled the memories of my previous life, fighting against dangerous villains and monsters was nothing but terrifying.

That’s why I tried to defeat the Rebellion members who were causing chaos in South Korea using the protagonist and others like Soyeon, Ishiwoon, and Kang Daehan.

But now, I didn’t want to just stand still while Soyeon and the others were wounded.

I wanted to be of help.

They were risking their lives, getting injured, and fighting solely because of me. I had to repay them with their blood.

If only I had some power… a useful supernatural ability… It would’ve been great.

Today, I could only feel my own powerlessness even more.

“…Ah, it was so good for a while.”

“Haa, haa, ugh.”

Without fighting, Yoo Da-hee muttered to herself.

It seemed like a call had come through the wireless earphones stuck in her ears.

Probably Isabelle reaching out. Could it be otherwise?

“Is this as far as we go? Have the other heroes almost all arrived? By the way, you’re skilled, huh? Honestly, I was thinking of taking one arm, but you managed to block everything.”

“Heo, heo, woo.”

Soyeon stood with shield and sword raised, breathing heavily, staring fiercely at Yoo Da-hee.

“Lee Jin-hyuk, you haven’t participated until the end, huh? Why are you just watching? Did you think these guys would be enough? If so, it’s a bit insulting.”

It’s not that I won’t step forward; I can’t. If I step forward, I’ll likely die. How can I step forward?

“Or maybe you treated me as this girl’s experience points? But well, she’s indeed fascinating. The more she fights, the stronger she becomes. Can we say she grows in real-time?”

“Haah, haah, haah.”

“I was doubtful earlier, but after fighting her myself, it became clear. She didn’t hide her strength during the midterms; she genuinely grew. At this growth rate, she might become a monster later on, huh?”

“Haah, haah, woo.”

Yoo Da-hee expressed a mix of anticipation and slight disappointment.

“To feel a bit threatened… Well, okay, I should consider you a target for elimination too. Personally, sparing you would be amusing, but it might interfere with what lies ahead.”

“Ha, if you’re going to kill me, go ahead and kill me… Haah, haah.”

“Kikik. It’ll be over soon, kid. How about catching your breath and speaking properly?”

For better or worse, Na and Soyeon had attracted Yoo Da-hee’s attention.

It might be a good idea to rely on the church until Yoo Da-hee is defeated. It should be safe there for now.

“Alright, alright, then let’s get started… Ah, huh?”

Thud!

Yoo Dahee’s body twitched for a moment.

It felt as if she was being crushed by a powerful force of gravity.

No, not gravity. It’s psychokinesis, psychokinesis.

And it was a considerably powerful psychokinetic ability. There would probably be only one person in Busan with this level of psychokinetic ability.

“Hoo… What’s going on here…”

In the distance, the figure of a familiar woman began to appear.

“I received your message, Lee Jinhyuk… But what the hell is this situation?”

“Tea, Teacher!”

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Instructor, Jin Soyeon?”

High-ranker Hong Da-ye.

She was the one who made significant contributions to resolving the Busan outbreak incident and was once a candidate for the top 10 during her prime.

Despite suffering from aftereffects, her ranking was 93.

It was evidence of her exceptional original skills.

“White Hair! It’s good to see you again!”

A familiar voice echoed from a little further away.

When I turned my head, I could see the sight of Kang Daehan rushing towards us with a long spear, accompanied by the formidable bodyguards of the Heukyeong Clan.

Among them was Ju Hwayoon, a top-ranking expert.

“I’ll make you pay for the midterms… White Hair!”

“Phew, Daehan, let’s go together. It’s dangerous, you know.”

Suddenly, a group led by Hong Daye, including Kang Daehan, arrived.

Now their strength far surpassed that of Yoo Dahee’s group.

So, Dahee would probably use it.

The ace up her sleeve.

If she really had prepared such a thing.

“Oh, many have come. Well, then, unavoidably….”

Yoo Dahee pulled out a small orb-like object from her bosom.

Ah, dang.

As expected, it was true.

“…I have no choice but to use this.”

“Hey, Yoo Dahee.”

“Yeah? Why?”

“We’ll send you, just take the kids with you.”

“Huh?”

Dahee looked at me unexpectedly.

“I guess you have no idea what this is, except for our members. Interesting.”

“Enough, just go.”

Now that we’ve confirmed that, there’s nothing good to be gained by fighting needlessly. Unfortunately, we can’t arrest Alex and his group, but we did manage to loot the extra-dimensional leather pouch, so at least half of our goal is accomplished.

Therefore, there’s no need to have too many expectations…

“But don’t you dislike it? I’ll just use it.”

“Hey, hey?!”

Hey, this crazy woman!

Crack!

Suddenly, the spell broke, and the effect was triggered.