“Overdrive”, which could be used from level 30 onwards, was a skill of the buff variety that increased the total ability of the user by 40%.

Kang Chul-In acquired this ability by discovering and exploring an ancient ruin. Since then, he had swept the battlefield as a Lord, a powerful force. In other words, Overdrive was the base and source of Kang Chul-In’s armed might.

Kang Chul-In, who had activated the overdrive, had nothing to fear. A Peacock Dragon? At that moment, it was just a sandbag!

Thud!

Kang Chul-In’s fist struck the abdomen of the Peacock Dragon.

Urgh!

Surprisingly, the giant body of the Peacock Dragon was wobbling.

“Hit and kill.”

Kang Chul-In did not draw a sword. Using only two fists, he crushed the Peacock Dragon with his bare hands.

Pow, POW!

Every time a simple punch hit the body of the Peacock Dragon, the Peacock Dragon rolled over in the basin with a strange sound. It was a scene that was unbelievably unrealistic and amazing.

“7 seconds.”

Kang Chul-In remembered the Overdrive’s time limit and rushed his attacks.

Overdrive was a crazy skill that consumed significant quantities of mana per second. Even after eating a Dragon Heart, it was hard to sustain it longer than 10 seconds. He had to finish it during that time.

Kiieakk!

The Peacock Dragon spread her wings open wide with a strange sound. It was obvious that Kang Chul-In’s attack was so brutal that she was trying to fly away up into the air.

“Where are you going?”

Kang Chul-In had no intention of releasing the Peacock Dragon.

Kang Chul-In jumped up on the right wing of the Peacock Dragon like a lightning bolt. Then, he caught the corresponding part of the Peacock Dragon’s shoulder joint.

Keeak!

The red blood burst out as the right wing of the Peacock Dragon was ripped off. Kang Chul-In’s marvelous strength was a power that could make your jaw drop. There was no other way to explain it.

Kang Chul-In immediately got off the Peacock Dragon’s back and landed in a good stance, then jumped back towards the crazy Peacock Dragon. All of this happened in only less than two seconds.

“Done.”

Kang Chul-In knew that there was not much time.

Soon, his mana would run out. He had to end it now.

Bwak!

The two fists of Kang Chul-In knocked out the Peacock Dragon.

Bwabak!

The speed of his fists was the speed of light. Kang Chul-In’s fists were so fast that no one knew how many punches per second he threw. They also contained powerful destructive power.

Kyaaooo!

The Peacock Dragon was devastated by the punches of Kang Chul-In alone, which were her big body could not endure. Even the Peacock Dragon was nothing but a mere sandbag in front of Kang Chul-In with Overdrive.

“Urgh!”

For the first time, a groan escaped Kang Chul-In’s mouth.

Blargh!

The bandage that Podolski bundled tightly burst off, and red blood poured out. The movement made the stitched wound tear.

Kang Chul-In did not let it bother him.

He did not stop even though the blood was flowing from his side.

He had the toughness to crush his enemy while ignoring his wound.

“I’m going.”

By the time the duration of Overdrive was almost over, Kang Chul-In stretched out his fist once for all.

Baam!

The Peacock Dragon’s body leaned to the side and fell with a heavy sound.

Patt!

Kang Chul-In leaped off the ground.

Cluck?

The Peacock Dragon found Kang Chul-In on her back. Thus, she shook her head to throw him off. However, Kang Chul-In’s attack ended that.

Khajick!

Kang Chul-In’s fist pierced through the skull of the Peacock Dragon. The spark then sprang up, and Kang Chul-In’s remaining mana flowed into the brain of the Peacock Dragon. Intraburst, the technique that ended the male Peacock Dragon was again activated!

Pong!

The results were the same as before.

Ka-thud.

The Peacock Dragon, whose head was blown apart, became a corpse and collapsed in the basin.

“Huu… huu…”

Kang Chul-In was now on the ground and gulped air with rough breaths.

Swollen muscles, bloody eyes, shaking shoulders, and blood dripping from both hands. Kang Chul-In now was like a beast, an angry beast.

“Lord!”

Lucia ran towards Kang Chul-In.

“I-I was so worried. Sob..! My Lord…. sob…sob…!”

Lucia ran into Kang Chul-In’s embrace, sobbing and wailing. In those 10 seconds, she had felt her heart choked and stomped endlessly.

“Stop... Get off me.”

On the other hand, Kang Chul-In was burdened and felt like he was dying because of Lucia, who had suddenly jumped into his embrace. Lucia’s weight was unbearable as he was completely exhausted. He could have collapsed.

“I’m okay.”

Kang Chul-In pushed Lucia slightly and stood firmly on his legs.

“Gen… General… you won.”

“Such a monster… How could you to that huge monster…?”

“Won… We won!”

“Waaaa! General!!” 

“Waaaaa!”

The adventurers jumped towards Kang Chul-In.

“Damn.”

For Kang Chul-In, the flocking adventurers who gathered like dogs exuded more pressure than the dead Peacock Dragon, but he could not run away. Now, it was really the time for him to rest.

Thus, the hunting of the Peacock Dragon came to an end.

Kang Chul-In did not return quickly.

Kang Chul-In knew that if you started anything, you should finish it well.

The return of Kang Chul-In and the adventurers was very relaxed and calm.

First, they had to move the Peacock Dragon’s body.

Kang Chul-In sent Podolski to Laputa to call up eight large wagons and loaded the dead bodies of the Peacock Dragons.

Unfortunately, except for the Dragon Heart, the dead body of the female Peacock Dragon had little value, so it was divided into two pieces to be loaded onto two large wagons.

By the way… when the female’s belly had been sliced open, there were three big eggs that surprised everyone. Kang Chul-In ordered the adventurers to take care of the eggs well. Peacock Dragon eggs had a lot of uses.

Compared to the females, the male Peacock Dragon’s body was treated better.

The expensive and colorful feather was 12 meters long and was the symbol of the Peacock Dragon hunted by Kang Chul-In. Even if only to show off the dignity of the Lord to the people, the body of the male Peacock Dragon had to be fully preserved. Because of that, Podolski had to sew together all the pieces of the Peacock Dragon’s head that were blown apart.

“Where are we going?”

Billy asked Podolski, who was carrying the body of the male Peacock Dragon.

“I return to my homeland. Go back to your hometown after resting for a few days.”

“To your homeland? Is there any place for a person to live?”

“You’ll know if you go.”

For the Lord Class, their existence was unknown to the public, so there was no way for them to know about it.

It was the same for the other adventurers, but Kang Chul-In and other people of Laputa just responded in the same way, saying “you will know when you go”. Because Kang Chul-In’s instructions said that rather than explain it in detail, it would be better if they saw, heard, and felt it for themselves.

“Lucia.”

While taking care of the Peacock Dragon’s body, Kang Chul-In called Lucia secretly.

“Wash it off.”

“……!”

Lucia’s face grew hot.

“I… Lord… Uh, how…?”

“……?”

“I…I… still….”

Because she seemed to have misunderstood something, Kang Chul-In explained what he wanted exactly with his eyes closed.

“Just literally like what I said, let’s wash it.”

“……!”

“I can’t return looking like a beggar.”

“Ah…!”

It was Kang Chul-In, who was now hailed as the Triumphant Lord. Considering the crowds, there was a need to return with a clean appearance.

“My body still doesn’t work well. So I need help. If you feel uncomfortable, I will ask Podolski or Billy.”

“Oh, no, no! I will do it!”

“Then, please.”

“Yes.. My Lord”

Kang Chul-In and Lucia found a stream nearby.

“I just need you to wash my upper body only, so don’t worry.”

Kang Chul-In said as he took off the coat he was wearing.

“Haaa…..”

Lucia, who saw it, could only moan inwardly (she clamped her mouth shut).

Kang Chul-In’s body was beautiful, like a sculpture.

The white broad shoulders, the rock-hard abs, the muscles that were not too small or too big, and finally, the inverted triangle that made his body perfectly balanced. Kang Chul-In’s body had the charm that could make any woman stare at it in awe.

“Lucia.”

“…….”

“Lucia?”

“…yes? Lord? Did you call me?”

“Why are you so lost in thought like that?”

“Ah, no, sir.”

“Help me start from the wound.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Lucia hid her embarrassment and quickly moved her hands to touch Kang Chul-In’s wound.

She removed the bandages that were soaked with blood, poured the potion to add its regenerative power to the wound, cleaned it with cloth, and covered it with new bandages. A series of movies just as good as those of any doctor or nurse.

“Lord, the blood still…!”

“Cover it with more bandages.”

“Alright.”

Finally, after she bandaged it several more times, the bleeding barely stopped.

“Doesn’t it hurt? How can you not let out even a moan?”

“This kind of wound… is nothing at all.”

“Amazing.”

“It’s not amazing. Next, please wash my hair and face.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Kang Chul-In was able to finish cleaning himself with Lucia’s help.

“In black.”

Kang Chul-In shook his head when Lucia was trying to hand over some white clothes.

“Pardon? Since you have been victorious, it should be pure-white clothes….”

“Are you going to let the people see the blood?”

“Ah…!”

“No one should be aware of my injuries.”

“How come you think so far?”

“The Lord that reveals his weakness is no more than third-rate. Even if I die tomorrow, I have to look good today. That is the weight in life that a Lord has to bear.”

“……!”

From his remarks, Lucia once again realized that Kang Chul-In was extraordinary.

“Indeed, my Lord is really a Lord to the bone.”

Kang Chul-In’s words were the words that usually could be said by a king.

It was an opportunity to make Lucia fully trust (though she already believed) Kang Chul-In’s words, uttered by he who was an Overlord in the past.

Kang Chul-In said that he would take care of the bodies of the dead adventurers neatly and give them a brief funeral at Laputa.

He also promised to give some compensation to the bereaved families when he returned to Earth.

The adventurers were impressed and satisfied with Kang Chul-In’s meticulous care.

No one complained.

It was purely their choice to join the Peacock Dragon hunt and not because they were coerced or threatened by Kang Chul-In.

“Let’s go.”

Kang Chul-In, who had been cleaned, turned towards Laputa.

“Depart!” Podolski shouted.

The procession began to move.

Kang Chul-In led the way. Lucia stood in a position slightly behind him. After that, two columns of adventurers followed up.

Kang Chul-In led the wagon carrying the bodies of the Peacock Dragons, which were being transported by 10 soldiers and 4 bulls. In addition, he was escorted by 20 soldiers lined up on both sides.

“Lord, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Don’t mind me.”

Lucia was worried about Kang Chul-In, but Kang Chul-In maintained his dignity like a frozen statue without so much as an eyebrow twitching. It was impossible to find traces of his injury from his appearance.

The travel time was not long.

It took about 2 hours to walk from Cyprus Forest to the destination, and the party was soon able to arrive at the entrance gate of Laputa.

“What?”

“Where are you going?”

“Is there any place here that could be the General’s place?”

The adventurers shook their heads.

“Lucia, go and get my soul core”

“Yes!”

Lucia flew away and disappeared somewhere at Kang Chul-In’s command.

“……!”

“.…!”

The adventurers were surprised.

Since Lucia suddenly disappeared in front of them, they were bound to be surprised.

Lucia came back in less than 10 minutes and handed a luxurious sword to Kang Chul-In. It was the main controller of Laputa, the Soul Core.

Kang Chul-In, the owner of the Soul Core, slightly looked around at the adventurers. The adventurers were bewildered because they did not know what was going to happen now.

“They seem shocked.”

While thinking that, Kang Chul-In released the hide function of the territory using the Soul Core.

―――――――――――――――――

Total maintenance time: 467 hours.

Total maintenance cost: 233.5 gold (0.5 gold per hour)

Do you want to deactivate the hide function? (Yes / No)? Yes

―――――――――――――――――

As soon as he pressed “Yes”, 233.5 gold in his inventory disappeared, and the territory’s hide function was immediately deactivated.

The shroud that surrounded the territory began to unravel, and Laputa began to become visible starting from the top of the Sky Fortress.

“Wooww….!”

“What, what is that…!?”

The eyes of the adventurers, who looked at all of that, widened.

And… from the inside of the territory, thunderous applause and cheers burst out.