Jihyeon finally found the woman he had been so desperate to locate. It wasn't because of love, of course.

  At this point, the woman standing before him was the embodiment of the source of all evil. She was the one involved in the distribution of countless tools. The tools she circulated had broken those who used them and triggered the current inter-gang conflicts. There was no telling how much more tragedy she would create in the future.

  Was that all? No. She possessed a danger beyond that. Although it was unclear where they came from, individuals consumed by tools had already attacked this place. Normally, Jihyeon should have gone to suppress them. Yet, Jihyeon was here.

  All to meet the woman before his eyes.

  "This is our first formal meeting. It's a pleasure, Jeong Jihyeon-ssi. My name here is Ha So-young," the woman introduced herself.

  She appeared to be an ordinary woman dressed in a business suit. Her confident demeanor and soft, melodic voice would surely be great assets in sales. However, there was something in So-young’s gaze that differed from that of a normal person. Jihyeon instinctively felt that it was the power of a tool.

  "Why are you turning our world into this?" Jihyeon asked point-blank.

  So-young simply smiled.

  "You’re sharp. As I thought, even if it's a defective failure, a tool that can reach the 'Source' is terrifying. Though, being able to master it so perfectly as your own is a testament to your talent."

  Instead of answering his question, So-young offered her impressions. She seemed well aware of the first tool Jihyeon had taken into his body.

  "If it had been a finished product, I might have been able to dominate you. It's a shame that a damaged version ended up here due to that accident. But thanks to that, things have become interesting," So-young said with a laugh. She looked genuinely amused.

  "So you don't view us as equals because you're not from this world," Jihyeon said, activating his psychokinetic tool without hesitation.

  So-young showed no reaction. Instead, an invisible barrier unfolded in front of her. While an ordinary person wouldn't have even imagined such a thing, Jihyeon let out a short laugh at the sight.

  "I see. You came here because you have something to rely on."

  Jihyeon wasn't particularly surprised that his attempt to target her neck with telekinesis failed. Instead, he began to check the defensive power of her tool, quickly calculating what might get through.

  "I’m not very fond of men who are quick with their hands," So-young replied. She manifested crackling lightning from her hand and attacked Jihyeon. It was the same power once possessed by the deceased cult leader.

  Jihyeon countered by creating his own lightning. Fortunately, the barrier of electricity he formed blocked So-young’s attack.

  "Ho... The talent to make a tool perfectly one's own... I'm envious. There aren't many who can use and apply them so flawlessly," So-young said, her face filled with genuine regret. "It would have been wonderful if I could recruit you to our side. But it seems you're not the type to ever join us."

  "Of course not. I am a person of this world, and our affairs are more important to me," Jihyeon replied, watching her reaction.

  The fact that they were crossing over despite having better technology suggested that the situation on the other side was not good. This was merely his deduction, but he could confirm it based on her response. And as expected, she reacted.

  "I see. You’ve thought that far ahead. Interesting. I’d give you quite a high score for that. However..."

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  So-young stopped there and gave a cold smile. Simultaneously, the sound of something shattering echoed from behind her.

  "Let's stop here for today. I have no obligation to teach you more, and I've played enough. Instead, I’ll ask a favor."

  So-young spoke as she made her body transparent—distorting visible light to hide herself. Jihyeon knew he had no time to react to her disappearance. He could see it with his eyes: a supreme danger was approaching.

  "I'll leave the cleanup to you. I'd rather you put it down than kill it with my own hands."

  So-young vanished beyond Jihyeon's range of perception. Jihyeon felt a mixture of absurdity and rage at her words. There was no respect for human life in her tone—only contempt for beings she considered inferior.

  But he had no luxury to argue. He had to focus on avoiding the entity lunging at him.

  "Damn it... Is it the same type as last time?" Jihyeon muttered as he saw the creature charging toward him. It was a human, yet something that was no longer human.

  The man Jihyeon had captured last time. He had now become a monster beyond human limits, targeting Jihyeon’s life.

  The man had become a being with a body much larger than a human's. His reason had long since vanished, replaced by monstrous strength and incredible endurance.

  It was likely due to the tool. The tool So-young had brought was surely prepared for his end. Unlike the others, Jihyeon could tell at a glance that what the man used was no ordinary tool. Tools that granted super-strength did not dramatically enlarge the body to this extent. While they could create muscles beyond human limits, there was a boundary.

  But this man was different. His body had enlarged as if his species had changed. It was an unnatural sight to anyone.

  That wasn't all. His movements were as agile as a beast's, and incredibly fast. It might be impossible to take him down without using heavy machinery. Jihyeon swallowed hard. This was a being in an entirely different category from anything he had faced before.

  When he clashed with the cult, the one he fought was a 'charging fool' who relied on pure endurance. Such an opponent could be neutralized by targeting an unexpected weakness. But he doubted if such tactics would work against the being before him.

  Large, fast, and strong. It was simple, and therefore terrifying. His strength was enough to tear a person apart, and no matter how nimble Jihyeon was, he couldn't compare to the man's physical scale. The sheer pressure of that massive body coming for his life was daunting.

  But Jihyeon had to strike him down. The moment that thing was unleashed, there was no telling how many people would die. The man's toughened skin would likely deflect most bullets and withstand shrapnel from explosives.

  Jihyeon didn't know how to win against such an opponent. His vast knowledge was based on humans, not on enemies using tools based on data from the other world.

  But there was no time to be afraid. As the opponent approached, Jihyeon immediately shattered the ground with the power of lightning. He didn't expect to defeat him, but he aimed to restrict his mobility by making him lose his footing.

  "Kuaaaaaakh!"

  As expected, the man roared. It seemed falling into the hole caused him significant pain. But the fight was far from over. This wouldn't be enough to stop him. Though writhing in pain, the man quickly pushed himself up and charged at Jihyeon again.

  "Tch!"

  Clicking his tongue, Jihyeon used telekinesis to launch himself into the air. While floating, he began testing his powers one by one.

  Lightning. Psychokinesis compressed as sharply as possible. These were Jihyeon's finishers that had overcome every obstacle until now. The lightning struck without mercy, and the telekinesis attacked the man with the sharpness of a well-honed razor.

  Yet, the man endured it all. The chains of lightning struck him accurately—a force strong enough to shatter a normal man's waist in one blow. But the man was only pushed back slightly. He must have been electrocuted, but he simply shook it off with a shiver. Simultaneously, the sharp blades of telekinesis only left minor nicks on the surface of his skin.

  "This is cheating," Jihyeon muttered as he landed.

  The opponent was off the charts. It was difficult to guarantee victory against such a foe. However, Jihyeon hadn't used his full power yet. There had to be a way to neutralize him without killing him.

  "Guess I'll have to try it."

  With that thought, Jihyeon prepared a new combination. It was a mix of the acceleration tool he had brought just in case and the flames within his body. He didn't know if it would work, but he had to try.

  "Whew..."

  Regulating his breathing, Jihyeon accelerated his body. The massive shock to his brain was something he had tested several times, yet it was something he never got used to. But on the other hand, it was the start of a new sensation.

  Jihyeon moved at a speed a normal human couldn't react to. It was a movement the man hadn't anticipated either.

  "Let's see if this works!"

  Jihyeon shouted as he formed balls of fire in both hands. Without hesitation, he hurled them at the man.

  BOOM!

  An explosion echoed. However, the man appeared not to be significantly affected. He truly was a specially prepared specimen.

  "Oh, boy..." Jihyeon muttered in dismay. This wasn't the result he wanted.

  But he couldn't stay disappointed. He hadn't unleashed his full potential yet. If he succumbed to fear now, defeat was certain. Leaving every possibility open to defeat that monster, Jihyeon began to move rapidly again. Dodging the man's fists at a razor-thin distance, Jihyeon poured out his attacks once more.

  Explosions resounded in every direction.