The onlookers couldn't tell whether the fight was at its peak or reaching its conclusion. The two were fighting with a momentum that remained unchanged from the start.

  At times, they struck each other with immense force. Their fists were strong enough to shatter anything, and indeed, evading or blocking them seemed impossible. However, those who had transcended humanity through the power of Tools had long since surpassed human limits in terms of endurance as well. They spat blood after being struck in the head, but their wounds healed instantly. It was hard to believe even while watching torn skin form scabs in an instant. It was clear to anyone that these two would not stop fighting until their stamina or life force was completely exhausted.

  It was finally time to put an end to the fight. There was no longer anyone left to be swept up in the carnage. Furthermore, the study of their fighting styles was complete.

  Jihyeon declared his intervention. Seok-yeong nodded at those words. It was time to stop a fight that was doing nothing but destroying the city.

  Jihyeon didn't bother attacking both at once. Instead, based on the patterns he had observed, he identified exactly where to aim to stop them. The place where he could perfectly bind them with minimal damage was none other than the ground itself. No matter how strong they were, as long as they maintained a human form, their range of motion was fixed.

  Matching that timing, Jihyeon swiftly created holes in the ground using his electric whips. Then, using telekinesis, he lifted both of them at once and dropped them precisely into the gaps. Taken by surprise by this unexpected intervention, both were visibly flustered. Having been so engrossed in the fight that they paid no attention to their surroundings, they hadn't imagined a consequence like this.

  Naturally, the two let out indecipherable screams. It was a sound filled with deep-seated rage, like the grunting of a rampaging wild boar. However, the sound carried no information. It was no different from flailing in confusion. At the same time, they realized one fact: they had no way to escape this situation.

  There was a reason Jihyeon had allowed them to continue fighting even while accepting the surrounding damage. Had he intervened immediately, he never could have created such a delicate trap. Moreover, because they had rampaged to this extent, the ground was in a state perfect for breaking. No matter how powerful Jihyeon’s abilities were, breaking the ground from scratch was no easy feat. Their riot was like forging the very chains that would bind them—though they were too preoccupied with fighting to notice.

  Now, both were flailing, not knowing what to do. Their joints were caught at exquisite angles, making proper movement impossible. They might have wanted to force their joints out of place to move, but their muscles, expanded to the limit while using the power of the Tools, made such tricks impossible.

  In the meantime, Jihyeon first subdued the one who was susceptible to electric shocks. Subduing the manageable target first was the most basic of basics.

  "Argh!"

  With a scream, one of them lost consciousness. That was one down. But there was still one more. Jihyeon knew him well. More specifically, through several clashes, he knew well that this one could not be taken down by electricity.

  However, there was no need to insist on electricity to knock a person out. Jihyeon had plenty of medical knowledge. There was much to draw from there. He would neutralize him perfectly, without pain. Since he could even push his power through the respiratory system, anything was possible.

  Jihyeon quickly chose his course of action while keeping a wary eye on the surroundings. He had selected a method that was slightly dangerous but certain to neutralize the target. Electricity crackled and sparked in Jihyeon’s hand. Fear began to cloud the man's eyes. He would be completely neutralized soon. Jihyeon prepared to use his power without hesitation.

  But at that moment, Jihyeon’s barrier reacted.

  The moment he received the Chief Executive’s order and reached his position, he pulled the trigger. However, the result was disappointing. He didn't think he could kill him, but Jang Mu-yeong, an Apostle of the Cult, hadn't expected to be blocked like this. The target was unharmed. To think his sniping was blocked this way—Mu-yeong felt his pride take a hit.

  But he couldn't afford to stay disappointed. Mu-yeong aimed at the target again. This time, however, he didn't aim for the primary target, Jihyeon. What he targeted was the structure pinning Ha-eun down. Jihyeon wouldn't be able to reach this position immediately. Therefore, he had to help Ha-eun escape as quickly as possible.

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  Two shots weren't necessary. One was enough. To avoid a counterattack, he should have retreated immediately, but then he wouldn't be able to save Ha-eun. He had to hurry. Fortunately, the barrier created by the first attack momentarily obscured the primary target's vision. In that window, Mu-yeong drew out and released the power of his Tool once more.

  The Tool implanted in Apostle Mu-yeong was specialized for sniping. It was a piece of equipment on a completely different level from those found on the street. Its range was much longer, and its power far greater. Yet, Mu-yeong's opponent was none other than the Cult’s greatest enemy. Jihyeon’s known power alone rivaled that of several Apostles combined.

  Still, Mu-yeong believed he could kill him. Even back in the military, he was a marksman, a man once deployed as a sniper on the battlefield. Even after joining the Cult, he did his best to find ways to maximize his strengths, and now that he had received the Tool, he considered himself the best in the world.

  However, seeing his soul-straining shot blocked by the barrier, Mu-yeong abandoned his pride without hesitation. Instead, he resolved to focus on his original task: rescuing Ha-eun. Ha-eun was currently unable to move properly. Even from a distance, it was clear he was trapped in a space where he couldn't exercise his power. The only thing Mu-yeong could do for Ha-eun was create a small space where he could use his strength.

  To achieve that, the requirement was simple. One shot was enough. All he had to do was destroy the point preventing Ha-eun’s arms from moving freely.

  Ping.

  Concentrating his mind, he released his will. The pure power of destruction, fired through the barrel of the sniper rifle materialized by the Tool, flew like a bullet and struck the target perfectly. That was enough. There was nothing more to see—at least for now. Mu-yeong immediately began to leave his position. Perhaps, just perhaps, the opponent hadn't discovered him. Perhaps he was worrying over nothing.

  But Mu-yeong, who had pulled the trigger on people many times during his days as a sniper, knew better. He knew to trust his gut feeling absolutely. Useless thoughts always brought failure. Listening to and following what his intuition told him was always the best course of action. Following his gut had always yielded good results. And once again, that fact was proven.

  Boom!

  It was a close call. Exactly one second after Mu-yeong had fired to support Ha-eun and leaped away, the place where he had been was struck. The sound was so loud it was as if an anti-materiel rifle had been used. The sheer power of it was enough to make Mu-yeong break into a cold sweat.

  "Dammit!"

  Normally, one should remain silent regardless of the situation, but Mu-yeong couldn't stop a curse from escaping his lips. Regardless, he was alive. At the same time, he realized how terrifying his enemy was, and yet, what an achievement he had made. Of course, the situation wasn't over until it was completely finished. But now, the rest was up to Ha-eun. He would provide cover again from a safe place, but it didn't seem possible right now. Life was more precious than the mission. Mu-yeong simply ran and ran with all his might.

  Boom!

  Another menacing sound echoed as a shot narrowly missed Mu-yeong's retreating path.

  The moment Ha-eun confirmed he could move his arms following the sound of the gunshot, he freed himself without hesitation. However, he had no intention of fighting any further. He knew that the moment he stubbornly tried to fight now, everything would go to ruin. Although he was beyond furious at the fact that he had lost again, Ha-eun still possessed a minimum level of judgment.

  No matter how equal the opponent might be, it was troublesome to insist on fighting when caught in a disadvantageous situation. Although the enemy currently firing was focusing all his attention on Mu-yeong, he was still checking Ha-eun’s movements. If he were to be captured again because of a reckless act, that would truly be a burden to the Cult. Ha-eun was not so shameless a man as to do that.

  "Hmph... Ha!"

  Regulating his breathing, he leaped high. Then, he ran to hide himself.

  Boom!

  This time, an attack aimed at his back flew in. Fortunately, Ha-eun’s Tool had strengthened him enough to survive such an attack. Nevertheless, the attack that landed squarely on his back was quite painful. It wasn't unbearable, but it was enough to make a person feel miserable.

  However, this much would be a sufficient price for a lesson. It was entirely Ha-eun's own fault for not properly checking his surroundings, having been caught up in the excitement of possibly taking his brother and the joy of battle. Therefore, the attack on his back was a fair tuition fee.

  "Dammit..."

  Ha-eun moved along a route where he could no longer be attacked. Fortunately, as he expected, the other side didn't fire. It was only natural, since his brother was there and they couldn't just aim through the gaps between buildings.

  "Phew..."

  Once he felt he had reached a safe distance, Ha-eun panted and leaned against a wall to catch his breath. But his mind was complicated. His head was a bit clearer now. Simultaneously, the intense excitement from the beginning vanished, and a sense of reality returned.

  Then he thought about the fact that his brother used a Tool. It wasn't a pleasant thought. No, why on earth was his brother using a Tool? While it should be a cause for celebration as a chosen one according to the doctrine, he felt an indescribable discomfort at the fact that his brother had become his enemy.

  "Tch..."

  He felt like he should return to the general headquarters after a long time. Despite the heavy responsibility of failure, Ha-eun needed a moment to sever his agony. But before that, he had to return to his comrades. Thanking the comrades who covered for his mistake was also the way to follow the doctrine.