The Academy’s Time Stop Player
chapter-173

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

"He's finally shown himself."

In the silent office of the Hero Association, President Kim Jeongyong frowned at the immense wave of magic power spreading quietly around him. It was an awe-inspiring force. The creature's power had grown immensely, now able to infuse 'killing intent' into its magical energy.

This being, once an embodiment of S-rank force, had evolved even further, now revealing itself here. It was a power that seemed to transcend the limits of superhumans.

"Dangerous in a different way than Haesu..."

If the Haesu, who appeared back then, was a pure embodiment of power, Karthon, the being before them now, had far surpassed the realm of superhumans through rigorous training. In essence, a human who had extremized the growth of superhuman strength. By now, he must have grown strong enough to rival the greatest of heroes.

Knock-knock.

Just then, a knock sounded on the office door, and an agent entered. He bowed politely and spoke, "All heroes and agents are prepared for deployment."

"...Where is Student Hajoon?"

"I'm sorry. His whereabouts are currently unknown..."

Hearing this, Kim Jeongyong quietly gazed out the window before speaking in a subdued tone, "I see... Hajoon must have his reasons. Prioritize the evacuation of the citizens for now."

In the current situation, they couldn't rashly engage with the creature. It hadn't committed any acts of terror, only making its presence known. Any hasty action might lead to even more dangerous consequences. The reason it was blatantly showing off its magical power was probably to announce its existence.

"Understood."

After the chairman's instruction, the agent nodded and began to communicate with someone.

Kim Jeongyong's thoughts were only on the boy who could resolve this situation.

That's when it happened.

Whoosh!!

"?!"

Kim Jeongyong's eyes widened. A wave of magical power, incomparably larger than what Karthon had emitted, swept over him and spread throughout the area.

Then, in an instant, Karthon's magical energy disappeared.

Kim Jeongyong seemed relieved, almost as if he knew who the owner of this new power was.

"He's here..."

Feeling this wave of magical energy, Kim Jeongyong realized that Hajoon had finally made his move. He quickly spoke to the agent beside him, "How many agents are at the scene?"

"A total of 36 agents are waiting in a circle around Karthon, at a distance."

"Tell them to stay back a bit further from the site to avoid getting involved."

"Understood."

The agent nodded and hurriedly started communicating with the field team.

He had done everything he could. At least now, nothing would interfere with the battle.

At that moment,

"...?!"

Kim Jeongyong suddenly felt a surge of magical energy behind him, and a gate opened. Through it stepped a familiar-faced girl, her footsteps clicking as she walked.

Kim Jeongyong's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her. She was someone with no reason to be here.

"Riella Harnis!?"

She approached Kim Jeongyong with her hands clasped behind her back.

"What brings you here...?"

"Hmm..."

To his question, Riella let out a soft sigh. She looked at Kim Jeongyong with a tired expression and spoke.

"Karthon, that guy, is at the site, and there are agents waiting, right?"

"Yes, that's true but..."

"A girl will pass through there. Just let her go."

Kim Jeongyong's eyes widened in shock, speechless at the mention of 'a girl.'

"Who could possibly... No, even if it's a request from a great hero, that's not possible."

"Anna Elizabeth Hartel."

At that name, Kim Jeongyong's eyes widened again, his expression becoming agitated.

"You know that child's circumstances too, don't you?"

"..."

Kim Jeongyong was left without a response, well aware of the girl's situation and her reasons for coming to study in Korea to become a hero.

"As an educator, I know I shouldn't make this decision, but I've seen many kids in such a situation."

"..."

"If we had stopped her, she might have chosen death herself."

"Riella..."

"Yes, I know. Honestly, I'm not sure if this choice is right either. But Hajoon allowed it."

"Student Hajoon allowed it?"

"Yes, he gave his permission, so she'll take care of it."

With those words, Riella gave a bitter smile and continued, looking at Kim Jeongyong.

"At least she's a child who inherited the power of a sage. She might be overshadowed by Kim Hajoon, but she's not to be underestimated. We just have to trust her."

"..."

Hearing this, Kim Jeongyong wore a contemplative expression, then slowly nodded his head in agreement.

"...Understood."

"...This is unbelievable."

Hajoon was astounded.

"Did he really run away?"

The creature's magical energy had disappeared instantly the moment he had unleashed his own. Hajoon's power hadn't absorbed the creature; it had simply withdrawn its magic.

-That's unlikely.

At that moment, Philaten spoke. She answered with certainty.

-The creature is still waiting for the king here.

At least he knew it hadn't fled. So, the creature had withdrawn its magic because there was no longer a need to display it, knowing he was here?

"Is that so?"

In any case, the situation wasn't bad since the creature hadn't fled.

Hajoon leisurely descended the building and walked slowly towards the location where the creature was expected to be.

Philaten, puzzled by his calm demeanor, spoke up.

"Aren't you going to hurry?"

"As long as that thing isn't running away, there's no need to rush."

Philaten seemed to understand Hajoon's mindset and simply nodded in agreement.

'I see...'

The King isn't considering that creature as a worthy opponent. Or rather,

-You're giving that girl a chance.

Hajoon didn't respond, but Philaten knew that his silence was an affirmative.

-Do you believe that girl can defeat him?

Her question stemmed purely from curiosity.

Of course, Hajoon could only give an ambiguous answer.

"Well, I'm not sure."

It was obvious to Hajoon whether Anna could defeat Karthon or not. The creature's power had grown significantly, and along with it, Anna had already awakened the power of a sage.

However, Hajoon didn't want to shatter the dreams of a girl who had aspired to become a hero for a singular goal and had worked hard to grow stronger.

If he easily crushed her goal, the aftermath would be unpredictable.

Therefore, Hajoon decided to leave it to Anna until she was convinced.

After all, she wasn't a girl who would be easily defeated.

At the center of a street lined with tall buildings, a man stood.

Karthon, the worst villain to ever attack the British royal family, an S-class villain.

He silently raised his head, staring at the night sky as if realizing something profound.

"So it's him..."

A subdued voice escaped his lips.

He had felt the wave of magical power that had just swept over him.

A colossal force, boasting a vast difference from his own power.

Knowing who the owner of this power was, a look of serenity appeared on his face.

'It's too far beyond me.'

Being blind and having other senses heightened, he painfully realized the truth.

He understood he was at a level where even looking up, he couldn't reach the top.

That's why Karthon could understand his current reality.

"This will be where I meet my end."

The inevitable truth that he couldn't escape death.

Yet, Karthon didn't run away.

Instead, the corners of his mouth began to rise.

"I won't run away this time."

There would be no second escape.

If he had to run, he would rather face a glorious death.

Karthon raised his arms high above his head.

At that moment, a terrifying magical power began to swirl around his entire body.

Boom Boom Boom!!!

Karthon then swung his raised arms down towards the ground. At that instant, a wave of tremendous force swept through the surroundings, shattering the glass of the nearby skyscrapers.

Simultaneously, a massive 30-meter diameter crater began to form around him. Everything in the vicinity was swept away, creating a vast pit fit only for battle, as if it were made for this sole purpose.

He had chosen this place as his final battleground.

"Now I've set the stage."

All he had to do now was wait for 'him' to arrive.

'But before that.'

Karthon's gaze shifted towards a certain direction.

A girl with platinum blonde hair, exuding blue magical energy.

Though he couldn't see, he could sense her.

He knew the nature of that immense magical energy.

"Anna Elizabeth Hartel."

His gaze settled on Anna.

A gigantic magic circle formed on the ground around Karthon and Anna.

Numerous chains rose from the inscribed circles, beginning to bind Karthon's entire body.

Simultaneously, with a thunderous noise, a massive thundercloud appeared in the sky.

It was Anna's grand magic, 'Thunderbolt.'

From the cloud, a thunderbolt of immense destructive power started to strike down towards Karthon.

Even in such a situation, Karthon stood still and calmly received the full brunt of her grand magic.

Crackle!!!

In an instant, the sight was engulfed in darkness as the thunderbolt struck.

The ground at the center where Karthon stood was scorched black, and a faint smoke began to rise from his body.

However, Karthon remained unscathed.

Not even a scratch could be seen on his body.

In that moment, Karthon's body swelled up.

The chains binding him burst apart with a loud noise.

Easily breaking free from the chains of Anna's magic, Karthon looked calmly at Anna and spoke.

"...As expected, you are my life's greatest blunder."

There was no fighting spirit in Karthon's expression.

No will to fight either.

Despite his demeanor, Anna just quietly stared back at him with a calm expression.

She knew why he said that.

"Magic can't kill me. The magicians I've encountered until now have never satisfied me. Even if they are sages."

The girl he inadvertently awakened that day.

Not just any magic, but the power of a sage. She was the biggest mistake of his life.

A mere magician who had awakened the power of a sage was troublesome, yet not someone he believed could kill him.

Karthon longed for it.

An opponent who could excite his fighting spirit.

Someone to engage in a fight as deadly as death itself.

But that person was not Anna.

With a voice full of certainty, Karthon asserted to Anna.

"You cannot kill me."

It was a declaration that mere magical prowess could not end his life.

At that moment,

Suddenly, a surge of magical energy erupted from Anna's body.

A vast magic circle unfolded around her, beginning to manifest some form.

"...?!"

Sensing this surge of magical energy, Karthon instinctively leaped backward, escaping the range of Anna's magic circle. He realized staying there would be dangerous.

And now, something about this threat sparked Karthon's interest.

Something that made him feel threatened by mere magic.

He had noticed that this wasn't just any simple magic.

"Let's see if you can block this too."

As Anna spoke, countless immense shadows began to loom over Karthon.

It was a gigantic hand.

A massive giant unfolded behind Anna.

Hundreds of arms from the enormous giant began to surge towards Karthon.