episode_0057

“…Kuh-uhk!”

The area shook as a figure quickly flew like lightning.

It was none other than Yoo Seha.

He was the counter to Pang Jina’s technique, known as the “Pangarang.”

Under the influence of the ability called [Pangarang], he was unable to resist and was left floating in mid-air.

Thud!

Eventually, he was deeply embedded in the outer wall surrounded by a barrier.

As the dust spread, the murmurs of the audience grew louder.

“Hey, is this still part of the exam?”

“…Professor, isn’t this too harsh…?”

As one of the observing professors stood up, Professor Bong Mi-chun held her back.

“It’s not over yet, Professor Sarangmi.”

“What are you talking about! He must have fainted…?”

Sarangmi couldn’t finish her sentence.

Yoo Seha staggered to his feet beyond the spreading dust.

Holding the [Jara’s Longsword] like a staff.

Surprisingly, despite taking such a blow, there were no significant injuries or wounds.

“Uh, what? Huh?”

Sarangmi couldn’t understand.

Even if Pang Jina showed mercy in her strike.

The blow just now was not a weak one that an examinee could endure.

At the very least, fainting should have been inevitable. How on earth?

The answer was provided by Bong Mi-chun.

“Look at the ground.”

At her words, Sarangmi examined the spot where Yoo Seha had flown.

The dust was thick, making it hard to see at first.

After a while, she noticed three circular marks connected by dotted lines.

“What on earth is this?”

“Don’t you know? It should be the marks we saw just a few minutes ago.”

“…What?”

As Sarangmi pondered, she realized something and muttered.

“No way…?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s the trace of Turtle Knight’s [Consecutive Thrusts].”

“Eh~? Are you kidding?”

“I wish I were kidding too.”

Bong Mi-chun crossed her arms, her tongue clicking softly.

‘…What an absurd child.’

While being hit by the “counter,” he unleashed a thrust towards the ground to reduce the impact.

A combat sense that was so unbelievable that it sounded like nonsense.

But there was something even more terrifying.

In Bong Mi-chun’s view, Yoo Seha did not seem to possess the skill of [Thrusting].

“…In other words, he learned it just by watching.”

“That’s right!”

“…Of course, it’s not perfect. But just copying it in itself is unbelievable.”

Bong Mi-chun stared at the frozen Pang Jina.

‘…She seems quite shocked.’

Regardless of what happened, she believed the match was decided.

The reason was that on Pang Jina’s sword right now…

The [White Flames] that all ‘Evil’ and ‘Magic’ feared were burning fiercely.

*

“…”

Pang Jina.

Turning 30 this year, she had lived 20 years as a hunter, making her the ultimate veteran.

Even she couldn’t hide her confusion.

Her gaze naturally fell on the three thrust marks carved into the ground.

Did she have it all along?

Or did she acquire it right here…

‘No, let’s not think about it.’

Thinking further would only lead to endless speculation.

Everything was over anyway.

The white flames on the blade of her sword were burning fiercely like a bonfire.

The onlookers erupted in excitement.

“What’s that? Some kind of buff?”

“Hey, hey… isn’t that [Aura Sword]!?”

“What, [Aura Sword]!?”

[Aura Sword].

A powerful seasonal technique that materializes the enlightenment of swordsmen who have reached a certain level.

In the fierce battle between the same inspectors, the manifestation of a skill that puts one in overwhelming superiority has brought astonishment from all around.

However, Fang Jin-ah denied all of this.

“…This is not [Aura Sword].”

This power is of a completely different nature from that of [Sword of Extremity].

Commonly known as [Fasa’s Sword], this technique was a power that strongly grasped the mind and body inherent in one’s determination and will.

Although there are subtle differences for each person, they all took the form of flames.

More precisely, the characteristic was that it emitted ‘white flames’.

[Fasa’s Sword] does not enhance the power of the sword to its limit like [Aura Sword], nor does it cut through any metal like cutting through tofu.

Instead, as if bearing the name of ‘Destroying Evil’.

It showed a very powerful force against corrupt beings.

It was a power that almost completely shattered ‘magic’ along with the ‘holy law’ used by the organization.

It possessed a power that was even stronger than the ‘holy law’, almost equivalent to a final weapon for a magician.

“…It even has an effect on .”

Even those who have strayed onto the path of evil due to a twisted mind cannot simply accept the power of ‘magic’.

In the end, they cannot escape from being ‘villains’.

[Fasa’s Sword] was a judgmental sword that condemned all of that.

It was such a powerful and unreasonable category that very few people could learn it.

It was natural for those around to misunderstand.

Except for Bong Mi-chun, the professors had no idea.

Of course, Fang Jin-ah did not showcase this just to show off.

In fact, there was nothing more certain than this to determine whether he was a or not.

“…I have thoroughly infused [Fasa’s Sword] into [Fang and the Sword] a while ago.”

If he was a magician, he would be suffering from the burning pain from within his body.

Fang Jin-ah walked slowly.

He looked at Yoo Se-ha, who was bowing his head.

Suddenly, Fang Jin-ah unknowingly stopped.

“What is it?”

He had been feeling something strange since earlier.

Once again, his unique sense was strongly felt.

An indescribable sense commonly known as a sense of unease.

“Something…”

It felt like he was going down a seriously wrong path…

He felt that from Yoo Se-ha.

“…It’s not foolishness traded to the darkness.”

Why does he feel a brilliant radiance like a gemstone?

*

[Failed to acquire ‘Continuous Stabbing’ due to lack of related skills.]

[Understanding of ‘Stabbing’ increases.]

“Hoo…”

Yoo Se-ha exhaled the breath he had barely managed to hold in.

Stars appeared before his eyes from the shock on his numb back.

“I thought I was going to faint.”

It was damn painful, but he managed to get up somehow.

“Ah, I have to get up.”

Our cute little cat was watching, and as a supervisor, I can’t just lie down like a loser, can I?

By the way…

“…He’s really strong.”

Professor Fang Jin-ah.

I knew that [Unprecedented Sense] warned me, but I didn’t know that even ‘Enhancement Type’ wouldn’t work.

I thought I could at least leave a scratch.

“But it wasn’t meaningless.”

“In a life-and-death battle, your movements shine even brighter.”

[Agility] level increases.

[Speed increases by 1 as a level reward.]

“The pain of the body is a symbol of patience. Your desire for victory deeply roots in your body.”

[Endurance] level increases.

[Stamina increases by 1 as a level reward.]

The endless close combat, close to real battle, further trained the power engraved in the body.

The speed of the nimble legs increased as they became more skilled.

The willpower to endure pain became even tougher.

Indeed, having high ability stats is the best.

“Anyway, I can do it.”

It hurts enough to make me cringe, but I’m still moving.

As long as I react as I think, there’s no problem in continuing the battle.

And ending the match like this was too regrettable.

I wanted to see a bit more.

Her sword.

“That beautiful sword of hers.”

On the surface, Pang Jin-ah’s sword may seem like a typical heavy sword based on strength.

But upon clashing with it, I could tell.

“It’s not just about brute force.”

Drawing out strength while maintaining speed, the key was surprisingly ‘softness.’

Surely, that softness is infused with countless subtleties and insights.

“An exhilarating sword that emits overwhelming violence based on that softness, a joyous sword.”

That was the essence of Pang Jin-ah’s [Swordsmanship].

“…Here I go!”

I ran forward.

The increase in [Agility] level made me a bit faster.

Pang Jin-ah was surprised by my faster movements.

Clang!

Our swords clashed.

Yuseh-ha attacking skillfully with a weapon of exceptionality.

Pang Jin-ah showing no gaps with her solid defense like a fortress.

“What…?”

Pang Jin-ah slightly furrowed her brows.

Surely, in her eyes, the blazing [Pasa’s Sword] would be visible, but she didn’t care and continued to attack.

No, more precisely, he seemed to be staring at something as if possessed.

The focus was undoubtedly on himself, but what was reflected in his eyes was something completely different.

“What is he looking at?”

What could be in front of his eyes?

Confused, Pang Jin-ah soon found herself taken aback by Yuseh-ha’s movements dodging her sword.

Her sword didn’t stop.

The trajectory of his swinging sword changed.

His footwork became stronger.

He held the sword with both hands instead of one.

And then…

He began to unfold his unique [Swordsmanship] with a distinctive expression.

Clang!

“What…?”

Her eyes shook unbelievably.

She felt it clearly with that one strike just now.

The sword Yuseh-ha was unfolding right now.

Undoubtedly, it was his own swordsmanship, [Fate Swordsmanship].

“…Could it be?”

Pang Jin-ah then realized where Yuseh-ha’s gaze was directed.

Why he didn’t recognize [Pasa’s Sword] even when shown.

Right now, he was…

“Enlightened.”

Striving for a higher level by confronting his inner self.

“…No.”

He denied the sword being clumsily unfolded by Yuseh-ha.

This isn’t it.

Pang Jin-ah’s sword is not this pathetic.

Not this slow.

Not this weak.

Not this rough.

Think again.

About her movements.

About her sword.

“I am an outsider.”

Someone who doesn’t know much about swords.

I wanted to learn, but my father forbade me from learning even if he died.

I’ve never properly mastered swordsmanship, but even I can tell.

Pang Jin-ah’s sword is art.

But no matter what, it’s a skill that can be unfolded by human hands.

In fact, the Pang Jin-ah in front of me is ultimately human.

If it can be unfolded by human hands.

“I can do it too.”

“The sword obtained within enlightenment will show its true value in your hands.”

“The sharpness of the sword is being brought out and starting to burn little by little.”

“The level of ‘Swordsmanship’ has increased.”

“Strength has increased by 1 as a level reward.”

This is not enough.

Entrust everything to this feeling that is unfolding now.

Force out your limits forcibly.

Was that heart rewarded?

My movements began to accelerate every second.

Everything follows Pang Jin-ah, striving to reach her eye level.

Crackle!

The blue magical power that enveloped the sword gradually began to change into the red light she was using.

“ defies the will of the heavens. Target: Pang Jin-ah.”

“Acquired . An Epic-grade skill. Lowered to level 1…”

“…Ah.”

The moment I recognized the emerging message, I instinctively realized it.

The fact that a huge line was drawn in front of me.

As if declaring that this is the limit, blocking the size of the wall.

The huge mountain that I can never overcome no matter how much I struggle is right in front of me.

“…It’s a shame.”

There is no frustration or regret.

In the first place, it’s a miracle that I made it this far.

The phenomenon I am experiencing right now.

This feeling that resonates with my soul and body, lifting me up even more.

It’s probably what they call enlightenment, the stage of awakening.

Just embodying that is satisfying enough.

Just holding the clue in my hands like a lifeline makes me happy.

But it’s regrettable to retreat like this.

It’s okay to be reckless.

It’s okay to fail.

It’s okay to self-destruct.

“Just once…”

Just once is enough…

I want to unfold the technique that Pang Jin-ah used.

That flash-like strike.

I poured all the remaining energy in my body into reproducing the technique.

[ is activated.]

[It is an Epic grade skill.]

[A murderous sword that kills enemies with strength and pleasure unfolds in your hands.]

[It is a skill that cannot be unfolded in the current state.]

[There is a recoil on the body.]

“Focus!”

Control your breathing.

Inhale air into your lungs, release the power throughout your body.

Fix your muscles and bones, control your movements.

“Think.”

Pang Jin-ah’s sword, the extreme technique she displayed.

The technique that shattered the ‘Enhanced Dragon Strike’ and blew me away!

The trembling of the muscles disappears.

The angles of the wrists and ankles are adjusted.

The power of the lower body and waist is reversed.

In the end, only concentration and explosive power for one thing burst out.

Clang!

A clear resonance.

At the same time, a spreading heat.

Pang Jin-ah’s eyes tremble as she feels it head-on.

*

“……!!!”

Her hand rises.

The sword rotates around the empty space.

For the first time in her life, she missed the sword.

But she didn’t have the energy to care about that fact.

This technique,

This power.

It was unmistakable.

“…Counter?”

[Pang-a-rang].

A derivative skill of the , one of the extremes.

Just the sword technique is astonishing.

She succeeded in unfolding the technique that she had used in front of the wandering spirit.

“Oh~?”

“…Did he have hidden power like mine?”

“Is it a delusion? Isn’t that the same as Professor Pang Jin-ah’s sword technique?”

“Oh, that’s not it. It’s just similar… a counter, right?”

The professors watching muttered.

Their implicit leader, Bong Mi-chun, understood the situation and sighed quietly.

His always calm and composed face seemed to change in disappointment.

Adjusting his glasses, he looked down.

The man who confidently stood against the [Sword of Pasa].

The shining gemstone…

Isn’t it a flower filled with peculiar darkness?

That means everything he has shown so far has been realized under the name of ‘talent’.

“…This is something.”

Bong Mi-chun thought quietly.

It’s like a ridiculous monster suddenly popping out of nowhere.