episode_0014

I proudly claim that my ability is a morale booster.

The fact that upon contact, the very form disappears beyond recognition proves to be truly effective in combat.

However, if there is no contact,

and if the opponent possesses long-range capabilities,

all the efforts accumulated will turn into nothing but vain endeavors.

And perhaps, it might have already turned out that way.

“Hey, isn’t this totally cheating? A magical power that eliminates opponents upon contact. Unbelievable.”

It seems the ability to see through the opponent is not just empty talk.

Even before the start, all techniques were exposed.

No matter what ability the fellow uses, it is an undeniable fact that the situation has become unfavorable.

This was a time when one needed to be more composed than ever.

“…Are you surprised? Well, even I would be shocked if my finishing move got exposed.”

“Well, it looks like he’s half-blind. Just blabbering away with only half the picture.”

“Half is more than enough for this.”

In an instant, the guy vanished from sight.

Certainly, the atmosphere was different from the beasts and monsters previously encountered.

If unable to evade, it could end in a single blow.

“…Are you in your right mind?”

What startled me wasn’t his speed or power.

Of course, he was incredibly fast, to the point where I couldn’t follow with my eyes, and powerful enough to make the ground cave in.

But narrowly avoiding was possible.

Yet, despite understanding my ability, he chose to confront me head-on.

“Well, I don’t really have any fancy skills like the others.”

I’m not sure if those words were sincere, but if true, it would give him an absolute advantage.

In a pure contest of strength, along with confidence in what one possesses, dealing a fatal blow upon contact is certain.

Yet, revealing vulnerabilities and coming straight at me instead is surprising.

“You’re a friend with many secrets.”

“Oh, so you’re calling me a friend now?”

“A guy about to die can ask for favors, right?”

First off,

start lightly.

I need to grasp his style first.

Jump in honestly, wrap concentrated magical power around my fist, and swing.

Twice.

Thrice.

Four times.

Repeatedly striking, it began to come into view.

A body that significantly lowers when aiming for the head.

A habit of stepping back starting from the right foot when the abdomen is targeted.

Especially quick to avoid attacks on the lower body.

“Seems like you’ve been working out? Your skills here don’t seem acquired locally.”

“Just went to hell and back for a bit.”

“Oh, was that you? The hero rumored to have taken over our leader’s territory?”

He comes again.

I’ve roughly grasped his body habits.

He has the typical style of a boxer.

Technically, an ordinary person cannot beat an athlete, but here, it’s possible.

Embracing honed magical power, accelerating the body, dodging should be simple…

“The boss was really pissed back then.”

…He’s fast.

Sure, I’m not the only one with magical power.

Moreover, it’s unclear how long he has been here.

He might be a completely incomparable opponent.

Anticipating he would aim for a right jab, I preemptively dodged and aimed for a square hit.

If I hadn’t avoided this time, it would have been really dangerous.

And… an unfamiliar discomfort has been building up since earlier.

Why? What on earth is it because of?

“…Strange, right? Even though it didn’t hit properly, why is it clean without a scratch?”

There’s another sky above the sky.

Even if it’s understandable, peering into someone else’s thoughts should be a skill beyond mere deception.

Amidst this, his words unraveled that unease.

Clearly, the attack landed, but it doesn’t affect him.

Despite concentrating magical power properly and hitting him, as he said, not a scratch appears.

“It’s simple. Your ability gathers all the magical power in your body into one place, creating a very dense and heavy mass. If that hits the opponent, the opponent’s magical power can’t withstand that force and disappears.”

“Well, thanks for being so kind.”

In short, it means his magical power is greater than mine.

That’s why I should have followed the plan.

As expected, only smart ones would do things like exploration or whatever.

“…It wasn’t just me who had a lot to hide.”

“Surprised? Even I would be startled if suddenly threatened.”

“Indeed, because he’s an interesting guy.”

I knew it was that kind of principle from the beginning.

However, I just wanted to find out more about the guy I was soon going to kill.

There will be no mercy as much as there is no mercy in death.

Once again, full power.

“But, now that we’re just getting started, are you disappointed?”

“What nonsense all of a sudden…”

At that moment, he pointed at me with his finger.

Instantly, a yellow warmth enveloped my body, starting to obscure my vision with a dazzling sound.

This familiar effect and sound… could it be?

“…Kid, be careful. Looks like you guys won.”

“Well then! See you next time. Friend.”

In an instant, along with the number changing to 100, my body warped to the next test site.

***

“…Chaeseol?

She was wandering aimlessly around the containers, trying to find suitable prey.

About 20 minutes had passed since she had drifted away from Ye Han-wool.

A voice that Chaeseol seemed to have heard before called out to her.

“Wow, Chaeseol, right? How come you’re here.”

“….”

Suddenly, Chaeseol’s eyes widened.

Small, torn eyes, hair tied back in a style, an unfortunate ring earring.

And a very familiar sword.

If she wasn’t mistaken, it was clear.

“It’s really amazing. This isn’t a dream, right? Where have you been all this time…”

A precise black current aimed at her throat narrowly missed.

The man in front of her was Kim Taekang.

Their relationship, briefly introduced, lingered during their time at the same dojo.

Kim Taekang luckily avoided her magic glance.

He didn’t know when he arrived here, but the passing current was a considerable force.

If it had hit without missing, avoiding a fatal injury would have been difficult.

“You’re being formal, it’s been about 6 years, right?”

“….”

“But still, it’s a bit disappointing. After all, I’m your master, aren’t I?”

Without any response, she immediately assumed a stance.

Executing Ye Han-wool’s strategy and request.

Full power.

A seamless defense and offense, leaving no room for error.

A swordplay not driven by personal emotions but solely for his request.

“Don’t talk and just get on with it…”

Triple strike.

It was different from the swordsmanship used before.

While the first and second strikes were simple attacks towards the enemy.

The third strike concealed a final blow, a kind of smoke screen attack.

An attack where the speed of the blade was beyond what the eye could follow, with invisible teeth.

In other words, a swordplay that one must evade to survive.

“This… where did you learn this move and sell it off?”

It was a situation that couldn’t be dismissed as mere coincidence.

Moreover, it was a clean and precise triple strike.

She dodged an unseen sword strike as if reading the flow of magic.

With only a slight smirk on her face, the atmosphere intensified.

Soon, Kim Taekang took a deep breath and gripped the sword firmly.

The serious look in his eyes seemed to disturb the surrounding air.

“You seem to have forgotten. You’ve never beaten me in a duel.”

The trembling anticipation ceased, replaced by silence.

Within that silence, a figure disappeared at lightning speed.

She quickly scanned the area to find the vanished opponent, but it was already too late.

“I greeted you to snap you out of it. It doesn’t seem real to you yet.”

“….”

“You know, this isn’t a duel anymore. It’s a fight.”

His strongest right arm was slashed.

Though the blade didn’t sink deep, if the bleeding worsened, determining the outcome would be uncertain.

One thing was certain, the guy was a step ahead of her in swordsmanship and magic handling.

Knowing this fact, Chaeseol relaxed her stance.

“What? Giving up already? We barely exchanged greetings. Isn’t that too bland?”

“…You.”

A few days ago.

On the day when she and Ye Hanul were clearing out monsters.

She felt it with her whole body.

Compared to what lies ahead, those guys are just small fry.

And if she settles for this level, not only will she fail to protect Ye Hanul in moments of crisis, but they won’t be able to return together either.

She needed to become stronger.

Her body could deteriorate as much as needed as long as she could protect that person and possess them forever.

Also, to be the only one that person looks at for a lifetime.

To achieve that, she had to stay alive first.

“Uh, uh….”

First, second, and third techniques focus on dealing with minor threats or creating distance, useful against herbivores.

The advantage of being fast and light is followed by the flaw of lacking power.

Certainly excellent for restraint, but ineffective against most enemies.

This sword, which won’t yield easily, is a powerful strike that fills that flaw, a technique that is hard to anticipate.

Returning sword.

“Ahh!!! My, my arm…! My arm!!”

It was a counterattack.

At first glance, it may seem no different from the first and second techniques, but it contains perfect intent to kill the enemy.

And the sword energy that strikes the air returns along the same path towards the sword.

If there are objects in its path, they will be cut by the returning sword energy.

Though an easy technique to parry, if encountering it for the first time, one can only receive it.

And to that counterattack, Kim Taekang’s arm was suddenly severed.

The sword in his hand made a thudding sound as it fell to the ground in the field.

“You’ve been noisy since earlier, and you talk a lot. Are you always like this?”

“You, gasp…! You’ll regret this.”

“More importantly, I’ve been holding back a lot lately.”

“What… Wh-what are you suddenly talking about…”

“I used to let things slide when some punks messed with Hanul, but now, there’s no need for that, right?”

“Huh, what are you saying right now?”

“Well, there’s a reason for it.”

Kim Taekang’s eyes didn’t show even a hint of the chilling smile.

His vision began to blur due to the unstoppable bleeding.

Simultaneously, he started breathing heavily, cold sweat running down his forehead and spine along with warning signals.

No matter what technique he had, in his current state with his arm severed, he couldn’t do anything.

Taking a step back was the best he could do.

In a situation where the winner and loser were already decided, he made a rational decision.

“Wait, hold on. Points. You want points, right? I’ll admit everything and let it go. I’ll surrender. My mana should be quite potent, right?”

“Well, you know?”

“…What?”

“This isn’t a sparring match.”

At that moment, fear engulfed him momentarily.

He started moving his trembling hands and legs, driven by the determination to survive.

He didn’t look back.

In Cha Seol-a’s eyes, there was no intention for slaughter or survival instinct to stay alive, only obsession.

Only obsession towards something, so strong.

He thought his heart had only raced like this when he first arrived here.

But he was wrong about the erratic heartbeat.

And then.

As the sound of electricity and flow of mana reached his ears.

When his mind was becoming more distant.

His arms and legs, which were moving back and forth, suddenly malfunctioned and collapsed on the ground.

His gaze fixed on the empty sky, even in the fleeting moment of his last breath crossing the diagonal line, he thought.

…If I get up now, can I escape?

….

…It’s already too late.

That was the moment his body, rolling in all directions, fell into eternal sleep.

+6

“Now, let’s go see Hanul.”

Cha Seol-a turned back along the path she came, turning her steps to join him.