Ch.174Let’s Have A Match – 2

Soohyun Kim, Rina Lee, and even Seojin Baek. All three of them knew.

That someday, they would have to communicate not with words, but with power.

Since neither would yield nor give up, it was inevitable.

They just hadn’t expected that “someday” would be today.

“Is this place good enough? It’s quiet, and no one will come here.”

The secret training ground managed by the Association was where Rina Lee had brought them after Soohyun Kim’s sparring proposal.

This was where S-rank hunters competed against each other to identify and fill their weaknesses.

And Rina had chosen this location for today’s match for one simple reason.

She wanted to tell Soohyun to go wild without holding back.

“Alright. The rules are the same as last time. I win if you surrender. You win if you can inflict even the tiniest wound on me. Any objections? Just so you know, I’m in top condition.”

A match between Rina, an S-rank “top” hunter, and Soohyun Kim, who had just become an A-rank.

To others, that alone would seem like enough. Or perhaps even too much.

But Soohyun Kim, the person in question, seemed to have different thoughts.

“It’s not enough.”

“Huh? Really? What should I do then? Fight with both arms tied behind my back?”

“No. I mean a small wound isn’t enough.”

Rina’s eyebrow twitched momentarily.

“What are you saying?”

“You’re definitely going to get wounded. So instead of refusing to accept defeat when that happens, let’s just fight until one of us can’t get up anymore.”

Rina let out an exasperated “Ha!” as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Then she turned her gaze toward Seojin Baek, who was standing to the side.

As if asking what he thought about what Soohyun had just said.

As if asking if he agreed that she really wanted to get beaten to a pulp.

“Soohyun.”

Seojin Baek called out to Soohyun, seemingly concerned.

But Soohyun smiled gently, indicating that everything was fine.

Seeing her so determined, Seojin couldn’t stop her anymore.

After all, the situation had largely come about because of him, so he couldn’t really say anything.

“Have it your way. If you want to get hit, I’ll oblige.”

Rina stood with a cocky posture and raised her fist.

She looked like an adult dealing with a small child.

It was clearly an act of complete dismissal toward Soohyun.

But Soohyun’s next words instantly wiped away that composure.

“You seem awfully cheerful for someone who came in second even after using a wish token.”

“…What?”

“I’m glad. I thought you might be crying and complaining about losing the Arbiter to me.”

A powerful provocation. Naturally, Rina couldn’t help but react.

She let out a dry “Haha” and slowly lowered her fist.

Of course, this gesture didn’t mean she was giving up the match.

Rather, it was her characteristic way of showing she would now take things a little more seriously.

Swish swish—

A golden energy began to shimmer faintly around Rina’s fist.

The mysterious color of her unique magical power. A power only Rina could produce.

Whenever that golden rush began, whatever stood in its path would be pulverized.

“Our Soohyun is being quite rude, isn’t she?”

“Still better than someone who throws her fists around carelessly.”

With those words, Soohyun drew the sword from her waist.

But instead of the sound that should have been heard, an unexpected sound took its place.

Whoosh!—

“Huh?”

Watching from a distance, Seojin Baek couldn’t help but gasp at the sight.

As Soohyun drew her sword, bright red flames erupted along the blade and began to flicker violently.

It was as if the flames had originated from within the scabbard itself—an impossible phenomenon.

“…So you had something up your sleeve?”

Even Rina seemed a bit surprised by this unusual display.

The flames burning before them weren’t ordinary fire.

Like what those in the Magic Class could do, it was fire manifested through her magical power as a medium.

It was a blaze that wouldn’t easily extinguish, burning until her magical power was depleted.

It was a destructive fire that would continue to destroy the enemy unless its master fell.

Just look at the magical power emanating from Soohyun and the sword in her hand.

It wasn’t that of an ordinary ability user. It was hard to believe she had just become an A-rank.

Her magical power was both pure and surging powerfully.

With that level, she should be able to fight better than before.

“That’s good.”

Looking at Soohyun’s display, Rina smiled.

“At least hitting you will be more satisfying than before.”

Crackle—

As if responding contemptuously to Soohyun’s burning magical power,

Lightning-like energies flickered around Rina.

It was her way of showing that she too would give her all in this match.

“Ready to get hit?”

“Ready to get hurt?”

The two women, glaring at each other, charged toward their rival simultaneously, emitting a chilling light.

*

Shit, I must be crazy. What was I thinking doing something so absurd?

You idiot, if you had any sense, you would have chosen one, not both.

Didn’t you think this situation would happen? You crazy bastard!

I cursed myself as I watched the terrifying scene unfolding before me.

To be honest, I just wanted to run away from here.

Not just because of their fight, but because the reason they were fighting was even more frightening.

“The race has just begun, and you’re already talking about winners and losers? Not a chance!”

“The first partner is always the first partner. That won’t change even if you die and come back to life.”

“Who knows? Just because you’re the first doesn’t mean it has to last forever!”

“No! It will be forever! Because I’ll make it forever!”

Boom!— Bang!—

Magical powers spread in all directions, tearing through the atmosphere.

Forces that couldn’t be controlled transformed into shockwaves and vibrations that pounded the world.

If this place hadn’t been far removed from the city center,

I guarantee ability users would have been dispatched thinking some monster or Elder had invaded.

That’s how terrifying and fierce the fight between Soohyun and Rina was.

At first, I predicted Rina would have an overwhelming advantage.

It was only natural. Rina had long been an S-rank, and one of the strongest at that.

Conversely, Soohyun had just spread her wings and still needed some time.

Even if she could someday become an S-rank like Rina, that day wasn’t today.

‘But…’

Soohyun exceeded my expectations by a wide margin.

She wasn’t gaining the upper hand against Rina, nor was it a close match,

But contrary to the expectation that she would be pushed back instantly, she was fighting remarkably well.

Whoosh!—

The secret lay in those flames painting the ground and air before us.

Those flames, burning with Soohyun’s magical power as a medium, also absorbed Rina’s power.

They grew stronger and more powerful, engulfing Rina.

It was like watching a forest fire surge and spread to another mountain.

Thanks to those flames, Soohyun gained a powerful advantage.

She could prevent herself from being helplessly pushed back by the mighty Rina.

“Haah!”

And along with those flames, Soohyun’s swordsmanship was also shining.

As if inheriting Minseong Kang’s blood, her style was concise yet dominating.

It was hard to tell if this was a sparring match or a real battle.

Clang!— Clang clang!—

Of course, Rina was even more impressive, blocking that sword with her bare hands and legs.

“Hey. Can’t you put more power into it? I can’t tell if I’m being hit by a sword or a cotton swab.”

“Must be nice to be so mindlessly strong, Rina.”

“Well, it’s better than being weak like you!”

Boom!—

With those words, Rina thrust her fist forward forcefully.

Soohyun, taking the hit, slid backward.

She was biting her lip, seemingly unable to offset the damage.

I thought about intervening, but even that seemed impossible.

Neither Rina nor Soohyun showed any signs of stopping.

In such a situation, forcing them to stop would only leave embers behind.

It might be better to let them burn everything out completely now.

That way, there wouldn’t even be smoke for a while.

…Though honestly, I just wanted to break them up.

“Or are you exhausted from doing too much with Seojin oppa? How cute. You try to act all grown-up in front of me, but were you whimpering like a puppy in his arms?”

“The way you talk makes me think he didn’t even properly embrace you.”

“What? Do you have any idea how passionate oppa and I were?”

“Was that just your one-sided feeling?”

…Wait a minute. Wait, girls?

Why is the conversation suddenly going in a strange direction?

“You don’t know how crazy oppa was about me? Ah! I’m still sore all over, especially between my thighs, from how much we did!”

“I can still feel the heat I felt from the Arbiter too.”

Excuse me? Hey! Hey! Just spar, please! What are you talking about?!

“Oppa and I did it again after waking up!”

“The Arbiter and I didn’t even sleep and kept going until dawn!”

“You! Did oppa lick you here?! He did it for me!”

“Why would you make him lick such a dirty place?! You crazy woman!”

“What are you saying! Oppa did it for me! Looking at you now, it seems he didn’t do it for you? Aha! I was clean, but you were too dirty, right? Right?!”

“…I, I got to ride on top of the Arbiter!”

What is wrong with these women?

They were fighting fiercely as if they wanted to kill each other just a moment ago.

And now they’re suddenly bragging about their first experiences?

I don’t know about you two, but I’m dying of embarrassment.

So please, can you stop? I’m begging you.

“Wow, really. Anyone can see that oppa likes me more, but you can’t admit it?”

“Anyone can see he likes me more, but you’re the one who can’t accept it!”

Ignoring my thoughts completely, the two women clash again properly.

Thunderous sounds, magical collisions, and massive shockwaves spread in all directions.

“I’m a better match for oppa!”

“I’m a better match for the Arbiter!”

…In a different sense than before, I was filled with the desire to flee this place.