Chapter 107: Magic Bullet

Rohan’s Skill structure wass changing.

With every step he took, it evolved.

When Weakness Induction was Level 1, there were things he couldn’t do. Direct contact was necessary, and only the Physical Attribute could be induced as a weakness.

From the time Weakness Induction became Level 2, he could choose the Attribute to induce as a weakness. He was freed from the constraint of only inducing the Physical Attribute.

Yet, the reason he stubbornly stuck with the Physical Attribute as a weakness.

It was simple.

Because he felt he was clumsy at handling fire compared to strikes and slashes reinforced with mana, so there was no advantage.

And, climbing one more step, Weakness Induction Level 3.

He gained wings.

The description changed from ‘contact with a target’ to simply ‘target.’

The Debuff shed the preceding ‘minor,’ and the probability also changed from ‘low probability’ to ‘certain probability.’

This is huge.

Based on the change, he naturally acquired knowledge.

Perhaps he recalled something he had forgotten.

The sensation of being able to project Skills and Mana permeated his Consciousness.

Although he could have fired it barehanded, he had the realization that the most harmonious weapon for the Skill was the Handgun he possessed.

The bullet becomes a medium carrying Weakness Induction.

If inducing the Physical Attribute weakness ended immediately, there’s the expectation that it could penetrate even strong enemies.

But right now, he had to induce something else.

Recalling what Omega was aiming for with Hex and had prepared, the weakness he needed to induce was Fire.

Undoubtedly, this choice was a hundred times correct.

“Ha…”

Supported by Ichinose, he finished aiming and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet fired by Rohan traversed the air.

That bullet contained a power that distorted reason.

In fact, it was a power that could be called a Magic Bullet.

“Decay!”

Omega’s arm rippled. The dragon head opened its maw wide!

With only its head remaining, the dragon roared and condensed a large amount of Mana.

─ Kaaaaaaa!!!

Sensing what kind of attack was coming, Juyeon gripped her sword tightly.

Flames enveloped her entire body.

The dragon’s breath that called forth death and necrosis.

A swirling vortex imbued with a murky green was fiercely launched.

Juyeon’s greatsword, rejecting the decay, flashed with flames.

Within the green smoke that rose like sea fog, flames drew a vivid cross, asserting their presence.

───Kwaaaang!!! A splendid explosion swallowed and subdued the spreading breath entirely.

“Uhahaha!!!”

Omega pushed through the explosion and swung his sword.

Clang! Kaang! Chang!

The simple swordsmanship was fierce.

Intermittently pushing in attacks using monsters. Naturally, they couldn’t be ignored.

Continuing the exchange of attacks and defenses, Juyeon reviewed the battle up to this point in an instant.

And compared it to the past.

He’s acquired near-perfect Fire resistance. How?

Was the opponent’s ability to withstand her Flames simply a result of increased capability? Or perhaps it was thanks to the unknown drugs administered in large quantities?

No, there was a sense of disparity somewhere.

I have to assume it’s due to something he’s done to his body.

It felt like trying to subdue a monster that lived in lava with flames.

But abandoning fire was out of the question.

It created too many limitations.

If she voluntarily restricted her power and didn’t utilize it, the tense flow easily shifted to the other side.

Kagagagak!!!

The blades grind against each other, resonating with metallic sounds.

The moment they clashed and struggled for power, this was when the most exchanges occurred.

“Khehehe, this is enjoyable!”

“…”

The flow of mana, gaze, muscle movements, foot positioning.

Everything related to combat painted a deception that concealed the true attack.

A time when both sides were desperately trying to gain the upper hand.

“!?”

In the midst of this, Juyeon saw them.

Ichinose Yui and Rohan, still in their places, even though Noa Frozenheart and Corin had left.

Why haven’t they left…!

Juyeon was bewildered by the sight of Rohan aiming his Handgun.

It was a cruel reality, but it was safe to assume that Rohan’s attack had no chance of harming Omega.

While his courage to confront the terrifying enemy was admirable, she couldn’t praise him.

If one lacked the talent to imbue projectiles with Mana, a gun was meaningless.

Even an ordinary Handgun’s lethal range was beyond the point of being fatal.

While Juyeon was continuing her sighs and bewilderment.

No way.

She sensed the mana gathering in Rohan’s Handgun.

An unknown Skill that disrupted harmony.

Juyeon had experienced it firsthand during her sparring with Rohan, so she could distinguish it even from a distance.

…Is it possible for Rohan’s ability to break the stalemate?

An intuition close to premonition that those who had reached a certain level sometimes feel.

Juyeon concluded that she had to grasp the thread Rohan was trying to create.

“Hmph.”

For the first time, Juyeon raised the corners of her lips in front of Omega.

But that curve transformed into a clear sneer directed at Omega.

Omega must have also been aware that Rohan was gathering mana.

Yet, he appeared unconcerned.

“Can’t you feel it? Run away now if you want to live. My cadets are not ordinary.”

“Have you entered politics or something? You’ve learned to run your mouth!”

“Those who stop walking cannot follow the new wind. Learn to lower your neck that only looks at the sky.”

“Shut up! Do you think such an attack will work?! Focus on me!!!”

Bang!

It rang out clearly.

The bullet Rohan fired flew, seeking transformation.

──Ting! It hit Omega, but failed to penetrate, falling powerlessly.

“Such a trivial act… Hmm!?”

Omega showed signs of bewilderment at the strange sensation spreading throughout his body.

He realized that an unknown change had occurred in his body.

“Didn’t I tell you? Run if you want to live.”

Gripping her greatsword, Juyeon confirmed that Ichinose Yui was dragging the collapsing Rohan away in a hurry.

The battle resumed immediately.

A crimson slash flew towards Omega.

Both Juyeon, who launched the attack, and Omega, who blocked it, immediately recognized the changed situation.

The impact feels different!

It wasn’t Juyeon’s misconception. Omega was also quite bewildered.

Though its resistance was still strong, it wasn’t as flawless as it had been.

It had fallen to the point of barely enduring.

It doesn’t make sense for the status Rohan inflicted to last long. There’s definitely a limit.

Missing this opportunity was absurd.

Juyeon made that judgment and began to burn the Flames to their maximum power.

The embers accumulated in her body were activated at once.

Her red hair blazed brilliantly, accompanied by a bright yellow light.

“To think you would try to force such a ridiculous conclusion…!”

A blue orb floated above Omega’s head.

A lifeform created by Hex to counter Juyeon.

A mass that endlessly produced coldness according to its remaining instincts.

It filled the surrounding space with a chill, freezing it with a cracking sound.

Since even Omega, the user, was affected, it couldn’t be used for long.

That damn brat…!

Exhaling a misty breath due to the cold, Omega made up his mind.

Juyeon, of course, and that brat. He had to kill them somehow.

Once the battle concluded, he would definitely capture that guy.

If nothing else works… regardless of the outcome, I must return alive.

He had to inform Hex and everyone else about that guy’s existence and Skill.

“Distracted thoughts during battle? You’re overly fortunate.”

Juyeon flew in wielding her greatsword.

Clang!

The descending greatsword.

He somehow blocked the Slash, but it was difficult to withstand the erupting Flames.

Just as he felt, something had definitely changed in his body after being hit by the bullet.

“Ugh…!”

“Die.”

Ignoring the encroaching chill, Juyeon continued to burn her body with endless Flames.

She swung her sword without pause.

She put all her strength into not missing the opportunity.

Crack!

And a crack appeared.

Omega’s tough skin tore, allowing Juyeon’s Flames to seep in.

The scales of victory tipped significantly.

“Kaaagh!!!”

Burning pain permeated his entire body.

Omega screamed, unable to bear the agony. Past nightmares resurfaced.

“I told you. I won’t miss you this time.”

A single strike with the greatsword, imbued with the strength of her core.

It sliced deeply, severing Omega’s arm.

She struck down again.

She intended to cut him in two, but due to Omega’s desperate struggle, she only managed to split his shoulder.

“Huff! Huff…!”

Clear fear was visible in the eyes of the retreating Omega.

Even so, would she feel pity?

Juyeon did not cease her attack.

Just one step to close the distance.

The greatsword brutally pierced Omega’s abdomen.

Light flashed before Omega’s eyes, and both his legs were blown off.

Clean cuts and thrusts, worthy of being recorded in the history of Swordsmanship, followed.

Omega, his mouth twitching in pain, silently manipulated his Mana.

The blue orb in the air silently targeted Juyeon’s back.

“Your struggle is premature. You should have endured longer.”

As if anticipating it, Juyeon dodged the surprise attack.

Juyeon wouldn’t get excited or let her guard down just because she had gained the upper hand.

She calmly advanced, step by step.

Finally,

A red flash grazed Omega’s neck and the blue orb.

“Gurk…!”

Omega’s death. In Abyss City, he had drawn with Juyeon and escaped.

If Rohan had seen it, he would have rejoiced, but also felt complex emotions at the unexpected turn of events.