Chapter 17: Perfect plan..?

Jin Baek-ryong finally stopped moving after bouncing off the ground like a skipped stone and crashing into a tree.

I knew the moment I hit him.

‘This guy is level 199.’

Just one level away from S-rank Hunter.

But without enlightenment, that wall was impassable.

I was stuck at that level too until I became Ha-yeon’s direct guard and broke through the wall with her intensive training.

‘Ow… That hurts like hell.’

The searing pain throughout my body only registered after I’d confirmed his level.

A side effect of forcibly using Lightning God Transformation.

One of the secret techniques of Ink Lightning Divine Art: imbuing one’s body with Ink Lightning, turning hair ink-black, drastically increasing physical abilities and speed, and infusing every attack with Ink Lightning.

Originally requiring 7-star mastery of Ink Lightning Divine Art, I’d forced it using my previous enlightenment.

My body was paying the price.

Still, I could easily handle this brat who hadn’t even reached the Transformation Realm.

He pulled himself out of the tree and stood up.

As I prepared to face him, he spoke.

“Wait. I want to say something.”

Fine. Let’s hear his excuse, I thought, nodding.

It would also give me time to recover from the backlash of Lightning God Transformation.

However, his actions defied my expectations. Jin Baek-ryong bowed deeply to Ha-yeon and me.

“I apologize. I wouldn’t have acted that way if I’d known she had a partner. It’s my first time falling for someone, and I was too hasty. Can you forgive me…?”

He was far more reasonable, normal, and apologetic than I’d anticipated. I expected arrogance from the heir to a top 10 family, but this was unexpected.

What had he done, really? Fallen for the incredibly beautiful Ha-yeon and confessed, unaware she was taken.

That was it.

I’d already resolved that with a punch, so what reason did I have to fight?

‘None…?’

“No one ever confessed to me in the Demonic Heavenly Sect, so this is quite novel. I got to see a new side of Yu-won, so I’m fine.”

Since Ha-yeon, the person involved, had forgiven him, there was nothing more to do.

I almost felt bad for knocking him into a tree.

“I shouldn’t have resorted to violence so quickly.”

The anger boiling inside me subsided, and a sense of calm returned.

“No, I understand your anger. If you ever visit the Jin family, I’ll offer you the greatest hospitality.”

The heir to one of China’s top 10 families was notorious for being hot-headed and violent, but this guy was surprisingly humble.

The matter seemed settled, but he continued.

“Apologies aside, this is an exam, so let’s focus on that. Jin Baek-ryong of the Jin family requests a match.”

He challenged me, as if requesting a duel in the martial world.

‘Uh… I don’t want to fight.’

I’d received his apology, my anger had dissipated, and I’d survived long enough to accumulate decent survival points, even without many markers.

I was ready to forfeit.

“I forfeit… Ugh!”

Ha-yeon pinched my back as I was about to forfeit.

“Forfeit…? I think I misheard something.”

-Ha-yeon…?

I transmitted a message to her using Sound Transmission.

-Does it make sense for a martial artist of the Demonic Heavenly Sect to refuse a sincere challenge? Especially from a man who tried to steal me from you… I want to see your skills, so go ahead.

‘When did he try to steal you…’

Knowing I’d face Ha-yeon’s wrath if I forfeited, I reluctantly agreed to face Jin Baek-ryong.

Considering I hadn’t met anyone until now, there were probably still many participants left.

I’d defeat Jin Baek-ryong, then forfeit to Ha-yeon to avoid the top ranks.

I didn’t know how many markers Jin Baek-ryong had, but if I forfeited and gave them to Ha-yeon, she’d only receive half.

A moderately high rank at best.

And the remaining participants would likely see me as someone who’d opportunistically defeated a weakened Jin Baek-ryong.

‘A perfect plan.’

I’d found the sweet spot – avoid Ha-yeon’s anger and avoid standing out too much.

“Kim Yu-won, the orphan. I accept your challenge.”

Jin Baek-ryong seemed confused by my response.

I seized the moment and sent a bolt of ink-black lightning crashing down.

Ink Lightning Divine Art – Falling Thunder.

The technique that instantly obliterated the Martial Alliance Leader and the Shaolin Abbot, both Transformation Realm experts.

However, unlike them, Jin Baek-ryong, though slightly fatigued, was in peak condition and blocked Falling Thunder with his sword energy.

Still, caught off guard, he didn’t fully block it.

Faint traces of lightning energy clung to him, restricting his movements.

I circulated lightning energy throughout my body, enhancing my speed, and rapidly closed the distance.

He didn’t complain about a sneak attack.

Perhaps he understood this was a practical test, or perhaps he didn’t have time.

He raised his sword, ready to counter.

Maintaining a calm demeanor, he watched my every move.

Trained from a young age, as expected of someone from a prestigious family, his focus remained unwavering.

‘Still lacks real-world experience.’

I darted towards him as he tried to anticipate my movements and gain the initiative.

I feinted, entering and exiting his sword range, causing him to swing and miss.

Undeterred, he glared at me. I gave him a small gift.

Flash!

A blinding light erupted like a flashbang, momentarily robbing him of his sight.

“Ugh…!”

He’d used his energy to enhance his vision but hadn’t protected his eyes. It worked perfectly.

I increased my speed, moving deeper within his range, preventing him from using his sword.

Quick-thinking, he dropped his sword and tried hand-to-hand combat.

But close combat was my specialty, and I had my sight.

I had a significant advantage over Jin Baek-ryong, who now relied on his other senses.

However, thanks to numerous elixirs and his higher level, his physical abilities and energy reserves surpassed mine.

‘This ends it.’

Before his vision returned, I targeted his head with a series of strikes, drawing his attention upwards. Then, in a flash, I dropped low and executed a single-leg takedown.

“Ugh!”

He crashed to the ground, and I mounted him. I could apply an armbar, but that would only prolong his suffering. I intended to end it quickly.

His vision seemed to be returning as his eyes began to open.

Too late.

I kicked his sword far away.

Most of his skills relied on his sword, which I’d just removed.

And in this position, he couldn’t break free.

As I continued striking, waiting for his avatar to disappear, I sensed a strange energy fluctuation behind me.

Energy flowed discreetly from his hand, reaching his sword, lifting and maneuvering it in the air.

‘Sword Control.’

A technique used by Transformation Realm experts.

He was likely forcing it with a skill.

Normally undetectable, its stealth was useless against someone who had reached the Transcendent Realm.

The sword flew towards the back of my head.

I tilted my head slightly, dodging it by a hair’s breadth.

“How…”

“I’ve dealt with the Namgung family enough times to recognize it.”

I delivered a line he wouldn’t understand, then gathered all my energy into a final blow to his head, obliterating his virtual avatar.

I’d expected a gruesome sight, but avatars simply vanished upon fatal damage.

Numerous markers appeared where he’d been.

‘Wow… Over 30?’

Thirty-two, to be exact.

Thirty-one, excluding his own.

He’d single-handedly eliminated over half the participants.

‘Even halved, this puts me at the very top, doesn’t it?’

This was bad. Thirty-three with mine. I needed to forfeit to Ha-yeon quickly. Even halved, 16 markers guaranteed first place.

“Ha-yeon! I forfeit…!!”

[Only two participants remain.]
[Ending the exam.]

‘What…?’

Don’t be ridiculous. I’d encountered only two people. I just eliminated one, and the exam was over? This was absurd. It couldn’t be real.

“Ha-yeon, do you have 17 markers…?”

“Yes. Congratulations on first place, Yu-won.”

‘This isn’t something to celebrate!!!!!’

Ten seconds passed. My avatar vanished, and I returned to reality.

“Argh…”

The real world came into focus beyond the goggles.

I removed them, opened the capsule, and stepped out to find numerous students staring at me.

Everyone except me, Jin Baek-ryong, and Ha-yeon was gathered here.

An instructor approached.

“Group A’s exam took longer than expected, so the students from other groups watched on screen. You were incredible. Congratulations on achieving first place among the incoming freshmen, Kim Yu-won.”

Not just the instructor. All the students were buzzing.

““Kim Yu-won! Kim Yu-won!””

“Wow! He completely dominated Jin Baek-ryong!”

“He used a sneak attack… Wasn’t that cowardly?”

“Hey! There’s no such thing as cowardly in a real fight! Do you want to get your head blown off by a villain?”

“He even dodged the Sword Control without seeing it.”

Students chanted my name, evaluating my performance.

Some voiced disapproval, but most praised me.

Where had it all gone wrong?

My plan to maintain a moderate rank and give all my markers to Ha-yeon… It had crumbled.

‘It was such a perfect plan…?’

How had this happened?