Chapter 97: Orthodox vs Unorthodox

Episode 97

Once he had gained the upper hand, Shin Woong began relentlessly pressing his attack, determined to seize the opportunity.

Kim Jinsung, on the other hand, with his stance disrupted, was forced to focus solely on defense, slowly retreating.

“Uh oh…!”

“Kim Jinsung is being pushed back!”

“Wow, no way…! This is the first time I’ve seen Kim Jinsung pushed back in a one-on-one…!”

“Don’t give up, Kim Jinsung! Counterattack!”

“Yes! Push him further back!”

The audience, witnessing the unfamiliar sight of Kim Jinsung on the back foot, reacted with a mixture of excitement, concern, and surprise.

In the VIP section, Hong Hyeonjin’s anxiety grew with each passing moment.

‘So the information about Shin Woong’s superior swordsmanship was accurate after all.’

She glanced down at her smartphone.

The screen displayed Shin Woong’s profile, sent by the Baekdu Clan.

Name: Shin Woong

Age: Estimated mid-twenties

Height: 180cm

– Unknown origin, no family, no comrades, no existing growth records.

– First known record: attack on a Daehan Clan academy team during a dungeon raid, resulting in near annihilation.

– Suspected to have been recruited by Baek Jun while awaiting forced labor assignment after being labeled a criminal.

– Colosseum internal evaluation: Swordsmanship at least on par with, or surpasses, that of Yoo Junho.

– Rumored to have caused significant concern among the production team due to his unexpected strength during the preliminary rounds.

Yoo Junho, the greatest star and most formidable villain in Colosseum history.

Facing Shin Woong, whose swordsmanship was at least equal to his, there was no way Kim Jinsung could win a head-on fight.

‘This means Kim Jinsung will continue to be pushed back in a direct confrontation…’

In battles between high-ranking hunters, where victory hinges on the smallest of margins, once you fall behind, it’s difficult to recover unless a significant change occurs.

Just like what was unfolding with Kim Jinsung.

Shin Woong seemed to understand this, knowing that relentless pressure was the key to sealing his victory against a momentarily faltering Kim Jinsung.

**Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!**

Shin Woong swung his sword towards Kim Jinsung in rapid succession. His movements were fluid, and his attacks seamless, like water flowing continuously.

Kim Jinsung, while blocking, couldn’t help but feel a mix of apprehension and admiration.

‘This is how powerful you can be when your swordsmanship is this exceptional.’

He had already learned through the analyses of various media, including Itube, that Shin Woong specialized in sword attacks.

However, having never properly learned swordsmanship himself and relying only on his hunter traits and skills, Kim Jinsung was mesmerized by the sheer elegance of his opponent’s attacks.

‘Still, I thought I wouldn’t be completely overwhelmed, especially with Han Mir’s trait…’

—

▷ Master of All Weapons: When using the following weapons, your Strength and Agility increase by 20%.

– Sword, Dao, Shield, Gun, Rideable Machines.

—

Kim Jinsung’s stats had increased by 20% thanks to Han Mir’s trait he had absorbed in the previous match.

But even with that boost, he struggled to counterattack. This testament to both Shin Woong’s exceptional sword skills and physical strength, which rivaled his own.

‘I need to create another opening.’

Kim Jinsung suddenly broke his defensive stance, sweeping his sword forward in a bold counter-attack.

However, Shin Woong’s attack was faster, his blade hurtling toward Kim Jinsung before he could fully commit to his counter.

Shin Woong’s sword was aimed at Kim Jinsung’s neck, and…

**Clang!**

A loud metallic clang echoed, and the sword was deflected.

—

▶ Used skill ‘Indestructible Body.’

—

Kim Jinsung’s decision to abandon defense and counterattack, relying on ‘Indestructible Body’, had been a calculated gamble.

To block Kim Jinsung’s counter, Shin Woong was forced into a defensive posture.

This freed Kim Jinsung from being on the defensive.

“Wow!”

“What? He blocked the sword with his bare hand!”

“He must’ve used a defensive skill!”

The crowd buzzed with astonishment. Seizing his chance, Kim Jinsung turned his defense into offense.

Trusting in his ‘Indestructible Body’ skill, he completely abandoned defense and launched into a series of attacks.

Shin Woong blocked, occasionally attempting to counter, but none of his attacks could even scratch Kim Jinsung’s impenetrable body.

Shin Woong, a swordsman extraordinaire, was finding himself unable to inflict any damage with his swords.

“…….”

After several failed attempts, Shin Woong switched tactics, employing a method entirely different from what he had used so far.

As he blocked Kim Jinsung’s attack, he closed the distance, thrusting his open palm towards him.

‘What’s this?’

Taken aback by the unexpected attack, Kim Jinsung instinctively twisted his body to evade the strike.

But Shin Woong’s palm grazed Kim Jinsung’s chest.

Kim Jinsung felt a slight shock reverberate through his body.

“……!”

He involuntarily stumbled backward.

Shin Woong, somehow, had bypassed his ‘Indestructible Body’ defense, sending a shockwave directly through his body.

‘…How did he do that?’

It felt as if he had been struck by some esoteric martial arts technique, the kind you’d see in a wuxia film.

‘He’s more than just a skilled swordsman.’

He didn’t know how, but it was clear he couldn’t rely on ‘Indestructible Body’ alone and recklessly attack anymore.

Seizing the moment, Shin Woong charged forward again.

Kim Jinsung met him with a counter-swing, but Shin Woong effortlessly dodged it with a fluid movement, closing the distance once more.

His palm struck Kim Jinsung’s chest accurately this time.

However…

“It’s a scarecrow!”

“It’s Kim Jinsung’s signature Disguise skill!”

A small scarecrow, its body ruptured, fell limply to the ground right in front of everyone’s eyes.

But Shin Woong wasn’t surprised or hesitant.

He immediately turned and executed a spinning kick towards his left.

**Clang!**

Kim Jinsung, who had been in stealth mode, desperately blocked the attack with his sword.

‘As I thought, a simple stealth skill won’t work against him.’

Anticipating this, Kim Jinsung immediately launched a counterattack.

Shin Woong again blocked and closed in, but Kim Jinsung evaded the palm strike using his Disguise Shadow Clone technique.

Shin Woong responded with another spinning kick towards his right.

**Thwack!**

“……!”

His eyebrows twitched, sensing something strange where his foot landed.

Quagmire.

The green slime monster, made famous during the second preliminary round, stood to his right.

Just as Shin Woong saw its right arm severed by his kick,

The Quagmire, its arm severed, transformed back into Kim Jinsung. He swung his sword with lightning speed.

They were so close that Shin Woong couldn’t even raise his sword to block.

Forced to dodge, Shin Woong twisted his body sharply, barely avoiding the blade.

But he couldn’t dodge completely.

**Slash!**

Shin Woong stumbled backward, a deep gash appearing on his right arm, visible even from afar.

“Wooow!”

“He got him!”

“That’s it! That’s Kim Jinsung! He needs to attack in unexpected ways!”

“Good job, Kim Jinsung!”

“Darn it… He got him in the right arm…”

The Jamsil Colosseum Arena erupted with the most passionate cheers they had shown since the match began.

Even the VIP spectators reacted similarly. Even Oh Byeong-guk and Kang Gyeong-gwon let out a small gasp of admiration.

“Wow…. Just as expected of Kim Jinsung.”

“He definitely excels at those unpredictable attacks. And he’s adept at that kind of fighting style.”

Oh Byeong-guk nodded, confirming Kang Gyeong-gwon’s words.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a young talent showcase his skills this brilliantly on a stage like this….”

Kim Jinsung was fighting amidst the cheers of over 100,000 spectators.

He remained unfazed even when his opponent was pressing him with superior sword skills, adapting brilliantly and turning the tables.

All this, at the age of 19.

“Shin Woong is in a tough spot now.”

“It’ll be difficult for him without using his ability.”

Anticipation gleamed in their eyes as they spoke.

Their question was likely shared by everyone watching the match.

Will Shin Woong finally reveal his hidden ability?

“Wooow!”

“Another hit!”

“That’s a deep cut on his shin…?”

“This attack is really significant!”

Oh Byeong-guk and Kang Gyeong-gwon turned back to the arena as the sound of the crowd’s cheers reached their ears.

Shin Woong was reeling from a deep gash on his left shin, blood flowing freely, visible even at a distance.

“…Now he’s got no choice but to use his ability.”

Kim Jinsung, watching from inside the arena, shared the same thought as Kang Gyeong-gwon.

‘He’s got to use his ability now.’

With severe injuries to one arm and one leg, the scales of the fight had tipped decisively.

Kim Jinsung was certain that Shin Woong wouldn’t be able to gain the upper hand without using his hidden ability.

‘He’s still not using it? Fine, I’ll make him.’

Kim Jinsung charged again towards Shin Woong.

Shin Woong managed to deflect the incoming blade with his sword.

At that moment, he felt something bind his ankles.

Looking down,

“……!”

He saw white spiderwebs wrapped around his ankles.

He hurriedly swung his sword, severing the threads, but this left him open to Kim Jinsung’s follow-up attack.

**Slash!**

A harsh, tearing sound echoed through the arena as Shin Woong was deeply wounded on his side.

Staggering, he gritted his teeth.

‘I have no choice.’

The moment he made his decision,

Shin Woong’s eyes flared with a white glint.

In an instant, all his wounds healed.

Kim Jinsung, witnessing the scene, narrowed his eyes, a flicker of surprise momentarily breaking his stoic expression.

‘He activated his ability…. Ugh!’

**Clang!**

Kim Jinsung barely parried the sudden attack.

The force of the blow sent him reeling backward.

Shin Woong pressed his advantage, launching into a relentless assault, giving Kim Jinsung no breathing room.

**Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!**

The sound of clashing blades reverberated through the arena, the frequency of the clashes increasing as Shin Woong’s attack speed accelerated.

Kim Jinsung was getting pushed back, unable to match his speed.

“Uh oh?!”

“What’s happening?!”

“He’s using his ability! His wounds are all healed!”

“His attack speed is at least twice as fast as before…?”

The crowd buzzed with confusion as Shin Woong continued to overwhelm Kim Jinsung.

He was even more dominant than before.

‘Ugh…!’

Kim Jinsung, forced into a desperate defense, gritted his teeth.

He could no longer block all of Shin Woong’s attacks, his body now bearing small wounds and beads of blood where he failed to parry.

The problem was, he was currently using the ‘Indestructible Body’ skill.

‘How much stronger has he become?’

He couldn’t adjust to Shin Woong’s power, thoroughly different from before.

How could he become this much stronger by simply using his ability?

‘Is it an ability that boosts his physical stats instantly? And it heals his wounds too? …Ugh!’

**Clang!**

He blocked another attack, staggering backward.

Shin Woong’s assault was so rapid it made thinking impossible.

Kim Jinsung wasn’t the only one trying to analyze Shin Woong’s ability.

The spectators in the VIP section were watching intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

Hong Hyeonjin was no exception.

‘He’s definitely using his ability! For sure!’

She had clearly seen the white glint in Shin Woong’s eyes the moment he activated his power.

She immediately sent a message to a Baekdu Clan contact.

– Investigate and let me know what ability Shin Woong just used.

Now that he had used his ability, it was merely a matter of finding an awakened individual who had manifested a similar power by combing through past records.

Hong Hyeonjin was confident that the Baekdu Clan, one of the four major clans, would be capable of finding this information quickly.

‘…Seems like everyone else has the same thought.’

She thought to herself, glancing around the VIP section.

Everyone, including Oh Byeong-guk and Kang Gyeong-gwon, was contacting someone. They were all doing the same thing she just did.

**Clang!**

A loud impact resonated through the arena.

Hong Hyeonjin’s gaze snapped toward the arena.

“Huh?!”

“Kim Jinsung is losing his balance!”

“No!”

“Now’s your chance! Finish him off, Shin Woong!”

As the crowd cried out in surprise, everyone saw Shin Woong swing his sword fiercely at a faltering Kim Jinsung.

—