The sword slashed down at Kang Seok-soo's body from above.
"Ugh?!"
Kang Seok-soo fell to his knees. His Energy Protect turned red.
At the same time, the ice sword that had been flying toward me disappeared.
Crap about it breaking or vanishing if I fell. It disappeared because Kang Seok-soo, its user, lost focus. The ice sword was just a magic spell powered by mana.
"We won!! Senior, we did it!"
I frantically looked around for Han Ha-rin, pretending to be oblivious about Kang Seok-soo's treasure, 'Revival.'
If I didn't celebrate and instead remained wary of Kang Seok-soo here, he would definitely suspect something.
"...Senior?"
Han Ha-rin collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath. She truly seemed to have reached her limit.
'This is bad. With Kang Seok-soo revived, I'll have to face him alone without Ha-rin's help. Damn it. Now I can only use Instant once.'
My expression hardened. It was a mistake, but it seemed fine. In this situation, it looked like I was worried about my teammate, Han Ha-rin.
'I pushed myself earlier to alter the sword's trajectory. Though the Energy Protect bore the strain... I can't pull off an attack like that again.'
I could instinctively tell. My Energy Protect was now at its limit. It wasn't as though I hadn't suffered any damage while attacking Hunters so far. Among those I attacked, some hunters retaliated against me.
'Even a punch from Kang Seok-soo could be dangerous. The moment I get hit, my Energy Protect will turn red.'
Only one Instant left. I must knock him down without receiving a single blow.
What a pain.
An association staff member rushed over from the right. Without hesitation, he began swapping out the Energy Protect on Kang Seok-soo's shoulder.
"W-Wait a minute! What are you doing? The situation is already over, isn't it?"
"Hunter Kang Seok-soo possesses the treasure 'Revival.' Even if his Energy Protect turns red, he doesn't get eliminated and can swap it with a new one."
"…Is the swapped Energy Protect fully charged to 100%?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Damn it…"
As I put on a wronged expression, Kang Seok-soo asked me.
"Isn't your ability lightning? There's no way to explain the movement you showed earlier unless it was your ability."
"Do I have any reason to explain that to you?"
"It doesn't matter if you don't. Judging by the Association's silence… Did you perhaps undergo a second awakening?"
"...."
My mind was in turmoil. I was at a loss on how to deal with this guy. Should I use Instant as soon as the battle starts and attack?
'It doesn't seem like it'll work if he's using Sensory Maximization...'
I stared intently at Kang Seok-soo. Upon closer inspection, he looked significantly more exhausted than before.
'...It's clear he can't maintain Sensory Maximization for long. He probably used it when things got messy earlier.'
The association staff member who swapped the Energy Protect stood between Kang Seok-soo and me.
"I'll do the countdown. You may start the fight the moment I say one. Get ready. 5... 4..."
Kang Seok-soo and I faced each other.
This was the distance where swinging my sword would reach him.
"3... 2..."
I tightened my grip on the sword hilt. The remaining mana was enough for two or three uses of Thunderstorm.
Should I create some distance first? No, that would be too disadvantageous for me.
I shouldn't give Kang Seok-soo any leeway. I need to stick close and relentlessly attack. I took my stance.
"...1!"
I charged at Kang Seok-soo. He extended his right hand. A magic circle was drawn on his palm. But the hand he extended wasn't towards me; it was aimed at Han Ha-rin.
Yongcheon Style Practical Technique, Raegwang.
A bolt of lightning crackled along the blade.
Kang Seok-soo dodged my fastest slash by twisting his body. He didn't completely avoid it, but at most, it grazed his shoulder.
A spike-like rock flew towards Han Ha-rin.
"Ha-rin!!"
I shouted urgently.
Han Ha-rin glared at the spike rock and created a gravity shield in front of herself.
The unstable gravity shield wobbled visibly even from where I stood.
The spike rock shattered the gravity shield and struck Han Ha-rin. She rolled on the ground several times. The Energy Protect on her shoulder turned red.
An association staff member escorted Han Ha-rin away.
'This bastard...!'
I knew Han Ha-rin was fine. But seeing my woman get hit in front of my eyes made anger well up inside me momentarily. Had there been no Energy Protect, I might have tried to kill Kang Seok-soo using every means possible, broadcasting be damned.
Something stirred.
Something within my body wriggled.
The mana in my body seemed to be transforming into something.
It felt familiar. I thought I knew what it was.
'...Heavenly Demon Qi! Shit. Is the Heavenly Demon Divine Art reacting here?'
I intended to take Kang Seok-soo down using the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, but the sensation of Heavenly Demon Qi vanished without a trace.
'This is problematic. Really.'
I set aside the issue with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art for now. It wasn't the time for that.
Kang Seok-soo skillfully evaded my sword and started moving towards the rest area.
'This bastard… He intends to hide in the rest area.'
He removed Han Ha-rin, who could have been an obstacle, eliminating any unpredictable variables early on. I bit my lip.
"Kang Seok-soo! Are you planning to run to the rest area?!"
If he escapes, it's his victory. Kang Seok-soo has a large number of survival points. If he can just hold on until 3 PM tomorrow, he wins.
"I'm confident I can beat you head-on. But my current condition isn't good. Let's fight again tonight."
If Kang Seok-soo's words were true, I couldn't miss this opportunity.
"Fight again tonight? Not even a dog would laugh at that joke. Fight right now!"
I swung my sword. Unlike before, when he perfectly avoided it, this time the blade slightly grazed his left arm. It seems his condition really was poor.
"For the sake of my team, I must pursue a certain victory."
Kang Seok-soo suddenly stopped. Before I could question it, his left foot stomped the ground. A remaining magic circle lit up momentarily.
A powerful gust blew. The wind pushed my body backward. A distance of over 10 meters opened up. This was a wind blowing in all directions; even using Instant wouldn't have helped me avoid it.
'Damn it. If this had been an attack spell rather than a repelling spell, I might have been eliminated.'
Kang Seok-soo gradually moved further away.
"…Tsk."
Pretending to feel pain, I furrowed my brow and pressed my shoulder. I covered the microphone attached to my Energy Protect with my hand.
Lowering my head to avoid being caught on camera, I murmured carefully.
-Yoo Jeong-mi's pussy tasted pretty good. For a used one, it was tight too. You know Yoo Jeong-mi's pubic hair is yellow, right? Well, as her ex, you'd naturally know. So, are we now hole-brothers-in-law?
Though soft, the voice was surely audible to Kang Seok-soo, who was using Sensory Maximization.
There was a chance Kang Seok-soo wouldn't react. If that happened, I'd cleanly abandon the championship.
Fight tonight? If the Energy Protect were in proper condition, maybe, but winning in his current state was impossible.
'If it doesn't work out, I'll just bang Baek Ji-eun.'
It would be a lie if I said I wasn't disappointed. But even if I didn't win, there wasn't any particular disadvantage for me.
"..."
Kang Seok-soo stopped moving and glared at me.
The atmosphere changed. Kang Seok-soo was now showing cold anger towards me.
'It worked. As expected, this bastard still had feelings for Yoo Jeong-mi despite dumping her first, huh?'
Kang Seok-soo wouldn't blabber about what I said, no matter who asked.
If my statement were revealed, I'd be scolded severely. And Yoo Jeong-mi would naturally end up in gossip. Kang Seok-soo would stay silent for Yoo Jeong-mi's sake.
I gripped the sword handle tightly, stood up, and looked Kang Seok-soo straight in the eye.
'Wow. Just his gaze could kill someone.'
I had no regrets.
Sex with Yoo Jeong-mi was consensual. Rape? Knowing Yoo Jeong-mi's character, she wouldn't remain quiet if raped. Kang Seok-soo knew that fact and was calm despite his anger.
Moreover, Kang Seok-soo and Yoo Jeong-mi were merely friends currently.
"Why. Finally ready to fight?"
"…I'll fight however you want."
Had he not chosen to fight me, I might have been somewhat disappointed in Kang Seok-soo.
I dashed towards Kang Seok-soo.
A magic circle quickly appeared in front of him.
His Energy Protect flashed. He was straining himself.
White lightning crackled from the magic circle. I knew what kind of magic it was. Definitely a lightning spell.
'He intends to humiliate me by knocking out a lightning ability user with lightning.'
Just because one is a lightning ability user doesn't mean they're immune to lightning damage.
Something suddenly crossed my mind—a technique from the once-popular game '3kg.'
'It's possible.'
At the moment the lightning shot out from the magic circle, I jumped upwards. I deflected the menacingly approaching lightning with my sword. Simultaneously, I generated my own lightning to control it. It succeeded much easier than expected.
The lightning lingered on the tip of my sword.
Immediately after, I swung the sword towards Kang Seok-soo.
'Lightning Counter!'
The lightning shot towards Kang Seok-soo.
Kang Seok-soo couldn't dodge the lightning. Proof that he could no longer use Sensory Maximization.
Gritting his teeth in pain, Kang Seok-soo cast another spell.
"Nine Energy Bolts. No matter how fast you are, you can't dodge all nine energy bolts."
Nine energy bolts flew towards me. One hit would be the end.
'I have no choice but to use Instant.'
Using Instant, the world slowed down.
The nine energy bolts weren't flying simultaneously.
'Should I safely dodge to the side? No, then it would be too late. That guy is preparing his next spell.'
I chose to break through head-on. It was faster.
First, I slightly tilted my head to the left and then moved my body diagonally.
Immediately after, I slid across the floor. I broke through all nine energy bolts.
I thrust my sword towards Kang Seok-soo right in front of me. Calmly looking at me, he lifted his shirt.
On Kang Seok-soo's firm abs was a magic circle drawn in red monster blood.
'Sorry, but I anticipated this.'
Kang Seok-soo had drawn and hidden the magic circle in his palm.
Would he only hide it in his palm?
It was natural for doubts to arise. And considering Kang Seok-soo, I assumed he hid a magic circle somewhere invisible.
'I've won.'
I passed by Kang Seok-soo.
Kang Seok-soo turned back. He wasn't looking at me but at the Swastika I left behind. The Swastika remained in midair, slowly rotating.
"This is..."
"Discharge!"
The Swastika exploded, sending lightning in all directions. Kang Seok-soo, being the closest, had no choice but to receive the full brunt of the lightning.
"Grrr! Not yet. Not yet...!"
Despite falling, Kang Seok-soo attempted to activate the magic circle.
Thud!
The sword I threw hit Kang Seok-soo's head. His body crumbled. The Energy Protect on his shoulder turned red.
Silence settled.
With a hollow gaze, Kang Seok-soo alternated between looking at his Energy Protect and me.
"…Is this the end?"
Association staff members surrounded us.
I shouted towards dozens of cameras.
"We won! Tonight, it's chicken!"
***
"Hunter Seong Eugene's sword made contact! Ah! Hunter Kang Seok-soo's Energy Protect turns red! But this isn't the end! Hunter Kang Seok-soo possesses the treasure Revival!"
Jo Seok-hoo spoke rapidly.
"What was that attack just now? It was so fast that I couldn't see it properly. Let's check with the high-speed camera!"
The main screen video moved slowly in slow motion.
"Ah! The direction of the sword suddenly changed!"
After the slow-motion ended, Hong Su-won began explaining.
"…He forcefully changed the sword's trajectory using strength. If you look closely, Hunter Seong Eugene's Energy Protect is flickering. The recoil from forcibly changing the trajectory was borne by the Energy Protect. Without it, his arm would have become immobile."
Baek Ji-eun also chimed in.
"If you watch closely, his speed momentarily increased. This is a technique called Instant Acceleration, used by skilled acceleration ability users. Only three people in our country can use Instant Acceleration. Ah, make that four now."
***
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