Taming My Master (3)
Each player, please select a trait to seal.
The demon has sealed Solar Blade Enhancement.
Odin's great champion, the final reforged Blade of Fury, has sealed the demon's "Fiery Breath" and made his name known to the world!
The two began their fight on equal footing.
The demon came to his senses and realized he was trapped in some special space.
A blazing ring surrounded them, with Valhalla's warriors and Valkyries packing the stands.
Ah, ladies and gentlemen, welcome! This is your cute host, Loki, on commentary duty today!
A suited commentator even held a microphone.
"Is this your trait?"
"No obligation to tell you."
"...Looks like it. Automatically sealing traits—must be a god's power, huh? The god of war, no less."
It was spot on, but Hyunwoo didn't answer.
"To get out of here, either you release this skill or I beat you. One or the other."
Simple enough. Too simple.
The demon activated his essence-piercing gaze, a trait that checked the opponent's stats.
"Stats are in my favor. Yeah... you got stronger making this space, but still, I'm ahead?"
Traits could be sealed, sure. But if the stat gap was this wide, defeat was inevitable.
"I'll end this in five minutes!"
The demon swung his pot-lid-sized palm. A gust of wind sent Hyunwoo's small body flying.
If I keep taking hits like this, my bones'll break.
Of course, he had no intention of letting that happen. Hyunwoo raised Amodius's Scythe and counterattacked.
The exchange was one-sided, with the demon pressing relentlessly. He had the edge in power, speed, even skill—not to mention the massive size difference of several dozen centimeters forcing Hyunwoo on the defensive.
"Huuuuh..."
His wrists ached from blocking attacks. And then there was that tail whipping in like a spear now and then...
More than anything, he had to watch for the tail—its tip was coated in deadly poison.
...Damn it.
Just brushing his gear made a corrosive hiss. Touch it, and his bones would melt.
Yes! Five minutes up. Please select one trait to seal each!
Hyunwoo sealed the deadly poison. The demon sealed Solar Blade, eliminating all variables.
"Pumping stats is nice and all... but against an overwhelming size advantage, it's a flawed technique? Heh heh..."
True enough. Traits affected Hyunwoo too.
The longer this dragged on, the weaker he got.
Oh no! Big trouble. Our champion's getting one-sidedly cornered! Another five minutes, and he's at a disadvantage. If it doesn't end this turn, it's defeat!
The situation favored the demon, who didn't rush but methodically wore him down.
Aaah! But wait! Someone's intruding on the match!
Sudden intrusion? What the— The demon spun around in panic, barely catching the incoming spear.
It's the Valkyries! Odin's angels crashing the match!
"Waaaaaaaaah!"
"Valkyrie! Valkyrie! Valkyrie! Valkyrie!"
This duel arena barred intrusion by anyone but the two trait targets.
An unbreakable rule, no matter the trait used.
But summoned creatures were different.
Hyunwoo's summoned Valkyries could enter the arena—and they basked in the cheers.
"Isn't this cheating?"
Don't talk nonsense, you mongrel. How is this cheating?
Correct! This is Valhalla! Odin's angels must answer his champion's call!
Realizing he had no allies, the demon swung his trident at Hyunwoo to kill him.
Supersonic speed—even the Valkyries reacted a second or two late.
"First, I'll pluck your wings like chicken feathers, snap your necks, and slurp up your spinal fluid."
One Valkyrie shot down fast. Hyunwoo stepped forward.
He'd expected this. The demon swung blindly, smashing Hyunwoo's face hard.
Teeth flew from his mouth. One eye crushed flat. Nose broken crooked. Jaw shattered to mush—he'd be locked like this forever without wires.
"Rat bastard. Thought I'd kill you without getting my hands dirty..."
But Amodius's Scythe didn't stop, slicing into the demon's body.
Flesh tore free with the blade's arc.
"That all? Strong hit, but didn't dismember me."
"Hmph."
Amodius's Scythe had passive life drain.
Hyunwoo's body healed—proportionally to the damage dealt, so not fully.
He focused recovery on his eyes, restoring vision, then gripped the scythe and swung diagonally.
The optimal trajectory from the Sword Ghost's Eye.
"What? I exploded that eye..."
"Next time, check item traits before you slash."
Schwick—! The blade mangled his torso. Drained life mended Hyunwoo's body perfectly.
...More EXP than expected? Hyunwoo blinked at his suddenly filled EXP bar.
Guess while using Valhalla traits, EXP doesn't leak anywhere—it all funnels straight to me.
Handy for the future. Perfect for solo-devouring EXP from named bosses.
Hyunwoo stroked his wrecked-then-mended face with a satisfied grin.
A fine hunt.
Back from Babel, Hyunwoo tossed his coat aside.
"I'm home, Master."
"Ahem, you're back?"
"Yeah. Master, chicken tonight."
He unpacked pre-bought ingredients, meticulously washing the raw chicken before speaking.
"No booze today, huh."
"Uh... yeah."
"Good job."
His heightened sense of smell from leveling caught every nuance—no alcohol scent.
"Good job."
"Weeell..."
"Something to say? Craving beer today? Well... a light drink's okay. But just one can max."
With disciple approval, Ryu Ga-eul's face lit up.
She threw on outdoor clothes and dashed out, returning beaming with beer.
"Beer's annoyingly big. Never okayed the largest size."
"Shut it!"
"That thirsty for booze? Sigh... total alcoholic."
Tattooed Ryu Ga-eul wilted at that, shoulders slumping like a puppy.
"Fine, approved. But just today."
"Yay!"
"Sigh... shouldn't indulge you bit by bit like this."
But her left hand held a red box. Hyunwoo froze, realizing too late.
"...I just got back."
"Ehehe."
"Gonna wash up quick. So... wait a sec."
"Know what that is, Hyunwoo?"
Ryu Ga-eul lunged at blinding speed, grabbing him.
"Tomorrow's my birthday?"
"Birthday...?"
"Technically the day I was dumped at the orphanage. But it's my birthday."
Birthday, huh.
They were close enough for that, but the suddenness startled him.
"Happy birthday. What for a gift?"
"Hmm... dunno?"
"Saying now'd spoil it, huh? Fine, I'll figure something later."
"But know what? Yours is in two days!"
Two days? Oh, right—forgot amid the chaos.
"Yeah... how'd you know?"
"Got your resident ID number, duh."
"Oh... right."
"Uhehehit. Happy birthday! Think of a gift. Got it?"
He already had one for her.
Sex. Sex...
More aggressive than usual? Hyunwoo figured.