Moonlit Spar with the Prince of Darkness
It was a fantastic workshop. I got to meet Master Kim Minyoung, and I even snagged this hot babe named Everett Reina. That Murray prick will come in handy later too. Hanging with high-society types always pays off. What’s more reliable in this world than connections?
Self-congratulating over my stellar gains, I stepped out for a nighttime stroll through the training academy grounds—one last look before heading home. The cool air settled pleasantly on my shoulders. I really liked this garden, so it was a bit of a shame it was my final night. Once I start raking in the cash, I’ll have to build one just like it. Hell, why not set one up in the Solary World? I already have a private garden there for myself, but thanks to Lienna’s penny-pinching ways, it’s just ordinarily pretty these days. It used to be way more grand and impressive, but she simplified it for easier upkeep.
“Jaesung.”
As I wandered the garden under the moonlight, a smooth male voice called out. If I were a woman, I’d have fallen for that voice alone. Especially on a poetic night like this. Too bad I’m neither a woman nor gay. No chance of me swooning over a guy in this lifetime.
“Hey. Nice night, huh? We keep bumping into each other at night. What’s up, Seungjin?”
The guy greeting me was Han Seungjin. Seems he’s a night stroll fan too. I don’t think we crossed paths during that outdoor romp with Sujin, so maybe he’s gotten into it lately? His gaze, casually sweeping the garden, was refined and princely—like something out of a fairy tale. And he hit me with that look while talking. Kinda intimidating.
“Today’s your last day, huh.”
“Yeah. But if it’s meant to be, we’ll cross paths again somewhere down the line.”
I gave him a stock answer. The dungeon hunter world is surprisingly small, they say—especially if you’re climbing the ranks. I’m destined to become a 1 Rank dungeon hunter, after all. And with Han Seungjin’s talent, he might hit that level too.
“About what you mentioned before. That spar. Since it’s the last day, mind if I formally ask?”
His face, lit by moonlight, broke into a bright smile. I nodded without thinking. Hard to say no to a grin that friendly. Plus, I was a little curious myself. About this guy’s true strength.
“You really wanna spar with me that bad?”
“Our abilities are total counters, right? Gotta see it to believe it.”
His ability is Darkness Control, mine is (supposedly) Light Control. Just like he said, we’re polar opposites. Probably the most famous matchup in the world.
“But this spot’s no good for fighting.”
“I’ve got a place in mind. Follow me.”
He led me beyond the garden. Had he scouted spots during his walks? Skillfully, Han Seungjin guided me to a small clearing in the far corner of the academy grounds. Piles of construction materials nearby suggested it was prepped for a new building, but no heavy machinery yet. Plenty of space for a light spar on the dirt ground—just gotta watch I don’t ruin my clothes.
We faced off about five meters apart. My eyes locked on his, his on mine. Up close like this, damn, this guy has clear eyes. Even without the face, those eyes alone could charm any woman. Lucky bastard. They say eyes are the windows to the soul—does that mean he’s got a pure heart that doesn’t match his power? Total opposite of my muddied-up personality. Eh, bullshit like that’s not reliable anyway. If it were true, detectives nabbing criminals would have it easy.
“Shall we start?”
He spoke first. I nodded.
“Let’s keep it moderate—no injuries, use abilities at a reasonable level.”
“Sounds good. Perfect!”
Heat filled Han Seungjin’s voice. He must love sparring. Battle maniac type? That could be trouble.
Thud! He kicked off the ground lightly. Fluid as flowing water, yet fast as a bee. Closing the distance in an instant—that wasn’t amateur hour.
I barely tracked his movements, pouring all my focus in. Clang! Fists collided. Just one exchange gauged his level easily. The power in his punch numbed my wrist. That heavy physical force from such a natural swing pressed me hard. I’d known he wasn’t ordinary, but clashing hands drove it home.
The world’s so damn unfair.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Limbs crossed three times. I was on defense. He targeted my front and both flanks. Not committed attacks—just probing jabs to test me. But to me, they hit like hooks.
Dodge! A kick linked to his punch aimed midsection. I dropped my left arm, blocking with my forearm. His kick hit like a charging carriage—heavy and fierce. My body shoved right.
“Ngh!”
A grunt slipped out unbidden. But I kept balance. I rallied my momentum, focusing hard. Without it, even his light attacks overwhelmed me.
“Impressive!”
Han Seungjin praised me. I’m the one who wants to say it. He closed in even faster.
Left? No, right? Which fist? I backpedaled four steps, predicting. But I missed every time. He spun gracefully, extending his right leg. Fast enough to pass for a pro boxer’s jab. More like his leg rocketed out.
Shiiing! The air-whipping kick sounded like a switch. I crossed arms, blocking head-on. My mistake.
“Ngh!”
My body flew back hard. Way stronger than expected. Numbness in my arms felt like electrocution. I bit my lip.
Fuck. This guy’s a monster. No way he’s got some cheat key like me, right?
Even with my Unix Cube bullshit making me strong, he was a cut above. At least in pure physicals, I couldn’t win. But for dungeon hunters, body strength is just one sidearm. Against someone like Master Kim Minyoung maybe, but our real weapons aren’t flesh.
“Holy Arrow.”
Five glowing arrows materialized in the air, lighting the dark night like a hero’s holy sword lined up before me. Han Seungjin backed off at the sight, like his instincts rejected my light arrows. Just a normal person’s aversion to a sharp blade, though.
“Holy Arrow, huh.”
Smiling, the same number and shape of arrows appeared before him—Darkness Arrow. A skill I could use too. Though his was more polished.
“For natural ability users like us, arrow skills are basics among basics. Why do you think that is, Jaesung?”
“Quiz time? Uh… no clue.”
“They say every human tool started as some rock someone chucked by accident. Throwing’s huge for us humans. Lets us hunt beasts safely from afar.”
“So… that primal instinct’s baked into natural ability users?”
“Haha, honestly, I dunno. But isn’t it romantic? Gives our most basic skill a cool backstory. Anyway, nothing tests fundamentals like this.”
His Darkness Arrow menaced me menacingly. Mine aimed back. But firing these—would it stay a spar? Suddenly felt like we’d gone too far. Han Seungjin must’ve thought so too; he subtly shifted aim.
“Guess we got too hyped.”
“Yeah. This ain’t just sparring anymore.”
The sudden blaze cooled. We both regained composure. Han Seungjin grinned, proposing:
“How about this? Next attack decides it. Night favors my Darkness Control… I’ll defend, you attack. Hit me with your strongest ability shot.”
“You sure? Don’t wanna hurt you…”
“Kinda childish, but at night, I’m invincible.”
He cut me off with a charming smile. If he says so. And from earlier, this guy’s legit.
“Alright. Here I come.”
My right hand glowed bright—Holy Gauntlet. Deep breath, straight punch stance.
A gauntlet-boosted straight punch… how hard will it hit? Curiosity peaked. Time to test.
“Going in.”
“Ready.”
Suddenly, space around Han Seungjin rippled. Thick darkness formed, cloaking him—like gaseous shadows flowing over him, mimicking Jupiter’s clouds. Darkness Control defense skill? Durability questionable, but if he’s confident, it’d shrug off most hits.
Thwack! I lunged, thrusting my fist. Pride on the line. Eyes shut, recalling Master Kim Minyoung’s teachings.
One Strike, Certain Kill spirit… Straight Punch!
My fist arced perfectly. The gauntlet-clad right hand rocketed toward his armor’s center, steel-shredding power unleashed—no holding back on defense.
Fist met darkness. Then, something weird.
Plop! Power drained from my fist like sand. The sure-kill punch turned feeble, unable to crack glass. Like he’d stolen my strength.
I yanked back fist and body.
“Huh… incredible.”
Speechless. That’s all I could say. Han Seungjin just smiled gently.
“Great spar.”
*-*-*
Jaesung left the clearing first. His ace attack blocked left him embarrassed, so he said little. Anyone would feel that after such a blow fizzling out.
Seungjin watched him go, then turned. His throat had itched since earlier.
“Cough!”
Blood’s metallic tang filled his mouth. Internal injury. Jaesung’s attack was no joke—his Darkness Armor couldn’t fully block, letting shock seep in.
Blood in mouth, but Seungjin’s eyes gleamed like a beast’s. Baek Jaesung—far more interesting than expected.