Sparring with Yeonji and the Devil's Bargain
I don't think I have much talent for fighting. From the start, as a shut-in writer holed up in my room, I was never the active type. Objectively speaking, my combat aptitude is probably just a hair below average. But thanks to my sky-high stats, the solid battle experience I've piled up hopping between worlds, and one-on-one training from a top-tier fighter, I've gained some real insight into trading blows.
Throw enough money at it for intensive tutoring, and even the thickest skull picks up the basics. Of course, the world does have those miraculous idiots who can't even manage that, but thankfully, I'm not one of them.
The most crucial thing in close-quarters combat is judging distance. I still vividly remember how Master Kim Minyoung dodged my attacks with margins thinner than a sheet of paper. When I later asked her the secret, she replied:
"It's simple. Predict your opponent's movements."
That answer just spawns another question. So how the hell do you predict an opponent's movements?
"Human joints have limited ranges of motion. And every human action stems from muscle contractions. In other words, observe the subtle twitches in their muscles, and you can narrow down their attack patterns. That's how you read them."
According to Master, once you reach a certain level handling mana, you can scan an opponent's muscles with it. Then, based on that scan, predict their next move and adjust your own—that's the realm of martial perfection she pursues.
For Master Kim Minyoung, dodging my attacks by a paper's width was as easy as solving 1+1. Of course, I'm not her. That computer-like precision comes from endless practice and vast experience—nothing I could match after just a month under her wing. A mediocre hack like me couldn't reach her level even if I trained ten times as long as she did.
Of course, with the Unix Cube's help, things might be different.
"Hup!"
Yeonji's attacks were fast and fierce, befitting someone with an enhancement ability. She never skimped on physical training, so she wielded punches packed with terrifying power like they were nothing. Her technique was polished to perfection, too. If I exaggerated a bit, she was like a minor copy of Master Kim Minyoung.
Straight punch!
I spotted a familiar motion in Yeonji's form. It was the move I'd slaved over endlessly under Master—the most basic KHC technique, the straight punch. Yeonji had studied KHC on her own, and her execution was nearly identical to mine, who'd learned it directly from the master.
A straight punch isn't just thrusting your fist out. That's just the shell. The real deal is the mana infused into that fist. Human muscles can generate infinite power, and mana-amplified physical force is limitless. Dungeon hunter martial arts ultimately boil down to methods of mana manipulation.
Yeonji's mana bubbled up like magma. The vibrations thrummed like a club's bass speakers. Just from the sheer pressure of her mana, I could feel how locked-in she was for this spar. My own blood boiled in response. My senses, hyped by the heat of battle, amplified even the tiniest motions and sounds.
I evaded Yeonji's attack with footwork. Footwork is the foundation of any striking art. If you compare fighting to driving a car, footwork is the engine. Anyone can throw a strike, but dodging? That's tough for everyone. A seasoned fighter can deflect attacks using just their feet. I'd seen the pinnacle of that from Master—a level I couldn't even imitate yet.
Though I couldn't match Master Kim Minyoung, I wasn't helpless against Yeonji's strikes. Her movements were familiar; we'd sparred plenty. I deflected her sharp straight punch with two quick steps.
Yeonji didn't flinch at all seeing me slip her attack so easily. Her assaults never end with a single dodge. Thanks to her ability—or maybe her training—her body had that taut, springy elasticity that would make even black athletes weep. Recycling a whiffed attack into a counter was her specialty.
"Hah!"
Yeonji spun her body in a flash. Her first strike didn't fizzle out; it fueled the second. But I didn't miss that split-second opening.
You're not the only one who knows straight punches, Yeonji.
Whoosh!
I jammed my attack into the gap as she turned. My fist sliced through the air in a straight line, nailing her dead-on—a perfect, no-frills strike. But Yeonji ducked her head without even looking, evading it. Classic trained fighter move. They don't rely solely on sight; they develop all five senses to eliminate blind spots. Master said pushing that training to the extreme awakens a sixth sense.
Screeech!
Yeonji's body whipped back toward me after the big spin. Pivoting on her left foot counterclockwise, she added rotational force to her mana-loaded straight punch.
My options: block or dodge. Master's words echoed.
"The best choice is evasion. The next best is defense. The third is counter."
"Huh? Isn't counter the best?"
"No. A counter can never be the optimal play. For us dungeon hunters, the absolute best is survival. KHC teaches the safe path, even if it's longer. Counters are short but risky. Always dodge dangerous attacks if you can. Block with everything you've got if you can't. Only counter when nothing else works—or when you must beat a superior foe with pure skill."
I backpedaled, dropping my upper body low. Yeonji's vicious straight punch whistled over my head. In that instant, I spotted her opening—a perfect moment for a grapple.
But I didn't take the gamble. Yeonji was a grappling wizard, like in wrestling. Her Material Conversion ability specialized in that, so diving into close holds would just hand her the mat.
Standing trades were my best bet. The back-and-forth continued. Yeonji moved without a thought for efficiency. She didn't need to—one solid hit would floor me. Me? I couldn't drop her in one shot. Sure, I could tank a bit, but I'm an evasion tank or self-heal tank at heart. Pitting pure durability against her was a bad idea.
So I focused on every exchange. It was an unequal fight, but I had no complaints. This was her turf, so of course it favored her. I dodged and waited for my shot.
"Haat!"
Yeonji closed in with four steps in under a second. Her bound dark-brown ponytail swayed beautifully. The black sports bra and tight shorts suited her perfectly, radiating that athletic woman vibe.
This time, a kick—the KHC basic, martial hammer kick. Like the straight punch, it was mana-packed, so dodging was smart. I bent my knees, slipping out of her toe's path. But her foot tracked my head, dropping her thigh mid-kick like a guided missile. Her balance was insane.
No dodging this. I threw up my arms in a hasty block. Her hammer kick hit like a shotgun blast. High-voltage pain surged through my guarding left arm.
Fracture for sure. I clicked my tongue and pulled back.
"Gotcha!"
Yeonji grinned triumphantly. I hit my arm with Light Cure. It wasn't major, so it healed right up. But the lingering sting annoyed me.
"You're amazing, Yeonji. You could probably be Master Kim Minyoung's disciple."
"You think so?"
No doubt she had more raw talent than me in this. Of course, I've got the Unix Cube. Could that count as my talent?
Thrilled by the praise, Yeonji pressed her assault. She'd grown too, just like me. Reading my evasion patterns, she hounded my gaps relentlessly. It was like she'd studied under Master herself.
I'm barely hanging on. Keep this up, and I'll lose anyway.
Time for a gamble—Master's third-best option. The desperate play to topple a better fighter. Turn their attack into mine.
Luckily, I had an edge: her moves were predictable. Knowing attack patterns is key to landing counters. I baited an opening, flashing my face as she charged.
Yeonji was a swift predator. She wouldn't miss it.
Here it comes!
Right on cue. The air-whipping crack of her fist thrilled my eardrums. I gauged it, swallowing hard. Eyes tracked, but I didn't fully evade. Counters thrive on borrowing enemy force.
Now!
I held my breath, rooting my left foot and twisting my body into a spin. Crane kick—a rotational kick loaded with trickery. Mana surged like a geyser into my right leg. Toe aimed at her side.
I spun like a top, launching the kick.
Thud!
But she blocked with her arm. Yeonji barely dropped her left in time for defense, retracting her own strike to do it. Pulling back mid-counter to guard? Her physical prowess was unreal.
"Knew you'd counter."
She'd read it. Counter failed completely.
"You didn't dodge all the way. Too obvious."
Experience gap showing. Fair point—if I knew her moves, she knew mine.
I conceded defeat. No point dragging it out when she'd seen through me.
"Still impressive," Yeonji said, looking refreshed. "Way better than last time. Private lessons pay off, huh."
*-*-*
I had a coupon from the Satanic Chair Professor title reward. Unusually, it had no rank.
←Item→
●Random Item Coupon (? Rank)
↳A coupon that grants an item.
←Item→
Five coupons total. No rank—what did that mean? My best guess: no limits on the item grade it spits out.
Whatever. Tear 'em open and see.
Using item coupons is always a rush. I activated all five.
←Item→
●Pure Morning (E-grade)
↳A colorless perfume in a clear bottle. A dab eliminates all body odor.
※Fun! Fresh! Thrilling!
●Purification Incense: Mint Choco (E-grade)
↳A special cigarette with fragrant aroma and flavor. Beneficial substances cleanse the body. Discontinued due to divisive taste; very hard to find.
※The best way to look cool without harming your health.
●Price of Restraint (SSS-grade)
↳A small amethyst you can hold in one hand. Impose a restraint and pay the corresponding price. Accept, and you can impose another. Reject once, and you're permanently barred from its effects.
※Renounce to grow stronger—but excessive greed leads to self-sabotage.
●Penis Band (D-grade)
↳A strap-on for women. The shaft shares sensation with the wearer's clit, letting her feel like a man. Overuse causes addiction.
※Abuse may instill perverse desires.
●Bulke's Maxim (A-grade)
↳A scroll enchanted by Bulke Merchant Group. Contracts written on it are unbreakable. No unfair terms; both parties must understand and consent fully. Successful contract costs 10,000 credits in fees.
※An item that manifests trust itself.
←Item→
[You have obtained an SSS-grade item for the first time. From now on, you can purchase C-grade or lower items from your inventory.]
My jaw dropped. An SSS-grade item from a coupon? What the fuck? Shock froze my brain.
Whoa. Insane. SSS-grade? For real?
E-grade to SSS-grade—pure random. SSS has to be the pinnacle; no higher rank imaginable. My Power of Sex ability is SSS. Elemental Mastery too. Now an SSS item.
I inspected them closer.
Price of Restraint, huh...
←Item→
●Price of Restraint (SSS-grade)
↳A small amethyst you can hold in one hand. Impose a restraint and pay the corresponding price. Accept the deal, and you can make another. Reject once, and you're permanently barred from its effects.
※Renounce to grow stronger—but excessive greed leads to self-sabotage.
←Item→
This SSS item was weird. Gain power by accepting curses? Straight-up devil's bargain. Makes sense for SSS—devils in stories never do small deals.
But everyone who deals with devils gets fucked in the end...
I pulled it from inventory. A purple amethyst, palm-sized. Looked cheap, like a toy—not priceless.
But it's SSS-grade, more valuable than anything I own. I gulped and activated it.
=====
Will you strengthen your power in exchange for a restraint?
※Warning: Rejecting a restraint permanently bars you from this item's effects.
=====
No clue what restraint it'd offer. But using it now or later? Same difference. I went for it.
=====
Please select a restraint.
1. Abstinence Restraint
No sex for life.
●Price: +300 Strength and Agility.
2. Perverted Lust Restraint
Sex with a man once per day.
●Price: All stats double. Stat gain +100%. Stat caps removed.
3. Celibacy Restraint
No ejaculation for life.
●Price: 100 million credits. Credit gain +100%.
=====
"Fuck! What kind of bullshit item is this?!"
I rejected instantly.
=====
Restraint rejected. Item unusable.
=====
The text vanished. Absolutely ridiculous conditions.
"Fuck... real devil deal."
The power it offered was immense—explains the SSS rank. Instant +300 stats, double everything, or 100 million credits. And accepting one lets you do another.
If it went to someone without regrets, shit would hit the fan.
I didn't use it, but it'll come in handy. Try it on Luna? Nah, she'd get equally brutal terms. "Forget revenge" or some shit.
Whatever. Stash it for later.
Real-world duties done—time for another world. Solary World this time.