Chapter 487: Special Lesson
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 487: Special Lesson
As Kiriel began to use her demonic energy in earnest, Yoo Ah-rin soon came to a realization.
Clang, claaang, ca-clang!!!
“Khk?!”
“What’s wrong? You should be fighting back like before!”
Until now, Kiriel had never once used her full power.
Despite Kiriel’s blatant provocation, Yoo Ah-rin was struggling just to parry her attacks.
As if coating a blade in Sword Qi, Kiriel imbued the tip of her spear with demonic energy, and the weight of each strike became incomparably heavier than before.
Every time she deflected or blocked the spearhead, she was helplessly pushed back.
Chaeeng-!!
“Ugh?!”
I can’t let this continue…!
If she was pushed all the way to the wall, Kiriel would use the long reach of her spear to launch a one-sided assault. It was obvious she would be defeated without even a chance to properly counterattack.
Like prey trapped in a hunter’s cage.
“Your shoulder is open!”
“?!!”
Screeeech!!!
The murderous spearhead flew toward Yoo Ah-rin’s shoulder.
She barely managed to raise her sword and block the attack.
As sparks flew in all directions, Yoo Ah-rin’s eyes trembled faintly.
If Kiriel hadn’t announced her attack, the spear would have pierced straight through her shoulder.
‘…Don’t get impatient. Stay calm and always assess the situation coolly. It’s not over until your heart stops or your head is severed.’
It was something Kang Hyun-woo said as if it were a mantra.
Although they weren't officially master and disciple, Yoo Ah-rin had never once taken his advice lightly.
“Hoo, hoo, hoo…”
Clang, chaeeng, clang!!!
Yoo Ah-rin’s breaths became short and rapid.
At the same time, she circulated her internal energy, stimulating her heart to accelerate her blood flow. It was a technique Kang Hyun-woo had repeatedly warned her not to use unless it was a dire emergency.
One wrong move, and her heart could explode.
But for the current Yoo Ah-rin, that wasn't even a concern.
‘…Closing the distance, one step at a time.’
As her body temperature rose sharply, her muscles screamed, beginning to generate an overwhelming output of power.
A flicker of bewilderment crossed Kiriel’s eyes as she witnessed Yoo Ah-rin’s gradual transformation.
Ting—
「Trait, Swordsmanship (D) → Swordsmanship (D+) has evolved.」
「Trait, Close Combat (E+) → Close Combat (D-) has evolved.」
“Y-You little—!! Stop blocking!”
Kiriel, annoyed, spun her spear to push Yoo Ah-rin’s sword away, then pulled the spearhead inward to press down on her.
It was a move meant to break her opponent’s stance, but Yoo Ah-rin countered by kicking off the ground and launching herself forward.
Kiriel’s attacks were undoubtedly fierce and fast, almost too much to follow with the naked eye.
However.
‘It’s not as fast or as threatening as the Clan Leader’s sword.’
Though it had been a short time, the experience she had gained from sparring with Kang Hyun-woo every dawn, shedding blood and sweat, did not betray her.
Just moments ago, she had been helplessly cornered, but now, Yoo Ah-rin was starting to dictate the flow of the battle.
The moment Kiriel, flustered by the unexpected turn of events, recklessly thrust her spear—
Slice—!!
“Kya?!”
Seizing the opening, Yoo Ah-rin’s sword grazed Kiriel’s arm.
It wasn’t a deep wound, but upon seeing her own blood, Kiriel’s face twisted viciously.
Ruuuumble—!!!
“I’m going to fucking kill you!!”
As her emotions flared, the demonic energy surrounding Kiriel erupted, filling the entire corridor.
Boom!!
Kiriel kicked off the ground and charged at Yoo Ah-rin.
One might have flinched at such an explosive charge, but Yoo Ah-rin calmly assessed the situation, her eyes locked on the tip of Kiriel’s spear until the very end.
And the moment Yoo Ah-rin’s eyes glinted—
“Hup!!!”
Clang!!!
Drawing on her internal energy with enough force to wring out her very core, Yoo Ah-rin’s sword successfully deflected Kiriel’s spearhead.
“?!!”
For an instant, Kiriel’s stance crumbled, creating a small opening.
Yoo Ah-rin did not miss it.
Wooooong—!!!
Internal energy surged through her meridians and focused into her sword, finally forming a distinct Sword Qi.
Ting—
「Exclusive Trait, Thirteen Swords of the Azure Dragon (C-) → Thirteen Swords of the Azure Dragon (C) has evolved.」
Thirteen Swords of the Azure Dragon · Leaping Through the Sky.
The tip of her sword flew through the air, then descended like a meteor, aiming to slice Kiriel in half from the shoulder down.
But Kiriel wasn't one to go down so easily.
Creeeak—!!!
The muscles in Kiriel’s right arm, which gripped the spear shaft, swelled grotesquely. With an unnatural movement, she corrected her stance and immediately swung the spear.
It was a level of physical control that was hard to believe even seeing it with one’s own eyes.
But Yoo Ah-rin didn’t panic. She focused all her attention on executing her technique.
Immediately after, the blue Sword Qi and the deep violet demonic energy collided.
Krakoooom—!!!!!!
The clash of the two opposing energies created a massive explosion, and the repulsive force sent Yoo Ah-rin flying backward.
It was proof that she had lost the contest of strength.
The numerous cuts, large and small, that now covered her body supported this fact.
But even so, Yoo Ah-rin did not despair.
‘It’s not over yet!’
Yoo Ah-rin gritted her teeth.
Her opponent was in no better condition after that clash.
It was too early to give up.
Gripping her sword hilt tightly, Yoo Ah-rin swung at Kiriel, whose stance had been broken, her upper body lurching forward.
Whoosh—!
But Kiriel dodged the attack by throwing her body forward.
She immediately slammed the tip of her spear into the ground and, as if performing a pole dance, rotated her body around it.
Thwack!!
“—?!!!”
A kick followed in an instant, striking Yoo Ah-rin squarely in the solar plexus.
Kooong—!!
Struck in a vital spot, she couldn’t even scream as she was sent flying backward through the air, crashing violently against the wall.
Thud.
Kiriel landed gracefully, calmly catching her breath. With a cold, sunken expression, she stared through the dust.
At the end of her gaze, a blood-soaked Yoo Ah-rin lay collapsed on the floor.
“Cough… Gack, keoheok…!”
The impact that shot through her back made it impossible for Yoo Ah-rin to even breathe properly.
Even so, she reflexively tried to reach for her sword.
But her blade had already been flung far away, lying on the cold, hard floor.
Click, clack—
“You know what?”
Yoo Ah-rin narrowed her eyes at the sight of Kiriel approaching with a leisurely expression.
“I never imagined I’d get injured by a Player who isn’t even a Paladin.”
“…Keuh.”
Yoo Ah-rin swallowed the blood that rose in her throat.
But despite her efforts, it was clear at a glance that her condition was critical.
Lethal demonic energy was eating away at her from the inside.
“Like I said before, I truly regret this. I thought we could have been friends.”
“Cut… the bullshit…”
“Haha? I’m always sincere. I’m not like other humans who lie at the drop of a hat.”
She was smiling, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all.
Her gaze, as if reminiscing about the past, was filled with a venomous killing intent.
“I’d love to take you with me, but… the situation doesn’t allow for it.”
As if to prove this wasn’t a lie either, the corners of Kiriel’s mouth drooped.
“Instead, I’ll keep watching over you so you won’t be lonely. I’ll remember the moment you die. And I’ll cherish it forever.”
Kiriel raised her spear, a crazed smile on her face.
Yoo Ah-rin stared at the spearhead, her face pale.
Thinking back, Kiriel hadn't used her full strength, even at the very end.
A warrior of her caliber would surely have a powerful trait or skill, yet she had never used one.
Creeak…!!
Yoo Ah-rin clenched her fist with all her remaining strength.
Her nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t stop.
Anger and regret over her own powerlessness washed over her like a tidal wave.
“Don’t make that face. I’ll take your corpse and preserve it for you. You’ll have plenty of your friends with you, so you won’t be lonely.”
“Haa, haa…”
“Any last words?”
Yoo Ah-rin remained silent.
She had never once thought about what her last words would be.
“Hmm… you’re a strange one. Most people either beg for their lives or scream about getting revenge.”
Shing—
Kiriel aimed the spear at the space between Yoo Ah-rin’s eyebrows, her expression cold as she continued.
“Well then, farewell.”
There was no more conversation.
The moment the spearhead cut through the air, flying toward Yoo Ah-rin—
Time around her seemed to slow, and memories she had no desire to recall flashed through her mind like a panorama.
It was what people called life flashing before one’s eyes.
‘…Am I supposed to die filled with regret?’
She had no memories that could be called happy, not even by a stretch.
The memories of her past life, filled only with blood, sweat, and tears, were just an annoyance to her, even in her final moments.
But as the flashback was about to end, a familiar scene passed before her eyes.
The short but intense weeks she had spent in the Tower.
It started with being suddenly dragged into the Tower for no reason, then accepting the Clan Leader’s scouting offer and joining the clan. She was led around Arcana by Serin, and she listened to the complaints of Ryungi, who had joined later.
And together, they passed the trial and ascended the Tower.
The scenery of the Tower came as a fresh shock to Yoo Ah-rin.
Before coming here, her world had consisted of nothing but an empty house and a training ground.
Having dropped out of middle school, she had no such thing as the memories of school days that others talked about.
Some called the Tower a living hell.
A world for the Constellations who reigned high in the sky, a place where the value of human existence was consumed as entertainment.
But to Yoo Ah-rin, Earth was the real hell.
And the days she had spent in the Tower—
‘…were fun.’
Of course, killing people and fighting monsters wasn’t exactly pleasant.
But in exchange, she had met good people.
Kang Hyun… no, Master, was a surprisingly kind person, aside from his extreme fondness for women. Serin was naturally kind and warm-hearted.
Apparently, she was a famous singer on Earth, but Yoo Ah-rin wasn't interested in that sort of thing, so she didn't know much.
Still, when she heard her sing during a drinking session, she vaguely remembered. It was a familiar melody she had often heard on the streets.
‘As for Lucia…’
Honestly, she was so quiet it was impossible to know what she was thinking, but she was a kind person in her own way.
Even though she was clearly annoyed, she would silently join in on her training.
Ryungi, too, had approached her first despite her being a person of few words, often buying her delicious food and taking care of her.
These were warm acts of kindness she hadn't experienced even once since her family had suffered the calamity of annihilation.
It was a shame to die without avenging her family, but she felt a strange sense of relief that she wasn't ending her life clinging only to painful memories.
Most importantly.
‘…Master will get revenge for me.’
Yoo Ah-rin quietly closed her eyes.
And just as Kiriel’s spear was about to pierce her forehead.
—!!!!
A golden silhouette shot through the corridor like a bolt of lightning.
The flash of light crossed dozens of meters in the blink of an eye and slammed the sole of its foot into Kiriel’s side.
BOOM!!!!
“—?!!!!”
Immediately, Kiriel’s body was flung away at an incredible speed, crashing into the stone wall that blocked the passage.
Kooong—!! Kugugung—!!
The entire stone wall crumbled, and Kiriel was buried under the debris.
Thick dust scattered in all directions, and a large rock fell toward Yoo Ah-rin, but—
Tap, tap—
“Ah-rin.”
“…Clan Leader?”
Not a single speck of dust landed on her.
Forcing her eyes open, Yoo Ah-rin saw Kang Hyun-woo looking down at her with relief and thought she was still seeing her life flash before her eyes.
But that was only for a moment—
“Open your mouth.”
“Oop…?”
Gulp, gulp.
As the warm Holy Water flowed down her throat, she finally realized that the scene before her was real.
Only after finishing the entire bottle of Holy Water could Yoo Ah-rin finally catch her breath.
Her broken ribs had been piercing her lungs.
“C-Clan Leader, how did you get here…?”
“Shh, I’ll explain later. For now, don’t say anything and rest.”
Kang Hyun-woo quickly pressed on Yoo Ah-rin’s acupoints.
The pain vanished, and the bleeding stopped.
For Yoo Ah-rin, who had been on the verge of death just moments ago, it felt like magic.
Kwaaaang—!!!
“Aaaaaaaargh!!!!!”
At that moment, Kiriel, who had been buried in the rubble, burst out, her demonic energy exploding.
Her appearance, having fully unleashed her power, was quite different.
Her horns and wings had at least doubled in size, and her aura, now far more menacing, felt like it was stabbing into one’s very lungs.
Faced with Kiriel’s presence, which was incomparably stronger than before, Yoo Ah-rin couldn’t help but flinch.
But Kang Hyun-woo’s expression was astonishingly calm.
“Watch closely.”
He picked up Yoo Ah-rin’s sword from the floor and walked toward Kiriel without hesitation.
“Today’s a special lesson.”
