Dragon Bone Weapon (3)

“Ah, don’t get the wrong idea. I set up that strategy entirely for your sake.”

Heo Seongyun continued with those words.

It hadn’t been long since Jehyun had reached the 7th Circle, so he probably lacked experience. That meant there was a high chance he’d make mistakes, or so he claimed. And then came the truly excessive addition.

“You put on a fantastic show against Kang Sihu… but that could end up being poison for this exam. Because you’re likely to become the primary target in this match.”

Honestly, it wasn’t entirely wrong. His stock had skyrocketed after taking down Kang Sihu. Even putting himself in their shoes, he’d be a tempting prize in this bout.

But it’s nonsense.

No matter how you sliced it, this wasn’t a fight to the death—it was just an event-style match. No one would risk their life targeting him, and getting beaten by a fresh-faced kid like Jehyun would bring nothing but shame. If anything, they’d probably avoid him.

What Heo Seongyun was saying just looked like an attempt to keep him sidelined.

Does he really need to go this far?

“Listen to your elders. There’s nothing bad that comes from heeding their advice.”

Seeing Jehyun fall silent, Heo Seongyun flashed a benevolent smile and urged him to obey.

Tsk. Jehyun clicked his tongue briefly and said he understood for now. There was no point in clashing here—it wouldn’t benefit him immediately. Regardless of skill, Heo Seongyun held the undeniable title of the Magic Tower Master’s second disciple. That position wasn’t something to take lightly. Just look at how he’d rigged the exam groupings to his liking.

Alkasha asked Jehyun, sounding irritated as well.

Jehyun smiled inwardly and replied.

It’s fine. I’ll make my own opportunities anyway.

Fortunately, this exam gave everyone three lives. Even if they took enough damage to be knocked out, each person could revive three times. He figured he could create plenty of chances for his additional mission—achieving a pentakill—on his own.

“Good thinking. You’re a sharp one. I like that. Haha.”

Heo Seongyun patted Jehyun’s shoulder with a laugh. On the surface, it was the picture of a caring senior looking out for his junior, but Jehyun, who saw through the ulterior motives, could only scoff internally.

I didn’t know the second disciple was like this… Surely the first isn’t the same?

Suddenly, Jehyun recalled what the fifth disciple, Song Jiseok, had said. To watch out for the third disciple, Ryu Seokhui. She was obsessed with the Tower Master’s position and would block anyone who got in her way. To Jehyun, she and Heo Seongyun seemed cut from the same cloth.

What’s so great about the Tower Master’s seat anyway?

Jehyun clicked his tongue again at Heo Seongyun, who was grinning at him.

* * *

“Everyone, thank you for waiting! For the first time, we’ve got an exciting match in the 7th-floor Ascension Tower exam. Now, please look at the scoreboard. It’ll show the rules for today’s match and a brief intro on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the players.”

As the hosting mage spoke, the rules for the exam appeared on the electronic board. At the same time, the rosters for the Blue Team and Red Team popped up.

Ho, even the Golem Faction leader’s here.

Choi Deokhwan. He was participating in this Ascension Tower exam too. Alongside Heo Seongyun and Jo Yeonho, that made three 7th Circle mages Jehyun already knew of.

When he’d run into Jo Yeonho in the player waiting room, the boy had been thrilled to see him—still grateful for saving his father, Jo Yeonho? No, Jo Inhu.

“If we just watch out for Choi Deokhwan, this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠should be easier than we thought.”

Kwon Oseong smiled as he looked over the team roster. The overall power balance clearly favored Jehyun’s side. With top-tier 7th Circle mages like Heo Seongyun and Jo Yeonho on the same team, their advantage was obvious.

“…That was a bit long-winded, but thank you all for waiting. Without further ado, let the grand 7th-floor Ascension Tower exam match begin!”

With the host’s announcement, the match kicked off.

“Alright, as we discussed, Jehyun and Oseong will handle defensive support. Just patrol between the towers under attack and focus on defense—no need to overextend.”

The Blue Team’s strategy was straightforward. Kim Jehyun and Kwon Oseong would roam between top, mid, and bot towers to keep them standing. Meanwhile, Seol Seungheon would support the heavy hitters, Heo Seongyun and Jo Yeonho. In other words, those three formed the attack group to push and destroy the enemy towers first.

“Guard the towers well. Oh, and… doesn’t it pump you up more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with our junior watching?”

Heo Seongyun joked lightly before heading to the enemy mid with Jo Yeonho and Seol Seungheon.

“Just the two of us now. Seeing you in person like this, Jehyun… I’m really glad. Wow, you’re seriously young. You turned twenty this year, right?”

The remaining Kwon Oseong grinned warmly at Jehyun. He had a friendly vibe.

“Oh! About that time you went missing… Would it be rude to ask?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Haha. Mind sharing a bit? There were so many rumors and speculations—I’m dying to know what really happened.”

With no immediate enemy movements, the two chatted idly while holding the defensive line. Jehyun gave a lightly edited version of his story.

“Oh, so back then, you…”

Just as Kwon Oseong was about to probe further, the team communicator flared with light.

Kwon Oseong’s face hardened at the urgent call from Heo Seongyun. The exact situation was unclear, but the attack group was clearly in trouble.

“Damn! I’ll head over quick. Hold the line!”

Kwon Oseong bolted off in a hurry.

* * *

“Ah, Blue Team’s attack group is in deep trouble. They’re completely surrounded by the Red Team.”

“Exactly. It was an obvious bait tactic, but they fell for it too easily.”

“If their main three lose a life right away, it’ll be a huge blow.”

“Yeah, a painful blunder. Contrary to expectations, Blue Team’s starting off on the back foot. They got complacent relying on their superior firepower.”

The commentators’ words drew gasps from the spectators.

The community vented frustration at Blue Team’s predicament. Sending a mere three-man attack group into an obvious trap was reckless enough, and now Kwon Oseong rushing to help looked like throwing away another life.

“Ah… Mage Kwon Oseong, you’re not seriously heading there, are you?”

“Right? If those four wipe, Jehyun’s stuck solo-defending until they respawn. No way he holds all the towers alone!”

“And right on cue—Seol Seungheon’s out! He held off five longer than expected, but that’s the limit. Heo Seongyun and Jo Yeonho are battered, while Red Team’s all intact!”

The momentum swung hard toward Red Team. With Seol Seungheon eliminated, Blue was down to just Heo Seongyun and Jo Yeonho.

Damn it.

Heo Seongyun’s once-relaxed expression turned rigid. He’d never imagined getting cornered this fast. Truth be told, he’d been overconfident—thinking three of them could handle Red’s five.

But what’s with that golem?

Choi Deokhwan’s summoned golem, resembling an ogre, boasted destruction beyond imagination. For a golem, it outputted 7th-grade power or higher. It was like facing an extra 7th Circle mage. Even then, they might’ve managed—but Red had another wildcard: Han Yura.

She was a fresh 7th Circle, yet fought like a veteran.

I knew she had a natural talent for combat spells even before ascending… but this level?

It was absurd. She could even match him one-on-one. With the strongest among them struggling to suppress her, three against five was impossible.

We underestimated them.

Heo Seongyun gritted his teeth.

“Shouldn’t we not have called Kwon Oseong?”

Jo Yeonho’s words came from beside him. Logically, yes. But… if by some chance Kim Jehyun and Kwon Oseong held off these five? That was the scenario he dreaded most.

“No. Let’s hold until Kwon arrives… If we wipe, sacrifice one tower and regroup.”

“…Got it.”

Jo Yeonho started to say more but stopped. Heo Seongyun sensed it but ignored him.

We’ll prepare properly next turn.

Red was stronger than expected, but without complacency, he could win. Three lives were a godsend—another chance to strike.

“For now… take at least one down with us.”

Heo Seongyun’s eyes flashed. Channeling mana, he vowed revenge next turn.

But he didn’t know yet. There’d be no next turn for him.

* * *

Messages rang out across the battlefield in quick succession. Excluding Jehyun, all four Blue Team members were out. Red Team, meanwhile, hadn’t lost a single player. Now Jehyun had to solo-defend until his teammates revived.

Everyone expected the unthinkable: Jehyun not only abandoning mid tower but diving solo into Red’s heart.

“What? What’s he doing?!”

“He’s insane!”

Panicked voices echoed from Blue’s respawn area, while Red Team reeled in shock at the incoming Jehyun. The crowd was stunned speechless.

In that chaos, only Jehyun smiled calmly.

Everyone thought he was alone.

But he wasn’t.

“Rise. Dragon Bone Weapon.”

With those words, a brilliant white light erupted before him.