Grabbing the Tail (4)
‘Is that even possible?’
Kim Manseok gaped at the flaming sword plummeting toward him. Until moments ago, everything Kim Jehyun had done seemed like mere parlor tricks, but now he realized this blazing blade could actually harm him.
‘Dodge first… no.’
Kim Manseok's eyes widened further. No matter how he sliced it, dodging a spell cast by a 4th Circle mage? His pride wouldn't allow it. Instead of evading, he decided to counter head-on.
Vwooom.
Kim Manseok's clothes billowed as a visible purple aura erupted from him. The violet energy flowed out like thin threads, coiling around Jehyun's Blazing Sword.
Grrrrrr.
A massive shockwave ripped through the air. The purple aura had successfully restrained the Blazing Sword.
‘…!’
But Kim Manseok's face twisted in shock. His ability crushed mana itself—one of the pinnacle powers among superhuman gifts. It was a perfect counter to mages, allowing him to effortlessly defeat even those of higher circles.
‘Why…!’
Why wasn't it working? His ability tried to shatter the mana structure of the Blazing Sword, but Jehyun's horn gleamed, and the blade held its form.
‘That horn…!’
He understood now. It was Jehyun's bizarre ability blocking his own.
Jehyun, for his part, was equally surprised.
[Alkasha absorbs a small amount of Overmind's power.]
[Overmind comprehension increases.]
[Dragon Horn blocks Overmind's interference.]
With the alerts floating before his eyes, Jehyun realized his Dragon Horn was partially deflecting the purple aura Kim Manseok wielded.
The moment both grasped this truth, the fragile balance of power tipped decisively.
Kaboom!
The Blazing Sword slammed into the ground where Kim Manseok had stood, unleashing a storm of flames.
‘He dodged.’
Jehyun sensed Kim Manseok releasing his power and fleeing the spot. The explosion's aftermath obscured his vision, but that was no issue for him.
Zing.
Activating Dragon Eye, he traced Kim Manseok's trail and quickly locked on.
‘To the side!’
Jehyun spun, casting a shield just as a Flame Cannon hurtled from the flank. It collided with his barrier.
Kabang!
A deafening roar followed.
‘Tch.’
Jehyun's insides churned. A 6th Circle spell, Flame Cannon—its destructive force was immense, far beyond what any typical 4th Circle could withstand. Yet Jehyun blocked it more easily than expected, frustrating Kim Manseok anew.
“You blocked that?”
Kim Manseok's eyes betrayed utter disbelief. A 4th Circle shrugging off 6th Circle magic? Unbelievable, even with his own eyes.
“Hoo.”
Jehyun exhaled the breath he'd held. The real reason he took minimal damage was his last-second adjustment to the shield's structure, dispersing the explosion evenly. Thanks to Dragon Eye, he'd read the incoming Flame Cannon's mana structure. Plus, his fire resistance far exceeded Kim Manseok's expectations—perhaps even enough to tank sub-4th Circle flames barehanded.
“I was going to make you suffer slowly, but that won't work.”
Killing intent deepened in Kim Manseok's eyes. Jehyun's resistance was fiercer than anticipated; that massive flaming sword had even felt threatening. Unable to subdue him quickly, and with time slipping away, he resolved to end it fast.
‘Finish him swiftly.’
With renewed determination, his assaults grew ferocious. Previously, he'd held back to prolong the agony; now, he unleashed without restraint, heedless of Jehyun's survival.
Bang. Kaboom! Kwarung!
When a 6th Circle mage went all-out, the area turned to rubble in seconds. Overwhelming firepower. Jehyun dodged and defended adeptly, but it was his limit—purely reactive now.
Despite his meteoric growth, the gap to 6th Circle remained. Circles grew exponentially harder post-4th, widening the chasm. For Jehyun, freshly at Mana Core Stage 4, holding out this long was already absurd.
‘Tch.’
Jehyun gritted his teeth as a Flame Cannon grazed his skin. His movements grew frantic. Direct confrontation with a 6th Circle was still beyond him.
But his eyes burned with unyielding resolve. He sought one opening to turn the tide, focusing his mind to its peak.
Thoom.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy. Immense mana descended, oppressive beyond reason—breathing felt laborious under its weight.
“……!”
Jehyun and Kim Manseok halted, staring skyward. A man in pristine white robes stood mid-air, treading the void.
“Matapju…!”
Kim Manseok paled, screaming in horror. The worst possible foe had arrived.
“A rat here too, huh.”
Matapju Choi Hanseom raised his hand. Light particles gathered.
‘Light Hammer.’
A colossal hammer of light materialized, crashing toward Kim Manseok.
Kwooom.
Blinding radiance flooded the world. Jehyun shuddered at the awe-inspiring sight.
‘He’s seized total control of this space’s mana.’
All visible mana bowed to Choi Hanseom's dominion. Overwhelming power swirled—no one could withstand it.
“Hm? Interesting ability.”
Matapju smirked at Kim Manseok's former position, amused.
“Guh, grrr.”
Kim Manseok groaned. Astonishingly, he seemed largely unscathed. Violet aura enveloped him.
‘That aura crushed even Matapju’s mana.’
Jehyun's eyes narrowed. It hadn't shattered his own mana earlier, but now he saw how outrageous it was.
“Try blocking this too.”
Light particles gathered in Matapju's hand again. Kim Manseok frantically reached into his robes.
At that instant, Jehyun charged at him. Matapju's eyes sparkled with intrigue, grasping Jehyun's intent. The amassed mana shrank to spare Jehyun.
Flash!
Matapju's strike cleaved the sky once more. Violet aura blocked it as Kim Manseok tore a golden scroll from his robes. In that moment, Jehyun's freshly conjured Spirit Magic: Blazing Sword (A) slashed diagonally across Kim Manseok's body.
“Gaaargh!”
A horrific scream echoed as Kim Manseok vanished, wrapped in golden light. A legendary teleport scroll—worth its weight in gold.
‘I felt it connect.’
The strike landed before the scroll fully activated. A pity he hadn't caught him completely.
Still, Matapju reading his play had made it possible. Relying solely on Matapju's attack might have let Kim Manseok escape unscathed with his violet ability buying that split-second.
—Huh, you predicted all that?
‘Yeah, Matapju must've read it and adjusted for me.’
In that fleeting exchange, Jehyun had grown enough to foresee such flows. Alkasha marveled at his words.
Jehyun wasn't just stronger physically—his battle sense had sharpened too.
Thud.
Matapju descended before him. Jehyun bowed politely.
“Mana Tower Apprentice Kim Jehyun greets the Matapju.”
“First time seeing your face in person. I am Matapju Choi Hanseom.”
Matapju Choi Hanseom smiled warmly, extending a hand toward Jehyun.
* * *
A desolate place devoid of human presence. In the dark forest depths, a cluster of light spat out a figure.
“Guh, guhuk.”
The man from the glow vomited blood, gasping. Covered head to toe in gore—it was Kim Manseok.
“Hahk, hahk.”
He glanced at his right shoulder. A massive gash ran diagonally from his collarbone.
“Hea, heal.”
He tried a healing spell, but the magic circle flickered and vanished in mid-air. Even basic healing was beyond him now.
At this rate, death loomed.
Then—
Step, step.
Footsteps approached from the woods. Through blurring vision, Kim Manseok recognized the intruder.
“O, Oh Kyungjun.”
The man halted at his words.
“Pathetic. Never thought I'd see the great Kim Manseok like this.”
“Tch, an… unexpected monster… appeared. Heal me… first.”
Kim Manseok pleaded desperately.
“Heal you? Ah, right. Healing's priority now.”
“Yes, hurry… Guh, gaaargh!”
Mid-plea, he shrieked as Oh Kyungjun jabbed a finger into his wound.
“Wha… guhk. Cough. Hack. What the hell are you doing?!”
Kim Manseok's eyes bulged, veins bursting with rage, turning bloodshot. He roared.
“You bastard! After all this, you…!”
“Spare me the clichéd lines. You know my ability, player to player.”
“No way… you…!”
“I've been waiting for this day. Your power's always tempted me.”
“You son of a—Gaaak!”
Oh Kyungjun ignored him, unfurling a violet barrier. It engulfed Kim Manseok whole.
Crunch. Grind. Cr-r-runch!
The silent forest filled with the chilling sounds of flesh and bone being devoured.
* * *
“What a shame.”
Jehyun said awkwardly. If only he'd been a bit faster… He could've cleaved him before the scroll activated.
He still had far to go. He needed to grow even stronger.
Matapju chuckled at his expression.
“Haha, no. You did splendidly. My mistake was underestimating his ability.”
Choi Hanseom meant it sincerely. He'd known about their group somewhat, but not this mana-crushing power.
Next time, he'd counter it—stronger mana bonds to maintain spells. An 8th Circle master, he'd devised a solution mid-battle.
“Anyway, you performed admirably, so don't worry. And as you felt, your strike landed deep. He likely won't survive.”
Jehyun nodded. The tactile feedback was real.
“More importantly… you're a real monster, aren't you?”
Matapju eyed him appraisingly. At the pinnacle of human achievement, he'd instantly recognized Jehyun's absurd potential.
“This won't do.”
He rummaged in his robes, producing a seal etched with a golden dove, and offered it to Jehyun.
“This is….”
Jehyun's eyes widened in shock.