Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Demonic Hand of the Mist Forest (5)
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Well...
I've been given five minutes—a very small and precious amount of time.
Within that, I need to figure out a way to defuse this situation without fighting that crazy munchkin girl.
The first method that came to mind was to postpone the fight.
Like, "Not today—let's grab a big one later and duke it out then."
But...
'Nah, forget it.'
Seeing Wol Ha-yeon's face, burning with moonlight aura and wearing that world-chilling smile, the moment I said something like that out loud...
My neck would snap, and I'd probably lose around 5,000 SP in a bye-bye wave. The odds were sky-high.
So, the second option worth trying: squeeze out every last bit of strength for real.
Fight her, then surrender right before elimination and beg for mercy.
Like, "I lost, but please don't disqualify me."
"..."
I slightly lifted my head to glance at Wol Ha-yeon's face once more.
She tilted her head a bit, as if asking if I had something to say.
'This won't work either, huh?'
She's the type who subtly values principles and rules, so the instant I lost, she'd likely disqualify me without any mercy. High chance.
What should I do?
How can I smoothly get past this situation naturally?
That was when I plunged back into deep contemplation.
"Hmm... I've been wondering this for a while, but why are you avoiding a serious fight with me? It feels off to chalk it up just to grades."
Wol Ha-yeon, perhaps sensing my troubled expression, cautiously posed the question.
"Honestly, from your usual vibe, getting stronger seems like the only thing that matters to you. So why refuse a real fight with me? There's no reason for you to turn it down."
"..."
Well... from Wol Ha-yeon's perspective, it was natural to think that way.
She doesn't know about the system, quests, or the SP Shop.
It was only natural for her to find it weird that I, who trains from early morning every day to get stronger, would refuse sparring with her—the best way to do it.
So, after a brief silence, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Well... yeah, grades do matter. Getting stronger is important, but I need money too."
"...Money?"
"Yeah, money. Cash! Good grades mean scholarships and stipends from the academy for maintaining dignity and all that."
"Hmm... I see."
Wol Ha-yeon bit her lip slightly, lost in thought after hearing my explanation.
And after about 30 seconds? Once she'd sorted her thoughts, she raised her sword again and spoke.
"Alright, I still don't fully get it, but okay. Instead of fighting, I'll let you live."
"...For real?"
"Yeah. Thinking about it, my goal is to see your true self, not to knock you out or sabotage you."
"......"
I was speechless.
I hadn't even tried to persuade her, but she'd been convinced anyway.
Of course, it wasn't a bad thing at all.
In fact, securing my SP safely meant I could improve my skills and get the reward too—a win-win.
"...Thanks for understanding. Let's get started then."
I expressed my gratitude, then immediately drew Silver Moon from my waist.
Watching me, Wol Ha-yeon lifted the corner of her mouth slightly and asked,
"Looks like you're using the sword I gave you well? Like it?"
"Of course it's amazing. It's a C+ grade item, after all."
"Glad you're putting it to good use."
She raised her twin moon swords and took her stance.
I maxed out my Star Mana and wrapped it around my blade.
"......"
"......"
The forest's wind, the monsters' cries—everything fell silent. Only Wol Ha-yeon's sword aura filled the space with a chilling, eerie hum.
"...Ready?"
"Obviously."
The moment words ended, Wol Ha-yeon moved first.
She closed the distance at afterimage speed, crossing her twin moon swords left and right.
A speed too fast to track with the eyes.
I reflexively raised my sword to deflect the right slash, then rolled to dodge the left downward strike.
Kwaaaang—!
The ground split from a simple overhead slash, forming a small crater.
The destructive power from the first blow sent chills down my spine.
'This munchkin girl's power balance is insane.'
A ridiculous attack force drew a hollow laugh from me.
But I couldn't back down.
I gathered Star Mana until my heart throbbed, formed something aura-like as best I could, and charged, swinging my sword.
My blade arced toward Wol Ha-yeon's neck in a crescent.
She spun her body as if expecting it, effortlessly flicking my attack away with her sword flat.
And immediately, the counterattack followed.
Moonlight aura swirled, dozens of sword ki surging to shred my body.
Tang, tang, tang, kwang—!
I managed to block some, fortunately... but couldn't fend off all. Blood gushed from my right shoulder and left thigh.
"Kuh..."
"Impressive eyes. Even without awakening aura, that unique mana blocking my sword ki is excellent."
Wol Ha-yeon gave a brief assessment of my skills.
Propping myself up with my sword, I cried out in plea.
"No need for praise... Could you go a bit easier? You wanted to see my sincerity—you don't have to go all out..."
"Nah."
"... "
She smiled and dove in again.
Judging I couldn't keep taking her frontal assaults, I compressed Star Mana into my blade as much as possible.
And swung with all my might.
Wol Ha-yeon noticed my all-out strike and met it head-on, gathering her twin moon swords.
Kwaaaang—!!
With the explosion, starlight shards scattered everywhere.
I instantly closed in for a follow-up, aiming for an opening with Flowing Sword Form 7 at max speed.
Wol Ha-yeon's expression finally turned a touch serious.
"Ooh—nice. This is it. Until this morning, you pretended you couldn't even do Form 5 properly, let alone 7... Hyun-sol, you've got a sneaky cute side."
"Thanks for the compliment!!"
Thus, my Star Mana and her moonlight aura clashed in midair once more.
Kagagak—!!
For the first 10 seconds, the power struggle seemed even.
But as time passed, I started getting pushed back bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Wol Ha-yeon? Stamina, speed, power, reaction time... everything was dozens of levels above mine.
'Damn... this is why I didn't wanna fight.'
I gritted my teeth and pushed forward another step with sheer grit.
With resolve for the final blow, I explosively surged Star Mana and prepared my all-in strike.
"Argh, screw it!! I'll land one on you and get eliminated!!"
"Yes!! That's the spirit!!!"
We simultaneously leaped back, took stances, and unleashed our strikes at each other.
Kwaaaaang—!!
And the result was, predictably, my defeat.
"Gah!! Kuh."
Shock overwhelmed my body.
Even with protective gear reducing pain by 99%, the agony left me unable to twitch a finger.
Ears ringing, vision shaking.
"..."
Wol Ha-yeon approached my fallen form, looking down quietly.
"As expected... you're full of surprises."
She sheathed her twin moon swords, smiled, and sprinkled red liquid over my body.
"Grrrr..."
"Top-grade recovery potion. You'll heal soon—just hang in there."
"What...? Top... grade?"
Insane... that stuff costs over 200 million each...
I blacked out right then.
How much time passed?
When I barely regained consciousness, the first thing pressing my head from behind was something softer and warmer than anything in the world.
'No... fuck, don't tell me this feeling is...?'
An all-too-familiar sensation.
Sensing something seriously wrong, I very slowly turned my head to look up.
And the first thing entering my eyes was a notably large... object.
"Whoa... am I still dreaming?"
Faced with an unbelievable reality, I hoped this shocking scene was a dream and tried to close my eyes again.
But Wol Ha-yeon, noticing I was awake, peeked her head in and asked,
"Sleep well? I thought potions worked great on you, but apparently not? Even with top-grade, it took over three minutes to recover."
"...Thanks for the healing, but... can I ask one thing?"
"Sure."
"... "
I hesitated, wondering if I should really ask, but curiosity won out after a short internal debate. I opened my mouth.
"If I'm not dreaming, it feels like my head's on your thigh... right?"
"Yeah, it is. Why? Problem?"
"...Isn't the problem massive? Why'd you lay my head on your thigh?"
"Well... the ground's hard...?"
Ah, of course.
Right, hard ground's uncomfortable for rest, so something soft and fluffy for the head.
That way sleep comes easy and recovery's better... no, wait.
'Ah, this damn Oath of Indulgence.'
I'd thought Wol Ha-yeon showed no signs for over a month, true to her hellish difficulty heroine status...
But she hits me with a backstab like this? You rascal?
Never imagined I'd get a thigh pillow from her of all people.
Anyway, figuring staying laid out was risky, I reached to push off the ground.
The thigh's touch remained plush, and glancing up, Wol Ha-yeon's expression was utterly unchanged from usual.
"Thanks to you, I'm fully recovered. But I need to get up."
I muttered as naturally as possible.
Pushing harder with my arms, my waist throbbed.
I faltered a bit, and seeing that, Wol Ha-yeon pressed my forehead lightly, laying me back down.
"Seems you're not fully recovered yet. Rest more—I'm fine."
"No, I'm not fine, so could you move your hand?"
This felt way more dangerous than with Yoo Ji-an. No comparison.
If I don't get up quick, something's gonna happen.
"Ego bruised from lying on a girl's thigh?"
Wol Ha-yeon furrowed her brow slightly, looking down at me.
"Recovery over pride, no?"
"Spot-on, but... it's not about pride at all?"
"Then just lie there quietly."
"... "
She clearly planned to hold me until confirming full recovery.
So, I reluctantly closed my eyes again.
"...Alright, guess I'll impose a bit longer."
My voice grew smaller.
With stamina bottomed out anyway, no strength to resist.
Just as I decided to let go and enjoy the bliss, footsteps echoed from afar.
Steady, approaching footfalls.
I laboriously turned my head.
The sound drew nearer, and soon, a figure emerged through the mist.
"Oh? What situation is this...?"
It was Amelia.
'...Welp, we're screwed.'