Chapter 358
Chapter 358
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 358
Chapter Title: Representative Selection Tournament (4)
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The medical team rushed in with a stretcher and examined the collapsed European Union player.
There were no external injuries on his body, but his face was contorted in extreme terror, and his pupils were dilated.
He looked like an empty shell, his soul drained away.
"Snap out of it! Are you okay?!"
Even amid the medical team's frantic shouts, the player didn't stir.
The audience fell deathly silent, frozen in place.
Just moments ago, they had been cheering wildly at Lee Hyuk-soo's overwhelming power and debating gear advantages heatedly. Now, they were speechless before the bizarre scene unfolding right in front of them.
"...W-what the hell? What just happened?"
"Some kind of curse magic?"
"No mana was detected, though?"
"Then why did he collapse out of nowhere? Just a seizure?"
No one could pinpoint the cause.
If it was magic, mana would have been detected.
If it involved gear assistance, it should have been identifiable.
If tools or poison were used, there would have been some telltale signs.
But there was absolutely nothing.
That, in itself, was the greatest terror.
Visible power could inspire awe, but an invisible, inexplicable force bred nothing but fear.
"Maybe it was just a coincidence?"
"Could be a pre-existing condition."
Adora's first victory passed just like that.
But the second and third matches followed the exact same pattern as the first.
"Gahk!"
"I-I'm sorry! Please spare me!"
The second opponent collapsed without even managing a proper scream, rolling his eyes back.
The third begged on his knees in terror before the match even started.
The results were the same.
Combat incapacity.
Adora hadn't so much as lifted a finger.
She had merely stared at her opponents.
Her gaze, like an abyss peering back or shaking the very core of their existence, shattered human minds unable to withstand it.
Now, no one in the arena spoke of "coincidences" or "pre-existing conditions."
The first was a mystery, the second shock, and the third certainty.
"A curse user?"
"Maybe a class related to mind control?"
"Or a level gap too wide?"
"No way. All the representatives here are at least level 70."
Voices rising from various parts of the stands now carried primal fear and even disgust mixed in, replacing awe or curiosity.
Incomprehensible power bred fear, and fear often led to rejection.
The snide "parachute" remarks had vanished.
The announcers in the commentary booth no longer tried to "explain" her matches.
They simply reported the results in silence.
Unknowingly, their voices were laced with deep unease.
Ling Ling felt a chill run down her spine as she watched Adora.
'It's on another level from mind control or illusions. An unclassifiable existence... like death itself come alive and on the move.'
The woman Lee Hyuk-soo had brought was the biggest wildcard in this tournament.
Not visible strength like Yang Cheon-wi or Lee Hyuk-soo, but fear of the unknown incarnate.
Beyond Adora and Lee Hyuk-soo, other standout awakeners were making their mark.
[Korea Representative Team Special Advisory Group - Aurum]
"That team again?"
"This time, the handsome guy."
The crowd's eyes turned once more to the special viewing area.
The overt jeers from before were gone, replaced by an inexplicable tension and wariness.
Aurum shrugged and rose from his seat.
His appearance still transcended human limits, exuding an otherworldly beauty.
He walked toward the arena with light steps.
Aurum's opponent was one of Japan's aces, famed for his blinding speed and erratic swordplay.
Having witnessed Adora's matches, he eyed Aurum warily, face taut with tension.
"Begin!"
At the signal, the Japanese player moved first.
He left dazzling afterimages, slipping into Aurum's blind spot in an instant.
But Aurum, as if mocking the speed, casually twisted his body with a relaxed smile, deflecting the attack effortlessly.
"What...?!"
The Japanese player's eyes widened.
He had aimed for an opening, yet Aurum seemed to have never been there at all, slipping out of his attack range.
That was the beginning.
Aurum dominated the arena like the wind or a shimmering haze.
His movements were so swift and unpredictable that his opponent could only chase afterimages.
Sometimes dozens of clones appeared to bewilder the foe; other times, brilliant orbs of light blinded his vision.
"W-what is this...!"
The opponent swung his sword desperately, but his strikes sliced only empty air.
He gradually seemed lost in the illusions and flashy maneuvers Aurum created, even losing his sense of direction.
And finally.
Aurum snapped his fingers for the first time.
Pang-!
With a light pop, all the illusions and light orbs surrounding the opponent exploded simultaneously.
Not a physical blast.
A mental flash and shockwave that rattled the mind.
"Urk!"
The Japanese player let out a short cry and tumbled to the ground.
In that instant, realization dawned.
"S-spirits!"
All those light orbs were "spirits."
No one recognized Aurum, the Nine-Tailed Fox perfectly disguised as human, as the "Fox Den's Demon King."
The crowd erupted again at Aurum's spirit mastery.
"Th-those... all spirits?!"
Shouts of shock and admiration burst from the stands.
Spirit summoners existed, but most contracted one or two low-grade spirits for support roles.
Yet Aurum commanded dozens—no, seemingly more—like extensions of his own limbs, overwhelming his foe.
Even disguising them cleverly as mere light orbs.
"I've never heard of a spirit summoner at that level... a hidden named one?"
"Or... contracted with a spirit king?"
"That's practically commanding an army!"
The murmurs spread in a different vein from before.
Not the fear from Adora's enigmatic power, but awe at overwhelming talent and rare ability.
Of course, that awe still mingled with suspicion and alienation toward his inhuman looks and powers.
Ling Ling narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Aurum.
'Spirit arts. Top-tier spirit affinity and control. Almost impossible for an awakener to reach that realm now. If the rumors are true about him being Saint Eugene Seo's brother... that sibling pair probably aren't ordinary humans.'
She confirmed once more that every member Lee Hyuk-soo brought defied common sense.
Lee Hyuk-soo's unpredictable strength, Adora's mysterious authority, and now Aurum's dominant spirit arts.
This team was a true "monster squad."
Other named powerhouses took note of Aurum's prowess too.
His flashy moves and versatile spirit use looked extremely tricky to counter.
Following Lee Hyuk-soo and Adora, another figure to watch.
"Wow... incredible! Aurum! With mesmerizing maneuvers and powerful spirit arts impossible to look away from, he's completely subdued his opponent! The special advisory group led by Lee Hyuk-soo player—every single one is displaying superhuman skill beyond imagination!"
Even the host cheered, overwhelmed.
And next up.
[China Federation Representative Team - Ling Ling]
VS
[Korea Representative Team - Han Min-oh]
Ling Ling rose quietly from the China Federation bench.
Unlike Yang Cheon-wi, she exuded no flashy or intimidating aura.
Just plain black combat gear.
Very few knew her. China's secret ace, hidden as a trump card—her existence was being unveiled to the world for the first time through this tournament.
Meanwhile, as her opponent Han Min-oh entered the arena, a small cheer rose from the Korean stands.
"It's Han Min-oh!"
"Lee Hyuk-soo's disciple, finally stepping up!"
"Can't wait to see how strong he's gotten!"
Han Min-oh. Lacking international fame yet, but in Korea, he was the rising star and sole disciple of Lee Hyuk-soo, carrying huge expectations.
As if determined not to shame his master, his face showed tension mingled with steely resolve.
In the special viewing area, Lee Hyuk-soo watched Han Min-oh wordlessly.
His gaze held strictness laced with faint anticipation.
Adora observed Han Min-oh with interest, while Aurum and Eugene Seo eyed their potential comrade curiously.
Ling Ling stood at the arena's center, facing her opponent.
Han Min-oh bowed his head.
"...Please go easy on me."
"Sure. I'll hold back."
Han Min-oh's shoulders twitched at Ling Ling's casual, condescending reply.
He looked up.
Cold defiance burned in his previously tense eyes.
As Lee Hyuk-soo's disciple, he couldn't just take such an insult lying down.
But instead of showing emotion, he quietly adjusted his grip on his sword.
The composure his master always emphasized.
He recalled that teaching.
'No matter the opponent, I simply unleash my sword.'
Shruk-
In the blink of an eye, she was gone from where she had just spoken.
Even her presence had vanished perfectly.
As if she had never existed.
'She's gone!'
A chill raced up Han Min-oh's spine. He instantly raised his sword into a defensive stance.
All his nerves stood on end.
Invisible to the eye, but somewhere, he felt killing intent aimed at him.
Shweek-!
Right then, from behind, three or four black daggers sliced through the air toward his vitals—silent, presence-less perfect ambush.
'Hup!'
Han Min-oh twisted his body, batting the daggers away with his sword.
Clang! Clang-clang!
The daggers clattered to the ground amid sharp metal clashes.
But that was merely the opener.
Flash!
The instant he deflected them, Ling Ling burst from the shadows at his side.
Like a ghost, she thrust her oddly shaped dagger at his heart.
Speed, stealth, precision. A move worthy of China's secret weapon.
But Han Min-oh was Lee Hyuk-soo's disciple.
Without panic, as if predicting her move, he spun naturally, parrying her dagger with his sword.
Chaeng!
Their weapons clashed with a grating friction.
Han Min-oh staggered back a few steps from the impact, but his eyes, having blocked the ambush, burned with even greater resolve.
"Not bad."
Ling Ling smiled faintly.
She had already studied Han Min-oh's attack patterns.
China's intelligence was world-class; they had basic data on Lee Hyuk-soo's sole disciple.
'Just watch out for counters.'
Han Min-oh's strongest skill was "Counter."
A threatening riposte that parried attacks and returned them several times stronger.
Seal that, and victory was hers.
Thus, avoid close combat.
Ling Ling lowered her stance again.
"Guess I can't go easy anymore."
Shushuk-
With those words, her form melted perfectly into the surrounding shadows once more.
Deeper, stealthier than before.
As if she herself had become a shadow, her presence nearly undetectable.
Han Min-oh gripped his sword tighter. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
She was a perfect assassin type.
One moment of laxity, and she'd claim his vitals.
'Can't see her... but I feel her!'
Instead of closing his eyes, he opened all his senses to the max.
Tiny air currents, faint killing intent, even the slightest twitch in the floor shadows.
The fruit of endless training under Lee Hyuk-soo to capture foes with "Mind's Eye."
Shweek! Shweek! Shweek-shweek!
In that instant, black daggers rained down from all directions like a barrage.
Front, sides, rear—even overhead.
Sealing every escape, targeting his entire body: a true barrage of death.
"Nngh!"
Han Min-oh gritted his teeth and swung his sword.
His blade traced rapid circles, deflecting the incoming daggers.
Chaeng! Cha-chang! Clang!
Metal clashes echoed nonstop through the arena.
His swordsmanship wasn't flashy but maximally efficient, without gaps.
Honed relentlessly from his master's teachings, specialized in defense and counters.
But Ling Ling's assault didn't stop there.
Mid-dagger storm, her true form ghosted in from unpredictable angles for lethal strikes.
Kang! Chaeng!
Han Min-oh swung desperately, blocking her attacks.
But fatigue was evident on his face.
Defending against an unseen enemy demanded immense focus and stamina.
'At this rate!'
Sweat beaded on Han Min-oh's brow.
He knew her game: wear him down with ranged hits and ambushes, then strike when a gap appeared.
And with his "Counter" ace, she wouldn't close in easily.
Ling Ling leisurely traversed the shadows, pressing him.
'Tenacious. Solid defense. But how long can he hold?'
She began whittling his defenses bit by bit.
Waiting for his focus to waver, his stamina to bottom out.
"Ling Ling's stealth is insane!"
"But Han Min-oh's holding it all off! Incredible!"
"True to his master—fundamentals are rock-solid."
The stands mixed gasps of awe and sighs amid the breathless exchange.
In the taut tension, time dragged mercilessly.
Sweat poured down Han Min-oh's forehead like rain, his breaths growing ragged.
His stamina and focus visibly drained from pure defense.
Ling Ling, meanwhile, lurked untired in the dark, biding her moment.
The scales of victory seemed to tip ever so slowly.
'...Now!'
Ling Ling's eyes flashed.
A tiny gap in Han Min-oh's guard.
She caught his swing slowing for a split second.
Splat!
Ling Ling abandoned the shadows.
Erasing all presence, she circled behind, infusing black energy into her twin daggers.
Like a viper's fangs—her secret technique to finish foes decisively.
'It's over!'
The instant her daggers pierced toward Han Min-oh's heart!
"...!"
Han Min-oh's eyes snapped open.
The weary facade vanished; explosive aura erupted from his entire body.
As if luring this moment, he half-turned, swinging his sword.
'Counter!'
Before Ling Ling could react, all the power and intent in her daggers condensed, amplified manifold, and boomeranged back at her.
Kwajijik!!
"Agh!"
A pained groan escaped.
Ling Ling's left shoulder combat gear shredded, blood spraying like a fountain. Her body flew back like a leaf in the shockwave.
"Huff! Huff! Huuk!"
Han Min-oh, too, panted and trembled from the counter's backlash.
"...Impressive. Lee Hyuk-soo's disciple, as expected."
Ling Ling spat blood-tinged saliva, murmuring low.
Ignoring her wound, she crouched again.
A deeper, darker shadow aura enveloped her.
Paat!
Ling Ling vanished once more.
But this wasn't simple stealth.
The arena's shadows writhed alive like living creatures.
"Haaap!"
Instinct screamed danger; Han Min-oh gripped his sword, but too late.
Dozens of black hands erupted from his shadow, seizing his ankles and arms.
Simultaneously, indistinct forms—clones or real?—emerged from surrounding shadows, hurling daggers at him en masse.
"Argh!"
No dodging, no blocking.
Han Min-oh swung desperately, but bound by shadow hands, he took the dagger barrage full-body.
Puk!
Puk-puk!
Flesh-rending sounds rang out as black daggers embedded deep in his body.
He fought to stay upright, eyes wide to the end, but finally crumpled to his knees.
"...."
Ling Ling slowly revealed herself.
Her left shoulder soaked in blood, breaths ragged, but she stood firm.
Coldly gazing down at the fallen Han Min-oh.
"...Winner, Ling Ling!"
The referee's declaration echoed laboriously.
Ling Ling's victory.
But it was no easy win.
'...Korea's team won't be pushovers.'
Ling Ling thought, eyeing Korea's representatives.
Claiming a spot in the "humanity's top 10" might be harder than expected.
Maybe over half would even come from Korea.
And immediately, the next match began.
[Korea Representative Team Special Advisory Group - Adora]
VS
[Korea Representative Team - Han Shin]
"...."
The moment Han Shin saw the scoreboard, he froze.