I Accept That Proposal (5)
-Shing! The moment Yeong-sik drew his Blade, Cheon Tae-hwang pulled the sword from his waist.
A longsword shimmering with blue light emerged from his belt. Azure Moon Sword. As an A-rank rare item, it was the weapon he'd received when he first joined Leviathan Guild. This sword, which radiated a beautiful azure glow and could slice through steel effortlessly thanks to its sharpness and the special skill "Moonlight," held considerable renown even among A-rank rares.
The instant he drew the Azure Moon Sword, four more swords rose into the air from his waist. Each one was A-rank or close to it—powerful blades without exception.
Yeong-sik crouched low and activated Boost. His body shot toward Cheon Tae-hwang like a bullet.
-Clang! The Blade clashed with the Azure Moon Sword. A clear metallic ring echoed as a heavy recoil traveled up Yeong-sik's arm.
-Shoo! The four floating swords targeted Yeong-sik and fired toward him. Twisting his body, Yeong-sik swung his Blade in a wide arc, deflecting all four incoming blades.
-Clang clang clang clang! A barrage of harsh metallic sounds rang out in succession.
Using agility stats that rivaled a level 100 ranker, Yeong-sik deflected every sword in less than a second.
"Hm...?"
Cheon Tae-hwang's expression hardened as he watched Yeong-sik's movements.
'Level 73...?'
Comparing him to himself at level 95, Cheon Tae-hwang stared at Yeong-sik in disbelief. That speed was impossible for level 73.
"Hah!"
-Thud!
Yeong-sik let out a short shout and stomped the ground. The training ground's dirt cratered as his body launched forward. Mid-charge, he focused Boost on his left foot. With a powerful jet burst, his body spun wildly.
"Kgh!"
A brief groan escaped Cheon Tae-hwang's lips at Yeong-sik's motion-defying spin. He raised the Azure Moon Sword to guard as he eyed the rapidly rotating figure.
-Slash!
Yeong-sik's Blade grazed Cheon Tae-hwang's forearm holding the Azure Moon Sword. Dark red blood trickled down his left arm.
Without panic over the wound, Cheon Tae-hwang directed the four floating swords at Yeong-sik's airborne body. His eyes gleamed.
'It's over!'
He was certain Yeong-sik, still in the air, couldn't dodge.
But—
-Whoooosh!
Bright light erupted from Yeong-sik's feet in midair. His body instantly shifted backward.
"What?!"
Shock crossed Cheon Tae-hwang's face. Free movement while airborne? It was an ability no warrior class could match—practically cheating.
"...Are you really level 70?"
Cheon Tae-hwang, who had looked mildly bored before the fight, now regarded him with wary eyes.
Yeong-sik smirked and nodded.
"Yes. If you doubt it, feel free to check with a Level Detect scroll."
"How can a level 73 have this kind of power..."
Cheon Tae-hwang's face fell at Yeong-sik's nonchalant reply.
Levels didn't tell everything, but they were the surest gauge of strength because stats scaled with level. A level 90 summoner would overwhelm a level 70 in strength, agility, stamina—most stats—giving them the edge.
Of course, the formula wasn't absolute. A level 70 with superior skills, high-grade items, or spells could win against higher levels.
'But...'
Cheon Tae-hwang stared at Yeong-sik, utterly baffled. He wasn't losing in technique or skills. It was pure physical ability. Same warrior class, 20-level gap, yet inferior bodily stats? Impossible.
"Levels don't tell everything."
Yeong-sik shrugged off Cheon Tae-hwang's doubt with casual ease.
Cheon Tae-hwang pursed his lips and raised his sword. Yeong-sik was right—levels were just the best measure, not everything.
'To think someone like this exists among the 61st wave summoners...'
Tension etched his face. He'd been arrogant, assuming no one from the same wave could match him.
'I was wrong.'
His eyes narrowed on Yeong-sik. His heart pounded with joy at facing a true rival. His mouth dried, every nerve locked on Yeong-sik's movements.
"Hm."
Yeong-sik swallowed a groan as he eyed Cheon Tae-hwang burning with fighting spirit. He recalled their first encounter in the Lizardman habitat. Back then, he'd been nothing to Cheon Tae-hwang—no need for tension or rivalry. Just one of countless passersby.
That strange, inexplicable sense of defeat resurfaced. Cheon Tae-hwang had felt untouchable, yet now he stood right there—behind him even—desperately reaching out.
"Haha."
A light laugh escaped Yeong-sik. There was no grudge between them. He'd just unilaterally felt inferior, fixating on Cheon Tae-hwang.
'Childish.'
He found his own emotions immature. He wasn't some battle-crazed warrior who couldn't tolerate superiors, nor did overwhelming strength alone breed inferiority.
It was pure childish jealousy.
Yet—
'Feels pretty good.'
A thick smile curved Yeong-sik's lips. A thrilling shiver ran through him. Overtaking what once seemed unreachable? Far from bad—damn satisfying.
"Well then."
Yeong-sik crouched low.
-Whoooosh!
A deafening roar accompanied brilliant light bursting from his back.
"Shall we start again?"
-Thud!
Yeong-sik became a streak of light hurtling at Cheon Tae-hwang. The warrior's wary eyes flashed.
"Moonlight!"
With his shout, azure light poured from the Azure Moon Sword. Crouching into a low stance, he swung at Yeong-sik.
-Shing!
A clear sound rang out as azure sword energy cleaved toward Yeong-sik, poised to bisect him.
Yeong-sik thrust his right arm forward and yelled.
"Radiance!"
Two shields of brilliant light materialized before him. His skill had leveled up against the ogre, increasing the shields from one to two.
-Bang!
Cheon Tae-hwang's attack struck the light shields and rebounded. As if anticipating the block, he immediately launched his four swords in rapid succession.
"Strike of Severe Cold!"
One sword glowed blue. Icy chill swirled, breath turning to frost.
-Bang!
The attack halted on the remaining shield.
Yeong-sik closed in. Accelerating, he slashed his Blade at Cheon Tae-hwang's shoulder.
-Clang!
Cheon Tae-hwang's sword intercepted. Yeong-sik dipped low with fluid motion, continuing his assault.
-Clang!
-Kakakakakang!
An eye-blurring flurry of offense and defense unfolded between them. Sparks from clashing blades filled the air.
'This...'
Surprise flickered across Yeong-sik's face amid his relentless swings. Cheon Tae-hwang's sword was gradually eroding his Blade's rhythm, pressing him back.
He surpassed in raw power and speed. Technique too—he even led in spots.
Yet he was being pushed.
Like a sponge absorbing water, parched earth drinking rain, Cheon Tae-hwang adapted mid-fight, molding his swordsmanship to Yeong-sik's patterns.
'No wonder they call him a monster.'
Yeong-sik swung while grimacing in admiration. His Blade proficiency wasn't low. He'd mained it, but more crucially, his body moved as if he'd wielded it before.
Cheon Tae-hwang's pressure made every swing harder. Yeong-sik's eyes darkened.
'Can't win without switching weapons.'
He'd rather not reveal more before so many summoners, but no choice.
Left alone, Cheon Tae-hwang would grow too familiar.
'Can't hide my true nature forever anyway.'
Yeong-sik's eyes sharpened, tracking movements. Endless foes awaited—one Blade wouldn't suffice.
"Shotgun."
-Click.
His right arm dropped, revealing two barrels.
"What?!"
Cheon Tae-hwang gasped as the human arm bent like a toy, guns emerging.
Yeong-sik seized the opening, aiming.
-Bang!
Dual muzzles roared, dozens of pellets targeting him.
"Hup!"
-Ting ting ting ting!
Cheon Tae-hwang overlapped his four blades, blocking the barrage.
Yeong-sik retracted the shotgun and extended his right arm. A blue energy orb gathered in his palm.
-Boom!
"Gahk!"
The potent blue energy orb collided with the guarding swords. Cheon Tae-hwang flew back, tumbling across the ground.
"W-Wait! S-Stop!"
Kang Ha-rin jumped between them, frantic. She gaped at Yeong-sik.
"You... you just used a gun?!"
Yeong-sik glared coldly.
"Interrupting a one-on-one is a clear violation, isn't it?"
"N-No, that's not the issue..."
Kang Ha-rin stared in bewilderment.
"If you don't want him to forfeit lamely, step aside."
Yeong-sik's icy voice continued.
"The match isn't over yet."
He murmured lowly, eyes on Cheon Tae-hwang rising from the dirt.