Chapter 87
Chapter 87
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Master's Recognition
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Swoosh!!*
A tentacle shot up from below.
“……!”
Lee Shin aimed for the back of the Count’s knee.
A blind spot.
It was the most difficult area to react to, and even if one did, it was tricky to counter.
This was something Lee Shin had learned from countless real battles and arena experiences.
It was a principle that also applied to humanoid NPCs like Count Aaron, who were meticulously designed based on the human body.
Seeing the tricky attack rushing toward him, the Count hesitated for a moment.
‘If I just take it….’
It didn’t seem like a particularly powerful attack, so he thought he could probably just endure it.
But the Count soon shook his head.
‘No.’
He judged that taking an unknown attack head-on was too risky.
Besides, the thought of that pitch-black, squishy thing touching his body filled him with a strange sense of disgust.
The Count safely pulled his leg back, dodging the attack.
And at this choice, Lee Shin’s eyes gleamed.
His opponent's movement was already within his expectations.
‘Just as I thought.’
He was a prince who had appeared in the midst of the Count's dreams for the kingdom's change.
Considering the Count's cautious nature, who had spoken of a test even in front of such a prince, it was natural he would make this judgment.
*Tap!*
Lee Shin moved for his next attack even faster than the Count could pull back his leg.
His speed at that moment was incredibly fast.
Normally, Lee Shin, whose stats were inferior in every aspect, could never match the Count's speed, but because he had moved in advance, he was able to get ahead.
Of course, it was only a fleeting moment of advantage….
‘It’s enough.’
For Lee Shin, that brief instant was sufficient.
His extremely heightened concentration and top-tier physical abilities could transform that momentary opening into a chance for a counterattack.
And once he seized the initiative, Lee Shin was confident he would never let it go, carrying it through to the end.
*Swish! Swish!*
Lee Shin swung his daggers in quick succession.
The distance was short, and the attack was launched in anticipation of his opponent's actions, so the Count couldn't avoid it.
*Spurt! Spurt!*
[Consecutive Attack!]
[Killing intent seeps into the enemy's wounds.]
[Damage is stacked by 300%....]
[The target's defense is high!]
[Damage is reduced by 97%.]
Of course, Lee Shin hadn't been greedy for damage, making it a quick hit-and-run attack, so it wasn't threatening, but that didn't matter.
Whether he attacked with overwhelming force or with these short strikes, the result was the same—almost no damage was dealt to his opponent.
Lee Shin had a single objective.
To get on the Count's nerves.
By doing so, he would induce a mistake and deliver a truly surprising blow, just as he had intended from the start.
Although Lee Shin's attacks lacked significant power, there's a limit to how many hits one can take.
Being hit one-sidedly over and over was bound to provoke a reaction.
Watching Aaron, whose expression had yet to change, Lee Shin thought to himself.
‘He’s holding up well… Should I shake him up more?’
He had plenty of ways to do that.
Lee Shin had always enjoyed a playstyle that involved provoking his opponents.
He moved in closer, into his opponent's range, and switched to a reverse grip on his dagger.
The Count’s reaction was swift.
‘Something’s coming…!’
Realizing that Lee Shin was about to attempt a different kind of attack, he focused his gaze, tracking the tip of Lee Shin’s blade.
Since Lee Shin was using feints with his upper body and gaze for every single move, it was most effective to ignore the whole and focus solely on the blade.
However, Lee Shin used this to his advantage.
While his opponent's eyes were fixed on the tip of his blade, he suddenly shot his free hand toward the Count's eyes.
“…!”
His vision was momentarily obscured.
Through the thin gaps between his fingers, he could see the Count’s deeply flustered expression.
A smirk formed on Lee Shin’s lips.
‘Deep Cut!’
Lee Shin did not miss the wide opening.
*Stab!!*
The attack grazed the Count’s cheek.
It wasn't powerful, but he could see the Count's brow furrow.
A change in his perpetually calm expression indicated that his irritation was slowly building up.
‘It’s working.’
Having confirmed its effectiveness, Lee Shin continued to get on his opponent’s nerves.
He persistently aimed for the back of the Count’s knees with his tentacles, frequently reached out to cover his eyes, and even spat in his face while he was catching his breath.
A flurry of unsportsmanlike conduct!
It was a good thing the Count had sent everyone else out; if any knights had been observing, it wouldn't have been strange for them to immediately rise in protest at such disgraceful behavior.
Even the Count, after enduring for so long, finally lost his temper.
“What is this…!”
“What.”
“This is a violation of chivalry!”
[The Count is enraged.]
[The Count's affinity....]
But Lee Shin was unapologetic.
“Chivalry?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm. That didn't exactly protect my life. In fact, all the ones chasing me to kill me were the royal knights.”
“Th-that is their problem!”
“……We’ll see about that.”
As he spoke, Lee Shin forcefully struck the Count's rapier upwards.
With a clear clang of metal, the Count's arm flew up.
Although the Count’s stats were overwhelmingly superior, Lee Shin had exquisitely aimed for the sword’s center of gravity and pushed it away.
A difference in skill had overwhelmed a difference in stats!
A fleeting moment.
Lee Shin met the Count’s eyes and said.
“Let’s end this.”
“……!”
Simultaneously, *thwack!*
Forcefully grinding his foot into the ground, Lee Shin twisted his waist sharply.
He intended to pour all his strength into a single blow, believing he had seized a decisive opportunity!
The Count was greatly flustered.
‘I’ve been had… huh?’
But then his eyes widened.
At the very last moment, an opening appeared in Lee Shin’s posture, which had been flawless until now.
He had become careless, prematurely assuming it was over, and that had led to the opening.
The Count thought to himself.
‘Still just a boy!’
His talent was exceptional, but he was not yet complete.
The Count gripped his sword tightly and moved to counterattack.
…However, this was an opening Lee Shin had intentionally created.
Lee Shin had been aiming for this situation from the very beginning.
Considering the Count’s normally cautious nature, it wouldn't be easy to lure him into a trap, but….
‘Not right now.’
After mentally exhausting his opponent by relentlessly pushing him throughout the duel, if he presented such a tempting opening, of course he wouldn't be able to resist.
Just as he predicted, the Count fell for it beautifully.
*Stab!!*
[Fatal Blow!]
[Health drops below 50%.]
[Health drops below 1%....]
The Count's sword sliced at Lee Shin's neck.
It should have been a fatal blow.
An attack that should have killed him in one hit.
However….
[A mysterious power activates!]
[You have overcome death and survived with 1 HP!]
“……What!?!?!!”
Lee Shin didn't die.
It was thanks to an item he had received at the lord's castle after subjugating the pirates long ago.
Celestial Shroud
A cloak imbued with mysterious power. Upon receiving a fatal blow, survive once with 1 HP.
•10% Lifesteal on all damage
•All Stats +5
An item with an invincibility skill!
In exchange for its incredible performance, it was a one-time use item, so he had been waiting for the right moment to use it….
Using it in exchange for the Count’s loyalty was a profitable trade.
There was no reason to hesitate.
‘Now then….’
Lee Shin rolled his eyes upward.
The Count, his weakness completely exposed.
He was hastily trying to pull back, but Lee Shin wasn't clumsy enough to miss such a perfect opportunity.
*Stab! Stab! Stab!!*
Lee Shin’s dagger flew between his neck, chest, and head.
* * *
The duel ended right there.
Despite Lee Shin’s final blow, the Count still had over 90% of his health and was perfectly fine, but he himself ended the duel.
The Count bowed his head deeply and said.
“……It is my defeat.”
Lee Shin asked.
“Does that mean I passed the test?”
“No. I mean it literally.”
“…Hmm?”
Lee Shin tilted his head.
“If you had fought seriously, I would have lost in the end, wouldn't I?”
“That is true, of course, but what meaning is there in that when there is a physical difference like that between an adult and a child?”
‘True.’
Lee Shin nodded.
Although Lee Shin had maintained the offensive and had some fun throughout the duel, the stat difference between him and the Count was undeniable.
Even when his final attack landed perfectly, it had only managed to shave off about 5% of the Count's health.
He had even naturally regenerated 3% during this short break.
With such a severe disparity in power, judging the outcome by victory or defeat was meaningless from the start.
What mattered was the content of the fight.
“……As a swordsman, it is my complete defeat.”
[Count Aaron admits defeat.]
[You have won a duel against a swordsman who has reached the Master level.]
[This is a great achievement! You have acquired the title, <He Who Is Recognized by a Master>!]
[Fame increases by 1,000. If the fact that you won a duel against the Count becomes known, it will increase by an additional 10,000.]
<He Who Is Recognized by a Master>
Skill proficiency increases faster. The probability of being recognized by other knight NPCs is now higher.
[You have completed the <National Quest – Count Aaron's Trial>.]
[Fame increases by 1,000.]
[The Count will now pledge his full loyalty to you.]
*Thud!*
As soon as the messages ended, the Count knelt before Lee Shin and said.
“Please accept me as your knight!”
[Count Aaron implores to become your vassal.]
[Will you accept?]
“Granted.”
*Ding.*
[You accept the Count's offer.]
[The great noble of the Eteun Kingdom's southern region, Count Aaron, has become your vassal.]
[This is a great achievement! Fame increases by 1,500.]
[Now....]
…….
[You have accepted a vassal while hiding your true identity!]
[Be warned. If your deception is revealed, he will become extremely furious.]
‘A little late for that….’
Although a warning message appeared, Lee Shin wasn't particularly worried.
It seemed both Gillaim and Count Aaron were completely fooled.
Besides, even if he wanted to reveal his true identity, the 8th Prince who could serve as proof was already dead, so as long as Lee Shin kept his mouth shut, he wouldn't be found out.
…However, the problem arose from a different quarter.
Perhaps because he had never undertaken a quest of national scale or higher before.
The repercussions of a national quest were far greater than Lee Shin had imagined.
[You have brought a noble who owns a territory under your command as a vassal.]
“…Hm?”
[The territory's security level is very high.]
[The territory's economic power is very high.]
[The territory's military power....]
…….
[All conditions have been met!]
[The minimum force required for the revival of the Eteun Kingdom has now been formed.]
[The main quest that had vanished has been regenerated!]
“…!?!?!?”
Lee Shin shot up from his seat in shock.
What….
What in the world was happening?!
His question was soon answered.
Main Quest – A New King
The Eteun Kingdom, rotten to its core, is withering by the moment.
Its glorious history is now a distant memory, and neighboring countries covetously eye the weakened kingdom.
The Salseong who dedicated his life to the revival of the kingdom.
As the one who inherited the Salseong's will, you must not let this stand.
Expand your forces and build an army for the revival of the Eteun Kingdom!
Then, dethrone the king and seat a new one.
The future of the kingdom now rests in your hands.
[Quest automatically accepted.]
[The <National Quest - Revival of the Eteun Kingdom> received from Gillaim will be merged.]
[This quest cannot be abandoned!]