Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Skeleton Saber Showdown
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“Isn't that a bit too much?”
Choi Ki-young, a low-grade 4-star swordsman, said with a look of wounded pride.
He was confident in his skills as an upper-class warrior among the Black Tortoise Sword Division members.
But in Shin Yu-hyun's eyes, he seemed utterly lacking.
“Well, who knows?”
“Are you saying we can't even beat a single one of a necromancer's skeletons?”
Choi Ki-young demanded, half-accusatory.
Shin Yu-hyun let out a scoff at his words.
“I'm not saying I want to—I'm saying that's exactly how it is. None of you look like you could take down even one of my skeletons.”
“We're not that weak.”
Choi Ki-young glared at Shin Yu-hyun, his pride clearly stung.
He had certainly seen the skeletons fighting yesterday, and they looked strong.
But that was only because they'd overwhelmed with numbers. Necromancers' skeleton soldiers shone in mass battles.
Individually, though, he figured they wouldn't lose to equals.
“In a one-on-one duel, I'm confident we wouldn't lose!”
Choi Ki-young shouted boldly.
Shin Yu-hyun sighed inwardly at the sight.
'What a frog in a well.'
There were two main reasons for Choi Ki-young's confidence.
One was that skeleton soldiers were weak in single combat.
The other was that he was one of the top five strongest in the Black Tortoise Sword Division.
But in any other hall, he'd be outside the top five fingers.
“Then prove it yourself.”
Like I did.
Shin Yu-hyun simply stared at Choi Ki-young.
'What kind of look is that...?'
Choi Ki-young flinched.
It was a calm, serene gaze, yet it carried an oppressive pressure that weighed on his entire body.
How had he developed such eyes?
“Understood. If the Hall Leader insists, I'll prove it.”
“Good.”
Shin Yu-hyun nodded with a smile.
He liked the fighting spirit that refused to back down.
It would help when they faced superhuman villains, worshippers, or even Getia in the future.
But.
'Reality will teach them.'
Fighting spirit alone wasn't enough.
What mattered was power.
Shin Yu-hyun planned to first show Choi Ki-young and the Black Tortoise Sword Division members just how powerless they were.
Once they faced reality, they'd do anything to grow stronger.
“We'll spar with real swords. Everyone, gear up fully.”
Shin Yu-hyun addressed the entire Black Tortoise Sword Division, who had been training in light attire with wooden swords.
Three members of the Black Tortoise Sword Division saluted toward Shin Yu-hyun and shouted.
“Understood!”
“You heard him! Gear up quick!”
“Move it!”
The three barked orders at their subordinates and sprang into action at Shin Yu-hyun's command.
The Black Tortoise Hall had sword divisions that functioned as combat units.
There were 30 members in total, divided into three squads of 10 each.
These three were the squad leaders.
The team that had raided the Arachne nest was a mixed unit drawn from each squad.
Since it was a 3-star dungeon raid, the 4-star Black Tortoise Sword Division members hadn't mobilized.
That's why Lee Dae-young, the top 3-star high-grade at the time, had led the raid team.
A short while later, the fully geared Black Tortoise Sword Division members reassembled in the outdoor training grounds.
'Hm.'
Shin Yu-hyun eyed the Black Tortoise Sword Division's equipment.
'Their gear isn't great either.'
The standard-issue coats looked worn, and the weapons didn't seem in top shape.
It was a far cry from the other halls. Until recently, they hadn't received proper clan support.
'I need to request better supplies.'
It would've been unthinkable before.
Shin Yu-hyun, who hadn't even opened his energy channels, had no standing to demand anything from the clan.
But now, as a 4-star superhuman who'd earned merits for the clan, he could make demands.
Now he could do what needed to be done as the Black Tortoise Hall Leader.
“Hall Leader, the Black Tortoise Sword Division is fully assembled.”
A man in his mid-30s reported to Shin Yu-hyun.
Kim Hyun-soo, a high-grade 4-star superhuman.
He was the leader of Squad 1, and this was their first meeting. Shin Yu-hyun had first encountered the deputy hall leader handling operations, the HR chief, and the finance manager.
'Squad leaders and vice-leaders are decent enough.'
The Black Tortoise Sword Division specialized in combat within the hall, so most were assigned high-combat superhumans.
In other halls, squad leaders and vice-leaders were high-grade or top-grade 4-stars, comparable to the Black Tortoise Hall's administrative staff like the HR or finance chiefs.
But here, they fell a notch or two short. Most squad leaders and vice-leaders were mid- or low-grade 4-stars.
The regular members were even worse—mostly 3-star superhumans, with few low-grade 4-stars.
Members in other halls were mostly 4-star caliber.
“Choi Ki-young, step forward.”
“Yes!”
At Shin Yu-hyun's call, Choi Ki-young stepped out from Squad 1. Excluding the leaders and vice-leaders, he was an ace in the Black Tortoise Hall.
'In another hall, he'd just be one of the common high-grade swordsmen.'
Shin Yu-hyun smiled wryly to himself.
In other halls, high-grade swordsmen were low- to mid-grade 4-stars, and top-grade were mid- to high-grade 4-stars.
The issue was that, excluding Squad 1's leader and vice-leader, the rest of the Black Tortoise Sword Division had no top-grade swordsmen.
They were mostly mid-grade 3-star superhumans, filling out as mid- or low-grade swordsmen.
That's why Choi Ki-young thought he was the strongest in the division.
Compared to other halls, though, they inevitably fell short.
“Saber 1, you're up.”
Shin Yu-hyun nodded to the skeleton saber.
He'd named the first one he'd summoned Saber 1.
Saber 1 strode forward past Shin Yu-hyun.
In the center of the outdoor training grounds, Saber 1 and Choi Ki-young faced off.
The skeleton saber gleamed with a metallic gray sheen on its steel frame, armed with a bone sword and bone armor, exuding immense pressure.
And a bone kite shield to top it off.
“A mere skull can't match me.”
Choi Ki-young took a basic Black Tortoise Heavy Sword stance, refusing to yield.
The Black Tortoise Sword Division's swordsmanship symbolized heaviness. Most wielded greatswords, each strike packing massive power.
They were especially strong against heavily armored foes.
Boom!
Choi Ki-young struck first.
He kicked off the ground and unleashed Thunder Cloud Step, charging at Saber 1 with blinding speed.
Whoosh!
His greatsword cleaved the air, crashing down on Saber 1 from the front.
Bang!
But Saber 1 calmly raised its bone kite shield, blocking the greatsword.
“It blocked that?”
Choi Ki-young's face twisted in shock.
He'd poured everything into that strike.
Activating Body Strengthening Technique as he charged, leaping into the air and adding his full body weight.
Yet Saber 1 had blocked it with a mere kite shield the size of its torso.
After his first strike, Choi Ki-young used the rebound to spring back, flipping in the air to retreat a safe distance.
But Saber 1 didn't stand idle.
Thud!
Saber 1 stomped hard and shot forward in pursuit.
“No way?”
“Thunder Cloud Step?!”
The Black Tortoise Sword Division members buzzed in surprise.
Saber 1 had just replicated the footwork Choi Ki-young had used moments ago.
'It's improved.'
Shin Yu-hyun watched with interest. Thunder Cloud Step wasn't as fast as Lightning Flash Step over distance, but it excelled at short bursts.
He'd taught it during the skeleton soldier days, but it hadn't mastered it then.
Thunder Cloud Step had the advantage of closing gaps quickly, but it was tricky to learn.
Yet now, Saber 1 executed it fluidly, catching up to Choi Ki-young as he descended from the air.
“Gasp!”
Choi Ki-young's eyes widened in alarm. He hastily positioned the flat of his greatsword in front of him.
Clang!
A sharp metallic screech rang out, sparks flying.
Choi Ki-young was blasted backward.
Thud! Crash!
He didn't fly uncontrolled, though.
He'd jammed his greatsword into the ground.
Still, he skidded back several meters.
'What kind of skeleton is this strong?'
Choi Ki-young stared at Saber 1 in disbelief.
It certainly looked stronger than a typical necromancer's skeleton.
But that was it—or so he thought.
Even if stronger, he didn't doubt a 4-star superhuman like himself would lose.
He trusted his own abilities.
Against equals, he had confidence in victory. Even against slightly higher ranks, he wouldn't yield.
But to be pushed this far!
'At least 4-star level.'
A chill ran down Choi Ki-young's spine.
A skeleton soldier at 4-star?
The terror of necromancers was numbers. Even the strongest superhuman couldn't handle being outnumbered.
How many skeleton soldiers had fought the magic beasts yesterday?
At least 200.
That meant Shin Yu-hyun commanded a force equivalent to 200 4-star superhumans.
And that wasn't all.
Adding the massive insectoid undead—the Hecaton Hyper Beetle, Kairon, Schwv, and Dia—made it an overwhelming army.
'Insane. Isn't this like a whole hall walking around?'
Color drained from Choi Ki-young's face, his back prickling with cold sweat.
This wasn't just about Shin Yu-hyun getting stronger.
Leading that skeleton horde made his power legion-scale.
'But I can't lose.'
Bracing his greatsword stabbed into the ground, Choi Ki-young glared ahead.
The ashen skeleton saber, armed with bone sword and shield.
Shing.
Choi Ki-young yanked his greatsword free and slung it over his shoulder. He bent his knees, lowering his stance.
Crackle! Sparks!
Blue aura sparked from the greatsword on his shoulder, electricity dancing.
Choi Ki-young's aura attribute was sparks.
Clank, clank.
Saber 1 lowered its bone sword, shield forward, approaching cautiously.
The moment it entered Choi Ki-young's range.
Black Tortoise Heavy Sword.
Third Form: Cross Slash.
Whoosh!
Choi Ki-young's greatsword, wreathed in blue sparking aura, whipped out.
Left to right once.
Top to bottom once.
A cross-shaped slash hurtled toward Saber 1.
Saber 1 raised its kite shield in response.