Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: I Want to Win
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Players Chapter 66
“Shouldn’t events like this usually put the main characters in a bind by giving them some ridiculous outfits?”
Inside the East Villa, one of two palaces nicknamed the ‘Event Palace’, Choi Yu-ra muttered to herself as she looked down at her own attire, standing in a corner of the vast hall.
Choi Yu-ra was wearing a dark green dress, almost black.
Other than the pleats decorating its hem, which fell in a narrow isosceles triangle, the dress had no other distinguishing design features.
However, the upper part of her chest was daringly open, revealing her neck and shoulders, along with a hint of her cleavage.
Her long, black hair was also elegantly pinned up, further accentuating her smooth, white shoulders and neck.
Standing beside Choi Yu-ra, Seong Yu-jin gave a wry smile.
“Don’t tell me you were actually hoping for that?”
Unlike Choi Yu-ra, Seong Yu-jin wore a striking red dress.
It was crimson overall, but accented with touches of black and styled with natural layering.
The fabric rose to her neck, making it seem as if nothing but her shoulders were exposed, but that was only from the front.
The back, from behind her neck, boasted an almost excessively daring cut.
Normally, she should have put her hair up like Choi Yu-ra to accentuate her back, but Seong Yu-jin had intentionally let her hair down to cover it as much as possible.
Both Seong Yu-jin's and Choi Yu-ra's gowns were a far cry from the medieval-style dresses one might imagine; they had a distinctly modern feel.
And the same was true for the attire of Kang-seok, Yang Jun-gyu, and Abigail.
“I was hoping for something like spandex tights.”
“Why on earth would you hope for that?”
Kang-seok shot a light glare at Choi Yu-ra, who was muttering with genuine disappointment.
Kang-seok and Yang Jun-gyu were dressed in nearly identical suits.
Like Seong Yu-jin's and Choi Yu-ra's dresses, their clothes had a modern feel, and though provided by the kingdom, they fit perfectly as if tailor-made.
To look good in a suit, one first needed the right frame. And in that respect, Kang-seok wouldn't lose to anyone else in the hall.
Choi Yu-ra pouted for a moment before smiling gently, while Seong Yu-jin readjusted Kang-seok's suit.
“You four seem to be adapting quite well. I can never get used to this, no matter how many times I wear it.”
He had expected Kang-seok's party to be uncomfortable in the stuffy formal wear, but they were all so composed, as if they were in their everyday clothes.
As Abigail whined, Yang Jun-gyu snickered.
“It's not that different from a school uniform, is it?”
“I still don't quite understand you people.”
Around the group, who were chatting in low voices, were quite a few people who appeared to be nobles. It seemed this formal event would be held in the style of a ‘ball’, just as George II had mentioned before.
Kang-seok casually glanced around.
The people gathered in the hall kept stealing glances at Kang-seok's party, but no one approached to speak to them. Abigail whispered to Kang-seok.
“It's because the ceremony hasn't started. If nothing unusual happens, quite a few people will likely come looking for you afterward, so you'd best be prepared.”
Kang-seok nodded, his expression slightly weary.
And after some time had passed, a trumpet blast sounded once, and the music flowing through the hall changed. As if on cue, everyone gathered in the hall turned their gazes to the far end, to the second floor connected by a staircase.
The doors opened in time with the music. Led by a red-haired man in a crimson uniform—Galahad Euster Britannia—Vivian the Witch of the Lake and Tristan, Captain of the Royal Guard, entered the hall.
‘The Lion King.’
What George II had said was no exaggeration.
At least in appearance, Galahad was as magnificent and robust as George II had described.
Galahad stood before the second-floor railing and looked down at everyone in the hall. The attendees of this event were nobles from the central and eastern regions belonging to the ‘Royalist Faction’, so most of them wore favorable expressions.
Galahad would now give a formal greeting, introduce a few of the invited guests, and then begin a light ball—that was the event schedule Kang-seok had heard in advance from a palace official.
He had been quite calm when he first heard about it, but now, the thought of paying his respects before the king and numerous nobles brought a different kind of tension than he felt when fighting monsters.
Galahad lightly raised his hand. The music stopped, and everyone listened intently, waiting for the king's next words.
‘He'll start with a formal greeting.’
Not only Kang-seok, but everyone in the hall thought so.
Everyone, that is, except for one person: Galahad.
“I hear the Players' martial prowess is quite formidable. Among them, the Savior of Ahen must be particularly outstanding.”
It was no greeting. Even Vivian and Tristan looked bewildered by the sudden turn of conversation, but Galahad alone remained unfazed.
He stared directly at Kang-seok, who stood far away, and spoke in a light tone, as if addressing someone nearby.
“What do you say? The champion of the Gawain Cult happens to be here. How about a bout to test your skills?”
Even Kang-seok couldn't help but be taken aback.
The surrounding nobles turned to look at Kang-seok all at once, and he suppressed his emotions, meeting Galahad's gaze.
Another voice rang out from within the hall.
“I thank His Majesty the King for the proposal. I, Edward Price, Captain of the Knights Templar, wish to present a duel worthy of Lord Gawain, the God of Honor, and His Majesty Galahad who stands before us.”
Everyone's gaze shifted back toward the voice.
Kang-seok also quickly turned his head and saw a handsome man with dark blue hair.
Unlike Kang-seok, he was dressed in white martial arts attire, with a ceremonial sword at his waist.
Edward Price, Captain of the Knights Templar of the Gawain Cult.
His face, which looked to be just under thirty, was filled with a competitive spirit. Galahad burst into a delighted laugh.
“Excellent, then it is decided. Prepare a dueling ground in the garden. This promises to be a magnificent match. Don't you think, Vivian?”
Vivian frowned at Galahad's question, while the Royalist nobles, for the time being, applauded to welcome the king's decision.
Amidst the crowd.
The gazes of Edward Price and Kang-seok met.
* * *
“It's best if you lose.”
A small room was assigned to Kang-seok so he could change clothes and arm himself.
As Kang-seok changed into his usual combat attire and equipped Durendal and Laevateinn, Abigail spoke again.
“Of course, your opponent is Edward Price, Captain of the Knights Templar, a man comparable to a six-star adventurer. You'll likely lose even if you go all out. But… regardless, it's better to lose. You probably have a good idea why, don't you?”
If a Player were to display ‘threatening power’ in such a setting, it would surely create more enemies than friends.
Moreover, his opponent was the Captain of the Knights Templar, the one who boasted the greatest martial strength in his entire cult.
Defeating another Knight Templar wouldn't have been an issue, but the Captain was different.
It might be a leap in logic, but he could inadvertently create an unnecessary feud with the Gawain Cult.
As Abigail said, his opponent was Edward Price, comparable to a six-star adventurer.
He was a difficult opponent to beat even at full strength, so if he just fought moderately and then lost, everything would go smoothly.
‘It feels bad... but it's not a total loss for me, either. I can gauge the skill of a Captain of the Knights Templar.’
This was a duel hastily arranged by the King and Edward's forceful acceptance.
He had accepted because he was in the royal palace and couldn't ruin the atmosphere, but as Kang-seok himself thought, it wasn't a duel with only downsides.
He slung Durendal onto his back and fastened Laevateinn to his waist. His preparations for battle were now complete.
“Just don't get hurt.”
“It's just a duel, right? Relax. Just go have some fun and come back.”
Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra each said a word, and Kang-seok nodded.
He patted the head of Yang Jun-gyu, who was tilting his head in confusion, unable to understand Abigail's advice to ‘lose no matter what’, and then left the room.
* * *
“Just as I feared, you've caused trouble. I should have known when you suddenly changed the event venue to the East Villa.”
The garden of the East Villa was perfectly rectangular, and since it was originally designed for outdoor balls, it was also flat and spacious.
Seated on a terrace with a clear view of the garden being transformed into a dueling ground, Galahad laughed heartily again. He placed a hand on the shoulder of Vivian, who sat beside him, and said.
“Isn't this for the best? It more or less serves as the 'assessment' you wanted, Vivian. There's no guarantee that this Dark Destiny Lord is the strongest among the Players... but he's undoubtedly in the upper ranks.”
Vivian scowled again but simply pushed Galahad's hand away without saying anything more.
In truth, depending on how one looked at it, it was a good opportunity, just as Galahad had said.
Players, much like the natives of this world, could be broadly divided into warriors and mages.
That Dark Destiny Lord was an upper-tier warrior, so it would be good to gauge his power.
“Well, well, they're both arriving. Shall we enjoy the show?”
Galahad chuckled like a child on a picnic.
Vivian watched the dueling ground with cold, sunken eyes.
* * *
In the center of the spacious dueling ground, which appeared to be at least twenty meters wide and long, stood Edward, the Captain of the Knights Templar.
Unlike Kang-seok, he had attended the event in his martial attire from the start, so other than the sword at his waist having been swapped out, nothing about him had changed.
Taking a deep breath, Kang-seok stepped onto the dueling ground.
Even the nobles who had reluctantly cheered for the king couldn't hide their excitement now that the duel was actually about to begin.
It was only natural to be interested in a confrontation between a champion of this world, the Captain of the Knights Templar, and a champion from another world, a Player.
Kang-seok took one last look toward Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra.
Abigail was busy making hand signals that clearly meant ‘you must lose’, while Yang Jun-gyu waved his hands wildly, cheering for Kang-seok like a child at a stadium.
‘Don't get hurt.’
‘Do your best!’
Kang-seok guessed their meaning by reading their lips and nodded. He composed himself and walked toward the center of the dueling ground.
“Captain of the Knights Templar, Edward Price.”
He was tall and strikingly handsome. Faced with the image of an exemplary holy knight, as if straight out of a game, Kang-seok forced a gentle smile.
“Choi Kang-seok.”
Though it was a duel, both men held real swords. He couldn't afford to approach this with the complacent thought that he could just lose and be done with it.
“Give it your all. I'd rather not kill someone by mistake.”
Edward said as he drew his sword. Depending on how one heard it, the words could sound arrogant, but judging by his face, he seemed to be sincere.
Instead of replying, Kang-seok drew Durendal.
Then, a brief pause.
From the terrace above, Galahad raised his hand, and a resounding trumpet blast announced the start of the duel.
Edward was the first to move.
The moment the trumpet blast ended, Edward kicked off the ground and shot toward Kang-seok like a bullet.
Kang-seok's body reacted before his mind could.
Their sword strikes didn't cross. Edward's sword cut through the air, and Kang-seok, who had barely dodged by leaping back, kicked off the ground again to retreat further. Edward's unbelievably fast charge continued.
Simply retreating wouldn't solve anything. But meeting his blade with his own was also difficult. Edward's sword strikes were faster and more precise than any monster he had ever faced.
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted the moment Edward's thrust pierced the empty air. It was a level of power that could no longer be described as a simple thrust.
But as great as the power was, the opening it created was equally large. Kang-seok, barely regaining his posture, leaped high into the air. Edward's gaze naturally followed him, and Kang-seok immediately executed a High-Speed Descent, taking a position behind Edward's back. Or so he thought.
Clang!
For the first time in the duel, Edward's sword clashed with Durendal. Kang-seok, who had reflexively raised Durendal to block the strike, was pushed back by Edward's force, his balance breaking once again.
He had no idea how Edward had detected his High-Speed Descent and attacked so quickly. No, this was no time to ponder such things. Edward's barrage of attacks poured down.
As a Player, Kang-seok's physical abilities were certainly worthy of being called ‘superhuman’. But Edward's physical prowess was not far behind. Whether it was a divine blessing or some other special training method, he possessed strength and speed nearly on par with Kang-seok's.
With his posture broken and under constant assault, there was no way for Kang-seok to defend properly.
Their swords crossed once more. Amidst the sharp clang of steel, Kang-seok heard Edward's voice.
“You're certainly strong. But you're an amateur.”
His physical abilities are outstanding.
He was just too caught up in defending to realize it, but in terms of raw physical power, Kang-seok surpassed Edward.
But that was all.
In the realm of technique, Kang-seok was no match for Edward.
Kang-seok's individual attacks and movements were incredibly precise and powerful when viewed in isolation, but they failed to connect smoothly.
Edward sighed inwardly.
This wasn't the first time he had fought a Player. And every Player he had experienced was like this. As if they had only learned specific skills through some crash course, the polish on each individual technique was high, but their combinations were a mess.
He had held some expectations for the grand name, the Savior of Ahen—the Dark Destiny Lord—but this one was just the same.
Players could never measure up to the champions of this world.
Flash!
A glint of light. The tip of Edward's sword seemed to move in a dazzling pattern, and suddenly, Kang-seok's right arm, gripping Durendal, was flung wide to the side. Kang-seok's chest was left open, and Edward's kick struck him squarely.
It felt like a light push kick, but its power was anything but. Kang-seok was sent flying nearly three meters before crashing to the ground.
A moment of silence seemed to fall before the nobles erupted into thunderous applause.
Edward had won. A champion of this world had defeated a Player from another.
Kang-seok gasped for air. Perhaps because of the kick to his chest, he found it hard to breathe.
The sky turned yellow. Beyond it, he could see Edward's two eyes, looking down at him coldly.
He had lost.
The surrounding nobles and servants were clapping, delighted.
It was a good reaction.
It was a fight he had intended to lose from the start, and he had been defeated according to plan. Everything had gone as intended, so he should have been satisfied.
But.
But why was he so angry?
Because he was completely dominated? Because he was kicked in the chest? Because people were applauding as if he deserved it? Because this was his first defeat since coming to this world?
Kang-seok closed his eyes, then opened them. He saw Edward's eyes.
Cold, sunken eyes. The initial competitive spirit was gone, replaced by pupils tinged with emptiness.
‘Ah, I remember now. When I felt like this before.’
Back when I suffered a perfect defeat at an arcade, the kind you can hardly find anymore.
When I heard the laughter of the guy sitting across from me.
It was childish.
Truly foolish.
But there was no denying the flame that surged from deep within his chest.
A contest that burned even hotter precisely because his life wasn't on the line.
Kang-seok pushed himself up. The blow hadn't been that severe to begin with.
Durendal was still clutched in Kang-seok's hand. Edward, who had been turning to leave, stopped. The thunderous applause began to die down.
Kang-seok rolled his neck lightly and let out a long breath. He relaxed his shoulders and muttered softly.
“Sorry, Yu-jin, Yu-ra.”
Edward turned back. He sent a cold gaze, as if telling him not to do anything foolish.
In response to that gaze, Kang-seok gave a fierce smile.
“I want to win.”
P+K+S+HS+Voice Recognition
Second Movement: Black Flame Dragon
“Cry out, O Dragon of Black Flame.”
For once, he was happy to say the embarrassing activation phrase.
The bandages wrapped around his right arm transformed into chains.
Black flames erupted from Kang-seok's entire body.
Vivian gasped.
Galahad shot up from his seat, his eyes wide. A stir spread through the onlookers.
Watching from a distance, Abigail blinked in bewilderment.
Yang Jun-gyu, who had been crestfallen the moment Kang-seok was knocked down, now jumped for joy and let out a cheer.
Seong Yu-jin smiled a mixture of a sigh, worry, and joy, as if she knew this would happen. Choi Yu-ra, who had been suppressing her anger ever since Kang-seok was kicked, threw a punch in the air and shouted inwardly.
‘Crush him!’
[Quest: Subdue Edward Price, Captain of the Knights Templar of Gawain, the God of Honor]
[You can do it! Who's he calling an amateur?!]
Letters of light.
Iris's voice.
Kang-seok responded to it all.