Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: 27. Controversy (3)
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S-Rank test.
Kang San knew full well he could never pass it.
Taking down an S-Rank monster went without saying, but facing off against ten A-Rank hunters at once was no different. Even with buffs, his stats barely scraped by as A-Rank at best. The moment Im Chan-young showed up with cameras in tow, he'd been backed into a corner, but even foreseeing the test's outcome, he hadn't backed down.
Three months from now.
A catastrophe would strike.
When monsters poured out from the Mount Gume area, his reputation—now dragged through the mud by this incident—would undoubtedly cause problems.
'Right now, when I need to boost my value even higher, there's no better spectacle than this.'
The media that had trashed his exploits in Japan.
Im Chan-young and Project A team, with whom he shared bad blood.
A story people couldn't help but pay attention to had been crafted.
Even if he lost the showdown, showing meaningful results would let Kang San pass the B-Rank test and then be hailed as a skyrocketing talent shortly after. Whether slaying that S-Rank evil spirit was true or not. The visible performance alone was more than enough to earn recognition of his future potential.
That was the meaning behind his acceptance.
Kang San spoke.
"What's the format of this duel?"
"Ha-."
Im Chan-young's face twisted viciously.
Kang San's acceptance?
This wasn't part of the plan.
Of course, they'd prepared for contingencies, but he didn't like the expression on Kang San's face as he agreed to the duel. It had been the same before. A mere F-Rank arrow sponge with eyes full of life. An arrogant punk who acted like he was somebody, looking out for those around him and never holding back his words.
Sure enough.
'You're done for.'
"Follow me. The dueling ground's already set up."
Im Chan-young flashed a feral grin.
* * *
They moved to a new location.
Since this test was being broadcast live, the broadcasting staff bustled about, setting up cameras.
Jeong Mun-cheol received a report from the PD amid the unfolding situation.
"Mun-cheol, viewership ratings are skyrocketing right now. It hasn't even started yet, and we've broken 30%. Your prediction was spot on. The issue is the higher-ups are a bit concerned. Sure, the buzz is great, but a fair number of viewers think this is too aggressive and sensational. You okay with that?"
"PD, you been doing this gig for one day or two?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
"What we get out of this broadcast boils down to two outcomes: Kang San loses, or he wins. If he loses, our hit piece is a smashing success. We're the media that saw through his self-aggrandizing scheme in one go, exposing the truth without being swayed by flashy feats. We secure not just ratings, but an image of credibility with the audience."
"And if he loses."
"Loses?"
He smirked.
Jeong Mun-cheol was a battle-hardened veteran.
He'd handled countless scandals in this industry, always holding his ground on that tightrope walk.
This showdown?
Frankly, too easy.
Kang San's skills had been proven in the B-Rank test, and even if he'd grown leaps and bounds since, he couldn't have reached S-Rank. Plus, from personal connections in Japan, Jeong Mun-cheol had learned that the S-Rank evil spirit Kang San supposedly defeated wasn't your typical monster. It preyed on the mind, driving even S-Rank hunters to death, but its physical prowess was lacking—which might explain why Kang San pulled it off.
Jeong Mun-cheol had learned the truth too late.
But he didn't change the report.
In the end.
If it was a special case, it still proved Kang San lacked the ability to handle a standard S-Rank monster. And with Drake slipping them cash under the table. When viewers craved sensational drama, there was no need to air excuses and tarnish the network's image.
Jeong Mun-cheol said,
"There's zero chance Kang San beats us. He doesn't have the skill, and Drake's fully prepped besides."
On stage.
He could see people scurrying about.
Anticipating the rewards from this broadcast, Jeong Mun-cheol brimmed with excitement.
"So just watch. This is how you do TV."
* * *
Everyone took the stage.
Preparations were complete.
With the duel about to begin, Ryu Seung-ryeol—a Drake affiliate and A-Rank hunter—asked,
"Chan-young, Kang San accepted this duel so readily. Feels like he's got something up his sleeve. What do you think?"
"Not at all."
"No need to worry?"
"None. Back during the B-Rank test, he didn't hold back. He went all out, took down his opponents, and passed. That's it. No matter what changes he's undergone since, it's only been a month. Claiming he took down an S-Rank monster in that time doesn't add up."
Im Chan-young truly believed it.
Jeong Mun-cheol's reporting.
That was the truth.
He had memories of seeing and experiencing it firsthand, so he couldn't swallow the absurd claim of downing an S-Rank whole. Sure, questions lingered. How the hell was he tangled up with Japan's political scene? No matter the backstory, he couldn't accept a narrative where Kang San came out on top.
After losing to Kang San.
Im Chan-young had endured humiliating times.
A genius mage everyone acknowledged had plummeted into a flash-in-the-pan nobody.
Im Chan-young bared his hostility.
"So crush him mercilessly. That's the master's order."
"Was planning to anyway."
This incident.
Drake's honor was on the line.
Right after failing to recruit Kang San, they'd taken in Project A team and Im Chan-young, going full opposite direction. They needed to trample Kang San to salvage their reputation. And having shown open animosity toward him now, failing to deliver results would send Drake's image crashing down.
Shing.
He drew his sword.
He told his comrades.
Wait there at first.
He'd create a fun scene alone, crumbling Kang San.
"Are both sides ready? The duel ends when one side admits defeat or is deemed combat-ineffective and declares 'defeat.' Ready..."
Thud.
The referee stepped back.
He shouted,
"Begin!"
Fwhoosh.
Bam-bam-bam!
The instant it started, Ryu Seung-ryeol kicked off the ground.
He activated a speed-boosting skill, closing the distance in a flash and spotting Kang San's opening.
Whirrl.
Boom-!
The response was swift.
As the snaking blade aimed to sever his right arm, Kang San raised his shield as if anticipating it, blocking cleanly.
"Consecutive Strikes."
Whoosh.
Boom- Bang, bang!
He pressed relentlessly.
Mana erupted explosively with each blow, and the powerful impacts shook Kang San's body. Just as expected. If Kang San was the monster who'd felled an S-Rank, a clash or two should've proven his class. But getting pushed back this hard by attacks like these?
'His Japan feats were a lie.'
Certainty settled in.
Truth be told, believing that fool was stupid.
A guy who'd just passed B-Rank, bragging about S-Rank kills.
"Know your place, punk."
Clang.
He smacked the shield upward.
A perfect opening.
He dashed in.
Slipping through space, before Kang San could react, he aimed to rip open his chest.
But.
"...!"
In that instant.
Their eyes met.
A sudden surge of unease hit, followed by burning pain flaring up.
Fwhoosh.
Splurt.
The essence of lethal intent.
Kang San's sword, luring him in, sliced straight across Ryu Seung-ryeol's chest.
* * *
"Urk."
Thud.
Pat-pat-pat.
Ryu Seung-ryeol retreated hastily.
Bright red blood dripped from his clutched chest.
"If you're gonna test me, do it right. I took down an S-Rank, so what makes you think a lone A-Rank like you stands a chance?"
Kang San taunted.
Ryu Seung-ryeol was strong.
His A-Rank status proved it, but to Kang San—who'd survived Kitakyushu's hell—those attacks weren't burdensome. He'd baited the carelessness and struck true. For Kang San, he needed the opponent going all-out to score results, so he openly provoked the rest watching from behind Ryu Seung-ryeol.
"Heal."
Fwoosh.
The wound mended.
A signal to all: join the fight.
Ryu Seung-ryeol glared furiously.
"Fine, I admit it. This is an S-Rank test, so don't complain our group assault is too harsh from here on."
That was the cue.
Ryu Seung-ryeol assumed position.
The moment he kicked off again, ranged attacks flew from behind.
"Focused Fire."
"Throw."
Fwhoosh.
Thung-thung-thung.
Arrows and daggers embedded in the shield.
Quick defense, but as he lowered it, Ryu Seung-ryeol and the other A-Ranks charged.
Swoosh.
Boom-!
He blocked the first.
Killing intent targeted blind spots simultaneously; Kang San parried each, deflecting attacks. No room for counter. The cogwheel onslaught allowed no breather, and as he backpedaled to create space, blazing flames caught his eye.
"Fire Cannon."
Roooar.
Boom-!
A massive assault.
Fierce flames engulfed Kang San.
Fortunately, damage was minimal.
Fire resistance.
The cheat skill cut fire damage by 50%; Kang San burst through the blaze, countering.
"Blood Demon Sword Art, First Form: Blade Kill."
Flash.
Boom-!
"Not today."
The foe reacted swiftly.
Proving his A-Rank worth, he swung to parry the sudden strike. From there, frenzied exchanges erupted. Attacks rained from below, above, right, left—no mercy. Among them, Jo Dong-jae, former Project A team leader, now B-Rank promoted, lunged with murderous intent at vitals.
"Die!"
Swoosh.
The air split.
A chilling sensation.
Too much for solo handling.
Kang San bridged gaps with Sanctuary and Aura of Glory, but enduring was no easy feat.
'Too many opponents.'
Nine A-Ranks.
Plus Im Chan-young and Project A.
Even narrowing gaps with buffs and debuffs, facing that many was impossible from the start. He knew how grueling this fight was. Yet he'd accepted to prove his worth—and because failing this meant death was the only option come three months.
Think about it.
S-Rank Dark Lord.
When that monster swept in with undead hordes, Kang San had to hold overwhelming forces alone. Was this harder than that? No way. If he fell to this level of opposition, he should abandon Azmun's trials and seek another path.
'I have to win.'
Grind.
He clenched his teeth.
Media smears.
Im Chan-young's malice.
Conspiracies to drag him down—none of it mattered.
Swoosh!
Ryu Seung-ryeol's attack came.
The sharply gleaming tip, buffed by priestly magic, plunged fiercer.
Dodge?
Block?
Defensive options flashed in mind.
But to truly overcome and win—even in a fight started expecting loss—he had to charge believing in victory. That mindset was essential now.
Tat.
He dove through space.
Piercing the onslaught of killing blows from all sides.
"Blood Demon Sword Art, Second Form: Pursuit Kill."
Whirrl.
Thud.
"Kuhk."
He pierced the foe's shoulder.
That was when it happened.
Five-star skill.
Its hidden power shone in the critical moment.