Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: 18. Attribute Tutoring (7)
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Audience seats.
People gathered in small groups, buzzing with anticipation for the match about to unfold.
"Which team do you think will win?"
"My money's on Team A, no question. Their raw power is superior, but word is their leader, Jo Dong-jae, fights on par with a solid B-Rank. With three mages, Team B just doesn't have the firepower to hold him back—they're gonna get steamrolled."
"Poor Team B. Backed by Heavenly Firmament and everything, but one loss drops them back to mediocrity."
The consensus was unanimous.
Team A's victory.
For those affiliated with Heavenly Firmament, the rumors alone made the outcome obvious.
But among the crowd...
Some watched with sharper eyes.
They appeared to be Heavenly Firmament members on the surface, but they were spies from Daeyang Management and Korea's top agencies. To them, this match's result was crucial. They could poach the losing Team B, or gauge Team A's strength to counter Heavenly Firmament's future moves.
It was common knowledge, really.
Then, a whisper that perked up ears.
"Heard Team B brought in an outside party to train them specifically for this?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Everyone in the know has heard. There's this party that shows up at the training grounds constantly. Folks who saw it say they were coaching Team B like teachers. Get this—the whole party's D-Rank except one guy."
"Huh? That doesn't add up."
"Exactly!"
The existence of Kang San's party.
It was an open secret.
Using Heavenly Firmament's training grounds meant word leaked inevitably.
Of course, no one took it seriously.
"Like that's gonna change anything. Two weeks won't bridge the gap between those teams."
"Agreed."
Just idle chatter.
That's how everyone saw it now.
Meanwhile, preparations wrapped up.
As the two teams took the stage, the rowdy crowd fell silent, watching intently.
The referee shouted.
"Victory conditions are simple: force a surrender or deal significant damage that implies it. No killing, obviously. Everyone to positions."
Swish.
They returned to their spots.
Facing off.
Jo Dong-jae ground his teeth.
'Min Young-gi. Whatever gave you the balls to spout that nonsense, I'm gonna crush you so thoroughly you'll have no place left in Heavenly Firmament.'
Moments ago.
Min Young-gi's words had scraped at his nerves.
He felt utterly dismissed, so he planned a flawless win—one beyond rebuttal. The worst outcome for Min Young-gi. Dismantling the project team was penalty enough, but a crushing defeat meant expulsion from Heavenly Firmament. All that support under the project banner, squandered? No one would back failures like that.
Just what Jo Dong-jae wanted.
He addressed his teammates.
"Stick to the plan—end it in five minutes."
"Got it."
Ready.
Right on cue.
The referee, scanning both teams, gave the signal.
Bang!
Whoosh.
Thud thud thud thud.
"Fire Wave."
Team A struck first.
Their mage unleashed a memorized spell from the start, flames roaring forward as Jo Dong-jae charged. Simple strategy: ignore defense, overwhelm with offense. Project Team A's firepower could breach Team B in under five minutes, they figured.
"Shield."
Boom!
Roarrrrr.
Lee Soo-chan blocked the blaze.
Jo Dong-jae arrived in that instant.
Facing B Team's main tanker, Han Eun-seong, he unleashed a heavy attack skill without hesitation.
"Power Strike."
Boom!
Bang, bang, bang!
He pressed relentlessly.
Han Eun-seong staggered under the brutal blows, and Team A swarmed in for a one-sided beatdown. Just one main tanker in the rear? They flaunted their intent to dominate. Their assault was fierce; Jo Dong-jae spotted an opening.
"Shadow Attack."
Swish.
Swoosh.
Shadows rippled.
Pushing Han Eun-seong, then riding his shadow to infiltrate the backline.
"!?"
B Team's formation crumbled.
With this skill's surprise, Jo Dong-jae believed he could drop a mage.
But.
"Flash."
Flash.
Not just that.
As Jo Dong-jae's face twisted, vines erupted from the ground, coiling around him viciously.
"Entangle."
"You bastards."
Snap.
He burst free with force.
The mages reacted faster than expected, but he'd only lost seconds. He sharpened his senses. Vision blurred? No shake. Following afterimages, he dove through space. When sight returned, B Team's mages were right there, as if inevitable.
Except for one thing.
"Where you going?"
Flash.
Boom!
Min Young-gi struck like he'd been waiting.
The vital-targeting blow finally clued Jo Dong-jae in—something was off.
Dozens of spars.
Dozens of losses.
Project Team B had no choice but to acknowledge Kang San.
Government standards pegged him D-Rank, yet he outclassed average C-Ranks. Baffling at first. But after repeated failures to block him, they trained to recognize and counter him.
Still, they crumbled.
Kang San shredded their lines; losing to four was soul-crushing.
And now.
B Team thought the same.
'Manageable.'
Jo Dong-jae's attacks?
Blockable.
His moves?
Within predictions.
No reason they couldn't hold.
Mages' quick counters and Min Young-gi's strike proved it. As Jo Dong-jae retreated, Han Eun-seong filled the gap.
"You little—"
Boom.
Clang clang clang clang!
Jo Dong-jae attacked in rage.
Stat gap made it tough for Han Eun-seong alone, but the sub-tanker backed him perfectly, halting the advance. Even as other A Team dealers arrived, no change. Han and sub-tanker synced like against 'Kang San'—calm precision. Rear support? Mages preempted with shields or counters. Battlefield balanced.
Perplexing.
Team A had sparred endlessly for this.
Hired outside teams like B Team; always won convincingly.
So.
Five minutes seemed plenty.
No calculation allowed over five to breach defense.
'This can't be real.'
Jo Dong-jae's eyes reddened.
Refusal to accept.
Longer it dragged, the more hollow the win.
He gritted his teeth.
"Berserker."
Rumble rumble rumble.
Consumed stamina.
Temporary attack surge; hammered Han Eun-seong.
Whoosh.
Boom!
Strike landed.
Had Han missed by a hair, it'd rip side flesh—not shield. Jo blurred through space. Too fast for reactions, hitting everywhere to break him quick.
Hwup.
Crack!
Slammed down.
Slammed again.
Overwhelming destruction.
Inevitable end.
Like staggering Han Eun-seong, sub-tanker pushed back by dealers.
Not fully satisfying, but A Team's win certain.
Then.
"...Block it!"
Scream from behind.
Whipping around, an unthinkable sight.
B Team's strategy.
Simple.
Defend first.
Then, spot the gap.
"Soo-chan."
"On it, Haste."
"Dash."
Whoosh.
Thud thud thud thud.
Min Young-gi charged.
Instant speed boost; dash made him a blur.
Learned from Kang San spars.
Defense alone was futile.
To win, attack needed. Plan: hold briefly, then switch. Trusted rears to hold. Vs. Kang San dodging spells to strike, Jo Dong-jae—strong as he was—blockable.
Ahead.
A Team's main tanker.
Shield raised, eyes gleaming hostile.
"Think you can break me solo? Guardian Shield."
Boom!
They collided.
Min Young-gi kept speed, pushing; A tanker unyielding. Delay. Had to punch through fast for backline, but A Team's rep held—solid fundamentals.
Time not on B Team's side.
Prolonged meant their line would break eventually.
Yet.
Snicker.
A laugh escaped.
'Unlike Kang San's party.'
When Kang San hit rears, Min Young-gi often counter-raided theirs.
Then.
How'd Jeong Chan-woo and dealers react?
Not relying solely on tanker like Project A. Pushing Jeong, fireballs suddenly struck—perfect sync with his moves. Once pierced shoulder, halting training. Magic same: abrupt blasts disrupted assaults.
Rear three.
Perfect synergy.
Complementing moves, every step deliberate.
Facing that...
Amusing to see foes rely purely on stats.
"Water Strike."
"Fire Lance."
Signal.
B mages cast; Min Young-gi charged.
Boom!
Fizzle.
Spells clashed.
A's main tanker shoved back; steam billowed as water vaporized.
Vision obscured.
Then.
"Dash."
Whoosh—
Min Young-gi pierced again.
A tanker slow to react.
Too late; Min already past.
"...Block it!"
He yelled.
A Team rear.
Warning mage and priest.
Block once.
Hold once.
A tanker confident against Min Young-gi.
But expectations dashed.
"Flash."
Flash.
Splurt!
Sword pierced air, cleaving mage's chest.
Checkmate.
Jo Dong-jae, victory assured, paled at the unforeseen scene.