Chapter 386
Chapter 386
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 387
Chapter Title: The Weakling's Valor
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Looking at the details of the achievement I'd suddenly unlocked, those guys seemed to be scared of me.
It was probably due to the influence of my previous fight against the four Special Task Force members that they were reacting this way...
“...Hmm.”
The situation itself wasn't bad.
No matter what, the key to turning this situation to my advantage was in my hands.
By the way, one of them was a demon, and the other was from the Hanseong family, so the moment they saw me, they were convinced I was a demon hunter...
This wasn't good.
At that moment, Jeong Hwan, who had been eyeing me warily, spoke up.
“...Damn it. Things are getting complicated. I didn't expect a demon hunter to be here.”
“Do we stand a chance against him if we both go at him?”
Al Asad asked with a stiff expression.
“Considering his track record so far, and the combat prowess he showed against the four Special Task Force members at once... 10%... no, maybe 3%.”
...3%? What the hell.
If we fought right now, I'd lose 100%.
They were under some strange delusion, but since it was working in my favor, there was no need to correct them.
That's when Al Asad spoke.
“But doesn't something feel off?”
“What do you mean?”
“That guy's aura feels weaker than expected.” Al Asad glared at me.
“What aura?”
“The kind of presence that strong fighters exude unconsciously. It's barely there on him.”
“...Hmm. Now that you mention it, yeah.”
“He might be suppressing it on purpose.”
This was suddenly turning bad again.
If I let this go on, I'd really have to face two S-Rank monsters at once.
So I stepped forward first.
“......”
The two flinched in surprise simultaneously.
It was hard to believe they were S-Rank monsters that made the world tremble in fear.
I looked at them coldly and said,
“One's a demon... and the other practices assassination magic.”
At my words, both their faces showed shock.
“H-How do you know my magic?”
“...Can you really distinguish demons like the rumors say?”
Then I let out a small breath and slightly closed my eyes.
And activated 'Overimmersion.'
[Activating latent trait 'Overimmersion.']
At the same time, I pictured the scenario for Overimmersion in my mind.
I am strong.
Incredibly strong... strong enough to hold off even if ten S-Rank wizards attacked me...
As I repeated this like self-hypnosis, an inexplicable, unfounded confidence began to well up inside me.
To the point where, intoxicated by my own concept, I started to delusionally believe I could easily take down the two in front of me.
By the way, the effect of Overimmersion hadn't been this strong before. It felt like it had gone berserk and strengthened after my latent trait was enhanced on Taehwi Island.
...No, it's not a delusion—they really look ridiculously weak?
Want to try taking on both at once?
Sensing the change in my aura, their expressions quickly hardened.
“...His aura shifted in an instant.”
“W-What is this?”
A normal person, or even a mid-to-low-tier wizard, probably wouldn't notice this subtle change.
But these were S-Rank monsters.
They couldn't miss it.
And as my plan worked, their eyes shook violently.
At the same time, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You have successfully crushed the aura of the strong without engaging in combat!]
[You have acquired 'Weakling's Valor (B)'.]
...Huh?
After the achievement, I'd even gained a trait this time.
The trait's name was Weakling's Valor.
But I'm not a weakling.
I'm incredibly strong.
[Weakling's Valor (B)]
Description: Gain additional effects when you successfully demoralize someone stronger than you.
► Demoralization
Activates when you successfully demoralize someone stronger than you.
All your stats increase by 20%.
The demoralized opponent's stats decrease by 20%.
This effect only activates during combat after successful demoralization.
Permanently gain +1 to one of your stats upon successful use of Weakling's Valor.
It was a pretty decent trait.
I didn't quite get why someone as incredibly strong as me was considered the weakling, but acquiring a trait was no loss for me.
And another message appeared before my eyes.
[You have successfully crushed the strong's aura.]
['Weakling's Valor (B)' activates!]
[All your stats increase by 20%. Enemy stats decrease by 20%.]
[Vitality +1.]
“...Ugh!”
The moment the effect triggered, something began pressing down on Jeong Hwan and Al Asad's bodies.
That was probably the 20% stat reduction from Weakling's Valor.
Realizing I'd caused this, fear started creeping back into their eyes.
“Damn it!”
Unable to endure it anymore, Jeong Hwan unleashed black demonic energy from his entire body and charged at me.
At the same time, I drew up all my mana.
Since the opponent was an S-Rank wizard, I needed to go all out too.
[Activating user effect 'Heart of Great Nature.']
[Activating user effect 'Fighting Spirit.']
Feeling the mana rampaging inside me, I dodged his punch.
Thanks to the stat boost from Weakling's Valor, it was easier than expected to evade his attack.
“Tch!”
Then I quickly manifested light orbs and slammed them into his stomach.
KABOOM!
“Argh!”
Jeong Hwan rolled across the ground.
Next, Al Asad charged at me, gripping a dagger in reverse grip.
As expected of an assassination magic user, his speed was impressive.
But I had a way to move even faster.
I immediately activated Instant Acceleration to dodge the attack.
Then manifested magic orbs and fired them at him again.
BOOM!
“Gah!”
Al Asad screamed in pain and rolled on the ground.
“Phew...”
Thanks to Weakling's Valor, the opening against two at once wasn't bad.
But the problem was next.
How to hold out until Instant Acceleration's cooldown was up.
“...Jinwoo-ssi, are you okay?”
Han Se-yeon's voice came from behind.
I turned, lightly massaging my wrist, and nodded.
“Yeah, I'm fine. I'm really strong, after all.”
“...Pardon?”
At that moment.
I sensed an ominous energy from somewhere.
Turning around, I saw someone descending from the mountain peak, a massive sword strapped to their back.
Al Asad saw him and hardened his expression again.
“...That aura—could it be? The Sword Ghost?”
Being from the same Hanseong family, he recognized him immediately.
The Sword Ghost looked back and forth between me and Han Se-yeon before speaking.
“I came because I sensed some commotion...”
Then he turned his gaze to Al Asad.
“...You.”
And at that moment.
With a surge of powerful mana, Al Asad and Jeong Hwan turned and fled rapidly. A quick and accurate judgment.
Not only dealing with me, but now the Sword Ghost too?
Naturally, they figured they had no chance.
But the Sword Ghost was faster.
A flash of intense light, as if determined not to let them escape, and his figure vanished.
He reappeared in front of Al Asad, swinging his sword at unbelievable speed with the flat side striking his head.
“Guh!”
Al Asad collapsed unconscious.
The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye, drawing an involuntary gasp of admiration from me.
As expected, his reputation as one of the top five swordsmen in the world wasn't empty talk—monstrous skill.
The Sword Ghost—someone on my level, or perhaps even above.
...At that moment, Overimmersion's effect wore off, returning me to normal.
Recalling what I'd just thought, cold sweat trickled down my back.
...What was that? When did Overimmersion get this strong?
The Sword Ghost stood over the fallen Al Asad, watching Jeong Hwan flee without pursuing.
He hoisted the unconscious Al Asad onto his shoulder, glanced at me, and said,
“You dispelled the barrier?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“...I see. Not bad.”
Then he approached Han Se-yeon and asked,
“Miss, what brings you here?”
“...Um, well. I came because I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor...”
The Sword Ghost turned his gaze back to me.
“Did you plan for the miss to come here?”
I nodded at his question.
“Yes. That's correct.”
The Sword Ghost pondered with a thoughtful expression, then nodded and headed toward the villa.
“Follow me for now.”
The Sword Ghost's villa was bigger than expected.
Around 2,000 square feet, with stairs leading to a second floor.
Han Se-yeon looked around and said,
“...You've been staying here all this time? Doesn't it get lonely by yourself?”
“I've always liked being alone, so it's fine.”
As he spoke, the Sword Ghost set the unconscious Al Asad down on the floor and leaned against the wall.
“So, why are you here? And why were you facing off against this guy? Explain.”
“That is...”
As Han Se-yeon started to answer, I cut in.
“We came to ask for your help, Sword Ghost.”
At my words, the Sword Ghost's gaze turned to me.
“What kind of help?”
“I'd like you to return to your true calling and protect Han Se-yeon.”
The Sword Ghost furrowed his brow.
“As I told the miss, I am the sword that guards the Hanseong family head. I don't protect just anyone because they carry Hanseong blood.”
It was the expected response. His convictions were well-known.
Han Se-yeon didn't seem disappointed either, as if she'd anticipated this.
I met her eyes briefly before turning back to the Sword Ghost.
“The situation has changed. Now you must choose. Will you lose the Hanseong family you've served your whole life? Or will you choose a new master for its future?”
“...What do you mean by that?”
The Sword Ghost gave a puzzled look.
“Han Se-jin is unstable right now. To seize what he wants, he's doing things beyond his capabilities. If he takes power, the Hanseong family will fall.”
In the original story, after Han Se-jin took over, evidence of his collusion with demons surfaced, leading to near-collapse for the family.
Fortunately, Han Se-yeon later rose as the next chairwoman, ushering in a new era of revival.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because Han Se-jin has joined hands with demons.”
At my words, the Sword Ghost's expression stiffened momentarily.
Han Se-yeon showed little change, as if she'd half-expected it.
She just gazed at me thoughtfully.
“And the Association is already fairly certain Han Se-jin is colluding with demons. The noose is tightening, and soon his true nature will be exposed to the world.”
I continued calmly.
“You know what kind of organization the Association is. If any group disrupts society, they crush it without mercy.”
The Sword Ghost listened silently, still leaning against the wall.
“If Han Se-jin takes over the Hanseong family, the Association will launch 'Operation Destroy Hanseong' immediately. Then the family you've devoted your life to will crumble in an instant.”
Then I voiced the Sword Ghost's true feelings, as known from the original story.
“And now, be honest. You already have someone you want to serve, don't you?”
The Sword Ghost had long disliked Han Se-jin.
His cruel personality and habits.
His ambitions far exceeding his abilities.
And colluding with demons, a race he despised.
He vaguely knew this himself.
For the first time, the Sword Ghost showed a surprised expression at having his inner thoughts exposed.
I turned my gaze to Al Asad, collapsed unconscious on the floor.
“As you know, Sword Ghost, this man was an assassin sent by Han Se-jin to kill Han Se-yeon.”
“...Al Asad. One of the weapons raised by the Hanseong family.”
The Sword Ghost muttered quietly.
“And there was a demon beside him. A discerning person like you should see that's sufficient evidence for what I've said.”
I told the Sword Ghost,
“To prevent the Hanseong family's fall, Han Se-yeon is needed. You know that well.”
After a long pause in thought, the Sword Ghost chuckled softly.
“...Haha. Interesting. Very interesting. I never imagined you'd know my heart so well.”
The Sword Ghost laughed quietly to himself before saying to me,
“Now I understand why the late chairman took an interest in you.”
He seemed somehow pleased.
“Fine. I accept your proposal. But on one condition.”
A condition?
“What is it?”
“Answer my question honestly.”
I didn't know what the question was, but I nodded.
“Kim Jinwoo. Why are you helping the miss like this?”