Fulfilling the Princess's Request
His expression was brimming with smug satisfaction.
As if he'd seized the perfect opportunity.
"Might I say a few words?"
"Speak."
"Thank you, Princess."
Viscount Herbon dropped to one knee.
"If you'll permit it, I'd like to send out my escort knight."
"Your escort knight?"
"Yes, Princess."
The princess's gaze shifted to Mu-hyuk.
"What is your opinion?"
"I don't mind."
"Then prepare the space."
At her command, the nobles stepped back. Maids swiftly approached, clearing away the food and tables from the center.
In an instant, a wide-open arena suitable for a duel had formed.
"My escort knight, Tresa."
Knight Tresa stepped forward.
"It is my utmost honor to stand here like this."
"Of course it is. Enough preamble—get to the main event."
"Understood."
Mu-hyuk followed suit, advancing.
He gave a light bow to the princess, then faced the knight.
"Excellent. Then begin."
Tresa drew his sword.
Shing.
Mu-hyuk equipped his sword and shield.
"Hah!"
Tresa charged, kicking off the ground.
White Tiger Steps.
The skill revealed an opening the moment it activated. Mu-hyuk sidestepped leisurely, evading the attack with ease.
Tresa furrowed his brow slightly and unleashed a flurry of follow-ups.
High, low, side.
The relentless blade strikes flew without pause, yet not a hair on Mu-hyuk's head was touched.
"What are you doing?! Fight properly!"
Viscount Herbon's shout came from behind. Tresa's movements grew even fiercer.
Whoosh, whick.
The attacks accelerated with each passing moment.
Hmm.
Interestingly, the openings were shrinking in tandem.
So he was holding back his true strength.
Deciding to test him lightly, Mu-hyuk raised his shield.
Clang!
The moment the blade met shield—
Power Dash
Current Level 6: Damage = (Physical Defense + Magic Defense) × 350%
Mu-hyuk's current physical defense was 1,123, magic defense 1,171. That meant Power Dash inflicted a whopping '2,294 × 350%' damage.
Of course, not all of it would land—opponent defense had to be factored in.
-7,634 HP
The precise figure: 7,634.
If he'd used Storm, it would've hit for at least 20,000.
But that might kill him.
Killing a noble's knight in the banquet hall would cause no end of trouble. So he'd been handling the knight with restraint, aiming to subdue rather than destroy—resulting in a somewhat sloppy fight.
*
Duke Amur entered the banquet hall.
Hm?
Sensing the odd atmosphere, he hurried to his seat.
"Duke Amur?"
"Ah, it's you."
"This way, please."
"Right."
The count yielded his spot.
Only then did the scene in the center come into view.
Mu-hyuk the baronet...?
He was fighting a knight.
"What is this?"
"Well..."
As the count explained, Duke Amur pressed his brow.
"Ugh. The princess again..."
But he couldn't intervene.
Well, since it had come to this.
He decided to properly gauge Mu-hyuk's strength.
The fight was fiercer than expected, yet...
"The mood feels..."
"Yeah, a bit off, right?"
The princess had surely noticed what the two had sensed.
Her already twisted expression betrayed her fury. As if she could bear it no longer, she slammed her fist on the table.
Bang!
"Enough!"
Mu-hyuk and Tresa halted, sheathing their swords. Turning, they saw the princess trembling faintly.
"Are you two playing around right now?"
"..."
"Why aren't you showing your true strength?"
Neither could answer easily.
"Speak!"
Tresa knelt first.
"My apologies. I held back for fear of killing him."
"Mu-hyuk baronet, you?"
"Same here."
"Don't put on such a pathetic show before me. If you're scared of killing, overwhelm them so thoroughly they can't even approach! Especially you, Mu-hyuk baronet."
"Yes."
"Heed my words. Play around like that again, and I won't forgive you."
Her word "play" stung.
Was that how it looked? He'd been serious with the knight.
His face twisted, betraying his thoughts.
"You don't understand."
"What..."
"Aren't you Sir Valsian's disciple?!"
Only then did he grasp her meaning.
Damn.
He understood her rage now.
And why she'd called it "play."
"My apologies."
"This time, both of you go all out."
"Of course."
Tresa glanced at Mu-hyuk after replying.
Mu-hyuk still faced the princess.
True power, without holding back a single ounce—that's what she demanded.
Fine, I'll show her.
But not in this cramped space.
"Why no reply?"
"It's too narrow here."
"What?"
"For full power, we need more room."
"Very well, I'll allow it."
The nobles retreated even further.
Even the tables and food filling the hall.
"Is this enough?"
"Tight, but doable."
Only then did Mu-hyuk turn.
"Then begin."
The moment the princess spoke, wind emanated from Mu-hyuk.
Whoooosh.
Where it settled, brilliant white dust erupted.
The dust settled, coalescing into forms.
One, two. Ten, twenty.
Soon over a hundred shapes. But not yet complete.
"Wh-what?!"
"This is...!"
The hazy forms solidified.
42 Armor Knights, Burtans, Hydras, and Bone Swords.
25 Armor Archers and numerous Bone Bows.
16 Armor Mages and numerous Mages.
17 Armor Cavalries and numerous Cavalries.
Two Big Skeletons.
A Giant Cyclops.
A Poison Ogre.
A Yeti and a Red Orc Great Warrior.
A total of 199-strong legion.
The swirling dust vanished, their majesty filling the hall. Towering frames, weapons in hand. Varied forms, rattling bones.
An alien dissonance, as if plunged into a realm of death. Yet the man at the center was unmistakably human, his presence silencing all around.
Sheer overwhelm.
No other word needed.
"U-um."
Knight Tresa, preparing to face them head-on, let out a groan. Pushed back by sheer aura, he realized it—but lacked the confidence to advance.
"Then we'll attack first."
At Mu-hyuk's words—
Clatter, creak.
The skeletons stirred. Rear Mages gathered dark mana; Archers nocked bone arrows, aiming skyward.
Tresa knew: once that barrage began, no dodging or blocking possible.
"W-wait!"
But the skeletons didn't stop.
"I surrender! I surrender!"
Only then did they freeze, as if by magic.
Mu-hyuk stared into space briefly.
Princess's Request
He waved it away.
Whoosh.
All skeletons dissolved into dust.
*
The banquet ended early due to Mu-hyuk's display.
"Everyone's leaving."
"Yeah."
"By the way, disciple."
"Yes?"
"You've grown. More summons than I thought."
"I'm pretty capable."
Valsian chuckled, tapping Mu-hyuk's head.
"Cocky as ever."
"Sorry."
"Look at your face. You're grinning."
"No way."
"Same pattern as last time."
"Absolutely not."
"Anyway, good work. Be on your best behavior around the princess."
"Got it."
As Valsian left, the waiting princess led Mu-hyuk away. Duke Amur, who'd been watching, stepped up.
"Princess, greetings at last."
"I saw you arrive."
"Ah, yes. The fight started right as I..."
"My curiosity got the better of me again."
"As expected. Might I have a word with this young man?"
"Go ahead."
Duke Amur approached Mu-hyuk.
"Impressive show today."
Mu-hyuk, at a loss, smiled awkwardly.
"Didn't know your skills were this sharp. And Sir Valsian's disciple, no less. I took you for an ordinary necromancer."
"Sorry I didn't mention it."
"No matter. Just wanted to greet you—odd not to exchange words in the hall. We have personal matters too, but later."
"Pardon?"
"I'll take my leave."
Duke Amur bowed to the princess and departed.
Coming back later?
Mu-hyuk frowned slightly, hurrying to the princess.
"Follow me. I must reward you for satisfying me."
"Yes, Princess."
Minutes of walking, footsteps echoing. Curiosity struck Mu-hyuk.
"Princess."
"What?"
"A question."
"A question?"
"Yes."
"Ask."
"Hm, more people showed respect to my master than I expected..."
She turned.
"Curious why?"
"Exactly."
"His disciple doesn't know his standing?"
"We're like that."
"Fitting for him."
She paused.
"Simple explanation: 50 years ago..."
An old tale spilled from her lips.