Chapter 282
Chapter 282
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 282
Chapter Title: ACT.57 Touch and Go (2)
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KABOOM!
The two forces clashed in a chaotic fray.
With so many players, their abilities were just as varied, and all sorts of flashy effects exploded everywhere.
“Leave the onmyoji over there to us! Se-hyeon-nim, you take care of that side!”
The onmyoji countered each other's techniques, exchanging blows.
Seimei was fighting hard enough to take on both Mayuri and Iwato by himself.
The Yamato Guild players trying to attack Geongonilcheok couldn't get past the wall of the Army of Darkness and were often cut down instead.
The wall formed by Alpha and Zeta, in particular, was immense.
Even when A-rank players charged in unison, a single strike from Alpha would send them flying without them being able to do a thing.
Or, before they could even act, a single move from Zeta would take them out of the battle.
“I-It's impossible. How are we supposed to beat monsters like that!?”
“Everyone, swarm them! If we just keep trying something, we'll figure it out!”
*No need to watch that side any longer.*
*The real issue is over here.*
FWOOSH!
A deep crimson flame erupted from Han Hyeok-jun's sword.
It seemed to radiate power in all directions without any pattern, yet it was so refined that watching it felt like being drawn in.
“The Authority of Flames... I see. So that's the method you used.”
Yaogami's eyes glinted with a strange light.
Soon, flames also blazed from his Muramasa.
“Even so, you cannot stand against these heavenly flames.”
Black flames, white flames, and hellfire.
These three are the highest-tier powers among all flame-type abilities, without equal.
But those three aren't the only ones.
Heavenly flames, a power that can only be obtained by receiving divine power, are just as mighty.
The Authority of Flames, true to its name, allows its user to control all flames, and its power grows with the user's strength. However, it should be impossible for the current Han Hyeok-jun to wield the highest-tier flames.
*But.*
*He should be able to manage blue flames, at least.*
“Min-ah. Grant Han Hyeok-jun blue flames. With the Authority of Flames, he should be able to handle them.”
“Okay.”
Jo Min-ah reached out and channeled her power, and Han Hyeok-jun's flames turned blue.
Han Hyeok-jun wielded his sword and controlled the flames as skillfully as if they had always been his own, a look of confidence spreading across his face.
*Alright, I'll leave Yaogami to Han Hyeok-jun.*
*The Sword Saint... Is Cha Eun-ha fighting him?*
*Her skills aren't quite there yet. It'll be tough for her.*
“Hiyah!”
*Oh?*
But contrary to my worries, Cha Eun-ha was holding her own, even if she was being pushed back slightly.
Behind her was Hwang Yu-jin's support.
Healing and buffs.
Thanks to Hwang Chan-jin's full support, she had grown day by day, and she had already reached a level where she could provide high-quality support.
“Our opponents are just a couple of kids. Aren't they underestimating us a bit too much?”
“Still, the power I'm sensing is no joke. Don't let your guard down.”
“...Kids? You wanna get a taste of what these kids can do?”
“Min-woo, let's take it slow. We can win.”
The ones facing the twins were two of the top A-rank players in the Yamato Guild.
Min-ah was on the verge of reaching S-rank with just a little more growth, and Min-woo was already an above-average A-rank.
If things got dangerous, they would receive support from Hwang Yu-jin, so there was no need to worry about that side either.
“Damn it! Stop jumping all over the place! Fight me fair and square!”
“This *is* my power, you know? Don't blame me for your own shortcomings, okay?”
Jun Bo-ra was also skillfully whittling down the enemy's forces.
She dodged all enemy attacks by teleporting, either unleashing a barrage of ranged attacks or employing hit-and-run tactics.
It was a method that couldn't deal massive damage in one go, but it steadily wore down the enemy.
*As for Jeong Ha-yeon... well, she'll handle herself just fine.*
And the last one remaining.
“You're my opponent, Kim Se-hyeon!”
I parried the attack of Himura, who charged at me with eyes blazing as if he held some deep grudge.
He felt strangely faster than before.
*There was no reason for him to have grown stronger in that short time.*
“...!?”
A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I twisted my body.
SLASH!
A shallow wound opened on my shoulder, spattering blood.
I quickly clutched my shoulder and took a few more steps back.
*I'm sure I dodged it.*
It wasn't a late dodge, either.
I had definitely deflected Himura's attack, and I had also evaded the 'unseen,' unknown attack just before it hit.
And yet, I still ended up with a shallow cut on my shoulder.
As if satisfied by my confusion, Himura let out a low laugh.
“I'm not aiming for you. I'm aiming for your past.”
Ah. So that's how it is.
There was only one thing capable of that.
Izanagi's Stratagem.
A mythical weapon that could damage a target by striking the spot where they were three seconds ago.
In other words, it had the absurd ability to damage the present by attacking the past.
The hit I just took meant that Himura's attack wasn't aimed at me, but at 'the spot where I was three seconds ago.'
*So that's why he felt stronger than before.*
It was only natural, since on top of the ability itself, it would have come with bonus stats.
Against Izanagi's Stratagem, simply maintaining a defensive stance is useless.
If my past self from three seconds ago was defending my upper body, I'd be helpless against an attack aimed at my lower body.
“This time, I will defeat you and avenge my squad, Kim Se-hyeon.”
Himura glared at me, his eyes burning with an almost uncomfortable intensity.
To defeat Himura, I'd have to deal with Izanagi's Stratagem first.
There are two ways I know of.
One is to see three seconds into the future, know where the attack will land, and defend in advance.
That's impossible without a special power like future sight or battle prediction.
*My Extreme Eye can mimic it to some extent, but not for a full three seconds into the future.*
*That leaves the other option.*
Making it impossible for him to attack my past self from three seconds ago.
Fwip!
I rushed in and unleashed a flurry of attacks on Himura.
Himura met my charge as if he had expected it, but as time went on, he was steadily pushed back.
“Even with this, you're still faster than me...!?”
Himura gritted his teeth in disbelief as he parried my strikes, but that was his limit.
He could barely manage to defend, with no opening to counterattack.
[Acceleration (S)]
Agility Stat +15 while active.
Himura's agility stat, including bonuses, is 92.
Even with his unique ability, Acceleration, activated, it's 107.
On the other hand, my base stat, without any buffs, is 112.
[‘Wind and Moon (B)’ has been activated.]
[Agility Stat slightly increases.]
[Stamina consumption is reduced.]
KABOOM!!
Finally, as the effect of Wind and Moon—which only activates after some time in battle—kicked in, Himura, who was already struggling to parry, took a direct hit and collapsed, his eyes rolling back.
I immediately moved toward Cha Eun-ha, who was fighting the Sword Saint.
Fwip!
Five lines were drawn in the air.
Considering Kim Ji-hyeon usually draws seven lines and ten at full power, her growth was astonishing.
At that level, most players would struggle against Cha Eun-ha.
“Quite impressive!”
However, her opponent just had to be the Sword Saint.
CLANG!
The Sword Saint's blade instantly struck the core of her swordsmanship, dismantling it and launching a counterattack against Cha Eun-ha.
“Kyaa!”
*So Cha Eun-ha managed to defend even in that situation.*
She had no external injuries, but a trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, likely from minor internal damage caused by the mana.
“Such growth at your age. It is truly admirable. In a few more years, you might even give me a good fight.”
“...Coming from the renowned Sword Saint, I'm honored by your assessment.”
Cha Eun-ha struggled to her feet, using her sword as a crutch.
It seemed her wounds weren't healing right away because Hwang Yu-jin was supporting many people in rotation.
“The fact that you are here must mean Lord Himura has already been defeated.”
The Sword Saint's gaze turned to me.
Cha Eun-ha, who hadn't noticed my arrival, jumped in surprise and straightened her clothes.
“Uh, when did you get here? What did you see?”
“From when you used your skill, got countered, and went flying?”
“Ugh...”
Cha Eun-ha's face crumpled.
It was the reaction of someone who'd had their most embarrassing moment witnessed.
I chuckled, took off my coat, and draped it over her.
“I'll handle the Sword Saint. You go help the others.”
“No, let me keep going. I feel like I can do it.”
“You know that was thanks to Hwang Yu-jin's support, right? She's not showing it, but she must be exhausted. If you help out, it'll lessen her burden.”
“...Alright.”
Cha Eun-ha nodded reluctantly.
With Cha Eun-ha joining the others, our victory would become even more certain.
It was an outcome decided the moment Himura fell to me.
The other fights still seemed to be raging fiercely, but it was time for that balance to be broken.
“I believe I owe you two debts.”
“You used your ultimate techniques both times, but I countered them, didn't I?”
“You show no mercy.”
The Sword Saint smiled bitterly and assumed a drawing stance.
*If it's his drawing technique, I even countered its ultimate form last time.*
“You still have something left to show me?”
“They say that with three acts of patience, one can even avoid murder. However, I have interpreted it differently.”
*Shing.* The sword was drawn.
A drawing technique can only be used when the sword is sheathed.
Which meant the Sword Saint was about to do something other than a drawing technique.
“If one possesses three techniques that can overwhelm an opponent, one can win without having to kill... or so I believe.”
VWOOOOM!
Mana concentrated at the tip of his sword, making it tremble.
As if the sword itself had a will and was eager to cut down its foe.
...Come to think of it, there was that.
*'The Sword Saint's family has a history of challenging numerous dojos, analyzing their sword styles, and extracting only their strengths to create the ultimate swordsmanship.'*
In the process, a genius created a style that could be called the strongest.
Named 'Saeki-ryu' after its creator, it was naturally passed down to only one person per generation, both for security reasons and because only those with a special constitution could learn it.
That was the skill the Sword Saint possessed: Single-Lineage Succession - Saeki-ryu.
“Dragon Fang Strikes the Heavens!”
KRAKOOOM!
A dragon flew forth, its maw wide open.
As expected of the Sword Saint. Compared to Himura, his stats were lower and his weapon was ordinary, yet the pressure he exuded was even greater.
*Then I won't hold back either.*
[Shadow Step]
SWOOSH!
In a single step, I moved to where the Sword Saint stood and swung my sword.
The dragon's mouth seemed to open wider, then it split in two, top and bottom. With the sound of shattering glass, the Sword Saint's sword was destroyed.
The Sword Saint wasn't unscathed either.
Completely overwhelmed in the clash of power, he coughed up a significant amount of blood and fell to his knees.
“To think... even this was countered in a single move. You truly are incredible... Is this your real strength?”
“More or less.”
“To think you were holding back even with this... The world is truly a vast place.”
The Sword Saint staggered and barely managed to get back on his feet.
Wondering if he still intended to fight, I aimed my sword at him again, but he just gave a strange smile without trying to pick up his dropped weapon.
“However, though I may have lost the battle, the war is our victory.”
“O-Oppa!!”
Jo Min-ah suddenly turned pale and let out something close to a scream.
I had just sensed 'something' approaching this place at incredible speed, so I knew why she had reacted that way.
*Strong.*
The amount of mana it possessed was greater than that of the entire Yamato Guild here combined.
As far as I know, no such powerful individual exists in the Yamato Guild.
In other words, this is a third party.
Someone not affiliated with the Yamato Guild, but who is in Japan and this strong... there's only one person it could be.
The person Cien had warned me to avoid fighting if at all possible.
“Too bad for you.”
The Sword Saint's smile deepened.
“Because the one arriving now is my elder sister.”