Chapter 144: Sparring Tournament-6
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144: Sparring Tournament-6
Cheong-yeon, who had frozen my feet, slowly approached. I shifted my weight and moved my feet as if scraping something off the soles of my shoes, managing to break them free from the ground.
"Oh... you got out. Impressive."
If Cheong-yeon hadn't taken her time, she would have closed the distance and landed a hit already. Because she underestimated me, I’d just earned myself one Coin.
"Did you think about what I said last night?" Cheong-yeon asked.
I kept my distance as she approached, trying to figure out a strategy. "About joining the Ice Wheel Art?"
"No. About not getting involved with the Flame Wheel Art."
"I’m sorry, but I find learning the Flame Wheel Art quite fun."
"That’s strange."
"What is?"
"Everyone who learns the Flame Wheel Art is a bad person... but you’re good."
Cheong-yeon tilted her head, seemingly unable to understand the flaw in her logic.
"If you're just going to keep chatting, why don't you just forfeit? I’m actually trying to be serious here."
This wasn't a place for friendly conversation. Whether I won or lost, I wanted to see a definitive result.
"I can't do that. I have to win, too."
With a flick of Cheong-yeon’s hand, sparkling sky-blue grains showered toward me.
I didn't know what they were, but I knew I shouldn't get hit. I dove to the side—
Thud, thud, thud!
"Ugh!"
The grains suddenly expanded and exploded, catching me several times in the back. I went rolling across the arena floor.
"You’re good at dodging."
"Wow, how did she do that?"
"She used her internal energy to create ice crystals that explode after a set time. You have to calculate the amount of cold energy and the timing of the burst."
This is why geniuses are so annoying.
I circulated my internal energy at high speed, making my body feel lighter. The difference in our skill was like heaven and earth. My only chance to win was now, while she was still being careless.
She waved her arm again, creating more ice grains.
She said they were ice crystals that explode after a certain amount of time, right? She was likely scattering them based on how long she expected me to spend dodging.
Instead of backing away, I charged straight forward.
As expected, the ice grains passed by me before they could activate. I pulled back my fist and lunged at Cheong-yeon.
"I’m surprised. Not many people figure out how to break through like that."
But before I knew it, ice surged up from the ground, reaching my thighs and pinning me in place.
—In-ho!
For a moment, I thought I heard my Master’s voice from far away. If I had the luxury, I would have turned my head, but unfortunately, I didn't have a second to spare.
"Now, forfeit," Cheong-yeon said.
"There is no forfeit."
Thump!
Cheong-yeon’s palm struck my shoulder. It wasn't a vital spot, but the dull impact vibrated through my entire body.
"Cough!"
The air in my lungs was forced out in a ragged gasp.
"Next is the stomach."
She waved her palm in front of my eyes. This woman looked dazed, but she was absolutely merciless in combat.
"It’d probably be faster to just knock me unconscious, you know?"
Thump!
My stomach recoiled. Saliva—or maybe gastric juice, I couldn't tell—dripped from my mouth.
"F-fuck... that hurts like hell."
"Forfeit."
Thump!
This time, it was the other shoulder. I felt like I might be sent flying, but the ice creeping up my body had already reached my waist, holding me firm. I was a human punching bag at this point.
My vision turned yellow, and my head spun. If I circulated my internal energy to raise my body temperature, could I melt the ice?
Wait...
Ah!
"This is the last one. Forfeit. Otherwise, I’ll have to hit your face."
Cheong-yeon’s face contorted as if she truly didn't want to do it. I bared my teeth in a grin.
"I have the pride of the Flame Wheel Art to maintain. How can I forfeit? Just hit me."
"......"
Ssh— Cheong-yeon’s eyes went cold. The vacant expression she’d worn until now vanished, replaced by a pair of emotionless blue eyes that felt like they could freeze a person's soul.
"I warned you."
Her voice dropped to a sinister low as her palm swung toward my face.
—Snap.
Or rather, it tried to. I used my left hand to swat her hand upward.
"Huh?"
Then, stepping forward with my left foot, I leaned my body in. Cheong-yeon’s face filled with shock as I moved, breaking right through the ice prison.
Well, it was bound to be surprising. Even my Master was probably shocked right now.
Feeling my momentum shifting forward, I threw the right hand I’d been holding back with everything I had.
"It’s useless."
Multiple layers of small ice shields manifested in the path of my right fist. Normally, my hand would have frozen the moment it touched that ice.
But I didn't stop.
And the moment I touched her first ice shield—
Crackle!
I smashed right through it.
"What...?"
Her eyes were fixed on my right hand. Specifically, on the clear flame that had suddenly bloomed upon it.
Crackle, crack, crack!
Tearing through the ice shields Cheong-yeon had hastily conjured, my right hand landed a direct hit on her face.
Her body was thrown back violently. I hoped she would just fall, but she performed a mid-air flip and landed, putting distance between us.
"Ignition?"
Her gaze remained fixed on my right hand.
"No. This is—"
I held up my hand, which was flickering with a faint flame. Having landed my first clean hit, I took a deep breath. The cold energy Cheong-yeon had been emitting flowed into me. It felt like inhaling crisp winter air.
That refreshing sensation cleared my head. I gave a bloody smirk and let the fire flare up on my fist once more. I wanted to show her that the last hit wasn't a fluke.
Cheong-yeon’s eyes narrowed.
I shouted the words I’d been saving for this very moment—the words I’d wanted to say ever since I started learning the Flame Wheel Art—so that everyone could hear.
"Fire Punch!"