Chapter 128
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Luring the Enemy
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Twenty-three years since he'd started working as a hero.
Kang Do-yoon, with an A-rank promotion on the horizon, took a certain pride in his abilities.
How many monsters had he slain and demonkin killed over those years?
His raw stats might lag a bit behind the competition, but when it came to skill, he had full confidence.
So when he heard about the four students disrupting the special class's vibe, he just snorted derisively.
'They just got lucky.'
No matter how skilled cadets were, they were still cadets.
The guys they'd beaten were weaker than him anyway, and above all, they'd let their guard down—that had to be it.
Convinced of that, Kang Do-yoon vowed to one day give those four a real taste of combat's bitterness.
And now...
"Hup...!"
He recoiled in horror from the blue blade whipping toward him and swung his axe in response.
Clang!
The moment he parried the blade, a numbing jolt shot through his hands. Even though he'd blocked it properly, the unspent shock made Kang Do-yoon's face twist in astonishment.
'What the hell is this thing made of to hit like that...!'
At first, he'd figured it was some flashy, thin sword optimized for cutting power.
So he'd planned to smash the blade hard and humble the cocky punk—but reality had other ideas.
Boom!
"Urk...!"
An unbelievable weight from that slender blade. It felt like facing a giant several times his size wielding a massive greatsword.
Scraaape!
But what he saw was a blond youth in his early 170s cm tall, boyish features still lingering.
He was relentlessly pushed back by the casual swings from that hand, and naturally, Kang Do-yoon recalled his own words from the start of the spar.
'Use whatever gear you want. But if it breaks, that's on you.'
He'd meant to shatter the sword instantly and crush his arrogance—instead, now he was racking his brain on how to even win.
In that desperate spot, Kang Do-yoon gritted his teeth and swung his axe with all his might once more.
Myers-Style Blade Shatter
Azure Anvil Light Hammer
The blue blade erupted in light and viciously hammered the axe.
KABOOM!!!
A monstrous roar echoed instead of metal clashing. Pain like his palms were ripping apart surged through, but luckily, he didn't drop his weapon.
'Now that he's used a big move...!'
This could be his chance. His honed battle instincts sharpened as he swung the axe.
Whoosh!
The axe blade had vanished, leaving only a bare handle.
"...Huh?"
It was a rare-grade top-tier axe from Babel, meant for spars but incredibly tough.
And he'd been pouring max mana into it for reinforcement mid-fight. For it to shatter so pathetically...
As Kang Do-yoon froze in disbelief...
Swish.
The pristine blue blade pointed straight at his throat.
"...As expected of the Myers direct line. Impressive swordsmanship."
He had to win no matter what, but since he'd lost, there was no salvaging it without at least gilding the opponent's face.
As Kang Do-yoon steeled himself to speak...
"N-no, sir."
The blond youth, Jake, lowered his sword and replied.
"I could win because... well... that is..."
"Hm?"
Jake fidgeted, words not coming easily, lips twitching.
Kang Do-yoon blinked in confusion, then suddenly remembered the hero who'd lost to him earlier.
'Brace yourself after you lose.'
The guy had said it with a deeply humiliated look. Kang Do-yoon hadn't cared since he wouldn't lose, but now it filled him with dread.
'What the hell is he gonna say...'
Was he about to yell about how worthless his skills were? As Kang Do-yoon watched tensely...
"Hoo..."
Jake took a deep breath, squeezed his eyes shut, and shouted vigorously.
"It was because of the gear my friend Lee Se-hun made me!"
The abrupt declaration rang across the arena, leaving Kang Do-yoon opposite him and the watching cadets all dumbfounded.
The intense duel until moments ago felt like a cheesy infomercial skit.
'...I see. So that's what it meant.'
This spar with him was just to hype up that gear—and its blacksmith.
Kang Do-yoon's mouth twitched as he swallowed rage and shame.
"Ahem. Fine blade. You're blessed."
"...Thank you, sir."
Jake silently thanked him for playing along and descended. Lee Se-hun, waiting below, wore a satisfied smile.
"Well done. Excellent."
Was it for the fight or the awkward line? Maybe both, thought Jake, swallowing the urge to retch.
"My turns done for today?"
"Yeah. Just watch now. Next up..."
Lee Se-hun turned and eyed the two avoiding his gaze.
Yeom Seong-ha, arms crossed, staring away. Louise, crouched and glued to her phone.
At their escapist vibes, Lee Se-hun chuckled softly.
"Louise, you're up."
"...Asshole."
She muttered under her breath and climbed up. The halberd-wielding hero ascended opposite, starting the match.
As Lee Se-hun watched intently, Jake—face cooled from embarrassment—asked,
"But seriously, why are we doing this?"
"Why? Because we can."
The special class was originally meant for light spars and advice from active heroes tied to each department, but Kasar overhauled it.
'No guarantee in real combat they'll face the same weapons. Might as well mix it up while we have them.'
Any hero could apply or request spars across departments; approved fights happened freely in the arena.
It could've ended as a novel, exciting class—but Lee Se-hun sparked the 'dojo-breaking' frenzy.
'Make it real combat, please.'
'Fight full throttle if you don't wanna regret it.'
'...Tch.'
Unlike other cadets sparring casually, Jake, Yeom Seong-ha, and Louise demanded brutal, real fights.
The heroes hesitated but, warned by Kasar beforehand, held nothing back.
Splat!
"Guhk?!"
Crunch!
"Wait—!"
Slash!
"Ah."
But results defied all expectations.
All three crushed every opponent's gear without fail, winning decisively.
True, heroes used Babel's sparring gear, not their own—but even accounting for that, it was shocking.
Weapons shouldn't shatter unilaterally before a proper fight, gear gap or not.
'Issue with Babel's gear?'
'Their attacks specialized for breaking weapons?'
'Maybe they slipped while holding back.'
How did they break gear so easily? And how long would it last? Curiosity gripped everyone, including the trio.
"All thanks to Lee Se-hun... Aaaargh!"
Louise, who'd just smashed a halberd, shrieked and bolted down to Lee Se-hun.
"I'm done! I can't!"
Her face beet-red as she yelled.
She'd endured at first as payment for new spirit magic—but now it was unbearable.
His gear let her beat seasoned heroes easily, but the humiliation was too much.
"Didn't you say you'd do as many as needed?"
"I didn't know it'd be this many! Anyway, I'm out, so..."
"Quiet."
Yeom Seong-ha cut her off coolly, arms still crossed.
"If you really won't, then leave."
The guy who'd sworn never before was now defending it.
Others might wonder why, but the reason was simple.
'I'll deduct from your tab per match.'
The mounting bill for gear he'd supplied. Promise to work it off, and he'd jumped in eagerly.
'Who knew his debt fear outweighed his pride...'
At this rate, money might make him do worse. As Lee Se-hun pondered exploiting him...
"I wasn't talking to you."
Louise's icy voice dripped venom.
Her fury flipped to cold glare instantly. Yeom Seong-ha met it evenly.
"Don't care about your words. I'm saying leave if you won't fight."
"Who're you to say?"
"And you?"
Heavy tension crackled between Yeom Seong-ha and Louise. Words barely meshed; raw hostility flared—they clearly clashed.
One prior meetup, now this—and they hated each other more, like mortal foes.
'Like oil and water.'
Would he suffer like pre-regression to use them together? Headache brewing for Lee Se-hun...
"But really, no reason?"
Jake piped up thoughtfully.
"If it's you, Se-hun, there must be a solid motive..."
"......"
"......"
Yeom Seong-ha and Louise, growling moments ago, glanced over curiously.
They hadn't pried before, but days of this sparked real wonder.
'...Might as well tell them.'
Decision made, Lee Se-hun pulled them aside quietly.
"Three reasons I sent you out like this."
"Three?"
Louise blinked surprised; he nodded.
"First: gather more data for your next gear upgrades."
Their faces softened. Who'd complain about intel for better weapons?
Just as they wondered why not sooner...
"Second: prove I can make you do embarrassing stuff for days—shows my sway."
The air chilled again.
Flexing influence via humiliation. Childish, yet convincing—heroes exploded if dignity nicked, so forcing trivial acts was hard.
'This bastard...'
'If not for the debt...'
'Hoo... hoo...'
Understanding didn't mean no anger. As they eyed each other, debating a beatdown...
"And last."
Lee Se-hun, serious, dropped the third fast.
"Lure out the guy targeting me."
Odd looks from the three.
Plenty hated Lee Se-hun, but baiting with this? What?
Seeing their confusion, he simplified.
"People wanna break what boasts durability. That's the hook."
Especially experiment fiends couldn't resist. Days of wins should ping soon, he figured.
"Ah, there you are."
A cheery voice from behind.
"Got a sec?"
Young-looking guy. Neck badge marked him an invited active hero.
"Victor, the new A-rank invitee. Heard you're dominating... Wanna spar me?"
Victor eyed them intrigued. The three looked to Lee Se-hun.
How 'bout it? He nodded readily.
"We'd love to."
"Love the fire. Who first? All at once fine by me."
Victor's cockiness furrowed their brows.
A-rank or not, that arrogance facing them?
They'd fought mindlessly till now, but this guy needed humbling. Glancing at Lee Se-hun...
"I'll do it."
He stepped forward boldly.
"...Aren't you Forging Department?"
"Got special permission. And..."
Glancing at the stunned three, Lee Se-hun smirked.
"You three don't need to bother."
You're nothing; I suffice alone.
Victor scowled, then smiled.
"Fine. Can't be helped."
If they thought that, he'd prove otherwise.
Victor mounted the arena, drew a sparring one-hander, and flicked the tip.
"Come at me."
"Alright..."
Lee Se-hun drew Five-Colored Flame Blade and Dawnlight Hammer, then shuffled forward instead of posing.
'What...'
Average physique, nothing special. Yet advancing fearlessly furrowed Victor's brow.
'Cocky brat.'
He'd planned to probe lightly, but this demanded payback.
As Lee Se-hun kept coming, Victor thrust his one-hander straight.
"Keep walking, then."
Walk into death.
Lee Se-hun ignored the playful stab, stepping on.
Two steps away, his eyes flashed; he kicked off.
Stab.
Victor's tip pierced Lee Se-hun's training uniform inward.
"?!"
Victor yanked back instinctively. Lee Se-hun, waiting, swung Dawnlight Hammer.
Clang—!
Sparks flew off the blade.
The ore-melting blaze peeled surface, revealing a mismatched color beneath.
"?!"
Victor flinched, twisted his wrist to deflect the hammer.
Clack!
He shoved Lee Se-hun back, retreated, reset stance. The one-hander looked pristine again.
But no one missed that instant—Lee Se-hun knew instantly.
'It's him.'
The guy receiving gear from 『Provision』.