Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 264
>Chapter Title: Changing Habits
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Chapter 264
For a moment, she was taken aback by his eyes full of conviction.
'What nonsense... He's completely lost his mind.'
Sina soon snorted derisively.
If habits changed that easily, they wouldn't be called habits in the first place.
Just as erasing a scar required immense resources and effort—and even then, it might not fully disappear—habits were the same. They took years of effort to change, if they changed at all.
'Even monsters like the Empress, Heavenly Demon, or Annihilation have their habits.'
Even they couldn't change them on a whim.
In the Empress's case especially, despite her physical prowess surpassing anyone else's, Sina was certain it was impossible.
This wasn't a matter of physical ability.
"Change a habit in an instant? You should know your limits with the boasting... If you were trying to buy time, you misjudged."
"Who knows? We'll see when we try. I'm not the type to give up before even attempting it."
Even facing her mocking sneer, Do-hyun just smiled.
"And..."
He added one more thing.
"For some reason, it feels like it could work."
"Ha."
She clicked her tongue in disbelief and gripped her dagger tightly.
'To think I mistook this idiot for a real threat... My instincts must have dulled.'
If it was just bluffing, fine—but this guy was serious.
Talking to him was making her feel like the fool.
If he didn't know his place, she'd teach him.
"Fine. Let's see you do it. If you can."
Lowering her stance to build explosive propulsion, she resembled a sleek leopard.
So fluid it was hard to imagine even a real leopard moving like that.
Yet her eyes glaring fiercely at Do-hyun burned with the intensity of a predator.
[The 'Sustain' effect applied to Ghost Kill Dark Annihilation has one use remaining.]
['Sustain' effect will disappear on the next attack.]
'Two chances. Plenty.'
As an assassin, she didn't max out her status ailment skills in her skill slots.
Everyone knew he possessed a Hero trait.
'People think assassins specialize only in ambushes and status ailments.'
If that was all, they wouldn't be hailed as PvP specialists.
Assassins had hidden damage amplification skills.
Mostly single-hit amplifiers, useless in raids but game-changers in PvP.
For stealth-focused assassins, that first strike enhancement was devastating.
[Using Hero skill, 'Certain Finish.']
[Deals 300% increased damage on the first strike.]
[Using Hero skill, 'Piercing Dagger.']
[First strike completely ignores defense.]
[Ghost Kill Dark Annihilation inflicts 500% increased damage on hit.]
[Higher-grade skill detected; damage amplification stacks.]
Especially with Ghost Kill Dark Annihilation, it was a guaranteed one-shot kill.
"Lethal."
Do-hyun chuckled at the extraordinary aura, clearly no ordinary attack.
Sina frowned, still crouched low.
Laughing in this situation?
'Let's see how long you keep smiling.'
Gritting her teeth, she lowered her stance to the limit.
Even track athletes wouldn't crouch that close to the ground. Watching her, Do-hyun slowly assumed his own stance.
Step.
Adjusting his footing, he regripped his sword.
Steadying his breath, he faced her directly—no hint of evasion.
'Coming head-on? That strike even Damien dodged instead of blocking?'
Absurd, but fitting for Kaiser.
He never backed down from adversity.
That made it all the more ridiculous.
'Of course. As if he'd change...'
He was as stubborn as ever.
And that stubbornness would be his downfall.
'That stance means he'll parry left... then twist just before impact.'
Her thigh muscles bulged as she finished her analysis based on his data, victory gleaming in her eyes.
Bang!
But the moment she kicked off like a cannonball—
Her eyes widened in shock.
Now that the distance closed, she finally saw it.
'...He's adjusting his stance?'
In that split-second instant—it was unmistakable.
Do-hyun was subtly correcting his stride, shifting his momentum.
Not just the stance.
Hoo...
His breathing—in and out.
Every swordsman's unique rhythm was different.
His grip on the hilt was similar yet off, and his gaze meeting hers had changed.
Even his mindset toward the sword felt altered.
'...Sword Saint?'
Why did that woman, the Sword Saint, come to mind now?
Probably because this man evoked her so strikingly.
And that's exactly what it was.
Heh.
Do-hyun was indeed imitating the Sword Saint.
She was the master of neutralization.
Nothing suited this situation better than her swordsmanship.
'Changing habits. Sounds impossible vaguely. But if there's a clear image to replace it with?'
His body remembered from thousands upon thousands of spars.
When to exhale, how to grip the sword. When to step forward, when to swing. Stride length, stance toward the blade—everything.
Her every habit was vividly recalled even now.
"Habits are like scars? Then no one's seen hers more than me."
He just recalled her and moved as his body remembered.
With that, Do-hyun became the Sword Saint from their 8,103rd bout.
Sina's eyes filled with horror.
'...Nothing visible.'
No bluff.
Nothing to see, nothing to predict.
He'd truly shed all his habits, donning someone else's entirely.
'What insane bullshit is this!? Ch-change direction...'
This path led to her defeat.
The unknown was unbeatable.
She had to turn—
'Ah.'
Too late.
Do-hyun's sword was faster than her pivot.
'Damn...!'
Facing the overhead strike, Sina desperately activated a skill.
[Using Back Grab.]
[Mark created.]
She barely escaped crisis with Back Grab, but as if anticipated, he spun back, swinging Cheonbyeon—now a dagger.
'My own attack?'
Only dodge was rolling, like Do-hyun had done.
But she had no counter for the obvious pursuit.
[Mark disappears.]
Forcing another Back Grab, she tried a side kick, but Do-hyun effortlessly twisted away.
Sina's mind raced.
'I analyzed the Sword Saint before. If memory serves, she prioritizes neutralization over offense. So she'll deflect...'
As Top 10 Guild Master, she proved her position with instant analysis—
'Drop the dagger just before clash.'
Sadly, it went to waste.
Tap,
Whooosh—!
"Huh? Why this...?"
Expecting a deflection and release to retreat forcefully—but no.
Instead, a ferocious charge and downward slash?
No trace of the Sword Saint.
More like...
"...Empress?"
"By spar count, I've dueled her more."
Bingo, Do-hyun grinned ruefully.
"First try, and I was just getting the feel..."
'First try? This?'
Shedding his habits to mimic another.
Easy enough for a first-timer?
Sina's eyes trembled at the blade casting deep shadow as it descended.
Idiot below expectations? No sense of place?
'...Mon-ster.'
She was the one clueless.
By the time she realized, Do-hyun's strike had cleaved her in two.
[Player 'Sina' defeated.]
[Opponent initiated; no Karma increase.]
Confirming the message, Do-hyun relaxed and sheathed Cheonbyeon.
-Master!! I believed in you!!
-As expected of my lord.
-Ri-ja Ri-ja!
-So amazing, Master. So, untie this lasso now?
-Ri-ja!
Their reactions were extra fervent today—probably because the lasso didn't auto-release without the skill.
For Eliza's sparkling eyes alone, he'd dismantle it, but an unexpected reward appeared.
[Acquired Binding Lasso.]
[Binding Lasso]
[Grade: Hero+]
[Description: Lasso that binds any target if conditions met. Bound target cannot release itself.
However, bound target takes no damage while lassoed.]
[Binding: Unique conditions per target; fulfill to bind anyone.]
"Oh, better than expected."
-Kehm! That's why I stayed bound!
-Ri-ja Ri-ja!
"Good job, Eliza."
-Me? Hey? Why ignore me?
Pushing away Jihad poking his head, Do-hyun smiled contentedly.
Disappointed over no essence orb, but this gift more than compensated.
'Better than an essence orb by far.'
Hero+ with one option, but that one worth two or three others.
[Using lasso on Guardian 'Jihad Black.']
[Binding conditions: 'Higher stats than target', 'Bind two lifeforms simultaneously.']
"So that's how. Not always one condition."
-...Master, that lasso's glowing. You're not using it on us, right?
-Ri, Ri-ja?
"Nah, no way."
Conditions were easy this time, but could be ridiculous for others.
Tricky, but excellent overall.
A wildcard depending on situation.
Opening inventory, he clicked a glowing green orb in the corner; backlog messages popped.
[Whisper from friend 'Astr.']
[Whisper from friend 'Astr.']
[Whisper from friend 'Astr.']
"Uncle Astr?"
What brought this on?
Three messages, no less.
[Astr: Dude, meeting's on, atmosphere's off.]
[Astr: Watch out. Especially Aegis, Leone, Heaven Beyond Heaven. Plotting something. Why do you always have so many enemies?]
[Astr: Fine. Assigning guildmates to tail them. Will report if weird.]
"Hm. Top 10 Guilds..."
Casual check, but content serious.
Pondering, Do-hyun exclaimed.
"Sina? Wait, Blood Slaughter Guild Master is Sina, right?"
-Blood Slaughter Guild... A Top 10?
-What, Charlie knows?
-Imperial celeb basically. How not to?
Unlike Jihad hearing only what interested him, Charlie caught everything.
'Top 10 Guilds targeting me... Blood Slaughter too? Nah, then she'd bring execs.'
Or not?
Her absurd stealth might make solo better.
Either way, Top 10 after him confirmed.
'Weren't they slow asses? This is too quick.'
Expected some heat from Forgotten Tomb spectacle, but this fast?
Joking tone, but serious issue.
'Sigh, gonna be annoying.'
Blood Slaughter: assassin guild. Sina specialized in it.
Absurd stealth, meticulous prep, habit analysis.
Without allies, very dangerous.
No, without Eye of Truth, first ambush might've killed him.
'Meaning her raw power's bottom-tier.'
Public opinion agreed: top assassin, but combat too weak for Top 10.
Obviously.
Insane assassination plus power? Balance break.
'...Dangerous now. Need faster growth.'
New gear alone insufficient.
90 maybe to compete?
At least Labyrinth probe might net something reassuring.
"...Let's go. Need to move fast."
-Sounds good, Master.
-Ri-ja Ri-ja.
-Indeed, this lowly sword agrees, my lord.
Leaving their agreement, Do-hyun stepped forward.
Labyrinth nearby per map.
Straight in.
[RCD recording in progress.]
'...Better not upload this vid awhile.'
No need fueling Top 10s or excuses.
But Do-hyun didn't know.
After his judgment, as he walked away from Sina's death spot.
Rustle—
A man hidden in bushes lifted his head.
"Whoa... jackpot."
Eyes sparkling, he alternated between Sina's dissipating body and Do-hyun's shrinking figure, swallowing hard as he snapped photos.
"Big scoop!"
Barely containing urge to post on forums.