Chapter 324
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 324
Chapter Title: Episode Quest: Proof of Qualification
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Episode Quest: Proof of Qualification
-Restriction: Entering the Alliance Hall
-Reward: Alliance Membership
-Description: Proudly pass the test presented by the hero (Grand Master) Siron.
He hadn't earned their recognition yet.
As Jeong Hoon accepted the quest, Siron pointed to a portal in the corner.
"If you want to help, then prove it."
"Prove it?"
"Yes. Enter the portal I'm pointing to and endure all the trials. If you do, we will acknowledge you as well."
So they wouldn't accept him easily.
'Getting acknowledged by them is never an easy process. Whether you're strong or weak, the trials adjust to your level.'
He had learned that the trials his comrades, including James Marcus, had faced varied in difficulty from person to person.
If the trials matched his level, it was obvious they'd be a grueling path.
"Very well."
He had come prepared.
Jeong Hoon headed toward the portal without the slightest hesitation.
"Wait."
Dregar stepped in to block him.
"What now?"
Jeong Hoon reacted with annoyance, which infuriated Dregar.
"You bastard! I'll finish you with my own hands! Siron, I want to test him myself."
"A test?"
Siron tilted his head.
"Yeah. Didn't you just brag that you could easily take down someone like me?"
Dregar glared at Jeong Hoon as he asked.
Jeong Hoon nodded and replied.
"Yes."
Dregar ground his teeth at the confident answer.
He suppressed his rage as much as possible and added.
"...Defeating me would mean you've surpassed the giant race. Right, Siron?"
"That's true. So you're saying you'll test him personally?"
"Exactly. If he beats me, I'll acknowledge this outsider. But if he fails, he'll never set foot here again."
It was a very appealing proposal.
Subduing Dregar would be far easier and quicker than a trial that adjusted to personal skill.
"I'm fine with that."
The corner of Jeong Hoon's mouth curled up.
"Hmm, if you're both agreeable, I have no issue. Do the rest of you consent?"
Siron looked to the other leaders.
The leaders nodded in affirmation.
"Everyone agrees. Very well. We'll change the trial to a duel."
Alliance Hall Arena.
The arena was vast, with Jeong Hoon and Dregar standing at its center.
Dregar, the giant race leader, had minimized his size in the Alliance Hall to match the human Siron, but the arena was different.
True to his giant heritage, he stood in his full, massive form, while Jeong Hoon looked up at him like an ant.
The other leaders sat in their seats, watching the arena through a table.
"What do you all think the outcome will be?"
Siron smiled and asked for their opinions.
"Dregar will win."
Eresion answered without a second's hesitation.
The only human he acknowledged was Siron.
Jeong Hoon's earlier movements had certainly surprised Eresion, but only just.
If Dregar were at full strength, Jeong Hoon wouldn't have lasted a moment.
"Dregar will win, but that human isn't ordinary."
Kanteon, who had been silent, spoke up.
He was the dragon lord, leader of the dragon race.
"Why do you think that?"
Siron tilted his head.
"I sensed the aura of my own dragon race from him."
"Dragon race?"
"Yeah. Seems like he's wielding something impressive."
"Hmm, so it won't end quickly?"
Kanteon nodded instead of answering.
"One of them might die."
Silence fell over the room at Niaib's words.
This was called a duel.
But in truth, a fight to the death wouldn't be an issue.
And Dregar stepping up like this meant he wasn't just trying to humble the outsiderhe fully intended to kill him.
"It's fine. I'll stop it if needed."
Siron was ready to intervene at any moment.
The alliance existed because they shared the same goal.
If the outsider shared their cause, he was an ally.
He had no intention of letting an ally die.
"But what if Dregar loses?"
Baldum, the dwarf leader.
All eyes turned to him at his words.
"The outsider's level is under 800. How could you think Dregar would lose?"
Niaib despised Dregar.
But she didn't underestimate his skill.
As the giant race leader, his power was undeniable.
She couldn't imagine him losing to this outsider.
"I saw the weapon he was holding."
Baldum shuddered as he recalled the sword the outsider had briefly drawn.
It was no ordinary blade, anyone could see that.
'My master once said the ancient Titan race was incomparable to the current giants.'
An ancient workshop log passed down through generations.
It described artifacts they had forged.
And that human's sword bore a striking resemblance to one of them.
"You're not seriously betting on Dregar losing just because of a good weapon?"
Niaib shot Baldum a incredulous look.
"It's not just the weapon. Did anyone here perfectly read that outsider's speed?"
No one had fully tracked the outsider's movements when he lunged at Dregar.
"...Siron probably did."
Niaib turned to Siron, unable to argue.
"No. I couldn't read him perfectly either."
Contrary to her expectation, Siron shook his head.
He too had failed to fully track the outsider's movements.
The leaders' eyes widened slightly at his answer.
Even Siron, the alliance's strongest, couldn't read him?
"You're still certain Dregar wins?"
The room fell silent again at Baldum's question.
'The size difference is insane.'
'It's fine. Master would sever his ankle, then finish him when he falls.'
Finish him?
Unfortunately, this was a duel.
To proceed with the next episode, it was best to just subdue Dregar.
'It's an interspecies alliance. If something happens to Dregar, the giants will break away.'
So if Dregar was in danger, another leader might intervene.
"Hey, beg for mercy now. I might just cripple you halfway."
Dregar warned, looking down.
Jeong Hoon grinned and flipped him off.
"Fuck off."
"...Are you cursing at me right now?"
Dregar didn't know what the middle finger meant, but the shitty vibe made it obvious.
Jeong Hoon nodded in brief admiration.
"You're smarter than you look."
"You filthy little runt!"
Dregar swung his fist downward.
Boom!
Jeong Hoon casually sidestepped with Heavenly Demon Supremacy, and the fist cratered the ground, kicking up a sandstorm.
Impressive strength, befitting a giant leader.
But if it didn't connect, raw power was meaningless.
"You should shrink down."
Dregar scoffed at Jeong Hoon's advice.
"Shut up. Why should I stoop to your level, you savage?"
"Hmm, suit yourself."
Jeong Hoon leisurely drew Anima.
'Good. Time to crush that arrogant nose.'
Anima shouted energetically.
"Heh, you think that puny bow can pierce me?"
Giant skin was tougher than steel, nearly impenetrable.
Piercing it with arrows?
How much did he have to underestimate him to think that?
He vowed to end the bastard in this duel.
Dregar spread his arms wide.
His body began to turn black.
Hardening his flesh to make it even tougher.
"We'll see."
Jeong Hoon smiled, drew the string aiming at his solar plexus, and released.
The ultimate arrow.
Dregar puffed out his chest, ready to take it.
To show this arrow couldn't harm him.
Unaware it was the worst possible move.
Whoosh!
The arrow struck his solar plexus dead on.
It pierced his hardened flesh effortlessly.
In that instant, his blackened body reverted.
Dragon Void activates.
Dragon Void nullified all skills in an instant.
"Wh-what?!"
Dregar flinched, trying to move, but his body was rigid.
He couldn't even use his abilities.
"Ah, it's just temporarily sealed. It'll wear off soon. Don't freak out."
Jeong Hoon reassured him and nocked another arrow.
"Ridiculous!"
Dregar's face turned ashen.
Whoosh!
Another arrow hit his solar plexus.
In that moment, a rain of arrows poured from the sky.
Countless arrows pierced his skin without resistance.
"Arrrgh!"
Dregar screamed and thrashed, but he couldn't move.
He took the full barrage, each arrow exploding on impact, blinding him like a black curtain.
His body was shredded by the arrow storm.
'Wh-what is this?!'
Dregar's mind reeled from the unfamiliar sensation.
Defeat didn't matter.
He genuinely thought he might die.
Was this the fear of death?
He wanted to surrender, but his body wouldn't move.
"Now I'll really kill you."
Jeong Hoon smiled, aiming at Dregar.
The first two targeted the solar plexus; this one was the throat.
Paralyzed, his vital spot was exposed.
One hit there, and Dregar was done.
"Stop! The duel ends here."
But Siron intervened in the arena, ending it.
'Damn, what a shame.'
Anima couldn't hide her disappointment at not finishing him.
'I... I lived.'
Dregar sighed in relief.
His rigid body loosened, and he collapsed.
Agony wracked him instead.
"Too bad. If you'd been a bit later, I could've shown you a leader bite the dust."
Dregar shivered at the words.
The terror of death resurfaced.
"Sorry, but I can't allow that. The duel is yoursshow mercy."
"Have this guy admit defeat from his own mouth, and we're done."
Dregar's face twisted at the demand to concede.
He hadn't used a single ability beyond hardening.
Admitting defeat here would make him a laughingstock.
But continuing was impossible in his wrecked state.
"...I lost."
His voice trembled, pride deeply wounded.
"Fine. In my vast magnanimity, I'll accept your defeat. Just keep your mouth shut from now on and stay in line."
"Damn it..."
Dregar clenched his fist.
Jeong Hoon half-expected a desperate lunge, but he behaved.
Proof he'd been put in his place.
Hierarchy established.