Chapter 34
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Rapid Rise (2)
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Time passed quickly.
Today was Friday.
It was the day of the ranking match between Kang Seoyul and Choi Jihoon.
...Why are there so many people?
Yuhwa grumbled from the stands.
The spectator seats were so crowded that there wasn't a single empty spot.
Everyone was here to see Kang Seoyul in person.
Choi Jihoon is the heir to the Soosung Group, so he doesn't matter. Kang Seoyul. Focus on Kang Seoyul.
Yes!
The surrounding scouts were constantly mentioning Kang Seoyul's name.
Sigh.
Kang Seoyul was no different from a winning lottery ticket.
The versatility and utility of a fire-attribute superhuman were just that indescribable.
'If he was going to reveal his power, he should have done it in moderation. Who reveals their attribute mana right from the start?'
Thanks to that, only Yuhwa was in a foul mood.
She had thought she was the only one who knew Kang Seoyul's true worth.
No, perhaps she should include Shin Jia as well.
Of course, Yuhwa had also been surprised by the fact that he could wield fire-attribute mana.
'Just how much power is he hiding?'
She couldn't even imagine.
To think he could even deceive Pi Jinho's 'Eyes that See Mystery'wouldn't he be beyond anything she could imagine?
'No matter how much I investigated his past, I couldn't find anything suspicious.'
Yuhwa let out a sigh.
From start to finish, everything about the man was a mystery.
Yuhwa leaned her elbows on the railing, her upper body leaning forward.
And she smiled as she looked at Kang Seoyul in the center of the arena.
'Well, that's what makes him more attractive, though.'
A man who was mysterious, capable, handsome, and young.
It would be strange not to be interested.
He was suspicious, yes, but the fact that he was the Bihon Guild's benefactor remained unchanged, so her favorable impression of him was another reason for her interest.
It's starting! Report to the Guild Master first!
Final check on the cameras!
The scouts around them began to move urgently.
Yuhwa glanced at the people scrambling around and scoffed.
'Kang Seoyul is out of their league anyway. They're just making trouble for themselves.'
I guess this is what they mean by poking at something they can't have.
It was then that someone called out to Yuhwa.
Guild Master Yuhwa, are you also here for scouting purposes?
...Shin Jia?
Yuhwa clicked her tongue.
Of all the people to run into in this vast stadium, it had to be Shin Jia.
Perhaps.
If that's your purpose, you'd best give up. Seoyul has decided to join the Shinhwa Group after graduation.
Yuhwa hummed, her gaze fixed on Kang Seoyul.
Kang Seoyul joining the Shinhwa Group? As if.
It was harsh to say, but the Shinhwa Group wasn't a big enough vessel to contain Kang Seoyul.
Then I guess I'll have to give up.
Of course, she couldn't say that so bluntly, so she gave a vague reply.
After that, the two women fell silent.
Only the murmuring of the various scouts could be heard around them.
Who do you think will win?
Yuhwa asked casually.
Seoyul.
Shin Jia replied matter-of-factly.
* * *
We will begin in one minute. Both sides, perform a final check of your equipment.
With those words, the instructor acting as referee moved away from Choi Jihoon and me.
It seemed the instructor also intended to check the mana field's safety settings one last time.
Only Choi Jihoon and I were left standing alone in the center of the arena.
...
Choi Jihoon's sharp gaze pierced me. An intense look. It seemed he really disliked me.
Do you hate me that much?
Yes. I do.
I scratched the back of my head.
I could guess why Choi Jihoon hated me.
First, he probably didn't like that Ha Siyeon was showing me favor.
Given his elitist personality, he also wouldn't like that someone he considered a mere F-rank nobody was constantly getting attention.
But there was a more fundamental reason.
Am I that suspicious to you?
Yes.
Suspicion.
He clearly harbored doubts about my very existence.
He would be even more suspicious since he couldn't find any particular information on me, even after mobilizing all of the Soosung Group's resources.
I wondered if his suspicion, jealousy, and other negative feelings had mixed together, leading him to conclude that I was a villain who had infiltrated the academy.
Putting myself in his shoes, it wasn't so strange to come to that conclusion.
It could even be called a rational suspicion.
But I had one question.
But I'm genuinely curious. What does your suspicion of me have to do with this ranking match?
...
Choi Jihoon remained silent.
It's not like fighting me will resolve your suspicions.
I'd been wondering.
What on earth did fighting me in a ranking match have to do with uncovering my identity?
Is 'uncovering my identity' just a pretext? Do you just want to beat the hell out of me? In front of everyone?
The surroundings were filled with people.
Could his goal be to humiliate me in front of all these people?
I won't deny it.
Honesty is a good look on you.
Choi Jihoon doesn't lie.
He's a jerk, but he's honest.
It's just his tone, vibe, and expression; he's not an entirely bad guy.
After the ranking match. You got time?
What?
I gave my equipment a quick check.
The training gearshort spear, dagger, armorwas all in good condition.
My weapon mastery was also ready.
Everything's fine.
...What are you planning?
Choi Jihoon's eyes grew even sharper.
Nothing much. We have to spend at least the next four years together, and it's a pain to be constantly suspected.
I let out a soft laugh.
Let's just talk.
...
Making an enemy of the Soosung Group would be the worst possible move.
It's better to solve things with a conversation, right?
There's nothing more foolish in life than making enemies.
It just makes life tiring.
...
Choi Jihoon's brow furrowed.
It seemed he had a lot on his mind.
Ah. And man up. Don't hold a grudge just because you lose the ranking match.
Choi Jihoon's expression completely soured.
That sounds like you're saying you'll win.
I didn't answer.
I just replied with a confident smile.
...Arrogant bastard.
Choi Jihoon growled.
Time's up! Cadets Kang Seoyul and Choi Jihoon, to your positions!
As the instructor spoke, a hologram appeared in the center.
[10, 9, 8]
Choi Jihoon drew his sword and gave his wrist a light twist.
I, too, gripped the short spear in my right hand.
[4, 3]
Mana erupted from Choi Jihoon's entire body.
Ooh!
Gasps of awe came from the stands.
The mana radiating from Choi Jihoon's body began to take form.
Full plate armor.
A mystical [Mana Armor], glowing with the blue light of mana, enveloped Choi Jihoon's entire body.
...Wow. A helmet, too. You've really come prepared.
[2, 1]
[Start!]
The next moment, Choi Jihoon's body was flying through the air.
It was a movement befitting the 103rd rank.
Unlike last time, he didn't seem to be letting his guard down, so he looked even faster.
But it was a move I had anticipated.
With the short spear in my right hand, I drew the dagger from my waist with my left.
My vision filled with all sorts of winds.
Path of the Wind.
I moved my body where the red thread indicated.
One step to the right.
Lower my upper body.
Swing the dagger at an angle.
Kiiiiik!
I could feel Choi Jihoon's longsword sliding down my dagger.
The overwhelming difference in stats made the muscles in my left arm tremble like crazy.
But the synergy between [Path of the Wind] and [Master of Weapons] allowed me to overcome the difference in stats, if only for a moment.
Tiiing-!
But the price was steep.
The dagger I was holding was sent flying.
No, Choi Jihoon's goal must have been to knock my dagger away from the start.
My vision returned to normal.
Choi Jihoon was smiling.
But what's he going to do now?
I had planned to let go of the dagger after blocking this first strike anyway.
Choi Jihoon's body was off-balance.
It was probably because he had overexerted himself to send my dagger flying.
He probably did it trusting in the defense of his Mana Armor.
That was a fatal mistake.
Fwoooosh-!
I focused all my attention on the short spear held in my right hand.
In that moment, mana began to condense and swirl at the tip of the spear.
A panicked Choi Jihoon shifted his center of gravity backward.
His balance completely shattered.
I had seized the perfect opportunity.
Normally, it would have been an unavoidable blow.
But the difference in our stats was absolute.
I am slow.
Choi Jihoon is fast.
At this rate, he would escape my attack range before my spear could pierce his Mana Armor.
Of course, I had no intention of letting that happen.
Piiing-!
As the hairs on my body stood on end, the aura of a beast of prey flickered in my eyes.
Predator's Killing Intent.
Keuk!
A momentary stiffness.
Choi Jihoon's body, which had been shifting its weight back, came to an awkward halt.
It was only for an instant.
But that was enough.
I poured my everything into that small opening.
Paang!
But there were no surprises.
Choi Jihoon's [Mana Armor] was by no means a Trait that would keep him at rank 103.
I managed to penetrate the Mana Armor just a little using the power of my Ganggi, but piercing it completely was impossible.
Giiiik-!
A harsh, grinding sound echoed between the Mana Armor and my short spear.
As the paralysis began to wear off, Choi Jihoon sneered.
There's no way an F-rank nobody could pierce my Mana Ar...?
Choi Jihoon's expression, which had been colored with the certainty of victory, momentarily froze.
Jiiiiing-!
I may be an F-rank.
...You!
A deafening roar erupted from the point of contact between the Mana Armor and the short spear.
But I'm no nobody!
Fwoooooosh!
The vortex at the tip of my spear took its complete form.
A drill-shaped Ganggi.
A form that maximized piercing power by rotating the Flame Ganggi.
Spiral Spear.
Huuup!
I mobilized all the strength in my body.
Paaaaang-!
And thrust the spear.
Kwaaaaang!
A deafening crash rang out as my short spear collided with Choi Jihoon's Mana Armor.
It was truly a high-strength mana armor worthy of its name.
Craaack-!
But my spear was victorious.
Along with the sound of the Mana Armor shattering into pieces.
Kwaaaaaang-!
Keoheok!
My short spear pierced Choi Jihoon's chest. The impact sent his body flying into the air.
If it weren't for the mana field's safety settings, it would have been an instant death.
Hah hah
Watching him, I caught my breath. My whole body ached.
If that attack had failed, I would have been the one to lose.
But it succeeded.
Thud-
With the sound of Choi Jihoon's body sprawling onto the floor.
Winner! Kang Seoyul!
[Finish!]
My victory was confirmed.
...Tsk. You should have known when I picked up the short spear.
* * *
The stands were completely silent.
Everyone looked so stunned they couldn't even speak.
Then, someone who had come to their senses shouted.
D-Did he rotate his Ganggi?
No way! A 20-year-old cadet couldn't possibly have such precise control!
The stands erupted into noise once again.
Guild Master! We have to recruit Kang Seoyul, no matter what!
It wasn't just the fire-attribute Ganggi! His mana control is...
All around, people were on their phones, spitting as they passionately described how amazing Kang Seoyul was.
The match had lasted barely four seconds, but those four seconds were enough to captivate everyone.
...At this point, I wonder if he has any intention of hiding his power at all.
Yuhwa burst out laughing in disbelief.
Just being able to use Ganggi earns you special treatment.
Infusing mana into a weapon you're holding, rather than your own body, is no easy feat.
But Kang Seoyul was known to use not just regular Ganggi, but one infused with an attribute.
In fact, Kang Seoyul's value had pretty much been decided at that point.
That was why Yuhwa had described him as a winning lottery ticket.
But his value had risen yet again. On top of his attribute Ganggi, he had now modified it.
It was nothing short of a shock.
Attribute-infused Ganggi and shape-modified Ganggi were not new techniques in and of themselves.
Superhumans who could use these techniques existed.
But there were no superhumans who could use both techniques at the same time.
I'm telling you! He added a modification to his fire-attribute Ganggi!
If you don't believe me, I'll send you the video, so check it quickly!
Conditions? The best rookie contract won't even come close! Yes! He's that good!
It was only natural that everyone would be in an uproar at the appearance of such an unprecedented superhuman.
'There's no way that Kang Seoyul would have done that without a reason. Is his goal to attract attention? But why?'
Yuhwa watched Kang Seoyul, lost in thought.
...You could have held back a little.
Shin Jia muttered as if sighing.
What did you say?
Her murmur was buried in the surrounding clamor and didn't reach Yuhwa's ears.
No, it's nothing.
Shin Jia looked around and let out a deep sigh.
Now, it would be difficult to fend off the swarming scouts with just the Shinhwa Group's name value.
Because corporations beyond the Shinhwa Group's influence would start to make their move.
'Most likely, every country will make a move.'
Shin Jia sighed again, a sigh so deep it felt like the ground would collapse.