Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Vagabond (3)
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The Distarion Ring.
It was a ridiculously overpowered item, ranked high even among Ancient Relics.
This item had three effects.
[Saint Wall]
[There is Light Under the Sky]
[Prove Thy Wicked Deeds]
Saint Wall, as the name suggested, was an ability that created a wall around me.
Its strength was easily comparable to an S-rank.
*Ting! Kang! Kkakakak!*
Of course, it wasn't without its drawbacks.
It was an ability that formed a 5cm-diameter wall in a space I perceived, so it was useless unless I could perfectly read the opponent's attacks.
*Ting-!*
But I had the Path of the Wind.
I had drawn the Horn of the Latent Dragon long ago.
Khahaha! My lord. When are you going to pull out that 'Spear of White Resolve'?
When your spear has ripened.
Kuhu. As expected, you knew.
Vagabond's ability was [Red Vow], which synchronized with his spear to draw out great power.
The effect was very simple.
The longer the battle, the more his physical abilities increased, and his rusted spear returned to its original form.
In short, he got stronger over time.
This was why Vagabond was so powerful on large-scale battlefields.
When everyone else was physically exhausted, Vagabond only grew stronger.
*Ching! Kang! Kwaaang!*
Saint Wall and the spear clashed violently.
Fierce thrusts, leaving no room to breathe.
The red trajectories indicated by the Path of the Wind had long surpassed twenty.
Kuhah~ So this is how troublesome air superiority can be.
It was only ending like this because I was flying.
If I were on the ground, I wouldn't have been able to block him, Saint Wall or not.
That barrier. Its mana content seems quite high. How long do you plan on just defending?
I told you. Until your spear has ripened.
And the second effect of the Distarion Ring.
[There is Light Under the Sky]
The effect of this special ability was closely linked to [Saint Wall].
The effect was a booster: under the sky, mana never runs out.
This is no fun as it is, so I'm holding back. You idiot.
In other words, as long as I was under the sky, I could use [Saint Wall] indefinitely.
...Ah. Not indefinitely.
It had a 10-minute duration to begin with.
Furthermore, I had a one-minute usage limit.
Khahahaha!
Vagabond suddenly burst into laughter.
Truly, Lord Angel. Your arrogance pierces the heavens.
Then he gripped his spear again.
To spew such nonsense with this Vagabond before you
The next moment.
is quite something!
Vagabond was in front of me.
*Hwiing-*
The Path of the Wind reacted instantly.
One red trajectory.
Two.
Ten.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Stretching out infinitely.
It seemed I really had bruised his pride.
To think he'd use [Divine Spear Flurry] already.
...Well, it was all according to plan!
I quickly formed a Saint Wall.
*Ting, ting, ting, tiiiing!*
Defending my vitals: heart, head, and wings.
*Kwang! Piik!*
I ignored the attacks that wouldn't cause significant damage.
I trusted the durability of the armor I was wearing.
*Jiiing-*
My head felt like it was about to split open.
I guess using the Path of the Wind and Saint Wall in conjunction was too much.
But it was bearable.
*Kaang! Chiing! Kkakakak!*
...Shit.
I couldn't believe these were blows delivered without any foothold, while floating in mid-air.
*Pik- Chiik-*
Vagabond's flurry of attacks.
With each strike of the Divine Spear Flurry, the number of minor wounds on my body increased.
Khahaha! Is this all you've got? You spewed such arrogant nonsense with only this much to back it up?!
The downpour of thrusts didn't end.
I kept blocking.
What I couldn't block, I deflected.
What I couldn't deflect, I dodged.
What I couldn't dodge, I took.
Kuh.
The assault continued for over five seconds.
Kuhah~
Unable to defy gravity any longer, Vagabond landed on the ground.
You're not as tough as I thought.
He taunted me, aiming the tip of his spear at me after landing.
My whole body had become sticky.
Blood.
It was covered in blood.
It's fine.
No fatal wounds.
It's bearable.
I swallowed the pain and answered calmly.
You're weaker than I thought. Is this all you are without your Red Vow?
Kyaah~
Vagabond placed a hand on his forehead and let out a cry of admiration.
My lord, you truly know everything.
He laughed, his body trembling with delight.
I discreetly checked the time.
Forty seconds.
Forty seconds had almost passed.
It was almost time for the superhumans to enter Vagabond's detection range.
Then, I suppose it's my turn to counterattack.
It was time for me to make my move.
I slowly descended to the ground.
What are you doing?
Vagabond furrowed his brow.
His face seemed to ask if I was going easy on him now.
What do you mean? I gave up air superiority for a reason.
I couldn't let the other superhumans see me flying when they arrived.
...Hoh. So you're finally thinking of getting serious?
Vagabond grinned fiercely.
Yes.
I'm going to do it even if you tell me not to.
I extended the hand wearing the Distarion Ring toward Vagabond.
What are you plan...
Prove thy wicked deeds.
In that moment.
Keok!
Vagabond's body swayed.
He stumbled, clutching his head with one hand.
This is...!
Your sins.
The third special skill of the Distarion Ring. [Prove Thy Wicked Deeds].
Its effect was to lower the opponent's stats in proportion to the sins they've committed.
The effect lasted for exactly twenty seconds.
Considering Vagabond's wicked deeds, his stats should drop by about three ranks.
You... son of a bitch!
Vagabond rushed at me.
I saw red trajectories.
Ten trajectories.
Considering he'd shown more than ten trajectories in the sky without any foothold, this was a clear sign of how much weaker he'd become.
I used Saint Wall.
*Kaaaang-!*
At the same time, I lightly gripped the greatsword in my right hand and the dagger in my left.
*Hwiik-*
The first trajectory was blocked with Saint Wall.
Simultaneously, I moved forward, evading the second and third attacks.
As my position changed, so did the red trajectories.
Three trajectories.
They were extremely crude.
Trajectories that betrayed Vagabond's own confusion.
As I twisted my body, I shrouded the Horn of the Latent Dragon in sword energy.
Dodging two trajectories, I deflected the last one with my dagger!
Keuk!
With that, Vagabond was defenseless.
I quickly swung the greatsword in my right hand.
But my opponent was the battle-crazed Vagabond.
He must have felt a disconnect in his body from the sudden drop in stats.
But he somehow managed to twist his body and escape the path of my greatsword.
It was too late to change the trajectory.
This decisive blow would not reach Vagabond.
Vagabond smiled.
A look that said he was having the time of his life.
A face that showed he couldn't contain his joy for this battle.
I smiled too.
Enjoy it while you can!
Light shone from the Distarion Ring.
[Saint Wall]
A wall of light, created within my perception, appeared diagonally in my sword's path.
*Kkigigigik!*
The trajectory of the sword, impossible to alter with human strength,
*Kkiiik!*
was forcibly twisted by the wall of light.
!
Vagabond's expression stiffened.
Then it changed to one of shock.
...You bastard. Now that's a much better look on you.
Now, to finish this.
*Bajjjak-*
The fine hairs all over my body stood on end as a ferocious aura erupted from me.
*Piiing-!*
...!
The killing intent of a predator.
The roar of the Beastkin, which reduced the opponent's durability by two ranks.
In this moment.
Vagabond's durability was now close to D-rank.
Now.
All preparations were complete.
Huuuup!
I gathered all my strength into my right hand.
Gathered my mana.
As the Master of the Weapon commanded.
As the Path of the Wind indicated.
As gravity pulled.
And the next moment.
*Chwaaaaaak-!*
Kuaaaaargh!
My sword was tearing through Vagabond's flesh.
...Keoheok!
Vagabond quickly distanced himself.
Blood streamed from a massive gash starting from his right shoulder.
You...
Unfortunately, it wasn't a fatal wound.
At the very last second, Vagabond twisted his body to avoid a fatal blow.
A battle maniac, indeed.
Just as expected of Vagabond.
His combat sense was incredible.
...Kuhuhu.
Vagabond laughed.
Khahahaha!
He clutched his wound and roared at the sky.
How long has it been since I've been wounded like this! How long has it been since I've smelled the scent of blood!
Crazy bastard.
He truly was a lunatic obsessed with battle.
Good. Very good!
The blood drenching his body began to seep into his spear, the 'Spear of the Red Vow'.
Come. Let's fight again.
At the same time, a red aura began to rise from his body.
The Red Vow was beginning to activate in earnest.
Surely the angel who supposedly handled the Great Fissure can't be this weak.
Simultaneously, the effect of [Prove Thy Wicked Deeds] began to wear off.
Now. As you said, my spear has ripened.
The B-rank Vagabond.
Was returning to the S-rank Vagabond.
The prelude is over! Now, for your 'Spear of White Resolve'...
Vagabond's madness-filled expression suddenly froze.
...This is?
I raised the corners of my mouth.
*Pajijik-*
At the same time, sparks flew from the Distarion Ring.
[Error!]
A familiar error message.
It indicated that the one-minute time limit had passed.
With a trembling hand, I removed the ring and put it in its box.
You crazy bastard.
At the same time, I twisted my lips into a smirk.
It was a crying shame he couldn't see my face behind this mask.
You think I'm crazy enough to fight you one-on-one?
...You... son of a bitch.
[Prove Thy Wicked Deeds] had the effect of reducing an opponent's stats.
And this reduction in stats also included 'senses'.
You didn't notice, did you?
And when the sense stat was reduced, one's detection ability was impaired.
Vagabond hadn't noticed the superhumans approaching.
You're a rat in a trap now.
The next moment.
Wow. You really did it.
I know, right?
S-rank superhumans appeared.
Activate the devices!
Activating!
The pre-installed traps to block his escape route were activated.
I don't know who you are, but you did well.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and stepped in front of me.
He was definitely one of Shinhwa Group's S-rank superhumans.
I didn't remember his name.
Leave the rest to us and get some rest.
This time, Yuhwa patted my back and stepped forward.
After you've set things up this perfectly, we'd be fools not to finish it.
Complete morons.
Six S-rank superhumans alone.
Don't let your guard down! Form up properly and focus on blocking his escape!
Leave the fighting to the S-rankers!
Countless superhumans.
Bastard.
I looked at them and smiled.
Fights are won with brains and connections.
My plan was a perfect success.
...Uwaaaaaaaah!
Vagabond let out a roar filled with fury.
***
*Pant. Pant.*
...That crazy bastard.
The battle was over.
It was a large-scale battle, the likes of which hadn't been seen in recent times.
Today's many-against-one battle against the unprecedented villain known as Vagabond would remain forever as valuable data, answering the question of 'how to deal with a powerful individual'.
Ninety-four conventional traps installed.
Forty-seven explosive traps.
Thirteen superhumans specializing in battlefield buffs.
Four superhumans specializing in battlefield debuffs.
Five long-range interceptor magic devices.
Eleven long-range interceptor support tanks.
Thirteen healers.
Eight combat recorders.
It was an operation into which vast human and material resources had been poured.
Not only were the preparations more thorough than ever before, but more than half of the combatants performed beyond their usual capabilities.
However,
Three S-rank superhumans were seriously injured.
The remaining three had minor injuries.
Ten casualties.
The number of wounded was too high to count.
And the material damage was just as immense.
But in the end, they were victorious.
It was a victory born of meticulous preparation.
In the end, the formidable villain named Vagabond lost his life.
That crazy bastard... How did that fake angel deal with him alone for a whole minute?
Kim Hanul, S-rank superhuman rank 209 from the Bihon Guild, panted for breath.
He couldn't express how shocked he'd been by Vagabond, who grew stronger with time.
Senior. I think he's from Shinhwa Group. Do you have any info?
No idea. All I know is that he's a personal acquaintance of the young lady.
Han Changho, S-rank superhuman rank 107 from Shinhwa Group, was also breathing heavily.
It was this tough even when we had him completely surrounded. If we had been ambushed or something...
Hey. Don't even say it. It's horrifying to think about.
Vagabond's combat power was truly immense.
With his [Red Vow] that grew stronger over time, coupled with all sorts of combat-sustaining skills, the title 'Spear God' was no exaggeration.
...If that superhuman hadn't wounded him first, it might have been even harder.
Yuhwa, who was healing her wounds nearby, joined the conversation.
Not 'might have been harder.' It would have been. We probably would have lost.
It was that difficult of a battle.
A momentary silence fell.
So what's that unidentified superhuman up to now?
Lady Jia took him to treat his wounds.
Really? Tsk. I was hoping to sneak a peek at his face if he was around. Who the hell is he?
Listening to the conversations of the other superhumans, Yuhwa stood up.
Guild Master! Your treatment isn't finished yet!
It's fine. This much will heal with my natural recovery. Ms. Aram, please see to the more urgent cases.
Ah, yes! Understood.
Yuhwa moved to a quiet corner of the ruins.
She took out her phone.
[Seoyul. You worked hard today.]
Yuhwa smiled.
[Make sure you get your wounds treated properly. Oh. And.]
*'What? There's a suitable superhuman on Shin Jia's side to act as the bait?'*
Yuhwa scoffed.
The superhuman who played the bait was Kang Seoyul. I'm sure of it.
[Next time, I'll make sure you pay the price for lying.]
The corners of Yuhwa's mouth curved into a playful arc.