Knowing the Enemy (3)
'What the hell...'
Yun-seok was utterly dumbfounded. Was this supposed to be an application of Dragon Soaring Qi? He was casually deploying the technique that Namgoong Cheol had shown only once. And it wasn't just a crude imitation. The dragon writhed with a roar, exuding a pure yet ferocious aura that felt undeniably real.
What's the damn criterion for replication?
This move, Flower Fusion—everything about it was off. It wasn't just doing what he could do, but better. The opponent wielded techniques as if they were second nature, things Yun-seok couldn't even attempt. Honestly, it didn't feel like a trial designed for him to win.
Well, doesn't mean I'm giving up...
The azure dragon hurtled toward him with dynamic fury. Yun-seok first deactivated his Force Shield. He doubted it could block that thing anyway, and even if it did, his Blood Demon Qi was nearly depleted—pointless.
Guess I have no choice but to use it first...
His trump card, one he'd wanted to save until the absolute last moment. But nothing else could turn the tide now.
"Diamond Arhat Step."
The moment Yun-seok murmured the command, his feet slammed into the ground.
Thud!
He retreated the maximum distance possible. But instead of just fleeing, he used the technique while facing backward, turning it into an approach like his old Back Step. Mid-leap invincibility meant no reason to hesitate.
Ignores all damage temporarily.
Invincibility kicked in the instant his feet left the ground. The Dragon Soaring Qi plummeting fiercely toward his head simply vanished, as if passing through an invisible door—no backlash whatsoever.
And then, as his feet touched down with the distance closed...
Reflects all accumulated damage.
His trait, Diamond Sutra, activated.
So that's how it works.
The vanished Dragon Soaring Qi erupted from Yun-seok's back in dragon form. Had the opponent judged this range unavoidable?
"Diamond Arhat Step."
The foe's feet left the ground. Simultaneously, the dragon—poised to devour him whole—vanished just like before.
Yun-seok smacked his lips bitterly.
This is why I didn't want to go first...
Both wielded the same techniques. Skills like Diamond Arhat Step heavily favored the second user. No point regretting now—better to respond effectively.
He immediately retreated, widening the gap. Moments later...
Thud.
Both Yun-seoks landed simultaneously. The absorbed Dragon Soaring Qi reemerged.
Tricks like this were just temporary reprieves—a repeat of the same bind. But better than before; the distance bought a sliver of preparation time.
"......"
Yun-seok steadied his breathing. One slip could decide the duel, so he needed a clear mind—essential for what he planned next.
Touch.
His extended sword touched the Dragon Soaring Qi—not clashed, but grazed. No rebound force reached the tip. He'd matched its speed, pulling the blade toward himself on contact.
"......"
A basic deflection using the essence of touch, taught by Cheonma. Useful once, but obsolete post-Blood Demon Divine Art—raw power sufficed. Not against this foe. Everything must be utilized.
Slowly... no rush.
First time attempting touch against such potent energy—no guarantees. But anxiety demanded calm, he reminded himself.
Slide.
His sword, stuck to the dragon's head, slowly shifted its trajectory—just enough to skim past him.
...Good.
Judging it sufficient, he retracted the blade and twisted. The dragon's head, magnetized to the tip, grazed over his shoulder. No time to relax—the second strike loomed.
Kaboom!
The deflected Dragon Soaring Qi smashed the arena wall with a thunderous roar. Yun-seok ignored it, maintaining focus, sword ready.
Cheonma Sword.
Another crimson tidal wave surged from the opponent's blade. A blue dragon surely hid within, like before. Mountains beyond mountains—obstacles endless.
In the end, only one answer.
Superior in every way. To win: elevate to match. Make the superior feel equal.
No reason I can't.
Conditions identical. He had Dragon Soaring Qi too.
Shwaaaaa—!
Yun-seok unleashed Cheonma Sword for his wave, then assumed an unfamiliar stance—Namgoong Cheol's prelude to the technique.
How did he do it?
Recalling the duel, replaying that dragon-forming swing hundreds of times mentally.
Waist lower. Sword slightly behind shoulder...
Quick adjustments perfected it. But something core was missing. He found it in Dragon Soaring Qi's essence.
If Blood Demon Qi was the Path of Domination, Dragon Soaring Qi was the Path of Righteousness: serene until resolute, then fiercer than any—inner softness, outer rigidity.
Now he grasped Heaven-Piercing Dragon's principle.
Kinda similar to Cheonma Sword's nuance?
Differences: Cheonma Sword harmonized strength and flow; Dragon Soaring Qi was rigid when rigid, soft when soft—strength-strength, softness-softness.
Just a hypothesis. If true, Heaven-Piercing Dragon pursued utmost rigidity.
Opposite style too?
Namgoong Cheol hadn't shown it, but perhaps it existed—or he could forge utmost softness into a new form. Felt possible now. Inevitable.
"......"
Yun-seok withdrew all Blood Demon Qi from his sword, infusing Dragon Soaring Qi instead. Blue energy solidified, rippling calmly.
Does it need form?
Just infused—no form forced. His sword-qi bias had shaped it unconsciously. He discarded it.
Blue energy rose like cigarette smoke. He continued infusing, unbound, free.
Pfft.
A laugh escaped. Duel on the line, abandoning the sure path for uncharted madness—insane, he realized.
Shwaaaaa—!
As Dragon Soaring Qi dispersed formlessly...
Kaboom!
Tidal waves clashed mid-arena, dissipating. The hidden dragon lunged—but subdued, like piercing layered nets. Blue haze slowed it... halted it.
The dragon thrashed futilely. Then the miracle:
"......?"
With the attack neutralized, Yun-seok paused infusion. But the diffused blue energy expanded into a clearer net, absorbing even the dragon's qi—indiscriminate fusion.
Whoosh! Whish! Hummm!
The encroaching net. The replica fired endless Strike EnhancementBlood Demon Qi—but no explosions, just assimilation.
"......"
Impentrable. Slicing? Like cutting water. Desperate, the foe deactivated Shaman's Law, restoring Blood Demon Qi healing.
But...
All healing effects nullified by Shaman's Law.
Yun-seok wouldn't allow it. He reinstated the absolute premise.
First time seeing panic in the foe's eyes beyond the mask. Confirmation:
Flower Fusion can't copy this.
No longer superior. Reversal complete.
* * *
Healing effects not nullified within the domain by Shaman's Law.
Yun-seok smiled at the message. Stark role reversal.
Foe's new premise nullified the law—but irrelevant. Victory sealed.
"......"
Sky-filling net engulfed him. Struggles worsened it. Soon, it dispersed like windblown mist.
Revealing the foe: Blood Demon Qi exhausted from resistance, utterly drained.
Time to end it.
Kaboom!
No recovery respite—Yun-seok pressed relentlessly. Each strike full force, forcing equal expenditure.
How much time passed? Foe's blade qi flickered unstably... vanished.
Duel's end.
Slash!
Yun-seok severed the neck without hesitation. No Blood Demon Qi remained for revival.
940,000 AP awarded as reward.
Predation
Randomly acquire one of opponent's skills.
Acquired Unique Skill Avatar.
Already possess this skill. Avatar rank increased.
Randomly plunder one of opponent's equipment.
Plundered Judgment Sword of the Sun Lord.
Absorb portion of opponent's highest stat.
Absorbed Mana stat.
1 Coin awarded for promotion reward.
Teleporting to 10th Floor Administrator Zone.
Finally arrived.