Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Finals Clash and Defiant Challenge
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Han Sang-ah and I met in the finals.
"The crowd is predicting a win for Hunter Yoo Chan-seok. The commentators and analysts are in full agreement."
"The big question is, how far can Hunter Han Sang-ah hold out?"
"It's a real shame about Hunter Jeong No-hun's disqualification. The analysts say his performance in the first match was strong enough that he could've been standing here instead of Hunter Han Sang-ah without anyone batting an eye."
That's not true. No matter what, Han Sang-ah's skills are just a cut above Jeong No-hun's.
Jeong No-hun could win under certain conditions, sure—but the fact that he needs those conditions already puts Han Sang-ah a step higher.
"Want me to go easy on you?"
"If you need to, go ahead. But for my sake? No need."
The crowd's gaze was different from my previous matches—brimming with excitement and tension. And that anticipation carried all sorts of meanings.
"What do you think?"
"Objectively, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok has the edge. But they're teammates who've fought together. And now there are all these rumors flying around."
That's the problem. Exactly that.
No matter how much we deny it, people latch on desperately, foaming at the mouth to link me and Han Sang-ah somehow.
It's getting annoying now. People see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, anyway.
The signal for the match to begin echoed out. Without a word on who moved first, Han Sang-ah and I vanished from the stage in an instant.
When we reappeared, her sword clashed against my spear. A deafening roar erupted as the air exploded.
The shockwave hit the spectators at a safe distance hard enough to send popcorn flying from their hands.
"Let's play for real. Pull out everything you've got. That way, you won't feel so hard done by."
"That's the plan."
Han Sang-ah swung her sword a few times to keep me at bay, backing up slightly before kicking off the ground again. She spun her body in a massive arc as she charged.
Such a big wind-up leaves her open to counters, I thought, raising my spear to strike—only to blink in mild surprise.
"Well, now."
Several blue trails flickered into existence around Han Sang-ah, mimicking the path of my Shadow Spears. The process was different, and so was the result.
My blue trails don't fade unless I will them away. Hers were one-shots—gone after a single strike.
"Oh, is Hunter Han Sang-ah using Hunter Yoo Chan-seok's signature move right now?"
"Bold move! I was worried it was too reckless, but this covers it nicely!"
The announcer's analysis was spot on. She'd prepared a big attack, creating an obvious opening, and covered it with a knockoff of my own technique.
"Not bad. How many times have I let you watch me do it?"
"Five?"
Han Sang-ah answered my question. I grinned.
"You've improved in the meantime. But it's seven."
"Damn it."
With that, she unleashed a barrage of sword strikes. Mana-charged blades glittered like a silver rainstorm. I parried each one methodically, advancing slowly.
"This is turning into a real fight. The level of combat is incredibly high."
"Amazing. It's way beyond anything we've seen in previous matches."
The stage was starting to struggle under our exchanges. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor, with chunks gouged out here and there.
It hadn't been built for this intensity from the start. I went on the offensive, and Han Sang-ah raised her sword to block.
Metal screeched as sparks flew. I pushed with all my strength, pinning her sword against my spear and shoving her back.
Her body slid across the floor until her back slammed into the wall.
"Ngh."
"Hurts, huh? Perks of youth. Tough it out."
Han Sang-ah dropped her sword and slid down low, reaching for my ankle with both hands. I lifted my leg to evade, then snapped a light kick up at her chin.
A dull thud, and her head snapped back. Ignoring the pain, she scooped up her discarded sword and swept it low at my legs.
I leaped into the air to dodge, and a kick came flying at my gut. I drove my elbow down onto her shin.
Of course, I didn't put enough force to break it. Pointless. She wasn't betraying me or anything.
"Ahk!"
She let out that sound but ignored the pain again, swinging the leg I'd just struck toward my shoulder in a downward smash.
Fine, I'll take this one.
A sharp crack as she landed a clean hit on my shoulder.
I grabbed her ankle like I'd been waiting and hurled her away. Her body sliced through the air, tumbling across the floor before she sprang back up.
"Good lord, who raised you to be this tough?"
She takes hits way too well. Did I beat on her too much during training? This level of pain doesn't faze her at all.
"They've traded solid blows."
"Hunter Han Sang-ah seems to be taking more damage."
We're both armed, but we don't rely on weapons alone. We drop them when needed, try unexpected strikes to create openings.
Bottom line: I'm gradually seizing control. The stage is trashed beyond recognition.
"...Enough."
Finally, Han Sang-ah staggered, dropped to her knees gasping, released her weapon, and raised both hands.
"Good work."
The match was decided. I approached and offered my hand. She took it and stood.
"Everything aches."
"Be glad it ended like this."
Applause rang out as the tournament preliminaries drew to a close. All that remained was picking one Hunter from Hope's List in order and throwing down.
After the awards and a quick interview, all the tournament participants gathered.
"Starting with the winner, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, please name the challenger you'd like to face, in order."
Analyses flew thick and fast. Not everyone on Hope's List was in Seoul, so who you called out determined how soon the fight could happen.
The safest way to get on Hope's List was challenging rank 100.
But that was never my plan.
"Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, please name the Hunter you're challenging."
I took the mic and spoke clearly.
"I nominate Hunter Choi Yeoreum."
Silence fell over everyone present—the Hunters here with me, the viewers, the hosts. All of them.
"Wait, Hunter Choi Yeoreum? The Hunter Choi Yeoreum?"
I nodded at the host's question.
"The Hunter I'm challenging is indeed Choi Yeoreum, number three on Hope's List."
Once confirmed, everything ground to a halt. Viewers plunged into frenzied excitement.
The Association and organizers were probably nursing headaches right now. The nomination paused briefly, and the Korea Hunter Association President and the event chairman approached me.
"Are you serious?"
"Would I say 'Nah, just kidding!' in front of everyone who just heard that?"
I grabbed an ion drink from the lounge fridge and continued.
"I'm not doing this on a whim. I heard about the crown the Association's storing."
"You don't mean..."
I cracked open the can with a grin.
"A treasure like that, rotting in storage? What were you thinking?"
The president replied.
"If the conditions are met, the Korea Hunter Association will honor the agreement. But an item that good draws a lot of eyes."
"That's why I'm challenging Hunter Choi Yeoreum."
You can't just claim something like that. If I got the crown, plenty of Hunters would come gunning for it.
"If you barely scrape by the conditions and snag it, yeah, greedy Hunters will try to take it. But if you beat Hunter Choi Yeoreum and claim it?"
The number of Hunters eyeing it enviously would drop sharply. Choi Yeoreum's name carries that much weight.
"That's only if you win, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
The chairman advised me.
"If I lose, that's as far as I go..."
Before I could finish, the ceiling exploded, and someone landed in front of me. Her riding outfit was striking.
"Hunter Choi Yeoreum. Been a while."
She stood with arms crossed, glaring at me.
"You've lost your mind, kid."
"Hunter Choi Yeoreum."
The president coughed and started to speak, but she raised a hand slightly. He shut up immediately.
"Zip it, President. I'm not here to talk to you."
Her sharp command silenced both the president and chairman. She strode forward and stopped right in front of me. I had a slight height edge, so she looked up—but the pressure she exuded was immense.
"Didn't like you from the first meeting."
"Really? I thought it was a pretty meaningful encounter."
Mana surged from her body, pressing down on my shoulders. I endured the pressure silently. The furniture in the room groaned under the weight.
"Last chance to back out."
"Too late for that."
She spoke.
"President. Chairman. I'll accept Yoo Chan-seok's nomination. But the duel rules will follow the pre-Daegu Accord standards."
The president swallowed hard.
"Hunter Choi Yeoreum, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok is a promising talent. Considering the spirit of the Daegu Accord..."
"No Accord, no deal."
I'd been listening, so I raised my hand.
"Mind filling me in?"
"Before the Daegu Accord, Hunter duels were pretty dangerous."
The president explained briefly. The Accord officially banned ability use in duels between Hunters and prohibited attacks that could cause permanent injury.
"In simple terms: as long as you didn't kill the opponent, no one cared."
Choi Yeoreum's eyes gleamed murderously as she stared me down.
"Sounds good to me."
What we'd done so far felt more like a sports match than a real duel.
"This punk. Let's see if you can still talk big after your skin's charred to a crisp."
She clearly hated my calm attitude.
"I accept Hunter Choi Yeoreum's proposal. The committee would probably prefer a bit more... heightened atmosphere anyway, right?"
"Even so... if one of you suffers a serious injury, it's a huge loss for Korea."
I understood the chairman's point clearly.
"This is between Hunter Choi Yeoreum and me. The Association and committee bear no responsibility."
I voiced my agreement with her proposal. When the parties involved agree on the terms, why need anyone else's input?