Chapter 37: S-Class Gate Clear
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 37: S-Class Gate Clear
"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a result like this."
In the weapon supply room, a man was looking at a test sheet.
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[Subject] Baek Tae-yang
[Test Results] Possesses the most ideal physique an Awakener can have.
While the physical abilities of an average Awakener form a small hexagon, yours form a solid, perfect hexagon.
The notable part is the lower body's *$)!탋#^뷐춫—
[Recommended Weapon] There is nothing specific to recommend.
You will be able to perfectly utilize any weapon you desire.
Should a weapon feel awkward in your hand, it is merely a matter of proficiency.
Do not doubt your aptitude.
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"It’s like looking at my own physical exam results from my prime."
Even Kim Min-su, who was famous as a Hero, hadn't received a result like this. His had simply stated that he would become a hero who mastered the sword.
"There are errors, too... how peculiar."
It wasn't a sign of someone intentionally erasing the data. The machine had genuinely glitched, failing to analyze that specific part. To think that the analysis equipment, which had been constantly upgraded since the founding of Victory Academy, had malfunctioned.
"I’ll have to meet him in person."
The man looked around the weapon supply room, which was now half-empty. It should have been filled with everything from firearms to cold weapons, but Baek Tae-yang had cleaned the place out. No matter how much the academy lacked restrictions on weapon ownership, he hadn't expected someone to take this much.
He was starting to get truly curious about what kind of cadet this boy was.
"Well then, I should also—"
"Chairman!"
"What is it? I’m not deaf, Du-cheol."
"The F-Class Gate that Class 1-D was supposed to enter has changed into an S-Class Gate!"
Jang Du-cheol must have run here in a desperate hurry; deep footprints were carved into the floor behind him.
"Have you contacted the Opener?"
"Yes, they said they’d be here immediately."
"Tell them I’ll pay them later, just get them to the scene right now."
With those words, the two stopped talking. A moment later, two large holes appeared in the ceiling of Victory Academy.
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"You knave! You are no knight!"
"I keep telling you, I am a knight."
"How can a knight wield such a hideous weapon!"
Don Quixote aggressively closed the distance. Suddenly, Rocinante surged from beneath his feet, performing expert horsemanship. In close quarters, he would be incredibly difficult to deal with.
Every single detail of this encounter had been designed with Kim Min-su in mind. It was meant to be a fate where Don Quixote used perfect equestrian skills to maintain distance from a sword-wielding Kim Min-su while swinging his lance. Perhaps Kim Min-su would have rolled around a few times before using the power of the [Hero] to defeat Don Quixote with an explosive strike.
"Put down that weapon! If you are a true knight, draw your sword!"
"I’m telling you, this is a knight’s weapon too."
[Self-Pillar activated! Enhancing a bigger! More powerful weapon!]
Bang!
The "knight’s magic wand" perched on his shoulder spat fire, vomiting a shell. A normal firearm wouldn't have worked on a monster, but this was a weapon exclusive to Awakeners. Its lethality was incomparable to conventional firearms. On top of that, the firepower was further enhanced by the effect of Self-Pillar.
In terms of pure destructive power, it was on par with Melanie’s ability.
‘I have no intention of doing something as stupid as giving him distance from the start.’
I recalled the condition window that had appeared when I challenged Don Quixote to a duel.
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You have drawn out Don Quixote’s true form.
He is far too different from the character in the novel we know.
However, now that you have challenged him to a true knight’s duel!
You might be able to return him to his original state.
An honorable 1:1 match!
You must emerge victorious!
[Restrictions]
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Since Don Quixote had been in a near-death state, I thought I just had to land the finishing blow. But as soon as the condition window popped up, he had armed himself with glittering armor and sharp weapons. His wounds weren't fully healed, but he had recovered enough for color to return to his face.
‘And Coercion isn't working properly.’
I had cranked it up to maximum output to end it instantly. But even at max, it was only about 50% effective, which wasn't enough to suppress Don Quixote’s movements. I had to settle for just making his body feel heavy.
I considered taking off the control bracelet, but I gave up on the idea because others might get caught in the crossfire if I couldn't control my power. Through the process of elimination, the only means left was the utilization of weapons.
"Face me, Knight!"
"I am fighting you right now."
"That is not what I meant!"
It was foolish to jump into close combat when I had long-range options. It was only right to use weapons that could hit from as far away as possible.
‘It’s a shame I don’t have time to reload.’
The downside was that Rocinante was too fast, leaving no room for reloading. Because of that, I was treating every firearm as disposable, tossing them aside as soon as they ran out of ammo. It was a pity, as I wanted to accumulate as much damage as possible while I could chip away at him.
"Oh, you have finally taken up a spear, Knight!"
Don Quixote had lost a lot of his strength. The fact that he could no longer produce monsters was proof enough.
‘But Rocinante is too troublesome.’
The horse wasn't even treated as a living creature, so Coercion didn't work on it. It was clearly considered one of Don Quixote’s skills. Trying to kill Don Quixote while ignoring Rocinante wasn't as easy as it sounded. No matter how much I shot, the horse’s ability to dodge was superb.
‘Does this mean I can’t deal proper damage from a distance?’
Since this was a monster Kim Min-su was supposed to face, that might be expected. Even now, I was throwing javelins with all my might, but I couldn't even graze a hair on them.
"You have finally realized that your petty tricks do not work against Don Quixote de la Mancha!"
I had realized that a long time ago. I just didn't like the idea of stubbornly throwing my body into the fray.
"You talk way too much."
Why were novel protagonists all such chatterboxes? Maybe it was because Chubby Ahn talked a lot, but anyone who seemed even slightly like a protagonist tended to be incredibly wordy.
Clink, clink, clink.
I approached Don Quixote, slowly swinging a iron chain with a sharp stake at the end. Don Quixote wasn't an idiot, so he was mainly using his lance to keep me at bay. The chain was bait; my priority was to get that lance out of the way.
"A halberd! Splendid!"
Just as I was about to strike the shaft of Don Quixote’s lance with the halberd as he lunged, Rocinante abruptly moved backward.
‘Just as I expected.’
Rocinante was Don Quixote’s skill, but it was an entity that moved independently. Every time it moved, it intentionally stomped its hooves to kick up dust—an action Don Quixote hadn't commanded. In other words, that horse prioritized its master’s safety above all else, and its entire focus was on that.
Yet, at the same time, it was a contradictory existence that had to follow its master’s will. Don Quixote valued chivalry above all else and wanted to experience the romance of clashing weapons.
The master wanted to move forward, while the horse wanted to maintain distance. Rocinante backed away to avoid the slowly flying stake-chain that Don Quixote hadn't noticed. However, Don Quixote’s body was leaning forward, eager for a clash between knights.
If the horse moved back, Don Quixote would either fall off or be hit by the halberd. If it moved forward, the horse itself would be pierced by the stake. When forced into a dilemma, there was only one choice the horse could make.
Thwack.
"Rocinante!"
A spirit that didn't waver even when a stake was driven into its body to protect its master. For a beast, it certainly knew how to be gallant.
‘But it’s still just a beast.’
I let go of the chain and immediately reached out to grab a sledgehammer.
[Smite activated! Powerful strength dwells in both hands!]
With the hand holding the halberd, I continued the exchange with Don Quixote. Don Quixote was using his lance with both hands, so I had to keep using Smite to match his strength.
"Time to get down, Don Quixote."
I gripped the sledgehammer in my left hand and swung it toward the spot where the stake was embedded.
Neigh!
"To cowardly target a frail beast! You are no knight!"
Don Quixote revealed a massive opening every time Rocinante was hurt. Rocinante tried to cover those openings despite its injured body, which only triggered a vicious cycle. Their weak mindset of trying to protect each other became their downfall.
The lance was snapped, and Rocinante could no longer run wild. With axe and club, I hacked and mashed the bodies of Rocinante and Don Quixote.
"I’m not a knight like you said, but you aren't one either."
The thing wasn't a true knight. He was nothing more than a madman who had fallen into an ideal after reading chivalric novels. There was no way such a person could fight a proper battle. A child who had only grown large due to the overwhelming buffs of an S-Class Gate—that was Don Quixote’s true identity.
"Stop! Stop! You have won!"
As if sensing death approaching, he began to pathetically beg for his life. Seeing him plead despite knowing he couldn't survive, a scoff escaped my lips.
If this were the original story, it would have ended with him laying down his sword. If it were Kim Min-su, he might have spared him out of pity.
"I know I won."
But I had no intention of respecting the original story, and I wasn't Kim Min-su. I put down the axe and club and drew the greatsword strapped to my back.
[Smite activated! Powerful strength dwells in both hands!]
I could feel Kim Min-su’s gaze from afar. Perhaps because I had used Smite so many times, his eyes were filled not with suspicion, but with certainty, just like during our spar.
‘Yeah, this is your skill.’
So what?
"Spare me! I shall never appear before you again! I shall not even call myself a knight!"
"Shut up."
In an instant, the greatsword swung down, and Don Quixote and Rocinante were cleaved in half, dead. It was an ending that could be described as hollow. Compared to the momentum he showed at the start, it felt like it ended a bit too quickly.
‘Is it because I’m not the one meant for this role?’
Perhaps the story chose to end quickly since the protagonist couldn't do it.
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Concept :: Classic Masterpiece 「Don Quixote」 Gate Cleared!
Congratulations.
Despite several illicit interventions, you have proudly cleared the Gate!
Differential rewards will be distributed based on your performance in the Gate!
Others: None
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After the message appeared, individual portals manifested in front of everyone. I expected everyone to rush out as soon as the portals opened, but the surroundings were silent.
‘What?’
I turned my head to find everyone staring at me. Being the center of attention in total silence was incredibly burdensome. Their gazes were enough to make me cringe; some looked like they were on the verge of tears.
In my experience, the wisest thing to do in this situation was to leave without saying a word. If I tried to act cool and ended up getting a round of applause, it would just waste time. I was going to collect the weapons, but I changed my plan. I dismissed the reward window and moved toward the portal.
++++++++++++
"Biribi-ribara-burabum-bata-ya, Gate, open sesa—"
"What is this?"
"—me?"
I had hoped to get some rest after exiting the Gate, but an incomprehensible sight was unfolding. It looked as if a folk village had been moved here, with several totem poles planted in the ground. In the center, a man wearing makeup was dancing, looking completely out of place.
‘What on earth is going on?’
It was just one mountain after another.