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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…I’m… awake.”
I swallowed the unpleasant aftertaste and regained consciousness.
Undecided came into view, waving her hand in front of my face.
Infuriated, I pinched her cheeks.
“Are you listening to Transylvania just because you’re both blood ghouls? You’ll betray me next.”
“…Ugh…”
The sense of betrayal was immense.
I was confident I wouldn’t have fallen for it if anyone else had brought a talisman reeking of demonic energy.
But because it was Undecided, because I believed she would never betray me, I never imagined she would collude with Transylvania and stick a sleeping talisman on me…
“…You looked… dangerous. I don’t… want Yoo-jin… to get hurt.”
“This brat.”
I roughly stroked Undecided’s head and sat up.
As if waiting for me, Transylvania extended a hand.
Seeing their face, an indescribable feeling of annoyance washed over me, but I suppressed my irritation and took their hand, getting to my feet.
“You were completely knocked out. The duel is in 10 minutes. How are you feeling?”
“Fully recovered.”
I hated to admit it, but the 10-hour sleep had done wonders.
My swollen wrist, dislocated multiple times, was completely healed.
My creaky joints felt as smooth as if they had been oiled.
I had to admit it.
I’d been pushing myself too hard earlier, fueled by stubbornness.
But if that damn teacher had taught me properly, I wouldn’t have been in that state…
“I didn’t want to interrupt, but it seemed like you were getting close to the secret technique. I figured it would be better for you to get some rest and awaken to the secret technique during the duel, rather than ruin your body and the duel by continuing to train in your current state.”
“Sigh…”
Transylvania’s words were unbelievable.
Close to the secret technique?
What a joke.
I had been struggling with my messed up basics and swings the whole time.
Seeing Transylvania’s perfectly honed swordsmanship only intensified my sense of deprivation.
I couldn’t imagine ever reaching that level.
“I’m serious.”
“Yeah, right.”
It seemed like Transylvania was just trying to butter me up.
Whether I learned the secret technique or not, I had to participate in the duel.
I tossed aside my sweat-soaked clothes and changed into a fresh set, equipping my gear one by one.
“I’ll be your witness.”
“No.”
“Of course, naturally… What? No?”
Transylvania, who had assumed they would be the witness, looked dumbfounded.
With only one witness allowed, the choice was obvious from the start.
It had to be Undecided.
She was the only one who could activate Guardian Knight just by being by my side.
“No way… I thought I could witness the secret technique in person…”
“What are you talking about? Rex would get even more agitated if you were there. Just wait patiently.”
“That’s a valid reason. I’ll await the results here. But wait, take this.”
“…?”
Transylvania untied their sash and tossed a wooden scabbard at me.
Catching it, I drew the sword slightly.
A well-sharpened single-edged sword, it was Transylvania’s sword.
“It’s Dakia’s Sword. It might be helpful.”
“It seems a bit uncomfortable for me to use, since I’m used to double-edged swords.”
“Just take it. You can use it if your own sword breaks.”
“Well… Thanks.”
“You should have said ‘thank you’ from the start. You kids these days have no manners.”
Leaving behind Transylvania, who was clicking their tongue, I left the old warehouse and headed towards the duel arena.
The duel was to take place in the former World Tree’s Eye, the now-collapsed underground cavern.
The entrance to the tunnel, which had been blocked off on the first day, was now open.
The guards bowed their heads slightly and led me inside.
As I walked further in, I started to see light – not the light from the fireflies like before, but artificial light from lamps.
The downward-shining lamps created an atmosphere like an underground fighting arena.
Inside, Mia and Rex were waiting for me.
Rex was alone, seeming to have chosen not to bring a witness.
It meant he trusted the Priestess of the World Tree that much.
“Sorry I’m late. I overslept.”
As I spoke, I noticed a slight hint of reproach in Mia’s eyes.
She seemed to be asking if this was really necessary.
I felt sorry for Mia, but the moment I had heard Rex mention Yulia’s name, I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“If I win this duel, Transylvania will be my next opponent. They’ve chosen to hide behind their disciple, so they must be prepared to have their own neck on the line next.”
Rex’s demand in case of victory was the right to challenge Transylvania to a duel.
He wanted to step on me and get his revenge on Transylvania.
“My demand in case of victory is simple. Kneel and swear to abandon your grudge against the former priestess.”
“How absurd. Very well. I accept.”
Rex sneered, accepting my demand.
He seemed confident that he would never lose.
He had no idea.
No idea what power Yulia held.
Especially Yulia, who now possessed memories from the previous round… She could literally play with the world’s finances.
If he insisted on attacking Yulia for such a trivial reason, driven by misunderstanding… If he was determined to plunge the world into chaos… I had to stop him.
“Both demands have been confirmed. Now that the time has come, let the duel commence. Please face each other with your chosen weapons. The only weapons allowed during the duel are your chosen weapon and any weapons you manage to take from your opponent.”
I checked my swords once more.
One was my usual double-edged sword, adorned with a large, brilliant mana stone.
The other was the single-edged sword I had received from Transylvania.
I probably wouldn’t use the single-edged sword, it would just be a hindrance.
But I kept it equipped, just in case.
I faced Rex.
“While this is a real sword fight where you could lose your life, taking the life of an opponent who has already lost the will to fight or has been incapacitated is strictly prohibited. The decision to stop the duel and declare the winner rests solely with the judge. Do both parties agree to these terms?”
“I agree.”
“I agree.”
We finished making our oaths.
All preparations for the duel were complete.
Mia silently stepped back and raised her hand.
Rex and I also distanced ourselves and placed our hands on our sword hilts.
We fixed our gazes on Mia’s moving lips.
After a moment of silence… Mia finally spoke.
“Begin!”
“Graaaaah!”
Clap.
Almost simultaneously with the sound of her clapping hands, Rex charged towards me with a loud yell.
A boomerang flew from his back, slicing through the air.
The gleaming blade of the boomerang reflected the light, momentarily blinding me.
At the same time, Rex drew a single-edged curved sword from his waist and continued his charge.
It was an obvious tactic.
Distract me with the boomerang, and then take advantage of my momentary lapse in focus to strike.
It was a common but effective strategy.
In most cases, it would be impossible to counter.
“What?! The boomerang curved?!”
‘In most cases,’ that is.
5th Circle No-Attribute Magic, Telekinesis.
With a slight gesture, I redirected the boomerang, sending it past my head.
“Ugh!”
Rex, charging at full speed, stumbled and crashed to the ground.
He was mid-sprint, so even a slight force was enough to send him tumbling.
‘I can’t beat him in swordsmanship. But when it comes to overall combat ability, I have the upper hand.’
Now that I had failed to master the secret technique, if we fought a fair duel, sword against sword, I would most likely lose.
Of course, I wasn’t an idiot.
There was no reason to fight a sword-obsessed elf with only swordsmanship.
I would wear down Rex’s stamina with telekinesis… I would fight as dirty and cowardly as possible… I would exploit his weaknesses and win.
“You… You’re using such dirty tricks…! Ugh?!”
Every time Rex tried to get up and charge, I subtly applied telekinesis to his ankles, sending him tumbling to the ground.
After falling a few times, Rex stopped making large movements.
He crouched low and started to approach slowly.
Rex, who had initially viewed me as a mere stepping stone to Transylvania, now had a cautious look in his eyes.
He was afraid of only one thing – that in that brief moment when his movements were restricted by telekinesis, my sword would strike.
Of course, that was impossible.
Telekinesis was incredibly magic power-intensive.
I couldn’t use telekinesis strong enough to restrict Rex’s movements and swing my sword at the same time.
‘Rex wouldn’t know that, though.’
But Rex didn’t know that.
If he did, he would have kept charging, knowing my magic power would run out before his stamina.
But due to the information gap, Rex had no choice but to be wary of both my sword and telekinesis.
If he was cautious and had more things to worry about, his stamina would naturally drain faster.
“You have a real talent for pissing people off! If you don’t want to die a meaningless death, just forfeit!”
“I’ll forfeit if you retract your insult towards the former priestess and swear not to harm her.”
“I can’t do that. The former priestess, the Witch of Petenburg, is also on my list of targets for revenge.”
“So you’re saying you won’t forfeit. You know, when idiots are allowed to run wild with their convictions, the world goes to shit.”
“What?!”
If he wasn’t willing to change his mind… then I had no choice but to beat him into submission and force him to swear.
An oath made within the World Tree couldn’t be broken.
If it had been some random beggar on the street badmouthing Yulia, I would have just let it slide… but I couldn’t ignore it coming from a high warrior, especially someone who could actually kill Yulia if they set their mind to it.
“Just like Transylvania’s disciple. Protecting the witch who’s in cahoots with him.”
“Think whatever you want.”
I had no intention of trying to convince him that Yulia wasn’t in cahoots with that murderous blood ghoul.
It wouldn’t work anyway.
I would be satisfied if I could just make Rex swear not to attack Yulia… …or kill him right here.
“Just fight me head-on!”
Despite my telekinetic interference, Rex finally closed the distance and swung his sword at me.
He even looked somewhat relieved.
He probably thought that having closed the distance, victory was guaranteed.
But he was wrong.
Against Rex, whose body was tense and stamina depleted, I wouldn’t lose.
“F-fast?!”
I opened with the Dakia Style 0th form, exploiting Rex’s opening.
Rex’s eyes widened in surprise, but he calmly stepped back and countered.
For now, at least.
“Kraaaaah! Stop being so annoying!”
I launched a series of attacks, subtly using telekinesis to disrupt Rex’s balance.
Rex was completely on the defensive.
The Merida Style was originally more suited for offense than defense; focusing solely on defense negated all the advantages of the Merida Style.
‘He’s stronger than I thought.’
Even considering that, Rex was undoubtedly strong.
He was one of the few elves who had trained his body to the limit and unlike most strong individuals, he was cautious, never letting his guard down.
The problem was his lack of experience.
He might have plenty of experience fighting monsters, but when it came to fighting humans, it seemed like his only experience was sparring.
He lacked the experience and finesse of a real sword fight.
It was manageable even without the secret technique.
It would have been perfect if I could awaken to the secret technique here and finish him off…
But I had no choice but to end it here.
“This… It can’t end here!”
“Let’s end it.”
“…?!”
I lunged deep, pretending to grapple, and then switched to the Frost Style.
I aimed the tip of my guard at Rex’s heart – a move he could never anticipate, having only seen the Dakia Style until now.
This was unavoidable.
It was over, I thought.
But then…
“I can’t kneel until I’ve gotten revenge on all my enemies!”
Rex’s body suddenly started to glow, and the moment the tip of my guard struck his ribs… instead of feeling bone shattering, a violent shockwave slammed into me.
“Ugh?!”
A powerful explosion erupted.
I was thrown back, tumbling across the ground.
As I hurriedly got to my feet, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
Rex’s body was emitting a bright light.
An aura far more powerful than before was radiating from him.
I was sure of it.
It was the forbidden technique granted to elves, a demonic art that granted immense power by burning away one’s lifespan as fuel.
“I’ve staked everything on my revenge! What have you staked?!”
“Huh…”
Years of his lifespan were burning away with every passing second.
Tears of blood streamed down Rex’s face.
He was prepared to die here.
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[Lmao hes getting rekt]
