—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Woooong—!
The energy emanating from Cho Se-hyeok’s hands spread out, emitting a resonant hum, and formed a spherical barrier, creating an isolated space.
‘Binding Martial Stage.’
I’d known about it from the information the Association provided, but its strength exceeded my expectations.
‘It would take a peak master-level martial artist at the beginning of the transcendent realm to break through this.’
It was incredibly durable. But considering its S+ rank, even for a skill that simply created an arena, this level of durability wasn’t surprising.
As Lee Seong-jun examined the Binding Martial Stage, a smirk appeared on Cho Se-hyeok’s face.
“Five minutes. Most don’t last more than five minutes in here.”
White, translucent ice crystals erupted around Cho Se-hyeok, filling the arena. The temperature plummeted rapidly.
“Let’s see… how long the Super Rookie can last.”
Despite Cho Se-hyeok’s maniacal grin, Lee Seong-jun remained unfazed, calmly proceeding with his plan.
Tap!
He tried to approach Cho Se-hyeok, but having learned his lesson, Cho Se-hyeok didn’t allow it.
Whoosh!
He glided effortlessly across the icy surface, creating distance. He was clearly trying to avoid a direct confrontation and stall for time.
But Lee Seong-jun had anticipated this. He smiled and channeled his internal energy. A fierce wind swept through the enclosed space.
‘Windwalk, Severing Stride, Storm Sprint.’
The Severing Stride, a technique that had made him famous as the Wind Scar Demon, Hyuk Cheon-man, the fastest martial artist in the world, was about to be unleashed.
Whooosh!
Unlike his usual Windwalk, this wasn’t just a gust of wind, but a gale-force wind swirling around him. It would be enough to close the distance, but he needed to do more than that. He needed to clear the obstructing ice.
Ding!
> Activating Strength, Agility, and Stamina Enhancement on user ‘Lee Seong-jun‘
> Activating Earth’s Blessing and Wind’s Protection on user ‘Lee Seong-jun‘
> Agility increased by 22
> Strength and Stamina increased by 15, significantly increasing physical durability
Feeling the surge of power, Lee Seong-jun used Storm Sprint.
Crash!
The ice crystals in the arena shattered under the pressure, exploding into tiny fragments.
“What…?!”
As Cho Se-hyeok stared in disbelief, Lee Seong-jun closed the distance and unleashed Vajra Dragon Strike, aiming for his abdomen.
“Gah!”
Cho Se-hyeok hastily created an ice wall with Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting, but it was too hastily constructed to fully absorb the impact.
“Ugh—!”
He slammed against the barrier, blood trickling from his lips. Lee Seong-jun chuckled.
“Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting… You seem to be using a skill far beyond your capabilities.”
He’d initially thought Cho Se-hyeok had a good grasp of the skill, but after exchanging blows, he realized he was wrong.
‘He’s barely using 30% of its potential.’
From what he’d seen, Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting was powerful enough to alter the terrain itself. There were no apparent limitations or conditions for its use, and judging by the reckless release of cold air earlier, he wasn’t at risk of losing control.
Yet, Cho Se-hyeok’s application of the skill was far too simple.
“It’s like casting pearls before swine.”
“Shut up!”
Enraged by the mocking tone, Cho Se-hyeok unleashed another wave of ice attacks. But Lee Seong-jun effortlessly dodged and blocked them, as if he knew exactly what was coming.
“Too predictable.”
It wasn’t just mockery. If you could freely manipulate a certain power without limitations, there was no need to rely on physical movements as a starting point.
“You should use it more creatively, considering its power.”
Lee Seong-jun smiled and unleashed a wave of blood-red energy, his eyes glowing crimson.
‘Thousand Transformations Blood Art, Blood Art Cataclysm, Exploding Blood Rain.’
Woooong—!
The scattered blood-red energy resonated in the air, then exploded.
Boom!
“Ugh—!”
The ice armor around Cho Se-hyeok shattered. But Lee Seong-jun’s assault didn’t end there.
‘Thousand Transformations Blood Art, Blood Art Metamorphosis, Blood Demon Covert Fusion Technique.’
The scattered blood energy coalesced again, transforming into sharp, hidden weapons that shot towards Cho Se-hyeok. He frantically created ice walls and rolled across the ground to avoid the incoming projectiles.
“Like this”
Lee Seong-jun taunted. Cho Se-hyeok’s face contorted in humiliation. He was being toyed with.
“Rookie Slayer? More like Rookie-Only Slayer.”
Cho Se-hyeok’s skill with Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting wasn’t bad. It was SS-rank level, comparable to peak masters in the Thousand Continents.
But he’d chosen the wrong opponent. Lee Seong-jun had fought countless strong opponents and witnessed a wide variety of martial arts techniques in the Thousand Continents.
He’d even reached the realm of a Demon God. With his vast experience and knowledge, it was only natural that Cho Se-hyeok’s application of the skill seemed lacking. For Cho Se-hyeok, this was beyond comprehension.
‘…Is this even possible?’
He, too, had been considered a prodigy, recognized even at the SS-rank. But even he couldn’t manipulate energy without physical contact. The reason was simple. To control energy dispersed in the air required constant focus, even during a life-or-death battle.
And to actively shape and direct that energy required even greater concentration, processing dozens, even hundreds of thoughts simultaneously. Such processing power was beyond even superhuman Hunters.
That’s why most Hunters channeled their power through their bodies or a physical medium.
But Lee Seong-jun was doing it effortlessly.
‘He’s a monster…’
Cho Se-hyeok’s eyes were filled with disbelief and awe, but his fighting spirit didn’t waver. His eyes burned with fierce determination.
‘No matter how skilled he is, his physical abilities are still at the Rookie level… I’ll be the one laughing in the end.’
His hope wasn’t unfounded. Five minutes had passed since the start of their fight. The arena was filled with the chilling air of Thousand-Year Ice Sculpting.
‘In another three minutes, he won’t even be able to move.’
Actually, he didn’t even need three minutes. The temperature had already dropped below minus 130 degrees Celsius, 30 degrees lower than his previous limit. Any countermeasures Lee Seong-jun had prepared would be useless.
Indeed, Lee Seong-jun’s relaxed expression began to stiffen.
“…I heard minus 100 was your limit. This is unexpected.”
Cho Se-hyeok smirked, seeing Lee Seong-jun’s lips turning blue.
“How does it feel, the fear of your body freezing?”
He taunted, his voice filled with confidence.
“Be afraid! Despair in your helplessness and die!”
His triumph was short-lived. Lee Seong-jun’s fist connected with his face.
Crack!
Cho Se-hyeok’s eyes widened in pain.
“He moved?”
And not just moved, but moved with the same speed as before. He wasn’t affected by the cold.
“How…?! Even a Hunter can’t withstand this… How…!”
Lee Seong-jun chuckled at his desperate cry.
“You’re right. An ordinary Hunter wouldn’t be able to.”
The cold was intense, far beyond what a simple aura barrier could block. He’d felt his body starting to freeze. But he had other ways of maintaining his body temperature.
“But… I’m special.”
Controlling his blood, his blood energy, meant he could also control his body temperature. With this double layer of protection, simply lowering the temperature wouldn’t affect him.
Cho Se-hyeok, unaware of this, couldn’t comprehend the situation.
“That’s… impossible…!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
