065. Arena (3)
A quiet middle-of-the-road house that no one has come to anymore.
A white-haired woman sitting in the daecheong of such a middle-of-the-road house gave a small smile as if she were having fun.
“I thought I could already handle my sword skills like this…”
It was none other than the appearance of a challenger being sent out from a small pond in the yard.
[Challenger Han Seong-yoon]
Seeing how he slashed the pouring fire with his sword at once accompanied by a roar, he instinctively seemed to have figured out how to use the sword.
She felt satisfied that Han Seong-yoon had already been able to use the power of the Sword Merchant she had sponsored a while ago.
Should I say it’s the joy of growth that I haven’t felt since becoming Administrator Baekhak Geomseon (白鶴劍仙)?
As if the growth of this challenger was achieved by her, the pride was conveyed as it is.
‘It’s hard to believe that I’m a challenger who just arrived in the waiting room on the 10th floor.’
She felt a little better than Baek Seon-hak, her former contractor.
‘Well, that’s why they killed White Shen Crane and arrived at the arena like this…’
Of course, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that White Shen Crane pushed back somehow with ‘Sangseong’
… that was surprising
Although she did not treat Baek Seon-hak as a real contractor and only gave him moderate powers, he was also quite strong.
‘Obviously this challenger will grow further.’
He will undoubtedly become stronger and overcome even the difficulties of the 30th floor to become a manager.
That was something I was sure of at the point of defeating White Crane.
That’s why I gave this challenger the pretty good power of ‘Sword Merchant’.
She had never once regretted such an act while looking at this challenger.
On the contrary, the more I looked at this challenger’s progress, the more I thought that the power support at that time was a trick.
“Maybe… if there is this challenger…”
She may be able to solve her unfulfilled ‘desire’.
As soon as she started thinking about it, her black eyes shone brightly.
‘I have to build a liking for this challenger faster than other managers.’
Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to ask this challenger to solve your long-cherished wish.
‘I’m on the 10th floor now, so I’ll be on the 11th floor soon.’
Baek Hak Geomseon muttered as he looked at Han Seong-yoon’s reflection in the pond.
“I’ll have to call you here soon.”
In a world reserved only for managers, this challenger will be your ally.
***
After splitting the sparks emitted by Catherine with the sword… 「The skill ‘Instantaneous Acceleration’
is activated
.」
That’s also because Catherine Bennett’s momentum has completely changed since she destroyed her first attack.
「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Merchant’ has passed for 1 minute.」
「Magic power consumption rate increases by 2%
」
‘Now I’m just focusing on the attack without saying anything.’
No matter how many times he cut the flames that followed him, the attack did not end.
There was also a limit to cutting down flames imbued with magical powers with geomki.
It was difficult to avoid because the speed of the pursuit of the flames was unusual even though they were using even the momentary acceleration.
‘As much as there is no grace of wind, I thought I’d try
at least an assassin’s cloak…’ That was impossible, and he spewed out flames and set the assassin’s cloak on fire.
‘What should I do?’
「The manager ‘Iron-Blooded Lord’ looks at the flames closely following with interest.」 「
The manager ‘White Crane Swordsman (白鶴劍仙)’ has expectations for you.」
「The manager ‘Black Devil’ looks at the power of the flames. I laugh out loud.”
The flames that follow me like a guided missile seem to be ‘power’ from the manager’s messages… but
it was just inconvenient since they followed me to the end if I didn’t cut them down once.
It was then.
「The mastery of the skill ‘Instantaneous Acceleration (D+)’ has reached 100%.」
「The grade of the skill ‘Instantaneous Acceleration (D+)’ has risen by one level.」
“…?”
Did the thing that I had been using as my main weapon so far increased my proficiency like crazy?
Suddenly, the instant acceleration skill has grown to a C- grade and the body has become faster.
‘nice…!’
It’s a little bit, but I’ve been able to take a look at the attack.
Taking advantage of that gap, I immediately absorbed the spirit of the white heron through necromancy.
This is because if you allow more attacks, you may lose the command due to the passive shield.
「Absorbs the spirit of the challenger ‘White Crane’ and permanently increases stats.」
「Muscle strength increased by 2.」
「Agility increased by 1.」
「Stamina increased by 3.」
「Magic power increased by 3. 「
Durability increased by 2.」
It was a moment when various abilities gradually grew in an instant, and the body was energized.
「Absorbs one of the skills possessed by the challenger, ‘Baekseonhak’.」
‘Oh…?’
Skill absorption is activated and one of the skills of the white crane has been acquired.
「Acquire the skill, ‘Instant Warfare Sword (B)’.
」
It reminded me of how Baekseonhak’s sword flashed while being engulfed in lightning for a moment.
At that time, it seemed that this skill had been canceled, but it seemed that he absorbed the skill.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
At the same time as running away from the flames, I immediately confirmed the ability of the flash sword skill…
『Skill – Power Sword Strike (B)』
『Proficiency level – 0%』
『Description – Blade Master’s True God (眞)身絶技).”
『Basic effect – When using sword energy, a thunderbolt forms on the sword skill and the lightning attribute is granted. However, this cannot be used when the sword skill cannot be used.” 『Detailed effect – When the skill is activated, the basic operating ability of the sword skill greatly increases
and it is possible to strike a slash.』
After reading all of it, I was immediately convinced.
‘I can throw a sword sword with a slash…?’
That the means to escape this hell of flames was in hand.
That was the moment.
“Looks like you have time to look away like that?”
Katherine’s eyes twinkled, and in an instant another spark erupted from her hand.
Koo Goo Goo Goo…!
Looking at the waves of flames that were more intense than before, I was a little nervous.
‘Can I…?’
I wondered if I could cut down this flame with the newly acquired ‘Shimasen Sword Technique’, but…
[The skill ‘Shimaden Sword Technique’ is activated.]
Anyway, there was a limit to avoiding it, so the worries were meaningless.
Pats Tsutsut…!
In an instant, the sword energy fluctuated as if it contained lightning, showing off its presence.
‘Is this an ability that grants lightning properties…?’
Not only that, but it felt as if the sword skill had become a part of the body.
And…
only then did I have confidence in this ability.
Now you can fully control the sword and can pour out the sword with a slash.
And then, the moment I swung my sword at the flames that came like a storm
…
「Manager ‘White Crane Swordsman (白鶴劍仙)’ is amazed at your sword skills.」 「
Manager ‘Iron-blooded Lord’ laughs at the contractor’s performance.」
「Manager ‘Black Devil’ I am astonished that this is nonsense.”
A slash with lightning burst out, splitting the wave of flame in half at once.
Even though it didn’t stop there, the lightning slash was about to reach Katherine
…
The slash was completely offset by another burst of flames.
However, that alone was enough to confirm the power of the sword.
‘This level of power is almost the level of a three-fold skill…?’
He had no choice but to win as long as he had the ‘Sword Warfare’, a skill that assists with authority.
“Nonsense…! How on earth can a sword have such power…!”
The moment Katherine Bennett’s blue eyes began to shake violently.
Without replying to him, I immediately scattered my sword energy into the air.
Chara la la la rock…!
The seven sword blades became slashes and flew here and there as if spreading roots
…
Seeing such a sword technique, Catherine hurriedly stretched out her hand and began to emit flames.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-!
And at the same time, just as all of my sword skills were destroyed, I immediately kicked the floor.
I had to use it as much as I had a chance to win by throwing a sword.
And…
「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Merchant’ has passed for 2 minutes.」
「Magic consumption rate increases by 4%.」
「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Merchant’ Minutes have passed…」
「Magical consumption rate increases by 6%…」
「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Merchant 劍氣傷人’ lasts 4 minutes…」
「Magic consumption rate increases by 8%. …”
Gradually, the magic power consumption rate also increased, and the magic circuit began to overheat.
Since he was pouring almost all of his magic into the sword, there was no magic left.
In addition to this, it was clear that he would not be able to hold out for long if he calculated the magic power required for the ‘Instantaneous Acceleration’ skill.
‘I have to end the fight quickly.’
After making those calculations, I quickly closed the distance with Catherine.
“uh…!?”
Seeing me like that, Katherine belatedly startled and tried to cause an explosion…
but…!
“Would you be involved in an explosion here?”
It was after my sword touched Catherine’s neck.
Originally, he would have cut his throat without hesitation, but this time he didn’t.
It was because the fight in this arena was not an ordeal, and it was thought that it would be possible to win without having to cut the head like that.
‘The help also said that if the other side surrendered, the fight could end.’
That’s why I wanted to give you a chance to surrender.
“…”
Seeing that Catherine’s eyes trembled, she seemed to recognize her defeat as well.
She let out a sigh of relief and opened her mouth.
“The skill to deliver that slash…was it hidden from the beginning?”
Did he think that he was hiding the skill of ‘Sword Warfare’ that helped determine victory or defeat?
Katherine frowned, as if resentful of being tricked.
“It’s not like that, I got it by accident along the way.”
“Could it be that your skill has grown along the way?”
“Well, it’s good to see that.”
“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…”
Of course, it was not that the skill was not developed, but
it was acquired along the way….
It was then.
“Once I’ve lost, I’m going to surrender… Can I ask you something?”
“…?”
“Why did you challenge me to a duel when you’ve never used an arena before?”
“I think I will need the reward you are holding.”
The answer to Catherine’s question was clear.
It was because she coveted the skill called ‘Gale Sword’, which she took as a penalty reward.
I wanted to learn it because I thought I could use it somehow in skill synthesis.
It’s just a story.
“Is that all?”
“yes.”
“Then you don’t even know who I am…?”
“…?”
I frowned at the sudden question, but soon understood the meaning.
It was clear that this beautiful woman in the wall was a foreign hunter.
‘I guess that’s a pretty high grade too.’
Unfortunately, I don’t know much about foreign hunters.
Even in Korea, I can’t even figure out all of the A-class hunters
.
‘In the past, I didn’t even have time to find out about those things because I was only training.’
At that time, I was busy preparing a foundation for growth.
It was because I needed a way to somehow acquire skills or a means to raise my abilities.
Of course, all of that was useless until he entered the tower, so it would be a futile effort.
‘Catherine…’
Anyway, I thought I’d go back and check it out.
“I thought I was confident that I could deal with him because I knew who I was…”
But Catherine laughed as if that was quite absurd.
“I don’t know who it is, but I didn’t even think it was just looking for a reward and rushing at it.”
Then Catherine glared at me and said,
“Did you say Han Seong-yoon?”
“…?”
“I’ll come see you later, so wait for me.”
“What is that…”
It was the moment I was about to say something at the sudden remark.
Then, without hesitation, Catherine moved her lips as if she had given up…
“Challenger Catherine has surrendered.”
At the same time, her new model disappeared and only that message remained.
“….”
“You have won.” “As a victory reward, you will learn the
skill ‘Steel Blade (C+).
”
Looking at the message, I laughed.
Before I could even feel the pleasure of growing up, a bewildered sensation enveloped my whole body.
“Something like a storm.”
And that wasn’t all.
‘I’ll be back soon…’
I don’t think there was any malice, but it was a rather strange line.
Should I say that there was interest close to seeing something miraculous?
But I felt the same way Catherine must have felt.
‘that’s interesting.’
What he gained from this duel was not only his skills, but also seemed to have a strange connection.
