Chapter 115

A training ground prepared by the Kotozuke Clan. Everyone had gathered there.

The exterior of the training ground looked like something straight out of a historical drama from Earth. Its design direction was different from the training grounds or martial arts halls found in neutral countries.

Perhaps it’s because the Eastern Alliance has a distinctly Eastern vibe, similar to Earth’s Eastern cultures, which explains this design.

Considering that the Kotozuke Clan’s Clan House also had an Eastern-style design, this was a natural outcome.

Anyway, there wasn’t any special reason why everyone had gathered.

It was simply because Yoon Yeon and Riki were about to spar.

‘The sparring partners are both rankers.’

In this world, the top 10 strongest players are referred to as rankers.

Of course, it’s not solely based on military power; it’s a comprehensive evaluation considering military strength and influence in this world.

‘Currently, there are two in the neutral countries, three in the Eastern Alliance, one in the Holy Nation, and two in Tayos.’

Two spots are vacant.

Originally, the masters of the former three major clans—Gu Yeon-jeong, Kang Seong-jun, and Hwang Tae-hoon—were also rankers, but after their deaths, Yoon Yeon and Ha Yu-ri took their places, leaving two spots open.

‘One of those spots will soon be taken by Yoo Ju.’

This isn’t an exaggeration. Recently, when checking Yoo Ju’s stats, they were almost on par with Wi Ho-yeon’s.

With just a bit more time, Yoo Ju will surpass Wi Ho-yeon, and the difference in experience will be significant.

This isn’t to dismiss Wi Ho-yeon.

Wi Ho-yeon is also a top-tier player, known as the Sword Monarch. She’s still growing, and given time, she has plenty of room to rise even higher.

‘But her opponent is a Returner.’

“Yoon Yeon, how are you? Have you warmed up?”

“What’s there to warm up? I’m going to win anyway.”

“Ha! Damn, that overconfidence… What if you embarrassingly lose?”

“Hmm… Honestly, I’m not sure about winning, but I don’t think I’ll lose.”

“It’s good to be confident. But saying something like that to me…”

“……”

“That won’t do…!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Riki drew her sword and charged at Yoon Yeon.

“I’m not the same as before, so don’t cry when you get hit, you bitch!”

Clang—!

‘Damn, what kind of sound is that…!’

The sound of a fist and a sword clashing was beyond common sense.

This was the second time seeing Yoon Yeon fight.

The first time was during the battle with the Dark Sorcerer Bahan.

Though, that was more of a one-sided beatdown.

Bahan was embarrassingly weak compared to Yanagiya Riki, so Yoon Yeon didn’t feel any tension fighting him.

But this time, Yoon Yeon’s expression was drastically different.

Compared to her earlier taunting, her face was now deadly serious.

‘Well, this isn’t an opponent to take lightly.’

The higher the level of the fighters, the more a single mistake can lead to failure. Focusing fully on the fight increases the chances of victory.

Riki, despite her casual remarks, had a sharp gaze.

Her eyes were fierce, as if she wouldn’t miss any opening while exchanging blows with Yoon Yeon.

In an instant, Yoon Yeon aimed for Riki’s opening and struck her side.

Bang—!

Sssk.

Riki blocked the punch with her sword and was pushed back, dragging her feet along the ground.

“Ha…!”

“Hoo…”

“Yeah… damn, this is it! This is what I’m talking about! One-sided fights are boring. A battle where you can’t predict who will win or lose is the real thrill!”

“… You crazy woman. What kind of beast are you?”

“What’s wrong with being a beast? Humans are part of nature too. Fighting like beasts is the primal pleasure and thrill.”

“……”

Riki continued speaking in an excited tone, clearly enjoying the situation.

“Do you know why people go crazy over lowly entertainments like fighting arenas? It’s because of the instincts we inherited from nature. So, me acting like this is a natural result.”

“Isn’t it just you being special?”

“No, I’ve confirmed this after creating a clan in the Eastern Alliance and meeting all sorts of people. Humans can’t resist their instincts. So, here’s the question. If you can’t avoid it, what should you do?”

“……”

“The answer is to enjoy it.”

As Riki spoke, a demonic figure appeared behind her.

And with that, the battle resumed.

Everyone, including me, held their breath and watched the scene. The atmosphere had changed since Riki revealed her true strength.

Yoon Yeon also seemed to have heightened her guard.

Wi Ho-yeon, who seemed very interested in such sparring matches, was watching with shining eyes. It was the first time I’d seen her so fascinated by something.

During the fight, I sensed something strange.

‘… What’s this?’

Clang—!

“Ugh…!”

Yoon Yeon’s punches and kicks had become more powerful. Riki was struggling to block them, showing signs of strain.

Remembering Yoon Yeon’s unique trait from before, I opened her status window. Her agility had decreased, while her strength had increased.

Bang!

“Kuh…!”

Riki managed to block a sudden kick from Yoon Yeon, but she seemed to have taken internal damage, as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

“Damn, what’s going on? Suddenly, her strength has gone through the roof. If I hadn’t blocked with my sword, my bones would’ve been shattered.”

“You blocked it? I tried to make it unblockable, but you managed it.”

“Huh… It’s obvious.”

Sssk.

“…. Ugh!”

In the midst of the exchange, Riki’s sword grazed Yoon Yeon’s waist.

“Tch, what a shame.”

“Hoo…”

“But I’ve figured it out.”

“…..”

“You’ve gotten stronger, but your movements have noticeably slowed down.”

It seemed Riki had roughly figured out Yoon Yeon’s ability.

Yoon Yeon’s unique trait is an almost cheat-like ability. It allows her to boost the necessary stats depending on her situation.



The ability is literally a joker card.

However, there is no penalty. In the end, the weakness is that other stats must be sacrificed.

“Got it roughly, so let’s start now.”

Riki spat out the words and took control of the space. A favorable position against Yoon Yeon.

Riki suddenly chuckled at this enjoyable situation. Bringing Yoon Seong to the Eastern Alliance, making excuses to her subordinates about the drug issue and heading to the Neutral Country, she just wanted to do this.

She just wanted to fight back and forth with Yoon Yeon like this.

Pat –

As Riki approached Yoon Yeon, Yoon Yeon threw a punch at the gap, as if trying to counter.

“Too slow to hit.”

Riki dodged the punch and swung her sword.

For a moment, it seemed like Yoon Yeon’s body was cut in half, but for some reason, it was just an afterimage.

Before anyone knew it, Yoon Yeon was behind Riki.

‘Lowered strength stats and increased agility stats.’

However, whether Riki anticipated this or not, she kicked backward while still in the stance of swinging her sword.

Yoon Yeon hurriedly blocked the kick with both hands and was pushed back.

“Ha…”

Yoon Yeon also seemed to enjoy the current situation, smiling faintly.

In this world, players with average military power often have equal opportunities to fight.

However, those at the top rarely get the chance to meet opponents of the same level, and even if they do, they rarely get to fight without holding back.

That’s why this opportunity is so enjoyable.

For Riki, and for Yoon Yeon.

“Yoon Yeon, how is it? Are you enjoying it now?”

“… A little?”

“Kick… Looking at your expression, it doesn’t seem like just a little.”

Yoon Yeon touched her own mouth at Riki’s words. It seems that her expression showed that she was enjoying the current situation without realizing it.

“From now on, I’ll go all out. You do the same. Unless you want to die!”

Ddrdrd –

The area shook with the energy Riki emitted. As Yoon Yeon also began to emit energy, their energies clashed, creating a feeling as if heaven and earth were shaking.

This is what a clash between top rankers is like. A realm far removed from the battles of ordinary players, a different world.

They are already beyond human limits with human bodies.

For a moment, it became difficult to breathe due to the energy they emitted. Unlike Seo Yoo-ju and Wi Ho-yeon, my level is insignificant.

Perhaps noticing my condition, Seo Yoo-ju began to push away their energy from me.

“… Thank you, Yoo-ju.”

“You’re welcome, Yoon Seong.”

After thanking Seo Yoo-ju, I looked at the two, who were in a fierce clash.

Zzeong!

Yoon Yeon’s strike seemed to split the space, accompanied by a tremendous sound that hurt the ears.

Riki dodged Yoon Yeon’s punch, but the follow-up attacks came in succession.

The figure of the demon behind Riki grew larger, emitting a blood-red aura. It was a sight reminiscent of her job as an evil spirit demon.

Kwaang!

I couldn’t see it clearly, but Yoon Yeon’s body was sent flying with the sound of collision.

“…. Kk!”

Yoon Yeon spread her hands and continued to block Riki’s sword strikes.

Dodge the sword strikes, if you can’t dodge, block them. These two actions were all that was in Yoon Yeon’s mind.

“Huup!”

Thung!

Yoon Yeon twisted her body and kicked Riki’s sword, but Riki didn’t drop it. Her stance was momentarily disrupted, but she gritted her teeth and held onto the sword.

For sword users or spear users, the moment they lose their weapon, it’s over. One of the first things weapon users learn is the tenacity and mental strength to never drop their weapon.

Even if your wrist breaks and you feel pain, you must not drop it.

In the end, she didn’t drop the weapon, and in that stance, Riki swung her sword with all her might.

Kwaaddeuk –

‘Crazy…’

It wasn’t a metaphor, the ground really split. Just by swinging the sword, it felt as if the earth itself was cut in half.

Yoon Yeon blocked it with both arms, but she didn’t seem to be in perfect condition. Whether she suffered internal injuries or not, blood was streaming from her mouth.

‘Unbelievable. They say the hands and feet of a perfected martial artist are like steel… but to block that attack with both arms?’

Normally, Riki would have taunted Yoon Yeon, who was bleeding from the mouth, but Riki held back her words.

As if not wanting to miss this perfect opportunity, Riki swung her sword at Yoon Yeon once more.

Whoong –

Kwaajik!

Yoon Yeon barely dodged to the side, and Riki’s sword was stuck in the ground. Riki tried to immediately swing her sword upward, but.

Kwaak –

Yoon Yeon seemed to have anticipated this move, already stepping on the sword stuck in the ground and applying pressure. Preventing Riki from swinging her sword upward.

“Damn it…!”

Realizing the situation had turned against her, Riki cursed.

The basics of sword strikes are nine. No matter how you swing the sword, sword strikes cannot deviate from these nine movements.

All vertical and diagonal slashes, and thrusts.

The only sword strike Riki could perform in that situation was an upward slash.

With her attack blocked, Yoon Yeon threw a difficult punch at Riki.

Zzeok – !

Riki was unable to block Yoon Yeon’s punch and was sent flying, crashing into the wall.