Chapter 375

Alright, let’s take a moment to think. What would others react like?

A gift I gave to a girl I like is now in the hands of some guy.

Any sane person would raise their eyebrows and think, “Who the hell is that guy?”

The more aggressive ones would probably throw punches first. Regardless of what happens, the feeling of ‘discomfort’ hasn’t changed.

‘This feels… kinda… gross.’

I definitely felt gross. Like, very.

It’s a feeling I can’t quite put into words. Hard to explain.

Even if I lent it to him, it would still feel gross, but considering it’s basically theft, I was even angrier.

-Smash! Punch! Crack!

“Argh! Ugh! Gah!”

I kept hammering my fists into Namgoong Seokdae’s face as he lay on the ground.

Namgoong Seokdae startled and hastily raised his arms to defend himself, but there was no way he could block my punches.

He let his guard down after the first hit, and from the second punch onward, my fists broke through and smashed into his face.

The blue defensive shield shattered into pieces with every punch I delivered.

Still, he clung to the Usuk Blade till the end. He sure has some unnecessary determination.

I jabbed a few more times before grabbing his arm—the one holding the Usuk Blade.

-Whoosh!

After forcefully snatching the blade, I sent Namgoong Seokdae flying across the ground, using telekinesis.

Maybe it was because of the repeated hits he just took, but he seemed dazed for a while.

In the meantime, I checked out the Usuk Blade. Just looking at it made me think my fingers might get cut.

‘Nope, no problems here.’

-Thud!

I planted the blade in the ground and walked slowly. Now, all that was left was to finish off Namgoong Seokdae.

He staggered to his feet, slowly raising both arms. He’s in a combat stance.

He probably knows better than anyone else that without a weapon, it’s impossible for him to beat me.

Unlike any other students, I could at least give him credit for his willpower. Though his eyes seemed half-dazed.

“Are you planning to keep going?”

“Cough…! Yeah.”

His focus returned when he nodded.

His previously handsome face was only bruised, looking relatively okay despite just getting wrecked.

Looks like that blue treasure provides some serious defense. It keeps regenerating no matter how much it’s damaged.

‘Guess it consumes his magic power in exchange?’

If that’s the case, it’s gonna run out eventually. Or Namgoong Seokdae might just faint before that happens.

Whatever the case, he knows best.

“If you just hand over the treasure easily…”

“No way.”

His stubbornness was as strong as his will. I nodded and strode forward.

With each step, Namgoong Seokdae’s face became progressively more tense, and his fists tightened.

Just before I was about to punch him again, he acted first.

He opened his tightly clenched fist instead. Then, he sprayed something towards my face.

-Whoosh!

“Ah!”

I couldn’t help but squeeze my eyes shut. No matter how tough I am, if something goes in my eyes, I can’t help it.

Eyes are one of the weaknesses of any creature. It wasn’t even sand but small fragments instead.

-Thud! Pow!

Seeing it as the perfect moment, Namgoong Seokdae landed two punches on my jaw.

There wasn’t much damage, but I had no choice but to take the hits because I was still dazed.

But Namgoong Seokdae’s attack didn’t stop there. Just a heads-up, this is a test.

He wore a purple treasure on his right hand and a bracelet on his left wrist.

If that bracelet gets torn, I automatically lose. In that case, all the treasures would be forcibly taken off.

-Bang!

“Ugh!”

I kicked Namgoong Seokdae away. Even though I couldn’t see, I could sense his presence.

As I expected, he was aiming for my bracelet. It was such an obvious tactic, I could easily sense it.

Before attacking back, cleaning these damn eyes was the priority. I kept blinking.

Thanks to the tears slowly flowing out, some of the foreign particles started to wash away.

“Ahhhh!”

In that moment, Namgoong Seokdae charged at me with a battle cry. He’s going for my bracelet.

No way in hell. The instant I heard him yell, I stretched out my right hand.

As I reached out, the gloves activated, and Namgoong Seokdae’s body went rigid.

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Is that really how you were raised? Throwing sand around like that?”

Of all people, a noble from the Hwan Empire resorted to throwing sand.

He risked his dignity as a noble to win.

I thought Namgoong Seokdae would hold onto his pride till the end, but it seems that’s not the case.

Well, while he may not be noble, I could still pass him as a ‘warrior.’

“This is just desperate.”

“Yeah. Later!”

As I said that, I reached for Namgoong Seokdae’s bracelet.

He tried to struggle, but it didn’t matter since he was already tied up tight.

Just when I almost got my hand on the bracelet…

-Whoosh!

Something flew by behind me, slicing through the air. I could hear it clearly.

Without hesitation, I turned around and swung my left arm.

-Bang!

My arm collided with the blade of the giant axe. Surprisingly, it sounded like a ringing bell.

The Giant Axe, the Battle Axe, couldn’t withstand the recoil and flew away. Finally, the blade embedded itself in the ground.

Someone’s foot was right by where it landed. I slowly raised my gaze up following that foot.

My vision was still blurry with tears in my eyes, but I soon identified who it was.

“Phew. I’m not too late.”

“··· ···”

“Let go of his hand. Senior.”

It was Reina. She sighed in relief as she slowly lifted the embedded Battle Axe.

Seeing her casually holding that axe, which was about the size of her torso, gave a glimpse into her strength.

-Twing!

“··· ···”

What surprised me more was my recently sore left hand. I looked at my left hand, which was throbbing.

Maybe because I punched with it, but my fingers were twisted awkwardly.

It didn’t take long for it to regain its shape, but I needed to be cautious.

“······Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and threw Namgoong Seokdae away. I wanted to grab the treasure.

But if I tried to grab it, there was a very high chance I’d get ambushed by Reina from behind.

Even if I got hit, it wouldn’t hurt too much, but that bracelet on my left hand was the problem.

‘That’s why I threw him away.’

Other students can fool around with it ‘just for fun.’ But not Reina.

Let me show you why. After tossing Namgoong Seokdae away, I immediately reached out my hand to her.

As my right hand stretched toward her, Reina’s expression crinkled. She probably can’t move now.

But maybe it’s because I’ve experienced this once before. Or perhaps it’s due to her absurd strength.

“Hmm…!”

Reina grimaced, seeming to exert strength. At the same time, she began to gather her arms toward her chest.

My right hand started to tremble. She was resisting my telekinesis.

“Ha!”

With a fierce yell, Reina opened her chest and arms wide. Her ample chest became accentuated in that pose.

But more importantly, my right hand. The moment she yelled, my hand was forced wide open.

Reina fully resisted my power. This purple treasure’s effectiveness varies significantly depending on the user’s capacity.

In other words, it meant she completely slipped out of my ‘force.’ Even a single hand is impressive.

‘That ring must’ve helped her.’

The red ring on Reina’s right hand ring finger was glowing just now.

I didn’t know what effect it had, but it was certain it provided some physical boost.

I shook out my struggling right hand and faced Reina.

-Click!

Instead of speaking, Reina gripped the Battle Axe with both hands and glared at me. The red ring was shining brightly.

I almost called for Ragnarok, but I stopped myself. Even if Reina’s strong, she can’t compete with Kara.

Kara specialized in technique, while Reina’s strength-focused. Not that she lacks technique.

‘Technique-wise, I’m at a disadvantage regardless of who comes in.’

Slowly, I stretched my right arm back. Reina’s face turned tense, realizing I was getting ready.

No, she didn’t seem tense. She seemed to be looking forward to it, smiling. Come to think of it, this is our first time actually sparring.

Just as we were both spending time sizing each other up, I was the first to strike.

“Hah!”

I shot my right arm forward strongly.

Instead of extending my fist, my palm was wide open.

Reina swiftly dodged as I reached out.

As expected, her speed clearly outshined my strength, having poured all her points into her physical stats.

-BOOM!

The spot where she had been standing was rocked by a giant shockwave.

The shockwave spread far, completely demolishing the building behind her.

Right before collapsing, a palm-shaped mark was left on the building, but no one seemed to care.

“Ura!”

Reina suddenly charged at me, swinging her Battle Axe. Instead of dodging, I chose to block.

-Bang!

Soon, the mighty Battle Axe collided with my arm.

-Crack!

I heard a sound like something breaking fill my ears.

It was loud enough that not only I, but even Reina would have heard it clearly.

I gritted my teeth against the incoming pain and stepped back quickly. Then, I urgently assessed the state of my arm.

“Hmm…”

I saw bright red bruises. It looked like something you’d see if a bone were broken.

Even so, confronting a Battle Axe with my bare hands is rough. I hadn’t used any magic, so this was the consequence.

But I somewhat expected this. With such absurd physical specs and the power of the treasure, I couldn’t say I was surprised.

‘It’ll recover soon enough, anyway.’

The bright red bruise quickly turned a shade of blue before returning to its original color.

I checked the bruised area, moving it around, and realizing it was all clear, I looked back at Reina.

While I was checking my condition, Reina was also taking a look at the state of her Battle Axe.

“No! The blade’s…! That was made in our country!”

Reina was in shock, staring at the dulled blade after just one attack. It indeed looked slightly chipped.

Since the gear was brought from Frozen, it must’ve been made from very good materials. Especially since Frozen is famous for its rich resources.

If it were ordinary iron, the axe would have shattered into pieces by now. It held up because it was made in Frozen.

“Is she even human…?”

Everyone seemed to be reacting like that.

‘Am I a demon or something?’

I am actually a descendant of demons.

‘Rize would probably faint if she saw me.’

The problem is, there’s someone even more ‘human’ than me.

“So it’s even better! We can go all out without holding back!”

“··· ···”

Yeah, she doesn’t seem to be completely sane either.

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