Conquering the Broken Heroine?

Han Seoyeon calmly steadied her breathing.

A level 100 opponent.
And an Ex-class Awakener at that.
In novel terms, this was like facing the final boss right from the introduction—a truly ridiculous development.

But she could say with certainty.
Han Seoyeon had a chance of winning.
No, the advantage was hers.

As soon as she was given the first move, she threw herself forward as if flying into her opponent’s space.
She unleashed a sword technique honed since childhood in the slums, crossing countless life-and-death situations.
The name was nothing special.

─Horizontal Flash.

Directly translated, it means “sideways slash.”
It was truly a beggar-like naming.
The source of the name was Han Suho from the original work.

“…!”

But unlike its unremarkable name, the power of the technique was undeniable.

A slash executed without any fancy tricks, purely focused on power and speed.
A single strike concentrated on strength rather than skill.
The honest sword path unleashed with full power, without thought for what comes after, is impossible to follow even if one knows it’s coming.

Of course, no matter how excellent the technique, it would be meaningless if the sword and the swordsman wielding it fell short.

And that wasn’t the case here.
What she held was a weapon that only those with the highest talent as swordsmen were permitted to wield.

An Ex-class ability.
The Falling Star Sword.
A sword that shoots down constellations.

The characteristic of this sword is that it completely drains its owner’s mana.
As a result, the sword’s owner becomes unable to handle mana.

In an era where monsters, gates, and hunters are commonplace, it has the drawback of being classified as an E-class powerless individual—

But in exchange, the sword cuts through everything.
The blade, concentrated and accumulated with mana, was condensed with immense heat that could cut through anything.
Even if it were the throne beyond the starry sky.

Therefore, Han Suho’s fighting style in the early parts of the original work was incredibly simple.

He would subdue opponents in a single strike with a sword that had localized but absolute destructive power.
Because it had enough power to not need a second swing, he put all his strength into the first strike.

Han Seoyeon’s strike was the same.
Even if one could react, weapons that could withstand a blow from the Falling Star Sword were rare.
Normally, this would have settled the match.

“…Indeed, a heavy strike.”

However, Michaela blocked it.
Her sword did not break.
It was cold.
The cold intercepted the sword’s heat.

“Is this different from this morning?”

Michaela’s mana fluctuated.
A fierce cold wave swept in.
A bone-chilling cold pierced through Han Seoyeon’s body.

So a level 100 can’t be taken lightly, huh?
Although she seemed surprised, she blocked it without taking damage.

“Then I won’t hold back either.”

Power began to build in the clashing swords.
The other side was several levels above in all abilities.
A head-on confrontation had to be avoided.

Han Suho in the early parts of the original work was powerless when his first move was blocked.
Without putting all his strength into a single strike, he couldn’t produce enough power to decisively finish off an opponent, so it was impossible to anticipate the exchanges that would follow.
Because he poured all his strength into the first strike, the opening created by the recoil was far too great.

But that was only in the early parts of the original work.
Han Seoyeon, an easy difficulty player, was different.

What was needed was not vertical slashing.
Nor was it consecutive slashing.

─Omnidirectional Swordsmanship.

A sword technique that responds to all of the opponent’s sword paths.

“This is…”

Matching Michaela’s sword, Han Seoyeon’s sword swayed as if dancing.
A technique that only appeared in the latter half of the original work.
It’s a technique that allows one to swing their sword with full power multiple times by appropriately distributing the body’s strength.

Michaela’s bewilderment was palpable.
While she was confused, Han Seoyeon seized the advantage.
There were two reasons she was confident in her victory.

First, Michaela wasn’t fully utilizing her ability.

Her ability, as seen in the status window, was an Ex-class attribute type.
Named the Sword of Winter.
However, for some reason, she wasn’t wielding that power.

Heavenly Eye.
An eye obtained by contracting with the Falling Star Sword.
A red eye that could see status windows.

While Han Suho in the original work rarely used this ability, saying it invaded others’ privacy, she was different.

She made full use of this ability.
Her gaze was directed at the sword Michaela held.

[Balmung]
[Details: An artifact modeled after a legendary weapon in German mythology. Currently integrated with the Sword of Winter. Functions as a sheath to suppress the sword’s mighty power.]

Artifact.
A weapon imbued with mana.
From the description of being modeled after something, it’s clear that it wasn’t from a gate, but made by a blacksmith’s hands.

The most important part of this description was the word ‘suppress’.
For some unknown reason, Michaela wasn’t using her full power in this match.

What was visible on the surface was an S-class elemental ability.
That level couldn’t defeat an Ex-class ability.

Second, Michaela’s sword lacked killing intent.

She had fighting spirit, but no intention to kill. The sparring match in the morning was proof of this.
She deliberately struck Han Seoyeon’s face with the side of her sword to end the match.

The reason wasn’t to humiliate.
It was the most certain and safe method.

Ensuring victory while also ensuring the opponent’s safety.
To use an analogy, it was like giving a flick to the forehead.

She had no killing intent towards people.
It was a kind-hearted thing.
In a match, it was also a form of carelessness.
For this sparring match, in terms of combat effectiveness, Michaela’s level would be lower than Han Seoyeon’s.

Unlike Michaela, Han Seoyeon was going all out.
She charged in ready to kill her opponent.

Of course, she didn’t actually intend to kill.
Han Seoyeon wasn’t a psychopath.
She wouldn’t kill someone just because they seemed suspicious.

Against a level 100 opponent, only by having killing intent could an equal match be established.
To win, one had to use whatever they could, right?

An intense exchange of blows continued.
Antagonism.
If it turned into a prolonged battle, the disadvantaged side would clearly be Han Seoyeon with her lower level.
─Secret Technique.

So, she would end it in an instant before that happened.

─Power Doesn’t Last Ten Years, Flowers Don’t Bloom Ten Days.

A technique created based on the proverb that power doesn’t last ten years, and even flowers in full bloom don’t last ten days.
A secret technique that the protagonist in the original work barely mastered in the latter half.

The brilliantly shining sword bloomed into ten paths.
The ten trajectories followed almost simultaneously, making it impossible to block them all.

Nine of the trajectories were blocked or frozen.
Except for one sword path.

Michaela’s sword couldn’t parry it.
The texture of skin could be felt at the tip of the blade.
It felt like the neck could be cut at any moment.

“It’s my victory, right?”
“…”

She had won against a senior who had been sparring with consideration for her junior’s safety, through sheer ruthlessness.

“…I acknowledge it.”

The cruel world of competition.
The half-hearted couldn’t survive.

“It’s your victory.”

She had won.
Now it was time to savor the sweet taste of victory.

“So, what kind of favor did you want to ask that made you go this far?”

A favor.
The content was already decided.

“That’s—”

She had to ask.
Who exactly was this person?
What did it mean that her level was 100?
How did she have an Ex-class ability?
All of that.

“Keep it brief if possible. As you can see, I haven’t showered yet.”

Just as she was about to ask, along with the relief of victory, Han Seoyeon finally took in the full sight of the girl named Michaela Wittelsbach.

Her silver hair fluttered like silk, yet its color was untainted, reminiscent of pristine snow.
Her blue eyes rippled like the seaside, with a sparkle that no jewel could compare to.

Her white, fine skin was completely free of blemishes.
Beyond the beads of sweat that rolled down her cheeks and gathered at her chin, her school uniform clung to her body from the intense exercise.

And from there, a large and beautiful ‘heart’ that couldn’t be hidden no matter how one tried was revealed.

“Uh—”

To put it simply, it was her type.

“What’s wrong?”

Let’s think for a moment.
Revealing her identity.
That’s something that could be uncovered by getting closer in other ways.

Is it right to waste the spoils of victory from the bet on a single question?

“Speak quickly.”

It bounces.
Even in that moment when she utters a single word.

There should be no restrictions on what can be asked as a favor.
Judging from the lack of killing intent throughout the sparring, she doesn’t seem to be a bad person.
Then, wouldn’t it be okay to postpone the question—

‘No!’

She mustn’t be deceived by that voluptuousness.
Han Seoyeon was a munchkin protagonist.
As a munchkin protagonist, she wasn’t the type to be swayed.

“I, I—!”

Finally, she opened her mouth.

“I fell in love at first sight! Please go out with me! I’ll make sure you never have to lift a finger—!”
“…What?”

Oops.
Her mouth moved on its own!

S-class Awakener Exclusive Dormitory.
A space that was essentially private, used by only one person among the second-year students.

Amidst the lavish furniture arranged neatly, impossible to imagine as designed for communal living, Michaela fell into contemplation as night fell.

[This is unlike you.]

The will of the sword asked.

[Are you shocked from your first defeat?]
“No.”

Michaela immediately denied it.
Defeat.
Certainly, losing to someone with a sword was a first-time experience for her.

She had never been defeated by anyone in pure swordsmanship.
It was none other than her sword that had slain the evil demon king.

[Don’t tell me it’s because of that confession?]
“…”

This time she didn’t deny it.
Because that was the correct answer.

[I never thought you, of all people, would be troubled by such a thing.]

Indeed.
The world was truly unpredictable.

[You’ve never even met before. Couldn’t you just reject it cleanly?]

Certainly, that was true.
A confession from a same-sex stranger.
There were infinitely few reasons to accept it.
However.

“…It’s a confession with a person’s sincere feelings. I can’t treat it carelessly.”

She was worried.
Worried that her words might end up hurting someone.

The sword knew the answer.
Han Seoyeon.
That young junior’s sword technique was honest.

[How frustrating.]

It was the first time she had received a confession in both her past life and current life.
Michaela had no idea what to say.

The night grew long.

What had she done?
She wanted to die.
Han Seoyeon wanted to die from embarrassment.

She had blurted out a confession.
Using that important favor right.
Her instincts had momentarily overpowered her reason.

What was even more shameful was that she had run away from the scene herself.
Saying she’d hear the answer tomorrow.

Being rejected was practically a certainty.
It would be strange if she wasn’t rejected.
It was simple.

Strangers.
Stalking.
Someone who plays hardcore when they came to enjoy the game casually.

Who would accept a confession from such a person?
No matter how much appearance was plausibility, she and Michaela were the same sex.
This wasn’t a confession within the normal range.

To begin with, a confession is an act of confirming a relationship that has built up.
Not a sudden opportunity to develop into a romantic relationship.

“About your confession yesterday…”

Should she ask to cancel the favor right now?
The predetermined answer came back as if it had been promised.

“Unfortunately, I cannot accept your confession.”

─It’s over.
Han Seoyeon’s first confession in life was cleanly thrown into the trash.

Huh?
Why are there tears?

“As you know, you and I just met. We don’t know anything about each other.”

Stop it.
Han Seoyeon’s HP is already at 0…

“So I think we should start by getting to know each other first.”

…Huh?
What did she just say?

“So, does that mean… we should start as friends first?”
“That’s right.”

Michaela said.

“A confession is sincere. You’ve expressed your sincere feelings to me. I think it shouldn’t be treated lightly.”

That’s—

“I believe I should respond sincerely to another’s sincerity.”

In other words.

“Shall we start as friends first?”

She wasn’t rejected.
Rather, it meant an opportunity had arisen.

“Yes…!”

Han Seoyeon.
17 years old.
High school student.

“I look forward to… no, that’s not right. I look forward to it, senior!”
“Likewise.”

She had made her first friend.
She had someone she could speak casually with.

“…Oh, but is it okay if I use the favor for something else?”
“I don’t mind. As long as it’s not an unreasonable request.”

But that was that.
This is this.

“Um… Can I touch it just once? That.”
“…You mean this?”

She couldn’t miss this.
This golden opportunity.

“…I suppose it doesn’t matter. We’re both girls after all.”
“Then if you’ll excuse me!”

Squeeze squeeze.
Squishy squishy.
Bouncy bouncy.