NOVEL NEXT chapter 25
25 – 1st Floor, 3 vs 3 Team Battle.
Center of the arena.
Six people faced each other.
They were participants of the 62nd match.
Madogwang stepped forward with his attitude slung over his shoulder.
His stride was unhesitant.
He was blatantly displaying his confidence.
“So it has come to this.”
Madogwang’s voice echoed into each waiting room.
As with all previous matches, Madogwang spat out a few words.
It was a provocation.
“If you had just come to my room and asked, I would have spared you.”
A vicious-looking man scratched his crotch as he spoke.
A simple sentence sounded like a crude joke.
“……”
Eun Seoryeong blatantly ignored his words.
She didn’t feel it was worth responding.
In fact, she was distracted.
She was itching to rush out and stab Madogwang’s heart with a knife at any moment.
“It’s a pity to just let those breasts and buttocks go.”
Mado-gwang scanned Eun-seo-ryeong.
With a voice that seemed confident of his victory, Baek-song frowned.
“Isn’t that a bit arrogant?”
“Arrogant? I’m just stating the facts.”
The corners of Mado-gwang’s mouth twisted violently.
He sneered at Baek-song.
“Do you think you can defeat us? With that Earthling in tow?”
Baek-song glanced back.
Oryu-in was silently listening to Mado-gwang’s insulting remarks.
Is he unfazed?
Since Oryu-in showed no reaction, it became awkward for the third party to step in.
‘…From the start. Why does that guy think he can defeat Oh Dae-hyeop?’
Baek-song, who knew Oryu-in’s true identity, couldn’t understand that confidence.
‘…Does he not know that Oh Dae-hyeop is the Black Dragon?’
If that’s the case, it makes some sense.
“Let’s wrap up the chit-chat here!”
Blingki interrupted the players.
“Please designate the vanguard!”
They wouldn’t fight all at once.
They would take turns and compete one-on-one.
If the vanguard loses, the middleman steps in; if the middleman loses, the captain.
If the captain loses, that team is eliminated.
They face extinction.
“The vanguard, please step forward!”
Eun-seo-ryeong’s team had already decided the order.
“Baek-song, you don’t have to push yourself too hard. If it gets too tough, just pass it to me.”
Eun-seo-ryeong encouraged Baek-song by patting his shoulder as he stepped up as the vanguard.
In truth, it was a roundabout way of saying to take it easy and step aside.
Baek-song didn’t quite grasp the true meaning of those words.
He took it as a sign to give his all without worrying about what comes next.
Except for Baeksong, the other two retreated to the outskirts of the arena.
The vanguard was also decided on the opposing side.
It was Ak Ilsan, the Red-Clad Axe.
He dragged out a huge axe.
At a glance, he was an extraordinary man.
“Alrighty! Shall we get started?”
Gold coins were bet in each waiting room.
Many people expected Madogwang to win, so the odds were very low.
“Okay, let’s begin!”
With Blinky’s command, the match began.
“Haap!”
Ak Ilsan charged at Baeksong and swung his axe down.
A fierce wind followed the huge axe.
Baeksong smoothly deflected the axe and then executed the Plum Blossom Sword technique.
Plum Blossom Bee.
The sword, imbued with a pink aura, swiftly aimed at Ak Ilsan’s shoulder.
“Ugh!”
Ak Ilsan immediately withdrew his axe and leaned back his shoulder.
He avoided a direct stab, but the following plum blossom scratched his shoulder.
Blood splattered.
“Is the reason you got the nickname ‘Red-Clad Axe’ because your clothes are stained with your own blood?”
Baeksong openly mocked Ak Ilsan as he continued his offensive.
The pink aura traced the sword and soon bloomed into plum blossoms.
Oryuin, who was watching from behind, uttered a dumbfounded exclamation.
‘…He’s just swinging his sword. How is that possible?’
Petals don’t scatter on bare ground.
Unless someone scatters them.
Therefore, this is not reality but an illusion.
Now that he was aware, he could somewhat distinguish it.
‘…I’m glad you heard it.’
Kim Min-seong informed.
The martial arts of the Hwasan faction is called Hwan-geom (幻劍).
If he hadn’t known that information, Oh Ryoo-in would have been clueless about the situation.
Pink petals.
The plum blossoms shot like blades, tearing and slicing Ak Ilsan.
“Graaah!”
Ak Ilsan couldn’t fend off all the countless plum blossoms.
Covering his face with thick arms and wildly swinging his axe was the best he could do.
【1】
His vitality seemed endless, but eventually, he fell.
「Next!」
Despite Madogwang’s confidence, his comrades couldn’t defeat even one Baeksong.
The man who stepped forward as a mid-level fighter also lost miserably.
Madogwang clicked his tongue at them.
“Worthless scum.”
Second-rate, as expected.
He hadn’t expected much.
Nevertheless, he didn’t lose his confidence.
Instead, he burst into maniacal laughter and unleashed his fighting spirit.
“I’ll kill you all.”
Madogwang gripped his sword and lowered his stance.
Then he dashed forward like a flash.
Seomgwang Dogwi (閃光刀鬼).
That nickname wasn’t earned through gambling.
“……!”
The swung sword flashed, slicing Baeksong’s chest.
His robe tore, and blood splattered.
‘…I couldn’t see it at all.’
Realizing the gap between them, Baeksong retreated with a hardened expression.
‘To be of any help, even a little.’
Anyway, one does not die during a duel.
Under the influence of the Soul System, one is safe.
Unless one is confirmed to be eliminated and weeded out, it doesn’t matter how much one gets hurt.
Baeksong gathered his courage.
To reduce Madogwang’s vitality even a little, he extended his sword.
But it did not reach Madogwang.
“Khehehe.”
Madogwang sneered slyly and slashed Baeksong’s martial robe as if peeling it off.
It was a skillful swordsmanship close to divine technique.
He tried not to care, but he couldn’t help it.
Should he grab the falling clothes?
Or should he swing his sword?
Baeksong’s mind was in turmoil.
At that moment, Eunseoryeong shouted.
“Baeksong Dojang. That’s enough. Step back.”
Eunseoryeong rushed out on her own.
At that moment, Baeksong could no longer fight.
He had lost his qualification.
「Oh? If a mid-level player steps in, the vanguard automatically loses. Baeksong player, please leave the arena.」
Baeksong withdrew powerlessly.
He felt grateful for stepping in, but at the same time, he felt sorry.
Contrary to Baeksong’s self-reproach, Eunseoryeong, who had been waiting, could not hide her anxious heart.
She worried about what would happen if Baeksong won everything.
“Can we proceed right away?”
「Of course!」
Eunseoryeong aimed her sword.
“Are you coming right away?”
To Madogwang’s question, without even answering.
Eunseoryeong stomped her foot and shot forward.
Sa-il Sword Technique (射日劍法).
Huye Sa-il (后羿射日).
Like the arrow Huye shot towards the sun.
Faster than light, he thrust his sword towards Madogwang’s heart.
Whoosh-!
“Ugh!”
In a split second, he rolled his body.
He narrowly avoided instant death.
Though it seemed like a large chunk of flesh had been torn from his shoulder, it was enough that he survived.
Sighs of relief escaped from the waiting room.
They had finally realized the gap between the two.
The martial artists who knew Eun Seoryeong’s level sighed in relief.
“It won’t be easy.”
Madogwang stood up.
He grimaced as if he had just realized the dire situation.
Eun Seoryeong took his stance again.
“Flash Sword Princess. No, Mad Dog of Jeomchang. Is the only technique you know Huye Sa-il of the Sa-il Sword?”
“I didn’t learn the others because I didn’t need them. They’re also difficult.”
Eun Seoryeong smirked.
The usually gentle and kind impression somehow felt demonic.
“…The nickname ‘Sword Princess’ is wasted on you.”
“I never wanted a noble nickname. What can I do if the martial world calls me that?”
“……”
“I actually like ‘Mad Dog of Jeomchang’ better.”
With his eyes rolled back and charging into the fray, could there be a more fitting nickname than ‘Mad Dog’?
Having lost one arm, Huye Sa-il’s technique looked even more grotesque.
The nickname ‘Flash Sword Princess’ no longer suited him.
Eun Seoryeong charged again.
A rapid thrust invisible to the eye.
Blocking it was impossible.
Avoiding it was becoming increasingly difficult.
Like a cornered rat.
When it started to look like a desperate struggle to others.
Madogwang used the artifact he had.
Precisely at the moment when Huye Sail’s attack hit his right shoulder.
[Thorn Armor][D]
Category: Artifact
Stats▼
【Health: ＋5】
【Durability: 1/3】
Options▼
【Thorn Lv.3】
Reflects 『30%』 of the damage when hit by an opponent’s attack.
Eun Seoryeong’s eyes widened.
She realized too late that Madogwang had not dodged but had brought his body forward.
“Damn…!”
Eun Seoryeong’s sword did not pierce Madogwang’s shoulder.
The damage was reflected due to the artifact’s effect.
“Argh…!”
Eun Seoryeong dropped her sword due to the intense pain in her shoulder.
Madogwang seized the opportunity.
He grabbed the chance swiftly, like squeezing a woman’s breast.
He kicked off the ground and charged towards Eun Seoryeong.
With the speed befitting his nickname, Flash Ghost, he thrust his attack.
Thud-!
In a completely defenseless state, she allowed the attack.
Eun Seoryeong’s expression twisted.
She checked her life force.
【1】
If it weren’t for the Soul System preventing death, Eun Seoryeong would have truly died.
Goosebumps rose on his skin.
“Hehe, are you starting to grasp the situation now?”
Madogwang sheathed his sword.
Then he looked down at the collapsed Eun Seoryeong and chuckled.
‘Thinking you might die must have made your legs go weak.’
[The durability of the Thorn Armor has reached 0.]
[The Thorn Armor has been destroyed.]
He lost the artifact, but it didn’t matter.
Because he had captured Eun Seoryeong.
Without Eun Seoryeong, he could easily kill the opposing team, including the Earthling.
No matter how bad Madogwang’s condition was, he wasn’t weak enough to be defeated by an Earthling.
Madogwang lightly swung his sword, touching Eun Seoryeong’s chest.
“Since you’ll be useless once you’re dead anyway, how about showing me those breasts?”
“…Shut up.”
Eun Seoryeong firmly knocked away the sword trying to tear open her robe.
She struggled to her feet and stepped back.
“…Oh, Daehyeop.”
Eun Seoryeong bowed her head apologetically.
Considering the pitiful result after her confident stance, she had nothing to say for herself.
“……”
Oh Ryuin said nothing and stepped forward.
He stood facing Madogwang.
Madogwang scanned Oh Ryuin up and down.
A gaze different from when he ogled women.
An Earthling.
A man who looked decent on the outside.
Madogwang smirked.
Thinking that this human would soon die, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Do you have anything to say? Your team’s only hope, Eun Seoryeong, has been utterly defeated.”
Looking at the order of Eun Seoryeong’s team, he could gauge the opponent’s skill.
With Baeksong, a first-rate warrior, at the forefront, they gauge the level of the Madogwang team.
Eun Seoryeong, an absolute warrior, handles the remaining opponents and secures victory.
‘The captain, the Earthling, is just decoration. A burden that must never be allowed to participate.’
The situation where the Earthling participates is the worst-case scenario for Eun Seoryeong’s team.
It could be said that the blade of death is aimed at their throats.
‘And the one holding that sword is none other than me.’
Madogwang grinned as he rushed towards the Earthling.
Seomgwangdogwi.
Not faster than light, but boasting a speed difficult to follow with the eyes.
The Earthling took a clumsy stance.
Middle guard, middle guard.
However, the gaps were clearly visible.
Madogwang’s sword shot out like lightning.
Clang-!
The swords collided.
Sparks flew as they clashed violently.
In terms of strength, Madogwang was far superior.
Right after exchanging one blow, he could push through with force.
“……?”
But it was puzzling.
Madogwang stepped back and glared at the Earthling.
‘…How did he keep up?’
Madogwang was a first-rate warrior.
Though he hadn’t reached the pinnacle, he was at a level where he could hold his head high in the martial world.
Most commoners would fall with a single swing of his sword.
The Earthling should have been the same.
But why.
Why could the Earthling match his sword?
‘It must be a coincidence.’
If not a coincidence, it couldn’t be explained.
The idea that an Earthling had followed his rapid pace was absurd.
It was much better to treat it as a coincidence.
Madogwang once again took a stance.
Boom-.
He stomped his foot and shot forward with force.
Madogwang’s extended sword curved like a snake, aiming for the neck of the Errorian.
A brief moment.
Madogwang’s eyes turned to Baeksong and Eunseoryeong, who were recovering behind him.
‘…Why aren’t they anxious?’
Are they not afraid of death?
If this Earthling is defeated, they will be eliminated and die in that instant.
Clang-!
What broke Madogwang’s thoughts was the fierce sound of swords clashing.
Madogwang looked at the Errorian in surprise.
The Errorian confidently deflected the sword and protected his neck.
“With agility at 30, you can handle it. Is the first-class warrior’s strength, agility, and stamina all at 30?”
“…What, what did you say?”
A moment of palpable killing intent.
The fear of death made him step back.
Instinct warned him.
‘…I’m going to die!’
Madogwang withdrew his sword and leaped back.
“Huff, huff.”
He panted heavily.
“Why.”
He couldn’t understand the sensation he felt.
Madogwang gritted his teeth.
The fact that he felt fear towards a mere Earthling provoked him.
“Arghhh!”
Madogwang let out a lion’s roar to shake off the fear.
The trembling legs regained their composure, ready to leap into his arms at any moment.
“You b*stard!”
The reason the Sapa Black Path gang starts with curses is simple.
A desperate struggle to win.
Madogwang glared and swung his sword at Oryuin.
A simple horizontal slash, not even a basic form.
“Oh!”
Oryuin exclaimed.
Like a middle schooler meeting a foreigner for the first time and successfully communicating with the few English words they know.
It was a reaction you might see then.
Cheng-. Chaeeng-!
Despite the pure reaction, all of Madogwang’s slashes were being blocked.
“Damn, damn it!”
He grew impatient.
The fear ingrained in his subconscious began to creep up.
A swordsman who primarily uses quick strikes must not be outpaced.
If you’re slower than your opponent, you’re practically dead.
‘I, I have the upper hand in strength.’
He might be outpaced, but his muscle strength is higher.
That much was clear.
‘…What does it matter?’
Doubt.
Doubt in himself.
The heart demon was trying to take hold.
“Ugh!”
Madogwang shook his head.
He barely shook off the heart demon.
To think he was facing a heart demon against a mere Earthling.
He might as well be dead.
“It’s starting to get boring.”
Oryuin spoke in a flat voice.
He didn’t seem tired at all.
Even after exchanging blows with Madogwang.
“You b*stard!”
Rage.
This was a matter of pride.
He couldn’t just let this situation slide, being publicly humiliated by an Earthling whom everyone looked down on like a bug.
“Uooo!”
Innate True Qi (先天眞氣).
‘Anyway, I won’t die.’
It wasn’t just Oryuin who pondered ways to use the Tower of Struggle and the Soul System.
Madogwang also racked his brains.
Not dying.
That meant even if he used up his Innate True Qi, he could recover.
A crimson aura enveloped Madogwang’s stance.
It seemed as if an invisible current was dripping like blood.
Oryuin asked in a childlike, innocent voice, as if seeing something fascinating.
“What is that?”
“A soon-to-die guy doesn’t need to know!”
Madogwang rebuked that curiosity and stomped his foot roughly.
Boom-!
The ground caved in.
An overwhelming spirit never seen before.
Even Oryuin was startled.
“Die!”
Madogwang thrust his stance forward.
Instant Kill Sword Technique (瞬殺刀法).
Instant Kill Slash (瞬殺斬).