The Novel’s Extra’s Extra

“Ro!” Park Min-Ho shouted as he pointed his bow towards the magician of the other team.

“On it! HA!” Ro Min-Seo shouted back as she raised her shield defending Park Min-Ho from the incoming rain of fireballs. The fireballs dispersed as they touched the shield that had a red hue surrounding it. She had noticed that fire was ineffective against her shield. She didn’t know how that was possible, but she was sure it was because of the spell that Cristopher had used.

“It looks like Jake’s almost done with the target!” Park Min-Ho shouted as he shot at the enemy spearman, who tried to charge toward Jake in an attempt to rescue his own team’s swordsman.

“The spearman’s next!” Jeanne, the team’s magician, said as she started to cast a new spell. It hadn’t been long since the fight started, but their strategy was simple enough to quickly understand. Thankfully for them, the two teams were in similar situations, where their main fighter was just one cadet. If they had to take care of Kim Suho, it was sure that they would fail in minutes. But thankfully for them, they didn’t have to worry about him. After all, the monster that acted as their team leader had led Suho away from them, making it impossible for him to interfere. {Ro Min-Seo also has a monstrous defense…} Jeanne thought as she shot a quick glance at the small girl carrying the giant tower shield.

Since the start of the fight, the other team’s magician and sharpshooter had been trying to clean them at once, thinking that it would be easy with how closely grouped Jeanne, Park Min-Ho, and Ro Min-Seo were. But contrary to their expectations, the small girl calmly took all their long-ranged attacks, which gave Park Min-Ho and Jeanne a free road to shoot back. However, instead of going for the “weaker” targets, they picked the other swordsman apart from Kim Suho.

The fact that the other team didn’t have a defensive supporter only made it all the easier. Sadly for the spearman on the opposing team, he had his hands full defending their magician from the sharpshooter on Christopher’s team, whose arrows buzzed around them incessantly like annoying, lethal flies. If it wasn’t for Min-Ho calmly changing his targets between both of them, he could have somewhat helped their team’s swordsman.

{It’s all that freaking girl…! How is it that the spells are doing nothing against her!}  The spearman fumed, angrily deflecting an arrow that was shot towards the magician behind him. “Don’t you have something stronger!?” He shouted back at the magician, his eyes not leaving the enemy sharpshooter.

“It’s useless! That fucking shield stops all my spells!”

“Use something that has an area of effect!”

“I’ve been trying!” The magician shouted back. “But it’s like the shield is absorbing all the attacks! Even the explosion magic I used seemed to be all directed towards the shield!”

“Shit!” The spearman was angry, he turned to look towards Kim Suho, their team’s captain. But he couldn’t find him anywhere close. {Just where the hell did those two go!?} If Suho was here, he would surely be of help, or so the spearman thought. He clicked his tongue and looked at the magician. “We have to run forward and enter the ruins, we need coverage!”

“B-But how will you protect me while running!?” The magician asked dumbfounded.

“You better move those legs!” He shouted as he broke into a sprint. Being just outside the ruins made both of them a clear target. If it wasn’t for the small girl’s defense, it would be an equal situation, but no matter what they did, the sharpshooter and the magician were unable to break through their defense. Being in the open just made them a clear target.

“W-Wait!” The magician stuttered as he tried to rush behind the spearman. It was at that moment that something neither of them expected happened. The floor in front of the spearman froze.

“W-Wha!?” Shocked, he almost slipped but quickly used his spear to thrust the ground, using it as a cane to rebalance himself. “What!?” He turned to look at the other fight, only to find the swordsman disappearing after being defeated by Jake. The latter looked back at him, and as if realizing something, he started to run. “Shit! Take cover and support me from behind! Forget about the others and don’t let this guy take me out!”

“R-Right!” The magician said as he kept running towards one of the ruins.

The spearman, having recovered his balance, pulled his spear out of the ground and prepared to fight against the incoming enemy. However, the upcoming swordsman wasn’t his only worry. He was fast, yes, but the spearman’s teammate hadn’t been eliminated by the fast swordsman alone. And just as he thought, soon the temperature around him went down quite fast, giving him the chills.

{That freaking witch!} He gritted his teeth as he glanced at the enemy team, where a blue-robbed woman was pointing at him, her staff raised and her mouth quickly chanting her next spell. {Shit!} He needed to evade it, but before he could even try, the swordsman had already reached him. A single second. That was all he took to glance at the magician of the enemy team, but just in that second, the swordsman accelerated to reach him.

A sword and a spear shook, and both of them started to exchange hits. The spearman tried to create distance between them, but the swordsman, quick on his feet, didn’t allow it. Soon, the distance was the least of his problems, as a ravaging storm began to blow around him. Only it wasn’t a simple storm; it turned out to be a chilling breeze with scattered ice that covered both combatants. The debilitatingly low temperature quickly took its toll on the spearman’s body, while the impacting ice also deteriorated his condition.

{Fuck! This snowstorm isn’t simple… It shouldn’t slow me down that much!} The spearman thought as he tried his best to stop the attacking swordsman, who, for some reason, was not slowing down at all.

“Why are you not getting affected by her spell!” The spearman asked in shock, only to receive a frown back. {What? Do you think you’re too much to even talk to me!?} He wondered, enraged. But contrary to what he thought was happening, Jake was equally confused.

{I also don’t know…} Was Jake's only thought at the spearman’s question. {Just how the hell did he make it possible?} Surrounding his armor, a faint red glow could be seen, but it wasn’t something that the spearman paid any attention to.

Meanwhile, while the fight between both teams was carrying on, in another part of the arena, another fight was taking place. This one was shocking the audience even more than the other one, even though there were just two participants.

“Come on. This isn’t enough!” Cristopher shouted with a smirk as he received Kim Suho’s sword head-on with his own.

“...” Gritting his teeth, Suho quickly slashed again, his sword covered in his metal attribute, only that it was faint. He wasn’t using all his strength.

“Tch.” Cristopher clicked his tongue as he parried another attack, before quickly stepping in and punching Suho straight on the chest with a speed just fast enough for Suho not to react.

“!” The punch alone sent him flying towards a tree, which was ripped up by the force of the impact. His hand clutched his chest as he stood up.

“Come on. Show me what you got!” Cristopher shouted at him, not moving from his original spot.

“...” Suho frowned before looking at his chest. No matter whether it was his speed or strength, he thought it wasn’t possible for him to react at that moment. {Maybe if I use all my power… but…}

“Ha… I’m really disappointed right now.” Cristopher said as he shook his head. “You know? I thought there was more to you. The dazzling Hero. Is this all there is to you? Was Hajin really wrong with you?” He said as he looked at Suho with a raised eyebrow.

“Can’t you just shut up?” Suho snarled back for the first time. “What does Hajin have to do with all of this? Huh? Expectations? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mm…” Cristopher tilted his head as he rested his sword on his shoulder. “Don’t you hate it?”

“Huh?” Suho was visibly confused.

“That feeling of helplessness.” Cristopher suddenly said.

“!” Suho opened his eyes wide for a moment, before going back to a frown. “...What do you mean?”

“Not being able to defend those surrounding you… Not even being able to defend yourself.” Cristopher said slowly. “Yeah, I hate that.”

“...” Suho’s frown deepened.

“Don’t you feel the same hate? Being unable to do something to change your fate?” Cristopher asked, his face turning to one of apathy.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Mm? Are you sure?” Cristopher tilted his head. “It’s funny though. Hajin feels that you guys are similar. Maybe he was wrong.”

“Hajin this, Hajin that… What does he have to do with all this!?”

“Well.” Cristopher shrugged, disappearing and appearing behind him. Suho quickly moved half a step forward, rotating his body to send a powerful slash toward the figure who had just appeared at his back, but the deadly blade was stopped dead by Cristopher’s hand. “He just thought that, given the time, you would be the sword that cut the approaching darkness.” Cristopher whispered.

“...What!?” Suho was shocked. “What are you-!” But before he could ask again, he was sent flying back by a kick.

Cristopher chuckled at the sight of Suho rolling on the dirt. “Come on. Stand up. Show me that Hajin was right.” He said with a mocking grin as he taunted him.

“Tch.” Suho clicked his tongue as his metal-attributed element rose from his body, slowly converging on his sword. “Fine. You asked for it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Cristopher said with a loud laugh as he once again readied his stance.

Suho rushed at him with his sword visibly cutting the air as he moved with a speed incomparable to the one before.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Cristopher laughed as his sword intercepted Suho’s downward cut, but with a different result this time, as the sword in his hand slightly chipped. A second slash. The chip widened as Cristopher’s sword was pushed downward slightly by the impact. Suho, for the first time, gave a confident gaze at his opponent, only to frown a moment later, noticing that the grin on Cristopher’s face never left him. “Hahaha look at you, that’s some nasty magic power you have there.” Cristopher smirked and stepped back, Suho thought it was to win distance, so he went in, but that was a mistake, as Cristopher dropped his sword and in a quick motion the same hand that was carrying his sword flew upwards closing on Suho’s chin.

“!” This time Suho was fast enough to stop mid-step with a strong stomp on the ground that also helped him to move his head an inch back, evading the hit. Even then, his sword never stopped moving, and it swung horizontally towards Cristopher. But surprisingly, instead of retreating to evade, he just kicked the sword he dropped before that hasn’t reached the ground. The kicked sword shot towards Suho’s neck.

Seeing this, Suho could only evade sideways, but doing so with so little warning put him in an awkward position that made it difficult for him to continue his slash with the same force. Even then he trusted in his attribute. But contrary to his expectations, Cristopher still didn’t evade. He simply raised his arm, which was exuding a darkish-red aura.

The sound of metal colliding engulfed them both, as Suho’s sword collided with Cristopher’s arm.

“What…?” Suho couldn’t understand what happened.

“Not bad. Not bad at all.” Cristopher said with a smirk. “But you still need to grow more.” Making use of Suho’s surprise, he rushed in, grabbing his face and disappearing from the spot, only to appear once again close to a tree, as he thrust Suho toward it. The impact splintered and completely destroyed the tree as Suho was blown through it, impacting the tree behind the destroyed one.

“Come on! This is just starting!” Cristopher said as he widened his arms.

With a kick to the ground, Suho rushed at Cristopher, his sword on hand, with metal-attributed magic power condensing on his sword.

“That’s it! Keep control of it!” Cristopher smirked as he stepped back, evading Suho’s slash once, another step, another avoidance. He kept calmly stepping back as he evaded every slash from Kim Suho. Suho’s residual magic power scratched at him, but it was useless, as his own magic power fought back. “Mm…?” As Cristopher kept evading, something caught his attention. “That sword technique… I guess you could polish more…” He said as he frowned.

Suho ignored him as he spun his sword before cutting upwards. Instead of simply evading like before, Cristopher shifted behind his back. Suho made a quick turn and continuing with the movement of his sword, he swung behind him at Cristopher, but the latter only stepped back with a smirk. “Let’s compare techniques.” He muttered.

{With what sword…?} Suho thought for a moment before he had to crouch down, a sword passing over him, while Cristopher simply thrust his knee up towards Suho at the time he caught the sword, who quickly defended with his arm, but instead of stopping him, he only ended up being raised in the air with a small grunt of pain.

“Nicely evaded.” Cristopher said with a smirk as he swung his sword towards him. Suho clicked his tongue as he used his sword to defend, being pushed back by the clash of swords. As he regained his stance he looked at Cristopher who was standing with his sword on his shoulder. “What? Did you think that I wouldn’t grab my sword back just because I dropped it?”

“...How?” Suho asked. “It was too far.”

“Mm…” Cristopher tilted his head for a moment, before grinning at him. “How about you come up with your own theory on why I was able to do that?”

“Tch.” Suho clicked his tongue once again. He had to admit that the guy in front of him was really irritating. {Is this how Nayun feels when talking with this guy?} He thought before rushing toward him. He was sure that he could break that sword with his magic power. That made him feel somewhat bad though since Christopher had already proven that he could fight head to head with Suho, even while unarmed.

As Suho got close, he swung his sword horizontally, and Cristopher received it in the same manner as before. But different from the first two clashes they had before, Cristopher’s sword didn’t chip or get damaged further.

“!” Suho was surprised at this since he knew that no matter how, his metal attribute, his Gift, would surpass any sword.

“I see that you’re surprised.” Cristopher said, that bothersome grin still present on his face. “But tell me, what made you think that you could damage my sword when you can’t even cut my arm?” At his words, Suho’s eyes widened. His thoughts flashed toward the moment when Cristopher stopped his sword with his arm. Suho quickly unleashed fast cuts toward him, but each of those was stopped by Cristopher’s sword. It was clearer now, a slight coating of the same blackish-red energy was coating Cristopher’s sword.

{How…?} Suho couldn’t understand. His Gift was specialized for swords. Just as people judged Hajin’s Gift to be a specialized Gift for a gun or a bow, his was a Gift specialized for a swordsman, for the most powerful swordsman. A Sword Saint.

“You worry too much about menial things.” Cristopher said with a frown as he pushed hard on Suho’s sword with his own, the weapons still locked together from their last exchange, forcing Suho a step back. “Focus on what’s in front of you, or you might die at any given time.” He said as he slashed down with a speed that Suho could barely match. Gritting his teeth, he put the sword in front, only to be shocked by what happened a moment later.

His magic power was being dissipated. {No… It’s being burnt…!} He thought as his eyes widened.

“A sword saint…” Cristopher muttered with a raised eyebrow. “Tell me, Suho. Why do you assume someone else can’t have power similar to you?” He muttered as he applied pressure to Suho’s sword.

“I… I’ve never thought like that…!” Suho said as he pushed back, moving his left hand to support the side of his sword. His magic power was elevating, he was trying to fight back.

“Is that so?” Cristopher whispered. “Because I think you have… Is it maybe a subconscious thing?”

“I’ve never… thought… that I’m superior to others…!” Suho kept clenching his teeth as he pushed as hard as he could, but no matter what, it was as if his opponent was a mountain that he was trying to push with his bare hands.

“Mm…” Cristopher frowned for a second. “Haven’t you thought about it for a moment? Are you that sure? Haven’t you woken up one day, knowing what your power is capable of, just to think, ‘Oh, I am special, I must be the Hero of this world, I might be the destined child to save those under oppression? Haven’t you? Hero?” Cristopher said, an unknown emotion flashing deep inside his eyes for a single instant as he looked down at Suho.

“I…” Suho stopped for a moment. It would be a lie. He knew, deep inside he knew. That he had thought of himself like that once. “I…” It was just once. But even then, who could tell what his subconscious mind would be saying deep inside him. {Did I… really think like that…?} He looked back, at how he was saddened at him losing the first place to a dark horse he never knew about. Inside his mind, he gave himself an excuse, that he was sad because he couldn’t make his parents proud of him for taking first place. But that wasn’t it. There was no way his parents of this world weren’t proud of him, he knew that.

{It’s such a dumb excuse…} He thought. Not once have his parents not been proud of him, from the moment he was born here, to the point he reached when in Cube. They always made sure to show him how proud they were of him, and his path. {How foolish of me…}

“I see.” Cristopher whispered to himself as he sighed. “Being special is not a bad thing. Kim Suho.” He said in a low voice. “But don’t let it get up to your head. Talent can be a double-edged sword, one that’s hard to wield once you lose control of it, no matter whether you’re a sword master, a sword saint, or even a sword god. Keep that in mind.” Cristopher said as the grip on his sword tightened.

Meanwhile, Suho could only look down. Thoughts running amok inside his head. Until he heard the next words.

“Ha… I guess I can give you a small tip.” Cristopher said. “Just think of your family. Think of those who you have close. And don’t lose focus of what you seek strength for. Power should not be your goal, but your tool. A tool to protect those you hold dear.”

“!” Suho’s eyes widened, as the grip on his sword strengthened. “...Yeah.” He muttered with a small smile. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am, you all should already know that by now. There’s no way I’m wrong.” Cristopher said with a smirk.

“Thanks.” Suho said as he looked back at Cristopher with a smile. “I never knew you were capable of doing this kind of stuff.”

“Don’t go hyping your expectations on me, dude. That’s gross. Besides, it’s Hajin who you should direct those thanks. Not me.” Cristopher said.

“...Right.” Suho nodded with an awkward smile.

“Anyways, this has been going for far too long.” Cristopher said he strengthened the grip on the handle, which made Suho flinch at the sudden strength, sweat forming on his forehead. “Sadly for you, I have a team of idiots to carry, even though they managed their task pretty well.” Cristopher said as he gave a side glance towards the place where the rest of both teams were fighting. Their fight was almost done. {Look at them… I feel like a proud father seeing the small punks growing out of the home.}

“Tch… I thought… you were going to go easy on me…” Suho grinned.

“Oh, please. I don’t go easy on nobody, ask Hajin.” Cristopher shrugged, before tilting his head. “Although I may have gone a touch easier on Rachel…” He muttered, and while Suho heard, he couldn’t help but ask himself, what was this guy talking about in the middle of their fight, or his beating, if he was honest. “Oh well, whatever.” Cristopher said with another shrug. “Let’s finish this.” As he raised his sword, Suho felt relaxed, but it only lasted for a second, as a strong kick imbued with magic power hit him directly on the chest, activating the defense mechanism and taking him out of the fight, effectively ending the duel.

The entire arena was in silence for a moment. But it was just a moment, as soon after cheers, shouts and claps could be heard all around the place. Unknown to Suho and Cristopher, this fight really brought a sense of excitement to all of the spectators, as well as frowns from some individuals.