novelraw Chapter 137 : Challenge Right (4)
Chapter 137 : Challenge Right (4)
Su-hyeon started his attempt to change the tide by targeting Min Hae-na's weakness.
Swoosh!
Su-hyeon dodged an attack aimed at a single point by turning sideways, then immediately seized Min Hae-na's flank and thrust his hwando.
Min Hae-na easily deflected the attack and counterattacked sharply, but Su-hyeon immediately turned sideways, narrowing the target area to avoid the attack.
'As expected.'
Min Hae-na smirked and swung her staff horizontally with great force, but Su-hyeon quickly ducked to avoid it, then charged in and slashed upward with his hwando, forcing Min Hae-na to retreat.
'The weakness of staff techniques is that they're vulnerable to movements that circle to the side.'
Su-hyeon thought.
'In other words, lateral movement works well.'
"Jeong Su-hyeon has found a way to counter her."
"Indeed he has."
'He used the same method when fighting me.'
Instructor Lim Jeong-tae, watching, grinned.
'But that's not nearly enough to catch Min Hae-na.'
Sure enough.
Min Hae-na easily countered Su-hyeon's moves simply by utilizing her unique footwork, maintaining her central axis each time she turned to face Su-hyeon head-on.
"Hmm, if this is all, I'm a bit disappointed."
"That can't be."
Su-hyeon replied.
'Above all, the difficulty in aerial maneuvers is the problem.'
Even when jumping, he couldn't get high enough, making it difficult to maneuver as he had in his fight with Seo Jun-seong.
Clang clang clang!
Therefore, Su-hyeon quickly deployed his second strategy.
That strategy was to grab the deflected staff with his left hand to immobilize it, then approach.
"Better than the first one."
But this wasn't the answer either.
Whack!
After blocking a fierce middle kick from her long legs, Su-hyeon retreated again.
'Even my bones feel cold.'
The powered-up Min Hae-na's attacks were penetrating well even through his guard.
If the earlier kick was meant as a check, this one was nothing short of a lethal attack technique.
'And that was just a light kick. In my current state with all these debuffs, it's extremely difficult to handle.'
It reminded him of his fight with Instructor Oh Chang-seong during the entrance exam, when there was an overwhelming gap in specs.
'Plus, she restricts close combat with her staff and kicks, fighting at her own distance. A simple but hard-to-counter strategy.'
Nevertheless.
For Su-hyeon, closing the distance and inducing close-quarters combat would be a much more favorable fight.
Especially in hand-to-hand combat at extremely close range, it would be hard to find a specialist better than Su-hyeon among all the academy cadets.
'The problem is how to get in. With my current speed, I can't catch Min Hae-na off guard.'
But if he raises his output with a momentary [Liberation], the story changes.
Just like now!
'Liberation.'
Thump!
In that moment when every fiber of Su-hyeon's muscles fully unleashed their potential.
Bang!
With overwhelming speed restored, Su-hyeon parried Min Hae-na's staff as she swung it down, then closed the distance in one breath.
'What?'
Her speed was so fast that there wasn't even time to extend a kick.
'Not bad.'
Even caught off guard, Min Hae-na threw three flicker jabs at Su-hyeon with her right hand that had released the staff.
'Not a chance.'
Blocking one, dodging one, and enduring one, Su-hyeon forcefully landed a left body blow.
Whack!
It was the first time today that Su-hyeon's attack hit Min Hae-na.
"Ugh!"
But Min Hae-na instantly took a back step to mitigate the damage.
Bang bang bang bang!
She immediately formed a gun shape with her left index, middle finger, and thumb, firing energy bullets at Su-hyeon who was pursuing.
'Mana Bullet!'
Not enough to discuss lethality, but sufficient power to have stopping force.
"Ugh!"
Without time to create a Mana Shield, Su-hyeon took the attacks with his body and stopped, allowing Min Hae-na to safely increase the distance.
"Mana Bullet!"
"To think Hae-na would use even that!"
But surprisingly, it was the second-year cadets rather than the first-years who were astonished at that scene.
"How long has it been since someone got that close to Hae-na's range?"
"And he even managed to land an effective hit."
"They kept saying 'Jeong Su-hyeon, Jeong Su-hyeon,' and he really is amazing."
Among the second-years, only two cadets had ever pushed Min Hae-na's tactics this far.
'And a first-year accomplished that?'
Yang Dongju, watching, was shocked.
Even he, with strength counted among the best in the second year, not only couldn't reach the point of Mana Bullets, but had collapsed under the power of [Imperial Dominion] and staff techniques.
'That monster-like bastard.'
He was once again feeling defeated by Su-hyeon.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
'Mana Bullet, huh? I could barely get this far only after using Liberation.'
I thought while deliberately regulating my rough breathing.
'It would be really useful to have.'
It was a skill that would cost quite a bit if purchased.
'But to learn and use it, something like that isn't something just any half-trained person can use.'
From the start, it was a tactic only possible because Min Hae-na was a top-class talent with aptitude in magic as well.
'If it were that easy, everyone would be shooting mana bullets while in close combat.'
By the way, me with Mana Shield and Min Hae-na with Mana Bullet.
There was a strangely similar point between us.
'But isn't a gun a bit too unfair?'
I sighed without realizing it.
"Impressive. I didn't expect you to make me use this technique."
Min Hae-na gave a thumbs up.
'She's still looking down on me. Well, that's natural I suppose.'
The accumulated damage between us was truly heaven and earth apart.
Having taken several hits, plus receiving continuous pressure from [Imperial Dominion] and using [Liberation], the overload on my body was substantial.
That's why I couldn't use [Liberation] for long and had to release it again.
'Now is not the time to gamble on a short match.'
Besides, I had already achieved my intended purpose with this.
'This much implanting is sufficient.'
[Liberation], which was probably what everyone thought was my trump card.
From Min Hae-na's perspective, having witnessed that technique fail and confirmed its output and speed, she would inevitably feel at ease.
'That will become the opening to break through.'
At this moment, the trap was as good as complete.
'The question is whether I can catch the timing to activate that trap.'
Until then, I just had to endure somehow.
"This is fun. You're certainly living up to expectations."
Min Hae-na said with a satisfied face.
"That's what makes you worthy of my affection. Hmm."
"...This is a serious fight."
"I'm serious too."
Min Hae-na grinned.
"Then shall I get a bit more serious?"
Min Hae-na's tactics changed.
'Upper section? No, a trap!'
Pretending to thrust at the upper section to draw my reaction, then a thrust to the solar plexus came curving like a snake, using her wrist.
Whack!
"Ugh!"
I barely blocked it with Mana Shield, but the impact pushed me back.
"Cough."
"Wow, you blocked that? Impressive."
'Damn. I took damage again. This is killing me.'
Without the shield, I would have probably collapsed, vomiting gastric juice.
'She's using more aggressive moves now.'
If so, her next move would probably be that.
'Here it comes!'
Seeing Min Hae-na's step, her whole body's movement—twisting her waist and tightening her shoulders—I quickly retreated to the left and gripped my sword with both hands.
At that moment, a thrust several dozen centimeters longer than usual was fired like a bullet from a farther distance and earlier timing than usual.
Chaeng!
Just deflecting it made my sword tremble and sent vibrations up both my arms.
'Ugh!'
I felt nauseous.
'She rattles my insides in a completely different way from Lee Yu-jin.'
That was as far as my thoughts went.
Clang clang clang! Crang!
Under her fierce combination of attacks that didn't even give me time to blink, I helplessly started to retreat.
'Damn! The output difference is too great like this.'
I could somehow counter her attacks, but it was difficult to avoid them.
'That's enough. I just need to deflect and parry them somehow and endure.'
Even though I felt like dropping my weapon and vomiting right then and there.
My endurance, enhanced by the Unlimited characteristic and the Clear as a Mirror skill, could easily suppress even my own instincts.
'And if I focus only on defense, even Min Hae-na will find it difficult to break through.'
I parry the staff thrusting in.
I accommodate and sometimes counter the snake-like movements of the staff as it coils in.
I avoid short striking attacks and protect myself within Min Hae-na's range by changing steps and timing.
In a state of selflessness where refined verbal thoughts had no room to intervene, the exchange between Min Hae-na and me continued.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
"Hey, look at that!"
"He's not taking a single hit!"
"Where is he getting that strength from? Even after being pushed this far."
Just as admiration erupted from the stands at his defense that seemed almost divinely possessed.
"Got it."
Min Hae-na smiled.
'Oh no...!'
Crack!
The hwando that had been struck repeatedly in the same spot broke helplessly.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
"Jeong Su-hyeon's sword broke!"
"Impossible!"
The first-year cadets jumped to their feet.
"Min Hae-na-sunbae, a monster is indeed a monster. To break a sword manifesting sword energy with a staff."
"He was already being pushed back with an intact sword. This is the end!"
"He held up well, but is this it?"
"Whew. Whew."
As Min Hae-na stopped her offensive, Su-hyeon barely retreated and regulated his breathing.
"What will you do? The situation is dire."
Min Hae-na smiled.
"My staff that even your sword energy couldn't withstand, can you endure it with just an arm wrapped in a little Mana Shield?"
"It certainly won't be easy."
Su-hyeon answered.
"Yes, that's right."
Confirming his unbroken will, Min Hae-na nodded.
"Then here I come."
The moment Min Hae-na charged forward, kicking off the ground.
'Now.'
Su-hyeon finally knew the time had come.
'This timing, when I'm cornered as much as possible, with defeat seemingly imminent to everyone watching.'
This is the perfect timing to use [Resistance]!
'Resistance activated.'
Woong!
Freed from the internal discomfort that interfered with atmospheric pressure and mana circulation, Su-hyeon's body regained speed and vitality beyond what he had when using [Liberation].
Plus one more.
'Tachypsychia Mode activated.'
Kiing!
In the slowed time.
'Take this!'
Su-hyeon threw his broken hwando straight at Min Hae-na.
Clang!
The moment Min Hae-na moved her staff to deflect the attack.
With a slight time delay, Su-hyeon rushed at her.
Immediately, a thrust came flying to block his approach, but.
'Too slow.'
It was a speed no match for the current Su-hyeon.
'Ah?'
Su-hyeon, watching the staff's trajectory precisely, caught it with his right hand and pulled hard.
'His strength suddenly increased?!'
Caught off guard by Su-hyeon's strength, now freed from [Imperial Dominion]'s control, Min Hae-na helplessly lost her staff.
'Humiliation.'
Min Hae-na bit her lip and immediately lowered her stance to prepare for close combat.
Bang bang bang!
Su-hyeon, who had approached while deflecting all three Mana Bullets fired in an instant, saw Min Hae-na's front hand jab and moved first.
Swoosh!
Su-hyeon slipped the jab that flew in like slow motion with a ducking motion and landed a lightning-fast one-two straight on Min Hae-na.
Whack!
Min Hae-na raised her rear guard, tucked her chin, and somehow deflected the attack as she backpedaled.
'What is this? It feels different from the doping technique earlier.'
While Min Hae-na was confused by the difference.
'Ah!'
Min Hae-na's body staggered as she misstepped in a hole created by the aftermath of the intense battle.
'Now!'
It was the first opportunity that had come in this fight.
And Su-hyeon's sharp senses didn't miss this golden chance.
Whack!
Su-hyeon struck Min Hae-na's upper liver with a left body blow.
"Ugh!"
Min Hae-na suffered from the blow that rendered even her strongly trained abdominal muscles useless.
Bwak! Bwaaak!
Su-hyeon immediately followed with a right uppercut and left hook combination.
But after allowing only the first body blow to land cleanly, Min Hae-na endured the follow-up strikes with her guard and retreated, somehow restoring her balance with innate sense of equilibrium and firing Mana Bullets.
Bang bang bang!
Three attacks that came at a timing impossible to avoid.
But for the current Su-hyeon, who was living in a different time than everyone else, even those could be avoided.
Whisk whisk whisk!
As Su-hyeon evaded the Mana Bullets and was about to pursue Min Hae-na again.
'Insane?'
As if she had anticipated even that, Min Hae-na's flying high kick flew toward Su-hyeon's path like an axe, landing on his temple.
Crack!
Although Su-hyeon reduced the damage by instantly raising his shoulder and lowering his chin, he couldn't avoid the impact that made his brain ring and his cervical spine tingle.
'Damn it.'
Su-hyeon, unable to withstand the mana consumption, deactivated Tachypsychia Mode.
"Urgh."
Su-hyeon, who had taken significant damage, thought.
'Now I'm really close to my limit. I can't endure anymore.'
Nevertheless, Su-hyeon forcibly held onto his failing legs and stood up again.
"Woaaaah!"
"Both of them are really amazing!"
"Where has Jeong Su-hyeon been hiding such strength?"
The cadets marveled at the breathtaking exchange.
'Min Hae-na is Min Hae-na after all.'
Su-hyeon was also surprised.
'An opponent who can counter my techniques to this extent is the first since Instructor Lim Jeong-tae.'
It was true that he had dealt significant damage to Min Hae-na with that exchange just now.
However, while Min Hae-na still had plenty of reserves left, Su-hyeon was in a situation almost at the point of grogginess.
'Yes. This is exactly as I expected.'
It was unfolding exactly as Su-hyeon had imagined.
'Anyway, it was impossible to defeat Min Hae-na with pure skill at this point.'
But if asked whether there was no way to win, that certainly wasn't the case.
'For one inferior in skill to win, they must at least win in the battle of wits.'
Su-hyeon had prepared for this fight to overcome Min Hae-na with a single gambling move, giving his flesh and bones, and finally.
The moment for that arrangement to shine had arrived.
'You could have determined the match if you had pushed me just a little more at the moment when you could have, but you didn't.'
Min Hae-na, who never lets her guard down.
That statement is true.
But today her curiosity had interfered with the match's conclusion.
And that was precisely the exploit Su-hyeon had found through his experiences.
'For some reason, Min Hae-na is quite favorable toward the player.'
That's where Su-hyeon found his chance for victory.
Min Hae-na who lost her staff, Su-hyeon whose sword broke.
"I'm coming."
The two slowly closed the distance for their final move.
Bang bang bang!
Su-hyeon, who had already created a Mana Shield in the trajectory of the incoming Mana Bullets, closed the distance at a speed beyond Min Hae-na's imagination.
Whack!
As if she had been waiting for this, Min Hae-na's middle kick landed on Su-hyeon.
'I was waiting for that attack.'
A kick delivered by predicting Su-hyeon's path in advance.
But Su-hyeon was too smart to be caught off guard twice.
Whack!
Without defending or avoiding, Su-hyeon offered his side and firmly grabbed Min Hae-na's leg at the cost of ruptured ribs.
'Don't tell me he's going for this?'
Min Hae-na, only now realizing Su-hyeon's intention, showed dismay, and Su-hyeon smiled at that.
'As expected.'
With superhuman endurance, Su-hyeon held onto his consciousness that seemed about to faint at any moment.
'I feel like my insides are turning upside down.'
He tripped Min Hae-na's standing foot and succeeded in a single leg takedown.
"Ugh!"
In the moment Min Hae-na, who fell back-first, stiffened.
Bwang!
Su-hyeon, securing the mounting position, planted his fist next to Min Hae-na's face.
Bang bang bang!
Continuous punches planted next to Min Hae-na's face, demolishing the floor.
"...!"
While everyone was perplexed by the scene that defied expectations.
"Ah, I lost."
Min Hae-na grinned and acknowledged her defeat.
"If I had taken those punches directly, my face would have been a mess."
[...Match over! The winner is the challenger, Jeong Su-hyeon!]
"Woaaaaaaah!"
"Impossible!"
"Crazy! Jeong Su-hyeon actually won this?"
"Damn it! Jeong Su-hyeon just used his head well, Hae-na's skill was far superior!"
"Still, a loss is a loss. Has Hae-na ever allowed a defeat like this even once before?"
"Damn it all!"
Regardless of what the crowd was saying.
"Wow. I was completely fooled."
Min Hae-na smiled brightly despite having been defeated.
"It's nothing but a victory obtained through trickery."
Su-hyeon exhaled deeply and extended his hand to help Min Hae-na up.
"My sword is broken, and my body has no part that isn't injured. I just managed to forcibly secure an 'advantageous position' in this terrible state."
"Still, a loss is a loss. If this had been a real battle and I'd been pounded in that position, I would have been knocked out instantly."
Min Hae-na smiled.
"You really are amazing, Su-hyeon."
"Thank you."
"I think I've fallen for you again?"
"...Please stop saying things like that."
"My, how cold."
Min Hae-na grinned broadly.
"It was a good match."
"I learned a lot too."
The two clasped hands.
A battered winner and a loser who had barely taken any damage.
But no one could certainly claim that the result was unfair.
[You have won against Cadet Min Hae-na!]
[An achievement beyond imagination! It's been 7 years since a first-year top student challenged and defeated a second-year top student!]
[You receive a bonus to your achievement points for being top of the final exams and winning the challenge right!]
[Calculating achievement points...]
[Achievement points 1850 have been awarded!]
'Jackpot.'
After confirming the highest achievement points since his regression, Su-hyeon's body finally went limp.
"Are you okay?"
Min Hae-na supported Su-hyeon.
"Thank you."
"No problem. You can rely on this sunbae anytime."
"...I'm really fine without that."