Episode 41 Duel (3)
[Use ‘Rank Up (F)’.]
[The rank of ‘Monarch’ has increased. (F->E)]
monarch.
This is one of my remaining assets as I started the EX-grade reincarnation quest.
As powerful as amplification and copying are, they are not currently seeing the light of day due to unsuitable conditions.
Still, it’s good to upload it when you have the chance.
Because it is a trait that is almost impossible to develop through other means.
[Kim Ho]
▷Skill
Windforce (F+)
Inferno Fist (C)
Amplification (E)
Copy Skill [2/2]
1. Hummingbird (E)
2. Thief’s Step (B)
▷Characteristics
Protection of the West Wind
Core (D)
Monarch (E)
Copy-Attributes[1/1]
1. Elemental Resistance (S)
▷Equipment
School uniform (D)
Staff of the Earth (E)
▷Inventory
10 silver
Heart of the Jade x2
[Personal Battle: 386 points]
[Attack: 2,266 points]
(3,123pt)
I turned my gaze back to the front, which had been focused on the status window.
A wooden doll was running towards me with great effort, making a rattling sound.
Since a long time ago.
If you get a little closer, you will be pushed back by the headwind with [Windforce] applied, and if you get a little closer, you will be pushed back repeatedly, so in the end, you will just be standing still.
– Phew—
As I put my hand out, the wind blowing straight ahead grew stronger.
The wooden doll flies backwards helplessly and crashes into the wall of the training ground.
[Windforce] is an F-rank spell that has just been learned, but since it is wind magic, it receives the bonus of [Protection of the West Wind].
So F+ rank.
It’s somewhere between F and E.
‘At least D+ to use in a duel.’
As the skill’s rank increases, its power also increases.
In the case of Windforce, as the rank increases, the amount of wind controlled increases and the power granted also becomes stronger.
It would be possible to simply subdue Kwak Ji-cheol with just E+, but that alone is not enough for me.
‘I really need to hit the floor with the baton.’
So I set my goal at D+.
Since it is a skill created using a blank skill book, it is more difficult to raise the rank than a normal skill, but since there are still two days left, I will achieve it with ease.
When I manipulated the terminal attached to one wall of the training room, the wooden dolls that had been rolling around in the direction of the wind disappeared and an iron doll appeared.
It is much heavier than a wooden doll, so it is also more difficult to push it away with [Windforce].
‘It has to be difficult to become a discipline.’
I focused my wind towards the rushing iron doll.
The strong wind, with its physical force, made the iron doll hesitate little by little.
* * *
[‘Windforce’ rank has increased. (F->E)]
I trained Windforce until daybreak and finally reached E+ rank.
I took a quick break in the dorm and sent a message to the calligrapher.
[Kim Ho: Are you awake?]
[Calligrapher: … … .]
[Calligrapher: (yawning rabbit emoticon)]
[Kim Ho: Food?]
[Calligrapher: ㅇㅇ]
[Kim Ho: In front of the restaurant]
Today’s breakfast menu is round mini rice balls.
There are quite a variety of types.
Whenever I had a question, the calligrapher asked me.
“What is this?”
“It looks like anchovies.”
“What is this?”
“Well. I don’t know what it is, but it looks spicy. Are you good at eating spicy food?”
“no.”
However, curiosity piqued, he picks up a bright red rice ball.
The calligrapher and various kinds of rice balls are placed on a plate and moved to the table.
“… … !”
Coincidentally, I ran into the duo of Kwak Ji-cheol and Jung Soo-ji.
While Jeong Su-ji only gave a brief nod and seemed ready to leave, Kwak Ji-cheol smirked with a sly smile on his face.
“Are you working on your skills? The duel is tomorrow, and I don’t know if you’ll be able to match them.”
I already made it.
I also went up one rank.
But if I say it now, it’ll ruin the fun.
I took a deep breath, pretending to be distressed.
“That’s right. This isn’t as easy as I thought.”
“Don’t waste your blank skill books on mediocre skills. Save them. I’m saying this with you in mind.”
“No. I’ll keep trying.”
“Whatever.”
“You prepare well too. If you lose, you will be given the emerald retirement. I am saying this with you in mind.”
In an instant, Kwak Ji-cheol’s face, which had been trembling, hardened.
“… … Don’t worry. I will never lose.”
“It looks like you prepared a lot.”
“Of course. It’s a goal—”
Jeong Su-ji interrupted Gwak Ji-cheol’s words by poking him in the ribs.
Only then did Kwak Ji-cheol realize that he had almost leaked very important information, and he made a look of regret.
“… … After school tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
After saying that, Kwak Ji-cheol started picking out rice balls with Jeong Su-ji.
The calligrapher asked.
“Do you want to duel?”
“That’s what happened.”
“He’s weak.”
Come to think of it, Seo Ye-in and Gwak Ji-cheol both scored in the 600s.
I think we fought in the interpersonal match last week.
“Yeah, the kid is a bit sloppy.”
“There were two rooms.”
… … That guy Kwak Ji-cheol was cut twice.
No matter how you look at him, he doesn’t seem to have the skills to pick a fight with anyone, but his confidence is like that of a promising prospect.
The calligrapher stares at me while chewing on a mini rice ball, then says as if something just occurred to him.
“I have something to give you.”
“Are you going to give it to me?”
“huh.”
I take out a rectangular box from my inventory and push it towards me.
When I opened the box, a pair of high-end sneakers came out.
Suddenly, I remembered the conversation we had last week.
– Is there anything you want?
– suddenly?
– If you receive something, you must also give something. Our butler.
– I guess the thing I need most right now is movement speed. I wish I had a pair of shoes.
I guess I remembered that.
I foolishly thought they would just give me a pair of average shoes, but they came with something several levels better than I expected.
It was almost identical to the calligrapher’s sneakers, except for a slight difference in color.
Considering the level of equipment he usually carries around, it meant that it was an incredibly high-end item.
It features a clean blue color scheme on a white base, and traces of magical engineering can be seen here and there.
[Cloudwalker (B)]
▷ Bonus to movement series skills.
▷Apply ignoring inertia (C).
▷Automatic durability recovery.
▷Upgradeable.
▷Upgradeable.
‘That’s incredible.’
These are B-grade shoes.
Like [West Wind Protection], which gives a bonus to wind magic, wearing these shoes gives a bonus to movement skills.
This means that [Thief’s Step] becomes B+.
[Ignore Inertia] is a skill that allows you to ignore a certain amount of the center of gravity shift when making a sudden stop or changing direction while running.
Movements are much smoother and there are fewer gaps.
These two options alone are great, but there are two more upgrade slots.
This means that depending on what you add, you can aim for an A-grade or S-grade item.
“This is so good. I don’t know if I should accept it.”
“I asked him to give me a nice gift to show my gratitude.”
“The butler?”
“huh.”
Butler, I just thought about it again, but you are a very kind person.
I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to the calligrapher’s butler.
“Thank you. I’ll wear them well.”
“… … .”
“?”
“… … !”
The calligrapher suddenly became silent.
I looked at my pupils slowly growing bigger and checked my plate, only to find that the bright red rice ball was gone.
“Here, drink some water, water.”
“… … ! … … !”
* * *
Training room.
Several iron dolls are targeting me from all sides.
As he stepped back slightly, a heavy gray fist struck the air.
He continued to back away, narrowly avoiding the punches, then gathered mana in his legs and used [Thief Step] to kick the ground hard.
– Bang!
Escape the iron puppet net with just one step.
Landing and slowing down rapidly with little strain on the legs.
That’s because [Ignore Inertia] is applied.
‘The shoe performance is excellent.’
The nearest iron doll struck.
When I pushed the shoulder of the iron doll that had exposed its weakness, it spun around in the air as if it had been hit by a stick and fell down.
– Kagagak!
He then reached out his hand to the iron doll that was rushing towards him.
The wind blows towards me and pulls the iron doll towards me.
After pulling it to a distance where you can reach out and touch it, you push against its chest and send a strong blast of wind forward again.
The iron doll that was sent flying collides with other iron dolls and falls down like a bowling pin.
– Kagagagagak!
[‘Windforce’ rank has increased. (E->D)]
D+ with the protection of the West Wind.
‘Ready to go.’
* * *
The arena was incredibly deserted.
The first reason is that since it is the week of the strategy battle, most students spend their time in the dungeon building.
The second reason is that neither Kim Ho nor Kwak Ji-cheol have high name value, so there is no interest.
If you’re curious, you can watch the replay later, but it’s a hassle to go all the way to the arena.
So, the spectators of this duel were mostly acquaintances of Kim Ho and Kwak Ji-cheol.
At the Emerald Tower, there is the chief Mok Jong-hwa and Jeong Su-ji.
Kwak Seung-jae came from the leadership team to watch his younger brother’s duel.
In the Nature Club, there are the president Ha Su-yeon and Park Na-ri.
And Kim Ho, who is independent, has only a few friends.
… … should have been.
The woodblock print left an impression.
“What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing? I came to see my junior.”
Dang Gyu-young answered with a smile.
I had a rough idea of how things were going based on the conversation I had with Kim Ho the other day.
They say they trade [Cube of Life] with Emerald or Nature Club.
I thought it would be difficult to get 4 season passes, but I don’t know how, but they managed to do it.
The surprise was fleeting,
– Sister, I got a fight with Kim Ho-rang and Kwak Ji-cheol?
– No, I wanted to make a deal, so why the duel?
I was puzzled when I heard the news delivered by Shin Byeong-cheol.
After looking into it, I found out that it’s a total mess.
The starting point was Mokjonghwa.
They sent Kwak Ji-cheol and Jeong Su-ji to demonstrate force in an attempt to gain an upper hand in the deal, but they were destroyed by Kim Ho-han.
That too is tied to this matter.
‘Isn’t that obvious?’
Kim Ho, didn’t you beat Kwak Seung Jae one-on-one?
It is easier to compare if you compare the second-year leader, Kwak Seung-jae, with two first-year students.
They are no match at all.
Anyway, it would have been less frustrating if it had ended like that, but he said he wanted revenge and requested a duel.
Dang Gyu-yeong started beating him up like crazy.
“Ugh, that little brat. That little brat who looks like a green beetle. Are you going to make them fight each other again?”
“… … This is not a matter for a thief to get involved in.”
“Why not? He’s my junior whom I cherish.”
Dang Gyu-yeong put his arm around Kim Ho’s shoulder in a friendly manner.
Kim Ho expressed his burden with his eyes.
‘Senior, we’re not that close.’
‘Hey, just pretend to be friendly for now.’
He starts scolding Mok Jong-hwa again.
“Anyway, if you keep messing around, I’ll ruin everything.”
“… … .”
Mok Jong-hwa only frowned and didn’t answer.
Ha Soo-yeon, whose tongue usually rolls very smoothly, just sighs deeply as she falls back.
Dang Gyu-yeong roughly figured out the situation and let out a small laugh.
Looks like you’ve already used it?
I’ll drag Kim Ho out for a moment.
“Hey, why did you get this?”
“I took it because I deserved to win.”
“Are you sure you can win? That evil bastard seems to have used all sorts of tricks.”
“I received it knowingly. Don’t worry. I have my own thoughts.”
A faint smile reveals overflowing confidence.
Although Dang Gyu-yeong didn’t have much experience with this reckless junior, thinking back on what he had seen so far, he was someone who would somehow protect himself.
I think it would look weird if I got involved.
“Okay, okay then.”
Still, leaving behind Dang Gyu-yeong, who was half in doubt, Kim Ho stood in front of Kwak Ji-cheol again.
Mok Jong-hwa took out his VIP ticket and showed it to everyone.
“I will check the conditions one last time before we start. If Kim Ho wins, I, Mok Jong-hwa, will transfer this ticket.”
On the other hand, if they lose, the winning Emerald will be able to salvage some of the lost face.
Mok Jong-hwa continued speaking.
“Also, this duel will be recorded as a replay and available for anyone to view. Do you agree?”
“I agree.”
“Okay. Then let’s begin.”
The terrain and rules appeared on the notice board above the stage.
MAP:[Rocky area]
RULE:[Deathmatch][10 minute limit]
Kwak Ji-cheol’s face brightened up.
‘Heaven help me!’
Among the many, many terrains that are randomly determined, the rocky terrain is caught.
This place could be called the main stage for earth attribute magicians.
Everything was turning in his favor.
He is very proud and throws a taunt at Kim Ho.
“What should I do? The terrain is so unfavorable that it’ll be a fight. It looks like it’ll end in an instant.”
“… … .”
“You’ve suddenly become quiet? Are you coming to your senses now?”
Kim Ho just kept his expression as if it was nothing.
If you still don’t realize your situation, you will soon feel it deeply.
The two entered the stadium riding a teleportation magic circle.
What you see is a stone, what you step on is a stone.
There were rocks, pebbles, and other stones of all sizes everywhere.
[Kim Ho 100% vs. Kwak Ji-cheol 100%]
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Start!]
– Ugh!
A fist-sized rock rolling on the floor hit Kwak Ji-cheol in the face.
The supporters ate it all
