by Park Saenal
“Hah.”
Yura couldn’t help letting out a sigh. She lamented being weaker than Kraugel despite also being a legend. Her level was even higher. She had passed level 300 before the start of the National Competition, while Kraugel was still in the mid-200s. Even so, Yura had a low chance of winning in a frontal confrontation.
‘…No, it’s an excuse.’
Class wasn’t the only important thing. The grim reality was proven when the normal class Kraugel had defeated Grid.
‘Hurry.’ Acting in front of Kraugel wasn’t her first choice. She would miss the gold medal if she kept avoiding Kraugel. Then there would be no meaning in participating in the saint sword drawing. ‘I can’t avoid a fight with Kraugel.’
Yura realized the cold reality and ran to Andrew Village. She wished that Grid’s support would bring her good luck.
***
“Ah, they met again.”
“Yura is pitiful.”
“Isn’t it really dangerous this time?”
It was two and a half hours since saint sword drawing started. By the time most participants acquired the third verse of the Saint Sword’s Song, Kraugel and Yura were on the last verse and encountered each other again. It was their sixth clash. No matter how much Yura was damaged, she kept chasing after Kraugel.
As the confrontations continued, Kraugel’s side overwhelmed Yura. Kraugel’s combat adaptability was unmatched. In the repeated battles, he grasped the unique characteristics of a Demon Slayer and reversed them completely to neutralize Yura. Now it was hard for Yura to resist. The only path she could choose was to retreat from Kraugel’s swordsmanship. She didn’t look back when she met Kraugel and used Hell Leap.
In the process…
“Heok! What?”
“Now she is summoning a demonkin?”
The people were startled at the sight of Yura. She disappeared with a red light and reappeared through a black hole with something on her shoulder. People naturally assumed it was a demonkin that she summoned. But the demonkin was biting her shoulder.
‘What?’
The commentators, crowd, and even Kraugel was confused at the situation. They couldn’t understand why Yura had ended up like this. But they noticed it within a few minutes.
‘No way, has she been going to hell every time she uses the skill?’
It had been like this from the beginning. When she disappeared and reappeared, Yura often seemed injured or affected by a status condition. It was obvious that the teleportation skill she used was different from normal instantaneous movements.
“Isn’t this skill too dangerous?”
Kraugel asked as if he knew everything. But Yura’s expression didn’t change at all.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Sakak-!
Yura cut off the demonkin biting at her shoulder and pointed her gun at Kraugel. She had to open the distance and recover enough resources to make full use of Hell Leap. Kraugel read her intentions and tried to narrow the distance, but she was the sky above the sky for female users. She didn’t allow him to easily narrow the distance.
***
“Oh! Kraugel is a completely bad guy!”
Grid was extremely agitated. It was because Kraugel hunting Yura instead of proceeding with the quests was too hateful.
“Can’t you share a gold medal and silver medal? Why are you acting like you want to eat everything?”
“It’s because he acknowledges Yura’s skills. There’s a chance he might miss the gold medal if he spares her.”
Like the other player, Eat Spicy Jokbal was concentrating on the game. Viola, the woman in a hanbok sitting next to him nodded as if she agreed.
“That lady, she’s too strong.”
It was obvious that Kraugel was one level higher. The problem was that so far, only Grid had managed to go against Kraugel. In people’s eyes, the difference in skills between the two people was minimal.
“But what the hell is that Hell Leap?”
“Yes. I thought it was simply a fraudulent movement skill, but now a monster has come out.”
Yura once again retreated. She escaped from Kraugel and lurked in the forest, escaping from a great crisis for now. Grid’s throat became parched as he felt relief. He was just grabbing a soda when a security guard approached him.
“That… A guest has come.”
“Guest? Who is it?”
Who would come to the South Korean team while the National Competition event was going on? The security guard replied to the confused Grid.
“Panmir of the US team.”
“…?”
The first ranked blacksmith since Satisfy opened. He was the person who made Grid participate in the blacksmithing event in last year’s National Competition.
‘Is he coming to ask me to participate this year?’
After thinking about last year’s incident, Grid laughed and left the waiting room. Panmir was an opponent difficult to ignore. Grid respected his position but didn’t fear him. Grid was familiar with Panmir’s craftsmanship. He understood the sense of deprivation Panmir felt because Grid was a legendary blacksmith. Panmir was an opponent Grid had to be careful of in many ways.
“It has been a while.”
Grid discovered Panmir in the hallway and spoke first. Panmir had more grey hair than last year. But his solid body and strong eyes didn’t make him look old. He looked like Khan would’ve 15 years younger.
“I’ll speak bluntly.” Panmir responded to Grid’s greeting and immediately got to the subject. “This year, I will beat you.”
“…”
No, this was the only reason why he came? It was disturbing his day with this silly thing. Grid couldn’t hide his displeasure and frowned. Panmir added, “Even if I win, it doesn’t necessary mean I’m better than you. Your craftsmanship and perseverance in manually making each item is naturally better than me. Nevertheless, there’s a reason I can say that I will beat you.”
Panmir stopped speaking and pulled out a thin booklet. It was the book that described the rules for the blacksmithing event.
“It’s due to the manipulation of the organizers.”
From this year on, the rules of the blacksmithing event changed. Last year, all participants made the ‘same item’ with the ‘same design.’ But this year, the participants could make the item they wanted with any design. The most important change was the victory criteria.
Unlike last year, where the ‘comprehensive value’ was judged based on the item’s ability, this year’s blacksmith event only looked at the ‘rating’ of the item. The criteria was changed so that those who produced unconditionally high rated items would receive good evaluations. Growth type items were no exception. It didn’t matter if the item could grow to the legendary rating. If it was a normal rating when it was finished, the gold medal would be lost.
Panmir spoke with straightforward eyes.
“Haven’t you already noticed? The reason why the rules and evaluation criteria for the blacksmithing event changed this year was to keep you in check.”
Even if items of the same rank were produced, Grid’s items would have higher average stats. If the criteria for evaluating items were just stats, the winner of the blacksmithing event would be Grid.
This was why the organizers changed the evaluation criteria for items.
“Changing the rules to keep a certain player in check… In your position, I would feel that it’s unfair.”
“What do you want to say?”
“I want to tell you not to take it personally if you lose to me in this event. You aren’t worse than me. You were just defeated by the organizers.”
“…”
What type of confidence was this? The biggest problem was that Panmir was speaking with good intentions. Grid was forced to shut up because he was too embarrassed to reply.
Panmir smiled bitterly at him.
“I achieved level 280 and completed three hidden quests. Now I have a 0.01% chance of produci
ng legendary rated items. In addition, my items will be at least epic rated… I can make crazily fraudulent items. So prepare your heart. Then I’m going.”
After a while, Panmir left and Grid was left alone scratching his head.
“The conclusion is that you are worried about me?”
He knew for a long time that Panmir was a person with excellent craftsmanship. But Grid didn’t know Panmir was such a gracious and sensitive person.
‘I’m sorry…’
Grid wouldn’t show mercy to Panmir. At present, Panmir could never imagine that Grid was holding back a surprise card.
Chapter 754
Chapter 754
The stronger the predator, the more prideful they were. They weren’t cautious when hunting small rabbits. Patience and strength were the basics. It was important to do their best when competing with the same beast.
Clink!
The second half of saint sword drawing. Kraugel was doing his best to stop Yura. He was very wary of her since she was also qualified to draw the saint sword.
‘There’s a slight difference in movement speed due to the difference in basic stats. I need to deal with her before entering the safety zone.’
Kraugel hadn’t achieved level 300 before entering the National Competition. His stats failed to reach the third awakening and were generally lacking. He needed to be tenacious to make up for this. Kraugel placed his hands on the sheath at his waist.
He aimed for Yura’s predicted path and drew White Fang. It was Space Sword, one of the ultimate skills of a Sword Saint.
Supaak!
“…!”
Kraugel’s silver-coloured sword cut the earth, rivers, trees, rocks, mountains, and sky. The landscape in his field of view was cut in two. All except for one thing. It was Yura. The moment Kraugel’s sword reached her, she used Hell Leap to make Kraugel’s technique useless.
-Wow…!
-How does she match the timing like that?
-I have goosebumps.
The crowd and viewers had already been impressed by Yura several times. From what they saw, there was only a difference in class between Kraugel and Yura. People thought that if the Demon Slayer class had the ability to fight the Sword Saint class, she wouldn’t be in the position of a fugitive.
But that was just their perspective. Kraugel dominated Yura in all ways, albeit subtly.
“You can’t run.”
“…!!!”
Yura was surprised when she emerged from a black hole. It was because Kraugel stood before her.
‘He read the path?’ Yura noticed. ‘It’s my mistake!’
The problem was that she chose the shortest route to reach the saint sword as soon as possible. Kraugel read her thoughts. The cause of her defeat was a failure to overcome her anxiety.
Sakak-!
A white flash projected towards Yura’s trembling eyes.
[You have suffered 5,900 damage.]
White Fang descended towards Yura again.
Sakak-!
Chukakakakak!
Kraugel didn’t lose momentum after hitting Yura once. He used tricky orbits to deal with Yura.
“Ugh…!”
Yura’s vision kept flashing red. She attempted to defend against Kraugel’s attacks but it didn’t work. Kraugel perfectly analyzed her behavior patterns and his super sensitivity supported his analysis. Yura had only one option left to counterattack.
Tang!
Tang tang!
As Yura was caught in a storm of swords and bled out, she aimed her magic gun at Kraugel. But Kraugel read her gaze and the direction the muzzle was pointing in, moving in advance to avoid the bullets. In the end, eight of the ten bullets shot by Yura were deflected. On the other hand, Yura allowed seven out eight hits by Kraugel. The difference in health between the two people greatly widened.
『 It seems to be over. 』
『 Ah, Player Yura is really miserable. After all this, she’s missing the medal. 』
Yura’s performance had been dazzling through saint sword drawing. She quickly met the requirements of the saint sword with a good strategy and overcome the difficulties experienced in the process with her strength and wits. The commentators and the crowd had no doubt that she would win a medal for her country. But now Kraugel from the United States was about to trample on Yura and South Korea’s dreams.
『 As you all know, the players in South Korea are very shallow. Apart from Grid, Yura, Peak Sword, and Toon, all participating players are unknown. 』
『 The experts guess that apart from Grid and Yura, the other players can only obtain silver medals at most. 』
『 It’s desperate news for South Korea that Yura is being eliminated without winning a single medal. 』
『 It’s a pity. The Korean people will feel a great deal of heartache. 』
The commentators were telling the truth. The rules were revised so that one player could only participate in two events. The elimination of Yura was a painful loss for South Korea. Even if Grid won two gold medals, South Korea would stay at the bottom of the rankings as expected. Then the Korean players wouldn’t receive any buffs.
“Meteor Sword.”
Kwa kwang!
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
Kraugel’s sword fell like a meteor and continuously struck Yura’s injured body. Yura used her skills to resist, but her health was currently at the bottom while Kraugel’s was close to being full. Kraugel was several times stronger than last year after becoming a Sword Saint and was on a different level from Yura. At this point, people thought the winner of the one on one PvP was determined. They started speculating about the results of the events that hadn’t yet started.
Then Kraugel prepared to deal the final blow to Yura.
‘End it.’
Kraugel decided after checking Yura’s health gauge. He precisely calculated Yura’s health and defense figures during the course of the battle and used a charging skill. He prepared to deal a blow to Yura’s heart while simultaneously opening the distance, in order to avoid a counterattack from Yura in her immortal state.
“Jajinmori.”
Peeok!
A secret technique obtained from the East Continent. It was a kick that unfolded without any preliminary movements, striking the enemy and pushing him away. He kicked Yura’s abdomen. At the same time, Yura’s health was depleted, she entered the immortal state and fell far away from Kraugel. Kraugel naturally didn’t approach her. He judged that he could prevent her from accessing the safety zone during her five seconds of immortality.
“Huhut.”
In this desperate situation, Yura laughed. Kraugel’s actions were within the range that she anticipated. Since she was far away from Kraugel, she cast a spell that took some time to use.
“Hell Summoning.”
“…?!”
Kurururung!
The Demon Slayer class exerted great influence in hell and operated with a penalty on this middle world. It was too unreasonable to call it a legendary class when it couldn’t exert its abilities outside of hell. That’s why the skill set involved a hell summoning. It was a field magic that allowed a Demon Slayer to show 100% of their abilities by transferring over a certain random area of hell.
Shaaaaaah-
A dark curtain fell. A radius of 1km around Yura was flooded with demonic energy and turned black. It was the moment when the bright Bruton Island was contaminated.
『 Hup…! 』
The world was astonished. Hell Summoning was a unique magic used by Great Demon Belial! How could a player use it?!!
“Um…”
Kraugel was also surprised. He frowned as he was contaminated by the demonic energy.
[You have entered hell.]
[You are affected by a strong evil energy.]
[Your body is exhausted. Attack power, defense, and agility will decrease by 30%.]
[Health won’t recover naturally.]
[You have received a mental blow. Mana regeneration rate will s
low by 50%.]
[You have resisted.]
‘The status resistance is meaningless.’
Yura was strong. Kraugel became vigilant and grasped White Fang.
Jjeejeeeong!
Yura leapt over the boiling hellfire river reached Kraugel in an instant and used three joint attacks. It was a much faster and stronger attack than before.
‘Kuk…! She managed to keep this trump card hidden so far?’
He understood her thoughts. It was uncomfortable for players to reveal their true power in the National Competition, where everyone in the world was watching. It was better to hide as much power as possible. But if she had to release it to the public, shouldn’t it be in a better situation? Kraugel felt negatively about Yura’s Hell Summoning.
‘Revealing it in a situation where defeat is already determined… She isn’t that stupid.’
The summoning of hell was too late. Even if Yura was strong in hell, the gap between the two people’s health was too big to be reversed. The outcome of the battle couldn’t be changed. She should’ve summoned hell earlier or not summoned it at all.
Kraugel thought this as he avoided two bullets that flew from Yura in the darkness. He moved his sword while enduring the heat of the hellfire flowing near his feet. It was a counterattack aimed precisely for when Yura’s immortal duration ended.
But.
Sakak-!
Kraugel couldn’t cut Yura. He was a bit confused because he hadn’t yet been able to adapt to the sudden change in landscape. Yura used Hell Leap and left the battlefield. It was a retreat using her last remaining mana.
‘I can’t miss her!’
The moment that Kraugel used White Light Steps and was about to pursue Yura.
Kiyaaaaoh!
“…?!”
Kurururung!
A hell bone dragon emerged in sky that contained thousands of hell eyes and blew a poisonous breath at Kraugel. The hell summoned by Yura was a habitat for the hell bone dragon. It was extremely good luck from Yura’s position.
“Kuk!”
The hell bone dragon was a powerful high level named monster that would make a player scream. Kraugel gave a rare scream as he was attacked by it. He suffered a critical injury as he flew back.