Chapter 537: 16th Week Duel Battle: Underdog Part 3

The next moment, Mok Jong-hwa was nowhere to be seen.

He had been deemed unable to continue and ejected from the arena.

Soon, the scoreboard displayed the match results.

[Kim Ho Win]

[Song Cheon-hye Win]

[Jeong Jin-myeong Win]

vs

[Mok Jong-hwa Lose]

Jeong Jin-myeong let out an exclamation of admiration.

“We just took down a third-year. One of the club presidents, no less.”

Then, grinning at me, he added,

“Nice work. I got a free ride thanks to you.”

“That wasn’t a free ride. You pulled your weight.”

I smiled back as I responded.

Even if we did call it a free ride, only those who are prepared get to hop on.

If Jeong Jin-myeong’s specs hadn’t met the minimum standard, no matter how much firepower we poured in, we wouldn’t have been able to deal meaningful damage.

And if he had faltered under the golems’ pressure, we would’ve missed out on many of the opportunities that came our way.

He fully trusted his teammates and focused solely on his role and that’s why we got this result.

As we left the arena in good spirits, Mok Jong-hwa was waiting outside.

He looked straight at me and spoke.

“That was a good match. I lost, but somehow it feels refreshing.”

“I learned a lot, senior.”

“I wish you continued success.”

And with that, Mok Jong-hwa turned and left.

He had let go of any lingering resentment, but it’s not like we suddenly became best friends. He probably didn’t want to chat any longer than necessary.

Still, if we ever meet again, I think we could greet each other with a smile.

***

[Side Quest: 16th Week Duel Battle] (In Progress…)

▷Fixed third-year opponent

▷Skill Deactivation: Applied

▷Objective 1: Win with at least 80% health remaining (1/2 times)

▷Objective 2: Deal a total of 60% or more damage (38/60%)

▷Rewards: Varies based on achievement level.

Looks like Mok Jong-hwa was declared unable to continue when his health dropped to 62%.

Thanks to that, the next match should be relatively easier.

Though of course, that still depends on how the matchups turn out.

After closing the quest window, I spoke to Song Cheon-hye who was lingering nearby.

“Good work out there.”

“Are you heading somewhere?”

“Not really. Just killing some time. My skills are on cooldown.”

I had used Amplification and also the ten Mutual Destruction Eyes.

At that, Song Cheon-hye glanced toward the stage.

“Perfect timing. I was thinking of resting a bit before going in again too.”

“Doesn’t look like you’ve got anything on cooldown, though.”

“…I do, okay? I used stuff, alright?”

“If you say so.”

I decided not to press further.

With a light cough, Song Cheon-hye made a suggestion.

“Want to grab a coffee?”

“You mean from the snack bar?”

“Better than just standing around like this, right?”

“True.”

I followed Song Cheon-hye without complaint, and after buying a cup of coffee each, we chatted as we sipped.

“You’ve really improved at close combat.”

“That’s thanks to your great guidance.”

She answered with a proud expression.

She had fought Mok Jong-hwa up close the entire match and still avoided any serious damage from his counters or golem interference.

It was proof her skills held up even against a third-year.

“We can probably put down the toy hammer now and move on to the next stage.”

“Really!?”

Song Cheon-hye lit up with delight.

Guess she was getting bored with doing the same drills over and over.

“But just to be sure, let’s watch one more match before deciding.”

“Got it.”

She answered confidently, already convinced it was a done deal.

Then she asked me,

“If I pass, what do I learn next?”

“Control.”

Now that her body was moving reasonably well, I was planning to raise her overall proficiency in magic.

Anticipation lit up Song Cheon-hye’s face.

“Then… does that mean Blink too…?”

But my response was swift and firm.

“That’s still a long way off.”

“……”

“You’ve just learned to walk. You think you’re ready for somersaults? Everything has its order.”

“…I know that, okay?”

Despite her reply, she looked a little sulky.

She glanced off to the side, then stole a sideways glance at me before asking again.

“But still… I’ll get to Blink eventually, right?”

“Eventually, if you work hard.”

“Of course I’ll work hard.”

Having endured all that training with the toy hammer and still pulled through, she was fired up with motivation again.

But then something seemed to cross her mind, and she paused.

“Wait… isn’t winter break coming up soon?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Then what about training…?”

“We’ll pick it back up next year.”

Song Cheon-hye asked with a hint of disappointment.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“To noona’s home.”

“You mean Senior Dang Gyu-young?”

“Mhmm.”

“……”

Her disappointment deepened.

She looked like she wanted to come along, but the relationship between her and Dang Gyu-young was just that of mentor and mentee, or at most, senior and junior acquaintances.

She probably understood that tagging along to someone’s family home would be a bit much.

Still, she forced herself to act like it didn’t bother her.

“…I’ve got a lot going on too, okay? I’m very busy over winter break.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“I’m going to train with my grandfather.”

“Well, your core is A-rank, so it’s a good time to pick up some high-level spells. And?”

“Helping out at the Magic Tower, and, um… just a lot of stuff. I won’t have time to see anyone.”

“Not even Han So-mi?”

She only had a few close friends, so it wouldn’t be strange to see them over the break.

At that, a hint of loneliness crossed Song Cheon-hye’s face.

“So-mi said she’s going to see the Sword Queen.”

“She’s still stationed at the front lines, right?”

“As far as I know, yes.”

The forward base.

It was the place where dragons had unleashed their breath attacks near the end of the Fixed Zone tournament.

Though their appearances had become less frequent, it was still the front line. Fierce battles never really stopped there.

Should I just send Go Hyeon-woo along too while I’m at it?

He could learn from the Sword Queen, gain real combat experience, and even pick up the hidden pieces scattered around the area. A win-win-win.

Of course, the Sword Queen would hate it, but Han So-mi would probably be all for it.

He’d bring it up with her later.

“……”

Meanwhile, Song Cheon-hye’s expression had been growing darker ever since So-mi was mentioned.

So I asked again.

“Did something happen between you two?”

“……It’s not like something happened.”

“Sounds like something did. Tell me.”

After a long silence, Song Cheon-hye finally spoke with a sigh.

“……So-mi said she’s quitting the disciplinary committee.”

“Really?”

I’d heard it directly from her during the promotion exam, and had even helped her think it through, but now it was best to pretend I didn’t know.

“Mhmm. She says she doesn’t have enough time to train… We tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“Sounds like she’s made up her mind.”

“I think so.”

Back then, she’d seemed about 70% certain. Now, it felt like she was nearly 100% sure.

Song Cheon-hye let out another sigh.

“It is what it is. We just have to let her go.”

“You’re right. If you try to force her to stay, it’ll only make things worse.”

“It’s just… a bit sad. I don’t have many close teammates.”

“You should just quit too.”

I said it playfully, and the corners of Song Cheon-hye’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.

But then she shook her head.

“I don’t plan to do this all three years, but I’ll stay on for now…at least a semester or a year.”

“Why?”

“I still have some things I want to do.”

“What is it? Now I’m curious.”

But Song Cheon-hye turned her head away with a coy look.

“It’s a secret. Isn’t that what you always say?”

“You got me there.”

“Starting to get how I feel now?”

“A little.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Song Cheon-hye sipped her coffee, clearly in a good mood.

***

By the time the cooldown was almost over, we returned to the arena.

As she tapped her student ID on the terminal, Song Cheon-hye reminded me again.

“Make sure you watch the replay. Seriously.”

“Got it.”

“No, I mean, let’s watch it together later. I’ll bring it.”

“Sure, whatever.”

But not long after, we realized there was no need to watch the replay at all.

[Go Hyeon-woo]

[Kim Ho]

[Song Cheon-hye]

We’d been matched as a team again.

Song Cheon-hye’s expression turned a bit awkward.

“……Shall we go in?”

We entered the circular arena one by one.

Go Hyeon-woo, who had gone in first, welcomed us with a smile.

“Kim-hyung, Miss Song.”

“How’d it go with senior Namgong?”

“It was a truly valuable experience. I’ve had quite the eye-opening moment.”

There must’ve been a huge skill gap. They probably didn’t win.

No way he managed to sync up with Cha Hyeon-joo. And even if he did, they would’ve lost anyway.

Still, true to his ever-positive self, he seemed to value the experience over the outcome.

Staring across the arena, Go Hyeon-woo continued.

“I hope we learn a lot this time too.”

“We will. That guy’s no ordinary opponent.”

At the end of our gaze stood a man, solid as a steel tower.

[Kim Gap-doo]

“Even from a distance, you can feel his overwhelming presence. It’s not ordinary. He almost reminds me of Jo-hyung.”

“Jo Byeok is nothing compared to that man.”

“……Is he really that strong?”

“Yes. He’s a true warrior, a great hero, a man among men, and a major figure at Dragon Slayer Academy.”

“Wow… It’s rare to see you speak so highly of someone.”

“Your season pass? That came from him too.”

“No way…!”

Admiration and respect welled up in Go Hyeon-woo’s eyes.

Kim Gap-doo looked a little uncomfortable, perhaps because a guy was staring at him with such heated eyes.

But soon, he turned to face me seriously and spoke.

“Do you remember? What I said back then.”

“Of course I do.”

It was probably what he said when he gave me that standard elixir before.

– Get stronger. When you face the Blood Cult elder, protect Dang Gyu-young and don’t let yourself get hurt either.

He asked again.

“Have you grown stronger?”

“I still have a long way to go.”

“…….”

“But I’m confident I won’t lose anything in vain now.”

“……Good. Show me.”

A smile formed on Kim Gap-doo’s lips.

He clenched both fists and began building up his energy.

[3]

[2]

[1]

[Start!]

And the moment the match began, he kicked off the ground.

Kim Gap-doo’s figure shot forward at terrifying speed.

***

A different circular arena.

First-year disciplinary committee member Lee Seul-bi was nervously chanting a spell.

The sapphire glowed blue as a wave surged forward.

Swaaah—!

It was powerful enough to push back any enemy, but this time was an exception.

A pitch-black giant of a figure pushed forward through the wave, taking the force head-on.

The pressure felt like a charging truck barreling down.

If things kept going like this, she’d be run over and sent flying. Lee Seul-bi hastily chanted another spell.

She summoned a small wave beneath her feet, riding it to create some distance.

But just then—

Swiieeek—!

Out of nowhere, a pitch-black figure shot forward at terrifying speed.

With a matching black dagger pointed straight ahead.

“!!”

Lee Seul-bi twisted her body desperately as she retreated. The dagger narrowly grazed past her shoulder.

She let out a sigh of relief, thinking she had avoided the worst.

I dodg—

Thwack!

A blunt impact struck the back of her head.

Lee Seul-bi’s eyes went blank as her body slumped to the side and vanished from the arena.

[Bukgong Han-seol – %]

[Lee Seul-bi – %]

“Another one down.”

Dang Gyu-young glanced at the scoreboard, resting her shadow bat on her shoulder.

The shadows stretched out to both sides, then began to swell and rise.

One took the form of a large research worker. The other, a black-clad assassin.

Shadow undea. The lab director and the Shadow Lord.

Dang Gyu-young flashed a grin at the opponent across from her.

“Now it’s one-on-one, huh?”

[Bukgong Han-seol – %]

[Lee Seul-bi – %]

[Seo Ye-in; 96%]

vs

[Dang Gyu-young: 100%]

“……”

Seo Ye-in quietly reached out and grabbed the pot.