[Chapter 133]
[The Snake, Flower Petals, and Winter (2)]
No Eunha.
A rising star in the player industry.
Until just a few years ago, not many people in the industry knew about him.
He was only known by word of mouth among industry insiders as a hidden dragon of the academy.
Then an incident occurred where he, despite his young age, demonstrated skills comparable to
After that, No Eunha's existence became clearly imprinted in the minds of industry insiders.
"It's been a little over a year now? I'm dying to know how much he's grown since then."
"From what I hear, this year's 1st year students went to Mara Island and Yokohama for their final evaluation. The kids must have grown rapidly in a short time. Eunha went to Yokohama, right?"
"Our clan sent people to support the 1st years' final evaluation, and from what those guys said, a lot happened on the way to Japan."
"Ah, are you talking about that story? The one where Banwoldan Clan in Daegu couldn't even approach the promising talents in this year's class."
"Well, that's part of it. But what's even more amazing is that Eunha created a new magic during the voyage."
"Hah, is there a need to make such a fuss just because he developed one magic?"
"It wasn't an ordinary magic, they say. From what I heard, he killed numerous monsters with just one sword swing."
"Even if it's hard to get information since the academy left for Yokohama, isn't that exaggeration too much? At most he probably just caught a few monsters at once."
"No, I'm telling you it's not like that. I thought the same at first and pressed my clan members, but it's not a lie. I even investigated people who were at the scene then."
The hidden dragon of the academy, No Eunha.
Everyone who set foot in the cultural festival talked about the path he had walked since entering high school academy.
Nevertheless, some people couldn't believe that Eunha had taken down a monster comparable to 4th rank in Japan.
"This is frustrating... We can't ask the Japanese directly so we can't tell if that's true or not."
"I'm telling you it's true! Eunha subjugated a 4th rank monster in Japan! When have you ever seen me lie?"
"I heard that rumor too, but I heard Eunha wasn't alone at the time. They say
"It seems the rumor was distorted.
"That's the most likely possibility. No matter how much he's called the academy's hidden dragon, he's still just a student."
"Well, I still think there's no player with a more promising future than Eunha in academy history."
Opinions varied among people.
It didn't make sense logically.
But that only increased interest in Eunha among them.
And when it came to the topic of him being called
""""—Eunha is that amazing?""""
A student who hadn't even debuted as a player exceptionally obtained an alias.
People's interest reached its peak.
Some were enthusiastic about Eunha who seemed to walk the path of tyranny.
Some frowned at his spirited actions.
However, even if their positions differed, extremes meet.
""""—This won't do. I need to confirm with my own eyes.""""
They knocked on the academy's doors to see for themselves.
Fortunately, the timing matched up.
The academy cultural festival held once a year to welcome outsiders and showcase academy students' skills.
Moreover, Eunha had just entered high school academy this year.
It meant Eunha might participate in the comprehensive division competition that only high school academy students could join.
So unlike previous years, many people came to the cultural festival.
But news spread that Eunha, the reason they came to the cultural festival, wasn't participating in the comprehensive division competition.
"What...? Eunha's not participating? Then why did we come here!"
"Refund my ticket!"
"Show us Eunha!"
As the academy instructors predicted.
People expressed their dissatisfaction.
To this, the academy quickly responded by officially announcing that Eunha would appear in a demonstration match at the comprehensive division competition opening ceremony.
Thus they were able to somewhat quell people's complaints.
However, the problem was that people crowded on the first day of the cultural festival to see Eunha.
That was the reason everywhere on the academy grounds was packed with people.
"It'll be hard to find a seat. Are there even any seats available?"
"It might be more comfortable to just stand and watch... Those people in the back are standing too. Let's just do that."
"Geez... What's so great about Eunha that so many people came?"
"He better not disappoint. I'll put him on our clan's blacklist so he can't even join if he does."
"Hmm... Whether it's marketing hype or real skill, we'll have to see for ourselves to judge."
"Clan Lord! His skills are good, I'm telling you!? I'm someone who saw Eunha and Ryu Yeonhwa fight!"
Academy dome.
People gathered in the arena each spoke about the upcoming duel.
And soon.
The comprehensive division competition began.
"—He's coming out, he's coming."
No one listened to the speech announcing the opening ceremony.
People sitting in the stands were just waiting for Eunha to appear.
Finally at last.
An announcement flowed that 1st year high school academy student No Eunha would give a demonstration showcasing the academy's prestige.
At that moment, those who had been bored shouted with excitement.
""""...""""
Receiving their cheers.
Eunha came up to the arena.
Industry insiders observed Eunha, who didn't seem intimidated despite receiving people's expectant gazes, with narrowed eyes.
He didn't look 180 cm tall.
His hair seemed to have a brown tinge, and his face was full of confidence.
Even from afar, his physique was noticeably well-balanced.
It was proof that he hadn't neglected training.
And at his waist—
—Two swords?
Industry insiders were momentarily flustered.
According to information, Eunha was known to use only one one-handed straight sword.
Of course, there were people who carried two swords while using only one.
There were times when swords broke during battles with monsters.
So they tried to brush it off outwardly while staying as calm as possible.
But—
""""—...""""
""""Dual wielding?""""
Eunha drew two swords.
The crowd stirred.
Even some industry insiders couldn't hide their agitation.
"Dual wielding... What is he trying to do?"
"...No matter how strong, he's still a student. He must have made the mistake of gripping two swords out of nervousness, unable to overcome the pressure."
"This is... It's hard enough to face a 6th rank monster alone, but there are three of them. Is he saying he'll take on three with dual wielding?"
"It's unfortunate. I don't understand why he's trying to use dual wielding. He could just use the swordsmanship he's used to until now, but why is he trying to change his style now? Especially at a time like this."
"People around him must have hyped him up as a genius, so he must really think he's a genius. One big embarrassing moment is about to be born today."
"Haha... Dual wielding reminds me of my younger days. I admired dual wielding back then too. I even went around with one eye covered by an eyepatch..."
The demonstration was to show Eunha facing three 6th rank monsters.
6th rank monsters.
Though not belonging to high ranks, they were monsters difficult for students to handle.
Even players found them tricky to deal with, so they usually faced them in parties.
But Eunha is facing three such monsters.
With dual wielding.
"We shouldn't have come."
"As expected, people were exaggerating."
"Rumors can't be trusted."
Most industry insiders frowned seeing Eunha grip two swords.
There were plenty of players who couldn't even handle one sword properly.
So the idea of handling two swords was nonsense.
Above all, the disadvantages of using dual wielding far outweighed the advantages.
Gripping two swords meant that much power was dispersed.
Also, the two swords often got tangled and interfered with each other's paths.
"I could understand if he was using a dagger or stiletto. But he's holding a one-handed straight sword in one hand, and a mango in the other. Just looking at it, the length difference between the one-handed straight sword and mango doesn't seem much either."
"Well, I can see what Eunha is aiming for by using a mango... But this is still out."
"I understand he wants to block the enemy's attacks with the mango and attack with the one-handed straight sword. It's quite ideal. But is that an easy thing to do? The movements will get tangled and he won't even be able to swing his sword properly."
"What's a mango in the first place? How much easier would it be to fight with a shield instead of a mango? A lightweight shield would be easy to carry around and much more stable than a mango..."
"He's just being superficial. I was like that too. At that age, you don't listen no matter what people around you say."
Industry insiders clicked their tongues watching Eunha face the monsters with two swords.
It was an anachronistic combat style.
Even if the use of a mango was acknowledged, there were shields that could replace the mango's function.
It was a dangerous style too.
Choosing a mango instead of a shield was no different from choosing only offense.
It was do or die.
Experienced players could tell his tactics were inviting his own death.
Just then—
""""—...""""
"...How long has it been since the match started?"
"It's been about 5 minutes now..."
"Are you saying he just subjugated a 6th rank monster in 5 minutes?"
He who had only been keeping the monsters in check started moving in earnest.
And as if the movement he showed just before was a lie, he instantly beheaded one monster.
The monsters were as flustered as the people watching.
""""...""""
"He's completely toying with them?"
"...Is he really a student?"
"...Who was it? Who said it would be hard to swing swords with dual wielding earlier?"
People were astonished.
They had trouble accepting reality even though they saw it with their own eyes.
It's an unremarkable battle.
But the important thing was that he was showing an unremarkable battle against three 6th rank monsters.
Graceful movements.
Not a single unnecessary motion.
It could be described as truly efficient movements.
Eunha avoided the monsters' attacks while mostly staying in the same spot, and instantly attacked their vital points to end their lives the moment openings appeared.
"...He really is
"Yeah..."
"Dual wielding is cooler than I thought? Maybe I should learn dual wielding too?"
"...He's making it look easy but do you know how difficult that is? Don't do it."
"Wow, that kid is really a dragon, a dragon. A dragon about to manifest in the world."
"There's going to be a huge explosion when Eunha graduates. How much should we offer to get that kid to join our clan... 8:2? 9:1? Would he be interested if we guaranteed an executive position too?"
"Word on the street is that Regulus Clan and Myeongwang Clan are proposing 10:0."
"Crazy... So clans that aren't S-grade shouldn't even dream? No, then what do they gain?"
"They gain fame. Fame that can never be built by giving money."
Industry insiders couldn't hide their serious faces.
☆
If protected by the cocoon, it was rare to encounter 6th rank monsters.
The cocoon was maximally interfering with mana's uneven distribution, and players were taking preemptive measures to prevent it from spreading into large-scale uneven distribution.
As a result, Eunha hadn't been able to find opportunities to hone his practical skills.
That's when Shin Seoyoung suggested.
That she would arrange a place for him to hone his skills at the comprehensive division competition.
...Three 6th rank monsters.
It's appropriate. Not bad.
So he ended up on this stage.
Eunha didn't pay attention to the gazes of those looking down at him.
He looked down at the monsters born through mana stones.
A humanoid monster wearing a conical hat.
A wolf-like monster covered in black fur.
A demon-like monster with a split mouth.
The different monsters each took positions centered around him.
The magic I can use is limited since people are watching, but...
Eunha gripped the swords at both sides of his waist.
Winter Crawling Through Snowflakes in his left hand.
Winter Blooming Coldly in his right hand.
Soon he glared at the monsters and opened his mouth.
"—Well, whatever."
Eunha raised the corners of his mouth.
At that moment.
The demon-like monster smiled along with him and charged in first.
The monster that fell right in front of him with one leap swung its suddenly enlarged hand.
Cheonbo
But the demon's hand just groped the air.
Eunha had quickly stepped back and moved out of the monster's attack range.
Of course, there wasn't just one enemy.
The wolf-like monster dived into the gap with a sound like a beast howling.
The monster that leapt from the ground swung down its poisonous claws.
It did find the gap quite well, but—
—This is what I was aiming for.
Eunha blocked the claws that fell into the deliberately given gap with Winter Crawling Through Snowflakes.
There was a sound of metal clashing.
The beast struggled to pull out its claws caught between the blade and hilt.
But the roundly curved claws didn't come out easily.
And Eunha wouldn't wait for that moment.
Mana Crusher
He twisted the mango hard to the side, breaking the beast's claws.
The beast screamed in pain.
In that time, he beheaded the wolf-like monster with Winter Blooming Coldly.
The monster died on the spot.
Then he crushed its mana stone with his shoe to accelerate the disappearance phenomenon so its existence would quickly vanish.
With this, the claws caught on the mango cleanly disappeared.
"Oh? One's already dead?"
Soon Eunha spoke to the remaining monsters.
Eunha pointed his swords at the wary monsters.
The monster that charged in this time was the humanoid monster that had been gauging his skills from earlier.
It threw the conical hat it was wearing on its head towards Eunha.
It was a binding magic.
Eunha calmly looked up at the net-like magic falling on his head.
In that time, the monster closed the distance holding axes in both hands.
—Mana Crusher
The binding magic as well as.
The hands holding the axes.
Eunha cut off the harm approaching him with one sword swing.
The monster that instantly lost both wrists died on the spot.
Just then.
Kyaaaah!!
Eunha who was watching the humanoid monster disappear quickly avoided an attack flying from the side.
The demon-like monster had launched a surprise attack by greatly extending one hand while keeping its distance.
It was quite an intelligent monster.
But that was all.
Cheonbo
Eunha kicked off the ground.
The monster was startled and reached out its giant hand towards him.
But Eunha lowered his posture while avoiding the hand passing over his head.
As the distance gradually closed, the monster showed signs of panic.
Eunha inwardly chuckled and infused mana into Winter Blooming Coldly.
At the same time, he deflected the attack falling from above with Winter Crawling Through Snowflakes.
One Point Breakthrough
Right hand forward.
A huge drill formed from the tip of Winter Blooming Coldly.
Eunha, who had literally become a drill, pierced through the monster's heart.
The monster with a hole punched through its chest collapsed, unable to control its body.
"...That was less than I expected."
Eunha picked up the mana stone that fell to the ground and muttered softly.
He felt no particular emotion.
He didn't expect the battle to end so insipidly.
If it had been monsters that formed groups and coordinated, it would have been more fun to fight.
He should have spoken up when the academy instructors tried to dissuade him saying it was too dangerous.
He regretted it belatedly.
How long had it been since it started? 10 minutes? 15 minutes?
It seemed to be a little over 10 minutes.
Eunha looked up at the people watching him.
People who had been whispering just moments ago now had faces at a loss for words.
An awkward silence fell.
No one opened their mouths.
Anyway, the demonstration is over so I should head back now.
Soon Eunha turned his body.
His role was now finished.
He decided to leave the rest to the people managing the comprehensive division competition.
Surely they would take care of the situation.
Sure enough.
[With this, we will conclude student No Eunha's demonstra—!]
Just as the announcement was about to flow through the dome arena.
Eunha turned around at the presence that suddenly approached from behind.
"...What is this."
Up in the spectator stands.
Five people who looked like players jumped down into the arena.
They touched the barrier separating the arena and spectator stands.
The protective magic shook violently and the space trembled.
"..."
The broken protective magic was restored.
But by then the players had already invaded the arena.
Eunha glared at them approaching him.
He didn't sense hostility.
But he sensed fighting spirit.
"—Ah."
Then he opened his mouth.
Because he recognized a clan emblem he knew after checking the men's appearances.
An emblem depicting the image of a blazing flame was engraved on the chest of a man wearing heavy armor.
"—We sincerely apologize for the sudden intrusion."
Blaze Clan.
It was
The man in the lead bowed his head and apologized to Eunha.
Then he said they were people from Blaze Clan.
"So what's your business?"
"Our business is—"
Eunha asked with annoyance mixed in.
Actually, he could tell without asking.
The business was obvious.
He realized it when they drew out their fighting spirit, when he learned they were clan members of Blaze Clan who were crazy about fighting.
"—The Clan Lord said. Unfortunately he couldn't come here himself, so he told us to confirm student No Eunha's skills."
They're really crazy squids.
And the guys under that crazy squid are all crazy squids too.
Truly madmen obsessed with fighting.
They weren't people who could be judged by common sense.
Eunha, who knew about Blaze Clan, stuck out his tongue in disbelief.
"—Therefore, Blaze Clan will now request a duel with student No Eunha!"
The man who stabbed a huge sword into the ground raised his voice and announced to the people in the spectator stands.
Boos poured from the people.
Nevertheless, Blaze Clan accepted even that as if it was something to be proud of.
"I am one of the Eight Jewels evaluated as S-class in the clan. I will go first with student No Eunha..."
"It would be useless even if I refused. No, this worked out well. I should properly warm up my body while I'm at it."
"What?"
Eunha sighed.
There was no way they would back down.
Rather, it worked out well.
He wanted to hone his practical skills anyway.
In that sense, having a duel with Blaze Clan members would be helpful.
Eunha cut off the man's words and said:
"—Why don't you all come at once?"
""""...""""
"It would be a hassle to face you one by one... Don't you think?"
Crack.
The sound of something breaking was heard.
Eunha smiled nonchalantly towards those who revealed their hostility.
To provoke their temper as much as possible.