Chapter 11: Kalon VS Test Director (2)
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Evankhell's Floating Ship
[Status]
Name: Kalon
Titles: Transmigrator, Sword Grandmaster, Combat Master, Light-Bearer (New), Spear-Bearer (New), Fisherman (New)
Strength: 1000 >> +200
Agility: 1000 >> +200
Defense: 1000 >> +100
Speed: 1000 >> +100
(Peak human stats: 10)
Skills: Nine Sword Formation (Extreme), Combat (Extreme), Lighthouse Flow Control, Shinsu (Elementary), Ranged Type Spear-Bearer (Basic), Fisherman Sword Type (Extreme)
Kalon's expression became more and more satisfied the longer he stared at his status panel. A lot had changed since the time he arrived in this world. Although the time was short, he had decided to focus on mastering a few skills instead of spreading himself thin by learning everything.
The other Regulars had no choice but to proceed with the test the Administrator had given them, but Kalon remained behind, waiting for Yu Han Sung to arrive. Everything was going according to the canon. Baam was about to be certified dead by the Test Director, although they clearly had not found his body. The Test Director himself had been in cahoots with the instigator.
Kalon had been unable to become a Wave Controller. He suspected that the Test Director had done this intentionally. Otherwise, even though Ren—the Wave Controller instructor sent to kill Anak—had already left for the Submerged Fish Hunt Test Site, Yu Han Sung, the prodigy Wave Controller, was still here.
Even though Yu Han Sung was responsible for this test, there was no enmity between them that would justify refusing to substitute as the Wave Controller teacher. Yet, he hadn't stepped in.
The air was thick with tension as Kalon stepped into the arena. The circular battlefield was vast, with currents of Shinsu swirling faintly in the distance, creating an ominous backdrop. Yu Han Sung stood at the center, calm as ever, cradling his teacup in one hand as though the fight was a mere formality.
"If you can make me take a single step back, you win," Yu Han Sung said, his voice smooth and confident. "But don't get your hopes up."
Kalon's grip on his spear tightened, though his stance remained relaxed. His mind raced, formulating strategies. He knew Yu Han Sung's power was far beyond his own. Any direct confrontation would end in disaster, especially against an advanced Ranker who had likely seen countless battles. He couldn't afford to reveal too much of his strength here. No, this wasn't a fight of power—it was a battle of wit and precision.
"I'll make you move," Kalon said simply, his voice steady. "That's all I need to do."
Yu Han Sung smirked. "Show me."
The first strike came almost lazily. Yu Han Sung flicked his wrist, sending a shimmering sphere of Shinsu hurtling toward Kalon. The sphere was fast, but Kalon's sharp senses allowed him to sidestep with ease. Another followed, then another, each one faster and more precise than the last. Kalon twisted, ducked, and leapt, weaving through the attacks like a leaf carried by the wind.
Yu Han Sung observed him with mild interest, sipping his tea. "Impressive reflexes for a regular," he remarked. "But dodging won't make me step back."
Kalon didn't respond. Instead, he focused on the rhythm of the strikes. Each sphere of Shinsu was an opportunity to analyze Yu Han Sung's stance, his subtle shifts of balance, the small but telling motions of his body. He couldn't overpower the Ranker, but he could outthink him.
The strikes intensified. Shinsu tendrils lashed out like whips, carving through the air and the ground alike. Kalon's movements became sharper, more efficient. He flipped over one tendril, rolled under another, always staying just outside the reach of danger. The crowd watching from the edges of the arena murmured in amazement.
"Not bad," Yu Han Sung admitted. "But you're not even close."
Kalon began circling, his steps light and deliberate. He moved closer in increments, testing Yu Han Sung's reactions. Each time he advanced, Yu Han Sung countered with another barrage of Shinsu, forcing Kalon to retreat momentarily. The Ranker's control was impeccable, every attack designed to pressure Kalon without exposing any weakness.
But Kalon noticed something—Yu Han Sung's strikes, while precise, required subtle adjustments to maintain accuracy. A slight tilt of the shoulder here, a shift of weight there. Small, almost imperceptible movements, but movements nonetheless.
If I can just disrupt his balance…
Yu Han Sung raised his free hand, conjuring a dense, swirling orb of Shinsu. The energy hummed ominously, radiating power. He aimed it at Kalon, who stood his ground, watching intently.
With a flick, the orb shot forward, tearing through the air. Kalon waited until the last possible moment, then sidestepped. The orb struck the ground behind him, detonating with a deafening roar. The shockwave rippled outward, shaking the arena and sending cracks spiderwebbing through the ground beneath Yu Han Sung's feet.
Kalon used the force of the explosion to propel himself forward, closing the gap between them. He moved in a blur, his body low and his eyes locked on Yu Han Sung's feet. He feinted a lunge, his body language screaming attack, though he had no intention of striking.
Yu Han Sung's eyes narrowed. He raised his hand to counter, but Kalon shifted again, darting to the side. The Ranker hesitated for a fraction of a second, adjusting his stance to maintain his balance. It was subtle—almost imperceptible—but Kalon saw it.
And then it happened. Yu Han Sung took a single step back.
Kalon stopped in his tracks, his breathing steady despite the exertion. Yu Han Sung stood still, staring down at his foot, which had moved half a step behind its original position. A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.
"Well played," Yu Han Sung said, his voice carrying a rare note of genuine amusement. "To make me move without a single strike… Not bad for a regular."
Kalon said nothing, lowering his spear. The fight had been won, but he knew Yu Han Sung hadn't truly been trying. Still, a victory was a victory, and Kalon had achieved what he'd set out to do.
Yu Han Sung sipped his tea, his expression unreadable. "You're interesting, Kalon. If you continue to grow at this pace… you might just become a problem one day."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kalon standing in the center of the cracked battlefield.
He'd won. For now, that was enough.