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The Cave of Trials (3)

The Tenmei Clan was a family of sword-users embedded deep into Japan’s history. As the eldest daughter, Mio had mastered their secret technique. She had a natural talent for swordplay, and people had called her the High Blade.

If you challenge her to a swordfight, you’re just asking to be crushed. 

Seo Jun-ho used to spar with her often. His current record was 151 losses and 1 win. She’d defeated him nearly every time.

Of course, that only applies to when we only use sword skills. If they were allowed to use their other abilities, even Mio herself acknowledged that Seo Jun-ho would win. But her current state wasn’t something to take lightly.

It’s my first time seeing Mio so angry. 

Even though she didn’t show it, she treasured her friends—and she’d just witnessed Gilbert die before her. If the elaborate fake had copied the real one perfectly, she would be seething from head to toe.

I’ll have to use that. Even if it was dirty and underhanded, there was nothing else he could do. He only had 27 seconds left.

Seo Jun-ho kicked Gilbert’s corpse. “What a weakling. He fell for such an obvious trap. He was cowardly until his death.”

“……”

Mio’s whole body started to tremble.

“Take that back!”

“What if I don’t want to?”

She sprinted across the ground, her body crouching low like a bird.

Actually, one of her ancestors came up with this technique after watching a low-flying swallow. 

It wasn’t a technique that just anyone could learn. There was a big risk of injuring the lower back, so you needed to be relaxed yet firm. It was a technique that required an inborn trait rather than effort.

It’s a good technique, but… Seo Jun-ho would be the one to receive it, and he knew her all too well. Mio’s mentally weak. 

That’s why he had kicked Gilbert’s corpse to shake her up.

The Swallow Sword is the technique she’s most confident in. But if she wasn’t an illusion and hadn’t gotten distracted, she would never have used it against me. 

The Swallow Sword was dangerous for one reason: it drew the opponent’s eyes downward, and the swallow would cut through them from the top.

But it won’t matter if the opponent already knows how it works. 

Seo Jun-ho dodged her sword with a single sidestep.

“Ack…!” She hadn’t expected him to dodge, and lost her center of balance for a split second. However, she was able to readjust her stance in the blink of an eye.

But in a match between two experienced fighters, a moment’s mistake can decide the outcome. Seo Jun-ho swung his sword downward. Like right now. 

He cut through Mio’s body.

“You… How could you…?”

He didn’t have time to talk with Mio as she collapsed to the ground. Seo Jun-ho ignored her and dashed over to the Frost Queen.

“Hurry, hurry! Hurry-hurry-hurry! Hurry up!”

She was still elegant as she struggled in defense. She waved her hand, asking for help.

“Good job!” As he reached her, the Golems shattered.

Even though they were weakened versions, the two golems had survived for thirty seconds against Rahmadat and Skaya. It would have been impossible without a spirit at the Frost Queen’s level. The Aura Buff ring had also helped immensely.

“I am ashamed. I had to use some powerful techniques to hold the woman at bay.”

“So that’s why I felt dizzy.” It seemed that the Frost Queen had handled Skaya herself.

Seo Jun-ho raised his sword toward his two friends. Their eyes were murderous.

“I don’t like that those glares are directed at me. Let’s finish this up.”

“Gladly!”

“W-Wait a second! You idiot!”

Rahmadat charged at him like a boar, and Skaya let out a frustrated shout as she supported him.

Even their illusions fight. 

Skaya, who always seemed to be deep in thought. Rahmadat, who made you wonder if he ever thought at all. They were always fighting about something stupid.

But in battle, they make the best combination. A natural warrior and a natural magician—they created a powerful synergy. There was only one way Seo Jun-ho could defeat them in their current state.

I will also become a monster. 

Seo Jun-ho’s magic circuits started to burn. He circulated his magic throughout his body as fast as he could, not slowing down. The Frost Queen sensed the powerful flow of magic.

“Contractor! Will you not slow down?” She cried.

“I can’t think about that right now!”

Adjusting your speed and saving your stamina were all fine and good, but that meant you couldn’t use your full power.

I can’t hold back if I’m gonna take them down. 

He’d been lucky when he was able to take down Gilbert and Mio. But once they fell, the remaining two had left no room for error.

This was the most pivotal moment.

He’s coming. 

Reading Rahmadat’s movements, Seo Jun-ho swung his sword.

Slash! Black Dragon Fang made a long cut through Rahmadat’s chest. Bright red blood spurted from his wound. It would have killed most people instantly, but he only seemed amused.

“That feels refreshing!”

Crack! Seo Jun-ho crushed Rahmadat’s fist in with his elbow. His hand sounded like it broke, but Rahmadat ignored it.

“Ahahahaha! Dieee!”

“You bastard…!” Seo Jun-ho couldn’t hold out against his strength and went flying back.

Skaya’s magic activated at that moment. Three magic circles appeared in the air, chain lightning crackling between them.

Tsk. Even though she’s an illusion, she can do triple casting. 

It would be hard for him to continue if he got hit. Seo Jun-ho quickly made a decision and used Shadow Step.

“That won’t work anymore!”

Seo Jun-ho reappeared a wide distance away, but new spells attacked him. He let out a shout as two fireballs hit him directly. He’d barely managed to make ice armor in time; it alleviated some of the injury, but his skin sizzled from burns.

…Dammit, their reaction times are too fast. They were faster than any enemy he’d faced in recent memory.

Rahmadat chased him relentlessly as Skaya used her magic to distract him.

Slice! He’d already cut Rahmadat’s chest fourteen times alone.

But it’s always shallow. That meant Rahmadat thought that it was too dangerous to let Seo Jun-ho attack a weak spot.

“Hey, are you done already? I could go all day.” He was as energetic as always.

Seo Jun-ho sensed that it was time for him to make a choice. It was pointless to keep fighting like this, and it would only be disadvantageous for him if it dragged on.

What shall I give him?

He would offer his flesh so he could break his opponent’s bones.

(TN: A Korean idiom.)

There were many options to choose from, but Seo Jun-ho chose the most efficient one.

…I’ll give you my left arm. 

He didn’t dodge Rahmadat’s next punch and raised his left arm to block the strike.

“Huh? You’re gonna block it with your flimsy arm?”

He seemed surprised, but his fist didn’t stop.

Slam! His fist smashed through Seo Jun-ho’s left arm.

“Urp…” Blood poured from his mouth. With no time to rest, Rahmadat landed another direct hit on his chest. He’d layered a few sheets of ice on Black Armor, but the force of the punch made his insides churn.

He’s like a monster… But… Seo Jun-ho forced himself together and gripped Black Dragon Fang. I just need one hit. That’s all. 

He used about half of his remaining magic, explosive darkness pouring from him. The shadows covered Black Dragon Fang.

Law of Life…! 

Even Rodomir hadn’t been able to take it. The deadly technique started to aim for Rahmadat.

“You’ve gotten slower.” But Rahmadat’s fist was faster. It landed a hit on Seo Jun-ho’s chin.

“…!” His vision started to spin, and his legs gave out.

“Contractor!”

“Kuh…!” 

But he did not fall. He looked like he would tip over any second, but his feet were planted firmly on the ground. The only thing keeping him up was his willpower.

“…What the—you can take it?” Rahmadat looked genuinely surprised; he didn’t think that Seo Jun-ho could withstand it. “As expected of Specter…”

Stab! Black Dragon Fang stabbed through his chest, interrupting him.

“…Too bad. You missed my heart.” His voice was apathetic. He’d shifted his body in that instant to protect his heart. Rahmadat looked down at the sword piercing through his chest and grabbed Seo Jun-ho’s head. “Goodbye. I’ll send you off painlessly.” His fingers started to dig into his skull.

“Keuk, that’s too bad… It’ll be painful for you.”

“What? What are you…” Rahmadat’s face fell as he understood his words.

The energy from Law of Life started to tear him apart from the inside.

I used half of my magic for this one hit. If Rahmadat survived this, Seo Jun-ho would acknowledge his defeat.

But of course, he wouldn’t. No human could. The real Rahmadat had even praised the technique. His illusion wouldn’t survive it.

The darkness ripped through his body like a wild animal.

“Ugh…” He fell to one knee.

“Rahmadat!” Skaya yelled in shock.

She waved her arms, and Seo Jun-ho was thrust upward as if he were being carried by a storm. He promptly fell back down.

“Ack!” Out of all the places, his rib had broken. Dammit, that’s the same one from the Wild Forest… 

Still, he stood up. His breath was shallow and cold sweat dripped down his face. He knew that he didn’t have much time left. His stamina was draining quickly, and the Frost Queen had used a good amount of his mental power.

He was at his limit after receiving a critical hit. It wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed any second now.

“Rahmadat! Wake up!” No matter how Skaya tried to help him, Rahmadat was dead. The dark energy in his body was reaching its peak.

It exploded out of his body, and blood rained down on the two people.