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[Chapter 163]

[Demon of Fireworks (4)]

Kang Hyun-chul ate the flames.

And recovered his mana.

Eun-ha couldn't help but be shocked at the scene unfolding before his eyes.

"...Did you see that?"

"Papa..."

Could this possibly be a dream?

Eun-ha asked Buldak sitting on his shoulder.

Buldak was also blinking its eyes, expressing bewilderment.

That's not even human.

Soon Eun-ha groaned.

This didn't happen in his previous life.

He never imagined that flames could be converted back into internal mana, essentially making attacks using flames meaningless.

Furthermore, he even absorbed the attack.

It was a situation where not only were flame attacks meaningless against Kang Hyun-chul, but now they had become completely counterproductive.

"Hey."

"Pipi."

"Can't we do that too?"

The 3rd seal was released.

Now only 2 seals remained.

Eun-ha, who had moved as far away from the red circle as possible, recovered his internal mana.

Then he asked Buldak.

If that guy can do it, can't we?

Surely Buldak could also convert flames to mana...

Eun-ha believed in Buldak.

But his expectations were betrayed.

"Papa papa pupu pipi."

"Damn..."

I can do it.

But dad can't.

Do you think your heart that receives mana can withstand the process of converting flames to mana?

You might accidentally set your heart on fire.

Eun-ha, who vaguely understood the emotional message, could only click his tongue.

"Papi pupi papa pupupu."

So give up, dad.

As if saying that.

Soon Buldak spread its wings and tapped Eun-ha's face.

It seemed to be its own way of comforting him.

So only that guy can do it?

Gifts are really unfair...

Eun-ha sighed.

He felt a relative sense of deprivation.

But such emotions─.

─I felt this many times before regressing. Do you think I'd be discouraged by something like this?

It was an emotion he had long since felt.

If there was something he couldn't have, he wouldn't turn his attention to what he couldn't have.

Instead, he would focus even more on what he did have.

Phoenix Transformation

Phoenix's Cloak

He consumed quite a bit of internal mana.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha returned Buldak to the form of a cloak again.

Buldak's power of fire resistance was absolutely necessary to counter Kang Hyun-chul's magic.

It seems he can't convert the flames he created himself.

Then I just need to stop making attacks that empower him.

Eun-ha imbued Winter Blooming Coldly with mana.

The blade emitted a blue light.

"─Are you planning to do that kind of thing again? How can a man live so cowardly! Let's fight fair and square now!"

What is he saying?

Eun-ha quietly grumbled seeing Kang Hyun-chul trying to avoid his attack.

Now that the 3rd seal had been released, Platinum Cross would no longer work on the rapidly moving Kang Hyun-chul.

To this, Eun-ha─.

─Mana Crusher

Boldly abandoned Platinum Cross and decided to focus on a different magic.

Magic learned at the academy that gathers mana in an instant and swings the sword to shoot out a sword strike.

With a normal Mana Crusher, the trajectory is fixed in a straight line and ends in a single shot.

"──!!"

But the Mana Crusher using Winter Blooming Coldly was different.

Until the moment the Mana Crusher magic left the sword tip.

Eun-ha could wield the long, thin extended magic like a whip.

"You bastard!"

"What bastard."

Kang Hyun-chul probably didn't expect it either.

That the magic flying in a straight line would suddenly curve greatly and slap his waist.

He may have blocked the attack by instantly spreading protective magic, but─.

─The damage should have been measured.

Eun-ha raised the corners of his mouth.

Kang Hyun-chul, who took a stance protecting his left waist, was pushed sideways unable to withstand the whiplash.

At the same time, the crystal ball of the artifact worn on his waist, which had accumulated damage, shattered with a crack.

Mana Crusher

Now only the neck and two ankles remained.

Eun-ha continued the whipping.

"Aaaaah!! You inhuman bastard!! Are you human!? Let's fight properly!"

"Why should I?"

The crazy squid asks if I'm human.

Eun-ha laughed in disbelief.

It wasn't worth listening to.

Snap snap snap!

He activated magic towards Eun-ha while avoiding attacks.

But unfortunately─.

─Whoosh!!

Just as flames didn't work on Kang Hyun-chul.

They didn't work on Eun-ha either.

It only caused a small impact.

Tough bastard.

Is he determined not to expose the devices even if it means taking hits from me?

Meanwhile, Eun-ha clicked his tongue.

Kang Hyun-chul was somehow preventing attacks from reaching the damage measuring devices while avoiding and taking hits.

Unfortunately, the remaining devices were in positions difficult for Eun-ha to attack.

Eun-ha was starting to get impatient.

At this rate, the 4th seal will be released...

Kang Hyun-chul was waiting for that moment.

Eun-ha, who grasped his aim, was inwardly sweating.

Well, fine.

Let the seal be released if it's going to be released.

I'll destroy one more before then.

Then Eun-ha changed his mind.

Come to think of it, there was no need to worry much.

If Kang Hyun-chul's seal was released, he could just forfeit.

Thinking about it, why do I need to win? Whether I win or lose, my evaluation won't change much.

He had already won the comprehensive division tournament, and sparring with Kang Hyun-chul was just an extra event.

Even if he lost, it wouldn't cause him any harm.

"...Not bad."

Soon Eun-ha giggled.

It wasn't bad.

How much would it irritate Kang Hyun-chul if he riled him up and then forfeited the match?

Above all─.

─This could become addictive too?

Eun-ha was having too much fun right now.

The crazy squid who had annoyed him in his previous life was frantically trying to avoid his whip.

Slap! Slap!

Also, the sensation of hitting Kang Hyun-chul.

It was subtly addictive.

He wondered if he had such a sadistic side to himself.

"Shit!! Stop hitting my ass!"

"Ah, so that's why the sound was crisp."

Kang Hyun-chul spews curses.

Eun-ha swings the whip.

And so, the 4th seal is released.

☆

<Sword Empress> Hwang Jin-hee.

She who walked the path of the sword was in a state of half losing her mind at the scene unfolding before her eyes.

"Crazy bastards..."

She barely managed to say.

Forget about a match to determine superiority, they were completely insulting the sword.

How could this be called the attitude of people wielding swords?

I don't like it. I thought I didn't like him from the first time I saw him, but I really don't like that kid.

Hwang Jin-hee clicked her tongue repeatedly.

Even after the 4th seal was released, the aspect of the match didn't change at all.

Kang Hyun-chul was spouting words that couldn't even be spoken in a situation where many people were listening.

Noh Eun-ha was continuously swinging his whip and attacking Kang Hyun-chul in a way that could only be called cowardly.

[La-ladies and gentlemen, you are now watching a breathtaking duel between players who will be responsible for the future... Probably. Probably.]

It's truly a total mess.

Hwang Jin-hee finally sighed hearing even the commentator struggling and laughing awkwardly.

The players seated nearby, including her, could only make dumbfounded faces.

This isn't even child's play...

How dare they insult a duel...

She wanted to rush in right away and beat down the two if she could.

Hwang Jin-hee suppressed her impulsive feelings and decided to just watch what she could see.

<Yama >, was it?

When I first saw him, I thought some delinquent had taken a Twelve Zodiac seat, so I wondered if Jun and Seong-un had gone crazy...

He's certainly a talented bastard. Though relying too much on his gift is a flaw, his ability to apply the gift is excellent. Experience... no, animal instinct?

Hwang Jin-hee focused on Kang Hyun-chul.

Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, etc.

Spewing fire from every hole and covering the battlefield in flames, he deserved to be called <Yama > as his alias.

How could there be any alias other than <Yama > for him who was rampaging like a demon as if reason didn't exist?

While thinking that, Hwang Jin-hee thought about what Kang Hyun-chul had shown just before.

It was already as good as complete...

To think he would advance even further from there. Breaking through walls by himself at that level, it's a great blessing for this country.

Hwang Jin-hee was quite surprised.

Kang Hyun-chul was already at a high level.

He was no different from a completed being.

But as if denying himself, he broke the frame that defined him and ascended to a new level.

Though it's probably just the beginning...

That guy will become even stronger than now.

A way of thinking that breaks the mold.

Surely that would be the opportunity for Kang Hyun-chul to newly establish his power.

From the beginning, in her eyes, even now he─.

─Has he already surpassed Yong-hyun? Yong-hyun must have worked just as hard, but luck and talent can't be ignored.

Twelve Zodiac <First Sword> Ji Yong-hyun.

He who received teachings from Nam Gung Seong-un was known to have no match with the sword domestically.

But in Hwang Jin-hee's view, Ji Yong-hyun didn't seem like he could win against Kang Hyun-chul.

Though the one truly walking the path of the sword would be Ji Yong-hyun─.

─He's clearly the strongest.

No, there was one more person who was always mentioned when talking about that guy. <Thunder Emperor>, was it?

Hwang Jin-hee was certain.

Perhaps the people here now were witnessing the birth of a new strongest who would succeed <Divine Spear> Nam Gung Seong-un, who had reigned as Korea's strongest.

No─.

Soon she denied it.

Her gaze turned to Noh Eun-ha.

─It's still unknown.

The judgment was premature.

It was still unknown.

She looked at Eun-ha who had finally destroyed one of the damage measuring devices on Kang Hyun-chul's ankle.

Noh Eun-ha didn't stop there, but now boldly entered the area and crossed swords with Kang Hyun-chul.

Just then, he brushed past Kang Hyun-chul's back and destroyed one more device worn on his ankle.

"Did you see that just now!?"

"What? What happened?"

"Noh Eun-ha destroyed one more!"

"What? I didn't see... When!?"

An attack that happened in an instant.

People all shouted at once.

The monitor screen was repeatedly showing the attack Eun-ha had just demonstrated using himself as bait.

Nevertheless, Hwang Jin-hee didn't take her eyes off Noh Eun-ha.

"That child... I really don't know."

Hwang Jin-hee muttered softly.

No, perhaps it was a sigh.

What a cowardly and despicable strategy.

But to be able to use such a strategy while facing <Yama > requires that much skill.

She really didn't like Noh Eun-ha's strategy.

But she had to purely acknowledge Noh Eun-ha's skills.

Without considerable skill, there was no way he could corner Kang Hyun-chul like this.

Until the first seal was released, it could be said to be possible for anyone if luck was on their side.

But if he can continue to lead the situation like this even with the second, third, and fourth seals released, it can only be skill.

At that level, he could have fought evenly without being given a handicap...

Hwang Jin-hee clicked her tongue.

At the same time, she couldn't help but be amazed.

Someone who wasn't even a player yet was on a similar level to a man who could be called the strongest.

Moreover─.

─Even with my eyes that can see others' talents, I can't properly gauge that child's talent.

He possesses skills that are amazing just to estimate, but I don't know if I can maintain the same judgment when that child shows all his power.

The magic called Platinum Cross.

The fighting style using a familiar.

Dual wielding.

Hwang Jin-hee was certain that Noh Eun-ha was hiding several more powers besides these.

And considering Noh Eun-ha's tendency to seem able to read the situation─.

─Surely the powers he's hiding are even more amazing than now.

The power he's showing in this place is probably just a part.

She could be certain of that.

So she couldn't take her eyes off Noh Eun-ha's match that seemed almost mocking.

Eventually─.

─Boom boom boom!!

Kang Hyun-chul with all seals released rampaged violently.

☆

The final seal was released.

Eun-ha, who had employed a hit-and-run strategy as the 4th seal was released, clicked his tongue in frustration.

─Ox Walk

He quickly used Ox Walk to leave the area.

However, Kang Hyun-chul, who had been heated up by Eun-ha's hit-and-run tactics using Ox Walk, didn't miss him.

"─Where are you trying to go? You have to fight me."

"...!!"

Almost at the level of animal instinct.

Kang Hyun-chul instantly grasped the place Eun-ha had designated with a glance and immediately moved his feet.

Restrictions were now meaningless to him who could move in a wider area.

Eun-ha widened his eyes at the sword falling from above.

Clang!!

Kang Hyun-chul's greatsword.

Eun-ha couldn't withstand the force and had to retreat backwards.

And─.

─Snap snap snap snap!!

Kang Hyun-chul snapped his fingers repeatedly.

Flames filling the surroundings surged up and blocked Eun-ha's movements.

"..."

Eun-ha exhaled a long breath.

Kang Hyun-chul was very angry.

With his seals released, he was now saying he would kill without hesitation.

It's troublesome to keep fighting beyond this.

Who knows what will happen if that guy gets angry.

On the other hand, Eun-ha maintained his composure.

He wasn't intimidated even when directly facing Kang Hyun-chul's killing intent.

Eun-ha quietly raised his hand inside the cage of flames.

"─I forfe-!!"

"Did you think I'd let you?"

Eun-ha tried to forfeit.

It was only dangerous to keep fighting beyond this point.

So he tried to declare forfeit, but Kang Hyun-chul who rushed through the flames immediately swung his sword at him.

Eun-ha hurriedly rolled his body.

At that moment─.

"─Go ahead and forfeit if you're going to. I wonder if you'll be able to speak though."

"...Kuk...!!"

Kang Hyun-chul engaged in close combat.

Eun-ha, unable to properly take a stance, had no choice but to be hit by his attack.

He fell into the flames.

"Don't pretend to be dead and come out, quickly. I know you're not dead."

Screams erupted from above.

Then Kang Hyun-chul manipulated the flames to make them surge up, hiding from people's eyes.

Thus a sea of flames was created.

Kang Hyun-chul, with flames covering his body, watched the direction where Eun-ha had disappeared.

Eventually─.

─Winter Blooming Coldly

With a whoosh.

The flames shook violently.

Embers scattered.

Soon the flames filling the world began to be sucked into one place.

No, they swirled.

Kuooooo!!

In the center of the vortex of flames.

Noh Eun-ha was there.

The flames formed the body of a dragon and kept circling around Noh Eun-ha as if protecting him.

"I didn't want to show this."

"..."

"Well, I guess the surroundings won't be able to see properly like this."

With a spit.

Noh Eun-ha spat out blood pooled in his mouth.

Wearing the cloak of flames.

Holding the blood-stained Maengoseu.

Protected by the flame dragon.

He drew up his internal mana.

─Gift <Unknown >

This is it, he thought.

At that moment, Kang Hyun-chul could feel it.

Even without directly facing him, he could instinctively sense that Noh Eun-ha's power was growing stronger now.

"Yes... this is how it should be."

Kang Hyun-chul smiled.

His blood boiled.

He gripped his sword tightly.

This is how it should be, this is why he had suffered so much until now.

He couldn't contain his rising excitement.

"Yes, this is it!!"

"Crazy bastard."

Kang Hyun-chul shouted exuberantly.

He gradually gave himself over to the heat of battle.

Soon he gripped his sword towards the dragon flying at him.

Kuooooooo!!

Mere magic like this.

If it's made of flames, he just needs to convert it back to mana.

It was when he thought that.

Winter Blooming Coldly

For an instant, flower petals scattered.

The petals couldn't withstand the embers and easily burned away.

A scene that lasted only a moment.

But the moment created was enough to disrupt Kang Hyun-chul's mind.

In that time, the dragon that had approached close opened its mouth.

Kuooooo!!

Mere dragon like this.

He'll block it with grit.

He gritted his teeth and imbued his greatsword with mana.

Just then─.

─Blast Cross

The dragon was just a bluff.

As soon as he split the dragon's head, Kang Hyun-chul faced cross-shaped flames newly spreading from the sea of fire.

There was no time to convert it.

The raging flames rushed at him.

Finally, the flames─.

─Crack

Cracked his greatsword.

The tiny crack couldn't withstand the heat and widened.

And so─.

"─...!!"

His beloved sword.

The device shattered.

Kang Hyun-chul was swallowed by the flames with a look of shock.