437

 [Chapter 126]

[Enlightenment Seeps into the Sword (3)]

What he lacked was internal mana.

From a young age, he tried various methods to increase his mana quantity, but Eun-ha still didn't achieve noticeable results.

At best, it increased a little.

Even that violated the limit law of internal mana, but it was still unsatisfying.

Though my internal mana isn't outstanding, it's not lacking either.

Mana quantity well above average.

But Eun-ha had no intention of settling for his current state to prepare for disasters occurring in the distant future.

In the end, he had no choice but to pursue efficiency.

He had to press the mana entering the vessel as tightly as possible to raise mana quality and pursue efficiency.

But I don't know how to pursue efficiency beyond this...

However, it could be said he had already reached the pinnacle of raising internal mana efficiency in his previous life.

It's an impossible realm with the principles Eun-ha currently knows.

In fact, it could be said his current state was sufficient.

Pursuing more than this could be called greed.

Still, I need to become stronger.

To the point no one can touch my people.

An endless wish.

Though knowing that, Eun-ha whipped himself.

Thus, the areas he was currently researching could be divided into two.

Mana Drain

One was a method to increase mana recovery amount and speed through the principle of mana drain.

Unfortunately, progress was slow in expanding the concept through the principle of mana drain.

Another principle or realization was needed.

So he was focusing on an approach with more progress.

"I want to apply it to other magic like when deploying Violent Venom... But it's not easy..."

The other was a method to reduce mana consumption.

Last year, after eating medicine that brought him to death's door, Eun-ha accidentally gained a realization.

Limited to Violent Venom, but he became able to draw and consume mana dissolved in the atmosphere when manifesting magic.

It would be good if I could make magic to deal with multiple opponents with this.

After about 1 year of practice.

Though it required concentration, Eun-ha succeeded in somewhat improving magic that had high mana consumption until now.

So now he had settled into a new concern.

Before regression, I neglected handling magic to deal with multiple opponents because of low internal mana quantity.

If possible, I want to use this realization to create magic suitable for dealing with multiple opponents with little mana...

Not suitable for dealing with multiple opponents.

It was No Eun-ha's chronic problem.

Though he became able to use Violent Venom in this life, it lacked versatility in that it was an infectious deadly poison.

"It would be good if there was wide-area magic that could replace Violent Venom..."

The third day after departing for Yokohama.

Eun-ha was still at an impasse with only a vague clue.

He wanted to at least create a framework before arriving in Japan if possible.

"It seems easiest to base it on Mana Crasher which is easiest to handle..."

Friends are resting on deck.

It seems they collapsed right after completing a mission earlier.

"You really have to experience these things in practice to know..."

Eun-ha muttered watching them.

There's nothing more important than actual combat after all.

He approached his friends lying on deck.

Friends who sensed his presence turned their heads towards him.

In a way, they looked like they were saying don't bother us because we're tired.

Of course, Eun-ha ignored it.

"Want to help me train?"

""""...""""

Friends looking at each other.

Eun-ha noticed friends exchanging opinions through eye contact.

And that they wouldn't help if left like this.

Eun-ha decided to break this flow.

"Since we're doing it, why don't you all come at me together."

It would be an offer they can't refuse.

Sure enough, positive consideration appeared on friends' faces.

It was as good as them coming over.

While training, I'll see how good your skills are too.

It's truly killing two birds with one stone.

Eun-ha forcefully suppressed the corners of his mouth trying to rise.

☆

On the bow deck.

News that Eun-ha would face multiple opponents in a match spread in an instant.

Instructors and players quietly revealed themselves.

Students were also taking seats in outer areas under the pretext of sightseeing the sea.

In the end, Ha-yang and I-byeol aren't participating?

Regardless of their gazes.

Eun-ha focused his consciousness on friends facing him head-on.

Six friends participating in training: Kim Min-ji, Kang Si-hyeong, Ariel, Hoshimiya Kaede, Cha Eun-woo, Bong Gu-rae.

Jung Ha-yang in charge of navigation seemed to be training independently with Yoon I-byeol.

It wasn't a match that needed the navigator's role in the first place.

If the two participated, they would have nothing to do but deploy protection magic at best.

Instead, Jung Ha-yang agreed to referee.

Bang!

Fireworks soared into the sky.

Finally Ha-yang signaled the start of the match.

Eun-ha yielded his turn to watch how his friends would come out.

With Kang Si-hyeong carrying a huge shield at the front, friends taking a dense formation moved.

"─Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhhhhhh!!"

Si-hyeong rushed at Eun-ha while unleashing intense shouting.

Following behind, Kim Min-ji and Ariel hiding behind the shield approached drawing curves from different directions.

Friends rushing from three directions.

But Eun-ha's gaze was focused on Kang Si-hyeong.

Because his presence was so intense compared to the two coming from different directions.

Looks like they thought hard?

Eun-ha was satisfied with the tactic of dispersing his vision.

But it was useless against him.

Dealing with three people is─.

─White Out

At that moment, a flash behind Kang Si-hyeong who was not far away.

While the three drew his attention, Cha Eun-woo who was casting magic from the rear created an intense flash.

Eun-ha who directly faced the flash without any countermeasures momentarily lost his vision.

Star Catcher

Just before completely losing vision.

Eun-ha saw Kaede hugging Eun-woo and flying to the funnel far from the deck.

He couldn't not know her purpose.

One was to protect the supporter, one was to secure important range for the ranger.

Surely Bong Gu-rae would also be looking for a sniping spot aiming for this opportunity.

"Now!"

"Kang Si-hyeong is coming!!"

"Ohh!"

It's quite a good strategy.

Eun-ha smiled with his eyes closed.

Kim Min-ji, Kang Si-hyeong, and Ariel's three-person aim was likely to push him while he lost vision.

You think I'll fall for it easily?

But Eun-ha had no intention of moving according to friends' strategy.

If you can't see with your eyes, you just need to move according to intuition.

Eun-ha took one step back, turned half a circle counterclockwise and avoided Kim Min-ji's attack.

Then he rotated and stepped forward with his foot floating in the air.

One more diagonal step from there.

"...What!?"

Ariel's figure widening her eyes in surprise flickers.

He who chuckled grabbed the back of her neck and threw her using rotational force.

Then Eun-ha took light steps and jumped to the side.

He felt Min-ji who had just passed him slashing the air.

"─Kuhek!!"

"Don't just look forward, you should look behind too."

Soon he dealt with Si-hyeong who aimed for the gap when he landed.

He gently leaned his upper body back then took steps to balance and turned behind him in one breath.

Then Eun-ha lightly kicked.

Gentle Wind's Touch

Vision gradually returned.

Eun-ha looked at those wrapped in mana currents receiving Cha Eun-woo's protection magic.

Dismay was evident on the three's faces.

Nevertheless, they didn't intend to give up like this.

"Run─!!"

Kang Si-hyeong threw his huge shield.

At the same time, Kim Min-ji lowered her body and ran towards Eun-ha.

Kim Min-ji holding a dagger in reverse grip jumped from a short distance and swung her sword.

Eun-ha who brushed past the flying shield took half a step back and deflected her blade.

Nevertheless, she didn't back down and rolled on the ground.

"You've improved a lot?"

Continuous techniques from there.

Eun-ha praised Kim Min-ji's skills as she struggled to bind his feet using agility and flexibility.

But she still couldn't stop him.

Just then.

Bang

A bullet flew from somewhere.

A bullet that sniped the direction Eun-ha was about to go and left a scratch on the deck.

Eun-ha who momentarily hesitated hurriedly tried to search for the sniping point─.

"─Eun-ha. Isn't your attention too focused elsewhere?"

"...!"

Eun-ha widened his eyes seeing Kang Si-hyeong who suddenly appeared in the corner of his vision.

After Si-hyeong threw his shield earlier, he had forgotten about his existence.

The fact that he forgot during the match means Kang Si-hyeong used concealment magic to avoid his gaze.

When did this kid learn this?

A guardian who learned concealment magic.

Eun-ha who was surprised by the unexpected combat play ended up getting caught in Si-hyeong's binding magic.

Angler's Foot Binding

Kang Si-hyeong who had been waiting for an opening with concealment magic fired the chain built into his gauntlet.

In the end, the heavy weight connected to the chain instantly bound Eun-ha's left wrist.

"You know that chain made by Hae-su hyung isn't easily broken right?"

"...Kuk...!"

A test of strength.

Kang Si-hyeong restricted Eun-ha's movements while pulling the chain.

Meanwhile, Min-ji showed hit-and-run techniques as if she had been waiting.

Moreover, Bong Gu-rae's check too.

In the end, he had to remove the restraints first.

When he tried to approach Kang Si-hyeong─.

─Star Catcher

Arrows flew overhead.

And Kang Si-hyeong jumped up without a moment's hesitation to escape from Eun-ha.

He caught the trajectory created by the arrows and jumped into the sky─.

─Isn't this going too far?

Eun-ha rose up with him.

While being dragged with his left wrist caught, Cha Eun-woo's attack magic flew from below.

If they're coming this thoroughly.

Now Eun-ha decided to respond too.

Spirit Summoning

Mana Crasher

Mana Drain

Extreme Piercing Striker

Invisible Tracker

Partially disrupt incoming magic, cut incomplete magic with the sword.

Recover residual mana from there, extend the black thorn forward.

Magic that rapidly pierces the enemy.

Eun-ha who took the stance of Extreme Piercing Striker soon recalled coordinates he had marked in advance.

"...Ugh!!"

This time it was Kang Si-hyeong being dragged, not Eun-ha.

He who landed on the deck with a shock sound confirmed Si-hyeong's binding magic was released.

It was understandable.

Si-hyeong would have had to concentrate all his nerves to defend against such an impact.

"Wow, really amazing. But Eun-ha. You didn't know this?"

"...!"

Ariel appearing behind him then.

Eun-ha clicked his tongue.

At some point she had swum through the sea and climbed onto the ship to capture his back.

Her body being wet with water was proof of that.

"What are you trying to do?"

"What else. Piggyback on No Eun-ha."

Ariel clung tightly.

Whenever Eun-ha tried to move his body, she quickly changed hugging positions to toy with him.

And─.

"─You know the sea is my stage right?"

"...!"

Ariel who tightly squeezed Eun-ha's waist with both legs leaned her body back.

Eun-ha who had somehow come to the railing couldn't overcome her weight and finally fell into the sea.

...These guys are using any means necessary.

Eun-ha sticking his head out of the water.

Ariel had fled somewhere and couldn't be found with his eyes.

He decided to rise to the surface first.

When Eun-ha made that decision─.

─Comet

One arrow soaring into the sky.

The arrow made of mana soon split into multiple branches at the descending point.

Dozens of arrows were falling on his head.

These guys are really trying to kill me?

Eun-ha was dumbfounded seeing the rain of arrows pouring down.

He was going to go easy on them to some extent but he might die if he's not careful.

Burst Counter

☆

For the past few days, Shin Seo-young was in low spirits.

Because of No Eun-ha.

She used her authority to exempt Eun-ha from missions, but contrary to his promise, he didn't train and just lazed around.

Thanks to that, she had to receive glares from not only instructors but other students too.

I was wrong to trust that kid.

She was thinking of directly helping with his training if necessary.

They would arrive in Yokohama in a few days so she couldn't just let him roll around like this.

But as if reading her mind, suddenly rumors swept through the ship that No Eun-ha was having a match.

"They say No Eun-ha is that amazing? It's good timing, I wanted to see his skills once."

Not only instructors but even players.

They came out on deck to directly confirm the skills of No Eun-ha who was as rumored in the industry.

Even ordinary people.

She was at a loss for words seeing the scene where almost everyone except those with work seemed to have come out.

And the divine technique No Eun-ha showed while ignoring their gazes.

"Wow... Is he avoiding attacks with his eyes closed now? No, is that possible? How can he do that?"

"Whew, it's amazing. He's swinging his sword as if seeing with his eyes?"

"Look at how surprised they are. We feel like this watching from here, how must the kids directly facing Eun-ha feel?"

Shin Seo-young observed Eun-ha's match while listening to instructors and players chattering.

The strategy of the kids pushing Eun-ha was quite excellent.

If it had worked properly, they could have ended the match right away.

But Eun-ha's skills were beyond what could be generally imagined.

Players who can avoid multiple attacks with their eyes closed could surely be counted on one hand.

"As expected, it's understandable why instructor-nim said to exempt Eun-ha from missions."

"I know because Eun-ha took my class, but actually Eun-ha has nothing to learn at the academy. The kid somehow knew ten things when taught one, I don't know where he learned from."

"Really... Whenever I see Eun-ha, I think this is the difference in talent. If I were a player instead of an instructor, I probably would have been frustrated because of Eun-ha."

"Discovering No Eun-ah too... Instructor Shin Seo-young seems skilled at finding talent."

"Ah, come to think of it, wasn't No Eun-ah No Eun-ha's older sister? How can siblings both be monsters?"

"Haha..."

Shin Seo-young felt good.

On the other hand, she was also quite burdened by the instructors' praise.

Whether knowing her feelings or not, Eun-ha showed amazing performance against multiple promising talents.

Everyone here couldn't help but admire.

No, it's not just Eun-ha who's amazing.

Those kids' skills are no joke either.

The people's enthusiasm is intense.

There were people who weren't swept up in the fever of admiring No

There were also people who were not swept up in the fever of admiring No Eun-ha's divine technique.

Especially players hired from S-rank clans specifically for the Yokohama journey. 

They were observing Eun-ha and his friends with sharp eyes.

It was understandable.

Their skills were not to be taken lightly either.

Eun-woo's skills have improved a lot.

Min-ji has changed to focus on practical combat.

Cha Eun-woo's buffs were unanimously admired.

It was amazing that she created magic that blocked vision enough to blind the instructors' eyes.

What surprised Shin Seo-young was the buffs she deployed.

Buffs that not only designate targets but also consider the target's mana characteristics were extremely high-level magic.

But Cha Eun-woo was deploying buffs effortlessly in a short time.

Nevertheless, there was no mistake in designating targets, and the effects seemed excellent.

Hye-rim would drool if she knew.

If given the chance, she wanted to see not just buff magic but healing magic or support magic as well.

If Park Hye-rim hadn't made No Eun-ah her <The Seed>, she might have wanted to make her <The Seed>.

While leaving such impressions, Shin Seo-young was also pleased with Kim Min-ji's growth.

Players who hit a wall generally tend to fall into self-deprecation, but she seemed to have overcome that and was constantly striving to know what she needed most.

She liked hard workers.

Hoshimiya Kaede, was it?

She was the kid rumored to be eccentric for using a bow at the academy.

Soon Shin Seo-young stared at the girl holding the Korean bow that others didn't use.

She knew of her existence but was seeing her skills for the first time now.

And Shin Seo-young's impression was that No Eun-ha should keep an eye on her.

Her technique of intervening at the right timing to change the flow was amazing.

Moreover, she even used arrows in various ways.

It was an almost impossible method with firearms that aim for rapid fire.

"Wow, I've never seen someone like that before."

"Well, there's no rule that guardians can only defend. That looks like it could be quite helpful in battle?"

Meanwhile, the person receiving the most attention after No Eun-ha was the small guardian.

Kang Si-hyeong.

People including Shin Seo-young were surprised by his movements utilizing agility and drawing aggro with a loud voice.

He was quite an interesting guardian.

Above all, what was amazing about him was that he was very good at improvising.

Where did Eun-ha find another kid like that?

Shin Seo-young couldn't help but scream when she saw Kang Si-hyeong use stealth to bind No Eun-ha midway.

Other people were the same.

They couldn't help but admire his combat style that seemed to mix guardian, hunter, and ranger.

But Eun-ha was not easy.

He was fine even after receiving such attacks.

But these kids...

In the meantime.

Shin Seo-young suddenly had a thought.

The students facing Eun-ha looked just like they were raiding a boss monster.

No, this was unmistakably a raid.

"Well... You'd have to do that to face No Eun-ha."

Not a match but a raid.

Shin Seo-young soon understood it was understandable.

Just then, the telepath who hadn't shown much activity fell into the sea with Eun-ha.

"...These kids really decided to do a raid?"

While people enthusiastically cheered for the telepath's counterattack.

Shin Seo-young swallowed a hollow laugh.

She was just amazed at the student who jumped into the sea without hesitation.

Soon she learned she was an Ein based on mermaids.

Nevertheless, the technique of instantly binding him and dropping him in the sea was praiseworthy.

The sniper is not bad either.

He still seems unfamiliar but he's not getting excited and timing things well.

He must have a calm personality and know how to wait for a long time.

Meanwhile, Shin Seo-young whistled at the skill of the male student sniping from behind the mast.

Though he didn't seem fully polished like the pink-haired female student, he was a male student showing potential.

But still, he can't beat Eun-ha after all.

The match was already coming to an end.

Shin Seo-young clicked her tongue in regret.

No matter how much they pushed Eun-ha, No Eun-ha leisurely avoided their attacks.

Though she knew No Eun-ha's skills.

The instructors seemed at a loss for words seeing the situation where promising talents couldn't beat Eun-ha even joining forces.

The players also had serious faces.

They couldn't grasp No Eun-ha's skill level.

Really...

I don't know how strong that kid is.

He seems to get stronger every time I see him.

Unlike others, Shin Seo-young calmly appreciated Eun-ha's invincibility.

The people here wouldn't know.

That Eun-ha was hiding his skills under the pretext of a match.

Even she couldn't grasp where No Eun-ha's skills ended.

It was easier to just give up.

Because it still seemed like he had potential to grow.

Right at that moment.

───!!

Monsters appeared.

They probably surged to the surface drawn by the mana those kids were leaking.

Shin Seo-young identified the 6th rank monsters living in the deep sea and tried to respond quickly.

But there was no need.

Huh?

As if he had been reading their existence from the start.

Eun-ha jumped towards the monsters that appeared right nearby while facing his friends.

Mana Crasher, Improved Version

Blue light dyeing the black blade.

Soon the light took on a pale yellow color, and Eun-ha fired mana that seemed condensed on the blade.

The slash taking the form of a crescent moon scattered radially midway─.

"─It's not working as well as I thought."

The slash tore the large-bodied monster to shreds.

Not only that, but another one that popped out right after it too.

He instantly killed two 6th rank monsters.

"That kid is crazy, really... Why show that in front of people..."

Magic that looked incomplete on the surface.

Shin Seo-young couldn't hide her shock seeing such magic tear monsters to shreds like sawing.

When she looked around, instructors were unable to close their mouths, and players had serious faces.

In the end, what she worried about happened.

"I don't know what the problem is... Why does the mana scatter midway?"

No Eun-ha caused trouble.

Shin Seo-young just wanted to say to him muttering nonchalantly.

You, No Eun-ha.

You're the problem...