Chapter 36 Awakening (1)
The scattered puzzle pieces awkwardly start fitting together little by little. The reason why Kim Chae-eun, a talented and charming player, wasn’t in the original work was because she became a victim of indiscriminate murder orchestrated by <Villain> clan and Ha Do-kwon in the end-of-term evaluation.
‘So, Professor Kim Myeong-hyun’s involvement wasn’t also revealed.’ If Kim Chae-eun dies in this incident, Professor Kim Myeong-hyun would have retired from the Academy and disappeared. Then, after discovering the entire truth, he would have sharpened his vengeance sword against <Villain> clan.
The <Villain> Clan is a criminal organization that commits countless heinous and chilling crimes, and naturally, there are many Holders who live their lives seeking revenge against them. If the story followed the original, Professor Kim Myeong-hyun might have been one of those avengers. This development might have been overlooked or appeared later in the original work, which is likely high,since I couldn’t see it and ended up in this situation.
So, I didn’t anticipate that Kim Chae-eun’s opponent would be Ha Do-kwon. “Damn it...” I couldn’t help but swear at my own carelessness. I should have predicted this.
“Why? What’s wrong?” Park Jin-woo, taken aback by my sudden profanity, asked.
While looking at him, I noticed the sword hanging at his waist. “Park Jin-woo, lend me your sword.”
“What? Again? Ah, no way. You’re going to break it like last time.”
He was referring to the sword I borrowed when capturing Grizzly Drake. Back then, I infused the sword with all my magic power and pushed it beyond its limits, using [Sky-Shattering Heavenly Sword]. However, it couldn’t withstand the massive magic power and advanced skills of the opponent, and the sword shattered into pieces. Although I did ask him afterwards, he seemed unhappy that the sword had been broken even for a moment.
I immediately made a deal. “I’ll buy you an even more expensive one. No, I’ll give you double the price.”
“Again, using money to solve things. You’re like a third-generation chaebol. Forget it. I have plenty of money too.”
It seemed like he was still mad about it. Park Jin-woo’s attitude was quite stubborn. I sighed softly and then made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“...I’ll give you ten re-duels. Whenever you want.”
“Oh, damn. Why are you asking? I’ll give it to you right away. Should I sharpen it for you?”
“Just shut up and hand it over, quickly.”
After receiving the sword from Park Jin-woo, I surveyed the tension-filled exam room.
-Both Holders, greet each other, and prepare for the duel.
The duel was already entering its initial phase. I needed to plan quickly. ‘I can’t just stop the duel without a plan.’
Honestly, I wanted to shout at Kim Chae-eun to escape quickly and take care of that Ha Do-kwon bastard myself. But that could have backfired. Right now, Ha Do-kwon was just an ordinary examinee who hadn’t done anything wrong. Trying to stop him like a crazy person would only harm Kim Chae-eun.
It was a time to act rationally rather than emotionally. ‘A few injuries here and there won’t be a problem.’
In all practical duels within the Academy, causing harm to the opponent in any way was allowed. There were several reasons for this. It matched the concept of ‘real-life combats’, and because Holders had the stat of ‘Toughness’, they could withstand some rough dueling. Even so, the crucial reason was the existence of the supervisors and the Recovery Medical Team.
The supervisor overseeing the test was a high-grade Holder who could intervene in emergencies, and similarly, the Recovery Medical Team could treat any trauma the Holder suffered. Basic safety measures were in place.
‘But it’s a different story if you attack the vitals.’
In practical duels where everything was permitted, there was only one thing prohibited: attacking the vitals, such as the head or heart, or continuously attacking the same area. Such fatal attacks would cause the Holder to die instantly, without any opportunity for the supervisor or medical team to intervene.
That’s why the Academy strictly prohibited such attacks in practical duels. Even so, Ha Do-kwon disregarded the rules and killed the opponent.
In other words, I had to take advantage of the moment when Ha Do-kwon aimed at Kim Chae-eun’s vitals. I had to turn that moment around. To do that, Kim Chae-eun needed to endure a little longer, and I had to find a clean opportunity to strike.
‘Axe Charging.’
This time, he infused his axe with all the magic and strength he had. Kim Chae-eun’s legs were tangled, causing her to stumble. She lost her balance while trying to evade the previous attack, leaving her in a vulnerable position. Moreover, she didn’t even see Ha Do-kwon’s next attack coming.
If this attack hit her, Kim Chae-eun’s head would be crushed as it is.
‘Huh. finally, finally.... How long has it been since I’ve seen the taste of blood!!’
Excitement runs through his body at the thought of tasting blood. His throat as he swallows his saliva trembles, and his hands holding the axe are sweaty.
Since they hadn’t aimed at the crucial areas yet, even the supervisor could not have predicted that anything special would happen.
If he cut Kim Chae-eun’s head with an axe like this, everyone will find out about his murder.
“For real, die... !!”
His axe was approaching her head, and it seemed like he didn’t plan to change his target. The next moment, however, someone shouted his name loudly.
Ha Do-kwonnn-!!
Ha Do-kw-on, Ha Do-kwo-nnn, Ha Do-kwon-!!
His name echoed. Simultaneously, his axe, which was about to reach Kim Chae-eun’s head.... Stopped right in front of her.
‘What... What’s going on?’
Ha Do-kwon’s face showed surprise. He had put all his strength into the axe, but suddenly, after the shout, his body came to a halt.
Frozen.
His body literally stopped moving.
Ha Do-kwon was somewhat familiar with this state. It was probably the ‘Fear’ status effect. It was already astonishing that someone had a status effect like this in an actual duel match where nobody would normally interfere. Moreover, to use it at the perfect timing, it was impossible to predict without thoroughly understanding <Villain>’s plan.
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TL NOTE:-
Chaebol refers to someone with a large family-owned business.
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