Chapter 105 Demon (5)
「Get ready. The free fight is about to begin.」
There was no matching. This meant that the opponent wasn’t at least a present challenger. That aside, what did free fight mean? If he hadn’t heard about the trial from the Sword Demon in advance, Yoon-seok would’ve been caught off-guard.
「Countdown is starting.」
An arena that was at least ten times larger than the previous 8th-floor Infinite Duel. A total of eight figures, including Yoon-seok, stood set at regular intervals.
「3.」
According to Sword Demon, they were challengers who had been subjected to this trial in the past. There wasn’t a standard on who will be present, and it was said to be random. Thankfully, no one seemed particularly dangerous.
「2.」
He was worried. What if a monster like Cheon-ma appeared? Well, he would always be happy to be up against a strong opponent, but…only to a certain extent.
「1.」
After the last second, a new notification appeared.
「Survive for 30 minutes.」
Yoon-seok wasn’t surprised because he’d heard about it in advance. However, the other challengers who thought this was real were different.
“Wait!”
As soon as it started, everyone stopped in unison.
“It seems that we only need to survive 30 minutes, so we don’t necessarily have to see blood, right?”
A man who appeared to be from Moorim spoke up. He wore neat attire and an antiquely styled beard. With his elderly appearance, he emitted a very gentle atmosphere.
“…”
Did he think he couldn’t jump to conclusions? No one agreed to his argument. But no one ignored his opinion and pulled out a weapon either. Come to think of it; the Sword Demon said this was how it went. A minute after the start, until this phrase appeared.
「Rewards will be paid based on the number of people killed.」
「Special compensation will be given if the duel ends within 15 minutes.」
It was different from the other trials. It wasn’t a fight to survive or die, but a choice. Peace would come if everyone gave up their greed, but.…
‘That’s never going to happen.’
In an instant, the challengers’ eyes changed. What was a little funny was that the man who made the initial suggestion also changed.
“…”
He was sure everyone also saw the notification, but no one said anything. The heavy silence, like the calm before the storm. The stadium was heated up by everyone’s desire to kill.
‘But is this also a coincidence?’
Yoon-seok, who was casually observing the challengers, discovered a new fact. Two mythical creatures, two human beings, two beast-people, and two elves. Coincidentally, the eight challengers gathered here had the same ratios, and Yoon-seok wasn’t the only one who noticed this.
—Look, I’m not sure because you’re wearing a mask, but seeing how all of them are teamed up, I thought you are one of us. Why don’t we join forces?
He heard it as if someone whispered next to him. It was clear whose voice this was. Even if they didn’t state that they were human, he could feel the sound waves vibrating off through the man’s inner power, the same man who first sought peace.
—Oh, do you not know how to use Sonic Casting?
Yoon-seok had never heard of this technique before. At first, he thought it might be a skill, but seeing how it vibrated off his internal energy meant it was a technique.
—Then you don’t have to answer. Just nod your head if you agree.
Cheon-ma didn’t teach him this. Perhaps she didn’t feel the need to tell him. But he just hadn’t learned; it wasn’t that he couldn’t.
‘Is this how you do it?’
Instead of expressing one’s opinion with body language, Yoon-seok spoke after channeling inner energy on his lips. Then, he manipulated the sound waves to prevent them from spreading and sent them straight to the person he wanted.
‘Seems like there are many loopholes as the principle is simple.’
Anyone sensitive to Qi would notice if someone were using sound waves, and if one decided to take that path, he would be able to eavesdrop easily.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
Maybe Yoon-seok’s voice was properly transmitted as he received an instant reply.
—As expected, we’re from the same place. Under the circumstances, I can’t tell you my name, but I’m from Jeonchang Sect. And I don’t intend to betray a junior here.
Jeonchang Sect. Yoon-seok, who wasn’t from Moorim, didn’t know where it was. However, seeing how he was asking for his trust with confidence, it must be a sect association. He was dumbfounded.
—I’ll distract them. And if I see a chance, I’ll kill the mythical female creature with sharp ears first. She appears the most threatening. Don’t lose the opportunity; just kill one person.
Stating a strategy like that so casually. Well, he didn’t blame him. If he could overcome the 5th-floor, he could overcome this too. Nevertheless, these people here chose to risk their lives to go through trials to kill their opponents. Therefore, Yoon-seok never had any sympathy or mercy in this place, and he could understand the man who used simple tricks to win.
But…
‘How can he ask me to believe him and say things like that….’
Wasn’t that absurd? In Yoon-seok’s eyes, the man seemed like someone who would put a knife in his back if given a chance. Perhaps he took Yoon-seok’s silence as an agreement; the man continued as planned.
“Hey! Everybody calm down! Even if we fight, let’s talk first!”
“Talk? You’re kidding.”
The creatures snorted, the elves remained silent, and beast-people held up their weapons and stayed on guard.
“Kill and earn rewards. It’s no different than now. Everyone chose a grand trial with their own hands, so why would we hesitate?”
“Not everyone thinks the same thing as you. Hey, girl! What about you? There’s a way for all of us to survive. Do we have to shed blood?”
The man, talking to the mythical creatures, naturally shot a question at the elf woman he had targeted earlier. She couldn’t answer immediately, as the man shouted while pointing at Yoon-seok.
“That man said he’s with me. Please lend your strength to me, lady!”
At first, he asked for an opinion, but not anymore. He persuaded her by clearly stating his goal. Did he think it was good to be in the majority? The fairy nodded after much thinking.
“Okay, if there’s a way for everyone to survive, I’d love to see that.”
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In an instant, three challengers joined forces. Perhaps this side was more advantageous, as another beast-person joined.
“All of you don’t look easy, and we don’t know what the extra rewards are, so there’s no need to take the risk. Let me join.”
So four of them gathered. The rest of them couldn’t move hastily. Two mythical creatures, one fairy, and one beast-person. It was foolish to go against the majority unless they were united.
“Tsk. If this was bound to happen, then I should’ve relaxed.”
Soon after, the fairy and beast, who didn’t belong to this side, also laid their decision down. In the end, only the two aggressive mythical creatures were left. They remained on guard, but they didn’t make the first attack.
Yoon-seok was stunned. It was a talent that the man was able to turn the tables to his influence. It seemed that they finally came to have peace. Like the common saying that nuclear weapons inhibit war, the first thing needed for peace was power. That was why a bitter taste remained in his mouth.
He felt that the man was looking for an opportunity to carry out the previous plan, even in this situation.
‘In the end, it was just a trick from the start.’
Even before the rewards were announced, the man proposed to maintain peace. But now, it was suspicious whether he even meant it or not. Yoon-seok drew his Judgment Sword slightly from its sheathe, and he scanned each challenger in order.
「You’ve encountered evil.」
There were a total of three people who had the mark. Two oppressed mythical creatures who couldn’t seem to fight in this situation and…the guy who created all this.
‘Was he just a madman…?’
He almost let out an exasperated laugh. It would have been better if he had hidden intentions or needed the rewards. But looking at him, he was enjoying the whole situation. Even the fact that he came from Jeonchang or whatever sect also seemed like a lie.
‘Who is this guy?’
Yoon-seok remained silent while questioning such things. However, as if he’d sensed something wrong when Yoon-seok suddenly pulled out his sword, the man asked.
“Brother, please keep your sword! In this situation, we don’t have to shed blood. So don’t trigger it. The same goes for everyone. I know you’re all nervous, but please lower your weapons!”
The man said so not only to Yoon-seok but also to the others. But no one put down their weapons. The man didn’t even care about them.
“Lady, please lower your weapons! Didn’t you say you wanted to see if there was a way to survive? Let me help you!”
He clung to the elf woman. The reason was simple. As he said earlier, unlike her gentle-looking personality, she had the most threatening presence.
“…Okay.”
The woman reluctantly lowered her arms. And just then.
—Now!
With a single word, the man’s body disappeared. Power? Skills? He had no idea. However, just like Yoon-seok’s Enhanced Speed, his body moved next to the fairy woman instantly, and the moment he tried to stab his sword into her heart.
Yoon-seok sliced the air with a sympathetic smile.
‘Well, I might look the craziest here, but….’
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The second tactic of the Heavenly Sword, Traverse.
Slash-!
A solid line formed across the elf woman’s neck, and her head slid down and fell to the floor.
「One enemy is killed.」
Surprisingly, it was not by the man’s sword. But Yoon-seok’s.
“…?”
The man stood frozen at what just happened before the sword reached. He couldn’t seem to understand the situation at all, but…all he did was observe because he was curious about the man’s next move. That’s what he expected all this while.
“I’m sorry, everyone.”
Yoon-seok apologized to the other challengers. They all chose to take on the trial of their own will, and he didn’t intend to rationalize just because they were recreated by the Tower.
“…B-brother? What are you talking about all of a sudden? D-did you do this, too?”
Yoon-seok didn’t reply to the man’s words. He didn’t feel the need to do so. Instead, he looked at the other challengers and continued.
“I need to be stronger.”
He realized it again today. If he wanted peace, he needed to have power. Absolute power that could suppress anyone. Of course, no one would die if Yoon-seok wanted that to happen because he had to be powerful enough to accomplish that.
But how long would that work? He couldn’t accomplish what he wanted without it. To reach the goal by bearing everything without avoiding anything was the definition of Demon Path for Yoon-seok.
It wasn’t decided by anyone else but himself.
「 To Lady’s Commandment, the range of Judgment of the Ruined Monarch is increased by 10 times within the realm.」
Soon after completing all the preparations, Yoon-seok looked at the man again and said.
“I don’t know if you’ve overcome this trial or not. But if we meet again….”
Yoon-seok chanted the command internally, then continued under the instantly darkened sky.
“I’ll kill you again wherever you are.”
Whooooooooosh-!
With the roar of space tearing apart, the Light of Destruction sank throughout the arena. Yoon-seok muttered in a small voice.
“Well, you won’t even remember.”
「Victory.」
「1,500,000 AP will be paid as a reward.」
「All enemies were killed. 3.5 million AP will be paid as an additional reward.」
「The duel ended within 15 minutes. Special rewards will be given.」
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「Unique Skill {Predation} has been activated.」
Was it because he killed as many as seven challengers all at once? As {Predation} activated, the notifications stacked up. Regardless, Yoon-seok looked at the bracelet on his wrist. The gray beads somehow looked a little darker.
It was starting to annoy him.