ocean-life Chapter 58: Burned Out
Chapter 58: Burned Out
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 58: Burned Out
【A spar?】
"Yeah. The next Sword Saint wants to witness the skills that defeated Song Myeongseok."
It wasn't that the two of them had fought each other.
But it wasn't wrong to say that Fafnir had made the greatest contribution to thwarting the attack led by Song Myeongseok.
"Please call me by my name, not my title."
"I don't want to. It feels too friendly."
If they were close or on terms where they could speak informally, in other words, if they became enemies, then he would comfortably call her by her name.
Yoojin didn't classify the woman in front of him as either.
'It'll be decided one way or another soon.'
Or...
She might die before they even have a chance to interact, just like in the original history.
"Will you do it?"
【There's a condition.】
"No way. I'm the one who's supposed to be getting the reward."
【Don't worry. The one who will accept that condition is Master.】
What?
A question mark appeared above Yoojin's head.
【Master should spar with Hunter Jang Miseon first.】
"Whoa, what's with the sudden joke?"
Fafnir stood silently.
Yoojin's bewildered expression was reflected in the calmly burning blue flames.
"Are you... serious?"
【You've been neglecting your spear training lately.】
"I've been swinging it around when I have time."
【My philosophy is consistent. Once you've learned the form, you need to experience actual combat to improve.】
"I've been busy. And if I had tried to use a spear in that situation, I wouldn't have even been able to pick up my bones."
Yoojin strongly objected.
The Hunters who flocked to the border area during the spider hunt were at least 3 Star.
Since he had even given Fafnir the Dragon Scale Armor, close combat would have been a sure defeat.
【When will the enemy ever consider Master's circumstances? Don't ever say you learned from me if you're going to be like that.】
Fafnir didn't back down.
Wow.
He's serious. This guy.
〔Khahahahahaha!!!!〕
Don't laugh, backcountry ghost.
He was the one who asked Fafnir to teach him spear techniques.
Did Fafnir feel responsible for the fact that Yoojin's skills weren't improving quickly?
"Ugh. Fine."
"Is that how it's going to be?"
"Please be gentle. You're not going to go all out on a weak priest, are you?"
"I haven't learned how to control my strength in a spar."
Shing—
Jang Miseon held the Unique ranked weapon, [Wind Sword].
It was the weapon he had briefly seen during the Forgotten Temple raid.
"That's a real sword."
"Yes. I don't carry wooden swords around."
"You're going to swing that without even a protective shield for sparring?"
【Don't worry. I'll stop it if it gets dangerous.】
Damn it.
That's a comforting thought.
"Great warrior. Let's talk later."
【We can do it now.】
"I'll do it later."
An unplanned spar.
Yoojin grumbled as he walked to the empty lot where they had had the dinner party.
* * *
Yoojin and Jang Miseon stood at opposite ends of the empty lot.
The distance between them was about 50 meters.
If they ran with all their might, they could close that distance in less than 3 seconds.
'I didn't expect to warm up here.'
An unexpected spar.
It wasn't a bad situation.
As Fafnir said, it would be a good experience to fight against an opponent who didn't need him to hold back.
'During the Crimson Lair, I was too busy defending against attacks.'
Because there was such a huge difference in level between him and the Red Spider Hunter, he could only barely deflect one attack.
That was a big achievement in itself, but...
In any case, this was the first time he was fighting a Hunter of the same rank.
"You're not planning on going easy, are you?"
"Once I hold a sword, it's my creed to do my best in every moment."
She's tough.
Even though she lost to Song Myeong-seok, it was clear that she possessed comparable talent.
In the Forgotten Temple, she used the [Wind Sword] to cut curses.
It was proof that she could accurately read the flow of mana.
"Fafnir. Let's start by casting some divine spells."
【Do you think the opponent will just stand there and watch while you cast buffs in the middle of battle?】
"A priest fighting a martial arts Hunter should get that much of an advantage."
【Hmm. That makes sense. Go ahead.】
He's acting like a real master now.
He had to do what he had to do to survive. He didn't voice his thoughts because he was the one in need.
[Using Unholy Blessing.]
[Using Giant's Strength.]
[Using Punishing Spike.]
As divine power permeated him, power surged through his entire body.
At the same time, his breathing gradually became rough.
'So this is what stamina consumption feels like.'
Yoojin's strength was equivalent to a low-level 2 Star martial arts Hunter.
With the triple buff, it was comparable to the peak of a 2 Star.
Even if he didn't know what kind of unique traits Jang Miseon had, the difference in their stats shouldn't be overwhelmingly large.
'Ascending Swordsmanship. And the difference in how we use our strength.'
Even with the same amount of strength, the result would differ depending on how it was applied.
It was what Fafnir always said.
Fighting against Jang Miseon, who was of the same rank, made him realize the truth of those words.
"Oh. Are you really a Priest?"
Jang Miseon exclaimed in admiration.
When she received Yoojin's spear strike, she also felt considerable power.
His spear-wielding posture was terrible, but...
The power contained within it was far too strong for a Priest.
Tap, tap.
"She's not giving me any time to rest."
Yoojin clicked his tongue but still moved his spirit power.
From the moment he was pushed back by the sword strike...
The Cursed Fang were once again under his control.
Clank!
The magical weapons closed in right behind the charging Jang Miseon.
In sync with them, Yoojin also charged forward.
'There's no chance of winning if I just dodge.'
A necromancer's main strength was corpses.
Whether it was creating undead or using spirit power to detonate corpses, they overwhelmed their enemies.
Right now, there was nothing.
He hadn't learned any poison-type spells, and there was no time to use the curse engraved on the [Shadow Mask].
'Even if I did, she would cut it down.'
The skill with which she cut down the curse of the Masked Man with the Wind Sword.
Unless he used a catalyst like a ghoul's fingernail to amplify his power...
He couldn't harm Jang Miseon with a low-level curse.
'This is the best I can do.'
[Verdian Basic Spear Technique]
[Fifth Form]
[Charge]
He channeled all the strength in his body into the tip of his spear and charged forward swiftly.
It was a spear technique he hadn't used when sparring with Fafnir.
He couldn't choose to advance in a situation where he was being unilaterally beaten.
'It's the same now, though.'
The same rank?
No.
The difference in their stats might not be huge, but...
He couldn't withstand Jang Miseon, who skillfully wielded Ascending Swordsmanship, for more than a few exchanges.
'Attack together with the Cursed Fang.'
Clang! Clank! Clank!
[Shooting Star Sword]
[Meteor Shower]
A barrage of sword strikes.
After deflecting all the [Cursed Fang] that were launched from various directions, the blade pointed straight ahead.
The tremendous rebound force felt like it would break his wrist.
'It's not working even though I put all my strength into it?'
The pain was enough to bring tears to his eyes.
Even so...
He continuously moved his spirit power for the next move.
[Using Bone Spear.]
He launched the [Cursed Fang] that had bounced back near him once more, and then...
[Using Midnight Sun.]
[Spirit Power → Divine Power]
[Using Life Drain.]
He used the vitality he had accumulated in advance to recover his aching wrist and stamina.
'It feels different.'
Before his return, he rarely had to fight by moving his own body.
He had roughly learned physical techniques because he had experienced all sorts of battles on land, sea, and air.
Why would a necromancer be at the front lines?
Therefore...
Fighting while simultaneously using spear techniques and necromancy stimulated Yoojin with a sensation he had never felt before.
'Should I try some more?'
His skin tingled.
He felt like a new inspiration would come to him if he sparred a little longer.
Crack—!
"Whew. You're quite something, you."
Immediately after using Meteor Shower and deflecting the Bone Spear that followed, Jang Miseon breathed heavily.
"Are you really a Priest? How are you so good at fighting?"
"You're pretending to be weak without even revealing all your cards."
"That applies to Hunter Yoojin as well."
That's not true.
What could she expect from a necromancer without any corpses?
Clang! Clank! Clank! Clank!
Yoojin attacked from multiple angles, simultaneously utilizing [Bone Control], [Bone Spear], and [Verdian Basic Spear Technique].
Jang Miseon deflected all the time-delayed and simultaneous attacks with a single sword.
Clang—!
When it had been 5 minutes since the two began exchanging blows...
The bone spear in Yoojin's hand was flung into the air, spinning before plunging into the ground.
The blade was pointed at his neck.
"That was a good spar."
"I learned a lot thanks to you."
It was the moment when the victor and the loser were decided, but...
There wasn't a shadow of negativity on either of their faces.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]