Chapter 98. Guild Buff (4)
“…….”
“…….”
Silence enveloped the sparring arena.
Faces of rankers and promising talents alike were filled with shock. However, ‘Did I overdo it?’
The person at the center of the controversy, Kim Shimun, simply blinked calmly.
Shortly after, ‘No, it was just right.’
Kim Shimun looked down at Kang Hwawi, who was sprawled on the floor, with satisfaction in his eyes.
In reality, “Keu, keuhuk!”
Though trembling like a crushed bug, Kang Hwawi was groaning in pain as he slowly picked himself up.
‘S-rank trait Flesh Armor. To penetrate that, I needed to exert this much power.’
S-rank trait Flesh Armor.
It was the unique trait that turned Kang Hwawi into a promising talent of the Continental, making his flesh harder the more he gained weight.
‘Thanks to it, even after becoming a ranker, he was mocked for flaunting his Flesh Armor.’
Kang Hwawi, notorious for his nasty temper. Because of his appearance and the trait’s name, even as a ranker, he was subjected to much ridicule.
‘We used to chew him out, calling him the Flesh Bug.’
Especially since he excessively oppressed the Korean defectors. Among Koreans, his nickname was upgraded to Flesh Bug, leading to an unfortunate incident. Of course, this led to even fiercer oppression towards Koreans.
But what can be done?
‘It’s all his own karma.’
It was karma that Kang Hwawi himself had built.
“Kugh…”
With trembling legs, Kang Hwawi struggled to rise. To an onlooker, it seemed like a massive blow. However, the shock Kang Hwawi experienced was more mental than physical.
That was because, ‘How did he neutralize my Heart Burst Palm?’
When Kim Shimun’s chest was directly hit by the Heart Burst Palm, Kang Hwawi clearly felt it.
‘He completely neutralized my aura.’
His aura, which he had plunged into Kim Shimun’s insides to rupture his organs, dissipated futilely. Moreover, ‘Not only that, he reversed my Heart Burst Palm on me.’
This was no mistake. Kim Shimun’s hand, which was burrowed into his chest, contained the essence of Heart Burst Palm, penetrative enough to infiltrate. Even more so, if he hadn’t experienced it directly with his body?
Holding onto that doubt, “How did you use Heart Burst Palm!”
Kang Hwawi spat out, along with an unidentified yellow liquid. It was a sight that naturally furrowed brows.
“Who knows? It just worked when I tried it.”
Kim Shimun simply shrugged.
“You! You’re mocking me till the end!”
Kang Hwawi burst out in anger, but Kim Shimun’s attitude remained unchanged. Naturally.
‘In my past life, heart Burst Palm was already a widely known technique.’
Heart Burst Palm.
Though it was Ranker Kang Hwawi’s signature technique, it was merely refined from a technique developed by a first-generation ranker of the Continental.
The combination of the solid defensive trait Flesh Armor and the internal shock-inducing Heart Burst Palm was indeed a formidable one.
However, as it was a technique conceived by the first generation, naturally, various countermeasures against Heart Burst Palm appeared. Someone even deciphered the principle of Heart Burst Palm and spread it as a public good among fight-centric players.
And that someone had mastered the martial art, ‘With Heavenly Demon Divine Art, it would be strange if I couldn’t mimic it.’
Kim Shimun had also learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, so performing Heart Burst Palm was not a big deal.
Originally, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, martial arts of a high-ranking constellation, easily facilitated understanding of other lower martial arts.
‘Malsuk called it a kind of universal solution, didn’t she?’
Kim Shimun glanced outside the sparring arena. At Go Malsuk, who had a dumbfounded expression. She who spread the Continental’s Heart Burst Palm technique worldwide, from the Continental’s perspective, a notorious villainess and a madwoman.
In his past life as Heavenly Demon, she was the nightmare of all combat-oriented individuals and simultaneously a mentor. Thanks to her, many giant guilds’ techniques were spread as public goods.
‘The assistance from my past life still influences me. Thank you, Malsuk.’
The corners of his lips lifted instinctually at the sight of her. As Go Malsuk met his gaze, she quickly turned away, her cheeks coloring slightly.
“This guy, pissing me off till the end!”
Observing this, Kang Hwawi’s eyes grew fierce, interpreting his action as another slight.
“Let’s see how long you can keep laughing at me!”
His eyes, sunk into his hefty cheeks, narrowed even further. At that moment, a dark red hue flashed across his pupils.
“I’ll crush that damn face of yours!”
With a roar, Kang Hwawi’s form shot forward explosively. Whether it was due to his massive bulk or his significantly increased speed, boom! A soundwave, like never before, accompanied Kang Hwawi as he catapulted right in front of Kim Shimun.
“What kind of pig moves that fast!”
Go Malsuk yelled out from the side. Along with her shout, “Die!”
Kang Hwawi’s hands poured down like a torrential rain.
Whoosh!
His thick arms moved at a speed that made them nearly invisible. Each blow was imbued with the essence of Heart Burst Palm, a technique capable of causing severe internal injuries from the slightest touch.
However.
Keeng.
Odin’s Eye activated.
The brilliant golden pupils turned Kang Hwawi’s fierce assault into a slow-motion video. Kim Shimun leisurely navigated through the slowed onslaught of Heart Burst Palm. But then, ‘Wait.’
Just as during Kang Hwawi’s accelerated charge, the activated Odin’s Eye made it clear.
‘This energy is Dragon Force, isn’t it?’
The Dragon Force coursing explosively through Kang Hwawi’s hefty frame.
‘This isn’t just Dragon Force; it’s more like dragon blood.’
The dark red Dragon Force ceaselessly raced through Kang Hwawi’s body, reminiscent of an accelerated bloodstream. Finding the cause wasn’t difficult.
‘It must be something that enhances abilities, like my uncle got.’
Having experienced a similar phenomenon with his uncle, Kim Muyeol, before.
“You’re just running away like a rat!”
Amidst the barrage of Heart Burst Palm, Kang Hwawi’s mocking voice slipped through. Kim Shimun, completely ignoring him, glanced at Seo Wiryong, anxiously fidgeting outside the sparring ground.
Unlike Kang Hwawi, there was not a speck of Dragon Force on him.
‘Does this mean not all members of the Continental Guild possess Dragon Force?’
Yet, both his uncle Kim Muyeol and Kang Hwawi did possess it. Considering their connection, the conclusion was singular.
‘I see. Only those related to Zhang Liqiu possess the Dragon Force.’
Kim Shimun quickly grasped the situation, curling his fingers.
‘Having Dragon Force means I could easily handle this with Divine Eye, but…’
Given that killing Kang Hwawi wasn’t an option, using Divine Eye might just alert the enemies unnecessarily, possibly even reaching the ears of the dragonkin.
‘That won’t do.’
Especially since Princess Ashaz of the Naga advised that any who see Divine Eye must be killed. He had no intention of revealing his trump card to the enemy.
Of course, ‘There’s no need to use Divine Eye on this guy.’
Tak.
Amidst the ceaselessly erupting soundwaves, a crisp noise rang out. Reacting to it, the ground trembled and then, crackle!
The floor morphed into shapes of fists and spikes, erupting upwards in a surge.
“Tch!”
Kang Hwawi, not one to be deterred so easily, clicked his tongue and evaded.
“Typical sly small country tricks!”
He stepped on the emerging fists and spikes, advancing against them.
“Just die quietly!”
Had he forgotten this was just a sparring match?
Kang Hwawi, unhesitatingly, swung his thick palms, speaking of death as if it were nothing, a sinister smile on his lips.
“Although I failed to secure the DS, with the Dragon Blood Elixir alone, I am the strongest at this level!”
The Dragon Blood Elixir, a power-enhancing pill.
I had to admit it was a step behind the DS, a special attribute-enhancer.
“If I catch that guy here, maybe His Majesty the Spear King will grant me the DS as well.”
Since taking the Dragon Blood Elixir, Kang Hwawi had never faced defeat. How much stronger would he become if he obtained the DS as well?
Greed flickered in the eyes embedded in his swollen flesh.
“I’ll finish this with all my might!”
Whoosh.
Kang Hwawi gathered the energy of the Dragon Blood Elixir spread throughout his body and concentrated it in his palm. Though this would inevitably slow down his movements, he had already locked onto his target and accelerated, making further speed unnecessary.
However.
Swoosh.
Kim Shimun, with a fist clenched, watched Kang Hwawi indifferently.
“Ha! Have you given up on running away? Truly a decision befitting a man!”
Kang Hwawi, exulting at the comment, energetically swung his full might.
“And I’ll make that damned face of yours truly manly as well…”
The moment Kang Hwawi’s palm met with Kim Shimun’s unleashed fist, Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Strike.
Crash.
A deafening noise erupted. Then, Like a water balloon filled to the brim, Kang Hwawi’s body rippled from the point of contact, sequentially throughout.
Crack.
With a chilling sound of bones cracking, crash!
The protective suit that had barely held Kang Hwawi’s body together burst open.
* * *
Without even a scream, Kang Hwawi was flung into the air, eyes rolled back. The shocking scene, with fragments of the protective suit scattering, froze everyone in place.
“Senior!”
“Right!”
Fitting for top-tier players, Kim Shihyuk and Park Jinwook were the first to snap out of it and dash to the arena.
Woosh.
Beneath Park Jinwook’s feet, dark shadows poured out.
“Got it!”
The shadows cushioned Kang Hwawi’s hefty body like a soft mattress.
Then, “Everybody, stand back!”
At Kim Shihyuk’s command, swords seemed to spring from nowhere, soaring into the air.
Clang!
A loud clash of metal resounded in all directions. Understandably so, the impact was strong enough to shatter the protective suit and cause fractures.
As the situation settled, “Kang-hyung!”
Coming to his senses, Seo Wiryong hurriedly ran towards Kang Hwawi.
“We need to treat him quickly!”
Perhaps because they were in a foreign country?
Seo Wiryong, unsure of what to do, looked around in panic until a gentle hand grasped his shoulder.
“Calm down, Seo Wiryong-ssi.”
“Saintess!”
It was Lee Yujeong, known as the Unbreakable Saintess.
“Please! Save Kang-hyung!”
“I was going to do that anyway, so please step back.”
Though famous for her incredible strength, the Saintess, true to her nickname, also possessed supreme healing magic. Hmm, she treated Kang Hwawi with divine magic, which made even the highest-tier support classes seem insignificant.
“His whole body is fractured, and he has some serious internal injuries. I’ve taken some measures, but it would be unreasonable to fly back to China right away.”
She skillfully assessed Kang Hwawi’s condition.
“You’ll need to hospitalize him in Korea for a few days. Just to be safe, have him undergo a check-up designed for Awakened individuals.”
“Th-thank you! Really, thank you so much!”
Seo Wiryong repeatedly bowed, expressing his gratitude.
Behind him, a clear and distinct voice asked, “Yujeong, how’s player Kang Hwawi? Is he alright?”
Before they knew it, Shimun, who had taken off his protective suit, approached them.
“It’s okay. Even though it’s a full-body fracture, his internals weren’t punctured or anything…”
Dusting herself off and standing up, Yujeong glanced at the lying Kang Hwawi and said, “You did control your strength, didn’t you?”
“Did you notice?”
“I’m a ranker too, you know.”
“Ha ha! Now that you mention it, that’s right.”
Shimun smirked with amusement. Hearing their conversation, Seo Wiryong couldn’t help but open his mouth in astonishment.
‘This is… what he calls controlling his strength?’
The S-rank trait, Flesh Armor.
Its defense capability had been widely proven not just among many of the Continental’s advanced practitioners but globally.
‘Even I can’t easily break through Kang-hyung’s Flesh Armor…’
And there Shimun was, not just breaking through Kang Hwawi’s Flesh Armor in one hit, but shattering the protective suit and causing full-body fractures and internal injuries with what he called a controlled attack?
Moreover, ‘Wasn’t Kim Shimun a player from the mage class?’
It was well known that Shimun was skilled in close combat.
‘But he didn’t even use those absurdly powerful Thunder Spears or Flame Swords…’
He hadn’t even used his real means of attack.
Yet, this was the result?
“Ha…”
A bitter laugh escaped him.
‘Kim Shimun, this person really is…’
Was it ‘Sky above the Sky’ as they say?
Feeling as though he had experienced there being a sky beyond the sky, and that both skies were embodied by one person, left Seo Wiryong feeling quite faint.
“Player Seo Wiryong.”
A clear and vivid voice brought Seo Wiryong out of his thoughts. Struggling, he turned his head to look at Shimun who had called him.
“Could you spare me some time? There’s something I’d like to talk about.”
* * *
In another spectator stand of the sparring area.
“Hehe. Looks like I’ve stumbled upon something amazing.”
There, a woman in black leather clothes, legs crossed and chin in hand, gazed at the sparring area with sparkling eyes.
Precisely, “To think that he would smash that rock-like boar in one hit. Huhu, it’s such a delightful sight.”
She smirked as she watched Kang Hwawi being carried away on a stretcher.
“How about it? Yuto, aren’t you amazed? You used to complain about how your sword got stuck in that flesh before…”
Riko’s words trailed off.
Turning around with a giggle, her expression suddenly became grave.
“Yuto, no.”
Her tone was short and firm. However, thud. The neatly dressed schoolboy, Yuto, kept his gaze fixed on Shimun and continued walking without stopping. Riko quickly stepped in front of him.
Clutching the hilt of his sword at his waist, Yuto spoke in a flat tone, “Move.”
“Move, my foot! Have you lost your mind?”
Gone was her usually calm demeanor, replaced by desperate urgency.
“Even after seeing that solid boar get blown away in one hit, you’re getting cocky? Shimun didn’t even use magic!”
“I know.”
“Knowing that, why are you acting like this? And do you think you stand a chance against Shimun?”
Riko’s outcry was sharp, but her words held truth.
“That was a duel with specific conditions. Your mere challenge of vanity won’t be accepted!”
“I know.”
Yuto consistently responded with an indifferent face. Yet, despite his calm expression, his eyes gleamed with the excitement of a wild beast.
“This damn brat! You’re not a parrot, so stop with the ‘I know’ already!”
“If I propose the right conditions for the challenge, it’ll be fine.”
“The right conditions for the challenge?”
Riko blinked at Yuto’s words.
Then, “Hey!! You’re not thinking of?!”
Could she have guessed something?
“No way, you absolutely can’t join the guild!”
Riko screeched, pulling out a plethora of hidden weapons.