Chapter 250 – Plum Blossom Tree (3)

A nauseating taste in the mouth.

– Bang!

A one-to-many raid, an occasional occurrence in dungeons.

Saku, donning her gauntlet, unleashed a light pink mana and struck Plum with full force.

– Whiririk!

A single strike.

Fist met fist.
When that failed, Saku, lowering her center of gravity, leaped into the air as if flying, and struck the side of his head with her leg.

Slowly, like a hunting dog pursuing a wild boar.
She circled him at breakneck speed, landing blow after blow.

Pink cherry blossoms scattered along her snow-white ankles.

Above the night sky, a lone fox ascended the path of the fluttering cherry blossoms.

– Tadaak!

As she spun, she slammed her heel down on her opponent’s forearm. Plum caught it.

It was a sight reminiscent of a video game – breathtakingly beautiful.

“Keep pressing on.”

I might have admired the situation if it hadn’t been this horrendous.

– *Ting.*

Everyone present had to tense up when they heard the bell sound. You never know when you’ll vanish and appear before someone else. One misstep and you could be eliminated on the spot.

If deemed unable to fight, you’re automatically disqualified. It meant that my healing powers couldn’t shine here.

*Nonetheless.*

It requires a long period of focus and strategy, but it’s not yet enough to unlock the status window.

– *Thump!*

Plum counters Saku’s kick, generating a rough pulsating sound as Saku, pushed back by the power struggle, flies a little distance away. Soo-yeon and Cornus seize the opportunity to intervene.

Their swords resonate with mana, emitting a sharp sound. Prajna’s magic provides support from behind. A flawless combination that would work even against S-class opponents. They harmonize without having to discuss tactics, trusting each other’s skills implicitly.

Cornus was fulfilling her role effectively.

“Kuhh…”

Plum, rather than succumbing to the mounting fatigue, smiled instead.

I seized the opportunity, slipping between them and swinging my sword.

-Paang!

His eyes eerily rolled as he grabbed hold of my sword. His face was now mere inches from mine.

“When will you actually fight properly?”

Admittedly, I approached this situation somewhat lackadaisically, but it seemed he saw through it even amidst the chaos. In any case, there were less than 30 minutes remaining. Stalling for time was far more advantageous than attempting to defeat my opponent.

“Well.”

“…Fine, then.”

Plum’s fist targeted my solar plexus.

“I’ll force you to fight properly.”

Releasing my sword, I immediately clenched my fists and resumed my stance. I deflected his punch with my elbow, and a chilling pain surged through my arm, making my bones ache.

I quickly reclaimed the sword Plum had snatched away.

The substance transformed into liquid, returning to my grip and reassuming the form of the sword.

*Bang!*

Maehwa repels the incoming attacks from Soo-yeon and Cornus, before directing his assault back at me. As he channels his full strength, his entire body is shrouded in fluctuating blue mana.

Dodging the attack, I land a solid punch on his jaw.

*Ugh!*

“Kuhh.”

Despite taking the hit, his body remains unwavering, his eyes fierce and intimidating.

‘This guy… is he just a pervert?’

After exchanging a few blows, it becomes clear to me.

He’s been enhancing his body just enough to barely withstand his opponents’ attacks. While I’ve seen battle maniacs before, it’s unnerving to encounter someone this intensely committed.

‘Can you handle more?’

His gaze appears to challenge me in that way.

*Clang.*

His speed increases a notch.

The weight behind my fist, and my body signaling its desire to escape this situation immediately.

Dodging the attack and countering in between, there was no time for retaliation now.

A close-quartered combat where a single move could become a massive variable.

– Hiss.

A smile formed on his face.

Let’s see if this can be evaded. The thoughts etched on his face were blatantly visible.

Ting. Ting.

In that moment, the speed doubled. He had to catch up with the pace he had barely adapted to. Cracks appeared in the space, and Plum’s new form vanished. White clusters of magical power bloomed from his body like flowers.

He pursued the remnants of those blossoms.

With a flash, Plum reappeared and swung his fist in midair.

– Fwoosh!

A speed too fast for the eye to follow. Petals swayed before his eyes.

He couldn’t keep up.

However, the heightened senses of his entire body and the signals they sent fervently revealed the opponent’s position.

My body, sharpened by the focus on the battle, was able to detect even the most subtle flow of magical energy. I lowered my sword and raised one arm to deflect the incoming attack.

Time seemed to slow down, as if in slow motion.

I managed to fend off the relentless onslaught, reminiscent of a ferocious beast. Plum, who had been engaged in combat with me, put some distance between us.

*Thud.*

Plum’s eyes narrowed menacingly.

“What the…”

He muttered under his breath, casting a brief, incredulous glance my way. His gaze then shifted to the side, where Soo-yeon was standing.

“…I came to see that woman, but there’s more to it.”

What?

“What are you talking about?”

No answer came to my question.

With those words, Plum resumed his defense against Saku’s assault. He fell back, creating ample space to recover the mental energy he had expended to its limit. For a moment, Plum’s gaze at me seemed to be clouded with uncertainty.

*Throb.*

As I directed my gaze to the pain in my arm, I saw the area that had been struck was a vivid red. Flesh ruptured, blood oozed. Even though all of his mana was expended on bodily reinforcement, he was undeniably powerful.

*Thud!*

The sound echoed from afar.

Plum’s movements gradually closed in. As he dodged and parried the tenacious attacks surrounding him, the tinkling of bells signaled the narrowing distance.

‘Hold on.’

A shiver ran down my spine.

‘It seems like this bastard is only after me.’

His gaze locked onto me. A sense of foreboding sadness was rarely wrong.

Crossing my arms, I drew upon my mana once more. After resting for several hours and utilizing the slightly regenerated power, the torn flesh of my arm mended itself.

His speed now surpassed his previous efforts. A malicious intent to strip me down to my core was evident.

I took a step forward and extended a fist clad in a black glove.

A man advanced, scattering white blossoms into the sky above.

“Shh.”

Breathing in the night air, she called forth her black mana. Channeling the power that coiled around her arms, she assumed her stance.

As he approached, flowers in tow, he threw a punch.

– Quaang!

A circular current of air swirled around his arm. She blocked the attack, stepping back on the gravel path once.

She loosened her wrists and twisted her neck.

– Eww.

A creaking sound emerged from her tired wrists, and her hands grew numb with a tingling sensation.

She stretched out her fingers one by one, feeling the difference in power as if the force had been excessively applied in a single strike.

Despite launching his first attack, the man continued to emit flower petals and send his fists her way.

‘…This guy isn’t normal.’

Indeed, his eyes were sharp.

The status window, black sword, and mana – it was nearly impossible to discern that he was hiding his abilities through three layers.

Perhaps…

It must have been a judgment based on one’s own standards, considering the body’s reaction speed and the mastery of martial arts. My encounter with Champi was much the same. Each of the so-called prominent figures possesses such stubbornness. Anyone I point out with my finger is undoubtedly strong.

Challenge them once, and realize, ah, this one is different. This one is worth fighting.

It’s surprising that such predictions are not entirely off the mark. And I, too, don’t dislike battles like these.

Glancing around, I noticed the majority of cameras were focused on us. If I were to use my true power here, it would be akin to advertising my newfound strength to Flower.

‘By now, they must have some inkling of my abilities.’

It can’t be helped.

As Heaven said, I’ve already grown too strong to gradually build my reputation. Is it arrogance? If my judgment was flawed, Plum wouldn’t be rushing at me so eagerly in this very moment.

‘My teacher… Ah, never mind.’

Heaven’s thoughts were shaken from my mind.

As I regained my stance, the once slowed world accelerated again. An opponent brimming with pride and confidence in their own abilities. Those fishy eyes clearly revealed the intention to scratch and tear at my very core.

People who relish in battle typically harbor various emotions within their gaze. The exhilaration of victory. The electrifying sense of accomplishment that stems from proving one’s growth. The eyes of those who hunger for more often fail to entertain the notion of defeat.

This holds particularly true for those who have never tasted defeat in a secret bout with Kukmok.

【The connection to the World Tree is temporarily severed.】

…Of course.

Their stubbornness is no less than my own.

By the time I entertained the thought of shattering Maehwa’s haughty expression, I had already unlocked the status window.

Somewhat known by name. I came to the realization that both Flower and the Association held me in their regard.

Now, this is merely adding a sliver of truth to the countless rumors that have already spread far and wide. This time, however, it must be done in a manner so subtle that others won’t notice, yet still utterly corner the opponent.

An intangible force that could never be seen on screen.

– Kwaang!

The loud noise erupts as the fist of Plum collides and becomes enveloped.

“…Interesting.”

The man spoke.

– Ttallang.

The sound of bells accompanied the large Plum blossoms as they took flight through the air. It was a move that Saku had demonstrated before; circling around me, searching for any opening to exploit.

I carefully tracked his movements with my eyes.

The team that had joined late tried to block his advance, but their efforts were in vain. Even I struggled to keep up with that speed.

“Sian. Are you alright?”
“Uh? Ah, yes.”

Responding to Cornus’s inquiry, I took a step forward.

A method to suppress that incredible speed – the best strategy I could think of at the moment.

“…!”
“…!”

As each conversation drifts on the wind, harsh feedback ebbs and flows, directed at Plum.
In truth, it’s hard to make out. I didn’t even try to focus on the words.

I took another step forward.

*Splash.*

Ripples emanating from my toes.

The colorless magic, spreading throughout the lake, gradually seizes control of this space. When my potential was at its peak, I was only able to learn it because I was a blank slate. One of the abilities I couldn’t manifest due to my lack of power.

Invisible to the naked eye.

*Crash!*

Plum’s floating body suddenly plummeted to the ground.

*Thud!*

Petals scatter in descent.

The white Plum blossom stars, falling like rain, decorate the lake’s edge and the gravel beds. The space in every nearby area warps in an instant, like the illusory folding of space witnessed when Plum moved.

*Groan, thud, bang!*

Move your feet as if crushing a cockroach. The more you do, the more Plum’s body, which had been holding out, sank to the floor.

“Uh…”
“What?”

The women surrounding them wore expressions of confusion, unable to grasp what had happened.
It’s difficult to notice.

However, Plum was glaring at me with glinting eyes.

“…Ah, hehehe.”

He’s laughing.

As he put strength into his feet, his head slammed to the ground.

– Bang!

Since Plum was the one facing him, his mana revealed its bottom in an instant. Unless he uses the black blade, it seems he can’t wield it as easily as water.

My skills vary too greatly.

I glanced around, taking in the beautiful spectacle.
Plum blossoms scattered across the floor. Pebbles and petals covered half of the ground.
The petals were all flattened, trembling as if they could turn to powder and vanish at any moment.

It’s about time for them to wither after a week-long bloom.

Sensing the surge of magical energy coursing through my entire being, I lifted my foot.

-Deeing.

A mechanical noise reverberated through the heavens.

It was the sound heralding the conclusion of the first trial.