ReadNovel Chapter 87 : Chapter 87
Chapter 87 : Chapter 87
Chapter 87: Growth (6)
Around the time Kim Su-hyeok and Choi Yu-seong began their battle with the Death Knight.
Outside the Gate they had entered, another commotion was unfolding.
“Is it true that Glory cadets are caught up in the current Gate accident?”
“I heard that the top freshman is among the cadets. Is that also true?”
Reporters swarmed around the Gate like a cloud of insects.
I do not know where they heard the news, but it was enough to make anyone irritable.
As a prime example, Im Seong-cheol was pushing them away while showing a clear look of displeasure.
‘Hmph. Journalists are the same now as they were in the past.’
It would be nice if they asked questions after properly assessing the situation.
However, such a thing did not exist for reporters.
It was obvious how they would report this incident.
Glory Academy pushes cadets toward death; is this acceptable?
They would likely write provocative headlines like that.
‘Is a disciplinary report guaranteed?’
Even if things went well, I felt it was inevitable.
After all, this had happened under the outing permit he had authorized.
It was certain they would talk about the school’s prestige or how its reputation had been tarnished.
But for Im Seong-cheol, that was not the primary issue.
‘I hope the cadets are safe…….’
The only thought filling his head was worry for the cadets.
Rather than his own safety, thoughts of the two currently in danger were tearing through Im Seong-cheol’s mind.
It was truly the image of a genuine educator.
It was a mindset that most people understood in their heads but could not easily put into practice.
‘Still, considering the power of those two cadets, the situation is not entirely bleak.’
However, worry and analysis were two separate things.
To be honest, it was strange to hold such hope for first-year cadets.
Yet, the thought that it might be possible if it were those two filled Im Seong-cheol’s mind intensely.
Kim Su-hyeok, who shined in the top position, and…….
‘Even Cadet Choi Yu-seong, who makes me harbor new expectations every time.’
If it were those two, it felt like they could manage even a Gate that reached B-Rank.
Furthermore, considering how close the two usually were, their teamwork should not be bad.
So, was it not okay to harbor some expectations?
“In that case, I should do what I have to do.”
In his heart, Im Seong-cheol wanted to enter the Gate immediately.
However, that was impossible.
If so, was it not the right thing to do what he could from his current position?
Therefore, Im Seong-cheol moved his gaze toward the reporters.
“It would be troublesome if they were surrounded by reporters the moment they came out.”
Well, Choi Yu-seong might actually like it, saying it was an opportunity to gain Influence Points…….
But how could Im Seong-cheol know that?
In his eyes, the reporters were merely obstacles.
Obstacles that would interfere with the rest of the cadets who had just gone through a difficult time.
“So, I should clear them out in advance.”
Im Seong-cheol muttered that and slowly walked toward the reporters.
The possibility of Kim Su-hyeok and Choi Yu-seong failing to return was a scenario that no longer existed in his mind.
***
“Right side!”
“Got it!”
BOOM!!
How much time had passed since the battle began?
I could not help but realize something as I looked at the Death Knight in front of me.
‘He is much stronger than I expected.’
It was not that my teamwork with Kim Su-hyeok was poor.
In fact, we were in such perfect sync that it was almost excessive.
Despite that, the number of clean hits we had landed on that guy so far was zero.
‘Damn it. Was he some kind of general in his past life before he died?’
It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head; his defense was so solid even though we were using the advantage of being a pair to attack.
It felt as though he could not be this good unless he was a famous swordsman in his past life.
Still, the situation was not completely hopeless.
“His attacks are manageable enough to block.”
“Yeah. I do not think there has been an attack we could not endure.”
Just as our attacks were not working, his attacks were also avoidable enough.
There had been no attacks so heavy or fast that they were impossible to block.
I did not know if he was holding back or if he simply could not use them…….
‘At this rate, we can create an opportunity.’
If he kept acting like that, there was a chance.
Since the Death Knight might possess intelligence, I whispered to Kim Su-hyeok in a low voice.
“It is not much of a strategy, but I thought of a way. Do you want to hear it?”
“What choice do we have in this situation? So, what is it?”
Kim Su-hyeok asked back with a look of anticipation in his eyes.
It is really nothing special, so that is a bit burdensome, you know?
After all, the strategy I had in mind relied entirely on Kim Su-hyeok’s skill.
However, I could not just stay silent because his gaze was overwhelming.
I continued speaking, keeping my voice low.
“Our attacks are being blocked continuously right now, right?”
“True. That is what makes this so difficult.”
“So, I was thinking, how about we just keep hitting one spot?”
“…Just one spot?”
Kim Su-hyeok showed a reaction that indicated he did not understand my meaning.
At that reaction, I added an explanation while parrying the Death Knight’s attack.
“Yeah. The reason our attacks are being blocked right now is that he is using both his sword and shield to defend.”
“Right.”
“In that case, what would be the best move? It would be to neutralize either the sword or the shield, wouldn’t it?”
Once I said that much, Kim Su-hyeok finally seemed to understand my words.
It was a natural reaction, as Kim Su-hyeok was naive, not stupid.
“So, what you are saying, Yu-seong, is that we should keep attacking one spot to break either the sword or the shield?”
“Exactly. And the side we should break is obviously the shield.”
Even at a glance, the shield was the easier side to destroy.
The sword looked like it was made of high-quality material.
And the shield, while reinforced with iron, was based on wood.
If we had to pick one of the two, it had to be the shield.
“Understood. Then while one person keeps targeting the shield……”
“The other person’s job is to handle that guy’s attacks.”
“Then I should take the sword side……”
“No. You are definitely taking the shield side. I will handle the sword.”
At my words, Kim Su-hyeok’s gaze wavered for a moment.
Well, I suppose it would.
Both roles were important, but the side handling the sword was obviously more dangerous.
And Kim Su-hyeok would likely perform that role better than I would.
However, I had no intention of backing down.
“To handle the shield side, the attacks must be extremely precise.”
“You are more than capable of precise attacks too, Yu-seong!”
“I can’t. It is too much for me physically.”
It was easy to say, but honestly, no one knew how long that shield would hold up.
In short, it meant we might have to strike it for a long time.
When I thought about that, Kim Su-hyeok absolutely had to handle the shield in this plan.
Perhaps he understood my intent, as Kim Su-hyeok’s expression looked slightly dark.
‘He really is a soft-hearted guy.’
What was with that expression when he was the one taking the safer side?
He was a guy who was so kind it left me speechless.
That was exactly why I had to push harder.
“Su-hyeok.”
“…Yeah.”
“You said you trusted me. Was that a lie?”
Trust.
Once I mentioned that, Kim Su-hyeok would have no choice.
Unlike someone like me, Kim Su-hyeok did not tell lies.
In short, the words ‘I trust you’ that Kim Su-hyeok had said to me all came from his sincere heart.
So…….
“……Fine. But you have to pull back immediately if it gets dangerous.”
He had no choice but to say that.
To lie to a friend was a sin in itself for Kim Su-hyeok.
I could not help but chuckle at Kim Su-hyeok’s trembling words, which sounded as if he had forced out something he did not want to say.
“You do not have to worry. I have no intention of dying here either.”
Right, I have no intention of making this my grave.
There is still a mountain of things to do, isn’t there?
If I intended to die here of all places.
‘I wouldn’t have even started this in the first place.’
This was merely a single step.
Compared to what lay ahead, this was a hill that could not even be called a mountain.
So, I would just cross it lightly.
“Then I will start right on the count of three. Get ready.”
I finished speaking and adjusted my stance.
“One.”
The key to this strategy was that I must not avoid the Death Knight’s attacks.
Glancing them off was fine, but I must never dodge.
“Two.”
I had to use the opening created when his attack failed.
Kim Su-hyeok would handle the rest anyway.
Just as he trusts me, I also trust my hero.
“Three, go!”
Therefore, I did not need to think about anything else; I just had to do my part.
Engraving that into my mind, I immediately called upon the hero's talent.
[Do Gang-ho's Ability Reproduction (30%) begins.]
[Im Seong-cheol's Ability Reproduction (14%) begins.]
[Current Remaining Influence Points: 4,700P]
The base was Do Gang-ho’s Physical Enhancement.
On top of that, I wrapped Im Seong-cheol’s Blue Flame.
However, my lips were filled only with a bitter smile.
‘I wonder when I will finally be able to reproduce a power in its entirety.’
Collecting points only for them to drain away felt like having a pocket with a hole in it.
The points were always insufficient, no matter how hard I earned them.
But.
‘This is enough for now.’
The power I borrowed was based on the prime years of the heroes.
Being at 30 percent and 14 percent did not mean it was weak.
Therefore, remembering the brilliant figures of the heroes, I met the Death Knight’s first strike.
CLANG!!!
I succeeded in blocking that strike by slanting the sword in my right hand and letting the attack slide off.
However, I could feel it within that brief moment.
‘I am being pushed back slightly.’
Even though I did not block it head-on, I was slightly overpowered.
That fact was frustrating, but I had to accept it.
‘It is a natural result since my physical abilities are inferior.’
It might have been different if I had borrowed physical abilities through the Embodiment of Admiration, but that was impossible.
I was already in a situation where I had consumed a lot of points to borrow the power of more than two people.
If I were to borrow physical abilities on top of that, I would truly be hitting the bottom.
‘Still, this seems sufficient.’
Even if I was pushed back slightly, a block was still a block.
And using that opening, Kim Su-hyeok was landing attacks that were several times more powerful.
In short, it was a profitable trade.
“Then… shall we keep clashing?”
I did not know how long it would continue, but the end would eventually come.
Either that shield would break first.
Or my body would be ground down first.
Which of the two it would be depended on what I did.
So.
“I won’t lose easily! You damn bag of bones!!”
***
“Urgh.”
Damn it.
I did not even know how long we had been exchanging blows anymore.
Seeing as I could not properly put strength into my grip, it could not have been a short time.
“…Dammit. Did he make this shield out of the World Tree or something?”
Despite fighting for such a long time, it still had not broken and was holding up.
It almost made me think that if that shield were mine, I would have learned how to use one.
It was while I was continuing those thoughts.
“Yu-seong, you can stop now if it is too hard!”
A shout came from Kim Su-hyeok’s side as he worked hard to target the shield.
Judging by the slight moisture in his voice, he seemed worried about me…….
“Don’t talk nonsense. You just do your job.”
Not a chance.
Why would I give up after coming all this way?
I thought that as I raised my sword once more to meet the creature's blade.
“GAH!”
As a result.
I succeeded in blocking it, but my body ended up being blown back quite far.
I did not completely collapse, but I truly had no strength left in my body now.
My entire body felt as if it were aching.
A sensation as if my body were screaming for me to stop.
But.
“Heh, hehehe.”
Contrary to that desperate state, a laugh escaped me.
Had I finally gone crazy?
No. That was not it.
“Haha! Dammit, yeah. After all that, it is about time you broke in good conscience.”
It was because I had seen it.
The sight of that guy’s shield shattering under Kim Su-hyeok’s soul-infused strike.
That was right.
It had finally arrived.
The moment to prove that bastard’s damn qualification.