RE: Player again

371

[Chapter 109]

[The Monster Was Someone Else (4)]

The metallic sound of sword and spear crossing.

The clear sound dominated the stage without ceasing.

The barrier surrounding the outskirts of the stage shook violently every time weapons made piercing sounds.

The barrier that seemed like it would break at any moment.

People facing it all had their mouths open unable to close them.

...Impossible.

Is this really a match between kids?

It was unbelievable.

The emotion Park Hyerim was feeling was probably no different from people here.

Astonishment.

The emotion of people watching the match with swords and spears flying could all be expressed in that one word.

This is definitely not kids' skills.

Ryu Yeonhwa.

She was swinging her spear freely taking offense and defense worthy of being called 's disciple.

Sometimes elegantly drawing in.

Sometimes cunningly pulling.

Mana flowing out of her body immediately changed into snow crystals and fluttered around her.

The snow crystals became flowers, and sometimes became raging waves.

Ice that escaped her control became simple particles piled on the floor, but danced again following her control.

It couldn't help but be unpleasant.

Unlike .

And unlike .

The Gift that left form was increasingly choking and pressuring the opponent as time passed.

It was truly her solo stage.

She was freely controlling ice and snow while nobly swinging her spear on the battlefield covered in snow.

No one here.

Could confidently say they could easily beat Ryu Yeonhwa dominating the winter world.

Among them, those with pale faces may not have been able to guarantee victory.

Even I can't do it.

How to endure that?

Park Hyerim herself was the same.

Even adding some exaggeration, it seemed she alone as a supporter couldn't stop Ryu Yeonhwa.

She tried to think of ways to deal with her in her mind but Park Hyerim couldn't come up with a proper solution.

Nevertheless, Noh Eunha was enduring.

I knew Euna's brother was strong but to match Ryu Yeonhwa...

Noh Eunha, the academy's hidden dragon.

Park Hyerim who had a strange connection with him recalled the time she first saw him long ago.

The child who was only 6 years old gave off the atmosphere of those living with death on the frontlines.

The child who had an extraordinary aura even then was now engraving his existence in many people's eyes here after 11 years.

All he had was one sword.

However, he was advancing forward swinging his sword without fear even in the face of nature.

Once again the tsunami split.

Sword and spear clashed.

Now the sword thickly covered in snow was making a dull sound.

Nevertheless, he didn't stop.

He stabbed with his sword like a bare branch while digging through the snowy path binding his feet and breaking through the blizzard blocking his view.

Burst Counter

When he stood at the center of the blizzard.

He instantly exploded the red energy condensed on the black blade.

The barrier vibrated violently.

The world exploded.

Snow floating in space all stuck to the barrier at once blocking vision and blowing away snow on the stage.

What on earth is happening inside now...!

She couldn't take her eyes off.

Because it was like a battle of players active on the frontlines, not a match between students.

She stared intently at the snow-covered barrier without even realizing sweat was forming in her hands.

Others were the same.

"...Again. I don't know what he was thinking but this is too much no matter what."

"This is the wisest method."

Regulus Clan Lord Koo Yeonsoo grumbled with his arms crossed.

Myeongwang Clan Lord Do Wanjun sitting next to him clicked his tongue and retorted.

Those who had already spread their sensing were focusing on the battle happening inside the barrier while straining their eyes and ears.

"Myeongwang Clan Lord. What do you think?"

"About what?"

"If we evaluate those kids who could be active in the field now by rank..."

"...Hmm... Not the Mana Management Agency?"

"Yeah, our clan ranks."

Do Wanjun made a thoughtful expression at Koo Yeonsoo's question.

Then he opened his mouth.

"Noh Eunha A, Ryu Yeonhwa S."

"...Your evaluation of Noh Eunha is harsh. I thought both were S. May I ask the reason?"

Koo Yeonsoo spoke narrowing his eyes.

He seemed curious about Do Wanjun's evaluation method.

"We can't know without checking in detail but..."

Do Wanjun crossed his legs.

His eyes piercing through illusions didn't leave the barrier.

"...It seems his internal mana won't grow anymore. It looks like growth has already ended for his age."

"That can't be helped. Even so, he's opposing to that extent? His skills are sufficient even excluding internal mana."

"Compared to that, Ryu Yeonhwa still has potential to bloom. You saw it just now too? Her growing during the match."

"Wasn't that the same for Eunha?"

"Why are you calling him by first name like you're close? Noh Eunha grew during the match too but Noh Eunha who seemed to cope with experience and Ryu Yeonhwa who changed with experience are different."

There was a point.

Koo Yeonsoo was about to turn his eyes to the arena where snow cleared without speaking anymore.

"However..."

Then Do Wanjun trailed off.

"It's strange, I mean."

"Strange? What is?"

"I mean Noh Eunha's growth seems to have ended but strangely it doesn't seem like that's all."

creates illusions, and also pierces through illusions.

The ranger who sees what others don't see continued speaking with his hand on his mouth.

"He has hidden power. My intuition is saying that."

"Hmm... Is that so? Then if we evaluate assuming he has hidden power?"

"No need to say."

The snow completely cleared.

People stood up from their seats and screamed shrilly.

Because Eunha was pushing back Yeonhwa.

Meanwhile, Do Wanjun who couldn't see the arena as people in front stood up frowned.

Then he muttered softly.

"─S."

"Then I'll add a +."

"You bastard?"

"Hey, Myeongwang Clan Lord. Haven't you dueled when you were young? Originally in life, the person who draws first loses. Don't you know the saying first turn certain defeat, last turn certain victory?"

"These days they say one turn kill."

"That's why it's first turn certain defeat. The person starting the first turn can't attack."

"You must have grown up in a wealthy family. To know such things well."

"Instead, I had no friends to duel with."

Only Park Hyerim heard the two people's banter there.

Soon Park Hyerim turned her eyes to the audience seats where excited Kang Hyunchul was running wild.

Huh?

Did I see wrong?

Then she blinked.

Not far from where Kang Hyunchul was sitting.

A woman covering her face with a hat and sunglasses caught her eye.

Although the woman was wearing a mask.

Nevertheless, Park Hyerim didn't feel unfamiliar with the woman.

No way... It can't be.

She decided to take her attention off.

It couldn't be.

It shouldn't be.

Surely Seonnyeo-nim wouldn't come here?

The diligent prayed it wasn't that.

☆

In the player industry, series Gifts had strategic value but were extremely rare accordingly.

There were only four Gift holders in the country with enormous mana to handle the Gift while also possessing intense power.

Former Twelve Seats member and living legend Nam Gungseongwoon.

Current Twelve Seats Kang Hyunchul.

Current Twelve Seats member and Silla Clan member Lee Dojin.

To think this is the power of ...

Lastly, 's Ryu Yeonhwa.

Silla Clan Lord Kim Yujin got goosebumps seeing Ryu Yeonhwa's power.

When recruiting , she thought was the strongest Gift.

But seeing Ryu Yeonhwa's , she couldn't erase the thought that perhaps was the strongest Gift.

If could be said to specialize in targeting the whole, would probably specialize in concentrating on one point.

However, was showing a scene where it could target the whole while concentrating depending on usage.

No, even setting aside the Gift... Her skill in handling the spear surpasses Named players.

Synergy of talent and talent harmonizing.

Kim Yujin absolutely couldn't shake off the feeling of astonishment like she was seeing the reincarnation of with her own eyes.

She was thinking how unfortunate it was that she couldn't recruit her at this moment.

And there was a second astonishment.

"...You said he's not either?"

"Yeah, he's not."

"And you said he's 16 years old?"

"...Yeah. Unbelievable, right?"

"Did a monster disguise itself?"

"Sometimes I think that too."

The boy who wasn't losing to her despite being 4 years younger than Ryu Yeonhwa.

Kim Yujin was so surprised she couldn't believe it and kept confirming with Shin Seoyoung in astonishment.

Looking at his combat style, it seemed he didn't have much internal mana but Noh Eunha was displaying swordsmanship relying on mana control ability and efficiency.

The style of supplementing lacking talent with another talent was truly amazing.

To the extent Shin Seoyoung jokingly said this.

"Actually, the 'Noh' in Noh Eunha means 'amazing Noh'."

"Really?"

"...You're really surprised huh?"

Shin Seoyoung clicked her tongue seeing Kim Yujin's attitude.

Because the usually charisma-overflowing Silla Clan leader was flustered to this extent.

If she's showing this reaction, how about other people?

Roughly looking around, almost everyone was in astonishment.

What on earth is this kid thinking?

He might as well advertise all over the neighborhood.

Therefore, Shin Seoyoung sighed.

Although people to share the surprise she had been holding finally appeared.

However, she couldn't say all of them didn't have ulterior motives to use Noh Eunha like herself.

Even Kim Yujin sitting next to her now was thinking of somehow recruiting him to Silla Clan.

Moreover, heating up the surroundings like this could get badly burned.

Intense goodwill flipped over could become intense hostility.

...The kid seems to have no thoughts.

Yet Eunha was acting aggressively as if he didn't know.

Even Shin Seoyoung was seeing it for the first time.

Eunha running around excitedly as if wings sprouted.

The smile on his mouth just wouldn't leave.

Surely he must be happy to be able to draw out power he had been hiding so far.

So how much power did he draw out?

Roughly... 70%?

While people were admiring.

Only Shin Seoyoung was coldly analyzing Eunha's power.

She had heard before that his combat style didn't just use one one-handed sword but used a mango glove or automatic pistol in his left hand.

So it could be said Eunha currently facing Yeonhwa wasn't fully using his weapons.

Besides that, seeing him hesitate for a moment while fighting her, it seemed he had techniques he couldn't use in a match.

Above all...

I don't know what Eunha's Gift is.

In contrast, Yeonhwa was using the spear received from Nam Gungseongwoon in addition to .

Even if that wasn't the spear proving 's existence.

It could be said she was currently exerting all the power she could display.

But what about Noh Eunha?

He wasn't properly using weapons, couldn't properly use power, and wasn't using his Gift.

If it was an insignificant Gift, Eunha would have casually told me when I asked before.

But the fact he didn't tell means it could be a hidden card to that extent...

What on earth is it?

From what she saw, he didn't seem to be using his Gift.

Then is it a Gift that can reverse the situation and help in battle, or is it not helpful, or are there activation conditions?

She put forth three assumptions under the premise that his Gift was special.

If it was helpful in battle, he should have used it long ago.

But if he can't use it, does that mean conditions are needed to activate the Gift?

Shin Seoyoung inwardly wanted to confirm Noh Eunha's Gift.

But she guessed.

Even if Noh Eunha was excited, he wouldn't reveal his hidden card in front of all these people.

She considered that fortunate while still feeling regretful.

In the end, she would only see 70%, no maybe 60% or 50% of Noh Eunha's skills here.

But... Isn't that Seonnyeo-nim?

Then she found a familiar person near where was sitting.

Although thoroughly covering her face, the presence clearly revealed just by sitting with straight posture hadn't gone anywhere.

Seonnyeo Im Gaeul had secretly come to see the graduation ceremony match accompanied by a guard.

Shin Seoyoung couldn't help but smile bitterly.

It seemed the story about this match had reached Seonnyeo's ears.

Yeah... I should pretend not to know.

Seonnyeo was busy with public and private affairs.

She gently bowed her head to Seonnyeo who seemed to meet eyes.

As expected.

Im Gaeul waved her hand. Then she brought her index finger to her lips and made a gesture asking to be quiet.

Shin Seoyoung nodded.

"...There's no rookie like this rookie. When does the 031 class graduate? There will be a war then..."

"You know regulations only allow scouting recommendations for 3rd year high school academy students, right?"

"I know too. It would be good to prevent other clans from doing anything. And... help me a bit."

"Hmm... It'll be hard. Probably that Eunha won't join any clan?"

"What? Why?"

In the middle of watching the match.

Kim Yujin frowned.

Shin Seoyoung shrugged and conveyed that Eunha would make a party.

"A party is fine... Silla Clan can give authority to form parties autonomously."

"A large clan is tempted enough by Eunha to give such benefits?"

"Wouldn't you be tempted?"

"Even I would be tempted."

It seemed countless clans would send love calls to Eunha when the 031 class graduates.

Shin Seoyoung burst into small laughter thinking of that time.

She could vividly see Eunha's troubled appearance.

"It's awkward to call that kid who's not even by name. But just calling him a promising rookie doesn't seem to match his caliber..."

"Just call him Eunha."

"The player industry is all about appearances as much as the public doesn't know about the industry. Did you forget everything even though you were a player? That kid's value changes depending on how he's packaged."

"Well, that's true."

Now I don't know how many rounds it's been.

Shin Seoyoung agreed with Kim Yujin's words seeing signs of it ending soon.

"The academy's hidden dragon. It's not a bad name whoever gave it, but being too long is a flaw..."

"Let's just call him Eunha, hey. The media

will probably throw out a bunch of nicknames when he becomes a player anyway, so why worry about that?"

"but…."

There was some truth to that.

Kim Yu-jin straightened her posture by uncrossing her legs.

And then he muttered to himself.

“The Academy has produced two monster rookies. We’ll have to keep one of them for four years….”

Monster Rookie.

Those who only knew Ryu Yeon-hwa's name said that they added one more name to their minds that day.