Chapter 85 Exhibition Battle (1)

In the middle of the arena, Han Jiho and Leon von Obreyon are facing each other, sizing each other up before the signal from the referee goes off.

"Begin!"

The moment the referee gave the signal to start the battle, Leon quickly vanished from his position as if he wasn't there in the first place. He arrived midair in front of Jiho, cleaving down his personal weapon, a black-colored sword called Dark Obsidian Sword (Growth), it was a gift from his father when he turned seven years old and received the System.

It was made from an Obsidian mineral that was acquired from the Strayed Dungeon named Darkara Ruins where the Obsidian King resided. Obsidian's cutting power was already proven even before the Old World perished due to the Emergence, but in this Post-Emergence World, with the consolidation of Mana, minerals such as obsidian, especially if it came from within a dungeon or the Boss Monster itself would certainly have additional effects.

Han Jiho blocked Leon's sword strike from above, then after a few seconds, a dark aura started to emanate from Leon's Obsidian Sword.

pAn,Da n<0,>v,e1 His mind seemed to turn blank for a moment as if the blackness or stillness caused by an unknown power invaded his mental barrier.

"Hup-!"

Leon continued to go for the offensive as he jumped again midair, spinning his body around before a diagonal slash slammed on Jiho, causing some cracks in the ground of the arena from where he was standing.

[Activating Skill: Dark Energy Blade]

This exhibition battle was very different compared to the Virtual War because the restriction to not use any skills isn't in place, thus, the intensity of the battle was on a different level.

After Leon activated one of his skills, the Dark Obsidian Sword which is still emanating a dark aura turned blacker and as if a pulling force was added to it, a gust of wind inside the protected arena by a sturdy barrier seemed to revolve around Leon.

...

'He's strong.'

Han Jiho — who was being pulled by an unknown force — acknowledged Leon's strength.

[Activating Skill: Light Steps]

Increasing his movement speed in proportion to his Agility stat, he stood his ground, restraining the pulling force to some extent, but he wasn't given a window to breathe as Leon continued his attacks.

The dark aura from Leon's sword seemed to block Jiho's mental capacity to think clearly, causing him to be someone relaxed at the unnecessary moment, and when he counterattacks, the pulling force from Leon's sword disrupts the trajectory of his slash.

It was a combination of peace and disorder.

Bam-!

Jiho was sent flying from his spot, not because of the impact of the sword from Leon's attack, but because of a kick, he received on his abdomen. It was an unexpected utilization of the body in a fight because most people, especially in this world use their weapons if their profession weren't related to using their fists or feet.

Jiho got up from where he was slumped down, although the kick was painful, it was something bearable.

'It was nothing compared to Alexander's training.'

He thought to himself, then at that moment, his deep black eyes seemed to turn yellow.

It was the manifestation of his Trait: Will of the Sword (SSS+) which lets him adapt quickly during battle especially when the opponent uses a melee-type weapon.

...

Leon — who saw Han Jiho stood up from where he landed after the kick he did — looked at him with calm eyes, he never expected Jiho to go down with just that.

At that moment, he saw Jiho's eyes turn yellow, it was like the embodiment of gold with no flaw in its purity.

From the moment the battle started, Leon only used Expert Swordsmanship and not any sword art because he doesn't have one yet, but he was promised by his father about a certain Constellation which made contact with him before via System.

It was the Constellation, 'Black Dragon of Undying Star'.

His father said that very soon, he'll receive a sword art after the Constellations' influence increased in the world which Leon didn't know what his father meant.

'It's no excuse if I lose here just because I don't have a sword art yet.'

Leon thought, looking at Jiho's deep black eyes that turned golden, and the goldenness spread around his body.

Without waiting for whatever is happening in front of him, Leon used another skill.

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[Activating Skill: Dark Cutter.]

It was the same skill that Freya, Russell Moon's younger sister used, but the only difference was the element it contained.

Soon, blades of darkness that seemed to cut and enveloped light appeared from the void of space, lunging themselves toward Han Jiho — who only watched what was happening with true stillness in his eyes.

...

[Your Trait: Will of the Sword is helping you to adapt in your battle.]

Slash-!

Slash-!

The blades of darkness from the Dark Cutter skill evaporated with Han Jiho's attack using the sword he received from the sponsorship of anonymous investors.

[The Sword of ??? (Growth) is reacting with its owner.]

[You are able to use the First Movement of Swordsmanship of [Sealed] without any physical backslash.]

Han Jiho — who just dodge an incoming attack from Leon after the Dark Cutter skill seemed to pause for a second as he quickly processed what the System message was.

"Argh-!"

He was cut in the shoulder within that slight opening he showed.

Fighting without getting distracted by the System sounds was one of the mental training he received from Alexander, but at this moment, he seemed to forget about it because of the contents of the message, and the First Movement of the sealed swordsmanship he possessed flowed in his mind and carved into his soul perfectly.

Jumping from afar to recover himself from Leon's attack which almost cornered him at this moment... He didn't hesitate to try the mysterious sword art.

[Swordsmanship of [Sealed], First Movement: Dawn of Heresy.]

...

Leon's deep blue eyes dilated with what's in front of him as if they turned into a frozen lake that depicts stillness because of the grandeur of light exuding from his opponent's sword. A massive golden lightning dances around Han Jiho's sword, then at that moment, something that cannot be perceived by average people happened. An illusory, majestic hand seemed to overlap Jiho's hand that was holding the sword, and in an instant...

Shing-!

Thud-!

Leon — who was a few meters away from Han Jiho — fell to his knees before his body fell with his face facing the ground.

There were no marks or wounds on his body aside from earlier bouts that tested each other's Advanced Swordsmanship.

He lost consciousness due to the mysterious swordsmanship that Han Jiho used. Han Jiho became gradually worried that he might have killed Leon at this moment. Just as his thought turned into worries and anxiety, the referee — who somehow saw what happened due to his high perception as a high-rank staff of the Obelisk Academy — announced the result of the match, then he quickly approached Leon's body and checked it under the gaze of everyone on the seats inside the Obelisk Grand Stadium.

"Woah-!"

"Leon lost!"

"That's the son of the fifth-ranked Player!"

"I heard that his opponent is the one who became fifth in their class?"

"I never heard of him before, but what was that?"

Cheering, questions, awe, and glistening eyes were looking at Han Jiho as he left the arena.

They were the cheers of some of his classmates or some students or people who betted on who would win the battle between them.

Questions were raised by the Guild Scouters who watched the battle about the identity of Leon's opponent.

Awe was painted in some commoner students' expressions as if Han Jiho unknowingly brought them inspiration to become stronger even though they didn't have access to many resources.

And the glistening eyes of investors — who came to know about Han Jiho based on Chancellor Alexander's words himself — gazed at Han Jiho whose golden eyes reverted into deep black.

It was the spectacle that will be remembered in this 40th Emergence Anniversary.

...

"Hey, Mister, what did you do?"

Elizabeth asked Han Jiho who sat on her side. Rumia and Anya were also there except for Samantha.

Although they didn't like unnecessary public appearances, especially with their status in the Player Industry, they went to watch personally the fight between the two of them.

"Elizabeth, he seems lost."

Rumia said while munching on potato fries imported from her country, Nereia.

Han Jiho seemed in a daze as if he didn't hear what Elizabeth and Rumia said just now. Anya — who was sitting one seat away from him — looked at him with bewilderment.

"Huh?"

Han Jiho replied inquisitively, a very late response.

"Sigh... Hahaha!

"Did you hit your head or something?"

Elizabeth laughed as she asked, but she felt that it wasn't the normal Han Jiho whose personality was inclined toward curiosity about things.

This time, he heard clearly as if he was snapped out of his reverie, sending his senses into reality.

"Ah, sorry... and thank you."

Elizabeth, Rumia, and Anya's expressions turned serious, their mouth slightly agape with the last word that Han Jiho said as they didn't say anything that should receive a 'thank you' response.

And without waiting for them to say anything, Han Jiho left as he said he'd have to be somewhere.

...

Han Jiho arrived at Chancellor Alexander's Office in the Obelisk Personnel Building.

"Can you explain what's happening?"

Although Alexander's position was of that a Chancellor, Han Jiho's voice contained casualness which wasn't surprising to Alexander's ears.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Alexander said casually, making Jiho feel lost.

"You opened up to some investors that you recommended me yourself inside the academy.

"Which caused some of them to sponsor us... Me, and the daughters of the famous Players, causing us to go into one of the restricted Weaponry Storage.

"Then I picked up a sword that looked good in my eyes, but it reacted to me as an owner during my duel against Leon earlier.

"Did you arrange for it to happen?"

Alexander listened attentively to the inquisitive voice of the student in front of him as he opened a small tray, picked up a cigarette, put it in his mouth then ignited its tip using Mana.

After inhaling a cigarette of unknown origin, he looked into Han Jiho's eyes before he said in a deep voice...

"You are overthinking things.

"You are the owner of the weapon because you simply possessed it."

"Stop thinking about unnecessary things, don't you have to prepare for your other battle later?"

Han Jiho knew that he couldn't prove anything without any proof so he just confronted Alexander about it.

Clenching his fists and with a sigh of resignation, he left without saying a word.

...

"Don't you think it was the right choice?"

Scarlet Netherdawn — who appeared out of nowhere — asked Alexander as she heard everything Han Jiho said.

Alexander arranged for Han Jiho as he indirectly used the daughters of the famous Players to accompany him to go in one of the secured weaponry. He was the one to suggested to make a good impression on the parents of the daughters of famous players. He knew that Han Jiho would choose a certain sword which he undoubtedly picked up.

"Sigh... To be honest, his thoughts would be in a mess for a while, but knowing him, he'll overcome it."

Scarlet didn't disagree with Alexander's words before she quickly vanished from his office.

...

[You have received a mental backlash.]

[An unknown power has erased your memory on how to perform the First Movement: Dawn of Heresy, without any physical backlash.]

[To master the movements of the mysterious swordsmanship, collect the ???.]

[Collected ??? Shards: 0/10000]

[Collected ??? Fragments: 0/100]

Han Jiho imprinted in his mind the System Messages he received after he defeated Leon, but no matter how much he thought about it, his memory of how he did it was erased due to mysterious reasons. Anytime he thought about it, his head seemed to hit a golden light that blocked him from peeking at what was ahead.

'F*ck! What happened?'

He cursed inwardly as he felt lost.

But after an unknown period of time, he — who returned to his dorm room — stood up from the couch where he sat and then left to return to the Obelisk Grand Stadium.

...

'It was three months in advance.'

Russell remembered what he wrote in his unpublished novel. What happened in Han Jiho in this battle was supposed to happen in three months, during the Ranking of Exchange after the midterm exam.

But due to the unexpected Emergence Event of Remembrance, what was supposed to happen, happened earlier.

The sword that Han Jiho picked up would be in his possession for a few months before it reacted to him.

'Ah, what a mess.'

Russell lamented as he looked absentmindedly in front of him while Freya, Amelie, and Amery were in their own world, talking about random things.

...

<You'd be battling with a runaway later.>

The dignified womanly voice reverberated in Samantha's head.

"Han Jiho? What do you mean by runaway?"

<Heh heh. It's nothing. Anyway, good luck.>

Samantha listened only to the voice in her head before 'She' became silent again.