Chapter 148: No.640 Great Eagle Escort Agency (4)

Chapter 148: No.640 Great Eagle Escort Agency (4)

When Go Hyeon-woo accepted the proposal without a moment’s hesitation, a satisfied smile appeared on the head of the agency’s lips.

He then introduced the expert beside him.

“This is head guard Kang, one of the top experts among the head guards of the escort agency. It will be a good match for you.”

The head of the agency stepped aside, and head guard Kang immediately asked Go Hyeon-woo,

“Shall we use wooden swords?”

“I prefer a weapon I am accustomed to.”

“A satisfying answer. I feel the same.”

Head guard Kang took out the thick sword he had slung on his back, and Go Hyeon-woo also gripped his iron sword.

Although his main weapon was a magic sword, it shone too conspicuously with a golden glow.

It was unusual for a ronin to possess such a valuable item.

So, he intended to make do with the iron sword.

It shouldn’t break.

Since I made the [Durable Pen], the durability of his weapon has greatly improved.

The existing effect of [Weapon Damage Protection] had increased from F to C rank. This allowed the iron sword to last quite a while.

Also, there was no need to use grand techniques like “Clear Stream” in such a duel.

The two men faced each other from a certain distance.

Head guard Kang spoke first.

“I would normally give the first move to my opponent, but against an expert like you, I might not get any chance at all. Here I come.”

“Please, make your move.”

Head guard Kang advanced cautiously with his sword held forward.

In contrast, Go Hyeon-woo stood still while holding his iron sword in a middle guard position and simply watched him.

As the distance between them gradually closed,

“Hup!”

Head guard Kang stepped forward and slashed diagonally with his sword.

Go Hyeon-woo also took half a step forward and brought his iron sword to meet the trajectory of head guard Kang’s sword.

Contrary to the spectators’ expectations that the two swords would collide, Head guard Kang’s sword slipped past the iron sword and cut through empty air.

“......!”

Head guard Kang’s expression stiffened slightly as he retrieved his sword mid-swing and swung it again.

But once again, when Go Hyeon-woo lightly brought his iron sword to meet it, the trajectory changed slightly.

Head guard Kang retrieved his sword mid-swing and swung again.

Go Hyeon-woo subtly pushed his iron sword forward.

Their swords crossed and diverged.

As this repeated several times, the spectators showed mixed reactions.

“Why does he keep swinging and stopping, swinging and stopping?”

“Is this a duel or child’s play?”

Those who said this were amateurs.

What they saw was head guard Kang swinging his sword halfway and stopping, and Go Hyeon-woo slowly bringing his iron sword to meet it.

All they saw were the weapons swinging in the air, so it seemed like child’s play to them.

“.......”

On the other hand, experts like the head of the agency and those above head guard’s level watched the duel with serious eyes.

So did Ratty and Woeful.

“Truly impressive.”

“It seems the young man’s skill is about a move or a move and a half ahead of his opponent.”

“I agree. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to deflect such fierce sword attacks so easily.”

Deflecting properly is more difficult than blocking or dodging.

It requires reading the enemy’s attack accurately and seizing a very brief moment.

Yet Go Hyeon-woo was deflecting each of head guard Kang’s fierce attacks with ease. This only went to show his superior skill.

[Pure Flow].

It was Go Hyeon-woo’s third technique that came right after Clear Stream and Rapid Current.

During the Black Death dungeon, it hadn’t been properly refined, so he used his sword to withstand White Snake’s techniques.

However, Go Hyeon-woo continued to polish this Pure Flow while receiving mentoring and used it decisively to defeat mid-bosses during the Feathered Serpent Temple.

Now, he seemed even more proficient than back then.

“Hmm......”

Sweat beaded on head guard Kang’s forehead.

Even though he unleashed all his strength in his attacks, he still hadn’t landed a proper hit.

In contrast, Go Hyeon-woo maintained the same calm demeanor he had at the start while facing him.

The skill difference was so big that continuing the duel seemed pointless.

However, head guard Kang didn’t seem ready to give up.

He retreated for the first time since the duel began. After widening the distance, he gathered his energy.

It promised tremendous honor.

“That would definitely tempt them. But what kind of map is it?”

“That’s for later.”

“Hey, you can’t just stop talking in the middle like that. How mean”

If the map’s identity leaked too early, a battle for the pieces might erupt.

So even though Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-cheol looked at me as if they were going to die from curiosity, I deliberately avoided their gaze.

“At least give us a hint.”

“A hint? It’s one word.”

“One word? What is it?”

“Later.”

The best way to open random boxes was with the lucky charm Seo Ye-in.

However, we couldn’t do it without Go Hyeon-woo, the top contributor to our raid on the Great Eagle Escort Agency dungeon.

Therefore, we decided to postpone the unboxing until all three of our schedules were aligned.

The next day, the strategy battles and mentoring continued as usual.

“Aaagh!”

Crack,

[Kwak Ji-cheol – %]

As usual, Kwak Ji-cheol was knocked out by the ogre.

In the meantime, I worked on increasing my skill ranks alone.

Boom! Boom!

After I tormented the ogre with one point explosions for a while,

He should be waking up soon.

I figured it was about time for Kwak Ji-cheol to come around, so I went outside the dungeon.

Since it was mentoring, it had to be done together as much as possible.

Like I expected, Kwak Ji-cheol opened his eyes.

“Ugh...”

He opened his eyes and started wriggling on the ground.

I prodded Kwak Ji-cheol with Root.

“Ahjussi (Mister/Uncle), wake up. You’ll catch a cold if you sleep here.”

“Ugh... shut up.”

“You should go home, Ahjussi. You should get up.”

“I told you to shut up...!”

Even though he was grumbling, Kwak Ji-cheol stubbornly stayed sprawled out.

But then he noticed something and his eyes widened as he quickly got up.

When I turned to see what had startled him,

“Hyung (big brother).”

“......”

There stood Kwak Ji-cheol’s older brother, Kwak Seung-jae with a stern expression on his face.

It seemed he had stumbled upon us while passing by with other second-year students.

Kwak Seung-jae soon spoke to his companions.

“Something came up. Go on ahead and wait for me.”

“Alright.”

His companions replied indifferently and left.

“......”

Kwak Ji-cheol lowered his gaze and waited for the inevitable scolding.

However, Kwak Seung-jae only glanced at his brother once and that was it.

It seemed I was the one he had business with.

“I have something to ask you. Is that alright?”

“Yes, senior-nim.”

Kwak Seung-jae was one of the influential figures in the disciplinary committee.

Since he initiated a one-on-one conversation with me, it wasn’t something to pass up lightly.

I was also curious about what he wanted to ask me.

So, I moved to a quiet place with Kwak Seung-jae.

According to what I heard from Song Cheon-hye and Dang Gyu-young, Kwak Seung-jae had a very straightforward personality.

If he had something to say, he wouldn’t beat around the bush and would just say it directly.

I expected a somewhat direct conversation, but what Kwak Seung-jae said was beyond my imagination.

“I heard you’re dating senior Dang Gyu-young.”

“Huh?”Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m