Following my lead, Kwon Taehyuk also pulled a weapon from his inventory, and eight blades floated up behind him into the air.
Kwon Taehyuk’s skill was Blade Rush—a technique that allowed him to freely control sharp, double-edged blades. It was a skill remarkably similar to what martial arts novels would call “sword control through will,” the kind attainable by masters of the sword.
The longsword I held was connected to its hilt, and since I was gripping it, I had no issues. But any flying swords or weapons that left the hand would undoubtedly get caught up in Kwon Taehyuk’s skill.
“If I lose my grip on this sword even once due to the power difference, that’ll be the end of the fight.”
This was the only weapon I had. If I lost it, the only thing left for me would be rolling helplessly across the empty field. Not that it would’ve made a difference—even if I had brought more weapons, I would have lost the moment I was overwhelmed by strength.
Chiing— The blades floating in the air unfolded with a sharp noise. The blades arranged themselves in a circle behind Kwon Taehyuk, making him look like he was haloed in light.
“Go easy on me, I’m just a beginner.”
I gave it a shot just in case, but Kwon Taehyuk merely scoffed. As expected, it wasn’t going to work.
Still, it seemed he was willing to give me the first move. He stood still, just watching me. I wasn’t stupid enough to throw away the generosity of someone clearly stronger than me, so I accepted it gratefully.
Tap. I kicked off the ground and dashed toward Kwon Taehyuk at high speed. Just as my sword swung at a diagonal angle, a gleaming white blade slid in between us.
Chaeng!
One of the eight floating blades intercepted my attack. Cheers erupted around us as the ranked match officially began.
“Waaaah!”
“Let’s go, Kwon Taehyuk Hunter!”
“The anonymous challenger makes the first move! Kwon Taehyuk blocks it with ease!”
My hand on the hilt went numb. This was the first time my sword had clashed with one of Kwon Taehyuk’s moving blades, and already the strain on my wrist was setting in.
The longer this dragged out, the lower my chances of winning. Gritting my teeth, I forced my arm to move.
Chaeng! Ching! Kagak!
Wherever I moved my sword, Kwon Taehyuk’s blades followed. With a flutter, the wide-spread blades blocked above, the center, and the tip of my blade.
“Huff...!”
Just as I was desperately searching for an opening, a chill of killing intent swept past me, and I twisted my head instinctively. Whoosh—The sound of air being torn rang in my ears, and something sharp grazed my head.
“Damn it, that almost killed me.”
Three blades were focused on blocking my attack, but the others had started targeting my body. If I’d reacted even a fraction too late, the side of my head would’ve been slashed wide open. Cold sweat trickled down my neck.
I hurriedly backed away and checked Kwon Taehyuk’s face. He was now holding the ninth blade—with a handle—and stared at me with eyes as cold as death.
“Seriously? He’s not holding back at all? That’s harsh.”
Seems like I’ve really pissed him off. At least he didn’t figure out who I really am. I readjusted my stance.
“The challenger narrowly evades Kwon Taehyuk Hunter’s assault! This is intense! Who will make the next move?”
The excited voice of the reporter rang out from behind me. The cheers for Kwon Taehyuk grew even louder.
Everyone was enjoying this except me. Well, I couldn’t blame them.
I let out a sigh and raised my sword again. Bracing my thigh muscles, I slammed off the ground and leapt into the air.
Blades came flying at me, aiming for my airborne figure. Forcing my stiffening body to move through tension, I barely managed to deflect them.
But I couldn’t block them all. Some slashed across my body, leaving blood trailing from my shoulder, the back of my hand, and my thigh. Still, I didn’t waver and fell straight toward Kwon Taehyuk’s head.
“The blades aren’t the real threat.”
The one controlling the deadly blades was Kwon Taehyuk. If I just kept blocking them and never got close, I’d never stand a chance.
Even if it was dangerous, I had to break through and close the distance. That was my only chance.
Kiiiiing!
A blade that had grazed past me suddenly veered to follow my back. But it wasn’t fast enough to catch up with my rapid descent.
I grinned down at Kwon Taehyuk, who looked up at me with a surprised expression.
Boom!
He caught my falling body, and the impact knocked him to the ground with a loud crash. In the rising dust, I moved quickly.
I pressed my knee into his abdomen and raised the tip of my sword. Just as I was about to drive the blade into his right shoulder—
Kagak! Even after the impact, Kwon Taehyuk was sharp. With the ninth blade still in his hand, he blocked my strike.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He blocked my attack at this distance? As I re-acknowledged the fact that he was a monster, sharp pain exploded in my side, and my vision spun violently.
“Gah...!”
Kwon Taehyuk had landed a kick square into my ribs. I rolled across the ground helplessly.
“A perfect counter from Kwon Taehyuk Hunter! Is this the end for the challenger?”
Waaaah!
The cheers and the reporter’s voice roared in my ears. Pain flared from my ribs every time I breathed.
But I didn’t have the luxury of lying around. As soon as I lifted my head, I saw blades flying toward me. I jumped up and ran.
Kwagagak!
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Five blades stabbed into the ground where I’d just been. I scrapped my original plan of retreat and ran straight toward Kwon Taehyuk.
There were only three blades left—the one floating beside him and the one in his hand. This was my chance.
Whoosh. I ducked as another blade whooshed overhead.
Only two blades remained—one floating, one in his grip. I had to end it before the others returned.
Kakang!
Swallowing my ragged breath, I swung my sword with all my might. Our blades crossed with a jarring X-shaped clash. Ziinng—The shock of the impact made my blade tremble.
My hair fluttered, revealing Kwon Taehyuk’s eyes. For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of confusion in them.
I didn’t know what had unsettled him, but if he was shaken, that worked to my advantage.
I twisted my wrist, guiding his blade downward. The upper right was open. I spun my sword and thrust it toward the gap.
The blade slashed perfectly across his upper shoulder. Blood splattered—it was real.
“If I keep this up...!”
I might win. The hope surged in me—
“Huh?”
Ignoring his injured shoulder, Kwon Taehyuk suddenly grabbed me by the collar and hurled me into the ground.
Boom!
“Urgh!”
My cheek and body slammed into the dirt, knocking the wind out of me.
Still gripping my collar, Kwon Taehyuk bent one knee and pinned my wrist to the ground with his foot.
“This is where the games end.”
His cold voice bit like frost as he reached for my face. Coughing, I flinched at the sudden closeness of his hand.
“Wait—hold on...!”
I wanted to run, but my pinned wrist wouldn’t budge. Reflexively, I slapped his hand with my free one.
Ding!
《Trait: Just Stay Down (F-rank) activated!》
《Opponent is stunned!》
“What?”
Before I could even react to the sudden status window, Kwon Taehyuk’s body swayed violently.
“Guh... Wh-what the...?”
His eyes fluttered, and like falling asleep, he collapsed forward—onto me.
I instinctively caught his falling body.
“This is...”
Over his limp shoulder, new system windows popped up one after another.
Ding!
《Main Quest Reward granted.》
《Kwon Taehyuk’s Affection Level has increased!》
“Hah...”
I stared blankly, stunned by the outcome I never could’ve imagined. Holding the unconscious Kwon Taehyuk in my arms, I could only gape at the status window, when the reporter’s excited voice rang out across the arena.
“U-Unbelievable! Did everyone see that?! Kwon Taehyuk Hunter has fallen! The challenger has defeated ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) him and taken the top spot in the rankings!”
Waaaaaah!
The spectators responded with thunderous cheers and applause. A spotlight—where it came from, I had no idea—blazed down on me.
Sitting on the ground, holding the completely knocked-out Kwon Taehyuk, I received the spotlight with a hollow laugh.
“Hah, ha... ha...”
Out of all times, that stun trait had to activate now? A 0.3% chance?
I looked down at Kwon Taehyuk, unsure whether to laugh or cry. He was sound asleep in my arms, completely unaware of what had just happened.

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