Chapter 74
In the martial tournament, a short window is given to change traits after each round.
Since matchmaking is random, starting at a disadvantage in the first round is unavoidable.
That’s why they give you a chance to turn the tables.
This waiting period was a crucial element that made the tournament not just a physical fight, but one that allowed for strategy.
-That light suppression was impressive
-That’s what real skill is!
-But honestly, at this level, shouldn’t he be playing pro???
-Can’t even be surprised anymore lol
-A knack for casually demolishing the veteran of all veterans
-Did he really copy Salmak in the middle?
The body of the fallen opponent disappeared, and Seojun was likewise summoned back to the starting point.
The next round would begin in two minutes.
“Yes, I did copy Salmak in the middle.”
Answering briefly, Seojun opened his traits window.
-Why is he opening that?
-Wants a peek?
-Honestly, just standing still is a bit awkward
The viewers, naturally, assumed Seojun wouldn’t change his traits.
He hadn’t changed them even for raids or escort missions, so they couldn’t easily imagine he’d suddenly open the window just to swap traits.
“Hmm, I’m thinking of trying a different trait. Why suddenly change?”
Seojun mulled over the reason.
After all.
During the waiting time, you have to predict the opponent’s build.
Rankers know most builds and their matchups by heart, so no matter what build you bring, as long as it’s not an overpowered sect that has the advantage, this fight is basically rock-paper-scissors.
You could choose to stick with your best build even if the matchup is unfavorable, too.
But if someone who always throws rock suddenly throws scissors?
“The opponent probably thinks I won’t change. So changing now would have a big impact, don’t you think?”
There was no great reason for trying a new trait.
“Other people will stop thinking about easily counter-sniping me, too. Heh heh.”
I hope nobody misunderstands and thinks it’s just a petty whim—this is a change that benefits him.
-He’s wicked lololol
-This is strategy
-The intelligence of the Korean team!
-Not strength, intelligence, I see lololol
-Did he finally put points into INT?!
-The opponent who was grinning smugly and preparing to run is now startled!
Seojun first allocated the sub-traits.
The ones you can select without picking the core trait.
Options like increased base attack power, for instance.
These are entirely in the realm of personal preference, with only a slight effect on playstyle.
-Build-crafting grandpa mode on
-What kind of gem-like build is he going to bring this time?
-So where did this term “build” come from…
-Black Palm! Go ranged!
“Oh. Everyone, I’m going to do a standard one this time.”
Seojun’s fingertip moved toward the core trait at the very end of the trait branch.
[Incomplete Heavenly Demon Divine Art.]
“Let’s test this out.”
Heavenly Demon Divine Art is a supreme divine art typically depicted as a martial art used by the Heavenly Demon.
It couldn’t possibly be left out of a game like ‘For the Chivalrous’ that features a demonic cult faction, and the developers included it, but it wasn’t exactly favored by users.
In-game, its effect is that, as the ultimate enhancement martial art, all actions using inner energy are strengthened.
When sword auras clash, it swallows the enemy’s sword aura; if you gather inner energy on your feet as if using lightness skill and perform a seismic step, you can even deal stun and area damage.
So it didn’t betray the setting of a supreme divine art. But there was a problem: the modifier attached in front of Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
-Well, it was weird that he wasn’t using Heavenly Demon all this time
-So he’s finally pulling out the Heavenly Demon Divine Art…
-???: I meant not to use this one
-Master… I’m sorry
-Curious what penalty he’ll pick lololol
Incomplete.
Because of the setting that the oral formula wasn’t properly transmitted, if you choose Heavenly Demon Divine Art, you must also pick a penalty beneath it.
‘Well, that’s demonic cults for you.’
I thought they were balancing it this way.
People absolutely loathe these penalties.
“Right, which one should I pick?”
There’s a term called glass cannon.
It combines a glass body and a cannon, meaning something that’s powerful like a cannon but as fragile as glass—only high damage, no durability.
Choosing the first penalty of the Heavenly Demon would give you the experience of being that glass cannon.
The trait name is:
[Body’s Collapse]
Something about it being incomplete, or whatever.
If you select this trait, just one hit can leave you on the brink of death.
Even health recovery through things like Absorption Technique is impossible, so even rankers of the demonic cult would never pick this unless the skill gap was truly enormous.
“I don’t know what the second one feels like yet, so I’m a bit torn.”
The second trait is an even greater spectacle.
[Cognitive Dullness]
It’s a perfect side effect of an incomplete demonic art.
In a past life, there were plenty of demonic cult guys who lost their minds, went crazy, and caused accidents.
And if it’s the head of such a cult, wouldn’t it be worse?
Of course, your cognition doesn’t literally slow down; instead, it dulls your body.
In other words, picking this gives you the experience of moving with a heavy body that doesn’t respond as you wish.
You can think of it as having a constant slow debuff.
“But I heard it’s not so bad that you can’t fight at all. Is that right?”
They described it as the maximum speed being about the speed you can swing a sword with your arm completely relaxed.
-Seojun, kid. People usually call that “can’t fight at all.”
-Seriously, just pick the glass body and try not to get hit even once
-With the abbot’s skill, not getting hit once seems possible
-If you don’t truly love pain, don’t choose the second one.
-That trait that frustrates even the viewers lololol
Hmm.
“One minute left. Should I think it over a bit?”
Seojun lowered his hands and turned completely toward the chat window.
-???
-Do you think a minute is a lot?
-What about the other sub-traits?
-Here we go, messing with our heads again
Seojun grinned and said,
“Actually, I saved it in a preset.”
A preset is a convenience feature that lets you save settings in advance and load them up.
-So this was a scripted answer from the start? Lololol
-Which debuff did he pick?
-Preparation level: SSS tier
-The detailed settings earlier were just bait, huh
-Plot twist: It wasn’t just Heavenly Demon Divine Art after all!
Smirking, Seojun pressed the preset button.
How much time is left?
“It is Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
The saved settings popped up, revealing the debuff Seojun had chosen.
[Cognitive Dullness]
“Let me show you a proper dull sword.”
[Game starts in 10 seconds]
-Wait, what’s his temperament?
-Why does he enjoy suffering lol
-I’m excited
-What’s a dull sword?
* * *
Seojun didn’t move a single step from the starting point. He slowly swung his arm.
The starting point wasn’t a safe zone, but before heading out to face the enemy, he needed to adapt to the body under the trait’s effect.
“…….”
With a silent kiai, Seojun swung his arm from left to right with all his strength.
Whoooosh.
The tip of the sword reached its final point more slowly than usual.
“It’s faster than swinging in water and slightly slower than swinging with no force.”
As he adapted to the feeling that the air resistance had gotten stronger every time he moved his body, Seojun spoke.
-Have you ever swung a sword in water?
-What kind of training have you been doing in reality…
-Was there a game where you swung a sword underwater?
-I don’t think so lol If the sea were the background, you’d pick up a harpoon lol
Whoooosh.
Whoooosh.
There was absolutely no difference between swinging lightly with no force and swinging with deliberate power.
“Well, it’s much better than I expected.”
Seojun left the starting point surrounded by rocks.
Step, step.
Fortunately, his movement speed stayed the same.
‘So it only applied to attack speed.’
They say using lightness skill makes you even faster.
That’s because it’s an action using inner energy, which benefits from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art’s effect.
As he rounded a corner, he saw the wide-open verdant ridge and the enemy.
“Come at me once more.”
Seojun clasped one hand behind his back and raised his sword before his eyes.
This time, the rank-5 ‘Sapaui Pumgyeok’ chose to approach slowly instead of rushing in rashly.
He was more cautious than before. The level of wariness had deepened.
Seojun waited silently.
Moving first would be reckless.
When the distance narrowed to about this much—so close that an outstretched arm could touch the throat—Sapaui Pumgyeok suddenly accelerated and swung his sword. Seojun blocked.
Clang!
A fight between the fastest attack speed and the slowest had begun.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The enemy seemed to wield three swords at once, trying to slash and thrust at Seojun from left, right, and center at high speed.
At a slow speed, Seojun moved his sword along the simplest, shortest paths to defend, avoiding damage.
Naturally, his movements became restrained to a bare minimum.
In stark contrast, the enemy began pressing harder and faster.
Clenching his teeth, pushing his high-speed control to the limit.
-Wow, there must be quite a speed gap, but honestly, I can barely feel the difference
-Still, is he forced to just defend?
-Use sword aura!
-Is he not thinking of sword aura? Heavenly Demon Divine Art boosts inner energy!
Grrrk!
He deflected the enemy’s thrusting sword with his own, bracing the back of the blade with his palm.
Shing!
But a shallow cut appeared on Seojun’s cheek. The slight pain allowed by the capsule sent a thrill through him.
It’s razor-close.
The attack speed feels slower than expected. It’s likely amplified because the enemy is a Salmak (speed build).
‘Whatever, it’s good.’
While Seojun was taking delight in getting cut, the enemy didn’t look particularly happy even after landing the hit.
Rather, he seemed even more guarded.
The enemy…
‘He’s waiting for the right timing.’
Timing for what?
‘He’s pressing fiercely, but his feet don’t come in deep.’
Seojun’s eyes were catching every single thing about the enemy moment by moment.
In an instant, he took in the enemy’s actions, foot placement, the angle of his arm folding, his wrist—all stored in his sight.
And even as he read the enemy, he gradually grew accustomed to this speed and restrained fighting style, shedding every movement he could possibly trim.
Clang!
The swords clashed and bounced apart.
In that moment, Seojun—who had been focused on defense—spotted a gap hidden in the brief pause.
A gap he could wedge himself into and split apart, even at a slow speed.
Seojun would never miss a crack like that.
A smooth motion flowing from a firm center ensured he wouldn’t miss that gap.
Seojun’s sword moved slowly.
No—it only looked like it was moving slowly.
Even though the speed wasn’t actually that slow.
Speed is relative.
Because just before, they had seen Seojun unknowingly mask his slow speed with efficient, minimal movements, and then saw the Salmak’s sword—the fastest base attack speed—get entangled with his.
Now, the moment their focus was fully on Seojun’s sword, the viewers felt it.
It’s slow.
Seojun’s current sword, tracing a wide semicircle, was just too slow.
And so.
The viewers naturally wondered.
‘Why can’t he dodge a sword like that?’