Chapter 73 - The Knight's Duel (3)

A match where only swordsmanship is used, excluding any spells.

"Hmm, this match, which was already hard to predict, has become even more difficult."

Shin Hye-rim frowned.

The viewers felt the same way.

-Oh, this is tough.

-Even if Godfl is amazing, can physical prowess alone cover it?

-It's hard, so hard!

-Hurry up and say Godfl will win! I bet all my savings on him!

-Don't bet if you're not sure, didn't you learn that?

-What's Gon's appearance about lol

-Ah lol, the underdog angle is sharp, so sharp.

-Really, I can't guess.

-What is Trchoip doing! Explain quickly!

He took a deep breath with a serious expression.

"Phew, this is tough. It's really tough. But if I can say something, in terms of physical prowess, Purple is definitely superior."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. This is a fact that has been verified by master anatomy. Honestly, in terms of physical prowess, there are almost no one who can surpass Purple."

"Then, Purple will win, as expected..."

"No, it's not necessarily that simple."

He interrupted Shin Hye-rim and added an explanation.

"Purple passed the test with overwhelming physical prowess. But the way Eclipse passed the test is a bit different."

"Different, even though it's the same test?"

"Yes. Eclipse couldn't reduce the number of opponents as quickly as Purple. But he survived against a larger number of opponents. This comes from experience, and there is a significant difference in experience."

-So, who is more advantageous?

-Whew! Calm me down quickly!

-Is Godfl going to win? Right?

-Will the underdogs come to their senses?

-12 years of experience can't be beaten, lol.

-Eclipse isn't a legend for nothing.

-Who's laughing now? I didn't bet on anything!

-Ah lol, it's more fun not betting.

The chat window was in chaos.

The viewers were more immersed due to the point betting.

"This match, no one can guarantee the outcome. This is a confrontation of talent and effort, after all!"

"Talent versus effort?"

"Which side is more advantageous is hard to explain, right? I feel the same. In the end, we can only watch! Everyone, focus!"

While a heated debate was ongoing in the chat window, the actual participants were calm.

Lee Kyung-bok and Eclipse were facing each other with their swords drawn.

"Quieter than expected?"

"It may look quiet, but a fierce battle of numbers is already underway. Both know that once it starts, it's hard to stop!"

"Ah, indeed! Who will make the first move!?"

"Probably Eclipse."

"Really?"

"Because the more experienced one will move first."

Jinom's prediction was accurate.

Eclipse was the one who broke the balance.

He closed the distance in an instant and drew his sword in a diagonal line. Lee Kyung-bok immediately tried to block the sword.

'What is this?'

But he soon turned his body due to a chilling sensation that swept over him. The sword that was falling diagonally suddenly braked and changed its trajectory.

A sharp sound of air being cut was heard right next to him. If his reaction had been even a little slower, he would have been stabbed in the neck.

'I need to focus...!'

That single strike was enough to raise his alertness. His senses became sharp, and he deployed his sixth sense.

Lee Kyung-bok followed his intuition and swung his sword.

With a metallic clang, the two swords clashed. Inside the cross-shaped helmet worn by Eclipse, nothing could be seen.

"Enjoyable!"

The sword twisted.

It wasn't Lee Kyung-bok's will. It was as if the sword was being pulled by a magnet, sliding according to Eclipse's will.

At the same time, a warning flooded his mind. Lee Kyung-bok urgently sought an escape route and turned his sword.

'Good...'

The feeling of escaping the threat was only momentary. A new threat immediately stimulated his sixth sense.

"Ugh!"

Eclipse seemed very pleased with his response, but he still had much to show.

'Oh!'

Lee Kyung-bok realized.

In this situation, thinking was a luxury. To follow the constantly changing situation and find a way out, he needed to focus on his intuition.

"This... This is really amazing! Incredible speed!"

"That's right! Both sides are so fast that it's hard to believe they are human! No, even if they planned their movements in advance, they wouldn't be this fast!?"

The commentators were amazed at the scene. The chat window had already exploded.

-What, what is this?

-Suddenly, Elden Soul turned into a martial arts movie, lol.

-Wow, it's so cool.

-Is this a superhuman duel...?

-They're not using spells, right? They're not buffing each other and fighting?

-But;; Eclipse has experience, but what is Purple following?

-Can humans move like this!?

Like a raging torrent, they clashed fiercely, then locked swords in a strength contest. When it seemed they had stopped, they resumed their battle of numbers to gain the upper hand.

The duel was a blend of elegance and intensity, making it impossible to look away. It was natural for the viewers to be enthusiastic.

-Still, he seems to be at a disadvantage.

-The difference in experience is inevitable, huh.

-Godfl is insane to have held on this long.

-If the performance is this good, losing all my savings wouldn't be a waste.

-I think Eclipse is amazing, but I think Godfl is even more impressive.

-LOL, regardless of the outcome, both are legends!

However, the situation seemed unfavorable for Lee Kyung-bok. Is the difference in experience really that hard to overcome?

"Ah...! I thought it was over."

"By a hair's breadth, the match is not decided! Despite Eclipse's offensive, he is not easily pushed back! His pressure resistance is insane!"

Still, the match was not decided. When it seemed to be the end, Lee Kyung-bok found a way out and erased the signs of defeat.

Jinom, who was observing the situation, had a sudden realization.

"Did you feel it?"

"What? Feel what?"

Shin Hye-rim, of course, and the chat window quickly filled with question marks.

"Purple seems to be 'adapting' in real-time."

"Adapting? What do you mean!?"

-What?

-Adapting to Eclipse's attacks?

-What are you talking about;; It's already hard enough to hold on.

-Whew? Isn't this a risky move?

-LOL, Trchoip, don't feel burdened by the name!

-This duel is so amazing that no commentary is needed, lol.

The viewers were incredulous. But Jinom did not waver in his opinion.

"Look! Even though it seems he is being pushed back, it's completely different from the beginning. If the defense-to-offense ratio was 1:9 at the start, it's now around 3:7!"

His words were true.

Unlike the initial phase where he was only defending, Lee Kyung-bok's counterattacks were increasing.

-What??

-Is that possible?

-Learning while fighting?!

-LOL, what kind of shonen manga is this?

-But if it's Godfl...

-Come on, lol, why does it seem possible?

The viewers were skeptical.

Lee Kyung-bok, the actual participant, didn't pay attention to their reactions. He was feeling a very unfamiliar sensation.

'They are increasing more and more.'

The more he engaged in swordplay with Eclipse, the more escape routes, which were initially just a few, multiplied. He even had time to think.

'So, that's it.'

Lee Kyung-bok smiled faintly.

When he thought about it, it made sense. His sixth sense, based on the information he had collected, always showed the best results. In other words, the more information he had, the more powerful it became.

'Positive feedback.'

As Lee Kyung-bok found new escape routes, Eclipse demonstrated new movements. His sixth sense collected these new movements and provided new breakthroughs.

And the cycle repeated.

The more they engaged in swordplay, the more Lee Kyung-bok became adept at swordsmanship, and the faster he gained the upper hand as the positive feedback loop continued.

"Grunt..."

A groan escaped from Eclipse's lips instead of a sigh. The more time passed, the more difficult it became for him, and he knew it best.

'What is this...!'

Eclipse felt his limits approaching. The initial ease was gone, and his hands and feet were in disarray. His sword, which seemed to be able to go anywhere, now felt like it was passing through a narrow needle's eye.

And in the end.

"Grunt!"

He reached a dead end.

Irresistible force.

Those four characters appeared in Eclipse's mind.

With a metallic clang, his sword slipped from his grip and rolled on the ground. Lee Kyung-bok's sword tip stopped in front of his neck.

"Huff."

Despite the intense battle and the amazing swordplay, Lee Kyung-bok only took a short breath.

He felt no pride in his victory or intoxication with the win.

'I just did what I had to do...'

Eclipse sensed his inner thoughts.

Lee Kyung-bok simply followed the path his sword should take in that situation. It was natural for him.

"...I lost."

The two short words that came from his mouth.

But their impact was not short.

"Ah, right now, the match has been decided!"

"Wow! It was so fast, I couldn't even see it!"

"Really, really amazing! Purple has defeated Eclipse, the two-time winner of the Elden Kingdom Duel Tournament! This is a historic moment where the best swordsman of Elden has changed!"

Jinom raised his voice.

The tension that had sunk deep into the duel between the two quickly soared.

-Elden's best swordsman lol, what a joke lol.

-Trchoip's word choice is amazing lol.

-Did it really turn into a martial arts story?

-From now on, Elden Soul is a traditional martial arts game...

-Trchoip! Trchoip! Trchoip! Trchoip!

-Breaking news) Juk Jun-kyung declares the return of the title 'Best Swordsman of Joseon': "The name of my teacher who bestowed me the sword is Purple."

-WTF lol, who is Juk Jun-kyung lol.

-(Perojangcon)(Perojangcon)(Perojangcon)(Perojangcon)

-Did the underdogs come to their senses? Did the underdogs come to their senses?

-It's a success, all in!

-My memories are being copied! My memories are being copied!

The chat window also showed explosive reactions. Lee Kyung-bok, seeing the chat messages filling his view, sheathed his sword.

"It was a truly excellent match."

That one sentence brought the attention back.

Lee Kyung-bok extended his hand to Eclipse. Eclipse, after a moment of staring at the hand, firmly shook it.

"It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed."

"Really?"

"Twelve years, twelve years of experience, caught up in a single duel."

The commentators and viewers were taken aback by his words. They couldn't imagine what Eclipse was feeling.

However, contrary to their concerns.

"It's very satisfying."

Eclipse was enjoying a not-so-bad feeling.

"I swear, there was not a single mistake or moment of complacency. I poured everything into this duel and lost. That's all there is to it."

Because he gave it his all, there was no regret. Eclipse firmly shook Lee Kyung-bok's hand and said,

"Every time I fought with you, I could feel your improving skills. Sir Purple..."

Eclipse released his hand and bowed. Though he had no sword, his hand raised above his chest was steady.

"You are a true genius."

Following Jinom, Eclipse also recognized Lee Kyung-bok as a genius.

-Amazing! This is a dream!

-A clean concession, regardless of the outcome? This is what a knight is.

-Eclipse is truly a knight!

-Is this what chivalry is...?

-He didn't lose his cool until the end, lol.

-If Eclipse acknowledges it, it's undeniable, lol.

-It was a great match, lol.

-I don't regret taking a day off today, lol.

-This is what a big moment is.

While the viewers were expressing their thoughts,

['Seungmin' donated '10,000' won.]

[The Elden community... will treat Godfl as a knight from now on...]

['HomeboundWanderer' donated '50,000' won.]

[Can I... become a knight if I try hard?]

['NowIKnow' donated '500,000' won.]

[The reason I earn money is to show respect!]

Suddenly, donation messages appeared.

Using the break after the match, the metagamer linked the messages.

"Ah, thank you for the donations!"

"Thank you! Gentlemen! Thanks to you, this moment is possible!"

Lee Kyung-bok and Eclipse expressed their gratitude.

-Is this the right time for donations?

-Donations? I want to join in!

-Ah lol, I'm running!

-The WalletKnight is out!

-What's a WalletKnight lol?

Stimulated, the viewers started pouring in donations. While expressing gratitude, Lee Kyung-bok turned to Eclipse and said,

"Thank you again, Sir Eclipse. This is the first time I've worried about losing in any battle."

-WTF lol

-Worried about losing for the 'first' time?

-Is this complete praise?

-Is this the perfect type of praise?

-WTF lol, is there flattery in the praise?

-Praise is a passive skill for Godfl, though?

-LOL, I thought it was an active skill.

The viewers didn't hide their amusement. Eclipse also responded with a proud voice.

"Being able to make you tense is an achievement in itself."

"Ahaha, I'm glad you didn't misunderstand."

-Ah lol, this is so fun.

-Those who didn't watch this live are really missing out.

-For a while, the Elden community will only be practicing swordsmanship.

-Can you not pick up a sword after watching this?

-LOL, even if I'm a noob, I'll try to imitate it.

-Will the story continue after this?

-It can't be a filler, right, lol.

The chat window expected the event to end soon. Shin Hye-rim, noticing the timing, realized it was the right moment.

"Everyone! It's not over yet!"

Everyone's attention turned to her unexpected voice.

"We have a surprise guest!"

"A surprise guest?"

Jinom, standing beside her, was surprised. He hadn't heard about this either.

Shin Hye-rim quickly whispered something to Jinom. His eyes widened in shock.

"Is this real!?"

"Yes, it's real! Jinom, please introduce the guest!"

-What?

-It's not over?

-Sit down! Elden fans and Purple fans, sit down!

-What else is there!?

-This service is insane, lol.

-The appetizer and main dish are out, but what else is coming?

-If the main dish is this good, what else could there be?

Now, the attention was on Jinom. He quickly rolled his eyes and seemed to organize his thoughts before speaking.

"Wow, I didn't expect this guest. A surprise guest! Everything has a gravitational pull! A distinguished guest has arrived at this humble place!"

-What? What?

-WTF lol

-A distinguished guest at a humble place lol

-Universal gravitation? Is this it?

-Can't be?

The viewers could easily guess the identity from the introduction alone. Therefore, Jinom didn't drag it out.

"The one who drank a bitter cup and received personal coaching from Purple! Newtonza is here!"

As he spoke, a new figure landed in the arena. A challenger in black armor with a helmet that completely covered the face, Newtonza.

'...As expected, it's similar.'

Lee Kyung-bok's sixth sense, reacting to the killing intent emitted by