Chapter 59

059. Martial World Challenger (3)

Baek Sun-hak, a veteran of the Martial Alliance, was feeling flustered for the first time in a long while. The reason was the presence of Han Seung-yoon, who was currently enveloped in a whirlwind.

He was different.

He was different from all the other challengers Baek Sun-hak had encountered in this world.

Whoosh!

There was no need to apply various theories; just the whirlwind surrounding the young man made it clear that his abilities were improving on a completely different level.

Having intruded into various layers of different worlds dozens of times, Baek Sun-hak knew this all too well. He had always considered this world, 'Earth,' as merely a training ground. After all, the people in this world were all weak, lacking in any significant abilities. They fought using only the powers they obtained from the Tower of Trials, seemingly unaware of the martial arts.

Baek Sun-hak, who had once been among the top hundred martial artists before losing his strength, was confident that this world would soon collapse, unable to withstand any further.

Seeing other challengers repeatedly intrude into this world's layers, he too hastily launched continuous invasions into this honey pot of a world.

"Layer intrusion special benefits are activated."

"If a challenger is killed, their layer rewards can be stolen."

Baek Sun-hak had never failed to kill a challenger. No challenger had ever surpassed his expectations or even put up a proper fight. He had already killed two challengers in this world and stolen their rewards. He believed he could easily kill this challenger as well.

After all, his unique characteristic, Sword Light, could completely obscure the opponent's vision, allowing him to kill the challenger with a silent, swift stab. The challengers in this world lacked adaptability and fell for his tricks. His confidence in asking for their names and showing courtesy stemmed from his track record.

However...

'What the hell is this guy...!'

The young man in front of him was entirely different. Even with his vision completely blocked, he thoroughly evaded the sword and even counterattacked. Seeing this, Baek Sun-hak thought there might be someone worth his time in this world. However, he still believed he could finish off this young man and steal his rewards.

Just as no one had ever withstood him when he was serious, he had no doubt this time would be no different.

But reality proved otherwise.

Boom!

Han Seung-yoon, enveloped in a whirlwind, pushed off the ground, creating a shockwave.

At the same time...

"Speed of the Swift Boots (C+) special effect increases instantaneous speed."

His speed increased to a level that Baek Sun-hak's eyes could not follow, even for a moment. Although he had suspected something was amiss when the whirlwind enveloped Han Seung-yoon's body...

Even Baek Sun-hak, who had detected some trick, was shocked by this speed.

'He's become ridiculously fast...!'

However, Baek Sun-hak couldn't maintain his shock for long.

Clang!

He had to immediately parry the madly flying sword of Han Seung-yoon. The attack speed had also increased, making it difficult for Baek Sun-hak to keep up, but he was an exceptional martial artist.

Clang...!

With his long-practiced sword skills, he suppressed and deflected all of Han Seung-yoon's attacks. The sword in the hands of a master, once among the top ten martial artists, was not ordinary. He twisted the sword path and spread sword shadows in all directions, weaving seven sword shadows in the air to block Han Seung-yoon's movements.

But Han Seung-yoon, as if finding the sword shadows slow, accelerated even more and swung his sword outside the attack range.

Baek Sun-hak, startled, quickly swung his sword to unleash Sword Light.

"Unique characteristic 'Sword Light' cooldown is over."

"Unique characteristic 'Sword Light' is activated."

Suddenly, a burst of light from Baek Sun-hak's sword blinded Han Seung-yoon again. However, this time, the situation was different from before.

"Skill 'Eagle Eye' is activated."

Han Seung-yoon, having activated the Eagle Eye skill once more, launched an aggressive attack. He had become familiar with Baek Sun-hak's unique characteristic, leading to this turn of events.

Han Seung-yoon swiftly dodged Baek Sun-hak's sword and struck several times in quick succession.

Clang, Clang, Clang!

Even Baek Sun-hak, who had been boasting about his techniques, had to admit the situation.

'Misjudgment...!'

He should have finished Han Seung-yoon off when he was affected by his unique characteristic. Despite his superior sword skills, Baek Sun-hak began to be pushed back as time passed. The physical abilities that were on par just moments ago had become a significant gap.

Even when he managed to land an attack on Han Seung-yoon with his superior sword skills, it was problematic.

"Skill 'Ashen Blood' is activated."

Han Seung-yoon's body quickly recovered from Baek Sun-hak's attacks.

'What kind of monster is this...'

There was no other technique like this. It was difficult enough to land an attack, but to recover instantly upon being hit?

It was as if this strength negated all the martial arts Baek Sun-hak had cultivated.

Clearly, the gap in skill was evident, but being outmatched in physical abilities was also a problem. More troubling was that Han Seung-yoon possessed a skill that was disadvantageous against his unique characteristic, Sword Light. Even with his vision obscured, Han Seung-yoon could somehow sense and evade the attacks.

Realizing he would die if this continued, Baek Sun-hak instinctively activated his abilities. He had been reluctant to use skills other than his unique characteristic, considering them mere tricks from the Tower of Trials.

"Skill 'One Strike Two Skins' is activated."

"Attack speed increases by 2 times."

"Skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' is activated."

"Lightning energy infuses the sword."

Boom!

The sign of a first-rate martial artist, Sword Qi, which was rarely used in the martial world, was about to be unleashed from Baek Sun-hak's hands, infused with lightning.

"Layer intrusion penalty is applied."

"All stats are reduced by -8."

"Some skills cannot be used."

As if refusing to let him use such skills, these messages appeared on Baek Sun-hak's retina, and the skills were immediately canceled.

"Skill 'One Strike Two Skins' is forcibly deactivated."

"Skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' is forcibly deactivated."

Clang...!

"Ugh...!"

Parrying the sword, Baek Sun-hak winced at the tingling in his wrist and stepped back.

"Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' admires the young challenger."

The administrator he had contracted with appeared and commented.

Of course, the praise he had received so far was all about Han Seung-yoon's abilities.

It wasn't just that.

"Administrator 'Monster of the North' predicts your defeat."

"Administrator 'Master of the Late Night' takes interest in the young challenger."

"Administrator 'Hero of the Black Pirate' admires the young challenger's skill usage."

The other administrators, who had been watching, were amazed by Han Seung-yoon, not paying attention to Baek Sun-hak. This indicated that Han Seung-yoon's skills and rapidly improved physical abilities were far beyond the norm.

'Damn...'

Feeling a chill, Baek Sun-hak quickly thought of all the skills he could use. Believing he could still end this, he immediately infused his sword with inner energy. Although he couldn't use Sword Qi, he could still enhance his sword.

Not as powerful as Sword Qi, but close.

Whirr...

Seeing the blue energy rise like smoke from his sword, Baek Sun-hak launched his attack.

"Unique characteristic 'Sword Light' cooldown is over."

"Unique characteristic 'Sword Light' is activated."

He activated his unique characteristic to blind Han Seung-yoon again and then activated his skills.

"Skill 'One Flash' is activated."

"Cutting power of the next attack is doubled."

"Skill 'Fairy Step' is activated."

"Movement speed increases by 2.8 times for 1 minute."

He was trying to raise his level as much as possible to deliver a decisive blow, considering that Han Seung-yoon would dodge.

Swoosh!

Baek Sun-hak launched his sword, and Han Seung-yoon immediately countered.

Baek Sun-hak smiled, confident of victory. All he had to do was cut through Han Seung-yoon with his sword and finish him off.

'It's over. I can end this now...?'

However...

"What...?"

Han Seung-yoon was not cut in half as Baek Sun-hak had expected.

"Skill 'Three Cuts' is activated."

"Three attacks are enhanced by the skill effect."

Han Seung-yoon's sword was now brimming with mana.

***

Clang!

Blocking Baek Sun-hak's sword, which flew at me like a bolt of lightning, I felt a chill.

'This crazy...'

I recalled the blue energy on Baek Sun-hak's sword just before my vision was obscured. It resembled the 'Aura' used by the black knight I met on the 5th floor. Activating the Three Cuts skill was a stroke of luck.

A skill powerful enough to cut through a Sand Golem in one strike, yet my sword was not cut...

This meant the old man's technique was that impressive.

'If I hadn't used the Three Cuts skill, I would have died...'

Thinking about it, a chill ran down my spine. If my sword had been cut, my head would have been cut off as well. Even though I could easily recover from physical damage, a severed head would not regenerate.

Feeling a sense of relief for a moment after successfully blocking the old man's attack, I was soon reminded of the situation.

"Unique characteristic 'Sword Light' vision blackout ends."

The message appeared, and my vision returned to normal.

At the same time...

I saw the old man, who looked at me in disbelief.

However, without hesitation, I knocked his sword away and launched a sword strike. The Three Cuts skill increases cutting power more significantly on the second and third attacks.

Just now, the attack was canceled when our swords clashed. But...

Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss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