Chapter 65

065. Arena (3)

The second floor, now a quiet place where no one comes anymore.

A white-haired woman sitting in the main hall of this second floor smiled slightly, as if amused.

"To already be able to wield sword qi like this..."

It was due to the figure of a challenger emitting from the small pond in the courtyard.

「Challenger Han Seung-yun」

Seeing him cut through the fear flowers that poured down with a roar in one go with sword qi, it seemed he had instinctively grasped the use of sword qi.

She felt satisfied that Han Seung-yun could already use the power of "Sword Qi Wounding" that she had sponsored not long ago.

Was this the joy of growth she hadn't felt since becoming the Administrator White Crane Sword Immortal?

The pride she felt was as if this challenger's growth was her own achievement.

'I can't believe he's at the level of just arriving at the 10th floor waiting room.'

He seemed to be a bit better than Baek Seon-hak, who was once her contractor.

'Well, that's probably why he killed Baek Seon-hak and made it to the arena...'

Of course, it could be said that he pushed through with 'counteraction' against Baek Seon-hak, but...

Even so, it was surprising that he had defeated Baek Seon-hak, who was once a peak martial artist.

Even if she hadn't treated Baek Seon-hak as a true contractor and only gave him the power appropriately, he was still a formidable opponent.

'This challenger will definitely grow even more.'

He would surely become stronger and overcome the 30th floor's challenge to become an administrator.

She had been confident of this since the moment he defeated Baek Seon-hak.

That's why she had given him the quite good power of "Sword Qi Wounding."

She had never regretted her actions in supporting this challenger.

In fact, the more she watched his progress, the more she felt that sponsoring him with the power was a brilliant move.

"Perhaps... with this challenger..."

He might even solve the 'long-standing wish' she couldn't achieve.

At the thought, her black eyes shone brightly.

'I need to build a good relationship with this challenger faster than the other administrators.'

Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to ask him to solve her 'long-standing wish.'

'Now that he's on the 10th floor, he'll soon move to the 11th floor.'

White Crane Sword Immortal muttered to herself as she gazed at Han Seung-yun's reflection in the pond.

"I'll have to call him here soon."

In a world designed solely for administrators, she would make this challenger an ally.

***

After splitting the flames spewed by Catherine with sword qi...

「Skill 'Instant Acceleration' is activated.」

I had no choice but to run around without even catching my breath.

This was because Catherine Bennett's momentum had completely changed after I countered her first attack.

「The activation time of the power 'Sword Qi Wounding' has passed 1 minute.」

「Mana consumption rate increases by 2%.」

Kwaahaaaang...!

'Now she's focusing solely on attacks without saying a word.'

No matter how many times I cut through the pursuing flames, the attacks didn't stop.

There was a limit to cutting through mana-infused flames with sword qi.

Even with Instant Acceleration, the speed of the flames pursuing me was alarming, making it difficult to evade.

'Without the Grace of Wind, I might as well try the Assassin's Cloak...'

But it was impossible as the flames immediately burned the Assassin's Cloak to ashes.

'What should I do?'

「Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' watches the flames closely with interest.」

「Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' looks at you with expectation.」

「Administrator 'Black Demon' laughs loudly at the sight of the flame power.」

The flames following me like missiles seemed to be a 'power' according to the administrators' messages...

Once I didn't cut them, they would keep following me, which was quite inconvenient.

Then, suddenly,

「The proficiency of skill 'Instant Acceleration (D+)' has reached 100%.」

「The level of skill 'Instant Acceleration (D+)' has increased by one grade.」

"..."

Could it be that using it as my main skill all along had boosted its proficiency like crazy?

Suddenly, the Instant Acceleration skill grew to C- level, making my body even faster.

'Nice...!'

I gained a bit more leeway in evading attacks.

Taking advantage of this, I immediately absorbed Baek Seon-hak's spirit through necromancy.

If I allowed more attacks, I might lose the spirit due to the passive protection shield.

「Absorbing the spirit of challenger 'Baek Seon-hak' to permanently increase your stats.」

「Strength increased by 2.」

「Agility increased by 1.」

「Health increased by 3.」

「Mana increased by 3.」

「Endurance increased by 2.」

Instantly, various stats grew slightly, invigorating my body.

「Absorbing one of the skills possessed by challenger 'Baek Seon-hak'.」

'Oh...?'

A skill absorption was triggered, and I learned one of Baek Seon-hak's skills.

「Skill 'Lightning Sword Qi (B)' acquired.」

'Lightning Sword Qi...?'

I recalled how Baek Seon-hak's sword was momentarily enveloped in lightning and flashed.

At that time, it seemed the skill had been canceled, but I had absorbed it.

Kwaahaaaaang!

While fleeing from the flames, I immediately checked the abilities of Lightning Sword Qi...

『Skill - Lightning Sword Qi (B)』

『Proficiency - 0%』

『Description - A true ultimate technique of the Lightning Gate.』

『Basic Effect - When using sword qi, lightning is infused into the sword qi, granting it lightning properties. However, this can only be used when sword qi can be used.』

『Detailed Effect - When the skill is activated, the basic ability to wield sword qi greatly increases, allowing for a slashing attack.』

After reading the description, I was immediately convinced.

'Being able to launch a slashing attack with sword qi...'

I now had the means to escape this hell of flames.

At that moment,

"Looks like you have time to be distracted, huh?"

Catherine's eyes sparkled as she instantly spewed more flames from her hands.

Ku-gu-gu-gu-gung...!

Seeing the more intense wave of flames, I tensed slightly.

'Can I do it...?'

I pondered whether I could cut through these flames with the newly acquired 'Lightning Sword Qi'...

「Skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' is activated.」

Regardless, evasion had its limits, so pondering was meaningless.

Patsutsutsu...!

Instantly, the sword qi seemed to surge with lightning, showcasing its presence.

'This is the ability to grant lightning properties...'

Not only that, but the sword qi felt like a part of my body, vividly.

And...

Only then did I gain confidence in this ability.

I could now fully control the sword qi and launch it as a slashing attack.

And when I swung my sword at the storm of flames approaching like a hurricane...

Swooshhhhh!

「Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' is amazed by your sword qi control.」

「Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' smiles at the contractor's performance.」

「Administrator 'Black Demon' is shocked, saying it's unbelievable.」

The lightning-infused slashing attack split the wave of flames in half.

It even reached Catherine, but...

Kwaahaaaaang...!!

Another burst of flames canceled out the slashing attack.

However, I had sufficiently confirmed the power of the sword qi.

'This level of power is almost on par with a third-tier skill...'

With the skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' supporting the power, victory was inevitable.

"It's impossible...! How can a sword have such power...!"

Catherine Bennett's blue eyes began to tremble violently.

Without responding, I immediately scattered the sword qi in the air.

Swooshhhhh!

Seven sword qi slashes extended like roots, flying in all directions...

"Ugh...!"

Seeing the sword qi, Catherine hastily extended her hand to spew flames.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-k