Part 2, Episode 195.
Did he sense the strange atmosphere between the two?
The crowd, which was as full as the Red Sea, slowly parted to the sides.
My vision gradually became clearer, and at some point, no users other than Myeolsal and his party were visible.
Thump, thump.
Then, the two approached each other as if by prior agreement.
Since there was quite a distance, footsteps echoed in succession, which actually created an even more tense atmosphere.
Gulp.
It was to the point where the sound of people swallowing could be heard constantly around me.
And should I say it’s thanks to that?
As the distance narrowed, Dohyeon was able to examine not only Myeolsal but also his companions in detail.
From a distance, I thought there were quite a lot of people in the group, but the figures actually approaching were just two.
The annoyingly handsome face of Myeolsal that feels familiar now.
Is that woman the Vice Guild Master of the Execution Guild?
Then, a slender woman matching his pace beside him, making the clicking sound of her heels.
A smart image with a high ponytail and glasses that go well together.
She was a woman who looked like a secretary to anyone, dressed in an outfit that made you think, “If suits existed in a fantasy world, this is what it would look like.”
She was looking at him with eyes as blunt and cold as her appearance.
Isn’t that right? It looks like he’s strangely looking at my shoulder…
-Rizari… … .
At that moment, Dohyeon paused for a moment at Eliza’s voice, which was speaking in a nervous, mumbling tone.
Are you looking at Eliza right now?
Just in case, I picked up Eliza in my hand and moved her to my other shoulder, and a gaze followed.
… … It is certain.
That woman is looking at Eliza. With eyes as cold as frost.
Was that look a shock to Eliza, who had only ever seen warm eyes that seemed to say she was dying of cuteness?
-Lizariza… … Liza… … .
He was completely dejected, like waterlogged cotton.
No, Eliza. I’m not looking at you. Who would look at you with such a disgusted gaze? You’re so cute.
-Liza… … Liza?
Then, really.
Jihad comforting Eliza by whispering softly beside her.
I always feel this way, but that guy who is like an enemy to me, always picking on me, is incredibly warm to Eliza.
As I stared in disbelief for a moment, a deep voice interrupted.
To me, my lord is always the best, my lord.
“……I’ll decline.”
-… … .
Leaving Charlie behind, who had a somehow hurt look on his face, I walked on when the sound of footsteps soon stopped.
Before I knew it, I had come within striking distance of them.
Ignoring the secretary-like woman who was staring intently at Eliza right up close, I met Myeolsal’s eyes for a moment.
You’ve come.
“Yeah, here it is.”
When I give a greeting that is as short as ever, true to his nature, and reply just as briefly, he chuckles.
Smiling with a handsome face is annoying.
“Don’t laugh, you’ll get attached.”
Is there any affection?
Of course. He’s a comrade who fought alongside me.
“We are also on the verge of pointing our swords at each other.”
That’s right.
After that, the conversation stopped for a while.
Anyone listening might wonder what kind of conversation this is, but in fact, no further conversation was needed.
He wasn’t close with that guy, and they certainly weren’t on good terms.
And there was no need to talk.
Look at those eyes.
Because the quiet yet deeply burning eyes of that guy were speaking.
I want to draw my sword right now.
Sure enough, he soon pulled his lips away.
It had been quite a long time.
“what.”
The time I waited after hearing that you had returned.
Was the wait worth it? That I’ve grown enough to slit your throat in just a year.
He chuckled and answered calmly.
I really hope so. I’ll be rooting for you.
“Look at him acting all high and mighty. It’s like he’s dying to open his eyes wide. Is he worried about his image?”
“……Is that so?”
When I hit the nail on the head, the guy fell silent for a moment, then slowly added.
Was it obvious?
And at that moment.
-Ugh!
-Ri, Liza!
-Hmm, indeed… …what an incredible energy.
As the guy’s momentum changed, the surrounding air grew chilly.
“Th-that’s Annihilation…….”
“Ugh, it’s hard to breathe.”
“That’s creepy. This is the same user as me?”
“It’s a monster. That is…!”
At this, a groan of discomfort escaped from the users who had been watching in hushed silence.
Certainly, when transcendent rankers deliberately unleashed their energy, a sensation like this killing intent would be transmitted, but this was a type I had never felt before.
If it feels like Kuku is explosively spreading energy in all directions… … .
This is endlessly cold and heavy.
Every single breeze in the surrounding air sends a warning as if aiming a sword, and I feel a chill in my neck and a rapid drop in body temperature.
As the sound gradually fades away, it feels as if we are facing something unknown beyond the deep sea.
An alien yet spine-chilling intensity.
“Well, this isn’t even Dragon Fear. If your mental strength is weak, you’re going to get hit with all sorts of debuffs. Is there some kind of spirit manifestation skill?”
Whatever it was, one thing was certain.
The fact that he has thrown away the mask he had been wearing while trying hard to be conscious of his surroundings and is expressing his true feelings.
And the same was true for himself.
You threw the first punch?
“?”
Ignoring the faint doubt in the guy’s eyes, Dohyeon unleashed his spirit.
[Casting Heavenly King Tremor Qi.]
[Knight King manifests the spirit of the Heavenly King True Qi utilizing the Qi manipulation method of ‘Ruslein Valemont’.]
—!
“……!”
The spirit passed down from none other than one of the ancient Kings of Wu, a man known as the pinnacle of all knights.
I can see surprise in his eyes, as if he hadn’t expected it to be this much.
But that was only for a moment.
Rather, the sparkle in the eyes of the guy, as if finding it amusing, even conveys a sense of welcome and satisfaction.
As if I had been waiting only for this moment.
As he did so, Dohyeon also manifested his own momentum more actively to match the guy who was spreading his momentum even more strongly.
“Ugh!”
“My, my body won’t move.”
“Ugh!”
“Th-the air is heavy.”
Groans could be heard from nearby, but they did not reach the two people’s ears.
They are just glaring at each other as if they are about to devour one another.
Thanks to that, the surrounding users had a terrible time.
‘What on earth is this…’
I can overlook the Annihilation part, but was Kaiser really that powerful?
I did hear that NPCs of Chilgang level have trouble breathing when their emotions get intense… … but was that really true?
Those are the 1st and 2nd place winners of the continental quest… … The level is completely different!
“… … You got confused? Did you get a status effect just from watching? What the hell, it’s not like it’s a raid boss.”
Ugh, when is this battle of wills going to end? I’m going to die just watching this.
Just a few seconds.
It was a time that barely exceeded five seconds, but to them it felt like an eternity, making them seriously consider escaping.
A woman’s voice interrupted.
“……Master. There are many people.”
“…….”
A calm voice whose sophistication remained completely undiminished even in the heavy atmosphere.
At that, Myeolsal released his momentum, and Dohyeon also stopped manifesting his momentum.
“Whoa.”
“Phew.”
“and…….”
At the same time, people from all directions let out the breath they had been holding.
It was a heavy breathing sound, as if coming up to the surface after diving for a long time.
Regardless, Myeolsal and Dohyeon still keep their gazes on each other.
Before I could even think that it was going to be a staring contest this time, the corners of Myeolsal’s mouth formed a small but distinct curve.
I’ll do the rest next time.
“Then I’ll be looking forward to it, Kaiser.”
Then, Myeolsal and the secretary turn around and leave.
That alone was enough to refresh the precarious surrounding atmosphere, as if the tightly stretched string had snapped.
However, one person.
Dohyeon was still staring intently at the retreating backs of the two.
With eyes that have become even clearer than before.
And the next destination those eyes were directed to was the recruitment office for Guild War participation applications.
[Combat Guild ‘Kashin-kyo’ has been confirmed.]
[Would you like to participate in the 1st Official Combat Guild War?]
“uh.”
[The combat guild ‘Kashin-kyo’ participates in the guild battle.]
[A total of 3,414 guilds participated in the 1st Guild War.]
[The preliminary rounds will begin 72 hours after the Guild War application period ends.]
[List of Participating Guilds]
-execution
Babylon
-Arc
-Mikazuki
– Bloodslaying
… …
-Phoenix
A list that inspires considerable intimidation simply by having the names of all 10 top guilds listed side by side.
Dohyeon raised one corner of his mouth as he looked at Kasin-kyo, who had newly added his name to it.
It was the so-called smirk, but,
Yeah. We’ve dragged this on for quite a while.
His eyes were shining brightly like a wild beast.
Let’s settle this now. Let’s see who’s stronger.
* * *
Meanwhile, when Dohyeon safely finished participating in the guild battle and left the recruitment post.
Myeolsal was walking in a secluded corner of the village.
I didn’t come here to avoid the crowds.
The crowds simply disappeared as I walked toward the destination that could be called the ‘second reason’ for returning to Lacsia.
Thump.
It was certainly not just the users who disappeared.
Since very few people knew of this place, there were hardly any NPCs to be seen, and the only party member was her, the loyal secretary and vice-master of the Execution Guild.
In the silence devoid of even the slightest surrounding noise, when only the sound of footsteps echoes.
“……How was it? What was your impression of seeing him in person?”
Myeolsal opened his mouth.
A question with quite a lot omitted.
The secretary, who understood perfectly, immediately gave the answer.
It was better than expected.
Is that so?
“yes.”
The secretary’s voice was calm as she spoke, but her expression was sincere.
A more intense and powerful momentum than any user seen recently.
It must have been a skill. And at least legendary level or higher.
However, what was even more impressive than that momentum was the character of Kaiser himself.
Is that what it means for a person to shine on their own? It conveys a feeling that cannot be explained in words.
… … That small creature was also impressive.
“but…….”
That was all.
“I was no match for you, Master. Honestly, I don’t understand why you have been waiting for me like this. The difference in skill is so clear… I am actually worried you might be disappointed.”
At that, Myeolsal chuckled.
Kaiser is definitely still growing.
Of course, I am growing as well, but there was inevitably an absolute time difference.
Based on the sensations from the earlier battle of wills, I strongly felt that he was currently lacking compared to me.
Since she is uncannily good at grasping things like this, she must have felt it even more intensely than I did.
It makes no sense for the Master to lose. Still, since you were expecting this much, I had a little hope… but as expected, the level is different.
The man named Myeolsal stands above anyone else.
He was the one mentioned as the pinnacle even among the picky users of the Pivelto Gallery.
His talent was superior to anyone the secretary had ever seen. No, it was even difficult to call it talent.
Because, in his eyes, Annihilation was already the perfected form itself.
The surprising thing is that even while feeling that way, he continues to grow.
A true monster.
“well.”
One did not affirm the destruction.
You don’t know much about the Kaiser yet.
“……yes?”
That man has never been at a disadvantage.
Even during the time of Demlok, when he suffered from terrible bad luck, he proudly took first place under unfavorable conditions, and even now, as a latecomer, he shines as the lead on every stage.
Being weaker and at a disadvantage compared to his opponent is, for him, an entirely natural and familiar matter, and a factor he is fully capable of overcoming.
And above all… … .
“eye.”
“Your eyes shone with an undiminished desire for improvement. I suppose that means you still have a chance.”
“But now that I’ve received the rewards from the continent quest, there’s no way I could have any more options… Ah.”
No, there was exactly one.
“……Graduation reward?”
“okay.”
He, who took first place in this graduation quest.
Because he probably has a reward in his hands greater than what Myeolsal received.
And at that time.
A secluded place, just like them.
[Would you like to enter into a contract with the Iron Chain Thousand Kalpas?]
[Caution! If you fail the Trial of the Iron Chain Thousand Kalpas, you may face the judgment of the Kalpa Fire.]
[Would you really like to take on the challenge?]
There, Dohyeon was getting ready with a grin.
Ready to be reborn even more.
