Chapter 35 5th Floor b 1}
「3.」
The countdown started. Yet even without the ability of b Merchant of Death}, it wasn’t a waste of time. It was a precious opportunity to measure his opponent before the duel began.
「2.」
The opponent of this battle was the same as the green monster he’d met in his first battle in the Tower. In other words, it was an Orc. However, it was much larger than the one he met at that time and covered with intimidating tattoos. Most importantly, this Orc wasn’t confused. The Orc Warrior that’d been dragged here and went through several matches observed Yoon-seok calmly. Just like Yoon-seok observed him.
「1.」
The Orc Warrior was equipped with a breastplate and armed with a dual-edged ax in each hand. He also wore a bracer on his right arm that he’d seen before in the store: the Great Warrior’s Bracer. It was a magical item that temporarily increased your abilities when you shout.
「START!」
As soon as it started, the Orc Warrior roared and immediately sprinted toward Yoon-seok. He was worried that it might be as strong as Kerixis. Shortly, however, Yoon-seok was relieved.
‘Is it because I’m dealing with a monster?’
Not that it was a weak opponent as the Orc Warrior’s rush carried a strong momentum. But it was far from comparable to the tank-like man. Yoon-seok used his right sword to knock the Orc Warrior’s ax to the side. Then, he filled the sword in his left hand with vigor. Soon, a bluish hue was formed as he swung it.
“…!”
Sensing something unusual, the Orc picked up his ax with a distressed face and blocked it, but…
Slash!
The sword sliced through the ax like tofu. Neither {Weapon Enhancement} nor b Flash} enhanced it; only the energy of vigor coated the sword. Even Yoon-seok was surprised by the unexpected effect.
“Snuff”!
The Orc Warrior, who came attacking with great force, seemed like it wanted nothing more than to put distance between them. If he had swung his sword immediately, he could’ve cut one of its arms off, but Yoon-seok held back. He could confirm it through the fight: this Orc was weaker than him.
He would have to wait and see if it were to the extent that he could knock it out.
“H, huff! Oi human, why can you use Aura?!”
The Orc shouted as if it couldn’t believe it.
Aura? Was it calling this thing on the sword “Aura”? If so, it meant Yoon-seok had manifested a skill swordsmen of other worlds used. He was surprised that he could hone something otherworldly through training, but most importantly, what was shocking was how it broke the rule of how skills should be invoked by command. Though strictly speaking, it was an extended effect of b Heavenly Body}.
“Whatever, is that all? What, you don’t have any hidden skills?”
Yoon-seok exchanged blows with the Orc Warrior several more times. Then, realizing it was no more than empty threats, he knocked out the Orc. It was a bonus to take his bracer and destroy his weapon.
“Huff! W-what are you trying to do to me?”
He didn’t feel very good because the Orc would wake up and make strange misunderstandings, but Yoon-seok just kept knocking him out.
A newly acquired skill, Sword Aura. Too obscure to call it a skill or technique, even a full day spent in the waiting room wasn’t enough to get used to the feeling.
‘Would it have been different if I had acquired this first?’
While he was thinking hard about the Aura, he thought Kerixis ignored all his magic techniques. However, this vigor energy was slightly different from magic, so he wasn’t sure if it would work. Thanks to this, he became more disappointed about his defeat. Pushing it from his mind, he thought of how he would come to know the effects of the energy someday.
‘Just don’t repeat the same mistake.’
Yoon-seok felt like he should manage his time more efficiently. Then, he felt a wave of regret wash over him about his past achievements. He was convinced that he trained as much as he could in the arena when time stopped but did he give his best? For example, the duel with Lee Chang-hoon and the duel with Ragna. At that time, Yoon-seok prioritized things other than training. That’s why he couldn’t manage his time in the arena to his fullest.
‘If I hadn’t done that…maybe things would be different.’
It may be pointless now, but Yoon-seok couldn’t shake off the lingering feelings of regret. If he had become at one with his sword earlier by finding out what the energy was and used Aura, he wouldn’t have experienced defeat.
-You’re still…lacking, nameless swordsman.
As he said, he was lacking. There was a lack of will, not talent.
-Crash and break. Then it melts into the mold and crashes! It is the nature of steel.
Even though there was a way to grow firmer by clashing, at this point, a part of him wondered if he could win again next time. The reason for his last defeat was that.
‘I have to work harder.’
Yoon-seok clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to lose ever again.
Unlike on the lower floors, the Orc Warrior lasted as long as eight days, perhaps because of his high level of physical strength. Unlike the polite berserker, who begged him to end his life, there was a clear determination in its eyes until the end. Thanks to that, Yoon-seok was able to realize once again that he wasn’t wrong. This was where only those who desperately want to go up could proceed.
「Victory.」
「256,000 APs will be given as a reward.」
「Unique Skill b Predation} is activated.」
「Acquire one of your opponent’s skills at random.」
「Acquired Ax Mastery {Rank D}.」
「Looting one of your opponent’s equipment at random.」
「Looted Great Warrior’s Bracer {Rank D}.」
「Absorb some of your opponent’s highest stats.」
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