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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Forced into a Duel
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"I refuse."
"Ah, why?"
"To be blunt, I just got off work and am trying to rest, and tomorrow I'm busy preparing for the Academia finals again. If it's a spar, apply with another Heaven Class. Then, if you'll excuse me…"
Yeah, of course refusing is the best option.
Win or lose, sparring with a B-Rank Awakener or higher offers no guarantee I won't get hurt, and it's a total waste of time.
On top of that, as a working stiff who has to clock in tomorrow, it's an absurd demand, so naturally, I have no choice but to turn it down.
"Aaah! Come on, don't say that! Just once! Please, just once! Otherwise, I'll spill that you're an Awakener, mister!"
"On the contrary, is there some reason you have to spar with me specifically?"
"My Constellation says a Martial Star is hovering over you, and if I want to get stronger, I have to fight you no matter what."
That explains how she figured it out so quickly.
With a god-like Constellation exposing it, no amount of hiding would work.
What's this Martial Star thing about, though? None of my skills match that description…
'No, wait, I do have one! Damn skill!'
Myeong's Knight Grandel's Martial Talent (Unique)
The genius knight's talent for mastering ten thousand swords. A Unique skill talented enough to be recorded by a Constellation—calling it a Martial Star isn't an exaggeration.
Damn! These beings beyond human imagination—no matter how hard I rack my brain, I can't keep up!
"Anyway, there's no reason for me to fight a battle with no gain. As someone who does physical labor, getting hurt is a loss. So~"
"Aaah! Don't go! Fine, then I'll tell the whole Academia you're an Awakener! Someone of your level doing staff work must have some circumstances, right?"
"Then I'll just quit being a staffer and leave. Problem solved."
Of course, that would actually be a huge hassle for me, but to avoid losing the upper hand here, I had to play it cool.
If I fell for that provocation and revealed my weakness, she'd keep toying with me from now on—it was obvious.
"Argh~ I just want to get stronger…"
"If it's about leveling up, don't guilds, associations, and the Academia all provide support?"
Heaven Classers have top-tier growth potential, so if they want to grow stronger, every resource is thrown their way.
Their strength is the nation's power, the guilds' might, and humanity's future, after all.
Sure, it's mostly to work them to death, but it'll make them stronger just fine.
"Levels are just about boosting stats and skills! What I want is real skill! Actual skill, you know? Not farming weak monsters, but clashing with true powerhouses!"
"For that, head north. The Slaughter King's Archdemons, Beasts, and Ma-in will welcome you. Nothing beats real combat for training."
"You're really doing this? Staff mister? Can't you grant a cute girl's request like this?"
She clasped her hands and put on an adorable act, but it just looked like a kid's silly trick.
No way.
No matter how hard she tries, that fox routine only works on idiots ruled by lust.
"I can't. If you want training, go climb a mountain or something…"
"Judgment Field!"
I was about to walk out coolly when a blue barrier suddenly appeared, blocking the entrance.
She'd finally gone and done it. Thinking that, I turned back to her and explained the Academia staff protection rules.
"Do you know that if an Academia student attacks or assaults a staff member, they face severe penalties, up to losing their Hunter license?"
"Huh? I didn't know that~? My guild's lawyers will handle it! They won't want a B-Rank Awakener turned into a Scavenger. Plus, since you're an Awakener too, there's room for excuses."
Kids these days are way too cunning.
Even playing dumb, they know everything. This is why the juvenile law age needs to be lowered.
Back in the day, 15 was considered adult! They know full well!
"By the way, this barrier only disappears if one of the two inside dies or passes out. It's a gift from my Constellation, 'Balancer.' A fair one-on-one battlefield. Staff mister!"
"Sigh~ No helping it, then."
Whether it's a spar or a fight, I couldn't avoid it anymore, so I reluctantly pulled out the iron sword I'd used for hunting from my inventory.
If I can't dodge it, I have to face it head-on.
But first, a few things to take care of.
"Since it's come to this, before we fight, hear me out on a few requests."
"Sure, go ahead. I forced this, so I'll agree to what I can."
"First, keep this fight a secret. Also, keep my Awakener status secret. No grudges no matter who wins. No lawsuits, complaints, or damage claims later. Don't use any physical contact during the spar as a weapon against me later by playing the damsel card, and…"
Anyone watching would think this is ridiculous—like something out of a comic that kills the mood—but this is reality.
And with an opponent who's socially and powerfully superior, I need defenses in place.
"Argh! Why so complicated? It's just a quick spar! And I'm not that petty!"
"Anyway, swear on your 'Constellation' to uphold all that, and I'll spar. Otherwise, go ahead and attack a non-resistant opponent. Not sure that'll improve your skills, though."
"Ugh! Fine. I swear on my Constellation who guides and protects me. But it's unfair if I'm the only one with conditions, so I'll add one!"
"You already made this arena without my consent and challenged me to a duel—that's unfair enough, isn't it?"
"If I win, join my party. Here I go!"
Why doesn't she listen to me?
Anyway, the unwanted fight began.
The girl surged forward with blue battle aura, and I hurriedly assumed a combat stance.
But the rapidly approaching girl suddenly slammed into a golden translucent wall that appeared in front of me.
"Kuak!"
With a loud bang, she flopped to the ground like a frog.
It looked painful just watching—what must she be feeling?
Still, true to an Awakener, she bounced right back up and glared at me.
"W-what is this? Magic allowed?"
"No, I don't really know either…"
[Even in a duel, if it's a clash of martial arts, propriety must be observed. Uphold honor on both sides.]
Words appeared on the golden barrier. From the honor talk, it seemed like one of my trait skills had activated.
Anyway, she read it too, nodded in understanding, stepped back, clasped her hands, and bowed first.
"Urgh~ My Constellation says this is proper, so no choice. Apostle of the Constellation Balancer, 'Judgment Fist' Shin Ayoung. Please guide me."
"…"
"What? Won't you respond?"
Me too? I'm no martial artist, just a lowly staffer! I wanted to scream, but not playing along would trap me here, so I decided to match her.
"Siiiigh~ Guess I have no choice. Class 'Knight,' Yoo Seongwon. Don't want to, but here goes."
Clang!
We formally exchanged greetings and introductions, even if half-heartedly, and the golden barrier vanished as if accepting it.
Shin Ayoung then surged at me again with blue battle aura.
"Eryaaah!"
"Kuh!"
Boom!
I blocked with my sword, but a heavy thud echoed.
She'd wrapped her fist in aura, it seemed. Even with stats, the impact transmitted straight to my body.
A-Rank or B-Rank aside, no one's immune to a needle prick—like that aura-clad fist, it hurt even blocked.
"Judgment Fist - First Form: Divine Punishment!"
'She's using skills too!'
"What? Not drawing your sword? I won't go easy, so get ready!"
'Only a kid like you can fight without a care!'
Yeah, there's no such thing as a fair fight.
She could go all-out purely for her own growth, thoughtless, while I had to consider the aftermath.
Unless I killed her to make it a covert murder.
'Not that I feel like I'd lose.'
Thanks to the Martial Talent skill I'd mastered, her attacks felt unfamiliar at first, but after blocking one or two, I adapted quickly and defended effortlessly.
Soon, openings appeared too, but I couldn't counterattack.
'A B-Rank Awakener is valuable talent. If I injure her badly, the Association and her guild will riot and hunt the culprit. So…'
"Ah! What? Why just block?"
"Defense is part of strategy. Talk after breaking through."
"Fine! Then take this big one! Haaaaah!"
Kwaaaa!
She suddenly ramped up her blue aura, letting it overflow her body.
Wait, no thought to the training room's durability? If this breaks, I'm the one fixing it?
The Judgment Field protected the top, front, and back, but the floor was cracking fiercely, tiles shattering, alloy plates beneath tearing.
'She's seriously trying to wreck me. Sigh~'
"Judgment Fist - Secret Art: Karma Retribution!"
Unlike my worries, she charged with a carefree glare, unleashing her secret art with killing intent.
But doesn't she know big moves leave huge openings?
Who'd take one head-on without neutralizing or exploiting the gap?
'…Her guard's wide open.'
I naturally dodged, and that instant, a perfect opening appeared.
Ignoring it would just make her whine I went easy, so on impulse, I lightly jabbed my fist toward her gut.
But that was my critical mistake.
"Keheaaaaaargh!"
Paaang!
With a drumskin-ripping strike, she flew back, plowing the ground until slamming into the Judgment Field wall.
Ah! You idiot bastard! Moron! Retard!
Dumbass who doesn't know action-reaction, counter who's never played a fighting game!
Like a hit-and-run driver, cold sweat poured, face paling, as I rushed to check on her.