[Proofreader – Prøks]
Chapter 174: Duel (2)
Han Siah looked at Lucas.
It was their first reunion in eight years.
Nevertheless, not a single word was exchanged between them.
He was when she was young.
And he’s still the same now.
Lucas’s eyes were still cold, almost icy.
She had firmly resolved herself before the meeting, but the fear etched into her body was beyond her control.
Memories of the terrible pain she suffered in front of an unknown machine.
The watchful eyes of the countless members who surrounded her.
Over ten years of memories flooded out like an explosion.
Her surroundings turned pitch black.
Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Her hands began to sweat.
Her breathing quickened and her vision blurred. It was a kind of trauma.
Han Siah gritted her teeth.
She felt like bowing her head in submission to his cold gaze.
That’s when it happened.
A large hand grabbed hers. It was a calloused hand, slightly soft.
At some point, Kim Minwoo was staring at her with a grin.
As if to say she was doing very well.
Suddenly, warmth returned to her cold body. Her senses gradually became clearer.
With a clear gaze, she thought to herself as if making a vow.
She was not Griff’s tool.
She was not an ingredient to complete Lucas. Her affiliation was not with Griff, who had made her life miserable.
It was the Korean guild that had protected her, accepted her as a colleague, and awakened her.
The Korean guild was her true affiliation. It was her strongest shield.
Her world brightened.
Her gaze no longer wavered.
Lucas, who had been looking at her with interest, spoke.
“Your complexion has improved a lot. Have you been enjoying yourself?”
“Yes. And I will continue to enjoy myself. Today will be the last time I see your face.”
Lucas scoffed and replied.
“No. You will eventually return. My daughter.”
If he had ever thought of her as his daughter, as his own flesh and blood.
Lucas should not have done what he did.
Kim Minwoo’s face came into view.
In that moment, she realized.
Such worries were useless.
Such anxieties were meaningless.
That wasn’t the important thing.
The best thing she could show Kim Minwoo right now was.
“I believe you will win.”
It was unwavering faith.
Kim Minwoo nodded silently.
“I will. Just as I always have. Today too.”
The two got into the vehicle.
Griff’s vehicle began to follow the car as it started to move forward.
Lucas’ eyes gleamed at the scenery flowing past the window.
The final piece of the puzzle that would complete him.
The brilliant memory of her first cry at birth was still vivid in the old man’s mind. A talent so radiant that he could hardly look directly at it.
He could say with confidence.
This child would be his most perfect masterpiece.
He felt love for the first time.
He couldn’t help but love her dearly.
Even the most beautiful jewel in the world could not compare to his daughter’s talent.
Such a precious treasure.
That’s why he wanted to possess it.
All of that beautiful talent, without leaving a single drop behind.
He coveted it like a beast that knew no satisfaction.
Until his belly burst and the contents spilled out.
Even with the High Priest’s help, he could only snatch away eight-tenths of her talent.
That was Lucas’ limit.
Thus, Han Siah was left with less than half, not even a sliver of her original talent. Yet, her talent still shone. It was like a tree that gives unsparingly.
Perhaps that’s why he was careless.
The talent that had shone so brightly he couldn’t look directly at it, when did it begin to fade?
It was the first time Lucas had been flustered.
Because he knew it would always shine.
He knew it would remain radiant.
At least until he had absorbed all of its talent.
Lucas was terrified every time he saw Han Siah growing thinner by the day.
What if she died before he could absorb the rest of her talent?
What if this brilliant talent ended incomplete?
It was a horrible ending. That’s why he released Han Siah from the family like livestock.
That’s why he gave her to her mother, and made her whisper love to her daughter thoroughly.
Despite all his efforts, despite his meticulous care.
‘The light did not return.’
It was like death had been postponed, the speed at which the light was fading had only slowed down a little. That’s why Lucas devoted himself to closed-door training.
He needed to digest the immense talent quickly to absorb the rest of it.
“Truly, a beautiful light.”
It was the final moment.
His daughter turned away, a cold sneer on her face.
It was then that she spoke to Kim Minwoo.
A dazzling aura engulfed him, just like when she cried powerfully a long time ago.
Uncontrollable drool dripped from his mouth. He was famished beyond endurance.
He desperately wanted to absorb that talent and make it his own.
Then he would be perfect.
The brilliant talent would be embedded in his body.
He would be able to aspire to be more than just a shadow priest.
It seemed that being around Kim Minwoo made her shine like that.
He didn’t know when that light would fade if he killed Kim Minwoo in today’s duel. He almost wanted to change the conditions of the duel right away.
Instead of killing him, perhaps there was another way.
If he took her hostage, it would be too easy to extract Han Siah’s talent.
However, that was also problematic.
‘The High Priest is watching over this.’
– You know him too, don’t you, Kim Minwoo? That cunning and treacherous seed.
The feeling wasn’t good.
Naturally, he would want a clean kill in this duel.
He wouldn’t want any variables.
So, there was no choice but to kill him.
That meant he had to send Han Siah back to Germany as soon as possible after the duel.
“Once things are over, I’ll be heading back. Prepare in advance.”
“Understood,My Lord,” replied the loyal members. Their unwavering gazes held the conviction of victory.
[Proofreader – Prøks]
Numerous broadcasters and journalists from all sorts of media outlets followed the vehicles.
Their destination was Ilsung Training Center.
It was the best training facility in Korea.
Naturally, the martial arts arena boasted the best facilities as well.
However, they couldn’t enter the building itself.
“I’m sorry, only authorized personnel can enter from here on out.”
“Ugh… are they really fighting to the death? Is there any chance the conditions might change…?”
“No, not at this time.”
The security guards firmly shook their heads as they spoke.
Even though battles with bloodshed had become commonplace, such news could not be broadcasted publicly.
Naturally, this duel was a closed event.
Still, it didn’t matter.
Because important figures were present as witnesses to this duel.
“This is reporter Seo Younggil from SKS News. We’re currently located in front of Ilsung Training Center, which has been chosen as the venue for the duel. As witnesses to this duel, we have everyone from the Minister of Awakening to Sword Saint, Divine Spear, Fist King, and Poison Demon…”
“From the French side, we have Ms. Isabelle as a witness…”
“The Griff family is also gathering Awakeners from their allied nations…”
“According to just-breaking news, the governments of the United States and China are also sending representatives…”
Among the reporters diligently reporting the news, a man holding a cellphone carefully passed by.
The man gulped as he saw the security guard staring at him with sunglasses on.
“I, uh, I was invited here…”
“Do you have an invitation?”
Real name, Lee Manho.
He politely handed over the invitation.
The security guard nodded after looking at it.
“Confirmed. As stated on the invitation, filming is allowed only until the start of the duel. Do you understand?”
Lee Manho slipped inside.
Soon, influential international figures began to arrive at the training center one by one. Kim Minwoo and Lucas were no exception. The reporters gulped as they saw them.
Even though they were broadcasting live, they couldn’t believe it.
‘Are they really fighting?’
It was too late to back out now, as Awakened individuals renowned as witnesses from all over the world were arriving. The combined power of the audience alone was enough to overturn a small nation.
This meant that the impact of the duel between Kim Minwoo and Lucas was immense.
If it had been just Korean and German officials, it might have been different, but with over twenty countries sending “witnesses,” the possibility of manipulation was almost non-existent.
“Ah! According to the latest news, the duel will begin in two minutes…”
The reporters began to parrot the news like parrots.
Sword Saint, Divine Spear, Fist King, Poison Demon.
Starting with the four grandmasters, not only Isabella who was in Korea, but also ambassadors from each country participated in this duel as witnesses.
The only unusual thing was that a NewTuber was also invited.
Kim Minwoo, who had been conversing with his acquaintances, approached Kkammuk with a smile.
“I’ll be counting on you for today’s filming. You know, right? Just until the line.”
“Yes, leave it to me!”
Kkammuk bowed his head as if he were honored and shook hands.
The duel couldn’t be broadcast live on public channels.
It was better for someone to film inside and leave evidence.
‘Otherwise, there will be all sorts of nonsense.’
He’s very close to our side.
Even though he retired a long time ago, he’s a much higher-ranked Awakened than Lucas.
It wouldn’t be strange if people suspected that we secretly took care of things inside the training center.
Of course, with dignitaries from each country gathered, it would be absurd to say such things…
‘It’s better to leave clear evidence that we won the duel fairly.’
Kkammuk was chosen for that very role.
Once the duel begins, a white aura will spring up around them, and they will move to their respective positions.
He just needs to film until that point.
Then there won’t be any nonsense. Kkammuk was a NewTuber with the restraint to film only until then.
That’s why he was called.
‘I also personally like him.’
He had often watched his analysis videos.
Inside the large martial arts arena, he met Lucas’ eyes. The place was already overflowing with B-rank or higher guarantors who had no vested interest.
No more words were needed between them.
“I, Kim Minwoo, hereby challenge Lucas to a duel.”
“I, Lucas, accept this duel.”
[‘Duel’ has been activated!]
[Please set the detailed conditions!]
“A promise is more precious than a thousand gold coins, they say.”
Lucas replied calmly and stated the conditions.
“Defeat occurs when one of us loses our life. The duel will not end before then. Do you agree?”
Kim Minwoo smiled and nodded.
[The condition is set to ‘Victory by taking the opponent’s life’!]
[The range of the duel is within this martial arts arena!]
[No one can enter or leave the duel arena before the victory condition is met.]
[There are five or more guarantors!]
[The duel is established!]
A white aura flowed out in the martial arts arena, and Kim Minwoo and Lucas were transported to opposite ends.
[The duel will begin in 10 seconds!]
Regardless of who they believed in or supported.
Everyone, regardless of nationality, gulped.
“Old man, you know there’s no turning back now, right? You’re a world-ranked Awakened, you should know better.”
“If it were me, I’d be summoning my familiar instead of wasting time talking. Though it would be pointless.”
“What am I going to do?”
Kim Minwoo, drawing his Command Sword, spun it around and said,
“It’s a waste to use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken. I think this one sword will be enough for you.”
Lucas scoffed and began to gather mana.
There was no reason to respond to such nonsense.
“A pathetic last word.”
With just one second left, Lucas spoke coldly.
Immediately, he reached out his hand.
[Heart Seizure (SS)…]
With the intention of bursting his opponent’s heart.
Kim Minwoo stared at him blankly.
Lucas inwardly sneered at his lack of reaction.
But then, the invisible magic that was surging towards him was cut in two.
An arm flew through the air, accompanied by a fountain of blood.
Sword Saint jumped to his feet at the sight.
His pupils were dilated as far as they could go.
[Proofreader – Prøks]