“Hmph…”
[Whoa]
[What was that just now? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[That attack just now was insane]
[One-hit knockout]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[What did she use?]
“Ah. I used some stored spiritual power… Yep.”
KABOOM!
Blood surged forth.
Not only from my mouth, but also from my ears and nose.
I had utilized all the essence from a single Level 4 Spirit Stone, and it seemed the internal injuries were worse than expected.
Some of the sorcerers who had been treating Akal from afar quickly approached and cast recovery spells on me.
They were skilled sorcerers with sufficient spiritual power, but the recovery speed wasn’t very fast.
“Wow, you’re injured pretty badly. You didn’t seem that hurt before.”
“Hmph. I pushed myself a bit. If it seems too bad, just leave me be.”
Since I forcefully extracted and used the spiritual power, my insides were considerably damaged.
If recovery spells could have easily healed me, I would have used them myself to stop the bleeding by now.
Rather than pouring spiritual power into a bottomless pit fruitlessly, it may not be a bad choice to just let it be.
“Anyway, I’ll just destroy it again soon.”
KABOOM!!!
“To look at me like this, but with my tough body, this is nothing.”
“Umm… You look like you’re about to die.”
“Pfft. I’m fine. I’m fine.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Riri, you’re bleeding a lot.]
[Is that really okay?]
[Ah ㅋㅋ If she dies, just resurrect her.]
[Riri looks in a lot of pain ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Death Riri (Pity)]
“Oof.”
“Wait, I’ll call the senior I was treating Sir Akal.”
“It’s fine…”
“Just wait a moment!”
The healing sorcerer quickly ran back and brought another sorcerer who had been treating Akal.
A Level 3 sorcerer with considerable spiritual power.
He was a man who didn’t even spare a glance and scorned lower-ranked sorcerers, but after witnessing the recent battle, it seemed his mindset had changed. Swallowing his spit, he activated his sorcery.
WHOOSH…
“Is that… ahem! Are you well?”
“Ah, it seems to be healing.”
“Tha, that’s fortunate.”
“Is the opponent alright?”
“Ah. We’ve almost healed that individual. Since they were so thoroughly beaten… actually, because they were so damaged, it was easier to heal.”
“Hmm.”
After all, it’s much easier to heal something entirely broken rather than just part of it.
Even in my past, if something was so damaged that it was difficult to heal, I would choose to kill and then resurrect them.
That way was much faster and more stable.
After recovering somewhat, I slowly ascended to the upper area of the arena.
After the matches usually, the audience section would be quite lively, but not now.
-Cough…
-This arena is ruined…
-Another win… hahahaha…
-Unbelievable…
-Ick! Be careful over there!
‘They’re afraid.’
They are afraid after witnessing the unreasonable power I just showed.
Most of the spectators here are sorcerers ranging from Level 5 to even some Level 3s.
Since unpermitted battles are prohibited within the arena, they were comfortably watching, but the power I just revealed was at the level of a ‘Level 2 Sorcerer’.
If they aren’t idiots, they should know that I’ve been holding back. If anyone wants to survive after the Black Market, they won’t open their mouths recklessly.
Akal, who rarely complained and never uttered a single unpleasant word, got completely crushed by me.
“It’s quiet.”
“…Came here?”
So, quietly climbing up the staircase of the audience, I reached the third floor where Yena was staring at me intently.
Yena, like usual, tossed me a rosary bracelet.
Inside were 25 Level 3 Spirit Stones and 20 Level 4 Spirit Stones.
Considering it was an extraordinary underdog win, it wasn’t a particularly good profit.
As if reading my thoughts, Yena crossed her arms and said matter-of-factly,
“Level 3 Spirit Stones are rare too, so the stakes depend on the number of Spirit Stones, not people. It’s a miracle to have won even this much.”
“Thank you, Miss Yena. I’ll place a bet for your upcoming match too, though it doesn’t seem you’ll be earning much.”
“…”
“Miss Yena?”
“Exactly how much strength are you hiding?”
Enah glared at me fiercely again.
After yesterday’s conversation, Yena’s hostility had diminished, but she still didn’t trust me entirely.
I chuckled and shook my head.
“My spiritual power is exactly what you know.”
“What was that just now?”
“The spiritual power isn’t absorbed into my body but stored separately. To explain it precisely…”
I explained the method I used to Yena.
The more I explained, Yena’s face turned more and more shocked, and by the time I finished, even the tiny bit of trust she had in me disappeared entirely.
Yena transformed into an extremely fierce cat.
“Who exactly are you? Are you even human?”
“I’m human. What else?”
“Is…is it a ghost?”
“Pfft. I’m human.”
“…”
[Human Riri ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Really?]
[Human Angel Riri ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Riri is an angel, an angel]
[What?]
[That word]
[Cheon Ye Yeon]
[Information: Riri has seizures whenever ‘angel’ is mentioned]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“How can a human use spiritual power that hasn’t been absorbed? Even ghosts can’t do that.”
“Because it’s me, it’s possible.”
“…”
“Joke. Honestly, I pushed myself too hard. As expected, I sustained injuries by forcefully utilizing it.”
If using Level 4 Spirit Stones causes this, how severe would using Level 3 be?
Even I need to be careful when using Level 3 Spirit Stones.
I chuckled as I looked at Yena, who was now at the highest level of alert.
“And Miss Yena is hiding something too, right?”
“That’s…”
“Both of us have things to hide, so it’s evened out. When we meet at the finals, you can show me.”
“…Hmph! Prepare yourself.”
Yena sat down heavily in her seat and turned her head.
Yena and I are located on opposite lines, so we won’t meet until the finals.
With me as the central point, the Sweet Sixteen matches have all ended, leaving behind the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals. And the Final.
My Quarter-Final opponent is a Level 3 Sorcerer, not as strong as Akal.
Given they don’t possess any special artifacts or sorcery, it looks like I’ll smoothly win the Quarter-Finals.
“Miss Yena’s opponent… huh?”
Looking at the newly updated 8th match-up on the paper I received earlier, I tilted my head.
“Hmm?”
“Why’s that?”
“Miss Yena’s opponent has changed.”
“?!”
Originally, Yena’s Quarter-Final opponent was a Level 4 sorceress wielding a whip, but an entirely different sorcerer’s profile was listed.
And someone we know.
“Geonseon?”
■
“Hmph. She was stronger than expected. That woman. Was she hiding her strength?”
“Hmph…”
“What will you do, Geonseon?”
After completing his preparations in the contestant waiting room, Geonseon gritted his teeth.
He had confidence.
The moment he grasped the Branch of Mourak, he believed he could defeat anyone, and that even if the opponent was a Level 2 Sorcerer, he still had a chance.
But that woman named Lily was different.
‘A Level 6 Sorcerer’s frame but expelling Level 2 Sorcerer-level spiritual power?’
It was certain.
That woman wasn’t a simple Level 6 Sorcerer but someone who disguised herself as a higher-ranking practitioner.
At least Level 2, if not possibly Level 1.
“…What should I do? Just destroy everything.”
“You may be stronger than you think. Don’t let your guard down.”
“What are you talking about…”
Hmph!
When Geonseon opened the door, the stadium came into full view with loud cheers.
He gripped the Branch of Mourak even tighter.
“Our immediate opponent is the cat. Once she’s dealt with, I’ll face that woman in the finals. No letting my guard down.”
“Got it.”
“Ladies and gentlemen! Due to personal reasons of Water Sorceress, today’s match opponent has changed, with apologies! Now presenting the Blue Door’s Level 4 Sorcerer, Geonseon, who has powerful artifacts!”
Wooow!!
“Facing Geonseon is the Red Door Sorcerer! Yena! Famous for summoning grand Devils!”
As befitting a Quarter-Final, both fighters were given brief introductions.
Both contestants faced each other before the match began. Yena had a calm expression while Geonseon smirked.
Expecting panic or anger from Yena, Geonseon was momentarily confused by her indifferent demeanor.
But he quickly tightened his fists and maintained his smile.
“I’m so excited I might die. Isn’t that right, cat woman?”
“Hurry up.”
“Come on? Let’s enjoy more. You won’t have many more days left to breathe freely—”
“Wasting time. I need to face Lily quickly.”
Grrr…
‘Overconfident woman!’
Fine, Lily might have that.
She’s a high-ranking sorcerer hiding her identity, so a strong one deserves to be arrogant.
But this cat woman doesn’t.
‘At best, she controls a Level 3 Devil.’
What’s more, she can barely call it out partially. Does she think she can block the Level 1 artifact, the Branch of Mourak?
If she believes that, she’s extremely arrogant.
‘Or maybe she can’t even recognize an artifact.’
Whatever the reason, one thing remains unchanged: this cat is about to be thrashed.
Convinced of this, Geonseon positioned himself, and Yena stretched out both of her hands.
“And… Start!”
KABOOM!
As soon as the match began, the Black Cat’s front paw swung at Geonseon.
Unlike regular sorcerers who chant and activate sorcery, Yena uses the reverse method of activating the spell first and then chanting – the rare ‘Post Incantation.’
Because of this, Yena can launch an attack faster than any other sorcerer, but Yena’s expression quickly showed a faint crack.
Crack!
An intricately tangled wooden branch caught her front paw.
“Post Incantation… nyaa?”
“Open. Branch of Mourak. Earth Master. Domain Unfolding.”
Wooden domains covered the arena.
