Chapter 83

Crunch.

‘…What was that? I was taken out in an instant.’

One of the black birds patrolling outside was suddenly exorcised.

Given the considerable distance, it probably wasn’t a team targeting the cave’s treasure, but they possess incredible skill. At this level, it might be Hwang Jihak or Sophia.

“About 1 km to the west. There’s a team that noticed the shikigami. They’re probably skilled individuals.”

[Do you think they’re coming for us?]

“Probably not. But it’s best to stay cautious.”

[Understood. I’ll keep it in mind.]

Before I knew it, Yoon Ihwa and the other cadets had come to rely quite a bit on my abilities.

Thanks to the shikigami, we had managed to avoid every team we’d almost encountered on the way here, so in a way, that was only natural.

“Ugh, another fork! Which way this time?”

“Left. The other side is a dead end.”

“…You already checked that? Don’t tell me all A-Rankers are like you?”

Since I had already spread shikigami throughout the cave, the search wasn’t as difficult as expected. We only encountered other teams through the shikigami, and beyond that, they were hard to find.

‘…There aren’t many people. Did everyone go for other targets?’

Anyway, less competition was never a bad thing, so we calmly proceeded with our search deeper into the cave.

“There’s a side path here! It’s so narrow only one person can barely pass through?”

[We should be able to get through this. Let’s check it out.]

Surprisingly, it was Choi Seung-jun, a C-Rank cadet, who first discovered the passage leading to the central area.

Come to think of it, when I appraised his information earlier, he seemed to have a trait related to exploration.

Thud.

Thud-thud.

Breaking through an earthen wall that seemed artificially blocked and exiting the passage, a vast space that looked like it would definitely hide treasure was revealed.

[A cave within a cave, I have a hunch about this. Let’s split up in four directions and search.]

Following Yoon Ihwa’s instructions, the team members began meticulously scouring the interior of the cavern. However, even after searching all the noticeable spots, they couldn’t find the treasure said to be hidden in the cave.

“There’s nowhere that feels particularly special either.”

“Where on earth is it hidden? Maybe this isn’t the place?”

But there was no other space that seemed plausible.

So, I slowly walked through the cavern’s interior, deploying the most efficient detection-type cursed technique currently available to me.

Whoosh.

Step.

Step.

Thump.

How much time passed like that?

Having scanned about half the cavern, I finally managed to discover a secret space where something was hidden.

‘…No wonder they couldn’t find it, being in a place like this.’

To the team members sending me puzzled looks, I pointed to the floor I was standing on and answered.

“It’s underneath. And quite deep too.”

[Is that really true?]

“At the very least, it’s certain there’s something there.”

Since I had never spouted nonsense before, the team members, half-convinced and half-doubting, each began using their techniques to diligently dig into the ground.

Pshhh!

Squelch!

“Wow… Who would have thought they’d hide it this thoroughly. Disgusting.”

“Roughly how much is left?”

“About 1.5 meters from there.”

While shoveling dirt like that, a faint vibration suddenly reverberated throughout the cavern.

And simultaneously, multiple presences began to be felt.

‘…The shikigami didn’t react at all.’

It seemed they were either using a thorough concealment spell formula or had found a new passage we didn’t know about.

Crunch!

Crash-bang!

Soon, a group that descended by breaking through a corner of the ceiling spotted us.

Seeing the sight, the team members sighed and spoke up.

“No, damn it. That’s Gilford. We’re screwed.”

“…And Jin Ha-do is next to him. He’s the second-ranked in B-Rank.”

Total number of people: three.

Simply counting heads, we had the advantage, but their average individual combat power was far superior.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Yoo Jin-ha】

▶Level 34

【Logan Bradlet】

▶Level 33

【Gilford Fisher】

▶Level 37

▶Stats

【Stamina: A-】

【Spiritual Power: B-】

【Spell Formula: B+】

【Mental Power: A】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Ghostly Arm (S-)】

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Swift Blade Through Chaos (A-)】

【Hawk’s Eye (C+)】

Gilford, who boasts a top 5 ranking even among 2nd-year A-Rank, and the other two also appeared to be top-ranking B-Rank cadets.

Then, Yoon Ihwa’s urgent voice came through the communicator.

Crackle.

[If we fight them head-on, we’ll all be eliminated. We need to buy time somehow, retrieve the treasure, and escape!]

“S-so, how do we do that?”

[…If only Han Kangyoon survives, we can manage somehow. Entrust the treasure acquisition to him, and everyone else switch to defense to block Gilford.]

In short, it meant sacrificing the team members to save me, the most skilled one.

‘Well, in a way, that’s a standard thought…’

After calmly judging the situation, it seemed there was no need to go that far.

Because, the current me was sufficiently capable of facing Gilford head-on.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 37

▶Stats

【Stamina: C+】

【Spiritual Power: B】

【Spell Formula: B-】

【Mental Power: A-】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Soul Combustion (A)】

【Challenger (B+)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

【Life Returner (B-)]

Having leveled up once more after the incident in Spain, the specs between us didn’t differ greatly.

‘His stats aren’t that impressive compared to Sophia or Hwang Jihak either.’

Of course, despite that, Gilford is no easy opponent.

Sorry to say, but if you made him fight Adrian, Gilford would probably win with almost a hundred percent probability, right?

However, the same was true for me.

No matter how much of a genius talent Gilford was born with, strictly speaking, he wasn’t on a level to be compared with me.

And for good reason, because in a certain sense, I was someone who had experienced climbing near the summit in this world.

[What are you doing? Han Kangyoon! Quickly retrieve the treasure and get out of the cave!]

“No, no need for that.”

[What?]

“Let’s capture Gilford here and then go.”

[You, are you out of your mind? That Gilford! Ranked 5th in the year! Since becoming a 2nd-year, he’s never lost a single one-on-one duel, whether official or unofficial!]

I had certainly heard such rumors circulating.

Given that Gilford excels in personal combat, cadets of a decent level probably couldn’t secure a victory against him.

But I took a step forward and answered Yoon Ihwa.

“I haven’t lost either. Since becoming a 2nd-year.”

[Are you completely insane? Your official record from 1st year is 0 wins, 7 losses!]

I didn’t even know such trivial information.

Thanks to that, I became aware of a new fact I didn’t want to know. Even if I didn’t record it, it’s definitely an embarrassing figure.

Crackle.

[Get a grip. You haven’t forgotten the rule about following the command cadet’s orders, have you? Remember we’re standing at the brink of complete elimination right now.]

“If we run away here, what’s next?”

[Huh?]

“If we don’t gain points here, we’ll remain in the lower ranks anyway until the final tally.”

If we’re going to be bottom-tier in performance either way, wouldn’t it be more productive to take a risk, even if there’s a possibility of complete elimination?

It seemed everyone agreed with that thought, as the team members who had shrunk back also began to assume combat postures one by one.

“…That’s true. If we just take a loss here and go back, the ranking competition is practically over.”

“I, I’m honestly not confident. Ah, damn it, I don’t know anymore. If we’re gonna do it, let’s just do it!”

“The other two aren’t opponents we can’t handle. We have the numbers advantage, so let’s take care of those two first and then target Gilford together.”

In the face of such opinions from the team members, Yoon Ihwa could no longer voice opposition.

[…Alright. Then I’ll consider this a real battle from now on and command seriously.]

“Good.”

The plan was simple.

While I buy time against Gilford, the rest of the team members take care of the two B-Rankers and then join me.

‘Of course, I have no intention of following it exactly.’

Honestly, I was curious too.

How much of an ideal battle I could wage against the top-ranking 2nd-year A-Rank cadets, who were supporting characters in the original work.

‘Gilford is more than sufficient for a test.’

Seeing me not backing down an inch, Gilford, who had been silently holding his position, spoke.

“You intend to face me?”

“That’s how it seems.”

“It appears that Jeong Hansol, that snitch, was telling the truth after all.”

When I shot him a questioning look, Gilford answered with a slightly offended expression.

“I heard you were boasting that you could easily overpower someone of my level in secret.”

No, I don’t remember saying anything like that?

“I never did that. Isn’t it a misunderstanding?”

“Don’t play coy. You’ll soon find out the result anyway.”

“……”

I could roughly guess the circumstances. It was clear that Jeong Hansol, who probably didn’t want to be tormented by Gilford and Shin Sora during the exam, had deliberately spread lies to divert their attention, even if just a little.

“I’ll declare this in advance: you cannot defeat me.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“No, it’s certain.”

Thud.

Gilford drove the long staff-shaped cursed tool he was holding into the ground and continued.

“Because the current me is strong enough to not lose even to that Sophia.”

“Impressive confidence.”

“The number of battles I’ve experienced is different from yours. For example…”

Swoosh!

Crack!

As Gilford extended his staff and swept the ground, the binding spell formula I had secretly constructed deployed, instantly restraining my body.

“You probably didn’t even notice that the match was already over like this.”

“……”

“The difference in skill is stark. If you don’t want unnecessary injuries, obediently break your identification tag and surrender. I’m not accustomed to holding back.”

He’s certainly proficient. It’s understandable why he’s called the undefeated god in personal combat.

However, I looked at Gilford and curled up the corner of my mouth.

Simultaneously, Gilford’s binding spell formula, which had been maintaining a solid form, began to crumble.

Thud.

Thud-thud.

Creeeak!

“…How on earth.”

Gilford expressed surprise, but it was nothing special. I had noticed long ago that he was preparing a binding spell formula.

“Let me tell you something too, while we’re at it.”

“What is it?”

“If you want to stop my movements, you’ll need to bring out at least that ‘Hwayang’s Golden Rope’ you’re so proud of.”

The high-grade cursed tool, Hwayang’s Golden Rope, inherited by Gilford from his family.

Staring at it hanging from Gilford’s waist, I quietly threw down a challenge.

“Hmph. You speak words that cannot be laughed off. This is not an item meant to be used against mere cadets.”

“No, you should use it without hesitation.”

If you don’t, the match will probably be decided faster than Gilford thinks.

And for good reason.

‘…It was 1 minute and 17 seconds, wasn’t it?’

The time it took me to complete the timed battle event against Gilford in the game was definitely around that much.