Chapter 142 - Duel Challenge
Go Nam-cheol was genuinely uncomfortable with Black Scythe.
"How are we supposed to trust and follow someone who doesn't even show his face as the unit leader? I don't like that kind of thing."
Whether it's Black Scythe or not, that's not important.
Isn't trust between people what really matters?
"How is a duel carried out?"
"First, let's move to a spacious place."
Ryu Min went outside, and the members followed him.
"Go Nam-cheol, good luck."
"Thanks."
"Make your nose a bit flatter."
"Trust me for that."
Some already seemed to have become friends with Go Nam-cheol, whispering words of encouragement to him.
The 10 members went out to the courtyard in front of the meeting place.
Everyone watched with eyes full of interest at the two.
A duel in the bright night under the streetlights.
"It would have been great if there were popcorn, right?"
"Hehe, that's true."
Ryu Min laughed seeing the lively crowd.
"Laugh as much as you want now. After this is over, it'll be your turn."
Ryu Min didn't intend to fight only Go Nam-cheol from the beginning.
He was planning to fight all 10 here.
Of course, it wasn't just for a skill fight.
It was to learn about the skills, talents, and determination of these soldiers as the unit leader.
"Come a bit closer. You have to send a duel request."
"Understood."
Both stood 10 meters apart.
Ryu Min manipulated something in the air, and a message appeared only for Go Nam-cheol.
[The opponent in front of you has sent a duel request to the nickname 'BusanSsanae'.]
[Duel type ▶ Simple combat without death.]
[Victory condition ▶ Inflict at least a little damage.]
[If the opponent wins ▶ Correct the dialect of Busan Man, recognize him as the unit leader.]
[If Busan Man wins ▶ Resign from the opponent's unit leader position.]
[Penalty for the opponent ▶ Prohibition of use of all equipment and skills.]
[Penalty for Busan Man ▶ None.]
[Will you accept the duel under these conditions? Y/N]
While Go Nam-cheol was puzzled reading the message, Ryu Min spoke.
"If you accept, the duel will proceed according to the conditions written there."
"What is this penalty?"
"It's literally the penalty each imposed on oneself."
"So..."
"Yes. As you can see, I'll release all my items and won't use skills."
"..."
The corner of Go Nam-cheol's mouth curved.
The unit leader was touching his manly pride.
"Don't misunderstand this as contempt. It's just to balance things. I can't fight seriously as a level 89 wearing equipment against a level 40."
"So, what if I win?"
"It's the conditions each must fulfill if they win. Is it some kind of bet? Of course, the promise can't be broken once accepted. The moment you accept, the system forces you to follow those actions."
"..."
Go Nam-cheol looked at what would happen if he won.
"If I win, are you saying I'll resign from my leader position?"
As it was said to force action, it wouldn't be possible to violate it.
Of course, it comes with the premise of winning.
'This is worth it, kid. No matter how high your level is, you can't ignore the lack of equipment.'
Even if you simply calculate the stats, level 89 without equipment will be similar to level 40 with a full set of equipment.
"No, actually, level 40 might be higher.
If you only wear good equipment.
That's why Go Nam-cheol was confident.
Because his equipment was better than anyone's.
"Even if it didn't work against the opponent, most of my equipment is of rare rank. I even have a unique one."
Go Nam-cheol's merit in reaching level 40 lay in the items.
"Even if you have a high level, if you don't use equipment, your stats will be extremely low. So, you can't win."
With that thought, Go Nam-cheol confidently accepted.
[A duel has been agreed upon.]
[In 10 seconds, the duel between the two will begin.]
This message was sent to everyone nearby.
Go Nam-cheol looked at the distance seriously.
"Don't make me regret putting a penalty on myself."
But there was a fact he overlooked.
As much as he didn't wear equipment, Ryu Min's stats were close to 300 in each.
[Bip- The duel begins!]
Tadadadat-
As soon as it started, Go Nam-cheol closed the distance.
In his hands, a sharp machete belonging to a level 40 blade master.
Since he wouldn't die, he thought of attacking sincerely.
As the distance closed, he used three skills in order.
"Dogi, Kwaedo, Blade Dance!"
The machete emitted a bluish-green glow, increasing the weapon's attack power by 70% with Dogi's bonus.
The attack speed also increased by 70% thanks to Kwaedo's buff.
Then, Go Nam-cheol's body moved gracefully like a Blade Dance.
All to strip the target.
Tak tak tak tak tak-!
"Eh?"
However, right after using the skills, Go Nam-cheol couldn't help but have a surprised expression.
This was because he clearly saw how the opponent deflected the skills with the edge of his hand.
"Does this make sense? Did he deflect all the skills with his hand?"
It wasn't just a normal attack but a skill that dealt 5 times more damage than usual.
And he deflected it all with his hand?
It was impossible unless he accurately read the trajectory of the blades and deflected them with exact speed.
"It can't be. This has to be a fluke. If I try again, I'll definitely get a different result."
Although he saw it with his own eyes, Go Nam-cheol swung his sword.
But, as if he knew all attack trajectories, Ryu Min deflected the blades with his hand.
Without moving from his spot.
"This is incredible, it's unbelievable."
It wasn't like in movies where everything was choreographed. How could he deflect a weapon with his hands?
No, it couldn't even be reproduced in a movie.
At that moment, a pleasant notification appeared in his field of vision.
"The cooldown of the Blade Dance has returned."
"It's okay. Let's block this once again!"
Go Nam-cheol's machete danced again.
Although it seemed like he could bring down the opponent without leaving him an inch.
Tak tak tak tak tak tak-!
By deflecting everything with the palm of his hand, Go Nam-cheol once again had an astonished expression.
Of course, it wouldn't be surprising for Ryu Min, but.
"The reaction speed is enough to dodge bullets with Agility 300."
With the runes of foresight, it wasn't difficult to block the Blade Dance.
"It seems like his mental resistance is as thin as a hair, so should I end this gradually?"
After blocking the second attempt, Go Nam-cheol simply swung his sword aimlessly with an expression that seemed to have written "defeat" on his forehead.
Crack!
"Kok!"
When I dodged the sword and delivered a blow to the body, I heard the sound of my ribs breaking.
But the pain was brief.
[The duel has ended. The victory goes to the opponent.]
[As the nickname 'Busan Man' has lost, the dialect correction will be executed, and he will be recognized as the unit leader.]
As soon as the message appeared, the pain disappeared as if time had reversed.
The broken ribs returned to their place as if nothing had happened.
Although the wounds healed, the mind did not recover.
Go Nam-cheol, who keenly felt the difference in skill, tilted his head in anger.
"I lost. As promised, I'll recognize you as the unit leader. I'll also correct the dialect."
"Yes. I appreciate you acknowledging it."
Ryu Min smiled as he looked at the other unit members.
They were all open-mouthed, recalling the scene of the fight.
What did I just see? Did he deflect all the attacks with just the edge of his hand?
This is incredible. Is this the skill of Black Scythe we've only heard about?
How can he dodge all the blows without even breaking a sweat?
Even fighting without armor or equipment, is he this strong?
Is it possible that he's at level 89?
They were amazed and admiring the incredible unmatched skill.
But that feeling of amazement lasted only a moment.
"Hey, does anyone have popcorn?" someone asked.
"Eh? Me?"
"Yes, come here. Let's have a fight."
"Oh, no. I'll acknowledge it. It's clear that Black Scythe is much stronger. Haha..."
"Hmm, don't you follow the unit leader's orders anymore?"
"Yes?"
"I hate people who make me say something twice."
"… I'll go."
The unit member had no choice but to approach Ryu Min while sighing.
"The rest also wait. Everyone must face me one by one."
"...."
The faces of the unit members turned pale.
-----------------
Ryu Min fought one on one with the ten unit members.
He showed ghostly skills, deflecting weapons with the edge of his hand just like he did with Go Nam-cheol.
As a result, the unit members couldn't even look at Ryu Min.
Despite using skills, using tricks, changing attack patterns, anything.
He blocked everything with bare hands, increasing the feeling of helplessness beyond imagination.
"Everyone worked hard in the duels. Sit and rest."
"...."
There was no physically exhausting part.
It was mentally exhausting.
The unit members looked at Ryu Min with eyes of admiration.
Although he wore a mask and couldn't be seen, they could feel it.
The unit leader in front of them didn't shed a drop of sweat.
He's a monster, seriously.
He doesn't even wear equipment, and the opponent has no chance.
The number 1 in the ranking is really overwhelming.
The overwhelming gap made the heads of the unit members automatically bow.
They felt defeat and helplessness.
They even began to blame and regret the Black Scythe they carried with them as if they were giving up on it.
"I lost in the duel, so everyone acknowledges me as Black Scythe, right? I've already sufficiently proven the qualification to be the unit leader, haven't I?"
"Yes... yes."
Although he had the qualifications, the unit leader was filled with resentment and discontent.
But it wasn't the right time to lament yet.
"Sit and listen. Each of you will share your impressions of the duel. We'll start with Go Nam-cheol."
"Yes?"
"Your movement, judgment, momentum, everything is good, but the utility of skills is lacking. Blade Master's skills shouldn't be used that way. He applied the dagger buff and swiftness before using the Blade Dance, but the stats of both buffs don't apply to the skill. Instead, it only delays the skill when used. So, if he was going to use it, he should have used the Blade Dance first. Or he could have applied the buff and waited for the right moment to use the skill. Personally, I recommend changing the habit of attacking in the style of the latter. The Blade Dance has a casting delay, so using it while recovering the sword helps reduce the delay."
"..."
"Now, Hwang Man-gi. As a gladiator, you have good movements, but you rely too much on the rage skill and neglect defense. Lowering the weapon below the chest during battle is equivalent to surrendering or asking to be killed. It's not carelessness; it seems more like an ingrained habit. Correct that."
"..."
"And finally, Kang Si-hyuk. Excellent in skill utility, judgment, and combat sense among all members. Sometimes uses false skills to mix them up. However, you tend to guess the opponent's strength and give up too easily. I understand, but it would be preferable if you showed enough perseverance to try. Thank you. I'll correct it."
Kang Si-hyuk spoke sincerely.
Meanwhile, the unit members were surprised.
How did he know their names and occupations without being told?
It wasn't surprising at all.
It's natural for a unit leader to know the personal information of their members.
What really surprised was different.
Wasn't it just to suppress the superiority in strength, but to receive feedback?
Aren't you doing this to strengthen military discipline?
Strange that it didn't end quickly when it could have....
The members, who didn't know that there was such intention behind the duel, had astonished expressions.
Especially when he listed their strengths and weaknesses and gave feedback as if he were picking shellfish, it was surprising.
It felt like receiving an unexpected gift.
At the same time, the perception of the members changed.
The looks that showed loss and resentment until recently now transformed into admiration and sympathy.
They realized that the man called Black Scythe was not strong only in terms of brute force.
"I hope this duel has made you reflect on your own issues... Well, looking at those looks, there's nothing to worry about. So, shall we move on to theoretical instruction?"
"Yes, unit leader!"
"Please, teach us."
Ryu Min smiled with satisfaction.
Unlike at the beginning, the members were now filled with determination.
