Chapter 154: [154] The Mage Who Wields A Sword (1)

A lot of players had gathered at the association headquarters to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

Out of these numbers, not all players escorted the procession to see the outcome of the duel, but the number that followed them was more than enough to fill every single available seat, leaving some standing at the back.

Soo-jin calmly walked past the crowd of people, navigating through countless bodies as she made her way to the front.

By her sides were Isabella and Satella, who had completed the task she had assigned them.

Of course, they were shocked to find out what had happened in their absence, but there was no time to dwell on it.

At the very first row, there was a seat prepared for Soo-jin, a chair placed right next to her sister’s. She stared at the chair for a short while before walking up to it and sitting down.

"Greetings, Sister," she said in a strained voice. It was enough to show that she was upset, but not harsh enough to be considered an insult.

Not that Soo-min cared either way.

The woman stared calmly at the stage. Ark was standing face to face with the person that was meant to be his opponent.

Of course, it was not Cain, as expected. The heir of Order going up against an unaffiliated skeleton would have been more than a huge insult to his guild.

Not only would it prove he could be easily provoked, if he were to lose, the blow to his clan would be terrible.

Instead of Cain, a young man stood in his place, one that was no less qualified for the task. According to what her aide had told her...

"A divine knight." The word slipped out of her lips almost as a whisper.

Although classes were not ranked by the system, that did not mean there was no difference in classes.

Race was the most important factor in growing stronger, but following very closely to it was class. And when it came to class, the young man had obtained a stellar pick.

As for the other one...

Soo-min’s aloof gaze drifted to him. "He is actually a skeleton." She had heard it countless times, but she refused to believe that someone could be so unlucky.

He must have sinned gravely in his past life...

That was the only conclusion Soo-min could arrive at.

"Eonni. Why didn’t you help me?" Soo-jin asked.

"..."

Soo-min was quiet for a few seconds, then she turned to face her sister. The two sisters looked strikingly similar, not just in name alone, but in features.

Although Soo-min was older by more than seventy years, due to her race, she did not look a day above twenty-five.

They both had the same crimson eyes, white hair, and sharp, cutting features.

But in reality, they were farther than strangers.

Soo-min’s response was simple. "You are undeserving of my help." Even as she said those hurtful words, her face remained stoic.

The painful part was not that Soo-min was a naturally aloof person. Soo-jin had seen her laugh hysterically, run around, and even fight with her other siblings.

But when it came to her... Soo-min was like a blank sheet of paper. Whether she did it to torture her, or there was another reason for it, Soo-jin had no idea.

All she knew was that the last time Soo-min showed emotion towards her, she had almost died by her hands.

Soo-jin smiled bitterly, then let out a breath. "I see..."

Soo-min turned her attention back to the stage. "Will your friend be okay? You seem to care a lot about him."

"You are worried about the wrong person, sister..." Soo-jin stared at Francis. "He won’t come out in one piece."

Hearing the confidence in her sister’s tone, Soo-min shrugged. She knew him far better than her, and she knew Soo-jin was no fool.

If she believed the skeleton could pull off an upset, then just maybe, maybe she was about to see something that would defy four hundred years of human understanding.

"I hope your skeleton friend will not disappoint. As your guest, if he is to fail, his shame would undoubtedly rub off on our guild."

<•••>

"This will be a duel of honour." The player acting as the officiator stated firmly, his voice loud enough to carry to the very back of the arena.

"You may use your mana, but absolutely no skills or spells are allowed. Showcase your skills with your blade!" He finished and stepped back, giving the fighters room to engage.

Honour duels were normally an activity held by knights, not mages, but Ark had personally agreed to the terms.

Because he was more capable than most knights out there.

"Will you be alright, little mage?" Francis jeered as he summoned his sword. This was a duel to the death; it was only natural that he would summon the very best in his arsenal.

"First of all, I’m not little. And secondly, don’t look down on mages. We are pretty capable people, you know?"

As though to make a point, Mountain suddenly rose from the shadow behind him, surprising all those that had gathered.

"W-what are you doing? Are you trying to desecrate this duel of honour—"

"Calm your balls." Ark sighed. "He is just acting as my weapon rack."

Just as Ark finished, Mountain’s shield split into five different weapons, each swirling around him.

Fauchard, Kusarigama, longsword, katana, and two-handed bastard sword.

Each one of them was as black as the night, and yet they bore a light gleam at their edges, showcasing their sharpness.

Ark could have used the Hero’s Blade, but he decided to keep it away from the public eye.

Since Darius had the exact same weapon, there was a small chance that someone would recognize it in such a large gathering.

"So?" Ark waved his hands at the weapons.

Francis’ eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

"What weapon would you like me to use? I am giving you the honour of picking the weapon..." Ark pointed at him. "That I will use to pick you apart."

The young knight lost his temper. A vein pulsed on his forehead as he growled, "Do not dare mock me, skeleton!"

He sprinted forward, progressively closing the gap between them.

"Well, since he doesn’t want to pick...." Without looking, Ark reached for one of the swords and brought it down just as Francis arrived in front of him.

Clang!

Sparks fizzled out in both directions. Francis’ legs nearly buckled from the pressure.

He had the advantage of momentum, he had the advantage of the angle of attack, and yet, Francis stared at him in disbelief.

How then was he getting overpowered by a skeleton?!

Ark stared at his weapon to see what sword fate had decided would lead to Francis’s ruin, and then he smiled internally.

’Of course it is you...’

The two-handed bastard sword.

Francis immediately shifted his foot, pushing his body weight into the strike. But even with that, Ark remained firm and unyielding, like a mountain, he would not be moved.

"No matter!" He unhooked his sword, took a step to the back before slicing at his head. But just as the sword hurtled forward, it suddenly changed direction.

’A feint?’ Ark thought. The move had been so smooth that he had almost not sensed it....

Almost.

He had long awakened his senses, and against someone like Francis, there was nothing he could not see.

Ark bounced his sword back, stepped in between his guard, and then slashed at his stomach, as though to spill his bowels.

Francis immediately moved to a defensive position, but Ark’s sword lashed upwards.

Just like Francis’ attack, his first strike had been a feint. But unlike Ark, who had seen it coming, all Francis saw was a blur of steel, just before the sky was coated with drips of scarlet...