92 – Ranking match with Baek Yu-rin (6)
092.
“Is my gravity power not working?”
Ju Ji-yeon looked at Jin So-yeon, who was running tirelessly with a frown on her face.
Usually, her gravity field was strong enough to hold back even the most talented hero trainees.
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But it seemed insufficient to block Jin So-yeon’s movements.
No matter how many times she tried to send out a dense gravity field, it seemed almost useless against Jin So-yeon.
Although she could momentarily delay Jin So-yeon’s movements when her gravity field made contact, it seemed that Jin So-yeon was able to withstand it and hasten her steps.
“Did she neutralize… no, weaken my gravity power?”
Ju Ji-yeon exclaimed inwardly.
The ability to weaken or nullify other people’s extraordinary abilities was quite rare.
“I knew she had the ability to enhance or weaken objects that came into contact with her body.”
But never did I expect that she could weaken extraordinary abilities as well.
“Why did she challenge me to a ranking match? There must have been some confidence in her.”
She wouldn’t have concealed such a useful ability until now.
“An extension or variation of her extraordinary ability?”
Sometimes, when an extraordinary ability is developed, it undergoes transformations and expansions.
In Jin So-yeon’s case, it seems that her interference with objects has been expanded to the point where she can interfere with extraordinary abilities that come into contact with her body.
“It’s interesting that she can weaken my gravity. But well, what can I do about it?”
Ju Ji-yeon was slightly surprised, but that was all.
The power to weaken extraordinary abilities was quite intriguing, but no matter how intriguing it was, it was still just a matter of weakening.
It was far from completely nullifying them.
It can be seen that Jin So-yeon’s movements slow down for a moment when she comes into contact with the gravity field.
It takes some time to weaken extraordinary abilities.
“Did I only appear as someone who relies solely on extraordinary abilities?”
Relying solely on extraordinary abilities was nothing more than being half-hearted.
And Ju Ji-yeon was not a slacker who was absorbed in her powerful extraordinary ability and neglected other things.
Defeating numerous geniuses in not only Korea but also the world and confidently entering Union Academy as the 12th ranked student was a remarkable achievement that could not be accomplished with just talent and effort.
Ju Ji-yeon was not only a genius but also a hard worker.
She had become stronger than she was during the entrance exam.
No, not just a little more, but much more.
“Okay, then I’ll fight properly too.”
He laid his hand on the hilt of the sword, concentrating an enormous amount of supernatural power that shook the ground.
The ultimate high-gravity swordsmanship that combined gravity manipulation and sword skills.
It was not a sharp sword energy like a swordsmith’s blade, but a biased and wide-ranging attack using gravity and magic.
“Look.”
Ju Ji-yeon took a stance for swordsmanship.
Jin So-yeon, who had unexpectedly reached the distance between them.
Ju Ji-yeon swung a powerful blow mixing gravity and magic towards Jin So-yeon, while pulling out the sword blade with all her strength.
Paahh, ahhh!
The intangible force stirred up the battlefield ground.
The ground split apart and debris-like objects flew in all directions.
The gravity wave that spread out in a fan shape swept away everything in front of it.
It might have been quite powerful and dangerous, but if it was Jin So-yeon’s ability that she had shown so far, she should be able to withstand it.
“Hup!”
Jin So-yeon frowned and wrapped her body in a shield, enduring the combined force of magic and gravity waves, and slowly stepped forward.
It was just as expected.
Using the moment when Jin So-yeon’s movement became sluggish, Ju Ji-yeon changed the direction of gravity and moved.
It was a super-fast movement using gravity.
In the blink of an eye, she quickly swung her sword and reached Jin So-yeon.
“Try blocking this too.”
“!”
A single sword stroke.
Using the change in the direction of gravity, it was a swift sword technique that smoothly rotated without losing kinetic energy and inertia, randomly attacking the opponent.
It could be called a splendid sword technique that made even the renowned Yu Seol-hyeon stumble back during the entrance exam because she couldn’t read the path of the sword.
Thanks to the freedom of center of gravity through the change in gravity direction, it was possible to swing the sword in any posture without losing any strength.
…But.
“You’re definitely fast. Even though it’s three times faster, it was difficult to see.”
“Huh?”
Jin So-yeon was effortlessly avoiding the blade.
With a calm gaze, I looked at the sword, effortlessly evading, deflecting, and blocking every attack.
It was as if I existed alone in a different time, avoiding with such ease that it rendered Ju Jiyeon speechless.
No way.
Did she dodge after seeing the sword’s trajectory?
Unless she possesses the strength of Yi Siwoon or Kang Daehan, it would be difficult.
Could she really have that level of dynamic vision and reflexes?
Jin Soyeon?
“Is this it?!”
Ju Jiyeon spread her supernatural abilities in all directions.
A powerful gravity pressed tightly against the surroundings.
Due to the immense gravity, Jin Soyeon’s movements became slower.
At that moment, Ju Jiyeon swiftly swung her sword. A high-speed attack through strengthened gravity. Jin Soyeon, who momentarily paused her movement, then swiftly defended against Ju Jiyeon’s attack.
Clang!
The swords clashed.
With a clear metallic sound, sparks flew.
The gravity and magic-enhanced sword emitted sparks.
“I have to finish this now.”
I plan to finish before neutralizing the gravity.
Just release my grip on the sword and strike.
“There’s no use in resisting….?”
“Hah!”
Snap!
Ju Jiyeon’s sword broke.
It was like a glass sword.
The appearance was as if it couldn’t withstand its own gravity. It clearly only used enough gravity to endure, so why?
“Uh, ugh?!”
Suddenly, Jin Soyeon’s blade cut diagonally across Ju Jiyeon’s shoulder.
Slit!
The training sword had safety measures and even protective gear, but the protective gear tore like a piece of paper and her collarbone split open, blood spurting out.
“You, how dare you?!”
“Sorry. I’m still not skilled at controlling it.”
Ju Ji-yeon quickly took a step back, her lower lip bloody from being bitten tightly.
She tried to divert the direction of gravity to throw Jin So-yeon far away, but it was futile.
Therefore, Ju Ji-yeon quickly used gravity on herself to create distance between her and Jin So-yeon.
Ouch. My shoulder, my shoulder…
It hurts a bit, but I can still fight.
Due to her left collarbone being injured, she couldn’t use her left hand, but it didn’t matter. She would stay as far away as possible and use the surrounding objects to attack.
Ugh, seriously, what a disgrace.
People…people are all watching.
“Should we stop here, Ju Ji-yeon?”
“?!”
Behind her.
Suddenly, Jin So-yeon was controlling her movements.
Wait, when did she get close?
Surprised, Ju Ji-yeon immediately tried to counter, but it was already too late.
Jin So-yeon jabbed at Ju Ji-yeon’s chin.
Ju Ji-yeon, who experienced a momentary concussion, staggered.
And she collapsed on the ground.
“Um, uh, ugh. Jin So-yeon…”
“I was surprised by your strength, more than I expected.”
Jin So-yeon casually brought out her sword.
Ju Ji-yeon couldn’t regain her senses properly due to the concussion. She struggled to get up, but her body didn’t obey her.
Within 10 seconds, she had to get up… Ah.
“That’s enough.”
The referee intervened.
She was already subdued, and 10 seconds had passed since she fell. Therefore, the outcome of this match…
“Group F, Team 6, match over.”
The referee quickly checked the time and declared casually.
“Jin So-yeon, the winner.”
Jin So-yeon’s victory.
“Wait, did I, did I lose…? Oh, no, that can’t be…”
Ju Jiyeon muttered helplessly.
No way, no way she could’ve lost to someone like Jin Soyeon.
Considering the content of the match, it was almost a one-sided defeat, so she couldn’t hide her sense of despair.
“…I won, I beat Ju Jiyeon, ranked 12th.”
Jin Soyeon blinked her eyes. She was a little taken aback.
Honestly, she thought she would win, but now that she had easily defeated her, she couldn’t quite believe it.
She hadn’t even exerted her full power.
In the past, she would have been trapped in the gravitational field and unable to move, ending up in defeat.
But Jin Soyeon now was different.
After the kidnapping incident, her latent abilities had blossomed, to the point where she could be considered at the top of the academy.
Jin Soyeon glanced briefly at the stands.
There were many people buzzing with excitement.
This time, she looked towards the waiting room for the trainees.
They must have all been watching the match.
Lee Jinhyeok, Yoo Seolhyeon, Baek Yurin, Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, and someone that Lee Jinhyeok liked.
“…”
Jin Soyeon knew it well enough.
That Lee Jinhyeok didn’t have genuine feelings for her.
Because of the long fake dating charade, she had developed a positive sentiment towards him.
That’s why Jin Soyeon needed her own conviction.
A competitiveness that could rival girls like Yoo Seolhyeon, Roch Sanneu, and others….
She also wanted to become aware through this fight.
If an unfortunate situation were to arise, whether she could protect Lee Jinhyeok.
“…With this level, I can handle even average villains.”
Kidnapping.
Yes, kidnapping.
Jin Soyeon had been kidnapped in her own home.
There was no guarantee that such a thing wouldn’t happen again.
When she was tied up and helplessly watched Lee Jinhyeok being killed.
What if that video was fake? She almost lost Lee Jinhyuk. Forever. Maybe if she continued to act as a hero, incidents like this could happen again. That’s why Jinsuyeon needed power. The power to protect herself and Lee Jinhyuk from threats. She didn’t want to helplessly lose them in that kind of situation ever again. Absolutely not. … The memory of that day became a kind of trauma. It had been a while, but it still appeared in her dreams. Jinsuyeon couldn’t sleep because she was worried. Worried that she would be kidnapped again and that Lee Jinhyuk would die. Unbeknownst to Jinsuyeon, this started to turn into obsession, compulsion, and a thirst for power. Little by little. Very little by little.
“Mmm…”
In the trainee waiting room, Baek Yurin was quietly looking up at the monitor. The match between Jinsuyeon and Ju Jiyun had been quite impressive. To be honest, Baek Yurin didn’t have much interest in the other kids’ matches, so she was just yawning. But she was slightly interested in Jinsuyeon. Because she also used a sword and was strong. Well, she didn’t really show much swordsmanship, but still, a player is a player, right? Honestly, Jiyun was stupid to get so close in melee combat, so it was easy for Jinsuyeon to win like that. But that didn’t mean Jinsuyeon should be underestimated. Jinsuyeon, it seems like she didn’t use her full power. If she did, what level would she be at? “…It’s quite interesting, but it’s not the right time for that now.” Baek Yurin shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Her match with him would start soon. The person who brutally shattered her self-esteem two years ago and mercilessly defeated her. “…This time it won’t be like that.”
He will see.
How much she has changed.
“But that guy kept saying no… well, it doesn’t matter.”
Because he’ll find out once they’re together.
…It was a truly unfortunate event for Lee Jinhyuk, but Baek Yurin was someone who preferred communicating with a sword rather than with words.
