107 - I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

The structure of Rohan's skills is evolving. With each step forward, it continues to develop. Back when Level 1 of Weakness Imbuement was in place, there were many things that seemed impossible. Physical contact was mandatory, and only physical attributes could be bestowed as weaknesses. From Level 2 onward, it became possible to select the attribute to be imbued as a weakness. No longer was he bound to only granting physical attribute weaknesses. Even so, there was a reason why I stubbornly stuck to only imbuing physical weaknesses. Simply put, my handling of fire felt amateurish compared to the magical enhancement of strikes and slashes, offering no advantage. And now, having climbed another step to Weakness Imbuement Level 3. I have gained wings. [Weakness Imbuement - Lv.3] ◇ Imbue a target with one attribute as a weakness. ◇ Attacking a target with an imbued weakness applies a debuff with a certain chance. The description changed from ‘contacted target’ to simply ‘target.’ The debuff no longer bears the prefix ‘weak,’ and the probability has been upgraded from a 'low chance' to a ‘certain chance.’ 'This is significant.' Based on these changes, I naturally acquired new knowledge. Perhaps I was recalling something that I had forgotten. The feeling that skills and mana could be unleashed was seeping into my consciousness. While I could have fired with bare hands, I realized that the most harmonious weapon for this skill was the handgun I possessed. 'The bullets act as a medium carrying the weakness imbuement.' Imbuing a physical attribute weakness immediately might even penetrate through a formidable opponent. But now, it's necessary to bestow something else. Recalling what Omega had prepared with Hex, the attribute to be imbued is fire. Without a doubt, this choice is perfectly correct. “Ha…” Braced by Ichinose, I finished aiming. I pulled the trigger. Bang! The bullet released by Rohan cut across the air. Within that bullet lay a force that defies reasoning. It was, in truth, a power that could be called a magic bullet. ***** enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013MkZPR0g4Z1AyT3BJK1FXQ0RQUk5uY1F0dVFpa1RoNDJ5RDVRV1M3bkhabA “Decay!” Omega's arm swells. The dragon head opens its maw wide! The dragon, reduced to just a head, roars and concentrates a massive amount of mana. —Kaaah!!! Sensing the incoming attack, Juyeon tightened her grip on her sword. Flames enveloped her entire body. [Necrotic Breath] The dragon’s breath that summons death and decay. A murky green spiral was launched fiercely. Juyeon's greatsword blazed defiantly against the decay. [Cross of the Blazing Flame] Within the green smoke rising like sea fog, the flames carved out a vivid cross, asserting their presence. ────BOOOOM!!! The fierce explosion engulfed the breath, suppressing it entirely. “Hahaha!!!” Omega pushed through the explosion and swung his sword. clang! Clang! Ching! His simple sword slashes were menacing. In between, he used monsters to launch attacks, which of course couldn't be ignored. As Juyeon continued to exchange blows, she replayed the battles so far in her mind. Comparing it with her past experiences. 'He's almost immune to my flames. How did it come to this?' Was the opponent enduring her flames simply due to increased capabilities? Perhaps it was due to a mysterious drug that had been administered in large quantities? No, there was something dissonant. 'It must be something they've done to their body.' It felt like trying to subdue a monster that resides in lava with mere flames. But abandoning fire was out of the question. The constraints grew numerous. If she restrained her power willingly and failed to use it, the stalemate would easily tip in his favor. Creak!!! The blades ground against each other, ringing with metallic sounds. In the moment of close contact, this is when the most moves are exchanged. “Kyahaha, this is thrilling!” “…” The flow of mana, the gaze, the movement of muscles, and the positioning of the feet. Everything related to the battle was a deception concealing a real attack. A time when both struggled to gain the upper hand. “!?” Amid that, Juyeon saw it. Ichinose Yui and Rohan, who stayed in place even though Noa Frozenheart and Corin had left. ‘Why haven’t they left…?’ Juyeon was startled by the sight of Rohan aiming his handgun. In the harsh reality, the possibility that Rohan’s attack could hurt Omega was almost nonexistent. His courage in facing an opponent that embodies fear itself was commendable, yet it couldn't be praised. If he lacked the talent to infuse projectiles with mana, the gun would be meaningless. Even an ordinary handgun would have its lethal range surpassed. Amidst Juyeon's sighs and bewilderment. 'Could it be.' She felt the mana gathering around Rohan's handgun. An unknown skill that disrupts harmony. Having experienced it firsthand in her duel with Rohan, she could distinguish it even from afar. ‘… Is breaking this deadlock possible with Rohan’s abilities?’ The intuitive sense, close to foresight, that those at her level feel from time to time. Juyeon concluded that she had to grasp the path Rohan was intent on creating. “Hmph.” For the first time, Juyeon lifted the corners of her mouth in front of Omega. But this smile turned into a clear sneer directed at Omega. Omega certainly knew Rohan was gathering mana. Yet, he seemed unfazed. “Can’t you sense it? If you want to live, flee now. My students are no ordinary people.” “Have you stepped into politics? You’ve learned to flap your gums!” “Those who have halted in their steps cannot follow the new wind. Learn to lower your neck that only gazes at the sky.” “Shut up! Do you think such an attack will work?! Focus your attention on this body!!!” Bang! The distinct sound was heard. Rohan's bullet, striving for transformation, flew through the air. ──Ping! It hit Omega but failed to penetrate, dropping to the ground weakly. “Such a futile act… hmm!?” Omega's expression showed signs of alarm at the unsettling sensation spreading throughout his body. He realized that an unknown change had occurred within himself. “I told you, didn't I? If you want to live, flee now.” Gripping her greatsword, Juyeon confirmed that Ichinose Yui was hurriedly escaping, carrying the exhausted Rohan. The battle resumed instantly. [Blazing Inferno] A fiery slash rushed toward Omega. Both Juyeon, who launched the attack, and Omega, who blocked it, instantly recognized the changed situation. ‘The sensation is different!’ It wasn't Juyeon's misconception. Omega was clearly taken aback as well. Though his resistance was still strong, it wasn't as flawless as before. It had merely fallen to the level of barely withstanding. ‘It makes no sense for the state Rohan has inflicted to last long. There’s definitely an end.’ Missing this opportunity would be absurd. Juyeon judged as much and began igniting her flames with maximum intensity. [Flame Liberation] She activated the embers stored within her body all at once. Her red hair blazed brilliantly, accompanied by a bright yellow glow. “You think you can end this with such a joke...!” A blue globe materialized above Omega's head. A creature created by Hex to counter Juyeon. A mass that endlessly generates cold based on its remaining instincts. [Glacial Cosmos] It rapidly froze the surrounding space, filling it with chill. Even the user, Omega, is affected, so it can’t be used for long. ‘Damn brat...!’ Omega exhaled a misty breath under the influence of the cold and made up his mind. Juyeon, of course, and that brat—he must kill them both by any means. Once this is settled, he would make sure to capture them at all costs. ‘If nothing else, I must survive and return, no matter the outcome.’ He must inform Hex and everyone else about the presence and skills of that brat. “Getting distracted in the middle of battle. Aren’t you living a bit too comfortably?” Juyeon, wielding her greatsword, flew at him. Clang! The downward strike with the greatsword. Though he managed to block the slash, enduring the surging flames was quite challenging. As expected, something was amiss after being hit by the bullet. “Grr...!” “Die.” Juyeon burned her own body with ceaseless flames, ignoring the infringing cold. She swung her sword incessantly. She put in every ounce of her strength to not miss the chance. Crack! A fissure emerged. The tough skin of Omega split, allowing Juyeon's flames to seep in. The scale of victory tipped significantly. “Aaaagh!!!” The scorching pain infiltrating his entire body. Omega couldn't endure the pain and screamed. The nightmares of the past resurfaced. “I told you, didn’t I? I won’t let you get away this time.” [Slash] She put the strength of her waist into a decisive strike. Omega's arm was severed, leaving a deep cut. [Sever] She swung again. Though she aimed to bisect him, she only managed to cleave his shoulder due to Omega's frantic resistance. “Huff! Huff…” In Omega’s eyes, which attempted to regain distance, clear terror was evident. Did she feel any sympathy for him, though? Juyeon hadn’t stopped her attacks. Only a step closer. [Flame Point] Her greatsword pierced roughly through Omega’s abdomen. [Scorched Sunset] A bright flash appeared before Omega's eyes, and then his legs were sent flying. [Resolve] [Cut] [Mow] [Cleave] [Exec] [Carve] Elegant slashes and thrusts that deserved to be recorded in the history of swordsmanship followed. Omega, in mute agony, tried to move his mana quietly. [Frost Nebula] The blue globe floating in the air silently targeted Juyeon’s back. “How hasty in desperation. You should have waited longer.” As if she had expected it, Juyeon dodged the surprise attack. Juyeon never let triumph get to her head nor became careless. She proceeded calmly, step by step. The final move. [Dragon Slayer] A red flash glided over Omega’s neck and the blue globe. “Guh...!” Omega, who had previously managed a draw and escaped from Juyeon in Abyss City, met his demise here. Had Rohan witnessed it, it would have been a conclusion full of a complex mix of joy and dissonance.