298 - Regression Is Too Much

298 – The Returner's Battle (17) The dagger swung with precision. BbungBbung attacked, perfectly targeting the weak spot. The distance between them increased during that brief interlude. The whip lashed out. If you tried to block it with your sword, the whip would coil around it, and if you tried to endure it with your body, your flesh would be peeled away with unbearable pain. Faced with such impossible choices, Choi Ji-won dodged the whip. Since the whip was swung in a line rather than at a point, her posture inevitably faltered. Once again, the distance widened. A whip and a dagger—two seemingly mismatched weapons, yet Cheonma found a harmony between them. The issue with a whip was that ‘its full power is unleashed only at a distance.’ As a weapon fundamentally reliant on centrifugal force, its power would be halved if the opponent closed in. There’s a reason whips aren’t used for self-defense; even a single gap could be fatal. However, Cheonma exploited this gap with a weapon called a ‘dagger.’ The dagger was light, posing no burden when swinging the whip, and its hidden nature offered an advantage in close combat. The dagger’s short range was mitigated by the whip. Conversely, the whip’s disadvantage in close combat was offset by the dagger. Cheonma’s artful command of offense and defense using these two extreme weapons transcended mere experience. "Gulp." The sound of someone swallowing echoed loudly. Everyone was completely focused. Each understood that witnessing this battle was a once-in-a-lifetime fortune. Not a single moment was to be missed. "However." Meanwhile, the main tentacle uttered a groan. "It's being... obliterated." Cheonma was pressured again. Though at a glance they seemed like an invincible combination, Choi Ji-won had found the answer. The dagger was short. The whip was long. The distance between them—the ambiguous range where the dagger couldn’t reach, yet the whip’s power wasn’t fully exerted. With her magical control of range, Choi Ji-won maintained a ‘distance where the full power of neither weapon could be unleashed.’ She filled the whip’s constraint with magic, denying the dagger any space. A method of obliteration she devised in a fraction of a second. To geniuses, common sense does not apply. -Clang! In the end, Cheonma missed with the dagger. His right arm was slashed long. In that gap, he managed to retrieve a spear that had fallen to the ground with his whip, but a wound was a wound. It was Cheonma who was being pushed back. “…” “…” No. Perhaps not. Judging from the expressions of the two powerful individuals, it was clear who was being driven back. Cheonma's smile was faint, yet it was challenging to discern if his grin appeared fierce due to his water-like demeanor or if it was just his characteristic smile. Nevertheless, his smile was undeniably ‘aggressive.’ On the other hand, Choi Ji-won maintained a blank expression. It wasn't the relaxed composure of a calm demeanor but rather the expressionless mask worn by someone desperate to maintain her composure at all costs. Cheonma cast aside the whip and gripped the spear with both hands. It was yet another new stance. Those unfamiliar might think, ‘Guntar is cornered.’ However, the stronger ones gradually grasped the situation—Guntar was buying time. “Wow... he seems to be getting faster.” Murmured the tentacle. It was true. The werewolf's body bore many wounds, and among them, two were deep. It was natural for his condition to deteriorate, yet Guntar's movements only grew swifter and more precise. He was evolving. No, rather, he was reclaiming his original strength. Meanwhile, Choi Ji-won was beginning to tire. Time was running out. More than five minutes had passed since she activated the ‘Heart of Lightning.’ With every moment, the magical power burning within her took its toll, accumulating damage within her body. The price of lightning coursing through her was no small fee. -Nonsense! As they fought, Cheonma lost his spear. Choi Ji-won had finished her maneuver once again. She lunged forward as if unable to let the opportunity slip by, yet had to halt her sprint and swing her sword. “A secret weapon?” It was not visible here, but a high-performance drone camera captured it. A minute secret weapon concealed among the fur. Though not imbued with any magical power, the dark energy was threatening, cast forth at the opportune time and place. Specifically, it coincided with Choi Ji-won releasing the magical energy coiled around her for better mobility. Again, during that moment of hesitation, Cheonma seized an axe. The attack and Defense pushed back and forth. Cheonma was driven back. The axe split in two. In just a fraction of a second, Choi Ji-won attacked again. This time, Cheonma unleashed a spray of dark energy. Choi Ji-won did not evade. This was not a foe that could be vanquished without sacrifices. Little time remained. To seize this chance, she was willing to endure minor wounds from the dark energy. Tiny droplets of blood trickled down. A red line was drawn across Choi Ji-won's cheek. The distance between Cheonma and Choi Ji-won narrowed. Boongboongi swung. The final opportunity. The moment to end it all had arrived... “It’s too late.” -Boom! With a sound like an explosive drum, Choi Ji-won's body was violently hurled backwards, crashing into the wall. “…!” At the sound of that terrifying impact, I found myself leaping from my seat without realizing it. As the dust settled, Choi Ji-won was already rising with a jolt. Her side was torn, the flesh gaping. Soon after, her repaired clothing covered the wound, making it less horrifying, but the rapidly spreading crimson stain made my hands tremble. Wounds were a daily occurrence for players, both mine and those of my enemies. So, blood and flesh were not unfamiliar at all. That was my misunderstanding. No. ‘Choi Ji-won’s blood’ held a special significance for me. It was the first time I saw her cornered. I wanted to rush back immediately, but we had agreed to send a ‘return signal’ before the battle. Not yet… It meant she still wished to fight. "Wow." Dark energy seeped from the corners of Cheonma's mouth as he exhaled in satisfaction. Magic power. No, more precisely, ‘Cheonma Shingong’. It was here I realized—the time limit had passed. Choi Ji-won was strong. She fought well. Yet she was merely a step away from defeating Cheonma. And that Cheonma… regained his strength through this battle. Surely more swiftly because it was a battle with Choi Ji-won. The strong grow stronger through battles with other formidable beings. As Cheonma stretched, Choi Ji-won retrieved a potion from her chest and downed it in one gulp. The fading blue light rekindled, and her pale lips regained their color. However, the black line remained on her cheek where the weapon had struck. It was a side effect of using the potion. “I would like to call you… master, but my level is still low, and I am not qualified. I can handle all weapons.” Cheonma repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fingers as he spoke. “Initially, it was merely for victory. You need to understand your opponent to increase your chances of survival. Then, it became fascinating. There’s a depth to the techniques humans have developed over generations, and it's delightful to learn them.” “…” Choi Ji-won aimed Boongboongi. Cheonma offered no response and continued speaking. “Then… it became loathsome. I was disgusted to see people who resembled my living self. Utterly detestable that those far lower than me were honing their techniques just to survive. I abhorred the fact that I was born an ordinary human while others were born heavenly in this world. Weapons are for the weak. The strong are only born with their bodies.” A crimson flame formed in Cheonma's hand. Only then did everyone realize that Cheonma hadn’t used magic until now. He’d solely relied on the extraordinary physical abilities of his Suin nature to confront Choi Ji-won, who wielded the ‘Heart of Lightning’. "I despise the human race. I slaughtered everyone I encountered. After countless killings, I finally realized something. I nearly transcended humanity. If only I hadn't died." Choi Ji-won's blue lightning flared brilliantly. Cheonma's black fire ignited fiercely. Defeat was certain. From this point onward, it was a battle on how much information we could glean. The trigger for retreat had been activated. Endure as long as possible, then return. "A new opportunity has arrived. I will become the most formidable being. I will escape this cursed tower. You're a stepping stone in history, so consider it the greatest honor a mere human can receive." I wanted to close my eyes. I wished to turn away. However, I couldn't. I had to engrave this moment into my mind until the very end. “Come.” “I'm coming.” The two figures collided. The sound was thunderous, like an incredible clash beyond belief, echoing even beyond the stadium, drawing the attention of lurking gangsters. Something significant was clearly happening. Let me tell you what happened next. Choi Ji-won fought valiantly. Cheonma was even stronger. Boongboongi couldn't penetrate Cheonma's magic. Each of Cheonma's attacks was a lethal blow. When I deemed I had seen enough, I bit my cheek. Next time will be different. [You have taken damage.] [You return to the point when you first entered the 28th floor.] *** I thought Choi Ji-won might be despairing. If she were frustrated and secluded somewhere, I was prepared to comfort her. "I know how to win." Choi Ji-won appeared jubilant. She beamed broadly, grasping my hand. "It’s you." "Huh?" "I think you can win." "... What are you talking about?" Her finger poked my chest. "Reset and come back. With this, we can win." Choi Ji-won declared. "I'll explain from the beginning." If I were in her place, I could defeat that Cheonma.