Turns Out To Be a Genius Duelist

Chapter 245 Wish (4)

It might seem complacent, but he never imagined it. He thought he would make it to the arena if he just ripped off the iron bars, but he never thought the dimensions were entirely separated…

’Damn it.’

Yoon-seok couldn’t help but curse. At the same time, Yin and Yang were working hard to find an answer. What should he do? Should he give up on Lee Su-yeon?

Clench.

Yoon-seok tightened his grip on his sword.

’Think.’

First of all, he couldn’t use {Death God}. Even if b Death God} was a teleportation skill that transcended physical distance and dimensions, it couldn’t be used this time since Lee Su-yeon was in a duel right now. Although he could go after people in their private waiting room, it was impossible to use it to invade other people’s trials.

’Think.’

Break something that can’t be broken. This ability wasn’t helping, either. What the heck was he supposed to break in this place where there was only darkness? No, even if he found something to break, no guarantee would get him to Lee Su-yeon.

’Think.’

He tried to think of a way. But he couldn’t see anything except the endless darkness in front of him.

“…”

Yoon-seok felt helpless for the first time in a long time. Whether it was punching the waiting room wall with b Divine Ultimatum} or forcefully clearing the completely ruined Only difficulty level mission after dying more than 10,000 times. Or making divine beings, the Queen and the Tower, stamp their feet… maybe he was proud of those things.

No matter what happened, he would be able to get through it somehow. That was the proud confidence he held.

“…”

Time continued to flow. How long had it been?

Swaaaaaaaaaaa-

The broken space was gradually restored. The scattered debris rose and filled the gap as if times were going backward. Yoon-seok stood still and stared forward.

He saw the King of Steel and Lee Su-yeon through the reassembled iron bars.

“That’s it.”

Broken dagger. Limp arms. Clothes are covered with blood and dirt.

Plorkk-!

Lee Su-yeon was dying.

Getting a second chance. Was it a blessing or a misfortune? If someone asked, Lee Su-yeon would answer without hesitation.

「You died.」

「Due to Unique Skill {Time Control}, your current spirit returns to the past.」

After experiencing death from Lee Chang-hoon’s betrayal, Lee Su-yeon got another chance to start all over. At first, she thought it was a blessing. Given this huge opportunity, she thought she could turn everything that went wrong right.

But it wasn’t.

“No… then the same thing will end up happening….”

She wasn’t a duel ranker, to begin with. She started as a duel challenger but switched to exploration and was betrayed by a man she thought was a reliable colleague. She wasn’t even an adult yet. Nevertheless, she seemed much older than she was, thanks to her ability to control time indifferently.

Lee Su-yeon was just an ordinary high school girl who had gone through something unusual. No matter how many opportunities were given to her, her great wish of killing the Queen and making things go back to the way they were couldn’t be fulfilled.

It didn’t take her long to realize that.

—Arghhhhhh! What kind of grudge do you have against me?

—Dad! Let my dad go, you bitch!

—I’m the enemy? I’ve never seen a wench like you…

She killed countless future enemies and competitors, taking away their deserved luck. She abandoned conscience and put all her efforts into becoming strong, regardless of the means. However, the result of all that hard work was disastrous.

*2,479th place, Grape Jam – Earth (SS-) SS- rating.

2,479th place out of 10,000 people. She was at the top 25%, but… it was impossible to be content with this, and considering that there were 1,000 challengers in the same ranking as her, she couldn’t even laugh.

“What have I done…?”

She wanted to be a monster, but she couldn’t. There were real monsters on top she couldn’t fight against, even if she went back in time several times.

But she couldn’t give up.

“It’s not about whether I can do it or not. I have to do it.”

Lee Su-yeon rose. She couldn’t afford to go back after coming such a long way.

“…”

So, even with her heartbroken, she moved on. Even if she was aware that only despair appeared ahead of her, there was nothing else she could do.

“L-last fortress? How can you…?”

Then, she met Yoon-seok. He was different from her. He was talented, willing to stand up no matter how many times he fell…

—If you kill anything and everything you see, is that efficient?

He had his unwavering principles, too. Lee Su-yeon soon realized if there were a protagonist in this terrible story, it would be this man, not her. Perhaps the reason why she had to return to the past and endure so many hardships alone was for this guy.

However, Lee Su-yeon was relieved by the thought. No, it wouldn’t be strange to say that she was saved by it.

“…I’m not alone. From now on.”

She didn’t have to fight alone anymore. She had someone to rely on, and all she had to do was follow them. It was a wish that was too overwhelming for her to bear, but not for this man. He strode out with this responsibility bearing down his shoulders. Even if all she faced was despair, she thought she could get through it as long as she followed his lead.

But…

‘Is this the end…?’

Today was the last day she could follow him.

「Get ready. The duel will begin soon.」

The King of Steel Kerixis Jagun Alzbehiyan Bernille. A real monster she couldn’t defeat even after dying a hundred times. The moment she was selected as his opponent, Lee Su-yeon accepted it. The future of watching the end together with Yoon-seok would never come.

Ba-thump.

She could feel her heartbeat when she closed her eyes. Unlike during her previous death when Lee Chang-hoon betrayed her, it was calm. Perhaps she had been waiting for this moment after realizing she was only in a supporting role.

For this day.

—Oppa, keep watching. You got it?

She was facing her death. Nevertheless, her mind was at peace, and she knew exactly what she had to do. What should the protagonist’s colleague do before she dies? The answer was simple.

—I can at least find out about his weaknesses.

Anything that could help the protagonist.

—I’d rather be glad. That I was chosen, not you.

Making sure that her death didn’t hamper the main character.

—If you fight here now, one of us will die.

So that the main character could achieve her wish.

“Colleague? Don’t make me laugh. If you die, that man dies, too.”

Not making it obvious even if she was happy at the main character’s sincerity. Yeah, that’s all. Not a big deal; she could do this much.

“Don’t be nervous, kid. I’ll give you a painless death.”

Lee Su-yeon raised her head. And at that moment, Yoon-seok swung his sword.

He was about to intervene in this duel by using the ability of {Divine Ultimatum}.

Boom-!

However, it was useless. When she turned around, there was a black wall instead of a broken iron cage.

“That’s too bad.”

After realizing what Yoon-seok was trying to do, King of Steel smacked his lips. That’s too bad? Did he think it would have been more fun if he broke the bars and came over? Or, did he say that after seeing how she couldn’t get help from Yoon-seok?

‘…Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.’

Lee Su-yeon thought this was better. The King of Steel and Yoon-seok shouldn’t collide here. If Yoon-seok lost, something irreversible would happen… the opposite was also a problem.

It was a hasty plan, she determined after returning to kill the Queen. It was funny, but she later learned from Yoon-seok that this goal required the power of Upper Qigong. Unlike her, this man, who could see the unseen, would be of great help in the Queen’s Match. Of course, she didn’t know what Yoon-seok would think…

’If I phrase it right, I’m sure he’ll understand.’

Lee Su-yeon sent a message to Yoon-seok. She’d killed a lot of people since returning to the past. She was afraid that the blood on her hands would become meaningless, so she had to put more blood on them.

‘Please don’t let these efforts go in vain.’

That was all she could do.

“So he’s not coming.”

While she was sending her messages, the King of Steel waited silently. Maybe he thought Yoon-seok might find a way and appear if he waited.

“Let’s get started.”

Lee Su-yeon drew her dagger at his words. She hadn’t received a reply… maybe he couldn’t get messages right now. Although she was a little worried, Lee Su-yeon continued to leave messages with the assumption Yoon-seok would return.

’He might become your enemy.’

It was best if he became a companion. However, there was a possibility Yoon-seok might think of him as an enemy and draw his sword because of her death. So she should deliver even the smallest bits of information in preparation.

“Stop struggling already.”

The King of Steel was looking arrogantly down at Lee Su-yeon. Perhaps her actions seemed meaningless to those eyes. But, so what? The meaning was given from oneself, not others, and sometimes handed over to someone else.

Whoosh.

His fist flew in without warning.

Booooom-!

The punch didn’t contain any magic. However, the wind pressure alone was enough to break walls.

「Unique Skill b Identification of Existence} has lost its effect due to Unique Skill {Iron Man}.」

The rumors were true. Unique Skills and general skills didn’t work on him. That short phrase appeared whenever she hit that steel-like body, and the released magic evaporated a second after the system message appeared.

She had more messages to send.

「Power Lunar Response has been nullified by Unique Skill {Iron Man}.」

「Spatial Control Upgrade (Rank S+) has been extinguished by Unique Skill {Iron Man}.」

Powers also didn’t work, and this monster ignored the effect of equipment. She didn’t know what would change if she knew this, but… she kept sending messages.

“You’re pretty fast, but…”

Not to mention strength, the opponent was at least a few ranks higher than her Rank SS+ agility. The moment she thought she evaded, something pulled on her leg.

Slash-!

Lee Su-yeon amputated her foot without hesitation, and she sent another message while healing with a potion. The item didn’t work on the opponent but was still fully functional on herself. In that sense, the same went for powers and skills. It felt like she was gradually discovering the King of Steel’s weakness.

「With the blessing of space and time, agility stats temporarily rises by +2.」

「Due to the effect of Unique Skill b Blood Spot}, all stats increases permanently by +1.」

Using her items and skills with limited usage she’d been saving all this time to strengthen her stats, the fight became a little more bearable.

Boooooom-!

Send a message. With higher stats than King of Steel, she could at least avoid fighting head-on.

Boooooooom-!

Lee Su-yeon took a hit to the gut and blacked out momentarily. Although she regained consciousness quickly, she couldn’t move her body. No healing potions left, either. Well, she didn’t have the strength to pour it.

Thud, thud.

Was she fully wrapped around his fingers? Looking at King of Steel striding casually closer, Lee Su-yeon closed her eyes. This was the end.

No, it was finally over.

’Was I… of any help…?’

She didn’t know. Now, Lee Su-yeon wanted to rest.

’I hope it helps…’

She wasn’t scared of dying. Falling asleep in sorrow… this was the end of her story. Even if she disappeared, the protagonist would eventually reach the end. Yeah, she was sure that’s what would happen.

“…”

However, why did her eyes keep opening?

Lee Su-yeon struggled to open her eyes. The sight of the arena greeted her, but it looked unfamiliar. Was the sky always like this?

’It’s blue.’

Lee Su-yeon tried to turn her head. The blue sky was nice, but if it was over, there was one last thing she wanted to see.

’I didn’t even properly say goodbye…’

Lee Su-yeon smiled. The black barrier still replaced the iron bars where Yoon-seok was. Well, it was a little lonely, but this wasn’t bad either. If she saw him, she might even regret dying.

“…”

Lee Su-yeon closed her eyes again. Her body slowly cooled down, and all sound blurred. Unlike her first death, where there was only anger, Lee Su-yeon realized what death was like only now, during the second time.

Death. If something was left in this world, it was erased bit by bit. Therefore, it was fleeting and more valuable than anything else.

However, was it not her time yet to face it?

Whoooooosh.

Those erased things were returning. Something warm leaked into the body that had lost its senses.

“Rest up.”

She heard a voice from far away. A familiar, low voice.

Lee Soo-yeon struggled to open her eyes.

「An abnormal being’s approach has been detected.」

「An abnormal being’s approach has been detected.」

「An abnormal being’s approach has been detected.」

Beyond a phrase that she had never seen before, she saw a man’s broad shoulders.