Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 76

Ranking Duel

There weren’t many exchanges between Harang and Kyle.

At most, about five.

But, as they say, a true master can gauge someone’s skill just from a single clash.

The knights who had gathered to witness the life-or-death duel between the two direct-line purebloods were witnessing something beyond comprehension.

“Master Harang is slightly ahead of Master Kyle in technique.”

“It’s less about technique, more about instinct.”

“His speed, strength, and swordsmanship are all lacking, yet he’s handling everything perfectly.”

The knights whispered among themselves before coming to a single conclusion.

“…This is strange.”

Instead of praising him, the first words that came out were about how strange it was.

And it made sense.

For a warrior, their mastery of swordsmanship usually manifests as a direct reflection of their level.

Kyle, as a 5-star swordsman, had reached a stage where he could moderately wield sword energy, while Harang, as a 4-star swordsman, found it nearly impossible to use sword energy in real combat.

In other words, from the very ability to control aura, Kyle, as a 5-star swordsman, was leagues ahead.

The ability to control aura and the achievement in swordsmanship usually grow in tandem.

Though there were rare cases where someone excelled in one over the other, such individuals often fell before reaching the highest levels.

A prime example was the 0-star swordsman, Marquis Ferenel, who, despite having unparalleled skill and sense in swordsmanship, never achieved greatness because he couldn’t wield aura. He ended his life as a mentor to countless masters, unable to rise himself.

“Master Harang’s mastery of swordsmanship is overwhelmingly beyond his ability to control aura. His balance is off.”

But was Harang really a case like Marquis Ferenel?

If one were to ask that question…

The answer was no.

“But… considering his age, Master Harang’s aura mastery is also extraordinary. He’s a genius among geniuses…”

Though he wasn’t using sword energy for some reason, his sword aura was far sturdier and sharper than that of any ordinary 4-star swordsman.

To the extent that he could deflect a 5-star swordsman’s strike without disrupting his own aura. This clearly indicated how well-focused his energy was.

However… his swordsmanship was on a level that went far beyond what one could attribute to just being ‘impressive for a 4-star swordsman.’ It was so exceptional that it even overwhelmed the 5-star swordsman, Kyle.

Clang!

In response to Kyle’s sudden strike, Harang stumbled back. At first glance, it looked like he couldn’t withstand the attack, but each movement of his body was designed to absorb and dissipate the impact.

He was using pure technique to entirely cover the disadvantages stemming from the overwhelming difference in physical ability!

Even though Kyle had clearly taken some sort of mysterious ‘enhancement,’ making his strength and speed vastly superior, his sword still couldn’t reach Harang.

Not even with the Summon Mail equipped!

‘What the hell is this guy doing?!’

Naridel bit her nails anxiously. She had been confident Kyle would win with the equipment he had, so she had been acting composed.

‘This is driving me crazy!’

The Summon Mail wasn’t the only piece of equipment she had lent to Kyle.

Judging that Harang’s strength came from mixing magic with swordsmanship rather than pure skill, she had invested in a very expensive accessory for him.

A ridiculously luxurious anti-magic artifact with the ability to weaken magic below 2-star level by up to 50%!

While she didn’t know the exact level of Harang’s magic, she had assumed he might use 2-star magic during the fight, so she had given Kyle an artifact that was nearly impossible to obtain.

‘Why isn’t he using magic?’

Just once. One single time would be enough.

If Harang tried to cast a spell, Kyle would use the artifact to neutralize it and easily strike him down.

But… Harang acted as if he knew Kyle had brought some hidden artifact and hadn’t even attempted to use magic. It was as if magic had never been part of his strategy at all!

‘Damn it, and what is with that Summon Mail?!’

On top of everything, the mysterious Summon Mail on Harang’s left hand was a factor that neither Naridel nor most of the knights had anticipated.

Most of the existing Summon Mails had their locations and owners well-documented.

“What the hell is that Summon Mail?!”

Naridel shouted irritably, drawing the attention of the knights guarding her. They, too, had no idea what type of Summon Mail it was.

‘It’s not over yet. That guy has only summoned the Summon Mail on his left hand, while Kyle is fully enhanced. As long as they exchange blows even once, that idiot Kyle will win!’

Naridel hadn’t given up hope.

Just once—if Harang showed even the slightest opening, the duel would be over.

If Kyle could swing his sword in a trajectory that Harang couldn’t avoid, forcing him into a head-on clash, the fight would end with Harang’s head falling.

‘Please, Kyle, do it right!’

Though she wasn’t as anxious as Kyle, Naridel was still extremely nervous.

If Harang were to lose here, his reputation would take a significant hit, and the dishonor of lending Kyle the equipment would be a minor issue.

In fact, the story of her lending the equipment might be completely overshadowed.

Why? Because most of the family members were targeting Harang, not Naridel.

Even a single defeat would lead to relentless attacks, with people using any means necessary to bring him down.

But… if Harang defeated Kyle?

If Kyle couldn’t overcome Harang?

All of Naridel’s efforts, including the resources she had risked, would instead serve to boost Harang’s reputation while branding her with immense dishonor.

Thud!

Harang forcefully deflected Kyle’s hammer-like strike, feeling his fingertips tingle as he stepped back.

Step after step, he retreated again and again.

With his speed and strength, there was no way for Harang to find an opening in Kyle’s defenses.

However, Kyle’s attacks were gradually losing accuracy.

It wasn’t just that he couldn’t control his immense strength and speed, but also that he was deeply shaken on a psychological level.

‘Damn it! How does some bastard adopted kid have a Summon Mail when I don’t even have one yet…?!’

The anger of being taunted by only a partial use of the Summon Mail.

The jealousy and envy that came from seeing someone so young already possessing one.

But most of all—

‘Why aren’t my attacks landing?!’

The inferiority complex that surged within him as none of his attacks reached Harang, who was not only younger but also of a lower rank!

As all these emotions overwhelmed his mind, Kyle’s strikes began to slow down, becoming clumsy.

Of course, this situation wasn’t entirely favorable for Harang either.

Though Kyle’s attacks had become more like wild, beastly swings, Harang’s stamina, already drained of much of his magical power, was rapidly diminishing.

‘At this rate, I’ll collapse before his doping even wears off.’

Harang’s eyes gleamed with determination.

When faced with an unbeatable opponent, the best tactic was to show an opening and force them to reveal a weakness.

With a short leap backward, Harang disengaged and removed the gauntlet from his left hand. He had nearly exhausted his aura, but this move was also meant to make a statement.

Bzzz!

Mana gathered in his now-exposed left hand, and a mysterious, silver circle began to etch itself into the air.

‘Magic!’

Kyle’s eyes lit up.

‘This is my chance!’

He couldn’t help but think that.

‘His swordsmanship won’t cut it, so he’s finally resorting to the magic he didn’t want to use!’

It was a hasty and chaotic conclusion, but the important thing was that Harang was attempting to cast magic.

Kyle had a valuable artifact that reduced the power of magic below 2-star level by half, so this was the opportunity he had been waiting for!

Thud!

No need for preparation. Kyle simply kicked off the ground with brute force, rocketing toward Harang, the world narrowing around him as he shot forward like an arrow.

By then, it looked like Harang had nearly completed the magic. A strange symbol was being etched into the magic circle. Whatever it was, Kyle judged that it wouldn’t affect him, right as he reached him.

‘…!!’

Suddenly, the magic circle vanished, and Harang gripped his sword with his left hand, assuming a unique stance.

‘No way!’

Kyle’s mind snapped back to focus.

‘The magic was a feint…!’

Crash!

Despite his seemingly uncontrollable, rocket-like charge, Kyle managed to stop himself just short of Harang with superhuman reflexes and his immense strength.

‘He must have figured out I had an artifact to counter his magic, so he used the magic as a decoy! Clever bastard.’

Though Naridel often called Kyle an idiot, he, too, was a pureblood direct descendant of Kaladan, inheriting the world’s most superior bloodline.

His combat sense alone meant that no matter where he was in the world, he wouldn’t be outclassed.

A decisive decision to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses in a short amount of time, followed by the audacity to reverse that decision if necessary!

It was an act not just anyone could pull off.

[Kaladan Swordsmanship, Second Technique]

[Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art]

Harang was a master of psychological warfare, having spent his life fighting the world’s top geniuses in daily matches.

Even if he couldn’t fully incorporate those experiences into his swordsmanship, when it came to ‘psychological warfare,’ he was absolutely confident.

“What the…?”

Kyle was only momentarily taken aback by how quickly Harang’s sword technique was completed.

‘Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art?’

Kyle’s expression turned incredulous.

Kaladan’s counterattack swordsmanship, Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art.

If someone didn’t know that technique, they might fall for it. But for those familiar with it, it was useless.

In other words, it was almost never used in duels between the Kaladan bloodline.

Who would be foolish enough to step into the range of Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art, knowing full well it was a counterattack technique?

Kyle, well aware of how dangerous and sharp that swordsmanship was, let out a scoff.

‘You think I’ll fall for that? No way… Wait, hold on!’

He realized that the physical enhancement doping from the Adobis Crest was about to run out.

‘Could it be…?!’

Kyle gritted his teeth as he finally understood Harang’s intent.

Even if Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art was a counterattack technique, it wouldn’t be able to fully block Kyle’s assault if he charged in with his enhanced body. However, Kyle would also take damage in the process, making it difficult to find an opening.

Harang had deliberately shown Kyle the preparation stance for Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art, knowing this!

“So… that’s how you want to play it?”

Harang must have assumed that Kyle wouldn’t be able to properly control his enhanced body and therefore wouldn’t be able to execute sword techniques—hence making such a judgment.

Kyle smirked, lowering his stance and pointing his sword straight ahead.

It was true that controlling his enhanced body perfectly and executing sword techniques was challenging, but given enough time, he could still pull it off!

‘If you’re going to blatantly use a counterattack technique, then I’ll just use an anti-counter technique to break through!’

Kyle smiled.

It was a smile of victory.

‘I’ll make you regret that decision.’

Drawing in his aura, he slowly began tracing a path in the air with his sword.

Before initiating the Kaladan swordsmanship, one must count the paths of the stars, gauge the flow of the wind, and accept the energy of the earth and sky.

Several knights, upon recognizing that this was the preparation stance for Kaladan Swordsmanship’s ‘Secret Ultimate Technique,’ were shocked.

But it wasn’t because Kyle was making the correct decision.

‘No, no!’

Naridel screamed inwardly.

Many of the knights likely screamed in their minds as well.

Because they knew.

The technique Harang had shown at the Honorary Sword Meeting four years ago.

The very technique Kyle had never witnessed, having been unable to graduate from the Raw Stone Training Squadron because of Harang.

That technique.

“Younger brother, don’t hold it against me if this hurts a bit!”

Kaladan Swordsmanship’s First Secret Technique—

Holy Gale Slash…

Just as the wind began to swirl, signaling the imminent activation of Kyle’s swordsmanship—

Half a beat earlier.

[Ten Successive Slashes of the Storm]

Harang’s technique was unleashed.

Shhh-!

In an instant, Harang’s blade became a gust of wind that swept past Kyle’s body.

……Whoosh!

The small storm hit late, as even the wind failed to react in time.

Harang had already passed five steps beyond Kyle, calmly sheathing Cheongwolheun at his waist.

“…What? Huh, …ugh?!”

Chwakakakak!! Kyle’s entire body was slashed to ribbons by ten wind blades, and he fell to his knees on the spot.

‘Wha…?’

Even as his body collapsed to the ground, he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art was a stationary counterattack technique, so why had Harang passed through him?

And why hadn’t he been able to respond to that swordsmanship?

And what was this sword technique that had slashed him ten times?

And, and, and…

‘Why did I lose?’

Leaving only those unanswered questions, Kyle fell to the ground.

Thud…!

Though he had begun with every advantage, the outcome was defeat.

A total defeat.