‘That shield? It isn’t ordinary.’
It didn’t receive any scratches despite being hit by Heavenly Cut. Rather, Kang-jun’s two arms were tingling.
Fortunately, the Vampire Lord’s Sword was fine.
A legend grade weapon was different. However, that meant the shield Andras was holding was also likely to be legend grade.
If not, it wouldn’t have been possible to block the Heavenly Cut that emerged from the Vampire Lord’s Sword.
Kakang!
Kang!
Kakakang!
Kang-jun immediately attacked with his sword, but Andras blocked it with a shield.
‘Amazing. The shield’s defense is no joke.’
Even if the shield was legend grade, Kang-jun’s Heavenly Cut wasn’t something that could be blocked with simple reflexes.
Nevertheless, Andras defended perfectly. This meant that Andras had more advanced skills associated with shield defense.
However, Kang-jun hadn’t fought just one or two opponents. Andras was nothing compared to the naga queen he fought a while ago.
Kakang!
Kang!
Kakakaang!
Kang-jun continued to push Andras without hesitation. Andras tried to maintain a distance but it wasn’t easy.
‘Ohh! He isn’t giving me a chance to use a skill.’
Andras had two powerful skills that used the shield to neutralize the opponent’s sword. As soon as he tried to use the skills, he would be busy trying to block Kang-jun’s sword.
During Kang-jun’s battles with the lords and their clones, he had learnt not to give them time.
[Time remaining until the duel ends.]
[52, 51, 50…]
As time started running out, Andras became impatient.
‘It can’t end like this. I have to fight him somehow.’
Kang-jun had already detected Andras’ mindset. So, he tried to look relaxed as if he wanted a draw.
Andras’ face distorted.
[12, 11, 10…]
Once 10 seconds were left, Andras’ eyes flashed.
It was bound to be a draw. That could never happen.
In the end, he stepped back and tried to use a shield skill.
Flash!
However, Kang-jun’s sword was one step ahead of him. Moving through the gap in the shield, it struck.
A flash crossed Andras’ blue armour and blood spurted out.
Ugh!
As blood emerged, Andras’ upper and lower body fell to the ground. It was the end.
[You have won the duel.]
[Two victory points have been obtained.]
[You currently have 100 victory points.]
That was the end of 50 duels.
Kang-jun stood in the middle with a winning streak of 50 wins.
‘Andras wasn’t an easy opponent.’
If he hadn’t taken advantage of Andras’ psychological state at the end then it might have ended up in a draw.
However, he won anyway.
If this had been a real battle between sovereigns, instead of a duel, Kang-jun would have taken everything that belonged to Andras.
On the other hand, Andras would be screaming in the loser’s hell.
The thought of it didn’t calm Kang-jun down. He won this time but what about the next time?
Of course, he would win. If he became stronger, then he would win unconditionally.
Kang-jun formed fists as he made a resolution.
[Sovereign Lucan from the 439th Army!]
[You have 100 victory points. You are the first ranked commander candidate among the total sovereigns.]
The light of the magic circle wrapped around him.
A gigantic room.
There was a big magic circle shining in the centre.
Kang-jun appeared on top of it.
However, this time, he wasn’t alone. There were nine other people standing on the circle.
Five of them were familiar to Kang-jun. Andras, Damas, Agnus, Praksin and Allamo.
They were opponents Kang-jun had met in the duels. The other four – he hadn’t seen before. He had never met them in the 50 duels.
However, it was possible to see their victory points and rank under their sovereign name.
Kang-jun was first, Andras was second and Damas was third.
At that time, a group appeared in front of the magic circle.
A total of 10 people. Some were human while others looked like ogres or demons. There were two horns on top of their heads and fearsome faces.
Who were they?
The atmosphere around them was beyond imagination.
They introduced themselves one by one.
I am the 1st commander of the Earth Defense Army, Binhaim.
I am the 2nd commander, Madun.
I am the 3rd commander, Ligas.
The ten commanders introduced themselves. It ranged from the 1st to 12th Army, with there being no commander for the 7th and 11th Army.
Kang-jun suddenly recalled Heksia’s words.
She said that the 1st to 12th army commanders were the strongest among the Earth Hwanmong defense forces.
After that, the armies get jumbled up and the rankings were meaningless. In other words, the commander of the 400th Army could be stronger than the 30th commander.
However, only the commanders with the greatest strengths could become the commanders of the 1-12th Armies.
However, these 12 armies weren’t divided in order of ability either. Although the 1st commander represented all of them, there might be someone with a stronger ability among the 12 commanders.
Not surprisingly, the 1st commander Binhaim was watching the 12th commander. The other commanders were also watching the 12th commander, indicating that he was the strongest among them.
At that moment, the 1st commander Binhaim spoke to Kang-jun and the others.
You are the strongest among the sovereigns. However, the rankings are now meaningless. You will have to fight again.
Was it a competition that would give them a chance to change their rankings?
Kang-jun had already defeated five of them. He hadn’t fought the remaining four yet but they seemed to be weaker than Andras and Damas.
Binhaim continued.
Before that, we would like to give you gifts. Now, you will be taught by one of us.
Taught? By the strongest army commanders themselves?
This is because your skills are still lacking to become a commander. It is very lucky for you that we have made the special decision to strengthen our defenses.
This was quite unexpected.
Kang-jun was looking forward to it.
They were the best people in Earth Hwanmong, so their teachings wouldn’t be terrible.
Then the sovereigns assigned to each commander should come forward. Sovereign Agnus.
Yes.
The 1st commander, Binhaim, pointed to Agnus. Agnus walked forward with a nervous expression.
Sovereign Damas will come to me.
Yes.
Then the 2nd commander, Madun, pointed to Damas and the 3rd commander called Andras.
Sovereign Lucan!
Finally, the 12th commander, Rainkar, spoke Kang-jun’s name.
Yes.
Kang-jun walked in front of Rainkar.
He was a male in his 40s with a cold aura. There was an eerie energy around him like in martial arts novels.
Kang-jun believed that Rainkar was the strongest among all the army commanders. Otherwise, the other commanders wouldn’t be paying attention to Rainkar.
Rainkar gazed at Kang-jun and said,
Follow me.
Yes.
Kang-jun followed Rainkar to a nearby closed chamber.
It was a room with two resurrection gems, one on each side.
It was a training room. The unusual thing was that it had two resurrection gems.
Rainkar said,
Lucan! I deliberately told the other commanders not to choose you. It is because I have chosen you. Can you guess why?
I don’t know.
It isn’t because you have the most victory points or achievements. There was only one reason. It is because you know Heaven’s Blood Sword Style.
How do you know that?
I watched your duels. I know because I am familiar with the skill. The person died a long time ago.
Who is he?
You don’t need to know. Just that when he was alive, the Second Demon King Colladikus would have never considered invading Earth Hwanmong.
Rainkar’s eyes shone coldly.
Please note that I won’t be teaching you any new abilities. I will only expand on what you already know. This is the same for the other commanders.
I will be grateful for any teachings.
Kang-jun was prepared to die during the training. It was rare to get a chance to be taught by the strongest in Earth Hwanmong.
There was a faint smile of satisfaction on Rainkar’s face as he gazed at Kang-jun, however, his cold expression soon solidified again.
The given time is two hours. During that time, I will give you the harshest and most efficient training. The only thing that matters is your will. If you give up in the middle, you won’t receive anything.
That will not happen.
Kang-jun replied with a smile and Rainkar’s eyes shone.
I’ll see if that happens or not. Then, I will start.
Surung.
He immediately pulled out a sword and stabbed Kang-jun.
Puk!
Keeeok!
Kang-jun’s eyes widened and he fell. HIs body turned into smoke and reappeared in front of the resurrection gem.
Euh…
Did he die?
It was the first time Kang-jun had experienced death. This was because he had never been defeated in an duels in the training room. Additionally, he had never died in battle against the Second Demon King’s subordinates. Resurrection was possible but he had never experienced it.
Yet, he had just died. It felt like the world was ending the moment he died. His consciousness was still alive but his body was like a stone. Then even his consciousness disappeared. And he woke up again.
Why?
Kang-jun stared at Rainkar. He said he would teach, so why did he kill Kang-jun? It wasn’t a pleasant feeling, even if he was resurrected.
He didn’t want to experience such a terrible feeling again.
Sukeok!
However, Rainkar approached Kang-jun and cut off his head.
Duk.
His head fell off his body. He had done this to others but this was the first time he had experienced it.
Once his head was lost, the struggling body lost strength and collapsed.
His consciousness lasted for a while even after the head had fallen off. Then his consciousness was cut off and he was resurrected at the gem on the other side.
Jebeok jebeok.
Rainkar walked over with his sword.
Kang-jun got up.
‘Wait! Is this training?’
Rainkar said he would use the most effective training method for a short period of time. Then he stabbed Kang-jun’s stomach and sliced his neck.
Kang-jun didn’t intend to just sit down and die.
Kang-jun pulled out his sword.
‘Yes. This is training. This time, I won’t suffer without trying to block him.’
However, Kang-jun was once again cut in half by Rainkar’s sword.
Seokeok!
Flop.
Ugh, damn! What are you doing?
Once he resurrected again, Kang-jun swung his sword but Rainkar blocked it and stabbed him.
Puk!
Keook!
He died again and then resurrected.
This repeated for a while.
Did he die 10 times?
From then on, he even lost the will to resist.
How long will you do this? Teaching about Heaven’s Blood Sword Style… cough!
Rainkar came up to Kang-jun without saying anything and killed him. He seemed like a crazy murderer.
Seokeok!
Seokeok!
Chwaack!
Puhak!
Kang-jun’s rage surged. He died silently. He used all his power and still died. However, no matter how he thought about it, he still couldn’t determine a reason.
What type of training is this?
He wondered if Rainkar was enjoying murdering him instead of teaching. Unsurprisingly, Rainkar’s eyes weren’t filled with madness.
Don’t ask me but realize it yourself.
Realize it myself?
Think of this as the Battlefield of Blood. Don’t rely on resurrection. Think of it as the end once you die.
His sword flew once again. The sword approached Kang-jun’s left eye.
Kang!
Kang-jun unconsciously blocked the sword. The action was detected using Heaven’s Blood Sword Style.
Puhak!
Keook!
Rainkar’s next strike stabbed his neck. Kang-jun was amazed.
‘I did it.’
It was the first time. He desperately wanted to stop it and his sword unconsciously moved. It was the action of Heaven’s Blood Sword Style!
Kang-jun revived and Rainkar’s sword flew toward his head.
Kang!
This time, Kang-jun blocked the sword aiming at his right eye and the next stab soon arrived. Kang-jun shook his head and avoided it.
Kakang!
Seokeok!
He died in the end but he managed to endure three strikes.
Resurrection again!
As time went by, the number of times Kang-jun could endure Rainkar’s attacks increased.
Then after a long time…
Kakang!
Kakakang!
Kakang!
Before he knew it, Kang-jun had become capable of surviving for more than 10 minutes.
Rainkar smiled faintly and stepped back.
It seems that you have roughly grasped it. Now, it is time to go.
Kang-jun was then moved back to the place with the big magic circle.
The other sovereigns were gathered, including Andras and Damas. Everybody seemed to be overflowing with energy like they had learnt something great.
The 1st commander, Binhaim, said,
So, we will now choose the strongest among you.
