Chapter 5.1 Romantic Cheonho(1)
“Next Duel in 00:00:10.”
-Wind_Wind_Wind: 10 seconds left!
In the Earth chat room, several challengers started to countdown together with the timer.
-William: 9!
-Full Eyes: 8!
Is this a New Year’s Eve?
Yoon Seok was dumbfounded.
‘Is this real?
They were counting as if they’re about to play some game.
-Shorty: 5!
-Black Dragon: 4!
-JWH904: Let’s all see each other alive!
Yoon Seok thought he must be the odd one out, the weird guy out there but…
It seems like that isn’t the case.
Yoon Seok couldn’t help but think about the people talking in this current situation, who were nothing but weirdos.
[Online: 3598/10000]
It was one-third of all the challengers that were participating in the chat. And that big number included lurkers like Yoon Seok.
The majority of the first-floor challengers didn’t participate with these weirdos.
What do you think they were all waiting for?
Without another thought, there was just one answer.
Just like Yoon Seok, most of them were waiting.
Waiting if they would survive or not.
Most of them were using pen names, harder to guess who was who.
There is nothing like unity in this world, just conflicts.
Survival of the fittest!
If one fails to adapt, they are guaranteed to be left behind.
“Next Duel in 00:00:00”
「Get ready for your duel.」
The long 24 hours were over.
Soon after the virtual message, Yoon Seok’s surroundings started to change.
Now the stone-dark chamber was nowhere to be found, and again the sun above was shining brightly.
Looking around his surroundings, Yoon Seok started to frown.
“It didn’t change.”
He stood in the same colosseum, where about 24-hours prior he had to fight a fierce battle of life.
The arena had no sign of the previous battle, nor did it have the body of that green-monster. Neither did his next challenger appear, it was empty.
「Let the countdown begin.」
Seeing the message, Yoon Seok let out a laugh.
Though he knew it had only been a day, it felt like his last duel was a long time ago. And soon after, just like his previous battle, when the countdown began his whole body froze.
「3.」
When he saw his opponent, Yoon Seok was left in shock.
In bitterness, he gritted his teeth.
Though in this 24-hour period he prepared himself to be determined, unfortunately, his opponent was human.
Even if his first duel ended with murder, now all he had to do was get the first kill, just like in games.
In other words, as long as his opponent has the coin, they could revive.
So, technically, it wouldn’t be a murder.
「2.」
‘Yoon Seok get a hold of yourself’
He looked at his opponent in front, he was a man.
Dressed in a grey top and pants, just like the outfit Yoon Seok was wearing and a longsword in his hand.
His hair all ruffled and his chin was covered in beard, emitting an unusual aura.
‘He seems to be a person profound in martial arts.’
Thinking about it, Yoon Seok couldn’t help but be surprised.
So, it wasn’t a joke.
The chat room did have the filter of four dimensions, and if he remembers correctly, there was a filter named Moorim.
「1.」
Yoon Seok had a feeling.
In the pits of his stomach, he knew, his previous match would be in no way comparable with this upcoming one.
「START!」
As soon as the signal was heard, their body restrictions were lifted.
Hurriedly, Yoon Seok fixed his position. He was on guard, holding his sword and his shield up in front.
But out of nowhere, the man greeted.
“Nice to meet you. I am known as Romantic Cheonho.”
The man had an accent, though it seems to be Chinese, he could tell it wasn’t.
Yoon Seok couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
He never thought, the person who he was bound to kill or be killed, will greet him. It was out of his expectation.
“Haha. Honestly, we are not enemies. All we are doing is a bit of courtesy but greeting each other. Just acknowledging one another by asking the names. For that, do you really need to be on guard?”
Listening to such logic, he wasn’t wrong.
To be honest, they were all victims like him, dragged into someone’s play.
Well, not everyone can stick to that nonchalant attitude, but…
The other side seemed familiar with such a situation.
“M-My name is Choi Yoon Seok.”
Looking at such an awkward and discomforted reply, the man couldn’t help but let out a hoarse laugh.
“Ahahaha! So, you are really from another world. By the way, are you from the military?”
“I used to.”
Yoon Seok reluctantly replied.
As a young Korean healthy man, Yoon Seok has given his service to the military. But of course, it was completely different from what his opponent was thinking of.
Only in exceptional cases; such as police raids, were they given shields or other weapons. The other times they had no use of such weaponry.
“Ah, most of the soldiers in the army are supposed to be great and I’m wondering what you will show me. I’m looking forward to it.”
Is it about time to start?
The man raised his sword and got in his formation.
And calmly said.
“This is my own sword, Blue Dragon Sword. I have trained and improved myself. Being confident in my swordsmanship, so for that, I can’t go easy on you.”
Yoon Seok had no way to confirm if what the man said was true.
But soon after those words, the atmosphere in the arena changed.
Compared to the good-natured man a few moments ago, his whole personality did a 180. He looked determined to overthrow the obstacle in front of him.
The man’s aura was as sharp as a sword and could cut through one’s skin.
Because of the pressure, Yoon Seok bit his tongue.
Otherwise, he would have been overwhelmed that would make him unable to move.
“Then, here I come.”
Whoosh!
He didn’t hear any shuffling sound.
And suddenly, the man narrowed the distance in one go, with his sword pointing towards Yoon Seok. And the tip looked like a lightning bolt.
Looking at the swing, Yoon Seok didn’t dare to dodge nor did he want to take a direct hit.
But Yoon Seok did have a shield.
Kang!
He blocked his opponent’s attack with his shield.
And now, he didn’t stay still either.
One block results in one attack.
Yoon Seok remembered that he practised it thousands of times in the waiting room. So he no longer hesitated and wielded his sword.
Do or die!
Hesitation is a luxury when one’s life is one the line.
Nevertheless, Yoon Seok’s attack didn’t have any result.
Making him realise, no matter how strong his will was, all it mattered was the skills and experience.
Chaeng!
As if the man saw the incoming attack, gracefully he used his own sword to refelt back the incoming sword. Inexperience Yoon Seok was disturbed by such a force used in a single attack.
Their physical traits were the same as per the rule. But one wielded the sword with both hands while the other with one. So, it was natural who had the most balance.
Not satisfied with this, his opponent thrust the sword like a snake moving towards him, causing Yoon Seok to use his shield to block the attack.
“…”
Nervously, Yoon Seok swallowed his saliva.