I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 97

Strangely, Amy’s quest was failing, but the viewers continued to climb.

Amy’s eyes lit up as she looked at the chat window and laughed loudly.

“Ah, ah ha ha……”

In reality, she couldn’t think of any way to help with the strategy. But at least it was possible.

“I’ll just trust Party Leader!”

That was all the encouragement she could give.

* * *

Fermata disliked Jens’ party.

Students with no experience attempting to challenge the 5th-grade gate, thinking it was due to their star power rather than their skills, was something Fermata couldn’t understand. And just like everyone else, except for Jens, who was excluded from the trainee test, all the other students had failed Fermata’s strategy.

“But……”

However, after watching the battle inside the gate, Fermata had to acknowledge Jens’ strategy. Chris, who had risked his life for his comrades, had fought until he was on the verge of collapse, and Lucia’s skills were all impressive.

“Nice job.”

Fermata said.

Donato and Kella’s thoughts were no different from Fermata’s.

“That’s right.”

“That’s it.”

Their thoughts were even more impressive than Jens’ strategy, which was strong, experienced, and sincere. Marceline, who had been supporting Jens’ strategy from the beginning, slightly raised her lip.

“Ha ha, it’s over, right?”

Marceline was eagerly waiting for Jens’ appearance. With Jens’ performance added to this situation, Marceline believed that even Fermata would become a fan of Jens’.

“Really amazing.”

Jens’ party had an irresistible power that could make people enthusiastic, even those who didn’t like it. Marceline looked at the screen, genuinely hoping for Jens’ victory.

* * *

Characteristic.

The power outside of a Hunter’s skills.

Jens already knew the characteristic of the Rebellious Leader. The fear was obvious, as was the compatibility with herself.

“It’s impossible to win in a narrow space.”

Jens needed to lure her opponent to a wider area somehow.

Clang!

The iron gate leading to the rooftop was locked, but it was no obstacle for Jens.

Chaang!

Jien sliced the iron gate with a single swift motion.

The dark sword, Black Panther. The magical tool’s power increased as the mana of the Saver grew, and it had evolved to be even more powerful. On top of that, Jien’s magical resonance rate was 97%.

The destructive power of the sword was immense.

“Hey, what’s going on… Wait a minute! Let’s go, together!” Yueme exclaimed, startled by the scene.

She had now completely relied on Jien. This was only natural. In this auction house, there were Rebelion members who sought to kill Yueme, and the only one who could protect her was Jien. The relationship had thus reversed.

“Listen well, Yueme.”

Before opening the door, Jien turned back to Yueme on the rooftop.

“Don’t get involved, no matter what happens.”

Jien’s voice was calm and cold, more like a warning than a reassurance. At the moment Yueme died, the Quest would seal Jien’s mana, and the Gate strategy would fail.

“Prioritize your life above all else.”

However, Yueme’s abilities were only a hindrance to Jien. But…

“You…?”

Yueme’s voice was shaking at Jien’s attitude.

“…Yes.”

Yueme knew that this situation was unusual. Although she didn’t understand the world’s affairs, she was quick-witted.

Even though Jien was taking care of her own safety, she could leave at any moment like Kubo and Franklin. No matter how powerful or wealthy, life was more important than anything. The contract’s leash was just that short.

‘Jien…’

But Jien was willing to risk her life to protect herself. Yueme had never seen anyone like Jien, who didn’t crave wealth or fame. Yueme could feel that Jien didn’t want those things.

“I’ll remember. …Thank you.”

As Jien’s gratitude grew, Yueme’s feelings became complicated. It was an unfamiliar emotion for Yueme.

* * *

Bloodshot eyes.

Romina and Kassen had barely slept for three hours. They could have ignored it, but there was too much they couldn’t miss. The students’ 5th-grade Gate clearing challenge was also a matter of importance, and the fact that the participants included Jien and Arkan’s party made it even more pressing. Moreover, the situation was developing rapidly, making it impossible for Romina and Kassen to sleep soundly.

“What’s going on?”

Romina’s muffled voice.

“What’s happening?”

Kassen responded weakly.

Then Romina pointed to Yueme on the screen.

“You started off being so stubborn, but now you’re too submissive. And why is your gaze like that?”

“What’s with that gaze?”

“Ugh, even if I don’t know, you don’t know too much.”

Romina was not a test subject.

She was watching a broadcast with Kasha at home, not at the Gate Management Office. For some reason, Romina was enjoying the drama more like she was watching a TV show, rather than monitoring the strategy.

“It’s really strange, isn’t it?”

Romina crunched on a snack and took a sip of her drink.

Then she opened her mouth again.

“Can’t a bad guy be clever, and a good guy be dense?”

If Romina was getting caught up in the storyline with the characters, Kasha’s observation point was the difficulty level of the strategy.

“…5th-grade Gate, one of the most difficult ones. It’s too hard.”

Rebellion.

The affiliated Hunters were all strong, especially Iruka, who was so strong that she couldn’t even be scratched by Demon, the number one demon.

“If we add the leader of Rebellion to this…

No matter how I think about it, the difficulty level is unfair for a 5th-grade Gate. Kasha let out a long sigh without realizing it.

“…it’s going to end in battle.”

All the other elements had been shown. Now, what needed to be proven was Seab’s most basic battle power. The conclusion of the Gate strategy was tied to Ji-en’s battle.

“You’re the only one I trust! Ji-en!”

Kasha couldn’t calm down her racing heart.

* * *

Crimson Blood

No one knew his name. The only thing that existed was his alias. So, the unknown Hunter who was called “Crimson Blood” was creating Rebellion. Only the members of Rebellion, who shared the same pain, knew the true reason.

“The communication is delayed.”

The communication from his fellow comrades…… had not arrived yet. By now, Bruno and Iruka’s situation should have already ended.

“…crazy, this strong?”

The voice of the fallen Shinhahoe.

Crimson Blood’s feet were covered in blood-soaked Shinhahoe, who had collapsed on the ground.

“Damn it.”

Shinhahoe spat out the words, holding the broken spear and glaring at Crimson Blood.

“You’re not even using your special abilities……”

It was a shameful defeat for Shinhahoe.

But the red blood seemed to think it was beneath its notice, and without a word, it passed by the shrine. The shrine, however, seemed displeased and asked with a hint of anger.

“Why won’t you kill me?”

“You’re nothing but a pawn on a chessboard.”

Just like she had done before.

The red blood gazed at its own hand with a rigid expression. The memory that had just surfaced was like a nightmare to it.

[It’s already too late.]

Suddenly, a vivid voice echoed.

The red blood didn’t shake off the memory. Even if it was a nightmare, it was because the Rebellion was playing its dirge. The red blood was more afraid of forgetting the memory than being tormented by it.

“…The weather is nice.”

The red blood muttered to itself like a habit.

He approached the wall. The beautiful wall made of glass, adorned with a auction house. Beyond it, the landscape of Rain City. He thought the gray city was being washed clean by the rain.

* * *

‘It’s already a foregone conclusion.’

As Iruka climbed the stairs of the auction house, he put the bloodstone into his pocket. The moment the bloodstone reached the hand of the leader of the Rebellion, Ekkul, everything would be over.

However, two men and women were waiting for Iruka on the 6th floor stairs.

“You said you’d come here, didn’t you?”

One of them was Isabelle, wearing red gloves.

“You’re amazing! If it weren’t for Isabelle, you would have failed the quest.”

The other was Kua, standing beside her, humming a tune.

“That outfit. Are you affiliated with the Hunter’s Guild?”

Iruka’s question made Isabelle’s eyes flash.

“Yes, something like that.”

With her answer, Isabelle assumed a stance and then threw herself at Iruka with all her might. The fireball shot towards Iruka, letting out a loud roar.

“Ah, I see.”

But the fireball stopped right in front of Iruka. His unique ability [Pyrokinesis] could control not only objects but also other things.

“Then let’s have a demonstration of my skills.”

The fireball returned to Isabelle from Iruka. Its speed was even faster than Isabelle’s stance.

“It’s dangerous!”

Kua quickly deployed a water shield, and then an explosion occurred, releasing a mist.

Phew! What a mess!

“There’s no talent among the association members, it seems.”

Despite being outnumbered 2 to 1, Iruka was confident of winning.

He was a 5th-grade Hunter, and his extraordinary abilities were just one of his many talents. However, his powers were not limited to just that. Iruka’s second special ability was [Martial Arts].

“What a bunch of inexperienced kids you’re sending out.”

If Shinhae uses his special ability to create a shield, Iruka has received all the adjustments for hand-to-hand combat.

Whoa!

In an instant, Iruka struck Kua’s jaw with a punch that was as fast as a lightning bolt. Although he didn’t have as much strength as Bruno, his speed was incredible. Kua’s mind was momentarily stunned.

“Eh? Woah! Wuh!”

Iruka’s attack, aimed at Kua’s brain, had hit its mark.

“You!”

Isabel quickly aimed her dagger at Iruka. Since her throwing skill was not effective, she planned to use her explosive magic to win.

“It’s slow.”

Iruka grabbed Isabel’s wrist and twisted her direction.

“Give up. Your skills are around 4th-grade. You can’t beat me.”

Despite Iruka’s warning, Isabel tried to shake off his grip, but Iruka threw her to the ground.

Snap!

This 1st district was a battlefield where Isabel and Kua had learned combat skills from Gi-en. On top of that, Iruka had an opponent with combat-related special abilities. The close combat between Iruka and his opponents was suicidal.

“Izabel-san!”

Kua let out a scream, and Isabel’s body twisted in shock.

“Eh!”

The difference in experience and the unfavorable combination.

Iruka seemed to have no way to defeat Isabel and Kua.

“But I can’t retreat…”

Kua bit his lip tightly.

If Iruka lets go of Isabel here, all his efforts would be in vain.

“But if I can just… activate that skill…”

There was a rare case among the Sabers where someone was born with a skill. That was Kua.

However, unlike magic, skills were not kind to Sabers. The stronger the power, the greater the price, and Kua’s case was no exception. Using his skill was impossible, and even the criteria for activation were uncertain.

‘The Characteristics of a Hunter.’