Regression Guidelines for the Supporting Character

Chapter 16

Following my lead, Kwon Tae-hyuk also took out his weapon from the inventory, as eight blades appeared behind him, floating in the air.

Kwon Tae-hyuk’s skill was ‘Blade Surge’. It was a skill that allowed him to freely control sharp double-edged blades. It was very similar to the ‘sword control’ ability often described in martial arts novels as attainable by those who reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

The long sword I was holding was fine because it was connected to the handle and I was gripping it, but throwing knives or swords that left my hand would inevitably get caught up in Kwon Tae-hyuk’s skill.

‘The moment I lose grip on the sword due to force, it’s a guaranteed defeat.’

Since this was my only weapon, if I lost it, all I’d be left with is rolling on the ground of the empty lot with bare hands. Even if I had brought other weapons, I would have lost the moment I was overpowered anyway.

With a sharp sound, the blades floating in the air spread out. The blades forming a circle behind Kwon Tae-hyuk looked like a halo illuminating him.

“I’m a beginner, so please go easy on me.”

I tried asking just in case, but Kwon Tae-hyuk only snorted. I guess it wouldn’t work.

Still, it seemed he was willing to let me make the first move, as he just stood in place watching me. Not being a fool to throw away the consideration of a superior opponent, I gratefully accepted.

With a swift movement, I kicked off the ground and rushed towards Kwon Tae-hyuk at high speed. A white blade intervened between my diagonally swung sword and Kwon Tae-hyuk.

Clang!

One of the eight blades floating behind him blocked my attack. As the ranking match officially began, cheers erupted from the surroundings.

“Woah!”

“Go, Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk!”

“The anonymous challenger takes the first strike! Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk skillfully blocks it!”

My hand gripping the sword handle tingled. It was just the first clash between my sword and Kwon Tae-hyuk’s moving blade, but my wrist was already starting to feel the strain.

The longer this dragged on, the higher the chance of my defeat. Gritting my teeth, I moved my arm.

Clang, clang! Kachak!

Kwon Tae-hyuk’s blades followed my sword movements. With a swish, the widely spread blades blocked the top of my sword blade, the middle, and the tip.

“Huk…!”

As I was desperately trying to find an opening, I quickly twisted my head at the chilling killing intent. With a swoosh, I heard the sound of air being cut as a sharp killing intent grazed my head.

‘Damn, that was close.’

Besides the three blades blocking my attack, other blades started attacking my body. Cold sweat ran down my back at the thought that if I had reacted even a little slower, the side of my head would have been deeply cut.

Hurriedly retreating, I checked Kwon Tae-hyuk’s face. His eyes, staring at me while holding the ninth blade with a handle, were chillingly cold.

‘Is he really not going easy on me? That’s too much.’

It seems I’ve thoroughly gotten on his bad side. Thinking it fortunate that he hadn’t discovered my true identity, I took my stance.

“The challenger narrowly avoids Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk’s attack! This is nail-biting! Who will attack next?”

The excited reporter’s voice came from behind. The cheers for Kwon Tae-hyuk from the surroundings increased even more.

Everyone’s excited except for me. I understand, but still.

Sighing, I raised my sword again. Then, after tensing my thigh muscles, I kicked off the ground hard and leaped into the air.

Blades flew towards me as I jumped into the air. I forcefully moved my body, which was becoming stiff with tension, and barely managed to deflect those blades.

Some of the blades I couldn’t perfectly deflect cut past my body. Blood spread from my shoulder, the back of my hand, and thigh, but I didn’t change course and stubbornly fell towards Kwon Tae-hyuk’s head.

‘The important thing isn’t the blades.’

The master of these threateningly moving blades was ultimately Kwon Tae-hyuk. If I exhausted myself just deflecting blades, I would lose without even putting up a proper fight.

Rather than that, even if it was somewhat dangerous, I needed to break through the blades and close the distance with Kwon Tae-hyuk. That was the only way.

Keeeng!

The blade that grazed my side quickly changed direction and followed behind me. But it wasn’t enough to catch up with me as I was falling rapidly.

I smiled, raising the corner of my mouth pointedly at Kwon Tae-hyuk, who was looking up at me with a surprised expression.

Kwang!

A loud boom resonated as Kwon Tae-hyuk, who caught my body falling from the air, collapsed to the ground. In the midst of the rising dust cloud, I moved urgently.

Pressing down on Kwon Tae-hyuk’s abdomen with my knee, I raised the tip of my sword. Then, just as I was about to thrust the sword into his right shoulder.

Kachak! Kwon Tae-hyuk, who had maintained his composure even in the shock of falling to the ground, blocked the tip of my sword with the ninth blade he was holding.

‘Damn.’

He blocked the attack at this close range? Just as I realized anew that he was a monster, a strong pain spread through my side and my vision spun.

“Kuhek…!”

Having been hit precisely in the side by Kwon Tae-hyuk’s swinging leg, I rolled on the ground.

“Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk’s perfect counterattack! Is this the end for the challenger?”

Woah!

The cheers and the reporter’s shout made my head spin. Pain rose from my side with every breath.

But this was no time to lie collapsed. As soon as I raised my head, I saw blades pouring towards me and quickly got up and ran.

Kwagagak!

Five blades struck in succession where I had just been. Seeing this, I changed my plan to distance myself and instead rushed towards Kwon Tae-hyuk.

I couldn’t miss this opportunity with five blades gone. Whoosh, as I lowered my upper body, another blade passed overhead.

The remaining blades were one floating beside Kwon Tae-hyuk and the one he was holding, just these two. I had to decide the match before the blades flying back here arrived.

Kakang!

Swallowing my rough breathing, I swung my sword horizontally with all my might. My sword blade clashed with Kwon Tae-hyuk’s blade, crossing in an X shape. Zing, the blade that collided with strong force trembled.

Our gazes met beneath Kwon Tae-hyuk’s disheveled hair. In that fleeting moment, I noticed the confused emotion in his eyes.

I didn’t know why he was confused, but if he was shaken, it was to my advantage.

As I twisted my wrist to deflect Kwon Tae-hyuk’s blade downward, the upper right opened up. I spun my sword blade and thrust it towards the opening.

My sword blade accurately cut above his shoulder. Finally, an attack had connected. I saw red blood spurting up, so it definitely wasn’t an illusion.

‘If I continue like this…!’

I might win. Just as hope was swelling, it happened.

“Huh?”

Ignoring his cut shoulder, Kwon Tae-hyuk suddenly reached out and grabbed my collar tightly. Then he lifted me up and slammed me to the ground.

Kuwung!

“Ugh!”

As the side of my face and body were strongly planted into the dirt ground, I couldn’t gather my thoughts.

Without releasing my collar, Kwon Tae-hyuk bent his knee and firmly pressed down on my sword-wielding wrist with his foot.

“The game ends here.”

Kwon Tae-hyuk, muttering in a cold voice as if grinding his teeth, reached his hand towards my face. Coughing and sputtering, I panicked at his hand suddenly approaching.

“No, wait…!”

Even though I wanted to escape, my wrist under Kwon Tae-hyuk’s foot wouldn’t budge. Reflexively, I swatted away Kwon Tae-hyuk’s hand with my empty left hand, and at that moment.

Ding!

《Trait: Just Lie There (F-rank) Activated!》

《The opponent is stunned!》

“Huh?”

Before I could even react to the suddenly appearing status window, Kwon Tae-hyuk’s upper body swayed greatly.

“Kuk… Wh-what…”

Staggering with a perplexed expression, Kwon Tae-hyuk closed his eyes as if falling asleep and collapsed towards me. Thud, I reflexively caught Kwon Tae-hyuk’s body as it helplessly crumbled.

“This is…”

Over Kwon Tae-hyuk’s shoulder as he lay limp in my arms, status windows popped up in succession.

Ding!

《Main Quest: Defeat the current rank 1 hunter ‘Kwon Tae-hyuk’ and claim the rank 1 position Cleared!》

《Main Quest Clear Reward will be given.》

《Kwon Tae-hyuk’s interest has increased!》

“Hah…”

I was dumbfounded by this situation I couldn’t have imagined. As I stared blankly at the status window while holding Kwon Tae-hyuk, the voice of the highly excited reporter resonated loudly across the empty lot.

“Oh, my goodness! Did you see that, everyone? Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk has fallen! The challenger has defeated Hunter Kwon Tae-hyuk and claimed the new rank 1 position!”

Woahhh!

As if responding to the reporter’s shout, the spectators all cheered and applauded in unison. A bright white light suddenly appeared from somewhere and shone directly above my head.

Sitting there with the completely unconscious Kwon Tae-hyuk, I, who had become the rank 1, let out a dispirited laugh under the spotlight.

“Ha, ha… ha…”

To think that the trait that stuns the opponent would trigger at that moment? With a 0.3% probability?

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, I looked down at Kwon Tae-hyuk. Unaware of why he had fainted, Kwon Tae-hyuk was sleeping with a peaceful expression.