The first time witnessing a technique. There’s nothing I can’t imitate.
A jack of all trades, unique ability of the tech type, Jack of All Trades.
An extension ability specialized in imitation called Constant Change.
With this alone, imitation is possible, but adding wings to it is the power of observation.
From the moment I faced the second round, I’ve been collecting information nonstop.
The direction of my pupils, the transition of my ankles, the movement of my weight on the ground, the movements of my shoulders, the rotation of my wrists, and the flicking of my fingers.
I analyze all the information from muscle bundles occurring inside my body and the twisting of my skeleton to predict and counter the next move.
It’s absurd that I’m being pushed unilaterally despite all this…
In short, I have acquired more than enough information needed to develop the extension ability.
Extension ability of Jack of All Trades.
Constant Change – Unusual Trajectory.
The spear traced a bizarre path. What was initially a straight thrust became a dynamic movement like a snake gliding on the ground.
A movement that outright denies the laws of physics.
Just before the spearhead pierced the neck of the second round, it was effortlessly caught by their hand. Seems I still couldn’t overimpose on the original.
– Kreeeek!
The white and red energies fiercely gnawed at each other.
As a result, the ground was sliced open and the air was shredded.
Crack! The balance of the energies collapsed. The second round’s grip was torn apart. The white energy pushed the red energy back.
“The power of energy is me!”
The second round is not a high-spec iteration. Even with the blessings of growth, they can’t compare with an iteration that has raised their specs using various tricks and techniques.
In other words, their physical abilities are lower, and the quantity and quality of their magic power are lacking.
Especially compared to me, whose specs are rising smoothly now.
Above all, the specs of the second round are strange. Despite having lost, the second round still managed to compete with me in battle, which should have been impossible.
The second round twisted their wrist to deflect an attack. Following that, their hands moved like lightning, leaving afterimages.
– Bam!
The skilled hands of the second round easily broke through my defense and seized my left wrist.
As the grabbed arm was pulled, an unknown force caused my body to lift off the ground.
The second round immediately extended their opposite hand, twisting their body.
Extension ability of Manjong Combat Technique.
Turbulent Muscle Extraction.
– Clang!
My body twisted around my captured left arm. If this continues, my whole body will twist like a pretzel, pulling my bones out.
Crack! In an instant, the second round’s grasp grabbed the air.
The proof of my guardian that was once captured disassembled. The pure white body faded into a stream of light, and the golden circuits remaining in the air reverse-reassembled back into my shoulder.
I took advantage of the momentary disruption in their movements.
Utilizing the rotation applied to my body, I swung the spear I was holding wildly.
The second round promptly withdrew. Well, there’s no reason for them to take the hit.
“Power Manifestation, Space.”
Whooooosh! The second round’s presence abruptly halted. Then, like magnets from opposite poles, they were pulled towards me.
The spear, forcefully pushing aside the air, slammed into the second round’s arm.
Extension ability of Jack of All Trades.
Constant Change – Resonance Strike.
Boom! A massive vibration erupted. I captured all this vibration and forced it into the second round’s body. Their arm began to bulge.
Yet, the second round’s body remained unfazed, shaking slightly.
Just before the explosion of resonance, the second round slammed their leg into the ground.
Crack! The crashing ground was illuminated. Covered in dust, the leg of the second round burst forth with a flash.
– Bang!
“Ahhhh…”
In that instant, my head spun. Their foot, crashing down like shards of a broken spear, kicked my jaw.
“Damn, even this is an extension ability…”
I clung to my fading consciousness. I steadied my flying body, retrieved the evidence of my guardian, and twisted my body.
“Intermediate Magic, Wind Slash.”
Magic activated from behind. Gathering the surrounding winds, countless sharp slashes surged forth.
The waiting spirit responded to the gusts.
The wind spirit heightened the power of the wind slashes and guided them toward the targets.
“Magic Slash.”
Parallel Casting.
I accurately fired the magic slash mixed through the gaps of the wind using the observed information.
Immediately, the second round responded to the two types of slashes.
Most of the unmanageable magic slashes simply dodged as they were fired.
While the wind slashes, which had lower power but added chase functionality, flowed out enveloping their hands in energy.
With their graceful hand motions, energy moved like waves. The slashes, caught in the wave, twisted awkwardly, clashing with each other.
No damage was done.
However, it consumed a precious breath.
While observing the second round, who was approaching in response to the countless slashes and obstacles from the ground, I brought my hands together. I poured out my magic thickly, letting it flow between my palms.
“Homogenization, Gop-hwa.”
– Whoosh!
The simply manifested Gop-hwa flared to life from the grip of my hands.
Emotions stirred. Anxiety and doubts poured in. I controlled them well and utilized the Gop-hwa as fuel.
I roughly shaped it into a spear’s form and grasped it.
The flame spirit dove into the spear. The flames erupted with great vigor.
Normally, even a spirit would take damage and be reversed summoned, yet through precise manipulation, it recognized me as an ally.
I twisted my body in the air. Instead of the ground, I stepped onto the air, expanding my entire body while simultaneously twisting and waved the hand holding the spear.
Executing the throwing spear correctly per the basics.
The fierce flames crossed the air. It painted the ground red, as if a meteor was falling.
Simultaneously, I moved the lightning and earth spirits.
Rumbling! The thunder roared from the dry sky. The lightning spirit, having absorbed magic and ascended, unleashed dozens of bolts in a fierce barrage.
The earth spirit, soaking into the ground, began to stir.
The ground bucked, losing its balance, and sharp stone pillars shot up from below.
Incoming Gop-hwa. Rising earth and descending lightning.
Even the second round couldn’t ignore them and halted. Despite the ground violently shaking and spikes emerging, the second round maintained their calm and leaped right off the ground.
Then, one hand fully spread open, and energy began to coalesce into a long, robust mass.
Gripping the energy formed like a sword, they slashed crazily in all directions.
Extension ability of Manjong Combat Technique.
Trinity Celestial Sword.
Lancing Chaos.
Each time the sword sliced through the air, a mark was left. Regardless of up, down, left, or right, blood-red marks gushed forth, resembling wounds bleeding profusely.
The energy sword, swung at a tremendous speed, filled the area around the second round with slashes.
The Gop-hwa spear, bolts of lightning, and numerous stone pillars plunged into the energy barrier.
– KWAAM!
Thunder reverberated across the land. The powerful explosion spread, engulfing the area, including the energy barrier.
The temperature soared dramatically.
The densely rising ground melted away, and flames inhaled the wind, creating a furious gust that fluttered my tattered clothes.
Soon, the Gop-hwa settled.
Amidst the burning embers still lingering on the ground, the second round landed in perfect condition.
“……”
“……”
A brief silence took over.
Only the crackling of flames persisted while the second round stared in my direction.
Their pupils, as dark as dead fish, were not pleasing to the eye, similar to my own.
The second round was, without a doubt, a game character I had played and molded myself.
However, for some reason, this enigmatic being stood before me, wielding a deadly weapon.
The second round was right there. The moment I faced them directly, a certain assumption couldn’t help but arise.
The second round exists.
Then, there could be other rounds. First round, third round, fourth round, fifth round…
The ninth round that slaughtered people and devoured them.
The tenth round that indiscriminately committed large-scale massacres to charge their blood.
The eleventh round, who treated lives lightly and rummaged through various forces and institutions for growth.
The twelfth round, who had even set up colonies to sustain sacrifices…
‘…I’ll think about that later.’
What a futile thought.
It’s not something to worry about right now.
I buried my distractions and narrowed my brows as I recounted the battle.
A very short time spent in combat.
The density was high, but the actual time that had passed was incredibly brief.
In the end, I was beaten like a dog.
I had accumulated substantial damage here, while they barely suffered any significant harm.
Did I act foolishly with the technique I imitated for the first time? I certainly gained nothing by trying to retaliate and getting beaten.
I had yet to operate the homogenization properly, but the process of breaching the second round’s defense would have compounded my damage significantly.
From the start, the fundamental difference in skills is overwhelming. To put it nicely, it’s simply a matter of clinging to life by a thread.
In a short-term battle, I’m exceedingly disadvantaged.
According to the information from the original work, the second round possesses a more delicate body than I do.
Just landing a single Gop-hwa hit would lead to my victory.
In fact, the second round had just made an effort to counter the Gop-hwa.
However, the second round is a fragile cannon as well.
If they get hit by a high-powered extension ability like the one I just landed on them, it’d be just as fatal for them.
Breaking through so many extension abilities to land a clean hit on the second round is a difficult task.
‘Will I have the advantage in a long-term battle?’
But in a prolonged fight, my chances increase.
According to the original information and the results of my observation, the second round is lacking in stamina and magic.
Their physical level is extremely low compared to their ability, and their magic power is the same.
In fact, the completed specs of the second round barely compete with my power as a first-year student of Shio-ram.
Their physical abilities are quite similar too. Though the not thoroughly healed wounds are growing, they can regenerate.
If I simply bring out Gop-hwa or Taesan or amplify my body with a potion, I can surpass their physical level.
The second round refrained from using their magic.
They didn’t bother to coat their entire body with energy. They preserved their magic by manifesting it in their limbs only when needed.
‘The second round doesn’t have the capacity to sustain a long-term battle.’
It was the same in the original work. The second round’s specs were inadequate, demanding intricate handling.
In the first place, wasn’t the second round’s end supposed to be death from being overwhelmed in a multi-fight, wheel battle?
On the other hand, I’m capable of engaging in a prolonged battle.
My magic reserves are vast. I have enough surplus magic to draw from even more in my surroundings.
I could even perform spirit summoning to unleash indiscriminate bombardments from the sky.
My stamina is ample too. If necessary, I could alternate using homogenization with Taesan and the spear.
Above all, I have the power of observation, Jack of All Trades, and affinity for magic.
As time goes on, I’ll quickly gather information on the second round and grow stronger.
A long-term battle is advantageous for me.
“……”
Did the second round realize that? They began to show movement.
The second round’s heart was pounding fiercely. Bam! The vibrations resonated even from this distance.
The intervals of their heartbeat tightened. The heart began to wildly beat, forcibly activating their body.
The muscles within them expanded. A terrifying popping sound erupted from the clenched fist.
The already muscular physique of the second round swelled significantly.
Extension ability of Manjong Combat Technique.
Path of the Asura.
A self-buffing extension ability. The effect is the amplification of physical abilities.
Then, with a grand gesture, they spread their arms wide.
It resembled a posture of surrender, no, an ascension…
However, I just couldn’t think of it that way.
– Goo-ooong…
An intangible aura rose from the second round. The peculiar essence expanded rapidly. It showed no signs of stopping as it surged forth.
And finally, the formless essence presented shape and color.
The energy in their hands coalesced into weapons.
One hand gripped a sword, while the opposite hand held a large dagger.
Then…
A pair of hands resembling a mirage appeared from their shoulders, each holding a long-handled axe and hammer.
A pair of hands generated from their waist grasped a spear and a sickle.
Extension ability of Manjong Combat Technique.
One Face, Six Arms.
One face. Six arms.
Three pairs of arms emerged, akin to a legendary Asura.
Even now, the second round, with their dark pupils resembling an abyss, gazed at me tightly gripping the weapons formed by their energy.
Upon witnessing the scene, my lips flapped open like a goldfish, and I twisted my face in astonishment, deploying the powers of space and guardianship.
[Is a guy who’s at least thirty bullying a student?]
Right after.
Extension ability of Manjong Combat Technique.
Midsummer Festival Red Moon Rites.
Heavenly Dao Severing Blade.
Dominance Strike – Skull Splitter.
Resonance Strike.
Unusual Trajectory of Change.
Surrounding Cervical Harvest.
All six extension abilities were unleashed simultaneously.
Shit, it hurts.
How many times have I died?
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