The unique abilities of the three great clans exist in a relationship of mutual growth and conflict.
Gop-hwa melts the Changhae. Changhae can penetrate into Taesan, promoting life, and Taesan can become firewood for Gop-hwa.
It can be thawed so as not to completely freeze, or it can be melted away without a trace.
It can serve as nourishment for sprouting life, or it can seep in and completely consume.
It can be turned into firewood, or it can smother the flames in return.
Depending on the degree, it can be mutual growth or conflict. If appropriate, it’s mutual growth; if excessive, it’s conflict.
Whoosh! Hong Yeon-hwa raised her sword again. With Gop-hwa concentrating its output into the flames through its expansion ability, the vitality of the area became firewood by Taesan’s guidance.
Gop-hwa, having consumed the sticky emotions, inflated beyond measure.
She slammed down her sword. Gop-hwa, attached to the strike, obliterated the miscellaneous necromancers and golems, shattering the barrier.
There was no way the already disordered barrier could withstand properly, thanks to the interference from Taesan and Changhae.
“Ugh…”
A spark flared from Hong Yeon-hwa’s breath after a round of attacks.
Even Hong Yeon-hwa, who had steadily cultivated her dominion over Gop-hwa, found the current Gop-hwa hard to control. The emotions flared along with the roaring Gop-hwa, turning her vision red.
But she wasn’t worried.
“Hey, control your strength a bit. Isn’t it a bit too much for the Tower of Growth?”
The presence approaching from behind. A cool palm touched her back. Sizzle! The chilly aura seeping from the touching hand cooled the overblazing Gop-hwa.
“If this goes on, even allies will get caught up.”
“I used it all in control.”
“Yeah~ I suppose so.”
Baek Ahrin shrugged her shoulders and wielded her spear. The cold air swirled around the spearhead. Following the spearhead’s guidance, the swirling water magic turned into cold air and poured out in all directions.
– Splatter!
Where Gop-hwa couldn’t burn, even the places where its embers remained froze solid. The dancing embers were preserved, frozen in mid-air.
The newly exposed inner barrier turned completely white.
Crash! The waist of the cold air barrier that spread inside cracked. Fragments of the barrier fell, mixing white frost and murky dirt dust.
Gop-hwa, still wobbly, stared intently at Baek Ahrin.
“Isn’t it the same for you if allies get caught up?”
“There are no allies nearby, so it’s fine.”
Baek Ahrin shrugged again. Frost spread across her fair skin. Though she spoke cheerily, her body and mind were freezing from expending so much cold air.
‘……’
Baek Ahrin calmed her eyes as she looked at the devastation she had caused.
It was unsettling. She felt sidelined. Although she thought she could at least keep up with Hong Yeon-hwa, others suddenly surged ahead.
In the meantime, the feeling of unease grew as she saw Lee Ha-yul targeted and taken away.
“I felt the same way.”
Hong Yeon-hwa shook her head and placed her hand on Baek Ahrin’s shoulder. Whoosh! The appropriately rising flames melted the cold gathering in Baek Ahrin’s body.
“Phew… I can breathe.”
For a moment, accepting the heat, Baek Ahrin relaxed her shoulders, exhaling deeply.
Though they had to constantly control the outputs of Gop-hwa and Changhae to avoid side effects, sharing the burden like this eased the strain significantly.
Thanks to this, if only mana and stamina supported them, they could unleash high-output techniques freely.
“This side is holding up quite well.”
While the two were resting, Choi Ji-yeon trudged over from behind.
Behind her, tree roots imbued with Changhae’s water magic shot up from the ground.
Each root, thick as a building, penetrated into the barrier and planted new roots inside. The roots, having crushed the spells, dominated the barrier.
Under Ji-yeon’s command, the land trembled, opening a path for the reinforcements to follow.
“Hey, sis, do you have enough mana?”
“No, it consumes a lot. Breaking down the barrier and taking control isn’t easy. It’s taking me at least double what it usually would.”
Ji-yeon shook her head with a somewhat tired expression.
Baek Ahrin checked her condition and scanned the surroundings.
The nearby area was ablaze and frozen from the assaults of Gop-hwa and Changhae. And since the barrier had collapsed like dominoes, a fairly large space had been created.
Behind them, the tree roots that Ji-yeon had raised were intertwined with the undestroyed barrier.
However, not too far away, there was still a barrier. Moreover, if they hadn’t frozen the ground outright with Changhae, the barrier that had just collapsed would quickly rise again.
Breaking down this barrier doesn’t signify the end.
After going through all the trouble to collapse it, if they charge in only to have the rising barrier block their exit again, they’d be trapped in the mage’s workshop.
Thus, to uproot the spells of the workshop with a strong output, they had to leave control rights behind.
“Wow… so much for the Demon King’s Castle.”
The trouble was that this was a level that ordinary folks wouldn’t dare to challenge, and breaking even one layer of the barrier had been a struggle until now.
Baek Ahrin gazed at the barrier across from her with a fresh expression.
Just the other day, she had watched Lee Ha-yul fiddling with the magic he had just learned, and now he was operating such a grand-scale workshop.
The Changhae Clan had many monsters and dungeons, so they had stacked up a lot of defensive facilities throughout their territory.
This workshop seemed far superior to the defensive structures she had seen in her clan as a child.
“Still, it seems we’ve made it this far.”
Following Ji-yeon’s statement as she steadied her breath, Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin focused on the front.
Before long, the dark barrier, which was getting boring to look at, began to show the tip of a fortress.
Sitting on a rock, Hong Yeon-hwa unintentionally wore a stunned expression.
“Isn’t that the core of the workshop? It’s bound to be much tougher than this…”
“Let’s knock on the door from a distance first and see. Who knows what kind of magic might fly our way if we rush in.”
“High-tier magic might come flying… I might not be able to fully block the high-tier magic that my junior uses.”
– Creak
As they were resting and chatting, the base of the barrier swung wide open like a door. The three immediately sprang up, taking combat positions.
– Creeeak…
As the door opened, a white figure peered out, revealing Lee Ha-yul, squinting as if trying to gauge the situation.
“Ha.”
The corner of Hong Yeon-hwa’s mouth twitched as she stood with her sword drawn. The sight of him looking around nervously like a puppy that made a mistake was unbearably cute. She almost trotted over to scoop him up in her arms.
“Wow, how did you get through all that and show up already?”
…But soon after, upon seeing Elia emerge, Hong Yeon-hwa’s gaze turned cold. The twitching corner of her mouth drooped.
Lee Ha-yul flinched as he tried to assess the situation. Hong Yeon-hwa’s gaze, locked on him, nodded with understanding.
“…Just asking, but why did you bring Elia here?”
“Well… I was trying to prevent the healing force.”
Lee Ha-yul clarified the excuse he had prepared in advance.
“In a situation of a grand army battle like this, a support-specialized superhuman is crucial, right? No matter how little pain there’s is and how they can resurrect, having a healing force changes the duration of the battle…”
While its importance might be relatively low in the Tower of Growth, in real battlefields, recovery personnel are treasures more precious than gold.
It’s often said there are many superhumans who can dine on sword-dishes and slay monsters, but far fewer can heal and support others.
Even if one cuts off a monster’s neck, a superhuman whose skin is flayed by the monster doesn’t grow back… unless they possess a special unique ability.
“And since they can resurrect here, I had to hold onto them so they wouldn’t escape. I figured everyone would soon join forces to attack here, so I did it in advance…”
Like a puppy with separation anxiety, he wandered around the fortress, unable to hold back, and ended up taking Elia along, but it was too embarrassing to admit it.
“But why Elia? There are plenty of other healing forces, right?”
Baek Ahrin, keeping her guard up and listening, tilted her head. Her usually colder eyes scrutinized Lee Ha-yul’s eyes.
“I can easily heal allies with Changhae’s techniques, you know?”
[Uh… Baek Ahrin, it would be hard to restrain you…]
“You could have managed with just tying her up.”
[?]
“Junior, I can heal many too…”
[…Even seniors would be difficult to restrain…]
“Oh really? I wasn’t even on the list in the first place?”
“Uh, well…”
Cold sweat streamed down Lee Ha-yul’s face. The more he tried to make excuses, the more he felt like he was sinking into a swamp. Realizing this wasn’t a good direction but having no sharp solution, he floundered.
Elia, with no other thoughts, reached out and gently patted Lee Ha-yul’s white hair. Her fidgeting feet stirred up a sudden wave of maternal love.
“…”
This didn’t sit well with Hong Yeon-hwa, who was already in a bad mood. Her brow furrowed.
“Okay, I understand.”
[Happy face]
“So I’ll be taking you with me.”
“?”
Lee Ha-yul’s face turned blank as excitement flickered in his eyes. He couldn’t comprehend the meaning.
“…Taking me where?”
“As you said, in the tower, you can resurrect, right? From our perspective, if you resurrect and keep coming back, it’ll be troublesome. So, I’m going to catch you and tie you up.”
“Ugh.”
Hong Yeon-hwa muttered calmly. Baek Ahrin and Choi Ji-yeon nodded, each drawing their weapons.
Frost clung to Baek Ahrin’s spear, and rocks that rose from the ground were forged into dual-edged axes.
“Are you really going to take a hostage?”
“I don’t know. Just kill me since I can resurrect.”
“Don’t get too full of yourself.”
Lee Ha-yul’s face darkened.
This was troublesome.
Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek Ahrin, and Choi Ji-yeon.
The three of them frequently practiced mock duels together. Thanks to that, they had gathered ample information and could respond adeptly.
The information relied almost entirely on techniques they hadn’t used their unique abilities. Most duels utilized muscular techniques and magic.
Faced with three of them freely wielding their unique abilities without the fear of injuries would be difficult. Especially since those abilities supported each other, being together made them exceedingly tricky.
It was no wonder the alliance had suffered in the 12th round… especially to those three.
In the 12th round, all three had survived and thrived.
No matter how meager the physical capabilities of the players at the time were, though they suffered from battles against the Tower of Necromancy Lord and lost forces.
The reason the alliance couldn’t retaliate and died in that 12th round was specifically due to the difficulties presented by the cooperation of those three.
Moreover, for some reason, Lee Ha-yul felt that he’d have to protect Elia in this fight…
‘Ugh…’
Before he considered that, he didn’t want to fight against them at all.
It would be difficult to restrain them. As this was the Tower of Growth, where resurrection was possible, it would be easier to kill than to restrain.
…No matter how little pain there was and how they could resurrect, he didn’t want to go that route. The mere thought made his stomach churn, and his head felt like it was about to burst.
Lee Ha-yul tightly closed his eyes and reached out. As the sudden movement led to heightened tension among them, something flew in from the distance, landing firmly in Lee Ha-yul’s grasp.
A white flag. A large cloth fluttering in the wind bore the number 1,000 written on it, and a thin line of light rose from the flag into the sky.
“Special flag?”
The special flag, which had initially been provided to Lee Ha-yul and cherished within the fortress. With the flag clasped firmly in his grip, Lee Ha-yul swung his arm wide.
In a flash, the flag that parted the heavens plunged into the flatlands beneath Rock Mountain.
“Eh?”
“Huh?”
As the remnants of the battle regained their composure and prepared to commence the full-on assault in the midst of cadets, there came a sudden clamor regarding the flag that had plummeted from the sky.
They blinked, taken aback, staring at the flag lodged in the earth. And soon, they checked the score inscribed on the cloth.
1,000 points.
Considering three strongholds, that would amount to 3,000 points.
If they fail to capture stronghold number one, that score would become the winning nail in the coffin.
In the silence, those who processed the situation began to steal glances all around, and most of them exchanged a glance.
“…Get that flag!”
Simultaneously, chaos erupted among those climbing up Rock Mountain while pointing weapons at each other.
“Ah…”
Seeing the upheaval about to escalate into chaos, Choi Ji-yeon sighed. A portion of those who had hastily pursued down the opened path turned and retreated.
“Eh! I don’t care! Just capture it! We can fight over the strongholds later!”
Hong Yeon-hwa shrugged and stamped the ground. Lee Ha-yul, looking aghast, snapped the barrier shut.
*
[The match has concluded]
[Score tallying has ended as of the current time]
“Hah… ugh…”
The signal declaring the end of the match echoed in the pitch-black sky. At that moment, Bai Zhe’s legs, which had been kicking the soil like mad, finally gave way.
His body rolled down; fortunately, with the sturdy physique of a superhuman, he emerged unscathed, covered with dirt that had clung to him from the start.
“Ack, ah… my ribs hurt…”
But his chest ached. Regardless of being a superhuman, Bai Zhe was closer to a mage, resulting in lower stamina, and now was gasping for breath.
“Wow! That bastard really knows how to run! How the hell did he survive?”
“I don’t know, just get away from me for a bit…”
Beside him, another similarly bedraggled cadet tittered at Bai Zhe, who had collapsed on the ground. Bai Zhe barely mustered a reply, shifting his gaze away.
The white spear captured in his grip caught his eye. Looking upward, he noticed the same stark white banner sprawled out over the ground.
1,000-point special flag.
Bai Zhe had gotten the special flag by chance. In a fracas, amidst the chaos, the flag had fluttered through the air and sunk right in front of him after one cadet self-destructed, flinging the others away.
In a state of panic, he had clasped the flag, evading incoming cadets, and so the match concluded.
It was unexpected luck for Bai Zhe, who had been observing the spells of his seniors throughout his time at the tower.
“But they said they’d do some kind of event with this, right?”
“They mentioned this would mark the onset of an event… perhaps monsters might spawn here?”
All the cadets, clustered in curiosity, blinked at one another. They briefly set their eyes on the flag again and then gradually began to step back, creating distance with Bai Zhe.
Bai Zhe narrowed his eyes.
“What kind of treachery… Just give a little rest, make an announcement, and then let’s begin──”
[Next schedule, we will start the event match]
[Activating gimmick]
“Starting right away, huh?”
Boom! Pure white light blazed down from the night sky. It was a sight reminiscent of a meteor falling downwards, capturing everyone’s attention from afar.
Bai Zhe squinted at the dazzling light. It felt as if he would go blind from its intensity.
Moments later, the brightness ceased beyond his eyelids.
‘Huh?’
Bai Zhe blinked. A figure emerged. A man in a helmet loomed over his collapsed form, rendering his face unseen.
Nevertheless, what caught his senses more was the sensation flooding in.
A mage should possess acute awareness of mana and sensory perception. For manipulation, one needs to have recognition beforehand.
Bai Zhe found it impossible to sense the man’s mana properly.
It wasn’t hidden; rather, it felt wide open, almost as if daring him to look.
But his head spun. Like watching a visual illusion, the mana swirled madly, leaving him nauseous just from trying to discern it.
The tightly sealed lips of the man parted.
“■■ ■■■, ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■(Even this guy, still looks like a skinny fish).”
The man who surveyed Bai Zhe broke into a chuckle.
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