The Hero Returns

Act 5

[The Archangel - Nemesis.]

Tens of thousands of spears appeared above the stadium. It was a spectacular scene. Only one of those spears could change the game, but so many of them appeared all at the same time.

"…That is nonsense."

"That is beyond imagining."

Even the other S-Rank awakeners who had advanced to the finals were astonished at this scene. They imagined how they would react if they were standing in front of those spears. Half of them thought they would give up even before they actually started to fight. They could imagine the results. They didn't want to risk injury if they would lose anyway. They were amazed at the skill, but soon people made harsh judgments.

<<He's overdoing it.>>

<<He's pushing himself too hard.>>

If Gordon Rohan could use those skills without much effort, he would have done it already. That was just who he was. No matter what anyone said, Gordon Rohan was the closest thing to the world's best awakener. And Su-hyeun was the one Gordon Rohan recognized. He would prefer to defeat Su-hyeun perfectly. That would be his ideal scenario. Nevertheless, Gordon Rohan saved his Nemesis skill against Su-hyeun so far because it was burdensome to use.

<<He must be forced into a corner.>>

<<The great Gordon Rohan is in a fix.>>

Gordon Rohan was the host of these Ranking Wars. And he claimed the first order of this final stage even though it was the most disadvantageous position. He shouldn't have poured all his energy into this first round. Even if he won this one, he had to continue to fight through the next round. But Gordon Rohan was pouring out all of his power right at the beginning, against Su-hyeun.

<<It'll be over soon.>>

<<Kim Su-hyeun is done now.>>

Everyone thought the same thing. Everyone thought there would be nothing more Su-hyeun could do against those enormous spears. Su-hyeun, who had already revealed all his tricks, seemed unable to do anymore. And that meant everyone else would get an opportunity.

<<If Gordon Rohan is fighting without saving his reserve power…>>

<<Maybe there'll be a possibility for me to win.>>

<<Should I go for the next round? Or should I wait a little more and aim to win?>>

People thought they might win against Gordon Rohan when he ran out of strength and magic. Moreover, he was injured by Su-hyeun. He was a beast who lost his teeth and claws, and people thought they could hunt him down.

"Oh well…" Su-hyeun sighed, looking at the many spears that filled the air above his head. "I thought it would be over by now."

If Gordon Rohan hadn't had Heavenly God's Armor, the game would have been over already. Su-hyeun, who had no intention of using a lot of energy in this round, shook his head, as if the game had become annoying.

"You still have more things to show me, don't you?" Gordon Rohan asked, looking at Su-hyeun's face.

Even in this desperate situation, Su-hyeun still seemed to be able to afford to hold back. It was a feeling that only he could feel since he was fighting against Su-hyeun at the closest.

"Don't save them. Show your everything."

Gordon Rohan wanted to fight Su-hyeun when he gave all his heart and strength. It was his one desire. It was purer than anyone else. Gordon Rohan had a clear purpose, beyond enjoying the fight. Therefore, he couldn't be satisfied just by beating Su-hyeun. He didn't want to win by luck, chance, or carelessness. Gordon Rohan looked more excited than ever.

"You're the one," Gordon Rohan said, "that I can prove to myself that I'm the best. Do you understand? In fact, this Ranking Wars is just a stage for you and me."

Rumble, rumble—

The tens of thousands of spears in the sky began to tremble wildly.

"So, I want you to do your best."

"Well. You granted my request—"

[Activate the trait 'Hero-Immortality.']

[The condition has not been met.]

[Vitality and Stamina will not be recovered.]

[Physical ability will increase rapidly.]

"—you don't have to ask me for that."

The hero-grade skill named Immortality was a passive type skill that automatically activated when fatigue accumulated beyond a certain point. For the past half-year, Su-hyeun had been thinking about how to use this Immortality skill. It was definitely a great skill, but the conditions required to use it were extreme. But what would happen if the limitation of the conditions disappeared? The skill would become much more useful.

<<The time that I can activate it by force isn't too long since my proficiency level is low,>> Su-hyeun thought.

But there was no problem. He could finish in that time. Su-hyeun's whole demeanor changed in a flash. Gordon Rohan could feel that something had changed, but couldn't tell exactly what it was. Su-hyeun's appearance and concentration of magic didn't seem changed.

<<But something is definitely different.>>

He was sure of that. Su-hyeun's eyes had a different look. Su-hyeun wouldn't lower his guard or let Gordon Rohan off.

<<This is it!>> Gordon Rohan shivered. <<I've been living for this moment!>>

It was a chance to prove that he was the best in one field. He was sure he was the best. He felt pleasure and fulfillment from it. Gordon Rohan grasped his hands tight, lifted them above his head, and…

"Here I go!"

Whoosh—

He slammed the floor with his fist.

Boom—

Swish, swish—

Tens of thousands of spears began to fall toward only one target: Su-hyeun.

Swish, swish—

Crack—!

While hundreds of spears flew at him, Su-hyeun moved his sword. The spears shattered and fell to the floor. So did the spears that followed.

Slash, slash—!

Crack, crack—!

Su-hyeun's sword made a sound of cutting through the wind. He wielded his sword wildly. Gordon Rohan reached into the air and grabbed a spear. He used the spear to block the energy that shot from Su-hyeun's sword.

Rumble—

Boom—!

And as it was, Gordon Rohan's body was pushed out.

<<He pushed me out with only the aura of his sword?>>

This power was completely different. The shock was much greater than he had expected. Gordon Rohan grabbed his hand tight and dropped the Nemesis skill again. This time, he shot more spears, more powerfully than the first time.

Rumble—

The spears began to merge. Dozens of spears merged. Thousands of larger spears were formed. The powers of the spears grew as well. They became harder than before.

"Here I go again!"

Bam—!

Gondon Rohan smashed the ground again.

[Nemesis.]

Clang— Clank—

Hundreds of spears, bigger and more powerful than before, began to fall over Su-hyeun's head. At that moment, Su-hyeun's sword ignited. Su-hyeun grabbed his sword tight. He lowered the sword first and lifted up quickly.

[Flame.]

[Net cutting.]

Swoosh, whoosh—

Clang, clang—

The aura of the sword cut hundreds of spears into pieces. The spears lost their power and began to fall to the ground. Gordon Rohan's eyes widened.

<<Did he just use Net cutting?>>

It was basic-grade swordsmanship that one could get easily on the 30th floor. It was a skill that any high-rank awakener would know. The skill's power itself wasn't that great. It was a skill that focused more on range than power. The only effect of the skill was when the user wielded the sword, the cutting force could cut around in the shape of a net. Even though Su-hyeun used a special skill named Flame with it, this simple cutting skill blocked Gordon Rohan's Nemesis.

<<Then…,>> Gordon Rohan thought.

Grab—

He clenched his fists. "If you stop this too, I'll admit you."

Rumble, rumble—

Tens of thousands of spears that had remained in the sky were combined into one.

Zap, zap—

It became a sharp, pure white spear with great magic in it. Gordon Rohan reached his hand out into the air. The pure white spear moved along with his hand gesture as if it was held by Gordon Rohan.

"I can use spears a little bit as well." Su-hyeun took out the spear that he had been carrying on his back.

It looked shabby, especially compared to Gordon Rohan's spear. Su-hyeun held the Dragon Slaying Spear, stiffened his legs and bent his body like a bow.

"One…two…"

Spark—!

At the moment that Gordon Rohan's spear started to fall down—

"Three!"

—Su-hyeun, who bent his body like a bow, bounced forward. The Dragon Slaying Spear left his hand.

Spark—!

Rumble—!

The huge white spear and the Dragon Slaying Spear clashed. There was a bright light and a thundering noise. Not only people who were watching the match through the screen but even participants watching the match from a distance couldn't tell what was going on. The only two people that moved in the light were Su-hyeun and Gordon Rohan.

Whoosh—!

Gordon Rohan's body flew in front of Su-hyeun's eyes. He spread his two wings and held a long spear in his hand.

Whiz—

Swish—

The spear spun fast and flew to stab Su-hyeun's chest. And, even under the bright light, Gordon Rohan was sure.

<<I got him!>>

Su-hyeun was standing still in a position to swing the spear. In this case, Gordon Rohan's spear could penetrate Su-hyeun's chest exactly. It would bring him victory.

<<I win…>>

Stab—!

At the moment that the tip of spear penetrated the chest of Su-hyeun…

[Doppelganger.]

His triumph disappeared like a mirage.

<<…Uh?>>

Slash—

He felt a burning pain in his back. Gordon Rohan's body began to collapse.

***

"Damn! I can't see!"

"What the hell is going on?"

People frowned at the harsh light. They shaded their eyes with their hands and tried to see. But they couldn't see anything. The flashing light was so intense. People admired the power of Gordon Rohan, who created the bright light.

<<His magic is surrounding the whole stadium! How great!>>

<<He's a whole different level from me.>>

People were sure Gordon Rohan would be the winner even if they couldn't see what was going on. They assumed Su-hyeun could never have defended against that huge spear. But…

"Who's that? One person is standing in the middle."

"Do we have a result?"

"I'm sure it's Gordon Rohan…"

"No. Wait!" Someone who had good sight shouted, "It's Kim Su-hyeun!"

"Kim Su-hyeun?"

"What? Kim Su-hyeun won against Gordon Rohan?"

One by one, people rose from their seats to see the result of the match more clearly. And, soon, they could see the result well.

"R-really…!"

"Kim Su-hyeun won!"

People shouted. The man on the floor was Gordon Rohan. Su-hyeun looked down at Gordon Rohan, hanging down his sword.

"What the f*ck," Gordon Rohan cursed. He looked up Su-hyeun from the floor. "I lose."

"You were so close," Su-hyeun said.

"Are you consoling me? Screw that. I know I wasn't even close."

Gordon Rohan pushed himself off the ground. Su-hyeun thought about helping him get up, but he didn't. He thought that would hurt Gordon Rohan's pride more.

"So, you caught my back…," Gordon Rohan murmured, shaking his head, "I totally lost."

"…"

"You think so, too. Huh? Since you don't say anything."

"Because the result tells us."

"Ha. I get it. I know now how other people feel when they look at me. You're so full of yourself, but I can't anything but admit you're right." Gordon Rohan, who barely got up, looked around the other participants. They were looking at him blankly. "Hey, Su-hyeun. You have to win, okay? Don't lose to someone else."

"Don't worry about that." Su-hyeun followed Gordon Rohan's gaze and looked at other participants as well. "I'd win even if you didn't say that."