<Chapter 89: The Warrior Who Regressed to Level 2>
Whoosh!
The white flames of the Phoenix Arrow instantly engulf Akari.
As expected of the Phoenix Arrow, whose power increases when thrown, the flames were intensely fierce.
-He won!
-Is she really dead?
-Did the Diamond really lose to the Silver?
-This is crazy; even with the shared perspective, I can't figure out how he won - I screamed when his arm was cut off, but it's a relief...
Despite sharing the perspective with Seong Jihan, the viewers couldn't understand how the situation unfolded.
The battle progressed so quickly that it was impossible for the average person to grasp what happened.
Only by watching the broadcast in slow motion after it ended could one barely understand how the battle unfolded.
-But... didn't we just live-stream a murder?
-It was self-defense.
-Still, he did kill someone. This could lead to international conflict.
-Then should Seong Jihan have been killed? Or should his severed limbs have been transported to Japan?
-This is something our country should protest to Japan.
-Don't worry, it's just a legal issue...
Meanwhile, in the real world, as Akari was engulfed in flames, the viewers were engaged in heated debates about what Seong Jihan had done.
While it was a great achievement for Silver to defeat Diamond, since this happened in the real world, there were potential legal issues.
However,
'She's not dead.'
Unlike the viewers who thought Akari was dead, Seong Jihan could see that she was still clinging to life within the white flames.
'If not for the tutorial's restriction, I could have used the Thunderbolt and finished her off.'
While unique stats like power and force were relatively free from the tutorial's restrictions, he couldn't fully unleash his power as he would in the Battle.net game.
Using the advanced techniques of the unnamed martial arts was even more difficult. The only reason he could use the Shadow Sword Eclipse was because of the tutorial's restrictions.
[Ha... Ha...]
Thud!
A black silhouette rose from the white flames.
[How... is this possible...]
As Akari's deep, sunken voice echoed, the viewers were shocked.
-Damn, I can't believe it;
-How can she still be alive after that?
-Indeed, the unleashed Diamond is amazing...
-Is Seong Jihan in danger now??
-He should run while she's disoriented...
At that moment,
Bang! Bang!
"Mr. Seong Jihan, take cover!"
"From now on, we'll handle it!"
The special forces, part of the police, appeared with warning shots.
Rat-tat-tat!
The special forces began firing relentlessly at Akari.
Since the damage caused by powerful players was unimaginable, the special forces took no mercy in their response.
No matter how skilled the players were, the firepower of modern weapons was formidable.
Even a powerful player would find it hard to survive such concentrated fire...
'He's a tough opponent.'
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Akari's body turned transparent, and the bullets passed through her.
This was the unique skill of assassins, Spirit Body.
-What? She turned into a ghost?
-All assassins can use this.
-It's so unfair... But why didn't Seong Jihan use it when they fought?
-Using it significantly reduces stats. Plus, Seong Jihan can use aura, making it a disadvantage.
-Ah. Wait, she's... flying?
Whoosh!
Akari's spirit body rose into the air like smoke.
The dark whirlwind that had been holding her down had shrunk, allowing her to move again.
'If I had a bit more power, I could have finished her off.'
If the dark whirlwind had held her a bit longer, he could have definitively eliminated Akari.
Silver's power had its limits.
Seong Jihan approached the direction where the dark sword remained, after the dark whirlwind disappeared, and placed his severed arm.
Then,
Swoosh!
The dark sword attached to Seong Jihan's empty arm, and his left arm began to regenerate rapidly.
The surrounding special forces watched in awe as Seong Jihan's hand was being reconstructed.
"Hmm. It's moving well."
Although his left hand was completely black from the elbow to the fingertips, it was functioning normally.
[Wow... Your crazy actions were actually possible. To cut off your own arm...]
"At that moment, it was the best option."
In that situation, there was no way to block Akari's attack.
His arm being severed by her sword was a foregone conclusion.
If he had been cut by her sword, the ghostly energy would have infused the wound, and the dark whirlwind from the dark sword Eclipse would have lost its power quickly.
[Even if the integration of the sword and arm wasn't complete, you would have lost your body. Humans, being the lowest tier, are sensitive to bodily damage.]
"Regeneration is possible. We have good supporters in our country."
Seong Jihan spoke nonchalantly.
In his previous life, as a warrior, he had lost and regrown body parts countless times.
Losing an arm now was nothing compared to the harsh battles he had faced in his past life.
"But..."
Seong Jihan pulled the Phoenix Arrow from the ground with his right hand and looked up at the sky.
She neither ran nor attacked.
Akari was just floating aimlessly.
"Still not gone?"
His eyes glowed fiercely, like a predator eyeing its prey.
"Let's start the Diamond hunt again."
Unnamed Martial Arts
Stepping Technique
Thunderbolt Step
As Seong Jihan flew towards her, Akari's face turned pale.
'How can such a human exist...'
Just a moment ago, she almost died.
She barely survived the attack because she was wearing an SS-grade ninja suit and could use all of Diamond's abilities.
If any one of those factors had failed, she would have burned to death in agony.
'The restriction will be back in... 1 minute.'
She still had power left.
She could face Seong Jihan.
Objectively, if a battle were to ensue, she would still have the upper hand.
But,
'Can I subdue him in 1 minute?'
She was unsure.
Looking at Seong Jihan's fiercely murderous eyes,
[...]
She was afraid.
He's real.
If she can't subdue him in 1 minute,
When the tutorial's restriction returns, she won't be able to gain the upper hand against Seong Jihan.
No, the problem isn't gaining the upper hand...
She will die.
Akari's body trembled.
She had died countless times in Battle.net, but that was just a game.
Real death in the real world was a different matter.
Until now, she didn't think she would die, so she believed she could overcome the fear of death.
But facing Seong Jihan's real murderous intent, she realized it was a delusion.
'I am...'
Squeak!
Seong Jihan's sword, now free from the restriction, grazed her face.
With the power of an unrestricted Diamond, she could have dodged and counterattacked.
But Akari only dodged, unable to think of a counterattack.
'I... can't win.'
The feeling of defeat was deeply rooted in her heart.
The only reason she stayed was because of the order given by her lord, Ito Shizuru, who had sacrificed even her own clone.
At that moment,
[Akari, it's enough. Withdraw from the battlefield.]
Ito Shizuru's voice echoed in her ear.
This was a voice of salvation, giving her a reason to run.
[I understand. I'm sorry... Lord.]
Akari turned around as if she had been waiting for this.
She used the remaining 1 minute of power to flee desperately.
Whoosh!
Akari disappeared in a gust of wind, her escape as fast as light.
* * *
"Wow, that was fast."
Given the enormous difference in stats, Seong Jihan couldn't even consider chasing her and could only smack his lips.
"Unfortunately, it's over, folks."
-That's insane, really lol
-Is Diamond really running away? lol
-K-Silver's class makes my heart swell...
-K-Silver is amazing lol If all our Silvers were like this, Korea would already be the world's dominant force -I want to donate, but I only have a million won in my account -The limit is 10,000 GP, bro :(
The chat window was flooded with messages.
If the minimum donation limit wasn't 10 million won, the excited viewers would have spammed donation messages.
"It's enough to have your support. Besides, I got the Akashic Pages today."
Seong Jihan took out the three Akashic Pages he had obtained today from his inventory.
-How much did you earn today? lol
-Oh, that's different lol You don't need donations!
-But the Japanese are ruthless. If she used three Akashic Pages... how much did she spend?
-That's scary lol
-I want to see the goddess's face again... :(
-She's really beautiful
-I'll have to rewatch the stream...
The viewers couldn't forget Ito Shizuru's face, which they had only seen briefly.
If Seong Jihan hadn't used the Mind Control technique in time, the viewers would have become her slaves.
'If the video still has the power of enchantment, I'll have to delete it.'
Seong Jihan thought as he looked at the Akashic Pages.
Two of the three pages were used and had faded, but the one Takeda hadn't used was still glowing with a brilliant golden light.
"At least Takeda left one intact."
-Takeda did something right for once lol
-Takeda's gift was an exchange? I want to feel the goddess's presence -Are you guys crazy? Are you praying for Seong Jihan to go to Japan?
-He can handle it, but we're the problem lol
He was already planning to get the Akashic Pages.
Getting them for free was a good turn of events.
Although he was disappointed at not being able to kill Akari, he was satisfied with the loot.
[★☆Takeda☆★ has donated 10,000 GP.]
[Seong... Tasede...]
Suddenly, a donation message appeared on the channel.