Chapter 18
Arahan Guild (2)
The moment he saw the effect of the intermediate potion, Jung Jinho’s eyes practically flipped.
Kukuku. He bit the bait.
If a large guild like Arahan stepped in, the reputation of the intermediate potion would spread quickly.
【Was coming to the Pantheon meant to trigger this situation?】
—No way.
Even though Yujin was a regressor, he couldn’t remember such minor details.
‘If that guy hadn’t picked a fight, I probably wouldn’t even remember him.’
He had thought of several ways to promote the intermediate potion, but thanks to this unexpected encounter, things were going much more smoothly.
But still—
—Fafnir. You’re not warmed up yet, right?
【Hmph. If you’re planning another round, I welcome it.】
Since Fafnir agreed, it was fine.
“Curious about the source of the intermediate potion that’s about to be commercialized?”
“Haha. If you tell us, I’ll be grateful.”
“Then spar with me, and I’ll tell you where it came from.”
Jung Jinho’s cheeks trembled.
Being provoked into a fight by a newly awakened hunter must have seriously bruised his pride.
“Win or lose?”
“Getting a lesson from an Arahan team leader is already an opportunity. Why add conditions?”
Yujin’s mocking tone pushed Jung Jinho further.
“Yongwoo. Take care of the rookie.”
“Team Leader… are you really going to spar with a 1-star hunter?”
“If Arahan learns the source of the commercialized intermediate potion first, it will help us.”
He said it was for public interest, but—
Jung Jinho, already provoked, hid his killing intent poorly.
【They bite so easily when you sweeten your words.】
—Guild guys from big organizations are all pride-driven.
Well, of course.
If they didn’t react after being openly provoked, it wouldn’t be fun.
Jung Jinho pulled out his specialized weapons from a small spatial pouch.
A thin rapier.
And light armor reinforced with monster hide.
【Speed-type.】
—If damage stacks up, it could get dangerous.
【Hmph. I’ll just ignore the small hits and push through.】
Fafnir replied confidently.
—Don’t get careless. He’s a veteran who’s been stuck at the peak of 3-star for a long time.
From 3-star onward, advancement required enlightenment.
But that didn’t mean experience stopped growing.
Once you accumulated experience equivalent to level 50 requirements, you still gained 1/5 of stat growth per level.
Jung Jinho was 3-star.
So even after reaching his cap, he still gained bonus stats—about 3 extra stat points per cycle.
‘His stats are probably above Fafnir’s.’
But Yujin didn’t bother warning him.
Fafnir had pride in his former strength.
It wouldn’t be bad for him to feel the gap of 25 years.
[The sparring system is activated.]
[Adjusting defense and vitality of both hunters.]
[If life is in danger, a barrier will activate automatically.]
[3, 2, 1]
[Sparring begins.]
“Will you use that summon as your combatant again?”
“He has to fulfill his role as a champion.”
“Keep in mind, summons are not protected by the sparring system like hunters.”
The intent was obvious.
—You heard him. I can’t afford to repair that body, so don’t break it too badly.
【I’ll do my best.】
Fafnir stretched out his right hand slightly, measuring distance.
Jung Jinho did the same.
‘How fast did he react to the rookie’s stab earlier?’
His fighting style was clearly in-fighter type.
Then it was simple.
Just increase speed so his large body couldn’t use its power properly.
Jung Jinho stepped forward.
Step— step—
Blue ghost flames followed his movement.
【Oh? You’re different from the rookie.】
Fafnir’s thoughts spread outward.
“W-What is that? Is the AC on?”
“Feels… eerie.”
The team members watching the match rubbed their arms.
A chill like death itself.
For weak-willed people, Fafnir’s presence felt like a ghost wailing nearby.
“A spirit? No… I can’t even guess what kind of summon that is.”
【If you’re curious, try figuring it out yourself.】
“I was planning to—”
[Zeph Sword Technique]
[Form 5]
[Sharp Attack]
“Die!!”
Jung Jinho kicked off the ground and slashed at high speed.
Fafnir reacted instantly and tried to deflect the blade—
But the sword tip grazed Fafnir’s chest as he retreated.
Screech!
Sparks flew.
Fafnir staggered slightly from the impact.
—Want help?
【Not yet. I’m not even warmed up.】
Fafnir responded confidently.
Yujin watched calmly, gathering divine power in case he needed to intervene.
[Kenek Combat Technique]
[Chapter 7]
[10-hit barrage]
Fafnir’s past-life martial skills—Park Haneul’s techniques—unfolded.
Bang bang bang!
Blows fast enough to shake the air.
The cursed-dragon body moved perfectly according to Fafnir’s will.
But—
His movements felt slightly off.
【Hm. This doesn’t feel right.】
Whoosh— whoosh—
His fists cut through empty air.
The dragon body was massive, but Jung Jinho’s sword range matched it closely.
The reason attacks didn’t land—
“Your speed and reaction are good, but your body is too slow.”
The thin blade scraped Fafnir again.
Only Yujin’s earlier weakening had allowed cracks in that defense.
A 3-star veteran broke through it easily after only a few strikes.
Not much damage overall—
But the problem was that hits were actually landing.
‘That’s the issue.’
【Kahaha! I might lose to a small human at this rate.】
‘We’ll see.’
Yujin watched with folded arms.
Clang! Clang!
Metal collisions echoed.
Scales reinforced with magic circuits broke and fell.
A one-sided fight.
Five minutes passed.
Only Fafnir was taking damage.
Jung Jinho stepped back, breathing heavily.
‘Is this really a 1-star summon?’
His strikes were definitely landing.
But Fafnir didn’t slow down at all.
An undead-like body that kept moving even when damaged.
Without knowing that, Jung Jinho simply thought the summon was absurdly tough.
“Having a strong body is meaningless if you just stand there.”
【Agreed.】
Fafnir’s lips curled.
【I’ve adapted. Now I’ll go all out.】
Yujin smirked slightly.
‘He figured it out quickly.’
The dragon body was strong and large.
But the soul inside—Park Haneul—preferred fast, agile fighting.
A mismatch.
‘He’ll improve quickly if he fights someone at his level.’
That’s why Yujin provoked Jung Jinho using the potion.
Fafnir was his most reliable subordinate.
Yujin released divine power.
“Unholy Blessing.”
A dark aura spread from Yujin’s hand into Fafnir.
[Unholy Blessing applied to Eldritch Dragon.]
[Entity contains shadow-dimensional mana.]
[All stats increased by 20%.]
So even a beginner priest buffed stats by 20%.
That’s insane.
Normal early holy spells barely increased stats by 1–2 points.
And it only worked on undead or corruption-type beings—
which suited Yujin perfectly.
Then—
He cast it on Jung Jinho as well.
[Unholy Blessing applied to human.]
[Entity does not contain shadow-dimensional mana.]
[All stats decreased by 10%.]
Jung Jinho’s movements slowed.
【How is it? The power I granted!】
‘Shut up, useless constellation. I earned this myself.’
Ignoring the system commentary, Yujin continued.
“Is he really a 1-star?”
Suspicion filled Jung Jinho’s eyes.
Yujin activated another spell.
[Thorn of Judgment activated.]
Black markings spread across Fafnir’s body like thorn tattoos.
“Do as you like.”
【A command I like.】
BOOM— BOOM—
Fafnir stepped forward, shaking the ring.
The dragon undead scattered blue ghost flames.
A shadow fell over Jung Jinho.
‘Even with reduced stats…’
He was a veteran.
Adjusting to slowed senses was easy.
[Zeph Sword Technique]
[Form 12]
[Piercing Attack]
He dodged and countered with precise movements.
His blade tore through scales again and again.
And then—
Just as victory felt close—
【My fighting style is not about keeping distance.】
Fafnir charged straight in.
He was badly injured, flesh torn and bone exposed—
But he didn’t slow down.
The undead body did not stop unless destroyed.
He slammed his shoulder into Jung Jinho.
“Guhk!”
Jung Jinho was thrown back several meters and lost balance.
He immediately recovered.
‘He’s adapting.’
Yujin smiled faintly.
The battle changed.
Fafnir kept rushing in for close-range strikes.
Jung Jinho moved defensively, circling the ring.
Both were accumulating injuries.
Fafnir’s scales were nearly destroyed.
Jung Jinho’s face was covered in bruises.
Then—
BOOM!
The momentum shifted.
Yujin’s buff tilted the battle.
‘Am I losing?’
Rage filled Jung Jinho’s eyes.
His pride as a 3-star veteran wouldn’t allow it.
‘I can still turn this around.’
He changed direction suddenly and dashed past Fafnir toward Yujin.
【Hmph. My speed won’t—】
A troubled thought from Fafnir echoed.
Jung Jinho smiled.
‘Just as expected.’
[Thorn of Judgment release.]
Yujin snapped his fingers.
The accumulated divine power exploded outward.
A white shockwave struck Jung Jinho’s back.
“Guhk!”
A green barrier activated around him.
[Limit-breaking damage received.]
[Right side loses.]
Silence filled the sparring field.
“…What did I just see?”
A delayed voice from an Arahan hunter finally broke the stillness.
