Chapter 19 : Etinel
Chapter19: Etinel
‘Ah, this isn’t the time for this. Really.’
“Thank you for your hard work. Now for the last—”
Park Geumhyeon, who had been manipulating the system window floating before him, paused for a moment.
He was hesitating over whether to bring out multiple intermediate combat training bots, or summon just one higher-grade combat training bot.
Would bringing out multiple intermediate combat training bots that took only a few seconds to defeat really allow him to collect data for a sufficient amount of time?
‘But still, bringing out an advanced combat training bot is···.’
Advanced combat training bots had the same performance as Etinels commonly called the ‘late-version.’
And late-version Etinels not only possessed strength on par with awakeners who had nearly reached max level, but were also a version with combat intelligence far more developed than before.
In other words, it was an excessively strong enemy for Baek Woohyun, who had only opened his first Core Element.
Of course, he knew Baek Woohyun’s physicality was remarkable enough to display power beyond supernatural ability level, but even considering that, the pure spec difference was too great.
Perhaps······ to the point where a proper fight might not even be possible.
‘Hmm—’
However, such concerns were brief.
Park Geumhyeon soon shrugged his shoulders.
‘Well, it should be fine whether he wins or loses. The purpose is hack verification, not checking victory or defeat in the first place.’
Plus, even if he was defeated helplessly, that would actually be good.
That would also properly show the fact that Baek Woohyun wasn’t using a hack.
“—We’ll proceed with combat against an advanced combat training bot. Since this is for data collection, please hold out as long as possible.”
—is it possible to beat late-version with just one Core Element?
—no matter what, this is too much ㅇㅇ;
—why do I feel like he can win?
—if he wins this, the National Recognition Association will probably recognize him as a hack-like person for real
Kuwoong!
Finally, the advanced combat training bot that landed on the ground— the late-version Etinel clearly had major differences in appearance from previous versions.
Unlike the early and mid-version Etinels that were merely human-shaped, the late-version Etinel resembled a person so closely it could be mistaken for a mannequin at a glance.
Now with a shell that looked like white skin, a body that revealed muscle structure like a Greek sculpture, and even a face that seemed to have proper facial features.
“······.”
Was it because of Etinel’s form, which was even more ‘familiar’ than before?
Baek Woohyun realized something was rising from deep within his chest.
Hatred, rage, resentment, obsession, madness— turbid emotions that could be called anything were mixing and boiling over, dyeing his being black.
These were emotions harbored by him, who was once called Test Subject No. 62.
They were also a knot that remained unresolved even after driving Project: Transcendence to destruction in that other world.
Jeobeok.
Facing the two red lights burning between the eye sockets, Baek Woohyun stepped forward.
There was no longer any need to say anything.
What he had to do was clear.
It was finally time to begin another memorial service.
“······.”
“······.”
Etinel, seeing Baek Woohyun, also took a step closer.
—The next moment, they clashed violently.
Kwang—!
Etinel and Baek Woohyun, who closed the distance without either going first and thrust their fists toward each other.
“···Keu!”
The one who retreated after the fierce collision was Baek Woohyun.
It was a natural result since he couldn’t handle a late-version Etinel’s strength with just one Core Element.
Since Baek Woohyun was inwardly aware of this fact, rather than stubbornly holding his ground, he naturally let the impact flow away as he stepped back.
Kiing.
On the other hand, Etinel actually moved forward.
As if feeling no aftermath whatsoever from the first clash, it charged toward Baek Woohyun.
Awakeners who reach max level possess strength that literally collapses the sky and overturns the earth depending on what build they took.
Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that Etinel, which boasted strength on par with them, didn’t shrink back from a collision with an awakener who had only one Core Element.
Huwoong—!
Etinel, having closed the distance, threw its fist while maintaining the momentum from its charge.
The fist shot out like a cannonball, tearing apart the air between them as it approached Baek Woohyun.
Truly a blow containing the will to kill!
“──.”
In an instant, a flash ran through Baek Woohyun’s white pupils.
Then, standing firm as a great tree on both feet, he slowly extended his right hand.
It was a hand gesture that seemed far too powerless compared to Etinel’s incomparably mighty blow, but the result was truly astonishing.
Etinel’s thrust fist was cleverly guided by the right hand blocking its path and deflected as is!
Thus, the strike thought to be lethal passed futilely by to the side without inflicting any damage on Baek Woohyun.
“Hup!”
As always, opportunity comes after crisis.
Baek Woohyun strongly drove his left fist into Etinel’s torso, which was exposed as the attack missed.
It was a blow that greatly amplified force through the weight shift created by stepping forward, plus rotation of each joint.
Enough to make Etinel’s body, which received it defenseless, momentarily stagger from the heavy impact.
‘···Damn.’
However, the face of Baek Woohyun, who had successfully landed the attack, wasn’t particularly bright.
He’d noticed the fact that despite properly targeting the opening, the blow he delivered hadn’t inflicted effective damage on Etinel.
It staggered for a moment, but that was all.
The white shell composing its skin didn’t even have a crack.
Kiing—
“Tch.”
Etinel showed no reaction even though the calculation had produced a different result and it had allowed a counterattack because of it.
It simply continued naturally to the next action.
Meaning it threw its fist again as if saying it didn’t care at all what the opponent did.
And Baek Woohyun once again cleverly deflected the extended fist and counterattacked by striking its torso.
Huwoong! Peok! Kwang! Shwiik—!
The fight between Etinel and Baek Woohyun continued in a similar pattern.
Etinel would first stubbornly extend fists and feet with lethal will, and Baek Woohyun would grit his teeth and somehow deflect them while counterattacking.
The outwardly visible dynamic appeared as if Baek Woohyun was unilaterally beating down Etinel while evading its attacks, but he definitely wasn’t at an advantage.
Strictly speaking, it was closer to the opposite.
Deflecting attacks where each blow was lethal may sound easy, but it was no different from saying he was risking his life every moment.
If Baek Woohyun’s concentration broke even for a moment, Etinel’s blow would instantly shatter him!
Moreover, even if he succeeded in counterattacking while taking the risk, he couldn’t inflict much damage, so no matter how one thought about it, the disadvantage was on Baek Woohyun’s side.
“──!”
Baek Woohyun knew this fact very well too.
There was no way he wouldn’t notice that if the battle continued like this, the moment his concentration wavered even slightly, he would be severely hit.
Yet he didn’t retreat a single step as he deflected Etinel’s offensive and attempted counterattacks.
Because he knew very well that the only way to achieve victory against Etinel was to keep fighting while prepared for death.
Even if he collapsed midway because of it—
“Wow···.”
“Huh—”
—seriously wow, I can only say fucking crazy
—no··· does this make sense?
—of course it makes sense~
—he’d die if hit even once but he absolutely won’t get hit lol
‘To think a direct confrontation with an advanced combat bot would actually be possible with just one Core Element dangling.’
Beside Kang Soyul, whose mouth hung open in admiration, Park Geumhyeon shook his head.
Basically, Reverse Planet’s supernatural abilities were structured to become significantly stronger each time a new Core Element was opened.
While gradually growing step-by-step through various additional elements, opening a Core Element felt like crossing to an entirely different floor.
Therefore, it could be said there was a huge wall for each Core Element.
That’s why he’d hesitated before summoning the advanced combat training bot, thinking a proper fight might not be possible against something that could fight on equal terms with a max-level awakener.
But that worry had been groundless.
When push came to shove, Baek Woohyun was fighting without retreating against a late-version Etinel.
Having thought ‘perhaps··· it might be possible?’ and seeing that result actually unfold before his eyes left him with nothing but laughter.
Seeing him let out a hollow laugh, Kang Soyul casually asked.
“Did some problem occur with the verification?”
“No. There’s no problem at all. It’s going very well. Just—”
“Just?”
“I hate to say this, but I feel like I understand why that person was suspected of hacking.”
—dev official statement) I think I understand why he was suspected of hacking
—it’d be weirder not to think that’s a hack when you see it lol
—seriously how can that not be a hack?
—I do really hate mindless hack parrots but I have to acknowledge this···
“Ahahaha— he is a bit amazing, right?”
“A bit···should I say.”
‘Come to think of it, that person doesn’t even have buffs, right? Fighting that well with no buffs.’
Since Park Geumhyeon’s eyes currently showed logs displaying Baek Woohyun’s combat in numerical values, the admiration he felt was far greater than others.
Just looking at the supernatural ability-related numbers alone was quite astonishing.
Normally without buffs, not only did it take quite a long time to activate a supernatural ability, but the output was displayed unevenly because one struggled to maintain it.
But Baek Woohyun’s case was completely different.
There was virtually no delay in manifesting [Perfect Being], and its maintenance also drew a perfect parallel line without being neglected for even a moment.
Even while fiercely fighting Etinel.
Usually when concentrating on combat, one’s focus would inadvertently waver, but even that had no effect whatsoever.
‘No matter that [Perfect Being] only contributes to physical ability enhancement.’
It was perfect utilization to the point he wanted to ask if Baek Woohyun could use supernatural abilities in reality too once the verification ended.
“──!”
Huwoong—!
Baek Woohyun, who couldn’t possibly know Park Geumhyeon’s thoughts, was continuing his battle with Etinel.
How many times had it been already— narrowly deflecting a fist containing power to pierce through his head in one blow, driving a strike into the barely created opening, then retreating.
Because he bore the full brunt of aftershocks he couldn’t completely deflect, Baek Woohyun’s body had become covered in minor wounds.
He was literally enduring by shaving away his body.
It was no exaggeration to say he was filling the overwhelming physical ability gap with combat technique alone.
Of course, Etinel wasn’t unscathed either.
No matter how impressive its durability, it couldn’t avoid taking damage when Baek Woohyun, who possessed [Perfect Being], kept pounding it.
Though it didn’t match the blood-soaked Baek Woohyun, Etinel’s white shell replacing its skin was also crumpled and broken off in places.
‘But that’s all.’
Would Etinel successfully land a blow on Baek Woohyun first?
Or would Baek Woohyun hold out to the end and accumulate enough damage to bring down Etinel?
Naturally, the advantageous side was Etinel.
It went without saying which was easier between landing just one proper hit versus dodging everything while beating it down until it fell.
Just looking at the accumulated damage alone made it obvious which side had the upper hand.
“······.”
Despite newly recognizing his disadvantage, Baek Woohyun’s expression remained calm. His face showed he didn’t even consider his own defeat, and that was indeed the case.
Defeated if hit even once?
Then he just wouldn’t get hit until he won!
It was an absurd argument that others would find ridiculous, but he sincerely thought so.
He’d been the same when in that other world.
After challenging with indomitable will, he’d accomplished what everyone said was impossible.
Because that’s what was necessary to reach ‘transcendence.’ ‘Transcendence’ was a realm that could only be reached by purely stacking impossibility upon impossibility.
Only by surpassing the system’s limits could one be said to have ‘transcended.’
This time was no different either.
‘Right, nothing’s different.’
In the end, he would be the one to win.