Episode 18: Sluuurp Sluuurp Sluuurp Sluuurp Sluuurp Sluuurp SLUUUUURP!!!!!!
The Ark community, ArkGal, was, as always, peacefully ablaze.
- (Notice) Disciplinary Committee Entrance Duel Info Sharing
Location: Sports Field
Time: This Saturday, 2 PM
Host: Ark Disciplinary Committee
Matchup: Kim Taeyang VS Kang Juhyeok
Rules: No artifacts or personal weapons. No constellation assistance. No stigma usage. Pure swordsmanship duel with wooden swords only.
Please show lots of interest.
↳ What’s this?
↳ Whoever wins gets into the disciplinary committee lol
↳ Entrance duel? Lmao that’s hilarious
↳ Wait, so Kim Taeyang in the disciplinary committee?
↳ Disciplinary committee’s done for
↳ Nah, Kang Juhyeok’s good at swordsmanship. Trained with Seol Harin since they were kids. He’s always second to her, but he’s top-tier in swordsmanship.
↳ Kim Taeyang’s bubble’s finally bursting.
↳ He’s got no credentials… Beating Seol Harin was constellation luck, and enduring Chloe’s whip was artifact luck.
↳ Artifact confirmed?
↳ Nah, just in my imagination it was an artifact.
↳ ?
↳ Honestly, I’m sick of seeing that delinquent act all high and mighty.
The news of Kim Taeyang and Kang Juhyeok’s duel spread widely.
Public opinion favored Kang Juhyeok.
Some students were rooting for Kim Taeyang’s antics, but the outcome seemed obvious.
Kang Juhyeok, a frequent winner in swordsmanship tournaments.
Kim Taeyang, with no notable credentials.
Sure, he recently defeated Seol Harin and Chloe, but…
It was Pomi, not Kim Taeyang, who beat Seol Harin, and he didn’t even properly fight Chloe.
With eyewitness accounts piling up, the tide had fully turned.
- Saw Kim Taeyang training swordsmanship
This guy’s just a meathead lol
Beating Seol Harin was pure constellation luck.
Watched him train, and his swordsmanship’s trash.
Just swinging like whoosh whoosh lmao
↳ With those muscles, doesn’t whoosh whoosh just crush everything?
↳ Fun fact: You can kill someone with a wooden sword.
↳ Why’re there so many Kim Taeyang fans? You all avoid him IRL but hype him online lol
↳ If it was no-rules, maybe, but with swordsmanship? Kang Juhyeok’s got this.
↳ If he was gonna lose, the disciplinary committee wouldn’t have opened a spot, idiots. You know who they are.
↳ Why’re freshmen acting like the disciplinary committee’s a joke? So cute lol babies know nothing hahaha
↳ Man, I wanna smash their dentures.
↳ Juhyeok’s a legit nice guy! Kang Juhyeok fighting!
↳ Time to school that delinquent~~~
Regardless, it was clear the entrance duel would be a major spectacle.
***
“Hey, slave. That’s all you got?”
“…What kind of technique did you use?”
Seol Harin was trembling.
She’d lost too much mana to me.
The love gel is a strong artifact, but not this strong.
A sudden message explained why.
[Playtime 3,000 Hours Breakthrough Bonus Applied!]
[Hidden Artifact Performance Enhanced!]
It was thanks to the bonus.
Some items apparently get a boost.
“Did you use some kind of artifact…?”
“Huh? No way! The entrance duel’s just me and a wooden sword!”
The love gel’s great because it’s impossible to detect as an artifact.
Just apply it somewhere hidden, and it activates.
Where I applied it? I’ll leave that to your imagination…
“So, it’s your pure skill?”
“Obviously! It’s a swordsmanship technique passed down in my family!”
“A family swordsmanship technique…? I know the names and traits of most sword styles, but I’ve never heard of this one.”
“That’s ‘cause it’s a secret technique, duh…?”
Hmm, yeah
She’s got a point.
To avoid suspicion, I should probably name the technique.
Something cool-sounding… Since it absorbs mana, maybe something like the Great Mana Drain?
Mana Leech?
Spirit Siphon Sword?
While I was thinking, my mouth moved on its own.
“It’s called the Slurp Slurp Technique!!!!”
Fuck.
“The… Slurp Slurp…?!”
“Yeah, it sucks up your opponent’s energy sluuuurp! Heh heh heh.”
“…”
“Hey! Say something! Too cool for words, huh?!”
Goddamn it.
So freaking lame, you idiot…!
***
The internship period lasted just one week.
A short time.
But to Kang Juhyeok, it felt like a year.
‘It’s tough… But I have to train harder…!’
He pushed himself to the limit.
To save his childhood friend, Seol Harin.
To meet the expectations of his admired senior, Chloe.
To defeat Kim Taeyang and set everything right…!
This was how Kang Juhyeok, the protagonist of a harem game, grew stronger.
“Hey, you’ll kill yourself like this. Take it easy and rest.”
“Planchel-nim, I appreciate the concern… but thinking of Harin, I can’t stop.”
“Well, if you say so… But you know you can’t sleep with her even if you save her, right?”
“…”
He knew full well he couldn’t do such things.
Not with three constellations watching him like hawks.
‘But maybe… I could find a way to slip past their eyes.’
Kim Taeyang’s influence had changed Kang Juhyeok significantly.
If he stayed idle, Kim Taeyang would steal all the girls.
He couldn’t just stand by and watch the girls he thought would one day be his get tainted by Kim Taeyang.
‘For now, I’ll perfect the technique…!’
Crackle!!
Kang Juhyeok mastered the ‘Head-Turning Sword’ taught by the vice-dean.
But he didn’t stop there—he was practicing the ‘Vermilion Bird Sword’ from the Heavenly Martial Sword.
The Vermilion Bird Sword was an advanced variation of the Head-Turning Sword, concentrating far more sword aura.
“Heavenly Martial Sword, Second Form! Vermilion Bird Sword…!!”
He didn’t need to shout the technique’s name, but he felt compelled to.
This time, he was certain he could execute it perfectly.
His sword sliced through the air.
BOOM────────!!
“Oh?”
Planchel let out a soft exclamation.
At the same time—
Clap clap clap-
Dry but sincere applause echoed clearly.
Vice-Dean Shin Hyewon had arrived at the training hall.
“A genius of effort.”
“Vice-Dean…!”
Shin Hyewon smiled with great satisfaction.
“I didn’t expect you to master the Vermilion Bird Sword so quickly.”
“It’s all thanks to you!”
“Good. Now it’s time to remove Ark’s cancer.”
Hug-
Shin Hyewon wrapped Kang Juhyeok in a tight embrace.
“Well done. Victory is practically yours. Who knows, you might even be named the next disciplinary president.”
“T-Thank you…!”
The next disciplinary president…!
An overwhelming title for a freshman who just enrolled.
Amidst it all, Kang Juhyeok couldn’t help but notice Shin Hyewon’s soft chest.
‘Her chest… It’s way bigger than I thought…’
Such is the fate of a harem game protagonist.
***
Today was the day of the duel.
Despite it being the weekend, the sports field was packed with students.
“Juhyeok’s gonna win, right?”
“Obviously. He’s got years of swordsmanship experience.”
“It’s not some street brawl; it’s a swordsmanship duel. No contest.”
“Harin overshadows him, but Juhyeok’s a swordsmanship genius too.”
Predictions of victory echoed everywhere.
Unlike the ArkGal buzz, voices cheering for Kim Taeyang were scarce.
Most of his fans were just internet ghosts.
“Kang Juhyeok! Kang Juhyeok!! Kang Juhyeok!!!”
“Kang Juhyeok!! You’re the hope of the disciplinary committee!!!”
“Show that oversized delinquent what real swordsmanship is!!!!”
The disciplinary committee led a fervent cheer.
It seemed they were dominating the energy, but…
“Hey! We can’t let them outdo us!!”
The mohawk delinquent, Rebel Guy, appeared, and the tide shifted.
He’d brought the school’s entire delinquent crew…!
“Kim Taeyang!!! Kim Taeyang!!! Kim Taeyang!!!”
“The hope of delinquents!! The light of delinquents!!! The pride of delinquents!!! The ultimate delinquent!!!! Kim Taeyang is the universe’s greatest delinquent!!!!”
“Boss!! Show them the power of delinquents!!! Turn Ark into a delinquent paradise!!!!”
“ROOOOARRR!!!!!”
“What are those guys… So scary…”
“They’re the ones Kim Taeyang hangs with…”
“No wonder he’s a mobster’s son, already got a gang…”
The appearance of the menacing students heightened the tension in the arena.
It wasn’t just students there to watch the duel.
“Oh, Vice-Dean, you’re here?”
“Yes. Kang Juhyeok, how’s your condition?”
“…Perfect!”
“Great spirit. Go crush him.”
“Yes!!”
The dean arrived alongside the vice-dean, livestreaming the event.
“It’s Tomo-tan! Vice-Dean-tan, say hi to the camera!!”
“Don’t call me Vice-Dean-tan.”
“Then Hyewon-tan?”
“…”
The dean, waving at the camera, turned to look for Kim Taeyang.
But that massive blond head was nowhere to be seen.
“Huh? Is Gundaroo-kun seriously late even on a day like this?”
The moment she said that,
A commotion stirred through the crowd as Kim Taeyang appeared.
Dressed in his usual beach-ready outfit.
Hair messy, like he just rolled out of bed.
Yawning loudly, he sauntered over casually.
“Gundaroo-kun! Say hi to Tomo-tan’s fans!”
“Huh? Too annoying, so buzz off.”
“Gasp! So mean!!”
Kim Taeyang brushed past Tomo-tan and headed toward the disciplinary committee.
“Hey, mini sow.”
“What, muscle boar?”
Even at Kim Taeyang’s taunt, Chloe smiled brightly.
She was that confident.
“Oh? What’s with that cocky look? Think you’re gonna win?”
“Obviously. You’re gonna lose pathetically. Don’t be too sad, though. The disciplinary committee will investigate thoroughly and make lots of slave friends for you soon~”
The standoff between Kim Taeyang and Chloe drew the crowd’s attention.
Tomo-tan, gasping “Heck!”, shoved her camera between them.
“Heh heh heh.”
“Why’re you laughing?”
“If you’re so confident, how about a bet?”
“A bet…?”
“Yeah. I’ll offer something that’ll make you drool.”
“What’s that…?”
“Hey! Pomi!!”
At Kim Taeyang’s shout,
Pomi burst through the crowd with a “Woof!” in her majestic, adorable husky form, not transformed.
What Kim Taeyang said next was utterly shocking and unprecedented.
“If I lose, I’ll give up my claim as Pomi’s bound hero.”
“?!”
Giving up his bound hero status.
That meant parting with Pomi.
Where would a masterless constellation go?
Naturally, back to its former master.
This was also a chance for Seol Harin to reclaim her constellation.
Of course, the student council had to wager something too.
“And if I win, you give up your constellation!”
“Tch, that’s…!”
Chloe instinctively gripped Lashara’s handle tightly.
‘If a guy like him takes my constellation, my life’s over…!’
She intended to refuse the bet.
For Chloe, the risk was too high.
At that moment, the vice-dean stepped in.
“As the disciplinary committee’s advisor, I have a question. Is your goal to take Lashara?”
“Heh heh heh. Obviously, isn’t it?”
“Then how about this? Forget the bet. Let’s temporarily swap constellations.”
“Huh? Swap?”
“After this duel, you swap Lashara and Glacis for a week. If you’re so confident about stealing constellations, a week should be plenty, right?”
Surprisingly, it was Chloe who was shocked by the proposal.
“V-Vice-Dean?!”
“Quiet. I have a plan.”
“…Yes.”
Chloe respected the vice-dean.
She never made a wrong decision.
Compared to the somewhat goofy dean, she was the epitome of a mature adult.
‘I’ll trust the vice-dean…’
Kim Taeyang didn’t think long before answering.
“Huh? Sounds kinda lame. I’m gonna win anyway, so why bother?”
“Then we won’t accept the bet either.”
“Tch. Fine, whatever… Guess thinking of it as constellation swapping is kinda hot. Heh heh heh.”
It felt like a sleazy deal, but it was agreed.
The chit-chat ended there.
After checking for hidden artifacts, the two students stood facing each other in the center of the field.
“Tomo-tan’s refereeing! You both ready?”
Kim Taeyang and Kang Juhyeok nodded in turn.
Kang Juhyeok’s expression was resolute.
In contrast, Kim Taeyang was grinning slyly.
‘I’ll wipe that sleazy smirk off your face!’
“Ready… Go!!”
With Tomo-tan’s somewhat lackluster shout, the match began.
Kang Juhyeok immediately took his stance.
His strategy was to end it in one blow.
The Vermilion Bird Sword wasn’t quite a finishing move,
But for someone who’d never faced it, it was nearly impossible to avoid.
“Kim Taeyang. You’ve crossed the line… Harin’s my dearest friend and like a mentor in my life…!”
Kang Juhyeok gathered a massive amount of sword aura at the tip of his blade.
Crackle-crackle-crackle──────!!
An amount of sword aura unimaginable for an ordinary student.
“You dare… treat her like your plaything…!!!”
His momentum was ferocious.
It made the students step back in awe.
“Urgh! A freshman with that level of sword aura…!”
“It’s so intense I wanna run away…!!”
The sword aura was overflowing.
All that remained was to charge.
“Tch, that’s?!”
“The Vermilion Bird Sword?!!”
“As expected of a Heavenly Martial Sword disciple!!”
All eyes were on the duel.
It was as if the students could already see Kim Taeyang collapsing.
“Heavenly Martial Sword! Second Form…! Vermilion Bird Sword…!!!”
The moment Kang Juhyeok prepared to charge—
SLUUUUURP!!!!
“?”
He felt his sword aura being sucked away.
By the time he realized what was happening—
‘My sword aura’s gone?!’
It had vanished without a trace.
“…”
He was stunned.
His sword aura disappearing out of nowhere?
But Kang Juhyeok tried to stay calm.
‘It must’ve been a mistake. Let’s try again.’
If he messed up, he’d just start over.
He’d already mastered the Vermilion Bird Sword.
The vice-dean, Shin Hyewon, had acknowledged it.
There was no way he’d fail again.
“Heavenly Martial Sword, Second Form! Vermilion Bird Sword!!”
SLUUUUURP!!
“?”
It happened again.
He’d gathered the aura perfectly, but the moment he moved, it vanished.
No, it felt like it was being sucked into a black hole…
Since sword aura was invisible, the onlookers were baffled.
“What’s going on? Why isn’t he moving?”
“What’s he trying to do…?”
“Juhyeok shouted the technique name twice…”
“Why’s he doing something so pointless?!”
“Maybe it’s some ritual to enhance the technique…!”
“That’s it!! As expected of swordsmanship genius Kang Juhyeok!!!”
Chloe and the disciplinary committee still believed in Kang Juhyeok.
‘Harin and Chloe-senpai are counting on me! I can’t crumble now! Focus!!’
Kang Juhyeok gathered his sword aura again.
This time, an even greater amount than before.
“Heavenly Martial Sword, Second Form! Vermilion Bird Sword…!”
SLUUUUURP!!!
“Heavenly Martial Sword, Second Form! Vermilion Bird Sword…!”
SLUUUUURP!!!
“Heavenly Martial Sword… Second Form…! Vermilion Biiiiird Swoooord…!!!”
SLUUUUURP!!!
“Urgh…!”
The more he tried, the faster his aura was sucked away.
“Heh heh heh. Yo, what’re you doing? Think you’re in some manga? Shouting technique names doesn’t make them work, you know?”
“You… you bastard…!”
Kim Taeyang’s taunt.
Finally, Kang Juhyeok realized what was happening.
‘He’s stealing my sword aura too…!’
Not just his childhood friend, but his sword aura too—Kim Taeyang, the ultimate villain!
He’d been played from the start…!
“Kim Taeyang… you think I’m a joke, don’t you…?”
But Kang Juhyeok was a hot-blooded harem game protagonist.
“I won’t give up…!”
Even if a bit brute-force, he had the strength to push forward relentlessly.
“Heavenly Martial Sword!! Second Form…!!! Vermilion Biiiiird Swoooord!!!!”
He poured every ounce of mana into forming a massive sword aura.
So immense it kicked up a sandstorm around him.
‘Try stealing this…! If I make more than you can take, that’s it!!’
Making more than could be stolen…
That was his fatal mistake!!
“Whoa~ Jackpot! So much pure, high-quality sword aura, get!!☆”
“W-What…?”
SLUUURP!!!
SLUUURP!!!
SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP SLUUUUURP!!!!!!
“Arghhhhhhh…!”
Kim Taeyang’s love gel devoured the sword aura in an instant.
It was pure gluttony.
Thud…!
Reeling from the massive blow, Kang Juhyeok collapsed to his knees.
“What… what’s happening?!”
“Juhyeok just dropped!!”
It happened just one minute into the duel.
To the onlookers, it looked like Kang Juhyeok stood still and then collapsed.
The crowd began to murmur.
“No way…! Is this the legendary…! Overwhelming your opponent with sheer presence until they faint…!!”
“Conqueror’s Haki…?!?!”
“Is that actually possible?!?!”
“What is that guy?!?!”
Kim Taeyang Shock.
Fear of the blond delinquent was spreading through Ark like a plague.
thanks for the chapter.
ReplyDeletethanks for the chapter.
ReplyDelete