Chapter 11
Hambo planted his feet firmly into the ground, standing as unshakable as a mountain. His cold expression remained unchanged, yet a sharp glint in his eyes signaled an impending storm. He gazed at Moryo with a contemplative look, as if meticulously weighing his strength. After a brief silence, he spoke in a calm yet heavy voice:
"Let's continue this event."
Hambo's expression gradually shifted, becoming sharper and more focused. He assumed a flawless combat stance, reflecting years of rigorous training and discipline.
Without warning, Moryo lunged forward with blinding speed, like a lightning bolt splitting the sky on a stormy night. His movement was nearly imperceptible, as if the very air was being torn apart by its intensity. In perfect sync, Hambo advanced toward him, the two closing in like arrows destined to collide midair.
Suddenly, Hambo's hand flared with a vibrant spark, emitting a crackling sound that echoed through the battlefield. He let out a powerful shout as he unleashed the spark directly at Moryo. But Moryo, his gaze calm and brimming with absolute confidence, evaded the attack with a fluid, effortless motion, as if his body were flowing with the wind.
The unleashed spark continued its trajectory at an astonishing speed—heading straight for Suero, who stood in the background.
The scorching air around it intensified as the spark neared dangerously close. Suero felt the imminent threat, his eyes widening in alarm before he leaped aside at the last moment. The spark struck the ground, triggering a resounding explosion that sent dirt and grass flying into the air, generating a fierce gust of wind and leaving behind a small crater from which faint smoke rose.
Amidst the chaos, Moryo surged toward Hambo once more, green sparks dancing around his clenched fist like living flames. He concentrated all his power into a rapid punch aimed straight at Hambo's face. The surrounding air trembled violently, as if nature itself had paused to witness the impact.
The moment Moryo's fist connected with Hambo's face, a shockwave erupted, scattering leaves and kicking up a thick cloud of dust in all directions. Yet, Hambo remained unmoved, not budging an inch. His gaze locked onto Moryo with utter indifference, as if nothing had happened.
A flicker of shock crossed Moryo's face, and he muttered under his breath:
"What? He didn't even move?"
Before he could react, Hambo gripped Moryo's arm with unexpected force. With a motion as commanding as the wind itself, he hurled him away. Moryo was sent soaring through the air but quickly regained his balance with remarkable agility, twisting midair before landing steadily on his feet. He stood, his expression tense, analyzing the situation with sharp focus.
At that moment, Hambo slowly shifted his gaze toward Moryo, who observed him from across the battlefield. His eyes were like blades, carrying an unreadable message.
Moryo's thoughts swirled with frustration:
"This... Immortal Mountain. Is this the Kurmo technique?!"
Then, speaking aloud, he fixed his eyes on Hambo and asked:
"Are you from the Raimo Clan?"
Hambo approached Moryo with a deadly calm, his heavy footsteps falling in a steady rhythm, reminiscent of ancient war drums. His gaze remained unwavering, piercing as if it could see into the depths of the soul, while Moryo stood his ground, burning with the rage that boiled within him.
Suddenly, Moryo exploded forward like a raging storm, leaping toward Hambo at lightning speed. The air around him trembled from the sheer force of his movement. Yet, despite Moryo's speed, Hambo continued walking with undisturbed steps, as if time itself worked in his favor.
As Moryo finally reached Hambo, he raised his arm, preparing to unleash a barrage of brutal punches. He launched his assault with wild fury, his fists raining down like a storm. But Hambo evaded every strike with astonishing precision, shifting his body with effortless grace, as if dancing between the lines of attack.
Frustrated, Moryo let out a sharp cry and decided to end the fight with a decisive blow. He placed his palm directly in front of Hambo's face, ready, then roared with power and rage. Suddenly, a massive green spark burst from his hand, radiating a dazzling light, and shot toward Hambo's face without mercy.
Moryo swiftly flipped backward, regaining his balance as thick smoke enveloped Hambo's face like a dark mist. He watched intently, his breathing growing heavier as anticipation and anger swelled within him.
But suddenly, Hambo emerged from the smoke, his expression unchanged, his face completely unscathed. His eyes were like unshakable mountains, glowing with a cold, deep gaze.
Moryo whispered in shock and disbelief:
"Impossible... How?!"
Breaking the silence, Hambo's calm voice echoed, carrying a cryptic weight:
"I always believed that sorcerers existed to protect humans. But throughout my life... all I've seen is submission and humiliation before them. Why? Just because I am a sorcerer?"
Moryo responded coldly, watching his opponent cautiously:
"I don't care what you believe. All that matters is the outcome."
Hambo continued, his tone resembling a personal confession:
"I chose to walk this path as a sorcerer for Master Betma... because I... don't want to disappoint him."
Before he could say more, the ground trembled under the weight of heavy footsteps. Moryo turned to see Suero approaching them in silence, yet his steps carried an unshakable resolve, as if the earth itself trembled beneath his determination. His face burned with fury, his eyes carrying a deep darkness that seemed to devour the air around him.
Suero passed by Moryo without sparing him a glance, heading directly toward Hambo. His voice rumbled like a low growl, heavy with suppressed anger:
"SHUT UP..."
Moryo glared at Suero and ordered sharply:
"Stand down!"
But Suero completely ignored him, continuing his steady advance. His blazing eyes locked onto Hambo as he spoke in a deep, unwavering tone:
"I don't understand what you're saying... but I know one thing for certain: I will not stand idle when it comes to protecting those who matter to me. I will never... stop!"
Suero halted directly in front of Hambo, his features tightened with rage and determination. His fist clenched tightly, and a faint blue spark began to flicker around it, as if a hidden force was gathering within him.
Hambo asked, his voice calm yet piercing:
"Would you dedicate your life to protecting those you care about?"
Suero answered with unwavering confidence:
"If that's what it takes... I will be the villain to protect them!"
As the two exchanged charged gazes, Moryo stood nearby, his face a mixture of shock and astonishment. His eyes fixated on the faint blue spark flickering around Suero's fist, and he muttered in disbelief:
"This... This is...!"
---
Flashback: (10 years ago)
Twelve-year-old Moryo sat on a simple chair before Sbyam. He wore the standard blue robes of sorcerers, while Sbyam was dressed in sleek, modern clothing, exuding magic and confidence. A sly smile played on his lips as he spoke with excitement:
"The Blue Magic Technique! It's the most powerful offensive technique ever!"
Moryo looked at him with a calm expression and asked curiously:
"What is this technique?"
Sbyam smirked and replied with an eager tone:
"The best offensive technique you could ever obtain... if you were an ordinary person!"
Moryo raised an eyebrow in skepticism and said in a doubtful voice:
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Sbyam leaned forward and said:
"If you weren't from the Raipozi Clan and the heir to the Time Technique, I would have taught it to you immediately!"
After a moment of silence, Moryo asked:
"What makes it so special?"
Sbyam answered with confidence:
"It's an offensive technique that rivals the unique abilities of the three great clans. In some cases, it even surpasses them!"
Then, with a serious expression, he added:
"The secret lies in the punch used by its practitioners. It's called the Shrine Punch, one of the most devastating techniques in the world of sorcery."
Moryo focused and repeated:
"Shrine Punch?"
Sbyam nodded enthusiastically:
"Yes, at first, it relies on luck. But if you master it—if you make the punch strong and suddenly reduce its force just before it hits the target—it creates a disruption in the air around it. This disruption amplifies its power tremendously, making it reach 3³ × 1000 Newtons!"
Moryo's eyes widened in shock:
"What?!"
Sbyam chuckled mischievously and said:
"Don't worry about the details... but don't attempt it unless you're ready to blow yourself up!"
---
Into the Present…
Moryo stared at the blue sparks dancing around Suero's clenched fist, unable to believe what he was seeing. It wasn't just ordinary energy—it pulsed with a mysterious rhythm, almost as if it were alive. But Suero paid no attention to Moryo's reaction; his eyes remained locked onto Hambo, his rage surging like a storm on the verge of eruption.
Slowly, Suero tightened his grip, causing the sparks to intensify. He raised his hand slightly, preparing to strike. At that moment, time seemed to slow. The wind's whisper faded, the rustling leaves froze midair, as if the entire world was holding its breath in anticipation.
Then, Suero lunged forward with incredible speed, driving his fist straight toward Hambo's face. But in the final instant, with precise calculation, Hambo subtly shifted his hand, slightly redirecting the punch and reducing its momentum. However, the sparks surrounding Suero's fist suddenly shifted from blue to a deep, ominous red.
When the strike connected with Hambo's body, a deafening explosion roared through the arena, accompanied by a sound that resembled the growl of ancient beasts. The very air trembled violently, releasing a shockwave that rippled across the battlefield.
The ground beneath Hambo's feet cracked apart, sending dirt and debris soaring into the sky like a fountain of dust and shattered earth. Nearby trees shook violently, some even uprooted, crashing down in a chaotic symphony. Leaves scattered in every direction, swept up by the storm-like force.
Hambo's body was hurled through the air like a lifeless doll, slamming into the trunk of a massive tree. The impact was too much for the tree to withstand—it groaned as it leaned forward before toppling over, crashing into another behind it. Hambo's body kept tumbling, smashing through multiple trees in succession before finally colliding with the ground, motionless. Blood streamed from his nose, mixing with the dust that now clouded the battlefield.
Suero stood frozen in place, staring at his own hand in utter disbelief. The crimson sparks slowly began to fade, reverting to their original blue hue.
He whispered to himself, his voice barely audible, eyes wide with shock:
"What… was that? I just…"
From behind, Moryo approached with steady steps and stood beside him. His eyes remained fixed on Hambo's fallen form before he spoke in a low, confident voice:
"That… was the Shrine Punch."
Suero turned to him, his voice filled with confusion and disbelief:
"Shrine Punch? What do you mean?"
Moryo answered without taking his eyes off Hambo:
"It's a rare technique… one that's extremely difficult to master. But you just unleashed it, which means the blue magic within you is far stronger than you realize."
Suero struggled to process what had happened, recalling his mentor Kamaesi's lessons on blue magic. Hesitantly, he said:
"Yes… he taught me the fundamentals. But he never mentioned anything like this!"
Moryo smirked slightly, his tone steady and sharp:
"Perhaps he didn't think you were ready for it yet. Either way, it seems you successfully incapacitated Hambo."
But Suero didn't feel victorious. His gaze shifted to Hambo before he asked:
"The rules were clear… no serious combat. Did I just break the rules?"
Moryo's expression remained indifferent as he replied:
"Rules? I think the situation now demands that we ignore all rules."
Before either of them could say anything more, the barrier surrounding the arena trembled. A strange, deep humming sound echoed through the air, growing louder. The glowing lines that formed the barrier began to distort, as if being absorbed toward a central point.
Suero was the first to notice. His voice, now laced with concern, was barely above a whisper:
"The barrier… it's opening?"
Moryo followed, his usual composure slightly shaken:
"This… isn't part of the event… is it?"
All around the arena, students began to notice the sudden change. In one corner, Jan and Baysal exchanged uncertain glances. In another, Kamyo and Rita stared at the barrier in shock, while Veb and Alia remained silent, their eyes sharp with apprehension.
The tension in the air escalated. The barrier's opening wasn't just a shift in the scene—it was a declaration. Something unexpected was about to happen.
—
Outside the Arena
Beth stood with a sly smirk on his lips, watching the barrier unravel. Beside him, Campeis and Darwin observed with varying degrees of anticipation.
Breaking the silence, Beth spoke with a mocking tone:
"Well, would you look at that—the barrier's open."
Campeis responded in a calm but firm voice:
"Remember the plan. You and Darwin will keep the students occupied while I infiltrate the Mana Organization's stronghold to retrieve the Containment Sphere."
Beth chuckled mischievously, replying with confidence:
"Sounds like an easy job for me."
Darwin, however, looked less convinced. His voice carried a hint of doubt as he asked:
"But how did Spailo know this event would take place here?"
Campeis shrugged dismissively:
"He studied here. He knows everything about this place."
Beth's smirk widened as he turned toward the arena, his steps brimming with confidence:
"Well then… let's begin the invasion."
End of Chapter.