Chapter 69: Overwhelming

Kang Jun-hyung from Class A was not someone particularly exceptional in his younger days.

He followed his parents’ advice, balancing studies and training adequately. Luckily, he awakened to a high-ranking

profession, allowing him to enter the prestigious A-Class of Broad Academy without much help from his parents.

His profession, [Epic]-ranked swordsman, was a blessing. It propelled him far above others almost instantly. His

innate rank provided an overwhelming advantage that effort alone could never overcome.

Before he could fully savor this joy, tragedy struck.

Kang Jun-hyung’s father was a watchmaker specializing in analog watches. His father’s small workshop began to

decline as blacksmiths started developing new artifacts.

– I’m sorry, but we can no longer continue this partnership.

Suppliers who used to purchase his father’s watches in bulk abruptly cut off their contracts. The once-busy shop was

soon devoid of customers. The reason? It was due to certain artifacts created by some blacksmiths known as [Replica

Artifacts].

[Replica Artifacts]

Artifacts capable of perfectly replicating the appearance of specific objects. For instance, if there was a luxury

handbag, these artifacts could reproduce it so flawlessly that even experts would struggle to tell them apart visually.

Of course, in terms of durability and performance, they were inferior, often making them worthless for general

artifact use. However, luxury goods were different.

People cheered at the prospect of buying perfect knockoffs for less than half the price. Consequently, luxury items

began losing their value.

Just like Picasso’s paintings that retain worth despite perfect replicas, some luxury items maintained their prestige

due to brand recognition. However, mid-range brands like Kang Jun-hyung’s father’s quickly collapsed.

– Sir, when will you pay us? We’re at risk of being thrown out onto the street. We delivered the goods ages ago—why

haven’t you paid us?

– Ever since Replica Artifacts appeared, no one buys your watches anymore. Back then, demand was high, but now

it’s nonexistent. From our perspective, your watches are nothing more than unsellable inventory. Paying you the

original amount would leave us with nothing.

Payments that were supposed to be made in full were withheld, and this caused the family’s financial situation to

spiral. Unresolved inventory turned into insurmountable debt, and Kang Jun-hyung became the sole hope of his

struggling household.

– Jun-hyung… I’m so sorry, son…

The enormous debt broke the family apart. To manage the growing interest, his mother took up work at a restaurant,

and his younger sister began working part-time relentlessly.

Kang Jun-hyung, unable to give up on his academy admission, balanced his studies and part-time jobs. He attended

classes in the morning and took on physically demanding work in the evenings.

Then, an opportunity presented itself.

Yoo Hee-yeon gathered her classmates before the Class Annihilation Match and made an announcement.

– This Class Annihilation Match will be played fairly. No underhanded tactics. However, to motivate everyone, I have

a proposal.

– For this match, I’ll reward those who follow my instructions and achieve significant results.

Yoo Hee-yeon’s father, Yoo Han-beom, had explicitly prohibited her from using underhanded methods. This meant

no bribing judges or smuggling in external artifacts.

To minimize the chance of losing, Yoo Hee-yeon promised monetary rewards based on performance. This wasn’t

cheating, and it ensured her team followed her orders while reducing the likelihood of anyone slacking off—a

calculated move on her part.

Kang Jun-hyung asked,

– How much money are we talking about?

– If we win the Class Annihilation Match, each participant will receive at least 50 million won. Those with

outstanding contributions might earn even more. However, if we lose, you’ll get nothing.

Fifty million won. It was a substantial sum. While it wasn’t nearly enough to settle their debts, it could cover the

interest and help his family survive.

Determined to earn that money, Kang Jun-hyung approached the match with caution from the very beginning.

– Yoo Hee-yeon, calm down. No matter how urgent it is, we need to assess the situation. Don’t forget that we’re in a

conquest battle. Capturing the territory takes priority over going after Lee Hyun-seung.

He restrained Yoo Hee-yeon from acting recklessly.

-KRRRAACK-

The sound of metal grinding against metal echoed through the battlefield as Kang Jun-hyung’s dagger struggled to

withstand Lee Hyun-seung’s immense force. His grip tightened, veins bulging on his forearm, but it was clear he was

being overpowered.

‘Damn it… This is insane!’

The weight behind each of Lee Hyun-seung’s strikes was unlike anything he had faced before. Kang Jun-hyung

gritted his teeth as his legs trembled under the pressure.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Lee Hyun-seung sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Sweat trickled down Kang Jun-hyung’s temple. He glanced around, seeking any possible way to turn the situation

around. But his options were limited—his sword was gone, and all he had was the dagger in his hand.

‘Stay calm. I can’t lose here. Not now.’

Lee Hyun-seung’s relentless assault continued, his movements swift and precise. It wasn’t just brute strength; it was

as if he could read Kang Jun-hyung’s every move.

-CLANG!-

Another clash. Sparks flew as the dagger barely parried the incoming strike.

“Not bad,” Lee Hyun-seung remarked with a smirk. “But you’re slowing down.”

Kang Jun-hyung’s arms ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps. His body screamed for rest, but his mind

refused to yield. He thought of his family—his mother, working tirelessly at the restaurant, his younger sister

sacrificing her youth to help make ends meet, and his father, burdened with guilt and regret. They were depending

on him.

‘I can’t afford to lose…’

Meanwhile, Yoo Hee-yeon observed the scene from a distance, her fists clenched tightly.

“How did it come to this?” she muttered. Her plans had been meticulous. She had accounted for every possible

scenario—or so she thought. But Lee Hyun-seung’s unexpected ferocity had thrown everything into disarray.

“Do we retreat?” someone asked hesitantly beside her.

“No,” she replied firmly. “We press on. We just need to hold our ground long enough to regain control.”

Her voice carried an air of authority, but doubt lingered in her eyes.

Kang Jun-hyung dodged another attack, barely avoiding Lee Hyun-seung’s strike. His mind raced, trying to find an

opening, a weakness—anything he could exploit. But Lee Hyun-seung’s movements were flawless, as if he were

toying with him.

“Let’s end this,” Lee Hyun-seung said coldly, raising his weapon for a decisive blow.

At that moment, Kang Jun-hyung spotted it—a slight misstep, almost imperceptible, in Lee Hyun-seung’s footing.

‘Now!’

Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Kang Jun-hyung lunged forward, aiming for the gap in Lee

Hyun-seung’s defenses.

-CLANG!-

But Lee Hyun-seung anticipated the move. With a swift counter, he knocked the dagger out of Kang Jun-hyung’s

hand, sending it flying across the battlefield.

“Did you really think that would work?” Lee Hyun-seung asked, his voice dripping with contempt.

Kang Jun-hyung staggered back, unarmed and vulnerable. His vision blurred as exhaustion took its toll.

‘Is this… the end?’

Lee Hyun-seung raised his weapon once more, his eyes filled with merciless intent.

“Goodbye.”

“STOP!”

A voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade. Both fighters froze and turned toward the source.

It was Yoo Hee-yeon, stepping forward with a determined expression.

“This fight ends now.”

The dagger scraped against the gun, producing an ear-piercing screech.

-Zzzzzzz-

Kang Jun-hyung’s arms began trembling uncontrollably. His muscles strained, pushing past their limits as he

summoned every ounce of strength he had left.

‘If… if I lose my grip, my face will be crushed.’

The horrifying thought gripped him. If he gave in now, the gun would slam into his face, mangling it beyond

recognition. The mere image was enough to fill him with dread. Clenching his teeth, he forced his hands to hold firm,

desperately resisting.

But.

“Is that all you’ve got…?”

Lee Hyun-seung looked relaxed, as if this were all a mere game. Meanwhile, Kang Jun-hyung was using every bit of

his strength, every fiber of his being, just to barely hold his ground.

The gun inched closer, its barrel now pointing directly at his face. In this position, one pull of the trigger would

obliterate him completely.

Lee Hyun-seung’s eyes grew dull, as if losing interest, and he began to pull the trigger.

“Kang Jun-hyung! Duck down!”

A voice rang out from the distance. It was Jung Sae-ron, who had been lying in wait, now casting a powerful spell.

[Lightning Cannon]

A glowing orb of condensed electricity roared to life and shot toward them.

-BZZZZZT!

The orb surged forward at blinding speed, crackling with destructive energy.

“Hyun-seung, watch out!”

Jung Eun-seo’s frantic voice echoed through the chaos. But Lee Hyun-seung remained calm, casually stepping back

and raising his gun.

“Die already, you bastard! Let’s see you act tough now!”

Jung Sae-ron’s voice carried from afar, filled with satisfaction. She must have been confident. The time spent casting

her spell was proof of its potency.

The Lightning Cannon was infamous for its speed—too fast to dodge, too devastating to withstand. At this distance, it

was practically impossible for anyone to escape its reach.

But.

-Leeet-

Instead of dodging, Lee Hyun-seung quietly pulled the trigger of his gun.

-BOOM!

The bullet he fired tore through the air, heading straight toward the orb of lightning.