Chapter 324

Words : 2721 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Chapter 324 Above their heads, Lan Fang was energetically introducing them—the two finalists—to energize the stadium for the finals. And it worked; the crowd roared in response, electrifying the stadium. Tens of thousands were watching live, with potentially millions more tuning in remotely. Yet, despite the pressure that would have overwhelmed ordinary students, the two on stage were unfazed. “...” “...” The roaring cheers, the vivid scenery of the arena, the intense gazes of the spectators—they all seemed to be overpowered by the sheer presence of the opponent in front of them. The moment they stepped onto the stage, Sung-Ha and Aria had entered a state of razor-sharp focus. They instantly locked eyes with each other, silently impressed by their opponents. She’s still a monster, as always. He’s grown a lot. Such intense focus could only be drawn out by rivals with similar or superior skill to themselves. On one side, Sung-Ha, who marveled at his own progress, was surprised by how he still couldn't surpass her. While on the other side, Aria was astounded by how quickly he had closed the gap in their skills. Their thoughts intertwined, and soon Aria smiled and broke the silence. “It’s been a while since we last fought like this. Half a year, maybe?” “Yes... it seems to be about that long.” The event match at the start of the semester had been a routine exhibition for the Hall of Martial Arts. It was simply held to show the martial prowess of Babel to the freshmen, yet it had marked a significant encounter for them both. “Now that I think about it, that was the first time I met Se-Hoon.... What about you?” Aria asked. “It was also the first time for me too,” Sung-Ha confirmed. The fateful match had allowed Aria to discover an odd freshman who insulted her from the stands, while Sung-Ha had met someone who dismantled his Inferno Ring with eerie precision. Reflecting on the memory, which was still as vivid as if it had happened yesterday, Aria chuckled softly. “We’ve both changed a lot.” “I agree.” The old Aria wouldn’t have initiated such a casual conversation, and the old Sung-Ha would have jumped straight into the fight. Just from that, the two clearly recognized their growth. “Think you can win?” Aria teased. “That’s a pointless question.” “Still, I’d like to hear your determination. You’re stepping up in place of your friends, after all.” At the word “friends,” Sung-Ha’s eyes narrowed, and, with a measured tone, he quickly responded, “I’ve never considered those pathetic beings my friends.” “Oh, how harsh of you,” Aria quipped. “But if they looked like that to you, it means others might think so, too.” He raised the crimson Sun Piercing Spear, pointing it forward while letting the black Nocturne Piercer hang low. Finally, Sung-Ha assumed a combat stance, his fiery gaze locking onto Aria. “So, I’ll do them a favor and save their faces.” Despite acknowledging the misunderstanding that others might have about the relationship between him, Luize, and Amir, he still resolved to avenge them, regardless. His resolve struck Aria as oddly clumsy, making her chuckle as she drew her sword. “I guess everyone has their own reasons. Come at me.” Just then, Lan Fang’s commentary cut in. —Ah, it seems both competitors are ready! Let’s get started, then. The fight will now... Hearing Lan Fang’s voice, the arena instantly fell silent as the anticipation built to a breaking point; the start was dangling before them. —...BEGIN!!! BOOM! In an instant, the two were clashing at the center of the stage. A golden sword imbued with golden sword aura was locked against a spear wrapped in blazing flames. It was a pure contest of strength, devoid of all intricate techniques, yet the impact was powerful enough to shake the barrier surrounding the arena. Falling into stunned silence with a gasp of shock, the audience watched the barrier tremble, struggling to contain the fallout of their clash. Meanwhile, the two fighters were pressing on, their weapons slicing and striking relentlessly. Clang! Clang! Clang! Within a mere three-meter diameter, shadows of sword and spear blurred together, golden light and fire bursting in rapid succession. Watching their ferocious duel, some spectators were visibly shaken. “Is the barrier going to hold?” “This is getting quite dangerous.” The relentless clashes continued to shake the barrier, spreading cracks across it and stirring unease among the crowd. Perceiving the atmosphere, Lan Fang stepped in. —As expected of the strongest contenders in Babel! They’re continually damaging the barrier of the Hall of Martial Arts, which even A-rank heroes can’t leave a scratch on! In the world of heroes, raw power alone wasn’t enough. It was the quality of how mana was used, not the quantity of it. Even with near-infinite reserves, B-rank heroes couldn’t match the explosive force of A-ranks, and A-ranks couldn’t surpass S-ranks. Under that principle, the arena’s barrier was designed to be impregnable to ordinary students, no matter how powerful their attacks were. Yet right before them, cracks were spreading ominously, implying only one thing: the two’s strength had reached S-rank. Inferno Ring: Sunshadow Piercing Strike Myers Style Heavenly Sword Form: Golden Rain The crimson spear pierced through rings of darkness mana, shooting toward the golden Glare. But in response, Glare cleaved the flames apart, sending shockwaves rippling outward, pushing the barrier to the brink. Horrified by the sight of the nearly shattered barrier, the crowd began rising from their seats. However, Lan Fang’s voice rang out more. —But it’s still far too early for it to collapse! Whoosh! As if to prove her point, the barrier was restored in an instant, now even studier than before. Relieved, the audience marveled at the sight. —Remember, the one currently overseeing the arena’s facilities is none other than Chairman Ludwig himself! Unless it’s a battle between Perfect Ones, this place won’t fall!” Thanks to Lan Fang’s reassurance, order was restored once more. “Hmm. Seems like it really won’t break,” Aria remarked. “I guess so.” The two atop the stage had momentarily halted their attacks, sizing each other up. They had been testing the barrier with cautious strikes, and now, both had realized their fears were unnecessary. With renewed determination, their eyes blazed with intensity. “Shall we go at it once more?” Seeing the smirk on Aria’s face, Sung-Ha retorted, “Don’t pass out on me.” Boom! Their clash resumed. The distance between them, once three meters, shrank to just two as they closed in. Now within each other’s striking range, their attacks further intensified, the explosions of sword aura and precision of dual spears creating a whirlwind of destruction. And at the center of all of it, Aria’s expression briefly shifted in surprise. He’s a completely different person. Previously, Sung-Ha’s Inferno Ring had been a fiery, overwhelming assault. And that allowed her to exploit its weaknesses easily, breaking through with precision. Now, though, his style was more refined. While Sung-Ha’s crimson spear deflected heavy strikes with measured counters, his black spear cleanly blocked close-range attacks. His spear technique had evolved, now balancing stability and adaptability while retaining its fiery essence. Fwoosh! Flames erupted in the wake of the crimson spear’s swing, obstructing Aria’s vision as the black spear followed with a piercing thrust. The ominous resonance of fire and darkness mana rapidly filled the air, forcing Aria to react. Forcing her golden sword aura at the tip of her blade, Aria countered with a slash. BOOM! “Ugh...!” The shockwave reverberated through the arena, forcing even Aria to brace against the impact. The sheer force was startling. Even his power has grown! The coordination of fire and darkness mana enhanced both stability and strength, eliminating Sung-Ha’s former weaknesses. Yet Aria couldn’t control the grin on her face. “You’re definitely the strongest of the three!” Seizing the initiative, she swung her sword faster, unleashing a surge of golden sword aura, which Sung-Ha responded to head-on, gripping both spears tighter and meeting her attack. Clang! Clang! Clang! Every clash was a contest of raw power, but Aria’s mana density and synesthetic mindscape held the upper hand. She’ll cut me down right away if I falter even slightly! Channeling both fire and darkness mana in perfect harmony, Sung-Ha broke through her attacks with precise counterstrikes. The clash of blades and spears continued like threading a single needle through dozens of falling pins, requiring absolute precision. Sung-Ha gritted his teeth and swung his spear with relentless focus. Even the slightest break in concentration now would mean his defeat. Clang- Crash! Aria’s sword cleaved through flames, while Sung-Ha’s spear tips pierced the golden sword aura. Neither of them yielded. Their movements remained flawless, and instead of stepping back, they advanced. The two-meter gap between them shortened to just one meter. Slash! Fragments of shattered sword aura brushed against their bodies, and stray flames grazed them as they fought. Though no fatal wounds, minor damages were steadily accumulating. It was clear victory would go to whoever’s mana barrier lasted longer—however, their current exchange wouldn’t last until then. Just a little more...! Almost there...! Aria analyzed the innovative spear techniques her opponent displayed, and Sung-Ha observed the unfamiliar swordplay she employed. Both sought the opening they needed for a decisive strike. It happened then, just as the intensity of their duel reached its peak. Crack! Startled by the unexpected dry, cracking sound from their weapons, both fighters kicked each other back and immediately assumed defensive stances. Then their gazes fell to their weapons. Aria’s sword, Glare, and Sung-Ha’s twin spears, the Sun Piercing Spear and Nocturne Piercer, bore cracks that hadn’t been there before. At last, the weapons that had endured countless ferocious collisions were showing signs of breaking under the sheer strain of S-rank power. “...” “...” Both silently assessed the situation. Continuing the match would likely shatter their weapons, but rather becoming more cautious, they recognized it as an opportunity. Strike at the cracks and break his spear. Counterattack while shattering her sword. The two resolved to decide the match by destroying their opponent’s weapon, even if it meant their own would break as well. Winning today was far more important than preserving their gear. Their eyes burned with determination. Woong-! Golden sword aura began condensing along the surface of Glare. Aria was trying to construct her true sword, an embodiment of her will and synesthetic mindscape. And though it couldn’t yet be fully embodied—its synchronization rate was only ten percent—it was enough to win this match. Woong- The distinct sound of resonance filled the air. On the other side of the arena, between the two spears in Sung-Ha’s hands, fire and darkness mana vibrated in resonance. The two types of elemental mana balanced precariously as Sung-Ha drove them to their limits, ignoring the expanding cracks spreading across the weapons. HOWL! The air in the stage swirled violently. The audience collectively held their breath, sensing that the ultimatum was imminent. Soul Sword Manifestation Finishing her preparations first, Aria pushed off the ground with a light step. A blinding golden world unfolded with a sweep of her sword, shadowing everything else in its brilliance. A single blade surged toward Sung-Ha like a tidal wave. “Her synesthetic mindscape is a sword the size of an entire world. You should give up on overpowering it with brute force.” Recalling Amir’s words, Sung-Ha watched as the golden light engulfed everything in his vision, truly like an immense blade stretching to infinity. Before it, any other student of Babel had no hope of countering such an overwhelming synesthetic mindscape. Whoosh! Concentrating all his energy into a single point, Sung-Ha spun his twin spears in opposite directions—one clockwise and the other counterclockwise—forming two overlapping circles. One of them, a black ring, denied everything it touched with its counter-rotating motion. While the other, a red ring, burned brightly and annihilated everything in its path. Sung-Ha then began forcefully merging the two ultimate circles, pushing back the golden brilliance of Aria’s sword. Drip- Blood dripped from Sung-Ha’s nose and eyes as he strained to maintain the unstable power. But he somehow kept it under control, purely driven by willpower. I can do this. In the future, he would use that very technique to burn one of the Harbingers of Destructions to ashes. Of course, it was only a vision imagined by Se-Hoon, yet Sung-Ha believed in its potential. Forcing the unstable rings closer inch by inch, they soon stabilized. Woooong-! A deep sound of resonance reverberated throughout the arena. Shortly after, a dark sun formed at the center of the layered rings, shrouded in black flames. Inferno Ring: Darkened Sun of Despair The black sun surged forward, incinerating everything in its path. It destructively seared its way through the incomplete golden world, symbolizing Sung-Ha’s first step into the future realm he had only envisioned. His heart pounded wildly, exhilarated by the realization. The spear techniques and resonances he had honed so far—everything seemed like child’s play compared to the single strike he just executed. Yes. If I keep pushing forward like this... He envisioned himself one day chasing down the trajectory of his future self, the trailblazer of such a powerful path. And that epiphany, born from his battle with a powerful opponent, ignited his resolve further, driving him to pour everything into his advance. However, at that moment— Crack- His crimson spear, the Sun Piercing Spear, which had been crafted by melting down Jin-Hyun’s own spear, reached its limit. BOOM! The golden sword and black sun collided in a violent explosion, shaking the very stage. “Aghhh!” “Help!” The audience screamed as the shockwave tore through the arena, rattling everyone in its wake. Even the barrier had been shattered thoroughly, leaving Lan Fang petrified. They... broke the barrier? The barrier, designed to withstand even strikes from S-rank heroes, was obliterated, which meant one important thing: the force of the duel, though brief, had reached a realm beyond S-rank. This means that their powers reach the Perfect... no, they’ve merely achieved the qualifications for it. If either of the two had fully ascended to the realm of the Perfect Ones, they would have destroyed not just the barrier, but the entire arena. However, their strength was completely spent on breaking the barrier alone, sparing the Hall of Martial Arts. That must also have been why Ludwig chose not to intervene. It made for a dramatic moment, but... who’s deciding who wins? Typically, when the barrier protecting a competitor broke first, they would be immediately transported off the stage, signaling their defeat. Yet, both Sung-Ha and Aria remained standing on the platform, neither visibly injured aside from the dried blood on Sung-Ha’s face. “...” “...” The two faced each other with stern expressions, not backing down. And just as the crowd grew restless with uncertainty, it happened. Clang! At the metal sound, everyone’s attention snapped to the source: a black spearhead lay embedded in the center of the stage. That’s... Isn’t that Yeom Sung-Ha’s? The broken blade of Sung-Ha’s Nocturne Piercer had snapped in half, the severed piece lying motionless. In contrast, Glare, though cracked, remained intact. However, before the audience could erupt in cheers, certain of Aria’s victory... “Ahem.” Ludwig’s voice boomed from above, silencing the crowd. “Due to the shockwave we experienced just now, the Hall of Martial Art’s protective system briefly malfunctioned. Thus, as its manager, I will deliver the verdict personally.” Tension filled the arena as the audience hung onto his words. On the surface, it seemed clear Aria had won, but no one dared to celebrate prematurely. After all, it would be a Perfect One who would have seen something different. “The barriers protecting both competitors were destroyed simultaneously, with no more than a 0.001-second difference. The system error was likely a direct result of this phenomenon.” A simultaneous collapse of the two’s barriers. The revelation stunned the crowd, their wide eyes fixed on Ludwig, waiting for his next words. “Therefore, I declare the match between Aria Myers and Yeom Sung-Ha a draw.” An announcement no one anticipated echoed throughout the arena.

Chapter 324

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