Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy

Chapter 254

Reunion (1)

[Contract successful! ‘Valkyrie’s Horse’ rune contract target list, ‘Harten (-/special)’ has been added. Since the name has already been decided, you cannot give a new name. Due to the abnormal contract, the contractor’s abilities will be partially limited.]

[Current contracted monster list (2/2)]

[You have formed a contract with the race of an old friend you had almost forgotten. The traces of the years you have fought together with them will rapidly increase your understanding of runes.]

[‘Valkyrie’s Horse’ rune level has increased.]

[You gain 5 points in Leadership from the rune’s affinity.]

The Purien tribe, Harten.

He is the second contractor I have acquired after the ‘Nine Tailed Fox’ of the Atsuta Shrine.

Since the monster’s stats and rune settings were concentrated on the magic side, it was most effective when inflicting mass status ailments from a distance as a preemptive strike, and it was not suitable for evading enemies charging in recklessly.

On the other hand, Harten is a race born for close combat.

Originally an excellent monster in close combat even when he was a werewolf, needless to say now that he has transformed into a wolf.

His sharply exposed fangs and claws were more than enough to tear apart enemies, and as a wolf, his speed and strength were further enhanced through the contract, reaching a level surpassing an average awakened Lycan.

A contractor optimized and strengthened for close combat.

And riding on top of him is the archer-type master.

In a chaotic situation like this, it was the most effective combination to ravage the battlefield.

Awoooooo–!!

Pushi–

Kang! Kaang!!

Kku, kwagagaga–!!

Arrows blended with an appropriate mix of magic and physical power rained down.

And freely shooting across that was a single wolf.

At the sight of these heroic figures that appeared out of nowhere, even the Baraten army’s warriors were wide-eyed.

“That’s… Harten?”

“Harten and a human archer together…!!”

“A mounted archer, no, a wolf-mounted archer!!”

In fact, it was impossible not to draw attention.

The suddenly appearing Harten and Moon Ga-eun recklessly shot around the battlefield, mercilessly trampling the enemies…

It was impossible not to catch their eye.

Harten used the advantage of his wolf form to quickly bite and tear apart the enemies, while Moon Ga-eun shot arrows endlessly from above, assisting allies and finishing off enemies.

The Valkyrie and Purien tribe on the battlefield.

The rhythm of the two entities was beyond imagination, and even though their movements were quite rough and intense, Moon Ga-eun skillfully continued fighting.

‘Harten, catch me again when I get off!’

-Understood!

The highlight was when there were too many enemy soldiers during the battle.

As the enemy wolves outnumbered them and almost surrounded them…

Moon Ga-eun leapt off Harten into the air and shot arrows from above to wipe out the enemies.

As soon as a reasonable number were taken care of, Moon Ga-eun fell back to the ground.

And Harten leapt up to catch and mount her again.

It was a movement and rhythm close to fantasy.

It could be considered the pinnacle of mounted combat.

“Wow, wow…”

“We, we can win! We can also win!”

“Fight! Warriors, awaken and fight!!”

And the allies’ astonished gaze towards them…

Soon turned into passion, stimulating the Baraten warriors.

The Lycans, who had been only defending, began to advance little by little.

Moreover, thanks to Moon Ga-eun’s exploits, their hesitation about transforming into wolf form was gone.

They no longer needed to just defend like before.

With rapidly increased morale and hope that they could do it,

The Baraten warriors transformed into wolf form one by one and attempted a counterattack.

-Master, your riding skills are truly excellent. The enemies can’t keep their wits about them!

‘I’ve ridden someone rougher and more awesome than you before.’

-…You rode a person?

‘Yes. And don’t call me master, it’s disgusting.’

-If I can’t call you master, then what should I call you?

Harten and Moon Ga-eun, performing great feats with an unexpected combination.

The right flank area, which had been struggling, was finally making a turnaround.

***

Ippotranslation

***

Awooo–!!

Kwahng- kwagahng–!!

‘There are really a disgustingly large number.’

As I continued to take down the mixed pack of Werewolves and Lycans, I clicked my tongue.

The numbers are high.

Too high, really.

Normally, it would be much easier in combat to hole up and defend in the city, but they went out of their way to bring their entire force to launch a surprise attack on us for a reason.

The overwhelming numerical difference in troops.

While I already knew this, directly confirming it with my own eyes and body made me keenly feel the disadvantage.

The Lycans that sprang from the ground numbered only 8, but after that, wolves incessantly invaded our territory from the front line.

“Do Jae-hyun, are you okay?”

Tak-

In the midst of fighting absentmindedly, I turned back face-to-face with the ‘Tol Baraten’ Enrichten who was fighting alongside me.

He had followed the trail I rushed over and was leading our forces on the front line.

“I’m fine. What happened to our troops who left for the operation?”

Before the enemy surprise attack began.

The operation we had planned in anticipation of this situation.

To leave the barracks, go around the battlefield in a circle, and cut off the enemy’s rear supply line with a separate corps strategy.

Enrichten’s voice answering about this was bright.

“Schilten, who led the separate corps, has sent a signal. A great success. If we can just endure this all-out battle, even if those Clark bastards retreat, the war will likely turn in our favor.”

It was a welcome sound as I listened.

While Schilten had doubted me and caused a bit of trouble before, his skill was trustworthy.

Showing his stuff, he succeeded in the operation and paved the way.

So now…

“All we have to do is endure.”

“That’s the biggest problem.”

“Huhuh- don’t die.”

The enemy’s troops that don’t seem to end no matter how many are killed.

If we can just endure them…

We could claim victory in this battle, and even in the whole war.

After the brief exchange with Enrichten,

I immediately charged forward again.

In my hand was the [Claw Short Sword], and I used the [Plum Blossom Sword Technique] martial arts.

‘A short sword is more efficient than a sword.’

Using a sword would allow me to kill enemies more decisively.

In any case, my main physical attacks currently revolve around swordsmanship, and swords are far superior to other weapons in terms of utilization and versatility.

But right now, it was more important to inflict shallow strikes over a wide area than to inflict powerful blows on the enemy.

Because the current situation was a melee battle.

It’s because I’m not hunting alone.

There are rear personnel to support my attacks and movements, and allied forces to finish off enemies when I’ve injured them.

Especially since all the enemies were in agile wolf form, the shorter my reach, the better for matching their speed.

Awooo–!!

Kahng! Kahng! Kagang–!

Fortunately, that judgment was correct.

The [Plum Blossom Sword Technique] specialized in continuously moving and hunting enemies was very effective for hunting multiple foes.

Moreover, my body was enhanced by [Warriors Enhancement Art], and the power of my attacks increased thanks to [Silver MoonShadow].

I was landing blows on the enemies without even using special skills.

Still, if I felt it wasn’t enough, I would intermittently mix in [Deadly Poison] or [Explosive Sword Aura] to amp up my attacks.

Kahng- Kagang-

Kagang- Kagagang–!!

I kept moving without stopping.

‘Faster. Stronger.’

I swung the short swords in an almost trance-like state.

The basic moves of the [Plum Blossom Sword Technique] taught by Master Yoo Eun-seol are deeply ingrained in my body.

Though not as flashy as her [Snow Plum Blossoms] or the original [Twenty-Four Stroke Plum Blossom Sword Technique], the basic moves I understood and perfected formed their own distinct realm guiding my body.

Slashing, slashing, stabbing, slashing.

Then stabbing again, slashing, slashing.

The two short swords moved so freely in my palms and fingertips.

Sometimes in reverse grip, sometimes in standard grip.

I moved the short swords ceaselessly, feeling like my hands might tear apart, but I continued attacking without faltering.

How can I describe it?

It was like the world stopped…

And I alone was moving.

And finally,

[You have discovered the secret of an Ultimate Skill! There is an inexpressible beauty in your sword technique, like passing winds and falling flower petals… Movements no one has ever employed are unfolding from you.]

[‘Falling Blossoms Aesthetics’, the Ultimate Skill of the ‘Plum Blossom Sword Technique’ rune, has been created. If you manifest this 5 more times, it will be officially registered as an Ultimate Skill. The rune used for this skill is ‘Warriors Enhancement Art’. You must possess related runes to use this skill.]

I also gained an epiphany I never expected.

‘…An Ultimate Skill?’

The creation of an Ultimate Skill.

Something only Rune Holders who have mastered a martial art for at least 10 years can do.

Something only the geniuses among geniuses can achieve, and even then, only with great luck.

That was unfolding before me.

The [Plum Blossom Sword Technique] rune, derived from the [Twenty-Four Stroke Plum Blossom Sword Technique].

Of course, since it wasn’t a formal martial art, it naturally didn’t have associated skills, and even the basic moves were crude…

But it seems this sword technique has come to me with a completely new interpretation.

Using the [Warriors Enhancement Art] rune, I pushed my physical enhancement to the extreme, and leveraging that, I grazed countless wolves with my short swords.

The attacks I unleashed were fast yet their force was anything but light.

‘In other words,’

In a very short time, I charged into the enemy ranks, then while grazing all of them, inflicted massive damage.

The Ultimate Skill [Falling Blossoms Aesthetics] was an area-of-effect physical attack.

‘I actually created an Ultimate Skill…’

Honestly, I was dumbfounded by this totally unexpected development.

The [Wave Sword Technique] Master Tak Won-ho created, or the [Water Sword Technique] Master Kim Myeong-hyun created.

I couldn’t believe I had created an Ultimate Skill imbued with that kind of long experience and know-how.

Awooo–!!

Bang! Kwagaga–!!

But there was no time to admire it.

Even having created an Ultimate Skill, I still couldn’t use it in its incomplete state, nor did I have the power to decisively end this battle.

Dealing with the charging enemies was the immediate priority.

“……?!”

But then,

Amidst the Lycans and Werewolves,

I sensed a very familiar yet ominous aura.

A completely human feeling, distinct from the surrounding wolves.

A dark, destructive magic pressure…

As if someone had killed countless people.

‘Art of Weapon Exchange…!’

I immediately switched to the [Penitent’s Sword].

And gripping the hilt with all my strength…

I spun my body in a whirling motion while swinging the sword.

Kaahng–!!

The clashing of sword against sword rang out in an intense metallic sound.

And then.

“Truly… An interesting encounter, Do Jae-hyun.”

“Hwang Seong-yeon…!!”

A figure still being hunted in the Rune Holder world.

The former Vice Master of <Villain>, and Korea’s worst criminal.

The one who drove me to the brink of death before…

A man suspected to be an S-grade Holder.

Hwang Seong-yeon was crossing blades with me right before my eyes.

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