Genius Swordsman In Reverse Game

"Haaaaaaaat─!!"

Rebecca charged like a beast, letting out a roar.

The icy-blue sword rushed forward, meting a pitch-black sword aura.

Caaang─!

The clash of swords sent a rebounding force through my hand.

I frowned for a moment.

Then, she brought down the sword she was holding in reverse grip toward my arm.

Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

A dagger sliced through the air.

Not giving me a moment's rest, Rebecca swiftly maneuvered her swords.

Swish!

Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

The two swords moved independently, each with its own will, creating a confusing mess in front of me.

The two swords simultaneously targeted my upper and lower body, swinging horizontally.

I lay my body horizontally, performing an acrobatic maneuver to fit myself into the narrow gap between the swords.

A chilling killing intent sliced through the air, grazing the tip of my nose.

'······She's strong, indeed.'

I straightened my body and thought to myself.

When she got serious, she was indeed strong.

Of course, it would be strange if she weren't, considering she's the final boss of an episode.

Among the enemies I've faced so far, she had the highest stats.

And in my current state, where I hadn't gained any growth resources beyond the initial starting point, she was more than a formidable opponent, a formidable opponent who was lacking nothing.

Swosh

The sword slashed through the air, rough and violent. I turned my head to dodge the attack.

Pshoo!

The tip of her sword grazed my cheek, causing a spray of blood.

'······She's definitely strong, but…'

The pungent smell of blood filled the air, a clear indication of her murderous intent, paired with her advanced dual sword technique.

There was no doubt that Rebecca was genuinely trying to kill me.

However, I couldn't help but furrow my brows.

'You're too light.'

Yes, light.

Here, 'light' doesn't refer to the weight of the sword or the depth of her swordsmanship.

It's about her will, her determination to kill the opponent standing before her.

A sword, by its very nature, is a tool designed to take lives. A swordsman must wield their sword with the unwavering intent to end their opponent with a single strike.

Rebecca's swordsmanship, strength, and experience were undoubtedly at a high level. Yet, her murderous intent was too light, too shallow.

For example, if Instructor Baek Seol-hee's sword is like a nuclear fire chicken ramen with a Scoville score of 10,000, then Rebecca's sword is like a mildly spicy Jin ramen, or maybe even a fried udon with a hint of spice.

─ If you don't truly understand this, you will eventually be controlled by your sword.

'Ah.'

Instructor Baek Seol-hee's words during training suddenly made sense to me.

"······You damn little brat!!!!"

As if reading my expression, Rebecca charged forward, gritting her teeth.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaang─!!

The clash of swords created a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves rippling through the surroundings.

.

.

.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Caaaaaaaaaang!!!

In the blink of an eye, dozens of strikes were exchanged.

Rebecca put more force into her swinging swords.

From an outsider's perspective, it appeared that Jin Yua was clearly at a disadvantage.

However, it was Rebecca's sword tip that began to show signs of impatience.

'······Our levels are similar.'

It felt like her mind was tearing apart as she denied the fact that all her hard work and the brutal experiences of soaking in pools of blood were on par with a mere student.

But it was true.

Jin Yua, just a student, was already wielding a sword at a level equal to hers.

Moreover, his magical power seemed to match hers as well.

Yes, up to this point, his talent was exceptionally outstanding.

But even so, it shouldn't have been a draw.

A sword that has never taken a life.

A sword that has never faced a stronger opponent, never faced death in battle.

A sword that has always been swung in a safe space, never truly tested.

How could such a weak sword, untempered by the blood of battle, match her own, which had grown stronger with every life it took?

'How.

'Why.

'HOW!!!!'

Swish!

Rebecca's sword once again sliced through the air.

Pshoo!

Of course, he couldn't completely avoid it, and his body was left with shallow wounds that seeped a bit of blood.

If he had let his guard down for a moment, it could have been a life-threatening injury.

However, the boy in front of her didn't even flinch, his expression unchanged as he brandished his sword.

It was she who felt the pressure from his unwavering gaze.

'This won't do······.'

Rebecca bit her lip so hard that it bled.

Then, she explosively summoned her demonic energy and activated a skill.

"Blood Flow Acceleration"

Her blood began to flow rapidly throughout her body, and her magical energy coursed through the blood vessels, tearing them apart.

Her body heated up, and soon, white steam rose from her entire body.

"Kuk─!"

She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth, enduring the excruciating pain caused by the skill that was consuming her own flesh.

It was a necessary choice, as she couldn't gain the upper hand without using this skill.

Swoosh

The tip of her sword, now twice as fast as before, viciously targeted his neck.

This sword was impossible to evade.

Soon, Jin Yua's expression also turned serious.

'Haha! As expected!'

Rebecca rejoiced inwardly.

'I acknowledge it. You are truly remarkable. You've pushed me to the point where I feel a sense of crisis.'

She sincerely praised her opponent.

Who would have expected a mere male student to push her to such a point?

She never imagined that she would have to resort to using the Blood Flow Acceleration skill, which damaged her own body, against a mere student.

But,

Jin Yua's eyes darkened, and he took a step forward, as if he had no intention of dodging the sword aimed at his neck.

Rebecca's eyes widened in surprise.

'Yo, the end of the sword handle······?'

Jin Yua supported the very end of the sword handle with his palm and extended it forward.

A thrust that maximized the length of his arm and the sword.

'You crazy bastard!'

The two swords stretched out as if they were playing a game of chicken.

If Rebecca's sword succeeded in slicing Jin Yua's neck, there would be no time to pull back.

Ultimately, Jin Yua's sword, which was belatedly emitted, would also pierce her heart.

'Do you intend to end in mutual destruction!!'

Who would make such a choice when their life was on the line?

Before their attacks could reach each other, it was Rebecca who pulled back first.

Poook!

Poosh!

Her sword, shaken by the movement, dug halfway into Jin Yua's shoulder.

And

Although he managed to pull back and avoid having his heart pierced, Jin Yua maintained his focus and successfully thrust his sword into Rebecca's abdomen.

"Kuaaaak─!"

Rebecca's mouth hung open, and her eyes bulged at the sight of the sword embedded in her abdomen.

Jin Yua twisted the sword as if turning a key, pulling it out of Rebecca's body.

"Kehk!?"

His unwavering determination to finish off his opponent was evident.

Blood spurted from the pierced abdomen, following the path of the withdrawn sword.

Rebecca, clutching her wounded abdomen, couldn't even hide her shocked expression as she backed away further.

Uwehwehwehweh

The psychological pressure and the surging blood from the pierced abdomen caused her to vomit blood.

"······You, you, monster."

Jin Yua laughed, revealing his teeth.

"In the end, this fight is either you die or I die. You knew that from the start, didn't you? Then why are you making that face?"

"······."

"You were going to kill me anyway, weren't you? Then why are you making that face?"

A shiver ran down her spine as a smile appeared on his handsome face.

"You······. You're a monster······!!!"

Rebecca shouted and swung her sword down from top to bottom.

But a sword clouded by fear loses its sharpness.

Jin Yua lightly sidestepped, avoiding the sword, and then rushed forward, kicking out.

Paak!

His heel sank into her wounded abdomen.

"Kehak!"

Rebecca clutched her wound and rolled on the ground.

Thud.

Thud.

The approaching footsteps heavily drummed on her eardrums.

Rebecca looked up at him with trembling eyes.

And looking down at her, his face was devoid of any warmth, cold as ice.

"Wh, why······. How did you······."

Rebecca's voice shook like an aspen leaf.

No no no no no

Her legs were already unconsciously pushing against the ground, trying to distance herself from him as much as possible.

In her mind, the humiliation and powerlessness she had felt not long ago overlapped with this moment.

Rebecca pointed her finger at him.

"You······. You're······."

Black hair, short.

Yes, that woman.

That woman had looked down at her with the same expression.

─ Is your leader inside?

Rebecca had nodded, hoping for mercy, and had curled up, trying to make herself small.

And that woman, as if this trash could be dealt with at any time later, had quickly lost interest and turned her attention to slaughtering the boss.

Why was that woman's face overlapping with this boy's in her mind?

It was then that a voice spoke in her head.

[ Do you need strength? ]