Chapter 102: Prove The Strongest (2)
Once upon a time, I had a conversation with the leader.
“Do we really need to shout out the names of our techniques?”
“Yes.”
The leader then asserted.
“Don’t you sometimes feel it’s a bit childish? Like you’re advertising to your opponent what technique you’re about to use.”
“Shouting out the name of the technique is a form of self-hypnosis.”
“Self-hypnosis?”
“Yes. It’s for using your technique more confidently, more powerfully, and without weakening.”
In response to my question, the leader gave a somewhat novel answer.
“Try naming this technique.”
The leader wrapped her fist in flame and swung it forward.
“Um… Fire Punch?”
“Make it sound more impressive, like ‘Fire Punch’.”
Even though I intentionally called it a Fire Punch, the leader called it a Fire Punch again.
“Let’s assume there’s a hero who’s been using this technique since he was Grade E. From the time he defeated his first villain, he used Fire Punch, and he continued to use Fire Punch even as his abilities grew stronger.”
“That’s consistent.”
“And what if, in the final moment, the attack he delivered with his clenched fist was also a Fire Punch?”
“…Those who’ve been watching him for a long time would be moved.”
As a reader, I had a weak spot for the setup-payoff structure.
I was particularly susceptible to the sight of a stubborn protagonist who was stupidly persistent and succeeding.
“There’s that, but for the one executing the technique, it serves as self-hypnosis that they can precisely deploy the technique with the output they want, unaffected by any circumstances.”
“Does it really work like that?”
“Yes. Consider this. Let’s say the S-class fire manipulator from Northern Europe… Surtr develops a technique called ‘Ragnarok Punch’.”
Afterward, he actually used that technique.
“Suppose someone names their full-powered fiery fist ‘Spicy Noryangjin Punch’ at a truly critical moment. How do you think it would feel?”
“…I think it would feel quite bad.”
“Exactly. You become shaken. Your technique has been given a name that doesn’t quite fit? Even if it’s just a tiny bit, the output weakens.”
“Does that mean it weakens the user by shaking their mentality?”
“Yes. The foundation of an ability user’s skill is imagination. I call it the ‘power of will.’ If the will is weakened, the ability is weakened, and ultimately, the output becomes weaker as well.”
The leader extended her fist towards me.
“My Fire Punch possesses destructive power to pierce the universe. Just thinking that allows me to manifest about 99% of my strength.”
“Manager Do, every time I hear your thought process, it seems quite unique.”
“This is a lecture you won’t get anywhere else, even for money. So, engrave it well in your mind, Manager. Ah, right. In that context, let me take care of that issue for you so it doesn’t become awkward.”
“Chairwoman? Uh, uh. What are you trying to…!”
“Stay calm.”
The leader forcibly used her magic to insert a ‘gimmick’ into me.
“Hehehe. From now on, whenever you see someone using a very powerful technique, just casually shake their mentality by mentioning the name of their technique. You never know. It might help you survive.”
The leader was always right.
Snow White’s Frost Punch, no, her full power attack weakened slightly at the last moment.
‘How dare he attach a name like ‘Frost Punch’ to my attack!’
Or, while comparing her power to another hero using an ice skill, her mental state was slightly disrupted.
“Kugh!”
[It’s a pity.]
Following the leader’s advice, I slightly weakened Snow White’s attack with a single comment, and using that gap, I immediately countered Snow White.
The fastest attack was to swing my sword at Baek Seol-hee.
Swinging my blade filled with the flames of my ultimate technique, Snow White definitely wouldn’t be able to avoid it coming from above.
However,
‘Tsk.’
Just as Snow White tried to suppress me with her skill, I felt awkward attacking Snow White with any technique that could cause her to bleed or get injured.
Was this because she was a heroine?
Or was it because I had developed quite a deep relationship with her as Do Ji-hwan?
Well, there was that, too.
Although that did have a big impact.
There was no way I could hurt a pure and innocent hero, especially a female one.
Kwadeuk!
I caught Snow White’s punch with my left hand.
In an instant, Snow White’s pupils shook greatly as I had caught her attack head-on with one hand.
Kagagagang!
A rush of cold came in as if my hand was about to freeze instantly.
Since I had concentrated the magic of my ultimate technique on the flame sword on my other hand, I couldn’t neutralize Snow White’s chill with my shallow magic.
Zheojeok!
The hand that held Snow White’s started to freeze.
Whether she was surprised that her attack worked or that I didn’t attack with a sword but caught her hand, Snow White’s pupils shook greatly.
“Why…!”
[How can I hurt a patriotic hero?]
I resisted Snow White’s attack and pulled her towards me.
Unexpectedly, she fell towards me, almost hugging me, and I turned my body to the side while pulling my frozen hand and arm.
“!!”
Just as she was about to be slammed into the ground after being flipped over in an instant, Snow White twisted her body to break free from me.
But, whether she was too intent on holding onto me or not, the ice connecting our hands didn’t break off, and she stumbled to the ground as she was.
Naturally, I made sure she didn’t slam into the ground.
I swiftly inserted my foot under her lower back, diffusing magic to lessen the shock, and cushioned the impact of the fall with my magic as much as I could, allowing Snow White to gently fall to the ground.
“Ah…?”
Question marks flashed in Snow White’s eyes.
It was only natural.
Why didn’t I attack with the sword?
Why did I allow her to attack, even though it hurt me?
Why was I treating her so well?
She didn’t understand why a villain, typically known for ruthless killing, was treating her so gentlemanly.
“You are…!”
[Don’t get me wrong.]
I pointed the tip of the sword, clenched in one hand, at Snow White’s throat.
[I’m not sparing you. If a hero falls, the world becomes more chaotic, and I get more annoyed. That’s why I’m not hurting you.]
“Gruh…!”
[That’s what people say. They think I’m rational and keep sparing you.]
“!!”
A slight sense of discomfort appeared in Snow White’s eyes.
Apparently, her mood soured because I had directly mentioned what she had been most concerned about.
[I think you’re an attractive woman. But that’s it. You are a hero, and I’m a villain.]
I removed the foot I had been using to support Snow White’s lower back.
[If you are determined to kill villains, to kill evil, come and find me then. I personally look forward to it very much. If Snow White stands on our side and wishes to kill villains and demons, it will be of great help to our cause and ambition.]
“Who says I will stand on your side…!”
[You never know what will happen in this world.]
I retrieved my sword and then injected my magic into the hand that was clasping hers.
Saaa.
White smoke seeped from my arm, and Snow White’s magic, which had eroded my arm, was pushed out by my ultimate technique’s magic.
It looked like the ice was melting away, and I stepped back from Snow White.
[By the way….]
If this woman really didn’t know that I was the Goblin.
Would subtly implying that the Goblin was Do Ji-hwan be helpful to me?
‘What should I do?’
There were two possible reactions from her.
One was to continue our delicate relationship without reporting me, even though she would know my true identity because she was swayed by emotions.
The other was to try to kill me because of a strong sense of betrayal, regardless of whether I was the Goblin or Do Ji-hwan.
But one thing was clear: even if I was dealing with this woman as the Goblin right now, I could be in big trouble later if I continued to be rude.
-Why did you do that then? Why were you so rude to me? Huh? Answer me.
… The risk is high, but I decided to follow my instincts.
[Excuse me.]
“Don’t touch me.”
Snow White swiftly slapped away my hand with a sharp look in her eyes.
It was perhaps the most fierce and rapid attack she had launched against me till now.
[Hmm….]
My hand hurts.
Even though she merely swatted at my hand with the back of hers, and even though I had extended my hand shrouded in the power of Gunggi, it felt as though my fingers were stinging.
“Never, never touch my body again.”
Snow White, with a cold and frosty voice, warned me as she picked herself up.
“I am taken.”
[…….]
But she was saying it to the person who had taken her.
[Well, good for you. Is he a good person?]
“Yes. He’s handsome, cool, and kind. Far better than someone like you. I bet he has a bigger bat, too.”
[…….]
Should I just take off the mask?
I wondered what her reaction would be then.
It was a bit tempting, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the time for that.
Gurgling.
The glacier I had split aside faded away along with the fog.
The time for my magic to maintain its form had passed, and I backed away from Snow White.
[It’s time.]
I had gathered enough attention, and there was nothing more for me to do here.
Even if I were to fight here, it would merely end up in scratches. I had put up enough of a spectacle to show people a sufficient amount of ‘showmanship.’
[Look forward to it, Snow White.]
I released the fusion with Gunggi.
Returning to my usual Gentleman Goblin form, I pressed down my top hat and climbed onto the back of Gunggi, who had turned into a winged tiger.
[Goodbye.]
Flap.
Gunggi flapped her wings and soared into the sky, and I exited the airport just like that.
“Wa, wait–!”
It seemed like someone was shouting loudly from below, but there was no one who could chase after Gunggi, who had flown into the sky.
[Hey. Are you okay?]
[Hmm. I think I broke a bone. It hurts.]
[Ah, you idiot.]
Gunggi asked me in a worried voice.
[When you get back to the accommodation, immediately un-transform. Sigh, why did you stupidly block it with your hand! Couldn’t you have just parried with your sword?]
[I couldn’t have done that.]
I gripped my throbbing left hand.
[Breaking a hand to play with a woman’s heart and to prevent her from getting hurt is relatively cheap.]
It was a foolish act, but.
[I have no regrets.]
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com