Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Special Tutoring （5）

30 minutes ago.

Kang San said to his team members,

“We’re going to focus solely on defense in this training session.”

“……But the opponent has three Mages. Wouldn’t excluding attacks make it even more dangerous?”

It was Jo Han-byeol’s point.

It was valid.

As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. Mixing in appropriate attacks prevents the opponent from concentrating their firepower.

Nevertheless, Kang San’s mind was unchanged.

Kang San hoped to achieve two things at once through this training.

First, to test whether Project B team had enough firepower to break through Project A team’s defense. If they couldn’t even penetrate the defense of a mere four people, they would never be able to defeat Project A team. As Jo Han-byeol said, a party that included three Mages was virtually the most extreme combination in terms of firepower.

Furthermore,

“When I objectively evaluate our team composition, I don’t think it’s a particularly offensive combination compared to other parties. A Main Tanker, a Sub-Tanker, and two rear Dealers. No matter what raid we go on in the future, it’s best for us to utilize Woo-bin’s firepower by firmly holding our ground instead of actively attacking to break down the opponent. In that case, we need to thoroughly verify and strengthen our ‘defensive capabilities’ through this training session.”

“Ah.”

“Actually, that’s true. Other parties usually add more Dealers to their composition.”

Everyone agreed.

As expected of Kang San.

Kang San always had a plan, and his explanation was clear enough for his teammates to understand.

Kang San looked at Project B team.

He had no intention of revealing his plan to them.

It was also part of their ability to grasp Kang San’s intentions and respond accordingly. If they failed to understand his intentions until the very end, then that would become another area to teach. In any case, the main purpose was to teach them. Kang San looked back at his team and emphasized in a quiet voice,

“So, endure as much as possible. Let’s test how long we can hold out.”

Kwaang━!

An intense clash erupted.

Even though it was a full-powered attack from Min Yeong-gi, a C-rank who was expected to be promoted to B-rank soon, Kang San’s expression didn’t waver in the slightest.

Squirm.

His pride was hurt.

Why on earth…

Did he devise such a nonsensical scenario focused solely on defense?

Unless he was completely disregarding Project B team’s firepower, this situation should never have occurred.

‘I will break through.’

“Explosion .”

Whoosh.

Flames erupted from the sword.

Activating a skill that temporarily increased attack power, Min Yeong-gi relentlessly pushed Kang San as if he wouldn’t stop. Meanwhile, Main Tanker Lee Han-seong also arrived on the battlefield. Lee Han-seong joined forces with the Sub-Tanker to attack Jeong Chan-woo, and Jo Han-byeol assisted Jeong Chan-woo in the rapidly changing situation.

The stage was set.

A perfect opening.

The three Mages, like Min Yeong-gi, unleashed their most powerful magic as if to express their anger.

“Rune Flare.”

“Rune Flare.”

“Rune Flare.”

Flare.

Whoosh.

4th Circle Fire magic.

Powerful flames soared.

Blazing spears of fire tore through the air, and the intense heat directly engulfed Kang San. It seemed that it would be difficult for Kang San to withstand this time. If it weren’t for Yeon Woo-bin’s magic that hadn’t been used yet.

“Ice Wall.”

Crack.

Shatter-

Crackle.

Intense flames collided with a wall made of ice.

In the rising steam, Min Yeong-gi momentarily lost sight of Kang San.

It was an environment that momentarily paralyzed the Warrior’s sharp senses, and he thought that it would be the same for Kang San, so he tried to quickly close the distance. However, Kang San clearly grasped the situation even in that moment. He dug into Min Yeong-gi’s blind spot. If he had intended to kill, it would have been an exquisite attack that would have instantly ended his life.

Whoosh.

“Gasp.”

Min Yeong-gi inhaled sharply.

He blocked it by a hair’s breadth, but for a moment, Kang San seemed like a monster.

He was just a D-rank.

Yet, his stats didn’t seem lacking compared to his own, and there were many times when Kang San’s flashing counterattacks made his heart pound. From then on, he felt a sense of urgency. An ominous feeling that perhaps, they might not be able to break through the defense in 20 minutes.

That would be humiliating.

He gritted his teeth.

He drew up more mana for Explosion, aiming to create an opening in Kang San’s defense.

Clang━!

Clang, clang, clang!

Min Yeong-gi’s onslaught.

The Mages’ magic.

It was intense.

Because they had disregarded defense, they displayed firepower that could penetrate even a decent B-rank party.

However.

“Trial’s Shield.”

Bang.

Rumble.

They couldn’t overcome Kang San.

Kang San held his ground firmly and showed no signs of wavering, no matter how much they combined their attacks.

Not only that.

He had judged Jeong Chan-woo to be a mere Sub-Tanker, but he was effortlessly withstanding the attacks of two people, albeit with Jo Han-byeol’s assistance. Jo Han-byeol launched threatening arrows one by one amidst the chaotic entanglement, and Yeon Woo-bin’s magic displayed perfect efficiency at the right moments.

Only then did he realize.

They…

Had studied Project B team.

They were withstanding the attacks by knowing how they would attack and what strategies they mainly employed. Even though they were leaving three Mages free to roam, Kang San’s party showed perfect defensive capabilities.

At the center of it all was Kang San.

If Kang San hadn’t held out at the front, no strategy would have worked.

Eventually.

Beep.

Beep-

“……Sigh.”

With the 20 minutes completely gone, Min Yeong-gi wore a despairing expression.

That day.

The training continued.

At first, they could say they were caught off guard.

They were confident that they could definitely break Kang San’s party in the next training session because their strategy wasn’t organized due to the sudden situation.

But the second, third, fourth.

As the final training session concluding the day ended, Min Yeong-gi and his team members gathered with despairing expressions.

“……Does this make any sense? Even though we’re a C-rank party, we can’t break through the defense of four people, mostly D-ranks.”

“I don’t know either. What’s going on?”

It was Lee Su-chan and Han Eun-seong.

In all four training sessions.

Kang San’s party didn’t attempt to attack.

They openly revealed their intention to defend, yet they tasted the humiliation of not being able to take down a single person in 20 minutes.

Min Yeong-gi said,

“Our judgment was wrong from the beginning. They’re not people to be judged by rank. Not to mention Kang San-nim, even Jeong Chan-woo and Jo Han-byeol have skills that don’t match their D-rank. In order to overcome this absurd situation in future training sessions, we must break Kang San-nim. Because he withstands all the attacks at the front, we can’t take advantage of our numerical superiority.”

“Is that even possible? He didn’t even show a hint of wavering.”

It was an absurd situation.

Three C-rank Mages were clinging to him and unleashing attacks, yet it was difficult to take down Kang San alone.

It wasn’t logical.

Actually, what he felt through this training was that if Kang San took the promotion test right now, he could secure at least C-rank, and perhaps even B-rank. Even so, they couldn’t give up like this. If it was a defeat they had to accept just because the opponent was outstanding, it would be right to hand over their spot to Project A team.

“It won’t be easy. But if we can’t break through Kang San-nim, we have no chance of winning against Project A team. Perhaps that’s Kang San-nim’s intention as well. Practically, our strongest appeal is firepower, but if we can’t even properly utilize that strength, we can’t defeat Project A team.”

They couldn’t give up.

Training was training.

If they could recognize their shortcomings and improve, this wasn’t something to despair over, but rather something to willingly accept.

More than petty pride.

Min Yeong-gi wanted to defeat Project A team.

He wanted to win the competition against them and remain the only project team recognized by Cheonsang.

Min Yeong-gi showed a sharp gaze.

“Our strategy will begin with acknowledging the opponent’s strength.”

The next day.

The same situation unfolded.

They showed a defensive formation led by Kang San, but this time, Project B team responded differently than before.

“Stone Wall.”

“Stone Wall.”

Boom.

Rumble.

Stone walls rose from all directions.

Their vision was momentarily blocked.

From Kang San’s position, the rear Dealers and Jeong Chan-woo were out of sight, and Jeong Chan-woo was also isolated from the rear Dealers. It was intentional. Seeing them organically supporting each other and enduring, Min Yeong-gi chose to sever their connection first.

Tap.

Kang San retreated.

Seeing him trying to join his teammates, Main Tanker Han Eun-seong closed in.

“Where do you think you’re going━!”

Bang-

He collided with Kang San.

This was another change in thinking.

If Kang San showed overwhelming tanking ability, instead of desperately trying to break through him, they would instead attach Han Eun-seong to him to hold him back. Once they took down the rear Dealers, the formation would naturally crumble. And as the Sub-Tanker also pressed Jeong Chan-woo, Min Yeong-gi seized the opportunity to attack the rear Dealers without any interference.

“Dash.”

Thud.

Thud, thud, thud.

He quickly closed in.

He felt certain.

Taking down Jo Han-byeol, the one he saw before him, would be the start of the crack.

Arriving right in front of Jo Han-byeol in an instant, he saw Jo Han-byeol’s unwavering gaze at the moment he swung his sword.

Thud.

Flash-

“Ugh.”

He detonated a flashbang.

Jo Han-byeol, not panicking at all at his opponent’s charge, fired several arrows while stepping back. Min Yeong-gi reacted to the attack with his sharp senses. But even so, he couldn’t prevent a few arrows from piercing his armor, and in the meantime, Yeon Woo-bin’s magic exploded fiercely.

“Fire Lance.”

Bang!

Whoosh.

‘What is this…’

It wasn’t easy.

He hadn’t expected the rear Dealers to be this good at close combat.

That was when it happened.

As he made eye contact with Jo Han-byeol, he saw him smirk.

“Excuse me.”

“……?”

“If you leave the formation like that alone, what are you going to do about your rear?”

Goosebumps rose on his skin.

In other words.

His rear was in danger.

As he turned his head, he saw Han Eun-seong collapsing, splattered with blood.

‘Ah…’

Only then did he realize.

Kang San hadn’t promised to defend for 20 minutes.

He had told himself and his teammates that they would focus on defense, but that didn’t mean he had promised to respond that way unconditionally. A plan to launch an attack if necessary, depending on the situation.

The situation had changed.

As a price for Min Yeong-gi attacking the rear, Kang San took down Han Eun-seong and immediately ran towards the rear Dealers.

Min Yeong-gi shouted,

“Watch out━!”

He believed.

Just as Jo Han-byeol and Yeon Woo-bin had endured his attack.

He thought that the three Mages could sufficiently block the attack power of Kang San, who was merely a Main Tanker.

Until then, Min Yeong-gi still believed that the outcome of this training session hadn’t been decided yet.