The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 028
By global standards, Korea was a peripheral nation.
Busan, Daegu? At best, they were second-rate powers.
The moment the world connected, Korea had only one asset to offer.
A nation that possessed an EX-rank Awakener.
Because that was the future Lee Kang-nam envisioned, I had to step forward decisively and make it clear.
“I was once like that too.”
A time when I feared nothing. When I believed myself superior to all others.
I thought I needed no help, that I was incomparable. That’s what I believed.
I had to teach this fledgling EX-rank Awakener the harsh truth of reality.
“I can’t refuse.”
Lee Kang-nam extended his hand.
[Forced Mock Battle Scroll is being used.]
Choi Kang-mok let out a hollow laugh.
‘He’s using that? Is this guy insane?’
A scroll that forcibly compels participation in a mock battle.
People say, ‘Is there really a madman crazy enough to use this? No sane person would ever use it.’
[!Forced Mock Battle Penalty!]
[Tower entry is prohibited for 10 days.]
The penalties were far too severe.
[100,000,000 Diamonds are destroyed.]
[1 equipped item is randomly destroyed.]
One hundred million won evaporated in an instant.
One of the shoes he was wearing shattered to pieces.
Even up to this point, the penalties were catastrophic.
But there was something worse remaining.
[Your level decreases by 5.]
This was truly the most severe penalty of all.
A phenomenon of actual level degradation occurring.
Lee Kang-nam had resolved to bear all these penalties.
To teach the EX-rank Awakener the harsh realities and guide him toward the right path.
“Levels can be raised again!”
This was a mission.
The price to protect Korea, the sacrifice for an EX-rank Awakener.
Choi Kang-mok was genuinely impressed.
‘This guy’s the real deal.’
Lee Kang-nam remained resolute.
“I’ll show you what happens when a true strong one sets their sights on you.”
[5]
[4]
[3]
Once the mock battle ends?
He would grab my pant leg, begging for protection.
[2]
[1]
‘I will surely protect you, EX-rank Awakener!’
[The mock battle forcibly begins.]

* * *
A mock battle.
A dedicated virtual space, adjustable settings, combat mediated by the system.
Unlike real combat, certain parameters could be fine-tuned here.
[Mock Battle Type: HP Combat]
[HP is assigned to all mock battle participants.]
HP is automatically determined based on the participant’s level and stats.
Whoever’s HP drops to zero first loses.
[Pain Reduction Setting: OFF]
Pain was configured to match reality exactly.
Choi Kang-mok fell into brief contemplation.
‘System combat has a 0% mortality rate.’
Normally, death doesn’t occur.
But the problem was the emergence of the ‘Fundamental Destruction’ concept.
If that concept applied, even a mock battle could be fatal.
‘This is rather troublesome.’
Watching Choi Kang-mok’s hesitation, Lee Kang-nam brimmed with confidence.
“Now you’re starting to see the situation, aren’t you?”
Lee Kang-nam clenched his fist tightly.
The Azure Dragon Crescent Blade he normally wielded was stored in his inventory.
For instruction—for inflicting pain—fists were supreme.
“Endure the fist of a ranker!”
Lee Kang-nam launched himself upward.
The ground trembled, and a massive force tore through the space.
‘Now you’ll understand.’
What manner of being the current ranker truly is.
Whoosh!
With a thunderous sound of air splitting, the fist hurtled forward.
The target: Choi Kang-mok’s temple.
‘Hm? He’s not dodging?’
I thought he would evade?
‘Is he perhaps taking it head-on for a critical hit?’
The same attack deals different damage depending on where it lands.
A blow to the abdomen and a blow to the head are judged as entirely different damage values.
Even a weak attack can result in instant death if a critical hit triggers.
‘Damn it!’
I couldn’t send him flying in one strike.
That wouldn’t teach him anything.
‘Adjust the trajectory…!’
I hastily opened my fist.
Slightly altering the trajectory, I switched to an open palm and slashed across his cheek.
Crack—!
The impact felt satisfying.
Long experience had taught me.
I’d executed the attack perfectly.
‘Was that too hard?’

* * *
Through prolonged experience, my trust in Mayo had grown considerably.
Though it carried a certain obsession with synchronization and its inherent dangers, the performance befitting a Mythic-grade artifact was genuine.
Choi Kang-mok didn’t dodge.
[Shield: 100]
The shield bore no scratches.
Of course.
[H/P ■■■■■■■■■■]
Health was full.
Lee Kang-nam tilted his head.
“Huh?”
The attack had connected properly, hadn’t it?
Something was off.
He extended his left hand after his right.
Crack—!
[Shield: 100]
Sensing the strangeness, Lee Kang-nam immediately created distance.
“This bastard. A tank?”
“No. A mage.”
“….”
Lee Kang-nam drew out the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.
“A tank focused purely on defense won’t survive long.”
The higher the floors, the stronger the enemies’ damage output becomes.
Especially beyond the 30th Floor.
There comes a point where mere defense becomes insufficient to endure.
It’s why high-level tanks are so rare.
“Meeting me right now is your good fortune.”
He charged forward again.
I confirmed his remarkable defense, but strangely, my mind grew calmer.
‘If that bastard is a tank…’
This level of defense at such a low tier?
It meant he’d invested everything into defense alone.
There wouldn’t be any noteworthy offense to speak of.
I’d ignore defense entirely and focus solely on attack.
“Haaah!”
The Blue Dragon Crescent Blade hurtled toward Choi Kang-mok’s flank.
The attack trajectory was flawless.
This blade would pierce through his defense.
“See? Defense alone has its limits—!”
“….”
Choi Kang-mok stared blankly at Lee Kang-nam.
Lee Kang-nam swung the Blue Dragon Crescent Blade once more.
“Limits that—”
“….”
Another attack.
He swung with all his might.
“—should exist, right?”
“….”
Not even a scratch on my HP.
Lee Kang-nam’s anxiety spiked.
He couldn’t let this display continue.
It would only feed the EX-rank Awakener’s arrogance further.
He’d walk down a dark path.
-No problem whatsoever.
-All coefficients except the user’s suicidal magical deployment are being excluded from the defense calculation.
Choi Kang-mok also felt Mayo’s performance distinctly.
-A defense befitting your user, I must say.
Even for a tank-class fighter with weak offensive power, the fact that one of Korea’s strongest couldn’t land a single blow was extraordinary.
Choi Kang-mok opened his mouth.
“Lee Kang-nam.”
“What?”
“I’m a mage.”
“You crazy bastard. That’s an excessive gimmick.”
“That’s why I can’t attack you.”
“What?”
“I’m afraid you’ll die.”
Lee Kang-nam let out a short laugh.
It was absurd.
“You know that thing the London Guild announced? Fundamental Destruction?”
“Of course.”
The strongest in the mage world.
The concepts of ‘Limit Damage’ and ‘Fundamental Destruction’ that Christine discovered were currently shaking the entire globe.
“You could become that too.”
“You’re insane.”
Lee Kang-nam shook his head firmly.
It was impossible.
No matter how EX-rank, that was still a low level.
‘But what if it’s real?’
What if EX-rank was something that transcended even the concept of level itself?
Lee Kang-nam’s expression grew serious.
“What magic did you learn?”
An EX-rank spell unknown to the public.
Perhaps something like ‘Colossal Meteor Summoning that Destroys Fundamentals’—it was entirely possible.
“No. I suppose you can’t tell me anyway?”
Such things were special secrets managed at the guild level.
Perhaps not even disclosed to the Seoul Guild.
There was no way such classified information could be shared with an outsider.
“Energy Bolt.”
“…What?”
Lee Kang-nam doubted his own ears.
Energy Bolt?
A beginner spell obtainable on the 1st Floor?
“You bastard. Are you messing with me?”
“I’m serious.”
“…”
Lee Kang-nam finally spread both arms wide.
“Then fire it at me. That magnificent Energy Bolt of yours.”
He knew the spell well.
High-level combat mages used it frequently as a deterrent.
He understood the limits of beginner magic intimately.
“I can’t. You might actually die.”
“…”
Lee Kang-nam tightened his grip on the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.
He was furious, but he held it back.
“Then allow me to show you my secret technique.”
To capture Choi Kang-mok’s attention, he decided to demonstrate a technique known only to the Daegu Guild members.
Beneath Lee Kang-nam’s feet.
Two Oumangseong overlapped, radiating light.
From their center, something that looked identical to him burst forth.
“There. My doppelgänger. Its defensive power is nearly identical to mine.”
Korea’s strongest tank.
Lee Kang-nam could create up to three of these doppelgängers in total.
“Now, surely you’re satisfied? Go ahead and attack. I’ll test your magic for you.”
“Hmm. Then I suppose I have no choice.”
My heart raced with anticipation.
This was my first mock battle since my re-awakening.
‘And my opponent is Lee Kang-nam, no less.’
I had faced assassins and necromancers before, but he operated on an entirely different level.
His defensive capabilities were among Korea’s finest.
‘How much of my power will actually reach Lee Kang-nam?’
I had no doubt I could destroy that doppelgänger.
The real question was: ‘How close do I need to get for it to shatter?’
Non-contact destruction through mana pressure.
Testing the applicability of anti-personnel magic.
‘Analysis. Beginning now.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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