Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 64

As I dodge its lightning-fast knife swing, its tail comes flying at me next. No way I can dodge this. Trying to avoid it would only leave me more vulnerable.

Thud—!

A heavy impact travels through my body. Exaggerating slightly, it feels like being hit by a car. But it's not unbearable. It's far better than taking a hit from Elder's spear.

'Still... this is definitely not power that a C-rank should possess.'

This dungeon isn't some new one that appeared just a day or two ago. Nor are these monsters a newly discovered species.

It's a pre-existing dungeon with familiar monsters we've dealt with before. Nothing has changed. Except for their overall strength level.

The realization sends a slight chill down my spine. What would have happened if only Gold-ranked students had entered this place?

'What do you think would happen? It would instantly make breaking news: "Tragedy during Academy students' field training."'

I'm grateful I came along. Truly grateful for accepting Ma Hakjun's proposal. How fortunate that I didn't send the students in unprepared.

"Kiruek—!"

The Alpha briefly looks at me, then turns its head and changes direction. Does it consider the students fighting over there more appetizing prey than me alone?

That really hurts my pride. It's not like I'm incapacitated or anything. I was just gauging how strong it had become, and it responds with distraction? Seeing its attitude suddenly reminds me of Jung Yuhyeon, making my temper flare.

"Hey, lizard!"

The Alpha makes a "kiruek" sound and turns its head. Could it possibly understand human speech? No, that can't be right? It's probably just reacting to sound.

"Where do you think you're going?"

- Activating The Third Eye.

◎ Silver Gatekeeper

Trait activation conditions have been met.

Trait is active.

Reassessing opponent's rank.

Rank adjustment – Gold ~ Platinum identification

'If it's between Gold and Platinum by Academy standards... that means even if it's measured as C-rank, its level is actually B-rank.'

If this thing had attacked the students from behind, it would have been a disaster. With everyone already occupied in other battles, a B-rank level Alpha joining in? I'm certain there would have been serious injuries, or even fatalities.

That can't happen. No, that absolutely cannot happen. Casualties while under my supervision? Wouldn't that be betraying Ma Hakjun who trusted me with the substitute professor role?

And I don't want that either. At least not in a situation I'm responsible for. I find the idea of someone losing their life quite displeasing. I don't want to see it.

Additionally, this also damages the Gatekeeper's pride. Where does it think it's going? Without even taking the placement test, where does it think it's heading?

'Fuck, forget being a Gatekeeper or whatever, let's start with the placement exam.'

◎ Sole Examiner

Trait is active.

Target has not received promotion from Baek Seojin.

Recognizing the target as an examinee.

"Kyaaa—!"

That damn kiruek, kyaa, kuak. Don't you have any other sounds? I slammed my fist with all my might toward the approaching creature's mouth.

I felt the soft flesh and hard muscle under my knuckles. Red blood and sticky saliva coated my hand.

"Kiruek, kruek—"

That direct hit must have been quite shocking. The Alpha stumbled, looking at me with a bewildered expression. Yes, you'd find it strange too. That landed too perfectly.

But to be honest, I'm a bit bewildered myself. I didn't expect it to land this powerfully. It connected so perfectly that I was the one surprised.

- Gatekeeper trait is at maximum manifestation.

- All abilities have been amplified.

'This is the first time I've seen a message like this.'

Well, whatever it means, it's not important right now. The immediate priority is eliminating the Alpha, which poses the greatest threat to the students.

That solid hit seems to have provoked its anger. Howling louder than before, it swings its stone knife and tail with doubled ferocity.

A cold sensation slowly travels down my spine. While not comparable to Elder, this isn't an opponent to underestimate either.

One hit could potentially knock me unconscious. That would endanger not only my safety but also the students still engaged in battle.

I dodge, dodge again, and finally dive inside its reach. Though large movements are difficult, cutting is still possible.

Swoosh—!

A significant gash appears across the creature's chest. Immediately after, its crude hand comes crashing down, but I quickly retreat.

The larger its size, the more blind spots it has. I need to target those. Relentlessly focus on its weaknesses.

Of course, the creature also grits its teeth, determined not to allow me another approach.

Clang—!

I slightly underestimated it because of the stone knife, but it's surprisingly durable. I thought a few sword strikes would break it, but it seems I need to change tactics.

'Swing, swing, tail once, and now!'

I waited for the timing when it swung its empty hand. Perfect counter. A long cut appears on the Alpha's forearm.

"Kreek—!"

Blood pours from its split forearm. I landed a solid hit. Yes, the hit landed well, but...

'It should have cut deeper and higher.'

It's not just strength and speed that have improved. The toughness of its hide has also increased compared to other lizardmen. My palm is stinging, yet I could only slice that much.

It's not an unbeatable opponent, but certainly an annoying one.

The best strategy in this situation would be to hold out until the students arrive. That way, I could receive Kang Hana's overwhelming fire support.

'But that would look bad.'

Being the substitute supervising professor, it doesn't seem right to wait for students. And with my trait being Gatekeeper... against a monster that hasn't even taken the placement test. Waiting for students to launch a joint attack would be disrespectful to my trait.

What should I do? Think. A way to definitively retire this creature.

Its strengths are durability, power, and speed that exceed normal lizardmen. One moment of carelessness could result in broken bones or being sliced by the stone knife.

Of course, its larger size means bigger blind spots, which is a weakness. It's covering that with speed. Plus, I've already targeted that weakness once. It's not a mindless brute, so it's likely anticipating that possibility again.

'Strength, speed. Strengths. Blind spots, weakness... Wait a minute.'

A thought suddenly struck me.

Do I really need to focus only on its weaknesses? What if I could use its strengths against it in a counter?

Moreover, I already knew exactly how to do that.

'Kang Minseong.'

Not long ago, when I was invited to dinner by Kim Suhyeon. I unexpectedly ended up sparring with Kang Minseong.

Though he's an A-rank ability user, he's entirely different from other A-ranks in skill. Defeat was inevitable, and using my trait earned me a penalty. Along with the terrifying warning that the trait itself might disappear if penalties accumulate.

But it wasn't all loss. I'm quite clear on profit and loss calculations. My principle is to gain something proportional to the effort or damage incurred.

"Kieek—!"

The Alpha once again swings its stone knife violently. Still fast, still powerful. Truly monster-like destructive force.

Until just a moment ago, I would have been disgusted by that power. But now, I actually welcomed the creature's brute strength.

Kang Minseong's stance that day, how he held his sword, even his breathing. I recall it all vividly. And I reproduce it. Identically, yet differently.

The creature's movements gradually slow in my perception. And within that, I faintly see a path. The past hero, the Sword Demon, the sword path he wanted to show me. I draw out, in my own way, the profound technique he cultivated over decades.

'Just a little more.'

The creature's stone knife flies right to my face. My heart pounds madly, and my head screams for immediate action.

But I restrained myself. Endured. Waited. Just as Kang Minseong had done, focusing on the perfect moment.

'...Now.'

I don't apply excessive force. Don't act hastily. Quietly, smoothly, just as he demonstrated, like a gentle breeze.

Swoosh—

I felt something heavy at the tip of my sword, then suddenly it became lighter. And immediately after, I saw the Alpha's body that had been charging at me suspended in mid-air.

'It worked.'

I couldn't help but laugh. I never expected this to actually work. But joy or excitement can wait. It's not over yet. Both my current battle and Kang Minseong back then had one more step.

Another technique Kang Minseong used at the final moment. It was hazier than the previous one, but I felt it was worth trying.

The parts I lacked, I could fill with other memories I possessed. Elder's, Lee Hyunwoo's, and even Kim Suhyeon's. I fill the gaps with techniques that are theirs, yet also mine.

"Hup!"

Following my body's and sword's natural flow, I swung with all my might. Though my muscles felt like they were tearing, I gritted my teeth and endured.

Swoosh—

Something was heard falling to the ground. The head of the Alpha, which had been flicking its tongue just moments ago. And following it, the creature's massive body topples backward.

Thud—!

"...Insane."

Did this old man really use something this terrifying against me?

Yuyu: Yoooo! So cool!