TOP 73

Chapter 73

Answered with One Punch

“What… how on earth!”

“Is that an item!? To take an aura with your bare body!”

The paladins were horrified.

Well, it was natural—they were seeing common sense completely shattered.

‘Even I think this makes no sense.’

‘Aura,’ regardless of rank, possesses unimaginable destructive power. Even a normal aura used by a 4-star hunter could easily slice through the body of a 7-star hunter.

In a world where that was common sense, was there really a human who could endure a 6-star aura blade with their bare body? Without any special defensive items?

‘This is insane.’

An attack that should have cut clean through ended up only slicing skin and muscle.

And such wounds could be healed easily with a potion. It wasn’t even a vital strike since it had glanced off.

“So…”

Right now, I could…

“Is that a last will?”

If necessary, I could use the strategy of taking an aura blade with my body. Compared to before, when I had to either dodge or parry with another aura blade, my options had greatly increased!

“Ugh…!”

“Stay calm. Just think of it as if he’s wearing invisible armor!”

The paladins weren’t entirely wrong. Usable armor could indeed withstand some aura.

Among them…

‘Holy Armor.’

The pure white, Gaia Church paladin-exclusive armor worn by paladins. Its insane recovery skills were the reason I had to aim for the neck. So, it wasn’t that I became stronger—it was only that I became equal.

However…

“They couldn’t overwhelm me even with three against one. Can I do it against four?”

I had already failed against three versus one; four versus one would obviously be worse. Especially if they realized I could take aura with my body.

“Die!”

“By the blessing of the Goddess!”

The paladins charged with their aura blades shining.

ZSHHH──!

I countered with an aura blade as well, applying the full technique of Mu Jin Sword.

Swish—

Three would have been difficult, but two?

ZSHJANG! ZSHHH───!

I could press forward and apply sufficient pressure.

“Wh-what! Even a 6-star can’t—”

Thunk! Fwah—!

I buried my sword in the paladin’s neck who was complaining about the injustice, tearing him apart. In return, another hit landed on my left back.

Crack!

I endured it, just as expected.

‘Dragon Body… incredible.’

“Alone now?”

“I-I… cannot believe this!”

The last 6-star paladin’s arm trembled as if denying reality.

“If we are the same rank, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be stronger with the Goddess’s blessing…!”

Normally, that was correct. Only church priests and paladins could use ‘Holy Magic.’ Its power was so overwhelming that normal hunters couldn’t defeat an equal-ranked paladin.

In fact, these guys were fully buffed with holy magic. Defense-boosting Saint Armor, body-boosting Holy Bless, skills that ordinary hunters could hardly use even one of, they had several. On top of that, they had unique holy armor and weapons—hardly weak opponents.

But…

“Somehow, I also have a lot of tricks.”

Advanced hunter swordsmanship Mu Jin Sword. Dragon’s power, Dragon Body – Stage 3. Mana Overload that pumps mana almost infinitely. One Punch, which lets me use that mana efficiently. And the Dwarven Draupnir, essentially removing mana exhaustion penalties and allowing One Punch to be split and reused.

That alone gave me more than enough capabilities to match their ranks.

‘Add combat sense and tons of experience… and it’s done.’

“Damn it, Goddess! Why give me such trials…!”

The paladin looked pitiful, as if abandoned by Gaia. Quite a satisfying expression.

“A last will I like.”

I sliced his neck, leaving that expression intact.

Rolling, his head hit the ground. Gaia could not save him from death.

“Then…”

After dispatching my share of paladins, I surveyed the battlefield.

ZSHHH──

ZSHHH───!

The fight between Geum Yoo-Kang and Deputy Commander Kwak was still close. The paladins with priest support seemed to have a long-term advantage.

‘Our kids…’

I checked Yoo Seol-A and Frill’s side.

“Break the shield!”

“It won’t break!?”

Yoo Seol-A stayed safely inside the shield magic. The 5-star paladins’ aura threads struck the shield relentlessly, but it showed no signs of breaking.

“They must have finite mana! Keep attacking!”

“Hyahhh!”

They didn’t know it, but thanks to Mana Overload, their mana recovery was absurdly fast.

Then…

【Frozen Strike!】

Bang!

“Gah!”

“W-what!? Attack from outside the shield…!?”

“There seems to be a spirit! Watch out!”

While Yoo Seol-A drew aggro inside the shield, Frill was freely dealing damage.

‘Good job.’

The easiest way to destroy a spirit is to kill its contractor, but I didn’t have to worry as long as I stayed alive. Detecting and hitting Frill seemed difficult for them, so it wasn’t a problem.

Thus, I thought,

‘Priests first!’

The ones annoying me from the rear—the priests who buffed and healed the 7-star paladins Geum Yoo-Kang faced.

Tadak—

I charged at them.

“Ugh! B-block!”

“Holy Shield!”

A divine barrier appeared.

But…

“If the front line’s down, you die too!”

Their shield couldn’t block an aura blade.

Krahk- Zshjrt- Pachang─!

I shattered the shields and harvested the priests’ lives.

“Krk!”

“Ugh, Gaia… aah!”

Priests’ screams of pain echoed. Priests cleared.

For Sir Kim, who was protected among priests…

Spk-!

“Gwaaaah!”

“Wait right there.”

I cut his legs to block escape.

Turning, I checked Yoo Seol-A and Frill—those 5-star paladins seemed soon to be handled.

Remaining was…

Zshjang-

Kuaahh─!

The 7-star paladin clashing with Geum Yoo-Kang.

‘Time to join in.’

I leapt into the battlefield.

Through the clash of two 7-star paladins…

Boom!

“Ugh…!”

“Repent, Geum Yoo-Kang!”

The paladin’s sword pushed back Geum Yoo-Kang’s greatsword, leaving his chest exposed. A serious injury seemed inevitable.

But…

Swish─

What if the Eternal Frost Sword, surrounded by aura blades, struck from behind?

“…!?”

The paladin hurriedly turned to counter it.

ZSHHHHH──!

Colliding fiercely with the paladin’s sword, the Eternal Frost Sword vibrated violently.

‘Ugh… whew.’

My hand tingled. The 7-star aura blade was different. Despite the name, it was clearly a higher-level weapon.

“…You!”

The paladin was visibly shocked. He never expected me to appear suddenly. He surely didn’t anticipate two 5-star hunters killing all those paladins and priests.

And…

‘A 7-star aura blade?’

Stronger than mine. Naturally, I was at a disadvantage.

But…

‘…Not overwhelmingly so.’

As long as I could hold his attention briefly, it was enough.

“Grrhh!”

Geum Yoo-Kang’s greatsword pierced behind the shocked paladin. The golden blade struck heavily, aimed to kill.

“…!”

Zshkwaaaang─!

The paladin raised his white sword to block, using the rebound to create distance.

“Phew… thanks, Eugene. Could’ve been bad if not for you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Geum Yoo-Kang exhaled.

The paladin, seeing the devastation, muttered,

“…Good grief.”

Hiding his power all along?

I replied,

“Exactly. Mess with someone normal and you’ll pay.”

The church always started trouble, even today, even ten years ago, even in the Snow Mountain cave.

“….”

The paladin didn’t reply, only rolled his eyes.

“Mr. Geum.”

“Phew. Speak.”

“That guy seems to be trying to escape.”

“We can’t let him go.”

“Yes.”

Tadot-

We quickly repositioned, encircling him front and back.

“…Ugh.”

Even if not a perfect encirclement, we achieved the best possible position. He couldn’t escape easily; his back would be torn if he tried.

“Are you not afraid of the Goddess’s wrath?”

“Shut up.”

“Ridiculous.”

We responded to the paladin’s nonsense. Truly laughable.

“Deputy Kwak.”

“…Geum Yoo-Kang.”

“I thought you were reasonable.”

“…It’s not too late. Return to the Goddess.”

“After doing this? Ha! Laughable.”

With his last nonsense failing, the paladin decided to use force.

Gripping his sword, he lunged at me.

“For the Goddess!”

But I was prepared.

ZSHHHHH──!

I blocked with the aura-bladed Eternal Frost Sword.

Jzzt- Jzzzzt-

I was pushed back slightly. The 7-star paladin was clearly stronger.

But…

‘I’m not alone.’

“You dare ignore me!”

Geum Yoo-Kang charged at the paladin.

“Ugh.”

The paladin groaned, likely intending to break through. He hadn’t expected me to endure this well.

ZSHHH─!

The paladin blocked the greatsword.

But…

“I wish you’d stop underestimating me.”

He showed his back; I punished him, striking his forearm with the Eternal Frost Sword.

Kwagak─!

Not a major achievement—the defense of his holy armor was immense. Even with an aura blade, I couldn’t pierce it fully.

But he lost grip on his sword.

Skrk─!

Geum Yoo-Kang’s greatsword severed his arm.

“Ugh!”

Suppressing a scream, the paladin began to flee.

“Think you can escape?”

I and Geum Yoo-Kang pursued. His aura blade stretched along his greatsword—nearly 5 meters long.

The 7-star hunter’s miracle.

He swung it at the fleeing paladin.

Skwak─!

The paladin’s arm was cut off. Now he had lost both arms.

But…

‘Can’t let him go!’

Geum Yoo-Kang had to pause briefly to swing the greatsword, losing momentum. Personally, I wished he hadn’t paused. Pursuit might have been better.

The armless paladin fled; I chased.

‘Can’t let him go!’

If he escaped, Gaia Church’s leadership would learn of today’s events. Ten or so priests and paladins were already dead, so some cover-up would be difficult. Catching him was critical.

Unfortunately, he was slightly faster than me. If only he made a mistake after losing both arms…

Then—

Swoosh- Crack!

An ice chunk struck the paladin directly.

【10 points!】

‘Well done, Frill!’

Having cleared the 5-star paladins, Frill helped. The paladin staggered briefly, closing the distance.

I had enough range to strike with my strongest attack.

‘Aura Blade won’t work.’

His armor was too strong. But I had…

[‘Divine Power: One Punch’ skill activated.]

[29,760 mana consumed.]

A transcendent skill that could pierce him.

“Gaia!”

The paladin regained stance, mocking me as if I couldn’t stop him.

“Insignificant heretic cannot capture the Goddess’s servant—”

His mockery…

TWO-CRASH──!!!

Answered with One Punch.