Chapter 51 (1/2)

Chapter 51

TL: emptycube

Editor: Obelisk

When Choi Hyuk opened a fate and trait shop on Barhaloleun Hill, everyone was happily deciding what they would choose. There were three fates that could be chosen from, ‘Undying One’, ‘Battle Addict’, and ‘Raging One’. Also, karma traits were much more diverse than the fates. Whatever they chose, they would become stronger. However, there was a combination that would let them become even stronger than that. What should they choose? Once a trait or fate was chosen, it would (depending on the situation) cost a lot to change it, so they had to choose wisely.

However, as everything was new, no one could tell what was good or bad. This eventually led to the popularization of Choi Hyuk’s chosen fate and trait, ‘Battle Addict’ and ‘Mind’s Eye’.

Yet, Chu Youngjin chose a different trait and fate from his leader, Choi Hyuk, and created his own extraordinary style. So the fighting style of the Berserkers separated into two main styles.

Choi Hyuk’s style and Chu Youngjin’s style.

Rumble, rumble!

As if starting a large machine, the rumbling sounds emitting from Chu Youngjin’s body became a level deeper. He had activated the karma trait, ‘Explosive Blood’.

Explosive Blood would, with the exception of Control, sharply increase Power, Speed, Endurance, Stamina, and Recovery when activated. It was number one in terms of power. Only, it had a side effect that made it a trait unusable by some.

Rumble!

The karma that was packed in his body stirred and started to boil. The karma that was protecting his body reversed and started attacking it. A pain that felt as though each cell was being sliced apart overcame his body.

Yet, Chu Youngjin didn’t even bat an eye. What was more, he even activated his unique skill ‘Berserker’ along with it. His karma became even more ferocious as his Power, Speed, and Recovery increased even further. Then, his muscles started to shrink and his joints became frayed proportional to the aggressive karma. As if his whole body had become an engine, it continued to boil and emit heat and pain. Chu Youngjin’s body was repeatedly becoming damaged due to his karma and simultaneously healing. The pain was enough to make any normal person insane. Even the Berserkers, who had gone through all sorts of hards.h.i.+ps, found it difficult to fight whilst enduring this pain.

Because of this, Explosive Blood had become a trait that not anyone could choose because it was powerful.

Nonetheless, it seemed as though Chu Youngjin didn’t feel anything. Only his reddening eyes burned.

{Due to intensive rage, free karma point increased by 1.}

Although Chu Youngjin didn’t feel the pain, it didn’t mean that he didn’t feel anything. Only, because his insides were constantly filled with incomparable loss and pain, did this pain not feel like much.

‘Raging One’ was the most suitable fate for him. His apt.i.tude was a whopping 96%!

“…What? Chu Youngjin? Don’t tell me… The Sword Demon?”

The slavers froze when they heard that name. Their faces turned deathly pale. However, it was too late. Rumble! On the next sound of thunder, the slaver in front was crushed and blown away like a tomato.

“f.u.c.k!”

It was surprising, but they were still experienced battle veterans. They immediately prepared for battle and targeted Chu Youngjin. One stabbed with a spear while the other two threw throwing knives.

Whoos.h.!.+

The bladed weapons flew, with a bluish tinge, making a refres.h.i.+ng sound. Karma trait ‘Resilience’. One’s karma would become resilient, making it better to shoot with, and when it is attached to a weapon, it increases its penetrating force. As it was useful and had a decent performance, it was a trait chosen by many awakenees with no particular talent.

Instantly, a spear was aimed at Chu Youngjin’s chest, while throwing knives flew to his forehead.

Rumble!

However, another thunderclap erupted and the spear and throwing knives aimed at Chu Youngjin bounced off.

Chu Youngjin’s Karma Barrier wasn’t continuous like Choi Hyuk’s. Rather, it had a much more explosive power to it. When used at a necessary moment, karma would explode with Chu Youngjin at the center and push back everything in his vicinity.

The enemy spear bent significantly before wobbling in different directions.

“What b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!”

As a commotion arose from one area, the whole market became noisy. Slave traders from different places started to gather.

Ryu Hyunsung acted this time.

“Hey… I’m disappointed. You’re all only targeting Chu Youngjin. Am I not surprising? I’m Ryu Hyunsung. Berserker Ryu Hyunsung.”

“The Knight Captain Ryu Hyunsung?”

“Yeah, that’s what they call me too!”

Swis.h.!.+

Ryu Hyunsung revealed a satisfied smile. A 30cm karma blade extended out from his sword. As there was no need to make it longer when facing humans, this was enough.

Ryu Hyunsung was the best expert among the Berserkers, after Choi Hyuk, who practiced Choi Hyuk’s style. His fate was ‘Battle Addict’ while his trait was ‘Mind’s Eye’. The same as Choi Hyuk’s.

“Use throwing weapons first to drain their strength!”

As expected, in a slave market where many interested parties gathered, the power here was significant. The pressure from 5 awakenees simultaneously throwing knives and javelins was powerful. However, the trajectories of all the attacks were clearly visible in Ryu Hyunsung’s eyes.

The karma trait ‘Mind’s Eye’ made controlling karma much easier and made it into a sensitive organ that could gather information on one’s surroundings. Although it didn’t raise one’s offensive strength directly like ‘Explosive Blood’ or ‘Resilience’, there was no better weapon for someone with extraordinary senses.

Ryu Hyunsung’s saber elegantly flew in the air. The quickly approaching throwing weapons seemed to be caught by his senses and moved in slow motion. Looking at their trajectories, he chose the best path. He stretched his saber and lightly pushed the closest javelin away. Afterwards, he turned his wrists and flipped his saber to deflect two throwing knives at the same time. He then rotated his saber once more and hit the head of the next oncoming javelin.

Clink, clink, clink!

The last javelin, which was. .h.i.t on its head, rotated and bounced away the throwing knife behind it. After cleanly clearing the five weapons, the enemies were now within Ryu Hyunsung’s range.

“Gahk!”

“Ahh!”

There was no enemy that met his sword. Ryu Hyunsung, the national saber athlete at Korea National Sport University. With his world-cla.s.s sword skills and the addition of a weapon known as ‘Mind’s Eye’, nothing could obstruct his path.

The saber that was about to split someone’s head suddenly turned and cut someone’s wrist. The saber that was about to block an oncoming enemy sword, pushed the sword down and charged towards the enemy’s undefended neck.

The severed arms and necks of the slave traders rolled on the ground. Even when tens of people rushed at him, the result was the same. Either they were ripped apart by Chu Youngjin or cut into pieces by Ryu Hyunsung.

“Boring. I can’t raise my karma fighting like this.”

The fate of ‘Battle Addicts’ would increase one’s karma the more intensely one fought. So Ryu Hyunsung preferred to have more intense fights.

Both Chu Youngjin and Ryu Hyunsung didn’t try to conceal their ident.i.ties, but neither did they let any of their enemies live.

There were other spectators around them, but once they annihilated those directly involved, it would take a longer time to understand the truth of what happened. As it was impossible to communicate electronically in ‘Dragonic’, it would take quite a bit of time for this to be reported to the center, for the center to dispatch an investigative party, and for the investigative party to investigate and report back.

It was better to reveal their ident.i.ties. However, as they needed to create time for them to escape, they didn’t want their ident.i.ties to be exposed too quickly. These were the actions taken after taking these factors into account.

“Why… Why would the Berserkers…”

The last remaining slave trader asked whilst leaning against a cage and breathing heavily. Ryu Hyunsung crouched down in front of him.

“You guys ignored our warnings several times. You even killed two Berserkers who were on a mission last week.”

“That wasn’t us…”