Chapter 166: Things skill can’t solve
Natures weren’t fair. Everyone knew this.
Nonetheless, most Natures shared one common thing. If the Nature was limited, then it was more powerful under a certain condition if the limit was met. For example, between a Nature that allowed one to ‘see far’ and a Nature that allowed one to ‘use something to see far’, the latter would obviously grant a better result.
However, there were Natures that didn’t perform even when the conditions were met.
<<Nature: Disoriented Fist>>
Disoriented Fist, as the name suggested, strengthened fist attacks. Jaehoon was able to survive the early stages of illumination because of this talent. But this was only in the early stages. The Nature had limited timeframe of one hour. If the user made the same attack move within one hour, there was a penalty, and then a bonus to the damage. It was nonsense. The use of the skill and the repeated movement was a must during the progress of the illumination.
“It was a curse to me.”
Blass also had ‘Disoriented Fist’ as his Nature when he had his body. Since he had trained martial arts for a long time, he knew the talent he got was utter nonsense. Martial arts specialized in doing the ‘same move’ again and again.
“One move, and I will be locked away from using it during the next hour. It was a weakness. I had to find a way around it.”
That’s why Blass tried to learn a skill by using mana to increase his power. However, he was talented in martial arts. Although his new method brought him victories, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was wasting his skills.
That’s why he created a new skill that would not get in the way of his Nature.
“I decided to create a martial art that was characterized by its different movements.”
It was certain that Blass had learned his final unusual moves from that study. He succeeded in doing it. But…
“It was ironic.”
When he finished it, he did not have his Nature anymore. He was in his metal body.
“Without the Nature to back it up, Parksrima is just very difficult skills.”
It was a superior martial art, but it required a user who was talented in fist skills. Therefore, Blass decided to give up. Someone with the same Nature as him could only learn this.
He finally found the man.
Han Jaehoon. He had the same talent.
Jaehoon seemed anxious. After a hundred days of testing, it was finally time.
-Strength: 1000(+16)(A)
-Stamina: 1000(+21)(A)
-Agility 1000(+82)(A)
After he became a citizen, the amount of coins he was provided was more than what anyone else got in Dohyuk’s city. His stats were now equal to Dohyuk’s. Jaehoon thought he didn’t deserve it so he rejected the offer, but he had to accept it in the end.
“Relax.” Dohyuk tried to help him calm down. “100 days isn’t that long. Even if you underperform, we’ll give it time. It’s me and that guy who believe in you.”
“See? He also says the same thing.”
Blass also spoke to Jaehoon. It seemed like Blass was more kind toward Jaehoon than anyone else.
“…Then.”
Jaehoon readied his fist and Dohyuk nodded. Jaehoon charged. Dohyuk kicked Jaehoon, but Jaehoon cleanly dodged it. It didn’t end there. He brought his body back up and pushed out Dohyuk’s body, throwing him into the sky. It wasn’t high, but it was good enough for Jaehoon to throw his fist to the front. Jaehoon, however, did not attack from the front. He disappeared from Dohyuk’s eyes.
“…!”
Dohyuk realized where Jaehoon was coming from and crouched to defend. The powerful blow came from below. Dohyuk’s body was thrown into the sky again, much higher this time.
‘It was like this before too,’ Dohyuk thought as he felt his arm bone breaking after blocking the blow. This absurd amount of damage was what made Dohyuk think Jaehoon was strong. Of course, the amount of damage after that got weaker and weaker, so Dohyuk figured there was something behind it then.
‘Using this power-up forever…?’
It wasn’t only arm bone that was broken. Dohyuk sighed at his ribcage that was also cracked. Jaehoon was preparing to hit again from below.
As Dohyuk fell down, he spun to strike Jaehoon down from the sky. And as the feet hit him, Jaehoon barely moved his body to dodge the attack with his fist at the ready.
‘THERE!’
Jaehoon threw his punch, but it was the foot that struck his back first.
“…!?”
Jaehoon slammed against the wall and fell onto the ground.
“…Ugh.”
He was confused. How did Dohyuk bring his feet back to kick again?
‘N-no…’
He didn’t change the direction at all. Dohyuk didn’t miss. He knew Jaehoon was going to dodge and kicked in the direction. But…
“You’re wondering how he knew you were going to dodge?”
“…!”
Jaehoon looked up. Blass was standing in front of him.
“I’m sure you’re curious of that. If you didn’t dodge, that would’ve been a bad attempt from the Mayor.”
Blass continued, “It’s simple. You gave that one out.”
“What?”
“When you first dodged his kick for the first time.”
Dohyuk didn’t expect it to happen.
“You had many choices then. Charge in and pound him or something… but you made a more conservative choice.”
He pushed Dohyuk’s leg away to break his balance and attack. It wasn’t a bad choice, but the decision he made next was poor.
“You were against an enemy who was unbalanced, but changed directions to attack. It was probably good if you were trying to get around the guard, but it wasn’t.”
“…”
“You didn’t need to do that, but you pushed him into the air. And you didn’t follow him and waited below.”
That gave Dohyuk time to breathe.
“You probably overestimated your enemy, feared, and avoided fighting in frontal combat. You had the upper hand, but instead of taking the chance, you took a backstep to gain absolute victory.”
“I… see…” Jaehoon nodded. What Blass said was true.
“But don’t worry.”
Blass brought Jaehoon up and tapped his shoulder. This was more than he expected. Blass never expected Jaehoon to defeat Dohyuk. But Jaehoon’s first exchange with Dohyuk was quite an achievement.
Dohyuk smiled as he also walked over.
