The Return of the Legendary All-Master

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 324

[Episode Quest: Proof of Qualification]

- Requirement: Enter the Union Hall

- Reward: Union Membership

- Description: Pass the trial presented by Hero (Grand Master) Siron with confidence.

He hadn’t earned their recognition yet.

When Jeong-Hoon accepted the quest, Siron pointed to a portal in the corner.

“If you want to help, prove yourself.”

“Prove myself?”

“Yes. Enter the portal I’m pointing to and endure all the trials. Then we will acknowledge you.”

So they wouldn’t recognize him so easily.

‘Earning their recognition isn’t a simple process. Whether I’m strong or weak, the trial will match my level.’

He had heard that after investigating the trials faced by his comrades, including James Marcus Boen, there were differences in difficulty based on individual skill.

If the trial matched his level, it was bound to be a tough road ahead.

“Alright.”

He had already prepared himself for this.

Without hesitation, Jeong-Hoon headed toward the portal.

“Wait.”

Just then, Dregar blocked Jeong-Hoon’s path.

“What now?”

Jeong-Hoon responded with irritation, causing Dregar to bristle with anger.

“You! I’ll finish you with my own hands! Siron, I want to test him personally.”

“A test?”

Siron tilted his head in confusion.

“Yes. Earlier, he claimed he could easily handle someone like me, didn’t he?”

Dregar glared at Jeong-Hoon and asked.

Jeong-Hoon nodded and answered.

“Yes.”

Jeong-Hoon’s confident response made Dregar grit his teeth.

Barely suppressing his rage, Dregar added,

“…Defeating me is no different from surpassing the Giants. Isn’t that right, Siron?”

“That’s true. So, you wish to test him personally?”

“Yes. If he defeats me, I’ll acknowledge that outsider. But if he fails, he’ll never set foot here again.”

It was quite a favorable proposal.

Compared to a trial that adjusted its difficulty based on individual skill, defeating Dregar would be far easier and faster.

“I’m fine with that.”

Jeong-Hoon smirked.

“Hmph, as long as you’re both willing, I have no objections. Does everyone else agree?”

Siron looked at the other leaders.

They all nodded in agreement.

“Looks like everyone’s on board. Very well. The trial will be changed to a duel.”

* * *

The Union Hall's Duel Arena.

The arena was extremely spacious, with Jeong-Hoon and Dregar standing in the middle.

In the Union Hall, the Giant Dregar had minimized his size to match the human Siron, but the duel arena was different.

True to his Giant nature, Dregar stood at his full size, while Jeong-Hoon appeared as small as an ant before him, looking up.

The other leaders were seated at a table, observing the arena.

“What do you think the outcome will be?”

Siron asked with a grin, seeking their opinions.

“Dregar will win.”

Ereshion answered without a second’s hesitation.

The only human he acknowledged was Siron.

Jeong-Hoon’s earlier display had been enough to surprise Ereshion, but that was all.

If Dregar had been using his full strength back then, Jeong-Hoon wouldn’t have lasted a moment.

“Dregar will win, but that human isn’t ordinary.”

Kanteon, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

He was the Dragon Lord, the leader of the Dragon race.

“Why do you think that?”

Siron tilted his head.

“I sensed the presence of my kin, the Dragon race, from him.”

“A Dragon?”

“Yes. Seems like you’ve got someone more impressive under your command than you thought.”

“Hmm… so this won’t end easily?”

Kanteon gave a silent nod in response.

“One of them may die.”

At Niaiv’s words, silence filled the room.

Though it was called a duel, it wouldn’t be surprising if it turned into a fight to the death.

And the fact that Dregar had personally stepped forward wasn’t just to humiliate the outsider — he was serious about killing him.

“It’s fine. I’ll step in before that happens.”

Siron was prepared to intervene at any moment.

They had only formed the Union because they shared common goals.

If the outsider shared those same ideals, he was an ally.

And Siron had no intention of standing by and watching an ally die.

“On the other hand, isn’t it possible that Dregar could lose?”

It was Baldum, the leader of the Dwarves.

His words drew everyone’s attention to him.

“That outsider’s level isn’t even 800 yet. So how do you figure Dregar could lose?”

Niaiv hated Dregar.

Even so, she didn’t underestimate his skill.

As the Giant race’s leader, Dregar’s strength was undeniable.

Naturally, it seemed impossible for him to lose a duel against the outsider.

“I saw the weapon he was holding.”

Baldum recalled the sword the outsider had briefly revealed, and a chill ran down his spine.

It was clear to anyone that it was no ordinary sword.

'Master once said... The ancient Titan race was beyond comparison to the current Giants.'

An ancient work journal handed down through generations.

In that journal was a depiction of the weapons they had wielded.

And the sword that human wielded resembled those weapons strikingly.

“Are you seriously betting that Dregar will lose just because his opponent’s weapon is good?”

Nniaiv glared at Baldum with a baffled expression.

“It’s not just the weapon. Can anyone here say they perfectly tracked that outsider’s movements?”

When the outsider had dashed toward Dregar, no one had been able to fully follow his movements.

“…Siron must have seen it.”

Unable to refute the claim, Nniaiv turned her gaze to Siron.

“No. I couldn’t read it perfectly.”

Contrary to her expectations, Siron shook his head.

He too had failed to fully track the outsider's movements.

The leaders’ eyes widened slightly at that response.

Even Siron, the Union’s strongest, had failed to read him?

“Even after hearing this, are you still certain Dregar will win?”

At Baldum's question, silence once again settled over the room.

‘The size difference is ridiculous.’

‘Don’t worry. If Master severs his ankle and he topples over, he’ll finish him off then.’

Finish him off...

Unfortunately, this was still just a duel.

To proceed with the next steps, it would be best to stop after subduing Dregar.

‘This is an alliance between races. If anything happens to Dregar, the Giants will likely attempt to break away from the Union.’

For that reason, if Dregar’s life was at risk, it was highly likely one of the other leaders would intervene.

“Hey, you better beg for mercy now. If you do, I’ll be generous enough to stop after leaving you half-crippled.”

Dregar sneered down at him.

Jeong-Hoon smirked and raised his middle finger.

“Go to hell.”

“…Are you cursing me right now?”

Dregar didn’t know what the middle finger meant, but judging from how foul it felt, he easily guessed it was an insult.

Jeong-Hoon chuckled briefly and nodded.

“Guess you’re not as much of a rock-head as I thought.”

“You little savage runt!”

Dregar swung his fist downward.

Boom!

Jeong-Hoon smoothly evaded the strike using the Heavenly Demon Lord’s Dominion. Dregar’s fist slammed into the ground, kicking up a sandstorm.

As expected of the Giant leader — his strength was monstrous.

But no matter how powerful the blow, if it didn’t connect, that strength was meaningless.

“You’d be better off shrinking your size.”

Jeong-Hoon’s advice was met with a snort from Dregar.

“Shut up. Why should I adjust for a savage like you?”

"Hmph, suit yourself if you don't want to."

Jeong-Hoon casually drew Anima.

'Alright. Time to crush that arrogant pride of his.'

Anima cried out energetically.

"Heh, heh... You don't seriously think you can pierce my body with that pathetic bow, do you?"

The Giants' skin is originally tougher than steel, making it extremely difficult to penetrate.

And yet, he thought an arrow would pierce that?

Just how little did that fool think of him?

He was determined — he'd finish that bastard off in this duel.

Dregar stretched out both arms to his sides.

His body began to darken.

He was hardening his body, reinforcing it to become even more durable.

"We'll see about that."

Jeong-Hoon smirked, drew the bowstring, aimed at Dregar’s solar plexus, and released.

The ultimate arrow.

Dregar actually puffed out his chest, intending to take the arrow head-on.

He wanted to prove that something as trivial as an arrow couldn’t harm him.

Little did he know, that was the worst move he could have made.

Fwoosh!

The arrow struck his solar plexus with precision.

It effortlessly pierced through his hardened body.

In that instant, Dregar's darkened body returned to its original state.

[Dragon Void has activated.]

Dragon Void — a skill that neutralizes all abilities in an instant.

"W-What?!"

Dregar panicked and tried to move his body, but it felt rigid and frozen.

He couldn’t even use his abilities.

"Ah, don't worry. It's just sealed temporarily. It'll wear off soon, so don’t get too shocked."

Jeong-Hoon reassured him as he drew his bowstring again.

"T-That’s nonsense!"

Dregar's face turned ashen.

Fwoosh!

Another arrow struck his solar plexus.

At that moment, arrows rained down from the sky.

Countless arrows pierced his hardened skin without resistance.

"Graaaah!"

Dregar screamed and thrashed, but no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t move.

He was forced to endure the full brunt of the arrow barrage, and with each impact, small explosions erupted, his vision fading into a pitch-black curtain.

His body was left in tatters from the relentless rain of arrows.

'W-What is this?!'

Dregar felt like he was losing his mind, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation.

Winning or losing no longer mattered.

He was convinced — if this kept up, he was going to die.

Is this the fear of death?

Even if he wanted to surrender, his body wouldn’t move, making it impossible.

"Now I'll really kill you."

Jeong-Hoon smiled faintly as he aimed at Dregar.

If the last two shots had targeted his solar plexus, this time he was aiming for his neck.

With his body immobilized, his vital point was completely exposed.

If the arrow struck that vulnerable spot, Dregar would die.

"Stop! The duel ends here."

However, the situation came to an abrupt halt as Siron rushed into the arena.

‘Tsk, what a shame.’

Anima, hoping to finish Dregar off, couldn’t hide its disappointment.

‘I-I survived.’

Meanwhile, Dregar let out a sigh of relief, grateful to still be alive.

His rigid body relaxed, and he collapsed to the ground.

But in return, excruciating pain wrapped around his entire body.

"What a pity. If you’d come just a little later, you would’ve seen one less leader in your ranks."

At those words, Dregar felt a chill run down his spine.

The fear of death he had felt moments ago resurfaced.

"I'm sorry, but I can’t allow that. The duel is your victory, so please show mercy."

"I’ll stop if that bastard admits his defeat out loud."

Hearing those words, Dregar’s face twisted with frustration.

The duel had ended before he could even show any of his abilities beyond hardening his body.

If he admitted defeat now, he’d become a laughingstock among the other leaders.

However, continuing the duel was impossible with his body in this state.

"...I lost."

His voice trembled heavily, his pride clearly wounded.

"Good. With my generous heart, I’ll accept your defeat. Just make sure you stop acting cocky and stay quiet from now on."

"Damn it..."

Dregar clenched his fist tightly.

Jeong-Hoon had been ready to punish him further if he tried anything, but Dregar remained unusually calm.

A clear sign he had fully submitted.

With that, the hierarchy had been settled.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]