Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 177

Lesson 35. The Final Changeling - 2

“Ha.”

A section of the forest collapsed entirely, emitting a terrifying roar. Ryu Cheol-myeong chuckled at the sight.

“So, in the end, it’s just a lower-tier Constellation? Who would’ve thought that after descending under such perfect conditions, it would fall to mere lower-dimensional bugs.”

“Hoo… hoo.”

Dokgo Yeon, catching her breath, smirked at his words.

“Blaming only your unfortunate allies while ignoring your own lack of skill in setting the stage… I see the limits of your capacity.”

“Even in that state, your mouth still works, huh? Well, a bit of resistance makes it all the more satisfying.”

“Hooo…”

“I’ll admit, you foresaw further than I did. I’m not particularly good at using my head.”

Ryu Cheol-myeong grimaced as the pain intensified each time he attempted to harm Dokgo Yeon. He never imagined they would prepare for an ambush during a special activity.

‘As long as the professor remains a professor, you deserve respect and admiration from all students.’

When Ryu Cheol-myeong confronted Shati, she had said she would help restore his honor. Without thinking, he nodded. From the next day, his authority and honor were firmly established, surpassing even the academy president when addressing students.

―He should have been suspicious from then on.

While he wielded infinite authority over ‘students’ as a ‘professor,’ when he acted unbefitting of a professor, he became vulnerable and suffered greatly. The cunning method of binding humans with unfair contracts, typical of demons, was twisted to their advantage, and the curse doubled the pain. Even Ryu Cheol-myeong, with near-transcendent abilities, couldn’t find a way to break it.

“But.”

The red and fierce aura emanated from the greatsword he raised, multiplying and filling the air with a simple swing, all converging towards Dokgo Yeon without delay.

“Ugh!”

Dokgo Yeon bit her lip, swinging her small sword to swallow nearly half of the aura with Death, then leapt towards the blind spot she created. However, she was grazed by the aura she couldn’t fully cut, causing blood to splatter from her cheek.

Her movements had slowed considerably due to the continuous battles. If not for the Protection artifact given by Yumina, she would have reached her limit long ago. Though it was now broken and gone.

“Absolute force crushes even strategy! Look at your body; that’s the proof.”

Throughout her time at the academy, ascending the tower, Dokgo Yeon had never suffered a wound unless she wished it. Now, her entire body was covered in scratches.

“Hooo…”

Yet, instead of being intimidated by her injuries, she calmly wiped her cheek, gathering her spirit and energy.

“Boasting about brute strength and years of accumulation as if it’s something to be proud of, it’s laughable.”

“Your tongue still works, huh…!”

Ryu Cheol-myeong charged at an unbelievable speed, bringing down his greatsword on Dokgo Yeon. The momentum of the greatsword was like a mountain, but Dokgo Yeon, with the power she had left, could shatter a mountain.

―Spot

Without even grazing the sword, she slipped to the side, extending the black aura from her small sword to slash Ryu Cheol-myeong’s chest. At that moment, the armor he wore cracked for the umpteenth time.

“No matter how many times you cut…”

―With a crackling sound.

The Death that had steadily infiltrated finally shattered the high-grade artifact. A sinister smile spread across Dokgo Yeon’s lips.

“Now, it’s a fair fight.”

“How… did the curse weaken even my artifact?”

Naturally, Ryu Cheol-myeong, who had reigned as an absolute being in his dimension and held a full professor position at the academy after years of exploring the Babel Tower, was equipped with high-grade artifacts far beyond what students could compare. Yet, the armor protecting his vital points shattered after just a few strikes from a mere student’s sword, so his suspicion was understandable. However, it wasn’t the curse’s power but the depth of Dokgo Yeon’s martial arts and the extraordinariness of her authority.

“Hoo.”

The moment she bit into the life elixir candy, which could only be consumed once a day to restore all states to their best and even enhance potential, the wounds inflicted by Ryu Cheol-myeong healed, her depleted energy replenished, and the adverse effects of Death that had been encroaching on her body and mind subsided.

‘Though using Death again in this situation will double the aftereffects later… there’s no choice.’

The situation was too urgent to worry about the backlash of authority. The only solace was that Ban Yu-won had successfully defeated the Constellation’s descent form. Honestly, throughout the fight with Ryu Cheol-myeong, she was more worried about Ban Yu-won than him. She knew all too well the terror of a Constellation. But Ban Yu-won, as always, didn’t betray her expectations this time either. And as always, he would assess the situation and come to her aid…

‘Come to my aid? Him? What a foolish thought.’

As Dokgo Yeon organized her thoughts, she was startled by her own thinking and gritted her teeth. Since when had she stopped thinking about resolving situations with her own strength and started relying on others? It was her duty as a mentor to aid him in his time of need, yet she was tied down by a curse, unable to assist him against a weakened foe. It was nothing but shameful.

‘I’ve been acting strange lately.’

Even in this situation, which couldn’t be called advantageous, was her heart feeling oddly reassured because of Ban Yu-won? The thought made her feel so embarrassed and ashamed that she couldn’t lift her head. Thoughts and impulses that didn’t suit her at all. Did Ryu Cheol-myeong notice? He suddenly laughed as he raged over the destruction of his artifact.

“If you’re waiting for Ban Yu-won, I’d like to tell you it’s a foolish thought. He can’t come. The core of the sacrifice to summon the Constellation’s ruler of the forest was the chieftain of the Beastman tribe. Now that he’s dead, his tribesmen will surely tear him apart in revenge.”

“Is that so? Then I don’t need to go help him.”

Ryu Cheol-myeong’s words arrived at just the right moment, calming the strangely buoyant heart of Dokgo Yeon. If it had continued, she might have made another unnecessary mistake.

“Go help?”

“Yes, the conclusion is delayed because you cowardly wrapped yourself in protective gear.”

Dokgo Yeon gripped her small sword with both hands and took a deep breath. Miraculously, the blade extended, transforming into a long sword. Or rather, the Death condensed so densely that it appeared as a tangible blade.

“But I’m tired of seeing your disgusting face, so let’s end this.”

“…”

Ryu Cheol-myeong tightened his grip on the greatsword. He wasn’t angered by Dokgo Yeon’s arrogant words but realized that her energy, which had been dwindling, had somehow been restored.

How? By what means? It was intriguing how she accomplished something even other full professors skilled in ancient magic couldn’t easily do, but now wasn’t the time to foolishly inquire. Unraveling her mysterious martial arts and secrets could wait for later. For now―.

“Fine. Let’s end this.”

The aura surged, then condensed and intensified. Yet, it still resembled a telephone pole in thickness and length. Even so, Dokgo Yeon, undaunted, kicked off the ground and charged.

“―Die.”

“I’ll only half-kill you.”

As the small sword and greatsword crossed paths, Aneri, who appeared behind Ryu Cheol-myeong, attempted to slash his neck with a dagger. However, his artifact activated, repelling her―.

Surprisingly, it still had enough momentum to deflect Ryu Cheol-myeong’s sword and surged towards Dokgo Yeon, aiming for her chest. The next moment, it was blocked by the full-body armor that enveloped Dokgo Yeon.

―Thunk

Dokgo Yeon, having successfully landed her attack, retreated. The full-body armor that had enveloped her disassembled into parts, reassembling before her eyes.

“What… is that…?”

Another artifact shattered. The significant wound Dokgo Yeon left healed as if time had reversed. Dokgo Yeon clicked her tongue.

“Dokgo Yeon, are you alright?!”

“Take care of yourself.”

The full-body armor that protected Dokgo Yeon―the living armor ‘Livi,’ and Aneri Dedota, the mercenary who had eliminated all other beings on the ship and waited for an opening, each took their place on her left and right.

“As expected, an academy full professor is different! Even my artifact nullification skills don’t work!”

“That armor, no, that greatsword. Could it be my sword? The one that countered my swordsmanship…”

“Rest assured, it wasn’t profound enough to give me an advantage against you.”

Dokgo Yeon replied with a scoff, narrowing her eyes as she asked.

“So, does your wound heal well?”

“…Grr.”

It was a question she asked, knowing full well. Humans who have lived for centuries tend to cherish their lives dearly, preparing escape tools or artifacts to save themselves in dire situations.

―Crack, crackle

One by one, the artifacts Ryu Cheol-myeong had prepared for any possible situation were being destroyed. Whether it was reversing time for his wounds, healing them, temporarily granting the power of a phoenix, or melting and pouring the essence of a special race, all recovery attempts were in vain.

“Didn’t you wonder why I persistently targeted your armor despite the numerous artifacts you wore? That’s the answer.”

Though she had poured all her restored energy from the life elixir into this one strike, Death had firmly embedded itself in Ryu Cheol-myeong’s body. No authority could expel Death. They would all fall.

“Ha…”

Ryu Cheol-myeong laughed. Unable to deal with a mere student’s wound, all the artifacts accumulated over centuries were being destroyed and scattered. It was absurd. The situation, born from his small greed, was now strangling him. However, thinking he might die without resolving this situation―made the pain constricting his chest seem insignificant.

“If that’s what you wish for.”

Once again, the aura surged. The aura, which had been trying to seal his wound, concentrated entirely on the greatsword, producing an intensity even Dokgo Yeon couldn’t create. It was the aura of an absolute being deceiving the heavens and reigning supreme.

“Fine, let’s experience Death together.”