Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 38

“Eeeek!”

“Oh my!”

Dahui and Yujin, having just checked the match schedule, were in a flurry of excitement.

“Oh dear, Jaehyuk’s first opponent is Ha Kyungsoo?”

“Right. Looks like Jaehyuk’s in big trouble, huh?”

Even Dojin, who typically critiqued their exaggerated reactions, shared the same apprehension.

“Strange. It’s rare to see such a match-up in a freshman evaluation.”

The A class was practically invincible among freshmen.

Having enrolled with leveled-up stats and experience, they easily surpassed students from other classes.

Therefore, during the first couple of months after the freshman duel evaluations started, the match schedule was generally predictable, with A class only matched against A class.

However, Jaehyuk was pitted against A class’s Ha Kyungsoo from the start.

“Is it because he awakened his bloodline skill and performed well in the Leech King raid?”

“Even so, this is crossing the line! Raids and duels are fundamentally different!”

Lower-tier monsters tended to move in fixed patterns.

In contrast, players strategized in real-time.

Furthermore, at the time of his enrollment, Ha Kyungsoo’s level was 23.

His current level would be at least 25, with substantial accumulated experience.

“Ha Kyungsoo hails from North Hamgyong, and he’s a spearman,”

Dojin continued.

“Oh no, North Hamgyong…and a spear… He’s not possibly Spear General Ha Jung-ak’s son, is he?”

“Bingo. His personality is unpleasant, but his spear skills are top-notch.”

“Well then, it’s pretty tough.”

Dojin scratched his head awkwardly.

Even someone who had faced Jaehyuk numerous times and acknowledged his skills thought this battle would put Jaehyuk at a disadvantage.

Historically, a spear was considered a hard counter to swords.

Moreover, Jaehyuk predominantly employed Sword Draw Technique.

He lacked the momentum to fend off Ha Kyungsoo’s swift and vigorous spear thrusts.

“But you know what?”

Jaehyuk, who had been idly observing their conversation, posed a genuine question.

“Why are you guys standing by and watching? Instead of worrying about me, analyze your own duel opponents.”

“We’re pretty much in a fair fight since we’re matched against fellow A class members. We all know each other well, and our levels are similar.”

“That’s right. Right now, it’s time to worry about you, Jaehyuk! Let’s brainstorm ways to defeat Ha Kyungsoo!”

“Well…”

Jaehyuk felt a peculiar sensation.

It was possibly the first time anyone besides the steward Hwang showed concern for him.

His heart tingled.

This strange feeling of longing was surprisingly not unpleasant.

“It’s okay.”

With the hope that they wouldn’t worry too much, he said,

“I’m not a swordsman, so I won’t be countered.”

Jaehyuk confessed openly.

“Huh?”

“Pfft! There he goes again. This time it’s the ‘not a swordsman’ spiel, huh?”

Dahui tilted her head in doubt, while Yujin clutched her stomach, laughing loudly.

Dojin, suddenly standing, reached out to grab a spear from the weapons rack.

“Who doesn’t know you’re not a swordsman, but spear versus sword is still at a disadvantage! Come, spar with me! I’ll train you rigorously!”

“… You look like it’s your first time holding a spear. And the term ‘master’ is really off-putting.”

***

“It’s been a while since a simple duel evaluation attracted a full house.”

“This year, there are many noteworthy freshmen.”

The first freshman duel evaluation had traditionally been open to the public.

Various organizational representatives were in attendance.

Of course, the most crucial asset of a player was the ability to conceal their power.

Especially, exposing the First Skill had to be avoided.

Revealing one’s full strength prematurely could lead to exploitation during decisive moments, potentially being a life-or-death matter.

Yet, freshmen were mere fledglings just stepping into the player realm.

For at least the next several years, they were bound to grow and develop.

Their current strength was merely the starting point of what they would showcase in the future.

“Haaaap!”

Whoosh!

Reminiscing of a roaring fire, the first duel evaluation had students exerting themselves fully.

A class’s Jang Hojin did the same.

He swirled his sword, and flames spewed forth, burning and tearing the stage apart.

An enchanter who strengthened weapon attributes—toying with fire to enhance attack strength—was a rare specialty.

Quite a few attendees showed interest in his talent.

However, Jang Hojin’s opponent was the runner-up, a highly acclaimed freshman.

Every time his thin foil pierced in a flash, the flames flickered momentarily as if about to go out, losing their momentum.

“Is it a skill that manipulates wind?”

“No, it’s targetting the weak points in the flame’s propagation. That’s a monster.”

Swordsmanship genius, Chae Dahui.

Behind her small and cute appearance lay a beastlike nature.

With innate perception, she pinpointed her opponent’s vulnerabilities.

Her lightning-like thrusts weakened the enemy’s strength or struck vital points without fail.

“Damn…!”

Magic engineering weapons didn’t apply lethal force.

Yet, they didn’t alleviate the shock of being struck.

Pierced rapidly across five pontos, Jang Hojin collapsed, eyes rolling back.

“Is this so-called the best of Korea’s future?”

An overwhelmingly dominant scene unfolded over on stage 3.

Austria’s National Treasure candidate, Lauren.

Adorned in bone armor, he swirled only his hands repeatedly from where he stood.

“No way….”

Pinned by skeletal hands emerging from the ground, a girl emitted tenderness at the sight of Lauren’s unscratched body armor, losing her spirit, her expression emptied.

“It’s trivial. This isn’t where Dojin belongs.”

“He hasn’t even summoned a familiar yet he’s dominating.”

“Europe is a battleground. It’s not uncommon for young awakeners to be thrown into warfare. That boy awakened his bloodline skill two years ago, so his talent has surpassed the student level by far.”

Audiences gazed down at Lauren with complex expressions as he descended the stage.

Korea maintained relatively good relations with European nations, but during 『World Quests』 or 『World Boss Raids』, competition was inevitable.

Lauren’s potential sparked significant concern.

Yet, a faint hope remained…

“Woaaahhh!!”

Silla’s young vassals also demonstrated overwhelming performance, and

“Silla Gyeong! Silla Gyeong! Silla Gyeong!”

Their master, Silla Gyeong, was no less formidable in comparison to Lauren.

Even if the Silla family alone was impressive, Korea struggled against China and Japan. However, small embers of hope were kindled.

“Korea was impressive during Yaksha’s era. It was when the three dukedoms’ heads all blossomed bloodline skills and divine beings like Seol Soo-ah appeared.”

“Indeed, it was an unprecedented golden age. Nevertheless, it was frustrating not being able to dominate East Asia. If Yaksha had persisted for another 20 years, the story might have been different.”

Large guilds, unafraid of the association’s scrutiny, openly lamented about Yaksha as they engaged with each other.

The reason for their newfound longing for Yaksha circled back to a black-haired boy who just ascended the 5th stage.

Kang Jaehyuk.

The only child among Yaksha’s descendants to awaken a bloodline skill.

Without it, he still dominated players of his level, akin to his father, Kang Daesung, and Kang Hyun-ah, who had only inherited half his talents.

Along with being acknowledged as the most gifted prodigy in Silla’s history, Silla Gyeong would steer the nation’s future.

There was one assumption: if only he weren’t abnormal.

“An A class student was matched against him, taking into account his possession of a bloodline skill.”

“That boy, Ha Kyungsoo… He’s the son of the spearman, and ranks high among A class.”

“Of all things, a spearman. Considering the level disparity, Kang Jaehyuk is at a disadvantage.”

“Kang Jaehyuk, fighting!!”

Unbothered by the somber atmosphere, Baek Dojin shouted boisterously.

His voice, as if he’d gulped down piping hot stew, signaled everyone to turn their gazes to stage 5.

And they were left astonished.

“… What’s he doing?”

“I can’t grasp his intention.”

Because Jaehyuk had chosen a spear as his weapon.

“Are you insane?”

Ha Kyungsoo, standing opposite him, echoed the sentiment of the audience.

“Why wield a spear when you’re a swordsman? Against me, the son of a spearman at that?”

Calmly removing his gold-rimmed glasses and placing them in his chest pocket, he ground his teeth.

“If you intend to insult me, I’ll kill you.”

“Well…”

Skillfully gripping the spear shaft with both hands, Jaehyuk adopted a poised stance.

“Who’s the idiot spreading rumors that I’m a swordsman?”

“There’s…!”

A faction in the audience abruptly rose from their seats.

Supporters of the Ha family, present to cheer on Ha Kyungsoo.

Being part of a renowned family of spearmen, they instantly recognized.

“Stay vigilant, young master!”

“That guy is proficient with the spear!”

A warning that turned out to be meaningless.

Boom!

Before their caution reached Ha Kyungsoo, the spear Jaehyuk wielded had already descended on his shoulder.

“Ugh!”

Instinctively bending his knee, Ha Kyungsoo witnessed an astonishing sight.

During the recoil, the spear shaft coiled, only to twist back into motion while still in midair.

Anchored in place as if defying gravity, the spear then rocketed forth at the speed of a ray of light, piercing his chest.

The strike and thrust melded seamlessly, as if a single technique.

A truly astonishing display of spear mastery.