I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

Chapter 23: Mines (3)

TL/Editor: looloo

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I managed to find Kim Seohyun's location and led the party there.

We found Kim Seohyun pretty quickly. He was already in combat with the Mines.

Boom!

Flames were roaring around Kim Seohyun. One of the Mines stood confronting him, and I was able to identify him. Thankfully, he wasn't one of the higher-ranked Mines.

'The situation could be worse.'

That didn't mean we were facing a weak opponent. The Mine stood at 3m, taller than the average person, and appeared physically formidable. I had no information about its resistance to magic. A Mine like this would excel in hand-to-hand combat.

'Maybe I should pair up Hong Yuhwa with Kim Seohyun.'

Even though the situation wasn't as dire as it could be, it was still serious. The Mine didn't have a rank, but it was unique in its strength and regenerative ability. Usually, it took two heroes of the same level to defeat an average Mine.

If we had Kim Seohyun, who had already unleashed his strength, along with Kim Ara, Ersil, and added Hong Yuhwa, we should be able to handle most challenges.

But there was one more problem - this wasn't the only Mine around.

"Do you need a hand, big guy?"

"Back off! I don't need your help!"

Another Mine was on the other side, taking civilians as hostages.

Hmm.

I had a good rest, so I was at my peak condition. But even if I tried to save mana, I could only cast my black magic three times.

'It would be useful to know the number of Mines.'

I could see two at the moment. Black magic users are typically solitary, so there should only be these two. The Association is in Seoul, so they should have sent heroes already.

I finished my calculations. I was going to take down those two right here.

I took all the potions from my space bracelet. The potions, glowing in red, yellow, and pink. Known as 'Puff-up Potions', they enhance stats.

Gulp, gulp.

Each had a unique flavor - strawberry, lemon, watermelon, among others. I flavored them because I don't like tasteless things, but they were too sweet once consumed.

"Phew."

After downing the potions, I saw Kim Seohyun in combat with a Mine.

Zweee!

When fist met sword, the impact resulted in a loud noise. Kim Seohyun was pushed back.

"You parasitic bastard. I'll rip you apart."

"You're the one who'll fall."

In response to Kim Seohyun's words, a dragon emerged behind him.

Kwoooo!

It was a Wind Dragon.

This was new to me.

It was a sword technique I had only seen in the game.

Kim Seohyun had inherited the Thousand-Year Martial Art.

As the name implies, the Thousand-Year Martial Art is a martial art created by all the previous martial artists to resist external forces.

The Nine Sects, the Five Great Schools, the Four Devils, and the Evil Sect.

Even those who don't know much about the martial world would have heard of these groups once. Their combined efforts resulted in the creation of this martial art.

The essence of a thousand years of martial arts is encapsulated within it.

The Nine Heavens Nine Dragons Divine Art.

Behind Kim Seohyun, two dragons roared.

The Flame Dragon and the Wind Dragon.

The two dragons charged at the Mine.

Kwoooo!

When they merged, a Blazing Wind Dragon with a head about 10m in size was formed.

'Kim Seohyun still hasn't mastered the Nine Heavens Nine Dragons Divine Art.'

Kim Seohyun has learned nine martial arts.

While his progress may seem unusual from the perspective of this world, I found it slightly disappointing.

"That cursed insect..."

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The Mine growled.

A disadvantage of becoming a Mine is that their speech becomes simple and their combat style monotonous.

But it could also be viewed as a trade-off.

If you become a Mine, you gain regenerative abilities that match their strength.

The Mine, whose skin was scorched from the Blazing Wind Dragon's attack, had already recovered about half.

"Yu-hwa and Ara, assist Kim Seohyun."

"You can't be serious...?"

Hong Yuhwa looked towards the side, where another Mine was effortlessly corralling the civilians.

"I'll take care of him."

"Are you certain? That creature is incredibly strong."

Ersil Merhen stood next to me and spoke.

"It's alright. I'd like to say - let me handle everything, but I could use some help this time."

"Of course."

Heehee-, Ersil chuckled.

"Could you cast a powerful illusion on that for me?"

"Sure, that's a simple task."

"And help Kim Seohyun."

"Hmm, he does seem to be struggling a bit."

Ersil glanced at the Mines confronting Kim Seohyun.

Kugugugugung!

A building crumbled under a large force.

Kim Ara, wielding a sword so large it could hardly be called a sword - over 2m long - came into sight.

A severely burned Mine with a scar across its chest showed up. The Mine growled, and then quickly, it healed halfway.

Bizarre.

But that's the nature of Mines in this world.

They surrender themselves to those who exploit the world for their own greed.

So, the existence of Seo Gayeon, who can easily kill Mines, is important.

'Next week, I really have to awaken Seo Gayeon.'

I wanted to take things slow, but the challenges were overwhelming.

The first real battle scene is usually manageable.

Even with Ersil, Kim Ara, and Hong Yuhwa, I had to put my life on the line.

Sreung.

I grabbed the Black Heavenly Demon Sword and approached a Mine.

"Hey, student. I'm a friendly Mine, see. Stop playing the hero and go away."

The Mine smiled slyly as it spoke.

"Oh, no. You all should just play along."

His mood changed rapidly.

He acted purely on his whims.

His conduct was more like a wild beast than a human.

"Ersil, please."

Clap.

The sound of a clap echoed through the area.

The Mine's focus faltered for a moment.

Ersil is at her most potent in one-on-one battles.

Because the illusions she conjures are indistinguishable from reality. Particularly against humanoid foes, her effectiveness is extraordinary.

I took a deep breath.

Seo Gayeon wasn't here, but I could somewhat fill in her role.

The energy from the Heavenly River and the magic possessed by Seo Gayeon achieve the same results, despite their different natures.

"This is..."

The Mine's focus started to come back.

There's no time for idle contemplation. I will awaken soon.

A brief gap created by Ersil.

Now all I could do was inflict some moderate damage on the Mine.

I channeled my energy into my legs.

Leap.

From my Void Space Bracelet, I pulled out a kitchen knife and flung it.

The aim was on point.

Thanks to my nimbleness, I could accurately throw it where I meant to.

The target was the Mine's right eye.

I poured my willpower into the kitchen knife.

Thunk.

The dagger lodged in the Mine's eye.

Aarrghh! You bloody!

The Mine screamed, breaking free of the illusion.

The Mine glared at me as if ready to kill.

I was trembling.

Well, I've achieved my goal. Now, the creature wouldn't even think about the citizens.

Black Flash Swordsmanship.

I made a quick slash with my sword.

Yet the Mine responded accurately to that. It swung its arm to block my Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

Clang!

Confronting me with a blade that lacks depth and only has speed! You're a decade too early!

Tch.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

I was severely overpowered in terms of physical strength.

[You can't engage in a contest of strength. It's not viable. And your speed is insufficient as well.]

The Heavenly Demon murmured.

Right.

I'm also lagging in terms of speed.

Skills?

How long had I been stuck here, and when would I acquire new skills?

This game really sucks.

Even so, I managed to smile.

I moved my body while cursing inwardly.

I had hunted the Mine before me several times.

Not enough to be sick of it, like the shadow snake, but still.

Had I caught it just over 300 times?

I remember hunting it about that much.

In my mind, I knew the abilities the Mine possesses, the kinds of attacks it would make.

[Master, keep your eyes wide open. Observe everything about your opponent. That is the beginning of a fight.]

I followed the advice of the Heavenly Demon.

The Mine moved. Its movements were simple but difficult to counter.

A significant disparity in ability stats.

The shoulder moved. Following its trajectory, I bent my body and stabbed inward with the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

"Annoying!"

The Mine extended its leg. Its movement was minimal. It stopped my stabbing action and sidestepped.

The Mine reacted instantly.

I infused Demonic Qi into the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

Black Spirit.

"Huh!?"

The Mine faltered for a moment.

Black Spirit in itself is potent, but when infused with Demonic Qi, it could trap the opponent even more effectively.

And then, Illusion of the Truth.

The muscles in the Mine's arm bulged. A fist, precise and sure, was heading straight for my torso.

"Deception!"

Its confident eyes were mixed with surprise.

The Mine contorted its muscles and shifted its body.

It was clearly a risky act.

I wasn't sure what Ersil was doing, but the illusion shown by the Seal of Heumong was that intimidating to the Mine.

"You damn pest! I'll tear you apart and kill you!"

I concentrated my spirit, gathering all the Demonic Qi I could muster.

While focusing power on my fingertips, I flung the Black Heavenly Demon Sword towards the Mine's head.

"Heh, such a petty trick...."

The Mine deflected the Black Heavenly Demon Sword with its hand while evading my attack.

Spirit,

I pushed it to the extreme. The Black Heavenly Demon Sword paused in mid-air before rocketing straight towards the Mine.

"So it's the real deal!"

The Mine caught the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. The briefest moment.

It was also the time it took for me to reach the Mine.

"Same old tricks!"

An arm shot out from near the Mine's abdomen.

Black Scales.

Demonic Qi enveloped my hand.

Thump.

My hand pierced straight through the Mine.

The power of the Black Scale is to repel any close-range abilities.

The Mine, teeming with abilities, boasted formidable defense and offense.

My hand went through the Mine's arm and reached its abdomen.

"You...bastard...."

"There's something I've been wanting to say. You talk too much."

And then, Black Abyss.

The shockwave emanating from within tore through everything inside the Mine.

Squeak.

The Mine's body inflated and then deflated.

This was due to the Demonic Qi ripping through the Mine's body.

"From here on, there's no way for the Mine to defeat me.

Unless I lose my mind and let go of the power of the Body Against Heaven.

"You, you're that prophecy's...!

The Mine's eyes widened. His body started to swell but quickly stopped.

It seemed he wanted to self-detonate and perish with me, but the power of the Body Against Heaven isn't so easy to control.

'Hmm.'

I recalled what the Mine had said a moment ago.

Prophecy.

In this world, there exists a force known as mystery.

It is the power to wield forces that defy the laws of this world, manifested through mental energy.

And each of the forces that support the heroes and the villains have a prophet.

The existence of a prophecy is a force that has the power to consume all nightmares. It's so renowned that most beings who step foot in this field know about it.

Because it's said to have the potential to annihilate all Mines.

I glanced at Kim Seohyun.

He too was slaughtering a Mine.

Bursting its head, shattering its chest.

Mines sometimes survive even that, so it was only after Hong Yuhwa incinerated it to ashes with flames that he allowed himself a faint smile of relief.

I looked up into the vacant air.

[Main Quest Chapter. 2: Stop the Black Magic Society rampaging in the city. Complete.]

It was time for me to receive my reward.

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i can't think of a note bc i am sleepy

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