Chapter 120

He is undeniably on a completely different plane of existence.

Standing within the Arena, Xenos looked as though his features had been chiseled from solid stone.

He had observed every single second of the bout on the monitoring screen.

So this is what it means to face Ilcheon.

The solitary firmament above us all.

The display on the stage had completely validated that reputation.

The general audience likely missed the nuances entirely. To them, it probably appeared as though Drill Sarge simply closed the distance smoothly and executed a straightforward, effortless execution.

But that was far from the truth.

Whether considering Baek Jinwoo or looking at Jones and Kobe—the base statistics of the summons on both sides were remarkably comparable, and even if an imbalance existed, it was hardly substantial.

Both competitors utilized complete arrangements of Rare runes at maximum progression, further enhanced by a heavy application of Universal Abrasive.

Given the immense financial resources backing the United States, it would have been highly unusual if they lacked the means to secure such upgrades.

However.

The true divergence lay within the realm of micro-control.

Battle of Summoners might give off the impression of a contest where numerical rank and rune configurations dictated the victor, but the actual reality of the game was vastly different.

An incredibly intricate level of detail was woven directly into its mechanics.

The distribution of the center of gravity, the absolute precision and economy of the sword path, the regulation of breath, the exact positioning of lethal anatomical targets—and countless other factors.

Every single physical shift required a player to calculate an infinite number of shifting variables.

And.

A singular miscalculation could generate an insurmountable disparity in the final outcome.

That version of Drill Sarge maintained absolute mastery over every single one of those variables.

This was a level of execution achieved purely through relentless, practical repetition. Staying awake all night engaged in Player vs Player matches, enduring endless sparring sessions against elite high-ranked competitors—over time, a player naturally integrated these concepts into their muscle memory.

If Xenos himself had occupied that exact position on the field?

While securing a victory would still be a monumental challenge, he certainly would not have been picked apart in such an embarrassing fashion.

“Xenos, sir……”

“You are likely up next in the rotation, Hyungnim.”

“I am deeply concerned that we are on the verge of an actual defeat here.”

He could feel the anxious, heavy stares of the remaining American national team members centering directly on him.

It was only natural that they were terrified.

They were genuinely horrified by the prospect of suffering an absolute defeat at the hands of JinuGod.

“Hyungnim, that individual is nothing short of an absolute freak.”

Clint Jones was currently whimpering like a battered animal.

Xenos experienced a sudden, irrational flash of anger welling up inside him.

“Be quiet. Do you honestly think anyone here is blind to that fact?”

The freezing reprimand caused Jones to visibly recoil and drop his gaze to the floor.

“How many times must I repeat myself to you people? JinuGod—that man is an anomaly among anomalies. Prior to the commencement of this round, you completely dismissed my warnings, and now you come slinking back after having your pride thoroughly shattered, crying like a beaten hound. Truly pathetic.”

“I am deeply sorry.”

“If you had maintained even the most basic fundamentals of engagement, you would have at least succeeded in wearing down a portion of Drill Sarge’s stamina…… Yet neither you nor Kobe could accomplish even that meager task.”

“……”

Jones pressed his lips together in silence.

There was absolutely no defense he could offer. It was the harsh, unvarnished reality of the situation.

Had he not confidently marched forward before the opening bell, bursting with arrogance? “Hyungnim! Whether it is JinuGod or anyone else—I will resolve this swiftly and return!”

Only in this precise moment did the memory resurface of the pure scorn Xenos had directed at him during that exchange.

“Keep your eyes locked on my upcoming bout. Observe what true foundational mechanics look like. Identify the exact moments where the two of you fell completely apart. The clarity will hit you once you witness it firsthand.”

“In—in that case, does that imply—”

A small gleam of optimism flashed within Jones’s eyes.

If Xenos was projecting that degree of certainty, was it possible that the United States still possessed a path to triumph?

“Do not allow your expectations to cloud your judgment. I intend to invest every ounce of my capability into this, but I have at no point claimed that a victory is guaranteed.”

“Then—”

“That is entirely beside the point. The geopolitical distribution of power among the dominant nations is already undergoing a massive realignment. Our final standing in the semifinals is irrelevant—the true value lies in what you extract from this engagement. The lessons you absorb. The awareness you develop.”

Observing JinuGod made the future undeniable.

Before much more time elapsed, South Korea would establish itself definitively above the collective of the five great nations.

And once the 5th World League commenced, preventing the dominance of JinuGod would become an absolute impossibility.

That was the simple reality of the situation.

Much like an inevitable seasonal shift or a natural phenomenon.

What countermeasure could they possibly employ?

The priority now was safeguarding their existing status among the five great nations.

“The individuals who show growth will continue to enjoy the privileges they have earned. However, those who remain stagnant—I will no longer permit them to occupy a position on the United States national team roster.”

Xenos let his sharp gaze sweep across the assembled competitors.

“Do we have a clear understanding?”

“Understood, Captain!”

As Xenos gave a firm nod of acknowledgement, the digital dice began spinning across his interface with a sharp clatter.

Materializing on the dominant upper surface was the official portrait and designation of Xenos.

“I shall return shortly.”

Whoosh!

Accompanied by that sudden rushing sound, Xenos vanished instantly from the staging area.

Whoosh!

Materializing directly onto the combat platform, Xenos lifted his gaze to scan the space directly ahead of him.

“……JinuGod.”

Standing across from him was the dark-haired Asian youth. Baek Jinwoo.

“Hah.”

A heavy breath escaped his lips involuntarily.

Merely perceiving the man’s presence was enough to realize that no straightforward solution existed.

It had been precisely the same during their past encounters as well.

Whenever he had entered the matchmaking queue at the absolute pinnacle of Player vs Player, merely aiming to accumulate a few modest rewards…… every so often, this specific opponent would materialize.

Regardless of how desperately Xenos fought for survival, he would find himself systematically dismantled down to the foundation. Near the end of that period, he had fallen into the habit of conceding the match the absolute instant the loading screen finalized.

Granted, those historical clashes had been isolated individual duels…… but on this stage, the collective pride of an entire nation rested upon his shoulders.

Three hundred and forty million citizens of the United States were currently investing their hopes in his performance.

Xenos gradually lowered his posture.

Swish.

In that exact moment, he deployed all five of his chosen entities into the arena simultaneously.

Tyrant (A-rank)

Alchemic Transmuter (A-rank)

Vocalist (B-rank)

Every single selection belonged to the humanoid category.

The entity known as Tyrant was a specialized close-quarters pugilist!

He had already witnessed the specific capabilities of the Alchemic Transmuter during their previous encounter at the London entertainment venue.

The pair of Vocalists functioned as melodic enhancement units, and……

“So your intention is to engage entirely devoid of weaponry.”

Baek Jinwoo offered a slow nod of comprehension.

This was undeniably a strategic arrangement that perfectly reflected Xenos’s tactical style.

Render every scrap of metallic equipment ineffective across the entire battlefield utilizing the Alchemic Transmuter, then systematically crush the opposition through pure physical strikes and acoustic enhancements.

“Baek Jinwoo—I assembled this specific roster for the sole purpose of neutralizing your Drill Sarge.”

“No resentment here. I cannot speak for Rachel, but there is quite literally no superior configuration for neutralizing my specific capabilities.”

And his assessment was entirely accurate.

The entities at Rachel’s disposal consisted of the golden dragon, Baekho…… entirely divine beast-class entities. Attempting to restrict metallic items against an opponent of her nature would yield absolutely no benefit.

However, when deployed against a competitor like Baek Jinwoo, who relied heavily upon the blade of Drill Sarge and the massive scythe of Rolly, this particular strategic lineup presented an incredibly severe complication.

“An excellent tactical arrangement.”

Baek Jinwoo conceded the point with total composure.

A completely unarmed Drill Sarge.

It was not a matter of Drill Sarge being entirely helpless without a weapon, but his operational effectiveness would inevitably decline compared to when he wielded an edged instrument.

“However, as you well know. The critical element is never the tool itself—it is the individual managing the execution.”

“……A reasonable perspective.”

Xenos signaled his agreement with a nod before pressing further.

“Would you object to me posing a single inquiry?”

“Speak.”

Recognizing that Baek Jinwoo’s command of the English language was somewhat unpolished, Xenos selected uncomplicated terminology and delivered his words at a measured pace.

“In the event that I manage to secure a victory in this exchange—I trust there will be no negative political blowback?”

A profound, knowing grin manifest upon Baek Jinwoo’s features.

It carried no hint of derision. It was a perfectly civil expression.

“Since when did the illustrious Xenos Hyung transform into such a hesitant competitor?”

“My adversary happens to be JinuGod. It would be abnormal for me not to experience apprehension. Any member of the Five Emperors would experience the exact same tension.”

“You can dismiss those anxieties entirely. The reality is that you lack the capacity to overcome me regardless.”

“……That conclusion remains to be determined!”

No further dialogue was required between the two competitors.

VWOOOOM!

The chamber of the Alchemic Transmuter ignited with a brilliant radiance before any other action could occur.

Simultaneously, the blade held firmly within Drill Sarge’s grasp distorted and collapsed into an unrecognizable, shapeless mass of raw ore.

— …….

Drill Sarge gazed down at his unburdened palm, an expression of quiet dissatisfaction crossing his features.

“Why are you remaining stationary? He has merely relieved you of your blade. Advance and break him with your bare hands.”

It was a simple reality that the instant Drill Sarge ascended to the EX-rank threshold, he had instantly inherited comprehensive data regarding the abilities of every active entity in existence.

The entity known as Tyrant?

Certainly, a formidable adversary when relying purely on physical strikes.

Yet whether that specific prowess was sufficient to overcome Drill Sarge remained an entirely open question.

In all honesty.

TAP!

The Tyrant and Drill Sarge initiated their forward assault at the exact same fraction of a second.

The Alchemic Transmuter moved to establish a safer distance in the rear.

“dag mijn liefde♪”

“Ik zal je beschermen♩”

The pair of Vocalists commenced their synchronized performance without delay.

The Vocalists operated as dual-function enhancement and restriction units.

For any friendly forces positioned within their operational perimeter, they delivered a massive surge to both transitional velocity and offensive execution speed. Conversely, for opposing forces, they applied a mirroring debuff—a severe reduction in performance.

Furthermore, this particular influence scaled dramatically with every additional unit present. A pair of units effectively doubled the potency. A trio would scale it exponentially to a quadruple effect.

KRAKOOOM!

The physical strike delivered by the Tyrant smashed directly into the fist of Drill Sarge, resulting in both combatants being propelled backward at a velocity far exceeding their initial forward charge.

Observing this initial clash, Xenos clamped his teeth together with immense force.

Even while enduring the restrictive dampening effect of the Vocalists’ performance, his operational speed remains at that level?

He had naturally anticipated that Drill Sarge would possess immense physical power. The entity had demonstrated more than enough capability throughout the duration of this global competition—to expect otherwise would be foolish.

Yet he had never envisioned that the entity’s raw physical power would perfectly match the unarmed strikes of the Tyrant.

Maintain absolute concentration.

He had explicitly instructed his national teammates prior to stepping onto the stage.

Analyze this engagement with total precision.

He intended to demonstrate exactly what flawless foundational mastery looked like in practice.

SHRRRIIIING!

A pair of fists cut through the distance toward one another once more.

KRAKOOOOOM!

That singular point of contact tore the structural foundation of the combat stage completely apart and sent a physical shockwave through the atmosphere.

Both Drill Sarge and the Tyrant stood ground.

The two entities locked eyes, their expressions rigid with determination.

Even as intense physical trauma reverberated through every single line of their structural composition, neither individual yielded an inch of territory.

KRAKOOM!

Drill Sarge unleashed a sudden upward strike. The Tyrant successfully redirected the trajectory utilizing his forearm.

The historical background of the A-rank Tyrant designated him as the absolute master of unrestricted street level combat, a dominant force born from raw urban conflict.

The internal energy he commanded was so immensely dense that he managed to endure the direct impact of Drill Sarge’s strike—a strike that had been thoroughly refined via the process of Rebirth Through Transformation.

Yet another massive impact!

A violent discharge of condensed energy exploded between the competing entities.

— Grk…!

Caught directly in the concussive shock and forced to give ground, Drill Sarge’s expression darkened.

Rather than the physical challenge presented by the Tyrant himself, it was the layered, echoing harmonies projecting from the rear line that were truly disrupting his focus.

However, he lacked the immediate positioning to address that specific threat.

—!

This was because the Tyrant’s fist was already cutting through the air toward his skull like a flash of lightning.

Drill Sarge prepared to automatically elevate his defensive posture to absorb the incoming blow—

Yet the direct intervention of his master’s mental inputs overrode his default reaction.

Abandon the block. Execute an evasion.

Teeth clenched tight, eyes completely focused, Drill Sarge locked his attention onto the oncoming strike.

He snapped his upper body to the side in a sharp, reflexive motion, and in that identical heartbeat, transitioned his core into a fluid rotational pivot—aligning perfectly with the precise directive issued by his master.

And driving a devastating counter-strike directly into the opponent’s midsection in the same continuous flow!

KRAKOOOOOOM!

He perceived the unmistakable sensation of solid contact vibrating through his hand.

Did the strike find its mark?

The physical impact appeared to register effectively on the target.

However, the Tyrant was far from incapacitated.

Originating from an completely unpredicted vector and angle, a powerful kick smashed heavily into Drill Sarge’s midriff.

THWACK!

The physical form of Drill Sarge was propelled violently into the upper air.

Whrrrl!

Nevertheless, he executed a rapid body rotation mid-flight, re-established his center of gravity, and executed a perfect landing back on the surface.

This represents an entirely new level of opposition.

A visible layer of focus and intensity manifested across Drill Sarge’s features as well.

The various adversaries he had dispatched in earlier rounds had fallen prey to basic misdirection and standard counter-offensive maneuvers, but the Tyrant operated on a completely different standard of movement.

Uncompromising, immaculate fundamental mechanics.

Master.

What is the optimal path forward?

Wielding an edged weapon I can easily dictate the terms, but relying purely on unarmed strikes presents a distinct challenge.

An infinite repository of specialized martial techniques existed within his cognitive database, but they remained precisely that—theoretical data. To transform that conceptual information into fluid physical execution and pure autonomous reflex demanded an immense amount of grueling practical application and ceaseless refinement.

Grin.

It was in this precise moment that the corners of Baek Jinwoo’s mouth turned upward into a distinct smile.

Faced with a standard of execution of this caliber, I can absolutely dictate the flow of the match.

“Drill Sarge.”

He articulated the words in a quiet, controlled tone.

“Release all residual tension from your physical form. From this exact moment forward, yield your movements entirely to my direct inputs.”

Understood, master.

Drill Sarge allowed every ounce of rigid contraction to drain completely from his muscular structure.

Sensing a shift in momentum, the Tyrant instantly resumed his offensive and plunged forward.

SHRRIIING!

A fist ripped through the intervening space, driving forward with surgical accuracy.

The velocity and erratic trajectory were so extreme that the single advancing hand appeared to fracture into three distinct strikes simultaneously.

Even sustaining a superficial, glancing impact from such a blow would result in skeletal fractures at a bare minimum.

Yet Drill Sarge maintained his relaxed, loose posture even as the attack closed in.

My faith resides entirely in my master.

The absolute pinnacle of martial geniuses that Drill Sarge had ever encountered in his existence numbered precisely two.

When evaluating unadulterated combat technique, Aso possessed an overwhelming, peerless talent. When calculating every variable combined into a singular whole, that distinction belonged exclusively to Baek Jinwoo.

To what extent did his master possess natural genius? He had fully committed to memory the complex principles of the Geoncheongsimgong after hearing the passages recited a singular time, and was already systematically integrating its mechanisms into his being, piece by piece.

The Geoncheongsimgong (乾淸心功).

The designation itself did not immediately convey an aura of immense grandiosity, yet Drill Sarge could distinctly perceive the unparalleled profundity contained within those specific respiratory cultivation exercises.

He had intentionally minimized its true significance when initially explaining the concept to his master, acting out of a desire to avoid placing an undue psychological burden upon him, yet his master was assimilating the knowledge at a pace that seemed to mock his initial caution.

With a controller of that extraordinary caliber directing his physical form, what possible justification could there be for experiencing hesitation?

I possess the absolute capability to evade this assault.

A distinct smile manifested on Drill Sarge’s features before he was even consciously aware of the reaction.

Because he perceived exactly what his master’s precise inputs were designed to accomplish.

His physical structure executed the necessary adjustments before his cognitive faculties could even process the thought.

Drill Sarge unleashed a forward strike of his own design.

Operating at a velocity so extreme that his own fist, likewise, appeared to fracture into a trio of distinct vectors……

An exact duplication of the opponent’s technique.

Drill Sarge was visibly and flawlessly replicating the signature striking style of the Tyrant.

KRAKAKAKAKOOM!

Furthermore, his version of the execution was markedly more precise, substantially faster, and executed with far greater spatial efficiency.

Having witnessed the Tyrant’s specialized methodology a singular time, his master had instantly diagnosed its structural vulnerabilities and generated an offensive response that completely neutralized every inherent flaw.

Incredible.

A sensation akin to a high-voltage electrical current rippled violently through Drill Sarge’s entire physical framework.

So this was the true scope of his master’s cognitive genius?

His physical form absolutely refused to remain static.

The strike secured solid contact, and he immediately transitioned into a high-speed lateral sprint.

Fist had collided directly with fist—he had fully absorbed the physical feedback of the impact.

Under normal parameters, he should have clashed directly against the Tyrant’s knuckles and been deflected backward by the opposing force, yet—

Drill Sarge had already completely bypassed the Tyrant’s positioning and was executing a full forward charge.

Directly targeting the location of the Vocalists.

Excellent.

At long last, he possessed the opportunity to permanently silence those irritating vocal performances!

Even while maintaining his maximum sprinting velocity, he executed a simultaneous three-pronged offensive strike.

KRAGAKAKAKOOM!

Strikes that whipped forward with the sudden, lethal velocity of striking vipers, each one tracking perfectly toward the skull of a specific Vocalist!

Xenos’s mouth fell open in unmitigated shock.

Wh—what in the world—?!

Three distinct physical strikes shattered clean through the visages of the Vocalists at the exact same instant.

SPLORCH!

Their skulls erupted outward exactly like crushed fruit.

This cannot possibly be happening.

Xenos was left entirely frozen in disbelief.

This display transcended the boundaries of mere fundamental mastery. This was an example of absolute, real-time tactical adaptation, coupled with the immediate duplication of an adversary’s specialized skill set driven entirely by superior user control.

Are you genuinely a lunatic, JinuGod?

That was the singular, solitary concept his cognitive faculties were capable of generating in response.