Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 331

333

“What do you mean? Isn’t the best weapon a sword?”

A sword was a good weapon. But Beomseok also liked the spear.

In general games, the spear was often ignored. This was due to the material and shape of the weapon.

The wooden shaft of the spear often led to damage upon impact, and it was easily cut in two by mana swords or sword energy. Moreover, its weight and length made it difficult to balance, and if a swordsman penetrated the defenses to attack, the spearman would be in great danger.

However, if these shortcomings were excluded, the spear transformed into an excellent weapon. Its unique length allowed it to gain a strategic advantage over the opponent.

“Hmm. Each weapon has its pros and cons, so it’s hard to say what’s best, but the spear is a formidable weapon that can’t be ignored. For example, you can see that the greatest defensive formation in the sword fighting world is the circular formation.”

The circular formation referred to a formation in which the leader, including three spearmen, was positioned, and the remaining sword-and-shield or spear-and-shield soldiers surrounded them. Although the density was weak enough to easily reach the leader if one succeeded in penetrating it, the spearmen placed in the center made it considerably difficult to break through.

Because when they gathered together and pointed their spear tips, one had no choice but to stop charging and retreat. As anyone who has experienced it knows, a swordsman with a spear tip in front of their face suffered considerable pressure.

“That’s true. The pressure from the spear tip is significant.”

“Right. That’s correct. And the reason for that comes from the length. Due to the principle of the reverse lever [a lever where the fulcrum is at one end and the effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load], the spearman can move the spear tip quickly with a short movement, but the swordsman cannot. Moreover, if the spearman maintains distance, they are safe from the swordsman’s attack.”

“But if the swordsman penetrates and attacks, the spearman is in great danger.”

“That’s right. But if you have the ability to maintain distance, the spearman is at a great advantage in a duel. And it’s not like you can’t block the sword strikes of a swordsman who has penetrated.”

“Hey, is that easy?”

“It’s not easy. But I can do it.”

“How?”

Beomseok slyly raised one corner of his mouth. In the past, he had also played a Three Kingdoms game [a strategy game based on Chinese history]. That game, like this one, did not have fraudulent abilities like Ki or Mana, so the outcome was determined solely by skill. So, he participated in the war with his sworn brother, Lu Bu, and even unified the Central Plains [historical region in China] with his martial prowess.

And the Three Kingdoms game he experienced was a famous game that received praise from the world for showing the essence of spear techniques. And the one with the best spear techniques in the game was none other than Lu Bu, and Beomseok learned spear techniques from him. Well, in later games, the importance of spear techniques decreased a lot due to the existence of Ki and Mana, so they were only used for catching early monsters or as auxiliary weapons, but when I thought about it, it seemed different in this game.

This was because Mana and Ki did not exist, and there was no need to worry about damage, which was the most fatal weakness of the spear, because it was made of a sturdy material.

Now he was about to show Lu Bu’s martial arts in this game.

“I have the Fengxian Spear Technique.”

“Fengxian Spear Technique?”

“There is such a thing. Unlike modern thrusting-oriented spear techniques, it is a sophisticated spear technique that incorporates techniques such as cutting and close-range blocking.”

Rebecca looked at the crescent-shaped blade attached to the tip of Beomseok’s spear and said.

“Ah. Is that why you asked me to attach a small crescent sword to the spear?”

“That’s right. It’s better to have a blade to increase the efficiency of cutting.”

“I see. Then, can you show me now?”

He shook his head. The Fengxian Spear Technique was a free-spirited spear technique with unclear forms. There wasn’t much to show without a sparring partner.

“Well. I don’t have a suitable sparring partner.”

“I can do it.”

Beomseok looked at her with narrowed eyes. Rebecca was currently demoted to the second team due to being pushed out in the team competition. Moreover, she had not been able to participate in matches recently, so she was focusing on her work as a director at Chaplin Sports and as the leader of Chaplin Whisper. He could easily win with just his spear technique, so there was no need to use the Fengxian Spear Technique against her.

“No. You can’t do it. It’s been a while since you put down your sword.”

“That’s not true. I’m still practicing swordsmanship from time to time.”

“Still, you won’t have a sense of actual combat, will you? Don’t embarrass yourself, and watch it through the game later. We’ll be fighting Snow Girls soon, so you’ll be able to see it then.”

Snow Girls was a strong team that competed with Gods Knights for the championship of the Hairen Central League this season. Although they were relegated from the World League last season, they maintained their strength at that time and recruited several outstanding gladiators, so the world expected them to be the first team to advance to the promotion tournament to be held at the end of this season.

Moreover, they had the highest competitiveness among all the promotion competition teams in the Central League, so their chances of advancing to the World League next year were highly predicted. There was a high possibility that Gods Knights would suffer a great deal if they did not do their best.

However, Rebecca was not in a good mood. No matter how strong the team being compared to was, she couldn’t help but feel bad about Beomseok’s words, which seemed to put her below them.

“Are you saying that I’m worse than a member of the Snow Girls team? I was a gladiator who once pushed you, Beomseok, to the brink.”

Well, that was true. When he first met her, Beomseok was a little pushed back by the bizarre transforming sword that caused strange changes. But now the situation was completely different.

His stats had already exceeded 900, and if he used his traits, he could have the physical abilities of a top-notch gladiator. Moreover, he knew how to block her transforming swordsmanship, and decisively, the spear was long.

Frankly, Beomseok expected that if Rebecca attacked him, she would not even be able to approach him and would become a sacrifice to the spear tip.

‘What should I do? She’s stubbornly insisting that she can beat me.’

In this state, there was a very high possibility that her favorability would decrease. Women are sensitive to actions that ignore them. Beomseok, who had intended to try to win over Rebecca if he had the chance, could not help but be worried.

In the end, Beomseok decided to allow the sparring. After all, it wouldn’t take long to defeat her.

“Okay. It’s not difficult to spar. Our team doesn’t have the transforming sword you use. Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry. There’s a transforming sword for our team in that truck, so you can use that. You just need to lend me your suit.”

Beomseok nodded. Rebecca’s body shape was almost the same as Emma’s, so there was no problem using the same suit.

“Okay. Then take your sword and follow me.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Rebecca smiled brightly and ran to the truck. She was looking forward to sparring with a top-notch gladiator after a long time. In the past, she often exchanged swords with Amelie, but recently it was impossible because the team managed her thoroughly.

“Did you wait long?”

Rebecca hurriedly ran to the sparring area where Beomseok was standing and apologized. She had taken some time to prepare herself before sparring with a strong person.

“It doesn’t matter. But are you ready?”

Rebecca checked the seams of her suit and answered.

“Yes. There’s no problem.”

“Okay. Then stand in front of me.”

“Yes.”

She answered briefly, took a long breath, and stepped forward in front of Beomseok. But his gaze was directed at the team members who had come to watch.

Beomseok pointed out a few team members and said.

“Emma. Jelsomina, come out.”

As they rushed out, Rebecca looked at him with a puzzled look.

“Why are they here?”

“You asked me to show you what the Fengxian Spear Technique was.”

“Yes. I did. That’s why I’m sparring.”

“But you can’t show the essence of the Fengxian Spear Technique with just you alone. Well, if you just want to spar, I’ll send them back in, but if your purpose is to see the essence of my spear technique, do it this way.”

Rebecca clenched her sword tightly as if she was upset. It was embarrassing to have to fight a 3-on-1 match. But since she had set the purpose of this sparring to see the essence of the Fengxian Spear Technique, she couldn’t back down now. First, she would thoroughly defeat him in a 3-on-1 battle, and then she would apply for a solo sparring match again.

“O, okay. Then please let me direct Emma and Jelsomina’s tactics.”

“You can do whatever you want.”

As soon as permission was granted, Rebecca placed Jelsomina next to her and Emma in the middle behind her. It was one of the spearhead attack formations with a three-person reverse triangle formation.

The two people in front scattered the spearhead of the spearman, and the colleague behind them used the strategy of penetrating inside and entering close combat when they caught an opportunity. It was used because Emma, who had excellent killer instincts, was included. She knew instinctively when to strike and when to endure, so the power of the reverse triangle formation was doubled.

Rebecca looked at Emma and said.

“Emma, if you see a chance, be sure to strike.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Emma clenched the sword in her hand tightly and burned with fighting spirit. Although it was a 3-on-1 sparring match, she was greatly looking forward to the battle with Beomseok, which was taking place after a long time. Rebecca, who looked at this with a satisfied smile, turned her gaze to Jelsomina.

“Jelsomina, you have to concentrate on scattering the spearhead with me. Got it?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. If a swordsman loses to a spearman in a 3-on-1 match, there’s no shame like that. We’ll definitely win.”

As Rebecca, who had finished the arrangement, gripped her sword tightly, Diana approached them. Since everyone was wearing training suits, it was impossible to judge the outcome without a referee.

She shouted, waving her arms as Beomseok placed the spearhead in the middle.

“Sparring start!”

At the same time, Rebecca’s body flinched. She was trying to take advantage of the slight gap that occurred at the start, but Beomseok’s spearhead blocked her advance. She looked at the spearhead heading towards her stomach with fearful eyes. She couldn’t help but be on edge, as she didn’t know when it would reach out.

So, Jelsomina tried to run forward, but it was impossible to advance because Beomseok moved the spearhead alternately and blocked their advance. Now that the surprise attack was gone, Rebecca shouted to everyone.

“Now, let’s go with the usual strategy! Jelsomina, focus on scattering the spearhead, and Emma, look for gaps.”

Soon, a series of loud impact sounds occurred as the swords wielded vertically and horizontally collided with the spear shaft continuously. But unlike Rebecca’s intention, the spearhead did not scatter easily. As soon as the spearhead was hit and bent, Beomseok stepped back and returned it to its original position.

Now they were constantly advancing one step at a time, but they were not narrowing the distance with Beomseok at all.

‘Tsk. It’s Beomseok after all. His spear skills are also extraordinary. But unless the arena stretches out endlessly, the timing to enter will come.’

Rebecca looked at the end of the outdoor training ground and shone her eyes. It was wide open, so they could continue to retreat, but if they went out of the arena line, Beomseok would be recognized as a loser. The time would definitely come when he would stop backing away.

“Come on! Everyone, keep swinging your swords!”

Beomseok gave a strange look to Rebecca and Jelsomina, who were swinging their swords with great momentum. No matter how he looked at it, he had a strong feeling that they were making a fool of him. The spear technique he was using now was not the Fengxian Spear Technique, but a normal one used by ordinary soldiers. It meant that it was not time for them to be happy that he was backing away.

‘What should I do? Should I push hard?’

The power of Rebecca, Emma, and Jelsomina, who Beomseok was currently facing, was only one World League player and two Central League players. Moreover, he knew their characteristics in detail, while the Fengxian Spear Technique was a technique that was being introduced to the world for the first time today. If he wanted to, he could easily get rid of them.

‘Well. I’m going to show it anyway.’

Beomseok loosened his hand holding the spear shaft and slowly began to rotate it. He was trying to get a feel for it first. In order to show the essence of the Fengxian Spear Technique, he had to be well aware of the characteristics of the spear.

And after a while, he stepped back greatly and shouted loudly.

“Okay. Then I’m going now!”

At that moment, the spearhead bounced strongly off the floor once, and then flew towards Rebecca as if it was swirling with momentum. She blocked the sudden powerful blow with a very tense posture, but she had no choice but to step back because it was not enough. The rotational force was so strong that she could not block it perfectly.

At this time, Jelsomina, who was freed from the spearhead’s aim, raised the tip of her sword high and ran towards him.

“Senior! You forgot about me!”

“Hehe. Forget it.”

Beomseok, who grabbed the staff widely, jumped back greatly and pulled the spear towards Jelsomina as it was.

At that time, the sound of impact and Diana’s judgment came out. Jelsomina was cut on her right shoulder by Beomseok’s spear. She could not see the crescent sword that was entering the cut as it was being pulled from behind.

“Jelsomina. Right arm incapacitated!”

Jelsomina, who had a tense expression, took the strength out of her right arm and stepped back. But Beomseok was not one to miss this opportunity. He went straight inside and chased after her.

“Emma, block it together.”

Jelsomina was the ace of their party. Rebecca, who could not let her be defeated so easily, rushed at Beomseok with Emma. Fortunately, he narrowed the distance himself, so it was thought that he could be easily dealt with.