Chapter 161 : Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Outbreak (6)

“I told you. Let's just talk.”

Dorian spread his arms and shrugged.

“How far have you mastered the Imitation Art?”

“…….”

“You must have learned everything from the master, right? That man did especially favor you.”

Though he called him 'master,' I could tell it was a reluctant, formal title.

This was because the respect and admiration that should naturally be contained within the word 'master' were nowhere to be seen in Dorian's attitude.

“Enough with the games.”

I drew my sword.

“I've known for a long time that you have an inferiority complex towards me, Hajin.”

“…….”

“Were you dissatisfied that I was chosen over you in the Successor Examination? Is that why you're doing this now? Is that why you betrayed us?”

Dorian stared at me for a moment without a word.

A heavy silence.

Then, he raised one corner of his mouth, sealed the flask he was holding, and put it away.

“Well, to be honest, it's true that thinking about it back then sometimes makes me feel like shit.”

“Why?”

“Ha, fuck. Are you asking because you don't know?”

Dorian snickered.

“You know how hard I worked to be acknowledged by the master, don't you? A whole 5 years, 5 years! I busted my ass for 2 years just to become his disciple, and dedicated another 3 to become his successor. But what? Instead of me, who worked like a dog for Shadow for 5 years, he chooses a bastard who hasn't even been here for half a year? Are you kidding me?”

Gradually, the smile on Dorian's lips twisted into a distorted hatred.

“Hehe. So even if your mouth is crooked, speak straight. I wasn't the one who betrayed first. You guys betrayed me first.”

“The Successor Examination was fair. You lost to me that day.”

“No, if it had gone to the end, I would've won.”

“What do you mean by the end? The death of one of us?”

Dorian nodded.

“Isn't that obvious? It was a place to evaluate martial strength in the first place. Hehe. And even if not for that, I could have easily beaten you. If only the master hadn't interfered.”

“You used a killing move on me that day. Harming a comrade goes against Shadow's regulations. That is the decisive reason you were dropped from the Successor Examination.”

“Then fuck, the examination was flawed from the start. In an examination to evaluate martial strength, you might hurt the opponent a little. Isn't that right? No matter how I think about it, I was just used and thrown away by Shadow.”

Dorian consistently justified his betrayal of Shadow with that warped attitude.

But he had another, true purpose for betraying Shadow.

The vision I was learning was precisely that.

“So how far have you mastered the Imitation Art? By now, you should be able to use Spatial Imitation, right? Don't tell me you can make Clones too?”

Imitation Art.

It was the identity of the First Seat, Yugen and the advanced vision that represented him.

Only then did I realize what Dorian's objective was.

From long ago, Dorian, or rather Hajin, had wanted to obtain great power.

And by power, I don't mean influence, money, class, or status, but literal martial strength.

The power to not yield to any coercion.

The day I first met Hajin after being brought into Shadow by Yugen, a young Hajin had proudly told me about it.

‘He had definitely said that was the reason he joined Shadow.’

At that time, Shadow, which ruled the nights of Icata, was the perfect background for Hajin to achieve his dream.

“So you were after that after all?”

“Well, there's that.”

When I asked, Dorian readily admitted it.

“Why? After working like a dog for 5 years, shouldn't I be allowed to want that much?”

I furrowed my brow.

“Imitation Art is a vision on a different track from the power you want. It's closer to deception, a mirage, or an illusion. It's not a technique that makes you stronger or lets you subdue powerful enemies, and it's certainly not a technique for killing people.”

“That depends on who's using it. I saw it. I saw that man brutally slaughter nearly ten villains. Would you believe me if I said a World Public Enemy-grade villain was among them?”

“…….”

“Besides, why isn't it a technique for subduing powerful enemies? Think about it. You imitate a close friend to get near, then kill them when their guard is down. Kya. What more effective and superior killing technique is there?”

“Have you never considered that might be the reason the master didn't choose you as his successor?”

“Hmph. Seeing you still spouting such bullshit, it seems you've never even properly used the Imitation Art.”

My lips pressed tightly together.

He wasn't wrong.

All I had ever used in a real situation was the Disguise Art, creating and wearing a Face Mask and mimicking another's style and aura.

From the fall of Shadow until now, as I rose from hiding for the Academy operation.

I had never once used the Imitation Art.

“That thing you're wearing now is also just a shell made of animal hide.”

“…….”

“Why don't you use the Imitation Art? Don't tell me that rumor about most of the secret tomes being lost when you went bankrupt is true?”

As I said nothing, Dorian stared at me quietly before letting out a sigh.

“Goddammit. Then I've just been wasting my time.”

Dorian, who had stood up, untied the chain from his waist.

Chwararak-

The length of the revealed iron chain appeared to be a full 4 meters.

Furthermore, different weapons were attached to each end; one end was connected to a handaxe that looked like a scaled-down version of a battleaxe and the other had a chunk of iron that looked heavy at a glance.

It was Dorian's exclusive weapon, named the Chain Axe.

“I'll let you know why that examination was flawed, shall I? Hm?”

Dorian gripped the handaxe and, with his other hand, began to swing the chain with the iron weight. At that, I finally realized what had struck my side just moments ago.

‘It would be dangerous if it hit my head.’

It wasn't just the head.

Hearing that savage whoosh whoosh sound tearing through the air, it was clear that the first surprise attack was intentionally non-lethal, meant to extract information about the Imitation Art and other secret tomes.

The moment that iron weight, glowing bluish with aura, struck a torso, the skin and muscle would be brutally crushed, and the bones within would surely be pulverized.

The Chain Axe was a rare composite weapon, so much so that it was hard to find a user of it.

Common people would be lucky to see one in their lifetime and the same went for knights who dedicated their lives to the sword.

Occasionally, users would appear among mercenaries, but even there, they were treated as freaks.

But that wasn't the case for me.

In an instant, my vision flashed, and the iron weight rushed toward my brow.

To me, standing farther away than the length of the chain, it looked as if the chain had stretched like taffy.

However, I had experience with the Chain Axe before, so I swung my sword and blocked it.

Kaang!

In that moment, the iron weight bound my sword as if it had a will of its own. As Dorian pulled the chain in that state, I ended up letting go of my sword in vain.

“How dull.”

Dorian charged forward and swung his axe.

It was the most basic combo of the Chain Axe, and having lost my sword and being cornered, I had no way to block or evade the assault.

But.

My expression was relaxed.

Kaang!

Suddenly, there was an axe in my hand, and I used it to block Dorian's axe.

‘That's…….’

Dorian’s eyes glinted as he saw the axe that had suddenly appeared in my hand.

‘……That's definitely my handaxe, isn't it?’

Just then, feeling a powerful presence at his temple, Dorian flicked his gaze to the side.

And he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Because an iron weight of the exact same shape and size as his own weapon was flying right at his face.

“Yikes!”

Dorian quickly ducked his head.

The iron weight grazed the back of his head by a hair's breadth.

He put some distance between us, but the iron weight was persistent.

When I flicked my arm once, the chain rippled greatly, and the iron weight's trajectory bent at a right angle.

With added acceleration from the recoil, it pursued him faster than he could retreat.

In the end, Dorian had to change direction once more and retreat.

I couldn't pursue further due to the chain's length, so I retracted the iron weight.

It was a pity I couldn't inflict any damage, but it seemed to have been enough to instill a sense of alarm in him.

The look in Dorian's eyes as he looked at me was now very different from before.

“……You bastard. You've mastered the Imitation Art.”

“I never said I hadn't mastered it. I just didn't use it because I had no reason to.”

Imitation Art.

An advanced vision that allows one to replicate the appearance and characteristics of a target according to one's proficiency.

The targets could be either people or objects.

Imitation Art is a superior version of Disguise Art.

Naturally, it has the distinct advantages of being faster to cast and providing a more perfect disguise than the labor-intensive Disguise Art.

However, since it is literally an ‘imitation,’ there is a risk of being exposed if the real person is nearby.

Also, being a vision that uses mana, it had the fatal flaw of being caught by detection magic.

That's why I used the safer Disguise Art instead of the Imitation Art when entering the Academy.

However, to Dorian, who didn't know these facts, it sounded like nothing more than a pun meant to mock him.

So his anger flared up, but he barely managed to suppress it.

Because if what I said was true, then contrary to the rumors, I must have the secret tome for the Imitation Art.

‘And maybe, he might even have the extreme secret vision, [Clone]...’

For a moment, Dorian's eyes gleamed with intense desire.

“Ha, this is insane. Why didn't you say so? If you had, I wouldn't have attacked and would have kindly proposed a deal.”

“I would have refused.”

“Even if I'd wagered that girl's life and yours?”

“Still impossible. I cannot hand over Shadow's secret tomes to you.”

Bastard. Still as stubborn as ever.

Dorian swallowed a curse inwardly.

“Then there's no choice. I'll have to ask the Cult to open up your head and find out.”

“The Cult won't grant your request. They'll try to take it for themselves.”

I knew that.

That's why Dorian didn't want to use that method either.

But.

“It's easier than making your stubborn mouth open. Chaat!”

Dorian's chain danced in the air.

I also threw my iron weight to meet it.

Kwaang!

Kwang!

It was as if two lesser dragons were slamming their thick bodies against each other in a power struggle.

In that fight, the guest room was gouged and shattered here and there, gradually losing its form.

Imitation Art.

As I've said, this advanced vision isn't one that subdues opponents or grants great power.

In reality, it's a technique far removed from combat.

Of course, depending on its use, it could have its applications in combat, but it was undeniable that it had more utility in thievery.

The Imitation Art imitated not only people but also objects.

Furthermore, if this Imitation Art reached its peak, it would enter the realm of 'creation,' allowing one to imitate, that is, replicate, oneself or others at different spatial coordinates.

That is the extreme secret vision, [Clone].

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