Junhyuk smiled and said, “I’ve already told you that there won’t be monster waves for another two weeks, so we should take that time to focus on our training. I’ll drink more alcohol for the heroes.”

“Are you inviting them today?”

“No. I’m going to get ready today, but I’ll invite them tomorrow.”

“Everything will be ready by tomorrow. Should I send the alcohol to Elise’s place?”

“Yes.” Junhyuk grabbed her shoulders then and added, “If possible, you’ll need to activate your second power within a month. Once you become an expert, you’ll have an extra life.”

“I’ll try.”

Effort alone wouldn’t be enough. If that had been the case, there would’ve been several human heroes by now. In Eunseo’s case, her workload might be preventing her from activating other powers.

To activate another power, she would have to train, and that would also increase her overall stats.

“I’ll return and get ready,” he said.

“I’ll get the food and drinks ready by tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Junhyuk returned to Elise’s house and entered his training facility. From there, he called Artlan and the other heroes. They hadn’t been summoned yet, so he told them about the tournament.

Artlan was very glad to hear about it. After telling Junhyuk he would visit the next day, he hung up.

Junhyuk wanted to surprise everyone, so he summoned his swords. They felt different on Earth from how they felt in the Dimensional Battlefield.

Junhyuk had only tried the swordsmanship techniques of each sword with that specific sword. Now, he was mixing them up, using different styles with different swords. He forgot about the time while he practiced, and suddenly, someone contacted him.

Sarang’s projection suddenly appeared, and he stopped to catch his breath. Junhyuk was hungry, and he knew quite a bit of time had pa.s.sed.

Puffing her cheeks, Sarang asked, “Why have you been silent for a whole day?!”

“It’s Sat.u.r.day?!”

“Yes. I thought you were going to invite Vera over. Elise’s house is full of drinks. I’m putting them in my Spatial Bag as we speak.”

Junhyuk invited everyone over immediately. Everyone took his invitation, and they all appeared in the training facility. The same group that had come before was there.

“I’ll go help them out,” he said.

“Give me a drink first.”

Sarang pulled a bottle out of her back, and Artlan smiled.

“The drinks today are different.”

Previously, he had bought the most famous drinks he could find. After the first party, however, he realized that Artlan liked drinks with high-alcohol content. So, this time, he brought drinks like that over from China.

Artlan drank and laughed.

“I like these! They are strong!”

Junhyuk brought the food over, along with utensils and plates. He ate as soon as he could since he had some time before they would start training.

They all talked about the tournament.

“We just barely made it into the thirty-two teams. Artlan, your team was highly-ranked before the tournament, so were you seeded?”

“No.”

Junhyuk bid farewell to the teams that would fight Artlan. The hero’s team had already fought the previous legends. Overall, they were superior to the other candidates.

Fighting Artlan’s team meant dying a lot and dropping many items.

The hero drank and said, “If we’re lucky, we’ll go up against the weaker teams and move up the tournament ladder. That way, we can earn more money and get more items on the way.”

“Sure.”

Artlan was saying that his team was lacking items rather than powers. Junhyuk stared at him and said, “The winners will face the previous legend team.”

“I’ve been wanting a rematch.”

“We won’t lose either.”

Artlan laughed and asked, “What happens if a team member can’t partic.i.p.ate?”

“Well…”

“Do you want to find out?”

Junhyuk started sweating cold, so he changed the subject, “By the way, I learned a lot while fighting the Mantis Lord.”

“Yeah? I hope so. Let’s eat first, then we’ll check that out.”

They ate quickly and got up. The other heroes moved the stone chairs aside, still eating, and started chatting.

“It’s always fun to watch a fight.”

“This won’t be fun on its own. Let’s take bets.”

“Artlan will win. What is there to bet on?”

Nudra smiled and said, “How long he’ll last.”

“I bet he lasts three minutes,” Halo said.

After some thought, Nudra added, “Two minutes.”

“Who do you think Junhyuk is?”

“Diane, what are you betting on?”

“One minute.”

Vera and the others let out, “That’s cruel.”

“Having a cute b.u.t.t has nothing to do with fighting well. Artlan is his opponent. I’m sure Artlan can finish him in ten seconds.”

Vera shook her head and said, “Artlan won’t go all out. I’ll bet on one minute.”

“That he’ll fall within that time?”

“It’ll take thirty seconds for Artlan to evaluate him, and the fight will be over after another ten seconds.”

“OK. How about 10,000G?”

“Call!”

The heroes had placed their bets when Sarang said, “I’ll bet on over three minutes.”

They all turned to her, and Vera wrapped her arms around Sarang’s neck and said, “I don’t want to take your money.”

“I believe in him. It’s 10,000G, right?”

Vera looked at the others and said, “This is just for fun.”

Gongon bet on two minutes, and Layla bet on one minute. Gongon believed in him, and Layla knew how strong he was. Junhyuk was glad that none of them had bet on less than a minute.

Elise laughed and placed the same bet as Sarang.

Junhyuk gave out a bitter laugh and said, “You are overestimating me.”

“They are heroes and they are betting accordingly with how they think.”

“I’ll try to last three minutes.”

Artlan shook his head and said, “Thirty seconds. I’ll evaluate your skills by that time. Try your best.”

“Sure.”

Junhyuk was planning to use all of his powers. He knew that Artlan wouldn’t get hurt.

He ran, but he didn’t attack. His swords were capable of long range attacks, but they were stronger at short range. Junhyuk accelerated and slashed at Artlan.

Clang!

Even with the acceleration, he failed to strike the hero. Artlan blocked his attacks with his sabers.

“You are stronger than before.”

“I have more of the highest-tiered runestones now.”

“Will that be enough?”

Junhyuk felt himself being pushed back, which meant he lacked basic strength. He did not want a contest of strength against Artlan.

Junhyuk used all of his skills, which surprised Artlan. The previous time, Junhyuk had used two distinct swordsmanship styles, but now, he controlled them both as one.

Last time, Artlan had taught him the basics of his swordsmanship and helped him develop it. For thirty seconds, Artlan evaluated Junhyuk’s skills.

He wanted to be a firm teacher, so he attacked. Artlan did so ferociously, attacking faster than the Mantis Lord. Junhyuk smiled. As long as he could see Artlan’s attacks, he could deflect them.

The two sabers flashed at incredible speed, but Junhyuk parried them easily and countered.

Clang!

Junhyuk smiled, satisfied. Artlan had blocked his attack with a saber, but now, Junhyuk knew that he had gotten stronger.

The attack with Dentra’s Magic Sword had been blocked, but Junhyuk released a wind blade toward Artlan.

Slash!

Junhyuk thought he had gotten Artlan with it, but the hero dodged and countered. Still, Junhyuk made sure not to let his guard down.

Artlan grinned. Junhyuk felt he should be complimented, but Artlan wanted to be firm. The fight soon turned to one where pride was on the line.

Junhyuk knew Artlan had become serious. The hero didn’t use his powers, and just from his regular attacks, Junhyuk was put on defense.

However, he learned something from that.

Artlan was stronger than the berserked Mantis Lord, and faster as well.

Remembering what Nudra had told him, Junhyuk changed into his own wild swordsmanship.

Slash!

Junhyuk got struck in the ribs and fell. One blow, and he became unable to move. The saber was now aimed at his throat.

Covered in sweat, Junhyuk asked, “Whew! How long did I last?”

Artlan looked awkward, and Elise and Sarang cheered aloud, “Victory!”

Junhyuk looked back at Artlan, who laughed bitterly and answered, “Three minutes and two seconds. You lasted a while.”