Choi Ji-won's plan was simple.
The opponent was an overwhelmingly strong fighter. To fight conservatively was nonsensical.
However, targeting a weakness at the height of their power, right at the start of the battle, was likely to be anticipated.
So the strategy was to clash head-on with full force. And when the opportunity arises, target the weakness. No matter how monstrously strong, they are still human. They must have a vulnerability.
"Huuu..."
Having quickly formulated her plan, Choi Ji-won gripped the handle of Bong-Bong.
The blade smoothly slid out, gleaming in the sunlight as it fully emerged from the scabbard.
With a speed that seemed almost instantaneous, Choi Ji-won charged.
'Head.'
She raised Bong-Bong above her head, then forcefully slashed downwards.
A fundamental move in swordsmanship, and for a good reason: it's simple but effective.
The movement started at Choi Ji-won's feet, passed through her waist, along her arm, and into the tip of the blade.
A perfectly efficient and powerful strike, with not a hint of wasted energy.
"Oh, not bad..."
The city's master effortlessly deflected the powerful downward strike.
'Head.'
In swordsmanship, a direct head strike is the alpha and omega. The first stance one must master if they truly want to excel.
And Choi Ji-won was confident in her dedication.
Huuung!
With a trajectory identical to her previous strike, Choi Ji-won's blade swung again.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
As if asking if she looked like someone who'd fall for the same trick twice, the city's master smirked.
"...Huh?"
Yet, incredibly, the city's master had to defend against the identical strike again. The attack came half a beat faster than she anticipated.
The interval between drawing back and swinging the sword was astonishingly short.
'Head.'
In a calculated move, Choi Ji-won's sword swung diagonally this time.
"Uh..."
The city's master stepped back, slightly twisting her waist.
Huuung!
The blade narrowly missed the city master's nose. It was a close shave, showcasing the master's uncanny spatial awareness.
"Kkuk!"
Using the momentum of her swing, Choi Ji-won spun around and launched a roundhouse kick. The city's master, seemingly caught off guard, hastily blocked with her right arm.
The diagonal slash lacked force; it was a feint to set up the kick.
"...Huu."
The city's master quickly composed herself.
She had intended to toy with her opponent. But now...
It was an unforeseen situation. Could a climber who just reached the second floor show such skill? The last climber she fought had better stats and attributes, but lacked finesse.
However, this woman was different. Even if her stats lagged behind, her displayed combat sense was unbelievable.
But the city's master decided to suppress her astonishment.
She was an experienced warrior and knew that heated emotions were detrimental in battle.
Regaining her composure, the city's master began to fight systematically.
The essence of a knightly duel is reconnaissance. Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory.
Maintaining a safe distance, she launched probing attacks to gauge her opponent's skill.
"Kkut..."
When the city's master began fighting earnestly, the tide abruptly turned.
Physically, the city's master had the advantage.
Even in the depth of swordsmanship, the city's master was superior.
From the beginning, Choi Ji-won was at a disadvantage, and the only reason she got a hit in was due to the city master's utter carelessness.
Now, Choi Ji-won was pushed back relentlessly. For every step the city's master took, Choi Ji-won retreated. Scratches began to appear on Choi Ji-won's leather armor.
To any observer, the city's master was dominating, but ironically, the true feelings of the two were quite the opposite.
"...!"
The city's master gritted her teeth. "That woman is strange. She's unnaturally fast. There's more power in her sword than meets the eye, so every time our blades clash, my hand tingles painfully. Especially her uncanny ability to dodge attacks from blind spots; I almost cursed out loud in surprise. Initially, I thought of overpowering her purely with swordsmanship... but it's not as easy as I hoped. In terms of pure skill, the city's master is superior. However, with every clash of our blades, Choi Ji-won is rapidly catching up. Of course, if the city's master starts using her magical power, the tide will turn 180 degrees... Pride in winning with just swordsmanship and the anxiety of being caught up with, waged a fierce battle inside me.
'Impressive.'
On the other hand, Choi Ji-won and her sword, Bong-Bong, were inwardly smiling. She has a unique ability to gauge the strength of her opponents. According to that ability, the woman before her is a monstrous entity. That's why Choi Ji-won was so tense. But after crossing swords, she realized she could win. The city's master, without using her magic, wasn't the monster she imagined. While the city's master had the advantage in physical strength and finesse, Choi Ji-won was still growing. In the fleeting moments of their duel, her brain sparked with inspiration. What she lacked was real combat experience against superhumans. In just 10 more minutes... Choi Ji-won felt she could win.
Chang! Chang! Chang!
The two figures moved at superhuman speeds, dancing a beautiful dance in the square, with sparks flying brilliantly.
'...I can't really see it. Can you?'
In response to firefighter Park Cheol-jin's question, I nodded slightly without answering. To be honest, it's hard to follow. Their movements are too fast, leaving only blurry afterimages. Still, I could vaguely discern the flow of the fight. Initially, Choi Ji-won seemed to have a slight advantage, but now she's being pushed back. But she's holding on impressively well.
'Woah, that's so cool...'
'Is this an animation? Is this level of fighting even real?'
'Truly legendary...'
Ignoring the admiring comments from other players, I couldn't help but frown. Originally, the plan was for Choi Ji-won to be at a disadvantage. Then, at a critical moment, just before a finishing blow, I would step in to finish the fight. But Choi Ji-won isn't being pushed back as much as I thought, and the city's master doesn't seem to be letting her guard down. The plan has somewhat faltered. The reason was simple.
'...Is Choi Ji-won stronger than I thought?'
Choi Ji-won is too strong. Given that Michael Jeter was easily defeated, I assumed Choi Ji-won would be easily beaten too. But whether it's a good match-up or Choi Ji-won is just that overpowered, I didn't expect her to hold her own against the city's master. Although the city's master hasn't unleashed her full power, the fact that Choi Ji-won can stand toe-to-toe with her is baffling. Who exactly is Choi Ji-won?
'Junho?'
My reverie was broken by firefighter Park Cheol-jin.
'Look over there.'
The two fierce combatants had stopped moving.
'...It seems I can't win with just skill. You truly are a genius. I've been called one too, but...'
The city's master, rotating her sore wrist, shook her head as if it was unbelievable. She felt that if the duel continued, she'd lose. She had never seen someone with such perfect basics. Psychological tactics didn't work on her. Her spatial awareness was on par with the city's master, and she deftly blocked all the attacks. The depth of swordsmanship, which was the city master's only advantage, had been completely caught up with. Choi Ji-won was predicting her moves, while the city's master couldn't read Choi Ji-won's. In short... she had lost completely.
'I admit defeat. In terms of swordsmanship... you've bested me.' However, her voice was not one of someone who had admitted defeat.
"Sigh..."
When the city's master opened her eyes after briefly closing them, her pupils began to faintly glow blue. Currents started to flow through her body and armor, and blue sparks circled the sword she held.
"From now on, I will use my magic in earnest. It will be completely different from before. My strength lies in overwhelming magic power. Swordsmanship was never my strong point. It's not a big deal that you've beaten me in that regard."
Just as the city's master declared this and was about to engage in the fight with renewed vigor,
"Hold on!"
Choi Ji-won abruptly stretched out her hand, stopping the city's master in her tracks.
"...?"
"Just a moment... I need to get something."
She walked over to firefighter Park Cheol-jin, who had been watching the fight from an alleyway, and, surprisingly, stretched out her palm towards him.
"Give it to me."
"... Okay."
Park Cheol-jin handed her the specially-made leather gloves and a leather shin guard he had prepared beforehand. Choi Ji-won naturally put them on both her hands and legs and then walked back towards the city's master.
"... Leather?"
"Electricity doesn't conduct well through leather, right? Bong-Bong is a sword, made of metal. Meaning, if Choi Ji-won is holding Bong-Bong, the city master's lightning would naturally be drawn to it. So, what would happen to the arm of Choi Ji-won holding Bong-Bong? This is the same city's master who overpowered Michael Jeter in an instant. There's no way Choi Ji-won would be unharmed."
"That's why I prepared... these thick special gloves and leather shin guards."
It's not like she would have decided to face off against the city's master without any preparation. Before coming to the square, she felt a sense of accomplishment from the liberated city residents.
"Shall we try again?"
"... Let's."
Choi Ji-won and the city's master.
The second round began.