Chapter 56: Favor (Part 2)

ONE and Sunz swing their sword at the same time at each other, even though they are both quite far away from one another.

ONE sends out a 'Fire Wave' while Sunz creates a 'Water Wave' as a counter. Both attacks collide, which results in mist everywhere.

Sunz immediately dashes at ONE with the boost from 'Electric Element' trying to land a hit on ONE. But ONE successfully blocked the attack with ease.

The sound that was created by Sunz's attack can be heard by Sogae, who is sitting outside of the place.

After successfully blocking Sunz's attack, ONE quickly retaliated by igniting his other sword, but right before he was about to strike Sunz.

He got blinded by Sunz's 'Dark and Light Blade', which gave Sunz an opportunity to retreat.

After getting his vision back, ONE sees that all of the mist is gone. Then he sees Sunz signaling him to look at the sky.

After getting ONE's attention, Sunz tap his wooden Katana to the ground two times. Right after that, ONE got hit by two lightning strikes out of nowhere.

ONE didn't make any noise after getting hit by that attack. But he did look up and saw clouds disappearing above him.

Sunz: You sure have an endurance body. Am I not interesting enough for you to show any strength?

ONE said while sharpening his sword together

"Not interesting? No no no! Out of everyone here, you made this ordinary tournament have more meaning."

"Who would've have thought that, we would be able to witness a 'Multi Elements User'."

"You are what they consider a RELIC!"

After finishing that line, a bolt of lightning flies out of ONE's sword mid-sharpening, aiming at Sunz.

Sunz releases the darkness from his Katana at the lightning bolt.

The two elements try to absorb each other, but fail and end up disappearing together.

Sunz and ONE stare at each other for a moment, while both wielding 'Elementless Weapons'.

ONE starts the fight by igniting both of his Katanas, then throws one of them at Sunz.

Sunz charges his wooden Katana with 'Water Element' to block the attack. But, when Sunz held the wooden Katana up for defense, it was cut in half.

The attack luckily didn't hit Sunz but it created a shock that made him drop the half-wood Katana.

When he turns his back to see what just happened. The Katana that was thrown at him turned into a metal plate sticking out of the wall of the arena.

Upon closer inspection, the metal plate has 'Electric Element' in it.

Sunz: Don't tell me you also can.

ONE: Oh, I can do what you can!

ONE immediately uses 'Electric Element' to dash at Sunz and strike him with the 'Flame Katana'.

Sunz blocked the attack with his 'Elementless Katana' or so it seemed. The 'Flame' on ONE's Katana immediately extinguished after contact with Sunz's Katana.

Sunz and ONE continue trading a few more blows until Sunz feels like he is running out of energy. Then on their final clash, Sunz uses 'Shockwave' to knock ONE away from him.

After using that move Sunz's body feel too exhausted. Trying to stand on his own two legs, but couldn't. He is forced to kneel on one knee in front of ONE.

ONE: Looks like the challenger finally reached his limit. Tell me, why couldn't my Flame be reignited?

Sunz: If you can do what I can, then figure it out yourself.

ONE "Suit yourself!" said why having the Katana blade pointing at Sunz's face.

"As much as I would like to kill you… There are some obligations restraining me from doing so."

ONE retracts the Katana and the metal plate. Before leaving he leaves Sunz a message.

"We all would like to see you make it to the Final!"

This will be the final time Sunz faces ONE. Unless he can make it to the Final for a rematch.

After ONE disappeared, Sogae appeared where ONE was standing to pick Sunz up.

Sogae: You look rough.

Sunz: Well, this is better than what I had expected. My opponent let me go all out while sparing my life at the same time.

Sogae: In no way I would let either of you kill each other. But he didn't spare one of your swords though.

Sunz: I guess, something must be sacrificed in the battle.

Sogae picks up each half of the wooden Katana. They are sturdy enough to hold for a few seconds until both halves suddenly crumble to dust and being blown away easily by the wind.

Sogae:… Sacrificed it was.

"Do you have any energy left to walk? If not I can carry you back to the car." Sogae said after dusting her hand off.

Sunz: I'm sorry for inconveniencing you, but I can't move any of my muscles. Just give me 10 minutes then I can move again. I think?

Sogae: Not a chance!

After saying Sogae picks Sunz up and carries him in the 'Fire-Fighter Carry' position.

Sunz: Wait wait wait! You don't have to do this! Can't we have a break?

Sogae: You can, once we get in the car. And don't try to struggle, you might stab me with that sword… Well, you don't have any energy left anyway.

Sunz: Ok, I'll comply… How often do you do this? You pick me up effortlessly.

Sogae: Not often, but enough.

"Whenever you have a drunk customer you need to help them get back to their room. If they disobey you'll need to knock them out and carry them back to their room."

Sunz: Hmm, am I heavy?

Sogae: Nah, you're as light as a girl, which reminds me of why I don't punch drunk women.

Sunz: Why?

Sogae: They are fragile! Punch them in the face they might need plastic surgery, and you know how much it costs. Punch them in the stomach you might break their bone. So it's better to hold them at a distance.

Sunz: Doesn't that mean you are being violent instead of them being fragile?

Sogae: Watch your mouth kid, most girls don't like hearing that. But I am violence is true.

"If you're going to get drunk and cause trouble, you deserve to be punished physically. Men, punch them once, and they are out faster than 3 bottles of Soju. Woman, can't even lay a finger on them."

Sunz: Did you send one of the female guests to the hospital?

Sogae: No… I slap her, which knocks one of her teeth out. That was the moment I realized that I should not hit another woman. Like, punching them I understand but slapping, Really! That shouldn't be possible.

Sogae opens the car door, "That's should enough story for now." Then gently put Sunz in the car.

Before closing the car door she told Sunz "Be quiet, we have company."

Two men in police uniform approach Sogae for some questions.

Policeman 1: Young lady stop right there, we have some questions.

Sogae: Can we do it quickly sir? I'm in a hurry.

Policeman 1: What are you doing at this hour?

Sogae (He ignores my question!): I was just taking a stroll. Is there any problem with that?

Policeman 1: We got a report of loud explosion in this direction. Did you see anything while walking around here?

Sogae: Nothing sir!

Policeman 1: OK then. Is this your car? If so I need you to show me your license.

Sogae said "Sure! Give me a second." While reaching for something in her outfit.

She pulls out a handful of purple powder and blows it at the two officers.

The two men just stand there without saying anything while Sogae quickly gets into the car and drives away.

Sogae: Whew, what a mess that was!

Sunz: What did you just do to them?

Sogae: Haha, just mind-wipe them of the last 5 minutes.

Sunz: What?!

Sogae: I suggest you refrain from asking me any questions until I tell you to.

Sunz doesn't say anything.

Sogae focuses on driving for the next few minutes until she meets a red light.

After stopping, she releases a huge sigh, "haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Now! You can ask."

Sunz: Um…You were quite different during that moment. More nervous, a lot more nervous to be precise.

Sogae: It was my first time mind-wiping people. I could have talked my way out of it but I wasn't in the mood… So yeah that happened!

Sunz: Are they going to be ok?

Sogae: Of course! I know what that stuff does. One to Five, 5:30.

Sunz: What does that mean?

Sogae: The amount of dust to use. 1 finger = 5s, 5 finger = 30s. The person who got hit by the powder will be stunt for that amount of time and forget the last 5 minutes.

The light turns green and Sogae continues to drive back to the hotel.

Sunz: Is it one of Aster clan products?

Sogae is surprised that Sunz knew that name but all she said was

"Once you join us then you'll know more about them."

Sunz: Make sense.

Sogae: When you were hanging off my back, I felt your sword. Why was it so cold?

Sunz: I just mastered a new element and it's cost a lot of energy to sustain.

In that moment Sunz traced back to how he leaned the core of the 'Ice Element'

It was when Jihu and Yama left the room. Sunz ask Grace to stay in the room with him for a bit.

Grace: You want to ask me something?

Sunz: Can you teach me how to use your Element?

Grace: What are you planning?

Sunz: What? I just want to add more Element to my arsenal.

Grace: No! That's only part of it. If you don't plan on using Element in the next battle, then why do you want to learn it now?

Sunz: I just forgot to ask. Since I don't plan on doing anything else, so I thought training your Element could help me clear my mind.

Grace: Fine! That sounds stupid enough to make me trust you.

"Now pull out your weapon."

Sunz and Grace both draw their weapon from the sheath.

Grace: The difference between mastering the 'Ice Element' to other Elements is 'Sustain' not 'Contain'.

"Do you understand what that means?"

Sunz: Not at all.

Grace: Can you ignite your sword for me?

Sunz activates his 'Fire Element' to cover the whole blade in flame.

Grace: That is what I called to contain. Using your energy to start and make sure the Element focuses in one place.

The flame on Sunz's Katana suddenly disappears which surprises him.

Grace: For 'Ice Element' the energy you use is stored in the blade waiting to burst. Which will affect the environment and other Elements around it while charging.

"Like how I just nullify your flame. But the weaknesses to this Element are it takes a lot of your energy to sustain and if you stop giving it energy, the Element will slowly deactivate."

Sunz: Why does this Element act so different from the others?

Grace: Because it doesn't have a source to sustain itself. Water-Fire-Air-Earth can be found everywhere. While Ice needs Water in very cold temperatures to form.

"Without the cold temperature, it will be just Water. So you have to be the condition to help create Ice."

"So do you understand it now?"

Sunz: Yes! Should I try it here now?

Grace: No! What you need now is to take a break. And try it in your room later. Since it going to cost you a lot of energy, it will be easier for me to take care of you when you fainted.

Sunz: Well thank you for everything.

Grace: No need to! Just take care of yourself, and I'll drop by tonight. So see ya!

Sunz: See you later!

Sunz then breaks out of his trance through Sogae's voice.

Sogae: Hey hey sleepy boy, we're back!

Sunz: Ughh! How long was I out for?

Sogae: About 10 minutes. Now get out and get some rest in your room.

Sunz: Before I go, do you know which room No Name is in? I want to ask her something.

Sogae: She is in ###. Just don't bother her too much.