I Became an Illegal Cheat User

99 – Duel Season (5)

1 vs 4.

While the numbers had overwhelmingly decreased since the start of the match,

to be honest, this battle was extremely unfavorable for me.

And rightly so, as the main characters charging at me were not just any random fighters, but the real deal.

Facing off against such opponents alone,

– Master, a blade of energy is flying towards your left and right ankles.

– Master, a storm of blades is approaching from the front.

– Master, bullets are coming in from a diagonal direction.

– Master, above you….

– Master….

– ….

I had to keep my body moving, dodging attacks from Lee Seoyeon and Asuka or defending with Aigis.

Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-ching─!!

Arthur was deflecting a hail of bullets from a minigun with his sword and the skill of the Natural Fortress.

Whirrrrrrrrr!

Noah was blocking the storm of lightning with a barrier made of holy fire.

I had to think quickly, my brain throbbing, on how to break through their solid defenses.

‘What should I do?’

I maintained a barrage of fire while running simulations in my mind.

A black space formed in my head.

Following that, the current situation unfolded.

Clad in armor, I was firing a total of 35 weapons, including two miniguns and thunderbolts.

In front of me, Arthur and Noah were blocking all the bullets. Behind them, Lee Seoyeon and Asuka were sending out blades and bullets.

And the distance was gradually closing.

Based on that scene, various simulations began to take shape.

Simulation 1: Maintain fire while repeatedly dodging and defending.

Result: Before Arthur’s magic and Noah’s divine power ran out, the distance closed. Thanks to Lee Seoyeon’s talent, ‘The Prodigy of Gun and Sword,’ all firearms were disassembled and rendered powerless in an instant. And it was that brief moment of vulnerability that led to defeat.

Response: It’s impossible since firearms cannot be used the moment Lee Seoyeon approaches.

Simulation 2: Activate speed limit removal.

Result: Although it was a rubber bullet, the cheat effect granted immense firepower. However, this resulted in all four sustaining fatal injuries.

Response: This battle is merely a competition to determine rankings, not a slaughter, so it’s impossible.

Simulation 3: Deploy drones and golems.

Result: As the drone exploded, visibility was obscured for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, the four approached. This led to the outcome of Simulation 1.

Result 2: The golem was destroyed before it could transform into human form. This momentarily obstructed visibility, leading to the outcome of Simulation 1.

Response: It’s impossible due to the obstruction of visibility.

Simulation 4: Hover in mid-air.

Result: To create a psychic barrier, I reduced the number of Thunderbolts I was holding. This decreased firepower, and as Arthur switched from defense to attack, the distance closed rapidly. A brief melee ensued, but Lee Seoyeon intervened, neutralizing the firearms, resulting in immediate defeat.

Response: Reducing the current firepower will immediately close the distance, so it’s impossible.

…Impossible, impossible, impossible.

With each simulation that appeared, a ‘no’ verdict was rendered.

The reason was none other than ‘Lee Seoyeon.’

The prodigy of the sword had evolved into the prodigy of gun and sword, giving rise to the ability of ‘instant disassembly of firearms.’

With this ability, even a mere flick of her fingers—or rather, the scattering of her magic—could disassemble any firearm, regardless of its grade.

‘…Her ability is truly overpowered.’

For someone like me, who fights primarily with firearms, nothing is more terrifying than Lee Seoyeon’s talent.

Of course, Arthur, Asuka, and Noah also possess extraordinary powers befitting their leading roles.

Still, they are easier to deal with than Lee Seoyeon, who can neutralize my firearms.

Unlike before, my equipment’s quality and stats have significantly improved.

But right now, Lee Seoyeon is by the side of those three.

There’s a hard counter that can nullify my weapons.

‘…I need to think of a way, a way quickly.’

The distance has nearly closed.

Just a few more steps, and my firearms will be rendered powerless due to Lee Seoyeon’s talent.

‘…Using Astra would solve the problem, but…’

Since it’s a weapon no one knows about, I shouldn’t use it here.

Named Fallen, it was effective to use when he ambushed this place and let his guard down.

Thus, I pushed my brain even harder. Excluding Astra, I thought of a way to escape the current situation with the equipment and abilities I had.

No, just as I was about to think, Terra spoke to me.

– Master, is it really necessary to be bound by firearms?

…Is it necessary to be bound by firearms?

‘Well, my main weapon is a firearm, right?’

Before I could finish that thought, I realized how terribly wrong I was.

‘…Terra is right. There’s no need to insist on firearms in this battle.’

No, it’s not just in this battle; it applies to other battles as well.

For someone like me, who has cheats, firearms are, contrary to what others might think, a very good weapon.

But if they are not advantageous enough to the point of being a hindrance in combat…

‘No matter how good a weapon is, it becomes useless.’

It felt as if a revelation had cleared my mind and stomach.

‘Terra, nice assist.’

I praised Terra for providing the solution.

At the same time, I executed a newly emerged simulation, a completely new method that had not been deemed ‘impossible.’

Thud, thud─, whoosh.

First, I tossed all the firearms to the ground.

“……?”

“What…?”

At that moment, Arthur and Noah, who were fending off the barrage of gunfire, as well as Lee Seoyeon and Asuka, who were relentlessly sending out sword energy, looked at me with bewildered expressions.

They couldn’t grasp the situation as I suddenly put down my weapons.

Seeing their reactions, I chuckled and said,

“What will you do if the opponent puts down their weapons and just stands by?”

As I said that, it seemed they finally realized what actions they were taking.

They hurriedly swung their weapons toward me.

Kaaahh─!

The sound of Aegis in my hands was even faster.

Bang! Bang bang! Boom!

I blocked their attacks with the shields in both hands.

The sharp senses of the ‘Sniper (A+)’, combined with the ‘Master of Close Combat (A)’ effect activated as the kids approached, made it incredibly easy to anticipate where they would strike.

“Someone once said, even shields hurt when they take a hit.”

It was ‘The Best Offense is a Shield’, a fellow veteran from ‘Arena Academy’, who said that.

A shield is not merely a piece of armor; it is a formidable weapon.

Recalling those words, I sent 33 Aegises into the air, lifting them with telekinesis and transforming them into shields.

Of course, just because I had acquired the Master of Close Combat (A) talent didn’t mean I could handle a shield well.

But that didn’t matter.

What I was about to do required no skill in shield techniques; it was simply a matter of swinging a shield.

‘But if that swing becomes 35, the story changes.’

The two shields in my hands, along with the 33 shields floating in the air, swung toward the four of them.

Bang! Crash! Boom!

Suddenly, the kids who had been attacking me began to defend instead.

No matter how skilled they were in close combat, facing 35 shields all at once, they seemed to realize they couldn’t persist in their attacks.

But did they know?

That even though the Aegis was being used offensively, it was still perceived as ‘defense’.

And that the Aegis wasn’t just about damage absorption; it also had damage reflection and petrification effects.

Flash—Boom!

“…Cough?!”

As the damage reflection activated, Arthur was sent flying back, wide-eyed, having received 50% of his own damage in return.

Thud!

“…What the heck is this?!”

At the same time, Asuka, who had been petrified, suddenly screamed in panic at her own stiffened body.

Seeing the two of them, Lee Seoyeon and Noah realized that the Aegis had additional effects.

So they tried to stop their attacks and evade.

Swish—!

Dodging the shields flying in from all directions, without a single gap, was an impossible task.

And ultimately.

Bang!

“…Oh no!”

Noah, who had been petrified while attacking with a shield, grimaced in realization.

“With an effect like this, if I just use the shield….”

Noah muttered to himself, trying to summon his resolve.

Or rather, he was trying to.

At least until I struck him with my shield.

Boom─!

“…Gah!”

Noah, hit by my shield charge, flew through the air as if he had been hit by a truck. He rolled across the arena, eventually tumbling out of bounds.

‘One elimination.’

I immediately searched for my next opponent.

Aigis, reflected by the damage, was charging at me, while Lee Seoyeon, now the target of all Aigis after Noah’s elimination, was desperately dodging.

“Ugh…! When will this be lifted?!”

Asuka, still petrified, could only scream in frustration.

…Right, my next target was clear.

As soon as I confirmed the next elimination, I slammed my feet against the ground.

“Ah! I moved… uh, huh?”

And as Asuka’s petrification lifted, I charged forward, slamming my shield into her.

Boom─!

“Ahhh!”

With my merciless shield charge, Asuka flew away like a ball, soaring through the air. She rolled across the arena just like Noah, before plummeting out of bounds.

‘Two eliminations.’

Now only Arthur and Lee Seoyeon remained.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I kicked off the ground and charged toward Arthur, who was rushing at me.

At the same time, I sent the 33 Aigis I had been directing toward Lee Seoyeon right next to me.

Whooosh!

A brilliant golden light erupted from Arthur’s Excalibur.

Simultaneously, the blade’s energy, which had been coalescing at the tip, ignited like a flame, bursting forth.

Arthur, igniting the sword fire, raised his weapon high. And just as the distance between us closed.

“Haah─!”

He swung the raised sword with a fierce shout.

Kwaaah─!

From the sword that swung as if to cleave me in two, a wave of golden flames poured forth.

In response, I thrust out 33 shields.

Pursak, pursak, pursak, pursak…!

The shields I extended began to vanish one by one, as if craters were being formed at the forward base by the golden tide.

Yet, whether it was not as damaging as a large explosion, or if Arthur had reduced its power due to the nature of the tournament, the wave of flames that surged toward me only managed to obliterate 12 of my Aegises before dissipating.

“Excellent.”

I praised Arthur and retrieved 12 new Aegises from my inventory.

Seeing this, Arthur let out a hollow laugh, his hand gripping the sword drooping… but rather, he erupted with even greater vigor.

Then, he swung his sword at me with all his might.

Kwaaang─!

The Aegis that collided with the sword cracked, splintering.

I discarded the damaged Aegis to the ground and brandished a new one, swinging two shields at Arthur.

Kwang! Kwaaang!

A fierce roar echoed.

Hearing that sound, I glanced at Lee Seoyeon, who was rushing toward me.

In her direction, I sent a barrage of shock grenades.

But, as expected.

Thud, thud, thud.

Perhaps because grenades fall under the category of firearms, they shattered into pieces the moment they touched the magical energy emanating from Lee Seoyeon.

In response, I launched 20 Aegises at her.

Then, I swung the remaining 13 Aegises along with the 2 I held in my hands toward Arthur.

Kwagwang─, bang! Kwagwagwang─, bang!

“…Kuh, khuk!”

Arthur groaned as she was struck by the shields.

No matter how quickly she swung her sword, she only had two hands.

In contrast, the shields being swung at her numbered 15. And beyond just being struck by the Aegises, the effects were activating.

Flash, kwaaang! Flash, kwaaang!

Not only was there damage reflection.

Splat, splat!

With the petrification activated, in the end.

Ding!

────────────────────

HP: □□□□□□□□□□

────────────────────

As the HP engraved on the bracelet was completely depleted, I was eliminated.

Thud.

“… I lost.”

Arthur slumped down onto the floor.

Yet, despite his words and actions, his expression looked remarkably relieved.

To her, I offered a simple, “You did well,” but then I turned at the sharp energy I felt behind me.

Swoosh—!

As soon as I turned, I was met with Lee Seoyeon’s sword strike.

Crash!

The blatant thrusting attack was easily deflected with my shield.

In that moment, I swung all my aegises toward Lee Seoyeon.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—!

The fierce clash of sword and shield echoed loudly.

But it didn’t last long.

Lee Seoyeon, having gone through the same process as Arthur, was also nearing her end.

“… I lost.”

Confirming her HP was depleted, Lee Seoyeon spoke of her defeat with a blank expression, though her face betrayed a hint of disappointment as she sheathed her sword.

Watching her, I deactivated my armor.

And instead of the filtered air, I breathed in the fresh air mixed with the wind, opening my mouth to speak.

“Everyone did well.”

&

Second match, free-for-all.

[Free-for-all Rankings]

1st Place: Lee Yujin.

2nd Place: Lee Seo-yeon.

3rd Place: Arthur Pendragon.

4th Place: Shuhei Asuka.

5th Place: Noah.

6th Place: Lim Da-hee.

…….

….

Achieved 1st Place.