NOVEL NEXT Chapter 525
[The Miracle of Argentina, Stunning European Champion Monica Ricci… First Quarter-Final Appearance in Argentina’s History]
[‘Defeating Italy to Reach Quarter-Finals’, Argentina, La Albiceleste (White-Sky Legion) Parade in the Streets]
As Giselle Fischer claimed victory, all of Argentina was paralyzed.
After the match ended, people flooded into the streets, unable to contain their joy.
Having shown an unusual performance since the match against Germany, they went on to defeat France and Italy in succession.
Even South American countries that were usually hostile toward Argentina raised their glasses in celebration as if it were their own victory.
In a situation where even their own citizens couldn’t believe Giselle’s victory, there was someone who steadfastly supported her…
“I want to share this glory with Na-me from the Republic of Korea. I really want to win the quarter-finals and see you in the semi-finals.”
During the interview, Giselle pointedly expressed her infinite affection for Na-me.
[Na-me, Foreseeing Argentina’s Storm, “I’m Very Grateful to the Fans”]
[“Guard the Korean Team’s Accommodation”, Argentina Fans Drive Away Saudi Intruders]
Just yesterday, the alley was noisy with the sound of vuvuzelas, now it was as quiet as a mouse.
The reason? People wearing sunglasses wielding clubs had taken their place.
Those who had come to blow their trumpets today slowly left, intimidated by their atmosphere.
Meanwhile, a group of Korean tourists passing in front of a hotel wondered.
“Aren’t those people mafia? Why are they dressed like that in this hot weather?”
“Let’s not walk past here. It looks too dangerous.”
“Hey! Hold it right there!”
Men with sinister expressions blocked their path.
“Are you guys Korean?”
“Y-yes… that’s right…?”
“Then accept this.”
“Pardon?”
Chak-
Some people were getting a priceless experience of receiving deep bows from these may or may not be pure fans, maybe mafia.
[Koreans receiving deep bows from Argentinians as they pass by]
(It’s like a scene outside the Republic of Korea Embassy.gif)
To these folks, Na-me is just a saint, haha!
Na-me even prayed for his 16th round to win so that this efficacy would continue.
[Comments]
-Haha, lololol
-I knew Na-me had something special!
-Seeing them like this makes me happy too.
-What is this kid, some kind of talisman? lol
-Na-me’s blessing, 19th round
-Switzerland is thoroughly abandoned…
[Reddit’s N’Amén Synthesis Poster & Prayer released.jpg]
(The comments section flooded with N’Amén.jpg)
Look at that holy person praying, whoa!
[Comments]
-That’s something that has been trending for a while, long time no see, haha!
-Na-men
-Na-men
-“Yes, I will definitely reach the semi-finals soon.”
-They really look angelic, wow haha!
-Please, just do well for one day tomorrow…
A new tag claiming glorious first place emerged on social media.
[#with Messiah]
This meant that as long as Argentina stood alongside the living Messiah, Na-me, they would NEVER lose.
Religion played a huge role in uniting people and public opinion.
People predicted victories based on how connected their country was to Na-me.
At the same time, extreme claims emerged that Saudi Arabia had been forsaken by the Messiah, stirring the Islamic believers.
[Those who watched their own terrorists rampage must face the wrath of N’Amén.]
The Saudi royal family went berserk in response to remarks equating them with terrorists and insulting their religion.
[The Messiah is male, while Na-me is just a young girl. Watch how powerless one can become before the chosen of Allah.]
*
Currently, the countries confirmed to reach the quarter-finals are Argentina and the United States.
As the 16th round commenced, the participants’ skill level skyrocketed.
‘Not a moment to be careless.’
[16th Round Match 115]
[Na-me (Republic of Korea)] [100% | 100%]
[Suphian Omar Hakim (Saudi Arabia)] [100% | 100%]
Hakim was a balanced type warrior who could freely control aura and magic.
Notably, the unique magic to watch closely was the ‘Ramal Hazur,’ which serves as both an attack and defense, and the barrier magic ‘Kazum Baraka.’
Despite being 3rd and 4th circle spells, they consumed dozens of times more mana compared to normal spells.
Of course, worrying about money in front of a mana-rich guy would be comedic.
Standing in the center of the training arena, I extended my hand to shake with my opponent.
“What are you doing?”
Hakim scowled with dissatisfaction and just glared at my hand.
People can really be so awkward, huh?
“I’m a Muslim.”
“Didn’t ask that, though.”
“Get to know it. This is Allah’s divine teaching.”
“Oh come on, we’re just gonna hit and kick during the duel anyway. Is that okay?”
I shot a questioning glance at the referee, wondering if we shouldn’t start with a handshake, but it seemed they didn’t get my intention.
I just dropped my arm.
Whoosh!
Chak!
Pretending to shake, I swiftly grabbed his wrist tightly.
“What blasphemy is this!”
“Since we’re in France, let’s follow the French rules. No need to act all high and mighty while everyone shakes hands.”
A battle of nerves began even before the match started.
Only then did the referee intervene and separate us.
I fiddled with the Cheonghwa Sword while waiting for the countdown.
Meanwhile, Hakim prayed and took time to repent.
‘Is he really praying right now when his life is on the line for this match?’
<[Prêts?]>
This was something I wouldn’t forgive even with my Pacific Ocean-sized grace.
<[Allez!]>
[Casting: Demon King’s Horn]
[Casting: Ramal Hazur]
Almost at the same time, the magic circles activated.
Through the Demon King’s Horn, my field of view expanded into a new dimension.
The mana swirling around in the training arena became visible and was fed into my mind.
The mana around Hakim started to heavily distort.
Thick, muddy-colored sand began to pile up on the green grass.
As Hakim took a step, the sand moved in sync with him.
‘It might seem harmless on its own.’
Shuaaa—!
From the sandy expanse, monstrous spikes shot out at me with fierce momentum.
I quickly planted my right hand on the ground and traced a large arc with my left foot.
Paang—!
A clean back kick shattered the spikes in mid-air, causing sand to rain down.
In that moment, Hakim charged at me.
[Casting: Pera Catena]
Pabababat—!
Hakim summoned iron bars from the back, blocking my escape route.
I smashed the bars with my summoning hand, breaking them with a crunch.
Pressing the wand’s button, I immediately conjured the Skiabona.
At the same time, a scimitar glimmering with blue moonlight gracefully flew towards me.
Ching—!
The auras clashed violently.
Kagagagak—!
Hakim piled on pressure from above, using his weight.
I rolled aside, letting him attack.
[Casting: Ignis Res—]
The view began falling.
My feet sank beneath the sandy mire.
‘Is he trying to shrink my height?’
I canceled the spell, charging forward swinging my sword.
Cha-ching—
During our exchanges, neither I nor Hakim seemed to lose ground.
Gikigikik—!
It appeared our concentration was sharp in the early match.
I shook off Hakim, trying to establish my footing despite his attempts to overwhelm me.
Once again, bubbles gurgled under Hakim’s feet in the sand.
I braced myself, wondering what would pop out this time like opening a random box.
Three geometric soil lumps shaped like dodecahedrons flew over my head.
Suspicious, but the amount of mana within them was no joke.
Hakim swung his scimitar and detonated the mana bomb.
[Casting: Terra Platonia]
Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!
The arena shook with explosions.
I quickly used summoning to create wings to shield my body.
The thick black smoke began to rise.
Gag cough
Although it wasn’t prohibited chemical magic in the duel, my eyes burned.
“Is it over yet?”
It seemed my prepared moves were mostly exhausted, so now it was my turn to counter-attack.
[Casting: Momentum Adjustment]
[Combined Casting: Momentum Adjustment]
(…)
[Combined Casting: Momentum Adjustment]
Twelve acceleration discs installed in the arena blinked on and off.
Whoooooooooosh—
With giant wings flapping behind me, I extended the Cheonghwa Sword to 3 meters.
Before all the discs disappeared, I pressed down on every last one.
Shuwwa—!
In an instant, I dashed towards Hakim.
His waist caught on my blade, folding him in half.
‘Look at how tough that barrier is.’
The subatomic barrier that repeats billions of restorations and destructions in a second.
Even amidst that, the law of inertia pushed us to the edge of the training ground.
Kwaaaang—!
Hakim’s body was glued to the wall, and I wrapped my wings around me for protection.
Even with a barrier, my body throbbed with pain.
I staggered, clutching my sword and standing up.
Huff!
“Wow, you’ve got some real guts there.”
Hakim swiftly swung his scimitar.
Swish—!
I tried to block it with my sword held vertically.
Clang—!
“…!”
At that moment, I lost grip of my sword as my hand flinched.
Thankfully, Hakim suffered the same fate.
In an instant, the rules shifted to a hands-free mode as we quickly assessed the situation.
Dodging Hakim’s kick, I slammed my fist into his abdomen.
Thud—!
I followed the young man, who was pushed back, pummeling him further.
But attempting a submission was too greedy of me.
Hakim wrapped his hands around my neck and spun around.
Gahhh!
“Hah, ha ha, you’re dead!”
“Hah, huff, wait… for… what…?”
Countless fronds of wings sliced through.
Just like Giselle showed yesterday, I used aura to slowly pry Hakim from me.
Since I was at a disadvantage in output battles, Hakim quickly crawled away towards the wand.
[Casting: Updraft]
Whooooosh—
“Uh, you can’t use it until halftime.”
“You little—!”
As I tossed my sword aside, Hakim cursed at me.
We moved around in a melee brawl.
I kicked his shins, evaded incoming attacks, and threw body shots.
Papizizik—!
My physic power enhanced by Black Aurora pierced through Hakim’s tough sand.
Even though our barriers hadn’t been depleted much… I didn’t feel the need to push too hard.
As I minimized my movements, waiting for halftime, suddenly…
Beeeeep—!
A loud beep rang out, and flags fluttered everywhere.
First off, I discarded the constricting barrier…
Swish—
“…!”
Instinctively, I crossed my arms in an X to block the incoming punch.
However, the makeshift position crumbled immediately.
Bang—!
Hakim grabbed me by the collar and slammed me to the ground.
“What the hell, you piece of—!”
As forces rushed in from all sides, Hakim turned on his heels and strode back to his side without looking.
Thankfully, the subatomic barrier cushioned the impact from my back.
I was so baffled that I leaped up and protested to the referees.
“Isn’t that a disqualification?!”
We had to remain bound to the training ground for the disqualification ruling.
“It seems to have been an unavoidable progression due to continuous movements in the Aura Martial Arts.”
“Uh…! I mean, it’s been over three seconds since the whistle blew; how is this continuous movement?”
To sum it up, it was a yellow card.
Halftime was over, and the second half of the match resumed.