Your Girlfriend Was Amazing

Chapter 38: S-Rank Gate Cleared

S-Rank Gate Cleared

"It's been quite some time since I last saw results like this." A man in the armory scrutinized a results sheet.

———————————[Subject] Baek Taeyang

[Result] The subject exhibits the most ideal physique for an awakened individual.

While the average awakened person possesses a partially filled hexagon-shaped physique, this subject's hexagon is fully complete.

A particularly notable feature is the lower body's *$)!탋#^.

[Recommended Weapon] No specific recommendation is given.

The subject is proficient with any weapon he chooses to wield.

Any discrepancies in fit are merely due to varying skill levels; there is no question about the subject's compatibility.———————————

Even Kim Minsoo, renowned as a hero, never received such a report. The report simply indicated his potential to become a sword-wielding hero.

"There seems to be an error… How peculiar."

The anomalies weren't due to intentional erasures but rather a genuine machine malfunction, and it hindered accurate analysis. For the analysis machine, which had evolved continually since the inception of the Victory Academy, to malfunction was unprecedented.

"I must meet him." The man surveyed the half-empty weapon supply room. It should have been fully stocked with firearms and cold weapons, but Baek Taeyang had cleared them all out. Even if there were no restrictions, to take this many… He truly became curious about what kind of student he was.

"I should take action as well…"

"Chairman!"

"Duchul, I'm not deaf. What's urgent?"

"The F-rank gate designated for 1st-year Class D has escalated to an S-rank gate!"

Jang Duchul's haste was evident from the deep footprints trailing him.

"Did you notify the opener?"

"Yes, he's en route."

"We'll settle the payment later. Just ensure he arrives at the scene immediately."

With that directive, their conversation concluded. Moments later, two sizable gaps appeared in the ceiling of the Victory Academy.

***

"You! You call yourself a knight?"

"Really? I thought I was one."

"How can you, a knight, wield such despicable weapons!" Don Quixote lunged forward with misplaced aggression. Suddenly, Rocinante materialized from under him, showcasing some unexpected horse-riding acrobatics. Facing him up close became a daunting task.

Every meticulous detail was designed with Kim Minsoo in mind. He'd expertly juggle the sword, perhaps throwing in a dash of [Hero] for that dramatic, decisive blow against Don Quixote.

"Lower your weapon! If you're a true knight, wield a sword!"

"This is also a knight's weapon."

[Magnetic Pole Activated! Enhancing to a larger, more powerful weapon!]

Boom!

The enchanted metal cylinder slung across my shoulder unleashed fiery bursts and projectiles. Against monsters, typical firearms were futile, but this weapon was crafted awakened individuals. Its potency exceeded that of ordinary guns as it bolstered by Magnetic Pole. Based solely on its destructive force, it rivaled Melanie's skill.

It's foolish to keep your distance from the start.

I recalled the condition window that appeared when challenging Don Quixote to a duel.

———————————You have revealed the true nature of Don Quixote.

He is vastly different from the character in the novel we know.

But now, having challenged him to a true knight's duel!

There might be a chance to revert him to his original state.

An honorable one-on-one showdown!

Victory is imperative!

[Restrictions]

1. Only Baek Taeyang may confront Don Quixote.2. Rocinante's intervention is permissible.———————————

I thought Don Quixote was already a goner. I was expecting that a single decisive strike would finish him off. Yet, the instant that condition window materialized, he transformed into a glittering knight with weapons at the ready. His wounds weren't all healed, but he seemed to be on the mend.

He's not listening to my Coercion.

I had cranked up the power, aiming for a quick finish. But it topped out at around 50%, not enough to bring down the delusional knight. I had to settle for merely hindering his movements.

I toyed with the idea of ditching the bracelet, but the whole "uncontrollable consequences" deal put me off. Besides, others might get dragged into the mess. So, I went all-in on maximizing my weapons' potential.

"Stand and fight, knight!"

"I'm already fighting, aren't I?"

"That's not it!"

Jumping into close combat when you have ranged options is just plain foolish. The smart move is to use weapons that can strike from a distance.

It's frustrating not having time to reload.

The drawback was that Rocinante was too quick for me to reload, so I had to discard weapons after a single use. It was frustrating because I wanted to maximize the damage while I could.

"Ah, finally wielding a lance, are you, knight!"

Don Quixote is noticeably weakened. The fact that he can't summon more monsters is evidence enough. But Rocinante is a tough nut to crack.

Even my Coercion has no effect on Rocinante, as it isn't considered a living being but rather one of Don Quixote's skills. Ignoring it to focus on Don Quixote is easier said than done; he dodged every shot with uncanny skill.

It seems I can't land a proper hit from a distance.

Considering it's a monster Kim Minsoo had to face, that might be expected. Even my best javelin throws barely grazed him.

"You finally realize your tricks won't work on me!"

I'd realized that quite some time ago. I'm just not keen on recklessly diving in.

"What a chatterbox."

Why are novel protagonists such chatterboxes? Even that fatty author seems to fit the bill. Whether it's in their DNA or some misguided effort to appear "protagonist-like," they just can't shut up.

Clang!

Approaching, I hurled a chain with a sharp stake at the end. Not being a fool, Don Quixote mainly used his lance for defense. The chain was a decoy, intended to quickly clear the lance out of the way.

"A halberd! Impressive!"

Just as Don Quixote lunged forward with his lance aimed at me, Rocinante hastily moved backward.

As expected.

Rocinante is clearly one of Don Quixote's skills but moved independently. Each time it moved, it intentionally kicked up dust with its hooves—a behavior not commanded by Don Quixote.

In other words, the horse prioritized its master's safety, focusing all attention on him. However, this made it a contradictory being: it had to follow its master's will while prioritizing his safety.

Don Quixote valued the knightly code above all else and yearned for good weapon clashes. The master wanted to advance, securing distance, while the horse wanted to maintain distance.

Rocinante backed away, attempting to dodge the slowly flying, sharp-tipped chain that its master didn't see coming. But Don Quixote was leaning forward, eager for a knightly clash.

Going backward risked Don Quixote falling and getting hit by the halberd; going forward meant getting impaled by the stake. Faced with a dilemma, the horse had only one choice.

Stab.

"Rocinante!"

A spirit unyielding, even with a stake driven into its body to protect its master. Has a flair for the dramatic, for a beast.

Still just a beast, though.

Dropping the chain, I reached out and grabbed the halberd.

[Bash Activated! Strong power gathers in both hands!]

With the halberd in hand, I continued my offensive against Don Quixote. He was wielding his lance with both hands, so to balance the power dynamic, I had to keep using Bash.

"Come down now, Don Quixote."

Gripping the reins tightly in my left hand, I swung toward where the stake was lodged.

Eeeeeee!

"Targeting a vulnerable beast like a coward! You're no knight!"

Every time Rocinante got hurt, Don Quixote exposed a glaring weakness. It tried to fill the gaps despite being injured, and that was the beginning of a vicious cycle.

Their mutual desire to protect each other was their Achilles' heel. The lance broke, and Rocinante could no longer move. I pounded and pulverized both Rocinante and Don Quixote with an axe and a club.

"I may not be the knight you're expecting, but neither are you."

He was no true knight either. Just a lunatic lost in knightly tales. There was no way such a person could engage in proper combat. The overwhelming boost from an S-rank gate had merely enlarged this kid; that's Don Quixote's real identity.

"Enough! Stop it! You've won!" As if sensing death closing in, he began to plead for his life pitifully. I couldn't help but laugh at the begging, knowing he couldn't be spared.

In the original work, it would have ended by laying down the sword. If it were Kim Minsoo, he might have spared him out of pity.

"I know I've won."

I had no intention of respecting the original work or being Kim Minsoo. So I put down the axe and club and pulled out the greatsword embedded in my back.

[Bash Activated! Strong power gathers in both hands!]

I felt Kim Minsoo's gaze from afar. It wasn't a glance of suspicion but one of certainty, as if it wasn't the first time I'd used Bash.

Yeah, it's your skill. So what?

"Let me go! I'll never appear before you again! I won't even claim to be a knight!"

"Shut up."

In an instant, the greatsword fell, and both Don Quixote and Rocinante were split in half, dead. It was an ending that could feel empty, perhaps because it ended too quickly compared to the initial intensity.

Is it because it's not my role?

If the protagonist couldn't do it, maybe he chose to end the story quickly.

———————————Concept: Classic Masterpiece [Don Quixote] Gate Cleared!

Congratulations. Despite various underhanded methods, you have cleared the gate with dignity!

As a reward for your exemplary performance in the gate, differentiated rewards will be given!

1. Baek Taeyang2. Kim Minsoo3. Lee Minjoon4. Melanie5. Kim Sukgu

No others.———————————

After the message announcing the gate clearance appeared, a personal portal appeared in front of each person. I thought everyone would immediately dash out as soon as the portal opened, but it was eerily quiet around me.

What's going on?

When I looked around, everyone was staring at me. Being the center of attention without a word was incredibly uncomfortable. Some were even on the verge of tears, their eyes making me feel as if I had the power to crush them.

From experience, it's best to say nothing and exit the situation when in such a spotlight. Trying to maintain a certain demeanor only wastes time and risks drawing unnecessary applause or, worse, scrutiny.

I had initially planned to collect my weapons but decided to change course. I quickly closed the reward window and moved my body through the portal.

++++++++++++

"Viriviribarabubumbataya, open the gate…"

"What is this?"

"Cleared…?"

I tried to step out of the gate to take a breather, but an inexplicable scene was unfolding. It looked like an entire folk village had been transported here, complete with wooden posts. In the center, a man wearing makeup was dancing. He looked entirely out of place.

What on earth is going on here?

It felt like one hurdle after another, a never-ending ordeal.