Free Web NovelChapter 28: Credit Farming [2]
Klein looked at Brian for a moment, then turned toward the side of the training ground where racks of training weapons were placed.
He walked over and picked up a simple wooden training spear without a metal spearhead, just a blunt, rounded tip designed purely for sparring.
The crowd murmured in confusion and slight mockery.
"Is he looking down on Brian?"
"That thing has almost no weight or lethality..."
Liona squinted her eyes in confusion ’That’s just a piece of wood. Brian’s spear is real.’
Brian let out a soft laugh, spinning his own steel spear once with expert flair.
"You’re really underestimating me, newbie. Using a toy like that against me?"
Klein walked back into the cleared dueling circle, holding the plain wooden spear loosely in his right hand.
He stopped in front of Brian, "Real weapons can cause unnecessary injuries."
"This should be enough."
The surrounding students erupted into a mix of laughter and angry shouts.
"Teach this first-year a lesson, Brian!"
"You are saying that as if you aren’t a first-year, dimwit."
"A-Ah, then a new batch of first-year guy."
Brian’s expression turned cold. He lowered his stance with his spear pointed forward in a ready position. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Don’t blame me when you get beaten with a wooden stick."
Klein nodded his head "Yeah. Let’s begin." freewebnoveℓ.com
Brian lunged forward with a powerful thrust, his spear cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.
Swish-!
But Klein simply shifted his footwork, tilting his body at the perfect angle. The wooden spear in his hands moved like flowing water, deflecting the thrust with a light *clack*.
"Your stance is too wide," Klein said calmly as he stepped in. "You’re exposing your center."
Before Brian could react, Klein’s wooden spear snapped forward, striking him hard in the ribs with the blunt end.
Thud!
"Guh-!"
Brian grumbled in anger and swung his spear in a wide, powerful arc, trying to force Klein back.
Klein simply ducked under the swing with effortless grace, then rose and struck Brian’s wrist with the shaft of his wooden spear.
Crack!
"Ah-!" Brian’s grip loosened for a split second.
"You’re swinging with anger instead of technique," Klein remarked.
"Emotion has its place, but not when it blinds you."
He spun his wooden spear once and thrust it forward, hitting Brian squarely in the chest and pushing him back several steps.
The entire training ground had gone deathly silent.
The students who had gathered to watch were staring in complete disbelief.
Liona stood frozen, ’I know he has some skills, but...’
Brian’s face was flushed red with rage and embarrassment.
He tightened his grip on his spear "You bastard... don’t get cocky!"
He charged again, this time using a more refined technique with a series of rapid thrusts combined with footwork.
For a moment, it looked like he had regained momentum.
But Klein easily dodged or deflected every strike with minimal effort.
"Your footwork is stiff," Klein said, stepping inside Brian’s range again. "You’re relying too much on brute strength."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three consecutive strikes landed on Brian’s torso, arms, and leg, making him stumble.
Brian finally dropped to one knee with his spear clattering to the ground beside him.
Sweat poured down his face as he looked up at Klein in shock and frustration.
Klein stood over him, resting the wooden training spear on his shoulder.
The training ground was completely silent.
Then, slowly, murmurs began to spread.
"He completely overpowered Brian..."
"Who the hell is this first-year?"
"Wait a minute... that face, it’s that Mythic rank guy."
"The who?"
Standing up, Brian uttered "I admit that you are better than me at using spears. But I didn’t use mana and my skills."
"Let’s have a fair duel with the usage of mana."
With a nod, Klein replied "Alright, but you should bet another 2000 credits."
Upon hearing this, Brian gritted his teeth and replied "...Deal."
They took positions again.
Gripping his spear, Klein’s gaze condensed ’Since he is a Warrior class, he should have the specific skills to back up that.’
’But I am a summoner class with no summons with me and I am still at F rank.’
’Well... I don’t think he can beat me even with all of his skills.’
’i still have two trump cards at my disposal anyway.’
"Begin!" one of the watching first-years shouted.
*swish* Brian exploded forward immediately and his movements were significantly faster than before.
Orange mana flames wrapped around his spear as he thrust forward.
"Flame Lance!"
*WOOSH* The spearhead burned with intense heat, leaving a trail of fire in its path.
Klein’s eyes sharpened. He stepped sideways at the last moment, deflecting the flaming thrust with his wooden spear.
Even though it was just wood, he coated the wood with his mana, allowing him to parry the attack without it burning.
"You’re still too straightforward," Klein commented as he countered with a quick thrust to Brian’s shoulder.
Thud!
Brian grunted but didn’t back down. He spun his spear and unleashed a sweeping horizontal strike.
"Crimson Whirlwind!"
*SWOOSH
The attack created a small whirlwind of flames.
Klein leaped back, then dashed in again, striking Brian’s thigh, side, and arm one after another.
"You’re relying too much on the skill’s power and neglecting your footwork,"
"Urgh..." Brian grunted in frustration and activated another skill, his body glowing with strengthening mana.
"Berserk Charge!"
He rushed forward like a bull with his spear aimed straight at Klein’s chest.
"I like that." Klein smiled and planted his feet firmly as blue mana flared along his wooden spear.
With perfect timing, he thrust forward and met Brian’s charge head-on.
BOOM!
The collision created a small shockwave and Brian’s eyes widened in shock as he felt overwhelming power pushing him back.
"Too reckless."
Klein twisted his spear, redirecting Brian’s momentum and striking him hard in the stomach with the butt of the wooden weapon.
Thud!
"Argh-" Brian staggered back and before he could recover, Klein closed the distance and kicked his chest.
*THUD*
Brian was lifted slightly off his feet before crashing backward, skidding across the dirt.
He gasped for air, clutching his chest as the wind was completely knocked out of him.
Glancing up at Klein, Brian took a deep breath "...I accept my loss."
With a satisfied smile, Klein took his ID card "Oh, then your credits."
Brian stood up fully, still grimacing in pain. He pulled out his mobile from his pocket, scanned his ID, and transferred 2000 credits with a few taps.
"I will send the other 2000 credits later."
Klein put his ID back in his pocket and nodded "Oh sure, but when you do, pay with interest."
Eh? Brian was dumbfounded ’This fucker...’
Klein then turned to the other students with a ’smile’ "Shall we continue then?"
---
Klein stood in the middle of the training ground, casually scrolling through his mobile.
All around him, spear division students were sitting or lying on the ground, with bright red circular marks on their foreheads where the blunt end of the spear had been hit.
Some were still breathing heavily, others were staring into space with dazed expressions, and a few were muttering curses under their breath.
Klein’s lips curved into an amused smile as he checked the credit balance on his app.
"It’s really nice they have an app for this. Makes things so much easier."
The total displayed on the screen was 16,700 Credits.
Liona stood beside him with an exhausted smile.
One of the students muttered bitterly, "I lost 800 credits in under two minutes..."
Klein finally pocketed his phone and looked around at the scattered students with his usual smile.
"Thank you for the spars, everyone," he said politely. "You all helped me earn some credits and warm up. I appreciate it."
The students collectively gave him deadpan or hateful stares.
Liona pinched the bridge of her nose "You’re going to be infamous by tomorrow morning."
Klein chuckled softly and glanced at her "Want to try too? I’ll go easy on you."
Liona immediately took a big step back, waving her hands.
"No thank you! I like my credits where they are!"
He smiled and patted her shoulder lightly.
"Don’t worry. I’ll treat you to something nice with the credits I earned today."
She gave him a long, suffering look "...At least you’re generous after scamming everyone."
Klein laughed quietly as he started walking out of the training ground and Liona reluctantly followed beside him.
