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Chapter 79: Soul Chess (2)
Soul Chess.
To Baek Yu-Seol, it was a tedious and frustrating game.
In the Aether World, soul chess was everywhere.
Persona gates, dungeons, ruins, and more often had mages play chess, build rapport, or persuade key characters.
Unlike conventional chess, soul chess involved placing pieces with various abilities. It was more akin to a turn-based role-playing game (TRPG).
However, Baek Yu-Seol wasn't particularly smart, so he didn't excel at it.
But that was the case for other players as well; they had no choice but to strategize and exploit their opponents with the help of the system.
Did his forces match up favorably against the opponent's forces?
Was the formation he set up more advantageous than the opponent's?
That was where Baek Yu-Seol had an advantage.
Although he had never directly faced Edmon, the form and strategies of the pieces he used were recorded in meticulous detail in his glasses.
In other words, studying the guidebook would allow him to play soul chess.
Moreover, he could use the Sentient Specs to analyze the opponent's chess patterns and determine the moves that had the highest probability of leading to victory.
In essence, with the strategy guide and his ‘AlphaGo’ by his side, Baek Yu-Seol was unbeatable.
Unaware of this fact, Edmon looked at the chessboard before him confidently.
‘Ha, soul chess?’
His anxiety had disappeared. Now, he could leisurely look around.
The signing of the oath document was done. Now, all he had to do was win in soul chess and obtain the item trading rights.
"Hey, are Senior Edmon and the first-year student going to play soul chess?"
"They’re not just playing; it's a bet. They’re playing soul chess for stakes."
"To the point of writing an oath document..."
"Senior will win, right?"
"Well, obviously. Have you seen anyone in Stella who plays soul chess better than Edmon?"
The number of spectators had increased without Baek Yu-Seol realizing it.
Initially, he felt a bit burdened by the spectators, but now he wished there were even more.
That way, he could show his victory to everyone.
Edmon glanced at Hong Bi-Yeon in the seat next to him with affectionate eyes.
However, she closed her eyes and crossed her legs, casually sipping the coffee without even giving them a glance.
Although her nonchalant attitude was irritating, it didn't matter.
She would become his, and no one else could interfere with her.
With such thoughts, Edmon locked eyes with Baek Yu-Seol.
In contrast, Hong Bi-Yeon's mind was in turmoil.
‘What is he thinking? Soul chess…’
Of all things, Baek Yu-Seol had chosen the discipline Edmon excelled in.
It seemed utterly crazy.
If he lost there, everything would become meaningless.
‘Does he have a plan?’
Even if Baek Yu-Seol was said to have a sharp mind, it was impossible to outplay Edmon, who had been called the prodigy of soul chess and had been learning since the age of five.
Edmon, who knew this fact, spoke calmly.
"Well, junior. Let's start by placing our pieces. You can go first."
Baek Yu-Seol nodded without hesitation.
Giving up the initiative for free in such an important bet. There was no bigger fool.
"Yes."
They placed their pieces on a chessboard that was much larger than a regular chessboard and had an octagonal shape.
Even the process of placing the pieces was a mental battle.
They would take turns taking five pieces each. They had to examine the opponent's pieces, strategize, and carefully select which pieces to place.
[Edmon Atalek usually deploys the forces of the 'Unbreakable Flame Troop.' He focuses on firepower, so be cautious.]
[If he has the first move, there is a high possibility that he will move 'Burning Golem' or set up 'Scorched Earth' on the field. It would be good for you to prepare 'Frozen Glacier' in anticipation, but if you haven't...]
Countless strategies for Edmon Atalek's soul chess came to Baek Yu-Seol’s view.
Based on that, his augmented reality spec started analyzing the patterns and projected the most ideal route for him in the air like a hologram.
Following that, he calmly placed his pieces on the chessboard.
There was no need for psychological warfare.
Whatever he did, he had the advantage.
"Hmm...?"
As Edmon was placing his pieces, he furrowed his brow slightly.
He didn't take his opponent lightly, especially if they dared to bet on soul chess. However, seeing Baek Yu-seol's strategic placement after observing just a few pieces made him feel cornered from the start.
For a moment, uneasiness struck, but he forcefully pushed it away.
Such a minor disadvantage could be overcome with his experience and superior strategies.
He had fought countless battles like this and was familiar with them.
"Ahem, shall we begin?"
Baek Yu-Seol responded by moving his piece to take the first move.
'Hm?'
He started off aggressively.
Sending a piece with both high attack and defense close to his territory showed Baek Yu-Seol's boldness, which slightly surprised Edmon.
Not in a good way, but a bad one.
‘Does this commoner not know that this is an exploration game?’
For Edmon, it wasn't a bad development.
If he could significantly weaken the opponent's forces from the beginning, it would be advantageous.
Since the opponent came out boldly, Edmon also moved his limited three pieces boldly.
'Speedrun knight.'
It wasn't a piece with strong offensive power, but it had exceptional mobility, capable of covering the entire map.
Clang!
As Edmon’s piece moved, it swiftly took out one of Baek Yu-Seol’s pieces and vanished into specks of light.
However, Baek Yu-Seol didn't panic and immediately moved his next piece. This time, he initiated pressure from another direction.
As expected, it was an aggressive move, but it didn't inflict any significant damage on Edmon‘s side.
On the contrary, Edmon used the mobility advantage to swiftly eliminate Baek Yu-Seol’s key pieces one by one.
'This is easy.'
Edmon’s lips curled into a smile. He didn't even bother hiding his expression and played on with a leisurely demeanor.
Hong Bi-Yeon chewed her lips anxiously, wearing a worried expression.
'What is he trying to do?’
Baek Yu-Seol felt the same.
‘Seriously, what am I doing?’
Although he trusted the analysis provided by the spec, he couldn't grasp the strategy behind it at all.
However, as Edmon’s pieces gradually infiltrated Baek Yu-Seol’s territory, a change happened.
"Hm?"
When they snapped back to their senses, they realized that three of Baek Yu-Seol's pieces had occupied specific points, triggering a field magic.
[Trap: Lockdown]
By installing a prison in a designated narrow space, this field effect prevented the trapped pieces from escaping for five turns.
However, whether by coincidence or strategy, all three of the pieces responsible for Edmon’s mobility, the speedrun knights, had fallen into the trap.
'What…?'
It had to be a coincidence.
It was only five turns. There was no way to turn the situation around in just five turns.
Furthermore.
'Haha, I can complete my field soon!’
In soul chess, it wasn't simply about capturing the opponent's pieces to win. One had to attack repeatedly and chip away at their defenses.
However, a field magic that significantly increased the attack power of all of Edmon’s pieces was activated.
[Field: Scorched Earth]
A field that reduced the defense of opponents who had weak defense against fire and increased the owner’s attack power.
It was incredibly difficult to complete this field as it required occupying points in five different locations.
But, once it was completed, the opponent would be overwhelmed in an instant.
‘It's over. How many times have I secretly moved my pieces to occupy these points?’
Edmon had completely failed to notice this strategy and was engaged in meaningless actions.
[Captured: Reversed Ground]
"...Huh?"
As Baek Yu-Seol moved his piece, Edmon unintentionally blurted out a dumbfounded remark.
Without realizing it, a lowly pawn had somehow snatched control of a specific point.
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have any effect, but if the opponent occupied it while the [Field] was active, they would gain the [Reversal] effect.
In other words, the fiery [Scorched Earth] instantly turned into the [Frozen Ground].
"This is….”
‘How did he manage to complete [Reversal] right after [Scorched Earth]?’
That meant Baek Yu-Seol had completely seen through Edmon’s intentions.
‘No, no! If I devour all the pieces on the points, I can reclaim my field!’
Biting his lips anxiously, Edmon attempted to move his speedrun knight to attack the points.
'Oh.'
He realized that all his speedrun knights were trapped by [Lockdown] and were unable to move.
From that point on, he couldn't think of anything.
‘What should I... do...?’
There was no way out.
With the speedrun knights bound, he had no piece that could reach the opponent's points.
But if he were to release the field himself, all the effort he had put in so far would be in vain.
It would be nothing short of suicide.
‘No, no. Maybe he was just lucky to see through my strategy. If I calmly refine my forces and fight again, I’ll win…’
Edmon clenched his teeth tightly and released [Scorched Earth]. As a result, its effect melted away.
‘Good, now I need to regroup and—’
However, before he could even finish his thoughts...
Bang!
Baek Yu-Seol’s piece moved without hesitation.
It was a relentless and aggressive movement.
'Uh...'
Edmon was slightly taken aback, but he slowly collected his thoughts. He needed to grasp the opponent's strategy. If he could poke a hole, the opponent would surely be flustered and reveal a vulnerability.
Slowly and carefully. That was how he ought to proceed.
However...
Bang! Bang!
While Edmon contemplated for five minutes, Baek Yu-Seol only took five seconds to think. He moved with no hesitation whatsoever, and as soon as Edmon’s turn ended, he swiftly swept his pieces like a tidal wave.
At that moment, Edmon felt a certain terror. It was as if he was playing chess against an emotionless entity, devoid of blood or tears.
Suddenly, the Baek Yu-Seol in front of him seemed distant and remote.
Edmon couldn't bear to meet his cold expression, devoid of any emotion.
Shivering violently, Edmon forced himself to grip the piece tightly, but now there was no way out.
The opponent didn't expose any weaknesses to any attack and completely crushed his army with a rough and ruthless assault.
At that moment, he felt despair. It was like facing an overwhelming mage who suppressed him with sheer power.
It was his first time encountering an opponent who moved the pieces so coldly and logically, without a trace of emotion. It sent shivers down his spine to the point of tears.
'Heh, heh… heh…'
He’d lost.
He didn't want to admit that obvious fact, but the more he struggled, the more he resembled a writhing worm in front of a giant.
In the end, Edmon personally toppled his king with his finger.
Thud!
A declaration of complete defeat.
He covered his head with both hands.
‘What on earth is happening...?’
Sweat droplets formed on his sharp nose. Even in the messy situation, he couldn't do anything to resolve it.
‘It must be a dream.’
It had to be a dream.
This was a game he absolutely couldn't lose.
‘Yeah, this can’t be reality.’
Unfortunately, the commotion around him was the harsh sound of reality.
"Did Senior Edmon really lose?"
"How did that happen?"
"Did you see that strategy? It was insane!"
"I don't know anything about soul chess, so I don't even know what's what..."
"He just dominated him one-sidedly, right? Senior Edmon couldn't even put up a fight."
Among those students, Hong Bi-Yeon silently disappeared, and Baek Yu-Seol also stood up, holding the oath of magic power.
Despite being someone who played a chess game devoid of emotions like a machine, it was hard to believe the warm smile he wore as he slightly bowed.
"It was a good match. Well done."
After saying those words, Baek Yu-Seol quickly left the cafe, and Edmon shook his head.
It wasn't a dream. It was reality.
He became acutely aware of that fact.