episode_0058

Thud-!

With a graceful descent, Hwando, who had been circling the air, lands perfectly.

The unique black glow of the sword, cutting deep into the ground, creates a noise.

“…”

Pang Jin-a, like a statue, couldn’t say a word even as the sword he had been wielding fell to the ground.

Frozen like a statue, he couldn’t even think about retrieving it and just stared ahead.

Right in front of him.

Yoo Se-ha was frozen in the same position as himself.

The focus of his eyes was blurry.

Like a light bulb at the end of its life, flickering and ready to go out at any moment.

Surely, he had used more power than necessary to achieve enlightenment.

Yet his stance remained unwavering.

With the sword blade held up by his right hand and his left hand attached to his wrist, ready to switch between offense and defense at any moment.

He probably didn’t fully understand the meaning of it, just following what he was doing.

But that was enough.

Even without being taught, he understood it and now it was unfolding before his eyes.

“…Sigh.”

Pang Jin-a let out a small sigh.

[Heavenly Sword Technique].

An Epic grade skill.

Strictly speaking, it’s a sword technique, but systemically classified as a [Sword Technique] skill.

A unique sword technique arranged in a unique way, just like the Epic grade [Pang Ahoryeong Sword] passed down through the generations.

In essence, he had mastered a sword that no one else could wield.

Not satisfied with just that, he had also learned the ‘Counter’ technique, a derivative skill of [Heavenly Sword Technique] that could be acquired through numerous trials and errors.

He had also learned [Heavenly Strike].

Pang Jin-a thought that in just 30 minutes, he had been amazed enough to last a year.

So he didn’t want to be surprised anymore.

But there was one unavoidable thing in front of him.

The flames silently burning beyond his gaze.

At the tip of Yoo Se-ha’s sword.

The white flames flowing through it were the target.

Whoosh-!

Faint and weak.

But more than anything, clear and transparent white flames.

Undoubtedly, it was the manifestation of [Pasa’s Sword], causing Moon Bora, who had been watching from afar, to jump up in surprise.

“…This can’t be.”

“M-milady Bora?”

Even if were to die and wake up, they couldn’t learn [Pasa’s Sword].

Even if they had mastered it, the moment they strayed onto the path of evil, they would lose their qualification.

But Yoo Se-ha was showing signs of [Pasa’s Sword] right now.

There was only one thing this meant.

“Yoo Se-ha…”

No, it wasn’t.

*

Pang Jin-a also had the same thought as Moon Bora.

It wasn’t him.

He, who possessed such unbelievable talent, was not someone who had made a deal with a demon to gain it.

It would have been an unbelievable story.

Just an hour ago, she would have scolded him for talking nonsense.

“…I see.”

Pang Jin-a understood it now in this moment.

This was an emotion that could only be felt by directly sharing a sword with Yoo Se-ha.

It was also the identity of the discomfort he had been feeling.

“I’ve been making a big mistake from the beginning.”

He had thought it was a talent nurtured by Mae’s influence.

But it wasn’t.

His growth was a combination of his efforts and innate genius.

Since the way he cultivated it was completely different, it was natural to feel discomfort.

A flower grown in rotten soil.

A flower grown in clear and clean soil.

It was only natural that the scents they emitted were different.

“…I was foolish.”

Pang Jin-a blamed himself.

He should have taken off the colored glasses and looked at it objectively.

As a man, with the inherent difference in magical power, this shouldn’t have been possible.

He shouldn’t have concluded that he had gained power through a deal with a demon.

If he had, he would have realized it sooner.

“…This golden gem shining before me right now.”

Yoo Se-ha was a genius.

That was the kind of genius that even Pang Jin-ah found difficult to judge.

Creak-!

“……”

Yoo Se-ha’s sword moved again.

Even though his eyes did not emit light, the trajectory of the [Fate Sword Technique] was drawn out and unfolded.

It was slow enough to make him yawn.

It was incomplete to the point where his clothes couldn’t even brush against it.

It was weak enough to not shed a drop of blood.

However, he did not belittle it.

Within that clumsiness, the most important subtleties were fully contained.

He felt the freedom of a bird flapping its wings vigorously in his sword.

At the same time, Pang Jin-ah also saw through his weaknesses.

‘Swordsmanship and skills are separate.’

The reason could be guessed.

‘Was there not a single proper master for him?’

Perhaps there was no one to accept him. They probably refused without even testing him with colored glasses like he did. Therefore, he had no choice but to rely on firepower skills like [Ryucham].

Up until now, that had suppressed his genius.

By using skills in a predetermined way, according to predetermined rules, he couldn’t obtain the freedom of wings.

But here, he could unfold it a little.

Pang Jin-ah dodged the sword and smiled faintly.

He too…

‘Those were the days.’

*

Pang Jin-ah was also called a genius.

Through relentless effort, he climbed over many others.

The more he was criticized for being relentless, the more he trained like a demon.

This led him to reach a level that anyone would envy at the young age of 25.

A rank Hunter.

Not just an A rank, but undeniably at the top tier of strength.

No, purely in terms of stats, he was close to S rank.

This was personally known to him.

His senior who had guided him, a Hunter of S rank.

There was no doubt that he was the .

Everyone said it.

Pang Jin-ah would reach S rank.

He would subdue the world with his sword like the .

She herself believed it.

In a few years, she firmly believed she would reach S rank.

‘…But it didn’t happen.’

The result was completely different.

S rank was a realm of true transcendence.

An area far beyond reach.

He had climbed to a level where he couldn’t get any stronger than A rank, but the difference with S rank was clear.

At 28 years old.

After three years of closed-door training, what Pang Jin-ah realized was this.

‘I…’

‘I can’t go any further.’

He couldn’t feel progress no matter how much he wielded his sword.

He doubted himself.

He wondered if he really was a genius, if he had talent.

He even humbled himself and went to to ask.

“…Jin-ah. Your sword has no purpose.”

“What are you wielding the sword for?”

He couldn’t understand anything beyond that.

If this had worsened a little more, he might have been captivated by despair and become a beggar.

Furthermore…

‘…A deal.’

He might have made a deal with a demon.

The reason he didn’t do this to the end was…

Because he had seen it with his own eyes.

The words of the one who made a deal with a demon for power…

‘…My mother’s death.’

Pang Jin-ah remembered it clearly.

The sight of his mother making a deal with a demon out of despair.

The sight of her gaining power and going mad, slaughtering her family.

And finally…

Reacting sensitively to the traces left on the Silverback’s fur.

Seeking out the Hunter Moonbora who suffered similar wounds.

The reason for testing Yoo Se-ha was also rooted in this.

‘…No.’

It’s all excuses.

He just didn’t see clearly because of his foolishness.

‘…The swamp.’

Alright, I’m just falling into a deadly swamp.

So I lived as a recluse for a few months.

Approaching me were two individuals.

One was the top-ranked student at the academy, Director Lee.

“Professor?”

“It’s been a while, Fang Jin.”

The other was none other than Professor Bong Mi-chun, who watched over me during my ignorant middle school days.

Looking back, it was a fiery time, but Professor Bong Mi-chun just chuckled at the memory.

“What brings you here…”

“Fang Jin, have you ever thought about becoming a professor?”

“…What?”

The two of them explained.

Currently, the academy is in a state of crisis.

If you know a bit about the social background, it’s obvious.

Hunters risk their lives to gain immense wealth and honor that ordinary people can only dream of.

For them, skills and attributes are a source of pride, treasure, and business.

Teaching someone else was out of the question.

And that’s not all.

From a practical economic perspective, there was no reason to become a professor.

Getting a salary?

No matter how much it is, it’s worse than going into a B-rank dungeon to mine magic stones and materials.

After all, being a professor means teaching someone.

It requires not only knowledge but also a moral compass and understanding to guide students correctly.

“So, in summary, it’s not about the money, you’ll be a punching bag for everyone, and you have to kill off your hunter personality… is that right?”

“Hmm.”

“Hehe…”

The two coughed awkwardly at Fang Jin’s blunt words.

They continued to persuade her, but she just couldn’t bring herself to agree.

However, one word.

A chance remark moved Fang Jin’s heart.

“…Exclusive disciple…?”

“Yes, it’s not just about teaching, it’s a contract to invest in each other and form a proper master-disciple relationship. Your [Heavenly Sword Technique] is a unique martial art. If you die, no one else will inherit it. Don’t you want to leave behind the technique you created for future generations?”

“…”

In truth, whether Fang Jin disappeared or not didn’t matter.

The sword technique was just a skill to her.

If she had that kind of pride, she would have used the [Fang Ahoryeong Sword] her deceased mother taught her.

What surprised her was the possibility of being an ‘exclusive disciple’ that she had never considered.

‘…I see.’

There was a way.

If you can’t overcome the wall, isn’t entrusting your dream to a disciple a way?

‘Professor Bong Mi-chun must have meant that.’

She knew he wouldn’t know her situation.

He probably expressed it as raising a disciple instead of directly saying it.

It was a reasonable statement.

So Fang Jin accepted the professorship.

For two years, she searched tirelessly for the one who would help her overcome her dream and the wall.

And now…

“…I found it.”

The ore she had been desperately waiting for was right in front of her.

Buzz!

As she thought, Yuseha’s sword accelerated.

Meanwhile, her vitality and mana were running out.

Her face grew paler.

She probably wasn’t aware of it.

If left like this, she might collapse and die of exhaustion, whether it was a test or something else.

‘…I’m sorry for interrupting your enlightenment.’

It couldn’t be helped.

Fang Jin swiftly retrieved the fallen Hwando from the ground.

Concentrating on [Fasa’s Sword], she struck towards him.

Clang! With the sound of air bursting, Yuseha’s sword finally stopped.

“…Huh?”

“Are you awake?”

“…Ah.”

He realized that he had lost as he lay on the ground, humiliated.

With a bewildered expression, he soon muttered, “Hmph… I underestimated you,” as he turned his head.

He was satisfied with his dedication, not caring about victory or defeat.

Pang Jin-ah lightly smiled at his innocence.

But soon, darkness crept in.

The weight of the sin he had committed, the guilt of doubting him, once again hit him hard.

“…However.”

Blaming himself won’t help him in any way.

“If you’re sorry…”

Move now, Pang Jin-ah.

She lowered herself to meet his gaze.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…Huh?”

“It was me who was foolish and couldn’t see the truth. I don’t even know what to apologize for… I have no words, no matter how many times I open my mouth.”

“…Huh?”

Yoo Se-ha stared blankly, as if asking what she meant.

Pang Jin-ah smiled bitterly.

‘Didn’t she notice?’

No, it was better this way.

Making feeble excuses didn’t suit him.

He could say anything if it was just words.

What he needed to do now was to carry the burden of guilt in his heart and do his best for her.

“Yoo Se-ha, the Hunter, no, the student.”

“Ah, yes?”

“Promise me.”

“…What?”

Pang Jin-ah smiled brightly.

Astonishment spread through the audience at the next words.

“I will pass on everything to you.”

“What?”

Despite the professors’ murmurs, Pang Jin-ah paid no attention.

Instead, he gained more courage from Bong Mi-chun nodding approvingly from afar.

“You passed.”

“…Huh?”

“It means you passed.”

Pang Jin-ah smiled faintly.

The guilt and remorse he felt towards her.

The relief that it wasn’t Mine.

The sense of responsibility to repay her in any way.

And finally, the hope of finally finding the treasure.

With all these combined, Pang Jin-ah let out a smile from his innocent days without realizing it.

He reached out his hand slowly.

He grabbed Yoo Se-ha, who was looking bewildered, and carefully helped her up.

“Congratulations on your admission, Yoo Se-ha.”

“…Uh, uh, thank you!”

Meanwhile, Mahana watched this scene with great emotion.

“…Mweah.”

Tears of joy flowed down her heart, overflowing with emotion.

Yoo Se-ha, she knew he would succeed, but she didn’t expect him to do so well, which made her even more emotional.

“…Mweah. Master Bora, can you see that? Our Se-ha… Oh, huh?”

Mahana was taken aback.

The ghostly figure of Moon Bora disappeared just now.

Hurriedly looking around, she saw Moon Bora cautiously leaving through the back door.

Mahana thought about stopping her, but soon hesitated.

“…”

Moon Bora.

Her expression was filled with deep guilt.