episode_0093

So Yeon-hwa gazed silently at Han Yu-seong as he headed toward the black market.

‘What is this?’

The Chancellor had ordered her.

To look into Han Yu-seong.

A renowned candidate for the title of Sword Saint from [The Cradle].

Given his reputation alone, she had to investigate.

But So Yeon-hwa wasn’t particularly interested.

There were far too many whose fame was louder than their skill.

She had sought out those who, with just one glance at a sword, could replicate techniques beyond imagination.

Yet, not one of them could block a single strike from her blade.

Having experienced such disappointments time and again, she had long stopped trusting rumors.

As she grew, her [Eyes] and [Sword] began to evolve.

She developed the ability to make any swordsmanship her own just by witnessing it.

With age, that talent only grew stronger.

Now, she could discern an opponent’s worth just by looking at them.

Thus, she became the next prodigy the Empire’s nobility had their eyes on.

That was So Yeon-hwa.

If the Chancellor said so, it must be true.

But.

She couldn’t figure him out.

Most people, she could understand with just a glance.

But not him.

A man she couldn’t comprehend just by looking.

‘…….’

So Yeon-hwa stared at Han Yu-seong.

Her first impression was—fast.

A speed she couldn’t hope to match, effortlessly leaving her behind.

The next thing she felt was—

‘I don’t get it.’

Han Yu-seong showed only his back as he disappeared into the alley.

And then.

‘……Fascinating.’

She watched his footsteps.

Somehow, he vanished and reappeared in an instant. Even her eyes caught only blurred afterimages at times.

She had come here on the Chancellor’s orders.

And because of that, she had seen him.

But the Chancellor’s mission slowly faded from her mind.

Now was the time to focus.

She recalled the steps he had shown.

‘I can’t understand it.’

Everything in the world was something she could grasp.

A sword that split the heavens, a spear that pierced the sea.

Even after witnessing the grandeur of the Empire’s Dukes, she had never felt this way.

She had always thought, ‘When I grow older, I’ll be able to do that too.’

But.

‘……Even if my level rises, even if my rank ascends.’

She couldn’t be certain she’d ever replicate the steps he had shown.

‘Who are you?’

So Yeon-hwa pondered, recalling the back of the man who had left her behind.

At that moment, Han Yu-seong—

[Skill: Footwork has increased by 10 levels.]

‘……More helpful than I expected.’

He revised his opinion of her—just slightly.

Rewinding time a little.

Back when he had captured those so-called Soul Soldiers.

[You have leveled up.]

It was right after he had subdued them with the Holy Sword’s power.

Leveling up.

He felt his soul grow stronger, as if ascending.

……Level 5.

And with it, he gained a new ability.

[Due to Desperate Struggle, the prematurely grown Sword Mastery (A+) and Bow Mastery (A+) have advanced.] [Sword Mastery (A+) has absorbed the Mana Control Gift.] [Sword Mastery (A+) has reached its peak. Calculating stats and swordsmanship judgment…] [Sword Mastery (A+) has evolved into Sword Demon (S+)!] [Skill: Footwork has been unlocked.]

Becoming a Sword Master was like obtaining a profession—a singular outcome.

One of Vulcan’s titles, Sword King.

It meant Vulcan had acquired the profession of Sword King.

‘I’m a Sword Demon, then.’

Honestly, this was somewhat expected.

When speed and technique reach their peak, one can attain the profession of Sword Demon.

Given that his swordsmanship prioritized speed, it made sense.

Though, since he had also learned orthodox swordsmanship from the Holy Sword midway, he had been slightly unsure.

‘Sword Demon, huh…’

Each stat had its matching profession.

If this was the first-tier advancement,

then there was also a second-tier.

Sword Emperor, Sword Sovereign, Sword Sage, Sword Heaven.

Those were the four known professions.

And then.

He turned his gaze to the first notification that had appeared.

‘A Gift obtained early through Desperate Struggle…’

Those who knew even a little about this Gift spoke of Desperate Struggle.

They called it a demonic technique.

Even the Holy Sword couldn’t say for certain what it truly was.

If the Holy Sword, who had stood beside the First Hero, was uncertain, then neither could he be.

Just as he was about to fall into contemplation,

a flood of blue notifications filled his vision.

[Gift Synthesis recommends combining Gift: Purple Aura (A) and Skill: Lightning Strike (A).] [Gift Synthesis recommends combining Gift: Charging Shot (B) and Skill: Shadow Dance (B).]

Looking at them, he thought—

‘Synthesis is way too versatile.’

Without him needing to say anything, it automatically recommended combinations.

His friend hadn’t recommended it for nothing.

‘Synthesize.’

[Gift Synthesis has combined Gift: Purple Aura (A) and Skill: Lightning Strike (A).] [Gift: Extreme Thunder God – Purple (S) has been acquired.] [Gift: Extreme Thunder God – Purple (S) has merged with Skill: Running (D).] [Gift Synthesis has combined Gift: Charging Shot (B) and Skill: Shadow Dance (B).] [Skill: Phantom Dance (A) has been acquired.]

[Skill] Extreme Thunder God – Purple (S) Your body has become one with lightning. From now on, lightning bends to your will to strike your foes. ◇All speed-related actions receive a bonus. ◇Immunity to lightning-based attacks below a certain threshold. If struck by a lightning-based attack, restores mana and vitality. ◇All lightning-based attacks receive a bonus, and normal attacks gain a lightning attribute.

[Skill] Phantom Dance (A) Having pierced the truth behind Shadow Dance, you now gaze beyond. From now on, when imbuing arrows with mana, you can grant them two additional effects. ◇Can grant Piercing or Explosive properties. ◇When using Phantom Dance in darkness, can grant Stealth properties.

‘……Oh.’

He marveled at the new Gifts and Skills.

But one question lingered.

‘They say all Heroes obtain at least one S-rank…’

Now, in his case, he had five S-ranks.

Though Sword Demon was slightly different, no other Hero candidate would have this many.

The thought struck him suddenly.

‘……I can only sigh.’

Once confident he had shaken off So Yeon-hwa,

he finally entered the black market.

Not to meet the Hao Clan Leader he had encountered before,

but for something else.

‘This time, I’m here to buy.’

There was something he needed.

An old tale he had nearly forgotten, but recent events had reminded him.

To properly utilize Synthesis, Gifts and Skills were good,

but even better was synthesizing items.

‘I think it was called… Retinal?’

Something he could craft himself, with excellent synthesis efficiency.

If that guy had mentioned it, it must be true.

‘With this, I can make what I’ve been thinking of.’

With that item, sitting on a mountain of gold would just be a matter of time.

He chuckled inwardly as he walked—

“…….”

When he ran into an unexpected figure.

No, perhaps not unexpected. This person lived around here.

“Oh, long time no see.”

A man who, upon spotting him, brightened with a smile and approached.

Level 5 Knight.

Diago.

He had come to Han Yu-seong.

‘Something troublesome is about to happen again, isn’t it?’

A gut feeling.

But he trusted it quite a bit. Every time he crossed paths with Diago, some incident followed.

“How can you frown the moment you see someone’s face?” “Think about what’s happened every time I’ve been around you.” “……Hm.”

Diago gave a small nod, then looked at him and said—

“This time, it’s nothing like that. Unless, of course, you ran into the Prodigy Slayer and fled.” “…….”

What’s with this guy?

Did he figure it out already?

He narrowed his eyes, studying Diago.

“……Don’t tell me, no way?”

Diago stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, as if confirming.

Han Yu-seong let out a deep sigh.

‘Well, it was bound to come out anyway.’

Might as well make the most of it.

“Sorry, but I’d rather not get involved.” “Before that, I have a question.” “A question?” “I’m looking for something called Retinal.” “That’s crazy expensive. Do you have the—ah, right, you would. How much do you need?”

At Diago’s question, Han Yu-seong stated the amount he had in mind.

“About 10 kg should do.” “That’s… gonna be tough.”

Diago trailed off, then suddenly let out an “Ah!”

Something seemed to occur to him, his eyes turning sly.

“If you’re willing to take a small loss, there’s a way to get it.” “I’ll just look into it myself.” “Don’t worry too much. It’ll help your connections too, and…” “You’ll take the biggest cut, won’t you?” “We haven’t even met that much, and you’ve already seen through me.”

Diago chuckled. Han Yu-seong stared at him.

“By the way, is that rumor about you true?” “What rumor?” “Word’s spreading that you’ve reached Level 5.” “…….”

At that, he remembered.

He hadn’t registered his level at the Adventurer’s Guild.

‘……I completely forgot because of that So Yeon-hwa girl.’

He looked at Diago. Whatever scheme Diago had in mind, he’d have to stop by the Guild.

Though he received many benefits from them, those privileges came from the rights he had granted them.

But before that—

“Fine. I’ll do as you say.” “Oh? What’s this? Since when were you so agreeable—?” “On one condition. Let’s spar.” “…….”

Diago’s face went blank.

Maybe it was because he had grown so much stronger recently, but his body was itching for a fight.

Back when he first obtained Hyeoncheon, Diago had gone easy on him, letting him win.

But if they fought now, he wasn’t sure he’d lose.

So then—

‘What about now?’

Strangely enough.

He was certain he would win.