Ch.40Chapter 40 – Dragon and Phoenix Tournament (3)

Originally, The Dragon and Phoenix Tournament is a competition where disciples from various sects meet to compare their strength before officially entering the martial arts world.

Young, budding disciples can’t face already accomplished masters, and there’s no way to compare the talents of heirs from prestigious families beyond their bloodlines.

‘…It’s also a place to preview the future of the martial arts world.’

I covered my face with my hands, falling into deep contemplation.

This was why Sieg-hardt had spoken to me earlier. He knew that if I couldn’t secure victory in a mere tournament like this, I wouldn’t stand a chance against an Outer God.

‘Is it because they’re protagonists I created that they resemble me?’

I almost let out a hollow laugh.

I’d heard that all protagonists are another ego of their author, so similarities were inevitable, but…

‘The endless doubt is exactly the same.’

I never imagined I’d hear from a protagonist’s own mouth that we couldn’t defeat an Outer God.

I rested my chin on my hand and thought a bit more.

If Sieg-hardt felt this way, Kim Hyul had likely noticed something strange about Bing-seol-hwa too.

Unlike Kang Si-woo, the final protagonist who had already confirmed his issues with Azazel, Kim Hyul was originally a character I created to embody the very essence of a martial hero.

‘Mental strength equals physical strength.’

This line was a twist on a quote from “Complete Life,” a webtoon Seol-hwa loved: “If you want to succeed, build your stamina. Willpower is just a slogan for when you lack physical strength.”

The reason for making critical mistakes at decisive moments.

The reason for slow recovery after defeat.

All due to physical limitations—that’s what Seol-hwa would say as she joined me for morning jogs every day.

Looking back now, I think she was concerned about my physical and mental health as I stayed cooped up writing.

She once told me that people burn out quickly if they only chase grades. To ultimately succeed, you need to enjoy the process itself.

“Do-hyeon, martial arts and chivalry aren’t defined by specific forms or meanings—they can be found even in this desolate concrete jungle.”

That was Seol-hwa’s advice when I was once agonizing over historical accuracy in my martial arts novel.

“Then what exactly is martial arts and chivalry?”

I remember asking her this while she wiped my sweat, smiling suggestively. I had to look away from her short tank top and dolphin shorts that revealed her midriff.

“Well… like how chefs respect each other, or how writers see each other as seniors and juniors rather than competitors.”

Martial arts without fixed form or meaning—it was about dignity born from respect.

“Isn’t it exciting? Imagining surpassing the first novel that deeply moved you.”

At that moment, Seol-hwa clearly revealed she saw me as a curious kind of rival. Friend and lover, colleague and rival.

That was our peculiar relationship.

“Oh my, you came to watch the match too? I was worried you might give up and run away.”

“…Bing-seol-hwa.”

“You could just call me Seol-hwa, you know.”

I couldn’t stand by and watch this Outer God freely manipulate her body.

***

Tucking her white hair behind her ear, Bing-seol-hwa sat beside me watching the match.

“Hey, Do-hyeon, who do you think would win if Kim Hyul fought Bi-wol right now?”

“I told you not to call me that way.”

Her voice and affectionate expressions still appeared in my dreams. I frowned immediately seeing the Outer God imitate her.

No matter how well it mimicked Seol-hwa, this was still “something” else, not her. If I fell for appearances and behaviors, I’d be playing right into the Outer God’s hands.

“But my real consciousness is still partly here. Aren’t you being too cold?”

She puffed her cheeks and made a “hmph!” sound as if upset—all behaviors Seol-hwa would show when she was annoyed with me.

“Why specifically Bing-seol-hwa and Bing-yeon? There were plenty of other people.”

I asked her true intentions. There seemed no simple reason to possess us in these bodies.

Since the Outer God knew the original work, wouldn’t it have been easier to set us up as protagonist and final boss if it wanted to use me and Seol-hwa?

If it wanted to see an ending not in the original work, that would have been faster.

Why?

“Because it’s more fun this way! Forbidden love, a relationship scorned by others because of half-shared blood.”

“…What?”

“Calling you ‘brother’ is more stimulating, isn’t it? I thought if this novel was just for me to read, I should make it flow however I want.”

The Outer God’s answer was unexpected, sounding like what’s colloquially called “reader influence”—when readers try to manipulate a work.

Authors shouldn’t be swayed by readers.

Creators are meant to make consumers anxious and move their hearts.

Just as I captivated Seol-hwa with my novel.

“This is absurd. You’re playing with Seol-hwa’s life for such a trivial reason? Like she’s a toy?”

As someone who understood this better than anyone, I couldn’t agree with the Outer God’s perspective. This was the mindset of a reader, not an author.

“You had a forbidden love in the real world too, so why act surprised now?”

Bing-seol-hwa slowly blinked her left eye as she continued. As she said, Seol-hwa and I were secretly dating despite our class differences.

Her father strongly opposed our relationship, which led her to leave home and live with me.

“If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have had that traffic accident.”

Different voices overlapped—Seol-hwa’s voice and a deeper female voice seemed to reproach me.

Our conversation had been quiet enough to be drowned out by the crowd’s cheers.

“…You bastard.”

A lowly novelist from the slums,

A talented novelist from a wealthy family.

The only thing binding us together was that we both wrote—and the Outer God was mocking this fact.

“Oh my, are you angry? Let’s just watch the competition. They’re like our children, aren’t they?”

“……”

My fists trembled. Causing a scene here would give her the justification she wanted.

The protagonists I created were already having doubts about dealing with the final bosses.

“What a cheap tactic.”

She was deliberately provoking me.

I stopped trying to get up and continued watching the match. Bing-seol-hwa widened her eyes in surprise.

“So, do you think Bi-wol can defeat Kim Hyul with the Three Talents Swordsmanship? Her opponent has reached the ranks of the strong with the Six Harmonies Fist.”

“It’s strange to classify martial arts as third-rate or second-rate. In a world where strength is determined by inner energy, why are there still so many who haven’t reached the Transformation Realm?”

My martial arts novel, “Diamond Fist King,” was written when I was quite young, so it had a low-power worldview.

Like in classic martial arts novels, just becoming a master was enough to rank among the strong.

I only learned and knew the old ways, not familiar with recent trends.

“You’re right. In martial arts novels, enlightenment is what matters.”

Bing-seol-hwa opened her fan with a snap, hiding her smile. Bi-wol’s sword strikes were sharply targeting her opponent’s openings.

She mainly chose to break or disarm her opponent’s weapon and then subdue them by striking pressure points with her sword handle, trying to avoid bloodshed.

“The Heavenly Demon wasn’t like this in the original work.”

Watching this, Bing-seol-hwa clicked her tongue and showed disappointment. In the original novel, the character was described as an untouchable master covered in blood.

“Are you still comparing everything to the original work?”

“No, I just want to see you two creators fight each other.”

“So that’s why you targeted my disciples.”

“Exactly. If you burn with revenge and try to kill me, we’d create a completely new ending, wouldn’t we?”

Now I understood. No matter what Shub-Niggurath did, the flow had already changed from the original work.

“Unfortunately, that won’t happen.”

“Why do you think so? Your precious lover has already fallen into the Outer God’s hands, and the protagonists are on my leash.”

“Because I’ll stop you.”

I stated my resolve calmly. When it came to the original work, I could defeat Seol-hwa.

“Hmm, so that’s why you taught the Three Talents Swordsmanship that doesn’t rely on form and meaning? Because it can adapt to any situation?”

“This arena is also an illusion. If you get caught up in the constraints of the stage, you’ll be the first to fall.”

I repeated words I’d once heard from a contestant on a cooking competition show.

I remembered an unskilled cook from middle school who rose to the top and then aimed for the summit again.

If you’re deceived by appearances and miss what’s important, no one can guarantee victory here.

“I’ve already taught Kim Hyul the Diamond Invincibility technique and arranged for him to meet his master early to prepare for this match. Do you really think you can win?”

“Of course. The purest martial arts begins with the beauty of reduction, not with empty formalities.”

Looking closely at what people commonly call “mass-produced novels,” you surprisingly need the author’s writing skills the most.

The traces of effort to create pure enjoyment, devices for catharsis and sharp design, entertaining clichés and direction shown by characters—these are things only an author’s perspective can understand.

“That’s all I taught Bi-wol.”

I believe writing skill is the ability to make something entertaining even with common materials.

***

While Bing-yeon and Seol-hwa were talking in the stands, signs of commotion were brewing in the participants’ waiting area.

“It’s been a while, Si-woo.”

“…Azazel?”

The protagonist and final boss of “I was Possessed In Idle Game”—Azazel and Kang Si-woo—had encountered each other.

As if by fate.