Chapter v14c2

**Field of Vision**

**- The First Young Master vs. Bi Ryu-yeon**

“A bird that flies high sees far. Do you understand what that means?”

His master had asked.

“The beginning of everything is seeing! What does your vision see, what does it contain, and what can it penetrate?”

He hadn’t had an answer back then.

“Gain the eyes of a Roc!”

He still remembered his master’s words clearly.

* * *

“May I switch places with you?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked politely, his tone casual, as if he were asking for a dance. He walked towards Mo Yong-hwi, his steps light and carefree. It was a bit rude to move before receiving an answer, but no one was going to fault him for it in this situation.

“Ryu-yeon… you…”

Mo Yong-hwi stared at his dorm mate, his eyes wide with disbelief, oblivious to the blood dripping from his wrist. Unlike him, who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, Bi Ryu-yeon was calm and composed, a smile on his face. As if there were no problem at all.

Mo Yong-hwi sighed in relief. He didn’t expect Bi Ryu-yeon to defeat the monster in the darkness. He didn’t overestimate himself, but he couldn’t imagine Bi Ryu-yeon, of all people, being able to handle this unknown master who had pushed him to his limits.

“You’re no match for him!”

He shouted urgently.

“That’s your judgment, not mine.”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s reply was brief.

Of course, Mo Yong-hwi knew that Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t just lucky. Anyone with eyes and ears could see that. He understood that the others, who had been pushed aside by this young man of unknown origin, had to belittle and mock him to preserve their pride. But denying reality wouldn’t change anything.

However, even with his unknown potential, Mo Yong-hwi believed that Bi Ryu-yeon was outmatched. He had been prepared to die fighting the monster, but he wasn’t sure how much time he could buy.

He felt a wave of regret, realizing that all his years of training and hard work had amounted to this.

‘Mo Yong-hwi! Mo Yong-hwi! You were too arrogant!’

What was he, a once-in-a-century genius, the successor of the Sword Saint? The title of Seven Absolute Swords felt like a burden now. He wasn’t even sure if he would survive the night.

“Another life to claim.”

A chilling voice, cold as ice, echoed from the darkness. The shadowy figure, hidden in the depths of the night, was as unyielding as a statue, its composure unshakable.

“You’re not human, are you?”

Bi Ryu-yeon scoffed.

“Hmm… Hmm… Hmm… Heh…”

What was he looking at? Mo Yong-hwi stared at his dorm mate, confused. Bi Ryu-yeon, standing before him, was staring intently at the monster in the darkness, his gaze shifting back and forth. And then he asked, out of the blue,

“Hey, Hwi! Do you know what it takes to influence someone?”

Mo Yong-hwi was dumbfounded. It was a strange question to ask in the middle of a life-or-death battle. But Bi Ryu-yeon seemed unconcerned.

“No.”

He answered, despite the urgency of the situation.

“First, you have to see them. You have to capture them in your field of vision. You can only exert your power over them if you can perceive them!”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s voice was light and cheerful, despite the circumstances.

“That… that’s…”

“You want to say it’s obvious?”

Bi Ryu-yeon interrupted him. Mo Yong-hwi, speechless, nodded grudgingly.

“But people often act as if they don’t know this simple truth. Maybe they really don’t know. This simple, basic principle.”

“…”

What was he trying to say? And was it really appropriate to have such a casual conversation at a time like this? Fortunately, the monster in the darkness didn’t react.

“Then how do you escape someone’s influence?”

Mo Yong-hwi thought for a moment and answered,

“You move out of their field of vision.”

Bi Ryu-yeon clapped his hands.

“Exactly! As expected of my dorm mate, the top student in our second year class. I call it ‘escaping their field of vision’ or ‘cognitive avoidance.’ Sorry, but this answer won’t be graded. Don’t blame me!”

“I don’t care.”

He didn’t have time for such trivial matters. But Bi Ryu-yeon continued, oblivious to his urgency.

“As you said, removing yourself from their perception is the key to avoiding their influence. So how do you defeat them?”

He seemed to be enjoying this question-and-answer session.

“Then…”

Mo Yong-hwi felt like a novice listening to a lecture on combat for the first time.

“The answer is obvious! To defeat them, you have to remove yourself from their perception and bring them into yours. It’s called the ‘gap in perception.’ And it’s the first step to victory!”

Mo Yong-hwi shuddered, as if struck by lightning. It was a revolutionary concept, one that challenged everything he knew about combat. He couldn’t believe that his carefree dorm mate possessed such insight. It was more wondrous than the mysteries of the universe.

But he didn’t have time to ponder it. The murderous intent from the darkness intensified, as if the monster was growing impatient.

“I’ll handle this! Ryu-yeon, take Lady Eun and get out of here!”

Mo Yong-hwi shouted, pointing his sword, Star Radiance, at the darkness. It was a dramatic moment, but Bi Ryu-yeon just chuckled. He had explained it so clearly, but Mo Yong-hwi still didn’t understand…

“Don’t be ridiculous! This isn’t the time for your petty pride, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes!”

“W-What?!”

Mo Yong-hwi glared at him, his eyes blazing with anger. But Bi Ryu-yeon remained unfazed.

“Why are you still standing there?”

He asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

Bi Ryu-yeon thumped his chest with his fist.

“You’re so frustrating! I explained it so clearly, but you still don’t get it?”

“I understand what you said!”

Bi Ryu-yeon sighed, shaking his head.

“Tsk, tsk, you’re so slow. I didn’t think you were this stupid.”

Mo Yong-hwi had never been called stupid before. He had always been praised for his intelligence. But Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t care about his past achievements. He looked at Mo Yong-hwi, who was fuming, and sighed again.

“Can you see the enemy in the darkness?”

Mo Yong-hwi knew that Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t talking about ordinary sight.

“No…”

He shook his head honestly.

“Then are you outside his field of vision?”

Mo Yong-hwi’s face darkened, his expression hardening.

“See! You don’t get it at all! You’re completely trapped in his perception, but you can’t even perceive him! Why are you still standing there?!”

It felt like a knife was twisting in his heart. His head throbbed, as if he had been struck with a blunt object.

“Tsk, tsk, look at you! You’re barely standing! You’re a mess, inside and out!”

It was a harsh criticism, but it was effective. The humiliation and shame he felt that day were etched into his heart, a memory he would never forget.

“…”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s words, though harsh, were accurate. Mo Yong-hwi, his face flushed with shame, couldn’t argue.

“You silly boy! What’s the point of sacrificing yourself for a friend? They’ll just have nightmares later.”

Bi Ryu-yeon would never do anything that wasn’t in his best interest. It was his unwavering principle.

“Go!”

He said, looking at Mo Yong-hwi, whose white robes were stained red with blood. His voice was calm, but firm.

“But…”

Mo Yong-hwi was still reluctant to leave the fight to someone else.

“Don’t worry! I’ll collect this debt later, with interest! Don’t try to deny it!”

Bi Ryu-yeon said with a confident smile.

Mo Yong-hwi hesitated for a moment, torn between his pride and his duty to protect Eun Seol-ran. He finally nodded and gently lifted her unconscious body, carrying her on his back.

Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze followed them, but he didn’t let his guard down. He was still wary of the presence in the darkness.

“I’m sorry.”

Mo Yong-hwi said, his head bowed slightly. It was a rare sight, this proud young man apologizing sincerely.

He blamed himself for his weakness. He was whipping himself mentally, his self-reproach relentless and merciless.

“Money is better than apologies! Don’t run away when it’s time to pay up!”

Bi Ryu-yeon said, his voice still casual.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of challenging your obsession with money! I value my life too much!”

It was an awkward joke, but it was his way of showing concern.

“Smile when you’re joking!”

Bi Ryu-yeon chuckled at his awkwardness.

But Mo Yong-hwi knew that Bi Ryu-yeon was serious about money.

“Go!”

Bi Ryu-yeon shouted, and Mo Yong-hwi dashed away, carrying Eun Seol-ran on his back. He was injured and carrying a heavy burden, but his movements were as swift and agile as a leopard’s.

“It’s rude to leave without your master’s permission.”

A cold voice echoed from the darkness, followed by a surge of killing intent.

But… it was cut short.

Mo Yong-hwi ran, carrying Eun Seol-ran on his back.

He felt the soft weight of her body against his back, but he didn’t have time to savor the sensation. He leaped over walls, cut down enemies, and ran towards his friends…

It wasn’t difficult to find them. The commotion was too loud to miss.

Boom! Crash!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Aaaaagh! Ugh! Argh! Aaaaagh! Gah! Hack! Cough! Urrrgh!”

The sounds of battle, screams, and explosions echoed from a corner of the manor, illuminating the night sky with fire and sparks.

‘They’re making it easy for me to find them!’

He couldn’t miss them, not with all the noise they were making.

But the path was far from easy. Twelve masked figures in black appeared before him, blocking his path.

**Twelve Asura Star Shattering Formation**

A grand formation with a grand name, it materialized before him in an instant. Their mission was simple: retrieve the woman, alive.

A powerful force emanated from the formation, pressing down on him.

“Hand over the woman!”

The leader of the masked figures shouted. He wielded a jagged saber, its blade dripping with the blood of countless victims.

Clang!

Mo Yong-hwi drew his sword, Star Radiance, without breaking stride.

‘Hwi! A sword shines brightest when it protects something precious. I hope you find something precious to protect someday, so your sword can shine even brighter!’

He remembered his grandfather’s words from his childhood.

‘It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t love me. It doesn’t matter if her eyes aren’t on me. I will protect her!’

All his doubts and anxieties vanished, replaced by a sense of peace.

“Get out of my way! Anyone who stands in my path will die!”

No words were needed.

Starlight erupted from the tip of his sword, a shower of sparks.

**Milky Way Meteor Swordsmanship**

**Secret Sword Technique**

**Starlight Ten Thousand Li**

A barrage of sword beams, like a meteor shower, swept through the enemy ranks, creating a path. The sword light was brighter and stronger than anything he had ever unleashed before.

The Star Shattering Formation, its name a mockery of its fate, crumbled before him, its members scattered like dust in the wind.

* * *

“Are you sure about this?”

The presence in the darkness hesitated. Bi Ryu-yeon felt the killing intent that had been directed at Mo Yong-hwi shift towards him, accompanied by a piercing gaze, cold as ice.

“…You’re the one who interrupted me?”

He hadn’t spared his prey out of mercy. He had been stopped. By a nameless youngster.

He had never intended to let them escape. He couldn’t let Eun Seol-ran go, not until he had finished with her. But he couldn’t. He wasn’t allowed to.

‘Impossible…’

The monster in the shadows, the First Young Master, couldn’t believe it.

‘How?’

His instincts, honed through countless trials by fire, were screaming at him, refusing to let him attack.

It was a powerful warning, a primal fear. It took him a moment to understand. His cold, piercing gaze fixed on Bi Ryu-yeon.

Bi Ryu-yeon? He had only recently heard that name in a report. He had found it intriguing, but he hadn’t considered him a threat. He was just another eccentric, a harmless oddity. He had never imagined that this young man would one day stand in his way.

‘Is he anticipating my attack? Is he that skilled?’

He didn’t want to admit it, but his instincts were telling him so. Instincts were honest. They were often more accurate than conscious thought, which could be clouded by bias and wishful thinking.

‘That man?’

A young man stood in the darkness, a smile on his face. But his features were hidden behind his long bangs.

‘Let’s test him, then!’

He would see if this young man was worthy of his attention.

A surge of energy erupted from the darkness, a testament to his resolve.