episode_0009

[The Technique of Geomseong]

[The Testament of the Fallen Geomseong]

Grade: Legendary

Status: Bound (Not Tradable)

Usable

The first geomseong ever to be called upon by a few individuals, unofficially recognized.

The beginning of the geomseong started from the position of an ordinary person.

From his boyhood, he was filled with fantasies about the sword,

From his boyhood, he gazed endlessly at the sky.

– I want to reach that star. –

The boy lifted the sword and began to wield it.

However, as time passed, he realized.

He was neither a prodigy, nor a genius, nor a master.

But he did not despair.

If learning multiple skills is difficult, then one should train to the extreme only the most necessary skill.

Restrained movements that exclude all extravagance.

And he moved forward to gain experience.

Facing failures, betrayals, falling into traps, standing against formidable foes who had given up on bringing everyone down, crossing the line of death.

His steps did not falter, carrying a dream he held since childhood. Continuously.

Decades passed, and his sword still did not contain splendor, yet paradoxically, it was beautiful.

The sword of an ordinary boy transformed through effort and talent.

He was not satisfied yet, for he had not reached the star.

It was impossible to climb further from here.

If reaching the star from the brightest place was impossible, then he would reach it from the darkest place.

Because even in the darkness, stars are visible.

To see the star, he delved to the bottom of the world.

Encountering beings where good and evil intertwined, he clashed his sword against demons.

His sword pierced even the demons.

But that was his limit.

He met the Demon King and was defeated.

Just before death, he squeezed out his last strength and swung his sword.

A body trained to the extreme, techniques surpassing human capabilities, senses transcending humanity manifested in a state with just one step left until death.

Light began to emanate from his sword.

Not an artificial light imbued with mana on the sword, but a pure cluster of light shimmered from his sword.

An effortlessly light strike. Yet, it dealt a significant blow to the Demon King.

Perhaps ashamed of being struck by a dying man’s sword, the enraged Demon King completely severed his breath.

Just before dying, he wished.

To show that his path was not wrong, to show those walking a similar path that they were not wrong.

You were not wrong.

···· And his wish came true.

Since □□□ has witnessed his story.

·····

“The atmosphere has changed. There must have been a hidden move.”

The awkward posture that was there just a moment ago disappeared, and Hangeol stood guard, leaning the sword slightly.

“Are you asking me to come in first? I’ll respond.”

Let’s put a little more effort this time-

– Partial body reinforcement. Shock training.

Crack-!!

Stepping firmly enough to grind gold into the ground, he kicks towards Hangeol’s torso.

Crack-gagak!!

Pulling out the sword from his waist, he guards while simultaneously lifting his body and sending the shock away.

And swift evasive maneuvers.

“If I had blocked with the sword face, it would have broken. He’s quick in judgment.”

“Show me your full power, Hangeol novice!”

Once again rushing towards Hangeol, this time taking an upper stance while waiting for him.

What will it be this time? The Hangeol novice seen so far has shown only honest and upright postures.

The only conceivable move is a vertical cut.

Simple. Dodge to the side.

“――One-word.”

Gguguk- ggudeudeuk!!!

Kiiiiing-!!!

The sound of muscles compressing coming from Hangeol.

Mana of a white color flowing into the sword.

The pressure of the sword’s edge felt by himself.

Although the sword seems to be following a very predictable path, the sudden sense of oppression weighs heavily on him.

Given the overwhelming difference in abilities, could this be a unique technique?

‘····?! I can’t evade this!’

Body reinforcement. Partial hardening.

The swords are gathered as if joining hands in the direction of the descending sword, grabbing it and then plunging it into the ground next to them.

*Kwaaang!*

A large crack was created from where the sword was plunged.

Thinking it difficult to grab the sword again, Han-gyeol stepped back, preparing for an attack.

“Ha! You said you were using interesting swordsmanship, but I didn’t expect you to hide this. There are many interesting students this year.”

“Hmm… Can’t you go easy on me a bit?”

“I have my pride too… you know!”

Grasping – Thud!

He rushes towards Han-gyeol standing bare-handed and launches an attack.

Unlike before, he joyfully exerts a bit more strength in blocking in a stable manner.

Crash!

“Ughhh!!”

“Han-gyeol, I thought you could dodge it!”

“I don’t need that kind of trust!!”

The sound of impact coming from the fist that Han-gyeol dodged by turning his body.

Even though such attacks are going straight, they are not landing effective hits.

Dodging deeply by rolling diagonally to avoid a kick aimed at his waist.

“Han-gyeol, at first I had my doubts, but now I’m convinced. Are you perhaps predicting the attacks?”

“…Something like that.”

With Han-gyeol’s stats, he shouldn’t be able to react. However, he did.

There’s no need to say more about his eyes.

“This should be enough. Will you continue, Han-gyeol? If so, welcome.”

“No, no! I can’t take any more!?”

Too bad.

He turns his head towards those who cooperated with Han-gyeol.

-Flinch!

As their eyes meet from afar, Yoo Jin, Shin Se-rin, and Kang Jin-hyuk flinch and shiver.

“Oh, there were still students we hadn’t evaluated fully. Sorry for keeping you waiting!”

-Aaahh!

-Oh, don’t come near me!!!

-Kkkkyaah!!!

…

“Phew, that was intense…”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Turning around, the sound of bones cracking and muscle pain can be heard.

It hurts, it’s painful…

It’s only been about 5 minutes since I used it, but my body is screaming.

Was the technique I used earlier the problem?

One of the initial techniques of Cheongseong, breaking the culprit’s talent and soaring into the air.

Ilmunja (一文字).

Just a vertical cut technique, but when it touches Cheongseong’s hand, it becomes a new skill.

With these abilities, I can’t use it without body control.

I need to train my body more. I still have a long way to go~

“Kyeol-a, good job. Here’s some water.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“If you’re tired, should I feed you water instead?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Thankful for Ewha-young’s consideration, I drink water and observe the scene unfolding far away at the site of the training.

Oh, they’re holding up well… or not?

Yoo Jin… Since there’s no escape, Kang Jin-hyuk is carrying her around and casting spells.

Shin Se-rin is shooting arrows while running, but will that monster respond?

Gotcha.-

-Hiyaaaagh!?

In the end, it seems to be a peaceful ending with sky gazing.

Medetashi- Medetashi-

Ah, this isn’t right.

After the training disguised as a group raid ends, Professor Pang Da-yoon, looking refreshed, walks back towards us.

“There’s only one left… Ewha-young, you have nothing to say to me, do you? Still, would you like to spar?”

“No, I’ll pass.”

Ewha-young refuses to spar with Professor Pang Da-yoon, sitting beside me.

I was curious to see how they would fight, but it’s a shame.

“Alright. Everyone pay attention!! I hope you all become better heroes than yourselves today, reflecting on the feedback you’ve received. Let’s conclude today’s class here.”

The students groan as they slowly get up one by one.

I can’t wait to go home.

Should I go home now…

“Can you move? Are you okay?”

“I can walk slowly… it’s not a problem.”

“Heh, really?”

Don’t get too close; you smell of sweat…

It’s okay. I actually like it.

??-

Before leaving, I head towards the three lying on the ground catching their breath.

“Kang Jin-hyuk, here’s some water.”

“Oh… what’s this? Han-gyeol, was it you? Thanks.”

“I… I also… wa… water!!!”

“I want water too…”

Upon seeing Kang Jinhyuk sharing water, two people immediately ask me for water.

“Hwayoung, do you have more water?”

“Yeah, here.”

When I share water with both of them, one of them quickly finishes a bottle.

“Pfft!! Feels like I’m alive. Thanks! I’m Sinserin. Remember when I helped you guys earlier?”

“Yeah, you handled the bow well. Thanks to you, I survived once.”

An innate skill, Hunter’s Eye, a passive skill that allows for precision hits even hundreds of meters away by adjusting for accuracy.

If used skillfully, one could become a sniper superior to a sniper.

“I’m Yujin. Thanks for the water.”

“We also moved according to your magical timing. Thanks for creating an opening for us.”

“Wow, magic is amazing.”

A casting shortcut skill befitting a personality that finds talking tiresome.

As one progresses, the skill upgrades to Shadowless Spear, becoming even stronger.

“Now that there are no classes, what will you all do?”

“We’ll go to the training ground to practice. We need to at least give that professor a hard time.”

“I’ll go to the training ground too. I love shooting bows! Let’s go together, Yujin!”

“I’m going home to rest… too lazy…”

They’re all just as I know them.

I feel good getting a bit closer to the characters here.

The fact that characters I only saw in the game are now moving and talking makes me feel like my hidden fangirling instincts might awaken during our conversations.

The faster we bond, the higher the chances they’ll help when things happen later, so it’s a good thing.

“We’ll head out first. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Take care.”

“Hey, Hangeol!”

“Yeah?”

Who is it? Kang Jinhyuk?

“Apologize first. At first, you said it was Grade B, so I thought of using it as a shield, but I was wrong. Sorry.”

He’s apologizing? Kang Jinhyuk?

“It’s fine if you’ve apologized. I don’t hold any grudges, so it’s okay.”

“Is that so? Haha! Thanks. And you’re included in my goal.”

“What goal is that?”

“Defeating strong opponents. I felt it when I fought the professor just now. You’re not weak.”

I barely made it through in 10 minutes. No, that’s not it.

It’s because I’ve memorized all the attacks that this performance came out.

Besides, the professor wasn’t serious, you know.

Since making excuses won’t be believed, let’s just cheer him on.

“I’ll cheer you on. Let’s go, Hwayoung.”

“Yeah.”

I should go home and sleep… See you tomorrow.

Yeah, have sweet dreams.