episode_0031

-Oh, you seem to have quite a useful talent.

That was back when Cheolsu was young.

It was a meeting from the time he first held a sword.

-Who are you?

-Me? My name is Kim Taejin.

The person in traditional Korean clothing spoke with a very casual attitude.

Looking back now, it was enough to feel like a rascal.

But still, what couldn’t be taken off was probably because he was being acknowledged for the first time since birth.

-Are you an aspiring hero? Quite ambitious for a kid.

-It’s no use anyway. Poor kids like me would easily fall behind even if they tried to be heroes.

Being a hero is a profession that must constantly become stronger.

What equipment you use, what support you receive.

And who your mentor is.

Various factors come together to make a big difference.

Even if Cheolsu, an orphan, grows up well, he’s just a mercenary at best.

He realized this harsh reality early on.

-The kid doesn’t seem to have any fake bravado.

-Ouch!

Cheolsu was hit on the head out of the blue.

With tears welling up, Cheolsu looked at Kim Taejin with an indignant gaze.

-Why did you hit me?

-Seeing a guy with such talent talking about dying like that makes me angry, that’s why!

Saying that, he handed him a book.

【Sky Blade】

-What, what is this?

-Haha, it’s a swordsmanship vision developed by me.

He opened the book with a rough cover.

Despite its shabby appearance, the content inside was impressive even to young Cheolsu.

How to wield a sword, techniques, how to effectively use strength, and so on.

Incredibly detailed swordsmanship was written down.

Just mastering the martial arts written here could make one a hero, Cheolsu thought.

-Take it.

-Me, me?!

-Well, I’m not a sword specialist to begin with, and this is just a sub-skill of something I’m researching called ‘Sky Divine Fist.’ With just this much, you should easily reach A-rank.

An A-rank hero.

A distant goal for Cheolsu at the moment.

But with this swordsmanship, it might be possible.

-Why, why are you giving me something so valuable?

-I told you. It bothers me when someone born with given talents acts so half-heartedly. Well, it’s an investment in a kid who might show up as a junior if the opportunity arises.

Leaving only those words, Kim Taejin disappeared.

It was later revealed that he was a legendary S-rank hero.

But what was important to Cheolsu wasn’t just a simple title.

It was the dream he harbored in his heart.

The goal of protecting Yeonghee.

Kim Taejin was the one who made him hold onto that.

Since then, there was no chance to meet him again.

At most, it was a brief encounter.

He probably wouldn’t even remember himself.

Still, Cheolsu regarded Kim Taejin as his mentor in his heart.

‘I wonder what my master is doing right now.’

Lost in memories for a moment, Cheolsu opened his eyes.

Was it due to recent enlightenment?

Suddenly, old memories resurfaced.

‘I finally made the Sky Blade mine.’

Strive until death.

It sounds simple in words.

But how many people can actually do it?

How many people have worked hard, shaving flesh, breaking bones, pouring their souls into it?

Even under such stringent conditions, Cheolsu could confidently say.

He had worked hard until death.

‘I’ve trained to the point where I can beat the guy from our first duel.’

A week since Yujin disappeared.

Those few days were meaningful to Cheolsu too.

In Yujin’s absence, he focused solely on training.

He was certain that his swordsmanship had improved by at least two levels.

His skill level now was incomparable to before.

‘In a way, it’s thanks to that guy.’

The wish ticket that Yujin mentioned would be granted upon winning a duel.

The vague goal of protecting Yeonghee now felt clear and tangible.

Thanks to that, Cheolsu could run towards that place without hesitation.

Of course, Cheolsu didn’t take it at face value.

Granting Yeonghee’s wish and then taking it back is enough.

Considering Yeonghee’s current state, there is even a possibility of returning on one’s own.

Even so, Eugene’s proposal became a possibility for Cheolsu.

“You seem foolish.”

Yeonghee, who was sitting a little away on the bench, said.

She had come out earlier than Cheolsu and was waiting for him.

“How about giving up now and asking for forgiveness? It’s not just a matter of skill that can change in a week.”

“Why did you come?”

“Just because Eugene asked me to watch over you.”

Saying that, she turns her head sharply.

Eugene asked to see…

Was it to demonstrate his power?

In any case, it’s not bad for Cheolsu.

“I didn’t want to see this kind of fight…”

“Really? I’m glad I can see your face.”

Yeonghee’s face turned red.

Seeing her like that makes a chuckle escape.

Regardless of the current relationship, just looking at Yeonghee’s face gives strength.

He feels a stronger determination to win.

“If I can defeat him with my strength, he won’t be able to ignore me no matter what.”

It’s not like he never thought about Cheolsu.

He also did some research on the Heukcheon that Eugene belonged to.

The fact that could be known from that.

That place is completely a den of monsters.

“I can’t believe there’s still an organization that worships power so exclusively.”

Heukcheon strictly returned to the logic of power.

If they feel that the opponent is lacking as the successor of the organization, they do not acknowledge them.

It is even said that coups happen repeatedly.

To be recognized as the true owner of Heukcheon, one must overcome all of that.

“He grew up in such an environment. In a way, he can be seen as purely submissive in front of power.”

First, he shows his strength.

As promised, he brings Yeonghee back with the Wish Power.

Then, negotiations can be made based on this power.

It is already an unstable foundation as a successor.

He doesn’t want to turn the skilled person who defeated him into an enemy.

“All this training is for that.”

The sword hanging by his side feels more reliable than ever.

Cheolsu was afraid of Eugene.

There were times when he submitted to him from the heart.

But not anymore.

His provocations, Yeonghee’s pain.

They have transformed him into a better swordsman.

“I will make you regret raising me, Kim Eugene.”

He made that silent vow and prepared himself.

Thud, thud.

Kim Eugene was walking from afar.

Is it because they are approaching the duel?

Today, that figure seemed larger than usual.

“No, the atmosphere seems somewhat different than that….”

It was when Cheolsu was frowning and looking at Eugene.

– Flash!

Suddenly, Eugene kicked.

“…Huh?”

Even if it’s just a moment.

A fleeting moment that an ordinary person would blink once.

Eugene was right in front of him.

“So fast…”

Without hesitation, Eugene threw a punch.

A resounding noise echoed.

Cheolsu, who took the blow head-on, flew backward.

“Ch-Ch… Cheolsu!”

Cheolsu, who barely maintained his balance, regained his posture.

In his chest pocket lay the unsheathed sword.

“If I hadn’t blocked with the sword, it would have been over.”

Even though he blocked, his wrist was trembling.

He had been pushed back quite a bit without realizing it.

Just one strike.

That alone made him feel the guy’s capabilities.

“To think he achieved this level with simple power and striking alone.”

Moreover, the explosive acceleration he showed just now.

Cheolsu thought Eugene was the type to pour all his strength into his attacks.

He never separately trained in martial arts out of arrogance.

He believed that with skill, he could easily win.

But the current appearance is closer to that of a martial artist.

“Monster kid. What the hell did you do in just a week?”

He looks at Eugene standing in front of him.

He was staring at him without saying a word.

There is no usual leisurely and relaxed attitude.

Words of provocation that reveal no meaning.

Facing each other as at least equal “enemies.”

If one finds solace in that fact, could it mean they are strange?

“Let’s calm down. Winning is not impossible.”

Yujin’s rate of growth was terrifying.

However, he had also built up skills that were not inferior to his.

Didn’t he just fend off a surprise attack?

Above all, he possessed the ‘Heavenly Void Sword.’

Even if lacking in power, when it came to skill, it was fine to say he excelled.

“No matter how strong an attack is, if it doesn’t land, it’s meaningless.”

A sense of facing monsters, not humans.

He tightens his grip on the wooden sword.

Sharpening his senses.

And moves!

[Heavenly Void Sword, Sky Cover]

In an instant, Chulsoo, who had disappeared from sight, appeared behind Yujin.

“I got you.”

An unpredictable perfect angle.

He thrusts the sword there.

It should have been clear.

“…..Evade this?”

Yujin effortlessly dodged it as if he could read all of his movements.

Could his skills even surpass his own?

“No, that can’t be!”

Chulsoo, whose hair stood on end, unfolds his swordsmanship.

The secrets written in the scroll given by his master.

[Heavenly Void Sword, Weapon Dropping]

[Heavenly Void Sword, Cloud Gathering]

[Heavenly Void Sword, Tri-color Sky]

[Heavenly Void Sword, Azure Heaven]

Unleashing all the sword techniques available.

Truly a melee of swordsmanship.

Even formidable heroes would marvel at the overwhelming talent with the sword.

“How in the world…?”

Yet, nothing lands.

Yujin seemed to know every move and either avoided or blocked them all.

Is this all he has to offer?

Is his own, no, his master’s swordsmanship nothing to this guy?

“No, my master’s Heavenly Void Sword is invincible!”

It was the swordsmanship that had brought him this far.

Even wielding his master’s sword, he couldn’t win.

Because his training was lacking.

“Yes, I admit it. Kim Yujin, you surpass me even in martial arts.”

It’s frustrating, but reaching this point forces him to realize.

That his blood, sweat, and tears are useless in front of the arrogant genius before his eyes.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll end it here.

Chulsoo boldly throws down the gauntlet.

“At least one arm. That’s my pride.”

Gripping the sword with both hands, he gathers his magic power.

A secret technique that stakes everything on a single strike.

The true essence of the Heavenly Void Sword that encapsulates the user’s abilities and training.

-Heavenly Void Sword, Sky Slash

No matter if it’s Kim Yujin, there’s no way he could take this hit unscathed.

At least a minimal wound.

Proof that he fought.

An attack imbued with his soul to leave that mark!

-Heavenly Void Divine Fist, Return to the Sky

Kim Yujin’s first display of martial arts is thwarted as if it were a lie.

“What…the…?”

Even as he flies sideways, Chulsoo keeps his eyes open.

He knows that technique.

To be precise, he knew the technique “before it was perfected.”

His homeroom teacher’s words come back to him belatedly.

It’s a secret, but Yujin briefly learned under a certain hero.

“No way…”

Why…how…

“Why…of all people, you…!”

A fist flies towards Chulsoo’s face.

He goes flying and rolls on the ground.