Chapter 74. Clue (3)

Squeak!

A blade aimed at his face flew over.

Despite the rather threatening attack, Yurim did not blink an eye.

He looked at the attack until the end and lightly turned his head.

But the attack was not over yet.

Whoosh.

The sound of the air being torn near his ear.

The spear shaft changed direction towards Yurim's head.

Sensing this, Yurim bowed his head indifferently to avoid the spear shaft.

Yurim, who had just evaded the series of threatening attacks aimed at his head with light movements.

His evasion process was so smooth that if someone had seen it, they might have thought Yurim and Teresa were in perfect sync.

Or they might have thought Yurim's skills surpassed Teresa's.

But that was incorrect.

The skill gap between Yurim and Teresa had not widened significantly.

Of course, Yurim's skills had improved.

However, the fundamental reason for the current situation was that Yurim could read Teresa's moves clearly.

'I get it.'

How Teresa dealt with certain situations.

Her combos and mental state.

Through the sparring sessions over the past few days, he had managed to read these to some extent.

In contrast, Teresa was still slow in reading and responding to Yurim's attacks.

This was inevitable because it was also a matter of talent.

The realm of martial arts often saw rapid growth in a short period.

But reading moves was a bit different.

The ability to read moves.

It either came from a vast amount of experience accumulated over a long time, allowing one to predict the next move.

Or it was a high-level ability one was born with, due to innate senses and combat intelligence.

There were only these two cases.

In this aspect, Yurim's talent in reading moves surpassed Teresa's.

To the point where if he wanted, he could avoid Teresa's attacks entirely.

But Yurim deliberately prolonged the sparring.

'If she realizes the gap is too wide, she might not want to spar anymore.'

So far, Yurim had experienced Teresa's "Chuseong" (Just Star) technique four times.

Now that he was just starting to get a feel for it, he couldn't let her lose her fighting spirit and stop sparring.

Thus, Yurim adjusted the flow of the sparring to continue.

Finally, the time Yurim wanted arrived.

'Now!'

When the sparring reached its peak, Yurim pretended to step back half a step and threw out a bait.

To induce a situation where Teresa would use Chuseong.

And she took the bait.

The Winchester family's secret martial arts technique.

Chuseong.

Swoosh.

Teresa's spear drew a sudden white trajectory and flew towards Yurim.

'This is the fifth time.'

Yurim's eyes became cautious as he faced Chuseong again.

After experiencing Chuseong four times, Yurim had a certain grasp of it and was now ready to confirm it.

'Quickly deflect it!'

So far, Yurim had only used "Malyu" (Demon Current) when facing Chuseong.

But today was different.

Bang! Thud! Bang!

Yurim deflected Chuseong with a fast series of strikes.

As a result, the trajectory of Chuseong began to wobble.

It was a truly strange and bizarre sight.

Despite deflecting it, Yurim immediately used "Noeuk" (Brain Wing) to escape the spear tip that had already reached close range.

Sizzle.

Yurim, who had instantly increased the distance.

He looked at the finely vibrating spear tip in Teresa's hand and his eyes lit up.

'As expected!'

It was as he had thought.

Moreover, Yurim finally understood what Johann had meant.

[The Winchester family's Chuseong is a rather unique flow technique.]

[If I give you a hint... it's like it bounces, right?]

A rather unique flow technique.

And the feeling of it bouncing.

Both were correct.

'Chuseong is clearly a technique that belongs to the category of flow techniques.'

But the way it was used was unique.

'It uses flow techniques not for defense, but for attack.'

Generally, flow techniques are used to deflect the opponent's attack.

To defend oneself or create an opening for a counterattack.

Of course, Chuseong's flow technique is also used to deflect something.

'But it uses it for attack, not defense.'

What does that mean?

Chuseong is an offensive technique, not a defensive one.

And the flow technique applied to it is used to deflect the opponent's defense.

'Chuseong... is a technique that ignores the opponent's defense.'

This was the result of the Winchester family's determination to somehow stab their opponent with a spear.

'That's why it could resist and counter the Malyu.'

Chuseong deflected the reverse field created by Yurim's Malyu.

It ascended against the current like a salmon swimming upstream.

'That's why it gives a bouncing feeling.'

If you tried to block Chuseong with a sword, you would probably feel the sword being deflected.

'Impressive.'

Chuseong was truly a high-level technique.

Someone could maintain a rather difficult flow technique throughout an attack.

Using the flow technique appropriately based on the angle of the opponent's attack.

And even modifying the trajectory of the attack.

It was a technique so advanced that it could be called the essence of spear techniques.

It was hard to imagine how much effort the Winchester family had put into creating this technique.

However, there was one thing Yurim could guess about the secret of Chuseong.

'Chuseong can be used because of that spear.'

The finely vibrating metal spear in Teresa's hand.

Because it was a metal spear with tremendous elasticity, it could freely use flow techniques.

"Huff..."

Yurim took a long breath.

'The road ahead is long.'

While he had somewhat figured out the secret of Chuseong, the completion of the fundamental goal, "Malyu-Jagi" (Demon Current-Grasp), was still far off.

'It won't be easy.'

Yurim had quickly learned to read Malyu and master Malyu-Flow.

However, this was possible because Johann had spent years perfecting them.

But Malyu-Jagi was only in the early stages of having a basic framework, and the rest was now Yurim's responsibility to flesh out.

This was not a task that could be completed in a short period.

'So, the old man gave me this homework and then left.'

Yurim pouted.

Still, he couldn't curse Johann too much because the clues he provided were accurate.

Johann had clearly told Yurim to practice Malyu-Jagi through Chuseong.

'If I can catch that bouncing spear, I might get a feel for Malyu-Jagi. For that, I need to... '

A plan to catch Chuseong had firmly taken root in Yurim's mind.

'Copy Chuseong.'

To catch prey, you need to understand its habits.

So, Yurim intended to thoroughly dissect Chuseong.

Even if he couldn't replicate it perfectly, he wanted to be able to perform it with his own hands.

Yurim smiled strangely as he looked at Teresa's spear.

Teresa tilted her head in confusion.

"Yurim, are you done? We still have a few more rounds left."

"Of course not."

Yurim gripped his sword and ran forward.

"Come on in!"

"Sure, sure, I'm coming!"

Bang!

Unaware of what was happening, Teresa enthusiastically welcomed the thief trying to steal her family's technique.

* * *

After a fierce sparring session.

Teresa and Yurim stood apart, catching their breath.

The 100 rounds of attack and defense they had exchanged today played through their minds.

How the opponent moved.

And how he should have responded to this move.

While catching their breath, they reviewed today's sparring.

Yurim finished this task first.

He soon immersed himself in other thoughts.

'Magic Sword...'

Johann had told Yurim to complete a Magic Sword.

But he had left without clearly explaining what a Magic Sword was.

If there were a library, he could have looked it up, but in his current situation, how could he find a library?

He didn't even know if this cradle had a library.

So, Yurim found another way.

'If I don't know, I can just ask.'

And the person who could answer Yurim's curiosity was right in front of him.

Just then, she finished her review and opened her eyes.

"Huff..."

Seeing Teresa take a long breath, Yurim subtly started the conversation.

"Senior Tessa."

"......?"

"Do you know what a Magic Sword is?"

Yurim's question made Teresa tilt her head slightly.

"What's the purpose of your question?"

"Purpose? I'm just curious."

"Curious? About a Magic Sword?"

"Yep."

"...What do you know about a Magic Sword?"

"Just that you can use it when you reach Public Rank 4."

"Is that all?"

"Yep."

Yurim's confident answer made Teresa look confused.

"Usually, isn't that something you learn when you're young?"

"Why would I learn this when I was young?"

"Well... it's basic knowledge you acquire while learning martial arts, right?"

"I haven't been practicing martial arts for long."

"Even so... didn't the person who taught you martial arts tell you?"

"Yep. They didn't tell me."

This damn old man.

Look! It's something you learn while practicing martial arts!

'If he was going to tell me, he should have done it properly!'

While Yurim cursed Johann in his mind, Teresa recalled something and cautiously negotiated.

"I'll tell you what I know about Magic Swords, but you have to count this information as the cost for the next sparring session."

Yurim pretended to think for a moment.

Why?

'If I accept too quickly, it'll look like I'm desperate.'

Though he had already shouted 'Sure!' in his mind, Yurim showed a slightly hesitant expression.

He answered as if reluctantly agreeing.

"Fine, but tell me everything... from Strong Sword to Magic Sword."

"Okay."

After all, the knowledge Teresa had was only at a basic level.

If it could replace 10,000 points, it was a good deal for her, so there was no reason to refuse.

Of course, for Yurim, who lacked even basic knowledge, it was essential information.

"I'll start by explaining the Strong (强) realm."

Nod.

Yurim sat down in front of her with bright eyes.

"Usually, it's said that you can use Strong (强) when you reach Public Rank 1, but strictly speaking, that's incorrect."

"Really?"

"Most people succeed in Strong Sword after consistent attempts before reaching Public Rank 1, which is why this statement is made."

"Oh ho?"

"Therefore, not all Public Rank 1 can use Strong Sword. Also, if your mana exceeds the Public Rank 1 standard but you can't use Strong, you'll be treated as half a rank."

Nod.

Seeing the good attitude of the student, Teresa's voice gained strength.

"The Strong realm starts with making the mana nucleus and the weapon's vibration similar."

"Vibration?"

"Both the mana nucleus and the weapon have their own unique vibrations. By sensing and gradually aligning these vibrations... when you surpass a certain threshold, Strong (强) manifests."

"When does that threshold occur?"

"On average, when the vibration alignment rate reaches 80%, Strong Sword manifests."

"Hmm... what's the benefit of creating a Strong Sword?"

Hearing this, Teresa realized Yurim really knew nothing.

She picked up her spear.

"A weapon can only contain mana if its vibration is somewhat similar to the mana nucleus. The more similar the vibrations, the more and purer mana it can contain."

Mana is the source of magical phenomena.

A weapon containing mana can perform various magical phenomena.

"Among these, a weapon containing mana at the Strong realm level... "

Rumble.

"Can draw out the inherent potential of the materials used in its creation."

Various materials used in weapon creation.

Ordinary iron, steel, meteoric iron, or white steel, etc.

The Strong realm amplifies the characteristics of these materials.

As a result, a mana-containing weapon becomes even harder, has higher elasticity, or shows other various characteristics.

Yurim looked at Teresa's spear.

The spear that had emitted a faint vibration earlier now gleamed as if oiled.

"Is that a Strong Sword?"

"Right, it's a Strong Spear for me."

"Does it always shine so brightly?"

"Generally, it has a luster, but it can also be expressed differently depending on the characteristics of the martial arts you practice."

While listening to this, Yurim took out his beloved sword, "Whitey."

"Hmm, the vibration of the mana nucleus and the weapon."

He muttered softly and closed his eyes slightly.

It was clear that he was trying to attempt a Strong Sword.