Chapter 46

Chapter 45: The Sword Saint's Proposal (3)

"Right! This is what I wanted! Of course, we have to settle this!"

It was Jung Do-hyun who sprang up from his seat.

He was convinced that he had been singled out due to the incident in front of the association.

However,

"You idiot. I didn't single you out."

Hong Deok-pyo, who was sitting next to him, grabbed Jung Do-hyun's wrist and pulled him back down.

"Huh? Big brother?"

Jung Do-hyun asked, but Hong Deok-pyo did not answer.

Instead, he looked at Cheon Yu-seong with an excited expression.

'Right, if you have that level of skill, you'd want to fight a strong opponent.'

He understood.

He himself had always found battles with strong opponents thrilling.

'I like you more and more.'

At first, when he heard Cheon Yu-seong's rank, he thought of him as just another piece to add to his collection.

After Jung Do-hyun's failure, when he saw the martial arts displayed in the training hall, he thought he would grant any request.

But,

Now, seeing the actions Cheon Yu-seong was showing, he was finally convinced.

He would have to use any means necessary to get this guy.

If he couldn't get him alive, he would take him dead.

"It's been a while since I've had a proper warm-up."

Hong Deok-pyo took off his suit jacket.

The muscles in his white shirt were clearly visible.

However,

Cheon Yu-seong remained standing with his sword, showing no movement.

What is it?

Just as he thought this,

Hong Deok-pyo's eyes narrowed.

Could it be...?

Looking closely, the tip of the sword was pointing slightly to the right, not at Jung Do-hyun or himself.

There, a man sat with a look of annoyance on his face.

"Huh."

The man let out a long sigh and struggled to get up from his seat.

At the same time, Cheon Yu-seong lowered his sword.

He was acknowledging in front of everyone who his opponent would be.

"What, what is this?"

"Not Hong, but someone else was singled out?"

"Who is it?"

"I don't recognize him..."

"Check the database right away!"

A great commotion arose.

The guild officials hurriedly tried to find information on the target.

At least, if he could enter the association building, he must have passed the awakening test.

There would certainly be information on him.

[Player Kang Jin-hyuk, F Rank]

A moment later, the man's profile was confirmed.

"That's impossible. F Rank?"

"S, So you're saying you're singling out an F Rank?"

"I didn't see him as weak. Does he have a hobby of bullying the weak?"

The commotion grew even louder.

It was an unreasonable situation, so it couldn't be helped.

Right then, Jung Do-hyun shouted loudly.

"Big brother, it's him! The guy who stabbed me in the back is right there!"

"What?"

"Didn't I tell you about the guy who was with Cheon Yu-seong earlier? The one who came to cheer him on. It's definitely him."

"That guy...?"

Hong Deok-pyo looked at Jin-hyuk.

Jin-hyuk also glanced at Hong Deok-pyo.

Their eyes met.

"I don't know why Cheon Yu-seong singled you out, but if you know your place, you should refuse. You're not the one to step up."

A cold but realistic statement.

The people around them also agreed with Hong Deok-pyo.

"Right. Sparring should be between people of similar levels. It'll be over in a second."

"Hopefully it'll end without any serious injuries. If any force is put into the sword, an F Rank will be cut in half."

"Indeed, even in a match, accidents can happen."

Even with good luck, he would suffer major injuries.

With a little bad luck, he could become paralyzed or die.

This was the common thought of everyone present.

However, despite the sincere advice, Jin-hyuk slowly started to move towards the arena.

"Huh."

With a look of annoyance.

***

The arena was equipped with various types of weapons.

Jin-hyuk picked up a long sword from the ground.

It was light and well-balanced, for a standard-issue weapon.

"Please, if you lose again, just stop attacking."

No, really.

It would be really nice if you gave up.

"You're talking as if I'm going to lose. Did you see the fight just now?"

"Hmm. Your skills have definitely improved. You must have trained hard."

His muscles were also quite solid.

I wonder how many inches he's grown. I'd like to ask what supplements he's taking.

Surely, he hasn't been using steroids?

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Ah. I also thought that receiving an invitation could be this annoying."

"..."

Cheon Yu-seong's face twisted.

At the same time, the concentration of mana in his sword changed.

Pzzzz!

[Cheon Yu-seong activates Level 6 'Soul Chasing Sword Qi'!]

A blindingly blue mist.

The tangible energy and the suppressed killing intent merged into one.

Zzzt! Zzzt!

Jin-hyuk could feel a strong pressure on his skin.

'Did he hold back in the match?'

It feels like he's been holding back until now, and is releasing everything in one go.

"Everything is fine, but this is a friendly match... right?"

The atmosphere feels like we're in a coliseum.

The rules are to the death, fighting until one of us dies.

"If you want the invitation, you'll have to fight properly."

Cheon Yu-seong extended his sword forward and took a stance.

He moved his right foot and lowered his center of gravity.

He intends to close the distance in one swift move.

Rumble!

The ground, made of mana stones, began to shake violently.

"Good grief..."

"He really means to do it!"

"Damn it. Call the guards! He's really going to kill him!"

The onlookers screamed.

They couldn't believe that Cheon Yu-seong, who they thought would hold back, was emitting such overwhelming killing intent.

But, right then,

Rumble!

A new mana enveloped the entire arena.

Mana that couldn't be compared to Cheon Yu-seong's.

A dark, ominous black aura manifested.

[Unique Ability 'Grave of Swords' activated!]

Boom!

The air trembled as a sword aura over 1 meter high completely enveloped the long sword.

"Huh?"

"It's a sword aura!"

"Insane. How can an F Rank use a sword aura?"

"And it's not a forced one, but a fully developed one. There are only a handful of players in the world who can use a sword aura of this level."

The reaction was one of shock.

Even Hong Deok-pyo, who had been trying to stop it, was standing with wide eyes.

"What is this...?"

The guards who were trying to stop it.

"Can't believe it."

The guild officials who were watching.

Everyone swallowed hard.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Their hearts beat rapidly.

Perhaps,

This match might become a turning point in their lives.

***

In the heated atmosphere, Jin-hyuk asked,

"Do you think sword qi is enough? You haven't forgotten what happened in the ruins, right?"

Overcoming the hierarchy of abilities is not an easy task.

Especially when it comes to swords.

"Clearly, my sword qi cannot withstand your sword aura."

But,

"I can create something similar."

Instantly,

Pzzzz...

Another sword qi was layered over the first.

Once, twice... seven times.

Like multiple layers of armor, the sword qi formed a single shape.

'Hmm.'

Jin-hyuk's eyes narrowed.

Indeed, if applied in this way, he could withstand a sword aura for a while.

Although it would consume a lot of mana and stamina.

'He plans to win with a short, decisive battle.'

Probably within 3 minutes, no more.

However, he couldn't just dodge and waste time.

Jin-hyuk's gaze shifted to the long sword in his hand.

The blade was already starting to crack.

Of course, a standard sword from the arena couldn't withstand a sword aura.

He chose this one to avoid being recognized as Unknown, but...

Now, he was in the same situation of not having time.

"I'm going!"

Cheon Yu-seong was the first to move.

Boom!

He kicked off the ground and closed the distance in the shortest time possible.

The sword, released from his stance, aimed for Jin-hyuk's neck.

Jin-hyuk met it head-on.

Boom!

It was just two weapons colliding.

But, the windstorm created by the sword pressure caused a strong wind.

Fast.

And fierce.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of exchanges.

Cheon Yu-seong unleashed techniques so fast they were almost invisible.

Jin-hyuk parried all the storm-like attacks.

Flashes of light and numerous sparks filled the air.

Rumble!

The mana went berserk.

The arena, made of mana stones, couldn't withstand it.

"Phew. That's really fierce. I almost got blisters on my palms. So, is it over now?"

"Not yet... it hasn't even started."

Cheon Yu-seong's sword suddenly turned red.

'Soul Chasing Sword Dance.'

The layered sword qi split in different directions.

'Second Form.'

The burning flames soon engulfed the entire arena.

Soul Chasing Flame Emperor!

This is the second form of the Soul Chasing Sword.

The power to burn all enemies in front of him.

'Soul Chasing Flame Emperor.'

Hot.

Jin-hyuk could feel the intense heat on his face.

'This guy is really talented.'

Already able to use the second form of the Soul Chasing Sword.

Of course, it wasn't perfect, but being able to use even a fragment of the Soul Chasing Sword, which is notoriously difficult, was a sign of great talent.

Whoosh!

Seven red petals bloomed.

This is dangerous.

Jin-hyuk instinctively knew.

He couldn't receive this attack head-on.

Then...

Jin-hyuk dismantled 'Grave of Swords.'

He poured the mana used for the sword aura into a new skill.

['Ice Formation' activated!]

Countless ice particles formed a rectangular shield.

Cheon Yu-seong's eyebrows twitched.

He seemed surprised by the unexpected ice skill.

But only for a moment.

'I won't be surprised no matter what. Not this time!'

Cheon Yu-seong, regaining his composure, swung the fully bloomed petals.

Whoosh!

Ice and fire collided head-on.

Complete opposites.

However, the skill's completion was clearly in Cheon Yu-seong's favor.

'Got it!'

Cheon Yu-seong smiled confidently.

Although he couldn't see it with his own eyes due to the massive amount of steam,

The solid feeling of the ice shield breaking was unmistakable.

But,

"!?"

At the moment of certain victory.

['Daylight' activated!]

A beam of light flashed through the steam.

Not an ice skill.

Another attribute skill was about to activate.

"Choke!"

Cheon Yu-seong took a deep breath.

He had vowed not to be surprised this time.

But the following scene left him in despair.

[Cheon Yu-seong activates Level 6 'Sword Curtain'!]

A reflexive defensive skill.

At the same time,

Boom!

The light, cutting through in a straight line, pierced through the mana stones and the arena's outer wall.

***

Sizzle!

"K...k."

Cheon Yu-seong's body staggered.

Smoke rose from his entire body.

Although he had controlled the power, it was enough to cause serious injury.

Even with 'Sword Curtain,' receiving a 'military' skill was impossible.

"How many... skills do you have...?"

The words barely escaped his lips.

Then,

Thud!

Cheon Yu-seong lost his balance and fell.