麻豆工作室

 The drums resounded loudly, followed by cheers that seemed to shake the whole world erupting.

 “Wowww–!!!”

 In the finals of the Dragon Phoenix Tournament.

 The curtain had risen.

 It was none other than the day of the grand finals. The events preceding the main match were also different from before.

 There were amazing feats performed by all sorts of bizarre people, followed by matches between renowned mid-level masters of the current martial world, and even a speech delivered by Sword King Namgung Hyuk himself on the stage.

 All kinds of events that were more than just luxurious filled the venue, but they couldn’t quench the audience’s thirst.

 It was natural.

 The reason they came to this place today was not to see those things.

 Today was the day when the myth of Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon’s undefeated streak, which had been considered absolutely unbreakable, might be shattered.

 The audience was simply waiting for the start of the match that might go down in martial arts history as a legend.

 Fortunately, they didn’t wait too long.

 [Then let’s start the match! First, Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon! Please enter the arena!]

 “Wowwww!!!”

 A handsome man with blue eyes stepped onto the arena with a sword.

 The overwhelming presence that always pressed down on the venue felt especially heavy today.

 [Next! Ink Sword Mok Riwon! Please enter the arena!]

 “Wowwww!!!”

 “KYAAHHH!!!”

 A man who made one feel like their soul was being sucked out merely by staring at him stepped onto the arena.

 If a demon that bewitched people existed, it would look just like him.

 He had a gray martial arts uniform and an old steel sword.

 However, there was an enchanting smile that couldn’t be hidden by them lingering on his lips.

 Finally, the two men faced each other in the arena.

 The match had yet to start, but the atmosphere was burning hot.

 In the midst of it, Mok Riwon said.

 “I’m sorry for the last time.”

 “For what?”

 “For saying Sword Dragon was like the Unorthodox Path. My thinking was short-sighted.”

 He said that while observing his reaction. The apology was given without forgetting Tang Hwa-seo’s words.

 Finally, what came back was an answer one would expect from him, and therefore, an unsatisfactory response for Mok Riwon.

 “I don’t care.”

 Mok Riwon bitterly smiled.

 ‘He’s too dry.’

 Could this man truly have no emotions?

 It was to the point that he was beginning to believe that was the case.

 The emotion that arose next was regret.

 It was regretful that he was so heartless despite being born with such an environment and fate.

 While Mok Riwon was taking a deep breath to calm his bitter feelings, Namgung Jincheon opened his mouth.

 “Three seconds.”

 “Hm?”

 “I’m telling you to endure for three seconds. As I said.”

 Namgung Jincheon looked down at Mok Riwon and added.

 “You clearly told me that it won’t be an easy match.”

 “That’s right.”

 “Prove it.”

 Mok Riwon’s eyes widened, then folded beautifully and turned into a smile.

 “You’ll regret it. Won’t it hurt your pride when you get beaten miserably?”

 “Provocation doesn’t affect me. Didn’t the Poison Phoenix teach you that?”

 “For someone like that, you’re quite good at it.”

 The conversation continued for longer than expected, so they used their qi detection to eavesdrop, but it was a futile effort.

 Because the arena was blocked by a qi barrier personally set up by Namgung Hyuk.

 It was just the announcer in the arena with them, swallowing his saliva at the brutal contents.

 “We can start now.”

 “A-Alright!”

 At Mok Riwon’s words, the announcer took a step back.

 He raised his hand high and shouted.

 [Then let’s begin!]

 Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon saluted.

 Immediately after, the announcer’s hand slowly fell, and the match began.

  Schwiiing–!

 The first move was Namgung Jincheon’s.

* * *

 There were no flashy techniques.

 It was a vertical slash in the literal sense, so honest that it could even be called crude.

  Clang–!

 Nevertheless, it was heavy.

 It was Namgung Jincheon’s sword, the sword of the only clan in the Central Plains that referred to the skies.

 Boundless Azure Sky Sword Technique.

 A sword that represented the endless blue sky.

 As well as a sword that represented that there was nowhere further to reach at the end of that sky.

 It was an arrogant sword, but a sword that had to be acknowledged.

 The sword of the Namgung Clan was one that bore such weight.

 “One second.”

 Namgung Jincheon declared indifferently.

 Mok Riwon endured his sword by drawing out all of the strength in his body.

 However, if merely withstanding that much was enough, Namgung Jincheon would not have been called the ‘Next Unrivaled Under The Heavens.’

 “And two seconds.”

  Hwaaak–!

 A blue qi wave covered the arena.

Namgung Jincheon began to exert pressure on the entire surrounding space, as if intending to cleave Mok Riwon apart with his blade.

  Crack–

 The arena floor couldn’t withstand the qi and was ripping apart.

 The air was crushed by the all-too-dense sea of blue.

 Mok Riwon felt his breath being blocked.

 ‘Just…’

 Just by unleashing his qi, this phenomenon occurred.

 “Can you endure it?”

 Namgung Jincheon asked.

 Mok Riwon widened his eyes and answered by unleashing his own qi.

  Saaaaa–

 A faint ink-colored light emerged.

 It was a chilly light reminiscent of the dark night sky, but beautiful nonetheless.

 The released qi began to condense and expand, stretching towards the blue sky.

  Hwaaak–!

 The contrast of colors and properties was so stark that it felt like a battle between night and day.

 Namgung Jincheon’s blue qi was overwhelmingly oppressive, while Mok Riwon’s ink-black qi had a serene quality despite its gloomy hue.

 Could their swords be so distinctly different?

 And could there be qi that was so different from each other?

 The clash and ripple of their qi reminded one of a scene in a painting.

 Of course, it wasn’t such a romantic situation for those involved.

 “Ugh…!”

 Mok Riwon gritted his teeth and tried to block his all-too-heavy sword.

 The disparity in their cultivation was twice as much.

 Even though the outcome of martial arts didn’t solely rely on inner arts, such a significant difference in their levels made the emergence of a gap between them unavoidable.

  “It’s still two seconds.”

 Namgung Jincheon continued to push Mok Riwon.

 Although he wasn’t usually the type to rush like this, it was inevitable today.

 Why wouldn’t it be?

 Mok Riwon’s existence, and the declaration he had made, the spirit had shown, didn’t they come as a stimulation to Namgung Jincheon?

 So Namgung Jincheon wished.

 That he was not just a worthless person who only talked big, that he had the skills to back up his words, and that he was someone who could give him excitement.

  Crack–!

 The swept-away arena floor floated up in the air, and as such, his pressure intensified.

 “Not yet…!”

 Mok Riwon’s eyes shone

 “I haven’t shown anything yet!”

  Clang–!

 Mok Riwon relaxed his wrist.

 When Namgung Jincheon’s sword swiftly slashed downwards, Mok Riwon’s body spun even faster than that and evaded the sword’s path.

 It was a principle that used the opponent’s strength to gain speed.

 “Impressive…”

 Namgung Jincheon was pleased, swinging his sword horizontally this time.

 His movements this time were also extremely crude, and the outcome was terrible.

  Crash–!

 Mok Riwon was hit by his sword even after escaping the sword’s path.

 The qi that enveloped the sword had struck him.

 For a moment, his body floated up, but fortunately, he was able to land properly.

Nonetheless, his body was already in tatters.

 The shabby gray martial arts uniform was torn here and there, exposing bruised and bloodied skin, and the fingers gripping the sword were trembling.

 His eyes also seemed to have lost focus.

 It was clear to anyone watching that he was on the verge of collapse.

 Namgung Jincheon momentarily observed him, a mix of emotions in his eyes, before he averted his gaze and spoke.

 “That makes it three seconds. Excellent. It was quite interesting.”

 Exactly three seconds.

 With that many moves, he crushed Mok Riwon and withdrew his qi, devoid of any lingering feelings.

 Mok Riwon was still on his feet, but barely.

 There was no need to continue the match once he had been directly hit by his inner force.

 Coming to that judgment, Namgung Jincheon turned and looked at the announcer.

 And he parted his lips, intending to call for the match to end.

 …But no words came out.

  Shiver–

 Before he could speak, he felt a chilling aura, compelling him to react in the only way he could.

* * *

 Before the start of the match, Mok Riwon was confident in his victory, but there was something he was aware of.

 ‘I’m weaker.’

 He lacked in every aspect compared to Namgung Jincheon.

 This was the harsh reality.

 It was expected.

 Compared to Namgung Jincheon, who had been consuming all sorts of rare spiritual elixirs like they were meals. The only spiritual elixir Mok Riwon had consumed was the Man-Faced Spider’s inner core.

 But was that all? The supply of inner qi through his cultivation technique was also strictly restricted.

 Because the Star God Technique discouraged the hasty increase in inner qi.

 It wasn’t like his experience was outstanding enough to make up for that either.

 Unlike Namgung Jincheon, who had grown up sparring with all sorts of masters he had invited, Mok Riwon was a man whose extent of sparring consisted of being guided by Mok Seon-oh.

 From any perspective, this was a match he was bound to lose.

 However, even so, there was one thing Mok Riwon was superior to Namgung Jincheon in.

 ‘Martial talent.’

 Talent in martial arts.

 An overwhelming talent that could be considered unrivaled in the Central Plains.

 And intuition.

 The Heaven-Slaying Star was a martial talent.

 The Supreme Demonic Body was created for killing.

 Therefore, Mok Riwon, a man formed by intertwining those two, was a human who could execute sword techniques flawlessly, beyond anyone else in the world.

 So, relying on that, he did something akin to a gamble.

 ‘Lacking inner qi is fine.’

 It could be made up with experience.

 ‘Lacking that experience is also fine.’

 It could be obtained during the match.

 ‘…I.’

 I haven’t shown anything yet.

  Ssssssh–

 Mok Riwon got up, straightening his staggering body, and looked at Namgung Jincheon.

 For the first time since the start of the Dragon Phoenix Tournament, his face showed clear emotion.

 It was a surprise.

  Now you look human.

 With that thought, Mok Riwon smiled.

 “Are you running away?”

 “…”

 “I told you. I haven’t shown anything yet.”

 “You will is praiseworthy. However, you have nothing more to show.”

 “I do.”

 “Even if you do, your body can’t handle it.”

 What can’t be done?

 What the hell made him come to such a conclusion?

 “Are you scared?”

 Namgung Jincheon’s eyebrows narrowed.

 “…You have a talent for displeasing people.”

 “You said provocation doesn’t affect you, but it seems to work quite well.”

 “If it’s your wish lie down in pain, so be it.”

  Hwaaak–!

 Namgung Jincheon unleashed his qi once more.

 Mok Riwon felt his breathing, which had returned to normal, collapsing once more.

 Nonetheless, he could smile.

 ‘Good.’

 He needed this kind of pressure.

 He needed this kind of killing intent.

 A killing intent so sweet that he just wanted to sink into it and close his eyes.

  Thud–!

 Mok Riwon took a step forward.

 He savored the pressure weighing down on his shoulders.

 Inwardly, he whispered an apology to his master.

 ‘I’m sorry, Master.’

  –Won, control it, suppress it. Erase all the killing intent. Only then can you avoid harming people.

 It was an apology for defying the plea his master requested of him with such a sad and worried expression.

 ‘But Master.’

  Still.

 ‘I don’t want to lose.’

 He wanted to win.

 More than that, if he were to be defeated, he wished it to be by a sword that upheld chivalry, not one merely driven by ambition.

 Of course, Mok Riwon didn’t turn to his true nature just because of such an unyielding desire.

 ‘I did my best.’

 In the event he lost control of his killing intent and endangered Namgung Jincheon, he had battered his own body.

 Even if he struggled desperately, he drained his strength so that he couldn’t reach his neck with this sword in the end.

 Nor would he lift all the restrictions.

 Mok Riwon took a deep breath.

 Then, he confronted what he had suppressed all his life, hidden deep within his heart.

 It was something that could destroy him, yet impossible to simply discard, merely turning a blind eye towards it.

 A part of him he had managed to suppress only by sealing away his thoughts, his martial arts, and his emotions.

 The Star of the Slaughterer.

 Facing it, Mok Riwon resolved.

 ‘Just for today.’

 He would unravel just one layer of the true nature he had suppressed all his life.

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