25th Episode: Sword Saint Cheon Yuseong (1)

Jinhyuk slowly turned his head. There stood a man holding a very old-looking sword. A familiar sword. It was the replica version of a holy relic displayed at the National Central Museum, the Iron Sword with Qianlong Inscription. This meant the man was the persistent challenger Jinhyuk had encountered throughout the Tower of Trials.

Jinhyuk sized up his opponent. A sharp countenance. A solid build over 185 cm tall. He resembled a well-sharpened sword. I didnt realize in the game, but this guy looks quite decent in reality. Or to be precise, he could put models to shame. His perfectly proportioned body and a face like a sculpture were hard to come by even on TV.

Wont you ever tire? Jinhyuk clicked his tongue. Wasnt it enough to chase him in the game? Now he had followed him even to the ruins. Sincerely, if I go to hell, hed probably chase me there too.

That irritated face Is that all you see me as? The man clenched his jaw, brimming with lethal intent. Ah, right. He had a serious grudge about being ignored. Annoying as it was, Jinhyuk had forgotten.

Think about it logically. Who in their right mind would follow me here? And if youve lost, accept it. Please, just give it a rest.

This time will be different. Having started over, theres no way Id be inferior to you.

Hes not getting it. Or rather, he never did. Jinhyuk sighed softly and activated The Eye of Truth.

[Skill activation is canceled due to level difference.]

Of course, there would be a level difference. But it didnt matter. He had extra stats from The Song of Battle and his existing luck and adaptation stats.

[Stats effect nullifies level difference.]

[Penetrating the targets status window.]

Name: Cheon Yuseong

Gender: Male

Age: 28

Level: 29

Strength 35 Agility 31 Stamina 18 Magic Power 10

Stat Points: 0

Coins: 0

Job: Swordsman

Unique Ability: Swords Song

Skills: Lv6 Soul Chasing Sword Qi, Lv5 Sages Eyes, Lv5 One-on-One Duel, Lv5 Self-Defense Qi, Lv5 Battlefield Selection, Lv4 Soul Chasing Sword Dance, Lv4 Darkness Barrier, Lv3 Endurance, Lv3 Tenacity

[Copying Condition: Cheon Yuseong believes hes stronger than anyone in swordsmanship. Defeat him with the weapon hes most confident in a sword.]

A status window longer than anyone Jinhyuk had seen before appeared.

Did he recognize me through [Sages Eyes]? And hes been stalking me enough to follow me here.

Cheon Yuseong, huh?

He was one of the most notorious players Jinhyuk knew in the Tower of Trials. Not only was he skilled, but those who had crossed swords with Cheon Yuseong referred to him with awe as the Sword Saint or feared him as the Sword Demon.

But

So this was his extent.

Jinhyuk read the status window with a nonchalant expression. Level, skills, unique ability, stats. Others might have been astonished, but it was just that.

Of course, Cheon Yuseong had become stronger than before. His build-up to become a Sword Saint was flawless. However

The same goes for me.

The gap had not closed. In fact, it had widened.

If you really want to fight, I wont stop you. But are you sure? Im not alone here.

Reacting to Cheon Yuseongs murderous intent, Teresa was quickly approaching. In about 2 or 3 minutes, it wouldnt be one-on-one but two against one.

A saint Youve made a useless ally.

Hmm

First, Teresa is not an ally. Were just together for a shared interest. And secondly

I dont carry useless things around.

As Jinhyuk finished speaking, the sound of slicing wind was heard.

Woosh!

A silver shield flew in. Its surface shimmered slightly. A weapon imbued with holy power.

Kuk!?

Cheon Yuseong hastily swung his sword.

Clang!

He barely managed to deflect it, but the impact left veins bulging on his forehead.

I told you not to be too arrogant.

Before its too late, why dont you run away? Its not too late.

I wont let an intruder interfere with our duel.

[Cheon Yuseong activates Lv5 Battlefield Selection!]

A transparent barrier began to form around Cheon Yuseong. Jinhyuks lips curled in response. Predictable. The barrier, Battlefield Selection, allowed him to choose his desired battlefield, the most powerful of Cheon Yuseongs barriers.

Woosh!

A space about 50m in diameter was newly formed. A training ground littered with broken marble and half-eaten mural remnants came into view.

Typical of him.

His character consistency was almost a talent. Cheon Yuseong gripped his sword with both hands.

Now, no outside help can interfere.

A world cut off by the barrier. Cheon Yuseong immediately used another skill.

[Cheon Yuseong activates Lv5 One-on-One Duel!]

[All Cheon Yuseongs stats increase by 10%!]

[The effect of Song of the Battlefield received from Teresa disappears.]

[All stats decrease by 10%.]

Continuous status messages appeared due to the effects of Battlefield Selection and One-on-One Duel, resulting in a forced debuff. It was these two skills that gave Cheon Yuseong the confidence to provoke the fight and the same skills that made Jinhyuk not avoid it. Caught. There was a reason he led himself into this disadvantageous situation.

A special condition attached to Fusion:

If the situation becomes overwhelmingly disadvantageous compared to the original copying condition, the copying condition will be modified accordingly.

And in this case

[Copying condition has been modified.]

[First copy, then fulfill the condition.]

[You have 10 minutes to complete the condition.]

The condition had changed. First, the ability is copied, and then the condition is fulfilled.

I will copy Cheon Yuseongs unique ability.

[Copying the unique ability Swords Song (S).]

[Swords Song: Comprehension of bladed weapons increases by 200%. The body naturally finds the most efficient swordsmanship, and all senses become extremely sensitive.]

[It is one of the essential abilities to earn the title of Sword Saint.]

If before it was a fight relying on experience and reflexes, now with this ability, it became possible to understand and become one with the sword. Jinhyuk adjusted the short sword in his right hand and flicked his left index finger towards Cheon Yuseong.

Dont pretend to be at ease!

Cheon Yuseong gritted his teeth and charged at Jinhyuk, closing the distance in an instant. Fast. But Jinhyuk easily parried the attack aimed at his side. Immediately, a series of sword strikes followed, each targeting vital points.

At that moment, Cheon Yuseongs face contorted even more fiercely. What trickery is this? Huh? What do you mean? Dont play dumb! Your specialty isnt close combat, but mid-range. Why are you matching me with just a short sword?

Cheon Yuseong knew Jinhyuks style well, preferring to fight at a distance rather than close combat. It was a valid point. However Right now, this should be enough. Since he had to overpower him with a sword, he couldnt use anything else. Moreover, having obtained Swords Song, a short sword was enough to face him.

Then Ill kill you! Cheon Yuseong swung his sword fiercely.

Clang! Dozens, no, hundreds of exchanges took place. How did this happen? As time passed, Cheon Yuseong grew increasingly baffled. He was in his optimized battlefield, and his opponent had even abandoned his specialty, engaging in close combat.

Everything was overwhelmingly in his favor. He should have been able to win easily, but the balance remained unbroken. The reason was simple. Hes using swordsmanship? Not just imitation, but genuine skill, seasoned as if honed over countless years, and the innovative attacks were astonishing.

Catching his breath, Cheon Yuseong realized the truth. I dont know what youve done, but its impressive. To learn such high-level swordsmanship without me knowing.

Ive been learning a lot lately. More fun than I thought. Technically, just a moment ago. And from him, but saying that would push him over the edge.

Cheon Yuseongs face hardened at Jinhyuks teasing. Fine. Even if I gave up on long-range, I was wrong to face a monster like you with just swordsmanship. I admit my mistake.

He had to admit it. If he didnt go all out, he couldnt win.

Suddenly, the air shifted dramatically. Cheon Yuseongs sword straightened out. [Cheon Yuseong activates Lv6 Soul Chasing Sword Qi!] Blue magic power formed along the sword blade, the ultimate essence, Sword Qi.

Isnt that a bit much? Using Sword Qi against a beginner who just learned to swordfight? Your premise of being a beginner is a ludicrous lie. Cheon Yuseong dismissed it outright and launched an attack with scattering Sword Qi.

Jinhyuk glanced between Cheon Yuseong and his short sword. If I face this head-on, itll be the end of me. Even a 10-fold forged sword couldnt withstand Sword Qi. Then, the solution was to create it. An ability to counter, even surpass Sword Qi. Jinhyuk grasped a black elixir on a rock.

Ill fuse Swords Song with Demon Soul Elixir. A dazzling light burst forth as he spoke. [Fusion successful!] [Acquired the unique ability Swords Tomb (SS).] [Swords Tomb: Comprehension of bladed weapons increases by 500%. The body finds the optimal swordsmanship, and all senses reach their peak.] [An essential talent to earn the title of Sword Demon.] [The copied ability is stored in the Memory of the World.]

Ideally, this power was meant to be used after absorbing Frozen Tears. But if the opponent forced his hand, he had no choice but to respond in kind.

[Activating the unique ability Swords Tomb.] Those who saw the end of the sword became Sword Saints, but those who broke it became Sword Demons. The strongest, yet worst talent, forgotten by history. Only a sword remained on an unnamed grave, a tale of that demon.

An unimaginably ominous aura began to undulate. The marble dust on the floor slowly rose. At that moment. [Activating Lv1 Black Moon Night!] A black moon cast its shadow over Jinhyuks short sword, even coloring the barriers light.

What is this unbelievable power Cheon Yuseong froze in his tracks. This was dangerous.