#Side Story, Sword Master - 3
However, everyone knew that victory or defeat couldn't be determined by just circling around. Soon, the clashes between the two competitors began to speed up. While fiercely blocking to prevent giving up points, they also attacked continuously.
Even against the sharp momentum of attacks from Jeong Seung-jo, wearing the blue belt, who had shown his power without reserve in the semifinals, Kang Mu-heon didn't lose his composure, deflecting them while launching chillingly surprising attacks in between.
The reason they could avoid feeling bored even in such a seemingly long match was due to Mu-heon's movements, which connected every motion perfectly and smoothly.
Striking, retreating, turning, and striking again was like an endless dance.
As the match entered its middle stage, Mu-heon's body, which had been moving like that, suddenly began to become infinitely smoother at some point. Though it appeared at first glance like his attacks had lost power, and Seung-jo's attacks accordingly grew fiercer, even while seemingly being pushed into a disadvantage, Mu-heon and his sword were slowly transforming.
Everyone realized this transformation had become complete when they saw Mu-heon strike Seung-jo's waist with unbelievably smooth movements while evading what everyone had expected to be the final attack - Seung-jo's downward strike as he cornered him.
Thwack!
From then on, Seok-ho could only watch the arena while holding his breath, not even blinking, trying not to forget exactly what he was seeing. It was as if some magical force that couldn't be looked away from was emanating from there. Seok-ho shuddered at the fact that this could be materialized through one person's movements and sword tip. Everyone watched the match intently. More precisely, they were watching Mu-heon.
Fire-like fighting spirit and ice-like presence existed in one body. Seung-jo, who had been pushing Mu-heon into a disadvantage until just now, clearly showed signs of not knowing what to do.
Seok-ho decided to retract one of his thoughts from watching the semifinals. Had he said charisma was lacking? Absolutely not.
He had simply not met an opponent worthy of his level, and now a sword as soft as falling flowers and as straight and fast as a soaring bird was being manifested through those hand and foot movements, and through the sword tip. It was movement that was impossible to look away from, magnificent - no, beautiful would be more accurate. If there was an ultimate form that everyone would admire, part of it existed within that boy.
Seok-ho felt joy brightening like discovering a ray of light in the endless dark tunnel that had been troubling him since before leaving his company. Thus at that time, he failed to hear the words uttered by someone who had seen the same joy behind him.
"Was swordsmanship... this amazing...? It's so cool...! It seems incomparable to even my sisters!"
After the match ended, Seok-ho slipped out to the quiet external corridor outside the door, leaving behind the arena that had become noisier than ever, and immediately took out his phone to make a call.
Only after the ringing tone had continued for almost two minutes did a tired voice finally answer with "Yes..." It was a voice that sounded like he had been sleeping, as Seok-ho had told him to. However, Seok-ho couldn't be considerate of such circumstances at this moment.
"I found it."
[ Ah... uh... what...? ]
"Senior, no. Director, as you said, there really was a gem."
[ Oh oh, gems are nice... sparkly sparkly... ]
"I mean a living gem! With this, I think we can continue what was suspended."
[ What... what did you say? Is that true? ]
As if finally fully awake, the voice across the phone rose equally high.
[ Then come back quickly! Before you lose inspiration! ]
"I'll first return to the hotel and send you just the outline by email. Please look at it with the others and give me your opinions."
[ Why? You can just come back right away! ]
"It's still a bit lacking. There are some things I want to confirm more here."
[ Damn! Alright. Send it quickly! I'm excited! ]
Click!
After the other side, who changed completely whenever development targets were mentioned, hung up first, Seok-ho glanced at the arena crowded with people and began striding away with a slightly flushed face.
After leaving the venue and catching a taxi, Seok-ho gave his hotel's name as the destination and quietly smiled while repeatedly redrawing in his mind the images of things that had stopped within him and were beginning to move again, along with a refreshing sigh.
He had originally planned to visit Suun High School, home of the boys who had given him such inspiration, tomorrow, but it seemed he would end up visiting a bit later than expected.
And of course, he didn't know then that this choice would lead to unexpected regret later.
Several days later, after roughly finishing their exchange of opinions and perfectly setting the direction for the new work, Seok-ho, despite looking tired, managed to arrive at Suun High School without rest, moving through information gathered via the web and VT port.
After entering the school located on a hill with a notably large playground, he stopped a passing student and asked where the kendo club was, and the blushing student informed him it was on the second floor of the west gymnasium.
Having timed his visit to roughly match when students would be focusing on club activities after finishing their regular classes, Seok-ho could see quite a large group in navy kendo uniforms as soon as he entered the gymnasium where the kendo club was active.
'Seems I timed it well.'
However, Seok-ho still didn't know the most important detail - the bare face of the boy he was looking for. He had only seen him wearing men at the competition venue. Therefore, he had to once again enter directly and approach the group of boys in kendo uniforms.
"May I ask something?"
When he addressed the boys who were training in perfect formation, their gazes instantly turned to Seok-ho. He couldn't help but feel puzzled internally seeing the boys' expressions, which surprisingly showed more darkness than curiosity about the stranger. However, before he could inquire about this puzzlement, one of the boys standing in the rightmost front row walked up to Seok-ho.
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Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.
"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."
In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.
"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."
And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.
"For now, until then, let's sleep..."
As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.
'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'
Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.
Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.
"Since when have you been watching me?"
Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.
"From the very beginning."
Graduate student Yi-han finds himself reborn in another world as the youngest child of a mage family.
– I’m never attending school, ever again!
‘What do you wish to achieve in life?’
‘I wish to play around and live comforta-‘
‘You must be aware of your talent. Now go attend Einroguard!’
‘Patriarch!’
My future would be guaranteed once I graduate. For my future!
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