Chapter 50
The swirling energy of the Lunar Moon Divine Art surged upward, taking on a straight form.
Another sword formed above the first sword.
I continued to control the movements of the dispersing energy as steadily as possible.
As I adjusted the weakening energy that strayed from the sword, the source of power, I maintained balance.
‘Up to this point, it’s stable.’
I was in the midst of training, hoping to handle the Lunar Moon Divine Art even better.
Thanks to this training, my control over the Lunar Moon Divine Art was steadily improving, but I couldn’t think of any proper applications or development methods.
Improving control without any applications was just a waste of time.
The frustration I felt due to my slow growth was a long-lost feeling.
Ding!
At that moment, a message arrived. It was from Hanarin.
[I’m going to be a bit late today, so wait for me! If you eat first, you’re dead!]
It seemed an urgent task must have come up.
‘It’s a bit awkward to continue from here.’
I had planned to finish up neatly and then have a meal, but now the timing was off.
Having completed my business here, I put away the Lunar Moon Sword and exited the personal training area.
I thought of heading to the dormitory to do some mana cultivation. Maybe take a shower too.
On my way to the dormitory, I noticed the academic schedule on the school bulletin board in the training center lobby.
The next exam date was approaching fast.
However, I felt no excitement about it.
‘No need to worry about the exams.’
Even though there wasn’t much time left until the final exam period, I had no intention of spending time preparing for it.
The time to worry about being expelled had long passed. I would definitely not be held back by exams anymore.
‘Being at the top is almost guaranteed.’
Within my current year, no one could surpass me, Kim Il-shin. The same went for Baek Ha-yeon and Seo Ye-ryeong.
If I moved up a grade, a few might be able to compete, but I wouldn’t have to face them.
So for now, I could focus solely on my growth, just like I had been doing.
‘Hmm?’
Lost in thought, as I arrived in front of the dormitory, I spotted an old man with white hair standing by the entrance.
He was dressed as if he belonged to a 19th-century mansion’s butler.
Dressed in a neat suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and a fine rapier with an ornate hilt hung at his waist.
He had a matching mustache, and his gloved hand was idly playing with the ends of it.
‘Is he someone sent by Baek Ho-san?’
Lim Se-chun, Baek Ho-san’s secretary. I recognized him immediately because of his unique attire.
It was also clear why he was here.
He had come for the reward Baek Ho-san had promised previously.
Approaching the entrance of the dormitory, Kim Il-shin greeted him first.
“Hello.”
“Oh, do you know me?”
Lim Se-chun’s eyes widened in surprise.
From Kim Il-shin’s perspective, it was stranger not to know him.
As someone who handled the family’s external schedules on behalf of Baek Ho-san, Lim Se-chun was very well-known.
“I saw you in an article before.”
“Oh, really? So, do you know why I’m looking for you, Kim Il-shin?”
“I believe it’s regarding the reward.”
“That’s correct. You’re quite impressive.”
His exaggerated reaction made it feel like he was praising a mischievous grandchild for a trivial matter.
In truth, the moment Kim Il-shin recognized Lim Se-chun, it was odd not to think of Baek Ho-san’s reward.
“It seems the head of the family thinks highly of you, Kim Il-shin. It’s rare for him to prepare a personal reward.”
Lim Se-chun checked his wristwatch and continued.
“Now, I wanted to explain about the reward… but how about we move to another location first? I hear there’s a famous café nearby.”
“Sure.”
“Then I’ll guide you.”
*
“Hmm, sweet and delicious.”
Lim Se-chun set down his cup after enjoying his drink.
The beverage he ordered was a hot chocolate latte, layered with dark chocolate and topped with an extra swirl of chocolate syrup and a mountain of chocolate chips.
He drank that sugary concoction with no sign of health issues.
I worried if he was alright with such a drink.
‘If he’s okay with it, then it’s not my concern… but why is mine the same?
A chocolate latte identical to Lim Se-chun’s was also placed in front of Kim Il-shin.
Not that he cared; it was just too sweet, so he pushed it away. He wouldn’t touch it again.
He found it strange that Lim Se-chun, who enjoyed such sugary drinks, was so enthusiastic about it.
Was his taste impaired due to age?
“Hmm, there’s not enough of it, how disappointing.”
Having finished his chocolate latte, Lim Se-chun placed his cup down and said.
“As for the reward, the head of the family has arranged a meeting for you with the Sword Saint.”
His calm tone betrayed the enormous content of his words.
It was a reward I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams.
A meeting with the Sword Saint. Even in the world of [COSMO], known for its boundless freedom, that was something impossible.
“If I remember correctly, the Sword Saint doesn’t meet with anyone outside the family due to training, am I mistaken?”
That was why it was impossible to meet the Sword Saint in the game.
He lived alone within a barrier inside the Endo family’s mansion for training, and there was no way to breach that barrier without permission.
“That’s right.”
Lim Se-chun nodded in agreement. It hadn’t changed, but there was still more to say.
“However, the head of the family has reportedly been in personal contact with the Sword Saint for a long time. He personally got permission for you to meet, Kim Il-shin.”
The only way to enter the inner circle and meet the Sword Saint was to receive his consent.
However, there was no one in the family who could request an outside meeting with the Sword Saint, making it nearly impossible.
But Baek Ho-san had managed to do that and offered Kim Il-shin a meeting with the Sword Saint as a reward.
I assumed that a reward from a great hero wouldn’t be ordinary, but I never expected it to be like this.
While it might not be a significant deal for ordinary people to meet the Sword Saint, they might only see it as meeting a celebrity.
But for Kim Il-shin, it was different.
Just receiving the Sword Saint’s energy might spark new inspiration within him.
Of course, since it was only a meeting, the likelihood was low, but it would still be a valuable experience.
In the moment when Kim Il-shin was in a daze, Lim Se-chun spoke again.
“It’s too early to be surprised.”
“Excuse me?”
It seemed there was even more shocking information remaining.
Could there possibly be more to be shocked by? Lim Se-chun’s words were not wrong.
“He mentioned during your meeting with the Sword Saint, you would have the opportunity to witness his strike.”
That was truly shocking. Not only would I meet the Sword Saint, but I could also witness one of his strikes.
If I could see the Sword Saint’s strike up close, I would undoubtedly gain new inspiration.
“And he also said this. ‘Take a peek at that guy’s strike as well.’”
“…”
It was a sensitive matter, but Lim Se-chun seemed unfazed.
It must have been because Baek Ho-san had already stated he wouldn’t hold him accountable.
“I heard you have figured out a way to counter the Baeksan Sword Art, so it should be possible for you. People who don’t know say the skills of the head of the family and the Sword Saint are comparable, but there is a clear difference. The head of the family is above the Sword Saint.”
Lim Se-chun’s words emanated pride.
Having assisted Baek Ho-san for a long time, it was only natural he’d hold such views.
‘Still, it’s not easy to determine superiority.’
It’s not simple to resolve the gap between those who have surpassed a certain realm.
There are simply too many factors influencing strength, and all of them change depending on the circumstances.
But one thing was certain.
Regardless of the nature or form of the Sword Saint’s strike, Kim Il-shin’s eyes would not miss it.
It was a confidence rooted in experience.
“Is it possible for you?”
Kim Il-shin was well aware of his talent level. Therefore, he answered confidently.
“Absolutely.”
Upon hearing his response, a satisfied smile blossomed on Lim Se-chun’s face.
“Then I can take it that you accept the invitation?”
“Yes.”
He couldn’t possibly refuse. Even if the content had been unsatisfactory, this invitation was something he had to accept.
After all, it was a reward personally prepared by Baek Ho-san.
“We depart the day after tomorrow in the morning. Everything for travel is prepared, so just show up on time. I’ll send you the details of the location and time through contact.”
After summarizing briefly, Lim Se-chun stood up. Kim Il-shin was about to rise as well, but Lim Se-chun stopped him.
“Oh, no need to get up for my sake. You must finish what you ordered.”
“Oh… right.”
Kim Il-shin sat back down, gazing at the black chocolate latte.
…He couldn’t possibly take a sip. It seemed he would need to get up once Lim Se-chun left.