LIGHTNOVELSTORY “Uuuh!”
“Not this!”
“Aaaah!”
As I tried to block out the crowd’s screams, I focused my energy. This was the real deal now. Through high-level acting, I had to turn Gang Jun into a true expert.
Gang Jun, still staggering, looked at me in shock and took a defensive stance.
At the moment our swords clashed, I twisted my blade.
Zzziizzzz!
With a dazzling spark, Gang Jun took a step back. The point of impact was clearly at the top of the sword, but since I intentionally twisted the blade, the actual force landed at the tip, near the hilt.
With the visual effect of sparks, it seemed like Gang Jun had skillfully pulled back to block my attack with the very bottom of his blade, convincing spectators that it was an expert move.
Additionally, I stabilized my awkward posture, regaining my balance while feigning that I had suffered from the impact. Anyone else would have thought it was just a clever use of force or merely luck.
“Tch, you’ve got some skills!”
After spinning my sword once, I immediately went on the attack.
I had mastered three sword techniques.
[Myeongwol Sword Technique], [Banyugok Sword], and [One Thousand Sword Techniques]. The Myeongwol Sword Technique focuses on defense, while the One Thousand Sword Techniques is primarily for offense. And the Banyugok Sword is… packed with the insane techniques of the Martial World, making it quite dangerous.
Banyugok Sword’s style is one you use to survive against an actual expert, relying on chances to parry or dodge, so I didn’t need it today.
What I needed was the defensive moves of the Myeongwol Sword Technique.
The reason I chose to master Myeongwol out of the numerous sword techniques in the Martial World was because it holds a unique trait that sets it apart from others.
It’s called proactive defense. Thanks to the [Moonlight Ripple] sword art.
Proactive defense can be viewed as an attack, and that’s correct. However, as always, everyone can fit into a larger framework, while the outcome hinges on finer details beneath that surface.
Moonlight Ripple, although merely a second-rate sword technique, showcases elaborate movements.
It has almost no actual attack power, but recovering from it is incredibly easy. It’s essentially a proactive defense that halts the flow of the opponent’s attack.
Szzzziiii!!
Combined with gambling techniques that enhance the effects of the ripple skill, Moonlight Ripple truly embodies the peak of splendor.
“Uuuaah!!”
Gang Jun swung his sword wildly. With his limited skills, where could he have experienced such flashy moves? In his eyes, I probably looked like I was holding three swords at once. But for me, it probably seemed like I was wielding four or five swords in one step.
Yet, “One Step Three Swords” was no empty title.
In a panic, Gang Jun’s true skills emerged, deftly countering my Moonlight Ripple.
Gang Jun seemed to thrive under pressure, his best performance coming when he was cornered and striking without a plan. What he was unleashing now was likely his true skill.
Clang! Clang! Kaaah!
The flashy display was exhilarating to witness. Gang Jun managed to narrowly block or evade my attacks, each close encounter sending adrenaline through the crowd.
Pviit!
“Ahh!”
“Hang in there! Great Hero!”
“Taegyeong Sect! Taegyeong Sect! One Step Three Swords!”
As my sword grazed the underside of Gang Jun’s chin, chaos erupted.
It was an absolutely close battle!
As Gang Jun responded even somewhat effectively, I too unleashed my sword without hesitation. After all, with Moonlight Ripple only capable of grazing fabric, I could freely stretch out my sword.
Any superficial cuts would usually cause a stir back on Earth, but thanks to the remarkably advanced healing ointments and internal energy, such wounds would heal without a trace with just some medicine.
Clang! Kaaah! Ching! Ting!
Swords clashed rapidly, with occasionally Gang Jun barely managing to evade or receiving minor scratches. The crowd gasped in awe at every close call.
The atmosphere was at its peak. Everyone in the market, including Gang Jun and me, was deeply immersed in the battle.
There’s a saying about leaving while the applause is loudest. If Gang Jun’s hyped-up state continued in this manner and showed off at 120% or 150%, things could end in disaster.
It was finally the time to wrap things up.
Now, what would be a good finale?
The best scenario would have Gang Jun directly deflecting my sword and throwing a decisive move, but he was currently too focused on parrying my attacks. Expecting him to pull off that level of finesse was a tall order.
So, I needed to reveal an opening. While a simple trip would suffice, how could I trip over nothing with Ho Cheon-an’s legend about to be rewritten? If I just stumbled, people would likely say Gang Jun was fortunate that the outcast slipped.
That’s likely what would pop into their minds.
Thud.
At that moment.
I stepped on a fallen chestnut that had rolled under my foot. Was this one of the ones I kicked out of the basket earlier?
A new scenario sparked in my mind. Something catchy that Gang Jun could pull off while still being within his capabilities.
Jjuuurrrr!!
Forget the Moonlight Ripple and used genuine skills to deflect Gang Jun’s sword! He couldn’t withstand that force and staggered back. The skill gap was tangible, so if I genuinely swung my sword, he wouldn’t last three seconds.
“Hah, Gang Jun! You’re trapped now!”
Aaaah!!
With the crowd’s collective gasp echoing around me, I took a step forward and raised my sword above my head.
“Die, Gang Jun!”
Aaaah! No way!
With the spectators’ outcries, I took a step and swung my sword downward while stepping on the chestnut.
“Wait!”
The chestnut squished, causing my footing to crumble, disrupting my posture and altering the blade’s angle. Consequently, my finishing blow merely grazed past Gang Jun.
Gang Jun was also an outcast.
Though his posture faltered, he instinctively thrust his sword in my direction.
Straight for my face.
What a truly wayward person until the end.
Typically, one targets the hands to subdue an opponent, but this kid aimed directly for my face? He had let his blade slip after a suitable attack and is now scrambling to counter.
Kaaah!
Pviit!
Was he genuinely trying to kill me? Even as he urgently pulled back, the blade brushed by my face.
Should I kill him?
Feeling an intense pain on my cheek made thoughts of taking him down pop into my head.
In an instant, the market street fell silent.
Killing intent.
Gang Jun’s sword barely grazed my cheek by sheer luck. Simply put, it was pure fortune. It wouldn’t have been surprising if that luck had caused this outcome. Even in the frantic attempt to stop it, my defense faltered, completely blind to the angle of the rebound.
If that sword had aimed at my eye, forehead, or neck, I could have genuinely died.
With the realization of almost meeting my end in a life-or-death moment, my anger at Gang Jun surged, triggering killing intent that the crowd had never experienced.
Alright. Just this once, I’ll hold back.
With a black cat around and this insane show today, would I actually let it all go? With a bit of medicine and Qi conditioning, any marks would heal without a trace. And since Gang Jun also sustained some injury, perhaps he was a bit annoyed. Since I had planned for today’s performance, I should go all out.
I slowly dragged my foot.
Gang Jun and the crowd, focused on my every move as my intent radiated.
The broken chestnut remnants!
Although I made no sound out of fear, the crowd was holding its breath.
They understood immediately why I had revealed my vulnerability at that moment.
At the perfect moment, my foot landed on the chestnut, causing my strike to miss!
“…I’ve been disturbed since earlier.”
I intentionally released my killing intent subtly and turned to look back.
A dazed old lady held a half-full chestnut basket, trembling all over.
I didn’t feel very sorry.
After all, once this act ended, the Taegyeong Sect would generously compensate me under the pretext of consolation. Right now, the small price of chestnuts was escalating into a significant payout.
I deliberately moved slowly, dragging my foot while turning my body.
Even the thickest person would get the hint that I wouldn’t leave that old lady unharmed.
I trusted Gang Jun.
I had faith in his burning sense of honor.
What had he done when Lee Ho was under my foot? He couldn’t suppress his nasty instinct and executed a sneak attack by seizing my unstable posture! But could he restrain that instinct now, with his back halfway turned?
That simply couldn’t happen.
“Don’t!”
“Step aside!”
Chaaang!
Gang Jun unleashed an all-out assault. If that last strike had connected, it would have finished me, and his hopeful gaze irked me tremendously.
I nearly lost my temper and swung my sword too hard in response.
My face flushed bright red.
The application of gambling techniques strikes again. Mastering the facade of expressions even extends to tinting one’s complexion. Okay, anyone can simply redden their face with enough muscle tension.
“Damn it, my stomach!”
Can someone like this actually belong to the Righteous Faction?
I myself had provided clues showcasing that ‘This fool got hurt because he slipped when preparing for his last strike!’
But is a Righteous Faction member really supposed to change colors and feel energized at knowing their opponent is weakened? I honestly questioned this.
With no Outcasts in Sacheon, such scoundrels also bore the title of righteousness.
Imagining how Kang Jun would attract the title of Great Hero starting tomorrow due to this performance made my stomach twist.
“Haaaaah! Taegyeong First Sword!”
Since Kang Jun had nearly hit rock bottom in motivation, I pretended to be pulled back, giving the impression of being challenged by that sword strike.
I would charge Taegyeong Sect at ten times the sword’s price.
“Uurgh…!! You little punk!”
Staggering backward a few steps, I felt the focus of the crowd and Gang Jun’s gaze shift to my hand. My hand trembled like a leaf.
Clearly, I couldn’t fight anymore.
I faltered, glaring alternately between the old lady and Gang Jun.
The look of fear washed over the old lady as she stepped back.
Gang Jun too sensed my gaze and hastily blocked the old lady’s path. His professionalism was in question. Why should he hand food to someone like me until the bitter end? Regardless, it was really over now.
“…Just you wait, [Taegyeong Sect]! With [One Step Three Swords]! [Gang Jun]! I will not forget this grudge today!”
With my upper body bent excessively forward, acting like I could collapse any moment, I retreated into an alleyway.
Waaahhh!!
“Gang Jun! Gang Jun!”
“One Step Three Swords! One Step Three Swords!”
“Taegyeong Sect!! Taegyeong Sect!! Taegyeong Sect!!”
“Ugh, damn it, that was really tough.”
“You did well, Senior.”
The ever-silent Black Cat had somehow made her way to my side.
“Prepare for a typical mid-tier request, because today’s lesson is understanding that scenes are ever-changing. You must respond not knowing your opponent, and they shouldn’t guess your motivations. Being a Sacheon Outcast is truly a confusing experience.”
“I knew that through knowledge, but… today’s request really… I don’t know how to express it.”
The Black Cat seemed captivated by the day’s performance, her voice brimming with excitement. After all, witnessing Ho Cheon-an’s legendary act firsthand must have been profoundly moving.
If I were the black cat, I might have been in tears, applauding.
“When that happens, just do this.”
I raised my thumb.
The Black Cat, staring intently, returned the gesture.
Her doing that oddly looked cute, causing me to chuckle.
She was a fast learner.