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Chapter 7: Encounter with the Sword Demoness

“Wow, this is more chaotic than I thought.”

I always believed that being part of a clan would mean respectable status and lots of fortune, but that was just my misconception.

“I don’t want to eat this!”

My sister Aida threw her bread aside and burst into tears while our father, Count Bradley Somerset, scolded her sternly.

I looked at the food in front of me, thinking that the dining scene in a noble household might resemble that of an ordinary family.

On the table lay a thin, unrecognizable soup and bread that was hard as a rock.

Certainly, these were not dishes a child would find appetizing.

Determined to eat, I tried to dip the bread into the soup, but just as I broke it apart—

Crack!

Did I just hear a sound like wood splintering?

—

“So, you’re the Sword Demoness,” I said, looking at the woman in front of me who introduced herself as the Sword Peak. No matter how I looked at her, she was definitely the Sword Demoness I knew.

‘…This is surprising.’

Not only was her face familiar, but she didn’t seem to have changed that much either.

I had always known she was considerably young for a high-ranking martial artist, but it amazed me that she looked nearly the same as back then.

‘Was it from this time?’

I was aware of my father’s connections, but I never knew she was also from the Blue Dragon Clan.

“Why do you look so surprised?”

Staring at her, the Sword Demoness—no, So-i—asked me with a puzzled expression, which finally made me react.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You just reminded me of someone I know.”

“Ah… I see,” she said, showing a hint of displeasure at my comment.

“Uh, I know you’re beautiful, but isn’t it a bit early to be throwing me flirtatious looks?”

Do-yun said with a smirk, and I understood.

‘Ah… damn.’

So, it sounded to her like I was flirting? That explained her reaction.

“No, I’m not doing that!”

I hurriedly tried to clarify.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind,” So-i interrupted coolly.

Oh no.

‘First impression, totally ruined!’

It felt like this first meeting had already gone off the rails.

—

As time passed, everyone was called to their respective Sword Teams.

I followed my senior as well.

The six of us, including me, moved toward the Blue Dragon’s residence under So-i’s lead.

From what I knew, the Blue Dragon Clan was the second most influential clan after the Divine Dragon, so the lodgings assigned were quite spacious.

Perhaps because of that, it was located a bit farther away from the clan’s main area.

‘This place seems different from what I remembered.’

When I was heading toward the Blue Dragon Clan in my original world, it seemed closer than this.

As I continued walking, feeling a bit of alienation…

“This is it,” So-i said, pointing to a building.

“This will be where the juniors stay in a few days.”

A considerably large residence.

At a glance, someone might even mistake it for a small clan. The door was emblazoned with the Blue Dragon’s emblem.

“Most of the clan members are currently on missions, so it’s empty right now, but let’s go inside.”

So-i stepped inside first, and the others followed her with tense expressions.

“Wow… I can’t believe I’m actually joining the Blue Dragon Clan… Father, I did it!”

In the midst of it all, Do-yun kept talking.

“Wasn’t Baek Donggi like that too?”

“What do you mean?”

Since we had decided to drop the formalities once we became comrades, I didn’t see any issue with it.

“What do you mean? We’re talking about joining a clan! This is something to be proud of, how could you just brush it off like that?”

“….”

Is it really such a big deal? Do-yun’s reaction and the emotion-filled expressions of those around us seemed to say otherwise.

‘Seems like the Martial Alliance was indeed a big deal back then.’

Simply joining was enough to bring glory or turned one’s life around.

It seemed they had that concept in their minds.

Of course, it didn’t mean much to me. After all, this wasn’t really my world, and I had a phobia of clans, so it didn’t grab my excitement or awe.

That’s why I just wore a bland expression.

“Then again, for Baek Donggi, joining the Martial Alliance probably won’t strike him as anything significant.”

“Hmm…?”

“For someone who was noticed by the Pejon and still rejected the offer…!”

“….”

So, that’s the level we’re dealing with here?

Then he edged closer and asked, “Just checking, but is there a hidden family secret or a desire for revenge driving your strength, or something like that?”

“…?”

Suddenly, out of nowhere?

“No, I heard that you even defeated a judge in a challenge. It’s surprising that such skill hasn’t gained you any recognition yet.”

“Uhm…”

Considering the fact I knocked Beomdong out in one hit, the rumors did escalate.

“That’s not it. I just trained alone and was a bit delayed in coming out.”

“Oh… so you’re saying you’re just a genius?”

Do-yun whispered, creeping even closer, while keeping an eye on So-i.

“Do you think you could stand against the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes?”

‘Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes…’

My gaze shifted to So-i.

Is it called the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes now? Back in my time, that wasn’t even a thing.

“Well, I don’t really care about that. They just don’t pique my interest.”

“Really? Not even the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes?”

“….”

That’s how it was.

To get involved in the Late-Stage Talents’ battles, I had grown too big for my own good.

‘The current Sword Peak is…’

Between the peak and the threshold of fully mastering it.

Considering her age hasn’t even hit her thirties yet, it was true she was a considerable strong fighter.

It’s just…

‘This definitely falls short compared to the generation of Yuseong.’

When I compared her to the geniuses of my own generation like Nangong Bi-ah or Wi Seol-Ah, she indeed fell behind.

‘It felt the same with others as well.’

Even when I saw Beomdong or the Sword King for a brief moment, it was evident.

Their levels were high for Late-Stage Talents, but they still couldn’t compete with people I knew.

‘Compared to Woo Hyeok and the others, they were lacking.’

Considering how they reached the Transformation Realm back then, I was in a different position.

As I pondered this while looking at So-i…

“Oh, come on.”

“Huh?”

“Your gaze is piercing. Is she really that attractive? Well, I can agree that the Sword Peak is beautiful.”

“No… that’s not it.”

“But you should give up. Haven’t you heard the rumor? The Sword Peak has already given her heart to the mighty Divine Dragon.”

“What?”

The moment I heard that, my face twisted in shock.

Bang—!

“Eep!!”

A sword intention zipped past Do-yun’s feet. As he jumped in shock, So-i looked at him with a cold glare.

“Are you all just rambling on? This isn’t the place for that, you know?”

“…S-Sorry.”

Seems she heard everything.

Well, with her level of expertise, it’d be hard not to.

With a sigh, she slightly exhaled in annoyance and then headed back inside.

Cautiously following her, the Blue Dragon’s residence came into full view.

“Wow…”

“Yay…”

The successful candidates exclaimed in awe.

The spacious training grounds and well-organized quarters.

Everything seemed to be a significant investment, especially the neatly stacked martial weapon storage.

‘Nice.’

I couldn’t help but nod in appreciation.

While the others were marveling at it, suddenly…

“Okay, everyone.”

So-i turned to us with a smile that seemed a bit too cute for the situation.

In that moment…

“Everyone, get down!”

So-i’s cheerful demeanor vanished as she said that.

Huh…?

“Excuse me?”

“What…?”

“Senpai?”

Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief, thinking they must have misheard.

“Is everyone’s hearing blocked or something?”

With an icy glare, So-i ordered.

“I said, get down!”

Whoosh—

Energy surged. A chilling sensation swept over us beneath the flowery scent.

Feeling that sharp intensity, everyone immediately dropped to the floor.

I did too.

As we all lay down, So-i walked around us.

“Just because you passed doesn’t mean this is your world now! Look at you, walking around with your heads held high like you’re on vacation?”

Just a moment ago, she had been the picture of grace and kindness, but now stood a fierce woman overflowing with Qi.

“No answer?”

“No, ma’am!”

“Definitely not!”

The atmosphere tightened.

Laying on the ground, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Wow…’

Did this senior always have such a side to her? I always thought she was charming and gentle.

Who would have thought she knew how to discipline?

“What a mess this is. It’s outrageous to see you like this right after you joined the clan.”

So-i maintained her cold tone.

“Listen closely. From now until the seniors return, you will stay in this position. And—”

Snap!

“Ugh!”

One kid who had been lying down got kicked and rolled on the ground.

“Cough… cough…”

Gasping for air as he struggled in pain, she said, “You know the stakes for making bets, right? Got it?”

Looks like she got him because he was engaged in betting.

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

Everyone responded.

“W-What the heck is this…?”

Do-yun said in a flustered tone.

Meanwhile, I swallowed hard internally.

‘Oh, this is going to be tough.’

It seemed that right from the beginning, this would be a challenging experience.

—

“Ugh… ugh…”

The sounds of groaning filled the air around us. Everyone was gasping for breath.

Even though the sun had set, we had remained prostrated just as So-i instructed.

Maybe because we couldn’t even make bets, everyone was drenched in sweat, their expressions pained.

“Posture up.”

“S-Sorry…!”

Amidst the struggle, So-i walked around, repeatedly making corrections, and everyone looked like a mess.

“Ugh… I… I can’t take it… It’s really… killing me…”

Even Do-yun was trembling, clearly reaching his limits.

“Baek Donggi, are you not struggling?”

“I’m fine.”

Honestly, I wasn’t having any issues.

If it was this tough, all my prior training and opportunities would seem wasted.

“You don’t seem bothered at all?”

Naturally, Do-yun didn’t buy my calm demeanor.

“Ah… if this keeps up, I’m going to… really collapse…”

“Just hold on a bit longer.”

“I can’t hold on!”

“Just a little longer. We’re almost there.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It’s coming.”

When I said that, Do-yun looked confused.

What’s coming, I wonder?

Suddenly, So-i changed her position and yelled, “Everyone, rise!”

At her command, those who had been laying flat shot upright like springs.

“Ugh…!”

“Ughh… I thought I was done for.”

“We’re saved… we can breathe…”

Though they seemed to just breathe with gratitude,

“Quiet.”

At her prompt, everyone instantly zipped their lips.

The discipline was definitely in place now.

“Posture up. The seniors are arriving.”

“…!”

At her warning, everyone stiffened.

It was entirely true.

‘They’re coming.’

From a distance, I could feel a gathering of energy closing in.

I glanced over.

Thump-!!

A door burst open, and someone stepped in.

The first to be visible was a man leading the way. Who could he be? It was hard to tell, but he radiated strength.

‘Is that Transformation Realm?’

He had to be at least at that level.

‘That guy must be the Great Lord.’

The Great Lord of the Blue Dragon Clan. Immediately, I recognized that figure behind him.

However, that wasn’t my focus. My attention was drawn elsewhere.

Following closely behind him, another presence approached, captivating all my interest.

‘Father.’

Shin Ryong Gu Cheolun.

My father approached, walking right behind the Great Lord and locking eyes with me.

 

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