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Droplets.

Blood flows from where the sword tip touches my neck.

Just as I was cautiously breathing, fearing I might get cut, I felt the blood streaming down and the cold sweat, causing Eunranggeom’s body to stiffen.

How did it come to this?

Forcing my trembling gaze down, I looked at the woman.

A woman holding a sword to her own neck.

The Sword Dance Hero, Nangong Bi-ah.

As I gazed at her, Eunranggeom’s brow tightened more and more.

‘What on earth.’

How could this happen?

When did this woman get so close?

Just moments ago, she was far away, yet the instant I noticed her, she had already closed in.

This was nonsensical.

‘…Did I not perceive it?’

Did I really not notice as she approached?

Or did it mean her realm is simply that high?

‘That can’t be.’

Eunranggeom quickly dismissed that notion.

Nothing had changed.

Eunranggeom could still clearly see the Sword Dance Hero’s realm.

She cannot overcome herself.

Moreover, it makes no sense to not have noticed her.

‘What trickery did she use?’

She must have employed some trick. Otherwise, it simply doesn’t make sense.

Could it be some sinister art?

As various thoughts flooded Eunranggeom’s mind, the sword tip that was on his neck slowly began to retract.

Whoosh-! Thud-!

Nangong Bi-ah lowered her sword and stepped back slightly.

Just enough distance to match how it was at the beginning.

She looked back at Eunranggeom with the same expression as before.

That expressionless face made Eunranggeom bite his lip.

He wrapped his hand around his wounded neck and infused it with inner strength.

It was to stop the bleeding.

As the inner strength seeped in, the blood flow ceased.

Only then could Eunranggeom catch his breath.

Meanwhile, the once quiet surroundings began to gradually regain sound.

“Did… did something just happen…?”

“Did the Sword Dance Hero defeat Eunranggeom?”

“It was too quick; I couldn’t see it properly…”

Everyone had bewildered expressions, all equally stunned.

And how could they not be? The sight was incredible even if one witnessed it up close.

It all happened in an instant.

Even without a duel, it was but a fleeting moment.

There was no inkling or process to recognize, yet here remained only the result.

Eunranggeom had offered himself to Nangong Bi-ah.

If the sword has touched his neck, then it’s over. This was an unspoken agreement understandable even to a non-martial artist.

Given such a result, isn’t it fair to say that Eunranggeom lost?

As everyone’s thoughts drifted to that fact…

“…What… now?”

Nangong Bi-ah suddenly began to speak.

At her voice, Eunranggeom frowned.

“What do you mean…?”

“…Is this it?”

“…!”

This time, Eunranggeom’s eyes widened slightly.

Only then did he comprehend what Nangong Bi-ah was implying.

Is this the end?

Will there be no further duel?

It was an inquiry laden with meaning.

“Ha…”

At this, Eunranggeom let out a heavy sigh.

“Do you intend to proceed further?”

The victory or defeat has already been decided. Regardless of carelessness or deception, far too many have witnessed the result.

What would be the point of continuing?

As Eunranggeom thought this, Nangong Bi-ah promptly responded.

“…You still haven’t really gone all out, have you?”

“…”

The duel was not over.

Hearing this, Eunranggeom pushed his hair back.

It strangely felt as though she was genuinely intent on continuing the fight.

Wasn’t it enough that she had won? Even as he thought so, he felt somewhat ridiculous.

He recalled the image of her swinging her sword three times and asking why he conceded.

The gazes were still upon them.

With fierce stares, Eunranggeom bit his lip.

‘This is bad.’

Something was terribly off.

Recognizing this, he raised his sword.

“Lady.”

At Eunranggeom’s words, Nangong Bi-ah tilted her head.

“I want to sincerely apologize. I underestimated you too much.”

Whatever method she employed, he had to acknowledge the result.

He had dismissed the Sword Dance Hero, and that cost him dearly.

Furthermore,

“…Moreover, I am grateful for your guidance and consideration.”

Whoooom-!

Eunranggeom’s inner strength began to emit a crying sound.

“I merely request that you grant me one more chance.”

“…”

This time, he wouldn’t be careless, so please let us duel just once more.

In response to such a plea, Nangong Bi-ah did not answer verbally.

She merely pointed her sword at Eunranggeom.

As he saw her reaction, Eunranggeom turned his gaze. Below the sparring stage was the position of the Star King.

This duel was originally wagered. While it would be nice to receive another chance, the Star King’s reaction was equally crucial.

Would he merely let this slide? Eunranggeom sent a worried glance, but the Star King remained still, only silently watching.

Eunranggeom swallowed hard.

“…”

Would he really be okay to proceed again?

Does that mean he wouldn’t face any significant problems fighting without care?

‘That can’t be….’

It couldn’t be. He wanted to think so, yet a sense of hesitation lingered.

What he sees might not be all there is. Hadn’t it been the case just moments ago?

Cluck.

With tension building, Eunranggeom gripped his sword tightly.

“Phew…”

He composed his breathing.

Whoooom-! Whooooom-!!

With each breath Eunranggeom took, the sword name intensified.

Suuuuu-!!

A moment later, the sword energy surged within his blade.

Bang-!

Eunranggeom made his move.

As he took a step, a flash darted past.

It was a crescent-shaped sword energy.

“…”

Seeing this, Nangong Bi-ah hunched down, pressing her sword with force.

Crackle-!! Thunder Qi burst forth as she unleashed it.

Crackle-crackle-crackle—!!! Boom-!

The thunder Qi collided with the sword energy, creating an explosion.

Fragments of the wager scattered through the void, and in the chaos, Nangong Bi-ah moved.

Whoooom—!!

The sound of her sword howled with a wild cry.

Stepping forward, she executed a movement, and with the Thunder Qi, her Azure Dragon Step arrived at Eunranggeom’s front in an instant.

Crackle-!

With a swinging sword, blue lines materialized in succession.

Dozens of lines poured towards Eunranggeom.

“…”

Eunranggeom did not evade this attack.

He merely swung his sword in line with what was visible.

Clang.

Eunaygeom-style.

Eunsam Biuyu-style.

The rapid swordplay severed every line that surged forth.

Crackle-! Crackle-!!

As the thunder Qi was woven into the strikes, each time he countered, a tingling sensation brushed against him.

Having cut through the last strike, Eunranggeom hastily took a step back.

With Nangong Bi-ah lowering her posture, she charged at him.

Her speed was breathtaking.

No, rather than speed, it was more accurate to say…

Gooook-!!!

The pressure radiating from Nangong Bi-ah’s body ensnared Eunranggeom’s feet.

‘Imperial Sword Form!’

Thinking of the martial art, Eunranggeom frowned.

Though it was ambiguous, he could grasp the truth now.

This pressure gripping his ankles belonged to the Nangong Clan’s Imperial Sword Form.

Nangong Bi-ah had deliberately tricked him with the Imperial Sword Form to mask her real intention.

‘Huh.’

Impressive. He couldn’t help but admire her.

He was well aware of how difficult it was to use Imperial Sword Form.

To utilize it requires inner strength and the power to maintain it.

Thus, it was nearly impossible to adjust it discreetly.

That woman is not only maintaining but also casually adjusting the Imperial Sword Form.

‘Yet she isn’t using it at the forefront.’

Generations of the Nangong Clan wield the presence granted by the Imperial Sword Form as they handle both sword and thunder Qi.

Nangong Bi-ah seemed solely focused on her swordplay.

If one would call that a disadvantage…

‘…it’s dizzying.’

That might not be the case.

Screech-!!

The sword tip grazed Eunranggeom’s nose.

As Eunranggeom avoided the attack, thunder Qi surged from behind.

He couldn’t figure out when it was launched either.

Having cleared away the thunder Qi, he took a deep breath, tightening his grip.

The influx of information into his Qi perception was overwhelming.

Nangong Bi-ah, who never yielded space.

Thunder Qi pouring from every direction, with the Imperial Sword Form holding fast.

It was a complete mess.

But,

‘As expected.’

Seeing this made Eunranggeom reaffirm.

Nangong Bi-ah is strong.

Having fought her made that even clearer.

With this level of prowess, she could soon reach Transformation Realm… or maybe she’s already there.

Without a doubt, her skills are absurd.

‘But still…’

For now, he was still stronger.

Crack-!!

In the midst of the relentless onslaught of swords and thunder Qi, Eunranggeom suddenly thrust his sword into the ground.

The moment he did.

Koooogggg—!!!

A fierce surge of energy swept through all around.

It was indeed a vast wager. He could tell he had infused a significant amount into it.

The energy spread like waves, consuming all the thunder Qi and even veiling the vision within a fog-like form.

This was a form of domain.

A domain created by Eunranggeom.

Within the mist-like energy, it became easy to perceive the surroundings.

Blinding the opponent’s sight while creating a favorable situation for himself.

This martial art and domain were the techniques Eunranggeom had grasped upon reaching Transformation Realm.

Never did he think he would have to use this before others, but it was unavoidable.

“…”

Instantly, he quelled his presence. In this way, the opponent would be unable to discern where he was.

Though he couldn’t see a fraction ahead, everything seemed vividly clear to Eunranggeom.

Thanks to this, Eunranggeom easily pinpointed Nangong Bi-ah’s location.

She hadn’t moved an inch from her original position.

Swishing.

With sword in hand, he prepared his stance.

One strike.

With this strike, he would end the duel.

And,

‘I’ll have to consider the wager null and void.’

Even so, one cannot nitpick over the wager at this point.

For her side already let certain aspects slide, so he couldn’t afford to harp on it.

Judging this, Eunranggeom summoned the sword intent.

Graaaaah-!!

Whirling energy engulfed the sword tip.

It was a preparation to stab rather than slash.

Before long, he had completed the energy, and with it in his grasp, Eunranggeom raised the tip of his sword.

Thud-!

Breaking through the silence, he dashed forward.

Whooosh—!!!

Just as the sword tip was about to touch Nangong Bi-ah, who had been caught off guard…

“…Huh!?”

Suddenly, Eunranggeom exhaled.

Clearly, there should be no presence or even sight beyond a single step in front of him.

‘How…?’

Out of nowhere, Nangong Bi-ah turned her head to look at Eunranggeom.

Nangong Bi-ah’s blue eyes were indeed fixated on him.

And as though confirming this wasn’t a ruse, she moved.

Lifting her sword as if to block his thrust, she dodged sideways.

Clang-clang-clang—!!

The clash of their swords echoed with a shredding sound.

How did she discern it? Questions arose, but it wasn’t the time to ponder that.

‘What comes next…!’

He had to prepare for the next action immediately.

It was good that Nangong Bi-ah had blocked, but if she turned at this point, he’d need to execute the next move swiftly…

Pause.

“…”

Eunranggeom halted mid-action suddenly.

He then looked at Nangong Bi-ah with trembling eyes.

Swoosh—!!

The mist that had enveloped the area abruptly dissipated.

The concealed view revealed itself.

Nangong Bi-ah was holding Eunranggeom’s sword back.

She looked as if she had only barely managed to halt it. Yet,

“…I concede.”

Oddly enough, it was Eunranggeom who brought up defeat.

Although the duel had not yet ended, why was he mentioning his defeat?

While everyone contemplated this perplexity…

“…Lady, may I ask you one thing?”

With a face full of shock, he pressed the question toward Nangong Bi-ah.

“When did you…?”

“…”

At first, there was no response. Still, Eunranggeom, determined to get an answer, repeated the question.

“When… exactly…?”

His voice trembled.

“When did you implant your Heart Sword into my neck?”

Eunranggeom was rendered utterly motionless.

Merely shifting slightly could trigger the formless blade at his neck.

Only now did he realize the sensation, and upon hearing this, Nangong Bi-ah replied.

“…From the beginning…”

“…”

That was a response that would sap away his fighting spirit entirely.

 

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