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Chapter: The Duel of Two

Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah are fighting.

It’s not entirely strange.

Even in this life, it was something I had occasionally seen during sparring.

It wasn’t something that happened often, but the two have sparred from time to time.

The outcome was unclear.

After all, it wasn’t about deciding a victor. They were just crossing swords for the sake of it, so neither of them was going all out.

It was just a light exchange of blades.

That was the extent of their duel.

So I didn’t think much of it.

How complicated could a sparring match be? That’s what I thought.

Kikikgik-!!

Pazizizik—!!

“…”

There was something seriously wrong here.

As the fight progressed, that thought echoed in my head.

Caught in the whirlwind of inner energy, I struggled to breathe for a moment.

Kiiiiiing–!!

The sound of rapid movements felt like it was tearing the fabric of space apart.

In the wake of their Sword Intent, golden shards began to fall gently.

That sight was oddly beautiful, though.

Kiiik-! Kiiiiiiing-!!

Looking at the deluge of Sword Intent made it hard to say it was beautiful.

Countless flashes of light shone in the sky.

The crescent moon wrapped in strong energy filled the void repeatedly.

To call it merely a gust of sword energy would underestimate its ferocity and destructive power.

It was clear that a significant amount of energy was used with each strike.

‘Saying it now, but Wi Seol-Ah’s inner strength seems quite abnormal.’

While I had seen her disadvantaged in terms of skill or stamina during their sparring, I had never witnessed her inner strength dwindle.

This suggested a broad lower Dantian and vessel capacity.

The fiery bursts unleashed were based on her considerable inner strength, but what was important here was.

‘In addition to her explosive power, her control must also be high.’

Amidst those overwhelming flows of inner energy, the dark blade continued twirling.

It was meant for both defense and to create variables for retaliation.

She directed her Sword Intent while maintaining control of the dark blade.

Just how difficult and absurd that process was could be seen in the expressions of the onlookers.

What kind of explosive power and control could come from such a small, delicate body?

It was a result that couldn’t be linked to the common sense of an ordinary martial artist.

At her age, possessing such power.

Not to mention she perfectly controlled it instead of attributing it to mere luck.

Wi Seol-Ah was undoubtedly a being that defied ordinary understanding.

As those watching came to this realization, it was only natural for them to be astonished.

Pazik-!

The astonishing thing was.

Paziddididik—!!!

This wasn’t just Wi Seol-Ah; her opponent was just as remarkable.

Pazik-!

From her toes erupted a spectacular Thunder Qi.

The depth of that strength wasn’t shallow at all.

That power branched out and swiftly rushed toward the Sword Intent.

Bang-! Kwang-!!

At the moment Thunder Qi collided with Sword Intent, an enormous shock exploded.

And it wasn’t just once.

There were many streams of Thunder Qi, and they perpetually surged toward all the Sword Intent.

Bang-! Bangbang-!

All of the Sword Intent that filled the sky exploded in succession.

Moreover, immediately after blocking the Sword Intent, the dark blade swept as if to guard against it, and Thunder Qi poured in.

This was not luck.

There was no way so many streams of Thunder Qi could successfully launch attacks by mere coincidence.

It was seen as an attack fired with perfect calculation.

Just as Wi Seol-Ah demonstrated high firepower and control.

This was equally true for Nangong Bi-ah, the owner of the Thunder Qi.

Hwaaaaah—!!

The clash of energies produced a dazzling spectacle, like a star rising in broad daylight.

Blue and golden particles mixed and danced in the air.

While that sight was as beautiful as the Milky Way descending.

Kang-! Kikikgik-!

Without time to admire, their blades met on the ground, creating friction.

As soon as the contest of firepower ended, it was time for close combat.

Neither had any intention of backing down, and a chilling momentum filled the air.

Bang-! Kikikgik-!

Swords of different colors and characteristics followed one another.

The stances they took, along with their unyielding grip despite fierce rebounds, were like works of art.

Kaang-! Kaang-! Kaska-!

The sound of their collisions was dull, signaling the weight of the energy contained within.

Paaah–!!

Amidst the gaps in their assaults were chaotic blades swirling dangerously close.

Feints aimed at the upper house or the perceivable right side would suddenly shift to attack on the left.

The moments of distraction were directly linked to endings in combat.

Those moments were repeated hundreds of times.

‘…hoho.’

The fight was on a level far beyond what was considered high.

Watching that made me feel nothing but a bitter chuckle escape.

‘Impressive…’

I knew both of them were getting stronger endlessly, but I never guessed they had grown this much.

In a situation where they fully understood their strength and limitations.

Because they recognized that objectivity, the actions they could perform were incredible.

It was as if.

‘It feels like watching a previous life.’

Not the two of them now, but the two from their past.

The time when they were known as the Demon Sword Queen and So Sword Sect.

The Demon Sword Queen, infamous for her cruelty, clashed fiercely with the So Sword Sect, gaining fame by gradually eliminating demons.

The current battle evoked memories of those two.

The difference being.

‘The completeness of the Demon Sword Queen and So Sword Sect was much higher…’

And the bladed strike they were unleashing bore no intent to kill.

When could it have been?

There was a time when the Demon Sword Queen and So Sword Sect truly clashed.

At that time, there had been considerable differences in their combat power.

It was my role to delay them so that the So Sword Sect could not intervene in the mass slaughter.

The So Sword Sect, clad in the powers of Pa Ma, would have been deadly to demons, but.

The Demon Sword Queen, though nicknamed Demon, was not a demon.

Thus, it was a plan to join forces with the Demon Sword Queen, who would survive and disrupt the Alliance’s power during that time.

‘It’s too late.’

Issues arose in the process, causing delays in our arrival.

I hurried to the destination, anxious that something might have gone wrong.

What I witnessed then remains vividly in my mind.

‘…too horrifying to forget.’

The scene of two women clashing with killing intent was enough to send shivers down my spine.

The surrounding area was a complete wreck, utterly devastated, and both had sustained wounds that left them drenched in blood.

They looked like they could collapse at any moment, yet they continued fighting, refusing to yield.

Describing it as desperate would be fitting.

Yes, indeed it was desperate.

What could have driven such fury that they fought as if they could not survive without killing one another?

Had they exchanged harsh words just before the battle began?

The Demonic Sect and Martial Alliance were respective enemies, so it wasn’t unusual for them to clash fiercely.

However, reflecting on those times feels a bit dissonant.

It was something that couldn’t simply be described as a conflict.

It was a blood feud.

As if promising never to concede, a battle bound by blood.

If one were to lose, it felt as if they would lose something critical, driving them to fight fiercely.

In the end, no victor emerged.

The reason being, I intervened before a result could be reached.

If I had left them be, one of them would have truly died, and I didn’t want to witness that.

Thus, the fight was ultimately brought to a halt.

I then asked the Demon Sword Queen right afterward.

Had she not planned to just buy time? What was the reason for such a fierce battle?

At that time, the Demon Sword Queen had answered me.

-There are some things… that cannot be given.

It was a statement I couldn’t comprehend.

It sounded as if she was saying she couldn’t give up no matter what….

‘If they had fought to the finish.’

In any case, the Demon Sword Queen would eventually be defeated.

I was certain of that.

In reality, she had taken more damage and had been struck even near vital areas.

Judging from the amount of blood lost, she seemed on the verge of collapsing soon after.

If she had used Thunder Fang, things might have been different.

‘But So Sword Sect was in the same boat.’

So Sword Sect had also not drawn on their ultimate strength, leading to the conclusion that the Demon Sword Queen would have lost.

That was certainly the case back then.

However.

Bbaek-!

Now seemed somewhat different from then.

“Ugh!”

With a rough sound, Wi Seol-Ah was pushed back.

‘What?’

I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t seen it properly.

What hit her?

From the sound, it didn’t seem like a blade.

Kieuk–!!

To counter the backlash of being pushed back, Wi Seol-Ah thrust her sword into the ground.

Thanks to that, the recoil stopped instantly.

Pazizizik-!!

“…Tch!”

Nangong Bi-ah was already up close, swinging her sword.

Her posture wasn’t favorable for blocking.

Knowing that, Wi Seol-Ah had only one option.

Thud-!

She dropped her sword.

And then.

“Hmmp!”

With inner strength bundled in her fist, she drove it into the ground.

Kwah-!! Kwoooong-!!

With the shock, the ground shattered, sending fragments flying.

My vision was obscured.

However, Nangong Bi-ah seemed unfazed, her stance unshaken.

The only thing that changed was the trajectory of her sword.

Shwick-!

From a straight line to a diagonal sweep.

The blade flew in, cutting through the fragments as it entered.

Kaang-!

“Ugh!”

Eventually, it made contact with Wi Seol-Ah.

However, it emitted an odd sound as if it didn’t quite connect with her flesh.

That was because it hadn’t succeeded in landing a direct hit.

Even if she immediately twisted the sword, the fragments slowed its speed, and the brief gap was more than enough for Wi Seol-Ah.

Wi Seol-Ah caught the blade in her hand.

It wasn’t the iron sword she usually wielded, but rather a sword made of her inner energy.

Naturally, the durability was poor, and as soon as she blocked the blow, it shattered.

Pazizizik-!!

Thunder Qi surged.

Simultaneously, Wi Seol-Ah reached out.

Whew-!!

Faster than the incoming Thunder Qi, Wi Seol-Ah’s sword was retrieved with her hand.

Shooosh-!! Shkshkshk-!!

She swung her sword at an extraordinary speed, slicing through the Thunder Qi.

“…”

It was intense.

There wasn’t even time to breathe properly.

Just watching that made cold sweat pour down.

The onlookers who had just been screaming in the match were now holding their breath, fixated on the battle of the two.

‘Wait…’

What in the world are they fighting so desperately over for the position of Deputy Lord?

‘Weren’t they getting along just fine before?’

They seemed to have been doing well together, so why were they battling so ferociously? I couldn’t help but swallow my breath.

Was I being influenced by what I saw? Suddenly, Shin Yi’s words flashed in my mind.

-Those two get along? Ha! A passing dog would laugh.

He had said that when he thought they were playing amicably, believing they were quite close.

Upon hearing that, Shin Yi had remarked to me.

-You fool, that’s not what you call getting along.

I couldn’t understand. To anyone’s eyes, they seemed friendly.

I had felt it was somewhat different from the past lives, allowing me to watch comfortably….

-Oh really?

As I asked in confusion, Shin Yi added.

-That’s merely predators sizing each other up for their prey.

-What?

-If they were to clash rashly, both would suffer, and the precious prey they had caught might slip away, so it’s better to form a temporary alliance. It’s preferable to letting it escape.

-What kind of absurd talk is that? Where’s the prey to begin with?

What’s with predators and prey?

I couldn’t grasp that strange line of reasoning, so I questioned Shin Yi again.

-…

Shin Yi shot me a disapproving look and answered.

-Just live with that understanding. Somehow, that seems right.

-…?

He seemed to have given up on clarifying and just left it at that.

Afterward, I pressed him for more, but he didn’t provide any answers, leaving me with a very unsettling conclusion.

My thoughts remained unchanged.

‘Predators, my foot.’

They were merely like a dog and a cat squabbling, so what’s this predator nonsense?

Surely it was that the position of deputy was significant, driving them to fight fiercely.

With that thought, I let out a sigh.

“…Hah.”

I was barely managing to keep myself from intervening, and thus I was reaching my limit.

‘Now it’s genuinely dangerous.’

For now, it was merely minor injuries, but it was clear their stamina was dwindling.

As things became more challenging, the end was approaching, and the likelihood of a major accident was soaring.

Moreover.

‘Reaching their limits means they might use hidden techniques.’

They appeared to be holding on well for now.

But what would happen after that was anyone’s guess.

I continued to frown as I watched the situation.

Ready to step in at any moment.

While I quietly observed the two, my thoughts turned.

Shooosh-! Kaang!!

“Ugh!”

Wi Seol-Ah’s right arm rose, and she let out a sharp breath.

She couldn’t hold her ground against Nangong Bi-ah’s offensive.

The sword was lifted high.

Her posture deteriorated, creating an opening.

It was a perfect setup to be attacked.

Nangong Bi-ah obviously wouldn’t let that go unnoticed.

Thud-!!

She immediately stomped the ground with force, crouching her body.

Paziddidididik—!!!

The instant Thunder Qi condensed intensely.

Her determination to end it with one strike was evident.

In the current situation, there was no way to evade that.

So.

Hwaah-!

Wi Seol-Ah made her choice.

“Damn it.”

Since it was an unavoidable situation, she decided to make it avoidable.

A change flickered through the golden energy wrapping around Wi Seol-Ah’s body.

Within that golden energy, a faint white began to show.

While it wasn’t vivid yet, it was predictable that it would spread in an instant.

It was dangerous.

That was indeed dangerous.

‘Damn it.’

As soon as I saw it, I summoned all my strength.

I had tried to prevent such a disaster from happening earlier.

Clunk.

My feet sank into the ground, preparing for a leap at full speed.

Hooom-!

My muscles swelled violently.

I was ready to dart in swiftly and stop them both….

“…Huh?”

I froze abruptly.

I needed to rush in and stop them immediately, yet I found myself unable to do so.

For good reason.

Thud-! Thud-thud-!

“…Ugh!?”

“Oops….”

The two, who had been preparing for the final strike, suddenly collapsed to the ground.

The reason was simple.

At the moment they were gearing up for their moves, both of them caught a simultaneous jab to their jaws.

Whether it was a direct hit or not, they both lost consciousness, crashing to the ground.

And standing between the two lay the culprit who interrupted the fight.

A small figure with radiant green hair.

“Phew!”

The daughter of the Tang Clan.

Sword of Poison Tang Soyeol.

She placed her hands on her hips, looking at the two unconscious figures with an incredibly proud expression.

“I did it!”

“…”

That face was truly delightfully triumphant.

 

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