Crunch—!
I clutched the bracket I held tightly.
Then, with burning eyes, I glared at a building beyond the dueling stage.
A space where the Alliance Leader and the officials were likely gathered.
My face contorted as I looked at it.
“These fucking bastards.”
Emotion rippled through my voice. I forcefully suppressed the aura threatening to burst forth.
It wasn't easy to control. Meaning the rage inside me was on the verge of exploding.
Yuyeon and Wi Seola were matched.
Just seeing that felt like a thorn sprouting in my throat.
The Alliance’s old dirty tricks.
The sight remained unchanged even though the Alliance Leader had changed—it was enough to make me let out a hollow laugh.
‘You sons of bitches.’
The reason they went out of their way to set it up like this was obvious.
Wi Seola had recently been making her name known, subtly, as the successor of the Sword Venerable.
It was due to the physical characteristics she possessed.
‘Those who learn the Wolseon Sword obtain golden hair and golden eyes.’
It was a trait of the unique martial art said to be used by the Sword Venerable.
And it was something the Sword Venerable had officially acknowledged as well.
To begin with, her own absurdly unreal appearance had likely played a part too.
As had the martial prowess she displayed at the Divine Dragon Hall in the past.
No matter how quietly she lived, it was the Three Venerables.
Moreover, news that the successor of the Sword Venerable had appeared wasn’t something many could have forgotten.
Just look at the Twin Dragon.
He had only been known as one of the Six Dragons Three Peaks, but the moment word spread that he was the disciple of Paejon, his value changed entirely.
That was the value a successor of the Three Venerables held.
And among them, the Sword Venerable was said to be closest to the World’s Best.
He was also from the generation before last’s Alliance Leader. An existence still considered a mountain the current Sword Immortal must overcome.
The successor of such a Sword Venerable had appeared at the Martial Tournament.
‘So they just had to exploit it?’
Just looking at the bracket, their filthy inner thoughts were all too visible.
Shaolin’s Divine Dragon defeats the Sword Venerable’s successor.
Along with boosting the current Shaolin’s standing…
‘Are they going to erase the names the Sword Venerable left behind one by one?’
There was no small amount of political intention to further solidify the current Sword Immortal’s position.
They were trampling each other’s symbols and erasing traces.
Politically speaking, it wasn’t a bad method.
After all, the names of predecessors were always a burden to future generations.
However.
‘It feels disgusting.’
Wi Seola was placed in that position.
That was what felt revolting and infuriating.
To the point I wanted to rush in right now and kill them all.
Creak.
My clenched fist trembled.
What should I do? I couldn’t calm down.
Then.
I felt a cold sensation on the back of my hand. It was Namgung Bia’s hand.
“...”
Namgung Bia said nothing and wrapped her hand around mine.
Perhaps because her cool skin touched mine, I fortunately managed to endure without exploding.
Yes, I was merely enduring.
I wasn’t calming down or settling. I was simply managing to hold it in.
‘Please, keep it within bounds.’
Without incident. Please, don’t let anything I’m worried about happen.
That was what I desperately wished for.
If not.
‘Because I don’t know what I’ll do.’
Unable to endure it, I might explode and turn the surroundings into a wasteland.
I desperately hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
******************
The first round of the main tournament had begun.
On the stage, two pairs of martial artists had begun their duels just like yesterday, and those with later order numbers sat in the waiting area, maintaining a quiet atmosphere.
Wi Seola was no different.
She too sat in her seat, perfectly still and motionless.
Was her mouth the only thing moving?
Wi Seola popped something into her cheek and chewed diligently.
It was yakgwa.
A sweet taste spread through her mouth. Feeling that, she chewed the yakgwa slowly yet quickly.
After eating one, she put in another.
Even while eating snacks, Wi Seola’s expression was blank.
It was different from how excitedly she ate in front of Guyang Cheon.
Truthfully, Wi Seola didn’t particularly like snacks.
She had liked them when she was little, but as she grew older, she stopped enjoying sweet things.
Over time, most snacks had become things she ate only if given.
Yet even then, she made sure to eat yakgwa.
Not because she loved the taste… but because she loved the memory.
The things he had brought her remained in her head and became memories.
The reason she stubbornly ate yakgwa was to chew over those memories.
‘Sweet.’
So sweet.
He probably still thought she liked snacks.
So whenever he went out and came back, he always brought something with him.
Quite a lot of it, in fact.
“Huhu.”
Recalling that, a brief smile formed on Wi Seola’s blank face.
He probably didn’t know.
That the reason she ate so much and liked food was solely because of the way he looked at her, as if she were cute.
‘I wish he would never know.’
Forever. I hope he keeps not knowing.
So that she could stay by his side like a child.
Harboring a somewhat selfish wish, Wi Seola ate another yakgwa.
There were many eyes on her—gazes pouring from the surroundings due to her appearance, or the name Sword Venerable mixed in—but Wi Seola paid them no heed either.
Having received them so often, she was used to it now.
She was simply recalling something she had forgotten.
‘I forgot the veil again.’
The veil he had given her, insisting she always wear it.
Wi Seola had forgotten it again. Would she get scolded later?
While feeling slightly anxious, someone approached Wi Seola.
“Lady Wi.”
At the call, Wi Seola raised her head and saw a handsome young man with a fresh appearance.
A white martial uniform with plum blossom embroidery.
And a familiar face.
It was Yeongpung, the Sword Dragon.
“It is Lady Wi, correct?”
“Ah.”
As Yeongpung spoke with a smile, Wi Seola nodded.
“Hello.”
“Ah, it’s a pleasure. How long has it been? I believe this is the first time since the Divine Dragon Hall. Do you remember me?”
“Yes.”
She remembered him. Because he was someone that person looked upon favorably, she knew of him. But he was nothing more, nothing less.
“I heard that you had also come out for the Martial Tournament, so I thought I would greet you and came to find you.”
“Ah… I’m glad.”
“It’s a shame. If Lord Gu were here with you, I would have exchanged greetings with him too.”
His expression was genuinely regretful.
“Ah, I heard that Lord Gu has done another incredible thing. As expected, he truly is an incredible person.”
“Isn’t he? Lord Gu is amazing.”
Wi Seola smiled. It was a reaction to the praise of Guyang Cheon.
“Yes. He is truly incredible. If by any chance you go and see Lord Gu… could you tell him that I regard him highly?”
At Yeongpung’s words, Wi Seola tilted her head slightly.
“You could tell him yourself.”
If he wanted to see him that much, he could just go see him. Why didn’t Yeongpung go see Guyang Cheon?
As she held that question, Yeongpung spoke to Wi Seola.
“Until I meet him as an opponent in this Martial Tournament… I have resolved not to see Lord Gu.”
As if showing his resolve, Yeongpung’s expression grew firm.
“Therefore, hoping you could at least pass on the message… I cautiously make this request.”
It was an emotion she couldn’t quite understand.
But Wi Seola nodded.
“I understand.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
At Wi Seola’s answer, Yeongpung also smiled and paid his respects to her.
“I apologize for disturbing your rest. Then, I hope you achieve good results.”
“Yes.”
The brief conversation ended, Yeongpung disappeared, and Wi Seola, who had briefly watched him, also turned her gaze away.
Yeongpung’s fresh face from moments ago quickly vanished from her mind.
Then she looked around with eyes devoid of interest.
When she looked around, there were cases where eyes met by chance.
It was a natural result, since most were looking at her.
Each time their eyes met, the reactions varied.
Seven out of ten avoided immediately.
One out of ten flinched as if flustered.
The rest were either those who revealed lewd desire, pleased by what they saw, or those who displayed hostility or ambiguous emotions.
Everyone had different eyes.
How could they be so diverse?
Looking at them, Wi Seola drew out a truly subtle feeling.
‘Discomforting.’
Being in the same place as those beings.
Breathing the same air.
Somehow it felt uncomfortable and suffocating.
Why did she feel this way?
Just as she began to grow slightly short of breath, she thought of Guyang Cheon in her mind.
Then she could feel herself gradually calming down.
This wasn’t normal.
Her peculiarity could make him uncomfortable.
She thought of that again and again.
‘I must not let him know of this discomfort.’
Then he would worry.
He would look at her with deeply worried eyes and try to do something for her.
Wi Seola hated that.
So she endured.
Calming her emotions, she nonchalantly ate another yakgwa.
The yakgwa was already almost gone.
Seeing that, Wi Seola felt regret.
Was there anywhere she could get more?
Thinking of that, she looked around.
“...”
“...”
She met eyes with yet another person.
The gaze was peculiar.
A person who neither avoided her eyes nor held emotions quite like the others.
‘Who is it?’
She didn’t know who.
Judging by the shaved head and attire, he seemed to be from Shaolin.
They quietly exchanged gazes.
A few seconds passed like that.
A slight bow.
The other side showed respect to Wi Seola and withdrew his gaze.
Seeing that, Wi Seola also lowered her head slightly.
It had been a strange-feeling gaze.
But this too she forgot quickly.
It wasn’t something worth dwelling on. After that, she remained quiet for quite a while.
Time continued to flow, and until her turn came, Wi Seola kept her eyes closed, having erected a wall that let no one approach.
Then, only when her turn came did she open her closed eyes.
And upon ascending the stage, she realized.
That the Shaolin monk who had been looking at her earlier was none other than her opponent.
“I am Yuyeon of Shaolin. I look forward to our match.”
The Shaolin figure who had looked at her earlier.
He introduced himself as Yuyeon and offered his greeting again.
“I’m Wi Seola.”
They exchanged greetings with the referee between them.
For some reason, the spectator seats felt unusually hot.
She could hear some kind of noise, but Wi Seola heard none of it.
It was like the sound of dogs barking.
She was looking only at the opponent before her.
The same eyes as before.
Seeing them up close, the emotions contained within were felt more clearly.
So she had no choice but to ask.
“What’s wrong?”
“Yes?”
Startled by Wi Seola’s question, Yuyeon answered.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…What do you mean…”
“What are you so sorry about?”
“…!”
At Wi Seola’s tilting question, Yuyeon's expression crumbled.
She could see clearly. That was the expression of someone who had been found out.
“Why do you hold such emotions toward me? Is there a reason?”
A question that seemed pure, yet was sharp.
Hearing that, Yuyeon gave no answer.
He merely bit his lip with troubled eyes.
She truly couldn’t understand.
Why was that person sorry toward her? Wi Seola could not understand.
Then Yuyeon slowly opened his mouth to Wi Seola.
“…Benefactor. I have heard that you are the successor of the Sword Venerable.”
A crease formed between Wi Seola’s brows upon hearing that.
Of all things, it was the most awkward question.
“So?”
“I am called the Divine Dragon of Shaolin.”
The Divine Dragon of Shaolin.
A name she had heard before. Though she didn’t know the details.
“Therefore, there may be many reasons why you and I stand here.”
What did that mean? It was something Wi Seola, who was ignorant of the ways of the world, could not well understand.
“I suppose I was somewhat preoccupied by that and failed to carry myself properly. I will be more careful.”
Complex emotions and an uncomfortable air were visible in his eyes.
Even having heard Yuyeon's words, Wi Seola still didn't understand.
“What’s the problem with that?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t really understand such things. That’s why, right now.”
Hand on her sword hilt, she asked Yuyeon.
“Are you saying you won’t fight me?”
“...”
“Whatever the situation. If you aren’t going to refrain from fighting, then focus.”
Whether he is the Divine Dragon or from Shaolin.
Whatever the opponent’s emotions.
Wi Seola paid them no heed whatsoever.
That wasn’t what was important.
“I believe the apology or courtesy you should show me right now is precisely that.”
At her calm tone, Yuyeon's eyes widened.
Was it because of the unexpected words? Or was it because he was being scolded by a woman of similar age?
For a moment, Yuyeon's frozen eyes began to settle slightly.
“…I apologize.”
Having offered a different apology than before, Yuyeon took his stance.
Seeing that, Wi Seola also drew her sword.
Srring—.
A sharp blade was revealed to the world.
The referee, having confirmed Yuyeon and Wi Seola, nodded.
“…Duel begin!”
Along with the referee’s voice, Yuyeon steadied his breath.
But he still hesitated all the same.
Yuyeon bit his lip slightly and furrowed his brow.
Then.
Sslash.
A sound of something being cut was heard from somewhere.
Yuyeon's gaze moved downward.
Something cut from his clothes was fluttering as it fell to the ground.
It was a cloth belt.
Yuyeon's eyes widened greatly seeing that.
The belt finally fell to the ground.
“I just told you. Didn’t you hear?”
A voice rang out from ahead.
Yuyeon’s head immediately turned to the woman.
She stood in the same posture as when she had drawn her sword.
“Focus.”
A serene posture, as if she had never swung her sword.
“Do it.”
Seeing that, cold sweat began to form on Yuyeon's bald scalp.