The Heart Sword. A swordsman. Furthermore, it is the ultimate pinnacle that only a minuscule fraction of martial artists who have reached the Flower Realm can ever comprehend.
To become one with the sword, known as Divine Sword Unity, the dream of all swordsmen. It is an absolute power that can only be awakened upon reaching that very state.
"...You wretch..."
Gyecheon Munju clutched his chest and let out a groan.
He was slashed. Blood flowed, drenching his martial robes.
Cut by what? A sword? No.
Gyecheon Munju was also a swordsman of a high realm. He already knew what had struck him.
"How could you possess the Heart Sword...!"
This was the Heart Sword. What struck him was undoubtedly the Heart Sword.
Otherwise, such a sensation would be impossible.
"Cough."
Blood spewed from his mouth, splattering onto the floor.
The wound was quite deep. Had he not evaded it with a split-second judgment, he might have died instantly on the spot.
"...Keuh..."
Gyecheon Munju spat out a pain-filled groan and looked straight ahead.
He glared at the damned wretch who had done this to him.
Swords lay scattered on the ground. Even imbued with sword aura, they failed to pierce the floor. No matter what power was used, this space could not be destroyed.
However, it was not without any impact; the attack had landed properly. Because of that, the opponent's condition was also in a bad state.
Blood flowed from her torn robes, and the blood starting from her forehead drenched her pale neck.
It seemed she had forsaken defense for the sake of offense.
Given that, she must be in a state where even standing was burdensome, yet even in such a situation...
"She's... laughing?"
She was smiling radiantly. As if she were enjoying the current situation.
"Haha..."
Gyecheon Munju let out a hollow laugh at the sight.
"She truly is a Battle Demon incarnate."
This was a life-and-death battle, yet she was enjoying herself like that against him, someone whose realm was far above hers.
She was out of her mind. A fleeting sense of fear brushed through Gyecheon Munju's mind.
However, he erased it just as quickly.
"...Do not let yourself become arrogant."
Straightening his knees, Gyecheon Munju rose to his feet. The wound still throbbed with pain, but he had used his inner qi to stop the bleeding.
"Do you think you have a chance of winning just because you landed a single attack?"
Vwooooom--!! The swords scattered on the floor rose into the air and returned to Gyecheon Munju.
And then, they began to circle around Gyecheon Munju's body.
"Failing to sever my neck with that attack. That was the end of you."
Gyecheon Munju scowled and pointed his finger downward.
At that moment, the swords once again flew toward Namgung Bia at breakneck speed.
The swords flew in, drawing lines across the air.
"..."
She watched the fluidly moving swords. They were highly threatening. The sword aura infused in each blade was vivid and heavy, showcasing Gyecheon Munju's prowess.
Each and every one was enough to threaten her life, but...
"..."
Namgung Bia simply watched the swords in silence and smiled.
And then.
Swoosh. She soon began to move, her body swaying gently.
Seeing this, Gyecheon Munju narrowed his wrinkled eyes.
Her movements were supple.
It was like silk swaying in the breeze. It looked elegant and graceful. Furthermore, with her outstanding appearance, it was a breathtakingly beautiful sight to behold, but...
'What is she doing?'
It was entirely inappropriate for the current situation. What good would elegant movements do? A dancer soaked in blood and performing only appeared mad.
'Has she lost her mind?'
Having failed her final strike, had she given up? The moment that thought crossed Gyecheon Munju's mind—
Swish-!
"...!"
Gyecheon Munju's eyes widened at the scene unfolding before him. He sensed something from those seemingly beautiful movements.
Under Gyecheon Munju's will, the swords continued to slice through the air. Their speed was faster than sound, and there was more than just one.
Swish, swish-!
"This wretch...?"
Even as several swords bore down on a single spot, strangely, they couldn't even graze Namgung Bia's collar.
No sound echoed from her stepping toes.
Movements that seemed supple evaded every single attack.
Like a weightless feather. It was precarious, as if she would be blown away by a mere gust of wind, yet she maintained that delicate balance as she moved.
'What in the world is that?'
Gyecheon Munju couldn't help but be astonished by those movements. They were beyond cognition.
They were stances a martial artist would absolutely never adopt.
She had completely broken free from all conventions.
Such was Namgung Bia's demeanor, and Gyecheon Munju could only stare in disbelief.
'This is...'
What in the world was that?
Gyecheon Munju stared at Namgung Bia with trembling eyes. She evaded another sword. No, rather than evading it, it looked as if the sword had bypassed her of its own accord.
It was a scene so natural that it appeared that way, yet strangely artificial at the same time.
Another sword. And yet another.
Narrowly evading Gyecheon Munju's Flying Sword Art, Namgung Bia continued to walk forward.
She didn't even spare a glance at the swords passing by her.
'That is...!'
Only then did Gyecheon Munju fully recognize Namgung Bia's state.
That was the State of No-Self.
'...How dare she enter that in a fight against me!'
She was facing him as an equal. Flying swords were running amok, and they had both sustained injuries.
Yet, she dared to fall into the State of No-Self in such a situation?
'No matter how much she enjoys fighting, this is beyond reckless.'
Gyecheon Munju bit his lip and reached out his hand. One of the swords swimming through the air altered its angle and flew into his grasp.
As Gyecheon Munju tightly gripped the sword, the aura within it instantly surged with a sword aura on a completely different level from before.
His wounded body was in considerable pain, but Gyecheon Munju no longer cared about such things.
'I will kill her.'
Setting aside his title as the Holy King and his taste for women, he would simply dispose of her. Otherwise, his pride would be left in tatters.
The State of No-Self? What difference would it make even if she had entered that state?
Movements free from convention, or perhaps the Heart Sword? It was all futile.
In the end, the one standing at the conclusion of this fight would be him.
'If possible, I didn't want to use that.'
He might actually have to use it. A faint sense of anxiety whispered to Gyecheon Munju. He forcefully ignored it.
Hwiiiing-! The speed of the flying swords accelerated. Qi erupted from his dantian like an explosion.
With this level of output, he wouldn't even last half a meal's time.
But it didn't matter.
'That will be enough.'
The flying swords bore down on Namgung Bia. At the same time, Gyecheon Munju also leaped forward.
A flash of light streaked across the air.
All the light converged on Namgung Bia. Yet, even seeing this, Namgung Bia did not stop walking.
Swish-! One sword grazed Namgung Bia's shoulder. Her robes tore, and blood spurted out.
However, she didn't stop this time either.
The distance closed. Another sword flew in. Namgung Bia twisted her waist to evade the offensive.
However, this was a feint.
He had intentionally forced her to change her angle, making it difficult for her to evade, and right then, the third sword flew in.
Namgung Bia moved her sword.
Crackle. The sword imbued with thunderous qi tore through the air and deflected the flying sword.
Clang-! The deflected sword tumbled across the floor. Right then.
Gyecheon Munju had already arrived in front of Namgung Bia.
He had drawn her attention with three swords and reached his target at maximum speed.
Namgung Bia's gaze as she realized this was peculiar.
Seeing those eyes, Gyecheon Munju momentarily adjusted his speed.
Slash! The tip of his nose was sliced. It was the Heart Sword.
Although Gyecheon Munju himself had yet to reach the realm of the Mind's Eye, he was capable of sensing it. He ultimately managed to evade the Heart Sword.
He had finally succeeded in closing the distance and slipping into her guard. Gyecheon Munju raised his sword and smiled.
"Didn't I tell you?"
The sword thrust forward.
"The moment you failed to sever my neck. You were finished."
An unstoppable sword.
That sword plunged toward Namgung Bia's pale neck, but—
Clang-!
"...!"
Gyecheon Munju's sword was suddenly deflected.
Someone had intervened and struck down the attack. The old man's gaze shifted downward.
The first thing he saw was deep golden hair, and the second was a pair of golden eyes shining brilliantly as if ablaze.
"You...!"
Gyecheon Munju swallowed his shock upon recognizing the newcomer's identity.
At that moment.
Stab-! Stab, stab, stab-!!
"Kuheok!"
Several swords assaulted Gyecheon Munju's chest.
They were golden swords formed entirely from sword aura.
Boom-! Driven back by the impact, Gyecheon Munju crashed into the wall and collapsed. Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah hastily looked behind her.
"Sister-!"
Namgung Bia was also kneeling.
As if fatigue had finally caught up to her, she was panting heavily.
"Haaah... haa..."
"Sister... are you okay? I'm sorry... I suddenly lost focus..."
As Wi Seol-ah examined Namgung Bia with tear-filled eyes, Namgung Bia raised her hand and patted Wi Seol-ah's shoulder.
"I'm... okay."
"But...!"
"...I'm okay... it was fun."
"...What?"
Wi Seol-ah wondered what she meant, but Namgung Bia genuinely looked like she had enjoyed herself.
"You've lost too much blood. Let me stop the bleeding first."
"...Yeah..."
Even before the words left her mouth, Wi Seol-ah placed a hand on Namgung Bia's back and poured her inner qi into her.
She managed to barely staunch the bleeding.
However, the pain was still there, and her fatigue had already reached its limit.
Even though she had barely regained her senses, it was obvious this had happened because she hadn't been able to help in the fight.
Wi Seol-ah bit her lip repeatedly, consumed by guilt.
"I'm sorry, Sister. First, we need to get out of here quickly..."
"Cough-!!"
At the sound of a cough coming from by the wall, Wi Seol-ah's expression instantly hardened.
"...Wait here. I'll be right back."
Drawing her sword, Wi Seol-ah moved.
"Keuh... hehe..."
Gyecheon Munju sat slumped on the floor. Looking at the swords pierced through his chest, he let out a blood-choked laugh.
"...I had forgotten about you for a moment. I should have killed you first from the very start."
He had known there was another girl. Yet, out of his own greed, he had made a blunder.
He should have started by severing that wretch's neck first.
"...Aah... what a truly regrettable waste."
Gyecheon Munju rambled on. However, Wi Seol-ah offered no reply to his words.
She simply charged at him to sever his neck. Seeing this, as if in resignation..., Gyecheon Munju...
pulled something out from his sleeve.
"To think... I would have to use this precious thing now."
He took something out. Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah increased her speed.
However, Gyecheon Munju had already popped whatever was in his hand into his mouth.
Crack-!
The change occurred instantly.
Snatch-!
"...Huh...?"
Gyecheon Munju grabbed the incoming sword. Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah gasped.
Boom-!
"...Keok!"
An impact slammed into her abdomen. Wi Seol-ah was sent flying backward. Screech-!! She dragged her feet against the ground to slow down. She barely managed to prevent a more severe impact, but...
"...Ugh..."
The pain in her abdomen was so intense that she had to clutch her stomach. She had read the movement, brief as it was. Thus, she had hastily gathered her Protective Aura in one spot, yet the impact was still this severe.
"Huuuu..."
Wi Seol-ah steadied her breathing and corrected her stance. By then, Namgung Bia had already risen to her feet as well.
Sensing that something unusual had occurred, both of their eyes turned toward Gyecheon Munju.
"...Sister."
"...Yeah..."
Wi Seol-ah called out to Namgung Bia as she quietly rubbed her own arms.
Goosebumps rose. Her body reacted involuntarily to the overwhelming presence she felt.
"...Keuheh..."
Gyecheon Munju slowly rose to his feet. The transformation had already begun within him.
His hair, which had been strangely dark for his age, was turning white.
His originally tall stature had grown even taller.
He looked to be well over eight feet tall. His lean body, typical of a swordsman, began to bulge with muscles that looked ready to burst.
That alone was an absurd transformation, but there was something even stranger.
Scales were sprouting on his skin. His pupils were also gradually shifting into a golden hue.
"..."
Seeing this, Namgung Bia immediately looked at Wi Seol-ah.
Wi Seol-ah couldn't help but gulp nervously.
[Haaaaa....]
Gyecheon Munju let out a low sigh.
[...Aah....]
Namgung Bia frowned at the brief murmur. The inner qi contained within his voice felt as if it was piercing her lungs.
It was dangerous. Whatever it was, the current Gyecheon Munju was undeniably dangerous.
[Do you know?]
His voice seemed to reverberate throughout the entire space.
[This... even the Holy King... no, I had never intended to use this even on the Holy King. It was too precious a commodity even for that bastard, yet to think I'd end up using it on the likes of you.]
It was deeply regrettable. It was tremendously regrettable, but Gyecheon Munju could still laugh.
The sense of superiority and ease he felt right now was simply intoxicating.
[...Well, that no longer matters. You lowly....]
Gyecheon Munju, who had been speaking while glaring at the two, suddenly tilted his head.
It was a reaction to looking at Wi Seol-ah.
[Hmm?]
"..."
Just as Gyecheon Munju was staring at Wi Seol-ah, deeply contemplating something...
"...Sister."
Wi Seol-ah called out to Namgung Bia as if giving a signal.
At the same time, Wi Seol-ah stimulated the energy she had been holding back. Her Innate Qi began to bubble up. If Namgung Bia drew her Noea in tandem with this, wouldn't it be possible?
Seeing a glimmer of possibility, Wi Seol-ah resolved herself, but Namgung Bia grabbed her shoulder.
"...No."
"What? B-but... then."
There was no other way. Wi Seol-ah swallowed the words she was about to say.
She must have realized it too.
"It's okay."
Namgung Bia spoke, her voice filled with faith and conviction. Wi Seol-ah also looked past the door with the same gaze in her eyes.
Just then, the stationary Gyecheon Munju spoke as he looked at Wi Seol-ah, as if he had realized something.
[Aah, I see now. You are... No, you... are...]
Crunch.
[Hmm?]
Gyecheon Munju stopped mid-sentence and turned around at the sound of a harsh noise. The only thing behind him was the door.
But what sound could possibly come from there?
Creeeeak-!
[...What?]
The source of the noise was none other than—
The iron door was gradually crumpling. That was where the sound originated from. It looked as if something was tearing it apart from the outside.
It was absurd.
[That is... shouldn't that be unbreakable by anyone?]
A space that no one could open and would absolutely never break.
That was the very nature of this underground space, so what in the world was happening?
Gyecheon Munju couldn't believe his eyes.
But, as if scoffing at such doubts, the door rapidly lost its original shape.
Boom---!!
Finally, the iron door was ripped right off its hinges.
Simultaneously.
Something flew right in front of Gyecheon Munju's eyes.
He could only see it right before his nose. A fist.
Smash-! Boom-!
Struck in the cheek by the fist, Gyecheon Munju slammed face-first into the ground.
"Kuheok...!"
Gyecheon Munju let out a groan of pain. But he couldn't even do that for long.
Before his eyes, the sole of a foot descended upon him.
[Slam-!]
Crunch-!
The foot stamped down on Gyecheon Munju's face. With a sickening squelch, the ground cracked like a spiderweb.
The ground that was supposed to be absolutely unbreakable shattered far too easily.
"Keok... heo..."
Trampled beneath the foot, Gyecheon Munju's body convulsed violently.
Looking down at him, the owner of the foot, a young man with violet eyes—Gu Yang-cheon—spoke.
"...What the hell is this monstrous bastard?"
Contrary to his actions, his voice was filled with panic.