Episode 7: Misunderstanding (2)
"I think that would be just about right."
That remark set Cheon Ha-rin’s pride ablaze.
The daughter of the Cult Leader, the top student of the Demonic Path Academy. She felt as though all the honor and self-esteem she had built up until now had been downgraded in an instant by the trivial word "right." Her eyes flashed with killing intent, as if she were ready to tear Hajin to shreds at any moment.
"I’ll see for myself just how great you think you are to consider this Cheon Ha-rin a 'right' opponent. Follow me."
Cheon Ha-rin gritted her teeth and let out a low growl.
She spun on her heel and strode toward the sparring arena set up in the center of the training hall. Sensing that the situation was turning more serious than he had anticipated, Hajin hurriedly followed her, trying to offer an excuse.
"H-hey? Wait. I mean, that’s not what I meant. I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding?"
But to Cheon Ha-rin, who was on the verge of losing her composure, his words fell on deaf ears.
"Shut up!"
Cheon Ha-rin shouted sharply as she stepped onto the sparring arena. She glared at Hajin, focusing all her attention on gauging his true skill.
She began to analyze everything—his stance, his breathing, his gaze, and even the flow of his aura.
'Fine. Let’s see just how impressive the disciple chosen by that old man really is.'
However, a moment later, bewilderment washed over her face. Why couldn't she feel anything?
As far as she knew, any martial artist who had reached a certain level of mastery would naturally exude an aura of internal energy. The stronger they were, the more distinct and overwhelming that aura should be.
Yet, from Hajin, who stood right before her, she felt neither the flow of internal energy nor the ripples of any aura.
'This is strange? It should be normal to feel the energy of his internal strength based on his level... Is that guy really a master of the Peak Realm?'
Cheon Ha-rin was confused. The more she looked at the guy in front of her, the more of an enigma he became. Judging by what she could feel, he was nothing more than an empty husk.
But she quickly pulled herself together and reminded herself of Hajin’s identity once more.
'That’s right. This guy is the disciple of the Ghost Soul Hand, the greatest assassin of the Heavenly Demonic Cult.'
The Ghost Soul Hand was not a master who overwhelmed his opponents with powerful Demonic Arts. He was an assassin among assassins, one who moved like a shadow to eliminate his targets without leaving a trace.
Naturally, the most important thing for such a person was to perfectly conceal their aura. And as far as Cheon Ha-rin knew, the Ghost Soul Hand’s ability to erase his presence had reached a profound level befitting the greatest assassin.
'They said that because he usually felt like an ordinary old man, no one even knew he was an assassin.'
Even her father, the Cult Leader, had admitted that the Ghost Soul Hand’s concealment ability was worthy of admiration. Once that thought crossed her mind, Cheon Ha-rin could vaguely guess why she couldn't feel any energy from Hajin.
'He must be the same. Since he inherited the Ghost Soul Hand’s martial arts directly.'
He must have mastered that overwhelming ability to conceal his aura as well. Even so, it was jaw-dropping that a martial artist of the Peak Realm could feel like a commoner who hadn't learned a single martial art.
"So, that’s how it is?"
"Excuse me? What is?"
Cheon Ha-rin swallowed hard without realizing it. She realized that if she judged him hastily based on his appearance, she could end up in serious trouble.
"Even if you are the disciple of the Ghost Soul Hand, I will make you realize that looking down on me was a tactical error."
"Excuse me...? Hey?"
"Didn't you hear me? I said get up on the sparring arena."
Having steeled her resolve, Cheon Ha-rin hesitated no longer. She drew the sword she wore at her waist and gestured for Hajin to come forward with a flick of her hand.
'This crazy woman...'
Seeing that there was no getting through to her, Hajin sighed and changed his mindset. Trying to persuade someone who wouldn't listen was the most foolish thing one could do.
With such people, the most correct approach was to meet them with the same method.
'Let’s just fight. And while I’m at it, I might as well beat some sense into this stubborn girl...'
Hajin wasn't the type to prefer fighting, but he wasn't the type to avoid it at all costs either.
Especially not when dealing with someone who only listened to their own voice, like this.
Before long, Hajin also stepped onto the sparring arena. He gave a light salute.
"Student number four hundred, Hajin..."
"Student number one, Cheon Ha-rin."
After finishing the basic formalities, Cheon Ha-rin tightened her grip on her sword. The next moment, she kicked off the floor of the arena with fierce momentum and lunged at Hajin.
"You crazy!"
Before Hajin could even finish preparing his defense, Cheon Ha-rin crouched low like a beast and thrust her sword forward. A complex, shifting trajectory aimed straight for his throat.
Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a practice spar?
Why is she throwing a lethal strike from the very start? The throat is a bit much, isn't it...?
Before he could even resolve his doubts, Cheon Ha-rin’s sword intent surged forward. It was clearly imbued with the vicious aura of a killing strike meant to end the opponent’s life.
"Ugh!"
Startled by the unexpected killing intent, Hajin instinctively threw his body backward, barely dodging the strike.
However, the wind from the passing blade was enough to make his cheek sting. Was this a spar? No. This was clearly a real fight—a fight for his life.
"You lunatic! Are you actually trying to kill me?!"
Driven by urgency and absurdity, Hajin couldn't help but shout a harsh curse. His composure had vanished, and cold sweat began to trickle down his forehead.
No matter how he looked at it, this woman really seemed intent on killing him.
If that was the case, he couldn't just stand there and take it. Hajin immediately changed his strategy. He couldn't afford to be relaxed anymore.
'She said she passed the test as number one? Then she must be one of those types Yang-jun warned me about—the ones you absolutely cannot ignore. No wonder she’s impossible to talk to...'
People like that had probably spent their entire lives just training. With such poor social skills, it was only natural that she wouldn't listen to reason. Therefore, it was only right for him, a man with the intellect and character of a modern person, to be the bigger person.
'Though, I am going to hit her at least once.'
At that moment, Cheon Ha-rin’s sword flew toward his face once again.
* * *
Contrary to his resolution, a counterattack didn't follow immediately.
As Cheon Ha-rin’s murderous attacks continued, Hajin felt a chill run down his spine.
Thinking that his life might truly be in danger if he kept this up, he realized he had to abandon any thought of taking this lightly. Survival was the priority now.
Hajin sharpened his senses and began to track every single one of Cheon Ha-rin’s movements with his eyes.
Fortunately, Cheon Ha-rin had not yet reached the ranks of what one might call an absolute master; her sword paths and movement techniques were not beyond the reach of his dynamic vision.
His senses, honed through countless life-or-death battles against magical beasts during his time as a Hunter, were barely managing to read her movements.
'Here it comes! Activate Shield!'
Just as Cheon Ha-rin’s sword was about to viciously pierce his side, Hajin concentrated his mana on the exact spot he had predicted.
Mana bloomed from his fingertips, and a transparent barrier of a shield manifested.
*Clang!*
With a piercing metallic screech, Cheon Ha-rin’s strike was blocked. It was a success for now. But the real problem was just beginning.
*Cling! Clang-clang! Clang!*
Cheon Ha-rin’s attacks did not stop. In an instant, the surroundings were filled with sharp, jarring noise. For Hajin, it was becoming increasingly difficult.
Cheon Ha-rin’s swordsmanship was incredibly precise. Whenever Hajin tried to show even a slight opening, her sword would immediately fly toward it.
Because of that, he couldn't afford to let his concentration waver for even a second. The moment he did, her sword would surge forward.
'Damn it, this is harder than I thought.'
The Shield magic consumed mana in proportion to the damage it blocked. Every time he blocked an attack, he could feel his internal mana being drained away in real-time. It was a completely different feeling from when he had faced the First-Generation Disciple at the inn.
It felt as if he were pouring water into a bottomless pit; his mana was being consumed at a terrifying rate.
'At this rate, I’ll definitely lose. No, losing isn't the problem. I might actually die because I can't block her sword!'
After a few exchanges, beads of sweat had already begun to form on Hajin’s forehead. Just maintaining the shield was taxing enough, and Cheon Ha-rin’s attacks showed no signs of letting up.
*Clang!*
'Barely blocked that one too...'
Meanwhile, Cheon Ha-rin, who was raining down fierce attacks, also sensed something strange during the spar.
'That guy, why is he blocking so well?'
Her sword was moving faster and sharper than usual. Because her pride had been wounded by Hajin’s comment about her being "right," she had been drawing out far more internal energy than usual to unleash her martial arts.
Yet, the opponent seemed to be blocking her with no difficulty, as if he had read all her attacks in advance.
'Is he truly at the peak level?'
Cheon Ha-rin swallowed her bitterness. She wondered if, no matter how hard she tried, she was still unable to reach that level.
Furthermore, whatever it was, he was deflecting or blocking her sharp sword strikes with nothing more than strange gestures—flicking his fingers or drawing something in the air. It was as if there were an invisible wall between them.
As she was lost in such thoughts and focused on her assault, Cheon Ha-rin suddenly felt another oddity.
'Wait a minute, now that I think about it, why does it feel like I’m the only one attacking?'
It was a hollow feeling, as if she were swinging her sword at thin air all by herself. Only then did Cheon Ha-rin realize that Hajin hadn't attempted a single counterattack.
He hadn't even drawn the sword he wore at his waist.
The moment she realized this, Cheon Ha-rin’s brow furrowed even more fiercely. Insult and rage flared up in her once again.
'This guy! How dare he show such leisure against me?!'
It was more than just a difference in skill; it was clear disregard and mockery.
Cheon Ha-rin’s eyes turned even more savage. In her mind, a true spar meant both parties giving their absolute best.
Focusing solely on defense like that could only be interpreted as him looking down on her.
"You, you're hiding your true skill."
"...What?"
Cheon Ha-rin’s enraged shout echoed across the sparring arena. Her eyes burned fiercely.
But Hajin, despite her heated reaction, simply stared at her with a blank expression. It was an innocent look, as if he truly didn't understand what she was talking about.
And in truth, he was. He answered with complete honesty.
"No, I am using my full strength right now?"
Perhaps his answer sounded too nonchalant. Cheon Ha-rin’s fury flared even higher.
"You claim to be using your full strength, yet you haven't even drawn your sword and are busy spouting nonsense!"
Cheon Ha-rin shouted irritably, tightening her grip on her sword. Her rage had already reached its peak.
Only then did Hajin let out a small gasp, as if he had just realized what mistake he had made. He hurriedly drew the sword he had been carrying at his waist.
"There, are you happy now?"
Of course, this belated action was like pouring oil on a fire.
Watching Hajin clumsily draw his sword, Cheon Ha-rin transformed her boiling rage into killing intent.
"How dare you insult me like this! I will crush your arrogance right here, right now!"
There was no one left who could stop her. With Cheon Ha-rin’s cry, the aura erupting from her body became so fierce it seemed to engulf the entire Sparring Arena.
"No, I’m telling you, it’s not like that! I really am doing my best..."
Hajin shouted desperately, but his words did not reach Cheon Ha-rin, who had already lost her reason.
"Cut the crap! Your pathetic charade ends here!"
The killing intent radiating from Cheon Ha-rin’s sword was truly overwhelming. Although he had drawn his blade, Hajin instinctively realized that there was no way he could engage in a proper sword duel against this woman who had gone completely berserk.
It was already difficult enough to defend with magic, and with his amateur swordsmanship, he would lose his head in an instant.
Furthermore, a blue light was gathering on the blade of the sword before him. It was Sword Aura.
'Wait, is this lunatic serious?'
Using Sword Aura in a practice spar?!
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