Chapter 41

 

Seo Woojin blinked his eyes.

 

‘Pull out the sword?’

 

While he understood the words themselves, he couldn’t fathom the reason behind it.

 

‘Why all of a sudden?’

 

Dragging him to the training ground out of the blue and asking him to draw a sword—how many would obediently follow such a command?

 

“What are you doing? Hurry up and draw the sword.”

 

Dariel urged Seo Woojin, who was standing there bewildered.

 

“Shouldn’t you at least tell me the reason?”

 

He acknowledged that the man was powerful.

 

He knew that the person’s influence spread throughout the entire continent.

 

However, that didn’t mean he could do whatever he pleased.

 

Seo Woojin didn’t particularly like individuals who acted recklessly like Dariel.

 

‘It’s quite different from Van Slaine.’

 

He didn’t know who was stronger between the two.

 

Judging their level was difficult because Seo Woojin was still far from that standard.

 

But it seemed he could at least tell which one had a better personality.

 

Despite having such immense strength, Van Slaine always treated Seo Woojin with respect, an advantage that Dariel lacked.

 

“There’s something I need to check.”

 

So what is that?

 

Seo Woojin almost blurted out in frustration but managed to hold back.

 

Apart from disliking it, he found Dariel’s sword somewhat intimidating.

 

Seo Woojin took a deep breath for a moment and opened his mouth.

 

“If you could tell me what it is…”

 

“You talk a lot.”

 

Dariel interrupted Seo Woojin.

 

As if to signify that he wouldn’t engage in pointless conversation, he drew his sword.

 

“If I do this, you’ll probably raise the sword, even if you don’t want to.”

 

Thud!

 

Dariel’s footsteps echoed, reaching Seo Woojin in an instant.

 

“Take it.”

 

The sword descended slowly.

 

‘No, is it fast?’

 

He couldn’t gauge the speed at all.

 

Though the sword’s speed didn’t seem excessively fast, Seo Woojin couldn’t muster the courage to dodge it.

 

“Ugh!”

 

In the end, he raised the sword.

 

With a harsh clashing sound, the swords collided.

 

‘Weak.’

 

The weight felt from the sword was less than expected.

 

Whether it was a deliberate action or another intention…

 

‘Left!’

 

Seo Woojin stopped his thoughts and quickly leaped backward.

 

The sword that had just been facing him moments ago was now aiming for his neck from the left.

 

Swish—

 

A drop of blood splattered.

 

Unable to completely avoid it, a small cut remained on his chin.

 

Feeling the stinging pain, Seo Woojin concluded that he had no time to dwell on distracting thoughts.

 

The sword moved.

 

As if a lightning bolt was shooting up from the ground, Seo Woojin’s sword rose from below.

 

A straight sword devoid of any finesse or trickery.

 

It reminded one of a straightforward and honest sword like the one from the Van Slayn.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Although it was a sword as fast as light, Dariel easily evaded it.

 

But Seo Woojin’s hand didn’t stop there.

 

No, it was just the beginning.

 

From the eyes and neck to the heart, even the groin.

 

Seo Woojin relentlessly swung his sword, aiming for Dariel’s vital spots.

 

“It’s a real sword.”

 

A sword meant only for killing.

 

In the Massive Guardian, where monsters had to be fought every year, a sword technique that pursued extreme efficiency was used.

 

Faster and stronger than the opponent.

 

A sword that could take a life with minimal effort.

 

Seo Woojin had also learned such a sword from Van Slayn.

 

It was completely different from Dariel’s profound and subtle swordsmanship.

 

“There’s no semblance of courtesy.”

 

Dariel observed Seo Woojin while skillfully avoiding the sword.

 

“It’s definitely the sword he learned from that child.”

 

Dariel nodded.

 

“What the hell is he saying?”

 

Seo Woojin was on the verge of frustration as his sword seemed utterly ineffective.

 

Certainly, the thought of winning didn’t even cross his mind.

 

However, at least he thought he could surprise his opponent…

 

‘It feels like I’m stuck in a swamp.’

 

Despite relentlessly attacking, his sword only cut through empty air.

 

It felt like he was fighting against a ghost.

 

Then, Dariel’s sword struck again.

 

“Fuck!”

 

Life was at stake.

 

It wasn’t just a matter of displaying sword skills.

 

‘I’m going to die!’

 

Seo  Woojin felt the sensation of his hair standing on end.

 

If he continued like this, a hole would be pierced through his head.

 

“Hmm!”

 

Seo Woojin forcibly twisted his body.

 

Muscles and joints screamed at the sudden movement, but he had to succeed; failure meant death.

 

Was it due to raising his magical power while moving his body?

 

Dariel’s sword narrowly grazed Seo Woojin’s forehead.

 

Another droplet of blood splattered.

 

However, Seo Woojin had no time to pay attention to it.

 

Dariel’s sword bent at an incomprehensible angle, aiming for his neck.

 

‘Is he really planning to kill me?’

 

Dariel’s emotionless face was full of murderous intent.

 

If he didn’t really intend to kill, there was no way he would act like that.

 

Seo Woojin twisted his body once again.

 

It felt like every cell in his body was activated.

 

It was a sensation akin to when he dealt with monsters during a Massive Guardian mission.

 

Engaged in a life-and-death battle after a long time, dormant senses awakened all at once.

 

Thud—

 

Seo Woojin got down on one knee and tilted his head to the side.

 

It was an incredible reaction speed.

 

He could never have avoided the sword if he had just tilted his head, but he was able to dodge it by kneeling.

 

In an unexpected movement, Dariel’s sword passed through the air.

 

Seeing that, Dariel nodded.

 

After making sure he had examined everything he wanted to, he sheathed his sword and stepped back.

 

“That should be enough.”

 

However…

 

“Who decided that!”

 

Since you started it on your own, I will finish it.

 

‘You swung your sword with the intention of killing me just a moment ago, and now you’re not!’

 

Seo Woojin stepped back along with Dariel, then took a step forward.

 

And he swung his sword.

 

It was a clean and well-organized sword technique.

 

Dariel’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“Huh.”

 

A simple, straight sword.

 

But it was also fast and deadly.

 

It was quite commendable, but unlike everything until now that could be taken lightly, this couldn’t.

 

Swish!

 

After the first collision, Seo Woojin’s sword met Dariel’s for the first time.

 

“Ah…”

 

Seo Woojin groaned as he looked at his blocked sword.

 

‘It was a counterattack with perfect timing.’

 

It was a perfectly timed and executed attack.

 

Seo Woojin had experience cutting half of a Van Slaine’s hair with this sword move before.

 

As confident as he was…

 

‘It’s blocked.’

 

And it happened too easily.

 

So Seo Woojin’s ambitious attempt to repay the favor as much as he received came to an end like that.

 

However, there was surprise in Dariel’s eyes.

 

“This is unexpected.”

 

Dariel seemed genuinely amazed by Seo Woojin’s sword.

 

“I thought you were just a mediocre Hero at best, but you’re better than I thought.”

 

‘A mediocre Hero?’

 

Was it the arrogance of a strong person? Or…

 

As Seo Woojin pondered the meaning of those words, Dariel sheathed his sword.

 

“Enough. Since it seems unrelated to the seed of the Demon King, let’s stop here.”

 

Dariel intended to see what kind of power Seo Woojin would use if he was pushed to the limit.

 

In a situation where his life was at stake, wouldn’t he use the hidden power he was concealing? Dariel suspected.

 

For example, Magi..

 

However, upon observing Seo Woojin, there was no scent of Magi at all.

 

Instead, there was an unmatched aura of pure mana.

 

Despite having endured Gerald’s demonic energy alone, there seemed to be no connection to the followers of the Demon King.

 

“…What if my skill was insufficient, and I died? What would you think then?”

 

Seo Woojin asked, glaring at Dariel.

 

In reality, if it weren’t for Van Slaine’s teachings, Seo Woojin would have lost his life to Dariel’s attack.

 

Among the Heros, there was no one who could block that deadly sword.

 

‘No, could Baek Siwoo have blocked it?’

 

Anyway, he was a level 50 ‘Sword God.’

 

But the rest would have undoubtedly died.

 

Seo Woojin wanted to hear at least one word of apology from Dariel for such an attack.

 

Otherwise, he didn’t feel like he would be satisfied.

 

However, Dariel just dismissed Seo Woojin’s desire.

 

“If you die, there’s nothing I can do. You’re just that mediocre. Your sword skills are a bit better, but you’re still D-rank. Even if you die, it won’t have a significant impact on our forces, will it?”

 

Seo Woojin was left speechless.

 

If I die, there’s nothing I can do about it?

 

Is that something a person would say?

 

‘Even though he’s different from Van Slane, he’s so different.’

 

For someone who has obtained the title of a Sword Master, the words spoken were disgustingly offensive.

 

“I’ve checked everything; I’m leaving now.”

 

With those words, Dariel left the training ground.

 

“……Damn it.”

 

It was regrettable that he couldn’t thrust the sword into Dariel’s back as he walked away.

 

He was so angry that he really wanted to do it if he could.

 

But Seo Woojin couldn’t do anything at the moment.

 

He couldn’t use a skill like ‘Hell’ in the Imperial training ground.

 

“Hoo-“

 

Seo Woojin calmed his breathing and wiped away the blood that was flowing down.

 

It had been a while since all the scars had healed thanks to leveling up, but now he had new wounds again.

 

The scars from the Massive Guardian were like proof.

 

Proof that he was becoming stronger.

 

But the wounds inflicted by Dariel were different this time.

 

Shame, anger, and pain.

 

“Someday, I’ll pay you back for this.”

 

Seo Woojin vowed, sharpening his resolve.

 

* * *

 

“Hey, it’s home! It’s only been a few days, but it feels like it’s been so long. Isn’t it strange?”

 

After returning to the Capital Academy, Lee Ji-ah bounced around with a much more relaxed expression.

 

It wasn’t hard to understand, considering all the various events they had experienced during their first official schedule at the academy.

 

Seo Woojin also felt a bit less tense now.

 

“Are your injuries okay?”

 

Irene asked, looking at Seo Woojin’s face.

 

When they returned from the training ground, her surprised expression came to mind, and he chuckled.

 

“I’m not seriously injured. The scars will probably remain, but you don’t have to worry too much; just level up, and it’ll be fine.”

 

Seo Woojin said casually, but the wounds were not something to easily overlook.

 

The forehead was deeply cut to the point where the bone almost showed, and even the cheek was torn to the extent that the skin was hanging loose.

 

It was not unreasonable for Irene to be surprised.

 

“Indeed, the recovery abilities of the Heros seem impressive.” 

 

If ordinary individuals had sustained such significant injuries, it would have taken several months to heal. 

 

However, even if Seo Woojin received magical treatment, everything seemed to be healed in less than a day. 

 

Of course, there were some scars left, but that’s to be expected.

 

It was at that moment.

 

“Oh? Mister, there’s cutie over there.” 

 

Suddenly Lee Ji-ah came back and pointed to one side.

 

“If it’s cutie….” 

 

She was talking about Baek Siwoo.

 

Seo Woojin turned his head to look in that direction.

 

There was Baek Siwoo, sitting in a wheelchair with one leg amputated.

 

‘It’s fortunate that he’s alive.’

 

The power that Gerald showed at that time was so great that it was surprising that no one died.

 

Although he lost both arms and one leg, Baek Siwoo was alive.

 

In a wheelchair, he slowly approached Seo Woojin.

 

Then he said. 

 

“What was that?”