Chapter 75

 

Baek Siwoo is strong.

 

This is an undisputed fact.

 

Seo Woojin also knew it well.

 

Thump-

 

The arm that blocked the ‘Thunder Bolt’ trembled slightly.

 

‘This guy is really strong.’

 

Although he thought he had blocked it perfectly, he couldn’t completely dissipate the power contained within it.

 

‘As expected of SSS class.’

 

It was on a different level from the Heroes he had faced so far.

 

It seemed unlikely that he would easily win this time.

 

‘But….’

 

Seo Woojin redirected Baek Siwoo’s sword by flowing mana through his arm.

 

Sizzle-!

 

The remnants of the thunderstorm lingering on the sword scattered into the air.

 

‘Still, I don’t think I’ll lose.’

 

He could tell from this collision.

 

He was definitely not beneath Baek Siwoo.

 

“…You are the first one to block this, except the Sword Master .”

 

A look of genuine surprise appeared in Baek Siwoo’s eyes.

 

It had been the same even when his level was low.

 

Whether it’s monsters or knights who were training.

 

No one could stop the ‘Thunder Bolt’.

 

But Seo Woojin blocked it.

 

As if it were nothing, and very easily.

 

Baek Siwoo felt a mixture of curiosity and a rising sense of competitiveness.

 

“This is the final match, and if it ends too quickly, it won’t be fun.”

 

Seo Woojin felt the same as Baek Siwoo.

 

Not wielding a sword to survive, but swords clashing to measure each other’s skills.

 

Since coming down from the North, it was truly the first time in a long while that someone who could demonstrate his skill properly has appeared.

 

So, there was no way it wouldn’t be fun.

 

“I’m going this time.”

 

Seo Woojin rushed forward without using any special skills, relying solely on his physical abilities.

 

In an instant, he appeared from the side of Baek Siwoo and swung his sword.

 

Swish-!

 

This time, Baek Siwoo perfectly blocked the attack.

 

However, Seo Woojin’s assault didn’t end with just one strike.

 

He used the impact to spin his body around and aimed at his waist.

 

“Not bad!”

 

Baek Siwoo twitched his eyebrows and twisted his body.

 

Crack-

 

“Tsk.”

 

Seo Woojin clicked his tongue.

 

He had intended to inflict some injuries, but it only ended with tearing the fabric.

 

“Let’s get serious!”

 

Baek Siwoo’s sword began to dance.

 

It’s so fast that most people can’t even perceive it.

 

However, Seo Woojin remained unfazed.

 

No, he willingly extended his sword lightning-fast with a pleased expression.

 

Thud- Tada Tadada -!

 

How many times did they clash?

 

Sounds like gunshots echoed.

 

‘Impressive.’

 

Seo Woojin admired silently.

 

Baek Siwoo was exceptional.

 

Not just high grades and levels.

 

He was properly trained in swordsmanship.

 

Real swordsmanship that does not rely solely on skill like other heroes.

 

From the brief collision, Seo Woojin could fully understand how much effort Baek Siwoo had put into it.

 

‘Should I increase the output a bit more?’

 

Seo Woojin gradually drew more mana.

 

Wooowooowooom-

 

Overwhelming mana began to surge like waves.

 

Seo Woojin’s sword became faster and heavier.

 

A strong aura spread to the point that the expressions of the Heroes who were watching hardened.

 

Even so, Baek Siwoo didn’t fall behind.

 

As if he couldn’t afford to lose, he increased the speed to match Seo Woojin’s sword.

 

Slash-!

 

Baek Siwoo’s sword grazed his cheek.

 

Drops of blood spattered and filled the air.

 

A red scar was engraved long across his face.

 

‘It’s fun.’

 

But Seo Woojin smiled.

 

When was the last time he wielded his sword with all his might, and splattered with blood?

 

It was when he was training under Van Slaine before coming to the Empire.

 

Of course, there were monsters like Gerald, Burtal, and Rosie Ruby, but…

 

‘They are irrelevant.’

 

From the beginning, they were beings Seo Woojin couldn’t properly fight against, and in reality, he only suffered defeat.

 

Slash!

 

The wounds were gradually increasing.

 

Surprisingly, Baek Siwoo’s swordsmanship was gradually surpassing Seo Woojin.

 

‘What a crazy talent.’

 

Before he knew it, Baek Siwoo was in a trance.

 

As they exchanged swords, he must have gained some kind of insight, and his attacks were becoming more sharper.

 

No, the expression of breaking through the shell and soaring might be more fitting.

 

Certainly, as a ‘Sword God’ he seemed to possess talent close to God when it came to the sword.

 

He quickly tilted his head back to avoid the sword coming towards his neck and stepped back.

 

Splat –

 

“This.”

 

He thought he had avoided it perfectly, but blood was flowing from his neck.

 

It wasn’t a significant injury, but…

 

‘If I had been a little later, I would have been in big trouble.’

 

Even if his neck wasn’t cut off, he would have suffered a considerable injury.

 

If that happened, the match would be over.

 

‘That won’t work.’

 

Seo Woojin took a deep breath and looked at Baek Siwoo.

 

He was emitting a formidable spirit, and hanging his sword down.

 

Although it seemed full of openings, Seo Woojin felt a chill.

 

“Is this guy for real?”

 

He was of the ‘Unmeasurable’ grade, surpassing even SSS grade.

 

However, compared to others, he had no particular advantages.

 

Only useless skills were generously given, and despite the name ‘Demon King,’ he was currently unable to sense any magic.

 

Admittedly, the leveling speed was a bit faster, but…

 

Apart from that, there was not even a speck of an advantage.

 

But Baek Siwoo was different.

 

He gained enlightenment in such a sparring and advanced a step.

 

As the already strong guy was becoming even stronger, Seo Woojin was reaching the point of jealousy.

 

“As expected, it’s amazing.”

 

Baek Siwoo opened his mouth.

 

As if he was out of a trance, his eyes became clearer and his expression became lighter.

 

‘If that guy grows a bit more…’

 

He seemed to reach the level of Van Slaine or the Swordmaster Dariel.

 

“Thanks to you, I was able to become a little stronger.”

 

Baek Siwoo sincerely expressed his gratitude to Seo Woojin.

 

This sparring meant a lot to him.

 

“Hoo-“

 

Seo Woojin, who calmed the rushing mana inside his body, raised his head.

 

“It’s not over yet.”

 

“…I see.”

 

The brief collision left Seo Woojin a mess, but most of it was just torn skin.

 

Although it seemed like Seo Woojin’s complexion was dark, in reality, he hadn’t received a proper blow.

 

Seo Woojin turned his head for a moment to look around.

 

Not only the Heroes on the observation platform but also the priests of Ludian and Aier.

 

Everyone had their mouths agape, unable to close them.

 

All they could see was something flashing in their eyes.

 

In the first place, the fight between the two took place in an area that most Heroes would not even be aware of.

 

Of course, some could vaguely see the battle.

 

And they were even more shocked.

 

They could directly confirm the level of the two with their own eyes.

 

Seo Woojin, who looked around at the silenced surroundings, raised his sword again.

 

‘My Sword is damaged.’

 

Was it because he didn’t put on Aura?

 

The edge of the black sword was severely damaged by Baek Siwoo’s sword.

 

Both his body and the sword.

 

To anyone, it seemed like Seo Woojin was about to lose.

 

But Seo Woojin laughed.

 

“Still, I don’t think I’ll lose.”

 

It was unexpected that Baek Siwoo gained enlightenment during the confrontation and grew to a higher level.

 

But that was it.

 

Grumbling!

 

The bright blue aura rose.

 

“…Aura?”

 

Baek Siwoo noticed that the aura summoned by Seo Woojin was not a skill.

 

And he opened his eyes.

 

“Could it be that you’ve reached the realm of the True Aura?”

 

It was a realm that even Baek Siwoo, a Sword God had not yet reached.

 

Of course, it would happen in the near future, but at least not now.

 

“Luck was on my side.”

 

Seo Woojin activated ‘Acceleration’ and ‘Power Strike,’ then integrated ‘Black Flame’ into the aura.

 

The black flame aura burned even more fiercely.

 

‘Originally it would have been impossible.’

 

He activated three skills simultaneously while using the aura.

 

The mana consumed was considerable, and there must have been a significant burden on the body.

 

But Seo Woojin was unfazed now.

 

His mana was like a vast sea, and his body was as sturdy as the earth.

 

Wuddeuk-

 

As Seo Woojin applied force to his toes, cracks began to appear on the martial arts stage.

 

The explosion of mana from his toes cut through space.

 

A tremendous speed that cannot be compared to anything before.

 

A huge pressure crushed his face.

 

But Seo Woojin didn’t even blink.

 

His body was more than capable of withstanding it.

 

Kwagwagwag-!

 

The compressed air exploded belatedly, creating a sonic boom.

 

In a split-second, Seo Woojin appeared in front of Baek Siwoo and swung his sword, leaving behind the aftereffects.

 

There was disbelief in Baek Siwoo’s eyes as he looked at it.

 

He belatedly tried to raise his sword for defense…

 

‘It’s too late.’

 

Jjeo-eoeng-!

 

Baek Siwoo’s sword collided with Seo Woojin’s sword and flew high into the sky.

 

It was unable to overcome the impact of the ‘Power Strike’ and the speed of the ‘Acceleration’.

 

And the black-burning aura cut through Baek Siwoo’s body.

 

Swoosh-

 

As blood spurted out, flames soared.

 

Unable to withstand the intense heat of ‘Black Flame,’ the blood droplets instantly evaporated, and Baek Siwoo collapsed on the spot.

 

“Crazy!”

 

“Treat him…!”

 

“Suspend the training! Suspend the training!”

 

Aier’s priests rushed over, and Ludian and the instructors looked at Seo Woojin with astonishment.

 

Standing with a black aura surrounding the sword, dripping blood, Seo Woojin looked distinctly different from a hero.

 

‘Was it too much?’

 

Seo Woojin scratched his head.

 

He didn’t intend for it to go this far, but it was unavoidable because Baek Siwoo became too powerful in the middle.

 

‘Well, maybe I got a bit carried away.’

 

Seo Woojin thought this wasn’t a perfect victory.

 

‘If Baek Siwoo had used all his skills from the beginning, I wouldn’t have won so easily.’

 

Of course, it didn’t mean Baek Siwoo was careless. 

 

It was just that he didn’t expect Seo Woojin’s attack to be so formidable, so he couldn’t defend himself properly.

 

‘But still, in the end, I won.’

 

A victory was a victory.

 

Seo Woojin chuckled as he looked at his new sword.

 

In contrast to the Black Sword, it had a simple white design.

 

However, the aura it exuded was more splendid than imagination.

 

Sharper and sturdier than the Black Sword, it was incomparable.

 

It couldn’t match Baek Siwoo’s sword, which is the treasure of the empire, but for Seo Woojin now, it was formidable enough.

 

‘Unfortunately, the Black Sword broke.’

 

In the final blow, the Black Sword, unable to withstand Seo Woojin’s magic power, shattered.

 

Even if it hadn’t broken, it wouldn’t have been usable anymore.

 

During the exchange with Baek Siwoo, it had been worn down to almost nothing.

 

However, in exchange for that, Seo Woojin obtained a much better sword, so it wasn’t a loss.

 

Humming a tune, Seo Woojin walked and suddenly asked the person in front of him,

 

“But how much farther do we have to go?”

 

When the training was over, an old man suddenly approached and invited him, saying there was someone who wanted to meet him.

 

Seo Woojin felt perplexed, but faced with the elderly person’s stubborn expression that refused rejection, he reluctantly nodded.

 

“It’s right in front of us.”

 

The elderly person pointed to a small mansion.

 

“…Do you know who sent the invitation?”

 

“If you go in, you’ll find out.”

 

The old man opened the door of the mansion without changing his expression and ushered Seo Woojin inside.

 

“It’s quite spacious.”

 

It didn’t look that big from the outside, but once inside, it was wide.

 

The old man guided Seo Woojin to a room on the second floor.

 

Unlike other places, the room had a quite large door.

 

Knock-knock.

 

“It’s Chester. I’ve brought a guest.”

 

“…Come in.”

 

‘A woman?’

 

The voice heard from inside the door was clearly a woman’s voice.

 

“Please come in.”

 

When the old man opened the door, the scene inside was revealed.

 

A large room filled with all sorts of documents and books in a messy arrangement.

 

In that room, a tired woman with a cigarette in her mouth was looking in this direction.

 

“I’m called Agna. Nice to meet you.”