Duel with Geomhu

“Ah, jeez. What’s this now?”

The sister I had just seen was no longer in sight. The scenery was familiar: empty cars, shops with no people around, and the street trees where my sister had been.

“The field is the same. But the absence of people means…”

I know this field.

“PVP zone.”

PVP stands for “Player Vs Player”. A PVP zone is a space where duels occur between players.

“The one who created this must be… Geomhu’s BJ.”

It was probably the guardians watching over Geomhu that had it set up. And I know Geomhu’s guardian.

“The Pearl of Cheonmasan.”

Here, Pearl doesn’t refer to the gemstone but to 진주 (眞主), the true master. The real master of Cheonmasan. The guardian ‘Pearl of Cheonmasan’ is one of the few guardians who revealed their identity.

Geomhu’s protector. Cheonma (天魔). The guardian who declared himself as the leader of Cheonma Sect is also famous for being extremely aggressive.

“The courageous zealot who loves flattery.”

But he’s not as recklessly brave as the Lion King.

“Enjoys direct interference with the system.”

Of course, that also means he holds substantial power.

“A guardian who generously supports both players and BJs.”

It’s undoubtedly his doing.

“Seems like he gave Sinyeonseo a quest to fight me.”

I’m done assessing the situation.

“Even in the worst-case scenario, I won’t die.”

Tutorial field. I’ve already passed through life and death in the great upheaval of Jongno. Compared to that place, the PVP zone is practically heaven. It hurts when you’re hit, and you bleed when stabbed, but you won’t die even in the worst situation. This is a completely different dimension.

“A special field where you revive even if you die.”

Sinyeonseo, the BJ who would later become a famous star, known as ‘Roar’, appeared.

“Guardians. By the request of the Pearl of Cheonmasan, I have opened the PVP zone.”

At first glance, Roar looked similar to Sinyeonseo. Height about 150cm. Tiny, yet amongst us referred to as a ‘giant’, or something like that. A fairy race with four pairs of transparent wings on her back. Every time she fluttered her wings, sparkling dust fell down.

Roar was very different from Senia. She knew how to exploit the situation. She relayed the circumstances to the guardians.

“A genius kept under the watchful eye of the Pearl of Cheonmasan. And a player with a mysterious sense of exceptional knowledge and intuition. How will the battle between these two turn out?”

I sneered in response. Unlike me, Senia, the BJ contracted to me, kept silent. This way, it’s really going to be unpopular. It’s better this way. A BJ whose own talent and skill are lacking.

“He’ll inevitably need me.”

Sinyeonseo spoke to me.

“Sorry. I received a quest too. But they said I won’t die even if I’m stabbed. Don’t worry!”

“I know. It’s a PVP zone.”

“Do you also know this? It’s my first time seeing it.”

“I didn’t expect a PVP zone to open up without even selecting a guardian.”

“Guardian select? What’s that?”

“It’s something that exists.”

Guardians. You all heard it, didn’t you? I also know about the guardian select.

[‘The Lady of the Scales’ expresses surprise.]

[‘The Whispering Devil’ cannot contain his shock.]

[‘The Brave Lion King’ scoffs.]

[‘The Nameless Observer’ remains silent.]

Sinyeonseo drew the iron sword I had conceded earlier.

“But, Hyukjin. You gave me this sword back then.”

“That’s right.”

“You said you think you’re better with the sword and handed it over to me.”

That’s right. Those words weren’t wrong. After finishing assessing the situation at that time, I was constantly thinking about how to deal with Geomhu in my head.

Sinyeonseo handles the sword well. Even now, as a ‘beginner’, she does. At least in terms of ‘swordsmanship skills’, Sinyeonseo is several steps above me. That’s how I assessed it.

“I didn’t think you were too shabby yourself.”

“…”

Impossible. I had never even held a sword until I entered the tutorial field.

“Doesn’t feel like learned skill.”

“…”

“It’s purely my intuition. You seemed like a genius to me. A natural swing without learning it, but that swing itself is like a technique of a genius.”

“Is that so?”

I felt it anew as well, but hearing it from Geomhu’s mouth made me feel a bit odd. I also drew my iron sword.

I opened my status window to check. After level 18, I had been diligently collecting stat points.

──────────

[Status Window]

Name: Kim Hyukjin (Player)

Level: 24

Title: [The First Pioneer] [Excellent Player]

Unique Ability: [Sense Eye] [An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth]

Strength: 17 Intelligence: 17

Agility: 23 Sensation: 17

Stamina: 17 Mental Strength: 17(+30)

Bonus Stats: 18

Random Stats: 13

Remaining Stats: 31

──────────

My current level is 24. An important fact here is that, at level 18, three random stats were left over. From level 18 to 24. During those 6 level-ups, I gained a whopping 10 random stats. As far as I know, such a random stat acquisition rate is unprecedented.

‘Even if it’s an early flash of genius… it’s still genius.’

This is an undeniable fact. Numbers don’t lie. Sinyeonseo’s level is also a number. The difference in levels judged by numbers is 5. And I had seen Sinyeonseo’s play myself earlier.

‘To perfectly draw the picture… it might be good to invest without holding back.’

[Strength +5]

[Intelligence +5]

[Agility +5]

[Sensation +5]

[Stamina +5]

I boldly invested 25 stats. It must be a lot different than before.

──────────

[Status Window]

Strength: 22 Intelligence: 22

Agility: 28 Sensation: 22

Stamina: 22 Mental Strength: 17(+30)

Bonus Stats: 0

Random Stats: 6

Remaining Stats: 6

──────────

‘Sinyeonseo is fast.’

To counter Sinyeonseo, I might need to raise my agility even more. For now, I kept six.

‘Basic techniques and skills, she has the edge.’

And I have the advantage in physical stats.

‘Seems like a fight between a man with good physicality and a woman with good techniques.’

The interesting thing is that PVP with Sinyeonseo isn’t as frightening. I might lose indeed, but on the other hand, I feel like I could win. And during the process of PVP, taking everything I can would be better.

“Pearl of Cheonmasan. The honorable guardian seems to encourage betrayal. Without any grounds, you issued a quest to betray a close friend who had shared his back and sword.”

Just before the start of PVP, Roar approached. Roar, too, smelled content.

“Did you just mention Pearl of Cheonmasan directly? How did you know?”

“You told me. About the Pearl of Cheonmasan.”

“Ah-ha.”

The Fairy race. Roar’s eyes, who is said to be a giant for a fairy, seemed to sparkle. It seemed the delay was to see how ‘Pearl of Cheonmasan’ would react.

‘If I know anything about Pearl of Cheonmasan.’

Self-proclaimed as the leader of the million-strong Cheonma Sect. The most definitive of demons who oppressed the world with overwhelming strength. A hero who scorned injustice and cowardice and pursued the purity of martial arts.

‘Detesting acts of treachery against faith.’

Yet despite this, her basic tendencies were pretty simple.

‘So, she was initially caught up in the fun before her.’

In any case, to them, our play is merely ‘entertainment’ or ‘a game.’ It’s difficult to truly talk about faith or belief in such situations. But if such a being directly mentions it within the play, the situation shifts.

‘Even for the sake of pride, she wouldn’t violate her own standards and laws.’

Well, then, what will you do, Pearl of Cheonmasan?

‘You’ll want to ensure a more fair and equitable duel by either enhancing me or weakening Sinyeonseo.’

However,

‘Weakening Sinyeonseo wouldn’t suit Cheonma’s nature, so you’ll opt to enhance me.’

All the puzzles fit.

‘To them, the levels between Sinyeonseo and me are equal.’

The levels are the same. To be fairer, they should give me a buff to compensate for the technical aspects.

[The Pearl of Cheonmasan wishes to confer a temporary skill upon you.]

[The temporary skill ‘One-Hit Kill’ is granted.]

[The temporary skill is only usable within the PVP zone.]

I almost smiled without realizing it.

“It’s real.”

Pearl of Cheonmasan. I based my deductions only on his tendencies, and those deductions have unfailingly hit the mark. At this point, it was almost like reading a strategy guide.

‘Their ultimate skill and mine are the same.’

Geomhu (劍后) Sinyeonseo. Battling against a woman called the empress in swordsmanship was not so scary. It’s a PVP zone where I can’t die anyway.

“Shall we have some fun then?”

* * *

“I won’t hold back.”

Sinyeonseo pointed her sword at Kim Hyukjin. The moment she gripped the sword, Sinyeonseo’s gaze changed.

When she held the sword and when she didn’t—the distinction was clear. Her aura and eyes transformed, like she became a completely different person. That was the essence of Geomhu (劍后), the true master of Cheonmasan. A PVP genius born with the talent for the sword. That was the Sinyeonseo Kim Hyukjin judged.

‘I feel a tingling all over.’

It was sensed through the Sense Eye. Sinyeonseo’s aura was deadly serious. It felt as if she genuinely intended to kill me. In other words, this was killing intent. Such a formidable presence is hard to perceive from a low-level player who hasn’t even reached level 20.

But Kim Hyukjin was not intimidated by Sinyeonseo’s aura. His ‘Sense Eye’ was a unique ability that primarily functioned as the ‘eyes of a cold observer.’ It served as a catalyst to maintain objectivity in any situation and to step back and view events with detachment—assisting in preserving Kim Hyukjin’s composure.

‘Here it comes.’

Sinyeonseo lowered her stance slightly. The motion of her body, her momentum, the flow—all became visible.

‘Here. On my left.’

Kim Hyukjin took a step back and swung his iron sword. His defensive position was to the left. Right now, he saw nothing else. In this space, there were only Sinyeonseo and himself. Only the two of them existed in this complete state.

Clang!

The swords collided.

‘Ease the strength a bit.’

No need to reveal all his power. In terms of physical stats, Kim Hyukjin was far superior. But he did not show it. To Sinyeonseo, their strengths seemed equally matched.

Sinyeonseo’s attacks flowed organically, like a live snake.

‘The trajectory is at my side.’

However, it was already predicted by the Sense Eye.

‘But the real target is my Adam’s apple.’

That sword aiming at his side was going to swiftly change trajectory and target his throat. He read it naturally. This truly was the realm of combat senses. Instinctively knowing enemy’s feints.

Yet, there was no gap in Sinyeonseo’s attack.

‘I can’t see the path for a counterattack.’

In that brief moment, Hyukjin stepped back. As if pulled by a magnet on the other side. He naturally withdrew, putting a distance between them where the swords would not meet.

Sinyeonseo asked.

“Swordsmanship. You didn’t learn it, did you?”

To Sinyeonseo, their physical abilities seemed matched. But the techniques were clearly in her favor. Normally, she would dominate. It should be normal for her to have landed an effective hit by now, but she had not yet done so.

‘The only explanation for such an outcome could only be…’

It can only be explained as one thing.

‘The difference in sense.’

Or the difference in talent. What could only be categorized as sense or talent. That’s how Sinyeonseo assessed it.

“I’m going to go all out now.”

“Weren’t you being serious before?”

“To be honest, I felt a bit bad. After all, getting hit with a sword hurts and is scary, even if it’s a PVP zone.”

It may not fit the situation, but Sinyeonseo laughed brightly. Her eyes narrowed. In this moment, she recognized Kim Hyukjin as a rival. At least in this moment, he was someone she wanted to surpass and acknowledged as such.

Kim Hyukjin readjusted his grip on his sword.

‘A face like that, exuding such murderous intent.’

That adorable face filled with such a menacing vibe. Kim Hyukjin found a bit more leisure.

‘Now I have the upper hand.’

She seems to have concluded our physical abilities are similar. She’s going to bring out corresponding attacks. His predictions were correct.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Swords collided.

The sounds of the sword strikes increased then decreased. The conflict between the two was difficult to define as an average battle. There were no flashy skills, martial arts, or moves, but it was indeed a high-level fight that was tough to see at the ‘beginner level.’

Both Kim Hyukjin and Sinyeonseo breathed heavily. Neither had successfully delivered a fatal attack to the other. Hyukjin had exposed his side twice, and Sinyeonseo had her left arm twice; neither’s ability to fight was hindered.

As the battle continued, Sinyeonseo had an intuition.

‘I’m going to win.’

In this moment, she embodied the essence of competitiveness. She didn’t want to lose; she wanted to win. The competitive spirit that drove her to grow into Geomhu was constantly provoking her.

Kim Hyukjin’s throat caught her eye.

‘Now!’

This moment—she seized an opportunity that would not come again. She had noticed an opening.

[‘Unique Ability. ‘One-Hit Kill’ is activated.’]

She had been moving endlessly and clashing swords for this very moment. She had held back her One-Hit Kill until now. The opening was there, and she aimed precisely at it. Her experience told her that this battle was hers to win.

‘What…?’

But at that moment, an unexpected scenario unfolded. It was very different from Sinyeonseo’s prediction, yet it matched exactly the picture drawn by Kim Hyukjin.