Chapter 99: Iron-Blood Sword Clan

"It's been a while."

Seo Neunghwa approached me slowly with a smile.

A smile that made her appear amiable.

Seeing that expression aimed at me, I felt a bit annoyed.

"Yes."

"But it seems you've been wooing a woman again while we haven't seen each other."

"That's not it."

"Well, I figured. You didn't give any explanation, sensed my presence, and tried to run away. It seems you possess quite a unique talent."

Seo Neunghwa glanced at Yoo Seolrang with narrowed eyes.

Yoo Seolrang, who had been in my arms, let out a small gasp.

"Hmmm…"

"She might find it tough. I've been teaching her diligently."

"Oh, she's your student."

Seo Neunghwa, still smiling, extended a hand for a handshake to Yoo Seolrang.

Yoo Seolrang looked at me.

With eyes asking if it was okay to shake hands.

'Why would you need permission for something like this?'

While I was sighing and nodding, she finally accepted the handshake.

"Is the training from your master very tough?"

"…Yes."

"Suddenly kidnapping people, pushing them off cliffs, climbing cliffs every day, practicing martial arts while kicking you."

"…What?"

"Maybe it's because you're a disciple he got late in life. You've grown up quite gently. In my time, if you couldn't do that, you'd get scolded. Back then, I almost cried because I couldn't even eat."

Seo Neunghwa said in an exasperated voice.

"… At least you got food."

"He only gave us the nutrients necessary for survival, like rotten food or something."

"That, it's actually very nutritious."

"…"

Seo Neunghwa glared at me.

I just stayed quiet.

"How did you recognize me?"

"There are many useful things in this world. I was able to gather quite a lot of information."

Seo Neunghwa tapped under her eye.

"Is that so."

"Yes, my 'trait' suits me very well."

"It seems so."

On the contrary, it didn't seem to suit Wi Gunak much.

"But it's surprising."

"What is."

"I didn't expect you to have already mastered 'traits.' I thought you couldn't…"

"Ah, it looked quite interesting. And I got something fun out of it."

Unique Trait, Eternity.

A power with traits related to time.

And.

'Space Blade is also quite interesting.'

A power that cuts through space itself. With almost no signs, I think I'll use it often.

"Then why did you try to run away?"

"Well, it's been a while."

"I understand your misconception. But I have no intention of taking you to the Heavenly Demon."

"…Not at the moment?"

"Hehe."

Seo Neunghwa responded to my words with a laugh.

"But you call the Heavenly Demon by that name?"

"Yes, quite some time has passed."

Her blue eyes glinted mischievously.

"I wish you wouldn't make that face."

"Indeed, this cheerful smile doesn't suit you."

"But."

While Seo Neunghwa and I were talking, Yoo Seolrang looked at Seo Neunghwa and spoke.

"What is your relationship?"

"We've seen a lot of things, both that we should and shouldn't see."

Seo Neunghwa said with a sly smile.

"…No, that's not what I meant. You two seem quite close, but why do you have that face?"

"Oh, you know this face?"

It's impossible not to know.

My students saw me there.

"It seems you were there at that time."

"Where are you talking about?"

"When that fox woman was there. Other transcendents were saying they had to go there, telling the gods to grant their power quickly. It was a mess."

"…Isn't the Boundary a space isolated from other dimensions? You could see from there?"

"Well, that's how it's known. But the Boundary was blurry. And a transcendent was appearing at the entrance, too."

And more importantly-.

"The boundary may be blurrier than other dimensions, but the appearance of a transcendent is a different story. It also means that a transcendent is about to appear close to the boundary."

"What?"

"Do you really think all the transcendents in the boundary are noble beings?"

"That's."

"There are malicious ones, too. Some rose to transcendence, seeking revenge for their families. Do you think all of them will abandon their duties?"

"…"

"It's coercive. Most of those who have reached the realm of transcendence are being watched. The moment they ascend to transcendence, they get taken away."

At Seo Neunghwa's words, Yoo Seolrang looked at her as if something was strange.

"But in America."

"America was a bit of an exception. They forcibly entered the realm of transcendence, and the space set up by that fox was very mysterious."

"So, they were ultimately incompetent."

"Well, if the master says so, then I have nothing to say."

Seo Neunghwa laughed, "Ahaha-."

Yoo Seolrang made a very subtle expression.

"What are you looking at?"

"You two seem very close."

"Well, it's because we've seen a lot of each other's worst sides."

That was actually true.

"But how long will you keep that face?"

"I'm used to it. Well, if Master wants, I can show my real face when we're alone."

"Do you do this with the Heavenly Demon as well?"

"With the Heavenly Demon… You know."

In a slightly gloomy voice, Seo Neunghwa said.

"…Is that so."

"Yes. She's quite precarious. If she goes a bit further, she might cross the boundary."

"Isn't that a place only spatial ability users can reach in time?"

That was why the principal and this guy in front of me could come out.

"How long has it been since you've seen the Heavenly Demon?"

"…I don't know."

Calculating roughly by time, it's certainly around 100 years.

However, I can't say that.

Because Yoo Seolrang is here.

"In the meantime, you've grown a lot stronger. The increase in strength is similar to mine."

"…Saying it like that makes me sound weak."

"Would you like to have a match?"

"No, you look strong."

After saying that much, I stopped talking.

"By the way, do you have some time?"

"I have some time. About a week or so."

"…That much?"

"Yes, I'm actually quite competent, you know?"

"Sure, sure."

"…Sigh, I can't even hit you since you're my master."

She's become quite fierce.

And more laid-back, too.

'Did she suffer that much under Heavenly Demon?'

I fell into a brief thought.

Heavenly Demon—her obsession with me was truly beyond imagination.

One of the reasons I went out to the Central Plains was to catch my breath.

"It will help you too."

"What is it?"

"Teach the kids. As a senior."

"Oh, as a senior."

Seo Neunghwa looked at Yoo Seolrang.

"Are there many talented kids? I may not look it, but I am an immensely skilled individual."

"There are many. Yoo Seolrang is the most outstanding, but there are also kids similar to you."

"…Similar to me?"

"Yes, although they possess different powers than yours."

"Similar powers to mine."

Seo Neunghwa pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Well, since Master is asking, I should help."

"Why does it feel so unfamiliar?"

"Because time has passed."

"…Is that so."

That leaves me speechless again.

"So, how long will it take?"

"About a week. After that, you don't need to worry."

"Hm, if it's that much… In return, you have to play with me."

"That's not possible."

"Why not?"

"Because I think I have to fight Iron-Blood Sword Clan."

"What?"

"What?"

"Well, something like that."

Near the spirit vein.

I was sitting cross-legged there, quietly meditating.

'I'm gradually reaching it.'

The martial power I possess is becoming more mature and stronger.

It's difficult to make any more radical progress than this.

Magic and martial arts.

Combining the two was what made my previous self.

Therefore, I know how high the peak is and how low the trough is.

At the peak, I could kill the head of the Iron-Blood Sword Clan and those called his guards.

However.

That's not enough.

'In that case.'

I had to turn my attention to the power in this world, the traits.

I slowly examined what I possessed.

A power that substitutes for sword energy, Moonlight.

And its evolved form, Soul Origin Qi.

This was a power that matched very well with the Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique.

And in addition to this.

'The Young Dragon Heart that enhances magical power and the Celestial Martial Body.'

These are good, too.

The more magic power, the better, and the harder the body, the more effectively the Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique can be utilized.

So far, I haven't deliberately gathered attacks.

Because I can manage with just magic and martial arts.

'But now it's different.'

I needed stronger attack power. Or the strength to shake off the small fry.

And I focused on one technique.

It boosted its attack by using the subspace trait, Space Blade.

'I think I can create something quite interesting if I tweak this a bit.'

The attack power of Space Blade is outstanding.

Because it has the property of cutting through space itself.

But there's another reason I highly value Space Blade.

'The casting time is almost nonexistent.'

The activation time was incredibly fast.

It can attack without warning.

This was its biggest advantage.

I stretched my arm forward. I extended my index and middle fingers.

Forming a sword gesture with my hand, I drew a line from left to right.

Ssshk.

The sound of something being cut.

It was the effect of spatial severance.

'This is really good.'

Is there no way to enhance it further?

Rather than wielding it with a sword gesture, I want to swing it at will.

'Is that difficult?'

My will is not yet complete.

The level where I can twist the laws of the world with my imagination.

I can do that, but that's not the issue.

'The problem is my Manifestation.'

Manifestation of Thoughts.

Disturbing the laws of the world and creating one's laws.

This was usually divided into offensive, defensive, and utility types.

'Mine is a utility type.'

Moreover, each use of it consumed it permanently.

So, compared to others, my power to use manifestation was somewhat lacking.

If so.

'Enhancing the attack power further, or using it in multiples at once.'

That seems worth trying.

[The proficiency of Space Blade (A+) increases.]

[Space Blade (A+) rises to Severance (S).]

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

Three days had passed.

At least the preparations were complete.

'Then, shall I go?'

It's been a while since I saw my father.

'I guess I need to commit a bit of unfilial conduct.'

He better brace himself.

At his age, getting hit by my fist will hurt quite a bit.