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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Th-the winner is Dan Mokgyeong of the Patrol Unit!”
The shocking declaration threw the audience into chaos.
‘Namgung Hwi lost?’
‘The Azure Dragon Sword, Namgung Hwi?’
A match that left both victor and vanquished speechless.
Mokgyeong, finally regaining his composure, sheathed his sword.
‘If I had been even slightly unlucky…’
If he hadn’t achieved enlightenment during the match, he would have suffered a humiliating defeat. Knowing this, Mokgyeong considered himself fortunate.
Enlightenment was something that arrived unexpectedly.
‘I…lost?’
He had reached the peak expert realm at such a young age and never expected defeat. Therefore, Namgung Hwi couldn’t easily accept the fact that his sword had been flung from his hand, that he had lost.
But what could he do?
His sword lay three zhang away, rolling on the ground.
Namgung Hwi, his steps unsteady, retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and forced a smile as he bowed.
“A-a good match! Hahaha!”
A voice that sounded forced to anyone who heard it.
‘It doesn’t feel like I won.’
He had entered a trance-like state during the match, and when he came to, Namgung Hwi was staring at him, his sword discarded. Instead of the joy of victory, Mokgyeong sighed in bewilderment.
With a troubled expression, he returned the bow and said,
“A good match, Namgung Hwi.”
He’s truly worthy of being the protagonist.
To reach the peak expert realm after just a few exchanges with another peak expert…
I was astounded by Mokgyeong’s monstrous growth. It was as if reaching the peak expert realm was as easy as breathing. Mokgyeong’s sudden breakthrough was shocking.
…If he fought me, would he break through again and defeat me?
That thought…made him seem even more extraordinary.
Couldn’t I just let him handle everything and watch from the sidelines? He’d probably defeat the Heavenly Demon on his own.
That was just a thought, though. Knowing the original story, I didn’t want to follow the same tragic path.
Besides, he was someone who followed me loyally. It would be a betrayal of his trust to deliberately put him in harm’s way. If the Captain knew I was even considering this, he would have slapped me across the face with his gauntleted hand.
He’d ask if that was how a knight was supposed to think.
“Benefactor, I’m back.”
“Good work. And congratulations on reaching the peak expert realm.”
“…Thank you.”
Despite his dramatic breakthrough and victory over a stronger opponent, Mokgyeong’s expression wasn’t bright. He probably felt unsure about his victory, having achieved it while in a trance.
He had similar concerns in the original story.
“It doesn’t feel real.”
“Don’t worry about it. You won. Your sword knocked his sword away, that’s a fact.”
I patted Mokgyeong’s shoulder reassuringly. He seemed to draw strength from my words, his expression brightening slightly as he bowed his head.
“…Thank you, Benefactor.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re the only one who’s ever spoken to me like this.”
“Well, if you work on your social skills…”
He couldn’t remain a loner forever. Eventually, people would flock to him.
A peak expert before even reaching adulthood.
Who wouldn’t be drawn to such a reputation?
Even in places like the Five Great Clans, where children were raised on elixirs and trained by the clan leader, reaching the peak expert realm before adulthood was a once-in-a-century occurrence.
That was why Namgung Hwi was called the Azure Dragon Sword and considered the greatest rising star of the righteous factions.
But…this boy had reached the peak expert realm before adulthood without any such background, so both the Martial Alliance and other sects would be vying for his attention.
Considering how persistent they were in the original story…hmm. I wanted to keep him by my side, but did I have the means to do so?
His goal was to avenge the destruction of the Yunnan Dan Clan, and for that, aligning himself with a powerful faction would be advantageous.
As a mere guest of the Haenam Sword Sect, I couldn’t offer him much even if I wanted to take him under my wing. It was uncertain if the Haenam Sword Sect would even accept him.
I was their benefactor, so they tolerated me, but whether they would extend the same courtesy to another person was uncertain.
The Haenam Sword Sect wasn’t exactly in a comfortable position. As a sect that valued chivalry, they wouldn’t ignore him, but I doubted they could offer significant support.
Unlike other prestigious sects with deep roots in the Central Plains, the Haenam Sword Sect was located in a remote area, closer to the outer regions.
“This is tricky…”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s just…I have a lot on my mind.”
“Is it because of me?”
“No. I just have a mountain of things to do.”
That wasn’t a lie.
I did have a lot to do.
And…
“Since you won, we’re now enemies.”
“Pardon?”
“The final match will be between you and me.”
“I see.”
Mokgyeong nodded with a complex expression. I was curious about his thoughts, but I didn’t pry. He seemed to have enough on his mind already.
“Let’s do our best.”
“…I will win.”
“Yes, you should.”
He would have been disappointed if I had held back just because we were acquainted.
“Now, let’s go eat.”
“Pardon?”
“We need to eat to live. There’s no point in living if you’re eating tasteless food.”
Everyone knew how terrible the Patrol Unit’s food was. Mokgyeong froze for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile.
“…Yes.”
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The final day of the tournament dawned.
I stretched, looking up at the clear, cloudless sky.
Once I arrived at the arena, the final match would begin.
Logically, I had the advantage. I was at a higher realm, and I had more practical experience.
But my opponent was the protagonist.
Someone who could achieve explosive growth through the slightest of triggers.
Even if I lost, it wouldn’t be a huge loss since I had other ways to acquire elixirs, but as a martial artist, I wasn’t going to lose easily.
I had to fight with the intention of winning.
What kind of martial artist entered a fight expecting to lose?
“Mister! It’s time!”
“Alright! I’m coming!”
I strapped my sword to my waist and opened the door.
Hye-ryeong, dressed more elaborately than usual, was waiting for me.
She wore a more ornate outfit than usual, although it was less revealing.
“Hehe, I bought this recently! Isn’t it pretty?”
“It is.”
Did she even own clothes like that? Seeing the question in my eyes, Hye-ryeong giggled and explained where she got it.
Personally, I preferred the Haenam Sword Sect uniform, but saying that would ruin the mood. I hummed a tune as I walked towards the arena with Hye-ryeong by my side.
Hye-ryeong chattered excitedly throughout the walk.
She talked about how the markets in Wuhan were even larger than those in Chibi, how she had explored the city while I was training, flapping her arms excitedly. She was quite adorable.
…Except for her…chest.
“Mister, you have to win!”
“Of course. Don’t worry. You know there’s a significant difference in skill between me and Mokgyeong.”
“But don’t let your guard down!”
“I know.”
Even I was apprehensive about what Mokgyeong might do during the match.
But I had faced similar situations before, so as long as I remained calm, I should be able to secure victory.
He might be able to catch up in realm, but he couldn’t catch up in experience.
“Hye-ryeong, I’ll be going now.”
“I’ll be cheering for you! You have to win!”
“Don’t worry and watch closely. I’ll win and bring back the elixir.”
I parted ways with Hye-ryeong and headed towards the arena.
As I walked through the waiting room and onto the stage, I met the gazes of countless spectators and saw Mokgyeong waiting for me. He looked at me with a complex expression, bowed, and lowered his head.
I returned the bow as I stepped onto the stage. The referee, whom I had never met before, cleared his throat and announced,
“Fellow martial artists! Welcome to the final match of the Martial Alliance Tournament! Today, these two warriors, having defeated countless opponents, will face each other to determine who is truly worthy of the championship!”
He was quite verbose today.
Perhaps because it was the final match.
“Now, before the match begins, allow me to introduce the two finalists! First, the martial artist from Yunnan, who defeated the Azure Dragon Sword with his exceptional swordsmanship, Dan Mokgyeong!”
“Dan Mokgyeong! Dan Mokgyeong!”
“I bet three silver taels on you! You have to win!”
“Mokgyeong! Win! The Patrol Unit’s dinner party depends on you!”
They were supporting their fellow Patrol Unit member. I glanced at the martial artists in Patrol Unit uniforms, then turned my attention back to the referee.
It was my turn.
“And his opponent! The swordsman from the West, known as the Blue-Eyed Lion, Wi Lieom!”
“They say you never know what the future holds…”
“I never would have guessed a Patrol Unit member and a Westerner would reach the finals.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
It was understandable, considering the unexpected finalists.
I chuckled and looked at Mokgyeong.
“Both of you, take five steps back!”
Mokgyeong and I stepped back without hesitation. Once we had moved five paces, the referee shouted from the edge of the stage,
“Now! Let the final match begin!”
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Protag vs Protag