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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The matches continued.
“I-I give up…!”
After I’d defeated dozens of opponents in a row, no one dared to challenge me anymore.
I was hailed as a monster, showered with cheers and praise, mostly from the Mount Hua disciples and elders.
“We believed in you…!”
“We’re so proud!”
Some of the elders were practically in tears.
I glanced at them, sighed, and stepped down from the platform as the tournament drew to a close.
A figure rushed towards me from the corner where they’d been recovering.
It was Yoo Seong-ho, his eyes shining with an intense light.
The medic tried to stop him, but he pushed past and stood before me.
‘What does he want?’
He bowed deeply, then exclaimed,
“Today’s matches were an eye-opening experience!”
“…”
“Thanks to you, I feel like I’m finally breaking through my limitations! I’m truly grateful!”
“…Hmm.”
I swallowed hard.
Most martial artists would have simply exchanged pleasantries, but Yoo Seong-ho was a true sword maniac, his dedication to the blade admirable even to me.
As a fellow sword enthusiast, I couldn’t just brush him off. I nodded slowly.
“…Let’s have dinner together later.”
“…!”
“I think we have much to discuss.”
He grinned.
“It would be an honor!”
“…”
I wondered if having dinner together was really that much of an honor.
But I didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm.
Just then, a Mount Hua elder announced with a smile, his voice amplified by his internal energy,
“Now that the tournament is over, we’ll be holding a small banquet! All participants are welcome to attend!”
I smiled faintly.
Yoo Seong-ho grinned and said,
“A banquet! Perfect timing.”
“…I hope they have good wine.”
“Of course they will!”
“Right.”
We chatted idly.
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‘Even though it’s a banquet, most of the elders seem to have disappeared. Did something happen?’
Even the elder who had announced the banquet was nowhere to be seen.
I noticed their absence amidst the boisterous atmosphere and frowned slightly.
But before I could dwell on it, Yoo Seong-ho, sitting across from me, exclaimed,
“They have wine! Let’s drink!”
“…I haven’t even recovered from my last hangover.”
I grumbled, but he poured me a cup of wine anyway.
“You seem to enjoy your alcohol.”
“Haha! It would be a waste to use my internal energy to dispel the effects of alcohol on a day like this.”
“I agree.”
Gulp!
I drank the wine in one go.
It was sweet and bitter at the same time.
As the atmosphere grew more lively, I noticed Seol Ah-yeon sitting alone, looking dejected.
‘She must be upset about losing to Yoo Seong-ho.’
I shrugged it off.
Before I arrived, she’d been considered the most talented disciple at Mount Hua.
Losing to a prodigy from the Southern Peak Sect must have been a blow to her pride.
But it was understandable.
‘Yoo Seong-ho is destined to become the best swordsman of the Southern Peak Sect. Losing to a genius like him isn’t something to be ashamed of.’
I chuckled bitterly.
Even I would have difficulty defeating him in a single blow.
Even though I’d mastered the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship and could utilize sword Qi, his swordsmanship was honed by years of relentless training.
Few could withstand his attacks.
‘Well, hopefully, this will be a learning experience for her.’
A martial artist’s ability to overcome defeat was crucial for their growth.
This loss might be a turning point in Seol Ah-yeon’s path.
It wasn’t my place to interfere.
Yoo Seong-ho, slightly drunk, exclaimed,
“This wine is amazing!”
“You’ve already finished three bottles.”
“Hahaha! That’s nothing!”
“That wasn’t a compliment…”
I chided him, but he just laughed and continued drinking.
I chuckled and joined him.
‘It’s nice to relax once in a while.’
As the night wore on, the banquet grew even more lively.
Some people were so drunk they passed out.
The sky outside grew dark.
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Several days passed.
People were still busy cleaning up after the tournament with the Southern Peak Sect.
Unlike them, I was up early for my morning run, as usual.
“Hmm… I woke up even earlier today.”
I stretched and rubbed my eyes before getting out of bed.
It was still dark outside.
I was about to sit down for my morning meditation when I heard footsteps approaching.
It was unusual for anyone to visit me at this hour.
I waited with curiosity.
The footsteps stopped outside my door.
There was a moment of hesitation, then a knock.
Knock, knock!
“…”
Annoyed at the interruption, I called out,
“Who is it?”
“…It’s me.”
It was a young woman’s voice, a familiar voice from Mount Hua.
I recognized Seol Ah-yeon immediately.
I sighed and said,
“…It’s open. Come in.”
“…Alright.”
Creak!
The door opened, and Seol Ah-yeon stepped inside.
I had a hunch about her visit, but I was still irritated at being interrupted.
“What is it? What could possibly be so important that you’d visit me at this hour?”
“…This was the only time I could. I’m sorry.”
“Hmm…”
I waited.
She bit her lower lip.
“So, what do you want?”
“…”
I’d gotten straight to the point.
She hesitated, then replied in a barely audible voice,
“…I want to become stronger.”
“…What?”
“I want to be strong like you. I don’t want to lose so helplessly again.”
“…”
I’d anticipated something like this, but I hadn’t expected her to be so direct.
She seemed determined.
I smiled faintly.
“Then why not ask the elders or other disciples for sparring practice? Why come to me?”
“…That method has its limits.”
“Why do you think so?”
She looked at me with clear, determined eyes.
“Of course, if I continue training like this, I’ll eventually become a first-rate expert, but that’s too slow.”
“…”
“I… I want to become stronger faster. Just like you…!”
I sighed and rested my chin on my hand, considering her earnest plea.
‘I knew this day would come…’
But it was a bit… premature.
I sat in silence, lost in thought.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice urgent,
“I’ll do anything to become stronger…! Anything you ask. Please, just tell me how…!”
“Anything?”
“Y-Yes…!”
I looked her up and down.
She hesitated, then said resolutely,
“I’ll crawl on the ground, I’ll be your servant, anything! Just please…!”
“…”
I was taken aback by her desperation.
‘Is this how easily she fell for the protagonist in the original story? Begging him to teach her how to become stronger…’
I frowned.
She was kneeling on the floor, pleading with me.
After a moment of silence, I sighed.
“…Come outside.”
“…!”
“I’ll do as you ask.”
I stood up. Her face lit up, and she clenched her fists.
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Tsk tsk. He got his first girl
So protagonist will use her desperation to his pleasure ? he is deviated that plot ?