Sword Sage Laisen (2)

Sword Sage Laisen.

The man, who appeared to be nearing sixty, exuded an air of refined dignity.

Beneath Laisen's family were dozens of sword clans aligned with him.

In the Land of Swords, the Goyad Kingdom, his position was unshakably solid.

Some of the swordsmanship techniques currently used by the royal family ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had been devised by his house, a fact that spoke volumes about the depth of his influence.

Seeing that level made Hyun-soo flinch inwardly.

It was proof that his reputation was no empty boast.

If it had been before he created the Flame skill, Hyun-soo might not have welcomed him with open arms.

Demonization.

The power that Hyun-soo had crafted via hologram and forcibly named—it was like this.

A 15~31% boost.

Hyun-soo had drawn inspiration from a rampaging sword to create this Demonization.

'A power that can briefly surpass even me.'

Assuming a 20% boost, Hyun-soo could leap more than 60 levels in an instant.

'It might even go higher.'

His stats overwhelmingly surpassed those of users at the same level.

But there was a fatal flaw.

It required burning HP to activate.

'And it might only last a measly 3 seconds.'

But the new Flame was superior.

What made Flame surpass Demonization was the coexistence of active and passive effects within a single skill.

Even though the stat boost was slightly lower than Demonization.

Moreover, the passive True Flame stated:

The True Flame ignites, burning at its hottest.

'And the HP penalty is lighter too.'

Plus, after hunting Helinya, Hyun-soo had achieved explosive growth.

He'd acquired two Calamity artifacts and gained the set effects.

'I want to test out Flame soon.'

Flame was the power to briefly surpass his current self.

Which made it hard to gauge against ordinary foes.

So with Sword Sage Laisen appearing now, how could Hyun-soo not greet him with a smile?

"Welcome, Sir Laisen. I've heard much about you."

'That's not quite it...'

Laisen was taken aback.

He quickly composed his expression and concealed his true feelings.

"When I heard tales of Viscount Hyun-soo, who will one day lead this kingdom, how could I stay away? I've come with many, but it's all to familiarize ourselves with the face of our future king—please understand."

"I do."

Laisen himself held the rank of viscount.

But his influence in the kingdom dwarfed Hyun-soo's.

"I was also curious. About the power of the hero who slew the first Calamity, Helinya, and saved the kingdom."

Laisen had been beyond the barrier at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the time.

He'd witnessed everything.

'The Twin Dragon Swords, was it?'

Those were exceptional blades.

They'd briefly elevated Bella to legendary status, and an archer had unleashed transcendent might.

But that was it.

To Laisen, over level 400, Hyun-soo was someone he could crush.

"You mean a spar?"

"Yes. By clashing with the one who will inherit the Sword King's mantle, I hope to uncover my own shortcomings."

"Very well."

Hyun-soo and Laisen each took a step back.

'What an extraordinary opponent.'

And with the ability to use Flame, Hyun-soo was thrilled.

But he didn't forget Laisen's essence.

Even with Flame, this was a foe he could lose to.

Still, he'd approved the duel for a reason.

'I couldn't have avoided it anyway.'

Laisen kicked off the ground.

Hyun-soo's eyes widened in that instant.

'Fast...'

Helinya's strength lay in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠primal defense.

Laisen possessed an equally superhuman physique.

What Hyun-soo hadn't realized was that in pure skill, Laisen ranked just below the Sword King.

If Laisen were younger, he'd have claimed Bella's seat.

Ting-!

Laisen surged at Hyun-soo, who wielded Supreme Blade, unleashing a fierce exchange of blows.

'Slow, crude, deficient!'

This level of skill was inferior even to the heirs of lesser sword houses.

Perhaps it was inevitable.

Even if Hyun-soo had learned from many, his training time was laughably short.

In contrast, the Sword Sage had risen through skill alone.

Slash-

'All too easy to dethrone him!'

Seizing the opening, his blade thrust at Hyun-soo's solar plexus.

These outsiders were immortals who respawned upon death anyway.

'After I kill him, the reborn fool will face the scorn of everyone here.'

But...

"...?"

Laisen faltered.

His sword had struck the armor.

He'd infused it with aura for a powerful thrust, yet it hadn't pierced—not even close. The tip halted as if blocked by rock.

Tremble-

His blade quivered.

Even more astonishing:

The Calamity Gauntlet's outrageous power activated.

Seeing the black energy flow from the gauntlet into his sword, Laisen was stunned.

'If that hits me, even I'd be sliced.'

A force that scoffed at superhuman flesh.

barely dodging, Laisen admitted it.

'He truly wields bizarre artifacts.'

But artifacts alone couldn't save him.

Slashslashslash-!

Hyun-soo was savagely slashed from all directions by the onslaught.

Hyun-soo marveled at the Sword Sage's power.

He held off activating Flame to gauge his own level.

Know your enemy, know yourself.

Through this, he was learning his deficiencies.

And that awareness would fuel his growth.

Laisen, pressing the assault, suddenly faltered.

Whoosh-!

His body was suddenly yanked forward.

The single slash that followed left him aghast.

BOOMBOOMBOOM-!

One permitted strike delivered nine impacts.

Cracklerattle-

Even more shocking was Hyun-soo's vanishing act.

"Ghost Step."

Laisen admired it.

He knew of it.

The level gap between them was like heaven and earth.

Laisen tracked the vanished Hyun-soo with pure instinct.

Clang, clackclang, clashclang- Thunk-!

Of over 14 strikes, he blocked all but three.

"Truly impressive, Sword Sage!"

"You're no slouch yourself, Viscount Hyun-soo!"

Then Hyun-soo's HP plunged below 40%.

Laisen's frenzied assaults were monstrous.

Hyun-soo prepared to ignite Flame.

The skill gap was too vast.

But then, his eyes met one among the talents behind Laisen.

That one shook his head slowly.

From him, Hyun-soo gleaned a truth.

'Even if I win, it won't count as a true victory?'

He understood the essence of this kingdom and its worldview.

'Just like the yangban class.'

Like old Joseon, they clung to their rigid frames and pointless stubbornness.

'If I use what looks like mystical power, I can't win them over?'

Even though he wasn't being overwhelmed by Laisen right now.

Hyun-soo realized.

'A win would still be half-baked.'

And Laisen seemed to know that.

Slash-

Laisen repelled Hyun-soo and charged.

'Figured it out now, have you!'

But Hyun-soo smiled unseen.

'If I use that...'

He felt sorry for Laisen, but there was a way to overwhelm his swordsmanship momentarily.

It stemmed from the power Arte had granted.

Karma.

Karma held this ability.

'You can wield the power of your bonds once, as if you truly became them.'

Karma let him borrow the strength of those he'd crossed paths with, however briefly.

Using their skills as if he were them.

And when Arte visited Ballas Territory, he'd told Hyun-soo:

'Your current Karma is but a fragment. The true bonds will reveal themselves bit by bit.'

One such fragment had recently surfaced for Hyun-soo.

***

Heirs of prestigious houses.

The treasures of the Goyad Kingdom.

The power of these yet-to-come-of-age youths was greater than expected.

They could crown or dethrone kings.

Some hadn't come merely on Laisen's word—they sought the true heir to the throne.

Every group has its leader.

The future Laisen.

The one guiding dozens of noble heirs.

His single decision could sway their thoughts; they followed his lead.

His name was Child.

Child observed the scene coldly.

He was the most crucial figure here.

Why?

Whether Hyun-soo or Laisen became king...

That was a tale for after time passed.

By then, Child would be another Sword Saint.

Watching the pair, Child pondered.

'Who is superior?'

Bound by the bone-deep prejudices of the Land of Swords.

They believed supreme sword skill was essential.

Unshakably convinced it formed the foundation that moved and protected the nation.

'Even if Viscount Hyun-soo wins, I'll side with Sir Laisen.'

Overwhelming prowess had been proven. Not that it meant crowning Laisen king, of course.

But siding with him meant the entire group did too.

In that moment, Laisen's erratic, unpredictable sword arced toward Hyun-soo's back.

'Incredible swordsmanship!'

No one here could block it.

Then.

'What?'

Hyun-soo's gaze sharpened.

Without turning, he raised his sword to parry the descending blade.

Ting-!

"H-how did he block that?"

"What...!"

And Hyun-soo never forgot his essence.

'I'm a user.'

How could he beat those born gripping swords in this world through pure skill?

They had their advantages; he had his.

The awakened power of Karma was thus:

Hyun-soo relaxed his stance.

Laisen's eyes wavered.

'Why, why...?'

Being so close, he felt it clearest.

'Is that His Highness emanating from him!?'

Flustered, Laisen unleashed a storm of attacks.

He poured power into his toes against the ground, becoming a tempest.

Whoosh-!

Hyun-soo moved as Barad, reciting the words he'd heard while being taught.

The sword aimed at his waist was blocked flat.

Ting-!

"A sword must be flexible rather than rigid, he said."

One blade entered the storm.

Laisen swung his sword with full might once more.

Hyun-soo's tip halted the descending blade.

Clang-!

The sword within the gale swung once, quelling all winds.

A moment of silence.

Slash-

He twisted his toes to evade the thrusting blade.

The master of irregular paths, Laisen's tip danced, shifting trajectory toward Hyun-soo.

"He also taught that a sword can turn small force into great power."

But he evaded effortlessly, smashing Laisen's chest with the hilt.

Thud-!

Laisen flew back, stunned.

Regaining balance and charging again, he froze in horror.

"Sometimes, he said, seize their sword and aim for the throat."

Clang-!

It was instantaneous.

Laisen's sword flew, embedding in the ground.

Thunk-

"..."

Laisen's eyes shook violently.

He'd come to test and crush him.

Yet now, with Hyun-soo's sword at his throat, he spoke.

"The duel isn't over yet."

Laisen realized.

'H-how...!'

The one on trial now was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠himself.