The Day of the Duel
“I pay my respects to the disciple of the Sword Holy Sovereign. I am Jin A-rin, Young Sect Master of the Swift Sword Sect. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Only then, with a slight delay, did Seo-ah recall who the girl with the familiar face standing before her was. Jin A-rin... If Seo-ah had to define the person known as Jin A-rin—based on the rumors she had heard—in a single word, it would be this: Genius.
At the tender age of five, she had successfully mastered an internal cultivation method in just one week. By ten, she had reportedly mastered every basic sword technique of the Swift Sword Sect. By the time she reached the age of fifteen, she had ascended to the realm of a First-Class martial artist—the final destination for most ordinary warriors. This was precisely why she had retained her position as Young Sect Master even after her father stepped down from his role as Sect Master. Unless there was a rising star within the Swift Sword Sect who was a cut above her—which there wasn't—Jin A-rin was peerlessly talented. She was simply irreplaceable.
And this was also the reason why Seo-ah had not rescinded the duel with Jin A-rin. If it came down to pure talent, Seo-ah knew she held the advantage. To prove herself, to gauge her own abilities, and to further develop her martial arts, there could be no better opponent.
Regardless, that was that. Seo-ah asked, her nerves on edge, “What is the matter?”
The reason for her tension was simple. Although Jin A-rin was currently bowing her head and approaching with proper etiquette, the bottom line was that Seo-ah was the person who had effectively dragged Jin A-rin’s father from his position as Sect Master. To be precise, the Sect Master had stepped down to take responsibility himself, but there were plenty of shameless people in this world who would pin the blame on her. It was possible that Jin A-rin had approached her with malicious intent.
However, to the point where Seo-ah’s wariness felt misplaced, Jin A-rin immediately offered an apology.
“Ah, you don’t need to be so guarded. I came because I wanted to convey my apologies... and my gratitude.”
“Apologies... and gratitude?”
“Yes. Since a member of our Swift Sword Sect caused trouble for the Sword Holy Sovereign’s disciple, I must offer an apology. And since you did not hold our entire sect responsible for that mistake, shouldn’t I express my gratitude? And...”
Jin A-rin paused for a moment before continuing awkwardly, “This is a personal matter, but... I also wanted to personally thank you for not taking my father’s head.”
“Yeah... well...”
Seo-ah nodded awkwardly, caught off guard by the sudden apology. She had never imagined she would hear someone thank her for sparing their father. If anything, she had been worried that Jin A-rin would blame her for her father losing his position. It was a strange feeling—perhaps the awkwardness of meeting a reasonable person for the first time in a long while.
Jin A-rin continued, “Are you heading back now?”
“Yes. Well... I suppose so.”
“You are truly like a warrior. To be practicing your sword until such a late hour.”
“Yes... well... thank you. By the way, have you said everything you wanted to say?”
“Ah... um... that is... yes. For now...”
An awkward atmosphere hung in the air. Was it because it was their first meeting? Or perhaps because they weren't exactly on friendly enough terms to be smiling and chatting? Jin A-rin looked like a child who desperately needed the bathroom, fidgeting and seemingly struggling to find the right words. Unable to bear the awkwardness, Seo-ah moved to leave.
“Ahem... well, if you’ll excuse me...”
As Seo-ah turned to walk away, Jin A-rin grabbed her sleeve.
“Wait a moment!”
“Yes?”
“No... it’s just... um... that... is the Sword Holy Sovereign... by any chance, is he still inside?”
“Yes, he is... but do you have some business with No-ya... I mean, my master? Should I send a message inside for you?”
“No! That’s not it! I couldn’t possibly interrupt the Sword Holy Sovereign’s training. I will wait right here.”
Jin A-rin waved her hands in a panic, looking flustered. Her expression seemed to scream, ‘This isn’t how it was supposed to go...’
Seo-ah looked at her with a 'do whatever you want' expression before quickly heading toward her quarters. She felt awkward, and more than that, she was exhausted and wanted to rest as soon as possible.
The next day. The day of the duel.
Waking up in the morning, Seo-ah was eating her meal when she suddenly began to think about Jin A-rin’s awkward behavior from the previous night.
‘Did she think I hadn’t forgiven her?’
That awkward attitude. The expression that said this wasn't how it was supposed to go. The way she didn't know what to do with herself. Back at the Fourth Elder’s residence, when everyone asked if it was true, she had defended her father, rebuking the Fourth Elder by saying he couldn't have done such a thing. Seo-ah realized that her own behavior—being on edge and nodding dismissively because she was tired—might have made Jin A-rin feel that her apology had been brushed off.
‘Later... I should really tell her it’s fine.’
She felt a strange sense of relief. It was like being in a dark forest, tense from the sound of wolves howling and rustling leaves, only to realize the source was just a wolf pup. Of course, she had never actually been in such a situation, but... that was the feeling.
‘Come to think of it... at the end, she was looking for No-ya. Was she trying to deliver the hidden weapon manual I asked for?’
Thinking she would ask later, Seo-ah headed toward the training grounds where the duel would take place. On the way, she asked No-ya, “No-ya. Did you happen to receive the martial arts manual from the Swift Sword Sect that I asked for last time?”
“Hmm? I told them about it, but not yet. I’d have to go and pick it out myself... and where would I find the time for that? I’ve been busy teaching you. If... you’ve reconsidered and want to switch to something else because hidden weapon techniques aren't that great, that’s fine too.”
“That’s not it! Then what were you talking about with the Young Sect Master of the Swift Sword Sect yesterday?”
“Hmm? Ah... nothing much. We just exchanged simple pleasantries.”
Seo-ah looked at him with skeptical eyes, thinking No-ya was just saying that because he didn't want to give her the hidden weapon technique. No-ya shook his head.
“It seems... you don't trust my words very well. It’s the truth. She just came to greet me because we have a personal connection.”
“A personal connection?”
“Yes. A personal connection. Are you curious?”
When Seo-ah nodded, No-ya continued, “Yes. It was about ten years ago, I think? I considered taking that child as my disciple. I kept her by my side for a very short while.”
“Then why didn't you choose her?”
Wasn't it strange? Beyond the Swift Sword Sect, Jin A-rin was one of the most notable talents within the Sword Family—wasn't it odd that he chose a servant girl who didn't know a single thing about martial arts instead?
“That child was more interested in things other than the sword.”
“The sword... you say?”
“If you don't understand, just let it be. Why? Are you feeling a bit of a sense of crisis? Because there’s a competitor. If you say you won't learn hidden weapon techniques even now, you might be able to keep your position as the Sword Holy Sovereign’s only disciple...”
Seo-ah lost interest in No-ya’s story right there. In any case, she had ended up as No-ya’s disciple, and wasn't that all in the past? Seo-ah’s interest was firmly on the hidden weapon techniques. No-ya continued to ramble on beside her, saying that a divine weapon would be a much better choice than hidden weapon techniques. Seo-ah didn't pay much attention to that either. After all, as long as she remained No-ya’s disciple, there would be countless opportunities to obtain a divine weapon later. If all else failed... eventually, No-ya would pass his sword down to her, wouldn't he?
With that, Seo-ah and No-ya arrived at the duel arena.
The First Training Ground, where the duel was about to take place, was the one most frequented by the warriors of the Sword Family. That meant it was easily accessible, spacious, and had an open, clear view. A massive crowd had gathered, reminiscent of a graduation ceremony at the Gyomaguan.
Seo-ah crossed through the crowd after exchanging a brief farewell with No-ya, receiving countless gazes. The defining characteristic of those gazes was that, unlike before, the looks of contempt or suspicion were entirely gone.
— That’s her. They say she killed Jin Mu-woong without a single scratch?
— Hoo... Isn't that an achievement surpassing even the Sword Holy Sovereign’s own youth?
— Now that I see she was looking for such talent, I understand why the Sword Holy Sovereign hasn't taken a disciple until now.
Of course, there were still skeptical gazes.
— I acknowledge that Jin Seo-ah’s talent is marvelous... but can she win this duel? The opponent is Jin A-rin.
— Indeed... there’s no chance of winning as a First-Class warrior.
— It would be tough... but if she killed Jin Mu-woong without a scratch... isn't it not entirely impossible?
— Hmm... that’s true too. Well, that must be why she accepted the duel, right?
— I don't know... I think it’s arrogance. I feel the Sword Holy Sovereign’s disciple was a bit hasty this time.
Of course, Seo-ah felt no displeasure at such gazes. After all, no matter who it was, Seo-ah’s actions were hardly a normal course of events. However, Seo-ah’s goal was to win the Divine Maiden competition. But with her current skills, that was a tall order. She had made this choice because she needed to get used to fighting against high-level experts and grow her skills. She needed to prove herself, garner support from many, and solidify her standing.
Seo-ah stepped onto the duel platform. Jin A-rin was standing on the other side. Just as Seo-ah had thought this morning, Jin A-rin once again offered a salute and apologized.
“Once again, I offer my apologies for what happened in the past...”
“Hmm. It’s fine. I know your apology is sincere... I won't dwell on it.”
When Seo-ah said this, Jin A-rin nodded with a much more relieved expression. Seo-ah and Jin A-rin then took their starting stances.
“Extreme Demonic Sword Family. Young Sect Master of the Swift Sword Sect. Jin A-rin. I look forward to our duel. My personal martial art is the Soul-Snatching Flash Shadow Demonic Sword.”
“One of the Ten Great Sovereigns. Disciple of the Sword Holy Sovereign. Jin Seo-ah. I look forward to it. I use the Seven Demonic Swords.”
— What? The Seven Demonic Swords?
— Hoo... Is that the truth?
— Well... she hasn't been the Sword Holy Sovereign’s disciple for very long...
Sighs erupted here and there at Seo-ah’s words, contrasting with Jin A-rin’s claim of using the Swift Sword Sect’s advanced sword techniques, as Seo-ah claimed to use only basic ones. The two warriors on the platform ignored the gazes from below and began to probe each other. Jin A-rin took the initiative.