Chapter 638: Sharing the Sword with Her
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 638: Sharing the Sword with Her
"Wha... what did you say?"
Sun-woo asked her, his expression clouded with bewilderment. The suddenness of the situation had caught him completely off guard.
"Draw your sword. Now."
Ok-ryeong continued, holding her brilliant white sword aloft.
"I am not weak. I will prove it to you."
She spoke while staring at Sun-woo with eyes that burned with intensity. The emotion swirling in her gaze was pure combativeness.
"No... Ok-ryeong... calm down and..."
Sun-woo spoke hesitantly, looking troubled. He felt she was far too agitated.
"Sun-woo, I am perfectly calm right now."
Ok-ryeong replied in a steady, composed tone.
"Right now, I am not standing here as Ok-ryeong, but as Blood Sword Fragrance. I am not requesting a duel from Sun-woo, but from the Sword God. So please, do not ignore me. Draw your sword."
She continued to stare at him with eyes that were nothing if not deadly serious.
"................"
Sun-woo silently met her gaze. Within those eyes, he saw a directness that held not a single shred of hesitation.
"Sigh."
Sun-woo let out a deep breath. He could feel that she was truly in earnest.
"Ok-ryeong, I don't want you to get hurt."
Sun-woo spoke, his eyes filled with concern.
"I have no intention of getting hurt," Ok-ryeong replied flatly.
Seeing this, Sun-woo slowly shook his head. It seemed impossible to break her stubbornness with words alone.
Do I... really have to draw my sword?
Sun-woo fell into a dilemma. He couldn't decide whether he should actually engage her or not.
She wasn't weak. In fact, she was a powerful woman—strong enough to hold her own even against Joo So-yang, who was hailed as the Best Among Women.
But even so, compared to him, who had established the Sword of the Mind, she was bound to fall short. The difference between the Transcendent Realm and the Profound Realm was a vast, insurmountable chasm.
That was why he hesitated. He was afraid his sword might end up wounding her.
What should I do?
Sun-woo's expression grew grim as he agonized over the decision. After a moment of silence, he slowly raised the Dragon Tail Soft Sword.
He had decided to draw his blade.
I'll control my strength as much as possible.
Woooooooong.
Sun-woo began to flow his Yin-Yang Harmony Qi into the Dragon Tail Soft Sword. Immediately, a sinister energy began to emanate from the blade. It was Sword Qi turned murky under the influence of the Killing Sword.
Tap.
Sun-woo kicked off the ground. His form shot toward her like an arrow.
Swish!
With the sound of whistling wind, Sun-woo’s figure flew at her.
Whoosh.
The moment he reached her, he swung his sword. He had moderated his strength just enough for her to be able to handle the blow.
However, she didn't block or dodge. She simply stood there.
What!?
Sun-woo’s face twisted in shock. How could she not react to an incoming blade?
The tip of his sword began to make contact with her collarbone.
No!!!!!
Sun-woo desperately tried to pull back, but it was useless. The sword, already swung to the point of impact, began to cut through her.
Whoosh.
Sun-woo’s blade sliced straight through her, from her left collarbone down to her right flank. Despair began to cloud Sun-woo’s face. The crushing realization that he had just killed Ok-ryeong surged through him.
But then, something strange happened.
Her body, sliced by the sword, began to blur before completely vanishing into thin air.
What!?
Sun-woo’s eyes widened. What on earth was happening?
Chill.
Suddenly, he felt a cold sensation near his neck.
"Sun-woo."
Then, Ok-ryeong’s voice, icy and sharp, drifted into his ear. Sun-woo slowly turned his head.
There she was. Ok-ryeong stood with a frigid expression, her sword pointed directly at his throat.
"Don't hold back. I'll be truly angry if you do."
As their eyes met, Ok-ryeong spoke in a cold tone.
"You've mastered the Transposition Technique?" Sun-woo asked, his face full of shock.
"I've picked up a few tricks," Ok-ryeong replied, slowly withdrawing her blade from his neck.
Tap, tap, tap.
She then put some distance between them before speaking again.
"Don't even think about holding back. You might be the one who gets hurt if you do."
"........I suppose I should."
Sun-woo nodded in agreement. He reflected on his own arrogance—how he had looked down on her.
You stupid bastard.
Sun-woo cursed himself inwardly. He realized just how disrespectful he had been to her.
She had grown strong. Incredibly strong.
Even for him to use the Transposition Technique, he had to employ various tricks. He had to push the Wind-Dust Step—one of the greatest movement techniques—to its absolute limit, accelerate his blood flow to maximize his physical capabilities, and gain momentum through the Bow-Body Shadow-Flicker by arching his upper body back like a bow before snapping forward. Only then could he manage a similar imitation.
Yet, Ok-ryeong had performed that top-tier movement technique as naturally as breathing, without any preparatory motions.
What did this mean? It meant she had reached a new realm.
He wasn't the only one who had grown over the past two years. She had grown as well. She had surpassed the Upper Stage of the Transcendent Realm—the supposed limit of humanity—and reached the Profound Realm, the stage of those who have transcended humanity.
And yet, he had looked down on her, offering her such nonsensical "consideration."
How pathetic must I have looked to her?
Sun-woo felt his face flush with shame. He could hardly find the courage to look her in the eye.
"Ok-ryeong."
Sun-woo called her name softly.
"Speak."
"I'm sorry."
Sun-woo apologized. It was an apology for underestimating her.
"Don't worry about it. I know you didn't do it out of malice," Ok-ryeong said, shaking her head slightly.
Thump.
Hearing those words, Sun-woo felt a surge of emotion deep in his chest. Ok-ryeong’s kind and benevolent heart tugged at his heartstrings.
Sun-woo gazed at her with eyes full of moved emotion. Then, he raised his sword once more. He realized what the best apology to this benevolent and kind woman would be.
Woooooooooooong.
Yin-Yang Harmony Qi began to swirl around the Dragon Tail Soft Sword like a vortex. Along with it, his murderous aura began to entwine with the energy. Soon, the two forces merged into one, creating a mass of ink-colored Astral Qi—a terrifying sight to behold.
Step, step, step.
Sun-woo then pushed his Wind-Dust Step to its peak. In an instant, his figure reached her.
Whoosh.
The moment he was before her, he swung his sword downward, as if intending to crush her skull. Ok-ryeong was seemingly split in two, from her crown to her groin.
It was a gruesome sight. However, despite witnessing such a horrific scene, Sun-woo didn't waver for a second. Instead, he maintained his focus with even sharper intensity and expanded his sensory perception.
A large semicircle formed around Sun-woo, expanding further and further.
Behind me!
Sun-woo tilted his head slightly to the left. He had sensed Ok-ryeong’s sword aiming for the back of his head.
Sun-woo pulled his left foot back. Using it as a pivot, he spun his body and immediately swung his sword, intending to counter Ok-ryeong’s strike.
Whoosh.
Once again, Sun-woo’s sword sliced through Ok-ryeong’s form without resistance. This time, it was her waist. He had cut her body clean in half.
But soon, that body also began to blur and scatter. He had cut an after-image once again.
She's like a ghost.
Sun-woo thought. It was truly an elusive and divine movement technique. He knew her agility was exceptional, but he never expected her to be this fast. If he didn't keep his sensory perception active at all times, he wouldn't be able to do a thing. At this rate, it wasn't an exaggeration to say he was completely outclassed in terms of speed.
.......To think she's become this strong.
Sun-woo marveled inwardly. He had reached the Profound Realm and even established the Sword of the Mind. Yet, even he couldn't gain a clear advantage over Ok-ryeong. How could he not be impressed?
I have to give it my all too.
Sun-woo quickly began a full circulation of his Yin-Yang Harmony Qi. Simultaneously, he accelerated his blood flow. His blood began to pump through his body at a speed incomparable to before.
"Haa... hoo... haa... hoo."
His breathing grew heavy. As his blood flow accelerated, his body seemed to demand more oxygen.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
His heart hammered relentlessly against his ribs.
Glare.
Blood vessels began to pop in Sun-woo’s eyes.
Woooooooong.
He then expanded his sensory perception to its maximum range. Soon, he caught Ok-ryeong’s presence behind him.
Whish.
Sun-woo spun around instantly. He arched his upper body back like a bow and then snapped forward.
Boom!
Sun-woo’s figure shot forward, leaving after-images in his wake.
Swish!
Cutting through the air, Sun-woo reached Ok-ryeong in an instant. He thrust his sword forward.
CRASH!
A thunderous roar erupted. This time, Ok-ryeong had raised her sword to block Sun-woo’s strike. It seemed she hadn't been able to dodge this time.
Now's my chance!
Sun-woo didn't miss the opportunity. He began to pressure her, swinging his sword relentlessly.
Again and again.
Striking, stabbing, and swinging.
He poured his immense strength into every blow. With each strike, Ok-ryeong’s figure was pushed back helplessly. It seemed impossible for her to face Sun-woo in a direct confrontation.
I need to create distance.
Ok-ryeong quickly kicked off the ground, attempting to retreat.
"Not so fast!"
Sun-woo pursued her doggedly, as if refusing to let her escape. A fierce struggle ensued between Ok-ryeong, who tried to widen the gap, and Sun-woo, who tried to close it at all costs. It was a brutal sight, with neither side willing to yield an inch.
After countless exchanges...
CRASH!
An explosion-like sound erupted, and Ok-ryeong’s figure was sent flying backward. Sun-woo had struck her sword aside with a Sword Ring.
Slide.
"Ugh..."
Ok-ryeong, pushed back violently, let out a shallow groan, her brow furrowed. The immense power of the Sword Ring had rattled her internal organs.
"It looks like I've won, doesn't it?"
Sun-woo spoke as he looked at the pained Ok-ryeong. He felt he had gained the upper hand.
"Not... yet."
Ok-ryeong glared at Sun-woo, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Don't push yourself... Your insides are rattled; it's even hard for you to breathe right now, isn't it?"
"I can... do this... all day."
Ok-ryeong replied, raising her sword, which was as white as fresh snow.
"Stubborn woman."
Sun-woo shook his head as he watched her persistently raise her blade. It was clear she had no intention of giving up.
I'll have to knock her out.
Sun-woo took his stance again. He intended to end it with a single blow to render her unconscious.
"Sun-woo."
Just then, Ok-ryeong’s voice reached him from ahead.
"Are you surrendering?"
Sun-woo asked hopefully, brightening at her call. He expected that she might finally be giving in.
"No," Ok-ryeong said, shaking her head slightly. "I have something to tell you."
"Something to tell me?"
"Yes."
Ok-ryeong nodded.
"What is it?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
"You should be careful."
Ok-ryeong spoke with an incredibly serious expression.
"Because this time, I'll be even faster than the Transposition Technique."
She looked at Sun-woo with a steady, unwavering gaze.
"That's impossible."
Sun-woo dismissed her claim. The Transposition Technique was hailed as the pinnacle of movement arts. How could anything be faster than that? He was sure she was trying to play mind games with him.
"Sun-woo, you really lack faith in me."
Hearing his words, a pure smile graced Ok-ryeong’s lips. Then, she slowly lowered her sword.
Suddenly, something strange began to happen. A brilliant light started to shimmer and ripple around her body.
"I'll fill that lack of faith myself."
A deep smile spread across Ok-ryeong’s face.