Chapter 36
**CHAPTER TITLE: The Dark King's Swiftness (Part 2)**
Suddenly, Lee Do-hyeon's appearance had left Hwang Ha-na momentarily disoriented, but she soon shook her head.
Though she had mentioned stopping by before graduating, it was hardly a surprise. Of course, she hadn't expected him to show up just two days after graduation, but given his personality, it made sense.
Hwang Ha-na stepped out of the taxi and approached the Do-hyun standing there in his casual clothes. Do-hyun greeted her with a bright smile.
The had left him in a rather pleased mood, but to anyone watching, the expression on Hwang Ha-na's face was one of genuine delight. This made her pause, curious.
"It's been a while."
In the instructor days, they had spoken informally and strictly. Now speaking with honorifics felt a bit awkward, so Do-hyun answered a little stiffly.
"You have a point."
"I mentioned coming, but I didn't expect you to return in just two days."
"Things happened."
"Two days, yes, but the training center has changed quite a bit."
"Ah, really?"
As soon as he reached his destination, he had already completed his goal. Yet, he couldn't simply leave without feeling embarrassed, so Do-hyun engaged Hwang Ha-na in some light small talk.
Only two days, yet it seemed so much had changed.
From what Hwang Ha-na said, quite a few things had shifted.
First and foremost, the absence of him and Ji Yu-chan was noticeable.
Hwang Ha-na pointed it out and let out a small laugh.
"Some instructors say they've become a bit more relaxed now that you're both gone."
"Haha, it was quite the spectacle."
As Do-hyun spoke and scratched his head, Hwang Ha-na couldn't help but admire him inwardly.
Only two days had passed.
*His movements are different.*
The shift was obvious.
Perhaps more composed?
The way he directed his body and the direction it moved felt far more efficient. His movements were sharper.
Hwang Ha-na couldn't have known, but this was one of the effects of the .
Using one's body more efficiently and with greater agility was one of the biggest advantages of the trait.
Since she had no way of knowing, to Hwang Ha-na, Do-hyun simply appeared to have grown much further.
Thus, she felt a sense of incomprehension.
*It's not at the training center. Can someone truly reach that level through training alone in society?*
Hwang Ha-na believed it impossible, but perhaps not with Do-hyun.
He was the kind of person who showed her impossible things while here.
With Do-hyun, she could only conclude it was possible. She didn't even think to ask, just offered her congratulations on his growth.
"You've grown even more. As expected of you."
"Ah, thank you. It was all thanks to the instructors."
"What could I have done? It's all thanks to Do-hyun's talent."
"Hmm, no. It's truly thanks to you, Instructor Hwang Ha-na."
"..."
When Do-hyun spoke so sincerely, Hwang Ha-na tilted her head in slight confusion.
But that was the truth.
The had come because of her.
Yet, since she had no knowledge of it, she could only feel puzzled.
Do-hyun added a bit more.
"I studied your movements a lot."
That wasn't entirely wrong. So when Do-hyun said it, Hwang Ha-na's eyes subtly changed.
Previously she had accepted it, but now it stirred a spark of competitive spirit in her.
Studying my movements...
With Do-hyun, that might be possible. But was it really?
So, Hwang Ha-na smiled faintly and responded to his veiled challenge.
"Then shall we test it?"
A sudden request for a spar.
Do-hyun smiled back and nodded.
"Sure."
That was exactly what he had wanted.
---
Lunch break was a short respite.
It was a precious time for instructors and trainees alike.
If they didn't rest enough now, they'd face a grueling afternoon.
It was only natural.
Hwang Ha-na felt the same, but with no chance to pass up this opportunity, she arrived at the training ground with Do-hyun. Both selected simple wooden training swords.
Though not equipped with spirit energy, they were wooden, so injury was a real risk.
Yet neither cared. They both gripped their swords tightly, facing each other.
Hwang Ha-na held her sword upside down in her left hand and straight in her right, lifting both into a flawless stance.
Do-hyun was in an equally perfect position.
They stared at each other, their stances identical.
*Our stances are the same.*
Hwang Ha-na thought this as she watched Do-hyun. For his part, Do-hyun thought...
*Oh, this is the Dark King's Swiftness?*
He felt its grandeur as he directly experienced it.
Though not as fluid as deleting a process, its efficiency made every movement natural and crisp.
Once he sensed it, all his skills activated together with the thought of wielding them better.
The Sword King's Intuition helped him visualize combat paths with the , compensating for weaknesses beyond current stats, allowing movements nearly identical to Hwang Ha-na's. In between, the Sovereign's Dignity filled the gaps.
Even to Hwang Ha-na, it looked like a level well above average hunter.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him.
He thrust and slashed with his straight sword while the upside-down one in his left wove through the trajectory without interference, attacking at blinding speed.
It spun like a top blade yet changed direction constantly, making it easy to miss if not fully focused.
Sparks flew with every clash.
The swords clashed in the air with a ringing sound, the wooden blades sparking.
Do-hyun's sword bounced toward Hwang Ha-na, while hers bounced back.
The flying swords raced toward their faces like invisible fan blades, yet both dodged effortlessly, reaching out to catch the opponent's sword.
*Pop!*
Even with no spirit energy used, their movements transcended human limits.
Naturally, Hwang Ha-na had more leeway.
She was already far superior in stats.
Her eyes narrowed further as she looked at him.
He kept thrusting and slashing with his right sword while the left one tangled and wove in the gaps, attacks coming faster than the eye could follow.
It was a beautiful rhythm, like juggling, yet perfectly coordinated without a single miss.
Though they hadn't been practicing together, it looked like watching a well-practiced circus act.
Their hands moved so fast they were nearly invisible.
Only sparks and the silver trails of the swords remained in the air.
It looked flawless.
But watching it, Do-hyun felt how impressive she truly was.
In the countless exchanges, he attacked rapidly, using everything: fist techniques, sword arts, and all his passive skills.
Yet he was gradually pushed back slightly, falling behind Hwang Ha-na.
*'She's truly amazing.'*
He poured everything into the , the Sword King's Intuition, and the Sovereign's Dignity.
He used every cheat skill.
Yet...
[Analyzing attack trajectories.]
[The [A] analysis is complete. Further analysis is effective.]
[Analyzing all attack trajectories.]
Even with the ultimate cheat, he felt a sting of pride at being pushed back even a little.
The more he felt it, the deeper his smile grew, his eyes blazing with intensity.
Hwang Ha-na saw it and couldn't help but feel a genuine shock.
Those godlike effects had created power she couldn't ignore.
Do-hyun didn't know, but Hwang Ha-na knew all too well.
This wasn't a game. A B-rank hunter like her could still be assassinated by an F-rank if she grew careless.
That's why she had no choice but to accept his astonishing form.
*'This person will surpass me one day. And...*
It wouldn't take long.
Hwang Ha-na smiled as she thought how envious she was of Do-hyun for teaming up with Rin and Yu-chan.
Who else besides him could one day surpass her? At most Ji Yu-chan or Hana Rin. Yet the three of them had formed a single party.
It was only natural to feel envious.
Was that why?
*Clink! Chiiiing.*
Hwang Ha-na, who had been exchanging fierce blows with Do-hyun, looked at him with softened eyes and said,
"Let's end it here for today."
"Ah..."
Though he had been excited, Do-hyun let out a sigh of disappointment, but there was no choice.
He nodded, understanding as he looked at her.
Yet he couldn't hide his regret.
"I was quite excited, but I'm a little disappointed."
He spoke his true feelings, uncharacteristic of him.
Hwang Ha-na watched him and nodded, surprised.
Yes, that was fine.
"Then I'll look forward to training with you again once you've grown this much."
With a smile mixed with challenge, Hwang Ha-na spoke.
Do-hyun nodded.
He had been excited, but she hadn't been able to hold back. He felt a bit frustrated and inwardly stung, but he accepted it.
Still...
"It won't take long."
Watching Do-hyun answer so confidently, Hwang Ha-na looked surprised and nodded.
"I look forward to that day."
With that, the spar between Do-hyun and Hwang Ha-na ended. Do-hyun promised to return soon and headed home.
Alone at the training center, Hwang Ha-na looked up at the sky with a distant gaze and thought to herself.
*Should I quit the guild?*