Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Baek Sa-young's Test
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Meeting Baek Sa-young alone as Park Ha-yul was probably the first time since the castle occupation battle.
I headed to the comprehensive training ground with a subtle excitement bubbling inside.
Having our talk in the training ground felt just like him.
[Waiting in room 3. Hit the call button when you get here, and I'll open the door.]
Following the text inside, I spotted him right in the center of the training ground.
A decently tall frame with a sleek yet solid build—his back was turned.
Baek Sa-young, standing alone, glanced over his shoulder and flashed his signature bright smile as he greeted me.
“You're here?”
Was it because of all the bandages plastered across his face?
He looked just like a protagonist from some shonen manga, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
But I quickly hid it and opened my mouth in a casual tone.
“Why have a talk in the training ground? There's a park right in front of the dorms.”
“Ah, that... Let me explain first. I figured you'd understand better that way.”
Baek Sa-young scratched the back of his head awkwardly and laid out the whole story.
A senior he knew had asked him for a favor, giving him a chance to raid a demonic space. He'd picked me as his companion.
“When's the raid?”
“Next weekend. It's near Seoul, so not far.”
“Sounds good. Anything I need to prep?”
I forced my lips into a pleased smile. Pretending not to know when I already did wasn't easy.
“...But before that, there's something I absolutely need to check.”
“Check?”
That was the moment Baek Sa-young's eyes changed.
“...Probably since the castle occupation battle. That's when you started feeling off.
...What the hell, this guy.
The light atmosphere sank into a calm stillness in an instant, bringing an uncomfortable sense of dissonance.
And it soon became reality.
“I know you're hiding your strength. And that the sword is your main weapon.”
“What are you talking about? I'm from a sorcery clan.”
“I was the one standing in the center when you faced off against Cheon Seo-yun. Forgot?”
“......”
When he pinpointed it like that, there was no room for excuses.
I couldn't exactly say I had zero talent and it was all thanks to the Thousand Latent Thread.
It was practically a trade secret to me...
“This isn't some demonic space you're hitting for experience. It's like a gift from a senior I respect... So prove it. Show me you're qualified to fight by my side.”
Baek Sa-young looked like he'd already made up his mind.
That's when I finally realized.
I'd brought this mess on myself by tacking on that “mission” bit...
I'd underestimated his sense of responsibility and respect for the special task force.
Rubbing my throbbing head, I started laying the groundwork.
“So, you wanna spar? But today’s no good. My condition’s really...”
...It was a lame excuse, but I had no choice.
I had to avoid a proper duel at all costs.
Honestly, unless we were going at each other like we meant to kill, I couldn't meet Baek Sa-young's standards.
To me, a sword was just a throwable bomb. I'd never even swung one properly—how could I fight with it?
I rubbed my forearm and grimaced for effect.
Then Baek Sa-young suddenly let out a snort.
“No way. Why would I fight you? We both barely survived and just recovered.”
“Oh, right?”
At least the worst-case scenario was avoided...
“There’s an even simpler way.”
Baek Sa-young closed his eyes and extended his hand.
Tzzzzzt.
A mana sphere about a meter in diameter formed, lighting up the surroundings.
“It’s a sphere made from my mana. If you can cut it, I’ll acknowledge you. Like this.”
Baek Sa-young floated the sphere up with a casual wave, as if to show off.
At the same time, he drew the medium sword at his waist like lightning and swung.
His body twisted in a spin, the blade flashing like a streak of light.
Shwick—
The mana sphere split neatly in half like an apple, stayed separated for a while, then slowly merged back into its original shape.
“Damn it...”
Watching it made curses spill out naturally.
It looked simple, but it was no easy feat.
It operated on a principle similar to Han Su-hyuk's barrier.
You had to output power on the caster's level, even if just for a split second, to cut it...
“I’m not forcing you. You can back out if you don’t want to.”
Baek Sa-young, oblivious to my situation, droned on frustratingly.
I'd come to help and now I was getting tested too.
But no helping it. He held the knife.
What to do.
I pondered for a moment.
At minimum, I had to draw a sword and fake infusing it with mana to slash.
The problem was Baek Sa-young staring right at me—and I couldn't use the armament the special task force had wielded.
...Guess that's the only way.
It was a method I wanted to avoid if possible, but with no other options, I told Baek Sa-young.
“I’ll give it a try. But lend me your sword.”
“My sword?”
Instead of answering, I spread my hands wide.
“Ah, sorry. Should've warned you ahead of time.”
“Then I wouldn't have come.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
I snatched the sword from Baek Sa-young like it was a shakedown and walked up to the sphere.
Deep down, I wanted to leap up flashy like him and swing it coolly.
But talk was cheap.
Showing off in front of a real expert might backfire spectacularly, so I held back.
“I’ll cut it my way.”
Instead, I muttered cryptically as if it were my signature style, then began the enhancement.
[Attempting to enhance 'Baek Sa-young's Sword' to the level of special-grade armament 'One Sword.']
[Calculating required SP.]
[Calculation complete.]
[Required SP: 1,500]
I half-expected it, but... the consumption was beyond imagination.
Still, too early to give up.
I only needed special-grade armament performance for a few seconds.
I added more restrictions.
[Limiting performance duration to 3 seconds.]
[Required SP: 80]
[Adding restriction: Cannot cut living beings.]
[Required SP: 10]
That should do it. I gripped the hilt tightly with both hands.
I glared at it fiercely, as if I could split it with my eyes, then raised the sword high.
[Enhancement complete.]
Feeling the armament's unique energy surging in my grip, I brought it down in one go.
Shwick—
I swung with full confidence that item power could cleave even Baek Sa-young's mana.
-Scraaaape—scraaaape—scraaape.
But.
...What the fuck.
In reality, it barely made it halfway before grinding to a halt.
Like forcing a knife into hardened clay—the penetration speed dropped exponentially.
The 3 seconds flew by in a flash.
[Enhancement time expired.]
“......”
“......”
We were screwed.
A silence so thick it felt like the air had frozen descended, and a whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind.
But panicking here would ruin everything, so on instinct, I pulled the sword free and murmured softly.
“This should be enough. That's all for me.”
Then I walked over and handed the sword back to Baek Sa-young.
Hoping he'd ask why I stopped midway...
That way, I could pretend to relent and try again—this was the best play.
“...Is the sword you pursue different from mine?”
“Huh?”
But something felt off.
Baek Sa-young's face was slightly flushed.
He grabbed my hand and shouted.
“It's seriously captivating. Your sword.”
* * *
“I'll let you know as soon as more info comes in.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Baek Sa-young watched Park Ha-yul's back until it completely vanished, then let out his held-back admiration.
“As expected. The world's a big place.”
Who'd have thought a sorcery clan would have such a skilled swordsman.
Chucking wryly, Baek Sa-young replayed the scene in his head.
It had been a flawless mana sphere, no openings.
A steady flow cycling in perfect unity, like well-meshed gears.
The textbook way was to grasp the mana flow and slice along the grain.
But Park Ha-yul didn't.
As if mocking the provided answer,
He stood still and jammed the sword into the section with the highest durability.
He demonstratively cut against the grain, slowly dragging it down, and stopped just an inch shy of the core—not deception, but closer to kindness.
If he'd shattered the core, it would've exploded spectacularly.
Bits everywhere.
Was this what made a sword fun?
A surge of competitive spirit welled up in Baek Sa-young.
Just one move had him this thrilled—what would a full clash feel like? He couldn't even imagine.
The mere thought brought a smile to his lips.
“Picked a damn good teammate.”
Baek Sa-young nodded in satisfaction, phone in hand.
He had a guy next door who wielded such an intriguing sword.
He typed out a long message to his respected senior and left the training ground.
* * *
Wednesday, after three days of sick leave—the day the escort team returned to classes.
Cheon Seo-yun left the dorm looking more subdued than usual.
Her injuries had mostly healed, but the mental bruise still lingered.
Discovering signs of a new trait, sensing the presence of that brain force, only to face despair afterward—it hit harder.
Her sword, which she'd thought could cut anything, turned out to be mere toothpicks.
And in reality, it had snapped clean, forcing her to buy a new one—a truly lamentable state.
“Ugh, those damn demons, that bastard.”
It was a combat sword she'd splurged on...
Calculating her savings maturity date, Cheon Seo-yun sighed deeply and entered the lecture hall.
Hoping today would pass quietly.
“It's Seo-yun.”
“Seo-yun, you feeling better?”
But like they'd been waiting, gazes poured in all at once.
Cheon Seo-yun forced her usual lip curl, pretending all was well, but her faked energy deflated fast.
“Sorry, not in the best shape.”
Brushing past the students, she headed to where the other victims had gathered.
Lee Dae-ho, arm wrapped in bandages, lay sprawled like a corpse, while Joo Ah-rin...
Was pulling out her history textbook like always, but it wasn't normal.
“Joo Ah-rin, you're reading that upside down.”
“......”
Still, as a friend, she gave her a heads-up before anyone else noticed.
Somehow, the shared misery brought a bit of comfort.
Until she spotted the unexpectedly lively one.
“Sa-young, what's the saintess like in person? Prettier than on screen?”
“You really all got wrecked by one demon?”
Baek Sa-young fielded even the awkward questions with his usual friendly replies.
He'd taken the biggest hit, being highest up.
“That guy's infinite positivity for real.”
Cheon Seo-yun watched with a mix of pity, then naturally thought of the one teammate still missing.
Wondering what that blank face would look like today.
Bang—
But expectations were just that.
Park Ha-yul scanned the lecture hall as usual, then headed silently to the back, ignoring her completely.
He'd supposedly had deep wounds, but his face looked so serene it seemed exaggerated.
“That guy too.”
In a way, he was impressive.
Did he have a steel mind? No matter what happened, he always kept that same energy.
“Not the time for this.”
Cheon Seo-yun stood, needing a favor from Baek Sa-young.
She was thinking of buying a new sword this Saturday—wanted him to come along.
“Ha-yul, come here a sec.”
But right then, Baek Sa-young waved at Park Ha-yul.
The two slipped to the back of the lecture hall and whispered like they were sharing secrets.
“What the...”
Were they close?
She remembered them being pretty distant.
Cheon Seo-yun sat back down and waited her turn.
When Baek Sa-young returned, she tapped his shoulder.
“Hey, you free Saturday? Gotta buy a sword—come with? I'll treat you to something good.”
“...Saturday? No can do. Got prior plans.”
“Prior plans? With who? You're always holed up training.”
“True, but... that day's with Ha-yul. Sorry.”
“What? Where you two going?”
Irritated, Cheon Seo-yun shot him a sulky glare.
“Haha.”
Baek Sa-young just chuckled awkwardly, lips sealed tight.