A Truly Perfect Match(?)
In truth, the prizes—the 1-star martial arts manuals and the medicinal pills—didn't mean much to Bukjin. However, the fifty gold coins were a different story. His smartphone was constantly draining power, which meant he was essentially burning money to keep it fueled. Over the last few days, the twenty gold coins he’d swindled from Oh Sobang had dwindled to a mere six. After accounting for basic living expenses, he had converted every spare cent into battery life for the phone. He couldn't afford to be any more frugal. He needed a new source of income, and fifty gold coins was enough to fully charge his smartphone about five times.
After a moment of careful deliberation, Bukjin spoke with a look of solemn resolve. "To be honest, the amount of money doesn't matter to me. I'm not a man driven by material greed. My only concern is how I can represent the 3rd Junior Swordsman Academy and bring glory to its name. Therefore, I have decided that if I take first place, I will participate in the preliminary rounds of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition."
Jeong Sam-seok narrowed his eyes, looking at Bukjin with deep suspicion. This damn brat definitely changed his mind the moment he heard about the money. Still, it didn't matter. As long as Bukjin participated in the preliminaries, Jeong Sam-seok was satisfied.
"A wise choice. Participating in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition will bring you nothing but benefits. Furthermore, if you pass the preliminaries, you will be granted a Genius Token. This grants you a status equivalent to a noble, placing you under the direct protection of Imperial law. Once you have that, the people in Unmong City seeking revenge against you won't be able to move so easily."
Wait, what? A Genius Token?Bukjin fell into deep thought once again. Dammit! Why hasn't anyone told me about this until now? The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Every word Jeong Sam-seok uttered was like a lightning bolt to his brain. Then again, considering he had never paid attention to a single lecture in his life, it wasn't surprising that he was ignorant of such facts.
"I see. I understand perfectly," Bukjin said. "I will prepare thoroughly to pass the preliminaries and advance to the main tournament. I will claim that Genius Token!"
"Good! I'm glad you've seen reason." Seeing Bukjin filled with such clear purpose and determination, Jeong Sam-seok flashed a satisfied smile. "Now, go and practice... ah, no, go to sleep. As they say, everything is found within the dream, so make sure to master your swordsmanship while you slumber."
With those words, Jeong Sam-seok handed his own sword to Bukjin. "This sword has been by my side for twenty years. Carve the inscription on its blade into your heart. Within it lies the dignity a true swordsman must possess."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jeong Sam-seok's figure blurred, and he vanished from the spot in an instant. Bukjin stared at the empty space, genuinely impressed. "Whoa, that was actually cool. His movement technique is insane."
He suddenly recalled a question he’d had as a child back on Earth while watching movies. Why did the masters in martial arts films always ignore the perfectly good roads to run along walls and fly over rooftops? Wasn't that just a waste of energy? But now, Bukjin finally understood. Seeing it in person, moving with a high-level technique was just... cool. It was purely about the aesthetics.
Bukjin looked down at the longsword in his hand. Two simple, clean characters were engraved upon the blade.
Virtuous Conduct
Master said the words on the sword represent the dignity of a true swordsman. So, a swordsman's dignity is... virtuous conduct?Bukjin flipped the sword over to check the other side. There, two more characters were engraved.
Peerless
When read together, it was Virtuous Conduct is Peerless! Bukjin nodded to himself as he interpreted the meaning in his own unique way. This is the Sword of Virtuous Conduct. That must mean that if I cut someone down with this sword, I'm essentially subduing them with my 'virtue,' right?
Wearing a mysterious, slightly wicked smile, Bukjin retreated into his tent. He pulled out his smartphone and accessed the App Store. "Huh? Why isn't there an app for training the Big Dipper Descent?"
Panic flared in his chest. He scrutinized the screen again. Finally, he noticed a small notification badge beneath the Close-body Triple Link app icon.
A new version of this application has been discovered.
Would you like to proceed with the Update?
It appeared that updating the Close-body Triple Link app would add the content for the Big Dipper Descent. Since the Big Dipper Descent was a hidden killing move within the three basic forms, it shared the same fundamental principles. Without hesitation, Bukjin tapped the update button.
This update requires 500MB of data.
Current Data Balance: 3GB
Proceed with download?
Bukjin's eyes widened. 3GB of data? That means 6th-grade Mystic Energy is equivalent to 3GB! That's a massive amount! Furthermore, the update itself required 500MB. He remembered that the initial download for the Close-body Triple Link had only been 246MB. This meant that the value of the single Big Dipper Descent form far exceeded the combined value of the three basic forms he had already mastered.
He tapped the download button. A green progress bar appeared, indicating the status. After about fifteen minutes, the download and installation were complete. Bukjin tapped the app icon on his home screen. The interface was still rendered in a beautiful ink-wash style, with a shadow figure that looked exactly like him performing a sword dance. It began with the standard forms of the Close-body Triple Link. Then, after completing the basics, the shadow transitioned seamlessly into the lethal strikes of the Big Dipper Descent.
"My guess was right!" Bukjin muttered, satisfied. He closed his eyes and drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next day brought gloomy weather. The sky was choked with ashen clouds, and a fine mist of rain drifted through the air. However, the damp weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the students gathered to watch the duel. As soon as the academy gates opened in the early morning, the grounds became a cacophony of excitement. The annual competition was reaching its climax. The first, second, and third years were all down to their final championship matches.
A massive crowd had swarmed around Duel Platform No. 1 at the 2nd-year training grounds. Shortly after, the teachers serving as overseers arrived. Among the spectators on the raised platform were Cho Heun, the Grade Dean, and Lee Cheong-hu, the Special Inspector.
Mok Simwol's popularity was undeniable. The moment she appeared, a thunderous cheer erupted, mostly from the male students. However, the reception for Bukjin was just as intense. As he arrived, the students of Class 9 rallied together. They were joined by thirty or forty female students from other classes who had flocked to him. They marched toward the platform, surrounding Bukjin and chanting "So cool!" in unison.
The overseers inspected the platform, making final preparations for the showdown. "Junior Sister Mok, what do you think your chances are today?"
A 3rd-year student dressed in white martial robes, Gwan Bi-do, approached her with a smile. His arrival immediately drew the attention of the crowd. While not the top student of the 3rd year, Gwan Bi-do had achieved exceptional results in yesterday's semifinals. With his handsome features, skill, and refined knowledge of martial theory, he was a heartthrob for many female students. His reputation far exceeded that of Oh Sobang. Furthermore, other 3rd-year geniuses like Ye Ok-cheon and Jwa-gu Mu-ssang had also gathered to support Mok Simwol. Their presence alone exerted a subtle, heavy pressure on the atmosphere, all of it directed toward Bukjin.
"So, you're Im Bukjin?" Gwan Bi-do said, looking at him with a smirk. "I've been watching your Close-body Triple Link over the past few days. Your proficiency is impressive. There probably isn't another student in the 3rd Academy who has mastered the basics as well as you have. However, the three basic forms aren't invincible. The 3rd-year students have already discovered the counter-strategies for them. Coincidentally, I gave Junior Sister Mok a manual containing those counters three days ago. I'm sure she has mastered them perfectly. So... do be careful."
Gwan Bi-do offered the warning with a smile that looked like well-meaning advice, but the faces of Bukjin's supporters paled instantly. A counter-manual? Does that mean Im Bukjin has already lost?
However, Bukjin didn't even spare Gwan Bi-do a glance. He didn't care if the guy was a senior or not. What's so great about being a 3rd-year? You're just another loser following Mok Simwol around like a lost puppy. Moron. If anything, he found the display nauseating.
"Im Bukjin! You will definitely lose today! I can't wait for the moment you become my slave!" a savage voice barked from the crowd. It was Oh Sobang, the genius of Class 1. His head and shoulders were wrapped in bandages, and he was hobbling toward the platform on crutches. His eyes were sharp as blades as he glared at Bukjin. Despite his severe injuries, he had dragged himself to the training grounds just to witness Bukjin's humiliating defeat with his own eyes.
"Let the duel begin!" the overseer shouted.
The two protagonists of the day, Bukjin and Mok Simwol, stepped onto the platform. Mok Simwol seemed to have put extra effort into her appearance. Though she wasn't wearing heavy makeup for a duel, her radiant face easily outshone the beauty of any other girl present. She wore a specially tailored swordsman's uniform that accentuated her slender yet curvaceous figure. A faint smile played on her lips—a warm expression that felt like a ray of sunlight piercing through the overcast sky.
Standing across from her, Bukjin was dressed in an identical blue uniform. His tall, straight posture, handsome features, and dark hair glistening slightly from the mist gave him an aura that rivaled Mok Simwol's. His deep eyes and jade-like skin exuded a charm that captivated the audience. As the two stood facing each other, the atmosphere felt as though two immortals had descended to meet. Looking at them, a single thought crossed the minds of almost every student present.
They really do look like a perfect couple!
In terms of looks and presence alone, they were a match made in heaven.