None of Your Business

Bukjin was inwardly stunned by the massive transformation he was experiencing. He had truly achieved a breakthrough.

As he allowed his focus to diffuse, his senses returned to their normal state. His gaze swept across his surroundings before landing on Sim Bi.

"Let’s try that again," Bukjin said boldly. He swung his sword and charged toward Sim Bi once more.

The immense pressure Sim Bi had exerted on him had acted as a mysterious catalyst, accelerating Bukjin’s breakthrough. However, the true foundation of this advancement was the training function of his smartphone app.

Originally, Bukjin had thought that as long as he trained using the smartphone, everything would be handled automatically, requiring no effort or attention from him in the real world. But he realized now that he had been wrong. Combat, training, and effort in reality were developing him just as much.

Moreover, he could faintly sense that a breakthrough achieved in real life brought about a qualitative evolution, distinct from the quantitative progress made through the app’s training.

Clang—!

Sim Bi drew his sword. The blades collided, sending sparks flying and a resonant ring echoing through the air. As their swords locked, Sim Bi felt a powerful recoil travel through the hilt of the Tae-a Treasure Sword and into his wrist.

'This strength...? It’s more than double what it was just a moment ago!'

Sim Bi felt his wrist go numb. A massive shock began to ripple through his heart. Previously, aside from the killing move Big Dipper Descent, Bukjin’s speed and power hadn't posed any threat to him. But now that they were clashing again, Sim Bi could feel that Bukjin’s strength had increased exponentially.

Even the speed of Bukjin’s sword had become significantly faster.

'Did this bastard really break through in the middle of a fight...? Don't tell me my ultimate move, Nine Heavens Star Cloud, actually helped him?'

Sim Bi’s expression soured as if he had swallowed a fly.

'I have to end him right here, right now...'

The Star Cloud Sword Technique unfolded, and cold light flashed in every direction. Sim Bi exploded with every ounce of skill he possessed, holding nothing back. He no longer cared about anything else; he poured all his might into crushing Bukjin. He was even prepared to inflict a permanent injury, even if it meant violating the rules of the preliminary round.

However, the current Bukjin was not the same as before. He was now perfectly tracking every one of Sim Bi’s movements. In particular, the trajectory of the Tae-a Treasure Sword appeared vivid and clear to his eyes. It was as if his dynamic visual acuity had become hyper-sensitive, making the sword’s movements look like they were in slow motion.

That wasn't all. His body’s reaction speed had improved beyond recognition, finally allowing his physical form to keep up with the speed of his thoughts and vision.

'If it felt like driving a sedan before the breakthrough, it feels like driving a supercar now!'

"Mind and Body as One!"

Their longswords continued to clash repeatedly. Sim Bi’s complexion grew increasingly grim. A massive recoil continued to surge through the Tae-a Treasure Sword. Furthermore, as time passed, the force of the impact only grew stronger.

What did this mean? It meant that even now, Bukjin’s power was still rising.

'If this keeps up...'

"Nine Heavens Star Cloud!"

Sim Bi unleashed his killing move once more. A fierce, high-temperature Hyeongi swirled through the space again. The blade of the Tae-a Treasure Sword in Sim Bi’s hand turned a burning red. An invisible, transparent haze shimmered over the blade, distorting the air.

Sim Bi had put everything into this strike. He exerted every bit of energy he had left, leaving nothing in reserve.

"Good!"

Bukjin didn't panic; instead, his eyes widened with focus. He began to concentrate his mental power to its absolute peak. It was a touch-and-go situation, but Bukjin’s mind was clearer than it had ever been. His vision was pristine, and he could see every inch of the Tae-a Treasure Sword's trajectory. He could even sense the path of the scorching Hyeongi flowing through the blade.

"Basic Martial Art: Close-body Triple Link!"

Bukjin struck out.

Thrust! Break!

The two forms Bukjin unleashed blocked the strikes of the Nine Heavens Star Cloud. Skipping the third form, Bukjin immediately transitioned into the hidden killing move of the Big Dipper Descent.

Whish—!

"One Sword, Seven Shadows!"

The sound of clashing blades erupted. It was a movement like a bolt of lightning brought forth by a sudden gale.

"Begone!"

Bukjin roared like a lion. His voice boomed like thunder. The sound of metal striking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠metal rang out in rapid succession.

Zip—!

The Tae-a Treasure Sword was sent flying into the air. It spun rapidly before falling onto the sandy beach where Lee Yak-so and Do Man-seong were standing, plunging deep into the ground.

"Urgh!"

Sim Bi staggered backward, his face a mask of pure shock. He was clutching his right arm with his left hand. Fresh blood was dripping from his torn palm.

Silence descended over the area. Every student, except for Im Jin, looked as if they had seen a ghost. Lee Yak-so and Do Man-seong, in particular, looked back and forth between Sim Bi’s bleeding hand and the Tae-a Treasure Sword stuck in the ground, unable to believe their eyes.

Ak Hong-hyang covered her mouth with her hands to keep from screaming. It was incomprehensible. To them, this battle was utterly miraculous.

Blue veins bulged prominently on Bukjin’s arms. They crisscrossed like exposed tree roots, straining against his skin. Despite the intensity, Bukjin still held the Deok-haeng Sword firmly in his grip. The sword was still vibrating from the impact of the final clash, struggling like a snake trying to escape his palm.

"Whew... haah... I..."

Bukjin panted heavily, his chest heaving with every breath. He looked at the sword in his hand and then at the Tae-a Treasure Sword embedded in the distance. After a moment of dazed silence, he burst into a loud laugh.

"Hahaha! I... I won!"

Sim Bi’s sword was driven into the sand like a deeply hammered nail. At the moment his blade had met Sim Bi’s, Bukjin had exploded with every bit of strength he possessed, pouring out the most powerful force he could muster. He had met Sim Bi’s Nine Heavens Star Cloud head-on with his Big Dipper Descent.

When the swords met, a pressure as heavy as a mountain had pressed down on the Deok-haeng Sword. Bukjin had gritted his teeth and held on with everything he had to keep from losing his weapon. He had even felt the illusion of the bones in his arms shattering. Sharp pain had radiated not just through his arms, but through his spine and legs as well.

But he hadn't cared. Because in that moment, Bukjin had felt something like a shackle within his body shatter and fall away. That was why he was able to remain standing, sword in hand. Sim Bi, however, had failed to hold on.

The victory was clear.

Bukjin wanted to laugh. He wanted to laugh louder than ever before. This battle had awakened the heart of a true swordsman within him and served as the catalyst for his rebirth. When he had first faced Sim Bi, his only thought was to stall for time—to buy enough time for Im Jin to recover her strength. He hadn't imagined he could actually defeat a genius of a different caliber like Sim Bi.

But the more he fought, the more he felt a fire igniting in his heart. By continuing that struggle, he had eventually seized victory. During the fight, he had become so intoxicated ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠by the combat that he had forgotten his surroundings. That feeling... it was like the euphoria of hunting a difficult boss in a game back on Earth after being completely immersed for hours.

"How’s that? My skills!"

After catching his breath, Bukjin turned his head and smiled at Im Jin. Due to the fierce battle, his leather breastplate was completely shredded, and his hair was a mess. But as he turned and smiled, he didn't look pathetic at all. Instead, there was a certain rugged, disheveled handsomeness about him. His refined features, combined with the raw intensity of the moment, created a look that could easily shake any woman's heart.

Im Jin nodded and replied, "Very good."

She wasn't just being polite. She meant it. The persistence and strength Bukjin had shown in this battle were enough to shock anyone. Though she didn't know how he had managed to withstand Sim Bi’s incredible sword Qi without falling, the fact that a boy had stood alone against such an enemy and suppressed them with his own power was something anyone would have to acknowledge.

A normal person... no, even a normal genius couldn't have pulled that off. It was a rare compliment coming from Im Jin, the one known as the Great Demon King of Unmong City.

"Haha!"

Bukjin grinned. Just then, a clear notification sound rang out in his head.

Ding—!

It was the system notification from his smartphone. Startled at first, Bukjin soon felt a surge of joy.

'A new function must have appeared on the phone!'

Since he had just finished a battle and his hands were still trembling slightly, it wasn't the right time to pull out the phone. Bukjin maintained a composed expression and spoke to Sim Bi.

"You lost. Do you admit it?"

Sim Bi’s face was ashen. The moment he lost to Bukjin, he felt as if he had fallen into a filthy pit. Rage boiled within him, accompanied by a sense of shame that exceeded the limits of his pride. He felt that if he had the power to destroy the world right now, he would do it a hundred times over.

Taking a deep breath, Sim Bi forced himself to control his emotions. But when he looked up and saw Bukjin snickering and mocking him, his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠patience nearly snapped.

'Stay calm! I must stay calm!'

Sim Bi desperately steadied his heart. After a moment, he managed to soothe his ragged breathing and chaotic mind. Under the weight of countless gazes, he squeezed out a forced smile. His voice was stiff ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as he spoke.

"Haha... I truly didn't expect this. To think your potential was this great, Student Im... It seems you've been practicing some secret body-tempering technique in private."

Hearing this, Bukjin gave a mocking sneer.

"That’s none of your business."

Sim Bi almost spat out a curse in his irritation.

"If I hadn't made several mistakes and provided you with enough pressure, you never would have achieved such a breakthrough in such a short time, would you? I suppose I have some regrets..." Sim Bi said, as if blaming himself.

Bukjin’s sneer widened.

"And that's for me to care about, not you."