Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Now This Place Is My Territory
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Now this place was my territory.
A dense fog shrouded the dawn forest.
I stood gripping my sword, facing off against the cryoraptor that had just broken free from the trap.
"...It's different up close than from afar."
From a distance, I'd thought it was just a small creature.
But now that we were face-to-face, I changed my mind.
Steel seemed to course through every muscle.
And yet, that beast...
"Grrrrrr."
...was slowly circling me with red eyes brimming with hatred.
As if carefully assessing whether this prey could be swallowed in one bite.
My fingertips trembled faintly at its sharp, calculating movements, so primal and wild.
"...Don't get scared."
The moment fear stiffens your body, death follows.
Knowing that, I took slow, deep breaths to calm myself.
Slowly,
drawing in a deep breath, I recalled the Heavenly Demon's parting words.
⚙ RECALLED WORDS ⚙ Vice Cult Leader. If a variable arises, remember this one thing. Your duel with it will come down to a single blow. So endure. Endure, endure, and endure some more. "...I'll endure."
The very moment I gripped my sword tighter with resolve.
"Kieeeek!"
A guttural screech tore through the forest.
Having finished its assessment, it sliced through the fog like a blade, swinging its massive claw at me.
Boom!
I barely blocked it.
But the impact raced up my arm and through my entire body.
My fingers went numb, nearly dropping the hilt.
"W-Wait a sec."
The reflexive "wait" slipped out.
But I realized right away.
This wasn't a match.
It was a brutal fight for survival and dominance, with no respect between us.
Not some sport where a clean hit scores points and moves to the next round.
True enough, another claw came slashing for my life.
This time, aiming for my side.
Still slow to react, I threw myself sideways and barely dodged.
The missed claw slammed into the ground.
Kaboom—
A massive roar echoed as the earth cratered deeply.
Witnessing it from point-blank range, a dry gulp forced its way down my throat.
"...One hit and I'm dead."
Warning lights flashed in my mind.
Every cell in my body screamed to flee right now.
But even so, I...
Squeeze—
...gripped my sword firmly again with hands free of numbness and slowly stood.
Another claw whipped toward me.
I ducked low and barely evaded.
Then came the second, third strikes in quick succession.
Fast! And heavy.
The barrage of claws left even defense overwhelming.
I somehow dodged the lethal blows, but my clothes were already shredded.
But that was the limit.
If this dragged on much longer, I'd take a fatal hit.
And freeze solid.
Slowly,
inexorably marching toward that certain despair.
That's when it happened.
Whoosh—
The beast suddenly pulled back.
"Huff! W-Why?"
Panting, I stared at it.
In that instant, I saw it.
The retreated beast hunching low again.
Like a cheetah coiling before a sprint at its prey.
It planned to end this tedious skirmish with the next attack.
"Tch!"
I clenched my teeth and gripped my sword.
Seeing that, it scraped the ground with its front claws like a bull before charging.
Watching it, I recalled the Heavenly Demon's final advice.
⚙ FINAL ADVICE ⚙ Eventually, the impatient beast will attempt a powerful strike. That's when. Close your eyes and unleash the Heavenly Net Eye. I still didn't fully understand.
But now, I had no choice but to trust it.
I closed my eyes.
That instant.
The wind split.
Dust flew.
A single blade of grass snapped.
The world's currents brushed my skin like breath.
A world of qi unfolded before me.
And within that vast flow of qi.
I sensed an anomaly.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Heavenly Net Eye Qi flow perception unlocked
"It's trembling..."
One spot churned violently.
Air fled,
earth shrank back,
grass twisted as if its veins were crushed.
"I see. That's where its strike is coming from."
In that moment, I moved.
Pivoting on my right foot, I spun and swung my sword with all my might.
Two sounds echoed through the forest.
Krunch—
One was the beast's claw embedding into a massive tree trunk, missing me.
Clang—
The other was my sword striking its tough hide.
Yes.
My blade had finally reached its torso.
In that instant, I poured my will into the sword, driving it deep inside.
No scream.
No thrashing,
not even a convulsion.
Just the silent dawn forest.
Sploosh—
Blood fountained from its body, the only sound shattering the quiet.
I had won the survival contest.
"Huff!"
Relief heaved my lungs.
I wanted to collapse and sleep deeply right there.
My body ached like it was shattered, mental fatigue at its peak.
But I didn't.
Instead of rest, I slowly raised my sword and walked in a specific direction.
The spot I headed to was a nearby large tree.
Deep claw marks scarred it—the cryoraptor's territory marker.
A declaration that this area was its own.
Right over that mark,
Slash—
I swung my sword vigorously, carving a new sword stroke.
"Now this place is my territory."
With the declaration, I turned around.
Far off, three more dinosaurs watched me with gleaming eyes.
I lifted my head proudly, meeting their gazes head-on.
Then pointed my sword tip at them.
A silent challenge: come at me if you dare.
The brief silence that followed.
In the heavy quiet that stretched on,
Whoosh—
The staring eyes slowly closed.
It was acceptance.
They recognized me as an equal predator.
Acknowledged me as master of this forest section.
"...I survived."
A sigh mixing relief and triumph escaped as I slumped to the ground.
Suddenly, a barrage of alerts rang out.
Ding- Ding- Ding-
💰 SPONSORSHIPS 💰 - SwordRiceGuy sponsored 100 Gallery Points. - Peanuts sponsored 30 Gallery Points. - Hawawa sponsored 300 Gallery Points. - DinoKiller sponsored 50 Gallery Points. - ... Startled by the endless sponsorship chimes, I hurriedly opened the broadcast window.
"Whoa? Why so many?"
Viewership usually averaged a thousand, maybe ten thousand at peak.
[Viewer Count: 103,472] It had surged over tenfold.
"...Insane."
In awe, I checked the chat.
💬 Live Chat — Anon Whoa, he actually did it lololol — Anon God tier for real ㄷㄷㄷ — Anon Show us more dinos! Straight to the snow mountain! — Anon Fuck! Released the trapped prey then fair fight win! Pure romance! ⭐ Top Comment — Anon From today, if bro says drop pants, I'm dropping undies too! — Anon Legend video born lolol — Anon Adding to favorites and out! Everyone celebrated my survival in their own words.
- What're you doing? Go to snow mountain already? Unfavoriting?
...I thought the same.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A small village at the foot of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Black Forest Village.
In a rundown inn tucked in a corner, Cheon A-ryeong sat clenching her fist.
Before her eyes floated the broadcast screen of Shihanbu she'd just been watching.
"...Impressive."
A few days ago,
Shihanbu had asked what to do if a variable arose.
She'd given some advice, adding this:
[However, your odds of victory this way are less than ten percent, Vice Cult Leader.]
[So remember: you must finish it with the trap.]
She'd emphasized it repeatedly, yet Shihanbu had cut the trap himself and released the dinosaur.
Up to that point, A-ryeong was certain he was doomed.
But then...
"Who would've thought he'd actually win..."
Tilting her rice wine cup, Cheon A-ryeong muttered and gestured the ended broadcast away.
A Gallery window popped up automatically.
As expected, it was total chaos.
📰 Hot Thread [Is Shihanbu this guy a real god?] — Anon This dude doesn't even have a dantian yet. What the hell is he? Fighting God come down from Murim Paradise for fun? No other explanation fits. 📰 Hot Thread [Thought Shihanbu was done for when he cut the trap] — Anon Then he takes it down. What kinda monster is this guy? Every thread buzzed about Shihanbu.
As a viewer, A-ryeong wanted to share the excitement.
She commented on several posts, building consensus, when one title caught her eye.
📰 Hot Thread [What was that sword art Shihanbu used at the end?] — Anon Didn't even slice deep but the dino exploded? What was that? A-ryeong, entranced, checked the comments.
— Anon No idea? But it was sick tho — Anon Looked like penetration realm of fist arts. Doing that with no direct hit? Insane swordsmanship. — Anon What even. Wanna learn it too. — Anon Where can I learn it? There it was—the situation she'd dreamed of her whole life.
People interested in the Divine Cult's martial arts.
A-ryeong hurriedly posted a comment.
⭐ Heavenly Demon — Heavenly Demon That's the Divine Cult's ultimate art that I taught him. — Anon In your dreams? — Anon Heavenly Demon, go forage herbs in the mountains. — Anon Lol yeah, sure, you had that dream huh? — Anon Lolol consistent concept No one believed her.
"Y-You lot!"
The Heavenly Demon's face flushed red.
She posted again.
⭐ Heavenly Demon — Heavenly Demon It's true! It's the sword art I really taught him! But no one heeded her desperate claim.
Only more mockery piled on.
"...Hah."
Deflated, A-ryeong paid for the wine and left the inn.
"Why... does no one believe me?"
Chewing bitterness, she unleashed lightness skill toward the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
She desperately needed time alone.
That's when.
"Huff— Huff—"
Rough breathing echoed mid-climb.
At supreme mastery, Cheon A-ryeong instantly knew it was a lone person.
"Climbing alone at night? Dangerous."
Curious, she flew toward the sound.
A girl was sweating profusely, tackling the steep path.
"You there, what are you doing alone here?"
"Kyaa!"
The girl screamed at the sudden Heavenly Demon.
A-ryeong clicked her tongue.
"Tsk tsk. With that courage, how dare you climb wild mountains."
Saying so, she offered her hand.
Intending to carry her back to the village.
But then.
"C-Could you be the Heavenly Demon?"
The girl uttered her title.
A-ryeong nodded curiously.
"I am. What business with me..."
That instant, A-ryeong's mouth shut.
"Please take me as your disciple!"
The girl knelt, begging discipleship.
Her lifelong dream unfolding before her.
"Wha... huh...?"
A stupid groan escaped at the sudden realization.
Regaining composure, she asked why.
"How did you know to come here?"
The expected answer came.
"Saw it on Shihanbu's broadcast! Saw the comment that the sword art was the Divine Cult's ultimate too! Knew this was nearby and rushed here! I wanna get strong! Please take me as disciple, Heavenly Demon!"
As expected, that man's influence.
The Nine Great Sects and One Clan's wall she'd failed to breach for over twenty years.
He'd shattered it with one sword art.
"..."
Silent, A-ryeong opened the Gallery.
Wanting to thank him immediately.
Share this thrill now.
But.
[Broadcast ended.] The broadcast was over.
She sent a 1-on-1 chat request at once.
[Opponent is offline.] "Wanted to tell him face-to-face... Shame."
Swallowing regret, she entered his latest post.
Planning to thank him in comments.
Then she spotted weird ones.
— Snow Girl Semen pls! — Snow Girl Lots pls! Some crazy chick posting lewd comments.
Typical dirty troll bait on the Gallery.
But something felt off.
A comment she'd normally ignore.
Yet it irked her strangely.
"Something... something about it."
She didn't know the emotion, but one thing was clear.
It was deeply unpleasant.
So A-ryeong acted.
[Reported for obscenity.] [Reported for obscenity.] [Reported for obscenity...] She reported them away.
As she prepared to leave her thanks in the now-clean comments.
— Snow Girl Baby batter pls! — Snow Girl Heaps pls! Snow Girl's lewd comments returned.
Cheon A-ryeong gnashed her teeth.
"Argh! You dare challenge me?!"
Grinding, she mashed report again.
Every time Snow Girl posted.
Like a sentinel guarding her sacred ground.
The girl watching A-ryeong from behind quietly opened Gallery and posted.
📰 New Post [Yushun-i seems to be failing in real time] Author: [ImGonnaBeAMurimHighSchoolMaster] — ImGonnaBeAMurimHighSchoolMaster Came to learn martial arts but the master lady seems kinda off... Super clingy, kinda scary. Wanna run but saw her lightness skill earlier, no way. Any tips? Comments flooded in instantly.
Checking expectantly.
— Anon You cute? — Anon Master cute? — Anon Rescue the damsel, then maybe? The girl quietly closed the Gallery.
Sighed in resignation and looked ahead.
A-ryeong was still spam-reporting.
"...Shouldn't have come."