Chapter 155: Reality (31)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 155: Reality (31)
Watching the two men clash, Im Hye-rin murmured quietly.
"He’s pretty good."
Her red eyes glinted with interest as she watched the fight.
It was a completely unexpected sight.
Standing beside her with her arms crossed, Im Hwa-yeon puffed out her chest and said, "Right? That’s my man."
"…Your man?"
Im Hye-rin looked at her daughter with an intrigued expression.
Realizing what she had just blurted out, Im Hwa-yeon’s face instantly turned beet red.
"Ah, no! What I mean by ‘my man’ is, well…!"
While she scrambled to make excuses, the fight in the center of the training ground grew even more intense.
CRASH!
A powerful shockwave echoed as another massive collision occurred.
The duel between the two men had already surpassed the realm of a simple spar.
Pulling her flustered daughter into an embrace, Im Hye-rin turned her attention back to the fight.
He’s even better than I thought.
Her gaze deepened.
Jo Han-su.
He was already an ability user on the verge of S-Class. Yet, this man was fighting him on equal footing, not yielding a single inch.
Im Hye-rin once again watched the fight with keen focus.
It’s not just his swordsmanship. He has an exceptional sense for reading the flow of battle and baiting his opponent.
He was in no way inferior to the top-tier combatants she had seen in the United States.
Perhaps—
No, she was certain of it.
He might possess even greater potential than she had imagined.
Just as that thought crossed her mind—
"But… Mom. Why have you been so cold to Dad lately?"
At Im Hwa-yeon’s casual question, Im Hye-rin momentarily gritted her teeth.
"It’s just one of those things, dear."
Her voice was calm, but an irrepressible anger churned within her.
How dare he cheat on me while I was in the US? And not with just one woman, but four?
Before leaving for America, she had left her eyes and ears behind in Korea, worried about her daughter and husband. But the reports they sent back were shocking.
Jo Han-su.
In her absence, he had been involved with other women. Not just one, but four of them.
Im Hye-rin’s lips twisted into a subtle grimace. Though she appeared composed on the outside, she was suppressing a boiling rage.
If I had my way, I’d divorce him this instant, but…
She glanced at her daughter beside her. She was still so innocent, unaware of her father’s infidelity, still respecting and loving him.
Worried that her daughter would be devastated, she kept this fact buried deep inside.
He used to follow me around like a puppy when we were young… Ha, how dare he leave me and cheat?
She barely managed to swallow the rage simmering within her and clenched her jaw.
She wanted to burn him and those women to a crisp.
"Mom, that hurts."
Im Hwa-yeon stared at her with wide, surprised eyes.
"Oh, sorry."
She must have tightened her grip without realizing it, squeezing her daughter’s arm too hard.
Im Hye-rin took a deep breath.
Hoo… Just forget it.
For her daughter’s sake, she swallowed her anger.
She focused again on the fight before her, her gaze settling on the man her daughter liked.
His face is more than decent… and his skills and potential are excellent.
Moreover—
Han Mu-gang. That old man seems to have his eye on this kid…
Her eyes shone with a sharp light.
If Han Mu-gang had taken an interest, then this man was more than just talented; he was a being of immense potential.
Her gaze was now fixed on Jin Seo-yun. The firm muscles and fluid movements visible through his training clothes captivated her.
His body… is nice… And he smelled good earlier…
As the fight intensified, his movements seemed to grow more sensual. The moment his sword cut through the air, the abs revealed between the folds of his shirt moved with supple grace. A bead of sweat trickled slowly down his toned muscles.
Haa… Why do I keep…
Im Hye-rin’s eyes naturally began to explore his body. His strong forearms, broad shoulders, and the defined abs that flexed with every move.
Her lips grew moist on their own. Unconsciously, her tongue darted out to wet them as she followed his every motion.
His swordplay was as fluid as a sensual dance. The powerful flex of his muscles, revealed with each swing, was mesmerizing.
No… I shouldn’t be thinking this…
But her body was already reacting instinctively. She pressed her thighs tightly together and crossed them, but she couldn’t stop the heat rising from her groin.
Gasp… What am I…
She could feel her underwear getting wet. Every time she watched him move, a jolt went through her hips and her lower abdomen tightened.
She had never reacted like this before. She had seen countless men, but never had her body, as a woman, become so aroused.
Hnngh… Why is this happening all of a sudden…?
She shifted her hips at the sensation of her panties becoming soaked with her fluids. His powerful masculinity was awakening her primal instincts as a woman.
If I… keep watching like this…
A strong forearm sliced through the air, swinging the sword. Each time his muscles, chest, and abs were clearly revealed through his shirt, her body grew hotter.
She could feel a ceaseless flow of fluid from her pussy. She wanted to look away, but the more she tried, the more vivid the sensation in her groin became.
She wanted to deny it, but her body was honest.
Im Hye-rin… are you insane…? Getting turned on by your daughter’s man…
As reason and instinct clashed, her body grew hotter and hotter.
*
BOOM!!
The ground shook with a massive roar. His fist, equipped with a metal knuckle, swung lightly.
That simple motion alone felt like it could tear the air apart.
"Is that all you’ve got?!"
He flashed a cruel smile and reset his stance.
Moreover, his fighting style was far more systematic than I had anticipated.
It wasn't just ignorant brute force; he was the type to combine attack patterns to corner his opponent.
I slowly raised my sword.
I calculated the distance between us and organized his attack patterns in my head.
Jo Han-su suddenly dropped low, then kicked off the ground and charged.
CRASH!!
Closing the distance in an instant, he swung his knuckle.
I need to create some distance.
I took a step back and swung my sword diagonally.
But—
CLANG!
As if he had predicted it, he swung his own knuckle to parry the blade.
The sound of metal striking metal filled the training ground.
My fingertips are tingling.
A heavy shock traveled up my arm. He deflected my sword and threw another powerful punch.
I reflexively rotated my sword, letting the force of his attack flow along with its movement.
Use the speed to counterattack.
Channeling the rotational force, I swung my sword sideways.
Swish!
The strike was so close it momentarily grazed his chin, but he quickly tilted his head back to dodge it.
CRASH!!
He slammed his fist down in a counterattack.
The intense impact cracked the ground, sending dust flying everywhere.
I instinctively leaped back to create distance.
He’s not an easy opponent, that’s for sure.
He slammed his knuckles together and looked at me with an expression of amusement.
"With skills like these, I can hardly call you a brat."
Jo Han-su’s massive body vanished from my sight in an instant.
BOOM!
The ground beneath my feet trembled.
I twisted my body to evade while simultaneously slashing with my sword.
Shhhk!
But Jo Han-su had already altered his trajectory and was moving in the opposite direction.
A massive fist crossed my vision faster than I expected.
Looks like I have the upper hand in speed…
CRASH!!
The knuckle, flying in an instant, slammed into the ground, sending shattered stone fragments flying in all directions.
I held my sword at an angle, ready to counter. But a faint smile touched Jo Han-su’s lips.
It’s a trap!
I immediately twisted my body, but his counterattack had already begun.
BAM!
The impact grazed my chest. Despite the momentary hit, I reflexively wrapped my sword around his arm and moved up.
Scrape!
"Keuk!"
The moment my blade scraped against his knuckle, Jo Han-su’s movement faltered for half a beat.
"Moon-Slaying Slash (Wolhacham)."
I spun my body quickly and launched a counterattack.
A slash of blue light cut a diagonal line through the air.
Swoosh!
A streak of sword light whipped out and grazed Jo Han-su’s side.
"Ugh…!"
His body reflexively retreated. A thin line of blood spread across his side, dripping to the ground.
I caught my breath and stared at Jo Han-su.
Was it too shallow…?
"Hehehe…"
Showing no sign of pain, Jo Han-su slammed his knuckles together and let out a smirk.
"Well, you’re not just some half-assed punk."
He paid no mind to his wound and casually loosened his shoulders.
Then, he got back into his stance. I frowned. A powerful energy was surging from his body.
What is this?
Just then, Jo Han-su’s muscles began to tremble and change. The very air felt heavy and oppressive.
"From now on, I’ll fight you for real."
His voice rumbled, low and deep.
Wooooom…!
The space around us seemed to vibrate. I tightened my grip on my sword and reset my stance.
Jo Han-su’s muscles swelled as a powerful energy exploded from him. The ether enveloping his body vibrated as if it had physical substance.
Just how many abilities does he have?
"Now I’ll show you what I can really do."
His voice deepened. His physique, now even more massive as his muscles expanded, was like that of a wild beast.
In that instant—
BOOM!
The speed at which he shot off the ground was on a completely different level than before. His fist flew toward me, accompanied by an overwhelming presence that tore through the air.
A momentary power amplification… No, it’s a method of intensively augmenting his body with ether.
It didn’t seem to be a simple boost to his strength and speed, but an ability that fundamentally enhanced his physical capabilities.
"Father-in-law, don’t you think you’re being a little too rough on your son-in-law?"
I let out a small laugh and held my sword at an angle.
"Still have the energy to run your mouth, I see. Let’s see how long that confidence lasts!"
A chilling smile crossed Jo Han-su’s face. And then he vanished.
Crack!
Jo Han-su disappeared from my sight in an instant. I instinctively turned my head.
Behind me!
CRUUUUNCH!!
I felt immense pressure from my back. I immediately spun my sword to counter.
CLANG!
My sword and his knuckle met head-on.
BOOM!
The tremendous repulsive force sent me flying backward, my feet skidding across the ground.
It’s heavy…!
I realized his strike wasn’t just simple strength, but a compressed destructive force concentrated with ether.
Jo Han-su rapidly closed in again. I, too, imbued my sword with my internal energy and swung.
A blue sword light spread through the air, drawing a crescent moon.
The air momentarily split as a massive sword strike shot toward Jo Han-su.
He narrowed his eyes and raised his arms in a defensive posture.
CRRAAASH!
The two energies collided with a deafening roar.
I gripped my sword again, preparing for the next attack.
"That’s enough."
Im Hye-rin’s voice echoed across the training ground. Jo Han-su and I stopped moving simultaneously.
The aftershock of the intense impact still lingered in the air.
I slowly caught my breath and lowered my sword. Jo Han-su, on the other hand, seemed displeased that the fight was over. He slammed his knuckles together and glared at me.
"Tch, consider yourself lucky."
Then, Jo Han-su took a glowing blue crystal from his pocket and pressed it against the wound on his side.
A light spread out, the bleeding stopped, and the wound began to heal rapidly.
Watching the scene, I muttered to myself.
So that’s a healing artifact. Having one of those would be pretty useful.