Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Dragon Heaven's Secret
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"What... do you mean by that?"
Suddenly talking about the future...
Woojin tried to stay calm in the face of the abrupt question, but it was hard to steady his trembling voice.
"Every sword art contains the insights of its creator. The Haiwang School's swordsmanship you used was born from the ever-changing nature of the sea."
Shring—
As wel lightly drew his sword through the empty air.
Skaaaang—!!
The blade sliced through the air, unleashing a sharp whoosh.
"And my sword art, Seven Kills. It was created purely for combat against humans, forged from insights gained through countless knightly battles."
As wel looked at Woojin.
"But your sword art...?"
A chill ran down his spine.
As wel's gaze sharpened.
"I've heard rumors of a black dragon appearing in Torn Bach recently... but before that, dragons were so rare they were barely more than myths."
Gulp—
Woojin instantly grasped what he was getting at.
The sword art he had learned, Dragon Heaven.
It was a technique Raoul had created after hunting a dragon.
"Your master must have not only seen a dragon in his lifetime—something I've never done—but even hunted one?"
It was just as he suspected.
As wel had pierced the profound essence of Woojin's sword art.
'As expected... the Sword Emperor.'
But beyond that, it was astonishing that an NPC could even entertain such suspicions.
Woojin was once again impressed by the incredible AI of Evil Tail.
'I never thought anyone would figure it out like this...'
As wel wasn't wrong.
At a time when not a single dragon had been slain, a sword art called Dragon Heaven simply couldn't exist.
'And it is a sword art from the future.'
"Care to explain?"
As wel fixed him with a beast-like, piercing stare.
If he couldn't answer properly here, gaining the Sword Emperor's favor would be impossible.
"As expected of the Sword Emperor."
But Woojin had anticipated a situation like this.
From the moment he first learned Dragon Heaven from [Raoul's Dragon Slayer Sword], he'd found it odd.
Fifty years ago, Raoul was little more than a green adventurer, so using a technique he'd created defied the timeline.
'But if there was any issue with the sword or the technique, the admins would have come to confiscate the item long ago.'
The fact that they hadn't meant the sword was fine system-wise.
'So this NPC's question just needs a good story to smooth it over.'
In the tense standoff, Woojin even cracked a faint smile.
"...?"
As wel looked puzzled at his relaxed demeanor.
"As you said, this sword art was born to face dragons. But even when my master passed it on to me, it was still incomplete."
Woojin continued.
"Just as you mentioned, a black dragon appeared in Torn Bach. Thanks to that, I was able to make some use of the incomplete technique."
"No way...?"
"Yes. The outsider who fought the black dragon—that was me."
"...!!"
As wel couldn't hide his shocked expression.
"But due to my own shortcomings, the sword art still isn't complete."
"Your master...?"
"Sadly... he's no longer in this world."
'Sorry for killing the living Raoul...'
To Woojin, the Raoul in the game and the one in the other world were different beings.
"If you faced the black dragon... it makes sense that I sense a draconic aura from your sword."
Fortunately, As wel seemed convinced by Woojin's words.
"My apologies. Dragon Heaven, was it? That technique was so exceptional, I couldn't help but take an interest."
"It's fine."
"And to think you not only conquered an unexplored region but were the hero of Torn Bach... Karan brought quite the talent."
As wel extended a hand to the fallen Woojin and helped him up.
"Seeing two exceptional sword arts... If anything, you've broadened my horizons."
'He still has room to grow?'
Woojin couldn't help but marvel at As wel's prowess upon seeing the notification.
"I don't think I can teach you swordsmanship."
As wel's words ended, the notification rang out.
'Ah...'
It had felt like minutes had passed, but apparently only 45 seconds had elapsed.
Woojin felt regret but accepted the outcome.
"Instead, come to the training grounds starting tomorrow."
"...Pardon?"
"You said it was incomplete, didn't you? I can't promise it'll help, but how about we research it together?"
[Quest: Sword Emperor's Training]
▷ Rank: S
▷ The Sword Emperor took interest in the sword art used during the spar. Complete part of the incomplete sword art through training with the Sword Emperor.
▷ Required Training Time: 3 days
"...!!!"
Woojin’s eyes widened at the unexpected quest.
'I was stumped on how to upgrade the sword skill... and it connects like this.'
"It's an honor."
There was no reason to refuse.
"I, too, want to see the completed sword art."
As wel smiled in satisfaction.
"Liliana. Give him a room. The Ballan family will treat him as a guest, so all knights are to show proper respect."
"Yes!! Understood!!"
The knights in the training grounds raised their swords in unison at his command and shouted.
"As expected."
Karan wore a satisfied expression at the spar's result.
"See you here at 6 a.m."
"Understood."
"Training time... since it's the first day, let's make it 12 hours."
"...Pardon?"
Woojin blankly repeated As wel's casual words.
▷ Required Training Time: 3 days
'...Now I get why it's S-rank.'
Woojin gave a wry smile looking at the quest window.
A strange rumor began circulating in the Tekan Kingdom.
"Did the Sword Emperor take a new disciple?"
"Nah, I heard he hired a new sword instructor for young master Karan?"
"Ridiculous! With all those masters there, why hire another instructor?"
Merchants gathered in the town square whispered among themselves.
"My friend delivers groceries to the estate. He says the Sword Emperor's been teaching him swordsmanship all day long?"
"All day? Man... whoever it is, I'm jealous."
"Right? Training under the Sword Emperor... what luck."
Huff...!! Huff...!!
The townsfolk might think whatever they wanted, but Woojin's current state was nothing short of hell.
His heart felt like it would burst.
How many minutes had he been swinging the sword?
Woojin glanced at the clock atop the training grounds.
Thwack—!!!
In that instant, a sword flew into his abdomen.
"...Guh!!"
His body folded like a jackknife as the breath was knocked out of him.
"Getting distracted mid-spar with me? Impressive."
"...Feels like I'm dying."
"You won't die from this much."
"Haha."
Woojin laughed feebly, collapsing face-down on the ground without even the energy to reply.
"Don't be impatient."
"But... it's the third day, and there's no real progress."
For over 12 hours a day, Woojin had swung his sword in the training grounds.
It was grueling training that didn't even feel like a game.
If he'd started with a light heart, he would've run away immediately.
'Well... if that were the case, As wel wouldn't have offered in the first place.'
It was tough, but not without results.
His Sword Mastery had reached Intermediate through training with him.
But it wasn't enough.
The ultimate upgrade to his sword art hadn't happened.
"10 minutes."
"...Pardon?"
As if sensing Woojin's impatience, As wel caught his breath and spoke.
"How long did you last against me on the first day? Less than a minute. But now you can cross swords for 10 minutes."
"That's because you're going easy on me, Sword Emperor. You haven't used any sword arts since day one."
"Brat. Even without sword arts, you think I couldn't overpower you?"
As wel chuckled.
"It's proof of your growth. Not just stronger muscles or quicker feet—it's your eye for the sword."
Whoosh—!!
As wel swung his sword.
Clang—!! Clash—!!!
His blade bent at right angles in mid-air, creating countless afterimages.
"...!!"
In an instant, As wel thrust at Woojin.
Dozens of afterimages overwhelmed him at once.
Boom—!!!!
With an explosive roar, Woojin's body was flung back.
"Kugh?!"
"Before, you wouldn't have even spotted the true blade amid the afterimages."
"Trying to kill me?"
"I did it because I knew you wouldn't die."
"Ha... haha."
Woojin laughed at his words.
"No need to worry if you haven't grasped new profound truths during our training."
As wel sheathed his sword as he spoke.
'But the quest time limit is three days.'
Woojin could only nod, unable to voice such constraints to As wel.
"I set the training at three days because I'm leaving the territory tonight."
"Where to?"
"I've been investigating something for a long time, and recently got a solid lead."
As wel's eyes gleamed.
"Ever heard of Fenrir?"
"...!!"
Woojin’s eyes widened as he stared back.
"One of the Seven Great Beasts?"
"That's right. I recently found what seems to be Fenrir's nest. I'm heading there to investigate."
"A long journey?"
"No. As they say, it's darkest under the lamp—it's surprisingly close to the Tekan Kingdom."
He lightly patted Woojin's shoulder.
"Less than a day's travel. Stay here and keep training while I'm gone."
"Grandpa said there's a secret technique he awakened while hunting Fenrir."
At that moment, Woojin recalled Iru-rin's words.
'Fenrir's nest is where the Sword Emperor took his sword to the next level.'
Less than a day's distance.
And today was the quest's final day.
'No way...?'
A spark ignited in Woojin's mind.
'That's it.'
The place where his sword art could grow.