Chapter 376
Chapter 376
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 99
>Chapter Title: That Day (2)
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"I am the one who will become your master."
Ryu So-wol was dumbfounded by the man's arrogant words, spoken as if they were the most natural thing in the world.
"You've truly lost your mind."
No sooner had she finished speaking than it happened.
-Kooooh!
The vicious energy emanating from directly behind her left her utterly flustered.
Even her father, Ryu Gang—the head of the Moon Vein Clan and one of the greatest masters she knew—had never exuded such overwhelming pressure.
Yet this aura from behind felt like standing before a ferocious beast.
'What kind of energy is this?'
"Insolent bitch, so desperate to die..."
-Swish!
At that moment, the all-black-clad man extended his hand, gesturing for the other to hold back.
With just that gesture, the immense energy vanished in an instant.
Ryu So-wol was inwardly astonished.
To command such a monstrous being whose very level she couldn't even fathom—what was this man's true identity?
Her bewilderment didn't last long.
-Clang!
The sword she had gripped between his two fingers snapped in half.
"Ah?"
He hadn't even channeled any energy.
With sheer physical strength alone, he had not only gripped the blade but shattered it.
As she stared in shock,
-Pak!
The man, who had closed the distance in a flash, seized the front of her chest garment.
Then,
-Rip!
He tore it clean off.
Her upper clothing ripped away in an instant, exposing her ample bosom.
Startled, Ryu So-wol instinctively covered her chest with both arms.
The man smirked at her reaction.
"You're no different from any other bitch."
"You!"
"Even in a life-threatening situation, all you're ashamed of is your tits being exposed?"
His words made Ryu So-wol's humiliated expression harden for a moment.
She had feared he intended to violate her, but his face showed no change.
If anything, he seemed to be mocking her response.
"..."
Any ordinary woman, even a martial artist, would be at a loss in such a situation, overwhelmed by shame and embarrassment.
But she had been raised like a man ever since her older brother died.
She was different from other women.
Though defiance welled up within her, she hid it and instead huddled further, clutching her chest tighter.
"D-don't come any closer."
The man shook his head at her display, as if he'd lost interest, and moved to release the torn fabric.
-Pat!
In that instant, Ryu So-wol thrust the broken blade at the center of his throat in a surprise attack.
But,
"Damn it."
Her blade couldn't reach his throat.
A chilling yet vast energy held her entire body in check.
It resembled qi manipulation but was entirely different.
The energy was far too sinister.
-Tremble! Tremble!
Seized by terror that made goosebumps erupt all over her body, she shuddered violently.
It was the first time she'd faced an opponent so frightening with mere aura alone.
The man approached her, gently lifting her chin as he spoke.
"I thought you were just embarrassed, but you were waiting for an opening? Interesting. Isn't it?"
"She's nothing but a mere insect."
"More amusing than those docile bitches from that clan, isn't she?"
"That's be—"
"Enough."
"..."
Cutting off the man behind him, he smiled faintly at Ryu So-wol.
"Why? Suddenly afraid now?"
"Will you kill me?"
"You dared to strike at the life of your would-be master, so you'll pay the appropriate price."
"..."
"But if you recognize your place and beg for your life, I might consider sparing you."
"What?"
"I am not without mercy..."
"Kill her."
At her words, a glint flashed in the man's eyes.
"Kill you?"
"As a martial artist, I'm always prepared to die. No matter how scared I am, I won't grovel and beg for my life from anyone. So just kill me."
"Hoo."
One of the man's eyebrows arched up.
He had merely been toying with a pathetic creature for a bit of amusement.
Yet this bitch—no, this woman—possessed her own sense of honor and pride.
Intrigued, he spoke.
"Interesting. For a mere woman to carry a warrior's honor."
"Warrior?"
"Yes. A warrior. I don't hate those. And I respect a warrior's honor."
"..."
"Very well. As a warrior, I apologize for insulting you earlier. In that spirit, I'll kill you cleanly. If you have any last words, speak them."
He released her chin as he said this.
Having already let go of any attachment to life, she replied in a voice drained of strength.
"None. What words are there to leave when dying? It would only make me want to live pointlessly."
His lips curled up at her response.
Usually, when asked for last words, people said predictable things.
Regrets, farewells to the living, or requests for their care.
But to sever her own lingering attachments to life...
"Truly a noble soul."
It had started as mere amusement, turned to respect moments ago, but now he was genuinely interested.
No woman of renown from her clan had ever shown such true nobility before him.
He asked,
"Not bad at all."
"What?"
"I'll rephrase. Not last words—tell me what you desire."
"What's the difference?"
"That I'll grant your final wish."
His intent was clear.
He had taken a liking to Ryu So-wol and changed his question to give her a way to live.
There was a difference between last words and desires.
If she wished to survive, he would let her.
Surely she wouldn't say otherwise?
But her answer was completely unexpected.
"I want to become stronger."
"...You want to become stronger?"
For a moment, Ryu So-wol was inwardly flustered by her own words.
She didn't know what whim had prompted the man, but the atmosphere seemed to shift.
Then, in wondering what she truly desired, she had unconsciously blurted it out.
It was too late to take it back.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Suddenly, the man burst into booming laughter, as if something was hilariously amusing.
Her face filled with confusion at his reaction.
* * *
Late at night.
Moon Vein Clan Head Ryu Gang was at a loss for words at the sight of his daughter, Little Clan Head Ryu So-wol.
Her face was covered in bruises and cuts, and she limped as if gravely injured.
He had felt guilty about his harsh words and actions earlier that day, but he still believed he had to raise her strictly as the Little Clan Head.
Yet seeing her like this, he couldn't bring himself to scold her.
Instead,
"What in the world happened? Why are you in such a state?"
No father could simply overlook his daughter—raised harshly or not—returning in such a pitiful condition.
Ryu So-wol couldn't bring herself to answer his question.
*Strength isn't something you just obtain. A warrior grows stronger through battle.*
Those were the man's words.
Afterward, she had fought like mad against his subordinate.
For several hours straight, without rest.
It was the first time.
The first time she'd felt such agony that she wished for death.
"Are you ignoring your clan head's words?"
"..."
Under Ryu Gang's scolding, she couldn't open her mouth.
In truth, she wanted to tell him everything that had happened.
But she had made a promise with that man.
*Tell no one of our meeting. And every year around this time, if you come here, you can obtain the strength you desire.*
She had her own stubbornness.
Once she made a promise, she kept it no matter what.
Thus, despite her father's persistent urging, she kept silent.
In the end, Clan Head Ryu Gang gave up.
"Stubborn girl."
Clicking his tongue at her obstinacy, he informed her bluntly.
"The Heavenly Vein Clan has requested a marriage alliance."
"What?"
Marriage? What was this about?
As she looked bewildered, Clan Head Ryu Gang sighed deeply.
"It seems their Little Clan Head wants you."
"No, I don't!"
Ryu So-wol raised her voice in indignation.
Ryu Gang snorted.
"Hmph. You ignore questions about that guy's well-being, but the moment marriage is mentioned, you finally speak up?"
"Th-that's..."
"I've refused for now."
"Ahhh."
She breathed a sigh of relief.
But what followed was anything but reassuring.
"I've accepted their proposal, however."
"What? What proposal?"
"They said that if their Little Clan Head becomes Alliance Lord at the Union Assembly, they'll permit the marriage."
"Clan Head—no, Father!"
Ryu So-wol, who had been kneeling, shot to her feet and shouted.
Ryu Gang scolded her in turn.
"Quiet! It's all for the clan."
"For the clan? You said I'm the Little Clan Head of the Moon Vein Clan, so I'm no longer just a woman. Then why must I marry the Heavenly Vein Clan's Little Clan Head?"
"I told you. It's all for the Moon Vein Clan."
"That's not an answer..."
"If you marry the one who becomes Alliance Lord, the Heavenly Vein and Moon Vein Clans will form an unbreakable bond. And they promised to hand over your firstborn son to the Moon Vein Clan."
"..."
Ryu So-wol's expression turned icy at her father's words.
He had already reached an agreement with the Heavenly Vein Clan Head.
Through this deal, she realized something.
From the moment he accepted such a proposal, her father no longer held great expectations for her as Little Clan Head.
-Squeeze!
Strength entered her clenched fist.
She understood her father.
Clan Head Ryu Gang had become unable to sire children due to past injuries.
Thus, he desperately wanted an heir for the Moon Vein Clan, and she couldn't fulfill that role.
But,
*...You're the Little Clan Head now.*
Those words he had gripped her hand and spoken when her brother passed from illness—had they been empty?
All her efforts to fill his place—had they meant nothing?
It was truly heartbreaking.
Yet beyond the sadness, defiance arose.
-Grit!
Ryu So-wol ground her teeth.
Yes. Thinking of it the other way provided the answer.
The solution to overturn everything.
It was none other than...
* * *
-Kwachik!
Staring at his broken wooden sword, Heavenly Vein Little Clan Head Bi Yong-heon’s eyes shook wildly.
Every year, he had been inwardly shocked by the changing prowess of Moon Vein Little Clan Head Ryu So-wol.
Just four years ago, she still had to hide her true strength.
Then, at some point, things changed.
Starting three years ago, her power surged dramatically, and two years ago, she could no longer conceal it.
Last year, she had finally caught up, a mere half-form behind.
He could force a draw with the Heavenly Vein secret arts, but he could no longer afford to be careless.
Thus, he had trained relentlessly for a year to widen the gap again.
Yet something unbelievable happened.
"This can't be."
In just over twenty exchanges, she had snapped his wooden sword.
He had thought he had bridged the gap to the peak of supreme mastery and pulled ahead once more.
How could this happen?
-Grit!
Frustrated, Bi Yong-heon ground his teeth.
The reason he had desperately maintained the difference and sought victory was simple.
*Don't act weak—become Alliance Lord. Then that child will be your wife.*
It was because of his promise with his father.
But after eight years, not only had she caught up—she had surpassed him.
The broken wooden sword already proved the clear gap, but if he collapsed here, he felt he'd lose her forever.
Thus,
-Pat!
Bi Yong-heon resolved to fight barehanded if needed, refusing to give up.
However,
-Woooong!
"!!!!!!"
The moment he saw the blue sword gang forming around her bare hands, he lost all will to fight.
"...Impossible."
To surpass the wall at just twenty-eight years old.
It meant she had reached the Transformation Realm.
-Murmur murmur!
The astonishing sight caused an uproar everywhere.
Even Moon Vein Clan Head Ryu Gang was so shocked that he forgot decorum and leapt to his feet.
[Chapter 99: That Day (2)] End