The Light Sword from the Heavens
A Light Sword plunged from the night sky into the earth. Was there any better way to describe the scene? What would shock people was that the blade was as massive as an entire building—and the one who drove it into the ground was none other than Gwanggeom—Heo Yun-hwan.
The sword's impact unleashed a massive earthquake from the earth. Gwanggeom dropped toward the quake's epicenter.
5:30 a.m. The hour when those lost in deep slumber tossed and turned, savoring their final sweet dreams.
Weeeeeoooooo—!
A piercing air raid siren shattered the silence over New Seoul.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Light Sword gleamed from underground. Its tip, sharp as a spike, had bored through the earth to impale me. The point hovered right against my upraised palm.
Kiiikigik!
The blade still pressed down with enough force to grind everything to dust. But it couldn't budge my palm an inch.
A blue protective barrier shimmered in my hand. I channeled all my mana upward, shoving back the Light Sword.
Kagang!
In a tug-of-war between mana, the side with more always wins. I poured every ounce into my hand.
'Going big right from the start, huh.'
Sure, it was just his basic skill, but its sheer presence dwarfed any ordinary hero's.
I flicked my hand, nudging up the sword tip that hovered just shy of my scalp. About five centimeters. A short distance, less than a handspan—but enough to shatter the blade.
The moment balance tipped, it was obvious which would break.
Pajik, pajijik!
Cracks spiderwebbed from the tip, mangling the sword's form. The golden light it emitted wasn't natural sunlight; it was the hue of light-attribute mana.
Light particles rained from the Light Sword. Residual mana flaked off the blade, scattering across the underground chamber.
Hwarak.
Azure Flame raced up the sword's core toward the surface, like fire along a fuse. The blue blaze shook the blade's mana foundation, crumbling it.
In that instant, a pulse rippled from the sword's heart—the mana struts holding it together.
"Bingo."
I twisted them viciously. Azure Flame incinerated the central pillar.
Passs.
Devoid of supports, the blade pulverized into tiny particles. With its skeleton shattered, the light-attribute mana dispersed into the air.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
I raised my smartwatch.
Click.
It was a spectacle like fireflies dancing in the dead of night. No festival of lights in the world could rival this ethereal glow. Beneath it, I unfurled my wings.
I glanced up at the ceiling. Cold night air had poured in through the hole the Light Sword had pierced.
"About thirty meters...?"
The Light Sword had vanished entirely. All that lingered was the mana shockwave from our clash roiling the air.
Jijik, jijik.
Something beeped on my smartwatch, but the signal wouldn't connect. Still, the second hand ticked on.
5:33 a.m. The sun would peek over the horizon soon.
I folded my wings. Bent my knees.
Before the Light Sword could strike underground again, I had to reach the surface first—stand on the same ground as my foe.
"Hoo."
A short breath. My body didn't sweat, yet my palm itched, my throat parched.
The second-strongest opponent I'd faced so far. The one who alone in this world had stabbed a spirit's heart—the spirit slayer.
'So, are you scared?'
"As if!"
Wings spread, I rocketed upward. The light particles shimmered, blades rising—but I soared faster, bursting onto the surface.
There he stood, Gwanggeom, sword planted in the earth.
"......."
".......Heh heh."
Our eyes met. His were bloodshot, as if freshly woken.
I greeted him with an elegant curtsy.
"Father-in-law, good morning."
"Sun's not up yet. Who're you calling father-in-law?"
Irritation laced his voice. Imagining him leaping from bed like that, I couldn't help but chuckle.
Beaming, I spread my arms wide.
"The sun's right here, isn't it?"
"......Never heard he was one for lame jokes."
The man drew his sword from its sheath. Moonlight, a longsword forged with over ten A-rank cores. Golden mana gleamed along its blade in the moonlight.
Battle joined.
Flames coiled around my fists as I grumbled.
"You didn't even let me introduce myself yet."
"Like I care. Monsters die, villains get arrested. And..."
Gwanggeom gripped the hilt two-handed and charged.
"Kaijin get beaten to death!"
"Hey, at least let me introduce myself first!!"
"Shut it!"
"No romance, no romance at all!"
Fist met blade.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Dawn. Jijeonggwan Yoo Yeong-ho was just about to hit the sack when he bolted upright after barely ten minutes and rushed to the situation room.
"What the hell?!"
He flung open the door—but the room was empty. Yoo Yeong-ho was the first to arrive.
"Everyone's still asleep at a time like this...!"
Unaware his circadian rhythm ran faster than most, he grumbled and fiddled with the screen.
"Not a monster alert?"
He bit his lip. If not monsters, what could trigger sirens this loud?
Beep—
His smartwatch blared—not the raid siren's decibel, but an emergency disaster text.
Yoo Yeong-ho checked it instantly.
[EMERGENCY] May 2, 05:30 - Magnitude 2.0 inland earthquake, 2km northeast of Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.
[EMERGENCY] May 2, 05:32 - Magnitude 3.2 inland earthquake, 2km northeast of Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.
"Just an earthquake?"
No way. His commander's instincts screamed it wasn't natural.
Beep.
Satellite footage hit the situation room monitor. Yoo Yeong-ho zoomed in frantically.
North of Daejeon, the Core Research Complex. The area was blanketed in mana waves.
He clapped a hand over his mouth.
"My God...."
At the battle's heart, Gwanggeom's sword blazed. Amid the dust, his signature mana hue flashed.
Gwanggeom was fighting in Daejeon.
Yoo Yeong-ho jabbed his smartwatch desperately.
"Kang So-yeon! Kang So-yeon! Answer me!"
No response from his adjutant. As connection failed, he slammed the screen down in frustration.
"Damn it, damn it!"
Grabbing a wall mic, he infused it with mana. Staffers rushed in, half-dressed.
"Jijeonggwan speaking! Enemy raid! S-level emergency! Gwanggeom engaging! Assemble at designated positions as soon as you're combat-ready!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Light flashed. Not once, but endlessly strobing—Gwanggeom's blade was a vicious tool to blind his foe.
Hwarak.
I hurled flames forward. Throwing my cloak-like barrier ahead, I leaped back.
Seok!
The barrier sliced diagonally. Gwanggeom charged, raising his sword for another diagonal slash.
He was faster than my retreat. Too late to dodge.
So I wrapped my hands in flames.
Ignoring defense entirely.
"?!"
Gwanggeom faltered for a split second, but his swing arced on.
The Light Sword carved from my right thigh up to my left abdomen.
I didn't dodge.
I let it hit.
Pabat.
Blood sprayed. Caught off-guard by my willingness, Gwanggeom was drenched in it.
Marked.
Now he couldn't escape.
Flames erupted from my right hand toward him.
Flash!
Gwanggeom vanished into the light haze again. If it were sunlight, I could hide the same way—but dawn was still distant.
Hiding in moonlight, he evaded both eyes and mana senses.
"Ssp."
Then I'd track by scent.
My fireball wandered briefly before locking on, streaking after him.
It struck a street tree, where Gwanggeom perched five meters up. Explosion.
He leaped down, rolling into a landing.
Kwaang!
The decades-old tree erupted in flames. The fire didn't spread—just plummeted, engulfing Gwanggeom.
"Kuh!"
He rolled, dodging the fiery rain. In that instant, I kicked off the ground, charging.
He was still coated in my blood.
Fists aflame, I led with my right.
Gwanggeom hastily raised his blade.
Pa-ang!
Fist met flat. Mana clashed, shockwave rippling out.
Wind whipped his hair, revealing eyes scanning me—and my gut.
Blood poured from my wounds; slashes from blade and light grazed my body.
Pain gnawed, but I endured, thrusting my left fist low under the blade.
An uppercut rising like a geyser.
Mana collided again, another shockwave—but different. The first hit flat-to-fist; this, edge-to-fist.
The sword lifted slightly upward. Gwanggeom's guard opened below.
"Kweuk?!"
Too late to recover. He'd rarely faced foes who inflicted mortal wounds on themselves to attack.
A suicidal trade of bone for flesh, heedless of his body.
I planted my left foot, right leg snapping up in a vertical kick.
Swaak!
Gwanggeom stretched his arms, body arching back. My toes grazed his forehead.
Miss.
He retracted for a thrust. I stomped down.
Puk.
His blade pierced my left shoulder. Kwang! My foot crushed his left.
Gash versus bruise. Hard to say which hurt more.
He damaged me, but I shattered his protective aura.
Seeeik.
I grinned involuntarily. Gwanggeom froze, stunned he'd "stabbed" himself into vulnerability.
In a fight decided by split seconds, hesitation meant defeat.
Hwarak.
Flames bloomed from my heel on his shoulder.
He snapped alert to the heat, scrambling back—but couldn't.
I'd pinned him. The blade in my shoulder was gripped by both my hands.
Puk!
He yanked desperately; I held firm.
Mana and blood leaked from my wound, but he couldn't free it.
"Kuh!"
Finally, he released the hilt and leaped back—ten paces at least.
I wrenched the blade free.
Clang.
The long sword skittered across asphalt.
I caught my breath, scanning. Bloodbath. My blood splattered everywhere.
Left hand in pocket, I snapped my right fingers.
Ttaak.
Azure Flame ignited cheerily. Gwanggeom flinched as it consumed my wounds and blood.
Mana blazed, healing me.
"Hm hm."
I touched my shoulder. The hole vanished, flesh knitting. Blood evaporated into mana.
Only battle scars remained. My wounds healed fully.
His barrier? Shattered. Recasting would drain mana.
Pure attrition favored me.
"......."
Gwanggeom straightened. Shocked his attacks failed? Or readying anew despite losing his sword?
He could fight barehanded—maybe deadlier without it.
Didn't matter.
I picked up his sword. Gripped two-handed, vertical, half-masking my face.
My reflection in one side; Gwanggeom in the other.
"Moonlight Sword? Too grand for you, don't you think?"
"......What're you doing?"
He finally spoke. I smirked, tossing the sword skyward.
Whoosh—!
It arced high, then plunged—right before him.
His hand hesitated.
I beckoned mockingly.
"What? Pick it up."
"...Giving your enemy leeway? Think that won't be your downfall?"
Light gathered in his hand as he gripped the hilt. No trap, yet he checked it before drawing.
I straightened my clothes. My secretary outfit—still unwashed—was torn.
"Not really a downfall. Oh, since it's rare, let me introduce myself. I'm Heavenly Light Karna. Pleased to meet you? Gwanggeom."
"Don't lie, Azure Flame. One-star cadre of the Dark Legion. The phoenix that devours stars. ...Think I wouldn't know?"
"...Heh heh heh."
Laughter bubbled up. Not at the interruption, but he'd taken the bait.
"Who told you that? Some nobody from wherever?"
"......."
He flinched, lips sealing.
Of course, I wouldn't let it slide.
"Even the Round Table doesn't know the Dark Legion cadres. How'd you find out? Ah."
I paused deliberately.
"You stabbed the tipster yourself. Right in the heart."
Kung!
Gwanggeom kicked off, charging. Sword horizontal for a wide slash. Speed on another level.
Too late to dodge.
But no need to take a wound like before.
Knees bent. Arms forward.
Mana surged hotter, pumping physical prowess higher.
"The enemy who killed Rusalka!"
He couldn't hear. Wouldn't.
But I yelled anyway.
"I've come for revenge!"
No such intent, but his face twisted. He'd lost composure.
In that gap, I set my stance. Boxing guard.
"What?!"
His eyes widened in disbelief.
I drove my right fist into the sweeping blade.
One Fist.
One punch blocked the longsword's path. Mana waves swept around.
Two Fists. Retract, thrust again.
The bee-sting follow-up shook the core-dust-infused edge.
Finally, Three Fists. Pull back. Step forward with left foot, pouring weight into the punch.
Kang!
The snapping triple barrage boiled the blade's core remnants to plasma. Fine particles once conduits now micro-explosives.
"Tch!"
Gwanggeom dropped the sword, retreating. Smart.
Pasasak!
It shattered. Azure Flame in my fist melted fragments.
Tok.
I shook my hand, resetting stance. Light dust fell limply from my sleeve.
Gwanggeom's eyes shook, swordless.
"You... that's Hwagwon's..."
"Why tell you?"
I raised my fist to eye level, smirking fully.
"Curious? Ask Rusalka in hell!"
"You bastard!!!"
Enraged, Gwanggeom raised his hand. Light particles formed countless swords in the air. Dual light blades in his grip.
Wooong—!
They aligned, hurtling at me.
I wrapped my fists in flames, slamming down.
A blue fire pillar erupted like a volcano, devouring the thrown swords.
Flame wall blocking the barrage, I rose, resetting.
Whoosh!
The pillar split X-wise. Gwanggeom lunged with golden dual blades.
A rare true swordsman among ability users. What elevated him to S-rank wasn't the flash—it was battle-honed swordsmanship.
Of course, same here.
"Ha-!
Fists like bees blocked sword paths. Right sword, right fist; left, left.
Blue flames gauntleted my hands.
Gwanggeom barked.
"Don't mock him!"
Kwaang!
He swung wide, spinning slash.
Hard to block both high-low arcs. So I focused mana in my right.
Flames swelled to giant fist.
Gwanggeom's eyes bulged.
"You...!"
Larger than my torso, it smashed the dual blades—like twigs on rock.
Shockwave blasted him.
He shielded with mana.
"Kuh!"
Tumbling, he rolled up.
I shook out residual mana.
Disbelief and confusion filled his eyes.
"How do you know Hwagwon hyungnim's techniques...?"
"Curious?"
I lowered my fists. Sunlight crested the mountains.
"Too bad. Don't wanna tell the thug who killed my little sister."
Irritation and grief crossed his face. I checked the time, calming my mana.
"Wanna know? Come there."
"...There?"
I pointed to my heart, sneering.
"Where else but the 'grave'?"
"......How much do you know? What are you?"
"Told you—come there if you wanna know. I'll tell you the time later. Within a week."
"...I can't do that!"
His left hand shot skyward. Vast light chains blanketed the heavens.
"I'll subdue you here and wring out the truth! How you know that, your link to Hwagwon hyungnim!"
His mana blazed fiercely. I chuckled at the light chains covering the ground.
"...Wow, pulling out your ultimate here?"
He was dead serious. Light threads wove a barrier cage. Once in, only two ways out: kill or be killed.
I raised my right hand, facing him.
"Sorry, but our battlefield isn't here."
Flames ignited from my feet upward. Gwanggeom startled.
"Spatial transfer?!"
"What, thought only Rusalka could?"
Instant movement was basic for evil org cadres, spirits.
I glanced at the nearly complete light barrier, bowing.
"See ya. Next time, fully prepped, all-out. Till one dies."
He reached—but my awareness slipped the barrier, fleeing the field.
Blur sharpened; form solidified.
Familiar ruins beyond the window: north Han River wasteland.
"...Puhuhu."
I burned my tattered secretary clothes, donning a gown.
Sunlight peeked, warming the bed.
Plop.
I flopped down.
"Day 19 today, huh...."
No sleep, all work. Cube secured, association spy muzzled, Gwanggeom baited.
Rest: final showdown there.
Where the spirit died, where Gwanggeom stabbed Rusalka's heart.
Haeundae. Beside Rusalka's grave, bury Gwanggeom.
"Guess I'll nap till then...."
Calmed roiling mana. 19 days' fatigue from forced awakening crashed in.
Basking in warm sun, I surrendered to sleep.
Thud thud thud.
Rough knocking.
"Hey, big trouble in New Seoul! Get up!"
"...Tch."
Jo Deok-bae. Kill him? Nah. Ignore.
Great mood today. Mana-blocked hearing, merged with plush bed.
(Addendum: Slept less than thirty minutes. Tentacle girl smashed in, rolled me blanket-and-all to the lounge via tentacles. After an hour "interrogation," I spilled everything from the night. Unfair. I worked hard—got scolded instead. Why?)