Chapter 388: Two Masters, Two Disciples (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 388: Two Masters, Two Disciples (1)
Among the residents of the Tower, those who accumulated countless achievements and myths to earn praise...
People unanimously called them "heroes."
'Lu Bu...'
Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.
Although he wasn't a grand hero on the level of Heracles or Siegfried, that was only because he had never had the opportunity to build a transcendent myth.
Lu Bu Fengxian was a general whose martial prowess alone was second to none.
Because of this, various factions had gone to great lengths to recruit him, and Olympus and Ragnarok had even actively tried to scout him.
Of course, Lu Bu had kicked all those offers aside, choosing instead to align with the Administrators and take the position of a Labyrinth Lord.
'Since a hero-grade resident has even received the buff of being a Labyrinth Lord, he must be considered a step above other heroes of his rank.'
And.
To face such a formidable opponent, Jinhyuk and Cheon Yu-seong had been passionately sparring against Eagle Owl ever since they entered the labyrinth.
To be precise, it was a training session to raise Cheon Yu-seong's level so he could handle Lu Bu's troublesome lieutenants.
Boom!
Clang, clang, clang!
Sparks flew in all directions.
Cheon Yu-seong swung his sword like a madman.
Sharp slashes raged like a storm.
However, Eagle Owl blocked every single sword path in advance with just a single thin sword.
"Ugh! What on earth...!"
An incredulous sigh escaped Cheon Yu-seong's lips.
It was only natural for him to be dumbfounded, as the swordsmanship he had honed his entire life was being read so effortlessly.
"Hmm, it's quite usable, but a bit lacking. You could handle the sword much more naturally. Has no one ever pointed that out to you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean you should try using Left-Handed Swordsmanship."
"With my... left hand?"
Cheon Yu-seong flinched, gripping the sword in his hands.
Until now, he had primarily used both hands, occasionally favoring his right.
He had never once thought of using his unfamiliar left hand as his primary sword hand.
Logically speaking...
How could something so unfamiliar be better than the hand he had been accustomed to for over a decade?
"Yes, let me show you first. Do it like this."
Eagle Owl slipped into Cheon Yu-seong's guard.
A distance so close they could feel each other's breath.
From there.
Clang!
Eagle Owl's swordplay began.
"......Ugh!!??"
Cheon Yu-seong hastily took a defensive stance.
The sword dance was incomparably more dazzling than before, making every nerve in his body stand on end.
'Above... no, the side? Damn it. From here, along this trajectory...!'
The position of the sword grip shifted freely mid-combat.
The explosive slashes from the left hand immediately wrapped around smoothly.
Clang, clang, clang!
Utilizing both softness and strength, and above all, there was absolutely no awkwardness in the transition between the two.
"This is how you do it. Now, why don't you give it a try?"
"Do you think that's as easy as it sounds? Seriously, every single person that damn veteran brings along talks about ridiculous things so casually, it drives me crazy..."
"You talk a lot for someone who looks so quiet. Just give it a shot, even if you think you're being fooled."
Eagle Owl cut Cheon Yu-seong off and swung his sword.
"Damn it!"
Clang!
Cheon Yu-seong had no choice but to respond.
But then,
the sword held in his left hand evoked an unexpected sensation.
Clang, clang, clang!
...It was true.
The more they clashed swords, the more his doubt turned into certainty.
"W-what is this?"
Bewilderment leaked from Cheon Yu-seong's voice.
His swordplay had become incomparably smoother.
Even balancing his center of gravity felt incomparably lighter than before.
"How on earth is this..."
Of course, this was all thanks to Eagle Owl naturally guiding Cheon Yu-seong's sword path to bring out its true potential...
But Cheon Yu-seong didn't realize it.
The guidance had been just that subtle.
Watching silently, Jinhyuk chimed in.
"Hey... why did you tell him that? I was planning to use that later. Tsk."
"Hmm, as expected, you already knew?"
"You...! You knew all along and purposely kept quiet until now?!"
Different reactions burst from Eagle Owl and Cheon Yu-seong.
"No, it's not like I was never going to tell you..."
He had just planned to squeeze every last drop of sweetness out of him, and only tell him when he was on the verge of crumbling into an empty husk with nothing left to give.
You know, when you're full and satisfied, you lack a sense of desperation.
Throwing a lifeline is most effective when someone is drowning and gasping for their last breath.
"You absolute piece of trash... I'll kill you!"
Cheon Yu-seong flew into a rage, looking ready to run wild.
"Whoa, calm down! You just got a rare opportunity. Do you really have time to fight me?"
The Soul-Chasing Sword of Soul-Chasing Shadow combined with Eagle Owl's one-on-one tutoring.
If these two synergized, Cheon Yu-seong would grow even further.
Above all, with so little time left before they had to conquer the labyrinth, there was no time to bicker.
If he had the energy to swear, he'd be better off spending it to hone his Left-Handed Swordsmanship even a little more.
"You are definitely going to hell when you die."
"Yeah. I'm planning to go hand-in-hand with you."
"Damn it. I shouldn't even bother talking to you."
Spitting out a curse, Cheon Yu-seong turned away.
Despite his grumbling, he looked strangely excited. The newly acquired insight must indeed be extraordinary.
"He's a highly talented fellow, so even with just this much guidance, he'll pave his own path."
"Probably. That guy is a monster too."
He was already strong, but it was hard to imagine how much stronger he would become once he could use both hands freely.
'I might have to worry about getting stabbed in the back soon.'
After all, it was that leech's nature to charge in for a fight the moment he thought he had even a slight chance of winning.
"Anyway, since that guy is going to be busy wrestling with his sword all day, why don't you play with me too while we're at it?"
Jinhyuk tilted his head toward Eagle Owl.
"Are you asking to spar?"
"I want to experience firsthand how strong an Operator is. There are also things I want to test in a fight against a strong opponent."
Not only to face Lu Bu, the master of this labyrinth...
...but also to fight grand heroes and deities in the future, he needed to perfectly master several of his unique abilities.
Among them, the one he had to focus on first was...
...naturally, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Whether in single combat or against an army, it was the ultimate technique that boasted overwhelming destructive power in any situation.
'Entering the rift with the compass I got from Rick is one way, but that takes too much time.'
The best method available right now was to maximize his real-combat experience.
And the perfect opponent for that was right in front of him.
However.
"Hmm, I see what you want, but I'm not particularly confident in martial arts. I think it would be better to set you up with a more suitable opponent."
Eagle Owl snapped his fingers.
Then.
[Imaginary Space is unfolding!]
A blue barrier expanded around Jinhyuk.
A completely severed dimension.
Here, even the concept of time was different.
It meant that ten minutes on the outside equated to twenty-four hours inside.
'This ability must require quite a lot of restrictions...'
Jinhyuk muttered, unable to understand.
But his bewilderment was short-lived.
At the sight that followed, he finally understood why Eagle Owl had gone to such lengths to unfold the Imaginary Space.
Step.
A footstep both light and heavy.
Internal energy containing heaven and earth constricted his entire body.
'He gave me a much bigger present than I expected. This is completely... beyond my expectations.'
There was no way he wouldn't know.
How could he possibly not recognize him?
The symbol of the Demonic Cult, the absolute master who had mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to its absolute peak.
"......It has been a while."
"I have heard the story. You wish to learn my martial arts?"
A heavy internal energy carried through the voice.
Though this space was an illusion, the being standing before him was by no means a fake.
"That is true, but I never expected the Heavenly Demon himself to come. Much less that you would agree to an Imaginary Space contract."
A contract to enter the Imaginary Space carried its own penalties for both parties.
After all, it was one of the most anomalous contracts in the Tower of Trials, restricting both time and space.
"There were various circumstances. However, my greatest desire was to exchange blows with you."
"To be honest, I also thought receiving instruction from the Heavenly Demon would be the best."
"Hmm, those words do not displease me. Still, the Right Dharma Protector will be a bit saddened. He was so pleased to have found a reliable disciple to inherit the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art."
Indeed, given his master's personality, he wouldn't want to have his only disciple snatched away, even if it was by the Heavenly Demon.
In fact, he had growled at the Heavenly Demon several times.
Even so.
He would gladly understand since it was for his disciple to grow stronger.
And if not, well, whatever.
"Phew..."
As he regulated his breathing, black battle aura rose along Jinhyuk's body.
[Unique Ability 'Heavenly Demon Divine Art' has been unlocked!]
This feeling.
This sensation.
It had been quite a while.
Although it strained his body and he couldn't wield it freely yet...
...from now on, he would learn the path to wielding this ability in the most efficient way.
From the very person who had mastered this martial art to its absolute peak.
"Here I come."
"Yes, come."
A similar black battle aura surged from the Heavenly Demon's body.
* * *
Boom!
The Imaginary Space crumbled under a single blow.
Massive forces clashed against each other in a colorless world.
Throb!
As expected, the destructive power was immense.
Jinhyuk barely managed to steady himself and widened the distance.
'That was really dangerous just now.'
The place where the Heavenly Demon's single strike had landed was already a ruin that could hardly be called ground anymore.
"Impressive. To wield the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, which is passed down to only a single successor, to this extent... Is this also one of your abilities?"
The corners of the Heavenly Demon's mouth curled upward.
Normally, learning the Heavenly Demon's martial arts without permission would be reason enough to be executed on the spot.
Yet, the Heavenly Demon merely looked at Jinhyuk with pride.
"Are you trying to kill me instead of sparring? Hey, take it easy on me."
"For someone saying that, did you not block my move with ease? Even in our Cult, there is no master of your caliber."
"I've already crossed the threshold of death several times, what do you mean 'with ease'? And why are your forms so irregular? I need to see something to even react."
"What meaning do forms and stances hold? In the end, everything is destined to break."
A power that thoroughly pursued the path of hegemony.
The essence of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art lay precisely there.
"I am coming again. Watch closely. Feel it."
Thud!
Executing the 'Heavenly Demon Sovereign Step', the Heavenly Demon appeared right in front of Jinhyuk's nose in an instant.
Heavenly Demon Divine Fist.
The internal energy loaded into his fist became a raging torrent, aiming for Jinhyuk's abdomen.
...Fast.
Jinhyuk also utilized the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and reached out toward the Heavenly Demon's fist.
Crash, crash, crash!
It felt as if his entire fist would be shattered to pieces.
Since he fell short in terms of raw power, the difference was bound to be extreme, even if they used the same divine art.
Jinhyuk knew this fact.
The Heavenly Demon knew it too.
Yet, the reason this merciless battle—which could hardly even be called a spar—continued was...
...because the Heavenly Demon was teaching him right now.
How to master the Heavenly Demon Divine Art in a short period of time.
"The time granted to me in this Imaginary Space is about a month."
Within that time.
He would create a monster to succeed him.