Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Cho Clan's Ban (4)
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"Good work, both of you."
Perhaps because it was a day when warriors of the same clan had fought each other, or maybe because they had cleared the hurdle of the round of sixteen in their own way, the Cho Clan members, led by Yeoryeong, went all out and threw a feast for them, even buying them drinks.
Hazelrek wore an unexpectedly refreshed expression, despite his defeat. Deep down, he had always harbored such thoughts. If he unleashed his full power using Qi...
He might even be able to beat Ban.
Today made it clear that it was just his delusion. In a way, that brought a sense of relief. It was cleaner to know for sure that his opponent was clearly superior, rather than being stuck in some awkward rivalry.
"Not much left now. Confident you'll take the championship?"
"Well, there's one guy who's a problem."
"Ah, that dual-wielder?"
The moment Ban brought it up, Yeoryeong nodded as if she knew exactly who he meant. If there was anyone in this tournament who had drawn as much attention as Ban, it was that red-haired man with his bizarre dual-sword style. What was his name again? Before Yeoryeong could dig through her memory, Ban spoke.
"Shade."
"...Ah, right, that was it. Remembering his name means you're really keeping an eye on him, huh?"
"I've never seen dual-swordplay like that. And more than anything... I can't gauge how much strength he's holding back."
Ban narrowed his eyes as he spoke. He held a mug of beer, but in his mind, he was already gripping his sword, facing off against Shade. That man's dual swords were eerie. It was as if each blade was wielded by a different swordsman.
Two rhythms. Two sword paths.
Unless there were two brains in one head, it seemed impossible.
She'd never seen anything like it before, but if he fought while wielding Qi as well...
'No, even without Qi, he'd be the toughest.'
"Drink up, Ban."
"...Pardon?"
"Don't overthink it. Just drink for now. Let's enjoy today. Your victory, and Hazelrek's defeat."
"...That's harsh, Lady Yeoryeong."
Hazelrek said with a dejected look. Yeoryeong giggled and clinked her glass against his.
"Sorry. But losses happen. How can anyone win all the time?"
"I always lose anyway, so this was just another one."
"...Well, that's kinda sad. Want me to cry for you? I get teary when I'm really drunk."
"I'll politely decline."
Hazelrek replied curtly as he raised his glass. Yeoryeong locked eyes with Ban and shook her head with a wry smile. And that was when Ikyeong spoke up in a trembling voice.
"...D-Do you think I can win?"
Everyone turned to look at Ikyeong. With Hazelrek out, the Cho Clan warriors remaining in the quarterfinals numbered three: Ban, Yuseul, and Ikyeong.
And Ikyeong's quarterfinal opponent was none other than Shade.
"Good luck."
Instead of answering, Hazelrek clapped Ikyeong on the shoulder. Ikyeong replied gloomily.
"I'll come back alive..."
§
"You're... strong."
"You were great too. See you at the academy."
The opponent gave a faint smile and plummeted underground along with his severed leg. Ban sheathed his longsword and glanced around. The cheers were the same as always.
'Have I gotten stronger? A little, maybe.'
He'd done plenty of spars. But experiencing real combat like this, concentrated in such a short time, was a first.
In the colosseum, death was never far away. You didn't have to kill to win, but no one complained if you did. As he entered the waiting room, Ban glanced at Shade. He'd never had a proper conversation with the man. No, Shade didn't converse with anyone.
Plenty had tried approaching him first... but no one had ever heard his voice.
'Is he playing mysterious? Mute? Or...'
Who knew. Ban stopped thinking about it. Curiosity about the enemy he'd face soon wouldn't do him any good.
Ikyeong and Shade's match was set to cap off the day. Yuseul, who had claimed victory after a fierce battle, collapsed into a seat the moment she entered the waiting room.
"I'm wiped..."
"Good work, Yuseul."
"...How come you barely even sweated, big brother?"
"I didn't move much."
"Always so full of yourself."
Yuseul let out a small laugh and pulled out her canteen. None of them bothered speaking to Ikyeong. They were probably leaving his mind clear and calm before the fight. Sitting cross-legged, he almost looked like a monk.
'Maybe Ikyeong could pull it off.'
Ban thought as he wiped the blood from his sword. Ikyeong wasn't aggressive due to his timid nature, but when it came to handling Qi, he wasn't far behind Hazelrek. Sparring was one thing, but in real combat like this...
Soon, Ikyeong took the stage.
"You think Ikyeong can win?"
"If he doesn't panic and ends it quickly, he has a shot."
He needed to use Qi from the start and go for the kill. And Ikyeong did just as they hoped.
Textbook swordsmanship. It might seem outdated to some, but every strike embodied the fundamentals the Cho Clan held ideal.
Even so, Shade didn't yield.
'...He's using Qi after all.'
Against the Cho Clan's swordplay, which would cleave him in two without Qi, Shade somehow held his ground with his broadsword. No, he was even gaining the upper hand. His relentless barrage gave no openings—even Ban would struggle against it there.
And if he used Qi on top of that...
'It's over. This fight.'
Ban rooted for Ikyeong, but reality was cruel. Sure enough, Ikyeong was falling behind Shade's speed, and eventually...
"Ah!"
Yuseul let out a sigh. Ikyeong's right arm, still gripping his sword, hit the ground. Without healers waiting below, it would've been a scream-worthy moment.
Ban bit his lip as he watched. Lost. Now Ikyeong would drop underground, a solemn trumpet would sound for the victor...
"What?"
That was the moment. Ban gripped the waiting room's bars. The match was decided. So why was Shade still holding his sword? Why did he look ready to strike Ikyeong down any second...
"No, stop!"
Yuseul cried out. Shade's blade headed straight for Ikyeong's throat...
—Cease.
The voice rang out right then.
Shade froze as if seized by something. A belated trumpet blared, and a calm voice echoed in everyone's ears.
—Victory and defeat are decided. Sheathe your blade for the honor of your name, young swordsman.
Ikyeong had long since been pulled underground. Shade slowly sheathed his sword. The crowd cheered wildly, oblivious—or perhaps aware—that a young man had nearly lost his life moments ago.
Naturally, when Shade returned to the waiting room, Ban blocked his path and glared.
"...Why?"
"......"
"Why try to kill Ikyeong? The arm was enough—the match was already over."
"Get lost. I'm tired."
"What? Get lost? After trying to murder someone, you dare act innocent?"
Yuseul, watching from the side, raised her voice in outrage. Shade gripped his sword hilt instead of answering. Yuseul glared at him, biting her lip.
"Fine. You want to go?"
"Yuseul. Stand down."
"But!"
"No point making a scene. Like it or not, you and I will face him here eventually."
Ban growled.
"Remember this, Shade. I won't forget you tried to kill Ikyeong. When you face me in the arena, you'd better recall this moment too."
"Hmph. Bark all you want."
"Hey, you!"
Yuseul shouted furiously, but Shade brushed past them as if it wasn't worth responding. Ban grabbed Yuseul's shoulder and said quietly.
"Easy, Yuseul. This isn't the time."
"...But that guy's too much!"
"Don't worry."
Ban’s eyes turned icy.
"He'll pay for it soon enough."
§
'Why?'
'Why try to kill Ikyeong?'
'How far can he wield Qi?'
'...Can I beat him?'
'He never showed that kind of cruelty before...'
'Was it because it was Ikyeong?'
'When will I reach 3-Star?'
It was a foggy night. Ban swung Lucas's shortsword, lost in thought. Fortunately, Ikyeong was fine. His arm had regrown perfectly, as if it had never been severed; he just seemed a bit shaken from nearly dying.
The Cho Clan was furious, warriors and family alike. To try killing one of theirs—and after he was already neutralized. It felt malicious.
Ban imagined Shade's sword over and over, running mental spars. With Lucas's talent resonating, it wasn't hard now. He envisioned every possible dual-sword assault, and as the night deepened, Shade's blade grew clearer in his mind.
The clearer it became, the single answer Ban reached was this.
'I need to infuse Qi into every strike.'
Relying on momentary Qi bursts like now gave him low odds. The semifinals. Three days until facing Shade. Could he break past his 2-Star limit in that time?
"You seem lost in thought, Ban."
The voice came then. Familiar, but one he hadn't heard in a while. Ban looked up blankly.
It was Urong. No telling how long he'd been there—he sat on the wall, picking his nose. He asked.
"Want me to smash it? Your wall."
"...Pardon?"
"I may not know much else..."
Urong flicked a booger toward the gravel. Watching the pebble scatter into dust, he grinned in satisfaction.
"...but I'm good at breaking things."