The Heavenly Demon Smashes (3)
"Why are you so late? I was seriously scared!"
"For someone who was scared, you seemed to be enjoying yourself quite a bit."
"...Yeah. Baduk was more fun than I expected!"
Watching Enry babble an excuse that even a fool wouldn't believe, a wry chuckle escaped me. This kid would survive and thrive no matter where you tossed her.
Seeing her avert her eyes like a puppy that had just been severely scolded, I roughly tousled Enry's hair before walking past her toward Geomseon.
"...Your realm has risen."
"You knew this day would come soon enough, didn't you?"
"Indeed. You already possessed everything, after all."
Geomseon nodded, then let out a laugh that bordered on a sigh.
"To think the one who could crush this old man with nothing but a first-class body has now reached the Peak Realm."
"Are you afraid?"
But that laugh quickly transformed into the joyful grin of a true martial artist.
"No. It is delightful. Has a stage not been prepared where this old man may prove what he has trained?"
That's right. Those called martial artists must answer this way when facing crisis. No matter what trial descends upon them, they must resolve to shatter it and smile with fierce joy. After dealing only with those I didn't even want to call martial artists, encountering a proper one lifted my spirits. It was good that I came here to meet Geomseon.
"After being defeated by you, this old man has swung his sword without cease. To understand why I lost, and to overcome that defeat the next time."
Geomseon drew his sword from his waist. He himself was already like a single blade. The moment one approached, it felt as though they would be cut down by the razor-sharp aura surrounding him. As I observed him, I spread the energy of my Heavenly Demon Divine Art outward.
"So what conclusion did you reach? Did you discover a path toward victory?"
"Who knows? I still cannot say for certain. However, I now understand the direction I must take."
Therefore, I wish to test my path against you.
With that declaration, Geomseon manifested several formless swords of pure energy around himself.
"If one claims the title of swordsman, one must see the end through the sword."
Hearing the words he spoke as he assumed his stance, I felt the corners of my mouth lift. Just now the man had confessed that he once relied on something other than pure swordsmanship. And now he declared he would drag down the sun using only his own blade, without any external aid. Excellent. To respond lightly to such will and determination would be disrespectful to the way of the warrior.
"You're not using any sorcery this time?"
When I took my stance without pressing any vital points, Geomseon asked the question.
"It would end too quickly otherwise."
Forcing the vital points into overdrive was like endlessly pouring water into the vessel of the dantian. A small vessel could only hold so much, limiting what could be done. But as the vessel grew larger, the possibilities increased exponentially. If I were to unleash the vital points now, Geomseon, you would be shattered before long. That would be inconvenient for both of us. You would feel wronged at losing without displaying your progress, and I would regret not fully savoring the struggle with a martial artist like yourself.
"How confident."
"I have the skill to match the confidence."
"I shall see how long that leisure lasts."
"Good. I, too, hope my leisure disappears."
I watched Geomseon take a step. Eyes that had transcended ordinary human limits easily tracked his movement, along with the swords circling him. As I studied him, I layered energy over my fist.
What I had done before was merely a forced imitation of an insufficient realm. It was neither efficient nor capable of displaying the true power of fist energy—a mere degraded copy. But now it was different. Having reached the Peak Realm, I no longer needed to imitate. Now I could wield the genuine article.
When I wrapped the internal energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art around my fist, dark crimson power flickered to life. It no longer simply protected my hand. This was true fist energy that devoured the surrounding aura and radiated overwhelming pressure.
Seeing it, Geomseon lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Can that body handle such output? With nothing but a Peak Realm vessel?"
"If I cannot handle it, wouldn't that be good for you?"
If that's what you believe, you should charge at me with a shout of gratitude. I cannot understand why you keep babbling. Have you grown sentimental in your old age?
"Very well. Come."
Geomseon sent the energy swords he had created first, as if testing me. Instead of blocking or dodging, I swung my fist toward them. Fist and blade collided. The sword shattered, scattering its energy in every direction. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art did not sit idle. The greedy crimson energy devoured its prey and used it to grow even stronger.
The next. And the one after that. The swords Geomseon had spread around him did not injure me in the slightest. They merely became food for the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
"Ha. No matter how many times I witness it, the sight remains absurd."
Geomseon bit his lip as he watched, then erased every sword he had released.
"Not only does it consume the surrounding energy, it immediately claims it as its own and bends it to its will."
"Is this the extent of your achievement?"
"Hardly."
Geomseon concentrated the energy he had withdrawn onto his blade. The moonlight illuminating the dark sky shone with vivid clarity even beneath the blue heavens. It felt as though he sought to take the sun's place.
"If tricks cannot prevail, then I shall shatter it from the front."
He named it the Sword of the Falling Moon, signifying that he had captured the moon that had fallen from the night sky within his blade.
"Come."
"Bring it on."
Sword and fist collided, generating a shockwave that sent bamboo leaves dancing through the air.
Hoo. Good. This is good.
The frail body. The insufficient realm. My enlightenment that filled those gaps. The equality created through them. And an opponent who pursued the ultimate limit of the sword. Setting myself aside as an existence beyond the norm, he was someone who could contend for the title of the strongest under heaven. I was once again glad I had reached the Peak Realm.
When I was first-class, I had been forced to overdrive my vital points to close the gap. Without it, I could not have achieved parity. But not now. Having learned to utilize my enlightenment to a certain degree, I could face him without overdriving my points. I could enjoy the fight at my leisure, without urgency.
Watching sword and fist meet, I felt my lips curve into a smile. It seemed I would be able to savor this thoroughly.
"Just what on earth is happening?"
Watching Geomseon and Ara fight from a distance, Enry could only tilt her head in confusion. It was simply impossible to understand what was unfolding before her eyes.
"Whoa. What was that? Everyone, did you see what Hwaryong just did?!"
"I'm joking. There's no way anything would be visible, right?"
A shockwave rang out, accompanied by a massive roar. Bamboo leaves swirled through the sky. One could roughly guess that something incredible was happening, but that was all. Unable to see anything, Enry quickly lost interest and turned her head to the side.
There stood a being visible only on Ara's stream, arms crossed. It was Baru. The child who had stayed by Ara's side ever since she started playing Hwaryong Muin. Whether in fox form or human form, she was so adorable that she received love from countless people. An NPC who always drew affection.
Baru stood with her arms crossed, watching the battle between Ara and Geomseon. Could she actually see what was happening?
"Um... Lady Baru?"
"Hm?"
When Enry spoke, Baru's ears perked up as she lifted her head. Whoa. So cute. Even through the screen she was adorable, but seeing her in person made it even worse. That doll-like appearance paired with such haughty behavior and speech. Now I understand why Ara likes her so much. How could anyone not adore an NPC who acts so spoiled right in front of them?
"What is it?"
"Can you see anything?"
"Roughly, yes."
"Really?!"
When Enry's eyes sparkled and she stepped closer, Baru straightened her shoulders.
"Of course. This one is a divine spirit, after all."
"That's amazing! So what are those two doing right now?!"
Amazing! To think she could actually see something from here! Was it because she was a divine spirit on a completely different level from ordinary people? She might look small, but her abilities were on another scale entirely!
"It is fierce."
"...Could you explain a little more in detail?"
"Fierce is fierce. How can one explain it in more detail? This one knows almost nothing about martial arts."
When Baru pouted her lips while speaking, Enry narrowed her eyes. The meaning behind that expression was clear: suspicion about whether she was actually seeing anything.
"Are you doubting this one?!"
"No! It's not that, but saying it's just 'fierce' is something even I could say, so..."
"You are doubting me!"
Baru shouted about rudeness and bonked Enry on the forehead with her staff. Enry tried to dodge quickly, but it was impossible. By the time she came to her senses, the staff had already tapped her forehead.
"Ow..."
As Enry rubbed her forehead, Baru let out a sigh.
"Child. Did you not say you were an acquaintance of that human?"
"Yes..."
"Birds of a feather, indeed. Both of you lack proper respect for divine spirits."
"Doesn't that 'birds of a feather' include you too, Lady Baru? If we're talking about how long you've known Hwaryong..."
Enry spoke without thinking, then hurriedly stopped when she saw Baru's brows furrow. Ah. This was definitely another scene where she'd get hit with the staff again!
"Ah, um, that is..."
KWAAAAAANG!
The moment Enry tried to think of an excuse to protect her forehead, a massive explosion shook the entire bamboo forest. Something had smashed through the pavilion and blasted a path of destruction all the way into the distance. As Enry stared blankly at the devastated landscape that looked like a bomb had gone off, she turned to look at the source of the blast.
There stood Hwaryong, fist still extended, smiling brightly.