Chapter 142: Sparring Tournament-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 142: Sparring Tournament-4
The heated roar of the crowd vibrates against my skin.
More than their cheers, the sheer resonance they create makes me even more nervous.
The arena where the tournament is held was built by stacking stone tiers. Perhaps because of that, standing below the platform, I have to tilt my head back slightly to see the stage. It only looks like a few flights of stairs, yet it feels as though it’s at a dizzying height.
[Next up... from Novel Dojang...]
The fake affiliation the Grandmaster made for me is announced.
I needed to make sure there wasn't a martial hall with the same name, so I gave a name that could never possibly exist here. When the Grandmaster asked what it meant, I just brushed it off, saying it was a sound that popped into my head.
I hop up and down, shaking out the tension.
"So, your disciple is heading out. Don't you have any advice?"
I glanced back at my Master.
"......"
Whether she still had a lingering grudge from when I teased her last time, Master remained silent.
She really is the type to hold a secret grudge. After she became the Heavenly Demon, she seemed so cool-headed that I never knew, but this is a new discovery.
My opponent is said to be from somewhere called the Cheongpung Dojo. According to the Grandmaster, it’s a place that has produced some decent martial artists.
I can see my opponent, who climbed onto the stage first, warming up. He looks younger than me. Then again, by the standards of this world, I’m considered old. They say you have to enter a sect at a much younger age to learn martial arts properly.
Since he isn't carrying a specific weapon, I assume he uses his fists and feet.
Once my introduction finished, the cheers of the audience erupted again.
I placed my trembling toes lightly on the stone steps. My stomach felt queasy, and my heart was pounding.
"Do... well."
As I climbed the first step, Master spoke in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's buzz.
I turned my head and gave her a broad grin.
"Of course. Whose disciple do you think I am?"
Ah, the tension seems to be easing a bit.
I slowly climb the stairs and face my opponent. A boy who looks to be about fifteen years old gives me a fist-and-palm salute.
"I am Ho-yeon of the Cheongpung Dojo."
"I am Kang In-ho of the Novel Dojang."
I return the greeting.
The referee’s flag blocks the space between Ho-yeon and me. Now, I have to prepare for the fight.
I take a deep breath through my nose and hold it for a moment.
Thump, thump.
I can feel my heart beating wildly.
I slide my right leg back and raise my hands. It wasn't a stance I learned from Master. In fact, it was a posture that had absolutely nothing to do with the Flame Wheel Art.
Seeing my preparation, Ho-yeon narrowed his eyes slightly and took a horse-riding stance. I don't know what kind of martial art it is, but I suppose that’s how it starts.
I don't know what subtle principles or intentions lie within that stance. For someone like me who knows little of martial arts, this will be a disadvantageous match.
"Now! Ready."
However, through the countless sparring sessions I’ve had with Master, I’ve realized a few things.
First, my achievements aren't bad considering how short a time I've been learning martial arts.
Second, no matter how much someone walks the path of a martial artist, if they are young, they lack experience.
"Begin!"
Third, I don't necessarily need to be trapped within the framework of 'martial arts.'
*
The match began the moment Namgung So-yu sat in the spectator stands.
With a thunderous roar from the crowd, In-ho charged forward. His reckless dash broke Ho-yeon’s posture.
"He is quite fearless."
As Yeom-jin spoke, snapping her fan open, Namgung So-yu replied without taking her eyes off In-ho.
"It’s likely because his fear of fighting has vanished after so much sparring."
"That may be true, but isn't this his first time in such a tournament?"
Certainly, compared to when she first entered a sparring tournament, In-ho was truly fearless.
"Even if lethal moves are forbidden, injuries are common in these tournaments. Inexperienced martial artists often hold back for fear of getting hurt... but In-ho has none of that. It’s as if he’s used to being injured."
Namgung So-yu nodded at her master’s words. Even when sparring with her, In-ho had no fear of getting hurt.
"Look at that. The boy from the Cheongpung Martial Hall has superior martial achievement, yet he’s being pushed back."
From the start, In-ho gave his opponent no openings. Regardless of how the opponent responded, he first closed the distance and swung his left and right hands alternately at the boy's head. Since there was a height difference, the attacks came from above.
Ho-yeon of the Cheongpung Martial Hall initially dodged them and attempted a few forms against In-ho, but In-ho’s defense with both hands raised was not easily breached.
Left hand, right hand, then right foot.
Having seemingly thrown away the forms she had taught him, In-ho persisted with the same pattern of attack.
Left hand, right hand, then targeting Ho-yeon’s thigh with his right leg.
Ho-yeon seemed to be shouting something in frustration at the onslaught, but his voice was drowned out by the boisterous cheers in the arena.
"To think I’d see a common street brawl here."
The voice of the Ice Sword came from behind. Turning her head, So-yu saw the Ice Sword and Cheong-yeon sitting a short distance away.
"Is that not why it’s interesting, Ice Sword?"
When Yeom-jin spoke while fanning herself, the Ice Sword snorted.
"I had expectations since you used the name of the Flame Wheel Master to enter your servant in the tournament, but the saying 'much ado about nothing' comes to mind."
"......"
Unlike her master’s reaction, Cheong-yeon was quietly observing In-ho.
For no particular reason, Namgung So-yu found that behavior irritating. Suppressing her unpleasant mood, So-yu turned her gaze back to her disciple.
It appeared Ho-yeon was finally adjusting to In-ho’s attacks and dealing with them smoothly.
"His attacks will stop working soon. What will you do then?"
Perhaps because she was nervous, So-yu felt worried for In-ho. He had certainly shown creative attacks while sparring with her. She felt frustrated, wondering why he wasn't using them now.
"Oh?"
A sound escaped So-yu’s lips as she watched In-ho.
Unlike before, she saw a great deal of tension in her disciple’s left shoulder. Differing from the light jabs he had been throwing, a left-hand strike went out with considerable power.
Ho-yeon’s balance wavered slightly upon taking the hit.
Then came a right-hand strike; In-ho lowered his body slightly, aiming for Ho-yeon’s chin. As he had been doing, Ho-yeon parried In-ho’s right hand and protected his chin.
"Ah..."
A soft exclamation came from Cheong-yeon behind her. Cheong-yeon had seen the same thing So-yu had.
It was In-ho’s kick, which had consistently targeted Ho-yeon’s thigh. But this time, it was aimed precisely at Ho-yeon’s face.
"He... aimed for this?"
It was a tactic that wouldn't work in the world of high-level masters, but this was a fight between the inexperienced. If you repeatedly plant the same attack, the body begins to react instinctively.
Thwack!
Because he was busy blocking In-ho’s right hand, Ho-yeon’s facial defense was open, and In-ho’s foot landed a direct hit.
Struck by a kick backed by the full strength of In-ho’s waist, Ho-yeon collapsed instantly and did not get back up.
The referee rushed over, checked Ho-yeon’s condition, and then raised a hand toward In-ho.
"Winner! Kang In-ho of the Novel Dojang!"
Though he hadn't shown much, it was a victory nonetheless.
The crowd’s cheers erupted, and In-ho showed courtesy to his fallen opponent with a fist-and-palm salute.
In-ho had passed the first preliminary round.
So-yu considered going to him but held back. Her clenched fists were drenched in sweat.
The second round began after all the first-round matches were over.
His opponent, determined not to fall for In-ho’s tricks, pressured him from the start. Because the opponent moved lightly and circled In-ho while launching attacks, In-ho curled up like a hedgehog to take the hits.
"What will you do this time, In-ho?"
So-yu bit her lower lip.
Suddenly, In-ho ducked. The opponent’s kick, aimed at his neck, sliced through empty air.
Though she couldn't hear him due to the distance and noise, So-yu could tell what In-ho’s lips were saying.
[Got you.]
In-ho lunged at the opponent, who had been somewhat loose due to his offensive focus, and drove his shoulder into the man's stomach. He then slammed him onto the ground and mounted him.
The pinned opponent threw punches at In-ho to escape somehow, but In-ho tucked the opponent’s arm under his armpit and repeatedly hammered his face with his free hand.
It was savage and cruel, but the destructive power was undeniable. In-ho’s downward strikes did not miss, and before long, the opponent’s face was covered in blood.
The referee hurriedly pulled In-ho away and announced the end of the match.
*
"Modern MMA... is the best. Fuck."
My whole body was aching. I’d braced myself to get hit, but pain is still pain.
I thought I’d have achieved my goal just by winning the first round, but winning the second and making it to the main tournament feels great.
Today, they’re drawing the bracket for the main tournament participants, and the main tournament itself starts tomorrow. It would be insane to go straight into the main tournament right after the first and second preliminary rounds.
Anyway, suppressing my desire to go back to the lodging and lie down, I sit on the small chair provided for the main tournament qualifiers and watch the bracket drawing.
There are two people like me who passed the preliminaries to reach the main tournament. The other ten are people like Master who start in the main tournament from the beginning.
From a modern person’s perspective, it’s unfair, but what can you do? That’s just how this world is. And since they are all exceptional martial artists, you can't really call it entirely unfair.
"The main tournament really won't be easy."
My strategy somehow worked in the preliminaries, but I have a feeling I’m going to get absolutely wrecked in the main tournament. What if I meet Master in the first match?
It’ll be over in five seconds.
"Main Tournament Match 1: Namgung So-yu of the Flame Wheel Art!"
Contrary to my worries, Master was matched with someone else. At least I won't have to worry about getting beaten up by her. Thank goodness.
The brackets for Matches 3 and 4 were decided just like that.
"Main Tournament Match 5: Kang In-ho of the Novel Dojang!"
Finally, my name was called.
"And Cheong-yeon of the Ice Wheel Art!"
...Huh?
My gaze automatically shifted toward the VIP seating where Master was sitting. Master’s expression was no different from mine.
"......"
And then, both Master’s gaze and mine shifted toward Cheong-yeon, who was sitting slightly above us.