Even Among S-Ranks, There Are Differences

Even among the same S-rank hunters, there are differences in caliber. Leaving behind the madness of Arena #3 in the underground coliseum of Club Artemis, we passed through the corridor and arrived before a massive door at the deepest end.

Yeom Hwa-rin had said that beyond this door were the other masters.

"Welcome, Master Lee Hyun-seong."

The doorman bowed at a perfect ninety degrees the moment he saw my master.

Rumble—

The door opened, and we stepped inside.

"You really went through with bringing the trainee all the way here, huh? Kahahaha!"

A white-haired man seated on the central throne burst into hearty laughter. Objectively handsome. According to Yeom Hwa-rin, S-rank summoner Yoo Cheon-woo was an idol-level looker who had massive popularity with women. He was stroking a tentacle that had emerged from the darkness. A massive octopus tentacle with suckers the size of my palm. That's Yoo Cheon-woo...

"Who would've thought the world-famous Sword Princess would end up whoring for that guy. Hey, show your face."

The man wearing a crow mask with a long beak... That must be Ma Do-jun. Around him, lifeless puppets clacked their jaws mechanically.

Those marionettes were dressed in pretty outfits, but they looked at least as strong as B-rank monsters or higher.

Sword Saint? Sword Saint, huh.

I focused mana into my pupils. Threads of mana, invisible to ordinary eyes, extended in all directions, tangled and chaotic. Just counting the types in the room, there were at least ten. Which meant Ma Do-jun could control at least ten puppets at once.

Meanwhile, a bundle of threads coiled on the floor like a snake. The tangled mass slithered toward us like serpents, observing their prey...

How arrogant.

Yoo Cheon-woo, perched on the highest seat, crossed his legs.

"I made a bet with Ma Do-jun here. So, spill it—is she the Sword Saint or not?"

The crow-masked man chuckled darkly.

"If it's really Sia Seong, Kang Jin-woo's face from Baekya Guild would be priceless."

A creepy female stuffed doll controlled by Ma Do-jun clacked its jaws.

"Sword Princess. Real? Fake? Still unknown."

Childish. What is this, a puppet show?

Dr. Lee Hyun-seong turned to me with instructions.

"Take off your hood, Sia."

"Got it, Master."

I pulled back the hood of my robe. As my face came into view, all eyes locked onto me in an instant.

"Ooh, beautiful... The Sword Princess herself. Looks like the real deal to me. What do you think, Ma Do-jun?"

"The vibe's a bit off somehow... but that hair and those eyes are unforgettable."

The crow mask nodded.

"Beautiful. Perfect material for my puppet collection."

Yoo Cheon-woo waved his hand dismissively.

"What? I thought you had something important to say. Do-jun, nothing beats the thrill of the living. The taste of breaking their resistance by force—something a guy like you wouldn't get."

"Nonsense. Only the dead are truly beautiful. Death is eternal, unchanging."

"Ahh, that defiant glare, the trembling breaths of fear, the endless screams soaked in pleasure. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I can't wait to see it. How could a dead puppet compare to that allure?"

The two were reciting their perverse philosophies.

Ridiculous. Am I some object to them?

"You guys are just playing around."

Yoo Cheon-woo's lips curled up.

"You're different from the rumors. Quite the spitfire. Hey, why not ditch Lee Hyun-seong and have some fun with your oppa instead?"

"Pass."

"Still... shouldn't we test if she's really the Sword Saint?"

"Ma Do-jun. Go easy."

The moment Ma Do-jun's finger twitched, I sensed it. Killing intent—faint but unmistakable, aimed at me and Lee Hyun-seong.

A sudden attack. Over a hundred mana threads from his scattered puppets shot toward us like venomous needles. At the same time, his minions disguised as ordinary servants hurled hidden weapons, drew blades, and assumed attack stances.

Mooks like these...

I have to protect Master. I am his sharpest sword and sturdiest shield.

I stomped the ground, unleashing a powerful shockwave laced with the Blessing of the Wind. If it hit, the mooks would drop like flies.

I opened my inventory and drew Griffon in a flash. Then, with speed beyond visual tracking, I unleashed sword strikes in all directions. The blade's waves drew spheres in space, sweeping 360 degrees.

Taat—!

I scooped Lee Hyun-seong into my left arm, leaped back, and set him down.

Kaboom—!Boom! Boom!

A deafening explosion and dust storm erupted where I'd stood moments ago. Sniff sniff—the air reeked of explosives.

Those puppets from earlier... self-destructing?

The mana threads sliced by my strikes scattered like white cherry blossoms. The hidden weapons clanged, sparking and shattering in a fireworks display.

The puppets hit directly by the delayed shockwave crumpled to the floor. Ma Do-jun probably had no idea what took out his minions. Neither did Lee Hyun-seong.

"You okay, Master?"

"Cough. Hack."

"I don't know the details, but this is self-defense, right?"

I have no hobby of slicing people... but arrogance demands a price!

More attacks incoming.

"Yeom Hwa-rin! What are you doing? Cover us! Protect Master!"

"Huh...? Oh!"

Yeom Hwa-rin, caught off guard in her tacky maid outfit, assumed a battle stance. Magic circles bloomed around her as red mana condensed into projectiles.

Whoosh—! Hwooom—!

From the dust-choked haze, thread bullets and armed puppet fragments hurtled toward us like arrows. I scanned the surroundings instead.

"Ooh... incredible. Absolutely incredible!"

Yoo Cheon-woo didn't seem interested in attacking. Beside him, Ma Do-jun... was that the real one?

Puppeteers who controlled even dungeon monsters never showed their true bodies. If he was exposing himself, it was either supreme confidence... or a decoy dummy. We couldn't rule that out. He'd hidden his face with the crow mask from the start. And those weak puppets scattered around, plus the thread bundles on the floor. This screamed pre-set trap, knowing I'd come.

Conclusion: High chance the crow-masked man wasn't the real deal.

Then... time to show why they call me the Sword Saint.

Slicing the mooks and tracking the creepy clacking puppet—likely linked to the puppeteer—was the way to go. I stepped lightly.

Flash—!

The bisecting blade cleaved the air as I vaulted up the altar steps. The stuffed doll in a dress hefted a hammer several times its size and swung with full force.

Where do you think you're swinging that, puppet trash!

"Hah!"

Slicing it might trigger poison or explosion—who knows what the maker rigged. But weapons are different. No matter the puppet's material or internals, weapons rarely have tricks.

Schwing—

I severed the hammer's handle. The puppet staggered as its balance collapsed. I sliced two of the three massive threads attached to it.

Thud, thud thud—

The headless metal hammer clanged down the steps. I leaped higher, scanning around.

Found you. There you are.

Behind the altar. You need to pay.

Rattle, grrr—

Looking down, about twenty puppets swirled after me like wire-fu stuntmen.

That confirmed it. Even unarmed, chasing me meant built-in mechanisms. They figured no footing in the air meant no evasion. Foolish. I am the wind.

Moonlight Slash could've preempted them... but I didn't like the sneaky initial attack...

Yeom Hwa-rin screamed.

"Danger! Sia Seong! Those puppets!"

I adjusted mid-air, heel first, stepping forward into empty space.

Flash—!

Sword to the throat of the puppeteer hiding behind the altar.

"Ma Do-jun? Sorry, but attacks on Master are off-limits."

Yoo Cheon-woo whistled in admiration.

"Fast. Couldn't even track it with my eyes. Is this the legendary Sword of Swiftness?"

Where'd these come from? Massive tentacles from the darkness locked onto me. Sticky mucus hit the floor, dissolving it like acid.

Gross. But no killing intent, so I ignored them. A sign not to kill Ma Do-jun? Not that I planned to...

Just reminded me of the tentacles in the culture chamber earlier.

"You got careless."

Ma Do-jun muttered in disbelief.

"Cutting my threads like nothing and finding me..."

"Acting all chill. Think I'm just fast?"

Shwooo—

Threads burst from him, aiming to cocoon me from head to toe like a chrysalis. I slashed them all, nullifying his desperate flail.

"Tch. Trying to trap a butterfly back in its cocoon won't work..."

"Our matchups don't favor you."

"Matchup excuses? That's weakling talk. Now, why the sudden attack? Spill."

I pressed the blade tighter to Ma Do-jun's throat.

"This is still self-defense, y'know?"

Yoo Cheon-woo's voice echoed through the chamber.

"Yeah, that test ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was overkill. Do-jun, you're embarrassing the masters."

"Fuck..."

Masters this, masters that...

I raised my voice deliberately.

"I told you, Master! Don't lump me with these S-rank wannabes. Even S-ranks have hierarchies!"

"This bitch...! If I'd gone all out—"

My taunt twisted Ma Do-jun's face in rage.

"All out?"

I grabbed his collar.

"One more spider-thread bullshit move, and I'll seal your holes shut."

"Guh..."

I dragged Ma Do-jun up to the altar, slammed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him down, and pointed my sword.

Lee Hyun-seong clapped as he ascended the steps. His light steps and smirking lips irked me for some reason.

"Impressed? My masterpiece's performance."

"Heh... She drew her sword without your permission. Not fully trained, is she, Sword Princess?"

Lee Hyun-seong shook his head at Yoo Cheon-woo's words.

"Rules are rules. Rule two: No attacks outside the arena."

"Tch! A non-hunter lecturing on rules."

Ma Do-jun growled, still fuming.

"Had to confirm if it's her. More importantly, control your rude slave or something."

"Stop bluffing. Unless you wanna die."

Lee Hyun-seong gripped my shoulder and murmured lowly.

"That's enough, Sia. Sheathe it."

"Hmph! Fine, Master."

I snorted in annoyance and withdrew my blade.

Among the three thrones, I'd assumed Lee Hyun-seong was top dog. But he naturally yielded the center to Yoo Cheon-woo and took second seat.

What? Is this Yoo Cheon-woo guy that strong? Or do they rank by something else?

Not my concern...

"Come here, sweetie."

Yeom Hwa-rin beckoned me. I stood behind Lee Hyun-seong like a bodyguard.

Yoo Cheon-woo winked at me. I averted my eyes.

"Cute."

The floor below was a mess from me and Ma Do-jun. As the commotion died, the door opened, and silent maids entered. All hunters, judging by their swift cleanup—some even had telekinesis, hurling trash and repairing the floor.

"Sigh."

Ma Do-jun slumped into his seat, anger unspent.

"Non-hunter my ass... Fuck."

Seemed he was getting the cold shoulder for not being a hunter. Childish, but guys love ranking.

"Hwa-rin."

Master lit a cigarette; Yeom Hwa-rin swiftly sparked a tiny flame on her fingertip to light it.

"So, you really control this girl?"

Ma Do-jun snapped irritably.

"Here, proof. Sia, that's an order. Kiss me."

"Huh? Here? No thanks, Master."

My body moved on its own. After that cool display... At least it wasn't fellatio or licking shoes.

"Sit on my lap."

"Ah... really... Do we have to, Master?"

Everyone's watching—my cheeks burned. Especially after pointing my sword at them...

I sat on his thigh, closed my eyes, parted my lips. My tongue invaded his on autopilot. His kiss tasted of tobacco.

Smack, slurp, smack—

"Ooh... damn."

"Mmmph..."

Don't look... Don't watch this sloppy kiss...

"Haa..."

Deliberately? He groped my robe-covered breasts, pulled my waist closer for show. The exaggerated slurps echoed like sucking a lollipop.

"Haa... enough."

Why so long...? Normally, slave-me would've gone for cock-sucking or handjob by now.

"Haa..."

Finally over.

"See?"

"No way... The Sword Princess... Wanna try with oppa?"

"No."

Yoo Cheon-woo eyed me lecherously, like he would claim me. Defeated Ma Do-jun hung his head, fists clenched, trembling.

I returned to Yeom Hwa-rin's side, standing statue-still. They chatted indifferently; Ma Do-jun nitpicked Lee Hyun-seong's every word.

"No, that's not it. This is better."

Yoo Cheon-woo didn't treat him great either. Probably 'cause he's not even a hunter, let alone S-rank. Subtle disdain.

Should feel good—they treat me like dirt—but...

This trashy guy grated on me. Not my man, but he stole my and Sia's first kiss. His treatment bugged me.

Why so pissed? He kidnapped Yumi, ruined her—nothing likable. Should laugh at his lousy status.

They manhandle us while he's a loser—should be satisfying...

No need for me to step in... But Sia's man, whom she adores and relies on...

I'm obeying orders here. If the man I submit to isn't number one everywhere, it wounds my pride...

Yeah. Him dissed = me dissed.

Got it. That's why I'm mad. Time to boost his ego a bit?

I strode forward and flipped Yoo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Cheon-woo the bird.

"Hey, you. Get out here. That's Master's seat."

"...?"

Yoo Cheon-woo gawked, speechless.

"Deaf? Move."

"What are you doing, Sia?"

Lee Hyun-seong quietly reined me in.

Weak to the strong, strong to the weak? Laughing off this treatment? Pathetic.

"Stay put, Master. I'll straighten out the pecking order."

I jerked my chin.

"Master's the man I obey. If he's not top dog, it bruises my pride."

Yoo Cheon-woo tilted his head.

"Her personality and speech don't match the Sia Seong I know. She had a great rep—super polite. Part of your training?"

"Hey, Lee Hyun-seong. She really that obedient? Might bite your throat out."

"Don't worry. I hold the leash tight."

I glared at Yoo Cheon-woo.

"I said come out? Master sits there."

"Fine, whatever. Seats don't mean shit."

To my surprise, he stood with a grin and yielded.

"At the auction..."

"Thanks, you're reasonable. Master! Sit. Here."

He sheepishly took the top seat, hands trembling like a total nerd.

"Master. Cock out."

"...?"

"Gonna show these losers that the strongest obeys Master perfectly."

Lee Hyun-seong froze, flustered.

"Ah, nerdy Master. Then stay still."

I tied my hair back and knelt before him. Unbuckled his belt, pulled down his pants.

Not even cock-worthy dick♡ But Master's dick♡

Glared at Yoo Cheon-woo and Ma Do-jun pointedly...

Nom♡

Sucked his shriveled cutie, foreskin and all.

Slurp♡ Slurp♡ Smack♡ Smack♡

Tongued every foreskin fold, rolling this way and that. Pursed lips tight for max pleasure...♡

How's this? Better than you fake S-rank posers—this damn guy's superior...

Mmm, huh???