An Unwanted Encounter
“Hahahahaha! Well, well! Should I call this good luck?”
The giant laughing boisterously was the Black Great Blade, hailed as the miracle of the Paeng Clan.
And.
“…….”
The top young expert, the Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix, who was staring at me with an expressionless face.
Looking at the two of them, my face twisted into a deep grimace.
Ah, what an absolute shitshow.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Of all the people to run into, how could it be these bastards?
This is just wrong…
The Black Great Blade, who stood at the very pinnacle of the younger generation.
And the Sword Phoenix, the genius slayer rumored to be the strongest among them all.
It was infuriating enough that they were on the same team.
But of all places?
To think we would cross paths here.
And right at the very beginning, no less.
As my face contorted at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
“I’ve been dying to meet you anyway.”
The Black Great Blade stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Sssring!
He drew the weapon provided by the Alliance.
Rumble!
In that instant, a torrential wave of battle spirit erupted from his body.
It was an overwhelming pressure.
“Meeting like this… I suppose it must be fate.”
“…….”
A twisted smirk, accompanied by a suffocating battle spirit.
At this point, it was painfully obvious what the Black Great Blade wanted without even asking.
“Uh, wait?”
Seeing this, the Thunder Dragon quickly spoke up.
“H-Hold on a second.”
“Hmm?”
As the Thunder Dragon tried to stop him, the Black Great Blade frowned.
“What is it, Thunder Dragon?”
“Before we fight, shouldn’t we check what needs to be checked first?”
“Check what?”
“The stones.”
“Ah.”
At the Thunder Dragon’s reminder, the Black Great Blade’s eyes widened.
He seemed to have forgotten. The purpose of this test was to seize stones of a different color.
“Ah, right.”
Realizing his oversight, the Black Great Blade nodded and pulled a stone from his robes.
It was a black stone.
Seeing this, I let out a silent sigh of relief.
“Well, look at that.”
The Thunder Dragon also pulled out his stone to show it.
It was the exact same color.
“Unfortunately, we both have black.”
What a relief. Since they were the same color, there was no need to fight; they could just go their separate ways.
Just as my mood was starting to lift at the prospect of avoiding a clash with those monsters.
“And?”
The Black Great Blade grinned savagely.
“What does having the same color have to do with anything?”
“……Huh?”
The Thunder Dragon’s eyes widened at the sheer hostility dripping from his voice.
“Ah.”
Then, as if realizing something, the Thunder Dragon slowly scratched the back of his neck.
“You just want to throw down, don’t you?”
“I’m glad you’re quick on the uptake.”
“Sigh……”
Crackle.
The sound of sparks flying echoed from somewhere. The source was the sword the Thunder Dragon had just drawn.
Before I knew it, the Thunder Dragon had unsheathed his weapon, coating the blade in a terrifying shroud of sword-qi as he glared at the Black Great Blade.
“I make it a rule to avoid useless fights, but I suppose I have no choice now.”
A cold edge bled into his smile. The aura radiating from the Thunder Dragon made me flinch instinctively.
“No choice, my foot.”
The Black Great Blade scoffed, looking at the Thunder Dragon.
“You were actually looking forward to this, weren’t you?”
“Hahaha.”
At those words, the Thunder Dragon burst into laughter.
“Bullseye.”
Rumble!
With a sound like rolling thunder, the Thunder Dragon’s energy exploded outward.
Holy crap.
I narrowed my eyes as a tingling sensation washed over me. Look at this guy.
……He’s the real deal.
A true member of the Seven Stars.
The Poison Dragon was at the very bottom of the Seven Stars, and seeing him get knocked out in a single blow by the Black Great Blade made me think the group wasn’t all that.
But witnessing the Thunder Dragon’s aura completely shattered that assumption.
So this is what the Seven Stars are capable of.
It hit me now, just as it had with the Black Great Blade.
These were the geniuses carrying the future of the Murim on their shoulders.
Among them, the battle spirit of the man destined to lead the Namgung Clan was truly spectacular.
The problem was…
Ah, shit. We shouldn’t be fighting here.
Was this really okay? Our opponents were the Black Great Blade and the Sword Phoenix.
They were the worst possible combination to encounter in the Yongbong Association right now.
And we had to fight them right from the start?
What do I do?
I gripped my sword, hesitating. Fighting these monsters wasn’t part of the plan.
Well, it was technically a possibility, but…
It was the absolute worst-case scenario, the one I wanted to avoid at all costs.
Damn it.
My luck is always garbage.
Just my typical, miserable life.
And the old man isn’t even here.
Yoo Chun-gil had vanished, probably sulking over something I said.
That goddamn ghost is never around when I actually need him.
Sigh.
I let out a sigh and steeled my gaze.
Nothing else for it.
Should I just ditch the Thunder Dragon and run? The thought crossed my mind, but they said we’d be disqualified if partners drifted too far apart.
Well, at least they won’t kill us.
Killing was strictly forbidden, so I tried to look on the bright side.
Sssring!
I was just about to draw my sword as well when—
“Now, let’s have some fun…… Sword Phoenix?”
Just as the Black Great Blade was about to swing his broadsword, he glanced to his side and froze in confusion.
The Sword Phoenix was gone.
She had already turned around and was walking away in the distance.
“Huh? Wait, hold on…… Hey!”
Realizing what was happening, the Black Great Blade scrambled to follow her. As mentioned, partners couldn’t let the distance between them grow too wide.
“Damn it……! You got lucky today!”
“…….”
Leaving behind a line worthy of a third-rate villain, the two disappeared, though the Black Great Blade’s eyes lingered with deep regret.
“Huh?”
Seeing them leave, the Thunder Dragon withdrew his aura and tilted his head.
Did they decide to avoid a pointless fight since we had the same stones?
As I pondered this, the Thunder Dragon smacked his lips in disappointment.
“My, it seems the Sword Phoenix is far more rational than I thought.”
“……She isn’t being rational. You two are just savages.”
“Hahaha. I thought we’d finally have some fun. What a shame, don’t you think?”
Not in the slightest.
I let out a long sigh of relief and caught my breath.
……To think bad luck would strike right from the get-go.
It was truly a miserable start.
Whew.
After taking a slow, deep breath, I spoke.
“……Shall we move for now?”
I urged the Thunder Dragon to move. Leaving my racing heart behind.
It was time to get to work, one way or another.
We roamed the mountain. Not much time had passed.
And we hadn't run into any real danger.
Honestly, as long as we didn't run into freaks like the Black Great Blade and the Sword Phoenix, there was nothing to fear.
“Damn it……! Of all people, the Thunder Dragon and the Young Sword Saint……!”
“Curse it……!!”
“Well, thank you very much.”
The Thunder Dragon smiled brightly as he took white stones from the other martial artists.
They were martial artists we had crossed paths with while traversing the mountain, and they just so happened to possess white stones.
“We secured the stones quite easily.”
“Faster than I expected.”
I meant it. It hadn't been long since we ran into the Black Great Blade and the Sword Phoenix.
We hadn't even fought. The moment the other team saw us, they lost their nerve and handed over their stones.
You could call it good luck, but…… looking at it another way.
“Now we just have to survive.”
It meant we had to hold out until sunset.
“What do you plan to do?”
“Well, if it were up to me, I’d dig a hole and hide in it.”
At my words, the Thunder Dragon’s expression shifted slightly. I could guess what he was thinking.
Don't worry. I had no intention of actually hiding.
Hide, my ass. I need to make the most of this.
This was a competition, after all, and I currently held a massive advantage.
Hiding under these circumstances? That would be absurd.
Moreover, judging by the Thunder Dragon’s personality, he wouldn't want to just sit around either. I decided it was best to use this to our advantage.
“It’s boring to just sit here. Shall we go hunting?”
A smirk played on my lips, and only then did a grin spread across the Thunder Dragon’s face.
“Oh, an excellent idea. Young Sword Saint, you are far more proactive than I expected.”
“Don't mention it.”
Use the Thunder Dragon to eliminate as many competitors as possible.
That was my plan for the second preliminary round.
“Let’s go. Time to hunt.”
I channeled strength into my legs as I spoke.
The Thunder Dragon’s steps seemed much lighter now compared to when we started.
He was thrilled to go looking for fights even though we had already secured our passing marks.
In the end, this guy was a lunatic too.
Screeech!
Sword clashed against sword. Sparks flew from the intense friction.
Fueled by a blinding flash, a blue sword-qi drew a crescent moon in the air.
Moon Wave.
The sword dance of Cheongwol Gate unfolded from the woman’s hand.
“Ugh!”
The man blocking the strike groaned and twisted his sword.
He glared irritably at his side and shouted.
“What are you doing?! At least keep her busy!”
“Ah…… W-Well, I’m a bit busy here too……!”
A frail-looking youth barely dodged an incoming attack.
“Whoa!”
A dagger grazed past the youth. The owner of the dagger was the Poison Dragon, Dang Cheon-il, one of the Seven Stars.
Watching this, Seo Pyeong gritted his teeth as he struggled to block the sword of his opponent, the Moon Dance Beauty, Cheon Hye-in.
Damn it.
No matter how he looked at it, he had chosen the wrong partner.
Seo Pyeong bitterly regretted his choice of companion.
He confidently asked to team up, so I thought he’d be strong.
Had he known it would turn out like this, he would have teamed up with his fellow disciples from Wudang, or at least someone he actually knew.
Curse it all.
Clang!
His sword was deflected. Cheon Hye-in relentlessly pressed her attack against Seo Pyeong with an expressionless face.
It was hard to endure. It wasn't just a matter of whether he was a match for her.
The psychological pressure was taking a massive toll.
At this rate, his partner would soon fall to the Poison Dragon.
Once that happened, the outcome of the battle was as clear as day.
Grind.
Growing desperate, Seo Pyeong tried to raise his momentum, but his opponent was Cheon Hye-in.
She was a young expert ranked at the very top alongside the Black Great Blade, the Sword Phoenix, and the Thunder Dragon.
This meant that even if Seo Pyeong, a fellow member of the Seven Stars, exerted his full strength, victory was far from guaranteed.
What should I do?
Of all people, to run into her.
As Seo Pyeong grimaced, trying to think of a way out.
Slip!
“Ack!”
The youth fighting the Poison Dragon tripped over a rock and fell backward.
Thud!
Seizing the opportunity, Dang Cheon-il swung his leg and kicked the youth square in the jaw.
“Urgh!”
Taking the blow to the jaw, the youth immediately lost consciousness and collapsed.
Seeing this, Seo Pyeong tried to move immediately, but—
“Do you wish to continue?”
Cheon Hye-in lowered her sword as she spoke.
At the same time, Dang Cheon-il gripped his daggers and glared at Seo Pyeong.
“…….”
He was surrounded. Seo Pyeong calculated his odds.
Did he stand a chance?
The answer came instantly. He didn't even need to calculate.
Grind……
Gritting his teeth hard, Seo Pyeong pulled the stone from his robes.
“……Take it.”
“A wise choice.”
Cheon Hye-in smiled brightly as she accepted the stone.
As he handed over the stone, Seo Pyeong’s pride was crushed to dust.
“You seem quite frustrated. Why don't you vent that on the sparring stage later?”
“……I look forward to it.”
Cheon Hye-in left with those parting words. Neither she nor Seo Pyeong believed that this loss would result in his elimination.
Once Cheon Hye-in and the Poison Dragon had departed.
“Damn it!!!”
Seo Pyeong let out the roar he had been holding back.
To suffer such humiliation.
“……Damn it…… Goddamn it……”
Crunch!
He repeatedly stomped the ground in fury. Yet his anger remained unappeased, and he continued to violently kick the dirt for a long while.
“……This is all.”
Seo Pyeong’s gaze fell upon his partner, who lay there as if dead.
“Because of this bastard.”
Useless trash. What a mess he had gotten into because he chose the wrong partner.
Staring at the worthless fellow, Seo Pyeong finally walked over.
He couldn't break any bones. He still had to drag the guy along, so he planned to just lightly stomp on his face to vent his anger. But at that moment—
“Gasp!”
“……!!”
The youth who had been lying down suddenly regained consciousness and bolted upright.
“Ow…… my jaw……”
He rubbed his jaw where the Poison Dragon had kicked him, then looked up at Seo Pyeong.
“Oh, dear. It seems we lost our stone.”
“……Do you think that’s funny?!”
Grab!
Seo Pyeong grabbed the youth by the collar.
With eyes flashing with rage, Seo Pyeong lifted the youth and was about to speak.
“Because of a piece of trash like you, I—”
“Get your filthy hands off me.”
Thud.
The moment those words were spoken, the focus vanished from Seo Pyeong’s eyes, and he collapsed limply to the ground.
The youth brushed away the unconscious Seo Pyeong’s hand and adjusted his clothes.
Pat, pat.
He dusted himself off as if he had touched something filthy.
“Sigh.”
Sweeping his hair back, he muttered to himself.
“It would be so much easier to just kill them all.”
A situation where killing was forbidden.
Recalling the rule, the youth narrowed his eyes.
The gentle, dim-witted expression he had worn earlier was completely gone.
“……Disgusting Orthodox bastards.”
Nothing remained in the youth but a venomous, murderous intent.
Lifting the unconscious Seo Pyeong, he slowly began to head deeper into the mountain.