Turns Out I'm a One-on-One Genius - Chapter 59: Namgoong Cheol (1)

Returning to the waiting room, Yun-seok headed straight to the 7th Floor Plaza. He went to the exchange and found Elle.

She was always supposed to be watching him, but did that mean she couldn't observe him while he was on Earth?

Spotting Yun-seok, Elle smiled and welcomed him warmly.

"I heard you went to Earth. Did you get some good rest?"

"...Yeah."

He'd only gone because he had business to take care of. It wasn't for a vacation. But it wasn't something to brag about, and since it was already over, there was no need to worry her with the details.

Instead of dragging it out, Yun-seok got to the point.

"I'm wondering if there's a faster way to earn WP."

The Heart of Freedom, which would eliminate the side effects of Blood Demon Divine Art, cost 900,000 WP. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Elle had said it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would take about half a year to earn 1.5 million WP, so regardless of reaching the 10th floor, he'd need at least two months for the WP to accumulate.

Yun-seok was curious if there was a way to shorten that time.

"N-No, I can't take on more work here... It's not an excuse because I'm tired—it's really impossible!"

Elle trembled as she replied. She said it was impossible, but if he pushed harder, it felt like she might give in. Of course, even seeing her like this—no, even before—he had no intention of doing that.

"No. I was just asking if there's something I could do. I didn't mean to burden you."

Only then did Elle let out a sigh of relief. She looked at Yun-seok with a strange glint in her eye.

"You didn't say anything like that yesterday... Something must have happened on Earth, huh?"

"......"

Yun-seok answered with silence, and Elle didn't pry further. She simply responded to his initial question.

"...If you'd asked yesterday, I could've flatly said no, but as luck would have it, there is a way."

"What is it?"

Elle didn't seem eager to recommend it, opening her mouth reluctantly.

"Instead of a contract, you take a request from another manager and fulfill their wish to earn WP. And conveniently, I just got one of that sort today."

Was some belated sense of unease creeping in? Elle added, sounding uncomfortable.

"But the situation is really weird. The offer came just moments ago... Did that woman give you some prior hint or something?"

Elle's voice was thick with displeasure. It was like interrogating a cheating husband. For some reason, her tone even sounded accusatory.

If he answered yes to that, it felt like something big would blow up, so Yun-seok quickly replied, feeling an inexplicable anxiety.

"No, I swear—this is the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first I knew it was even possible."

"Hmmm... Really? Just a coincidence?"

Elle muttered, staring right through him. He hadn't even lied, but he strangely felt guilty, like he'd committed a crime, so Yun-seok hurriedly moved on.

"...So what do I need to do?"

"Nothing right now. Her wish can only be fulfilled when you reach the 8th floor."

The 8th floor... Not too far off. He just needed to win one more duel.

Yun-seok asked for details, and Elle explained patiently and clearly.

"Her wish is for you to clear the 8th floor mission on Unique difficulty."

"Mission?"

Not a duel, but a mission. To fulfill the requesting manager's wish, he'd have to spend 500 LP at the Achievement Shop on a Mission Directive.

"Missions are generally considered easier than duels, but Unique difficulty is different. Plenty of contractors have tried, but no one's fulfilled her wish yet—get the picture?"

Elle went on to say that if it failed, he'd just waste precious LP.

"LP gets harder and harder to earn. So choose carefully. WP will accumulate eventually, even if it takes time..."

She ultimately said the choice was his, but her tone made it clear she hoped he'd refuse.

But Yun-seok had to disappoint her.

"I can handle that risk. Please tell her I'll do it."

Ever since acquiring Blood Demon Divine Art, he'd lost all hesitation in killing villains. He didn't think it made him righteous. He just couldn't look away. Why should he hold back when they used their power to do whatever they wanted? He had the strength to judge them all.

On the other hand, watching himself act on that mindset so naturally filled him with unease. He couldn't explain it well, but it felt like he was losing himself more with each passing day.

He wanted to shake off that doubt as soon as possible.

After a long pause, Elle finally replied.

"If that's what you want... Fine. When you reach the 8th floor, tear the Mission Directive and select Unique difficulty—it'll proceed from there."

"...Thank you."

As Yun-seok bowed his head, Elle gave one final warning.

"Like I said before, be careful with this trial. No matter who it is, you can't underestimate them."

"Elle, as long as it's not you, I won't lose to anyone."

Yun-seok smiled to lighten the mood. But unlike his confident words, he was quite tense inside. And he had good reason.

Even if it was data from their challenger days before ascending the Tower...

This 7th floor duel opponent had the talent to one day reach the Tower's top floors—as a manager.

"Then... see you on the 10th floor."

"Yeah, that'd be best."

Once you ascend, you can't return to the 7th Floor Plaza. Knowing that, Elle and Yun-seok exchanged brief farewells and parted.

Back in the waiting room, Yun-seok meditated to calm his mind before challenging the trial.

No matter who came, it wouldn't be easy. But he had no intention of stagnating here like the others out of fear.

He arrived at the circular arena. It hadn't been long in real time, but it felt like ages since he'd returned. Like he'd finally come home?

Ironic as it was, Yun-seok found peace of mind in this place where life and death hung in the balance.

Here, what he had to do was always clear: pour everything into toppling the opponent before him.

Villain or hero—it didn't matter. That single proposition was the law and justice of this arena.

In other words, no agonizing over who to kill or spare—just clash with full power.

The moment the countdown began, Yun-seok's eyes locked onto his opponent.

He inferred skills and fighting style from weapons, armor, and accessories, not missing clothing style, aura, skin tone—anything.

Even with everything reset, challengers instinctively sought the familiar.

Soon, Yun-seok pinned down the opponent's dimension.

Murim origin?

Flowing martial robes. Twin swords crossed in an X on his back. The man in his early twenties facing him had an East Asian look, exuding a vibe similar to the woman from the 6th floor—gender aside.

His face seemed vaguely familiar, but Yun-seok recalled features of dimension-specific challengers from the chat room summaries.

Killian demons often focused on unique eyes and abilities. Sehelanbard folk leaned on techniques. Murim challengers prioritized stats, using innate skill as the core with techniques in support—like Yun-seok since Cheonma's training.

Murim specialist in technique. And ironically, twin swords like his own.

Yun-seok felt a thick curiosity. How would this presumed Murim man wield his two blades?

The duel began, restraints vanishing.

Clang! Both drew swords silently and charged as if it were natural.

Whoosh! Distance closed rapidly.

To trigger Postdraw Initiative, Yun-seok bided his time. The instant he sensed the opponent's sword move, he thrust to block.

If he blocked solidly, countering from defense beat first strike. Plan: block, disrupt stance, then retaliate.

But the moment he was sure he'd parry the thrust—

The incoming blade tip split in two, like an illusion spell.

"......!"

Yun-seok desperately shifted trajectory, but too late.

Blue light burst from the Ark Hunter hunting gloves on Yun-seok's hands as the message appeared.

Only then did he realize: his throat had nearly been severed.

"Backstep."

Yun-seok hastily retreated, regaining stance. His throat stung, as if reminding him of the mistake. Without the glove's effect, it wouldn't have stopped at stinging.

He felt a chill. Sure, a throat stab could've been healed with Blood Demon Qi. But the glove activated only on unperceived dangers.

Meaning that thrust was a genuine threat to him.

Don't assume. Nothing's certain yet.

Maybe it was just the description—triggers on vital hits like throat or heart.

Yun-seok forced calm, refocusing. Then his opponent grinned and spoke.

"To block this young master's strike—you're decent."

His voice was greener than expected, tone exaggerated. But his eyes held arrogance, already deeming Yun-seok inferior.

"Rejoice! You've earned the right to hear this young master's name!"

Yun-seok had thought him the silent type, striking first. Was he wrong?

Declaring qualifications unasked—what was this? New mental attack?

As Yun-seok stared in disbelief, the self-absorbed man proclaimed his name.

"Namgoong Cheol—the future head of the Namgoong family and hegemon of the martial world!"

He seemed thrilled. But when Yun-seok just stared blankly, he tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.

"Why aren't you rejoicing? You've just formally exchanged names with this young master!"

Even if he said that, Yun-seok had no clue what Namgoong family or Murim Alliance meant. He spoke only of the future, not even his current status.

...Looks early twenties, but actually younger?

Not sure if other dimension folk got it, but he seemed like a puberty-struck middle schooler.

Yet despite the frivolity, his skill was sharp, so Yun-seok raised his sword warily.

Namgoong Cheol clicked his tongue.

"Tch, a rude street rat, eh."

Yun-seok was dumbfounded. Unilaterally demanding a name, then calling him street trash for not answering.

"Hiding behind a mask too—lived a shady life, have we? The Azure Heaven Divine Sword Namgoong Cheol shall judge you here!"

Praising him "decent" and demanding names moments ago—now switching to bravado. Yun-seok couldn't help feeling pity.

Did I ever look that pathetic to others?

Vmmm! One of the two swords in Namgoong Cheol's hands floated up.

It moved freely, like alive, manipulated by invisible strings.

Yun-seok felt massive déjà vu.

"......?"

Come to think of it, he'd seen something similar. Right after clearing the 5th floor, suddenly pulled to the arena for a Wish ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Auction.

Recalling, Yun-seok stared piercingly at Namgoong Cheol's face.

He realized why it felt familiar from the start.

No white hair, no sage-like long beard. Not seven swords, just two. Appearance decades younger.

But stripping conditions, those stubborn features confirmed it.

This crazy bastard...

If his guess was right...

Namgoong Cheol was the young Heavenly Martial Artist.