Chapter 28: The More I Compare
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: The More I Compare
A franchise cafe near the school.
I sat facing the martial artist who had come from the Changcheon Sword Sect.
“Want a drink? If you want dessert too, feel free to order anything.”
“Water is fine for me.”
We were the only two people in the rather spacious cafe, and it was only after seeing the sign on the entrance door turned to [close] that I realized the cafe had been rented out entirely.
‘Is the Changcheon Sword Sect trying to show me that this much is nothing to them?’
The cafe owner, who had brought the coffee and water, soon quietly left.
With just the two of us left, the person sitting opposite me handed me their business card.
“Let me formally introduce myself again. I’m Bu Yeon-ha, the Scout Team Leader of the Changcheon Sword Sect.”
I fiddled with the business card she handed me.
Along with the blue Changcheon Sword Sect logo, it read <Bu Yeon-ha, Changcheon Sword Sect Scout Team Leader>, and below that, a phone number was embossed.
“A scout team… Is that different from being part of the Combat Unit?”
“Until two years ago, I was part of the Sword Unit. I transferred here because of an injury.”
“……”
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m very satisfied with my current team, you know.”
Bu Yeon-ha smiled faintly and took a sip of coffee.
Just by her appearance, she had an aura that could easily be mistaken for a model or celebrity.
Her striking looks, precise articulation, and the elegant suit she wore made her seem like someone special.
Add to that the background of the Changcheon Sword Sect, and aspiring Martial Arts Practitioners, both boys and girls, would surely be intimidated or gaze at her with eyes full of admiration.
But to my eyes, her appearance or other attributes didn’t register.
‘Retired from the front lines due to an injury? For that to be true, her skill seems far too exceptional…’
The qi I sensed from Bu Yeon-ha was quite refined, even among all the martial artists I’d encountered.
I couldn’t quantify the feeling exactly, but… it made me think she might even be stronger than Yaksha Sword.
And she didn’t even seem to be much older than me.
‘Is this why they’re one of the Eight Great Sects?’
While I was assessing her skill, Bu Yeon-ha seemed to have been observing me closely as well, and she smiled faintly, saying,
“Your musculature looks much better than it did in the video, doesn’t it?”
“Thank you. Team Leader, you also seem so strong that I can’t understand why you’re on the scout team.”
Perhaps my answer was unexpected, as Bu Yeon-ha blinked a few times.
Then, her previously gentle eyes narrowed slightly, and a strange smile formed on her lips.
“Impressive. Usually, people aren’t interested in my skill, but you paid attention to it?”
“Sitting across from a Martial Arts Practitioner, of course I’d first assess their qi.”
“Ohh.”
The short exclamation contained a hint of approval, as if saying, ‘Not bad.’
Bu Yeon-ha set down her coffee cup and began the main discussion.
“It’s tiresome to introduce the Changcheon Sword Sect, but it’s my job. As you know, we are the nation’s top Martial Sect when it comes to swords.”
At her introduction, brimming with pride for her sect, I nodded obediently.
While there were perhaps two sects in the country that wouldn’t agree with that statement, objectively and in public perception, it was an undeniable fact that the Changcheon Sword Sect was the greatest sword sect.
“Unlike the other Eight Great Sects, the Changcheon Sword Sect only practices sword-related martial arts. Because that alone is enough. I can stake my name on the fact that we can provide the best martial arts and the best environment a swordsman needs.”
The Eight Great Sects.
During my days as a Vagrant wandering the Underworld, they were beings I could only look up to from afar.
The pinnacle of the Orthodox Martial World, Martial Arts Practitioners living in a completely different world, high above.
I had encountered them a few times on commissions that were difficult to handle in the open, and every single one of them looked at the Vagrants of the Underworld as if they were dirty insects.
‘The Changcheon Sword Sect also seemed to be quite arrogant bastards.’
Of course, the disciples of the Changcheon Sword Sect I’d seen were only a small fraction, but regardless, my impression of them wasn’t good.
“Changcheon (蒼天) means a clear, blue sky. It aligns with the spirit of an Orthodox Faction Member. Never compromising with the Heretical Path….”
“That’s a bit much.”
At my words, which had slipped out unintentionally, Bu Yeon-ha’s eyes narrowed.
“Hm?”
“Nothing. Please continue.”
Bu Yeon-ha tilted her head, then launched into a lengthy account of the Changcheon Sword Sect’s history, traditions, and boasts.
I nodded vaguely, while thinking other thoughts internally.
‘What kind of incident could have happened between Sword Demon Master and the Eight Great Sects?’
I clearly remembered Sword Demon’s expression when the Eight Great Sects were mentioned, and the hostility I sensed from him.
In the future, the power and influence of the Eight Great Sects would grow even greater than now.
Later, even just elite martial artists from the Eight Great Sects were rumored to look down on the Martial Alliance’s executives.
‘Was Sword Demon perhaps expelled from the Martial Alliance due to the Eight Great Sects’ interference in the past?’
Up to this point, it was merely a simple conjecture anyone could make, but for me, who knew the future, there were a few more pieces of information others didn’t know.
‘Among the Eight Great Sects, there were traitors who sided with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.’
When the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult turned the world upside down, the Eight Great Sects’ response was divided into two.
Either quietly holding their breath and adapting to the changed world.
Or leading their disciples to the battlefield, declaring war against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Which choice did the Changcheon Sword Sect make, I wonder….
Since I was on the verge of death then, and had no interest in worldly affairs, I didn’t remember everything in detail.
‘If the Changcheon Sword Sect is connected to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and if they’re not unrelated to Sword Demon Master’s death… then you will pay the price.’
That was also why I didn’t refuse Bu Yeon-ha’s request and agreed to the meeting.
But so far, I hadn’t sensed anything particularly suspicious from her.
“By the way, are you usually this quiet? It feels like I’ve been doing all the talking since earlier.”
“I believe a martial artist should show things through action rather than words.”
“That’s a good habit. I also prefer people who are tight-lipped and prove themselves with skill.”
It was a convenient excuse, but Bu Yeon-ha seemed pleased with my answer.
“I’ve introduced myself and boasted about the Changcheon Sword Sect enough. If you have time, would you like to go to dinner? I’d like to discuss more details over a meal.”
It sounded like she was seriously trying to recruit me, so I shook my head.
“I carry a lunchbox for dinner to eat after training. And I’m already late for my training time.”
From her perspective, I thought it might be an unpleasant answer.
However, Bu Yeon-ha, on the contrary, seemed to like me more and more.
“That’s an excellent attitude. Then I’ll be brief. Since you seem to dislike beating around the bush, let me get straight to the point.”
Bu Yeon-ha took out a contract from the briefcase she had brought and placed it on the table.
“Ki Mu-hyeok. We want to nurture you at our Changcheon Sword Sect. This is a Rising Star contract, offered based on your potential.”
“……”
“It might not be easy to take in right now, so you can take it home and discuss it with your parents. You can also consult a lawyer.”
“I’ll read it right now.”
I pulled the contract towards me and quickly skimmed its contents.
Without much expectation, my hand, which had been flipping through quickly, gradually slowed.
“This…”
Surprisingly, the conditions were slightly better than those offered by the Blood Tiger Gang, which O-ho had proposed at the Hidden Tower.
‘But considering this is an Orthodox Faction, not an Unorthodox Faction…’
The Orthodox Faction, with its many procedures and restrictions, naturally had much more conservative contracts than the Unorthodox Faction.
Considering that, these were ridiculously good terms for me.
Moreover, considering the background of the Changcheon Sword Sect, refusing would be foolish.
Bu Yeon-ha said, a confident smile on her face.
“As I said, this isn’t a typical Rising Star contract. It’s on par with the contract terms offered to Rising Stars with a Constitution Grade equivalent to Grade 2, if not Grade 1.”
At the conditions, which were far better than I expected, I asked with a bewildered expression.
“You know my Constitution Grade is 4, right? There shouldn’t be a reason to invest this much.”
“Because you proved it in actual combat.”
Bu Yeon-ha explained the reason bluntly.
“I saw you fighting in the video. Against an Unorthodox Faction expert stronger than you, you didn’t flinch and fought with all your might. Do you know what an incredible talent that is in itself?”
Bu Yeon-ha’s eyes, looking at me, were sparkling with interest.
It was more than just a sales pitch; her excitement was clearly visible.
“After seeing that video, the higher-ups came down hard on our team. They asked why we didn’t even know such a talent existed. They told us to go find you with a contract immediately. That’s why I, the Team Leader, came personally.”
She said that had happened this morning, and that she had been guarding the main gate for several hours just in case another of the Eight Great Sects went to the classroom first.
“Constitution, musculature. Of course, they’re important. But there are many Rising Stars who, despite having better conditions than you, freeze up from Killing Intent in actual combat and can’t properly wield their swords, ending up dead or permanently incapacitated. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality.”
Bu Yeon-ha began to speak passionately, but I just listened silently, my arms crossed.
“And you declared you’d acquire a First-Rate License in your first License Exam, didn’t you? If the contract is finalized, the Changcheon Sword Sect will actively support everything you need for the exam.”
“……”
“You’ll be an excellent example. The rebellion of a Grade 4 Constitution, the first Rising Star to acquire a First-Rate License in their first exam with an ordinary constitution. You can become the Changcheon Sword Sect’s new mascot and the dream and hope of many juniors.”
“You’re very good with words. Listening to you makes me want to sign as if I’m possessed by something, you know?”
“For someone who feels that way, aren’t your arms crossed a bit too tightly?”
At Bu Yeon-ha’s joke, I let out a small laugh.
Even if I had no intention of signing a contract, anyone hearing an offer like this couldn’t help but be tempted.
To call it merely a recruitment pitch, felt wrong, as her words and actions conveyed genuine sincerity.
-With your talent, you can enter any sect you desire.
At that moment, Sword Demon’s words, recognizing my musculature and constitution at a glance, came to mind.
And his absurd nonsense about being able to find a master superior to him anytime.
“And this is something I shouldn’t be saying yet….”
Bu Yeon-ha, seeing me hesitate, must have thought I was almost convinced, and said in a low voice, as if to seal the deal.
“One of our Elders has taken a liking to you. If you’re lucky, you might even become their direct disciple.”
Becoming an Elder’s disciple in one of the Eight Great Sects was tantamount to becoming at least a core member or executive of the sect in the next generation.
“……”
If I refused, it was an offer so sweet that I’d have no excuse if countless people called me a fool.
Thanks to that, I was able to make a firm decision.
“I apologize. I’ll have to refuse after all.”
“……Why?”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected to be refused after going this far, as Bu Yeon-ha stared at me with a blank expression.
To avoid any misunderstanding, I clearly stated my reason.
“Because the more I compare, the less appealing the conditions seem.”
“What…?”
It must have been an answer she never imagined, as Bu Yeon-ha was speechless.
She stared intently at my face, as if trying to gauge if my answer was sincere.
Then, with wide eyes, she muttered in disbelief.
“...That’s impossible. Do you really think that? What conditions are lacking, exactly? No, did another of the Eight Great Sects contact you before us?”
By my standards, even if all those conditions were placed on a scale, they wouldn’t outweigh the single person on the other side.
‘Just an Elder? Even if the Changcheon Sword Sect Leader offered to teach me swordsmanship personally, I’d still be on the fence.’
Compared to Sword Demon’s teachings, these conditions were simply far too lacking.
Moreover, if I became strong, there was no reason to shackle myself now for things I would naturally gain anyway.
“If you’re done speaking, I’ll take my leave. As I mentioned, I’m late for my training time.”
Without hesitation, I got up from my seat.
Bu Yeon-ha looked up at me, her expression hardening, and said.
“...Sit down. We still have things to discuss.”
Unlike before, her voice had turned cold and coercive.