A Duel with the Legend
Rumeorn revealed her curiosity about Eclipse. It seemed to stem from the display he had shown during the Guardian Star Tournament. Of course, beyond that, she also appeared intent on gauging just how close he was to Yusoha as her Guardian Star.
“I saw your performance at the last Guardian Star Tournament.”
“Is that so?”
“You were strong.”
Rumeorn spoke while studying Eclipse intently. As expected, she could not gauge his limits. She had no choice but to feel that way.
Most Guardian Stars possessed only meager power right after being summoned. Even Rumeorn herself had not taken the form of an iron tiger when Yu Hyeok first summoned her. She had been nothing more than a small, frail iron cat. That was all. Yet as Yu Hyeok grew, so did Rumeorn, until she became a being no one could omit when discussing the world’s strongest Guardian Stars.
“Did your power weaken when you came to this world?”
“……It did.”
“……How much?”
“Significantly. In my original world, I could wield my greatsword freely. Here, however, I can only swing it once. I know some power resides within the blade, but even accounting for that, the strike I unleashed this time was far weaker than what I could manage in my own world.”
Rumeorn was at a loss for words. ‘He claims that strike was weakened?’ She could not forget the sensation she had felt upon seeing the broken greatsword behind Eclipse’s back during the tournament. A chill had run down her spine. It had not been fear, yet it was certainly no ordinary reaction. Never in her life had she experienced such a sense of crisis. Not even when facing the strongest being from the world she had once lived in.
Just what power dwelt within that greatsword? And what had this knight endured in his own world? Countless questions rose in Rumeorn’s mind, but she did not voice them. She could tell at a glance that he had suffered greatly. ‘It would be terribly rude to pry into the past of someone like him.’ Having lived in a society where digging into another’s past could easily spark a fight, Rumeorn refrained from such discourtesy.
She smiled wryly at herself for being so cautious. How long had it been since she had been this careful about anything? Many had looked down on her after she was summoned to Earth decades ago. Yet even she, who had silenced them all, could not treat Eclipse lightly.
In that moment, a chill ran down Rumeorn’s spine. ‘If I had been even slightly ruder during our first meeting, my head would have flown.’
She had only witnessed a single swing, yet she understood. Had she faced Eclipse’s strike while off guard, her head would have been severed instantly. She recalled her husband’s reaction at the time—how he had smiled brightly, as though facing a formidable opponent from his youth. She could easily predict it. This entire area would not have remained unscathed today.
While Eclipse conversed with Rumeorn, Yu Hyeok burst through the door. They had been about to go looking for him, so his timing could not have been better.
“So you came, Soha!”
Yu Hyeok beamed the moment he saw Yusoha and greeted her warmly.
“It’s been a while. I couldn’t see you during the last Guardian Star Tournament, so I’m glad we could meet like this.”
“Yes. Welcome. What brings you here?”
“Ah, I came to ask Grandmother for help with my personal training.”
“Training? Why? What do you need to do there?”
“I’m going to North Korea.”
Rumeorn placed her pipe in her mouth.
“North Korea? Why that dangerous place?”
“To become an S-class Awakened.”
“Isn’t that too risky just for a promotion? There must be safer methods.”
“I won’t reach S-class quickly otherwise.”
“Is that so? Then there’s no helping it.”
Yu Hyeok simply nodded. Yusoha found his reaction somewhat unexpected.
“You’re not going to stop me?”
“What would be the point of trying? I know your stubbornness. Once you’ve made up your mind, you’ll do it even if it kills you…….”
“That’s right.”
“So there’s no need to waste my breath. A young bird is trying to leave the nest—why would I hinder its wings? The things that have bound you are finally loosening. All I need to do is help you fly.”
“……Thank you, Grandfather.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. You’re doing what you’ve refused to give up on, so I have no intention of opposing you. I only feel a little concern; I’ve never thought of stopping you.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Yusoha answered, Rumeorn spoke to Yu Hyeok.
“Speaking of which, dear.”
“What is it?”
“If Soha wants to train with me, I’ll probably have to go to Seoul.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
“Her team will be moving together, after all. I should teach those children as well.”
“In that case…… The government happens to be calling for me around this time anyway. I’ll go with you.”
“Good. Then we can do some sightseeing in Seoul with our free time.”
“That sounds fine too.”
More conversation followed. How had they been lately? Were they eating well? Yusoha’s answers were consistent. Everything was good. She was doing well. Yu Hyeok seemed quite pleased by that. Especially when he saw Soha smiling, it was as if all his worries had vanished.
Seeming to think the time was right, Yu Hyeok quietly called out to Eclipse.
“You there. Eclipse, was it?”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t mind, how about a match? It’s too late now, so what do you say to a light spar tomorrow morning?”
As Rumeorn had expected, Yu Hyeok wanted to spar with Eclipse. Eclipse felt the same. Though he had been a knight who valued nobility in his previous world, he was still a man who wielded a sword. He could not dislike sparring with a strong opponent.
“Very well.”
When Eclipse nodded, Yu Hyeok laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Excellent! Then tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
Morning arrived. Eclipse and Yu Hyeok stood facing each other.
“You’re not using a weapon? I’d like to see that greatsword at least once.”
“I cannot wield this greatsword recklessly right now. I am still too weak to control its power, and using it even once drains all my strength. If we’re to enjoy the spar, it would be better to make it last, wouldn’t it?”
“Haha! Fair enough. Then let’s see…… Dear.”
“All right, all right.”
Rumeorn sighed and created a greatsword in Eclipse’s hand. Crafted at a speed far beyond what she had used when making a weapon for Yusoha, the blade possessed quality that could chew through even renowned swords.
“How about this? Will it do?”
“It’s sufficient. In a way, it’s even better than the one on my back. That is, if we ignore the strange power dwelling within it……”
Eclipse raised the greatsword with satisfaction. Holding a blade that fit perfectly in his hand made him feel refreshed.
“Haha! You seem pleased. Now then……”
Yu Hyeok drew the sword at his waist.
“Shall we begin?”
“Very well.”
“Who strikes first?”
“You may go ahead.”
“Good.”
Yu Hyeok stepped forward.
Thud!
In an instant, the ground trembled. Yu Hyeok’s mana had no attribute. Unlike most Awakened who used mana similar to their Guardian Stars, Yu Hyeok’s mana possessed no elemental property. Therefore, his mana was purely specialized in amplifying his physical abilities.
Yu Hyeok’s body, infused with mana, shot forward in a blur. Yusoha, watching the spar between Yu Hyeok and Eclipse, could not even follow his movements.
Clang!
The harsh sound of metal colliding rang in Yusoha’s ears.
“Ho.”
Satisfaction began to show on Yu Hyeok’s face. He had finally found it—an opponent he could cross swords with without holding back. Thinking this, he stepped back slightly.
“You are remarkable.”
Eclipse offered genuine praise. Yu Hyeok was displaying movements that only those who had reached knighthood in his previous world would show. Moreover, unlike other Awakened on Earth, he had not neglected training his body. To possess such a robust physique even past seventy was astonishing. He had blocked human aging with nothing but the power inherent to humanity. Of course, the power of mana had helped, but even that wondrous force ultimately required a foundation. Yu Hyeok’s body was already the perfect soil for mana to exert its full strength.
Eclipse gazed at Yu Hyeok with admiration and gripped his greatsword firmly. Beneath the helmet that covered his face, a smile was in full bloom. It seemed this would be a satisfying spar after a long time.