Chapter 60
The Most Brilliant Empire(2)
Arriving at the Kingdom of Heigran, Kang Hyeon and his companions were finally able to get a good rest.
“This place is totally a meat paradise!”
“Just this once, I’ll agree with the Guild Master!”
They were treated to plenty of unidentified meat like last time.
“Yayy! This is great! This is what life’s about”
After the meal, they went to a huge bathhouse to soak their bodies.
“This journey was really the worst. Don’t you think so? How could they handle things so recklessly? They should be more considerate of women like us!”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and don’t misunderstand that I’m not afraid of ghosts. Actually, my grandmother was a shaman. So I was just feeling a bit uneasy.”
At that glare, Dehera smiled awkwardly and slightly turned her head away. Seen up close like this, it wasn’t exactly a pleasant sight. But from afar, it just looked like ordinary women relieving their fatigue at the bathhouse peacefully. At least that’s how it appeared to Choi Yeon-hwa, who was standing a step away from them.
Choi Yeon-hwa looked at the group with a dark expression. More precisely, her gaze was fixed on Han Se-yeon among the group.
‘What is…? This emotion…’
Even Choi Yeon-hwa herself couldn’t understand what she was feeling right now.
‘Clearly, Kang Hyeon came back alive…’
She thought everything would be perfect if Kang Hyeon was just alive. But something hollow and an inexplicable anger was welling up. At that moment.
-If you get rid of me, you’ll never be able to catch up to that woman for your entire life. The Sword Ghost spoke up. It was the first time it revealed its presence after staying quietly as if dead since being dealt with by Kang Hyeon.
-Be honest. Don’t you want to win against that woman? Wasn’t your goal actually to surpass her?
Choi Yeon-hwa didn’t answer.
-Choi Yeon-hwa. I acknowledge that your talent is exceptional. However… The Sword Ghost’s breath was gradually getting closer.
-That woman has even greater talent than what you possess, and has put in more effort.
‘What…?’
At the mention that Han Se-yeon had put in more effort than herself, Choi Yeon-hwa became angry.
‘I don’t want to hear such nonsense. I’ve also risked my life, and worked harder than anyone.’
-Right! You worked hard too. But look at that woman! Those countless scars!
‘Scars…?’
As the Sword Ghost said, Han Se-yeon’s body was densely covered with all sorts of scars.
-A swordsman with such outstanding skills has such scars. Can you imagine how long, how many harsh battlefields she must have gone through?
‘That’s…’
-She must have returned from the brink of death dozens, hundreds of times. Surely luck must have been on her side too.
‘So what do you want me to do…’
-I’ll ask once more. If I disappear like this, do you think you can defeat that woman?
‘I don’t need your help anymore. I can become strong enough on my own.’
-You might be able to become stronger on your own, but you’ll never catch up to that woman in your lifetime.
‘Shut up…’
Choi Yeon-hwa gritted her teeth at the Sword Ghost’s words.
-Accept reality. That woman has already reached a realm that ordinary humans cannot reach. A realm that requires talent, effort, and divine providence to reach.
‘How would you know that when you’re just a mere specter?’
-Of course I know. Because I reached that realm when I was alive. Suddenly, Choi Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
‘Really…?’
She had known from the beginning that the Sword Ghost possessed outstanding skills. After all, she felt its tremendous level whenever it moved its body. Although the gap had narrowed considerably as she grew stronger recently, the Sword Ghost still possessed skills far above her own. What really surprised Choi Yeon-hwa was that the Sword Ghost acknowledged Han Se-yeon as being on the same level as itself.
‘Han Se-yeon is that strong…?’
-Of course, if it were me as a human, I could win. But fighting in my current state controlling your body, I cannot guarantee victory.
‘Then what should I do…?’
-What else!? Hide me so I don’t vanish. Then I’ll guide you to catch up to that woman… The Sword Ghost suddenly disappeared while speaking.
“Miss Choi Yeon-hwa?”
Simultaneously, someone’s voice called her from behind.
“Ah… Dehera…?”
The former administrator Dehera with her dazzling beauty. She was staring blankly at her.
“Miss Choi Yeon-hwa. Is something wrong?”
“What…?”
“You’ve been standing here absent-mindedly for a while.”
Choi Yeon-hwa looked around. Everyone in the group was now looking at her.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something… Haha!”
“If you’re too tired, you should rest first.”
“Should I…? Hahaha…”
Choi Yeon-hwa was forcing an obviously awkward laugh. But Dehera nodded with an innocent face.
“Yes. When mind and body are tired, you should rest.”
“Then I’ll go ahead first.”
Just as Choi Yeon-hwa was about to leave the bathhouse. Dehera whispered in a small voice.
“Remember… Everything comes with a price…”
Choi Yeon-hwa suddenly turned around with wide eyes. There stood Dehera with a bright smile.
“What did you just-“
“If you leave now, we won’t let you join the table tennis game later.”
“What?”
“Table tennis can only be played with four people, right?”
Choi Yeon-hwa nodded in confusion at Dehera’s words.
“Ah… That’s right…”
“Will that be okay with you?”
“Yes. I don’t really like table tennis anyway…”
“I see. Oh my, this is trouble! Whether I’m on Han Se-yeon’s team or against her, it’s a problem…”
Choi Yeon-hwa blankly watched Dehera leave while muttering incomprehensible words.
“Must be my imagination…?”
Choi Yeon-hwa shook her head and left the bathhouse. Dehera silently watched her retreating figure.
***
Ippotranslation
***
The next morning. Olien saw off the departing group.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Have to go. There are things to do. But once we connect the portal, we’ll be able to see each other often.”
“Yes…”
Leaving Olien looking gloomy behind, Kang Hyeon waved his hand.
“Then I’m going.”
“What? You’re leaving just like this?”
“Yeah. We just talked about it.”
“No, you should use spatial movement magic. Were you planning to walk?”
“Huh…? Is that possible even without connecting the portal?”
“Well, portal connection is just a part of spatial movement magic. You can use spatial movement even without connecting a portal.”
“It takes some time to prepare… But it’ll be much faster than walking.”
At the news that they didn’t need to walk, Yoon Na-rae cheered.
“Yay! We don’t have to walk! Olien is the best! I don’t know what that stupid guild master was doing not even knowing this!?”
“You always have to add something at the end. Makes me want to kill you.”
After silencing Yoon Na-rae, Kang Hyeon continued.
“Anyway, I’d be grateful if you could prepare it.”
At Kang Hyeon’s words, Olien smiled brightly.
“You’ll need our mage anyway to connect the portal when you get to Seoul.”
“Ah, right?”
“Sometimes Kang Hyeon seems so smart, but at times like this, he’s quite foolish. Hahaha.”
“Is that so. Haha.”
While Kang Hyeon and Olien were laughing, Yoon Na-rae cut in again.
“That’s right! Completely stupid! Sic…”
“I’ll really kill you.”
“You’re always only mean to me…”
Yoon Na-rae mumbled quietly with a tearful face.
“How long will it take to prepare the magic?”
“About half a day should do it. Until then, rest well here.”
“Great. Everyone rest! I’m going to eat meat first!”
“I agree! Agree!”
Yoon Na-rae shouted with a bright smile as if she had never been gloomy. Then she followed behind Kang Hyeon and Olien like a puppy following its owner.
“What are you all planning to do?”
When Kang Hyeon and Yoon Na-rae left, Shin Seong-ah turned to the remaining group.
“Well, I was thinking of following Mr. Kang Hyeon for a meal. What about you all?”
At Dehera’s question, Shin Seong-ah made a dark expression.
“My stomach is churning…”
In fact, it had only been two hours since they ate. Yet those people heading to the restaurant saying they’ll eat meat again were the strange ones.
“I’ll just take a light walk.”
Han Se-yeon seemed to be planning to look around the castle grounds briefly.
“Please don’t go too far. When it’s time, I’ll come find you myself.”
“Thanks, but it won’t take long. I’m planning to go to the bath after a short walk.”
“I understand.”
“Then see you later.”
Just as Han Se-yeon was about to leave.
Choi Yeon-hwa stopped her.
“Wa, wait a moment!”
“What is it?”
Choi Yeon-hwa hesitated, unable to get her words out.
“Speak comfortably. It’s okay to say anything.”
Perhaps encouraged by Han Se-yeon’s words.
Choi Yeon-hwa nodded once and said.
“Please have a sparring match with me!”
At Choi Yeon-hwa’s request, Han Se-yeon smiled broadly.
“That sounds fun.”
Actually, sparring with Choi Yeon-hwa was something Han Se-yeon wanted too. But the schedule was busy right now, and Choi Yeon-hwa’s condition wasn’t good, so it had been postponed. But since Choi Yeon-hwa brought it up first, Han Se-yeon was honestly grateful.
“A sparring match between you two. If it’s alright, may I observe?”
Shin Seong-ah asked.
“I don’t mind.”
“I’m fine with it too.”
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ll get to see something good.”
***
Ippotranslation
***
The three women moved to the training ground without delay. It was the same place where Han Se-yeon had sparred with the Royal Guard Knights before.
“Welcome! To see both of you together. This is quite a sight indeed. Ha ha ha!”
The captain of the Royal Guard Knights, Roan, greeted the party.
“We came to borrow the training ground.”
“You’re welcome anytime. However…”
Roan looked back and forth between Han Se-yeon and Choi Yeon-hwa.
“Are you two going to spar?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, if it’s alright, may we observe? It would be a good lesson for our knights.”
“I don’t mind.”
Han Se-yeon readily agreed.
“I…”
Choi Yeon-hwa seemed to contemplate for a moment before nodding.
“I’m fine with it too.”
“Thank you very much!”
Roan hurriedly entered what appeared to be the dormitory. Soon, a tremendous shout was heard from inside the building.
“Everyone out! You sluggards! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
A moment later. In just a few minutes, all members of the Royal Guard Knights gathered at the training ground.
“Today, these two have graciously allowed us to observe their sparring. Show your gratitude and respect!”
“Yes!”
Choi Yeon-hwa smiled awkwardly at their intense enthusiasm.
“Haha…”
The thought of dozens of strong men watching made her feel pressured. And…
-Is it finally starting…
The Sword Ghost whispering behind her was also a concern.
‘You stay quiet. I’ll do this with my own strength.’
-Do as you please. You’ll naturally seek me out once a little time passes anyway. The Sword Ghost spoke with complete confidence.
‘Just watch! I’ll show you what path I’ve walked!’
Determination filled Choi Yeon-hwa’s eyes.
“Are both of you ready?”
“Yes.”
Both Han Se-yeon and Choi Yeon-hwa answered Shin Seong-ah’s question simultaneously.
“Then let’s begin.”
As soon as Shin Seong-ah’s words fell, Choi Yeon-hwa kicked off the ground and charged.
***
Ippotranslation
***
Choi Yeon-hwa charged forward as soon as it began. Watching her, Han Se-yeon’s eyes gleamed.
‘She’s fast.’
In terms of speed, she was among the top few ability users Han Se-yeon had ever met. Even faster than herself.
Yet her movements were disciplined and her posture unwavering. Seeing how Choi Yeon-hwa had grown, Han Se-yeon felt a peculiar satisfaction.
‘Indeed, my eyes weren’t wrong.’
That day when she first met Choi Yeon-hwa. Han Se-yeon had immediately decided to take her to the Dangun Guild. At the time, the Dangun Guild was a world-renowned guild gathering only the finest elites.
In contrast, considering that Choi Yeon-hwa was just a novice attending an ability user cultivation school, it was truly an exceptional offer. Although ultimately Choi Yeon-hwa chose the Badass Guild where Kang Hyeon was.
‘She saw me as a rival.’
Han Se-yeon hadn’t forgotten the intense gaze Choi Yeon-hwa used to give her. And today, almost 5 years since that day. Finally, she would face off against a magnificently grown Choi Yeon-hwa.
‘Here she comes.’
Choi Yeon-hwa’s sword came flying in along a fundamentally sound path. Han Se-yeon blocked it lightly with her sword. But the attack was just beginning.
“Hup!”
As Choi Yeon-hwa took a short breath, she began swinging her sword in earnest. Simultaneously, all the knights at the training ground gaped.
“Is that human speed?”
“From swinging the sword to retrieving it and attacking again. Everything flows perfectly.”
Choi Yeon-hwa swung her sword like a woman possessed.
The sound of her sword cutting through the air and clashing with Han Se-yeon’s sword filled the training ground.
‘As expected, she’s quite good.’
Han Se-yeon grinned while blocking Choi Yeon-hwa’s sword.
One could never achieve such speed by simply swinging a sword mindlessly. Even with superior physical abilities, it would be impossible. She swung her sword along optimal paths created through countless practice sessions. The method of retrieval and attack changed according to the opponent’s response. Hundreds, thousands of possibilities were not just memorized but ingrained into her body. It was impossible to even imagine how much effort it took to achieve such attacks.
‘However…’
In that moment, Han Se-yeon stepped forward and thrust her sword.
‘There’s no substance.’
Though Choi Yeon-hwa dodged as if she had anticipated it, Han Se-yeon had no intention of letting her escape.
Clang, clang!
As Han Se-yeon persistently pursued and swung her sword, Choi Yeon-hwa’s sword gradually began to slow.
‘As I thought, you haven’t had much experience fighting proper swordsmen.’
It wasn’t that Choi Yeon-hwa lacked combat experience. Rather, she seemed to lack experience fighting real swordsmen. Though she wielded the sword herself, one’s proficiency varies greatly depending on whom they fight. Whether cutting down monsters. Whether cutting down mages. Whether cutting down fellow swordsmen.
Beyond these, there were countless other possibilities. From Han Se-yeon’s perspective, while Choi Yeon-hwa had abundant combat experience, she seemed to lack experience fighting diverse opponents.
Claaang!
Finally, Choi Yeon-hwa’s sword was knocked away and flew through the air. Seeing Han Se-yeon’s sword at her neck, Choi Yeon-hwa clenched her teeth. Han Se-yeon smiled at her clearly frustrated expression.
“If you’d like, shall we go another round?”
“Please!”
Choi Yeon-hwa picked up her fallen sword and steadied her breathing again.
