Episode 145

How on earth did Yu Seha know how to unlock [Dragon Breath]?

‘……’

Ju Na-young, lying on the bed, placed a hand on her chest.

Recently, she felt a thumping pulse inside the thickened flame core that had grown a size larger.

The pulse created a strong vibration, as if connected like a path.

Very delicately…

A path stronger than anything else.

Starting from her heart, reaching exactly to her throat, Ju Na-young knew well what this was.

-It’s called a dragon vein.
-Dragon… vein?

The word [Dragon Vein] was something her mother had mentioned in response to a question she asked by chance as a child.

Though she didn’t know the details, she heard it was something crucial for using a dragon’s power smoothly.

Her mother had promised to explain more later, brushing it off at the time…

But now, Ju Na-young was certain.

She, too, had successfully fully awakened the <Dragon’s Power> like her mother.

And those who succeeded in connecting the <Dragon Veins> were fundamentally granted the qualification to use [Breath].

Even in Ju Na-young’s family, only a few chosen ones could wield this power.

It was said that, among the previous heads of the family, only a few, including her mother, could use it.

No wonder the usually quiet Team Leader sister made such a fuss.

The ability to use [Breath] alone granted someone the right to claim leadership of <Dragon Sword Mir>.

Moreover, Ju Na-young inherited the true bloodline.

In essence, she had firmly stamped her place as the successor.

Therefore, Ju Na-young’s curiosity could only grow stronger.

**Could [Breath] truly be unlocked forcefully? **

She had never heard of such a thing.

If that were possible, her ancestors wouldn’t have remained idle.

‘I must secure it no matter what…’

She was confident that Yu Seha’s knowledge was worth billions—easily.

‘No, money isn’t the issue.’

From the perspective of [Dragon Sword Mir], they had to secure him by any means necessary.

He was worth that much.

‘…Wait a moment?’

For an instant, Ju Na-young had a peculiar thought.

‘Dragon…’ she pondered.

Then…
Theoretically…

Does this mean that the women in our family can unlock [Breath] just by kissing Yu Seha?

“……”

Ju Na-young fidgeted with her fingers.
Unlocking [Breath] was secondary…
She just felt it was unpleasant.

Following that, an unexpectedly dangerous thought struck her, enough to make her flinch.

Unlike herself, with red hair, as if long heated in a fire.
A beauty with jet-black hair like charred coal.

Slightly older than herself.
A genius revered in a similar position within the family.

And…

Ju Na-young, who finally succeeded in spreading the [Wings] that she couldn’t.

“Ju Yuri.”

Ju Na-young’s cousin.

Thinking up to this point, Ju Na-young narrowed her eyes.

“……”

On second thought, this wasn’t something to just let go with a simple ‘I see.’

Even ‘Ju Yuri’, who had a clearer talent for dragons than herself, couldn’t unlock [Breath].

This was proof that it was more difficult than [Wings].

What if she acquired news about Yu Seha?

“……”

Ju Na-young clenched her hand tightly.

Ju Yuri, like herself, carried the [Dragon’s Blood].

Which meant she also possessed the [Dragon’s Greed]—the relentless desire to claim whatever she wanted, no matter the cost.

“…Yong-aahh.”

Ominous…
Yet…
A vivid illusion unfolded before her eyes.

Late at night.

The scene of Ju Yuri lying naked next to the sleeping Yu Seha unfolded.

Playing with his chest, she suddenly glanced up as if realizing something.

Finally, with a mocking smile that seemed to say, ‘You’re here?’, she uttered words that made her involuntarily furious.

-Your man is awesome.

“Damn it!”

Bang!

Ju Na-young abruptly halted her imagination and punched the sandbag next to her.

The unfortunate sandbag burst and rolled on the floor, but she didn’t care.

It was too uncanny to dismiss as just Ju Na-young’s excessive imagination.

If it were that woman…
She really seemed capable of doing such a thing.

“…Phew, alright. Fine! I was planning to accept it anyway, and now my determination is burning!”

Ju Na-young tossed her hair back.
Now there was even more reason to accept the date.

“I have to tell Yu Seha directly.”

To be careful of Ju Yuri.
And never to share this knowledge with anyone else.

Except for one person.

‘Me.’

He needed to trust her.
To stay by her side if there was danger.
She would protect him no matter what.

‘Yu Seha is…’

Mine.

I won’t give him to that woman.

On a side note, while Ju Na-young was curious, she had no intention of interrogating Yu Seha.

She already knew he had an uncanny amount of knowledge—Moon Bora and Ma Hana had told her as much.

And both of them had said the same thing.

-If it’s Seha…
-Meow~ Seha is…

He is trustworthy.

This applied to Ju Na-young as well.

She was certain.

Yu Seha would never betray them, even at the cost of his life.

‘He’s someone who has already proven that.’

Everything he knew, everything he did, was ultimately for their benefit.

Yes. For example…

Even the kiss had turned out to be… ultimately helpful…

‘…Ah.’

Ju Na-young suddenly realized.
She inadvertently recalled something she had deliberately not thought about.

-Chuuuuuup.
-…Y-yong-aaah…

The memory of being hugged tightly and having a tongue deeply inserted.

Ju Na-young touched her lips.

Her healthy, cherry-red lips held a moist sheen.

Even now, the sensation was vividly clear.

Thump, thump, thump.

This was bad.

Her barely calmed heart started pounding again.

Ah, no!

Ju Na-young forced herself to sit up in a lotus position.

There was always a special remedy for times like this.

She tried the meditation method often practiced by her respected Peng Jin-ah unnie.

She always said that doing this would calm her when her mind was full of distractions.

As she followed along, she naturally mastered it.

‘Well, strictly speaking…’

It was her feelings for Peng Jin-ah that calmed her, but in any case, it worked.

‘Okay, Ju Na-young…’

Just recall it.

Childhood.

The memory of when Peng Jin-ah unnie saved her on the rooftop…

‘With her cape and eyepatch fluttering… shouting that cool line…’

That was how she soothed her mind…

Hmm…?
Huh…
What?

“Huh?”

Ju Na-young found herself unexpectedly bewildered.

“…Huh?”

It wouldn’t fade away.

No matter how hard she tried…

Thoughts of Yu Seha wouldn’t leave her mind.

It was something that had never happened before.

“…Huh?”

As she tried to deny the impossibility of the situation, realization struck.

‘It’s tilted.’

The respect Ju Na-young held for Peng Jin-ah, which occupied the largest part of her.

The one that always won on the scale had lost.

The scale’s weight… was clearly leaning towards feelings for Yu Seha.

“…Wow.”

Wait, does that mean right now she…

“…truly consider Yu Seha…”

As my number one priority above anything else?

…Really?

Meanwhile, as Ju Na-young was performing all sorts of antics, even doing the “blanket kick” a million times…

Inside the luxury accommodation for professors working at the <Academy>.

“Mm-mm~”

A beige beauty was clearing her throat.

This charming person with a swordsmanship pouch as big as her head.

Yu Seha’s supervising professor, and… his one-and-only mentor, Peng Jin-ah.

She nodded briefly, fixating on the word “Master.”

Currently, Peng Jin-ah was seated on the living room floor, surrounded by various tools.

Among them, there was an item that unusually brought a bright smile to her face.

It was a whetstone.

The whetstone, emitting a subtle blue light, was a gift from the cherished Yu Seha.

Though labeled as a Rare-grade item, it was an extraordinary find for a mere whetstone.

Surely, it could fetch millions at an auction.

‘Such a thing…’

Yu Seha had personally prepared it and handed it to her.

Peng Jin-ah’s mind wandered back to the aftermath of the <Sea Dragon Temple> raid.

‘What brings you here?’ Yu Seha asked as she approached.

Watching him, she cleared her throat.

She imagined herself clearing her throat before replying, apologizing for intruding but unable to help worrying about him.

*-You came because you were worried, right? Thank you, Master. *

Master.
Master.
Master.
Master.
Master.…

“Mm, mm, mm!”

Mm, mm! Mm!!!

Peng Jin-ah smiled broadly at the warmth rising from deep within.

“Ha!”

Then quickly stopped.

Thinking she seemed foolish, she collected herself.

‘If someone saw, they’d think I’m a fool for my disciple.’

As if to deny the accusation, she shook her head vehemently.

But the truth tugged at her heart…

Peng Jin-ah had already spent countless hours bragging about Yu Seha to her close acquaintance and junior, the woman known as [Plum Blossom Sword Emperor].

【Black Flame Dragon】: Sister. I have taken on a disciple.

【Not an Old Maid】: (Random shocked emoticon spam).

【Black Flame Dragon】: Sister. It’s overwhelming. Just how many of those girlish things have you collected?

【Not an Old Maid】: Oh my goodness! Our Jin-ah has a disciple? Really? What kind of child is it? How beautiful and talented must the girl be…?

【Black Flame Dragon】: It’s a boy.

【Not an Old Maid】: …Huh? What? Really?

The conversation then continued over the phone instead of text.

Originally, she thought she would just leave it at that.

But due to persistent questioning, she couldn’t help but proudly reveal some of Yu Seha’s achievements(?).

-Hey, Jin-ah? You’re kidding, right? I can’t even follow the [Overlord Sword Technique]. He just saw and learned it during the entrance exam? And even lifted the restriction within a month?
-Additionally, he had learned [Peng Furious Wolf]?

Every word of praise Peng Jin-ah uttered seemed to thrill her junior even more.

And then the bombshell dropped.

-I’d like to meet that child.
-…Pardon?
-You said his name is Yu Seha?

I want to cross swords with that child.

‘…Hmm.’

Peng Jin-ah crossed her arms.

Well, having the <Sword Emperor> visit was actually a good thing.

It would definitely be a great help to Yu Seha.

Peng Jin-ah’s concern lay elsewhere.

‘If… by any chance…’

If the Sword Emperor, if her warrior sister…
Became interested in him…
Such thoughts began to swirl uneasily.

It wasn’t a matter to be taken lightly…

In reality, Yu Seha was a genius with talent that would catch anyone’s eye.

At least, as far as Peng Jin-ah knew, there was no one who surpassed him with pure talent alone.

Yes, it meant he possessed even greater talent than the <Sword Emperor>.

‘A vessel of talent that everyone covets.’

Most <Awakened> long for powerful items or skills.

Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

But as time passes and one ages, confronting the certainty of no further progress and facing a great wall, what everyone desires changes.

‘Disciple.’

The will to leave behind evidence of one’s existence.

At least from the perspective of the <Overlord Sword>, countless strong individuals have all desired such a person.

Those who always thought they would remain above the heavens ultimately turned their gaze to the hope of someone who could ascend in their stead.

Even the <Sword Emperor>, who reached S-grade and the realm beyond, was no exception.

Even she, upon arrival, was called ‘Void’…

Peng Jin-ah uttered words of despair about the incomprehensible realm.

‘Perhaps, without a doubt…’

Even the <Sword Emperor> would feel longing upon seeing him.

In the worst-case scenario, the disciples might end up fighting over Yu Seha.

Peng Jin-ah pondered for a moment.
Shaking her head, she dismissed it lightly, thinking, ‘I’ll think about it when the time comes.’

Swoosh!

She brushed off idle thoughts and prepared to sharpen her sword in earnest.

After sprinkling water on the whetstone, she drew the scimitar from her waist.

“……”

Peng Jin-ah stared at the blade as it was drawn out.

An Epic-grade weapon, no less.

In fact, such things were of little importance to Peng Jin-ah.

‘Mother…’

This was the sword her mother used in her lifetime.

At the same time…

It was also the sword that pushed Peng Jin-ah to the brink of death in childhood.