Festival Of The Fallen Warriors (5)

Yu Seha and the Wanderer watched each other silently.

The explosive cheers of the crowd…
The drumbeats that elevated the warriors’ spirits…
The beautiful and enchanting voices of the dancers…

None of it reached their ears.

They only looked into each other’s eyes.

Death and life.

The sensation of riding the boundary between them dominated Yu Seha’s entire body.

‘…It’s hot.’

Simultaneously, it’s cold.

An indescribable flame.

It felt as if a bluish, chill-laden flame was spreading from his heart throughout his body.

One breath.
And in the moment of taking in about half of it.

The Wanderer’s sword was drawn.

Immediately after, he disappeared.

If it were the old Yu Seha, he wouldn’t have been able to react to that speed, perceive, or see how it was wielded.

But the basic proficiency guaranteed by the <Festival of the Fallen Warriors>.

The buffs engraved by the knight and Moon Bora allowed at least minimal recognition.

Lastly, the new power and high-rank skill he recently acquired enabled a response.

A sort of mental awakening state.
Here, an indefinable, absurd genius bloomed within Yu Seha’s body.

The emotion surging from the depths of his chest dominated his entire being.

In some ways, it was fear, and in others, it was joy.

Blood flowed fiercely.

Accordingly, his body temperature rose as if heated, his head became dazed and paralyzed, and his vision flickered.

His field of view began to narrow.

Darkness, often forming a tunnel-like shape, wrapped around the surroundings.

Ironically, the more it happened, the clearer the Wanderer’s sword appeared to Yu Seha’s eyes.

“…!”

And at this sight, the Wanderer’s narrow eyes wavered.

He was astonished to see Yu Seha’s reaction to his speed.

The Wanderer was actually confident of his victory.

Until 0.1 seconds ago, that is.

‘…What…?!’

He knew at a glance that Yu Seha was a genius.

A genius worthy of being called a star.

But even so, he thought Yu Seha was still an unbloomed flower.

He assumed he would fall without even reacting.

However, in less than a second of extreme time.

Yu Seha rose to a level close to evolution.

The speed was unbelievably fast.

The Wanderer momentarily let out a bitter laugh.

‘…Is this what a genius is?’

It had little to do with enlightenment, training, or strength…

It was merely the product of the unreasonable division between the possible and the impossible.

Meanwhile, Yu Seha, aware of the Wanderer’s movements, grasped the [Saint’s Sword] while bleeding from his nose.

‘The Wanderer’s leg speed abilities are a total of four.’

[Flash-like Dash], [Instant Step].
He didn’t know the other two.

They must be martial arts skills.

He timed it.

Before he knew it, the [Saint’s Sword] in his hand was solely pursuing extreme pleasure.

Simultaneously…

Whoosh!

A ‘white’ flame, which only erupted when he was in a state of high concentration, enveloped the blade.

Yu Seha was unaware of it.

The Wanderer, observing him, silently wielded his sword.

Their bodies began to move as one sword within the realm’s time.

One step.

The moment he stepped forward, Yu Seha instinctively knew.

‘No.’

He would die.

The Wanderer’s sword was faster and stronger.

At the moment of clash, the Wanderer’s sword, like a sly serpent, would avoid and slice his neck.

‘Think.’

How can I win?

I need to increase speed and power.

With what?

‘Killing intent…’

Use the killing intent that enhances power, not the one that entangles the enemy.

And for the lacking speed…

‘Cover it with Flowing Slash.’

Yu Seha lowered his sword.

The first slash that cut through the <Silverback> and the head of the <Kappa Rhino> transformed into a far more threatening and sharp form.

The Wandering swordsman gazed at the flash wrapped in white flames.

A subtle smile played at the corners of his eyes.

As if he were blessing the birth of a great warrior.

Pshuk!!!

The match ended in an instant.

To ordinary people, it was a one-second duel that left them clueless about what had happened.

Blood spurted like a fountain, scattering high into the sky.

Clang.

“…Kuh.”

I knelt down.

From afar, I heard Moon Bora’s startled voice shouting, ‘Seha!!!’

Turning my head, I saw my shoulder deeply slashed, exposing the bone.

So much blood had flowed that a pool of it had formed on the ground.

“Seha, Seha!!”
“……”

I looked at Moon Bora and smiled faintly.
It meant I was okay.

I was indeed okay.
The match was over.
As proof, the gimmick of <Festival of the Fallen Warriors> was activated, rapidly regenerating me.

The Wanderer turned to look at me.

His straw hat was sliced in half and fell to the ground.

Only then was his face clearly visible.

He was a man with a tidy beard and a serious appearance.

In this <Land of the Fallen Warriors>, the more distinct one’s original appearance, form, language ability, and memory, the stronger the spirit.

The Wanderer’s appearance was so vivid that no one would believe he was just a soul.

This meant that he was one of the top strong figures here.

‘…In terms of pure martial strength, he must be the strongest.’

Even in ‘GAL,’ Speed was always a notorious, formidable opponent among the Supervisors.

Even if the type changes, that fact won’t change.

“…I won.”
“Well done.”

As the words ended, a fine line appeared on the Wanderer’s neck.
Not blood, but threads of spirit forming his soul unraveled like yarn.
The Wanderer approached deftly, holding his neck with one hand.
He extended the sword he was holding.

“Take it. You are worthy.”
“…Are you sure I can have it?”
“Black Iron.”
“Pardon?”
“The sword’s name is Black Iron. Handle it well.”

After finishing his words, the Wanderer walked away without looking back.

The Wanderer entering the iron gate.

Watching as his body crumbled into dust, I exhaled deeply.

‘I manged to find something great like Speed Step.’

A powerful ‘movement speed’ skill enhancement ability, rated as top-tier even among Hero grade.

Surely, it would be a great strength to me.

I looked at the black steel and put it inside [Slasla].

Immediately, I smiled at the explosive cheers of the crowd.

The matches continued to proceed quickly and lethally.

I didn’t forget to enjoy Moon Bora’s ‘Hooong-eng-eng!’ dance after the battle with the Wanderer.

The third warrior.

This match was also extraordinary.

Kang! Kwa-deuk!
Bang!

I thwarted the curved sword aiming at my side.

The curved sword, uniquely, was floating with a subtle blue light.

A sword’s afterimage composed purely of magic.

It materialized, imbued with power.

The one wielding the sword was ahead, a woman dressed in slightly chilly attire.

Her sharp eyes were reminiscent of Peng Jin-ah, her wielding style of ‘Bodenov Silla.’

Compared to the ‘Wanderer’ faced earlier, the woman appeared more indistinct.

It was evident she was a few levels lower than the previous opponent.

‘Still, not easy.’

The third match’s feature was Hwan.

The sword wielded by the woman called Hwan, who had reached the pinnacle with her phantom sword, was both beautiful and deadly.

As I swung, dozens of curved blades appeared in the air, mixing real and fake strikes to confuse me.

Certainly, not an easy opponent.

However, unfortunately for her…

‘She can’t reach me.’

In my current state, with all sorts of overpowered buffs, my stats were 1.5 times higher than usual.

The insights gained from facing Strength and Speed sharpened my senses more than anything.

I took a breath while watching the raging curved blades.

In my hand was the two-handed sword used by the knight.

I gripped the Hero-grade two-handed sword with one hand and swung it mightily.

With a single swing, all the curved blades shattered and broke.

I opened my hand again.

The [Black Iron] that floated around me spun and landed in my hand.

Utilizing various weapons through [Smile’s Arsenal].

I tried it as practice, but it went quite convincingly.

Srrng!

Immediately, my form disappeared.

The woman flinched in surprise.

Before she knew it, Black Iron was sharply aimed at her neck.

‘I’ve become stronger.’

Even with just two fights, I felt that I had made remarkable progress compared to before I entered this place.

Anyway, the outcome was decided.

I casually spoke up.

“Will you continue to fight?”
“……”

The silent woman.
She looked at me without a word.
Staring for so long that I wondered, ‘Is she trying to engage in a battle of wills…?’ Just then, her face turned slightly red.

Huh?

“How old?”
“…Pardon?”
“How old are you?”
“…Uh, I’m 19.”

Surprised by the unexpected question, I answered without thinking.

“…You’re younger than I thought. But you’ve had your coming-of-age ceremony, right?”
“…Pardon?”
“…It’s nothing. I surrender.”

The woman handed over the scimitar she was holding.
I gratefully accepted it.

‘Hmmm…’

Even upon reflection, it was puzzling.
Why did she suddenly ask my age?

And this question applied to the next opponent as well.

Boom, bang!
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!!

A vortex of immense power.

Should I call this… sword energy, or perhaps a projectile?

It was literally a massive bundle of energy flying at high speed.
It seemed to have a pure yet destructive nature, slightly different from mana…
I guessed it was some special skill, like how I use <Monstrous Strength> through [Strange Monstrous Strength].

“Are you okay?”

And the one who launched such a fierce blow was a small woman visible up front.

I felt a disconnect between the technique she used and her own demeanor.

A woman half as indistinct as Hwan.
Her skills were probably similar too.

If Hwan had a sharp-eyed, tough older sister vibe, this woman had round, gentle eyes like a puppy.

‘She kind of reminds me of Ju Na-young.’

Ju Na-young, if compared to an animal, would be closer to a cute and playful puppy.

“I-if it hits, y-you’ll die.”

The woman thrust her sword towards me.
In her hand was a small sword about 30cm long.
Unusually, it was engraved with a design resembling a dragon’s open mouth.

The fourth match was about Qi (energy).

A woman who had reached the pinnacle with sheer firepower was launching an indiscriminate barrage at me.

‘I wonder if this can really be called swordsmanship.’

Still, looking at the flying energy bullets, it was definitely a type of sword technique.

A form where small sword energies were compressed into one.

If I don’t keep my distance, I’ll be shredded like a blender by the sword energy.

Well, I admit it.

In terms of pure power and firepower, she was the strongest I’ve faced so far.

But that’s only if I let her hit me.

In reality, she was the easiest opponent I’ve faced so far.

I gathered strength in my legs and accelerated in an instant.

Startled and flustered, Qi fired sword energies indiscriminately, but none reached me.

[Strong Agility], [Reckless Dash], [Free Charge].

Adding to this was [Instant Step], which had just proven its effectiveness, granting me speed that seemed to fold space itself.

Sreung!

“Wow!”

Before I knew it, the [Saint’s Sword] in my hand was touching the woman’s throat.

“Um, surrender–”
“Yes, yes, I surrender. Please don’t cut me! It hurts even if I come back to life! I don’t like pain!“
“Ah, yes. Yes. Calm down.”

The woman, teary-eyed, politely handed over the small sword she was holding.

I felt a bit guilty.

“Th-this weapon is called Red Scales. Please take care of it.”
“Thank you.”
“…Um, by the way…”
“Hmm?”
“H-how old are you?”

Hmm…?
Again…?

I tilted my head, watching the woman twisting around.

When I answered 19, as I told Hwan, she was surprised.

“S-so young… M-my goodness. You’re quite a genius. I’ve never seen such a strong and wonderful man at that age.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Hehe. Impressive… truly impressive. Surely the blood flowing through you must be exceptional. The child born… will be too…”
“What?”
“I-I misspoke. Th-the next is the l-last match, so good l-luck!”
“Oh, yes…”

Thus, Yu Seha finished the fourth match with unstoppable momentum.

At the time when he was wondering, ‘Isn’t this conversation a bit strange?’ and tilting his head…

Moon Bora, who was diligently dancing, silently observed this scene.

Her ears were infused with magic, emitting a bluish light.

“……”

Moon Bora’s cheeks puffed up with a fierce aura.

The light in her eyes faded, casting her unique, dead gaze.

The necklace around her neck shone like blood.

Finally…

Hwan and Qi were whispering while looking at Yu Seha heading to the waiting room.

She glared at the two females, trembling with anger.