Plum Blossom Sword Saint

I couldn’t close my mouth.

Su Ok-bin chuckled softly as she saw me like that.

Smiling as if finding me cute,
She gently fiddled with my cheek.
And poked me lightly as a bonus.

“Uh-buh, uh-buh-buh?”
“Your jaw’s going to come off~”

Su Ok-bin spoke in a voice rolling like a jade ball.
She also wiped around my mouth with a tissue.
Only after that did I finally come to my senses.

“…Uh, uh…”
“Do you like it?”

You ask if I like it?
This, this is beyond that level.

An item called [Divine Beast’s Breath].
It’s an item I’ve never even seen in ‘GAL’.

But one thing I can guarantee.
This item would still be actively used even in ‘GAL’, where the power balance is much stronger.

‘There are a few legendary-grade items that restore mana…’

But resetting a skill regardless of its type is never an option to take lightly.

Maybe that’s why.
This is a derived skill of [Universal Mastery].
It was practically nailed down that it can’t be reset even by [Recycle].

I had a gut feeling.
No doubt about it.

‘This is a lotto item!’

<Lotto item>.

Like the cursed item [The Voice of the Mermaid].
A term coined by instructors because there was no proper word.

Usually, an S-rank boss’s [Treasure Room] contains several items at least.
Sometimes dropping dozens of pieces of equipment.

But occasionally, it drops only one item, making you wonder if it’s a bug.
All the value of drops is concentrated into one.
A special case where only one item, rarer than usual, is dropped.

After dozens of S-rank raids, you might get one like this once or not at all.
It seems this time’s ‘Kirin’ was the lucky one.

“Hoo…”

I looked back and forth between the bracelet and Su Ok-bin.
She was the one who gave it to me in the first place.
She couldn’t not know its performance.

“A-Are you really giving this to me?”
“Of course you should have it. If it weren’t for Yoo Se-ha, we couldn’t have caught it.”

Su Ok-bin winked.
She replied, ‘The Overlord Sword also agreed with this, so don’t worry and just accept it~’.

My head was in a mess.
No matter how grateful the order is, giving up equipment of this level wouldn’t be easy.

They would rather give up currency or mana stones to choose this.
I wondered how she managed to persuade them.
And I felt grateful for her not intercepting it midway and honestly preparing it for me.

Many thoughts came to mind.

Seeing that, Su Ok-bin burst out laughing as if she couldn’t hold it anymore.
She placed her hand on my head.

“You’re really cute~ Is this why married people raise children?”
“…Uh, I’m a fully grown adult though.”
“To me, you’re still a kid~”

A moment later, the situation calmed down.
Su Ok-bin put her hand into the blood-sucking pouch.
When I turned my blushing face, a gentle voice was heard.

“And this is my personal reward unrelated to this matter.”
“Huh?”

What Su Ok-bin handed me were thin papers and a card.

I took them and read each one.
Soon I looked at Su Ok-bin with a surprised face.

“I have lost count of how many times I’ve seen Yu Seha’s surprised expression today~”
“Ah, no… You’re giving me more than one thing… Anyway, um, this can’t be…”
“Yes. It’s a contract under Yu Seha’s name.”

A building contract.

An studio apartment building in Apgujeong, Seoul, considered prime real estate in South Korea.
While I was flustered by the unexpected reward, Su Ok-bin continued explaining.

“If you look closely, not only the building but also the surrounding land is all under Yoo Se-ha’s name.”
“…!?”
“By the way, that land was given by the <Order>. Since there’s no immediate physical asset, Shin Bitgaram asked me to tell you to forgive them for paying with land instead. Well, not accepting the Kirin’s spoils is an option, but from their side, physical assets are more urgent than land. Anyway, I purchased it and am handing it over to you without issues.”
“Ah…”
“I don’t know if it’s still like that, but you’ve fulfilled your dream with this, right?”
“Huh?”

I asked back in confusion.
Su Ok-bin smiled gently.

“The dream of someday having a place to live with everyone.”
“H-How did you know that…”
“Oh my~ You wrote it in your hopes when you first registered as a hunter, didn’t you?”

Ah, right.
I wrote it without much thought…
It seems Su Ok-bin read it.

Soon, Su Ok-bin pointed to the back of the paper.

Rooms and furniture inside the studio apartment.
Among them, in the room labeled ‘Meowi’s Room’, there was furniture of a peculiar shape.

Wait a minute…
This shape, no way!?

“I-Is this really?”
“Do you like it? I requested a custom-made one.”
“Of course! Thank you!”

I thought it was great.
I was going to meet the kids all together after this was over anyway.
I resolved to invite everyone here.

‘And our Meowi!’

I decided to definitely take a picture of her riding and running on ‘this thing’.

---

That night.
Late evening.

I wielded my sword vigorously across the training ground.

[The power of ‘Sword Heaven Eastern Mansion’ flows. Weapon skill proficiency slightly increases.]

“Phew…”

I wiped the sweat flowing down.
Then I felt a sensation.

I looked at the [Divine Beast’s Breath] bracelet on my arm.
I clenched my fist and put strength into it.
The mana that had hit the floor began to replenish at a fairly fast rate.

[The mana of ‘Divine Beast’ envelops your body.]
[All mana slowly recovers.]

‘Amazing…’

The bracelet uniquely gave me a feeling as if it had become one with me.
Probably a unique effect of bound items.
I carefully stroked the bracelet.
The number of strategies I could use increased with this.

Right after that.
I clenched my fist with conviction.

‘I’ve gotten stronger.’

Compared to when the vacation just started, I felt I had improved dramatically.

However.
I still felt some immaturity in many ways.
My specs had definitely risen, but I felt a bit lacking in precision.
I wished someone would teach me more.

‘Normally, I’d supplement this part with one-on-one sparring with my master…’

Currently, Peng Jin-ah was busy, so it was hard to ask her.

Reluctantly, I thought I’d ask Peng Jin-ah tomorrow to watch over me.

“…!”

Whish-!

I turned my head at the sensed presence.
I met eyes with a person looking at me with a surprised expression.

“…Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”
“Oh my, working hard even late at night~”

<Plum Blossom Sword Saint> Wei Ga-ryeong.

She was not wearing her pink martial uniform,
But a sports outfit exposing her navel.
Finally, she smiled with narrow eyes and slowly approached me.

---

About 10 minutes earlier.

Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Wei Ga-ryeong.

She bought beer cans and snacks at a convenience store,
Originally planning to have a drinking session with Peng Jin-ah and Su Ok-bin.

She found the two with that intention.
They were having a serious conversation.
Peng Jin-ah denied and turned her head to avoid the truth.
Su Ok-bin spoke point by point to persuade her to realize her true feelings.

Seeing that, Wei Ga-ryeong thought it had started.
But for now, she stepped back.

‘Seems it’s not my turn yet~’

Anyway, having nothing to do.
While wandering around.

She happened to see Yoo Se-ha sweating profusely and training hard.

‘A diligent kid.’

And an amazing kid at that.

Seven weapons floating around moved like dancing to Yoo Se-ha’s touch.

Without looking, Yu Seha snatched the weapons and performed swordplay with optimal techniques suited to each sword.

Of course, Wei Ga-ryeong saw some clumsy parts, but it was definitely not a level to be displayed at that age.

Wei Ga-ryeong admired inwardly.

‘I felt it when he instantly killed …’

His skill was even more amazing than I thought.
And the occasional shining ‘talent’ rippled like a living being.

Wei Ga-ryeong swallowed dryly.
I naturally felt thirsty.
The desire for a disciple that any strong person above a certain level thirsts for.
It slowly raised its head.

Clearing her throat, Wei Ga-ryeong cautiously approached.
She planned to surprise him secretly.

But as she got closer,
He turned his head like lightning and looked at her.
She was surprised once more.
He sensed her presence even though she tried to hide it…

“Surely, until we caught <Qilin>, he didn’t notice me from behind…”

That one experience had supplemented and improved his lacking parts.

Truly.
Unbelievable growth.
Plum Blossom Sword Saint swallowed hard inside.
She wanted to taste it even more.

‘This kid’s talent!’

“Oh? Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”
“Hello, Yu Seha~”

---

A little later, the two sat down and talked.
The topic was Peng Jin-ah.

“Um, you said you and the master have a familial relationship, right?”
“Yes, yes~ We had the same master. She’s Jin-ah’s mother and the former head of the <Peng Family>.”

Peng Chae-rin.

She took me in.
Naturally, Jin-ah and I grew up like sisters.

“Well, actually, I had learned some swordsmanship before that.”
“Ah, you had another master?”

A brief silence followed the question.
For a moment, Yoo Se-ha thought, ‘Did I step on a landmine?’

Wei Ga-ryeong smiled slightly and continued.

“Ah, sorry. I just thought of that damn old man…”
“Huh?”
“Just talking to myself~ Forget it. Anyway, our Jin-ah was really cute back then. Still cute now though.”
“…Yes, that’s right. She’s still cute now.”

Wei Ga-ryeong looked at Yu Seha with a ‘Oh?’ expression.

“Surprising? Usually, when people think of <the Overlord Sword>, they tremble in fear.”
“That’s because they only see part of her. In reality, she’s very cute.”
“Hmm~ Our Seha, you understand her well? I guess I have to show you my secret weapon.”
“Secret weapon?”

Wei Ga-ryeong smiled slyly.
She took out a photo album from her bosom.
Inside was a young girl who looked about 11 years old.
Wearing an eyepatch on one eye and a black cloak, with a mischievous expression…
It was definitely Peng Jin-ah’s childhood appearance.

“Wow…”
“How is she? Cute, right?”
“Yes, she liked this kind of thing even back then.”
“Ew. R-Really still like that?”
“Yes, there’s still a cloak and eyepatch in her room.”
“Wow~ She still hasn’t kicked that habit. She’s grown physically, but mentally still a kid.”

After finishing, the two looked at each other and smiled softly.
A cozy conversation.
Just as the conversation was about to run out.
The Sword Empress stood up.

“So now, shall I hear Yu Seha’s real business?”
“Ah, you knew after all?”
“Of course~ I’ve known you’ve been wanting to say something for a while, you know?”

Yu Seha scratched his head.
Soon he bowed his head with a serious expression.

“…Could you please teach me a move?”

The opponent was none other than an S-rank hunter who reached the pinnacle.
She was the one whose true strength hadn’t been fully revealed in ‘GAL’.

Yu Seha really wanted to spar with her once.
At that gaze, Plum Blossom Sword Saint narrowed her eyes and smiled gently.

“Good. But you’re too strong for me to go easy on you. I’ll be quite serious… Is that okay?”
“Of course!”

Yu Seha clenched his fist as if this was exactly what he wanted.
The Sword Empress drew her short sword from her waist.
She didn’t say that just to scare him.

To her, Yu Seha was a strong opponent she had to take seriously.

“I’ll also go all out sincerely.”
“Alright, alright~”

The Sword Empress smiled softly.
It’s been a long time…

‘I’ll have to use some strength~’

However, there was one big thing the Sword Empress overlooked.

Though Yu Seha’s level and realm might be lower than hers.

Kwakwa-!!
Kwaduk-!!!!
Kwaang-!
Pabbeobang-!

“…Huh?”

His variety of abilities and lethality were A-rank.
In fact, not inferior to S-rank.

Shuk-!

The Sword Empress sliced in half a huge wave rushing at her.
It was the derived skill [Tsunami] of [Dragon Rising Tide].

Its range and power were comparable to a water-element ultimate skill.

Wei Ga-ryeong stepped back.
A command ‘Burn…’ whispered in her ear.

The feeling of ‘No way?’ soon became reality.

The Sword Empress felt hot heat above her head.
She raised her head.

Above the ceiling.
A huge Burning Flame Demon, like a fireball that could engulf and burn everything, was approaching.

The <Ultimate Skill> [Flare Buster] of [Burning Flame Demon].

It had that range and scale.
No matter where I ran, it turned direction like a ghost and chased me.
Apparently, it even had the rare <Guidance> attribute.
In fact, avoiding it was impossible.

Trouble came naturally.
Wei Ga-ryeong scratched her cheek.

“Ugh…”

She stuck out her tongue slightly.
Geez, really.

‘No~ I said I’d go all out, but…’

Uh, well.
Isn’t spamming such a powerful area attack from the start a bit unfair?

Bang-!!!

A huge explosion echoed.
And… the entire training ground was covered in rolling flames.