Hunter Academy Entrance Exam (7)

“…Cough!“

The area shook, and a swift figure flew in like lightning.

It was none other than Yu Seha.

He was countered by Peng Jin-ah’s supreme technique.
The ability, known as [Peng Furious Wolf], struck him, rendering him helpless and drifting in the air.

Thud!

Eventually, he got deeply embedded in the barrier-enclosed wall.
As the dust spread, the mumbling of the audience grew louder.

“Hey, is this really an exam?”
“…Isn’t the Professor being too harsh on him…?”

One of the observing professors stood up, but Professor Bong Mi-chun held them back.

“It’s not over yet, Professor Sarang-mi.”
“What are you talking about?! He’s clearly…?!”

Sarang-mi couldn’t finish her sentence.
Beyond the spreading dust, Yu Seha was staggering to his feet.

Yu Seha used the [Turtle’s Longsword] he was holding as a cane.

Surprisingly, despite taking such a blow, there were no particular injuries or wounds.

“Uh, huh? What?”

Sarang-mi couldn’t understand.

No matter how much Peng Jin-ah showed mercy in her attack.
The blow just now was not something an ordinary test taker could endure.

At the very least, a fainting spell should have been certain. How on earth?

The answer was given by Bong Mi-chun.

“Look at the ground.”

At those words, Sarang-mi looked at the spot where Yu Seha had been thrown.

The thick dust made it hard to see at first.

After a while, she noticed three circular marks connected like a dotted line.

“What on earth is that?”
“Don’t you know? You saw those marks just a few minutes ago.”
“…Huh?”

As Sarang-mi pondered, she realized something and muttered.

“Could it be…?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s the trace of the Turtle Knight’s [Consecutive Thrust].”
“Eee~? Are you joking?”
“I wish I were joking.”

Bong Mi-chun clicked her tongue softly and crossed her arms.

‘…What a ridiculous kid he is.’

While being struck by the ‘counter’ and flying away, Yu Seha reduced the impact by thrusting towards the ground.

A combat sense so absurd that just hearing about it would make one incredulous.

The scarier part was something else.

From Bong Mi-chun’s perspective, it didn’t seem like he possessed the [Thrust] skill.

“…In other words, he learned it just by watching on the spot.”
“Th-that’s right!”
“…Of course, it’s not perfect. But the fact that he even mimicked it in the first place is nonsensical.”

Bong Mi-chun looked at Peng Jin-ah, who was frozen like a stone statue.

‘…She seems quite shocked by this.’

It had been a long time since she had seen her former student so flustered.

But in any case, she considered the match settled.

The reason was that, on Peng Jin-ah’s sword…
The [White Flame] that all ‘Evil Demons’ feared was blazing and wrapped around it.

“……”

Peng Jin-ah.

At the age of 30 this year, she had lived as a hunter for 20 years, making her a veteran among veterans who had experienced almost everything.

Such a person could not hide her flustered expression.

Her gaze was naturally directed at the three stabbing marks etched into the ground.

Had he been holding it?
Or had he just acquired it here…

‘No, let’s not think about it.’

If she continued to complicate her assumptions any further, there would be no end.

Anyway, everything was over.

The white flame on the sword blade in her hand was flickering and blazing like a mirage.

A commotion erupted from the observing crowd.

“What is that? Some kind of buff?”
“Hey, hey… isn’t that a [Sword Aura]?!”
“What? [Sword Aura]?!”

[Sword Aura].

The exclusive domain of swordsmen who have reached a certain level.

A powerful technique where the realization about the sword takes form.

The manifestation of a skill that places one in an overwhelmingly advantageous position in a duel between swordsmen drew astonishment from everywhere.

However, Peng Jin-ah denied all of this.

‘…This is not [Sword Aura].’

It was a power of a completely different nature from a [Sword’s Ultimate].

Commonly known as [Sword of Purification], this technique was a power that strongly harnessed the mind and body, inherent in one’s resolve and will.

Though there were subtle differences among individuals, it always took the form of a flame.

Specifically, it was characterized by emitting a ‘white flame’.

[Sword of Purification] did not elevate the sword’s power to the extreme like [Sword Aura], nor did it allow any metal to be cut like tofu.

Instead, it was called Pasa, the Breaker of Evil.
It showed an incredibly powerful force against distorted beings.

This was nearly the only power besides the ‘Holy Law’ used by the Order that could break ‘Demons’.

It possessed a power that showed even greater might than the ‘Holy Law’, making it, for demons, nothing less than an ultimate weapon.

‘…It even works on .’

, who had deviated into the path of evil due to their twisted nature, only lacked the acceptance of ‘demonic energy.’

In the end, they could not escape from being ‘evildoers’.

[Pasa’s Sword] was, literally, a sword of judgment that condemned all of these combined.

Because it had such powerful and absurd capabilities, there were very few who could learn it.

It was natural for people around him to misunderstand.

Even the professors, except Bong Mi-chun, seemed unaware.

Of course, but the reason Peng Jin-ah showed this was not simply to boast.

Yu Seha, to determine whether he was a or not, there was nothing more certain than this.

‘…Just a moment ago, I fully imbued the [Peng Furious Wolf] with the [Sword of Destruction].’

If he were a demon, he would suffer from the burning pain from within his body.

Peng Jin-ah slowly walked out.

She looked at Yu Seha, who had his head deeply bowed.

For a moment, Peng Jin-ah stopped without realizing it.

‘What is this?’

She felt something odd since a while ago.
Now, once again, she strongly felt that peculiar sensation.

A sense that was commonly called discomfort but was difficult to define.

‘Something…’

It felt like he was walking down a really wrong path…
She sensed such déjà vu from him.

And why was it from Yu Seha?

‘…Not the foolishness of being devoured by darkness and making a contract.’

Why did she sense such a brilliant radiance, akin to a gemstone?

‘Hoo…’

Yu Seha exhaled the breath he had barely swallowed.

Stars danced before his eyes from the stinging impact on his back.

‘Damn, I thought I was going to pass out.’

It hurt like hell, but he stood up nonetheless.

‘Yes, I have to get up.’

Our cute Meowi is watching, so as a Supervisor, I can’t just lay down in an embarrassing position, can I?

Anyway…

‘…She is truly strong.’

The professor called Peng Jin-ah.

[Unprecedented Sense] had warned him, but…

He didn’t expect that ‘Flowing Slash-Strong’ wouldn’t have any effect on her.

He thought he could at least leave a scratch.

‘Still, it wasn’t meaningless.’

The sparring, almost as real as actual combat, further trained the strength etched within his body.

The speed in both his legs increased, becoming more proficient.
His willpower to endure pain became tougher.
Indeed, having high stats was the best.

‘Anyway, I can do it.’

It hurt as if he were going to break, but he still moved.

As long as he could still react during the fight, there was no reason to stop.

And it was too regretful to end the match like this.

He wanted to see a little more.

Her sword.

‘That beautiful sword.’

Peng Jin-ah’s sword appeared to be a typical heavy sword movement based on strength.

But he realized it when he clashed with it directly.

‘It’s not just a technique driven by sheer force.’

The key to drawing out its strength and simultaneously maintaining its speed was surprisingly ‘softness.’

Surely, that softness must contain numerous subtleties and insights.

‘Based on that softness, it’s an exhilarating heavy sword that releases overwhelming violence, yet it’s also a quick sword.’

That was the essence of Peng Jin-ah’s [Swordsmanship].

‘…Here I go!’

He ran forward.

The increased [Agility] made him a bit faster.

Peng Jin-ah was surprised by his quicker movements.

Kang!

Their swords clashed.

Yu Seha, armed with the weapon of unpredictability, attacked skillfully.
And with the steadfastness of a fortress, Peng Jin-ah showed no gaps.

‘…What.’

Peng Jin-ah slightly furrowed her brow.

Clearly, [Pasa’s Sword] that was blazing in flames was visible to him as well, yet he was charging without any hesitation.

No, to be precise, he seemed to be entranced, looking at something.

His focus was undoubtedly on her.
But the scene reflected in his eyes was something entirely different.

‘What on earth is he seeing?’

What exactly was captured in his sight?

Confused, Peng Jin-ah was soon startled by Yu Seha’s movements, avoiding his sword.

His sword did not stop though.
The trajectory of the sword he swung changed.
His footwork grew stronger.

He grasped the sword, which he had been wielding with one hand, with both hands.
And then…
He began to unfold the [Swordsmanship] unique to him.

Kang!

‘…What?’

Her eyes trembled unbelievably.

She felt it clearly with the recent strike.

The sword that Yu Seha was wielding.

It was undoubtedly her own sword technique, [Pasa’s Sword technique].

‘…No way?’

Peng Jin-ah finally realized where Yu Seha’s gaze was directed.

She understood why she didn’t recognize [Pasa’s Sword] even when it was shown.

Right now, he is…

‘Enlightenment.’

He was aiming for a higher level while clashing with his inner self.

‘…No.’

Yu Seha denied the clumsily wielded sword.

It wasn’t like this.
Peng Jin-ah’s sword wasn’t as poor as Yu Seha was displaying.

Not this slow.
Not this weak.
Not this crude.

Think again.
Her movements.
Her sword.

‘I am an outsider.’

A person who didn’t know much about the sword.

In fact, he wanted to learn, but his father told him never to learn, so he couldn’t.

He had never embodied proper swordsmanship, but even he could tell.

Peng Jin-ah’s swordsmanship was an art.

However, it was still a skill that could be executed by human hands.

In reality, the Peng Jin-ah in front of him was ultimately human.

If it could be done by human hands…

‘I can do it too.’

This isn’t enough.
Entrust everything to the feeling unfolding now.
Forcefully draw out your limits.

Was that determination rewarded?
His movements began to accelerate by the second.

Everything mimicked Peng Jin-ah, striving to reach her eye level.

Crackle!

Eventually, the blue magic resonating with the sword began to transform into the red light she wielded.

‘…Ah.’

The moment he recognized the emerging message, he instinctively realized.

That a colossal line had been drawn before his eyes.

As if declaring this was the end of the obstructing wall.

No matter how much he struggled, there was a massive mountain he could never surpass standing before him.

‘…What a pity.’

He felt no resentment or regret.

Reaching this point was a miracle.

This phenomenon he was experiencing.

The resonance of his soul and body, elevated him even higher.

This must be the supreme stage, commonly called Enlightenment.

He was satisfied just to have embodied it.

Holding the clue in his hand like a mirage made him happy.

But it’s a shame to back down now.

It’s okay to be clumsy.
It’s okay to fail.
It’s okay to self-destruct.

‘Just once…’

Even if it’s just once…
I want to use the technique that Peng Jin-ah used.

That flash-like strike.

He poured all the remaining strength in his body into recreating the technique.

‘Focus!’

Control your breathing.
Inhale air into your lungs and radiate strength throughout your body.
Fix your muscles and bones and control your movements.

‘Think.’

Peng Jin-ah’s sword, the ultimate she displayed.

‘Flowing Slash-Strong’ break and send me flying with that technique!

The trembling of his muscles disappeared.
The angles of his wrists and ankles were adjusted.
The power from his lower body and waist created a rebound force.
Finally, concentration and explosive power for one single purpose burst forth.

Kang!

A clear resonance.
At the same time, a spreading heat.

Peng Jin-ah, who felt it head-on, had trembling eyes.

“…!!!”

Her hand rose.

The sword spun in the air.

For the first time in her life, she lost her grip on the sword.

But she had no room to care about that fact.

This technique.
This power.
There was no doubt.

“…Counter?”

[Peng Furious Wolf].

A derivative skill of the [Overlord Sword technique], and one of its extremes.

Even just the swordsmanship was astonishing.
Yu Seha, right in front of her eyes, successfully executed the technique she herself used.

“Oh~?”
“…Has he hidden so much power?”
“I-Is that an illusion? Isn’t that the same as Professor Peng Jin-ah’s sword technique?”
“Ehh, that is probably not it. Just something similar… Isn’t it a counter attack?”

Mumblings came from the professors who were watching the fight unfold.

Only their unspoken leader, Bong Mi-chun, understood the whole situation and sighed softly.

Her face, which was always cool and calm, changed into a look of despair.

She lowered her gaze and adjusted her glasses.

It was proven with that blow just now.

‘That kid isn’t one.’

The one who could stand up proudly to [Pasa’s Sword].
The shining stone…
Couldn’t possibly be a flower filled with evil darkness.

This meant that everything he had shown so far had been implemented in the name of ‘talent’.

“…Seriously.”

Bong Mi-chun thought quietly.

A ridiculous monster had come out of nowhere.