In the game, the Junghyang Sword was the reward Gyeon-woo obtained alongside Kang Hyeonbyeol after resolving issues entangled with the Shinjeom Taoist Sect. Among the weapons acquired in the game, the Junghyang Sword was arguably the most synergistic with Gyeon-woo. It elevated his Shuwang-style skills to a higher realm.
“Thus, the sword I must choose from the vault is none other than this.”
The vault also housed swords unmentioned in the game, but none matched the Junghyang Sword’s compatibility with me. Most importantly, I felt an inexplicable pull.
“Did Si-eun feel this way too?”
From the moment I recognized the Junghyang Sword, other swords ceased to catch my eye. It was as if the world narrowed to just me and the sword. The sword seemed to call to me—no, perhaps I was the one calling to it.
“The sword is ‘crying out.’”
It wasn’t an illusion. The sword in my hand trembled faintly, as if delighted, and conveyed a clear sound. Then, I knew for certain—this was the only sword for me.
I reviewed the Junghyang Sword’s details.
[Junghyang Sword]
Equipment Type
—One-Handed Sword
Description
—A sword cherished by the 2nd Head of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect, Do Mingun.
—Crafted from the horn of a Reijok兽, forged for 100 days, and uniquely existing in the world.
—Tests its wielder.
Effects
—HP +3, Agility +3
—When equipped, it consumes internal mana to switch to reverse blade mode.
—When equipped, increase the level of all skills named “Shuwang-style” by 1.
—Skill “Electric Current Affinity”
—(Unlock Condition: Agility 50 or higher)
As expected, it lived up to the hype. The Junghyang Sword boasted a performance on par with the Su-yeon Sword. No, for me, it surpassed it. While the Su-yeon Sword converted mana into water droplets to amplify Shuwang-style attacks, the Junghyang Sword enhanced Shuwang-style skills simply by being wielded. For me, who preferred low-mana consumption, the Junghyang Sword was more appealing.
Moreover…
“How should I channel the mana?”
It also featured Reverse Blade mode, where the blade and back were reversed. This symbolised Gyeon-woo’s reluctance to harm others, a trait unnecessary in the game where HP depletion didn’t equate to death. But in this world where games had become a reality, striking an opponent’s HP to zero meant actual death. As I would soon face many enemies in the Academy City, I needed a weapon to subdue foes without killing them. The Junghyang Sword fits this purpose perfectly.
“Ah, so this is how it’s done.”
I didn’t intend to strictly follow Gyeon-woo’s pacifism from the game. If killing was necessary to reach my desired ending, I would do so. But if there was no need to kill, I preferred not to. I wasn’t a calculating killing machine; doing so would isolate me from the world eventually.
“There, that’s it.”
After several attempts, I transformed the Junghyang Sword into Reverse Blade mode and carefully ran my finger along the original blade. It had dulled into a blunt edge, suitable as a bludgeoning tool. The reverse side, however, remained sharp—so sharp that a light touch drew blood.
“This should let me freely strike those who provoke me. Still, I must be careful not to hit vital spots by accident.”
Even in Reverse Blade mode, it was still a sword. Swinging the back forcefully could still kill. I licked the blood from my fingertip and restored the Junghyang Sword to its original state, sheathing it.
“Sis, we’ve made our choices. Let’s head out.”
“Right, everyone’s waiting outside.”
Both Do Si-eun and I, having obtained our desired swords, were exhilarated. Our steps leaving the vault felt light.
When we emerged, Grandfather and the others were waiting.
“Did you choose what you truly needed? Oh, both of you picked swords, I see.”
“…”
Amid the crowd’s gaze, Grandfather, with his back to them, received the swords we’d brought from the vault.
“The Su-yeon Sword and the Junghyang Sword. Both are excellent swords. Coincidentally, both are swords the 2nd Head cherished.”
“Yes, Head.”
“Handle them with care. Here.”
Grandfather returned the swords. Do Si-eun and I gratefully accepted, not forgetting to thank him.
Then,
“Head.”
“Yes, Gyeon-woo. What is it?”
I looked up at Grandfather, who was regarding me with a pleased expression. This was the purpose of my visit to the main house, and I’d been waiting for the right moment to ask.
“Now that I’ve acquired a new sword and am delighted to meet you after so long…”
“And?”
Grandfather, with a raised eyebrow, added a teasing tone.
I nonchalantly continued,
“I’d like to request a bout with you, Grandfather. Could you teach me a move or two?”
“…!”
“Huh.”
“I’d like to ask that of you.”
Behind Grandfather, my father, mother, and others gasped in shock. They hadn’t anticipated I’d make such a request.
“Teaching a move to a grandson… Heh, come to think of it, I’ve never actually duelled with any of you.”
Grandfather, however, found my request intriguing. He stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming.
“Well, as a grandfather, I can’t refuse my grandson’s desire to learn. Alright, I’ll do it.”
“…!”
“Yes! Thank you, Head!”
Ignoring my family’s stunned expressions, I bowed deeply to Grandfather.
“This should earn me some boldness.”
I’d requested a lesson from the Head.
The news spread rapidly through the main house, becoming the talk of everyone. It’s said that clan members, who were about to leave without breakfast, stayed to witness my duel with Grandfather. Even the servants were looking for excuses to watch the duel.
Everyone was bored out of their minds.
My father remarked,
“I’m like this, and your other uncles too. None of us dared to challenge Grandfather to a duel, but here you are, a grandson, boldly requesting one. No wonder everyone’s in an uproar.”
“So, Dad, have you never duelled with Grandfather?”
“…I did a few times when I was young. He wanted to assess my skills.”
“So you’ve never actually challenged him.”
“Right, Yeonseok. Among my siblings, only your second uncle and fourth aunt have challenged him.”
“Dad… you’re such a coward.”
“Son.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“There’s no foolhardier gamble than the one you’re bound to lose. I don’t engage in losing gambles.”
“Ah, yes… Still, I have to admit.”
“The person who relentlessly pursued me to court me back then—”
“Ahem, darling! When did I do that? It was you who…”
“Hmm?”
“…It was I who followed you around because I liked you. Son, remember, sometimes a man must be prepared to lose to win. Only then can he secure victory.”
“Ah, yes…”
“And if there’s a loss, there’s a gain. I may lose during the day but at night…”
“You have no filter in front of your kids.”
“I win both day and night!”
“Ahem! Anyway, regardless of our generation, you’re the first among your cousins to challenge Grandfather to a duel. No wonder everyone’s so surprised. You’re fearless… even though you’re my son, I’m truly amazed.”
The conversation veered off track, but I caught the gist.
In any case,
“Are you warmed up?”
“Yes, Head. I’m ready.”
I proceeded to the training ground with Grandfather for our duel.
“…”
Spectators occupied one corner, watching us. Ignoring them, I unsheathed the Junghyang Sword.
“I’ll yield the first move. If you wish, I can yield even more.”
Grandfather held a practice wooden sword. He offered me the initiative.
But I shook my head.
“I don’t need you to yield the first move. I’d like to experience the sword you wield with all your might.”
“…You should learn to distinguish between courage and recklessness.”
“I’m not being reckless.”
“…”
“Anyway, if I duel with you, isn’t losing the only outcome? And even if I receive guidance, it’ll be typical advice at my current level.”
“…You know that, yet you still asked for a move from me?”
Grandfather’s gaze sharpened. His voice carried a hint of irritation.
Still, I continued unabashedly.
“Because you’re incredibly strong.”
“…”
“You’re one of the strongest in our country.”
“Ahem… Don’t speak so presumptuously. I’m but one among them. Anyway, continue.”
“So, rather than receiving guidance, wouldn’t it be more helpful to learn through direct experience? When would I have the chance to receive the valuable experience of parrying a strike from a powerhouse like you?”
“In other words, you aim to raise your threshold for facing strong opponents by enduring my strike?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
To be honest, I wanted to gain boldness by enduring my Grandfather’s Pressure. But experiencing his strike firsthand would also teach me something.
I awaited Grandfather’s response.
Soon, he snickered.
“You’re not wrong. To become stronger, one must experience that world. I truly like your mindset. As the lion of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect, that’s the spirit.”
“Then…”
“Alright, I’ll show you the world I see.”
“…Thank you, Head.”
“Thank me after you’ve received my strike. Don’t regret it afterwards.”
“…”
“Of course, I won’t go all out. Otherwise, the world I show you might become the afterlife.”
“…”
“I’ll demonstrate a strike you can barely handle.”
Grandfather assumed the middle stance.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
An immense pressure stretched its limbs.
That’s when the message popped up.
[Exposed to Pressure.]
[All abilities reduced by 80%.]
…Did I see that wrong?
I doubted my eyes.
But staring at the message, the numbers remained unchanged.
“Where are you looking?”
“…”
“Look me in the eyes.”
“…”
“If this were a real battle, your head would already be flying.”
“…”
“I know fear. But if I don’t face it, I can’t move forward. Look at me.”
…Breathing was difficult.
Something pressed down on my shoulders as if to crush me.
My body trembled involuntarily.
My evasion instinct was triggered.
“Damn it.”
I gritted my teeth.
To keep my grip on the Junghyang Sword, I tightened my already sweat-drenched hands.
Struggling to raise my head, I looked at Grandfather.
He seemed like a giant.
The giant warned,
“Here I come.”
Grandfather’s wooden sword swung.
I tried to dodge…
“……Huh?”
What’s happening?
Why is the wooden sword right before my eyes?
───!
My mind couldn’t keep up.
Thus, I couldn’t make a judgment.
Thus, I couldn’t move.
So…
Crackle!
I had no choice but to rely on instinct.
Thud! Whoosh! Thump! Clank! Thud! Rumble…
Amidst the commotion,
Do Gyeon-woo, launched into the air, and spun several times before crashing to the ground.
He tumbled until he collided with the training hall’s outer wall, finally coming to a halt.
“…”
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
The onlookers were speechless, unsure if what they’d witnessed was real.
By the time most regained their senses, Do Ye-eok was already approaching Do Gyeon-woo, his sword swinging down.
His movements had surpassed the realm of human perception.
“Ha…”
But as time passed, the shock faded.
They began to mock Do Gyeon-woo, lying face-first on the ground.
“I knew this would happen.”
“Why even bother if you were just going to lose like that?”
“You should’ve just accepted the Head’s offer to yield the first move.”
“All that talk, and now you’re just a mess? How embarrassing.”
“Trying to impress the Head, but you’re more of a cub than a lion, aren’t you?”
Do Gyeon-woo, who’d summoned Bijung at twelve and shattered the 2nd Head’s record overnight, had been subtly undermined by those around him. They seized this chance to belittle him, mocking and ridiculing him to chip away at his worth.
“Hmm…”
Do Ye-eok paid no mind to their chatter.
His thoughts were solely on Do Gyeon-woo, who collapsed on the ground.
“I meant to slam him into the wall.”
Do Ye-eok studied the wall ahead and traced the path of Do Gyeon-woo’s flight after being struck by his sword.
He’d veered left and crashed into that wall instead.
From this, he deduced…
“He reacted to my strike.”
In that split second, as he’d swung the wooden sword,
Do Gyeon-woo have twisted his sword to parry the attack and evade in that direction?
“…”
The dramatic tumble was likely to absorb the impact.
He’d deflected the strike.
“Huh…”
A twelve-year-old child had countered his attack.
Do Ye-eok couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
Then, his lips curled upward.
“What a fearsome brat.”
He murmured,
“Aren’t you charmed by this adorable lion cub?”
An attack beyond perception.
I stared at the wooden sword bearing down on me, unable to make a single judgment.
—Crack!
All I could do was heed my evasion instinct’s plea and move.
In that fleeting moment of impact,
I had no clear memory of how I’d dodged.
“Ah…”
When I came to, I was face-planted on the training hall floor.
I blinked, then cautiously lifted my head to assess the situation.
“…”
From a distance, people were murmuring about me.
Though I couldn’t make out their words, their amused glances were clear.
“As expected.”
They were probably laughing at how pitifully I’d failed to even receive the first strike.
“Then try it yourself.”
I wanted to retort, but I lacked the energy or inclination.
After just one hit, my vigour had drained completely.
My body felt limp.
Yet lying there was uncomfortable, so I flipped over to stare at the ceiling.
That’s when Grandfather approached.
“Are you alright?”
“…I don’t think so.”
“You’re talking, so you must be fine.”
“…”
“Well, you did evade my attack. Even if you were hurt, it’d just be scrapes from rolling around.”
Grandfather laughed as if it were none of his concern.
I couldn’t bring myself to laugh along.
“Well, you seem to have some energy left. Want to try parrying another strike?”
“…”
Another strike like that?
I must’ve looked like I’d eaten a bug.
Then Grandfather snickered.
“Or should we stop here?”
I couldn’t end without gaining some boldness.
My mind raced.
At that moment, a message popped up.
[Skill Acquired]
[Boldness Lv 1]
[Boldness Lv 1]
Skill Category
—Conditional Activation
Detailed Effect
—Restores up to 5% of ability scores reduced by Pressure.
—Increases concentration and evasion rate by 5% when exposed to Pressure.
“Ah… thank goodness.”
“What’s so relieving?”
If it was going to appear, it should’ve shown up earlier.
I exhaled in relief, confirming I’d gained Boldness.
Grandfather, unable to see the message, looked puzzled.
To him, I said…
“I think we can stop now. Thank you for teaching me a move.”
I expressed my gratitude in a voice sincere from the heart.
Grandfather clicked his tongue.
“Hmph, you’re quite the quitter. If you’re up for it, how about one more round? I’ll go easier on you this time.”
“No, thank you, Head! I’m grateful!”
I’d already gained what I needed.
There was no point in nervously parrying Grandfather’s strikes anymore.
I declined outright.
In the end, Grandfather reluctantly stepped back, though not entirely giving up.
His gaze shifted to the onlookers watching the duel.
“Still, I can’t just end things so anticlimactic after promising to teach. It’s a matter of pride! Any of you—those who participated in yesterday’s evaluation match, all of you—step forward if you dare take on my sword!”
“…!”
The spectators caught off guard, wore faces as if struck by lightning.
I smirked at their discomfort.
“Serves you right.”
“Why don’t you try parrying it yourselves?”
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