Chapter 13
Blood Flower Sword Nam Dusik
As Chi Yulang mercilessly pressed decline, there was a brief moment of stunned silence before a flurry of invitations came flooding in.
Each time, Chi Yulang rejected them with precision.
“Alright, you want to play, huh?”
Invitation vs. Rejection.
It was a grand showdown.
The chat, already ablaze from HeavenlyMaiden’s rapid promotion to Gold, united in cheering her on.
– That’s it, keep it up!
– Reject them all!
– Isn’t ChewedGumDestroyer that Trash Pang Deokjo?
– Yup, looks like he’s trying some dirty trick by inviting her to a room.
– Trying so hard, tsk tsk.
Meanwhile, at that moment, the Extermination Squad members gathered in a room they had created in Rifa.
Trash Pang Deokjo muttered with a flustered expression.
“Why does she keep rejecting?”
“Well, uh…”
“This isn’t good.”
Pang Deokjo scratched his head.
This was a major problem.
The plan hinged on luring her into the room, but if she kept refusing, his vile, trashy scheme would fall apart from the start.
Just then, one of his subordinates offered a suggestion. It was the youngest member of the squad, Jegal Samdol.
“Why don’t we ask her why she’s rejecting?”
“Would she even reply?”
“It’s worth a shot, isn’t it?”
“Fair point.”
Convinced, Pang Deokjo sent a polite whisper to HeavenlyMaiden.
– ChewedGumDestroyer: Yo, why do you keep rejecting?
Ding!
“Oh, here it comes!”
“See, told you.”
“She’s kinda sweet. A real person.”
Thankfully, a reply came right away!
– HeavenlyMaiden: Not interested in Silvers.
“…”
The content wasn’t exactly kind, though.
“Goddamn it!”
Pang Deokjo exploded in anger.
“Who’s she calling a Silver? I’ve been in Gold forever and just dropped temporarily! My real tier is Gold! I can climb back anytime! Huh? She’s just a newbie who barely made Silver!”
A hand patted his shoulder.
“Hey, brother.”
“What!”
“She’s Gold, you know.”
“What?”
“It’s true. Check her record.”
Pang Deokjo’s eyes widened as he looked at the stats Jegal Samdol showed him.
“No way, she got to Silver after beating me, right? How does she go from Silver to Gold in one match? Does that even make sense?”
“I heard she beat Heavenly Black Feather.”
“Goddamn it, does that make any sense?!”
But no matter how much he raged, the fact remained: HeavenlyMaiden was Gold.
“Ugh… This wasn’t part of the plan.”
Watching from the side, Jegal Samdol came up with another idea.
“Why don’t we just openly challenge her to face our leader?”
“What?”
“I’ve been watching her stream, and her goal is to reach the Beyony Heaven.”
Pang Deokjo openly scoffed.
“Hah, what a joke. Does she think the Beyond Heaven is some dog’s name?”
“Of course, but the point is she won’t bother with lower tiers. Beating lower tiers barely gives points.”
“…That’s true.”
“If we tell her there’s a juicy Platinum here, she’ll probably show up.”
After some thought, Pang Deokjo nodded.
“That makes sense.”
He sent another whisper.
– ChewedGumDestroyer: There’s a Platinum here.
– ChewedGumDestroyer: Accept the invite.
[HeavenlyMaiden has accepted the invitation.]
Pop!
Pang Deokjo blinked at the twin-tailed young girl who appeared before him.
“Where’s the Platinum?”
Pang Deokjo and Jegal Samdol exchanged glances.
“It worked?”
“Heh, I’m the clever Jegal Samdol.”
“I asked where the Platinum is.”
Instead of answering, Pang Deokjo gestured. The Extermination Squad members slowly began to surround HeavenlyMaiden.
“What’s this?”
“Heh, just ordinary spectators, so don’t get too tense.”
– That Trash Pang Deokjo.
– Up to his dirty tricks again.
– Ordinary spectators, my ass!
– Told you not to go!
– メHakkoDigger13: It’s a trap, HeavenlyMaiden!
– メHeavenlyDemonForever: Heh, this should be interesting.
HeavenlyMaiden stared at the scene and spoke.
“Who’s the boss here?”
Pang Deokjo pointed to the subordinate next to him.
“The boss is Samdol!”
“Brother?”
Jegal Samdol looked at Pang Deokjo in confusion.
Thwack!
A pebble flew and struck Jegal Samdol’s temple.
Thud!
Samdol collapsed.
HeavenlyMaiden tossed a small pebble up and caught it, saying,
“Guess not.”
“Tch, didn’t work.”
Pang Deokjo, who had sold out his subordinate without hesitation, glared at HeavenlyMaiden.
The squad members surrounding her shouted as if ready to pounce.
“This kid took out our youngest!”
“Brother! Let’s crush her!”
“Hold on.”
No matter how good a fighter she was, numbers always had the advantage.
Pang Deokjo, stopping his men from rushing in for a beatdown, flashed a sleazy grin.
“Hey, HeavenlyMaiden!”
She stared at him silently, arms crossed, as if to say, “Go on.”
“I challenge you to a fair rematch! I only lost last time because I was careless!”
Naturally, the chat’s reaction was hostile.
– Man, Trash Pang Deokjo lives up to his name with these dirty tricks.
– Surrounding her and calling it a “fair fight”? What a joke!
– Isn’t this basically forcing her?
– “Don’t want a group beating? Fight me fair and square!”
– Fair and square (while having his goons surround her)
– Boo, and you call yourself a martial artist who knows honor and chivalry?
– Is he a punk or a martial artist?
– Go drop dead!!
Chi Yulang nodded, and Pang Deokjo flicked his hand. The squad members surrounding HeavenlyMaiden stepped back to form a stage, though they didn’t fully break the encirclement. She was like a rat in a trap.
Then, Pang Deokjo approached and whispered so only she could hear.
“Hey, HeavenlyMaiden.”
“?”
“I’m still the number-two of the Extermination Squad. How about giving me some face, huh?”
“…”
“Just fight me and throw the match, alright? I’m begging you just this once. Then I’ll take you straight to our leader. No need for unnecessary fights, right?”
It was practically a threat. HeavenlyMaiden had little choice in the matter.
As expected, the chat exploded, screaming to kill or spare the trashy guy.
HeavenlyMaiden glanced at Pang Deokjo, then at the menacing squad members surrounding her.
After a moment of feigned hesitation, she nodded reluctantly.
Pang Deokjo’s face lit up.
“Haha, thanks! I’ll keep my promise, so don’t worry!”
He patted her shoulder and turned around with a smug grin.
‘So naive.’
Whether she threw the match or not, they could just gang up on her afterward.
The chat was appalled at Pang Deokjo’s shameless tactics against a much younger opponent.
‘Heh, even I think I’m a genius at this kind of thing.’
As Pang Deokjo smirked wickedly, HeavenlyMaiden, staring at his back, whispered to the screen.
“I’ll beat the crap out of him.”
————
Moments later, no one was left standing except HeavenlyMaiden.
– Hell yeah!!
– Barkeep! A cold highball over here!
– Lol, look at Pang Deokjo lying there pathetically.
– She fights so well, haha.
– メHakkoDigger13: HeavenlyMaiden is amazing!!
– メHeavenlyDemonForever: Splendid!
As everyone groaned, clutching their injuries, HeavenlyMaiden walked over to Pang Deokjo, who was sprawled out like a corpse, and nudged him with her foot.
“Where’s your leader?”
“M-Monster…”
Pang Deokjo’s eyes trembled as he looked at her.
“Monster? Have you ever seen a monster this cute?”
“You’re clearly a beast in human skin!”
“…”
Chi Yulang raised a hand toward the gibbering Pang Deokjo.
“Say that again.”
“H-Hiik!”
“I won’t ask twice. Where’s your leader?”
“O-Over there, through the gate.”
Leaving Pang Deokjo behind, Chi Yulang approached the gate he pointed to.
Creak-
Pushing open the gate with both arms, she saw a man in a red floral shirt sweating profusely while swinging a sword in the training yard.
Chi Yulang observed him silently, hands behind her back.
She recognized the swordsmanship.
‘The Blue Sky Unobstructed Sword.’
The Blue Sky Unobstructed Sword.
A sword art named “the sword unimpeded under the blue sky.” Free as the boundless heavens, blurring the line between attack and defense, flexible as the wind.
Yet, his version of the Blue Sky Unobstructed Sword didn’t seem so free.
‘Far from becoming the king of the heavens.’
That was the Heavenly Demon Chi Yulang’s assessment.
At that moment, the man, engrossed in his swordplay, noticed Chi Yulang’s presence.
Sheathing his sword and wiping sweat from his brow, he spoke.
“HeavenlyMaiden?”
Chi Yulang nodded with a solemn expression.
“That’s me.”
“…”
The man blinked, staring at her.
“You’re smaller and daintier than I expected.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“…”
He approached and extended a hand.
“I’m Nam Dusik, leader of the Extermination Squad, Blood Flower Sword. I hear you had a blast beating up my guys.”
“Nam Dusik?”
Chi Yulang tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
It felt like his name was missing a character, but perhaps it was her imagination. She looked up at Nam Dusik.
“Blood Flower Sword Nam Dusik. I enjoyed your men’s welcoming party.”
“Welcoming party? What do you mean?”
He seemed completely unaware of the commotion outside. Feeling no need to explain, Chi Yulang cut to the chase.
“Are you ready to get beaten?”
“Bold words. Bring it on.”
[NeverLose (Platinum: has challenged you!]
[Accept?]
[Y/N]
Seeing the challenge, Chi Yulang asked,
“NeverLose? From what?”
Nam Dusik cut her off coldly.
“None of your business.”
“I see.”
Instinctively, Chi Yulang sensed it was related to why his sword lacked freedom.
But she didn’t bother pointing it out.
He’s not one of our disciples, so why bother?
The two faced off at a distance, preparing for the duel.
[3, 2, 1]
[Fight!]
“…”
“…”
Even after the duel began, they stood silently, staring at each other.
– What’s this? Why aren’t they fighting?
– Eye fight, lol.
– Ahem, true masters exchange invisible moves!
– Is our cute little HeavenlyMaiden a master too?
– Didn’t you see her thrash the Extermination Squad?
– Those guys were just small fry.
– This one’s different.
– You don’t know Blood Flower Sword?
– Nope. Is he famous?
– Kinda? Even if you haven’t heard of the Extermination Squad, plenty know Blood Flower Sword.
– Lol, probably just famous among martial artists.
– True, the martial artist talent pool is pretty small, lol.
– Still, Platinum is like upper-tier Sword Expert.
– In martial artist terms, late-stage first-rate.
– Didn’t you see him swinging his sword earlier? He’s the real deal. At least late-stage first-rate.
– This time, even HeavenlyMaiden might have a tough fight.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Nam Dusik wasn’t exchanging invisible moves with HeavenlyMaiden.
Drip-
Cold sweat ran down his back.
Though he gripped his sword’s hilt, he couldn’t bring himself to draw it. An ominous premonition told him that doing so would be his end.
The girl with her hair tied in cute twin-tails stood with her hands behind her back, staring at him, yet he could find no openings.
An indescribable, overwhelming presence emanated from her.
He’d felt this pressure before.
From his half-brother.
That unparalleled genius had crossed the wall of absolute mastery at a young age. The gap between them was vast.
The memory of kneeling helplessly before his sword still sent shivers of powerlessness through Nam Dusik.
“Get lost. You’re not worthy of the Namgung name.”
But why?
Why did this tiny girl exude the same presence? No, it was greater than his brother’s. Like their father—no, perhaps even beyond that…!
Nam Dusik’s hand trembled as it gripped the hilt, turning white from the force.
It felt like the Grim Reaper was holding a scythe to his throat.
If he drew his sword, it would be over!
“…”
Chi Yulang, gazing at Nam Dusik with her mystical purple eyes, muttered softly.
“A perceptive one, aren’t you?”
With those words, she completely dispersed the faint aura she had been emitting.
It had been a test to gauge his reaction.
Pang Deokjo hadn’t noticed, but Nam Dusik did.
“Gasp!”
Nam Dusik staggered as if he might collapse.
– ?
– What’s with him?
– Why are all the guys facing HeavenlyMaiden such weirdos? Heavenly Black Feather charged like a mad cow and fell over too.
– メHeavenlyDemonForever: …Like a mad cow?
– (Chat restricted for 60 seconds)
– HeavenlyMaiden must’ve used secret magic again.
– Genius sorceress, lol.
Chi Yulang gestured.
“Come. I’ll take one move.”
Nam Dusik steadied his ragged breathing, staring into her purple eyes.
In an instant, he drew his sword and charged, swinging with all his might.
His best move!
Blue Wind Single Slash!
Nam Dusik saw it.
HeavenlyMaiden, with her tiny hand, deflected his critical strike as effortlessly as a leaf swaying in the breeze.
“…!”
Nam Dusik’s eyes widened.
Her gesture carried the essence of the Blue Sky Unobstructed Sword.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
Grit!
Nam Dusik gritted his teeth and drew up more inner energy. Powerful techniques of the Blue Sky Unobstructed Sword poured from his blade.
Yet, despite his efforts, his sword couldn’t even graze HeavenlyMaiden’s sleeve.
A massive wall stood before him.
No matter how hard he threw himself against it, the wall didn’t budge.
What was it?
What was he lacking?
“Gasp…! Hah…!”
Nam Dusik, having poured everything out, panted heavily.
HeavenlyMaiden, staring at him, spoke.
“Swing.”
“?”
“It’s already within you.”
“…!”
It was as if lightning struck his mind.
Perhaps, at this very moment, he could overcome the wall!
Enlightenment doesn’t come at will.
Surrendering to the sudden realization, Nam Dusik swung his sword!
Whoosh!
It was no different from before.
“Just kidding.”
HeavenlyMaiden’s palm struck Nam Dusik’s chest as she closed the distance.
Thud!
“Guhak!”
Nam Dusik flew back, spitting blood.
Chi Yulang, looking at Nam Dusik collapsed with his sword still in hand, muttered in a dry tone.
“Listening to your enemy during a fight? What a fool.”
[Victory to HeavenlyMaiden!]
HeavenlyMaiden raised one hand triumphantly.
The chat erupted with countless cheers.
