Chapter 43

Seom Seonggyeong’s sudden intrusion had left everyone stunned.

But my eyes were fixed on Cheon Hyein.

And I was scowling.

‘That damn thing keeps needling me.’

It wasn’t Seom Seonggyeong who riled me most. It was her.

‘Can’t she hold back just once? Why the hell does she keep pulling this shit?’

That was the situation.

Seom Seonggyeong stepping up like this? Claiming he wanted to glimpse the old man’s sword through me?

Ridiculous.

‘His face says it all.’

The bastard couldn’t stop stealing glances.

The problem was—

‘It isn’t the Sect Master or the Small Moon Commander he’s watching.’

Who was Seom Seonggyeong so nervous about?

I thought I knew.

‘Already confirmed it in the dining hall.’

Her reaction back then told me the watcher on my tail was her doing.

At first, I’d only kept wary without thinking too deeply.

‘But she keeps pushing.’

And the more she pushed, the more my irritation rose.

‘This isn’t good.’

If someone keeps scraping away like this—

‘Old habits come out.’

The temper I’d been forcing down swelled to the crown of my head. I couldn’t let it happen. If it did—

‘I’ll end up living the same way as my past life.’

The very things I swore I wouldn’t do this time.

Ssshhhhh—

The stars dusting my body flickered, stirred by my emotions.

Dangerous.

I stared at Cheon Hyein’s blank face for a moment, then tore my gaze away.

[Boy.]

The old man spoke.

[Kill that expression. Right now you look like you’re about to cut down half the hall. Where the hell did you learn to make a face like that with that dumb mug of yours...]

Being told I looked dumb—now that was a first.

“Bang Sungyeon.”

At the Sect Master’s voice I raised my head. One look at his face nearly made me laugh.

‘Insane.’

He looked entertained. So did everyone else—everyone except the Small Moon Commander.

‘...As expected.’

I was certain now.

The Blue Moon Sect might have a ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) pretty name, but it was rotten to the core.

A mere disciple breaking tradition, and their reaction was this?

I had no words.

[But honestly, it is entertaining.]

The clueless bastard chimed in.

‘This is happening because of her, and you’re egging it on?’

Damn it. Nothing in this world ever lined up.

“Hah.”

I sighed without meaning to.

Then—

“Bang Sungyeon.”

The Sect Master called again. I realized I hadn’t answered him earlier.

“Forgive me. My head was clouded.”

“Is it clear now?”

“Thanks to you.”

He’d dropped the polite formality. Was it because this was a test? Didn’t matter.

“My disciple says this is how he feels. What of you?”

“Does my answer change the procedure? From the look of things, this rite is a pretty weighty tradition.”

“You’re right. But—”

The Sect Master grinned.

“Tradition is meant to be broken now and then.”

Of all the lines a Sect Master should never utter, that had to be near the top.

[Hahahahahahahaha—!!!]

Yoo Cheongil roared with laughter, clearly approving.

A pair of lunatics.

“Of course, if you don’t wish it, we can proceed as is.”

“Would there be a penalty if I refused?”

“Of course not.”

I had to ask. Not that it would’ve been acceptable anyway.

‘No penalty, sure.’

At worst, people would be disappointed. Maybe they’d form a prejudice or two.

Was that what Cheon Hyein wanted? Or did she have some other design?

It didn’t feel like she’d gone to all this trouble just to screw me.

‘Think through every angle.’

I churned through the options. No matter the path, refusing this contest was the smart move.

From a rational perspective, anyway.

‘But I’m pissed.’

Boiling.

‘Why does everything have to prod at me? I said I’d live quiet this time.’

All I wanted was a flat, uneventful life.

Yet here I was, dragged into nonsense.

Everywhere I turned, someone itching to scrape at me.

Even this moment.

I hated it all.

No matter how I tried to smother it, the anger kept leaking through.

“...”

I turned and stared openly at Yoo Cheongil.

Normally I’d never glare at him like that.

[Hm?]

I looked into those blue eyes and spoke to the Sect Master.

“I’ll do it. I’ll take it.”

“Oh?”

It sounded like I was answering the Sect Master, but really it was a warning for Yoo Cheongil.

I was agreeing to this, so he damn well better play it straight.

Otherwise—

‘This time I’ll flip the whole table.’

To hell with it all.

That was the threat behind my words.

[Heh.]

He only chuckled. I looked away.

“Seom Seonggyeong. Step to Bang Sungyeon.”

At the Sect Master’s order, Seom Seonggyeong rose and approached.

The other martial artists drew back, clearing a broad space.

The Small Moon Commander stood at the center, evidently the arbiter.

“The Blue Moon Rite begins now.”

“I have a question.”

The Commander turned his gaze on me.

“Do I have to win?”

“....”

For a heartbeat, silence fell. Their astonishment was palpable.

“There’s no such requirement. The Sect Master is the judge. Even in defeat you aren’t disqualified.”

“I see.”

So all that mattered was recognition.

But—

“Then if I win, it’s guaranteed?”

If losing still allowed for acceptance, then victory had to mean certainty.

My words made the Commander’s brow knot.

“Is that right?”

“...It is. If you can manage it.”

“Hm.”

Clearly, my question grated on him.

Not that I needed telling—he’d disliked me from the start.

‘And the rest don’t look thrilled either.’

The Small Moon Unit’s expressions weren’t much different.

Was my question really so offensive?

I considered apologizing but decided against it.

Once I fell silent, the Commander stepped back.

“...Prepare.”

Srrrk—

Steel rang as both Seom Seonggyeong and I drew our swords. He studied me with a strange look.

I sighed inwardly.

‘...He’s not planning to stiff me again, is he?’

Last time I’d trusted him, he’d refused to help. What if he did it again?

‘If so, that’s it. Game over.’

I’d bite my tongue and end it myself before dragging on.

Just as I braced myself—

[Don’t worry.]

Yoo Cheongil’s voice brushed close.

[I won’t leave you this time.]

‘...Are you sure you’re not reading my thoughts?’

He always seemed to answer them.

Either way, his help was a relief.

Only one worry remained—

‘The possession time will be short. Can it work?’

It had only been days since the last. A few dozen seconds at best.

As if hearing me, he replied:

[It doesn’t matter. A few days ago, yes. But now—]

Something seeped into my body.

[Now a moment is enough.]

And with that, he slipped into me.

At the same instant—

“Begin.”

The Commander declared the duel.

****

‘Insolent.’

The Small Moon Commander recalled Bang Sungyeon’s earlier words.

‘Then if I win, it’s guaranteed?’

His fist clenched tight.

‘Arrogant brat.’

How dare he—!

The boy’s realm was plain to see: second-rate, no higher. The Commander had judged it at a glance.

By rights, he shouldn’t even be standing here.

Yet he dared speak of victory before the Sect’s elite? Absurd.

‘The fool doesn’t know his place.’

Even aside from that, victories had only ever admitted a handful into the Small Moon Unit.

The sixth Sect Master. The seventh. And the current, Cheon Seonghwa.

Each had bested the youngest member upon entry.

Especially—

‘The Sword Saint...’

Not only had he crushed his opponent, he’d famously complained afterwards that it was a dull fight.

His foe hadn’t lasted ten exchanges.

He’d been twenty-three. The youngest member ever—until Cheon Hyein.

And now this boy thought to stand among such monsters?

Laughable. Especially since his opponent wasn’t even the youngest.

‘Seom Seonggyeong is strong.’

Mid-tier within the unit. His growth had slowed for reasons unknown, but to the Commander’s eye, he was still formidable.

Bang Sungyeon’s chance of victory? Near zero.

And if he somehow won?

‘It would go down in history.’

A new legend to eclipse even the Sword Saint.

Which was to say, impossible. The Commander looked at Seom Seonggyeong.

‘Show him.’

Show that arrogant whelp the terror of the Small Moon Unit.

Just then, Bang Sungyeon tipped his head. The gesture gave the Commander a strange twinge.

‘...What?’

Something felt off.

Nothing should feel off. And yet—

Even without knowing why, the Commander felt wary.

So wary his hand strayed toward his own hilt.

****

The duel began.

For a moment, Seom Seonggyeong and Bang Sungyeon only studied one another.

Then Seom Seonggyeong moved first.

“I’ll yield the first strike.”

He spoke with courtesy.

“Hm.”

Bang Sungyeon only stared at him—

Then—

Shhhk—!

His blade whistled through empty air.

A casual swing.

“There. First strike’s done. Satisfied?”

“...!”

Seom Seonggyeong’s eyes widened.

“What are you—”

“Cut the crap and raise your sword.”

Bang Sungyeon snapped, voice edged with irritation.

“Don’t even think of whining about being caught off guard later. Fight properly.”

“....”

The words stung, but he didn’t show it.

He couldn’t.

Gulp.

Cold sweat trickled down his spine as he faced him.

Why did it feel like this? He had no time to wonder before the youth spoke again.

“Ordinarily I’d show you more. But I’m pressed for time.”

He lowered his sword.

“And not just for that—today, I’m too angry to hold back.”

“...What are you saying?”

“Raise your blade.”

He spoke, and moved.

The motion was slow. Lazy. Slow enough to make one yawn.

‘...Too slow.’

Strange. If he’d sensed even an elder’s presence, then he had some trick, some strength hidden.

‘Was I mistaken?’

If so, all the better.

No risk. Easier to oblige Cheon Hyein’s request.

Just spar lightly, and she’d let it slide.

So he thought—until his eyes went wide.

“Huh?”

Somehow, Bang Sungyeon had already reached him.

He’d been walking slow, far away—yet here he was.

The shock slowed his mind.

Then—

“Head. Block it.”

Bang Sungyeon’s voice snapped him to action, and he instinctively lifted his blade.

At that instant—

Ssshhhhhh—!!

The night itself came crashing down upon his skull.