Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 375 – That Day (2)

[I am the one who will become your master.]

Ryu So-wol was dumbfounded by the man’s arrogant words, spoken so casually.

[You’re completely insane.]

No sooner had those words left her mouth.

Grooooowl

She couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the incredibly vicious energy she felt right behind her.

Even her father, Master Ryu Gang of the Moon Vein, one of the greatest masters she knew, had never exuded such an overwhelming pressure when revealing his aura.

But this energy she felt from behind was like being in front of a ferocious beast.

‘What kind of energy is this?’

[This insolent female is so desperate to die…]

Swish

At that moment, the man dressed entirely in black extended his hand, gesturing not to interfere.

With just the man’s gesture, that tremendous energy disappeared instantly.

At this, Ryu So-wol was inwardly amazed.

What on earth was the identity of this man who could command such a monstrous being whose level she couldn’t even fathom?

As she was wondering about this,

Clang!

Her sword, caught between the man’s two fingers, broke in half.

[Ah?]

He hadn’t even used any true energy.

He had simply gripped the blade with his bare hand strength and not only that, but shattered it.

As she was in shock,

Pak!

The man, who had suddenly approached, grabbed the front of her clothes.

Then,

Rip!

He tore her clothes right off.

In an instant, her upper garment was torn away, exposing her pert breasts.

Flustered, Ryu So-wol instinctively covered her chest with both arms.

Seeing her like this, the man smirked and said:

[You’re no different from other females.]

[You!]

[Even in a life-threatening situation, you’re embarrassed about merely exposing your chest?]

At these words, Ryu So-wol’s expression, which had been overcome with shame, suddenly hardened.

She had thought he might be trying to violate her, but the man’s expression remained unchanged.

Rather, he seemed to be mocking her reaction.

‘……’

Ordinary women, even if they were martial artists, would be at a loss from shame and embarrassment in this situation.

However, she had grown up like a man since her brother’s death.

Therefore, she was different from those other women.

Ryu So-wol felt defiant, but hiding this, she instead showed a more timid appearance, clutching her chest even tighter.

[D-don’t come any closer.]

Seeing her like this, the man shook his head and was about to let go of the torn cloth as if he had lost interest, when,

Pat!

At that moment, Ryu So-wol suddenly thrust the broken sword blade towards the center of the man’s neck.

But,

‘Damn it.’

Her blade didn’t reach the center of the man’s neck.

This was because a chilling yet vast energy was holding her entire body.

It was similar to manipulating true energy, yet completely different.

Because the energy was so evil.

Flinch! Flinch!

She trembled, overcome with fear enough to make her whole body break out in goosebumps.

It was the first time in her life she had encountered an opponent so terrifying and frightening just from their energy.

The man approached her like this and gently lifted her chin, saying:

[I thought you were embarrassed, but you were waiting for an opportunity? Interesting. Isn’t it?]

[She’s nothing but an insect.]

[Isn’t she more interesting than those docile women of our clan?]

[That’s because…]

[Enough.]

[……]

The man cut off the words of the one behind him and smiled at Ryu So-wol, saying:

[What, have you suddenly become afraid?]

[Are you going to kill me?]

[You recklessly aimed for the life of one who will become your master, so you must pay a corresponding price.]

[……]

[However, if you beg for your life, realizing your proper place, I might consider it.]

[What?]

[I am not one without mercy…]

[Kill me.]

For a moment, a strange light flashed in the man’s eyes at her words.

[Kill you?]

[As someone born a martial artist, I’m always prepared to die. No matter how scared I am, I won’t beg for my life from anyone. So kill me.]

[Hooh.]

One of the man’s eyebrows raised.

He had just been enjoying a moment of amusement with an insignificant being.

But this female, no, this woman. Was she a being with her own sense of honor and dignity?

The man, showing interest, eventually spoke:

[Interesting. A mere woman possessing the honor of a warrior.]

[Warrior?]

[Yes. Warrior. I don’t dislike such people. And I respect the honor of a warrior.]

[……]

[Good. As a warrior, I apologize for insulting you. In that sense, I’ll give you a clean death. If you have any last words, speak them.]

The man said as he removed his hand from Ryu So-wol’s chin.

To this, she, having already abandoned attachment to her life, answered in a voice drained of strength:

[I don’t. What last words could I have when I’m about to die? Leaving such things would only make me want to live.]

At her answer, the corners of the man’s mouth turned up.

Usually, when asked if they have any last words, people tend to leave expected messages.

Most are expressions of regret, farewells to those left behind, or requests for their treatment.

But to cut off her own lingering attachments to life like this.

‘Truly a person of dignity.’

It had just been amusement, and a moment ago it was respect, but now he was genuinely interested.

Among the women of his clan, none had shown such true dignity in front of him.

So the man asked:

[Not bad.]

[What?]

[I’ll change my question. Instead of last words, tell me what you desire.]

[What’s the difference?]

[I’m saying I’ll grant whatever you wish for as your last request.]

The man’s intention in these words was clear.

Having taken a liking to Ryu So-wol, he changed the question to give her a chance to save her life.

There was a difference between last words and a desire.

If she wished to preserve her life, he would spare her.

No, wouldn’t she naturally say that?

But her answer was completely different from what he expected.

[I want to become strong.]

[……You want to become strong?]

For a moment, Ryu So-wol was inwardly perplexed at her own words.

She didn’t know why, but the atmosphere seemed to have reversed due to some whim of her opponent.

But in that instant when she was wondering what she truly desired, she had unconsciously blurted out those words.

It seemed too late to take them back when,

[Hahahahahahaha!]

Suddenly, the man burst into uproarious laughter, as if something was extremely amusing.

At this sight, she wore a bewildered expression.

***

Late at night.

Ryu Gang, the head of the Moon Vein, was left speechless at the sight of Junior Head Ryu So-wol.

This was because her face was covered in bruises and wounds, and she was limping as if severely injured.

He had felt sorry for his words and actions earlier in the day, but his belief that she needed to be raised strongly as the Junior Head remained unchanged, so he had intended to scold her.

However, seeing her in this state, he simply couldn’t bring himself to be angry about it.

Rather,

[What on earth happened? Why are you in such a state?]

No matter how strongly he had raised her, what father wouldn’t worry and just let it pass when seeing his child in such a miserable condition?

To his question, Ryu So-wol couldn’t bring herself to give any answer.

“Strength is not something you simply obtain. A warrior becomes strong through fighting.”

Those were the words that man had said.

After that, she had fought like mad with the man who claimed to be his subordinate.

For almost several hours without rest.

It was the first time.

The first time she had thought she wanted to die because it was so painful.

[Can you not hear this master’s words?]

[……]

At Master Ryu Gang’s pressing, she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth.

In truth, she wanted to tell everything she had experienced.

But she had made a promise with that man.

“I’ll only say two things. Don’t reveal to anyone that you met me. And if you come to this place around the same time every year, you can obtain the strength you desire.”

She had her own stubbornness.

A stubbornness to unconditionally keep a promise once made.

That’s why she finally kept her mouth shut despite her father’s continued pressing.

Master Ryu Gang finally gave up.

[You stubborn child.]

Clicking his tongue at her obstinacy, Master Ryu Gang spoke to her as if making an announcement:

[The Heaven Vein has proposed a marriage.]

[What?]

A marriage? What was he talking about?

To her bewildered look, Master Ryu Gang exhaled a deep sigh and said:

[It seems the Heaven Vein’s Junior Head wants you.]

[I don’t!]

Ryu So-wol raised her voice, flaring up.

At this, Master Ryu Gang snorted.

[Hmph. You wouldn’t answer when I asked about your well-being, but now you open your mouth when marriage is discussed?]

[Th-that’s……]

[I refused for now.]

[Ah ah.]

At those words, she let out a sigh of relief.

However, the words that followed were by no means something to be relieved about.

[But I accepted their proposal.]

[What? What proposal?]

[I said I would allow the marriage if the Heaven Vein’s Junior Head becomes the leader at the unification ceremony.]

[Master, no, Father!]

Ryu So-wol, who had been kneeling, suddenly stood up and shouted.

Master Ryu Gang also raised his voice:

[Be quiet! This is all for the sake of our family.]

[For the sake of the family? You said I was no longer a woman because I’m the Junior Head of the Moon Vein. So why should I marry the Heaven Vein’s Junior Head?]

[Didn’t I say? It’s all for the Moon Vein.]

[That’s not an answer……]

[If you marry the person who will become the leader, the Heaven Vein and Moon Vein will become closely tied. And the Heaven Vein has agreed to give your firstborn son to the Moon Vein.]

[……]

At these words from Master Ryu Gang, Ryu So-wol’s expression turned cold.

Her father had already reached an agreement with the head of the Heaven Vein.

Through this agreement, she realized.

The fact that her father had accepted such a proposal meant that he didn’t have high expectations for her as Junior Head.

Clench

Ryu So-wol’s fists tightened.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand her father.

Master Ryu Gang had become unable to produce seed due to a past injury.

That’s why he desperately wanted someone to continue the Moon Vein’s lineage, and she didn’t meet that requirement.

But,

“…You are now the Junior Head.”

Were those words her brother had spoken, tightly grasping her hand as he breathed his last from illness, merely empty words?

Was all her effort to fill his empty place for nothing?

It truly made her heart ache.

But besides this heartache, she also felt defiant.

Grind

Ryu So-wol gritted her teeth.

Yes. If she thought about it the other way around, the answer was there.

The solution to overturn all of this.

It was none other than…

***

Crack!

Bi Yong-heon, the Junior Head of the Heaven Vein, stared at the broken wooden sword with wildly shaking eyes.

This was because he was inwardly amazed at the skills of Ryu So-wol, the Moon Vein’s Junior Head, which changed every year.

Until just 4 years ago, he still had to hide his true skills.

But at some point, the situation changed.

From 3 years ago, her skills began to improve dramatically, and 2 years ago, he could no longer hide his strength.

And last year, she had finally caught up to within half a move.

He was able to avoid a draw by using the Heaven Vein’s secret technique, but it had reached a point where he could no longer be careless.

So he had diligently practiced martial arts for a year to widen the gap again.

But an unbelievable thing happened.

‘How can this be.’

She had broken his wooden sword in just about twenty moves.

He had thought he had closed the gap that had opened because he had reached the peak of the Transcendent Realm and widened the difference again.

But how could this happen?

Grind

Bi Yong-heon ground his teeth in frustration.

There was only one reason he had tried to maintain that difference and win at all costs.

“Don’t act weak and become the leader. Then you’ll be able to take that child as your wife.”

It was because of his promise with his father.

But not only had she caught up in 8 years, Ryu So-wol’s martial prowess had finally surpassed his own.

From the moment the wooden sword broke, the gap was already clearly evident, but if he fell here, it felt like he would lose her forever.

So,

Pat!

Bi Yong-heon was determined not to give up even if it meant fighting barehanded.

However,

Woong woong woong

‘!!!!!’

The moment he saw the blue sword energy gathering in her bare hands, he lost all will to fight.

‘……This is impossible.’

To transcend the barrier at the mere age of twenty-eight.

That meant she had reached the Transformation Realm (Hwa-gyeong).

Murmur murmur

At this amazing sight, there was a commotion and uproar everywhere.

Even Master Ryu Gang of the Moon Vein was so shocked that he forgot his composure and stood up abruptly from his seat.

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