"You lost to your own reasoning."
Knowingly Cheonho muttered while looking at Yoon Seok.
In fact, one could call that state of mind as Simma.
He was being swallowed by his fear which led him to lose all his reasoning.
He was trying to run away from himself.
"You said that you were from the military, but I guess you don't have much experience."
During wars, such phenomenons were quite common.
Only a soldier who could overcome their fears was the one who survived in a war
"Still, your basics were solid. So I'm sure you've been training all night long."
From Cheonho's point of view, his basics were truly remarkable.
Seeing his opponent's swift attack, the way he lifted his shield and swung his sword was without any hesitation.
So much that he would have never imagined, Yoon Seok held the sword for the first time in his life.
Nevertheless, up to here, Cheonho evaluated him.
'You have the talent for fighting…'
He was filled with regret.
If only his opponent had enough experience, this would have been a pretty good fight.
Him being romantic was one of the reasons why he was respectable back in Moorim. Born and raised in modern times, Yoon Seok's unsympathetic way of thinking could never be compared with the man.
"I don't know if my voice could reach you or not, but if I get another chance, we'll have a good fight."
Smiling bitterly, Cheonho raised his sword.
In a flash, he approached the defenseless Yoon Seok.
But then.
"…?"
Suddenly Cheonho paused his steps.
Even the sharpest eyes might lose its sight but if focused they could have seen Cheonho's hands were slightly trembling.
"Shaking? Me?"
Cheonho was not a man of noble birth.
Born an orphan, he was raised by the streets. However, he made a living by learning martial arts with the Blue Dragon sword, which he encountered by chance.
In other words, killing people was his job.
He went through a lot of real battles, and there to save himself he had taken countless lives. And as time flowed; his feelings gradually faded and at some point, he stopped being afraid of death.
But…
"What in the world? Is he resisting with his aura?"
Stepping back Cheonho inspected and saw his opponent in a new light.
Yoon Seok was still out of his mind.
His body was trembling, still biting his lips with blood dripping.
The scene was as if his throat was cut off in a single slash, and that's what Cheonho was about to do when suddenly he felt the abrupt animosity.
"…."
Cheonho's thick eyebrows scrunched up as he was frowning.
His intuition was sharp, building it through life and death battles.
He didn't know what was going on, but his instinct was telling him to back off.
It was then.
"Die!"
Yoon Seok rushed forward like a beast.
Those hazy eyes, burning with life.
Cheonho was a little surprised.
Usually, when you fall into that state, one usually swings their sword aimlessly.
But Yoon Seok.
Just because the sword aura was becoming violent, every sword move was in the right posture. It didn't seem like Yoon Seok had lost his sanity.
So fast!
"How much did you achieve?"
Cheonho laughed while the opponent's sword was heading towards him.
This was not something that grows stronger with each training.
Unlike those people who devote their entire lives to cutting other's flesh and blood, who push their limits in every fierce battle they come across.
Kacha!
Two different blades struck each other causing the sparks to flow.
Cheonho wielded his sword to attack.
While Yoon Seok used his sword to push back the incoming attack.
"So you have the instinct, and now you know how to fight? It's so much fun!"
Cheonho excitedly struck his sword fiercely at Yoon Seok, one after the other.
In fact, if he wanted to end the duel, he could have. He was handed with several chances, but Cheonho didn't.
Just as they were abducted to this 'Tower of Heaven', their inner strength magically decreased and their body got weaker. Limitations were like shackles to their bodies.
Cheonho felt the need to adjust to his current body, and Yunseok was the perfect partner for such readjustments.
Of course, the possibility of losing never crossed his mind.
"…?"
It was around the time when Cheonho almost had 100 exchanges that he felt strange.
All this time he was just chasing Yoon Seok's black aura.
But when did that start?
Surely, Yoon Seok was the same, but the way he swung his sword was getting smoother and faster.
'Is this even possible?'
Without any further delay, Cheonho decided to finish the duel.
But he didn't dare to make a hurried move.
Slowly, he was analysing and observing the sword held by Yoon Seok.
He was left in shock as if he saw something unbelievable.
'Is this…?'
Though the movements were still a bit clumsy and awkward, there is no way Cheonho couldn't recognize it.
Because the movements were the mirror image of his own.
Cheonho, a martial artist, learned the Blue Dragon sword technique which was a mixture of many martial arts. Though it took a lot of practice, it was a popular method in the Moorim.
But still, the man standing in front of him easily duplicated it, even if it was rough around the edges.
'…learned? During this fight?'
Of course, he still had a long way ahead to master the form, but it can't be called a mere imitation.
Though he wouldn't be surprised if it was.
The sword art that Yoon Seok seemed to be casually wielding, had the inspiration from Cheonho's sword art.
The phenomena couldn't be described with the thing called common sense.
It's the realm of enlightenment.
'He lost all his reasons leaving his instincts behind. So how?… Wait, is it because of his instincts?'
Cheonho brushed aside all his curiosity.
It didn't matter if Yoon Seok was a genius with an absurd talent or he just had a stroke of luck which would never appear in his lifetime.
The main problem here was a way to deal with him.
'I have to finish it now!'
Cheonho, who once again fired up, focused all his strength on the attack.
If it was earlier, he knew it wouldn't be easy any longer.
Yoon Seok was once again growing exponentially.
Cheonho realized.
'It's not just his swordsmanship. He clearly is a fighter.'
His senses acknowledged that.
Yoon Seok's body, only with instinct, was on high alert, moved efficiently and was ready for combat.
He had no reason to hold back.
Block the attacks that can be blocked.
Avoid attacks that can be avoided.
But what about the attacks that can neither be avoided nor blocked?
'If that happens, it can't be helped.'
It's no longer about cutting or stabbing.
Yoon Seok boldly played with his sword as if he had to cut his own bone he would.
In a way, it was similar to those chicken games.
Yoon Seok was willing to fight till his death, while his opponent Cheonho was hesitating.
Cheonho pulled out his cherished card.
'I didn't want to use it, but…'
Unique skill.
[Every slash would increase four times the original attack. Though requires the consumption of mana and waiting for a certain period for reuse.]
Cheonho already made up his mind while he was in his waiting room. He wouldn't use a skill if it doesn't help his sword practice.
He thought that the power he gained, rather than helping him would conflict with his path.
It was just a fragile ideal that he held from his world. It hadn't been that long before he entered the Tower of Heaven. He had already broken a self-oath as soon as he went out for his second duel.
"One and a half!"
As soon as Cheonho shouted, a transparent sheath was placed over the sword. At one glance, it looked like the sword he held before but it wasn't so.
Cheonho swung his sword left and right with all his strength.
Yoon Seok sensed an unusual aura from his opponent, all his plans were put aside and got ready to protect himself with his sword…
The thin black aura looked too weak to stop the incoming blow.
Cheonho already placed a victorious smile on his face.
But…
Cha-Ching!
Cheonho's was blocked.
"…"
Cheonho couldn't believe his eyes.
The sword that blocked the attack now illuminated with a reddish aura.
*
Unique Skill
The sudden announcement pulled back Yoon Seok's consciousness.
And the first thing he saw was Cheonho's astonished look.
'What was I… What was I doing?'
He felt like he had a dream.
But he couldn't remember what he saw.
Yoon Seok could vaguely remember fighting with Kang in their old classroom.
'….'
Yoon Seok lowered his sword.
But for some reason, a red aura engulfed his body.
「Mana exhaust in 00:02:56」
He felt something stirred in his stomach, is it magic?
To get a hold of himself, Yoon Seok concentrated all his strength in his hands. On the other hand, his opponent realising something, retreated back with his sword.
Still, Yoon Seok couldn't get out of the dream-like sensation.
He felt drowsy as if he was drunk.
He was aware that if he let himself soil, he would be killed by Cheonho at any moment.
So with all his might, he had to move his body.
'When did I become so skilled in swordsmanship?'
He saw his own aura, it was filled with strength but with the hint of tenderness.
He no longer felt the fear to face his opponent with the absence of his shield.
Stab! Thrust! Cut!
With these three moves in his mind, Yoon Seok moved his sword as natural as water down the stream. Threatened, Cheonho focused on his defence to prevent it.
Cling! Kachang! Ching!
Both swords moved towards their opponent creating a rapid spark to scatter.
Looking at Cheonho, blocking the attacks he might seem calm, but…
It wasn't just Yoon Seok who had enhanced their weapon.
With every encounter, sparks flew and slowly yet surely Cheonho's sword was gradually forming cracks.
And when that happened, the transparent film appeared from Cheonho's sword.
[ is enabled for reuse]
As soon as the message was received by Cheonho he no longer wasted his time and activated his Unique Skill. Then he swung his sword as if he was waiting for this moment, but Yoon Seok was ready to take it head-on.
Kachang!
The move contained their lifeline and changed their history.
The last one standing was Yoon Seok.
could increase the effect of the blow but that was it.
So, Cheonho's sword penetrated deep into Yunseok's blade, but that was it.
The impact made a crack and soon the small crack couldn't withstand, breaking Yoon Seok's into two different halves. And giving the blow Cheonho moved forward, but…
Chak!
Though one half of the sword was in Yoon Seok's hand, the other was flying in the air forming a crescent moon projectile flung towards Cheonho. Fountain of blood splashed over, his stomach cut open, organs barely hanging itself to the man.
Only then did Yoon Seok return to reality.
「You won」
When he saw himself, his whole body was soaked in blood. Yoon Seok couldn't help but tremble like a leaf.
「Reward for the duel will be deposited 2000AP」
「Unique Skill has been activated.」
「Learn one skill of your opponent at random.」
Obtained Unique Skill
He killed a man.
And in return, he got a reward.
But surprisingly, there is no guilt.
If he didn't do it, he would have been the one lying dead.
He thought it is possible to win a reward and get a unique skill at the same time.
「One coin is being rewarded for the upgrade」
「Sending to the waiting room in second floor」
「Prepare for the next duel」
Yoon Seok, who for the half of his life lived as someone's prey finally realized.
Winner Takes it All.
Just as Kang Hyung-wu robbed him of everything.
The winner gets everything.