novelraw Chapter 164 : Chapter 164
Chapter 164 : Chapter 164
Chapter 164 - Breaking Dojos (2)
Slightly scratching Choi Ho-joong's pride to provoke him had been effective.
The brat's swordsmanship had become much sharper.
He also showed movements that could only come out when his concentration was extremely high.
‘He's finally become useful.’
Whoosh!
This time too, Choi Ho-joong's sword came flying at a perfect timing.
Thinking that my shoulder was slightly open, it was a stabbing attack aimed at this spot.
His quick judgment and the swift movements that matched it were worthy of praise.
Even if it ended up being in vain.
The tip of the sword barely missed my shoulder, and Choi Ho-joong, breathing heavily, quickly stepped back.
Although I was moderately controlling myself, it was the first time his sword had reached this far. I slightly raised the corner of my mouth and responded to the continuing attack.
‘Hmm.’
Then, a sense of disharmony suddenly washed over me.
Choi Ho-joong's concentration didn't seem like it would drop even as time passed.
Usually, it was common to show sharp movements for one or two exchanges and then stop, but the current pattern continued to stack up for three, four exchanges.
And so, it had already been twenty exchanges since this spar began.
Surprisingly, the brat's sharpness was still there.
‘He's properly awakened.’
A stroke of luck that might come once or twice in a lifetime for a warrior who trains with a sword.
If one were to display swordsmanship while maintaining such an awakened state for a certain period of time, this experience would be engraved in their mana and lead to a great leap forward.
The key was to continue this flow without breaking it. So that it could fully mature and be engraved.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Choi Ho-joong's sword, wielded in a state of near selflessness, poured out continuously.
I appropriately received the brat's swordsmanship and continued this flow.
The luck of awakening doesn't come at any time, nor is it something that can be achieved through one's own efforts. From the perspective of watching this situation, I felt a sense of duty to help him make the most of the opportunity he had encountered.
And this was one of the things I was best at in the world.
I stood firmly in place and countered Choi Ho-joong's attacks with exquisite strategic moves.
Little by little, I raised the pitch, drawing out the potential sleeping within him.
Kwaaang!!
The attacks towards me grew even fiercer.
A determined and serious expression on Choi Ho-joong that I had never seen before. But for some reason, that appearance didn't feel awkward at all now.
And so, another twenty exchanges.
More than enough experience to be engraved had accumulated in the brat's subconscious and mana.
If I had recorded this scene, it would have been even more beneficial for him, but it was not something I could stop and do now. I focused as much as possible only on this flow.
And at some point.
Paaaaat!!
In the end, Choi Ho-joong couldn't withstand my sword and was pushed back, falling to the ground.
It would have been nice if he had held on a little longer, but this alone was excellent enough.
A total of 64 exchanges.
Considering the density of concentration, it was an enormous number.
Only then did Choi Ho-joong seem to snap out of his selfless state and come to his senses.
“My thoughts were short, Unit Leader.”
“About what?”
“While you were away, I was proud of how much my skills had improved.”
“You were certainly intoxicated.”
“So honestly, I thought the handicap you gave yourself was too much. Embarrassingly, I now realize it was a misunderstanding.”
Choi Ho-joong was blaming himself.
It was self-loathing for not being able to do anything against me, who had a big handicap.
But it was a clear fact that the brat's achievements had grown.
At this point, instead of breaking him down further, it was necessary to give him a carrot.
“Do you remember how many exchanges we had?”
“I don't know. However, I think whatever the number is, it won't have much meaning.”
“Why is that?”
“Because my appearance must have been like Don Quixote recklessly charging at a windmill.”
I didn't know what Don Quixote was, but one thing was certain.
“If it had been a different windmill, you might have been able to break one of its blades.”
“What?”
“It's just as I said. You know well that I don't speak empty words, right?”
“……”
“It was a style of movement I particularly liked.”
“A-are you acknowledging me?”
“Let's just say you've become useful.”
Of course, it was more than that.
If Choi Ho-joong remembered today's experience well and continued to strive, a great leap would be possible.
He would probably be surprised himself.
The reason I didn't praise him more today was to guard against his arrogance.
“Thank you, Unit Leader.”
“There's nothing to thank me for. The next check-up will be in 5 days, so be prepared. The Bimu is soon, so you have to train until you vomit blood, right?”
“I understand! Unit Leader!”
Seeing that enthusiastic look, I thought it was a golden ratio of whip and carrot.
***
An unexpected call came to me.
The caller was the Gwangun Sword Family.
Family Head Kang Jae-gu had conveyed that he wanted to meet me.
Why now? I thought.
Anyway, I was scheduled to visit the Gwangun Sword Family in four days. Because Choi Ho-joong and the daughter of the Gwangun Sword Family were scheduled to have a Bimu.
I actually considered refusing.
I wasn't particularly curious about him.
His status as one of the Three Sword Gods didn't pique my interest either.
But my father's thoughts seemed to be a bit different.
“It would be difficult for you to refuse anyway, Ji-han, so I told them you would go right away.”
It wouldn't have been difficult to refuse, but I didn't bother to say it out loud.
My father's position was also important.
‘Kang Jae-gu, was it.’
He was the head of one of the 10 great sword families.
In terms of family prestige, he didn't fall behind the Haewon Sword Family at all.
Rather, since the family head was in the ranks of the greatest masters, called one of the Three Sword Gods, their influence might be slightly higher in this generation.
Of course, such nicknames are all meaningless.
Even if he was one of the Three Sword Gods, he would be dealt with in a few seconds in front of old man Heo Gyeong-woo or Rosie.
Anyway, I was now at the Gwangun Sword Family alone.
If the scenery of the Haewon Sword Family was traditionally Korean, this place gave off a very modern feel.
The high-rise building visible right from the main gate was quite impressive.
I heard that Family Head Kang Jae-gu's office was on the top floor of this building.
“I will guide you, Unit Leader Seo Ji-han.”
Following the female secretary who came out to meet me, I entered the building.
While taking the elevator, I went straight up to the top floor without any interruption.
The wonderful river view seen through the glass wall was quite impressive.
But what was more interesting was the aura of Kang Jae-gu that I felt more and more as the elevator went up.
‘He's openly revealing it.’
Usually, a master of that level would neatly refine their mana, but Kang Jae-gu was not like that at all.
Rather, it felt like he was proudly revealing his presence.
When I opened the door and entered, he was sitting in an intimidating posture.
A young family head in his forties, he exuded the distinct aura of a condescending elder.
I showed my respect with a light greeting.
But he suddenly looked me up and down from head to toe.
And then.
“Sit.”
That was his first word to me instead of a greeting.
And then silence followed.
A cold air filled the office.
This was an atmosphere intentionally created by Kang Jae-gu.
He further emanated his aura, filling the air of this office.
And yet, he didn't say a word.
I calmly met his gaze.
As our eyes met, we read each other's eyes.
After a while, the silence was broken.
“You're just like the rumors.”
“I'm curious. What the rumors about me are.”
“They say you're very arrogant?”
“That's quite a thing to say at our first meeting.”
“It's not what I'm saying. It's just what the rumors say.”
“A moment ago, didn't you say, 'You're just like the rumors'?”
“Ah! Did I say that? If you were offended, I apologize.”
“You're just like the rumors, too.”
“I know well what those rumors are, so you don't have to say it.”
Suddenly, the conversation burst open.
Kang Jae-gu continued with a sly smile.
“The reason I called you. Do you have any idea?”
“Honestly, I haven't thought about it much.”
“It sounds like you came without any thought.”
“You saw right. It's a sudden visit without any prior communication, so wouldn't it be too tiring if I had to think as well?”
After hearing all my words, Kang Jae-gu burst into laughter.
“I'm glad I called you today.”
“I came despite being busy. The reason you wanted to see me in person.”
“Because I want to invest in your Chamryongdan myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a feeling it will come back to me as a big profit. Among the three brothers of the Haewon Sword Family, I rate your growth potential the highest.”
And he added.
“Isn't it a tempting offer for you too? Since you'd want to become the family head over your two older brothers.”
I wondered what it was, but to think he would make such a ridiculous offer.
In the end, he wanted to invest in me to control the next head of the Haewon Sword Family in the future.
It was not like I would be controlled, but the fact that he thought of such a thing was just ridiculous.
Of course, his intuition was excellent.
At this point, almost no one expected me to become the next family head.
So investing in me was something that had to be done with the expectation of a total loss.
“I thought it would be difficult to make this offer after the Bimu in a few days. That's why I hurried in advance.”
“What does this have to do with the Bimu?”
“Of course it does. My daughter, she's really gearing up for this Bimu. Your unit member probably won't be able to return in one piece, and then your feelings towards our Gwangun Sword Family would sour, wouldn't they?”
“You're worrying about something that won't happen.”
“That's some confidence.”
“Because I'm teaching him myself.”
At my words, Kang Jae-gu laughed out loud again.
“Then, do you think I'm not teaching my daughter myself?”
“Of course not. The young lady is surely being taught by the Family Head.”
“Does that mean….”
“I won't say it explicitly.”
“This is so absurd, I'm not even angry. I never thought there would be someone who could say such things in front of me.”
“I think talking with our mouths here now is meaningless. The result will come out in three days, and the losing side should just cleanly accept it, shouldn't they?”
“Just as arrogant as the rumors say.”
Kang Jae-gu just let out a hollow laugh.
But since I was here, I planned to make things clear.
“If we're talking about rumors, I also have something to say. I heard that the Family Head holds a bit of a grudge.”
“What?”
“I think the reason you proposed this Bimu might be for that reason. Well, whatever the reason, I plan not to get entangled with the Gwangun Sword Family anymore after this Bimu. So I would like the Family Head to promise as well. That you will cleanly accept the result even if you lose.”
Of course, even if they came out with messy excuses like not being able to accept the result or needing a rematch, I had not the slightest intention of dealing with them.
“An arrogant yet very bold friend. It also means you're not interested in my investment offer.”
“The latter part is a matter of course.”
The air in the family head's office had already grown cold.