Chapter 11: The great battle of illusion (1)
Recently, as Hwanryeong and Jeokwol impressively cleared two consecutive gates, public attention once again turned to the two guilds.
The awakener community, always buzzing with topics about awakeners, was filled with discussions about Hwanryeong and Jeokwol.
[Didn’t someone say they saw Jeokwol and Hwanryeong at the C-rank gate in Jongno last time?]
– But why didn’t anything happen? I wanted to see Han Chaeyeon and Yoo Soha go head-to-head lol. Last time, didn’t Han Chaeyeon get her a handed to her while acting cocky without even using her Guardian Star?
– I heard Yoo Soha’s side backed off this time? No idea why.
– Yoo Soha cleared a B-rank gate three days ago, so maybe she thought a C-rank was worth giving up.
– But it’s hard to believe Yoo Soha, with all her greed, would do that?
– How the hll would we know, dumbss? Maybe she was just too tired to bother.
The hottest topic was undoubtedly why Yoo Soha had let Jeokwol take the gate.
As anyone in the know would understand, Yoo Soha was someone with an immense appetite for gates.
The reason she was an A-rank awakener despite not having a Guardian Star wasn’t just because she was strong.
The biggest reason was that she had cleared countless gates across the country that weren’t under any guild’s influence.
Overwhelming achievements.
She was so busy running around that no one could keep up, and because of that, the government had no choice but to issue her an A-rank awakener license.
Since she loved showing off, she openly bragged to the public about how many gates she had cleared.
[Hey, now that I think about it, isn’t it about time for that thing?]
– That thing?
– What’s that, you fcking nerd?
– They’re talking about the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament, right? It’s held around this time every year.
– Who the fck would understand if you just call it “that thing”?
– Either way, I’m fcking hyped lol. It’d be awesome if the sister fight happens again this year.
– Yoo Soha’s face last year when she got wrecked by Yoo Danha was fcking hilarious.
Comments like these started circulating across various online communities.
The Hwanryeong Grand Tournament. It was certainly something that could capture everyone’s interest.
Hwanryeong, after all, was one of the top guilds in the world.
A guild like that showcasing its awakeners every year? The public couldn’t help but cheer.
Who would shine this time?
With such anticipation, people eagerly typed away at their keyboards.
Among the names being discussed were several key figures.
Members of the Hwanryeong family, awakeners from Team 1 and Team 2, and even Shin Sungmin, the S-rank awakener currently considered the strongest active member of Hwanryeong.
[So, is Shin Sungmin participating this time?]
– I wanna see Shin Sungmin crush those scrubs like rats.
– Shin Sungmin’s already busy as hll, why would he join the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament lol? Those kids are a joke to him.
– I’m just excited to see Lumern-nim after so long, my heart’s pounding, fck.
– Please tell me Lumern-nim will appear in human form! Please, I’m begging!!!
– No way, you gay fck lololol.
– No matter what!!
– Absolutely!!!
– Lumern’s coming out in tiger form, you gay fck lololololol.
– Fcking beast fetish freaks.
Lately, Eclipse had been engrossed in browsing various internet communities.
It wasn’t exactly a productive hobby, but since he had nothing better to do after training Yoo Soha, he kept at it.
He would check the communities, read various discussions, and ask Yoo Soha about anything that piqued his curiosity.
The reason he specifically asked Yoo Soha was simple.
By the time Yoo Soha finished her training, it was usually late at night, and their tutor, Jung Seyon, would already be off work.
In the end, Yoo Soha was the only one around to answer his questions.
“Soha.”
“Phew… What now? What did you see today?”
Yoo Soha, seemingly aware of this routine, gave Eclipse a half-hearted glance.
“It’s about the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament… Cheolryeong Lumern, right?”
“Yeah. My grandfather’s Guardian Star. And call her Lumern-nim.”
Cheolryeong Lumern was the Guardian Star Yoo Soha respected the most.
In battle, she took the form of a massive iron tiger, but in everyday life, she resembled a tiger beastman.
Snow-white hair and the sharp, piercing eyes typical of felines. Her beauty was just a bonus.
“Oh, now that you mention it, it is about that time of year.”
Yoo Soha frowned.
She was well aware of the internet communities and knew just how crude and messy the discussions there could be.
There were probably plenty of harsh comments from the public, judging her and other awakeners.
After a moment of thought, Yoo Soha spoke to Eclipse.
“Shin Sungmin is, as you’d expect, an S-rank awakener. One of the few truly powerful people in Korea.”
“Is that so? How strong is he?”
“Strong enough to single-handedly destroy an A-rank gate… Does that give you an idea?”
“Is the gap between A-rank and S-rank awakeners that significant?”
“Huge. Incomparable, even. For one, my grandfather is an S-rank awakener.”
Yoo Hyuk, the hero who saved Korea from crisis.
Eclipse recalled the words of their tutor, Jung Seyon.
Seeing her list Yoo Hyuk’s achievements with such reverence, Eclipse understood that he was an irreplaceable figure in this country.
If Shin Sungmin was considered on par with someone like that, he must be a true powerhouse.
Especially if someone as prideful as Yoo Soha acknowledged him to that extent.
“Then, compared to him, how am I?”
The question suddenly struck him.
Having lost much of his power upon being summoned to this world, Eclipse wasn’t sure where his strength currently stood.
“Well… I don’t really know. You’d probably have to fight him to find out.”
“I see. Understood.”
Yoo Soha had witnessed Shin Sungmin’s strength before.
When a gate was eroding the world, merging with the surrounding area, he appeared alone and stopped the gate’s encroachment.
Even thinking back on it sent shivers down her spine.
Yet, for some reason, she didn’t feel like Eclipse would lose to Shin Sungmin.
‘Why is that?’
As Yoo Soha pondered deeply, Eclipse asked her another question.
“So, is this Shin Sungmin participating in the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament?”
“I heard he’s coming this time.”
“…I see. Got it.”
“Why? Wanna fight him?”
“Facing a strong opponent is enough to make my heart race. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Heh. I see. Still… I think you’d win.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t know why, but I just feel like you would. Call it a hunch.”
“That’s some generous trust. I seem to recall you calling me pathetic or something when we first met.”
There was a hint of pride in her tone, and Eclipse teased her lightly.
“I apologized for that already.”
“Even I can’t help but feel hurt when someone calls me incompetent, Soha. I’d appreciate it if you’d be more careful in the future.”
“Alright, alright, I get it. And right now, I’m acknowledging your strength.”
“Fine, I’ll let it slide.”
As Eclipse and Yoo Soha bantered lightly, she found herself smiling without realizing it, her thoughts turning to the upcoming Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.
How far could she go this time?
For reference, the winner of the last Hwanryeong Grand Tournament, when Shin Sungmin didn’t participate, was Yoo Danha.
‘This time, things will be different. Unnie, it’s gonna be a lot different from last time.’
Muttering to herself, Yoo Soha got up from her rest.
“Planning to keep going?”
“Yeah. The Hwanryeong Grand Tournament is broadcast nationwide. I can’t afford to look pathetic in front of everyone.”
“Good. Then I’ll keep watching.”
“Alright.”
“The Hwanryeong Grand Tournament, huh. It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Adein?”
Shin Sungmin, Hwanryeong’s S-rank awakener, spoke as he glanced at the woman sprawled on the couch, her red hair flowing.
Adein, the spirit of flame.
She rubbed her pointed ears and responded to Shin Sungmin with a grumble.
“Ugh, what a hassle… Why do I have to fight those brats?”
“This time, former chairman Yoo Hyuk personally requested it.”
“Ugh, that means I’ll have to see that crazy btch Lumern again.”
“Calling Lumern-nim a crazy b*tch is a bit…”
“You keep taking her side?”
“It’s not about sides, it’s about respect.”
“Then you’re not gonna respect me? I’m your Guardian Star!”
“What are you talking about? I’ve told you a million times, you’re the only one who matters to me.”
Shin Sungmin said, gently patting her head as she lay on the couch.
“Ugh, stop saying such cringey stuff! And don’t pat my head! It’s a pain to fix my hair!”
Despite being a spirit, Adein was remarkably human, her face flushing as she jumped up from the couch.
“You know you like it.”
“No, I don’t!”
“For someone who says that, your tail’s wagging like crazy. Maybe you should start by taming that tail, Adein?”
“You, you!”
Flames began to flare up around Adein.
“Whoa there.”
Yet, not a single scorch mark appeared on the surrounding furniture.
Adein had a history of burning countless pieces of furniture in Shin Sungmin’s house.
When she was first summoned, her powers were unstable, and she couldn’t control them properly. But as Shin Sungmin grew stronger, she regained some control over her abilities.
As a result, Adein could now legally shoot flames at Shin Sungmin without burning the furniture.
“Ow! Adein! This is a bit much…!”
“Shut up!”
Adein squirmed in embarrassment, while Shin Sungmin, even as he got hit by her flames, enjoyed teasing her.
Who would’ve thought?
The S-rank awakener, always so stoic in public, was such a fool in private.