Chapter 14: The Great battle of illusion(4)
The opening match of the tournament belonged to Yoo Soha.
With confident strides, she walked toward the center of the colosseum, filled with countless spectators.
The brackets had already been set moments ago, so all she had to do was fight.
By chance, Yoo Soha and Yoo Danha were placed at opposite ends of the bracket, with Shin Sungmin in between.
The early matches clearly reflected Hwanryeong’s intent to keep the three biggest names from clashing too soon.
Yoo Soha’s first opponent was an awakener from Hwanryeong’s Team 3, Park Inhyuk.
Of course, Yoo Soha didn’t know Park Inhyuk’s name.
Since he wasn’t someone who caught her eye, she recognized his face but hadn’t bothered to remember his name.
She didn’t make a habit of memorizing the names of people who didn’t impress her.
When her opponent’s name appeared on the giant screen, Yoo Soha finally registered Park Inhyuk’s name.
She had no intention of committing it to memory, though.
If she didn’t even know someone’s name, they were likely a mediocre awakener at best.
While Hwanryeong supposedly had no weak awakeners, plenty fell short of Yoo Soha’s standards.
Park Inhyuk, well aware of this, looked at Yoo Soha—who usually ignored him—with hostility in his eyes.
“I look forward to a good match.”
“Sure.”
He offered a greeting laced with jealousy, drawing the greatsword strapped to his back.
Seeing this, Yoo Soha responded out of courtesy.
Her rising smirk, however, showed no effort to hide her amusement.
Perhaps because of that smile, Park Inhyuk’s eyes widened, clearly furious.
Yoo Soha summoned a sword in the air.
Her opponent was using a sword, so she’d crush him with a sword in return.
It was Yoo Soha’s favorite method—a cruel way of breaking her opponent with their own weapon.
Unaware of her intentions, Park Inhyuk, confident in close combat, brandished his greatsword with exaggerated flair.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
His stance must have looked impressive.
To Yoo Soha, though, it was utterly pathetic.
After being trained in swordsmanship by Eclipse, she had realized how hollow such movements were.
‘Judging by his level, he’s B-rank at best.’
B-rank wasn’t low by any means, but compared to her, he was far inferior.
With that thought, Yoo Soha slightly curled her lips.
‘How should I finish this… The crowd probably wants to see me crushed. Too bad I have no intention of letting that happen.’
Last year, her humiliating defeat to Yoo Danha had been broadcast nationwide, cementing a few mocking perceptions about her.
It wasn’t just about being fired unfairly…
During a time when public outrage over her dismissal was at its peak, the hostility toward her had been sharp, and those caught up in that sentiment still jeered at her.
Snorting at the boos, she calmly waited for Park Inhyuk.
Her arrogance came from the certainty of victory, having already assessed his stance.
There was no need to give a lowlife like him the first move.
Suddenly, Park Inhyuk’s Guardian Star appeared in the air.
He looked at his Guardian Star with confidence.
His Guardian Star was Eldian, a Living Armor.
The living armor merged with his body, becoming one and lending him a portion of its power.
Park Inhyuk, now clad in full black armor, looked more impressive than expected, eliciting gasps from the crowd.
But to Yoo Soha, who now had the formidable Guardian Star Eclipse, his appearance was laughable.
Having finished his preparations, Park Inhyuk charged at Yoo Soha with speed.
The sound of his footsteps shook the ground, and the sight of a bulky man in armor charging like a bull might have inspired fear.
Yet Yoo Soha watched him with a steady smile.
‘Pathetic.’
Mana surged through her body, enveloping her in a golden glow.
Her radiant golden hair and eyes began to catch the crowd’s attention.
She took a step forward.
Eclipse had always emphasized the importance of stance.
A sloppy stance couldn’t channel full power, and no matter how much mana was imbued, swordsmanship without physical support was mere illusion.
Yoo Soha followed his teachings to the letter.
Kwaaang!
Park Inhyuk charged with such force it seemed he’d tear the ground apart, while Yoo Soha merely took a single step and watched.
The crowd thought she’d lost her mind.
They’d seen how she fought last year—her swordsmanship wasn’t this static.
But the result defied everyone’s expectations.
As Park Inhyuk reached her, swinging his heavy greatsword with a powerful strike, Yoo Soha maintained her stance and parried.
A clean, precise sword strike, trailing golden afterimages, sliced through Park Inhyuk’s blade.
And through the chest of the Living Armor he was so proud of.
Slice.
With a sharp cutting sound, his sword and chest were cleaved in an instant, revealing a vivid stream of blood.
Yoo Soha took another step forward, now standing right in front of Park Inhyuk.
Infusing her hand with golden mana, she grabbed his throat.
She felt the cold touch of his armor but paid it no mind.
And quietly, she muttered.
– Don’t look at me with those eyes.
Flame Whisper—a technique only awakeners with mastery over mana control could use to speak directly into an opponent’s ear.
Hearing her words, Park Inhyuk looked at her with a hint of fear.
Whether he feared her or not, Yoo Soha tightened her grip and slammed him into the ground.
The referee declared her the winner, and faint cheers rose from the stands.
They came from the small group of fans who supported her.
Yoo Hyuk watched the scene with interest.
“Did Soha get a new swordsmanship teacher?”
His question was directed at his son, Yoo Hajun, the father of Yoo Soha and Yoo Danha.
“No.”
“For someone without one, Soha’s skills have improved significantly…”
“She must have worked hard on her own. We haven’t assigned her a new teacher. She’s at an age where she needs to fend for herself, isn’t she?”
“Tch, tch. What’s so hard about that?”
“She’s capable enough without one. At her level, it’s all about carving her own path from here. You told me the same thing, Father.”
“That’s true. But to change so much in just a year…”
Yoo Hyuk gave a bitter smile.
He was proud of his granddaughter for moving forward without a Guardian Star, but he couldn’t help but worry.
What if he hadn’t had Lumern?
The thought alone was dreadful.
He likely wouldn’t have overcome the countless hardships he’d faced.
His granddaughter was in that very situation now.
Having a partner to grow with was more valuable than any treasure.
[Soha’s grown by channeling that resentment.]
Suddenly, the air shimmered, and an elegant voice rang in Yoo Hajun’s ear.
A woman with white hair and golden eyes appeared, her beauty striking.
Cheolryeong Lumern, Yoo Hyuk’s wife and lifelong partner.
She was also Yoo Hajun’s mother.
As a Guardian Star who had transcended in her original world and gained human status, Lumern could not only form relationships with humans but also bear their children.
In her human form, she clearly possessed human qualities.
The Hwanryeong family was composed of the descendants of Lumern and Yoo Hyuk, and their captivating appearances were largely due to Lumern’s influence.
“Mother, you’re here.”
Lumern nodded at Yoo Hajun’s words.
“Too busy to show your face lately, but you make time for this?”
“Haha. A father has to watch his daughters, doesn’t he?”
“Tch, tch. Putting your parents second?”
“You can come to me anytime you want, Mother.”
“It’s not about that—it’s about sincerity.”
“If I’ve upset you, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to visit next time.”
“Always with the sweet talk.”
Lumern gave Yoo Hajun a brief glare before turning to her granddaughter.
Then she sensed something unusual.
The granddaughter she remembered wasn’t this radiant.
But now, there was something… a change in her spirit.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be smiling like that.
“Soha has truly grown a step further.”
“Hm?”
“What do you mean?”
“Look, dear. Soha’s smiling, isn’t she?”
“Smiling… that’s it?”
“The heart shows on the face. With a lighter heart, her skills could only improve. Something must have happened.”
“Oh, I see.”
Yoo Hyuk and Yoo Hajun nodded at Lumern’s words.
It made sense.
“But I don’t know what’s changed. Son, do you know anything?”
“No, I’m not sure yet.”
“Tch. You talk a big game about watching your daughters, but you miss something this obvious. Pay more attention to them from now on—especially Soha. Her heart’s been festering, hasn’t it?”
Yoo Hajun looked stung by Lumern’s words.
“I’ll be more mindful, Mother.”
Nodding once, Lumern turned to her husband, Yoo Hyuk.
“Dear.”
“Hm?”
“I’m going to check on Soha for a bit.”
“Do as you please.”
The air twisted again, and Lumern’s figure vanished.