Chapter 16: The great battle of illusion(6)

Yoo Soha’s string of victories sent a wave of alarm through the other awakeners.

The spectators, along with those watching the broadcast, shared similar sentiments:

• What’s going on??? Why is Yoo Soha winning everything??? Is this scripted?
• Did she eat something? Did Master Yoo Hyuk give his granddaughter some secret elixir or something?
• Yoo Hyuk said this year’s Hwanryeong awakeners are top-tier… so why are they all getting stopped by Yoo Soha?
• They’re not throwing the matches, are they?
• As expected of Transcendence, not a single awakener here lol. How can you say they’re throwing when she’s clearly a different person now? Stop spouting nonsense.
• What, are you an awakener? Got proof?
• Do I need to prove it to clueless idiots?
  └ If you can’t prove it, get lost.
  └ Even if I did, you’d just call it fake. Why bother proving it here? Moron.
  └ Anyone can talk big. If you’re an awakener, I’m Shin Sungmin, you idiot lol.
• Looks like Han Chaeyeon’s fanboys are slandering Soha again.
• Haters always drag Yoo Soha through the mud.
• Here come the Yoo Soha haters slandering Han Chaeyeon again.
• How many Soha fans are even out there lol? Just say she’s doing well if she is. Getting into Hwanryeong means at least C-rank, and even then, you need a unique ability. Is that easy?

[Transcendence is so heated I’m posting with proof. Yoo Soha’s stance itself is completely different.]

(Verification photo)

I’m not giving details ‘cause I’m scared of doxxing, but since people are demanding proof, here’s my awakener license.
I’m not using anyone’s titles either, ‘cause I don’t want to get sued by Hwanryeong for running my mouth during this critique-allowed period. Measure your angles carefully.
About me: just a hardworking B-rank awakener. I mainly use a sword, and since I make a living with it, my evaluations aren’t half bad.

Anyway, to the point.
Yoo Soha is a completely different person in this Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.
She used to wield all sorts of weapons haphazardly, but now it feels like she’s locked in on the sword as her main weapon.
She’s maximized her strengths.
Her sister, Yoo Danha, is a long-range specialist with that insane Guardian Star Hidelixus, so she can push forward with long-range tactics without issue. But Soha, without a Guardian Star, can’t specialize in long-range.
Sure, with her long-range abilities, she could easily take out small fry like me, but with a sword? Man, it’s so terrifying I wouldn’t dare stand in front of her.
Her old swordsmanship was about dazzling opponents and exploiting openings, but now she’s the embodiment of fundamentals.
Every step she takes is flawless, no room for criticism.
How can someone change this much in a year—no, a few months? Is she a genius?
Honestly, if she had a Guardian Star, her potential would be unreal.
She’s got the same iron-based mana trait as Lady Lumern, being her granddaughter and all…
If only she had a Guardian Star…
That’s what I think.
No point talking about the level of other Hwanryeong awakeners.
To be blunt, I’m confident I’d get wrecked by Yoo Soha in under three minutes.

• Dude… getting wrecked isn’t something to brag about…
  └ I mean, the gap between A-rank and B-rank is insane. Less than S-rank vs. A-rank, but still a total wall.
• Wait, there’s an actual awakener on Transcendence? Isn’t this place just full of keyboard warriors?
  └ Plenty of awakeners lurk on Transcendence. That’s why people keep getting sued and whining about it.
• Lol, look at this guy waving around a B-rank license like it’s something you can just find online.
  └ Don’t believe it if you don’t want to.
• Is Soha really that good now?
  └ Yup.
  └ Damn, why does it feel so frustrating that she doesn’t have a Guardian Star? 😭

Transcendence, the awakener community—known as “Trans” for short—was ablaze as always.

Eclipse found it amusing and let out a faint smile.

He was watching Yoo Soha dominate her teammate Cha Hyunsung, also from their group, with bold yet solid swordsmanship.

“She learns so quickly. Isn’t that what you call talent?”

Yoo Soha was an exceptional student.

She absorbed everything taught to her and never slacked in her efforts.

To change this much in just a month of training spoke to her outstanding talent.

Of course, Eclipse’s relentless pressure to repeat any flawed stance played a part, but how many teachers wouldn’t be as strict when training the sword?

His heart began to race.

The anticipation of something new always stirred excitement.

Eclipse was no exception.

Seeing his student perform so brilliantly was more than enough to thrill him.

In his previous world, he could never experience such joy.

Even when he taught countless soldiers swordsmanship, most perished gloriously against horrors.

Those who survived? They likely died in the next battle.

There was no chance to truly nurture a disciple.

Everyone who could wield a sword had to face the horrors.

So the existence of an outstanding student like Yoo Soha brought him immense joy she’d likely never understand.

Eclipse shook off his thoughts.

Yoo Soha would be arriving soon.

Returning to the waiting room, Yoo Soha wore a relieved expression.

Cha Hyunsung was Hwanryeong Team 2’s toughest defender, yet she had defeated him with ease.

Eclipse’s training had clearly been highly effective.

Opponents who would have given her trouble before were now easily dispatched.

In a rare moment, she beamed brightly, grabbing Eclipse’s hand and saying, “Thank you so much, Eclipse.”

“Well done, Soha. The more real combat you experience, the more your skills visibly improve. The relentless training over the past month has paid off.”

“Yeah, thanks. Because of you, I could easily beat opponents who would’ve been tough before.”

“That’s all thanks to your effort, not me. Plenty of people don’t act on what they’re taught.”

“Teaching me is what I’m grateful for.”

“What’s the next match? I heard the quarterfinals start tomorrow.”

“Lee Mina-ssi.”

“Oh, your teammate. Or rather, your bodyguard?”

“Yeah. Her movements are quick, so she’ll be tricky to deal with… but I can definitely win.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Right. Once I get past Lee Mina-ssi…”

“Your sister will be waiting.”

“Exactly.”

If Yoo Danha defeated her opponent, the next match would pit Yoo Soha against her sister.

The bracket had been redrawn for the quarterfinals, leading to this outcome.

“So just wait a little longer. Your moment to shine is coming soon.”

“Understood.”

“Soha doesn’t seem like someone to worry about.”

“Really?”

Lumern said with a slight smile to Yoo Hajun.

“Yes. As expected of my granddaughter, her resolve is strong. Plus, she’s had a new realization this time, so she’ll have a good match with Danha.”

“Now I’m even more curious, hearing you say that, Mother.”

Yoo Hyuk, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.

“Well, we’ll just have to watch.”

“By the way, where’s Saeah?”

“Oh, Mina? She’s always busy. She couldn’t make it today because of other work.”

“Tch, tch. She should rest on a day like this.”

“It’s because Hwanryeong’s grown so massive. Thinking about the work piling up after the tournament gives me a headache.”

“You should’ve handled it all beforehand. I never let my work pile up.”

With Lumern’s scolding and Yoo Hyuk chiming in, Yoo Hajun suddenly felt his seat grow uncomfortable.

“I didn’t expect you to make it this far.”

Lee Mina stood on the arena, eyeing Yoo Soha sharply.

Normally her bodyguard, today she was Awakener Lee Mina, ready to shine.

She assumed a stance, holding her rapier.

“Sorry, Mina-ssi. Looks like you won’t climb any higher this time either.”

“I’ve gotten much stronger since last year.”

“You know I have too.”

Lee Mina was one of the few who knew about Eclipse.

And she knew how strong he was.

She was fully aware she couldn’t beat Yoo Soha, even in her wildest dreams, but she didn’t give up.

Retreating just because her opponent was strong would disqualify her as an awakener.

Currently among the top B-ranks, she was expected to reach A-rank soon.

If she backed down now, her reputation would plummet, and Yoo Soha’s gaze on her would grow cold.

So she gave her all.

With firm resolve, she stared at Yoo Soha unwaveringly.

Yoo Soha liked that about her.

It wasn’t for nothing that she specifically chose Lee Mina as her bodyguard.

By Yoo Soha’s standards, Lee Mina was more than qualified.

[Quarterfinals, first match: Yoo Soha vs. Lee Mina. Begin.]

As both took their stances, the referee signaled the start.

Lee Mina quickly seized the initiative.

Lingering would only put her at a disadvantage.

With the aid of her Guardian Star, the wind spirit Sinea, she made her movements even faster.

Sinea’s power simply enhanced her speed, but that alone was enough.

That speed had carried her this far.

Her swift, light steps dazzled Yoo Soha’s eyes.

Her rapier-based swordsmanship specialized in thrusting, which required precise targeting of openings to land effective hits.

The old Yoo Soha might have given Lee Mina an opening.

Flashy but fundamentally weak swordsmanship was vulnerable to such precise attacks.

But the current Yoo Soha didn’t show even a sliver of an opening.

To Lee Mina, it felt like facing an impenetrable wall.

She knew Yoo Soha had made tremendous progress under Eclipse’s guidance.

But facing her directly, the pressure was overwhelming.

No matter where she aimed, a counterattack would come instantly.

No matter how fast her steps, she couldn’t breach Yoo Soha’s defenses.

As she pondered what to do, Lee Mina spotted an opening.

She stepped forward, knowing it was likely a trap.

But even knowing that, she couldn’t stop.

The moment she hesitated, Yoo Soha’s lightning-fast strike would come.

As expected, Yoo Soha’s smile caught her eye first.

Lee Mina clicked her tongue.

‘I’ve lost.’

But she didn’t stop.

Her lightning-fast thrust aimed for Yoo Soha’s throat.

Yoo Soha, as if she’d anticipated everything, wore a deep smile.

Her swift strike parried the attack in an instant.

At the same time, Lee Mina felt excruciating pain.

Her rapier was knocked into the air.

One strike. Just one.

That was the risk of thrust-based swordsmanship.

Once read, the chance of defeat skyrocketed.

Of course, if she had speed beyond her opponent’s perception, it wouldn’t matter, but even with Sinea’s help, she couldn’t reach that level.

In the end, Lee Mina gave a bitter smile and accepted defeat.

Yoo Soha smiled faintly and extended her hand.

She admired Lee Mina’s courage in throwing herself into a trap to seize any chance, no matter how slim.

As the match ended, Yoo Soha looked around the arena.

Her eyes found her sister, who was watching with a smile.

Yoo Soha returned the smile.

“This time will be different.”

Her quiet murmur seemed to reach Yoo Danha, whose smile deepened.