Chapter 28: Lumer(3)
Lumern revealed her curiosity about Eclipse.
It was likely due to the impression he left during the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.
Beyond that, she seemed to be observing how close he was to Yoo Soha as her guardian.
“I closely observed your performance at the last Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.”
“Did you?”
“You were strong.”
Lumern said this while carefully studying Eclipse.
His strength was immeasurable.
She couldn’t help but feel that way.
Typically, guardians have only a fraction of their power right after being summoned.
Take Lumern herself—when Yoo Hyuk first summoned her, she wasn’t in the form of an iron tiger.
Just a small, feeble iron cat.
That was all.
But as Yoo Hyuk grew, Lumern grew alongside him, becoming a figure always mentioned when discussing the world’s greatest guardians.
“Have you grown weaker since coming to this world?”
“…Yes.”
“…By how much?”
“Significantly. In my original world, I could wield my greatsword freely. But in this world, I could only swing it once. I know some kind of power resides in the greatsword… but even accounting for that, the strike I delivered this time was far weaker than what I could do in my world.”
Lumern was at a loss for words.
‘That strike was with significantly reduced strength?’
She still couldn’t forget the sensation she felt when she saw that broken greatsword on Eclipse’s back during the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.
The chill that ran through her entire body.
It wasn’t quite fear… but it was certainly not a normal reaction.
Lumern had never felt such a sense of danger in her life.
Not even when facing the strongest being in her own world.
What kind of power was imbued in that greatsword?
And what exactly had this knight gone through in his world?
Countless questions swirled in Lumern’s mind, but she refrained from voicing them.
It was clear he had endured all sorts of hardships.
‘Prying into the past of someone like him would be terribly rude.’
Having lived in a society where asking about someone’s past could easily lead to conflict, Lumern avoided such discourtesy.
She gave a wry smile, realizing how cautious she was being.
When was the last time she’d been this careful about something?
Over the decades since being summoned to Earth, many had looked down on her.
Yet she had silenced them all.
But with Eclipse, she couldn’t be so cavalier.
For a moment, Lumern felt a chill down her spine.
‘If I’d been even slightly ruder during our first meeting, my head might have been lopped off.’
Just witnessing that single swing was enough for her to know.
If she had faced Eclipse’s strike carelessly, her head would have been gone in an instant.
She recalled her husband’s reaction at the time.
The way he smiled brightly, as if facing a formidable foe from his youth.
She could easily predict that this area wouldn’t remain peaceful today.
While Eclipse was conversing with Lumern, Yoo Hyuk burst through the door.
They were just about to go look for him, so it was perfect timing.
“Soha’s here!”
Seeing Yoo Soha, Yoo Hyuk smiled brightly and greeted her warmly.
“It’s been a while. I didn’t get to see you properly during the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament, so I’m glad to see you now.”
“Yeah. I came to ask Grandma for help with some personal training.”
“Training? What more do you need to do?”
“I’m going to North Korea.”
Lumern took out her pipe and put it in her mouth.
“North Korea? Why that dangerous place?”
“To become an S-rank awakener.”
“Isn’t that too risky just for a promotion? There must be safer ways.”
“But that won’t get me to S-rank quickly.”
“Is that so? Then there’s no helping it.”
Yoo Hyuk simply nodded. Yoo Soha found his reaction a bit unexpected.
“You’re not going to stop me?”
“What’s the point of stopping you? I know how stubborn you are. Once you’ve set your mind on something, you’d do it even if it killed you…”
“True.”
“So there’s no need to waste my breath. A little bird wants to fly from the nest—why hinder its wings? The things holding you back have started to loosen, so I’ll just help you flap your wings.”
“…Thank you, Grandpa.”
“What’s there to thank? You’re doing this because you haven’t given up. I have no intention of opposing you. I just have a bit of concern, but I’ve never thought of stopping you.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Yoo Soha responded, Lumern quietly spoke to Yoo Hyuk.
“Speaking of which, dear.”
“What is it?”
“For Soha’s training, it looks like I’ll need to go to Seoul.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Her team’s moving together, so I should teach them as well.”
“Well, then… It’s about time the government calls us anyway. I’ll go with you.”
“Good. Then we can do some sightseeing in Seoul in our spare time.”
“That sounds nice.”
The conversation continued. How have you been lately? Are you eating well?
Yoo Soha’s answers were consistent.
Everything’s been great. I’m doing well.
Yoo Hyuk seemed quite pleased by this. Especially seeing Soha smile, it felt like his worries had melted away.
Then, deeming the timing right, Yoo Hyuk quietly called out to Eclipse.
“You there, Eclipse, was it?”
“Yes?”
“If it’s alright, how about a spar? It’s a bit late now, but how about a light match tomorrow morning?”
As Lumern had predicted, Yoo Hyuk was eager to spar with Eclipse.
Eclipse felt the same. Though he was a knight who valued nobility in his previous world, he was still someone who wielded a sword.
He couldn’t help but be excited about facing a strong opponent.
“Very well.”
As Eclipse nodded, Yoo Hyuk laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Great! Tomorrow morning, then.”
“Understood.”
Morning broke.
Eclipse and Yoo Hyuk faced each other.
“No weapon? I’d like to see that greatsword of yours in action.”
“I can’t use that greatsword carelessly right now. I’m still too weak to control its power, and a single swing drains all my strength. If we’re to enjoy a spar, wouldn’t it be better to make it last?”
“Haha! Fair enough. Alright, then… Dear.”
“Fine, fine.”
Lumern sighed and created a greatsword for Eclipse’s hand.
The sword, crafted at a speed far surpassing when Yoo Soha made weapons for him, was of such exceptional quality that it could rival any renowned blade.
“How’s that? Good enough?”
“More than enough. In some ways, it’s better than the greatsword on my back. Of course, I mean without that strange power imbued in it…”
Eclipse lifted the greatsword, clearly satisfied.
Holding a greatsword that fit perfectly in his hand felt exhilarating.
“Haha! Looks like you like it. Alright, then…”
Yoo Hyuk drew the sword at his waist.
“Shall we begin?”
“Very well.”
“Who goes first?”
“You can.”
“Good.”
Yoo Hyuk stepped forward.
Boom!
The ground shook for a moment.
Unlike most awakeners who used mana similar to their guardians, Yoo Hyuk’s mana had no attribute.
Instead, his mana was specialized in purely enhancing his physical abilities.
With mana infused, Yoo Hyuk’s body shot forward in an instant.
Watching the spar, Yoo Soha couldn’t even follow Yoo Hyuk’s movements.
Clang!
The harsh sound of metal clashing rang in Yoo Soha’s ears.
“Ho.”
A satisfied expression spread across Yoo Hyuk’s face.
He had finally found it.
An opponent he could freely cross swords with.
Thinking this, Yoo Hyuk stepped back slightly.
“Impressive.”
Eclipse sincerely admired him.
Yoo Hyuk displayed movements that only knights in his previous world could have shown.
Moreover, unlike other Earth awakeners, he hadn’t neglected training his body.
To have such a robust physique despite being over seventy.
It was astonishing.
Had he not overcome human aging with his inherent strength?
Of course, mana likely helped, but even that wondrous power needed a foundation to shine.
Yoo Hyuk’s body was already a perfect foundation for mana to unleash its full potential.
Eclipse, in awe of Yoo Hyuk, gripped his greatsword firmly.
Moreover, a smile filled the face hidden beneath his helmet.
It had been a while since he anticipated a truly satisfying spar.