From the afternoon, the training ground was crowded with people.
“……”
Ten days had passed since the promise with Namgung Il.
As promised, Yu Ji-han stood in the middle of the training ground, waiting for Namgung Il and Jong Seo-eon to arrive.
‘…They’re late.’
Namgung Il had said he would have a duel here at the sa ti after ten days.
However, the promised ti had already passed, and even now, there was no sign of the training ground's main gate opening.
“……”
Could it be that the two of them wouldn't co here like this?
He could wait a little longer for now, but as ti passed, Yu Ji-han had that thought.
‘If they were confident, they would have co already.’
The fact that they hadn't co ant they weren't confident.
Namgung Il had proposed a ten-day period to co up with so counterasure, but since he had ultimately failed, wasn't he not showing up now?
Realizing that he couldn't beat him with Jong Seo-eon's skills, he had ultimately chosen the option of running away.
‘Yes, that would be better.’
Yu Ji-han muttered so inwardly and smiled quietly.
If both were going to be unsightly anyway, it would be better to at least keep their bodies safe.
Once today's duel began, Yu Ji-han was planning to thoroughly crush Jong Seo-eon, so if they didn't want to be disgraced in front of people, running away was a wise choice.
“……”
It didn't really matter to Yu Ji-han which of the two it was.
If the two ca here, he would thoroughly crush Jong Seo-eon as planned, and if they ran away, he would enjoy the victory as they ran away.
Swoosh—
Of course, the spectators gathered here now would be waiting for the duel to begin.
He didn't know when the rumor had spread, but the training ground was quite crowded with other students from outside, in addition to the students belonging to the Turyonghoe.
Creak—
It was then.
At the sound of the main gate opening, Yu Ji-han moved his gaze, which had been on the spectators, to that side.
‘Have they co?’
At that mont, Yu Ji-han's eyes widened in surprise.
The person who appeared through the open door was neither Namgung Il nor Jong Seo-eon.
A person walking with a dignified gait, exuding a very lofty aura.
At the sudden appearance of Namgung Cheon, the people in the training ground began to stir.
"That person... isn't that Namgung Cheon?"
"Could it be that he ca to watch the duel?"
"That The One Above Thousands is at this duel?"
Everyone here thought Namgung Cheon's appearance was unexpected.
Usually, Namgung Cheon, as his nickna suggested, paid no attention to other students.
Like an emperor reigning in the sky, he just looked down on the students, and he had never co to watch soone's duel on purpose like this.
Namgung Cheon's appearance was quite a surprise to Yu Ji-han as well.
‘The class president… ca to watch my duel in person.’
Yu Ji-han had always admired Namgung Cheon.
An overwhelming strength that had never been defeated by anyone until now. And Namgung Cheon naturally exuded an aura that one could not dare to approach.
That appearance could be called the aspect of an absolute being.
Even though they were in the sa year, Yu Ji-han couldn't help but be drawn to the person nad Namgung Cheon.
Swoosh—
Namgung Cheon, not caring about the people's gazes, went to a corner and leaned against the wall.
Yu Ji-han stared blankly at that, then quietly clenched his fist.
‘This duel… I must win no matter what.’
Until just a mont ago, Yu Ji-han had thought it didn't really matter if his opponent didn't show up.
But now, the situation had changed.
Since Namgung Cheon had co to watch his duel in person, he had to have a duel no matter what to et that expectation.
‘Namgung Il, Jong Seo-eon… just don’t make the boring choice of running away.’
Unexpectedly, an opportunity had arisen to show his skills to Namgung Cheon.
This was an opportunity to be recognized by Namgung Cheon in a different sense.
Yu Ji-han did not want to miss that opportunity no matter what.
Creak—
Could it be that his wish had co true? A mont later, the main gate of the training ground opened again.
“…They’ve co.”
Seeing the two people entering the training ground now, Yu Ji-han muttered so.
Simultaneously, a aningful smile ford on his lips.
Fortunately, the opportunity to show his skills to Namgung Cheon had arisen, and Yu Ji-han was very happy about that fact inwardly.
‘A lot of people have gathered.’
Coming inside, Namgung Il discovered the spectators gathered in the training ground.
Then, a person suddenly caught his eye.
Discovering Namgung Cheon leaning against the wall in a corner, Namgung Il's gaze stopped.
“……”
Namgung Il's and Namgung Cheon's gazes t.
The ti was so short that it could be called a mont, but in that ti, the two were able to have a considerable conversation.
‘…Interesting.’
To think even that guy would co here as a spectator.
Namgung Il turned his head back to its original position and walked with Jong Seo-eon towards where Yu Ji-han was.
“You’re late.”
“……”
“I thought you had run away.”
“Ah, I was just doing so training until just now.”
At those words, Yu Ji-han's gaze turned to Jong Seo-eon.
As if Namgung Il's words were not a lie, traces of having moved roughly until just before remained on Jong Seo-eon's appearance.
Hmph—.
Seeing that, Yu Ji-han let out a hollow laugh.
"It seems you've struggled with all your might for ten days."
“……”
"But no matter how much a minnow struggles, it only creates a small ripple in the lake. Do you think you can beat in a state where your body is not even perfect?"
It was strongly felt in Yu Ji-han's tone that he was confident of his victory.
He had been confident before, but seeing Jong Seo-eon's appearance now, his confidence had grown stronger.
The fact that he had been so dedicated to training until today, the day the duel began, could be taken as a sign that he was not confident of beating him.
However.
"I'm confident."
"...What?"
"How about you, Jong Seo-eon."
As Namgung Il said that, the smile on Yu Ji-han's lips slowly disappeared.
"Yes, I'm confident."
"...!"
And as Jong Seo-eon answered the sa, the smile completely disappeared.
'What... what did that guy just say?'
Did he say he was confident?
Realizing that the confidence he was talking about was the confidence of winning this duel, Yu Ji-han's expression contorted.
"Did I... hear wrong?"
"..."
"...Good. I'll soon make you realize that that confidence is arrogance."
Anyone could say that with words.
What determined whose words were right was, after all, only skill.
Rather than talking until his mouth hurt, Yu Ji-han was planning to shut Jong Seo-eon's mouth with his skills like a martial artist.
"There's no need to drag this out any longer, let's start right away."
"Who will be the observer before that?"
"..."
"If you want, I don't mind doing it."
As Namgung Il said that, Yu Ji-han remained silent for a mont.
Since this was a formally recognized duel, the presence of an observer was indispensable.
Normally, it was common to ask a teacher, but Yu Ji-han hadn't thought of preparing an observer.
"..."
It seed it was the sa for Namgung Il's side.
It seed too late to ask a teacher to be an observer now, so it was a situation where he had to entrust the observer role to Namgung Il as he had said.
"...No, you can't."
"..."
"The observer must be in a neutral position. You are not suitable for that condition."
Yu Ji-han said after much deliberation.
Between him and Jong Seo-eon. Namgung Il would naturally have to side with Jong Seo-eon.
Of course, if he overwheld Jong Seo-eon in terms of skill, it wouldn't be a problem, but Yu Ji-han acted cautiously just in case.
"Then what will you do?"
"..."
"Are you suggesting we proceed without an observer?"
It was then.
Suddenly, soone appeared out of nowhere, and the arena stirred once more.
"I will be the observer."
The person who said that to the three and approached was none other than Cheon Hong-ryeong.
To think Cheon Hong-ryeong would appear in this place, and if he hadn't misheard just now, Cheon Hong-ryeong had said she would be the observer of the duel.
Yu Ji-han was so surprised by that fact that he couldn't say anything, but Namgung Il calmly looked at Cheon Hong-ryeong and asked.
"The president as the observer? What wind suddenly blew for you to volunteer for such a role?"
"Because this is a duel I approved."
"..."
"Shouldn't I take responsibility and be the observer?"
"...Your real intention?"
As Namgung Il asked that, Cheon Hong-ryeong smiled brightly.
"Because it looks fun."
"..."
As expected
But if Cheon Hong-ryeong were to be the observer, Namgung Il had no particular complaints.
No matter how much she liked to play pranks, she was a person who had a sense of responsibility in matters like this.
The person in a neutral position that Yu Ji-han had just ntioned. Cheon Hong-ryeong was a person suitable for that condition.
"I think it's fine. How about you?"
"...I'm fine with it too."
With this, the observer of this duel beca Cheon Hong-ryeong.
Now, all the conditions for the duel could be said to be t.
It was ti for the person who would interfere with the duel to leave.
"Relax and do it."
"..."
"You can win."
Namgung Il lightly touched Jong Seo-eon's shoulder before leaving the spot.
Jong Seo-eon didn't particularly answer those words, but as if in answer, not a single bit of tension was felt on his face.
"You know the rules, right?"
"..."
"I won't explain it until my mouth hurts. Then, begin."
Is it okay for the observer to explain so roughly?
However, the duel had already been declared from Cheon Hong-ryeong's mouth, and as if to signal the start, Yu Ji-han raised his staff.
'I'll finish you in one go!'
It was then.
Yu Ji-han was planning to attack Jong Seo-eon right away, but seeing the scene in front of him, his movent stopped without him realizing it.
Simultaneously with the start of the duel, Jong Seo-eon also drew his Dog Beating Staff and aid it forward.
A completely different appearance from when he had trembled and failed to draw his Dog Beating Staff at him before.
Yu Ji-han stared blankly at that for a mont, then his expression contorted violently.
'Arrogant brat!'
Yu Ji-han didn't like the way Jong Seo-eon was confidently aiming his Dog Beating Staff at him.
That gaze... doesn't it look as if he's saying he can beat him?
Just then, Jong Seo-eon calmly opened his mouth.
"Are you not going to attack first?"
"...!"
"Then would it be alright if this side attacks first?"
He couldn't take it anymore.
Yu Ji-han rushed forward like an arrow and thrust his staff in a straight line.
'I'll pierce your body!'
With this power, it wouldn't just end with a broken bone.
At worst, his chest could be pierced and he could be in a dangerous state, but Yu Ji-han, not caring about that, thrust his staff with all his might.
Right now, only the thought of crushing Jong Seo-eon's arrogant attitude was in his head.
Yu Ji-han unleashed a dangerous killing move from the beginning without hesitation.
Thump—!
A heavy sound echoed through the arena.
Simultaneously, the people's eyes were filled with astonishnt.
It was the sa for Yu Ji-han, who had just thrust his staff.
"...!"
The move Yu Ji-han had just unleashed was a killing move that would not be strange even if his opponent died.
However.
The killing move Yu Ji-han had unleashed with all his might was blocked by a single thin Dog Beating Staff and ultimately failed to reach Jong Seo-eon.
"Is this the Diamond Staff Technique?"
"...!"
"Then I'll show you now."
Jong Seo-eon's calm voice was heard from beyond the Dog Beating Staff held in both hands.
"This is the martial art of the Beggars' Sect."
(End of Chapter)
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