Oh Hye-yul was only mentioned in the game, and even after coming to this world, I had only heard rumors, never meeting her in person.

However, I knew she was someone worthy of praise from those who had actually crossed swords with her.

But one thing was certain.

‘Unless there’s a variable, I’ll win.’

Though Oh Hye-yul was called a genius, I had never heard she possessed the skill to defeat Joo [N O V E L I G H T] Soo-hyuk.

The biggest difference was age.

A three-year gap is significant during adolescence, even if it’s not for adults.

Especially since players experience an explosive growth in physical abilities and supernatural powers around the time they fully awaken their Gwangrim.

If Oh Hye-yul had attended school normally, she’d be in 8th grade, so naturally, there was a gap between her and me, a 11th grader.

Still, Oh Hye-yul was not someone to be underestimated.

‘Oh Hye-yul is the youngest participant this time. She’s the only one too young to use Gwangrim. Despite this, the Oh family and Ilgeom Dojang put her forward as their representative.’

Renzo Karen, the Japanese youth player we met at the Korea-China-Japan exchange, was pushed by those around her from a young age to build her name by any means.

People unfamiliar with the circumstances might mistake Oh Hye-yul’s case as similar.

But if they had forced such things, not only Oh Hye-yul but also Joo Soo-hyuk and Joo Soo-gyeom wouldn’t have stayed quiet.

Oh Hye-jeong, who was in hiding, might have come back wielding a kitchen knife to cause chaos.

The fact they were silent meant Oh Hye-yul had that level of skill and had come here of her own will.

‘Since she quit middle school early to enroll in Eungwang High, she’s an active kid who probably volunteered to attend this time as well. And she must have the power to get permission.’

Even so, the result wouldn’t differ much.

If Oh Hye-yul were the same age as Joo Soo-hyuk and had comparable skill, I might have let her win moderately, but this time, I couldn’t.

I needed to gain trust from the martial artists here in this duel festival.

At Jeolheuk Pungnim, they trusted me because my supernatural power color was black and for helping Jin Jeong-mook enroll, but other martial artists were different.

At Plumago, before the demon realm scenario started, Joo Soo-hyuk and An Da-in actively fought in countless incidents, earning their reputation, so martial artists trusted them and cooperated with the protagonist’s group.

But now, the situation was ambiguous.

‘Like in the game, I can’t use Joo Soo-hyuk or An Da-in’s names. Of course, I can’t use mine either.’

Though Joo Soo-hyuk and An Da-in had become mentally stable and matured compared to their Plumago days, they lost chances to raise their names through dramatic, tragic events.

In terms of recognition, I was in a worse position.

When I first came to this world, my name spread through the incident of receiving a nickname and small school events, but it wouldn’t satisfy the martial artists.

“Uisin, Ji-ho sent a message telling you to stop thinking. Baekho is smirking.”

Kim Yuri spoke to me while looking at the miniaturized hologram.

Are you seriously making Kim Yuri work just because of something like that?

She had an important match ahead — would she take responsibility if her focus broke?

Of course, it was mostly the white tiger’s fault for secretly peeking into others’ heads and chuckling.

In protest, I decided to glare toward where our class sat.

It was easy to find them.

‘Ong Gil-dong was in charge of making the costumes, right? At least he restrained himself.’

For the classmates unfamiliar with martial arts novels, understanding the implicit dress code of the duel festival was extremely difficult.

Those with no ties to the martial world were worried about the complex dress code, but Ong Gil-dong decided to make the costumes himself.

For him, creating the phantom thief outfit, as puzzling as martial artist robes, was no big deal.

While making clothes for himself and his partners, Ong Gil-dong also took some orders from classmates.

Except for Jin Jeong-mook, the martial artist; the Tigers who were particular about clothes; me and Kim Yuri, who received gifts from other Jin clans; Sawol Seyum, who brought her own outfit; and Song Dae-seok and Dokgo Miro, who couldn’t attend due to scheduling — the others left their clothes to Ong Gil-dong.

Those who ordered stated they would decline aurora-colored clothes because only Guseulbi and Ong Gil-dong had those.

How the attention seekers interpreted this moved them deeply.

The results were quite good.

‘Matching each to their supernatural power colors and reflecting each personality.’

Making them all look similar would have been easier, but maybe Ong Gil-dong disliked mixing his specially made clothes with others’.

The attention-seeking duo wore aurora-colored long robes, Maeng Hyo-don dressed simply like a fighter using his fists, and Kwon Rena and Min Green wore delicate costumes fitting for artists — their individual styles were clear.

When the classmates noticed me watching, they enthusiastically waved, which quickly dispelled the slight irritation I felt toward the white tiger.

“If you missed a chance to meet classmates separately, how about going together later? I haven’t met Sosaeng either.”

After announcing the opening, Jin Jeong-mook, representing Jeolheuk Pungnim’s side, greeted the participating swordsmen and guests and spoke.

He seemed more downcast than usual, maybe nervous before the duel festival or for some other reason.

But seeing the classmates dressed properly like martial artists seemed to cheer him up, his voice brightening.

He looked happy that those close to him wore the attire he preferred, and I completely understood that feeling.

Though it would never happen, I’d be extremely glad if the classmates all played Plumago together.

Thinking of Plumago’s terrible gameplay and story, though, I couldn’t recommend it lightly.

“Ahaha, my turn is first. I’m nervous. What if the duel ends too quickly...”

“Kim So-jeo’s Western-style swordsmanship seen during school classes was immature. But Kim So-jeo is hiding her skill; if she reveals it fully, she won’t lose easily.”

As Kim Yuri’s turn approached, Jin Jeong-mook made a direct and sharp critique.

He seemed unsatisfied with Kim Yuri’s fencing skills.

That’s why he requested sparring matches with Joo Soo-hyuk, Kwak Kyung-gu, and teachers at Eungwang High, but not with Kim Yuri.

However, having seen various supernatural powers while fighting demons, he apparently noticed something in Kim Yuri’s strength.

‘The opponent isn’t good, but Kim Yuri isn’t weak. Jin Jeong-mook knows that much.’

Kim Yuri was probably nervous about that thought, but Jin Jeong-mook’s honest encouragement helped her loosen up.

Then, from afar, Jookho, who had been watching intently, relaxed and brightened.

Soon it was Kim Yuri’s turn.

“Kim Yuri versus Lev Tretiak!”

The name called after Kim Yuri’s was a Russian one, far from the atmosphere here.

A few Western participants, whom martial artists called foreigners or non-humans, were mixed in, and Kim Yuri’s opponent was one of them.

Jeolheuk Pungnim was a global team traveling the world hunting demons, but they were immersed in martial arts stories.

So, inviting Westerners meant scrutinizing participation criteria even more strictly.

Still, accepting this participant meant he possessed the necessary skill.

“I’ve crossed swords with that young warrior a few times.”

“When?”

“Before I took the school’s exam.”

Then Jin Jeong-mook must have faced that opponent when he was a middle schooler.

Though the age gap didn’t seem large, the opponent appeared to be an adult; Jin Jeong-mook faced someone older without having Gwangrim.

“The young warrior won, but it wasn’t easy. I heard he recently joined Air Society.”

If he was a rookie in one of the world’s top ten pro player teams, it wouldn’t be easy.

Most players would be intimidated just hearing the Air Society name, but Kim Yuri wasn’t like that.

There were classmates connected to teen teams like Jin Jeong-mook and Kwon Rena, and the student council senior Ji Myeong-su had joined Hydrangea Fragrance as a newcomer.

So when the announcer introduced Lev Tretiak’s background and team, Kim Yuri’s face didn’t change at all.

After the introduction, a silk-adorned pedestal was placed in front of both of them, each holding a transparent orb about the size of a fist.

“Before the duel, please swear you will fight against demons!”

The announcer from Jeolheuk Pungnim shouted.

In this duel festival, participants had to place their hands on a special item called the “Oath Jewel” and swear before sparring.

At first glance, it seemed like a show put on by a sect concept that shouts demon extermination, but it held significant meaning.

Jeolheuk Pungnim had to strictly distinguish friend from foe before the great battle.

Though the Black Forest Sword Saint’s “Demon Sect Extermination Corps” gathered many dedicated players and martial artists, spies planted by demons were mixed in.

That item was one method of identifying traitors.

‘So far, participants have willingly declared. Though the Oath Jewel looks fancy, they know it can’t impose serious restrictions, so they take it lightly.’

Even if you swear before a friendly match, if the price is as heavy as life, it’s not easy to do.

So it was just a light ceremony to set the mood.

If you break the oath and side with demons, the jewel breaks depending on the degree of betrayal.

Though it can’t impose a serious penalty, it can still detect traitors.

“I swear.”

As the participants on stage declared their oath, the Oath Jewels glowed with their respective supernatural power colors.

Both participants and spectators seemed to enjoy the process as a kind of performance, watching the color-changing jewels.

Many admired Kim Yuri’s jewel, which shone in the color of magnolia.

In the heated atmosphere, the announcer declared,

“Now, the masters who will fight against demons shall compete. Let the duel begin!”

Whoosh!

At the declaration, both materialized their weapons.

Kim Yuri wielded a lightsaber; her opponent held a rapier.

Some spectators openly sighed with disappointment that both used Western-style swords.

Though Kim Yuri’s attire was perfect, some expressed displeasure at Lev Tretiak’s simple outfit bearing the Air Society logo; some fanatic martial arts fans were not satisfied.

But the moment they started swinging their swords, the complaints turned into roaring cheers.

Amid a fantastic scene created by the swirling magnolia petals Kim Yuri summoned and the tornado rising from the tip of the opponent’s rapier, the two clashed.