Since the duel ended not with a decisive blow but with Oh Hye-yul’s forfeit, I thought the reaction might be lukewarm—but it wasn’t.

Everyone gave encouraging applause to the youngest participant, Oh Hye-yul.

Though losing and being cheered might not lift her spirits much, it was better than being jeered.

Oh Hye-yul didn’t smile or look bright, but her expression didn’t worsen.

After greeting the audience, she descended from the stage in the opposite direction, where I met Joo Soo-hyuk.

Seeing Joo Soo-hyuk’s dobok up close naturally made me admire him.

‘Is it okay if I don’t go to Oh Hye-yul?’

Since the Joo and Oh families were almost like relatives and considering Soo-hyuk’s nature, it was only natural to comfort and support Oh Hye-yul, who had lost but fought well.

Soo-hyuk must have been waiting for me, as he immediately spoke.

“Uisin, congratulations. That was a great duel. I even regret not being your opponent.”

“Thanks.”

We walked and talked, discussing the recent duel.

Soo-hyuk remembered exactly when and how I swung my sword.

He questioned why I swung as I did, whether I retreated intentionally, and carefully analyzed the duel’s true intent.

Thanks to him, my enjoyment was not just visual but cleared my ears and mind.

Hearing his serious attitude and sharp insights opened my mind, so I answered earnestly.

“You worried about why I didn’t go to where Hye-yul was?”

Just as my ears began to lose patience, Soo-hyuk spoke.

Following him, we arrived at a quiet place.

It was the training hall provided by Jeolheuk Pungnim for those who wanted to warm up and focus before dueling, but now it was almost unused as everyone watched other duels.

“You know well about the family matters involving the Oh clan. Since a precious son was involved and Hye-yul is part of that family, expectations were high. Naturally, she was often compared to me, who is closer in age.”

I had somewhat guessed that.

Though there were Oh Hye-ji and Oh Hye-jeong in the Oh family, if comparing, it would be to Joo Soo-hyuk of the same gender.

Having grown up compared to an unprecedented genius, there must be some accumulated feelings, even though Soo-hyuk and Oh Hye-yul were close and well disposed toward each other.

Also, the age difference would only make her feel more left behind.

Players grow rapidly in abilities and physical strength at 17 and gain Gwangrim, so the difference would be more noticeable.

‘Even if Oh Hye-yul achieved feats similar to a young Soo-hyuk, he gained a tremendous Gwangrim.’

It was true for me as well.

When I came to this world as a 16-year-old middle schooler, I was weak.

I nearly died failing to defeat a low-rarity enemy, nearly causing the deaths of Yoo Sang-hoon, Jang Nam-wook, and Kim Shin-rok.

Once I gained Gwangrim, I could shatter the Dream Gate.

But Soo-hyuk, since middle school, was noted for his natural abilities and supernatural powers, single-handedly defeating enemies.

He grew stronger after gaining “Impeccable Wing Flap,” a powerful Gwangrim that could target all weaknesses.

Oh Hye-yul must have been anxious.

She was ambitious and eager to grow, shown by her early attempt to enter Eun Gwang High and willingness to fight even if losing an arm or leg.

She was talented and tenacious.

‘But though she might compete with Soo-hyuk in skill, she wouldn’t truly be hostile.’

In the scenario of the Four Great Families’ power struggle, no matter how deep the ties or blood relations, people ruthlessly used all means to kill each other for maximum benefit.

But I was certain Oh Hye-yul’s character wasn’t corrupted that way.

There was proof: Joo Su-gyeom.

If Oh Hye-yul had such intentions or was susceptible, Su-gyeom wouldn’t have protected her in Plumago.

Many had already died around them, but Su-gyeom, who held much information, wouldn’t guard her out of mere youth.

Even if others provoked fights by comparing her to Soo-hyuk.

“When people talk with Hye-yul where many are around, it often gets talked about later. Hye-yul dislikes that, so she avoids contact in conspicuous places.”

Soo-hyuk said this with wistful eyes.

Seeing him speak in a dobok here felt like a scene from a fusion historical or martial arts film.

But seeing Soo-hyuk sad, I couldn’t lose focus.

So I mentioned something I guessed was one reason Oh Hye-yul wanted to come to Eun Gwang—something Soo-hyuk probably hadn’t thought of.

“She might have come early to Eun Gwang to attend the same school as you.”

“Huh?”

“If she truly wanted to avoid contact with you, she wouldn’t have come to Eun Gwang while you were enrolled.”

Among kids her age, she had no real rivals.

Soo-hyuk’s cousin Joo Soo-ri was one year younger but reportedly not strong in combat.

Since Soo-hyuk would soon be a third-year, if they missed now, they’d lose the chance to attend school together.

That might explain why Oh Hye-yul hurried.

If she truly wanted to avoid Soo-hyuk, she wouldn’t have enrolled early or joined this duel festival.

Soo-hyuk’s eyes no longer held worry or concern.

“After the next duel, go greet her.”

“I will. Thanks, Uisin!”

Though I said nothing special, Soo-hyuk’s joy made me happy too.

His voice sounded lighter.

“Oh, right. I came here to talk about Hye-yul. Some things you only understand after fighting directly. Shall we talk while walking to watch the next duel? Like when Hye-yul tried to stab your knee...”

Soo-hyuk seemed lighter, as if releasing some burden.

Having carried a heavy load but shown such a great duel, the next duel would surely be even more amazing.

After settling in and watching several duels, all participants finished their first duels.

It was time to decide the second duel opponents.

To avoid meeting the same opponent twice or matching players with huge skill gaps, winners faced winners and losers faced losers to select their next opponents.

‘So I won’t face Lev Tretiak or Oh Hye-yul who lost the first round.’

That meant I could face first-round winners Soo-hyuk, Kim Yuri, or Jin Jeong-mook.

Among us, Jin Jeong-mook was called first to draw lots.

His opponent was familiar to us.

“Jeong-mook’s opponent is the famous Iron Blood Twin Swordsman. I’ve heard a lot about him from senior Gwak Kyung-gu and Soo-hyuk!”

His opponent was the Iron Blood Twin Swordsman.

A genius swordsman who was the teacher of Gwak Kyung-gu and Joo Soo-hyuk. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After the era of Song Man-seok with iron arms ended the dark age, the Iron Blood Twin Swordsman was recognized as a talented new-generation player.

Although his fame faded recently because he didn’t actively lead pro teams like Kwon Je-in or Yeom Bang-yeol to clear interdimensional stages, his skills were intact.

Realizing he had great teaching talent as well as fighting ability, he retired from the front lines to train disciples.

As a result, promising players like Soo-hyuk and Gwak Kyung-gu learned from him, so it wasn’t a wrong choice.

Overall, it was a great decision for the player community, but many still missed the Iron Blood Twin Swordsman’s active presence.

‘The Iron Blood Twin Swordsman is very popular among martial artists. Even his title sounds like something out of a martial arts novel.’

When the duel pairing of the Iron Blood Twin Swordsman and Jin Jeong-mook—the teenager who most faithfully followed the martial arts concept—was decided, the arena buzzed loudly.

Jin Jeong-mook calmly stared at the match list but showed some nervousness.

I worried about what to say to encourage him, but before I could, the next name was called.

It was Kim Yuri, and her opponent was the sub-master of Jeolheuk Pungnim’s team.

“Kim So-jeo’s opponent, the Fenglim Master, recently finished closed-door training. He’s unfamiliar with the outside world but his skills are undeniable, so you’ll learn much from him.”

“Haha... I’ll do my best!”

Wouldn’t a team sub-master be hard to keep running if they just hid away training?

But with the huge battle ahead, they needed skilled experts, so the timing was good.

Meanwhile, as Eun Gwang High’s undefeated winners faced tougher opponents, excitement grew.

Though hoping for Hyu-ji ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Su’s performance, meeting such strong opponents made people both regretful and expectant.

Then my name was called.

After my title and name, the next opponent was revealed, and the hall erupted with cheers.

The nearby kids looked at me with wide eyes.

“The nameless rising star Jo Yi-shin and the Wings Against the Backlight Joo Soo-hyuk!”

My next opponent was Joo Soo-hyuk.

He seemed surprised I’d be his opponent but soon smiled brightly like the sun.

He looked very happy.

“Uisin, I’m glad to fight you in a public setting like this. Please do your best within your limits. I will too.”

With Soo-hyuk’s sincere and moving proposal, I could only agree.

During the assassination prevention incident against Seong Guk-eon, Soo-hyuk saw me use Player’s Trajectory, so he probably roughly understood the power within my Gwangrim.

That’s why, though wanting to fight at full strength, he made a considerate suggestion.

Thinking of that, I couldn’t hold back my strength.

Soo-hyuk focused his mind, raised his condition to peak, and headed to the training hall.

“Joo So-hyuk has a great mindset. I want to learn from him too.”

Jin Jeong-mook muttered as if talking to himself, looking troubled.

But he hadn’t regained composure.

If he faced the Iron Blood Twin Swordsman in that state, the outcome would be obvious.

I recalled something Soo-hyuk said in Plumago.

—Who’s stronger, you or master? Obviously...

Soo-hyuk was a third-year in Plumago, when many students and teachers had left.

He had grown stronger through many achievements, connections, and overcoming grief and pain.

When it was common knowledge that only An Da-in and the teacher Chang Cheon-myeonggung could match Soo-hyuk, he answered without hesitation.

—Master is stronger. I’m not confident I could win in swordsmanship.

“The duel winner has been decided! The winner is, Iron Blood Twin Swordsman Gwak Kyung-hoon!”

Jin Jeong-mook looked at the sword he dropped, then closed his eyes tightly.

He had lost by an overwhelming margin.