Jin Jeong-mook had been certain from the start of the duel between the top and second-ranked students at Eunkwang High.

He couldn’t beat those two.

‘The gap with Joo Soo-hyeok has grown even larger. The difference with Jo Yi-shin is immeasurable!’

During the duel, Joo Soo-hyeok achieved a great breakthrough and elevated his lightness skill to a new realm.

Seeing him fight so fiercely with newly gained power in such a confined space sent chills down my spine.

Although when we dueled before the gap hadn’t been so vast, and since we were classmates at Eunkwang High, it was hard to believe, but Joo Soo-hyeok was indeed an unprecedented genius.

His swordsmanship was strong and solid, and with the new power applied, his momentum soared as if he had wings.

But Jo Yi-shin surprised Jin Jeong-mook even more.

From Jo Yi-shin’s attitude, it was clear he hadn’t known beforehand that Joo Soo-hyeok had achieved such a °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° breakthrough, yet after a subtle expression of joy, he fought on equal footing against that power.

‘Judging by Jo Yi-shin’s swordsmanship alone, there isn’t much difference between him and me. So the match will soon tip to one side. But Jo Yi-shin doesn’t look like he’ll lose easily.’

The greatsword’s movements that erased flames were powerful, and the forms he executed while swinging his sword and fluttering his robe were precise.

Every time Jo Yi-shin swung his greatsword boldly on the duel stage, the Ho Clan’s insignia glowed and shifted color among the energy waves, drawing admiration from everyone.

Martial artists from Jeolheuk Poongnim, including Jin Jeong-mook, envied the color of those energy waves.

However, the subtle and profound refinement carried by Joo Soo-hyeok’s twin swords was not felt.

Those knowledgeable in swordsmanship expected Jo Yi-shin to lose unless he used some extraordinary Gwanglim.

Strangely, Jin Jeong-mook could not agree with that expectation.

“Soo-hyeok got faster, but Uishin’s eyes are keeping up!”

Kim Yuri, sitting beside me among the participants, concretized Jin Jeong-mook’s thoughts.

What bridged the difference in swordsmanship and led to a close duel was Jo Yi-shin’s eyes.

He acted as if he fully knew how Joo Soo-hyeok would move and reacted swiftly.

It was as if he had watched Joo Soo-hyeok swing his swords thousands or tens of thousands of times.

In fact, Jo Yi-shin had long watched Joo Soo-hyeok’s growth and setbacks beyond the screen.

He had etched the protagonist’s swordsmanship deeply into his mind and naturally countered Joo Soo-hyeok’s swordplay.

Jin Jeong-mook didn’t know this process, but he learned one thing.

‘Jo Yi-shin didn’t come here by just honing his sword. That much is certain.’

Each time Joo Soo-hyeok’s sword fiercely attacked, Jo Yi-shin was delighted and memorized every movement.

When looking at Joo Soo-hyeok, Andain, or their classmates and juniors, Jo Yi-shin made similar but less intense expressions.

Jin Jeong-mook reaffirmed that Jo Yi-shin’s driving force for growth was in his eyes.

Because he watched with such warmth and persistence, Jo Yi-shin could show that kind of divine power.

Soon, Joo Soo-hyeok dove down to finish the match, wielding wind and flames simultaneously.

Even then, Jin Jeong-mook couldn’t take his eyes off Jo Yi-shin’s gaze.

‘Energy waves are gathering in his eyes...!’

For a very brief moment, Jo Yi-shin’s greatsword eyes darkened further.

Then, like starlight, they shone brightly.

Though Jin Jeong-mook didn’t know the origin or mechanism of the ‘Life-and-Death Gaze’ Jo Yi-shin had just used, he thought those eyes fitting for one with a title referring to stars.

Joo Soo-hyeok, barely landed, was subdued, and the match was decided.

“Uishin won!”

Amid cheers of “Waaah!” Kim Yuri shouted joyfully.

Jin Jeong-mook, who had been dazed, applauded as well.

The two—who had been rumored to be at odds—joined hands, filling the duel stage with louder cheers.

Jin Jeong-mook kept reflecting on the duel that had just ended and reached a conclusion.

Though they fought with swords, what determined victory wasn’t the swords themselves.

This realization slightly eased Jin Jeong-mook’s mind.

‘Attending the academy instead of just focusing on swordsmanship and real combat wasn’t in vain.’

Joo Soo-hyeok and Jo Yi-shin would one day fight the demon cult and earn great achievements.

Jin Jeong-mook vowed to grow and follow them.

As his gaze changed, those beside him—Kim Yuri, the Black Forest Sword Saint watching from afar, and Iron-Blooded Twin Swords who fought him—who secretly worried about him, all felt greatly relieved.

Though I won by cowardly exploiting Joo Soo-hyeok’s unfamiliarity with his new awakened power, the aftermath of defeating the greatest genius of Eunkwang High was immense.

I expressed the opinion that since I had won by using non-sword supernatural powers, it was hard to consider it a true duel victory, but no one listened.

Led by humble Joo Soo-hyeok, the classmates quickly changed the subject or outright ignored me.

Especially Andain, whose smile was so beautiful it matched the phrase ‘radiant beauty,’ discussed the fight with joy that nearly burst her insides, but sometimes it also felt sharp and stinging.

Regardless of my feelings, it was because Joo Soo-hyeok, who missed the title of winner per the referee’s decision, cast a bitter look.

“Uishin, your eyes were impressive. I want to have eyes like that when I fight too.”

Andain already had beautiful and cool eyes no one could surpass, so I couldn’t add anything.

Later I realized the eyes she meant were the Gaze.

The Ho Clan couple poured affectionate looks into Andain every day, hoping to pass on the Gaze skill.

Moreover, Andain was taking the Green Tribe’s elixir to acquire the Gaze skill.

So I couldn’t be heartless.

“If you need advice, just ask anytime. I’ll do my best to answer.”

“Thank you!”

“...I want to ask you for advice too.”

Then, an unexpected event occurred.

Normally, Joo Soo-hyeok, who would have misunderstood something absurd, would have withdrawn sadly, but instead he approached us.

His words eased the heat and frustration I had felt.

Not retreating but coming beside Andain, and even seeking advice from me, made me very happy.

“Haha, Uishin, whether Da-in asks for advice or I do, you’re happy either way.”

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

I honestly spoke what had been seen through by that genius, and the surroundings grew noisy.

Words like ‘as expected’ and ‘just as rumored’ scattered around, but since the two seriously sought advice, everything felt better.

I was happy but poured all my mental energy into sincerely answering their questions.

When I regained focus, the closing ceremony had been declared, and I was being led out of Jeolheuk Poongnim’s territory by the Tigers.

My classmates were nowhere in sight, only Tigers surrounding me, and they laughed throughout the journey.

“Hahaha! I’ve hated Baekho the whole time, but it’s good to see Jo Yi-shin win.”

“Me too. And you won using our power, right?”

Hwang Ji-ho and Cheong Ho looked at me contentedly.

The Tigers with the Gaze immediately recognized what supernatural power I used at the last moment.

Though this Gaze held the power of higher beings connected with death and couldn’t be called purely a Tiger power, they were inexplicably pleased.

White Tiger smirked proudly.

“I taught you swordsmanship, and I’m the reason you got the Gaze.”

“The sword’s a skill to use all things, right? And Hwang Ji-ho recommended the elixir for the essence of the Ho Clan.”

“Good words, Jo Yi-shin! But no need to thank me. I just gave you a gift fitting for a benefactor.”

I quickly responded to White Tiger’s claim, and Hwang Ji-ho was pleased.

Yet, while I gained the Gaze, I wasn’t especially grateful for taking the elixir.

Hwang Ji-ho knew its taste well and shamelessly said such things.

But White Tiger was even more shameless.

“The robe you wore today had my insignia embroidered.”

“All the insignias, including mine, were embroidered. Don’t say it was only yours.”

“Also, the sword was made by my younger brother. Its material came from my body...”

“My body?”

Before I could retort, Cheong Ho smoothly covered it, and I thought I’d remain silent.

But I overheard something I couldn’t ignore.

Since Eunho made it, I figured it was a rare material, but did they really make it by cutting off part of White Tiger’s body?

I never imagined that arrogant tiger would give part of his body just to make a weapon.

Without hesitation, I took out the divine Joamdogwang card and held it out to White Tiger.

“Take it.”

“No.”

White Tiger didn’t even snort in contempt.

Whether treated as a beastman or not, he was the type to bear the true name unwillingly and wouldn’t accept a weapon he couldn’t reattach to himself.

Moreover, no other tiger sided with him.

“Jo Yi-shin, accept it. Eunho will find a way to make sure you get that weapon.”

“That sword suits you well. Just use it.”

Hwang Ji-ho and Cheong Ho said this, and White Tiger was cornered.

In the end, the greatsword made from White Tiger’s body returned to my item inventory...

The Tigers said they had met Jeolheuk Poongnim’s leaders today to exchange information and recommended visiting their mansion.

Before moving, I tried to change clothes in the car, but Hwang Ji-ho stopped me.

“Jo Yi-shin, go home like this. Many want to see the clothes you wore today.”

When we left the forest where Jeolheuk Poongnim restricted filming, I saw a crowd.

Everyone was gathering here and there for commemorative photos.

Participating in such a huge real event on Halloween after a long time, it would be a shame not to leave at least one commemorative photo.

I expected the Tigers to hurry home with excuses, but surprisingly, they fit well with the atmosphere.

I joined classmates who had come out first to set up and take several photos.

Because I fought in the duel, I also received photo requests from strangers.

I allowed it, and they eagerly took pictures of me.

Rather than taking two-shots with me, they took many photos of me with others.

Watching that, I realized something.

‘Right, I should leave photos of Joo Soo-hyeok and Andain!’

As a result, many records were left of the three of us.

During that time, I received many compliments about the duel and the clothes.

Then a question suddenly came to mind.

‘So, what was the special effect of the clothes Sodol mentioned?’

Before the duel started, Sodol had boasted about some special effect of these clothes.

But nothing special had activated during the duel.

Was it an ability unrelated to combat?

My question was quickly answered.

The moment we left Jeolheuk Poongnim’s domain after finishing the photoshoot, the inside of the sleeve faintly glowed.

Looking closely inside the sleeve, I saw a disturbing eye drawn there.

Combining the unpleasant feeling this eye gave me with Sodol’s research, I figured out the effect.

‘These clothes respond to the gaze of demons.’

If my guess was correct, there were no gazes inside Jeolheuk Poongnim’s base, but demons must have been watching me the whole time from outside.