Chapter 53: Sparring with Blue Bone

Daphne Entertainment headquarters.

The top floor of such a tall building.

There, CEO Han Segil and composer Nam Seungha were drinking tea.

The CEO of Korea’s top entertainment agency and the best composer.

The two were talking about Daphne Entertainment’s singers and recent entertainment industry matters.

A very amicable atmosphere.

What capped it off was none other than the songs of the recently launched girl group Daisy.

“Mr. Nam, Daisy’s music performance is unusual.”

CEO Han Segil said with a content smile.

“Is it?”

“Yes. ‘Ultra Marine’ is good, but ‘Lovebug”s growth momentum is unusual. I checked a bit ago, and it’s up to 13th?”

“Haha, that’s right.”

Nam Seungha smiled contentedly.

As of now, “Ultra Marine” was at 11th, and “Lovebug” had risen to 13th.

“Ultra Marine” maintaining a high rank on the Melon chart was impressive, but “Lovebug” steadily climbing was truly remarkable.

“Hmm, I think I need to apologize to you, Mr. Nam.”

“What for?”

“For disregarding the composer of ‘Lovebug’ before.”

Daphne Entertainment CEO Han Segil had disregarded Seo Eunbyeol, the composer of “Lovebug.”

To be precise, not disregard but concern, but anyway, he had deeply worried about hiring such a young composer.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Nam. I should have trusted your eye, but I was imprudent.”

“It’s fine, CEO. You entrusted it back then and didn’t fire her. That’s trusting.”

“If you think that way, it eases my mind. Thank you, Mr. Nam. And sorry again.”

“I’m okay. If you’re really sorry, encourage Seo Eunbyeol directly later. Encouragement from someone as high as you, CEO, would be a big boost for her.”

“I’ll do that. I’ll visit her separately to encourage her later.”

“Yes. Anyway, please look forward to Eunbyeol’s activities from now on. Even after the project with Daisy, she’ll be a big help to our Daphne Entertainment.”

“Haha, you said back then, right? That the kid would feed Daphne Entertainment.”

“I did.”

“I see. Then I’ll wait with joy. I also hope the kid plays a big role in Daphne Entertainment.”

“She definitely will.”

At Nam Seungha’s words, Han Segil smiled contentedly.

Seeing his smile, Nam Seungha also smiled kindly.

Eunbyeol will grow into an even more amazing composer. To a level unimaginable now.

Nam Seungha, Korea’s top composer, was certain.

Seo Eunbyeol was amazing now, but someday she’d become a world-class composer.

***

Myth Festival.

The martial arts tournament held in Myth Guild.

Ahead of that tournament, Myth Guild was truly in a festive mood.

Though only silver attack squads participated, watching it was a great joy for Myth Guild members.

Like how the World Cup is the biggest festival on Earth.

And amid such hot interest, the participating guild members were training hard.

Aiming for not only the guild members’ interest but also the enormous winning prizes.

Nova Team Leader Cha Jihye was the same.

Swish! Swoosh! Swish!

Cha Jihye’s thin sword cut through the air.

Cha Jihye training hard, using a training hall alone.

Her sword relentlessly cut and cut the air.

“Hoo…….”

After swinging the sword nonstop for hours, Cha Jihye lowered it.

Her forearm muscles ached stingingly from fatigue.

How far can I go in this Myth Festival.

Cha Jihye, soaked in sweat all over.

She looked at her slender sword and thought.

About how far she could go in the Myth Festival where all silver attack squad powerhouses participated.

I want to go as high as possible.

Cha Jihye wanted to achieve decent results in this Myth Festival.

Though she couldn’t show it to others, she even coveted promotion to gold attack squad.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

Even as Nova Team’s leader, she couldn’t guarantee victory in the first round, let alone winning.

There were many strong ones in silver attack squads, and they’d also participate aiming to win.

Still, let’s do my best.

Even so, Cha Jihye steeled her mind.

Even if she couldn’t win, sparring in front of Myth Guild members would be truly honorable.

As she was about to dive back into training.

Click.

A sound of the door opening from the training hall entrance.

Cha Jihye turned her head and saw a familiar face there.

“Ah, sorry. Team Leader. I mistook the training hall.”

The one bowing and apologizing was Seo Juwon.

A Nova Team member.

“It’s fine, Hunter Seo Juwon.”

“Yes. Excuse me. Then I’ll go now.”

Seo Juwon bowed again and tried to close the heavy door and leave.

“Hunter Seo Juwon.”

Then, Cha Jihye called Seo Juwon to stop.

“Yes?”

“Can you help me a bit?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Training alone has limits. Can you spar with me once?”

At Cha Jihye’s words, Seo Juwon was a bit surprised.

“With me? It won’t be training for you…….”

“It’s fine. Your skeleton will be enough for training.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes. Rather, I should ask. Is it okay to take your time, Hunter Seo Juwon?”

“I’m fine. It’s an honor to spar with you, Team Leader.”

“Really? Thanks. Then come in. Let’s spar.”

At Cha Jihye’s words, Seo Juwon walked into the training hall with heavy steps.

Sparring with Blue Bone.

Cha Jihye, about to spar with Seo Juwon’s blue skeleton.

Her heart started pounding.

The spar arranged at Cha Jihye’s request.

At that, Seo Juwon threw a bone and summoned one skeleton soldier.

Thus, one Blue Bone summoned in front of Seo Juwon.

The skeleton holding a sharp bone sword glared at Cha Jihye.

Fierce gaze felt through empty eyes.

With that, Cha Jihye prepared for the spar at a suitable distance.

“Team Leader, since it’s a skeleton, feel free. It’s okay to destroy it.”

Seo Juwon said to make her comfortable.

Then Cha Jihye said.

“You can be comfortable too, Hunter Seo Juwon.”

“Yes?”

“Command the skeleton to be comfortable too. Not holding back, but fight like real combat.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. In the Myth Festival, it’ll be like real combat, so that’s how training should be. So please. Command the skeleton to go all out.”

Cha Jihye bowed her head as if requesting.

At that, Seo Juwon showed a slightly surprised expression then nodded.

Yeah, in the Myth Festival, everything except killing is allowed.

The Myth Festival is a martial arts tournament.

Naturally, killing is prohibited, but they go all out like fighting monsters.

That’s why Cha Jihye was requesting this.

“Understood, Team Leader. Then I’ll command that way.”

“Thanks, Hunter Seo Juwon. Shall we start?”

“Yes.”

With Seo Juwon’s answer, he commanded the skeleton soldier.

Then Blue Bone picked up the blue bone sword.

Shing!

Then Cha Jihye also raised her unique slender sword.

As silence fell in the training hall.

Whoosh!

Cha Jihye kicked off the training hall floor and dashed out.

The approaching Blue Bone hadn’t reacted yet.

Thus, Cha Jihye, dashing like lightning, swung her sword quickly.

Clang!

Sword clashed with sword, making a metallic sound.

Cha Jihye’s sharp overhead slash was cleanly blocked.

“Haap!”

Cha Jihye didn’t yield and continued the next attack.

Next was low.

Clang!

But the slash aimed at the ankle was also cleanly blocked.

Cha Jihye didn’t yield.

She quickly spun once, and with centrifugal force, aimed at the torso.

Clang!

An even louder metallic sound.

This time too, Cha Jihye’s attack was blocked.

Fast.

Cha Jihye slightly admired Blue Bone’s quick defense speed.

But she couldn’t just admire.

She cast her specialty skill, ‘Swift Sword.’

Whoosh!

Green aura swirled around Cha Jihye’s sword.

A skill like the wind of great nature blowing.

This was the Swift Sword skill, greatly increasing attack speed.

Swoosh!

Cha Jihye swung the sword greatly sped up by Swift Sword.

Indeed, the sword felt so light, and the slash much sharper.

However…….

Clang!

Cha Jihye’s attack was blocked weakly this time too.

Cha Jihye didn’t yield and kept pouring attacks.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sword and sword kept clashing, ringing metallic sounds.

Metallic sounds filling the training hall.

Sword strikes like fencers sparring.

As that continued, sweat beads on Cha Jihye’s face increased.

Why isn’t it working?

She couldn’t believe it.

Why.

Why on earth wasn’t it working.

An attack with Swift Sword skill, yet why couldn’t she land a single slash.

This can’t be.

Cha Jihye jumped high into the air, then slashed toward Blue Bone.

Clang!

However, this time too, Blue Bone held the bone sword horizontally and blocked.

It even started counterattacking.

Blue Bone pushed Cha Jihye’s sword away strongly.

It swung the bone sword right away.

Ugh!

Cha Jihye landed and tilted her head back at the same time.

But the bone sword’s tip slightly touched her collarbone, and blood flowed into the air.

Stinging pain.

Amid that, Blue Bone continued the attack.

Clatter!

Blue Bone quickly stepped forward and thrust the blue bone sword.

Cha Jihye quickly extended her sword, but couldn’t avoid the fierce attack.

Hauk!

The bone sword grazed her side, and another spray of blood into the air.

Feeling the sting, Cha Jihye swung her sword swirling with green aura.

Clang!

However, Blue Bone cleanly deflected the sword and continued the next attack.

This time, diagonal attack.

Swoosh!

The bone sword passed before her eyes.

A slash that would have split her face if she stepped back a few cm less.

At that fierce slash, Cha Jihye felt a chill down her spine.

Amid that, what was even scarier was that Blue Bone was still pouring attacks.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blue Bone and Cha Jihye’s swords kept clashing.

From left, right, diagonally, above, below.

Attacks from all directions, Cha Jihye defended frantically.

No chance to counter!

At the too quick attacks, Cha Jihye kept stepping back.

She somehow swung her sword, but far from countering, defending alone was overwhelming.

Me, being pushed? And in attack speed?

Cha Jihye, sweating profusely while defending, couldn’t believe this reality.

Being overwhelmed not in attack power but speed.

Not by dozens of skeletons, but pushed by just one skeleton’s strikes.

No matter how strong Seo Juwon’s skeleton was, this was too bewildering.

Don’t joke! This can’t be!

Cha Jihye, thinking her team leader position and training results were denied.

She gritted her teeth and tried to create a counter opportunity somehow.

Amid that, Blue Bone continued fierce combos.

This time, low……!

Then, Cha Jihye grasped that Blue Bone was aiming low.

Too easy to read trajectory, Cha Jihye resolved to block and counter.

As Cha Jihye extended her sword to block the low attack.

Whoosh!

Blue Bone quickly retracted the thrusting bone sword.

Then swung the bone sword horizontally at Cha Jihye’s open face.

Fake motion……?

Blue Bone using fake motion?

A mere summon using feint?

Cha Jihye, surprised at Blue Bone’s veteran skill, quickly tilted her head back.

If she stayed dazed, her face would split like a watermelon.

Crash!

But because she dodged too hastily, Cha Jihye lost balance and fell.

Blue Bone quickly charged in that gap.

Swoosh!

Reverse-gripped bone sword stabbed down at Cha Jihye’s face.