Chapter 30: Lee Yeon’s First Duel

[Mission Clear!]

[+100 Gold]

[Pet Bonus!] [+40 Gold]

[Pet Bonus!] [+30 Steel Shards]

[+3 Common Cards]

The dungeon was finally cleared.

‘Since the dungeon was over, shall I check it out?’

Through the screen, I confirmed the Sword Demon’s traits.

[★★★ DanCheong Flame’s Passionate Sword Demon]

[Jakyulhaneun Sword]

[Rage of Embers]

[Heat Where Mirage Blooms]

The Sword Demon has three traits.

[Jakyulhaneun Sword]

All attacks deal fire attribute damage. Critical hits inflict the [Burn] status, causing continuous damage.

[Rage of Embers]

When health falls below 60%, an additional 10% is lost.

The lower the health, the higher all stats rise, increasing up to 300%.

[Heat Where Mirage Blooms]

A certain chance to evade all attacks. The longer the battle continues, the higher the evasion rate becomes.

‘I’m not entirely sure… but these seem like pretty good traits.’

‘Especially strong in one-on-one combat, perhaps?’

As it was my first day in Valhalla, I couldn’t jump to any conclusions so easily.

“Hmm? But, milord.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, the Sword Demon called out to me.

I looked up and responded, “Ha ha ha! I thought you looked familiar! Isn’t that the swordsman we met in the game today?”

The Sword Demon recognized me.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed the Sword Demon.

“Oh? You recognize me? I thought I was the only one.”

“Ha ha ha! My, my over-the-top performance must have left an impression on you! Now that I think about it, someone said they were watching just now. That was you, wasn’t it? The hero watching from the balcony! Is that right?”

“Yeah? How did you know?”

“Ha ha ha! Of course! That was rude of me earlier! Trying to get a user’s attention like that, I attracted too much aggro! Ha ha ha!”

The Sword Demon laughed heartily.

‘Could it be that he knew everything?’

A chill ran down my spine.

Clearly, the Sword Demon was a strong warrior.

“Impressive. Your presence was so striking I had to make sure it was really you. I figured it was, so I spoke to you.”

“Ha ha ha! What a joy! Two heroes from the same game clashing swords! Thanks to you remembering me, and me remembering you, this chance came about! I look forward to working with you!”

“Heh. I’m Sid of Hillea. In Valhalla, I’m known as channel H421. In our world, I was a Swordmaster. Nice to meet you.”

“Swordmaster?”

My words made the Sword Demon’s eyes widen.

‘Was he a bit nervous?’

Or was he thinking, ‘How amusing that a hero of my caliber calls himself Swordmaster?’

“Ha ha ha! What luck! As a single swordsman, to face a sword saint from another world! Nothing could excite me more! I humbly ask for your favor, Swordmaster!”

But the Sword Demon’s response was unexpected.

He just laughed heartily and extended his hand.

“Luck? It’s just an ordinary name.”

“Ha ha ha! If this weren’t Valhalla, the world would be buzzing about this duel! Sword Saint versus Sword Demon! My heart is already racing!”

“Likewise.”

We shook hands and smiled.

His hands were hot.

Not just the calloused hands of a swordsman, but the heat radiated through our grip.

“I am Lee Yeon of the DanCheong Flame Group! Follow me! I’ll lead the way!”

The Sword Demon laughed loudly and took the lead.

[Lv. 29: Daejanggun Toralarask]

‘Cheerful fellow.’

I smirked and continued farming.

The place we moved to, following the Sword Demon, was a stadium similar to the one where I fought Diablo.

Oddly, no heroes were using this place.

“You must have purposely chosen a less crowded spot? I don’t mind, though.”

I glanced around and said.

The Sword Demon chuckled.

“Ha ha ha! No, this place rarely has many heroes! After the hardship of the game, no one trains in the plaza. Even if they do, they train on their own channel. No hero uses the plaza. Is this your first time here?”

“Ah, yes. Today’s my first day in Valhalla. I’m still learning.”

“Oh! Ha ha ha! Such passion! Training on your first day in Valhalla! Most are busy meeting people they’ve missed!”

“I already met them. Shall we get started?”

“Good! I look forward to your move! Teach me about your world!”

The Sword Demon rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the arena.

I drew my sword and stepped in as well.

[1:1 Free Match]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman]

VS

[★★★ DanCheong Flame’s Passionate Sword Demon]

A health bar appeared above our heads.

‘Isn’t that called a ‘health bar’ in the guide?’

Ah, right. I forgot to equip my gear.

The farming was already finished on the screen, so—

Whoosh!

“Grr?”

“Ugh?”

We returned to the stage where the Orcs and Flowerdol were.

I equipped the gear from the warehouse onto ‘me.’

Whoosh!

“Hmm? Where did you go?”

The Sword Demon, waiting in the arena, asked.

***

After sending off the farming, I put on my helmet.

“The user called me. Seems like they wanted to check something.”

“Ha ha ha! I thought you were gone for good when you disappeared! Great! I look forward to this!”

“Likewise.”

I raised my sword and took a stance.

At first, it felt like a light friendly match, but once the battle started, a strange competitiveness blossomed.

Shiiik…!

“Huh?”

At that moment, strange steam rose from the Sword Demon.

‘What was that?’

A skill?

As I tried to guess the attack, KWAANG! Kick!

“Huh?”

My vision went bright red.

Flames scattered all across the arena but suddenly died down.

“Ho! Did you see that? Looks like you missed it.”

The Sword Demon narrowed the distance in an instant and asked.

The tip of his sword was at my neck.

In that split second, I instinctively blocked.

“Didn’t… see it. My body just reacted first.”

“Ho! Even that is amazing! Your eyes couldn’t follow me, yet your body blocked first! Truly a Swordmaster. You must be a master often called a genius!”

The Sword Demon stepped back and said.

He was fast.

The Sword Demon who had come in so quickly disappeared from sight.

“That’s too generous a compliment. I’m actually frustrated that I didn’t see it. Though I hate to admit it… you’re stronger than me. I understood that from your opening move.”

I replied with a hint of frustration.

‘How long had it been since I’d felt this way?’

More than being stronger or weaker, I truly realized we were on different levels.

Rose once said something similar, right?

Even among Swordmasters, there are differences in rank.

This Sword Demon was that kind of existence.

It hurt because I could sense it for myself.

“Hmm! No! It is wrong for you to belittle yourself! What would I be if my opponent put themselves down?”

“But…”

“You said today was your first day in Valhalla, right? Then you will see soon enough! Ha ha ha! I wasn’t like this at first, either. I reached this level through effort, learning, and growth. Besides, you just blocked my sword. That is talent. To block the sword I honed with effort by talent alone! The unfair one here is me, isn’t it! Ha ha ha!”

The Sword Demon laughed heartily.

‘Was he trying to be considerate?’

Too much consideration can make one uncomfortable, but his words felt sincere.

I steadied myself and raised my sword again.

“You flatter me. I’ll learn from you, teacher.”

“Hmm! I will learn as well!”

Facing the Sword Demon, I gripped my sword.

‘He’s coming.’

As soon as the Sword Demon moved, my body trembled.

I shouldn’t try to see it.

I had to feel it.

If I tried to see, I couldn’t react.

KWAANG!

A fierce sword strike flashed through the red flames.

“Ho!”

I dodged.

This time, I felt the Sword Demon’s sword and evaded it.

“Ha ha ha! Look at that! You didn’t follow me with your eyes this time! You followed me with your instincts and dodged!”

“Pfft. But I didn’t follow with my eyes.”

“Whether with your eyes or with instinct, the important thing is that you followed your opponent! To be chased by you already! Spine-chilling! Ha ha ha!”

The Sword Demon widened the distance and laughed.

Hoo.

Good.

I could do it.

I focused all my senses on the instinct, which had been neglected due to logic and experience.

“Hup! Cha! Hah!”

The Sword Demon’s attack continued.

Whoosh!

A sharp strike grazed diagonally from the shoulder blade.

Whoosh!

The sword rose aiming for the heart after cutting down to the waist.

Kaak! Kick!

I raised my sword to block twice.

Not following with my eyes, I tracked and reacted with instinct.

“Good! I’ll speed up! Haap!”

Finally, the Sword Demon used his left hand.

Supporting the sword with his left hand, a strange sword dance erupted.

Clack! Kaak! Kick! Kick! Kick!

He blocked where necessary.

There could be no unnecessary movements.

To keep up with the Sword Demon’s speed, I had to respond with minimal movement.

“Ho! Look! You, who were discouraged by my first strike, are now blocking my sword! Your growth is astonishing!”

The Sword Demon’s eyes sparkled.

Rather than frustration from his sword being blocked, his eyes shone with interest and excitement.

“Phew. I don’t even know how I’m blocking this. One small mistake and I’ll fall.”

“Ha ha ha! You don’t seem like the type to make mistakes! You’re learning new things with your existing experience, aren’t you?”

“It’s thanks to you making it easier to learn.”

“Ha ha ha! To learn something I didn’t teach you! Taking something I didn’t give isn’t theft!”

“Pfft. Is that how it works?”

“Just kidding! The title Swordmaster isn’t a lie, it seems! Through your sword and experience, I’ve caught a glimpse of it!”

The Sword Demon laughed heartily.

But…

A certain discomfort lingered in my heart.

I lowered my sword briefly and spoke.

“Um… may I ask something?”

“Hmm? Of course! Ask me anything!”

“What do you think of me? You seem to have met many sword saints. Am I worthy of being a Swordmaster Lee Yeon?”

That question sprouted from a corner of my heart.

I had never doubted myself before, but after coming to Valhalla, doubts had begun to grow.

‘What truly is a Swordmaster?’

‘Am I really one?’

In the past, I gained the name by killing countless demons, but coming to Valhalla made me question it.

‘Is my ‘Swordmaster’ title just an empty name?’

“Hmm? From what I see, you are more than worthy.”

But the Sword Demon’s answer was simple.

So simple that it almost deflated me.

“Is there no clear standard or realm? They talk about sword aura and sword strength, strange things.”

“Ha ha ha! Don’t doubt yourself so much! The real standard… do you know the word ‘Singularity’?”

“Ah, yes. The criteria for coming to Valhalla? The world level or something?”

“Ha ha ha! Then that makes this quick! I assure you, you have reached the Singularity. A Swordmaster allowed by the Singularity. There are many ways to reach the Singularity, but those who do so by sword alone are called Swordmasters. The realm I sensed is that of those who have stepped into the Singularity. Don’t doubt yourself too much.”

“Huh? Stepped into?”

I tilted my head at the Sword Demon’s words.

“Hmm! You might be uncomfortable hearing this, but is that alright?”

“Of course. Honestly, I want to relearn everything from scratch.”

“Ha ha ha! No need for that! This house already has a foundation. Why start digging the land all over again? But it’s rare to see this. Usually, those who reach the top don’t listen to others’ advice. But you are an open-minded person. You will grow faster than those old men who shut their eyes and ears. I envy even your open heart! Ha ha ha!”

The Sword Demon laughed loudly in reply.

There was a strange sense of dissonance in his story.

This man…

‘How old was he, really?’

He looked about my age, but talking with him felt like conversing with a seasoned veteran who had trained his whole life.

“Swordmaster of Hillea. I dare say your achievement is only at the threshold. Some call it an entry-level. In Valhalla, it’s called the Singularity. You have only just reached it. But even that is a realm that ordinary geniuses cannot touch. Take pride in your achievement, but remain humble. When you are humble, the world will allow you more teachings. As one who came here before you, I say this with certainty.”

The Sword Demon’s eyes grew serious.

Finally, I could accept it.

This man was strong.

Not just strong, but far ahead of me.

‘Heh heh.’

As I accepted this, a strange desire sprouted.

The thirst for learning and growth.

I recalled the days I lost my family to monsters, enduring training while furious at my own helplessness.

“Then… will you guide me? To the inner areas where senior warriors reside?”

“Ha ha ha! Don’t say such embarrassing things! Consider me a close friend instead!”

“That’s unfair. It’s flattering if a master is talented, but if a close friend is talented, I get jealous.”

“Ha ha ha! Not wrong! I didn’t expect to be convinced so quickly!”

“I’ll keep learning.”

“Me too!”

‘Whew, good.’

I gripped my sword once again.

I didn’t know why a hero like him was only three stars, but I was curious about what realm this duel might end in.

This time, it was my turn to attack.