Chapter 365: The World's Best (3)

The Heavenly Demon, Kim Hae–il, didn’t attract much attention from the users with his participation in the tournament.
Well, except from two people.

Click.
Alberu tapped the screen.

The entire community was focused solely on the Supreme Martial Arts Tournament.
Until the crowning of Ahn Roh Man—currently Rank 1—as Crown Prince, and even during that coronation, this tournament was expected to dominate the bulletin boards.

===================

<The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament participant list has been confirmed>
Users
Rank 3 – Ghost Sword
Rank 7 – Dawn Fist
Rank 12 – Knight of Abundance
…

===================

He checked the comments.

===================

– Ghost Sword will participate?! Doesn’t that guy only play solo? Wow… Doesn’t he hate Wu users?
– Yeah, he really does. Wu users get all the government support, but Ghost Sword just popped up as a ranker and stole all the spotlight.

===================

The Wu user from China.

He even had a guild. He declared that he would become the God of Wu and follow the will of the martial world, so his guild resembled a martial sect in both form and philosophy.

However, Ghost Sword was different. He always operated alone.

He always wore a hood or mask to conceal his face, so very few knew his true identity. But it was widely said—he was a sword maniac, a true ghost of the sword.
(TL Note: Ghost can also be interpreted as Demon, depending on context.)

===================

– Dawn Fist? That guy’s a total maniac, right? Isn’t he the one who tears apart both monsters and people with his bare hands?
– Yep. He’ll definitely rip someone to shreds during the tournament. That guy destroys everything.
– I heard the Order of Abundance sent a paladin to participate. The Knight of Abundance showed up.
– Well, they had to. After all, he’s the one who actually founded the Order of Abundance in real life.
– He’s completely insane. I bet that woman told the Order of Abundance herself: “I’ll hand over the Kingdom of Lan to the Order!”
– Wow. Yeah, that honestly sounds like something she’d do.

===================

There were a lot of comments.
Aside from ranks 3, 7, and 12, several other high-ranking players had also appeared.

===================

– Anyway, many rankers who play solo are participating.
– It’s an opportunity. Whoever wins here will become the heir of the Kingdom of Lan. They’d be fools to miss such a chance.
– Maybe the guys who have factions will also participate?

===================

In particular, many rankers who preferred to play solo had appeared.
Since most of them weren’t known for their faces, special skills, or affiliations, the interest in the tournament seemed even greater.
“Hmm.”
On the other hand, Rosalyn was also checking the bulletin board.

===================

<But will the users be able to win?>
New World

The Five Great Factions of the Kingdom of Lan will participate:
Heavenly Sword
Wind Path
Snow Mortal Flower
Justice Alliance
Dark Abyss

– Heavenly Sword, also known as the Sword maniacs! The heir is participating.
– Wind Path. If we compare it to Wuxia, they’re like Shaolin and Wudang. The youngest master is participating.
– Snow Mortal Flower. The female warriors have gathered! If you touch them, you’re in trouble. Seriously, you’re in trouble. You’ll have to stop playing. The leader’s sister is here.
– Justice Alliance similar to the righteous path, a union of several families and factions. …Here’s the leader.
– Dark Abyss. The guys who are worse than the Evil Faction! The leader’s here too.
– I don’t know the faces of the members of each faction, but it seems like everyone’s participating—except for magic or elemental users.
– I’ve been near the registration counter for days. I’ve confirmed it!

===================

“If magic was also valid, I’d also participate. It’s a pity.”
Alberu answered with a slight smile at Rosalyn’s words.

“…”

“…”

After a brief silence, the two looked at each other.

“It’s crazy.”
Alberu answered Rosalyn’s words.

“It’s a disaster.”
Both were covered in dust and looked dirty.

“Anyway, we’re done here, shall we go to the Kingdom of Lan?”

“Hmm. It seems like I won’t be able to see the preliminaries, but it seems like I’ll be able to see the finals.”

Demon Kingdom.
After finishing their work there, the two headed to the Kingdom of Lan.

Alberu had to receive the Sun Sword from Choi Han.

“The Heavenly Demon. Is he strong?”
At Alberu’s question, Rosalyn answered without hesitation.

“He’s behind Choi Han. But he’s close enough to face him clearly.”

It was an answer that completely revealed the Heavenly Demon’s strength.

Alberu said with a kind expression.

“How about we rest a little longer? We can only see the finals.”

This time, Rosalyn answered with a slight smile.

* * *

Rank 3, Ghost Sword.
He sat down and assumed the lotus position. His sword rested in his arms.

“…”

Someone stopped in front of him as he closed his eyes and silently meditated.

“Seems like the sword maniac wants power too, huh?”

“…”

A thin, small man stood before Ghost Sword.

“Who is it?”

At Ghost Sword’s question, the man’s face twisted.

“…I’m Dawn Fist.”

Rank 7, Dawn Fist.

The gazes of nearby users immediately converged.
And not just the users.

“Oh. Ghost Sword, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Heavenly Sword—one of the Five Great Factions of the Kingdom of Lan.
They were a sect that worshipped only the sword, believing that the sword alone could reach the pinnacle of Wu.
Many of their members had entered the tournament.

“……”

Ghost Sword stared silently at the man who addressed him.

Among the Heavenly Sword participants—those obsessed with the sword—the one who had spoken was Sorak (소락), the Heir.

Sorak, who had turned thirty this year, possessed such overwhelming talent that calling him merely a sword genius felt like an understatement.

And because Sorak had entered this tournament with the ambition to claim the throne of the Kingdom of Lan, even more attention had begun to shift toward Ghost Sword.

“Ha, ha. You’re quite the cold fellow.”

Sorak had a charming, cheerful demeanor.

“……”

And Dawn Fist’s expression grew even darker.

Sorak and Ghost Sword were completely ignoring him.
However, Dawn Fist, who couldn’t get a word in—especially not with Sorak—bit his lip and backed away.

“I hope to face you later!”

Of course, he left behind a declaration of war for Ghost Sword.
But neither Ghost Sword nor Sorak spared him a glance.

“Someday, let’s share a meal with my grandfather.”

Sorak’s words stirred the air.

“Is he talking about his grandfather?”
“Wait… is he referring to Emperor Sword?”

The current leader of Heavenly Sword—
Emperor Sword, Sorak’s grandfather.

“……”

But Ghost Sword remained silent.
The silence only heightened the tension.
Everyone nearby grew nervous, sensing that something might erupt.

But then—
Ghost Sword finally spoke.

“…If it’s a duel, that’ll be enough.”

A loud laugh burst from Sorak’s mouth.

“Ha, ha, ha!”

He looked genuinely pleased.

“That’s why my grandfather likes you. Ghost Sword, Heavenly Sword will always welcome you. Come anytime.”

Wow.
Someone in the crowd couldn’t hold back their gasp.

Sorak’s words—
They were a form of recruitment.

A direct offer from the heir of a major faction—
To a stranger.
A regular user.

In the New World, many organizations did accept outsiders into their ranks.
But usually only as subordinates.
It was rare for the heir of such a prestigious faction to extend an offer—
While mentioning the faction’s leader himself.

“…Hmm.”

Ghost Sword neither accepted nor rejected the offer—
He simply closed his eyes.

Sorak, satisfied with the response, smiled and opened his mouth.

“Today’s exam will be easy for you, like breathing. I’ll leave you the address of the inn we’re staying at. Drop by whenever you have time.”

With that, Sorak turned and left.

“…”

Ghost Sword watched his retreating back for a moment—
Then shut his eyes once more.

The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament.

Thousands had signed up to participate.
Even for the preliminaries, the number was overwhelming.
So, before the real battles began, a kind of qualification exam had been arranged.

“Damn it!”
A user stormed out of the exam grounds, swearing under his breath.

The testing area was a massive training field, surrounded by towering walls that blocked any view of what happened inside.

Ghost Sword was sitting in a vacant lot just outside the exam grounds.

“They should at least give us a chance to fight!”
Some of the NPCs from the New World were complaining as well.

But most seemed to accept the outcome in silence.

“This is easy. I’ll finish it quickly.”
“Oh, I’m so jealous.”

Among them were many who had passed the qualification exam with confidence and ease.

Once the previous round ended, the examiner stepped out to announce the next turn.

“I’ll now call the 17th participant for the qualification exam! If you know it’s your turn, step forward!”

The qualification exams were being held over several days.
The examiner read from the list.

“…Kim Hae–il… Ghost Sword!”

It was his turn.

Ghost Sword slowly opened his eyes—
And rose to his feet.

As he walked forward with quiet, indifferent steps, he saw a group of three people waiting ahead.

“Our Young Master, you must pass this test!”

A blonde man—dressed in a pristine, elegant outfit that hardly resembled a servant’s attire—spoke with an exaggerated tone, almost as if he were mocking.

“……”

Behind the Young Master walked a red-haired man, moving like a silent escort.

Ghost Sword's gaze locked onto that man.

“……”

Then—he noticed the sword hanging at the man’s waist.

Strange.

Ghost Sword.
He lived in obsession with the sword—whether in the real world or in the game.

For him, who had devoted his life to swordsmanship, the game world was like paradise.
If he played it right, he could train without sleep.
Even if he died, it wasn’t the end.

More importantly—
Unlike reality, this world held countless swordsmanship styles.
And many opponents he could fight with the sword.

That was why Ghost Sword had fallen into this world—
To the point of madness.

That was his belief.

If I die here, I’ll become a ghost of the sword.

His face, carved with a resolve that went beyond mere determination, reflected that conviction.

“…”

Without even realizing it, he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

That red-haired man—
I want to fight him.

At that moment—

“…!”

The red-haired man suddenly turned and looked straight at him.

Ghost Sword flinched.

He hadn’t released any killing intent.
Not even a sliver.

And yet—
That bodyguard had sensed his gaze and met it without hesitation.

“…”

He suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

“…”

“…”

The red-haired man’s face, as he looked at Ghost Sword, was gentle—
But his eyes were utterly indifferent.

What…?

It was the first time.
Ghost Sword felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation.

The image of that bodyguard holding a sword—
Why was it forming so vividly in his mind when he hadn’t even seen the man draw it?

And yet—
Why couldn’t he imagine that bodyguard swinging the sword?

What was the difference between those two things?
Why did it feel so distinct?

“What’s wrong?”

Just then, the blonde-haired man spoke to the bodyguard.

And the master—the black-haired man they referred to as Young Master—
Gently placed a hand on the bodyguard’s shoulder.

“You can stop looking now. Don’t worry.”

At that moment, the black-haired man turned to Ghost Sword.
Their eyes met.

Ghost Sword stiffened.

“!”

A chill ran down his spine.
An eerie, inexplicable coldness gripped him.

But the black-haired Young Master quickly looked away and walked toward the exam grounds with calm, relaxed steps.

“Then, do well, Young Master! We’ll be waiting here with the bodyguard!”

The Young Master disappeared into the testing area, leaving behind his servant and his escort.

Cale and Choi Han, having done their part, offered a casual goodbye to the Heavenly Demon—more like a joke than anything.
The Heavenly Demon, of course, completely ignored them.

Ghost Sword, still standing there, finally remembered the participant’s name.

“…Kim Hae-il…”

And he began walking toward the exam grounds—
His steps faster than before.

“Jade Stone! Each participant must leave a mark on the Jade Stone in front of them—by any means necessary! If your mark is confirmed, you pass!”

There was a Jade Stone in front of each of the twenty participants—each one as large as an adult's torso.

Jade Stone.
A stone so dense and resilient that only a sword imbued with sufficient energy could even hope to scar it.

It was the minimum standard for the qualification exam.

“Ugh!”
“Let’s go!”

All around, participants unleashed their strength against the stones.

Vmmm—
Vmmm—

Swords, fists, axes—
It didn’t matter what weapon they used.

As long as it carried energy, they could attempt to break the Jade Stone.

“……”

Ghost Sword stood in silence, completely still.
He hadn’t even moved yet.

The other participants cast sidelong glances his way, but he wasn’t paying attention to them.

His eyes—
Were fixed on Kim Hae-il, the Heavenly Demon, seated a little farther away.

He held nothing in his hands.
Yet Ghost Sword couldn’t look away.

“!”

Suddenly, Ghost Sword stiffened.

Their eyes had met.

Kim Hae-il.
That man looked straight at Ghost Sword—
Then calmly turned his gaze away.

And looked toward the Jade Stone in front of him.

Rustle.

From beneath the folds of his wide robes, a hand slowly emerged.

There didn’t seem to be any energy in his hand.

And then—his hand moved.

Just once.
Truly, only once.

It passed through the air, tracing a strange, unseen line.

“!”

Ghost Sword froze in place.

And the Heavenly Demon calmly walked toward the examiner.

“Am I done? Can I leave?”

All eyes turned toward him.

But then—some began to frown.

“What? Is he giving up?”
“Didn’t he do anything?”

The Jade Stone in front of Kim Hae-il was completely untouched.
That’s why most assumed he had given up.

“…”

But the examiner’s gaze told a different story.

There were three examiners total, each closely watching the participants.
The one who had observed Kim Hae-il began to slowly approach him.

“Yes, if you know you can’t do it, it’s smarter to give up early!”

A nearby swordsman sneered mockingly.

And then—
The examiner who stood before the Heavenly Demon’s Jade Stone opened his mouth.

“Passed.”

“…!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in stunned silence.

Everyone—
Except for Ghost Sword, who remained calm.

He had already felt it.
That chill running down his spine.
The goosebumps spreading across his arms.

“Passed? Just by… looking—”

The moment a participant tried to protest—

Thump.

The examiner placed his hand on the top center of the Jade Stone.

Crackle.

Like a flower slowly blooming—
The Jade Stone began to split apart from the center.
And then—shattered.

“!”

“…!”

No one could find the words to speak.

In the heavy silence, Ghost Sword looked at Kim Hae-il.

That was a sword.
Without a doubt—
That movement just now was a sword.

Moreover—
It was the pinnacle.

A sword that had reached the pinnacle.

What kind of sword is that?
What is that power…?

“I’m leaving.”

The Heavenly Demon, Kim Hae-il, calmly exited the exam grounds.

Ghost Sword’s eyes followed his back—burning with ambition and shadowed by fear.

And then—

In the far corner of the exam grounds.
In a blind spot where no one else was watching—

An old man sat in the lotus position.
Hidden from sight.

It was Charun, the queen’s teacher and the leader of the Martial Arts Academy.

He slowly raised a hand.

“Mmm— I found one.”

The tip of his trembling fingers pointed forward.
His aged, gleaming eyes flickered with a chill—
And joy.

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Translator's Comment:

He didn’t swing his sword—but the world still split.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]