"Are these the ones?" A man entered the room and asked the Association staff, looking at us.
He spoke in Chinese, which none of the Hunters understood except for me and the Association staff.
My ability to understand Chinese stemmed from my time in the Supreme Grandmaster of the Great Ultimate world. During that period, I naturally acquired fluency in the language.
"Yes. These ten Hunters will assist with the evacuation of Uchuk Village residents," the staff replied.
"Thank you for your assistance. Please stay close to me from now on. Time is short, so let's move quickly."
The Association staff translated his words for us. We gathered our equipment and approached the Chinese man.
Is this the A-Class spatial teleportation ability user from China?
I scrutinized the Chinese man.
His clothes were grimy, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. Given that China had issued a Rank 5 Monster Disaster Alert, it was no wonder he hadn't been able to sleep properly and had been working nonstop.
Spatial teleportation ability users especially those capable of teleporting to other countries are exceedingly rare.
Looking at his face, which seemed on the verge of collapse, I couldn't exactly envy him.
"Hoo... I'll teleport us now," he said, channeling his Mana. The moment I felt a tremor, we were instantly transported to Uchuk Village in China. About twenty individuals who appeared to be Chinese Hunters stood around us.
"Cough. Cough! Cough!"
The cough came from the Chinese man who had teleported us here. His face was pale, and he looked so unwell I thought he might collapse.
"...I should be going now. I still have much work to do..."
He sighed as he spoke, then used his ability to vanish.
Ugh. They must be working him to the bone.
Spatial teleportation ability users possess a rare and powerful ability, granting them far better treatment than ordinary Hunters. However, due to the risk of misuse, they can't use their ability freely.
Teleporting to any town or city of significant size requires permission from the Association or government. This is why people often compare spatial teleportation ability users to dogs on leashes.
"Alright!"
A man drew our attention. He was in his thirties, with short hair and glasses.
"I'm Ji Wujin from the Festio Guild. Is there anyone here who speaks Chinese?"
Festio Guild.
It was a guild name I'd never heard before. And if I didn't know it, there was a 70% chance it was an insignificant guild.
"I do," I said, raising my hand. Han Harin, standing beside me, gave me a skeptical look. But I remained confident.
"Ah, someone else speaks Chinese too. Pleased to meet you," Ji Wujin said, approaching me and extending his hand for a handshake. He spoke in Chinese, seemingly testing my fluency.
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sung Yujin."
As we shook hands, someone approached us from the side.
"Hey, Korean Hunters. Isn't this a bit too leisurely for greetings? You haven't forgotten our mission, have you?"
The man was in his mid-thirties, dressed in martial attire. With a long, black beard that reached his chest, he carried a massive Demon-Slaying Blade on his back.
"Of course not. There's a saying: 'The more urgent the situation, the more important it is to take a step back.' I believe we still have some time. Who are you?"
"I'm Gong Kun, a disciple of the Hegemon Blade Sect. More importantly, shouldn't we reassure the villagers who are waiting for us?"
Gong Kun pointed to one side. People who appeared to be villagers were cautiously watching us.
"Ah... Gong Kun, you're right. Uchuk Village residents! We are Hunters who have come from Korea to provide support!"
After that, we gathered to strategize and decided to evacuate to Lanzhou City at noon the following day.
Currently, I was on the roof of the village's tallest building, looking down. More precisely, I was watching a woman.
She was a Chinese Hunter.
With her long black hair tied back and her porcelain-white skin, she was a rare beauty even by Korean standards. Like Gong Kun, she wore martial attire and carried a massive Demon-Slaying Blade on her back. I had seen Gong Kun treat her with great deference several times.
"Similar martial attire and weapons? The answer's obvious. They're from the same guild. Was it the Hegemon Blade Sect? The woman seems to outrank Gong Kun."
In China, they don't call them "guilds" but "sects." And unlike guilds in other countries, Chinese sects are closer to the martial arts sects you find in wuxia novels.
Was it because I was staring too intently?
She looked back at me. I didn't avert my gaze.
Hmm. She's even prettier up close. But she seems to be about my level in combat... And this is reality, not a game. I should try seducing her instead. But how do I seduce her?
She was frowning, clearly in a foul mood.
She dashed toward me, her feet landing lightly on the rooftops as she leaped across the gaps, moving with the grace of a bird taking flight.
Lightness Skill, I thought.
It took her less than five minutes to reach me. She must have been training in martial arts since she was very young.
"Why have you been watching me since earlier?"
"Watching? That sounds so harsh. I was just looking. A beauty like you isn't exactly common, you know."
"Nonsense... You've been watching me since noon. Do you think I wouldn't notice?"
"I told you, I was just admiring your beauty."
"..."
Even my compliment didn't thaw her icy demeanor. Her eyes remained fixed on me, brimming with suspicion.
"I know you're from Korea. Reveal your true identity."
"I'm Sung Yujin, an E-Rank Hunter."
"You know I'm not asking for that. ...Wait, E-Rank? An E-Rank Hunter is taking on this mission?"
"The Association recognizes my skills as C-Rank. I can show you my Temporary Hunter's License. And since I don't belong to a guild, there's nothing else to disclose. Oh, except that I practice the Yeongcheon Style."
"Yeongcheon Style...?! You're a practitioner of the Yeongcheon Style?!"
Seeing her visibly agitated reaction, I nodded. It seemed the Yeongcheon Style was famous even in China.
"I've revealed my identity. Now it's your turn."
"I am Ryu Jayeong of the Hegemon Blade Sect. I never imagined we'd meet like this. Perfect. Sung Yujin of the Yeongcheon Style, I challenge you to a duel."
Ryu Jayeong casually drew the Demon-Slaying Blade from her back with her right hand. I couldn't tell how long she'd trained in martial arts, but her stance was flawless, without a single wasted movement.
"Wait a minute! A duel?! Not just a sparring match, but a duel?!"
Sparring matches and duels were different. I knew this from Jin Seyoung.
A sparring match was essentially joint training with an opponent, while a duel was closer to a life-or-death clash of martial arts.
Duels were brutal. With bad luck, one of the combatants could lose their life.
"That's right. I've heard about the Yeongcheon Style's martial arts from my father. He described it as swift and ferocious. I intend to witness its truth with my own eyes."
"A duel out of nowhere? What's the meaning of this..."
I was about to refuse, but I clamped my mouth shut.
My mind raced.
"Ryu Jayoung, you understand the significance of a duel, don't you?"
Ryu Jayoung's sharply arched eyebrows twitched.
"Do you think I'd challenge you to a duel without even knowing what it means?"
"If you know what a duel is, you must also realize you're being rude right now, right?"
"...I acknowledge my rudeness. I apologize. But I cannot withdraw my challenge."
"I know. I'm willing to accept the duel too, if you agree to my condition."
"Condition?"
"The loser of the duel must grant any request made by the winner."
"...Any request? I can't accept such a vague condition. Specify the terms."
I chuckled. Ryu Jayoung was surprisingly meticulous. I had planned to claim him after winning the duel... but it seems I'll have to abandon that plan.
"Training. Help me with my training roughly three times, whenever I ask."
"If that's the request... very well. I'll grant it."
I suppressed a sinister grin that kept threatening to surface. I hadn't specified exactly what kind of training I had in mind.
"Now it's your turn. When you win, what will you ask of me?"
"When I win the martial arts match... It's fine. I was the one who initiated this challenge with my rudeness. I'm simply curious about the Yeongcheon Style. Even if I win, I have no intention of asking anything of you."
"Oh, okay."
"Now, let's begin the match..."
"Wait, wait. You're planning to fight here?"
I pointed down with my finger. We were currently standing on a rooftop. Fighting here would destroy the house.
"..."
Ryu Jayoung glanced around, then re-equipped the Demon-Slaying Blade on her back and said, "I noticed a suitable clearing behind the village earlier. Let's have the match there."
"Sounds good."
Clang!
I parried the Demon-Slaying Blade falling from above by bracing the Hwaryeon Flying Dagger sideways. Sparks flew, and my legs trembled as I was forced backward.
This wasn't just because Ryu Jayoung's physical abilities surpassed mine. The Overlord Blade Technique he wielded lived up to its name, relying on overwhelming force. A direct clash would inevitably push me back.
Incredible power. And contrary to its seemingly crude nature, the Overlord Blade Technique is far from simple. If it were truly crude martial arts, I wouldn't be pushed back like this.
I widened the distance, studying the crimson sword qi shimmering around Ryu Jayoung's Demon-Slaying Blade. Some might argue that the energy emanating from a blade should be called "Blade Qi," but most simply refer to it as "sword qi." Distinctions are usually made only for qi generated by spears or fists.
"Yeongcheon Style... Disappointing, considering what I've heard."
"That's a hasty judgment. I haven't even begun yet."
Crackling.
Red Thunderbolt writhed fiercely from the blade, its blue sword qi shimmering.
Ryu Jayoung's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure and adopted a more cautious stance than before. Her previously aggressive posture shifted to a defensive one.
So, she's going to probe the Yeongcheon Style first. ...Fine. Let her try to probe it if she can.
Acceleration activated. Duration: 10 minutes. Remaining stacks: 4
Using Thunderclap Step, I dashed toward Ryu Jayoung, swinging my blade. She channeled her mana to its peak and swung her Demon-Slaying Blade.
She took the bait.
Yeongcheon Style: Jade Stream.
Ryu Jayoung's Demon-Slaying Blade struck an absurdly off-target spot right beside me. As I passed her, I drove my fist into her slender side. After all, I couldn't bring myself to slash her side with my blade.
But my fist was stopped by something invisible, just three centimeters from her body.
"...!"
Whoosh!
Ryu Jayoung swung her Demon-Slaying Blade in a wide arc. The massive gust of wind generated by the blade knocked me off balance, sending me flying backward. I landed on my feet with a somersault, frowning.
"Ryu Jayoung. What was that?"
"My ability. Phase Defense. It's a barrier that automatically protects me."
"...So, to defeat you, I have to break through that barrier?"
"No. If you're stronger than me, I'll concede defeat without hesitation."
"A commendable attitude."
I charged at her again, unleashing the Jade Stream technique.
"That trick won't work anymore," she said, anticipating my move. I feigned a sword strike while extending my leg to trip her. But both attacks failed. My Demon-Slaying Blade was blocked, and my attempt to trip her left her unmoved.
Ryu Jayoung clearly outmatched me in raw power.
Whoosh! Whoosh! KABOOM!
Her attacks weren't fast, but they were devastating. Even a glancing blow would inflict severe injuries.
The ground around her was already a wreck gouged earth, swirling dust, and shattered stone fragments.
And her vitality is monstrous. At this rate, I'll exhaust myself first.
She was a tough woman.
I wondered if she was just as tough in bed.
"Let's give it our all this time. If that doesn't work... I'll use Complete Recovery to win, no matter what."
I channeled all my Mana to summon Crimson Lightning.
"...That red lightning is dangerous."
"You want me to stop using Crimson Lightning?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Do I look like I'd say something like that? Come at me."
Crackling sparks
Our weapons clashed. Crimson Lightning surged through the Demon-Slaying Blade and into Ryu Jayoung's hand. The barrier surrounding her flickered, but some of the lightning still penetrated her defenses.
Ryu Jayoung gritted her teeth and swung the Demon-Slaying Blade.
Instant activated. Remaining stacks: 3
I dodged sideways and struck her ribs with the hilt of my sword. The barrier blocked the blow, but that didn't matter. My goal was to channel the current through her.
Whoosh!
Instant activated. Remaining stacks: 2
I evaded her leftward swing and slipped into her guard.
Crack. Crack.
Ryu Jayoung's reaction to the Crimson Lightning was much slower than before. The blade hovered at her throat.
"Grrr... I've lost."