In the huge training hall in the hotel's basement, the atmosphere was hot, quite the opposite.
The hall was vast, its area equivalent to a football field, its floor made of polished hard wood, and its walls covered with reflective mirrors stretching from floor to ceiling. White neon lights flooded the place, and in the corners were training weapons: wooden swords of various sizes, light spears, leather shields, and iron weights.
In the center of the hall, Baek Min-joo and Baek Ah-reum stood face to face.
Baek Min-joo, the first daughter, wore a tight white training suit, suited to her quick movements. Her short white hair fell over her forehead, and her sharp blue eyes were focused on her sister. Her body was taut as a bow, her hands gripping a long wooden sword.
Baek Ah-reum, the second daughter, wore a loose pink outfit, her long black hair tied in a high ponytail. She seemed less focused than her sister, a nervous smile on her lips. Her wooden sword was shorter than Min-joo's, and she held it with both hands.
(Baek Min-joo (in a sharp voice, like a sword)
"Again. From the beginning. Do not take your eyes off my sword. Look at my movement, not my face."
(Baek Ah-reum (sighing)
"Alright, sister."
Ah-reum raised her sword and tried to imitate her sister's stance. But she was slower, less precise.
Min-joo shot toward her like an arrow. She was not using skills, no mana, only her physical strength and experience. Her wooden sword moved at lightning speed.
THWACK!
Ah-reum blocked the strike at the last moment, but she staggered back a step.
(Baek Min-joo (attacking again)
"Faster. Do not wait for the strike. Read it before it comes."
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
Three consecutive strikes. First on the shoulder, second on the waist, third on the knee. Ah-reum managed to block the first with difficulty, dodged the second with a quick bend, but the third touched her knee, and she nearly fell.
(Baek Ah-reum (panting)
"Sister... can we take a break?"
(Baek Min-joo (sternly)
"No. Not yet. You can endure. I know that. But you complain too much."
(Baek Ah-reum (groaning)
"Because I am tired!"
(Baek Min-joo (approaching her)
"Tiredness is no excuse. In a real battle, you will not have the option to rest. Again."
The training continued for another ten minutes. Min-joo was harsh but fair. Whenever Ah-reum made a mistake, she corrected her. Whenever she was slow to respond, she repeated the movement until she mastered it.
But Ah-reum endured. She hurt, sweated, panted, but she did not fall. Did not give up. Her eyes sometimes teared up from exhaustion, but she quickly wiped her tears before her sister could see them.
(Baek Min-joo (suddenly stopping, looking at her sister)
"You are stronger than you think, Ah-reum."
(Baek Ah-reum (panting, wiping her forehead)
"I feel like I am going to fall."
(Baek Min-joo (approaching her, placing her hand on her shoulder)
"But you did not fall. That is what matters."
(Baek Ah-reum (looking at her sister with tired but warm eyes)
"Because you did not let me."
Min-joo smiled a rare smile. It was a faint smile, barely noticeable, but it was genuine.
(Baek Min-joo (sighing)
"Enough for now. Take a rest."
Ah-reum quickly threw her wooden sword to the ground and sat on one of the wooden benches in the corner of the hall. She panted, sweated, her face red from exhaustion. Min-joo sat beside her, took out a water bottle from a small bag, and handed it to her sister.
(Baek Ah-reum (drinking greedily, then wiping her mouth)
"Sister... am I really that bad?"
(Baek Min-joo (looking at her calmly)
"You are not bad. You just... have not found your passion yet. Fighting is not just movements. Fighting is spirit. If you do not feel the desire to win, you will never win."
(Baek Ah-reum (looking at her hands)
"But I am not like you. You have been obsessed with swords since childhood. I... love fashion, music, and a quiet life."
(Baek Min-joo (placing her hand on her sister's shoulder)
"And there is no shame in that. But when the moment of battle comes, you must be ready. Not for the family's sake alone. For your own sake."
They heard footsteps approaching. They turned toward the hall's door and saw Geom Do-hyun enter.
He was in his late forties. His long black hair was tied in a high bun behind his head, like the old samurai style. He wore a loose red silk combat uniform, befitting his status as the eldest son of the Geom Family. His face had sharp features, and his dark eyes gleamed with intelligence and experience. He carried a long wooden sword in his right hand, and on his back he carried a real sword.
(Geom Do-hyun (bowing respectfully)
"Good evening. I hope I am not intruding."
Min-joo quickly stood and returned the greeting.
(Baek Min-joo (politely but cautiously)
"Good evening. Welcome, Master Do-hyun. What brings you here?"
(Geom Do-hyun (smiling faintly)
"I was training in another hall upstairs, but I grew bored training alone. So I came down looking for a larger hall, and I heard the sound of training. Curiosity led me in. I hope I am not intruding."
(Baek Ah-reum (looking at him admiringly)
"No, no. Not at all. You are welcome."
Min-joo shot her sister a sharp look, but she did not comment.
(Geom Do-hyun (looking at the wooden swords scattered on the floor, then at Min-joo)
"I have been watching your training for a moment. Your stances, Lady Min-joo, are good, more than good. But they contain hidden gaps."
(Baek Min-joo (raising an eyebrow)
"Gaps? Where?"
(Geom Do-hyun (taking a step forward)
"Dangerous gaps. An ordinary opponent might not notice them, but one with enough experience will see an opportunity to end the fight quickly."
(Baek Min-joo (staring at him)
"And you, of course, see them?"
(Geom Do-hyun (smiling)
"I see them. And if you wish, I can show them to you. In fact, I suggest we spar. You and I. Wooden sword against wooden sword."
Min-joo paused for a moment. She was thinking. Then she agreed.
(Baek Min-joo (smiling a small smile)
"Accepted. But with conditions."
(Geom Do-hyun (nodding)
"Go ahead."
(Baek Min-joo (firmly)
"No skills. No mana. Only experience and physical strength. And you... will not move from your spot. You will use only your right arm. And you will give me five strikes, you will not counter, only defend."
Geom Do-hyun's eyes widened slightly.
(Geom Do-hyun (laughing lightly)
"Harsh conditions. But I agree."
Baek Ah-reum moved to the side of the hall and sat on one of the benches, her eyes wide with excitement. Do-hyun and Min-joo stood in the center of the hall, five meters apart. Each chose a wooden sword that suited them.
They raised their swords together.
(Baek Min-joo (sharply)
"Let us begin."
She shot toward him like lightning.
Her movement was not ordinary. It was so fast that Ah-reum did not see it. She only saw a white trail moving, then the sound of wood striking wood.
THWACK!
Geom Do-hyun blocked the strike with his sword effortlessly. He did not move. Did not flinch. He was like an immovable mountain.
(Baek Min-joo (changing her position, attacking from a different angle)
THWACK!
He blocked again. Easily.
She changed her position again. Attacked from behind. From the side. From above. From below.
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
Five strikes. All blocked with absolute ease. As if she were striking an iron wall.
(Geom Do-hyun (quietly)
"The five strikes are done."
(Baek Min-joo (panting slightly, her eyes unbelieving)
"How... how did you do that?"
(Geom Do-hyun (smiling)
"This is only the beginning. Now, I will show you your first gap."
She shot toward him again. This time, she did not wait. She attacked from behind at great speed, thinking he would not expect it.
But he did.
THWACK!
He blocked her strike, then countered quickly. His strike was so fast that Min-joo almost did not see it. She blocked it with great difficulty, and her sword nearly flew from her hand.
(Geom Do-hyun (quietly)
"First gap: all your focus is on attacking. You forget to defend your back when transitioning from one stance to another."
(Baek Min-joo (biting her lip)
She tried again. This time, she changed her strategy completely. She did not attack directly. She began to feint, moving around him like a wolf, searching for a new weak point. Then, suddenly, she attacked from the front directly, but at the last moment changed her sword's path downward.
It was a clever move. Against any other opponent, it would have worked.
But Do-hyun was not any opponent.
THWACK!
He blocked the strike again. Then, with a swift motion, struck her sword from the side with force.
THWACK!
The wooden sword flew from Min-joo's hand and rolled on the floor. She lost her balance and fell to her knees.
(Geom Do-hyun (lowering his sword)
"Second gap: you are clever, and you rely on deception. But deception becomes predictable if you use the same trick twice."
Min-joo paused for a moment. Her eyes were wide, unable to believe what had happened. Then, suddenly, she smiled.
(Baek Min-joo (sighing)
"Were you joking?"
(Geom Do-hyun (extending his hand to her)
"I was not joking. But that was a clever move. If you had been a little faster, you would have hit me."
(Baek Min-joo (taking his hand and rising)
"But I was not faster."
(Geom Do-hyun (smiling)
"No. You were not. That is why you need to train more, and broaden your horizons. Knowing your flaws is the first step to fixing them."
(Baek Min-joo (looking at him with respect)
"Thank you. I learned more today than I have in months."
(Geom Do-hyun (bowing)
"The honor is mine."
---
Suddenly, they heard multiple footsteps approaching the hall's door.
Everyone turned.
Yoon Tae-woo, the first son of the Yoon Family, entered. He was from the second generation of the family, the father of both Yoon Jun-hyuk and Yoon Ah-soo. He wore a light blue combat uniform, befitting his status as one of the family's strongest fighters. His light brown hair was tied in a long ponytail reaching the middle of his back. His face had sharp features, and his dark eyes gleamed with intelligence and caution.
Behind him entered Yoon Jun-hyuk, his second son. He wore the same combat uniform, but only half, revealing his strong, toned arm muscles. His short brown hair fell over his forehead, and his face was fresher than his father's, but his eyes held the same sharpness. He was a very strong character, serious in his dealings, but also flexible and somewhat playful at times. He was not as rigid as his father; he knew when to laugh and when to be serious.
Behind them both entered Yoon Ah-soo, his third daughter, also from the third generation. She wore a simple white dress, her long black hair flowing over her shoulders. She looked calm as usual, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity when she saw Min-joo and her sister.
(Yoon Tae-woo (in a slightly provocative tone, looking at Do-hyun)
"Do you not get tired of bullying girls, Master Do-hyun? That is a bad habit."
Geom Do-hyun smiled a cold smile.
(Geom Do-hyun (replying)
"And you are still as rude as ever, Master Tae-woo. Some things never change."
(Yoon Tae-woo (laughing a rough laugh)
"My rudeness is what kept me alive. Your bullying of girls might get you killed one day."
(Geom Do-hyun (staring at him)
"I am not bullying. I was giving advice. And that is something you might also need, as signs of old age are showing on you."
(Yoon Tae-woo (stepping toward him)
"Old age? I am in my prime. As for you, your belly has started to grow."
(Geom Do-hyun (laughing)
"My belly? Those are muscles. But I would not expect a man your age to know the difference."
The exchange between them was sharp, but it did not reach enmity. It was like an old rivalry between friends, or perhaps between two enemies who had grown accustomed to each other's presence.
In the other corner of the hall, Yoon Ah-soo had approached Baek Min-joo and Baek Ah-reum.
(Yoon Ah-soo (warmly)
"Min-joo, Ah-reum... we have not met in a long time. How are you both?"
(Baek Min-joo (smiling a genuine smile, for the first time in a long while)
"Fine, Ah-soo. And you? How was training with the Phoenix? I heard she is harsh."
(Yoon Ah-soo (laughing lightly)
"Harsh? She is more than harsh. She is a living legend. I learned more from her than I learned in years with the family."
(Baek Ah-reum (with shining eyes)
"Tell us! How was it? What is it like fighting her?"
(Yoon Ah-soo (sitting beside them)
"It was... terrifying and wonderful at the same time. She is so fast that my eyes cannot follow her. And her power..."
She paused, looking at the ceiling.
(Yoon Ah-soo (in a low voice)
"She is unlike any human I have ever fought."
(Baek Ah-reum (looking at Min-joo)
"Sister... can we train with her one day?"
(Baek Min-joo (shaking her head)
"Perhaps. If we become strong enough to ask for it."
(Yoon Ah-soo (looking at Ah-reum)
"You have become stronger, Ah-reum. I can see it in your eyes."
(Baek Ah-reum (lowering her head shyly)
"Thank you. But I am still far from my sister's level."
(Yoon Ah-soo (placing her hand on her shoulder)
"Comparison kills joy. You are wonderful as you are."
Then Yoon Ah-soo turned to her brother Yoon Jun-hyuk and gestured to him.
(Yoon Ah-soo (gently)
"This is my brother, Jun-hyuk. I wanted to introduce you to him."
Yoon Jun-hyuk stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the Baek sisters. His face was serious at first, then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
(Yoon Jun-hyuk (warmly but firmly)
"Pleased to meet you both. I have heard much about you from Ah-soo. She used to talk about you often."
(Baek Min-joo (returning the greeting)
"We are also pleased to meet you. Ah-soo is a dear friend to us."
(Baek Ah-reum (looking at him curiously, then speaking spontaneously and warmly)
"Jun-hyuk... are you as strong as your father? Ah-soo says you train hard."
Yoon Jun-hyuk laughed lightly and shook his head.
(Yoon Jun-hyuk (somewhat playfully)
"My father is still much stronger than me. But I am working to catch up. One day, I will be the strongest of all."
(Baek Ah-reum (laughing)
"I wish you luck. My sister says the same about herself."
(Yoon Jun-hyuk (looking at Min-joo)
"Lady Min-joo... I have heard of your sword skills. Perhaps we could spar one day."
(Baek Min-joo (smiling)
"I would be happy to."
In the center of the hall, the dispute between Yoon Tae-woo and Geom Do-hyun had reached its peak.
(Yoon Tae-woo (suddenly shouting)
"Enough! I have had enough of your foolish talk."
(Geom Do-hyun (coolly)
"I too have had enough of your ugly face."
(Yoon Tae-woo (grabbing a wooden sword from the rack on the wall)
"Come on. Show me what you have. No skills, no mana. Only experience and physical strength. Let us see who is truly old."
(Geom Do-hyun (raising his wooden sword)
"With pleasure."
The two climbed onto the platform. They stood five meters apart. They raised their swords together.
(Yoon Tae-woo (sharply)
"Let us begin."
They launched toward each other like lightning.
Their strikes were not ordinary. They were so strong that the air shook around them. Each collision between their swords released a small shockwave that rose through the hall.
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
They were very evenly matched. Tae-woo was slightly faster, but Do-hyun was more precise. Tae-woo relied on his immense physical strength, while Do-hyun relied on his decades of experience.
(Yoon Tae-woo (between strikes)
"You still retain some talent despite your old age!"
(Geom Do-hyun (retorting)
"And you still lack taste despite your youth!"
CRACK!
The floor cracked beneath their feet from the intensity of the blows. The hall's walls shook, and some weapons fell from their racks.
(Yoon Ah-soo (clapping)
"Father! Uncle Do-hyun! Stop! You will bring down the hall!"
But no one heard her. They were immersed in their fight.
Tae-woo attacked from above with a powerful blow that nearly shattered Do-hyun's sword. But Do-hyun spun his sword quickly and countered with a low strike, nearly touching Tae-woo's thigh.
(Yoon Tae-woo (jumping back)
"Good! Very good!"
(Geom Do-hyun (pursuing him)
"It is not over yet!"
Energy gathered around their swords. They were not using skills, but their physical strength was enough to generate tremendous energy. Each was enveloped in a faint aura of their respective energy: Tae-woo with a light blue aura, Do-hyun with a dark red aura.
They suddenly stopped. They stood three meters apart. Their eyes burned.
(Yoon Tae-woo (quietly)
"The final strike."
(Geom Do-hyun (equally quiet)
"The final strike."
They launched toward each other at insane speed. Their swords were about to meet in the middle.
SHING!
Suddenly, a figure appeared between them.
No one had seen him come. No one had heard his footsteps. He was suddenly there, in the middle of the platform, between their swords.
Geom Young-chul, the Grand Elder of the Geom Family.
He raised his bare hand and stopped both swords with his hands.
THWACK!
Everything stopped. Tae-woo and Do-hyun froze in place. They looked at the old man standing between them, his hands gripping their wooden swords.
(Geom Young-chul (in a rough, angry voice)
"Stop. Now."
Tae-woo and Do-hyun stepped back. They were panting, their faces red from exhaustion.
(Geom Young-chul (looking around the hall)
"Look at what you have done. This hall is no longer fit for training after today."
The two men looked around. The floor was full of cracks. The walls were cracked. Some of the mirrors on the walls were shattered. Even the ceiling had small cracks.
(Geom Young-chul (looking at Do-hyun)
"Did I not tell you to stop behaving like children?"
(Geom Do-hyun (lowering his head)
"...Sorry, Uncle."
(Geom Young-chul (looking at Tae-woo)
"And you, Master Yoon. Is it not time for bed?"
(Yoon Tae-woo (laughing with difficulty)
"Perhaps... perhaps it is time."
(Geom Young-chul (sighing)
"Let us go. We will talk later."
Do-hyun nodded and followed his uncle out of the hall. Before leaving, he turned to Min-joo and greeted her.
(Geom Do-hyun (bowing)
"Lady Min-joo... thank you for the training. I hope we meet again."
(Baek Min-joo (returning the greeting)
"Thank you. I learned a lot."
Do-hyun and his uncle left.
Yoon Tae-woo turned to his children.
(Yoon Tae-woo (wearily)
"Let us go as well."
(Yoon Ah-soo (standing and looking at Min-joo and Ah-reum)
"Goodbye, my friends. I will see you soon."
(Baek Min-joo (smiling)
"Goodbye, Ah-soo."
(Yoon Jun-hyuk (bowing to the Baek sisters)
"It was a pleasant meeting. I hope we meet again, perhaps in a friendly spar."
(Baek Ah-reum (laughing)
"You too, Jun-hyuk. We will be waiting."
The Yoon Family left the hall, and the Baek sisters followed shortly after.
The hall remained empty, filled with cracks and dust.
---
Elsewhere in the hotel, in a narrow dark corridor.
Takahashi Rin walked quietly. He wore a black combat kimono, his antique sword hanging on his back. In his right hand, a small wooden sake box. His face was calm, his eyes gleaming with intelligence.
The corridor was narrow, lit by dim lights. No one was there.
Suddenly, he felt someone in front of him. He did not hear footsteps. He just felt him.
He raised his eyes.
Han Ji-hoon stood before him. He wore his garish red suit, his gold chain hanging from his neck. An arrogant smile on his face.
(Takahashi Rin (putting the sake box in his pocket)
"Who are you?"
(Han Ji-hoon (smiling)
"I am Han Ji-hoon. Of the Han Family."
(Takahashi Rin (tilting his head)
"And what do you want?"
(Han Ji-hoon (stepping forward)
"I want to speak with you."
Suddenly, a dark, pitch-black aura appeared around Ji-hoon. The air grew cold, the light dimmed. The aura was like a black hole, devouring everything around it.
Takahashi Rin's eyes widened.
(Takahashi Rin (laughing)
"This is interesting."
SHING!
He drew his sword from its sheath like lightning.
But before he could attack, another figure appeared behind Ji-hoon. He wore a long black cloak that completely concealed his features. Rin had never seen him before. He had not sensed him. He was like part of the darkness itself.
(Takahashi Rin (eyes widening further)
"And what is this?"
(Han Ji-hoon (smiling)
"Not now, Master Rin."
(Takahashi Rin (staring at the cloaked figure, then at Ji-hoon)
"It will be a full and difficult night."
Then, without hesitation, Takahashi Rin launched himself toward the mysterious man.
SHING!
His sword was on its way to the cloaked man's neck.
---
In the Yazeed Family's suite.
The lights were dim. The fire in the fireplace cast golden shadows. Nayun was sleeping on the sofa, wrapped in a white blanket. She was smiling in her sleep, as if dreaming a beautiful dream.
Ji-won sat beside her. She wore a purple nightgown. Her golden eyes were half closed. She looked at her daughter, then at Anas.
(Ji-won (in a faint voice)
"Anas... I am going to sleep."
(Anas (not turning, his eyes on the window)
"Sleep. I will come shortly."
Ji-won stood, approached him, and kissed his head.
(Ji-won (whispering)
"Do not stay up too long."
She went to the bedroom and closed the door.
Anas remained alone. He rose from the chair and approached the window. He looked at the moon. His gray eyes were calm as a lake on a clear night.
Then he whispered.
(Anas (quietly)
"Come."
Time stopped.
The fire in the fireplace froze. The smoke hung in the air like a painted picture. The lights outside the window stopped flickering. Nayun stopped breathing for a moment. Even the dust in the air stopped moving.
Before him appeared MOD MENU.
A semi-transparent female hologram, her long silver hair shining like the moon, her purple eyes filled with stars sparkling in the darkness. She wore a black maid's dress with a silver apron, standing before him with a slight bow.
(MOD MENU (bowing)
"I am at your service, my lord."
---
End of Chapter Twenty-Five