Part 2, Episode 134.
The number one master of Western swordsmanship.
The Paramount Blade. The living embodiment of the sword.
Although he was accompanied by various other names, the one that best described him was indeed this one.
-Ghost Sword Sirgan.
Because there was no nickname more suitable to describe his swordsmanship.
Artistic yet spine-chilling swordsmanship, as if watching the swordsmanship of a ghost rather than a living being.
A sword so anomalous it looks like it is possessed.
He could be described as a figure who had reached the pinnacle of the Illusion Sword, but in fact, he did not use this swordsmanship from the beginning.
Sirgan, he is originally a descendant of a prestigious family famous for traditional swordsmanship.
Because it was known that he had seen the pinnacle of traditional Western swordsmanship, not that kind of possessed-looking phantom sword.
Perhaps it was only natural.
In reality, even if you say it is ever-changing, it is merely that the sword path is colorful.
Wouldn’t it be impossible to wield swordsmanship worthy of being called a “phantom sword”?
That was the shackles. My talent lay in the Illusion Sword.
However, virtual reality games were different.
The realism of being able to directly control your body and execute swordsmanship learned in the modern era.
In addition to that, there are fantastical skills and abilities made possible by the ‘game’ element, as well as movements that transcend the limits of the body.
The swordsmanship utilizing these techniques went beyond the framework of modern swordsmanship, and numerous swordsmen would discover new talents here.
And one of them was Sirgan, and that was the beginning of the Ghost Sword Sirgan.
“Would you have ever imagined?”
He, who was called to have reached the pinnacle of traditional Western swordsmanship, actually believed that he possessed even greater talent elsewhere.
Crunch—whoosh
A movement that cannot be done in reality.
Arms and legs bending along an unbreakable trajectory. Joints that sway like a mollusk yet become elastic like a live fish when desired.
The sword wielded based on that was truly like a death sentence from the Grim Reaper.
There was no warning when the sword strike began.
In the moment something flashed without any prior posture, an intangible blade simply cut through space as if tearing through the void.
Whoosh!
Even the sound cannot keep up with the movement and follows a beat late.
But by then, everything is already over.
The opponent kneels down without even realizing that an attack has come in.
There were no exceptions to that.
[Signature trait ‘Sword of the Spectre’ is active.]
[The shape of the blade is invisible, and the length of the blade can be freely adjusted from 1M to a maximum of 3M. The form of the sword cannot be detected by anything.]
[The unique ability ‘Lightning Strike’ is activated.]
[If the opponent fails to anticipate your attack, you can strike at lightning speed.]
An invisible, intangible blade.
A lightning-fast combination that only Sirgan can extract 100% of its performance from.
His exceptional swordsmanship, built upon that foundation, was beyond the level that humans could see and react to.
Kaang!
“Hoho… to block this. Is this the famous air supremacy?”
“…….”
However, this opponent was different.
Sword Saint. A woman known as the greatest swordsman in Joseon in Demrok.
True to his reputation as the greatest swordsman in the West, he easily blocked the sword strike, bearing a nickname exactly opposite to his own.
Kaang! Kang!
Moreover, it wasn’t just once.
Twice, three times… … .
Bang! Bang! Ka-ang!
There was a back-and-forth exchange that went beyond five rounds and had already entered double digits.
That’s right. It was a workshop.
A complete dialogue between swords, not one that cannot follow with the eyes, frantically blocks while running around in confusion, or swings wildly.
Whirr- Bang!
Softness overcomes hardness.
Her air superiority, having reached its end, was not only blocking her invisible sword strikes but was also fiercely attacking by exploiting her weaknesses.
Ah, what a long time it has been since we had a conversation with swords!
At that, Sirgan’s cool face gradually filled with excitement.
A feeling I had never felt even once since earning the nickname “Ghost Sword.”
Yes, he had always wanted this.
A deep conversation only swordsmen can have, exchanging swordsmanship to determine who is superior!
“I see, Sword Saint. So this is the kind of sword you wield.”
Users who rely solely on unique abilities, traits, and skills do not know.
With every clash of swords and the flying sparks, one can glimpse the footsteps she has walked.
The anguish and effort she has endured. And her conviction.
All of that was contained in her sword.
Whoosh!
The subtlety of the bow sword lies in the sword strikes that flow naturally like water.
Whirl, clang!
The subtle art of the flowing sword was contained in the counterattack that gently wrapped around, utilizing the power in Sirgan’s sword strike.
Also, the black that had merely gently enveloped me suddenly pressed down heavily.
In response, when he applied force to his sword, the sword path moved irregularly, confusing Sirgan from all directions.
It is amazing. Also, it is incredible.
It is truly a culmination of the profound secrets of all Eastern swordsmanship.
As if savoring a luscious fruit.
Sirgan, who was examining it piece by piece, soon shouted as if moved.
“The very product of effort that never stagnated for even a single step…… The world may simply call you a genius, but I know. No, I have come to know.”
“I, at least, will acknowledge how much effort you have put in. And how much you have sacrificed to reach that level.”
There was not a shred of laziness in it.
Sword Saint, she was a hardworking genius.
That is why it was so regrettable.
“I realize that this conversation, too, cannot continue for long. That is so regrettable and also unfortunate.”
The essence of Western swordsmanship is that all techniques are performed while facing an opponent with swords.
No matter how much the Sword Saint tormented me by incorporating the intricacies of various swordsmanship techniques, it was easy to deal with the moment our swords clashed.
In other words, her swordsmanship does not work on him.
Squeak-
“This is the problem with Eastern swordsmanship. What are you going to do if you just face each other like this?”
Her swordsmanship would be advantageous when there is distance between them, but Sirgan’s sword is made of an invisible, intangible blade.
Furthermore, the length of the blade can also be manipulated freely.
Swordsmanship in virtual reality and modern swordsmanship are strictly different. You have forgotten that.
The most important thing when sparring is to constantly lure your opponent into your territory.
In that respect, Sirgan held an overwhelming advantage.
After all, for 70% of the time the two were fighting, they were clashing swords.
And as long as they faced each other, there was no swordsman who could defeat him.
Whoosh—snip!
Snap!
With just a slight twist of the wrist, the tip of Sirgan’s sword bites the neck, and with just a single step taken while the swords clash, the balance of power is shattered.
Attacks in 0.01-second increments, exceeding the second unit.
Fingers, wrists, ankles, and steps. Even the slightest movement, such as a change in the trajectory of an elbow, targeted vital points like Sirgan’s black snake.
[Casting Legendary Skill ‘Critical Strike’.]
[Striking a vital spot for 60 seconds deals damage amplified by 170% compared to standard critical damage.]
[Casting Legendary Skill ‘Frenzied Flash Moon’.]
[Unleashes a rampaging barrage of attacks, as if tearing through the moon.]
[The special effect ‘Floating Sword’ of the Legendary (Artifact) (Raid) weapon ‘Floating Moon Sword’ is activated.]
[The sword moves more fluidly and naturally, increasing the number of flurries by 3 and allowing for more free adjustment of the trajectory.]
On top of that, various legendary skills and weapon abilities.
With the added synergy of his unique ability ‘Lightning Strike’ and signature trait ‘Sword of the Spectral’, Sirgan was faster than any other swift swordsman.
As long as this fraudulent combination exists, the tip of the Sword Saint’s sword will never be able to reach my neck.
His eyes deepened and became filled with melancholy.
“The greatest swordsman of Joseon. O outstanding swordsman of the East. If the opportunity arises, I would like to duel with you in the modern era.”
A tone of voice as if unconcerned with winning or losing.
His tone seemed to convey both gratitude and regret at meeting a prosecutor worthy of being a rival here, rather than focusing on the outcome.
However, the moment you hear those words, anyone will feel it.
That he goes beyond being certain of his victory to taking it for granted, like a kind of natural phenomenon.
Squeak-
The Sword Saint, who had been listening silently to those words, slowly raised his head while their swords were clashing.
Purple eyes, like hair flowing calmly down and resembling the moon embroidered in the night sky, reflected his eyes.
“…was it Sirgan?”
“That is correct. The greatest swordsman of Joseon, what is your name? I shall remember your name.”
“The greatest swordsman of Joseon…….”
She trailed off, then let out a chuckle.
Even that faint smile was beautiful enough to leave one speechless for a moment, but Sirgan met his gaze without wavering.
It was to show that he was treating her as a prosecutor, not as a woman.
At the end of the wait, she opened her red lips.
How arrogant you are.
“……?”
“First of all, I am not the greatest swordsman of Joseon, but a Sword Saint. It is a title personally bestowed upon me by my master, the Sword Emperor, one of the Seven Rivers of the Empire.”
“Hmph. Fine, if the way I addressed you offended you, I apologize………”
“and…….”
Sirgan apologized obediently while letting out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded, but she did not wait for him to speak and calmly continued what she had to say.
It was a neat yet clear voice, as if giving a predetermined answer.
“Why do you think you’re the only one with your own unique swordsmanship?”
“What do you mean? I am experiencing your swordsmanship firsthand right now………”
“Let me correct myself. What I meant was…….”
The Sword Saint’s gaze, trailing off at the end of his sentence, sank low.
“For what reason do you think I am giving it my all?”
Cold as frost.
At the same time, struck by a chilling aura like a blade reflected in the moonlight, Sirgan involuntarily withdrew the sword he had been wielding and stepped back.
“ah.”
Then, as if belatedly realizing what he had done, he paused for a moment.
He soon frowned as if finding it strange.
Why me… …
Clearly, he was in the superior position, so what was he afraid of that he backed down?
I couldn’t tell.
It was just something instinctive, bypassing the brain, pulling it out from behind as if grabbing its hair.
At that moment, a cold sensation was felt around the neck.
It was a sword.
“Once. That is the number of times you have died.”
A sword held out effortlessly, as if doing something else.
The sword, which had failed to reach him despite dozens of exchanges, was now within his grasp with such ease, as if by a twist of fate.
And that too in the carotid artery, the most fatal weak point.
“What did you feel in this sword strike?”
Her voice, flowing out indifferently, was asking like this.
I asked if you could understand the subtleties of swordsmanship contained within this.
Naturally, nothing was felt.
Because I couldn’t even see how the sword moved to hit the carotid artery.
“I see. So he hasn’t reached this realm yet. He is indeed a unique case. To feel it even though he knows little about swordsmanship…”
To the Sword Saint, who was muttering to himself as if he understood, Sirgan no longer seemed important.
To be precise, the vitality in his eyes vanished abruptly, like a candle being extinguished.
I no longer feel any interest or attention in her purple eyes.
While feeling a sense of alienation and goosebumps, Sirgan gritted his teeth at an inexplicable feeling of humiliation.
‘… … It’s a coincidence. I’m too… … .’
“I let my guard down. Thinking I had won, I acted too complacently. Is that how you see it?”
Sirgan parted his lips at her cold voice, which seemed to read his mind.
That was right.
Although he felt ashamed, he did not refute it. He had no intention of denying that he had let his guard down.
Sss-
The Sword Saint, who had been silently staring at him as if looking down at an object, slowly sheathed his sword.
“?”
“Western swordsmanship, huh?”
“What on earth is going on…….”
Leaving Sirgan looking puzzled, the Sword Saint, who had been swinging his sword a few times in the air, soon extended his sword again.
Then, a clear and crisp metallic sound rang out.
Sirgan instinctively assumed a stance and clashed swords.
It was as if a body trained for over a decade moved on its own.
Unlike Sirgan, who hesitated slightly, she smiled softly as if she had wanted this to happen. A fatal smile capable of captivating any man.
Sirgan’s eyes widened.
It was not because the moon had risen in the night sky at that moment, resembling her atmosphere, nor because she beneath it looked dreamy as if bathed in moonlight.
Srrk-
That movement of wrapping the sword downward with just a subtle twist of the wrist.
Swordsmanship that causes a loss of balance by stepping immediately after.
“This is my…….”
Because the swordsmanship she was demonstrating was Sirgan’s swordsmanship.
No, it wasn’t his swordsmanship.
Whoosh- Whoosh!
A sword strike that followed, with the trajectory twisting momentarily.
Uh, how… … .
Sirgan was left speechless as he watched the chaotic attacks coming in, seemingly unconstrained by space, without ever breaking free from their clashing swords.
There was no other choice.
‘How… how is something like that possible…!’
Because dozens, even hundreds, of subtle techniques were embedded in every single one of her attacks, which mimicked her own swordsmanship.
That was no longer his own swordsmanship.
Something even more evolved than that.
Swoosh-!
The swordsmanship he felt he had reached the pinnacle of after dedicating his entire life to honing it had returned to a realm beyond, aiming for his neck.
