IRTPTA 34🌸

⁜ Episode 34

“Why didn’t you use Moonlight Slash?”

Saebyeok asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“If you wanted to check whether I’m a villain or not, isn’t that the most suitable skill?”

The Association President’s 〈Sword Emperor〉 title had three active skills Saebyeok knew of—two beyond what she had already seen.

〈Title: Sword Emperor (S)〉
Your sword dominates the battlefield. What more explanation could anyone need?

Unique Active Skills:

• Sword Manipulation (S)

• Dangun Slash (S)

• Kohae Yudoan (A)

• Sword Spiritless (A)

• Heavenly Sword Descent (B)

• Moonlight Slash (B)
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The horizontal slash was 〈Dangun Slash〉, and the vertical one was 〈Moonlight Slash〉.

〈Dangun Slash〉 was a wide-area strike, effective against multiple enemies, but somewhat inefficient in a one-on-one duel. Besides, this wasn’t even a proper training arena—if he misfired, the strike might destroy the entire measuring room wall.

But 〈Moonlight Slash〉 could have been used.

Even though it was only a B-rank skill, there was no better ability for filtering out villains.

〈Skill: Moonlight Slash (B)〉
Who dares to disobey the Emperor’s decree? Those who follow shall never escape the cycle of life and death.

With a speed like lightning, a crescent-shaped blade of divine power would shoot backward across the ground.

It wasn’t inherently imbued with holy energy, but anyone harboring malice against the wielder would suffer burns as though struck by a sacred attack meant for the undead.

Because of this, Koreans often called it the “Judgment Slash.”

If the Association President had truly doubted Saebyeok, he might have unleashed it. But he didn’t.

“If you had wanted me to use that, you should have filled your attack with killing intent.”

“Ah.”

She had only asked out of curiosity, but the Sword Emperor had read her intent fully.

“Wahaha! Lady! Next is me! Fight me one round!”

Overexcited, Ipado pulled out spiked knuckle weapons.

But the Association President stopped him.

“Enough. That would be inappropriate.”

“Ehh~ Chairman, you hog all the fun for yourself again?”

Ipado grumbled, but Saebyeok soothed him instead.

“It was a match for analysis, not a full-power duel.”

“Lady, don’t say that—summon your spear again!”

“This is no place for official duels. Take it to the arena.”

Though Ipado kept pressing, the President’s firm words and Saebyeok’s silence left him no room to persist.

“Next time, if there’s a chance, I’ll formally ask you for a duel. But for now…”

She slipped past a grumbling Ipado, Kim Ihan with his sly grin, and Hwang Taesan watching her with faint surprise.

“Are you all right?”

She approached Park Woojun, who was pressed up against the wall some distance away.

“Hah… this is… hah… so this is what S-rank fights are like.”

His breath fogged out between his teeth.

He had taken the brunt of the Association President’s icy attacks.

The others were affected too, but as S-ranks, they were relatively unharmed. Woojun, though, had retreated as far back as possible, raised his shield, even erected a barrier—yet his body still shivered under 〈Extreme Cold〉, and the 〈Frostbite〉 spreading through his skin left him trembling.

The President had canceled all active skills in the room with 〈Absolute Zero〉, but the chill in the air lingered, along with traces of the skill’s power.

“Why did you just stay there? You should’ve gone outside.”

Saebyeok pulled a status ailment cure potion from her inventory.

After Kang Sooho’s headache last time, she’d bought a large stock, even if she didn’t need them herself.

“I wanted… to see you fight.”

His arm was frozen stiff, unable to move, yet he smiled faintly, saying he was glad he hadn’t missed it.

So Saebyeok flicked his forehead with her finger.

“You could at least have used a defensive skill.”

“I didn’t want… hah… to disrupt the duel.”

Even breathing was hard, frost creeping deep inside.

“You stubborn fool.”

She poured the potion down his lips herself since he couldn’t move.

The potion was enough, but still uneasy, she lit a tiny flame with 〈Ignite〉 and hovered it beside him.

Warmth spread immediately.

“You’re always boasting about being tough as steel—look at you now.”

“Because I’m tough, I didn’t collapse.”

“You’re impossible.”

With the debuffs cleared, Woojun leaned against the wall. His breath no longer smoked, but the chill lingered inside.

“Captain Park, are you well?”

“No problem, Chairman. Don’t worry.”

“I became too absorbed in one duel and let you suffer.”

“No, it’s more my fault. I could have avoided it, but chose not to.”

“Still, rest for today. By the authority of the Association, I grant you leave.”

“Yeah, take a break. If a mission comes up, I’ll cover for you.”

Since she bore some responsibility too, Saebyeok also encouraged him.

But Woojun laughed as if her words were ridiculous.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t coming to the Association anymore? How can you cover for me?”

“Just for today.”

She helped him up. He leaned on her for a moment, then straightened and pushed her away, standing on his own.

“I’m really fine. I’ll stay until the interview. What if you slip up again? Who’ll clean up?”

He spoke with determination, unwilling to leave.

Though he excused it with “the interview,” Saebyeok knew it was simply his way of worrying for her.

She herself had memories of a past life, making all this familiar—but without them, she might have been as shaken and anxious as anyone else.

He’s always been like this.

A self-proclaimed protector.

In kindergarten, it hadn’t mattered much. Saebyeok herself had quite the temper, biting anyone who picked on her before Woojun could intervene.

In elementary school, it got annoying. He’d charge like a bull if she so much as scraped her knee on the playground.

By middle school, she was used to it. He wasn’t only overprotective toward her—he was the type who couldn’t ignore injustice.

By high school, she relied on him a lot. After her parents passed away and her life collapsed, he had stayed by her side, helping with everything.

It was laughable, someone the same age acting like her guardian—but also comforting.

After awakening, as an adult, Woojun spent more time apart, but whenever they were together, he still tried to shield her.

A shield.

‘The title he awakened to suits him perfectly.’

People said unique titles matched a person’s nature and life story—and looking at him, it seemed true.

As for her own “Spear of Dawn,” she didn’t really know why.

Maybe just because her name was Saebyeok—“dawn.”

She had never been anyone’s light of hope, wasn’t a morning person, and hadn’t even touched a spear before awakening.

“When did I ever say I believe everything you say?”

“Believing you and you not causing trouble are two separate matters.”

It felt unfair, but Saebyeok didn’t argue.

Woojun, still weak but worrying about her, made her hold back.

Then—

Clap, clap, clap.

Kim Ihan applauded, as if on cue.

“Congratulations on becoming Korea’s fifth S-rank hunter.”

Hwang Taesan nodded once, like a soldier saluting.

“Thank you. Looks like I’ll be busy from now on.”

Saebyeok smiled and added:

“Before we go out to the reporters for interviews, there’s something I want to discuss with you all.”

“All of us?”

“Yeah, lady! Another duel, right?!”

“…I’m listening.”

Everyone’s attention sharpened instantly.

She turned to the Association President.

“Since it’s related to my ability, can you keep it confidential?”

Noticing her absolute seriousness, the President matched her tone.

“Then it would be best to move to another place first.”