MFESW 21

Chapter : 21

My Destiny is the Status Window (21)

“I lost…”

“Good work.”

After dodging her one-hit-kill sword,

I gave Gwakeun a flick on the forehead.

That ended the match.

From the moment I could clearly see her attacks, the outcome was already decided.

“You got a bump on your head.”

“Haha. Sorry about that.”

“Is this revenge?”

“Eh?”

“Revenge for the previous duel?”

“Oh no, it’s not.”

“I only aimed my sword back then. Why did you hit me?”

“Sorry about that.”

I can’t aim my fist, after all.

That wouldn’t threaten her either. Hehe.

Even though I didn’t hit hard, she’s being dramatic.

“What’s this, Gwakeun? Are you forfeiting?”

“Yes, I forfeit.”

“Ah… I see. Dancheon wins!”

Sawu, the referee, hesitated to declare victory because Gwakeun’s forfeit seemed anticlimactic.

Then again, forfeiting just because of a flick on the forehead would be ridiculous.

Three days of rest were given after the semifinals.

During this time, there were no classes, only rest.

Those who sensed they would fail the Biryongdan promotion packed their belongings to return home.

Unfortunately, Dang Jisang was one of them.

“I’m planning to watch only Dancheon Gongja’s last match before heading home.”

“Hmm… but maybe you should wait for the results before leaving?”

Two days after the final duel, the Biryongdan promotion list would be announced.

Dang Jisang said he would cheer for me in the final duel and then leave for home that day.

“It’s meaningless. I can’t win, and even if I could, I shouldn’t. I’m still too lacking… I’ll try again the year after next.”

Right. He’s still young.

Spending another 1–2 years training and retrying would be good.

A young man with determination and good character would achieve good results.

Stay strong, Jisang.

“Hmm, it’s a pity about Jisang. I should have looked after him more.”

“Haha, no. You’ve already taken good care of me.”

Huh?

Look at these two.

When did they become so close like siblings…?

Their intimacy has far exceeded normal levels.

But doesn’t this mean they can’t progress to a romantic relationship?

I thought they might, but apparently not.

“Ah… I miss our little Jisang so much.”

“Come visit Sichuan. I’ll show you the real spicy flavors.”

“I don’t like spicy. Anything sweet?”

“In Sichuan, even pickled vegetables are eaten spicy.”

“Eh… I won’t go.”

“Hahaha. What a shame.”

“Then come visit Huashan.”

“Aren’t you in Biryongdan?”

“I’ll fall too. Only our Dancheon Gongja will remain in Biryongdan. Probably.”

“No, you’ll probably be there too. I’ll come as a junior in Biryongdan in two years.”

“Alright. Let’s meet again in the Martial Alliance.”

“Yes.”

Good.

We’ll meet again in the Martial Alliance.

I don’t know what position I’ll have, but I’ll surely hold a spot, right?

Amazing!

To meet again in the Martial Alliance as a seasoned practitioner… thrilling.

“By the way, Dancheon Gongja must be busy preparing for the duel… I appreciate you coming…”

“There’s nothing to prepare.”

“Jisang. What could Gongja need to prepare? That trivial Moyong fool is just a push-over. Hohoho. Move like lightning, then wrap around your opponent like a snake and snap their wrist! Got it?”

Wrap around like a snake…?

I guess other people really see the Renhuan Zhang technique that way.

We chatted happily for a while.

After having dinner with Dang Jisang, we returned to our rooms.

With little time left before the final duel, I continued my training even in my room.

Refining Renhuan Zhang, studying Banyan…

My studies were nearly perfect, so progress was small, but still, practice never stops.

Even the smallest improvement is enough. After all, this is my free time.

Better than wasting it.

Time passed diligently.

Before I knew it, the morning of the final duel arrived.

“Left! Moyong Xian of Moyong Clan!”

“Yes!”

Today’s referee was Instructor Wumengai.

For the final, the head of education personally took charge.

“Right! Dancheon!”

“Yes!”

Though a modest duel with only Baeho-dan members, instructors, and a few recorders, the tension was like any grand tournament.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Dancheon.”

“Moyong Xian.”

“Dancheon.”

“Dancheon.”

“Dancheon.”

Among the gathered members, a small bet emerged.

Dancheon’s overwhelming advantage made the bet nearly one-sided. All except Nangong Jin, close to Moyong Xian, predicted Dancheon’s victory.

Dancheon’s skill in the guided duel with Wumengai was decisive.

“If your opponent forfeits, or I call stop, the duel ends immediately.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

‘Looking confident?’

Although Dancheon was obviously favored, Moyong Xian’s face looked calm.

Does he have a trick?

Is he hiding his true strength?

Could be.

Even a reckless fighter would hide part of their skill. Moyong Xian might be doing just that.

Don’t be careless.

Fight at full capacity.

He’s strong.

I’m not a master yet.

I repeated a vow in my heart to remain calm.

“Begin!”

Moyong Xian charged instantly as the duel started.

I rushed to meet him head-on.

Even if I took a small hit, I aimed to get close and strike him.

‘…!!’

But his attack wasn’t the usual Zhanfeng Blade.

It wasn’t fast and light, but felt as if flying lazily through the sky before crashing down.

And the sword was imbued with a deep energy—an entirely different martial technique.

‘I need to dodge!’

I quickly changed strategy.

Abandoning my counterattack, I twisted my body with full force.

―Whoooosh!

I narrowly dodged the sword, though the energy grazed my side.

―Shhht!

It stung more than expected, with some bleeding.

No bone damage, but still…

‘This bastard! He had a hidden move!’

Moyong Xian used the Yingyi Sword Technique.

Named for attacking like a hawk swooping from the sky, it was a top-level sword style taught only to direct descendants of the Moyong clan.

Not faster than Zhanfeng Blade, but much stronger.

Its drawback: high internal energy consumption, which Moyong Xian was now showing.

―Whoooosh!

“This time, don’t run like a rat—take my sword!”

Moyong Xian’s second attack.

I moved back to avoid it entirely, prioritizing understanding his new technique.

‘Slower than Zhanfeng Blade, but powerful!’

Two attacks were enough to gauge it.

The downward strike from high to mid was especially dangerous.

If I blocked carelessly with palm energy, my wrist could snap.

‘He anticipated my love for close combat!’

The Moyong clan’s strength is remarkable.

Having multiple techniques ready for different situations… incredible.

‘For now, just dodge and observe.’

I needed to gather information.

Identify weaknesses to exploit.

If I couldn’t?

I’d forfeit.

Frustrating, yes, but survival is more important.

Second place is enough for Biryongdan promotion.

Once promoted, I could complete the status window mission.

Then gain rewards and grow stronger.

I could deal with Moyong Xian later.

Time is on my side.

Acting rashly is foolish.

“Come here!”

“Eek!”

―Whoooosh!

I dodged using footwork, spinning the arena halfway.

He swung again, furious, chasing me.

‘Hmm?’

Moyong Xian’s face was red, breathing heavily.

‘Just three swings?’

Strange.

He should be among the strongest in stamina, yet he looks exhausted…

―Whoooosh!

“Damn it!”

Dodged again.

Thankfully, the sword was powerful but slow.

Heavy but sluggish. Surprisingly consistent.

“Arrgh! Come here, you fox!”

This stance looked familiar.

‘Zhanfeng Blade? Or a trick?’

The blade had the tremor of Zhanfeng Blade.

I could counter, but suspicion is safer.

―Whoooosh!

Dodge again.

“Arrgh! You sly bastard!”

As expected, the attack morphed mid-flight into a heavy blade.

Its power decreased slightly but was still threatening.

He set a trap, but I wouldn’t fall for such a cheap trick.

“Pant… pant… you just run… pant… huh?”

“What’s the name of that move?”

Moyong Xian panted heavily, drenched in sweat.

‘He’s overexerting himself!’

No doubt he’s using a technique beyond his ability.

“Huff… You don’t… need to know.”

“Hmm… alright. That technique seems beyond your power, right?”

“Shut up!”

“Then try it again if you can.”

“Martial artist… pant… against… pant… martial artist… don’t… pant… run… pant…”

“Fine. I’ll counter, so do it again.”

Martial artist against martial artist? Not really.

Now I see clearly.

He’s forcing a technique beyond his ability.

Just four swings and he’s near collapse.

Moyong Xian readied himself, hands trembling.

‘He tried a desperate move to beat me…’

“Take… this…!”

He used Yingyi Sword Technique again.

A hawk soaring high, aiming to split my head… but of course, I wasn’t there.

―Crack!

The sword struck the floor instead, the impact tiring him further.

His body staggered slightly.

‘Falling for this!’

So naive.

“Dancheon… you bastard…!”

―Smack! Smack!

I closed in, hitting with Renhuan Zhang’s consecutive strikes.

His mouth shut naturally, silenced.

Clean triple strikes: chest, shoulder, head.

Controlled strength to avoid immediate collapse.

“Ugh… give… up…”

As he was about to speak of forfeiting, I slapped his mouth with my right hand, like a pot lid.

Grabbing his left wrist with my left hand, I twisted it behind his back and lifted him.

―Crack!

Joints shattered.

He wouldn’t use that arm for at least six months, maybe a year if unlucky.

“Ugh… ugh…!!”

His head, trapped between my chest and right hand, twitched.

Struggling was futile.

Exhausted, he couldn’t escape.

The more he moved, the more pain he felt.

Looking down, I saw tears in his eyes.

Long time since such pain, apparently.

Even with his right hand free, he couldn’t retaliate.

Of course, if he tried, I’d break his knee. Hehe.

“Shouldn’t we stop?”

Wumengai approached, arms crossed, smiling as if nothing happened.

Clearly, he allowed me to vent.

Skilled people are terrifying.

The ones on top are even more so. Hehe.

“Yes, that’s enough.”

I released both hands holding Moyong Xian.

He collapsed weakly, and medics rushed to the arena.

“Final duel! Dancheon wins!”

Wumengai’s strong declaration.

Gwakeun and Dang Jisang cheered.

Excellent!

High marks from the instructors, victory in the final duel—Biryongdan promotion is confirmed.

Three intermediate inner cores and a Level 3 martial technique, rewards from the status window mission, would soon be mine.

Not just the inner cores, but a Level 3 martial technique!

Finally, I’d have a proper martial skill!

My heart races.

Feels like it’ll explode.

Martial masters of the world, watch out.

The rising master Dancheon is coming. Hehe.