Chapter 7: Caught Up In A Mess

"I can't believe this."

Ruffling her twilight-colored hair, Yoo Eunchae recalled the situation just moments ago.

Han Seojin.

It all started with that man.

A tall nose and sparkling blue eyes that seemed to hold countless stars, paired with white, yet lustrous hair. His skin was as inexplicably white as a baby's.

The academy was filled with many handsome and pretty people, but Han Seojin was particularly distinct. He was like a human who possessed the only vibrant color on a black-and-white screen.

'I think this every time I see him, but this time was especially different.'

Despite his seemingly carelessly chosen clothes, his face and proportions were unbelievable.

'But still, after what happened, does it make sense to pretend not to know?'

"Calm down, Yoo Eunchae."

This is a trap. A strategy that only bad men would use. Although she almost got caught, didn't she manage to escape?

'I don't know his aim, but it's not good. Because in the future, he will become one of the mad Demon King's heirs.'

'My pride was only slightly, just slightly hurt.'

However, there are a few strange things.

At this time, Han Seojin was in a period where his self-esteem was extremely low. He was despised for being abandoned by mana and the system from all sides, and his retainers would sigh or click their tongues when they saw him. Since his family, the Iron-Blood Sword Clan, was the top clan in Korea, everyone refrained from openly mocking him, but his standing within the academy was not good either.

But the Han Seojin she had just met was different.

With a confident stride, he only gave an indifferent look even when he saw a peerless beauty like Yoo Eunchae. Yoo Eunchae, who had always received all sorts of advances from men, could distinguish them. That's why she became quite curious, too.

'But that's not what that look was.'

She got slightly angry at the attitude as if he was seeing her for the first time.

How could he do that and then act like this towards her?

It was infuriating how he acted as if he genuinely didn't know, as if admitting it was too embarrassing.

Hesitate.

Yoo Eunchae felt a chill for a moment. She thought again about Han Seojin's appearance.

A tall nose and sparkling blue eyes that seemed to hold many stars. And white, yet lustrous hair. His skin was also inexplicably as white as a baby's.

His demeanor also changed, meaning…

'…Did he awaken?'

If that's the case, the other oddities would also make sense. It was often said that among those with awakened Unique Traits, there are 'Reincarnators'.

In England, there was 'Arthur' and 'Merlin', and in Korea, a hero called 'Cheok Jungyeong.'

So, to some extent, she now understood why he had changed.

'It might be because of the torrent of memories that he doesn't remember me.'

Plus, since heroes inherently possess extraordinary aspects, his not paying attention to her was also…

'That's impossible, right?'

Her appearance might not be as remarkable as Han Seojin's, but it was still unique. She had her fair share of troubles dealing with heroes and villains alike.

'But were Han Seojin's awakened eyes blue? I thought they were originally purple.'

Suddenly, Yoo Eunchae felt a strange sense of déjà vu and instinctively lowered her stance.

Kwaang!

Immediately after, a tremendous explosion swept through the surroundings.

Yoo Eunchae's face immediately turned cold.

'A villain? Now, at this moment, is it time for a villain to appear?'

She frowned, unable to remember.

Villains commit all sorts of terror to act as they desire. Maybe some of her actions provoked them. If that's the case…

"Here you were. Tsk, what a hassle to look around."

Through the spreading smoke, two figures walked towards her. The first person showcased green muscles, carrying a broadsword on their shoulders, while the second, with a tongue as long as a snake's, was flicking a dagger's blade.

'Nokgwi and Heuksa!'

Both are notorious villains possessing unique characteristics. Additionally, their characteristics are unfavorable for Yoo Eunchae, a spirit swordswoman. Nokgwi can ignore her attacks and breakthroughs, while Heuksa's stealthy attacks are fatal to her. With those abilities, they can be put on the same level as her.

It's a pity, but she can escape using one of her secret weapons.

Kwoong.

Nokgwi placed his sword, as huge as his thigh, on the ground.

"You, you foolish girl. You wander around outside the academy carelessly, not knowing there's a bounty on your head."

"A bounty? Who placed it? Black Cloud Society? Heavenly Punishment Sect?"

"…You stirred up a lot of sects. Thanks to that, we made money easily."

Thud.

Nokgwi lightly cracked his neck, looking at me.

"Don't think you'll die easily, girl."

As soon as the massive explosion occurred, I immediately lowered my posture and focused on where the explosion was coming from.

'Three are suspected to be the culprits.'

There are three near the explosion. One of them was the woman who made eye contact with me. Her level was enough to make me somewhat nervous. I'm not sure about the others, but based on movement alone, they're quite fast.

'Are there two?'

A woman and two others are fighting.

"Pl, please save me!"

"Why is Heuksa here?!"

The atmosphere is quite intense, and the citizens' screams and frantic running add to the unsettling atmosphere.

With my hands in my pockets, I headed towards the explosion.

Ignoring the fleeing citizens I encountered, I eventually saw two men and the same woman I saw earlier. She seemed to have hurt her left arm in the meantime, as blood was streaming down.

'Was she a dual sword user?'

I thought she wasn't a warrior since her hands weren't well-trained.

No, perhaps she's a genius, inferior to me, yet managed to elevate her realm instantly.

"What's with this guy, looking like a damn parasite?"

The one who spoke to me first resembled a snake.

Clutching a serpentine dagger, he licked the blade with his elongated tongue.

'Do you like the smell of metal?'

It's just like the Murim here.

Merely a futile attempt at intimidation.

Trudge.

A man, appearing to be his associate, approached the snake-like man.

…Astonishingly, this man bore a striking resemblance to a pig. His skin exhibited a slight green hue, his ears were pointed, and his nose mirrored that of a pig's. The sole distinction was his muscular physique, unlike that of a pig's.

"Haha! Did you freeze at the sight of me?"

"Well, your face is hideously ugly, after all. But for a man to look like this… You'd fetch a handsome price at the slave market."

Hmm, my appearance does make me stand out.

"Ha. Let's skip him and start with that woman."

"Kahaha! Yes, after all…"

"Run away!"

Kwang!

Following the woman's scream, a massive explosion unfolded. Since the explosion was ignited by flames, thick smoke enveloped the area.

But… is it really okay to cause such havoc in the city center?

Wasn't Korea known for its respectable public order?

Was this 'great rift' having such a profound impact?

As I pondered deeply, someone approached me, step by step.

"How annoying."

The snake man clicked his tongue and gazed at me.

"You, just stay put."

With that, he formed a seal.

'Wind type. The level is around second-rate.'

Subsequently, the wind surged around the snake man, and the smoke dissipated.

What was revealed was the despairing expression of a woman.

"Hey, woman."

As those words leave my mouth, their gazes fixed on me.

They seemed like adept individuals, intent on eliminating uncertainties.

The woman looked at me. Her eyes seemed to urge me to flee from this place swiftly.

"Ridiculous."

Why should I flee from these fools?

"Would there be any issue if I killed these guys? They seem capable of causing a terror incident with their pathetic lives, but what about human rights and such?"

"Puhahahahat!"

Laughter erupted instantly.

The pig and the snake were clutching their bellies, laughing with exaggerated gusto.

"Are you trying to act tough in front of a woman, pretending to be a man? Fine, catching us might seem like no big deal. No, if you catch us, the Hero Association and the government will reward you."

"Of course, that won't happen. But you'll probably beg to be killed, right? Our brother Nokgwi is quite skilled in torture."

They snickered and laughed.

They were just kids. It seems I need to demonstrate the real power of an old man.

Step.

Moving forward, I called the Great Sky, and the purest qi, nearing the origin of all qi, surged through my body's meridians. As I concentrated it in my hands, the qi wave expanded in all directions, their expressions stiffened.

"Is he skilled? Seems like a martial artist. But how could I forget such a face?"

Heuksa brandished his dagger.

Nokgwi, the green pig, aimed his sword at me.

'What's this?'

I held him in quite high regard because the mana and pressure emanating from him were not something a novice could mimic. However, observing his stance, he was indistinguishable from a novice. He lacked the precision characteristic of a master.

Then it dawned on me. It was the special power that exists in this world—

'Unique Trait.'

—As they call it.

It's a privilege bestowed only upon Earthlings in this world. Only then did I grasp why Earthlings were able to surpass them. These beings, once they awaken their Unique Traits, seem to leap over at least one realm.

'Interesting.'

I somewhat understood how those from the Murim and magic world could fall behind.

"Are you laughing?"

Wondering if my laughter was mocking him, Nokgwi glared at me.

Well, that was partly true. With their level, there was no sense of tension.

"Let this older man show you!"

He's fast.

If you only rely on your eyes, you might catch a glimpse of something pale and blurry.

I activated Heavenly Eyes.

And then I thought,

'What is this.'

I found myself flustered because the situation was utterly absurd, as if it should've been obvious.

I moved forward, extending my hand toward the path. Nokgwi's expression shifted to one of confusion. He spoke of capturing me alive as if a single attack from him would be fatal.

'How ridiculous.'

A smirk twisted my lips. To think he worried about me with such mediocre skills?

'I didn't want to do this.'

Things became serious.

'What should I do now?'

A battle of brute strength remains challenging. After all, I've only just been reincarnated.

'Then let's go softly.'

Softness. Pure strength alone cannot overcome softness. But that principle only applies in battles between experts. In a novice's fight, it's simply the one who is stronger and faster who wins.

Put simply, a strong and fast novice cannot defeat an expert.

'It's a pity to use such a technique on someone like him.'

But given my current physical state, I have no other option.

The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth.

Thud.

I lightly tapped his sword with my hand, and a soft sound ensued. The outcome, however, was anything but soft.

"What?!"

The sword was sent flying far away.

Nokgwi's expression contorted into one of confusion.

Tsk.

Internally, I clicked my tongue.

In my previous life, when I was known as The Blue-Eyed Martial Emperor, I could shift the land and skies with this technique.

Originally, Nokgwi's arm should have been completely shattered. Sighing, I focused inwardly.

Woong!

Great Sky. The qi closest to its origin. I condensed it and wrapped it around my hand. My hand glowed with a white incandescence as the condensed energy emitted a sharp wave.

Crackle-.

A small spark of lightning flickered from the pure white light lingered in my hand. I extended my condensed hand forward.

Splitting Thunder Hand.

The white light emanated from my palm and elongated to take the sharp form of a hand.

Nokgwi's eyes widened. At the same time, he looked at me and said,

"Why is a master…!"

Screech.

At the same moment, I felt an unpleasant sensation at the tip of my hand.

Roll.

Nokgwi's head rolled onto the ground.