Chapter 51: The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family
Backstage.
How many people had gathered that even the murmurings could be heard all the way here, while Kim Yeon-hee, the protagonist of this commotion, was checking her outfit one last time.
“Have many reporters come?”
“You can expect a lot.”
“Oh…? Is it that much to expect?”
“You’ll be surprised. There are so many people that there aren’t enough seats in the conference room. All domestic broadcasting stations are present, along with foreign broadcasters, and even agents; industry insiders have all gathered.”
“That’s quite something~ It’s just that my son gave me a gift, but why is there so much interest? Don’t you think so, Secretary-General?”
“Chairwoman… Please don’t say such things at the press conference. It could cause a major incident. What kind of child gifts their mother an ‘artificial spirit stone’?”
“Heh. True, my Ki-hyuk can be unexpected… Ugh…”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Oh, Secretary-General. I’m sorry. I think I’ve gained weight. I wasn’t this heavy last year.”
The Secretary-General said, “It’s alright…” and then put out a communication.
A moment later, neatly dressed secretarial staff entered to prepare for her outfit again.
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“These days, you have been eating out frequently.”
“Indeed, I’ve been eating quite a lot. When I think about hoping my clothes would still fit, I realize I have no shame.”
“But you look good. You seem very happy.”
At the Secretary-General’s words, Kim Yeon-hee smiled brightly.
Yes, that’s true.
The past year was one of the happiest times in Kim Yeon-hee’s life.
The family that had been scattered had come back together, and misunderstandings were cleared up. An angel named Spring, who came to us like a gift.
The once quiet home was now filled with energy every day.
The dining table, which used to be a place for lonely meals, was filled with laughter from family members, and the living room, which had seemed unnecessarily spacious, was now too cramped to accommodate the late-night snacks of the Sword Master family known for their large appetites.
A harmonious family. The family Kim Yeon-hee had longed for had finally taken shape.
So as a mother, she needed to try harder.
To protect this happiness.
“With several mouths to feed, I’ll have to work hard today as well. Shall we go?”
“I’ll accompany you.”
Kim Yeon-hee took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
Shutter sound—!
The thunderous sounds of cameras and the barrage of flashes hit her.
It was clearly a press conference limited to one representative per broadcasting station, yet there was no room to step even in this vast conference hall.
Such heated attention… Kim Yeon-hee felt a surge of pride for her youngest child. She was grateful that he had safely returned to her from a long wandering, and now he had even given her this tremendous gift.
Her heart swelled. She felt like she might tear up. Feeling that happiness, she tightened her shoulders.
This was a stage gifted to her by her son.
As a mother, she wanted to be perfect. No, she had to be perfect.
Absolutely.
“I am Kim Yeon-hee, the representative of Optimum. I will now begin the presentation on the ‘artificial spirit stone.'”
—
What is innovation? Optimum has the answer!
The winds of change brought by the ‘artificial spirit stone.’ How far will it go?
Industry insiders, “Spirit stones are an indispensable material for artifacts.” A market change is assured.
Everyone wants ‘artificial spirit stones.’ The world’s interest has shifted to Korea!
Presidential invitation, “The superhuman industry is Korea’s future!” A forecast for regulatory relaxation?
Representative Kim Yeon-hee, “I have no plans to sell the licenses.” The refining industry is tense!
In response to a question about entering the refining industry, Representative Kim Yeon-hee stated, “I’m already busy enough. I don’t want to be busier.” The refining industry breathes a sigh of relief.
Optimum, “Negotiating factory sites with the government.” Will it revitalize the job market?
KOSPI continues to soar with foreign capital investments.
The nation laughs and cries at Optimum’s words. Is this really okay?
…
“The artificial spirit stone! This is not just an invention! It is the signal flare of innovation! It’s a super-class nuclear bomb that will overturn the world market economy beyond the industry!!”
“Uh… Um, expert, please don’t get too excited.”
“Hold on a minute. What? Only the refining industry will be affected? To think so would be a big mistake. It’s a very microscopic perspective. Think about it. How have we been getting spirit stones all this time, host?”
“Well, through hunting, I guess.”
“That’s right! Hunting! Until now, we’ve obtained spirit stones through hunting. Due to low drop rates, we could only acquire them in small quantities.”
“That must make them expensive.”
“It’s the principle of supply and demand. Every year, the number of superhumans is increasing. They all need weapons, and spirit stones are needed for all of them. But what’s the situation now? Spirit stones are always in short supply.”
“I’ve heard that fire attribute spirit stones are needed to create artifacts.”
“That’s just the most commonly used. There is also a small need for water attribute spirit stones. When creating wooden artifacts like staffs or wands, earth attribute spirit stones are also required.”
“So we can understand that all artifacts we use require spirit stones?”
“Exactly. And this rising demand boosts the value of spirit stones, prompting hunters to hunt for them. But now with the emergence of artificial spirit stones, what will happen?”
“Hmm… There’s no need to obtain spirit stones through hunting anymore.”
“That’s right! That’s what I’m saying! We no longer need to buy incredibly expensive spirit stones at a low probability. If prices drop? Hunters will have no reason to go out looking for spirit stones. Oh! I can’t imagine how many gates will become obscure gates. For example, places like ‘Volcano Monkey Lava Fields’ will be doomed.”
“Are you saying that the appearance of artificial spirit stones will even change hunting patterns?”
“It’s not just ‘even’ hunting patterns. It’s also hunting patterns. With spirit stones becoming available and prices dropping, craftsmen will recklessly produce weapons at the reduced price. Naturally, the prices for artifacts will drop. In that context, the quality of weapons will rise.”
“…”
“The artifacts produced in that way will end up in the hands of beginner hunters. Oh! For an average household, obtaining intermediate artifacts of level 6 or higher won’t be a dream anymore. Equipped with such gear, hunters will even venture into level 1 gates. Can a small and cute goblin’s dagger pierce a level 6 artifact?”
“…”
“Additionally, the core materials of summoning creatures that resemble known golems or war armors, or summoned creatures, are also ‘spirit stones.’ Now that their prices are dropping, even the summoning creatures that have been too expensive to use will become affordable. Consequently, hunting will become much easier.”
“Hah…”
“Now do you understand? That artificial spirit stone will destroy the ecosystem. It will completely dismantle the existing ecosystem of superhumans that has been established until now.”
…
…
“However, I’ve heard an interesting rumor. Apparently, this artificial spirit stone was actually created by Kim Yeon-hee’s youngest child, what do you think about that, expert?”
“That’s nonsense. If it’s Kim Yeon-hee’s youngest, it must be Park Ki-hyuk, right? A student who just turned 20 created the artificial spirit stone? Hah… you have a great sense of humor.”
“Haha. Right. I thought so too.”
…
…
—
Meanwhile, while the world was being turned upside down by the ‘artificial spirit stone,’ Park Ki-hyuk, the one who actually created it, didn’t care one bit about that attention.
Because something more fun was right before his eyes.
Sword.
Fight.
And a worthy opponent.
Hooop!!
The great sword was swung down.
With a terrifying gale, a trail of light descended.
It was the Sword Master technique known as ‘Falling Star,’ resembling a meteor falling from the sky.
Shaank-! Shweeeek! Shaank!!
In an instant, seven meteors struck the ground.
Amidst the seven beams of light crossing wildly, Park Su-hyeok, Ki-hyuk’s older brother and the Mountain Lord, appeared.
“You’re slow.”
The foundation of the swift sword technique is ‘speed.’
Strength and speed are fundamentally different.
Park Su-hyeok intended to make this clear to his beloved younger brother.
Park Su-hyeok’s sword moved.
Sword Master Technique
Falling Star
Swaying, swaying…
The sword flowed elegantly as if ignoring the resistance of air.
Soon after, dozens of flashes came crashing down.
The downpour of light engulfed the area as Park Su-hyeok’s Falling Stars fell. In the blink of an eye, Park Ki-hyuk was surrounded by the trails of light.
Although it was the same Falling Star, clearly the same technique…
It was completely different.
If Park Ki-hyuk’s Falling Star were like a sledgehammer of light, Park Su-hyeok’s Falling Star was akin to a prison of light.
“Ugh.”
There was no escape.
No way to run.
A ‘perfect’ swordsmanship with no openings.
Flawless perfection.
The swift sword like the swift sword itself, the slash like the slash itself.
Transcending the immediate understanding of the core of the technique, it was exactly implemented.
Perhaps like the ‘Dragon’s Eye’ sword technique possessed by Jin-ryong; no, in terms of perfect implementation, this was an even more monstrous ability than the Dragon’s Eye.
Could there be another person more deserving of the name perfection?
Perfection (完璧).
That was Park Su-hyeok, the Mountain Lord, known as the King of the Mountains.
I keep thinking about it, but he truly is a monster.
A monster.
That was a compliment.
The highest praise Park Ki-hyuk could bestow.
The brightest talent opening its eyes in this world was right before him. Honestly, if we were to talk strictly about potential, he could be compared to the Saintess.
Such a person was my brother. My family.
And, my opponent.
Within the prison of light, Park Ki-hyuk smiled broadly.
At that moment, as his laughter was swallowed by the trail of light.
Sword Master Technique
Mountain Landslide
Boom—
The ground heaved.
Ka-boom—!!
It exploded.
Strong Sword (强劍).
Only strength. The power that crushes all is truly the essence of the strong sword.
And strength was the weapon Park Ki-hyuk had the most confidence in with the body of a giant.
“…!!”
Park Su-hyeok quickly stepped back.
Engaging head-on with that absurd strength would be foolish. Even though he was his brother, he truly felt inhuman as he slowly retreated.
Park Ki-hyuk grinned at that sight.
“Just as I thought!”
It’s about power, not technique!
With the guise of ‘Strong Sword,’ Park Ki-hyuk’s great sword swept through without hesitation.
Sand flew, and earth was pushed aside. The layers of soil piled up like waves as the mountains were being eroded by the landslide.
The light prison left by Park Su-hyeok’s Falling Stars was long gone, swallowed up in this chaos.
No, the expression of being hidden was inadequate. Now the dangerous one was rather Park Su-hyeok. Currently, Park Ki-hyuk’s ‘Landslide’ was bearing down towards Park Su-hyeok’s chin.
In the clash of sword strikes, the sounds of blades meeting in violent impact, the brothers were smiling.
“You’ve grown stronger.”
“Thanks to you.”
Cling—!
“But don’t rely on just strength.”
“I’m one to prioritize enhancing strengths rather than compensating for weaknesses.”
Cling!!
“That could lead to serious trouble.”
“I think I’ll just get hurt and think about it afterward.”
“Really? Haha. Then.”
Park Su-hyeok laughed heartily.
“I guess I’ll need to get hurt.”
Sword Master Technique
Dragon’s Wrath
Strength against strength.
If you are strength, then I am strength too.
Park Su-hyeok’s strong sword, Dragon’s Wrath, unfolded.
For a moment, the atmosphere whipped around, and a gust blew, devastating the area.
The destructive power resembled a high-tier wind magic ‘Tornado,’ but there was a decisive difference.
Dragon’s Wrath is undeniably swordsmanship, and each torrent of this whirlwind is a sword energy.
This was a different scale than other sword techniques.
Can this even be called swordsmanship?
Park Ki-hyuk couldn’t help but click his tongue.
“It’s exhausting. What do mages live off of?”
The appreciation was brief.
Immediately, he gripped the great sword anew and responded with the same ‘Dragon’s Wrath.’
Two streams of Dragon’s Wrath soared high into the sky.
With a cloudless blue sky and a bright sun… The two rising streams of Dragon’s Wrath, shooting upwards towards the sun, created a mystical atmosphere as if two dragons were ascending side by side.
But the situation below was entirely different.
Truly a devastating storm.
Trees were shattered, and stones were crushed by the whirlwind of sword energy. Only rocks of considerable size could maintain shape amidst the chaos.
And amidst this catastrophic clamor…
At last, the two swordsmen opened their eyes…
Park Su-hyeok’s hair stretched long and changed color.
Wealth, honor, divinity, glory, ideals.
The color possessing the most noble values in the world, symbolizing kings.
Gold.
It was the instinct of Park Su-hyeok, known as ‘King of Kings (群王).’
In contrast, Park Ki-hyuk’s instinct was ‘Destruction (破壞).’ Dark magic circles began to etch like stripes across his body, and elongated fangs erupted from his mouth.
“I’m not going easy on you.”
“When have I ever gone easy?”
“That’s true.”
No more conversation was needed.
The instincts of the swordsmen awakened, and both held their swords.
Next?
Clash!
Sword Master Technique King
Peaceful Era (太平聖代)
VS
Sword Master Technique Destruction
Meteor (Meteor)
Is it the technique of the King?
Is it the power of Destruction?
Technique and strength.
Strength and technique.
Today again, a dispute that cannot determine superiority was about to unfold.
—
…While it was nice to clash like this.
“But Ki-hyuk, when are you going to pick up Spring?”
“Cough…!! Wh-what time is it?”
“1 PM.”
“d*mn!!”
I’m late!
