The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

6 – Training – Part 2

***

I slowly began to realize the true meaning of the boundary between life and death.

Sowol glanced sideways. The warriors of the family who were laughing and talking just yesterday now held their weapons with a terrifying expression.

Those who met them died, and in order to survive, those on our side died by swinging their weapons.

Based on whether we could block or not, life and death were divided.

Because of that, she had no choice but to gather her wits.

– Chaeeaeeng!!

“Ugh…!!”

If she hadn’t learned how to use magic, she would have missed the sword on the first attack.

So Wol gritted her teeth and quickly rotated the magic within her body.

Although she had gained power beyond that of a teenage girl by doing so, it wasn’t easy to launch an attack.

‘It’s different from the goblin days…’

To kill a person.

That meant being prepared to die herself.

Had she made such a resolution?

She had always thought it was nothing of the sort.

But here, in the boundary between life and death, she began to question whether it was genuine.

“Die!!”

– Chaeeaeeng!!

So Wol bit down on the axe that aimed for her head with her sword.

If she didn’t kill, she would be killed.

She knew that, so why couldn’t her hand move?

“Miss!! It’s dangerous!!”

Just a moment of distraction, and death was closing in.

No.

She didn’t want to die.

She wanted to survive.

That’s when the thought took hold.

“Ignore. Don’t think about anything. Not about wanting to live or wanting to die. Don’t think about anything.”

In this battlefield where iron clashed with iron and screams echoed, a calm voice resounded clearly in her ears.

“Are you scared? Don’t feel fear. Excited? Don’t feel excitement. Don’t put consciousness into your every move. Unconsciousness. Mindlessness. Don’t think about any of it. Move as your body leads. The more you do that, the stronger you’ll become.”

Lee Hyun’s voice continued to penetrate.

Listening to it, So Wol moved her body naturally.

“No way?!”

Just by stepping back from the attack of the skeleton warrior rushing from behind, she evaded it.

He easily deflected the attacking strikes that were coming from his side with a slight swing of his sword.

He dodged the flying chains rolling on the ground and deftly sliced through the thrusting sword blades.

He doesn’t think about anything.

He simply moves as his body leads him, following his instincts.

That’s all that matters.

While thinking this way, So Wol could see a man standing in front of him.

A man wearing a large orc skull helmet. It was Longbit, the leader of the Skull Clan and known as the Skull Warrior.

“You foolish girl!!”

Longbit’s large axe comes down.

Can he avoid this?

Can he block this?

Death, which he had been ignoring, now approached before his eyes.

Before feeling any fear from it, So Wol closed her eyes.

This too is nothing.

She must not feel any fear.

-Chae Ae-yaeng!!

So Wol opened her eyes.

The axe, which was about to split her head, was not moving in mid-air.

The one holding the axe was none other than a sword. The owner of the sword…

“…Uncle?”

“Have you felt the boundaries of life and death?”

Suddenly, all the enemies around were lying on the ground.

Was it him who did this?

So Wol unconsciously nodded her head.

“Good. The private lesson ends here. It seems I have achieved some results.”

-Pheww!!

Longbit’s body, which was struggling to bring down the axe, flew backwards.

Just by kicking him, he tumbled several meters on the ground, covered in dust and dirt.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Who are you?!”

“Me?”

With a slight smile, Ihyeon spun his sword and said, “Hey, boss.”

Seo-Wol stared blankly at Ihyeon. No, it wasn’t just her. Everyone in this place was watching him. The warriors of the Eastern Martial Arts Alliance and the members of the Skull Gang as well. Everyone who was supposed to fight each other couldn’t take their eyes off Ihyeon’s sword dance.

The flow of the sword, creating a straight line, gleamed under the moonlight, and the graceful movements of his light hands were as free as a dance. As he wielded the sword, he was truly beautiful.

Could this be the sword dance of a divine warrior sent from the heavens? That’s how beautiful Ihyeon’s sword dance was, to the point where it made one think that way. No one could move.

They were all captivated by the mesmerizing movements, to the point where they couldn’t even breathe. They regained their senses only when Ihyeon’s final strike unfolded.

Nearby, when the skull warrior, Luqbit, who had terrorized this area and ruled by fear, suddenly shot up into the sky, they came to their senses.

“What are you all doing?”

“Wh-what!! Your leader is dead!! If you surrender and drop your weapons right now, we might spare your lives!!”

It was only after Ihyeon spoke in disbelief that everyone snapped out of it.

Right. This place was not meant for watching a sword dance. So, Sojun shouted loudly, and only then did the Skull Gang members who had regained their senses quickly move and point their weapons at the warriors of the Eastern Martial Arts Alliance who were forming ranks.

But could they continue to fight? When their strongest member, Luqbit, died so pathetically? If that sword dance unfolds, is there anyone who can stop it?

The Skull Gang members, consumed by fear, began to put down their weapons one by one.

Watching this scene from beginning to end, So-Wol turned her eyes to Ihyeon.

What was this emotion that welled up as she watched him retrieve the sword, as if what he had just created was nothing at all?

So-Wol placed her hand on her chest. Her heart was pounding like mad.

“I want to try it too.”

The sword dance she had just witnessed.

‘I want to become that, too.’

Just as overwhelming as all these circumstances.

‘I…’

Sowol gazed at Ihyeon intently. Ihyeon, as if just noticing her gaze, approached Sowol with a faint smile.

“Yeah. How does it feel to pass the tutoring session?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

A slowly extended hand reached Sowol’s head.

Normally, it would have been an avoided touch. Sowol usually abhorred someone touching their body, yet for some reason, they didn’t want to refuse that hand.

The gentle stroke felt warm.

It was warmth that couldn’t be imagined as the hand that had put an end to countless lives.

“Well then, shall we go back?”

Along with Ihyeon’s composed words, the hand lifted from Sowol’s head.

Was that why?

Sowol felt a tinge of regret.

“Yes.”

Nodding, Sowol eased the regret and softly spoke, watching Ihyeon walk ahead.

“Master.”

“Oh ho. Are you finally admitting it now?”

Until now, Ihyeon had merely been someone who received money in exchange for knowledge in Sowol’s eyes.

But now, it was different. Sowol desired it.

To become like Ihyeon.

To achieve that, there was no choice but to acknowledge them.

Facing Sowol, who revealed their true feelings without hiding, Ihyeon simply chuckled.

***

No matter how much I think about it, I did well. Unfolding the Moonlight Sword, one of the three swordsmanship styles of Ragnarok, in front of a mere bandit.

Look.

Until now, it was merely a courteous gaze toward a guest, but now, isn’t it more like looking at a star?

“That, that was incredible, the swordplay.”

“It was nothing special. However, the situation seems to have… somewhat settled.”

“Ah, I see. Yes, I believe everything is in order now. I think it will be over once we join forces with Lord Yeongju.”

“I see. You’ve worked hard.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. What… Our master has been through much more.”

I’ve only killed a few people and used the Moonlight Sword once. There’s nothing worth calling hardship.

“But do you plan to teach that swordsmanship to Sowol as well?” asked the hesitant Sowol.

Teach the Moonlight Sword to Sowol?

“Yes, I plan to teach him.”

“Ohhh!! Is that so?”

The Moonlight Sword is considered one of the top three sword techniques in this world. Honestly, if you can use it, you can consider yourself grown up. Then one of my missions will be complete.

“…Really?”

Sowol, who was standing behind me, asked cautiously. It seems like he’s anticipating something.

I sat down, crossed my legs, and extended my index finger towards Sowol while locking eyes with him.

“Yes. I always keep my promises.”

Sowol, looking at the extended finger, hooked his own index finger onto mine.

After making such a promise, Sowol shouted, “How can I repay this… what should I do?”

“The greatest reward is watching a disciple with exceptional talent grow. Hahaha.”

So grow strong and sturdy.

“But still… ah. Instead of this, how about we arrange a position for you in our upper ranks? You don’t need to work specifically. If you just put the master’s name there, we will take care of everything else.”

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

Having a name in the upper ranks, close to becoming the Eastern Supreme, would prevent unnecessary friction.

Not bad. It’s better to stay like this until I obtain the title of a sage.

“Huh?”

At that moment, Sowol grabbed my arm. Does he have something to say?

“So, does that mean Master will continue to stay in our family?”

To that question, I simply smiled.