Beyond the Eternity

Sound Sensitivity was a valuable skill despite its cost of 2000 coins. When activated, it enhanced my hearing capacity, but there was a downside. The surroundings were filled with excessive noise, making it difficult to focus solely on the desired sound..

My desired target was the sound inside the tent protected by the sound barrier. Lee Dokho and Yukino were having a conservation.

「 How did the meeting go? Was it according to plan 」

「 It went better than I expected 」

「 Can we really trust that woman? She seems like a terrible person 」

「 She is a terrible person, but her strength is necessary if we want to acquire the secret weapon 」

「 A secret weapon? Is it an ancient artifact of the Twelve gods? 」

「 It's not a giant weapon, but it's still a weapon of mass destruction. Tomorrow, we'll obtain this weapon 」

What they were talking about was something that I already knew since Lee Dokho told me before I exited the tent.

There was a novel called Song of the Fall. The author's identity was unknown, but the events depicted in the story became reality, leading to a ruined world. The readers of this story referred to themselves as the 'Apostles' and named the novel 'The Last Prophecy'. They were variables there were not supposed to exist in the story so there was chaos.

However, just because they are readers who read the novel, didn't mean all of them were equal. There was a significant hierarchy. Some had only read the early stages of the story, while others had read beyond Volume One.

Thus, the readers were divided into two groups: the Alpha (beginning) group and the Omega (end) group. The Alpha group aimed to support the protagonist and create a perfect story, while the Omega group sought to conquer the world and become the protagonists of their own stories. Simply, the Omega group were arrogant and looked down on everything else.

Currently, both groups were locked in a dick measuring contest where one side was dominant while the other was losing.

Lee Dokho was preparing a secret weapon to overthrow all involved parties. He mentioned it could only appear once so he needed the assistance of Soo Jinyoung.

Even so, I needed to claim the truth of his words. As it turns out, none of his words were false. It seems Lee Dokho was a rather honest person.

Was it because he believed I was Soo Jinyoung or was he simply naive?

With that in mind, I decided it was useless to listen further and left the tent.

A few minutes later, Jung Yunhee and Angelica joined me in a secluded area where no one could overhear us. Once we confirmed that we were alone, I explained the contents of the alliance meeting while deliberately omitting sensitive details.

Jung Yunhee showed no reaction. Her expression remained indifferent so it was difficult to gauge her thoughts without using a skill. However, Angelica was a different story.

"Wait, you're saying that person can really see the future and there are more people with similar abilities?"

"Yes."

"Did you know this? Is that the reason you disguised yourself as Soo Jinyoung?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm acting as Soo Jinyoung to mislead any opposition. It's also useful for concealing the identity of the true 'King' in this situation."

It felt somewhat strange. Rather than calling it an act of throwing off, it was more accurate to call it an act of misdirection. Kim Jakga was the general, but since Kim Jakga appeared as Soo Jinyoung, everyone believed Soo Jinyoung was the general. Furthermore, naming the group 'Soo Jinyoung's Company' reinforced the illusion.

"I see. So what's this about obtaining a secret weapon?"

"He didn't explain it properly. He just said that it's something that can turn the entire Seoul upside down."

"He said that? It must be a significant weapon. Do you have any idea what it might be?"

I shook my head. Angelica looked shocked and mumbled, "Such a thing..."

"I don't know for certain what that the weapon might be. It could be something good or it could be something bad. We might even be walking into a bloody trap without any reliable information."

I sighed and continued.

"In any case, we'll find out tomorrow. You two can do anything you want but remember to get a good rest."

With that, the meeting ended. Tomorrow was still far off, so we had plenty of free time.

As I sat down and pulled out my smartphone, Angelica sat down besides me while Jung Yunhee went somewhere else.

Jung Yunhee spotted the former Queen, Kagura Narukami leaving the tent and approached the Japanese woman.

"Hey, let's spar over there."

"Eh?" Kagura seemed a little surprised. "Sorry, who are you again."

"I'm Jung Yunhee. I'm the sword of the Soo Jinyoung Company."

"Ah, I see. Are you good with the sword?"

"There's only way to find out."

Before long, both of them moved towards the training grounds.

Jung Yunhee and Kagura Narukami were both sword wielders. Coincidentally, both of them were demon slayers as well and they both used Japanese swords— one used the replica of a legendary katana in myth while the other wielded a 'common sword' used in shinto rain calling ceremonies.

A normal person wouldn't have been able to fight with a sword over two metres long because it was impractical but that 'person' couldn't be called a normal human anymore.

The term 'Superhuman' subconsciously came to mind. Yes, the survivors of the 'Ruined Planet' could no longer be called normal humans.

Both demon slayers finished their preparations and drew their swords. I wondered how much Jung Yunhee had improved.

[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]

[The character information will be revealed.]

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[Private Information]

Name: Jung Yunhee

Age: 18

Guardian Constellation: Void Walking Saint

Unique Class: Demon Slayer (Unique), Assassin (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Demon Slaying Lv. 3, Knife Mastery Lv. 5, Katana Mastery Lv. 6, Cooking Lv. 10, Silent Shunpo Lv. 3

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 20, Strength Lv. 20, Agility Lv. 30, Magic Power Lv. 25

Character Description: A demon slayer with the assassin attribute. She has immense potential. However, she has two distant personalities and has become unstable due to an accident. It's advisable to be careful around her.

+

It was a great improvement from when she was in the hospital. The level of all her skills has increased and her overall stats was not lacking too.

She possessed the Assassin class so she focused on her agility more than her other stats. But it was not one-sided as that time. She really listened to my advise, huh?

On the training ground, Kagura eyed Jung Yunhee and spoke calmly.

"Before we begin, I should warn you. Since you're the sword of Soo Jinyoung's Company, it will be difficult for me to hold back. Can you handle that?"

"This sparring match would be meaningless if you hold back."

"Very well."

Kagura grasped the hilt of her 'nodachi sword' and slowly drew it from its scabbard.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

In an instant, Kagura lunged forward with the speed of a bullet and reached Jung Yunhee in no time.

"Eh?"

Kwang!

There was a deafening explosion nd the ground trembled. The ground was torn apart and clouds of dust erupted.

Angelica grasped and my eyes widened. What the hell just happened?

Once the dust cloud cleared up, I noticed Jung Yunhee was unharmed and sighed a breath of relief. She must have dodged the sword strike at the last moment. But wasn't that too close?

"You... did you just try to kill me?"

At the spot where Jung Yunhee had been standing, there was a deep cut in the ground, as if an industrial water cutter had sliced through it.

"What are you talking about?"

Kagura closed one eye, her hand still grasping the hilt of the two metres sword.

"My sword strike was not a lethal strike."

"What?"

"The essence of my sword style is to disarm the opponent, not to kill. At the very least, you would have lost your arm if you hadn't retreated."

"..."

Jung Yunhee looked dumbfounded, rightfully so.

What nonsense was she spouting? That attack would have turned a normal person into dust if they were hit three times.

At this moment, sudden memory emerged from inside my head.

「 The parameters for battle are divided into four 」

Those were the words of Soo Jinyoung's teacher, the one who taught her the Seven Heavenly Swords.

Power, Speed, Magic, and Skill

Like stats in RPG or simulation games, those four terms were the main parameters for battle. An omnipotent type would be ideal but you can only take one as your main. However, it's possible to learn two as once. Kagura's main was 'Power' so she used both strength and skill to overwhelm her opponents while Jung Yunhee's main was 'Speed' so she added used her Assassin class to boost her speed.

From a logical standpoint, It didn't make any sense for a Power type walker to be faster than a Speed type walker. Jung Yunhee was five levels above Kagura in the agility department and she also possessed the Assassin class yet somehow, Kagura was still able to close the distance between them in an instant.

Did she use her physical force to generate that level of speed?

"Hm hm hm."

Jung Yunhee giggled like it was no big deal. She was someone that wouldn't intimidated by just this level of violence.

"This is getting interesting. I should get serious as well."

"!"

Jung Yunhee bursted out with a quick yet silent movement and reached Kagura in an instant.

Despite being surprised by the sudden increase in speed, Kagura reacted by swinging the two metres long nodachi sword across the air.

Clang!

There was the sound of the swords clashing. Jung Yunhee had successfully blocked the common sword but still flew back from the recoil.

Jung Yunhee regained her balance and dashed out again.

She used that same unreasonable speed of the Assassin class to enter Kagura's space and immediately aimed for her blind spots. But Kagrua noticed her movement and repelled her with extreme force.

Jung Yunhee staggered backwards and shifted her centre of gravity to maintain her balance. Once again, she dashed with the speed of a moving bullet and swung the sword.

A direct confrontation was inevitable. The force behind Kagura's swings was monstrous, enough so to shatter bones or worse. Even so, Jung Yunhee did not give up. Each time she was repelled, she would gather her balance and leaped out again and again.

Clang! Clang!

Their swords met again and sparks flew from each collision.

Kagura's eyes narrowed as she tracked Jung Yunhee but her expression still remained calm and composed. What was the source of her composure?

[The character 'Kagura Narukami' has used Silent Observation.]

I see. So she was making use of that skill.

"Impressive." Kagura remarked as she deflected another slash, "However, you can't win with just speed alone, you know."

"You never know until you try."

Jung Yunhee smirked. With a quick sidestep, she feinted left before darting right and aimed for Kagura's exposed side.

Kagura who was using silent observation m anticipated Jung Yunhee's next move by reading her body movement and pivoted as she swung the two metres common sword in a wide arc.

Jung Yunhee ducked under the swing and the blade brushed past her hair.

Kung!

The ground behind Jung Yunhee was torn open from the sheer power of the missed attack but she continued moving here and there like a phantom.

In a blur, Jung Yunhee moved and swung her sword aiming for Kagura's wrist. But Kagura's was faster in that round.

With a flick of her wrist, she redirected Jung Yunhee's strike. Their blades slid against each other before Kagura twisted her sword, attempting to throw Jung Yunhee off balance.

"Tck."

Jung Yunhee gritted her teeth and spun with the momentum, avoiding the worst of the counter while managing to keep her footing. Once she regained her balance, Jung Yunhee and Kagura clashed several times in a single breath.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Angelica watched the ongoing sword dance with eyes filled with admiration.

"Wow. Those two are really amazing, aren't they?"

"I suppose so. And it seems the people are beginning to notice as well."

I turned my head and saw the people that were beginning to gather around. Perhaps they had sound of sword clashing and came to check the source of the commotion.

If there were the 'actors' on a stage, there was bound to be an 'audience'.

"Huh, what's this? Is really that Kagura-ssi?"

"Yes. And someone is keeping up with that monster. Was there a person like this in the station?"

"I think she came with the people from the Soo Jinyoung's company."

"You mean the company the chief formed an alliance with?"

"Yes. And it's seems she's the chosen sword of that company."

"She's pretty good but Kagura-ssi will win."

My ears picked up what the people were saying using sound sensitivity. I see. So this was her plan.

Angelica frowned her brows as if she noticed something unpleasant.

"People are beginning to gather. Will it be okay if they caused a huge commotion?"

"That's the point."

"What?"

"Don't tell me you didn't notice?"

"Notice what? What are you talking about? Is there something I'm supposed to know? Are you hiding something?"

Why hasn't she noticed yet? Perhaps she didn't understand the situation.

I shrugged my shoulders and explained.

"The head of this station suddenly made an alliance with an unknown group, so the people are bound to become curious. What kind of people are they? Are they strong? The residents would probably think about something along those lines. Haven't you noticed the stares of the people since you entered here?"

"So that was why I was feeling this sense of discomfort."

"You wouldn't have noticed even if you tried. It's difficult to trust people you don't know. Jung Yunhee thought of a solution and decided to acted on her own— to show the people of this station the strength of the Soo Jinyoung's company directly."

"To think she thought that far ahead?"

"I was going to do something about that but Jung Yunhee beat me to it. I was wondering why she suddenly challenged that woman to a fight."

At the very least, it seems I didn't need to act. The duel between Kagura and Jung Yunhee intensified and the cheers of the people grew louder.

Needless to say, Jung Yunhee was in a very bad position. Her greatest asset was her speed but Kagura was beginning to match her pace with each passing second. Perhaps Kagura was tired of defending so decided to change her approach.

Instead of chasing Jung Yunhee with wide, sweeping strikes, she shifted to a series of short, rapid thrusts. As someone who used a two metre long nodachi sword, she could easily change her fighting style and that was complete nightmare for someone like Jung Yunhee.

Jung Yunhee was able to dodge the series of thrusts but she was slowly getting tired. The fatigue was beginning to settle in and her expression stiffened. If this continued, she was going to lose. Was this Kagura's plan?

[The character 'Jung Yunhee' has used Silent Shunpo.]

In a flash, Jung Yunhee adjusted her body weight and suddenly disappeared completely from sight. Kagura and the surrounding people seemed shocked at that display of speed.

Jung Yunhee reappeared behind Kagura and swung her Katana, aiming a precise strike to her knee. In response, somehow, Kagura managed to react in time by twisting her body and swung her sword in a crushing vertical strike.

Boom!

Two forces collided and the impact sent shockwaves throughout the surroundings. Dust and debris were thrown into the air and the people covered their face.

For a moment, there was silence. As the dust settled, the figures of the two fighters came into view.

I sighed and begun to write on my smartphone. I opened my mouth.

"It seems Jung Yunhee lost."

"What? How are you sure?"

"You'll see for yourself once the dust clears up."

The dust completely settled down and the view became clear. Jung Yunhee was sitting on the floor, exhausted and Kagura stood above her with the nodachi sword pinned barely an inch away from Jung Yunhee's neck.

Angelica looked shocked as if she didn't believe it. "Jung Yunhee really lost?"

"Like I said, she lost. But it doesn't matter really. The whole point of the duel has already been achieved so everything was alright in the end. Besides, she looked like she had fun."

Angelica turned her head and noticed the warm expression on Jung Yunhee's and Kagura's faces.

In the next moment, Kagura extended her hand to lift up Jung Yunhee.

"You are really good."

"I can say the same. What kind of monster are you?"

"You're exaggerating. I just practiced the sword alot."

"Now that's just a blatant lie."

Jung Yunhee smiled faintly and accepted that hand.

Kagura pulled Jung Yunhee up from the ground and he place became noisy as the crowd began to clap.

[The constellations are pleased with the performance.]

The people and the constellations were happy so it was a good story.