The intensity of the So-ryong Tournament grew even fiercer.

As the main rounds began, all the small side fighting stages outside the Martial Alliance were dismantled, and a large central fighting stage was installed.

Around the stage, tiers were built so that thousands of people could sit and watch the matches simultaneously.

From today, the tournament officially began with thirty-two groups of fighters competing for victory.

If a competitor made it into the final eight, entry into the elite Martial Alliance unit was guaranteed. Even those who advanced to the main rounds had chances to join the alliance if they caught the attention of high-level masters. For all these reasons, this main tournament was crucial for everyone.

Of course, Seo Daeryong was burning with passion for a different reason.

Something was awakening within him as a martial artist. Until now, Seo Daeryong had merely been a person who learned martial arts, but through this tournament, he was being reborn as a true martial artist.

Even seeing the numerous strong contenders around him did not intimidate Seo Daeryong at all.

He focused only on the opponent he was about to face. I said nothing — I had already conveyed everything he needed through training. I only hoped Seo Daeryong had gained insight from that training. I trusted his intelligence.

“Seo Dang of Zhangping Sword Sect from Fujian Province!”

The judge’s voice, filled with internal energy, was met with a roar of cheers.

Seo Dang slowly stepped onto the fighting stage. His expression and steps exuded ease and confidence. There was nothing unusual about him aiming for victory in this tournament — he was a formidable contender.

“Seo-ryong of Seodo Sect from Gansu Province!”

Cheers erupted again. In fact, the cheers for Seo Daeryong were even louder than for Seo Dang. Seo Dang was a well-known late-stage master, but Seo Daeryong was a rising new expert from an unknown sect causing a stir by advancing to the finals. The crowd both supported the strong and hoped for an upset by the newcomer.

Seo Daeryong, hearing the cheers, glanced down at me.

He sent a silent message:

—I’ll turn that nightmare from last night into nonsense and come down victorious.

What more needed to be said?

Instead of words, I nodded firmly with eyes full of trust.

At the judge’s signal, their match began.

Seo Dang was a martial artist who had genuinely mastered swordsmanship since childhood.

His attacks were sharp, and his defense was solid. The defense was nearly perfect — like an impregnable fortress, impervious to any attack.

I understood well the frustration Seo Daeryong must be feeling. Fortunately for Seo Daeryong, this frustration was one he had ample experience with before stepping onto this stage.

‘Don’t get trapped!’

Usually, those who couldn’t endure this frustration rushed attacks recklessly and were counterattacked. Seo Dang’s swordsmanship emphasized counterattacks.

If you could frustrate your opponent, you could surely find a weak spot. But I didn’t tell Seo Daeryong this solution — I wanted him to discover it on his {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} own.

Sparks flew between sword and saber.

The spectators held their breath. The level of techniques exchanged was far beyond what one might expect in a match between late-stage masters.

Seo Daeryong attacked actively but never rushed. He was painting his own grand picture. The title of that picture was patience. He had found the answer himself.

After hundreds of moves passed, Seo Daeryong succeeded in making his opponent anxious, completing his picture. If the judge’s decision decided the match, it would seem that the more aggressive Seo Daeryong had the advantage.

The anxiety Seo Daeryong created revealed a very small opening — and he did not miss the moment.

Slash!

Seo Daeryong’s saber deeply cut Seo Dang’s arm. Blood splattered, and Seo Dang dropped his sword.

Despite the severe injury, Seo Dang tried to continue fighting, but the judge intervened and declared Seo Daeryong the winner.

Cheers erupted for both. Regardless of victory or defeat, it was a magnificent main-round match.

Seo Daeryong, descending from the stage, collapsed and could barely stand.

Many eyes watched him, but he didn’t care. Perhaps his dazed posture sitting on the ground made him seem even more human to others. Passersby bowed their heads in respect, and distant claps followed.

I said nothing. Not to impress the onlookers, but to let Seo Daeryong fully savor this moment alone.

Among those congratulating was the woman who had previously supported Seo Daeryong.

“Congratulations on your victory!”

Seeing her bright smile, Seo Daeryong jumped up.

“Thank you.”

She smiled and walked away, and Seo Daeryong sat beside me again.

“You looked like you were dying moments ago but seem ready for another match now?”

After confirming the woman had gone far, Seo Daeryong shook his head and slumped down again.

“No, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. It was really tough. The next opponent will be stronger, right?”

“Probably. Why? Do you want to quit?”

“Yes, please send me home!”

“What will you say at the gathering? That you got scared and tired at the last moment and came back? Well, Lord Jang and Ian are kind, so they’ll comfort you. ‘You did well.’ But inside they’ll think, ‘If it were me, I’d fight till the end. Every time I see you, I think I would’ve gone all the way...’”

“Enough.”

I smiled and reached out my hand. Seo Daeryong grasped it tightly and stood.

“Thank you. If you hadn’t been my opponent in practice, I never would’ve won.”

“Just practicing with me wasn’t enough to win. You did well.”

“This really drives a person crazy. I beat that guy, and cheers erupted everywhere. It felt insanely good.”

“If you really go crazy, you become a lunatic; if you go crazy just right, no one can touch you. Go crazy just right.”

As we talked like this and returned to the inn, someone unexpected was waiting for me.

Jin Ha-ryeong was eating noodles there.

Seo Daeryong and I paused at the entrance. Seo Daeryong spoke with concern.

“I hope that So-jeo likes only noodles.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know very well. A noble lady like her coming here again just for noodles?”

“Today, she probably came for healing.”

“Healing what?”

“Her pride was hurt.”

“You did that on purpose?”

There was no denying that. At least I was doing my best to get closer to her.

“This is all because of the Cheonmyeong Society.”

“The problem is So-jeo doesn’t know that.”

Seo Daeryong went straight to his room, and I walked toward her.

Jin Ha-ryeong saw the hand of Geom Mugeuk approaching her — smoother and whiter than the one that had reached out to her in the dream when she was hanging from the cliff.

Geom Mugeuk greeted her after taking a seat.

“The match is in three days, right? Our young master fought today.”

I really have to admit this servant’s affinity. We had met only a few times, but he spoke as comfortably as if we’d known each other a long time.

“May I sit for a moment?”

She nodded.

“Please make sure to pay for So-jeo’s noodles this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“The first time we met, and the second time too, you just left without paying for drinks and food, so I covered the bill.”

For a moment, she was embarrassed. Thinking back, the second time was definitely like that. She had left abruptly in anger. Was it the same the first time?

Had she ever stiffed anyone in her life? It was a clear mistake. Her face flushed slightly. This man kept making her uncomfortable.

Is that why you appeared in my dream? To make me pay?

She had tried to take control from the start, but instead, she had been outmaneuvered.

“How much is it? I completely forgot.”

“No, just buy me noodles and drinks twice from now on.”

Another excuse to meet? I began to wonder if this seemingly innocent man was actually a playboy.

‘It won’t be easy. There’ve been plenty of guys like you.’

If she lined up the men who tried to marry her and change her life, she could probably circle the Martial Alliance walls with them. Listening to their pursuit of her status and looks made her almost develop a hatred for men.

“I’ll pay today. Order whatever you want besides noodles.”

“No, I don’t want to today.”

Such a firm refusal from a servant! Feeling like a handmaiden, she ordered drinks.

“I’m going to have a drink.”

She ordered alcohol and, after two drinks, began to talk about that day.

“Honestly, I was angry that day. When I was about to honestly introduce you as a servant to my friend, you said you were a disciple first. So I felt like I’d deceived my friend and got angry.”

Would saying this change anything?

Even knowing that, she had to say it because of her stubborn personality.

She met Geom Mugeuk’s eyes.

His gaze was unlike that of a servant — calm, deep, yet impossible to read. It resembled her late father’s eyes and also her grandfather, the leader’s.

With that gaze, Geom Mugeuk calmly asked,

“Why do you keep worrying about that?”

At that moment, she thought inwardly, I really hate this personality of mine.

“Because I don’t want to be misunderstood.”

“Afraid of looking like someone who disrespects servants?”

“Yes. I’m not that kind of person.”

“So what if you’re misunderstood?”

“I don’t like it.”

“Have you considered that such feelings might make you disrespect others more?”

She snapped.

“What do you mean?”

“Servants are human too. They think the same as their masters but just hold back their words. If someone disrespects servants from the start, servants will think, ‘They’re that kind of person’ and dismiss them.”

“Then is my consideration worse than those who disrespect servants?”

“No, but let me ask one thing. Is that consideration for the other person or for yourself?”

She flinched.

“Ah, even if it’s consideration for yourself, it’s fine. But you mustn’t get found out. If it’s found out, we have to get serious too. Sharing a meal and conversation with us becomes something you have to worry so much about. That you have to try so hard not to hurt us. That you care so much. It makes you think things you don’t need to, just to feel comfortable.”

Jin Ha-ryeong said nothing. Her face flushed. She had never thought about that before and didn’t know what to say.

She felt frustrated and wronged. Probably when she got home, she’d kick off the covers and regret, ‘I should’ve answered like that.’

Is that why you appeared in my dream?

That thought turned into self-reproach.

‘Ah! I really am selfish.’

Even now, she was only worried about herself. Her pride wounded by the servant’s presence in her dream, wrapped up in a bandage because this servant said things she never expected.

“You’re way too arrogant for a servant. You should feel honored to eat at the same table with me.”

She said coldly, then added,

“Is that what you want to hear?”

“Yes. How nice would it be? If I were So-jeo, I’d think so too. Most people eating here would think so. So, So-jeo, stop thinking too deeply. Otherwise, you’ll only hurt yourself.”

After staring at him for a moment, she suddenly stood.

“No! Who do you think you are to lecture me? You’re just a young servant!”

As if ready to follow what he taught, she spoke her mind without hesitation.

“I admit it. And you fit well. This time, if you leave, get naked and live comfortably.”

“Shut up, you servant!”

She yelled and stormed out.

Seo Daeryong hurried over and sat across from me, as if waiting. He must have been secretly watching from the stairs.

Taking a sip of the alcohol she left, Seo Daeryong said,

“Fateful love always ends tragically.”

Geom Mugeuk couldn’t help but know Seo Daeryong meant it out of concern. But the atmosphere wasn’t serious, so Geom Mugeuk teased him.

“Where does love happen so easily? Even if you’re in the same group, it rarely works out. You know that best.”

Seo Daeryong had gone out to eat with a junior from Hwangcheongak he liked but made no progress.

“Must you always poke at the sore spot? I have my own fans who cheer for me!”

Seeing Seo Daeryong pout, Geom Mugeuk smiled.

Daeryong, you want fate’s love but can’t have it. The moment you start loving, destiny—called Hwamugi—will surely say, ‘Who do you think you are to play at love? With me here, love is nothing but a luxury.’ So now, don’t even have time to feel your heartbeat, right?

“Investigator Seo, let’s go train some more.”

“Yes! For losers like us, training is the only way!”

“Us?”

And as they stood, I realized Jin Ha-ryeong had again left without paying the bill today.