Two long shapes flew wildly in the air.
One was the Dog Beating Staff wielded by Jong Seo-eon. And on the opposite side, Yu Ji-han's iron staff was relentlessly traversing the air.
The staffs wielded by the two seemed to be fighting for territory.
Especially with the long length of the weapons, it was a fight with a clearly different feel from a sword fight.
The two stood at a distance where they couldn't reach each other even if they stretched out their hands, but they could by no means be careless.
It was a distance that a sword could never reach, but a staff could close that distance in an instant.
The battle for territory had become that much more important.
Since their attacks could all reach each other at a considerable distance, slowly building up one's own territory could be said to be the key to victory or defeat.
'This... what on earth is going on?'
Yu Ji-han couldn't believe this situation.
To think that a duel where he had expected his overwhelming victory would result in such a close match.
It was to the level where it would feel more realistic if this were a dream.
However, this was by no means a dream.
The fact that Jong Seo-eon had blocked his first move was by no means a coincidence, and he had no choice but to admit that he was now showing a martial prowess equal to his own.
'What on earth... what on earth is going on!'
The Dog Beating Staff Technique was definitely a martial art that had been lost from the Beggars' Sect long ago.
That's why his master had created the Diamond Staff Technique as a martial art to surpass the Dog Beating Staff Technique, and hadn't he, as the successor of the Righteous Gate, thoroughly inherited the Diamond Staff Technique?
The Diamond Staff Technique is the strongest staff technique that will represent the Beggars' Sect. Yu Ji-han had not a single doubt about that fact.
"The Dog Beating Staff Technique is nothing more than an old relic of the Beggars' Sect."
"..."
"From now on, the Diamond Staff Technique will be the martial art that represents the Beggars' Sect. Always carry that pride with you."
"Yes, Master!"
Of course, Yu Ji-han still held pride in the Diamond Staff Technique as his master had said.
However... how on earth should he explain this situation where the Dog Beating Staff Technique, which was nothing more than an old relic of the Beggars' Sect, was on equal footing with his Diamond Staff Technique?
Yu Ji-han's belief, which he had held onto so steadfastly until now, couldn't help but be shaken at this moment.
'Could it be... that the Dog Beating Staff Technique was not lost?'
Yu Ji-han couldn't help but have that suspicion now.
If not, there was no way to explain this situation.
However, Yu Ji-han immediately thought that was not the case.
'No... Master clearly said that the Dog Beating Staff Technique no longer exists in this world.'
There was no reason for his master to lie to him.
That would mean that the fact that the oral formula of the Dog Beating Staff Technique had disappeared from the Beggars' Sect was true.
In fact, just ten days ago, Jong Seo-eon had been afraid to even draw his Dog Beating Staff.
That was what proved that the Dog Beating Staff Technique still remained an incomplete martial art.
"..."
Then that would mean that the change that had occurred in Jong Seo-eon had happened within those ten days.
Ten days... could Jong Seo-eon's Dog Beating Staff Technique have improved to this extent in just that time?
In fact, this was the more ridiculous part.
'Namgung Il... what on earth did you do!'
Yu Ji-han shouted so inwardly, glaring at Namgung Il during the duel.
Grin—
As Yu Ji-han glared at him, Namgung Il just smiled silently.
'I didn't do anything. The fact that the achievement of the Dog Beating Staff Technique has risen to this level is entirely Jong Seo-eon's skill.'
All Namgung Il had done during these ten days was to continuously have a duel with Jong Seo-eon.
Of course, as he said, it wasn't just a simple duel.
What Namgung Il had done was a guided duel.
So that Jong Seo-eon himself wouldn't notice, Namgung Il had continuously passed on the essence of the Dog Beating Staff Technique to Jong Seo-eon during the duel.
'The form was already fully awakened.'
Jong Seo-eon had already learned all the basic oral formulas and forms of the Dog Beating Staff Technique.
That was what Namgung Il had passed on to Gaedusik and Gangdu early on.
Gangdu had not passed it on to Yu Ji-han, but Gaedusik had passed it on to Jong Seo-eon as it was.
"..."
It could be said that Jong Seo-eon had mastered all the basics of the Dog Beating Staff Technique.
So it was possible for him to raise the achievement of the Dog Beating Staff Technique on his own with that foundation, but in reality, that was an impossible task.
The subtlety of the Dog Beating Staff Technique could be said to lie in the appropriate application of the oral formulas and forms.
To master that complex subtlety on one's own was close to the realm of impossibility, no matter how talented one was.
'I am merely a catalyst for Jong Seo-eon.'
Jong Seo-eon must have been constantly pondering on his own until now.
How on earth could he raise the achievement of the Dog Beating Staff Technique?
Although that pondering had not borne fruit until now, it was by no means a futile effort.
Namgung Il had guided Jong Seo-eon to master the Dog Beating Staff Technique on his own through a guided duel, and this was the result.
"..."
As much as it had been stagnant, with just a little touch, Jong Seo-eon's Dog Beating Staff Technique had achieved explosive growth.
Of course, it was not yet at a level that could be called perfect, but he had now acquired the skills befitting a successor of the Beggars' Sect.
"You don't have the luxury to look at me."
"...!"
Namgung Il said to Yu Ji-han.
At that moment, he hurriedly turned his head and raised his iron staff.
Jong Seo-eon's Dog Beating Staff was already approaching Yu Ji-han's eyes.
At a hair's breadth, Yu Ji-han barely blocked Jong Seo-eon's attack.
"Keuk...!"
The balance that had been so tense until now collapsed.
Starting with the blow just now, Jong Seo-eon gradually encroached on Yu Ji-han's territory, and because of that, Yu Ji-han's territory was gradually shrinking.
"Wait... it seems Yu Ji-han is being pushed back."
"What on earth is going on? That guy is a first-year. And he's from the Vermilion Bird Class."
"Don't tell me Yu Ji-han is really going to lose."
The spectators could also clearly feel that change.
And the person who knew best that he would lose if this continued was none other than Yu Ji-han himself.
From a while ago, Yu Ji-han had been busy just blocking Jong Seo-eon's moves and had not been able to launch a single counterattack.
'I'm losing? To this guy?'
That was the same as the Righteous Gate losing to the Dirty Cloth Faction.
For the Righteous Gate to lose to the Dirty Cloth Faction, which was a collection of old relics...
That was something that could never happen, and something that should not happen.
"...!"
At that moment, Namgung Cheon's figure came into Yu Ji-han's sight.
Namgung Cheon, who was looking at him with a gaze devoid of any emotion.
Although it could be said to be his usual appearance, to Yu Ji-han's eyes, that appearance looked different.
'Are you... not expecting anything from me?'
Since he was being pushed back like this, it might be natural.
"...Hah—."
"...?"
At that moment, a hollow laugh escaped Yu Ji-han's lips.
Simultaneously, his figure shot forward.
Yu Ji-han held his staff with both hands and rushed at Jong Seo-eon like a bull.
Yu Ji-han's movement was one that had completely abandoned defense.
Jong Seo-eon, not missing that opening, swung his Dog Beating Staff at Yu Ji-han's head.
Jong Seo-eon's Dog Beating Staff cleanly hit Yu Ji-han's head.
At that moment, his movement temporarily slowed down.
Due to the impact of being hit by the Dog Beating Staff, blood was flowing from Yu Ji-han's forehead.
"..."
A definite sensation was felt in his hand.
Moreover, since the point of impact was the head, it wouldn't be strange if he lost consciousness like this.
Jong Seo-eon thought that the victory or defeat of the duel had been decided with this one move, but he soon realized that that was his illusion.
Flicker—!
A murderous aura was seen between the flowing blood.
It was a gaze that felt the will to continue this fight.
Jong Seo-eon hurriedly pulled back the Dog Beating Staff he had thrust forward.
However, Yu Ji-han was already moving before that.
Give up the flesh and take the bone.
Yu Ji-han had given his head to Jong Seo-eon and had taken his neck instead.
"...!"
The staff Yu Ji-han swung accurately hit Jong Seo-eon's neck.
As if the impact had spread throughout his body, Jong Seo-eon's body bent greatly and was pushed in the direction the staff had been swung.
"Keok... Keke-!"
Just before collapsing on the floor, Jong Seo-eon barely managed to stand.
However, from the coughing that poured out, one could tell how much pain Jong Seo-eon was in, and it seemed difficult for him to even lift the Dog Beating Staff he was leaning on.
"Jong Seo-eon!"
Seeing that, Namgung Il urgently called Jong Seo-eon's name.
He had almost seized victory, but to think he would come out like that.
It could be said that it wasn't that Jong Seo-eon had been careless, but that Yu Ji-han's obsession with victory had exceeded expectations.
'It's dangerous...!'
Yu Ji-han's blow just now had properly hit Jong Seo-eon's neck.
Of course, Jong Seo-eon's blow had also hit Yu Ji-han's head before that, but anyone could see that Jong Seo-eon's side was more seriously injured.
"Stop the duel!"
"..."
"This side has lost!"
Namgung Il judged that Jong Seo-eon was no longer in a state to fight.
Any more dueling would only harm Jong Seo-eon's body.
Since Jong Seo-eon was not in a state to shout surrender, Namgung Il shouted to Cheon Hong-ryeong instead.
However.
"..."
Cheon Hong-ryeong remained silent at Namgung Il's words.
Is she going to let the duel continue like this?
Namgung Il eventually decided to step in and stop the duel himself.
"Stop it."
"...!"
"Until one of the two admits defeat or the observer decides the victory or defeat, no one can stop the duel. You should know that much."
Namgung Cheon was already blocking his way and saying so.
Namgung Il silently glared at that, then said in a low voice.
"...Move."
"I can't move."
"..."
That conversation was the last.
Namgung Il drew his sword without hesitation and immediately swung it at Namgung Cheon.
Clang—!
The two, who had drawn their swords, faced each other.
Namgung Cheon had also drawn his sword at almost the same time as Namgung Il.
"I thought I told you, you can't move."
"..."
"Or... did you not hear me?"
Even after drawing his sword, Namgung Cheon seemed to have no intention of moving.
The feeling of a huge mountain blocking his way.
Even with his recent enlightenment, it was by no means easy to get past Namgung Cheon and go to Jong Seo-eon.
'Still... I have to.'
Yu Ji-han had unleashed a killing move from the first move.
On top of that, that obsession with victory... If he left him like this, he couldn't predict what Yu Ji-han would do to Jong Seo-eon.
Namgung Il drew up his internal energy and tried to get past Namgung Cheon somehow.
However, Yu Ji-han's figure was already moving before that.
A blood demon, with his head covered in blood, was rushing at Jong Seo-eon with a heavy iron staff without hesitation.
"..."
Jong Seo-eon was no longer even coughing.
He was just staggering with his head bowed low.
Anyone could see that he was in a dazed state, but in the eyes of the blood demon Yu Ji-han, nothing was visible now.
"I am the true successor of the Beggars' Sect!"
With that shout, Yu Ji-han thrust his staff.
The target was the heart.
The move that had been blocked by Jong Seo-eon in the first move, Yu Ji-han was unleashing it once more.
"Jong Seo-eon!"
"..."
It was then.
A figure that rose into the sky of the training ground.
The spectators watched the scene with their mouths agape.
A heavy sound and a person fell to the floor.
However, that sound was not simply caused by falling to the floor.
The sound created when a person was struck down with a Dog Beating Staff.
Of course, the person holding that Dog Beating Staff was Jong Seo-eon.
"..."
Yu Ji-han, who had lost consciousness and was lying on the floor, and Jong Seo-eon, who was striking him down with his Dog Beating Staff.
As everyone was at a loss for words and silence fell, a voice echoed through the arena.
"Winner, Jong Seo-eon!"
The one word from the observer that decided the victory or defeat of the duel.
It was a result no one had expected.
(End of Chapter)