Chapter 363

In a world where one could become a star overnight, one must also consider that the opposite is possible.

– You’re just immersed in delusions and bravado, haha.

– I hope you realize that imagination and reality are different.

– Katsuhata didn’t practice to be judged by someone like you.

– Koreans seem to enjoy evaluating others. Ironically, they couldn’t even participate in the national exchange competition.

– The top loser of Korea is taking a jab at Japan’s top tester, whoa.

– I understand your desire to be famous, but if you want to be recognized, you must first learn to acknowledge others’ achievements.

– If you’re that confident, why don’t you give it a try yourself?

– I’m looking forward to seeing how impressive your swordsmanship will be. ^^

– Hurry up and show us. This is your chance to silence everyone here, haha.

Until this morning, I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal.

‘Everyone has different opinions.’

So I turned off all my VTube notifications and went for a walk in the village with Ban So Wol.

Without setting a destination and walking along the riverside, I found a park and played catch with a neighbor’s Golden Retriever that we happened to meet.

While I was resting, having quickly exhausted my stamina, I stumbled upon a video on VTube.

The brilliant algorithm had brought me a video that brutally critiqued me.

‘This was uploaded just two hours ago, and it’s already hit 100,000 views.’

[Third. The external manifestation of aura is far more difficult than you might think. Let’s look at some statistics, shall we? The Japanese Statistics Bureau estimates that about 12,000 people are capable of external manifestation, which is less than the number of first-place lottery winners in the past 40 years. And it doesn’t stop there. The ability to raise it to a level suitable for combat is another matter entirely.]

After that, videos defending against my claims came one after another: 30,000 views, 8,000 views, and so on.

Whether they were right or wrong, their arguments didn’t serve as a proper rebuttal to my claims.

What I wanted to say was that the external manifestation could be used in various ways, yet all they were lamenting about was how difficult it was.

Now, it was too late to delete comments…

“People are so annoying.”

“Why?”

“I’m getting mercilessly criticized on the internet right now.”

“As expected… The fact that you forcibly took the frisbee from the Retriever became a problem, huh?”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t forcibly take it; at that time, we were competing fairly, okay? I just left a comment yesterday, and people keep nitpicking. I’ll read it to you, so tell me what you think.”

Though I may have written it somewhat melodramatically under the dawn’s sentiment, I hadn’t been wrong in what I said.

Ban So Wol listened to me and fell into quiet thought.

“It does have some elements that could be misunderstood.”

“I think so too. So what should we do?”

“The best approach is to ignore it. However, if it’s you, I think proving it yourself might not be a bad idea either.”

“Directly?”

“Yeah. I’ll be your sparring partner. I’ve been in the kendo club since last year, so I have the basics down.”

Ban So Wol took off her sunglasses and winked at me.

“Okay.”

Once the decision was made, it wasn’t hard to find a place.

In the land of peace, the land of cherry blossoms, the land of the emperor, there are many words representing Japan, but one stands out above all.

“The Land of the Sword.”

There are about 50,000 kendo dojos across Japan, and we chose one of them to rent practice swords and a sparring room.

* * *

What Ban So Wol would demonstrate was simple.

Vertical head strike, diagonal downward slash after a feint, and a thrust that disables the opponent’s weapon.

All three movements start from the same position called “Pomutak.”

“Are you really sure you can distinguish these?”

Ban So Wol, raising the wooden sword high, seemed doubtful.

The human eye isn’t fast enough to chase a sword.

Which technique does one know to counter first?

“Yeah, if you do five moves, I’ll counter all five.”

At that moment, Na Me stepped out wearing a children’s kendo uniform.

“Just know this: my movements may be clumsy, but my speed can’t be overlooked.”

Ban So Wol, with a calm expression, gripped the wooden sword.

She was the runner-up in the national martial arts competition.

Now, regardless of what was in Ban So Wol’s hands, she was already a perfected human weapon.

Yet Na Me wasn’t intimidated by that aura.

“Don’t be too surprised if I counter.”

“Yeah. A lightsaber isn’t a sword; it’s an aura. If a sword suddenly turns into a phantom hell, I won’t be surprised.”

“It’s not quite to that extent. Let’s begin then.”

Tap-

Ban So Wol and Na Me donned helmets and held their swords.

Na Me intentionally gripped the sword loosely because she needed to purposely lose the sword for the demonstration.

Both slowly drew up their aura, sharpening their senses.

“I’m going.”

With a short notice, she swung the wooden sword horizontally with great force.

Vwoom-!

With a sharp sound of wind, the wooden sword Na Me held spun and flew away.

A dull yet powerful strike.

In the blink of an eye, Ban So Wol retracted her arm and executed the first move.

‘What would a sword made of pure aura feel like?’

With her weight strongly on her right foot, she struck down hard at Na Me’s completely vacant head.

In such a short time, what would one see and feel?

The succeeding movement of Na Me instantly resolved Ban So Wol’s doubt.

Swoosh-

A strike that cut through the instant.

Simultaneously, the powerful aura extended from Na Me’s hand, guarding her vital points.

Manifested aura obstructed the wooden sword’s path.

Crackles-!

If this continued, the tense standoff would go on indefinitely.

Ban So Wol instinctively thought.

And at that moment, a golden aura flickered, weaving an arc of destruction and regeneration, narrowly avoiding the blade.

The balance of power suddenly collapsed.

The tip of the wooden sword nearly grazed Na Me’s left shoulder, revealing the bare ground.

“Ah!”

Recognizing her mistake, Ban So Wol belatedly tried to release her wrist strength, but

with almost straight-line motion, the lightsaber correctly aimed at Ban So Wol’s neck.

Ban So Wol let out a deep sigh, lowering her arms.

“How did you do that? The sword bent like a snake just now.”

“It’s a lateral movement of aura. It’s a skill close to finesse, but it’s very powerful and has many applications in actual combat.”

Na Me raised her sword high to demonstrate the technique.

Ban So Wol reached out to feel the aura’s movement in more detail.

‘When the left part of the long sword gradually fades, the right part brightens and fills the space.’

As she had first intuited, it looked like a snake moving sideways.

“For instance, a rapier isn’t suitable for such standoffs. They usually turn the grip and escape or counter to end the standoff, but with aura, there’s no need. I can control the sword’s position myself.”

“This is… easier said than done.”

“I didn’t say it was easy. I only figured it out after long research.”

Despite just experiencing the situation, Ban So Wol still couldn’t believe it.

Na Me meticulously split the slender sword, observing it almost spatially.

Generally, when swords face off, one becomes acutely aware of the vertical lengths.

If the point of force is too close to the grip, it’s vulnerable to a thrust; if it’s too far, the power isn’t properly applied.

However, a sword is indeed a three-dimensional shape.

It has height, width, and depth.

Na Me had ascended to an understanding that perfectly grasped that spatial awareness.

‘If this could be used for offense rather than defense, it would be much trickier.’

It meant that the path of the sword could be slightly altered mid-flight, so this could not be overlooked.

But right now, it was Na Me’s turn to respond.

Ban So Wol felt grateful that the attack privilege was on her side.

The following second strike was just like the first, a Shaytelhow.

Ban So Wol vividly captured the moment Na Me had described.

The boundaries of the sword were unclear.

One could not know where it blocked and where it cut except for the one wielding it.

The third strike was the beat.

When crossing swords in an “X”, this kind of grappling isn’t effective.

Yet, the sword passed through the other sword effortlessly.

There was no feeling of actually cutting.

The third strike reached checkmate much more easily.

People had all voiced the question on how to deal with the problem of the fourth strike: the upper-body feint followed by diagonal downward slash.

Ban So Wol assumed a stance as if she were about to deliver a final blow until the very last moment.

Then, she concentrated aura in her forearm and momentarily bent the sword’s path.

Had she assumed the same position as before, Na Me’s right arm and side would have been fully exposed.

“…!”

But Na Me wouldn’t allow for such a moment.

In between the two swift movements that Ban So Wol executed to the best of her ability, Na Me forced her sword into it.

“You’re really fast.”

“This is a way to get to victory the fastest. There’s a slower, more romantic way too; want to see?”

“Okay.”

Following Na Me’s suggestion, Ban So Wol unfolded the same feint-style sword technique.

However, this time Na Me was overflowing with composure.

‘You’re still not blocking. Then now!’

With assurance, Ban So Wol swung her sword.

Crackles-!

But once again, her strike was blocked.

“What in the world!”

This time, Ban So Wol was truly impressed.

“How was it? My double-edged sword?”

From beneath the handle, another beam of light shot out, covering the vital point.

Na Me lightly struck Ban So Wol’s sword and aimed at her neck again.

“It’s a weapon that has no practicality, but it’s perfect for striking just when the opponent is most off-guard.”

“This isn’t romance. It’s a romance.”

“Really? Do you like it?”

“Yeah. Maybe I’ll properly learn to wield a sword through this opportunity. I’ve never liked the restraint of swords. But this way is actually nice.”

“I’ve shown you everything. What we just did was the best decision, and any variation from here would ultimately lead to the same conclusion.”

Na Me took off her sweat-soaked helmet and retrieved the camera she had set on the ground.

Though the conversation may not have been caught due to distance from the mic, it was something that could be dubbed later with additional narration.

– (Private): I’ll film a video and show it to you.

This single comment ignited a bigger fire rather than quenching the incident.

* * *

[NoName Official] [Subscribers: 6.34 million]

[Application of External Manifestation, Three Counter Theories of Shaytelhow]

[Explanation: I had no intention to belittle anyone. I apologize for causing a disturbance inadvertently and have attached a clarifying video with a detailed explanation. I am in Japan to personally support Ms. Katsuhata Emika. I hope all misunderstandings are resolved with this. 🙂 ]

[Link: WEC Japan – “Top20 Contenders for 2052 WEC”]

[Comments]

– Why is this the real Na Me? hahahaha

– Of all times, she had to show up when the world’s recognition occurred, hahaha.

– I never expected such an identity from Na Me…

– WTF? How old is she?

– Wait, isn’t that So Wol Unnie?!?!

– I checked to see what kind of greatness could provoke such a response, and look at this, haha.

– A person who has ultimately proven their point despite numerous critiques.

– Respect. Trust. Admiration. Love.

– Meanwhile, was Ban So Wol real? This house has some serious guest name value.

– In my life, I’ve never seen a legend like this, haha!

– A challenge presented by a genius of the century. I declare Katsuhata’s complete defeat.

People were shocked at three levels.

The first booster was the very fact that the strategist was NoName.

Even feeling embarrassed for reacting sensitively to a nine-year-old’s comment, Na Me had brought a perfect video to refute all their logic.

Those who crossed the line in their comments hurriedly deleted them.

The second booster was the character and place.

– Ban So Wol and NoName are close? Whoa!

– This is truly a meeting of world-class individuals.

– Are you saying they’re in Japan right now?

– There was no prior notice; it seems just for travel.

– Emika’s surprise declaration drove the anti-Japanese fans crazy, hahaha.

– The most surprised were the Japanese people, haha.

– Who was it that extended the swordsmanship lifespan with Adele?

– No, we need to revoke NoName’s unique magic rights.

A bit of time passed, and those who carefully watched the video were inevitably left with a great sense of dissonance.

How could a blind person handle a sword so well?

Foreigners would surely be astonished.

However, Ban So Wol, who was already famous in Korea, was no longer an object of admiration.

– The difficulty of external manifestation seems absurd no matter how I look at it.

– Who could replicate that?! haha.

– I thought Katsuhata’s sword technique was amazing, but seeing this, it’s a serious sense of reverse perception.

– Is a person capable of handling aura like that? It’s better to say there’s a horse with horns!

– The boosting of earlier martial arts was not a fluke… NoName was just good at swordsmanship from the start!

– If Katsuhata fought like this at the national exchange competition, who could stop her?

– I seriously can’t find any flaws.

The elegance displayed was on a whole different level compared to the academy competition, and everyone was in utter shock.