When a small woman wearing a hood approached, Ha Eung Eung felt a sense of doubt.
"That person is Eve Christina, the war hero from Eastern Europe, also known by the codena 'Saint.' She’s an Ascended," Min Woo-sung introduced grandly.
However, in contrast to the extravagant introduction, Eve's first impression was simply cute.
Could this small, seemingly harmless girl really be the war hero they spoke of?
Sssss.
When Eve removed her hood, her long blonde hair spilled out like a waterfall.
Upon seeing her hair, which shone brilliantly in the light, along with her clear blue eyes and porcelain skin, Ha Eung Eung felt a beauty beyond cuteness.
However, even then, her beauty seed distant from that of a war hero.
Sssss.
As Eve’s clear eyes t Ha Eung Eung’s, it felt as though she was sinking into a deep lake.
Only then did Ha Eung Eung feel an emotion beyond re admiration for her beauty.
The emotion was… longing.
"Sister, would you live with at the North Sea Ice Palace?"
The little princess of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Another patient of the Gu Eum Jeol Maek (the illness of blood stagnation) that Ha Eung Eung had encountered in the martial world.
"Sotis, I beco afraid. Even if we find the elixir, there is only one person who can consu it. Will we still be able to rely on each other, like we do now?"
They were companions who had supported each other in search of a cure for Gu Eum Jeol Maek, hunting magical beasts together while finding solace in each other’s presence.
"I rember the devotion, love, and friendship you showed . Maybe that’s why, now, I feel your life is more precious to than my own."
She could have taken the internal energy, but instead, she used the unique martial art Gyeok Che Jeon Gong (an exchange of internal energy) to pass her own internal energy onto Ha Eung Eung, saving her life.
It was one of the bonds she had to sever, sending her away beyond the realm of life and death, beyond this world.
"Bing So So."
The na she had forgotten for so long ca flooding back in a rush, like a waterfall.
"!"
Bing So So looked at her with a surprised expression, then extended her hand with concern.
"Are you alright? Is there anywhere you are feeling unwell?"
Ha Eung Eung shook her head.
Through the tears she had wiped away, the face that had once belonged to Bing So So now looked like a stranger.
[For a mont, I rembered soone.]
"It's a bond I’ve let go of. Have you mourned enough?"
[That’s what I believed. But perhaps it wasn’t enough.]
Ha Eung Eung blinked, trying to steady her emotions.
After a brief pause, she closed her eyes tightly and opened them again.
Her emotions, once in turmoil, had vanished completely.
[It seems I’ve shown you an embarrassing side on our first eting. I apologize.]
"No need to apologize. We are Ascended. We send more lives away than the stars, and no matter where they are—Eastern Europe or East Asia—the heart that mourns the dead is the sa."
[Saint. You are a good person.]
The Saint smiled serenely, her smile deep and calm like a tranquil lake.
"Eve. Please call Eve."
[Understood, Eve. My na is Ha Eung Eung.]
"Ha, Eung Eung? That’s a unique na."
[If it’s difficult to pronounce my na… you can call ‘sister.’]
"Sister… Sister. For , as a Saint, that is a title I am happy to accept. Sister Ha Eung Eung."
If you’re going to use her full na, the "Sister" is practically redundant.
Ha Eung Eung chuckled in disbelief.
Seeing her laugh like that, Eve Christina smiled in return.
There was no tension or subtle wariness between the two won.
It felt as if they were sisters eting after a long ti apart, sitting side by side without hesitation, chatting casually.
‘What’s going on? Is there sothing they both understand?’
‘That servant is also flustered, huh?’
Dashman and Min Woo-sung exchanged awkward glances and gave a slight nod to each other before quietly turning their heads away, standing behind the two won.
While the two won enjoyed a familiar, easygoing ti, the n found themselves in an uncomfortable mont.
Even Ujiu himself didn’t expect to say sothing like this, but it seed he was considered to be one of the more rational people in Haenampa.
At least, that’s how he had to think.
"A martial arts tournant in real life? Does that even make sense? When Ascended fight, even a brush can lead to serious injuries or even death. This is madness."
[In martial arts tournants, casualties are unavoidable. The participants must be prepared for that.]
"No matter how much the guild’s autonomy outweighs the administrative power of governnt agencies, if they organize an event like this, they can’t avoid conflict."
[Isn’t there anything we can do about it?]
"If you keep insisting on this, I’ll have to call Gyeong Seok."
At the ntion of Gyeong Seok, the most difficult and stringent guild mber, Ha Eung Eung frowned.
Even she knew that Gyeong Seok could easily co up with 49 reasons why a martial arts tournant should never be held.
"If safety is a concern, I can help."
"Huh? Are you serious?"
[Eve, is it really alright if you help?]
"If the Saint helps, then what could possibly be wrong? You, the Saint, who can bring back people from the brink of death? But… must you really go this far for us?"
"My country’s battles are over. I’ve co to the far East to find freedom after retiring from the frontlines. The ti that remains is entirely mine."
Min Woo-sung’s heart grew heavy.
He was not soone who didn’t understand what it ant for a high-ranked Ascended to use their abilities.
Even Dashman, who had been standing behind Eve, was struck with fear.
"Saint! There’s no need for you to spend your precious life on people like us. Most of those people over there are just here hoping for a quick fortune!"
"The other half are serious Ascended here for the interview, I assu?"
That’s not what he ant.
Dashman, looking grim, tried to pull his hand away when the Saint gently grabbed it.
Startled, Dashman froze, but he couldn’t resist and allowed the Saint to hold his hand.
"Dashman, you are really thoughtful. I truly appreciate how much you are worried about ."
"Saint…"
"I wanted to know. What kind of Ascended people live in Mugeon Geomgaek’s country. What kind of people will lead the next generation."
The Saint’s heart was so pure, beautiful, and noble that Dashman felt even more regretful.
‘Half of these guys are just freeloaders on association subsidies. I don’t want soone like you spending your precious life for people like them!’
The desire to speak up was overwhelming.
The viewers in the chat felt the sa way.
But they couldn’t say it.
They didn’t want to disappoint the Saint.
They wanted to repay her nobility.
The Ascended of a distant land, those who would beco the new generation of the world she had protected.
They wanted to shout that they were strong. They were worthy.
They wanted to show it, prove it.
"I’ve never seen Dashman look so manly."
"Hey, don’t insult the ‘resolve of a man.’"
"From now on, ‘Fool’ is my brother."
"I never knew Dashman was a man."
"From now on, I’m no longer just a subscriber; Dashman and I are one. Any attack on Dashman is an attack on ."
The resolve of a man.
That intense will was conveyed without words.
In the clenched fist,
In the veins that popped,
In the white knuckles from holding too tight,
In the tightly clenched lips,
In the eyes holding back tears,
In the bowing head of a man.
The viewers could feel it through the headcam,
They could see Dashman’s image reflected in the mirror,
And they felt the sincerity of a man,
The pride of a Korean.
That burning resolve was captured in clips.
It spread through the many personal streams of the Ascended who attended the interview.
Everyone understood the Saint’s heart for the tournant,
And everyone understood why Dashman couldn’t stop her.
"Mugeon Geomgaek, we want to hold the martial arts tournant!"
"We want to participate in the martial arts tournant!"
"We’ll do our best to minimize casualties and show our strength!"
The full story of the tournant’s establishnt, which wasn’t shown on the public broadcast,
Was felt by one man even as the powerful cries echoed through the air.
Just monts ago, the participants in the interview seed far from serious.
Min Woo-sung, who had felt nothing but annoyance and jealousy toward others, was now overco with emotion as he read the minds of the changed participants.
‘One person’s noble heart has drawn out the sincerity of one man, and that man’s sincerity has earned the agreent of all the participants.’
Indeed, she was worthy of being called a Saint,
And worthy of serving as the Saint’s attendant.
"Ujiu, seeing their resolve, what do you think about giving them a chance?"
"But… it will burden the Saint too much. No matter how much she wants it…"
"If we gather dical staff to prevent the excessive use of the Saint’s abilities, that will solve the problem. Didn’t we recruit dical staff recently?"
The ergency contact system was already in place.
At Min Woo-sung’s words, Ujiu recalled the contact network.
[Even now, will you report this to Gyeong Seok?]
"It’s unavoidable, now that things have progressed this far. I did try to stop it."
With Ujiu’s final surrender, the collection of dical staff was actively supported, and no one could stop the martial arts tournant.
Thus, the opening of the second Mugeon Geomgaek Martial Arts Tournant began.
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