Published at 25th of February 2026 7:48 am

Chapter 398

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"Did you say 'Moon Hero'?"

"That person...? No, the face definitely seems to match, though."

"Was he always like that? I mean, he was handsome, but not this much, right?"

"I think he got taller too?"

"And his vibe is just..."

Voices kept reaching my ears, even more so the further I walked.

An appearance changed because of my rebirth.

There wasn't supposed to be any major change in my basic form—

'No, saying nothing changed at all would just be lying to myself.'

There were quite a lot. I didn't used to have such a broad frame, but now my shoulders were wider, and my arms and legs had grown longer.

Not to mention, even the few blemishes I had on my skin were now completely gone.

'It turned so pale.'

My body had become so white, as if I'd returned to my childhood. Maybe that's why my blue eyes stood out even more now.

To put it simply: I just looked much better. A lot better, actually.

I brushed my cheek lightly. Smooth and springy. I wondered when I'd ever get this kind of skin again.

'These stares are a little overwhelming.'

But I can't say I truly hate it. My father had endured these kinds of stares his whole life, and I've had my fair share of attention myself.

'Focus.'

I regained my composure, trying not to let myself get distracted.

I focused all my attention on my steps.

'Just like back then.'

Back when I was imitating Yu Chun-gil in front of the Small Moon Division leader. I was trying to mimic that gait again.

'No, it's different now.'

Is it because my level rose? Or because of the physical transformation?

I don't know the reason, but the feeling is different from before.

'I think I'm starting to understand.'

The steps of an absolute master.

They seemed full of openings, but in truth were nothing but emptiness.

And also—

'What I saw in the Mind Realm.'

If there was anything I gained from fighting Yu Chun-gil—

no, from getting one-sided killed at his hands—

it would be this, first and foremost.

'The feeling in each movement.'

A subtle difference that started with the coming-of-age Yu Chun-gil.

Tiny differences in the motion of the body, the atmosphere inside it, a feeling of otherness.

I'd managed to catch onto that.

'How should I say this?'

It's as if each movement naturally carried energy within itself.

It's difficult to put into words.

'I need to use the sense I had during possession.'

Just seeing it wasn't enough.

I drew from the memory of Yu Chun-gil using my body while I was possessed, and let that soak into my gait.

'A bit awkward.'

Still tough. But doable.

Step.

A single step.

Step.

Another step.

I focused all my attention and imitated Yu Chun-gil's every movement.

It made the world seem to fall silent.

The noise stopped.

The whispers that had been following me quieted in an instant, all that remained was the path before me.

Walk.

That's what the path seemed to tell me.

As if listening to it, I went forward, and not long after, when I reached the end of the path—

'Ah.'

My consciousness suddenly snapped back. Right, this is the Blue Moon Festival.

Shouldn't I not just walk forward like that? As I regained my senses and opened my eyes—

"Oh."

I realized something was off. There was no one around me.

There should have been a lot of people ahead, but none of the seniors were in sight.

What? I looked around in confusion.

'Ah—crap.'

Only then did I realize.

'I walked too far ahead.'

I'd overtaken all the seniors and was now standing at the very front.

Because of that, aside from the Small Moon Division leader, the person with the next lowest turn number was glaring at me.

'Well...'

It makes sense he's looking at me like this. The newbie standing at the very front when we're supposed to line up in order.

I grinned sheepishly and tried to awkwardly duck back.

"A good look."

The voice of the Virtuous Moon Sword stopped me in my tracks.

"Is this a display of confidence?"

"... Excuse me?"

"I hope you have something to back up that confidence."

"... No, it's not really that."

"Small Moon Division, listen up."

Before I could offer any excuse, the Virtuous Moon Sword cut me off.

Damn it.

'You've got to be kidding me.'

Because of his words, the stares turned even sharper. I'd basically ended up making a declaration of war without meaning to.

That's not what I meant at all.

'What do I do now.'

Maybe I should try to clear up the misunderstanding? I thought about it for a moment.

'But there's no need for that.'

I shook my head. No need for useless actions. Even though there's a bit of a misunderstanding—

'It's not entirely wrong, after all.'

The Virtuous Moon Sword wasn't wrong in what he said.

'I have to do it.'

Now that I've come this far, I might as well see it through. That's what I thought when—

Tap.

Someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked over.

'... Yu Yul.'

The Silver Moon Sword was smiling that signature half-moon smile at me.

"Turns out you're much more passionate than I imagined, huh?"

"... What?"

"If I'd known you were this much of a fighter, I'd have matched your energy from the start."

He sounded almost disappointed.

"And, looks like you've changed. Quite a lot, at that?"

"..."

After my rebirth, his narrowed eyes settled on me. The blue in his thinly narrowed gaze was rather intense.

Even worse—

'As I thought.'

I could sense it. That strange spiritual ki around the Silver Moon Sword.

'Just like before.'

Still as odd as ever.

'He has no spiritual ki of his own.'

What should have come out from his soul, like with Wudang, simply wasn't there.

Which can only mean—

'He's been tainted by external spirits.'

The energy clinging to the Silver Moon Sword is someone else's. Which means—

'Is this what Chun Hye-In meant about the Death King and Bow Ghost?'

Perhaps. As I reached that thought—

"Well, whatever happened, I expect things'll go differently from last time."

"..."

Smiling brightly, he took his hand off my shoulder and put a little distance between us.

"..."

I stared at my shoulder in silence. The lingering energy there bothered me, but I ignored it.

"I will now begin the Blue Moon Festival."

Came the concise proclamation by the Virtuous Moon Sword.

"Embody the moon. As always—"

With those words, which echoed through the Blue Moon Sect's storied history, the contest for Young Sect Leader began in earnest, modeled on the Blue Moon Festival.

* * *

The gathering and the martial tournament had both come on a bit suddenly for me.

It felt like I'd been dragged into this with no warning. But now that I was here, I had to figure things out.

"We will now begin."

I stood in front of the lot-drawing table, looking blank.

To qualify for the Blue Moon Festival, you had to be a member of either the Small Moon Division or an active Moon Eye user.

Those disqualified were the sect leader Virtuous Moon Sword, and the elder-level figures.

Was it because they were just too strong? Or maybe this was simply a rule set by the Virtuous Moon Sword—I couldn't be sure.

It's just what I'd gathered.

'Maybe this is why Yu Chun-gil was so against it.'

Now I understood why the old man hated it.

'The elders were left out.'

All this talk of a contest for Young Sect Leader aside, he'd set rules on who could participate and excluded all the upper ranks.

Maybe that's what made Yu Chun-gil furious.

With that guy—

'... He'd probably have insisted on the elders joining in, too.'

He'd have yelled at everyone to just pick up their swords and settle it head-on.

'Besides that...'

Not just because of him, though.

'I still can't read the Virtuous Moon Sword's intentions.'

Why go so far as to hold the Blue Moon Festival but with those restrictions?

I couldn't figure him out.

'... The only thing I know for sure is...'

I glanced at where the Virtuous Moon Sword was standing.

'I don't think it's him.'

The one who killed Yu Chun-gil.

There were a few candidates involved with the Blue Moon Sect.

But for now, I counted the Virtuous Moon Sword out by a small degree.

'His eyes back then.'

Simple reason.

If there was one thing the Virtuous Moon Sword regretted up to his last breath, it was that he never had his life-and-death duel with the Sword Saint.

'His eyes were sincere.'

Of course, maybe he was faking right down to his eyes, but—

'Well.'

From what I saw, it was too close to call. That's why I counted him out, but only just barely.

'Hmm.'

As I narrowed my gaze and turned over these thoughts—

"Um, senior."

"Ah."

The sect member in front of me spoke.

"You need to draw."

"Oh, sorry."

It was my turn. I reached into the box.

I pulled out a slip of paper.

It read:

'One (一).'

A huge "one" was scrawled on it.

First in the order. As I gazed at it, about to narrow my eyes—

"Hah."

A laugh echoed from somewhere.

"What a coincidence."

I turned my head and saw a familiar face. The man who'd been at the very front at the Small Moon Division introduction, and the current top member of the division.

'Azure Dancing Sword, Seo Seon.'

It was Seo Seon of the Small Moon Division.

"... We drew the same number. Isn't that right, youngest?"

He shook a slip with the same number, smiling.

Well, "smiling," but—

'... That's a scary look.'

A lot of emotion was smoldering in his eyes. Guess he was still bothered by what happened earlier.

"Perfect. I never really looked out for you like I did with the other members, so this is the perfect opportunity."

This was actually our first proper conversation.

The Small Moon Division prioritized solo training, and I'd been out on long-term missions, so we'd had no contact.

"Ahaha... You really don't need to worry about me."

"I must, though."

Maybe that's why—

"Otherwise, the system we worked hard to make would be undermined."

It seemed Seo Seon didn't really like me.

"... Not recognizing your own seniors even with a little encouragement, I see."

"...."

Correction: It wasn't just a little.

It seemed he really hated me.

"I understand you have a great reputation, but I can't abide arrogance brought on by success."

"I don't think I've ever acted arrogantly..."

"The world is wide, and the Blue Moon Sect has far more to offer. I thought I'd have to show you that myself, and it seems today is that day."

"...."

Looks like he wasn't interested in hearing anything from me.

That cold blue glare made it hard to say anything at all.

"... R-right. If you'd care to instruct me, I'd gladly accept."

So, I just bowed out and let it go.

"Hah..."

He frowned, clearly not satisfied with even that.

What am I supposed to do about this?

Seo Seon turned around and walked off, and as I watched his back—

"How'd you end up ticking that guy off?"

Chun Hye-In, who'd been watching from the sidelines, approached.

"Isn't it obvious? I didn't tick him off."

I protested my innocence, but—

"You didn't? But you went up and yanked on his whiskers just now."

"...."

I had nothing to say when she brought up how I'd walked right past everyone to the front.

"Be careful. That guy's strong."

I gave a hollow laugh at those words.

"Are you worried about me?"

"You did beat me that one time; it'd be disgraceful if you ended up flopping right away."

"...."

"He's even said to be a candidate for the next Small Moon Division leader. You should be careful, really."

"Thanks... I really appreciate your concern."

"You're welcome. Just think about what I told you."

She left those words like flowers and vanished, swaying away.

"Hm."

A talent said to be a candidate for the next Small Moon Division leader.

Seo Seon was supposed to be that strong.

Maybe he was even stronger than the Silver Moon Sword?

'Still, he is the front of the Small Moon Division...'

Maybe I was just unlucky to get him as my first opponent.

That thought flashed through my mind. I figured this round was going to be pretty tough.

"... What...how...?"

But once the match started, what happened was nothing like I'd expected.

"What kind of sorcery is this...?!"

Seo Seon cried out, and I just cocked my head.

"... What?"

Staring at Seo Seon, I blurted out something silly.

Because he was kneeling right in front of me.

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