The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become-Chapter 160

The Sword Master sidestepped to dodge the attack.

Then he laughed loudly.

“Hahahaha! Incredible! You really learned the swordsmanship just by watching it! I never thought someone other than me could do this…!!”

He marveled at the feat.

Kang Hyunsoo had replicated the sword technique that the Sword Master had just used.

Imitating an opponent’s swordsmanship—this was a skill once praised as genius by every other swordsman.

This was a technique that the Sword Master had perfected when he was young.

It allowed the user to mimic an opponent's sword technique to 99% similarity, if not 100%. No one had been able to display such an ability until now.

Imitation was a difficult skill, yet Hyunsoo responded nonchalantly.

“Is there something to be amazed about? It’s not that hard.”

His tone was casual.

But the reality was quite the opposite.

In fact, Kang Hyunsoo hadn’t actually learned the imitation technique.

Imitation was a high-level skill that even Kyle used, taking advantage of the Sin of Envy.

The reason Kang Hyunsoo was able to replicate the Sword Master’s sword technique was simple...

‘This is because it’s the reward from the Sword Emperor’s title quest.’

Most of the sword techniques the Sword Master used were based on the Sword Emperor’s swordsmanship.

Although the recognition had changed, the person hadn't, so the basic foundation was the same.

Of course, Hyunsoo hadn't completed the Sword Emperor title quest yet, so he hadn’t learned the Sword Emperor’s swordsmanship.

However...

[The energy of the Sword Emperor is being absorbed into your body.]

[It fuses with mana, and a new circuit is created.]

[You have learned the Sword Emperor’s swordsmanship and techniques.]

[Sword Emperor’s Swordsmanship: Point Slash (SS) - Creates a spatial void that shortens the distance, striking the visible point with a sword attack. Consumes 500 mana.]

Kang Hyunsoo had gathered the energy of the Sword Emperor, along with his past life’s memories, and used the surrounding Sword Emperor energy to learn the swordsmanship.

It was like acquiring his past life’s sword techniques through memories and mana circuits, something that had failed before, but now it was possible because of the completion of the Sword Emperor quest and the surrounding energy.

Kang Hyunsoo performed the Sword Emperor's swordsmanship in front of the Sword Master and pretended like he had just seen it and copied it.

The reason was simple.

‘This way, he won’t be able to use his swordsmanship recklessly.’

He needed to gain even the slightest advantage in the battle.

In other words, it was a deceptive tactic, but it was necessary.

After one clash, it was clear that the Sword Master was stronger than the Sword Emperor, and there was only one chance.

Although Hyunsoo had pride in his swordsmanship, it wasn’t the time to insist on pure sword technique.

However, the situation took a strange turn.

“Just as I thought, my judgment was right! Now, let’s see if you can follow these too!!”

The Sword Master, intrigued by the imitation, started using more diverse sword techniques.

The distance was instantly closed, and sword strikes poured from all directions.

The Sword Master, thinking Hyunsoo was the same kind of genius as himself, kept pressing the attack.

A dance of four swords clashing!

While deflecting the Sword Master’s attacks, Hyunsoo thought to himself,

‘Damn, it’s not for nothing that he holds both the titles of Sword Emperor and Sword Master. I need to end this quickly.’

Hyunsoo decided to go all out.

The Sword Master was no slouch, and there was only one opportunity.

Hyunsoo blocked with the Trust Armor, dodged with a lunge, and deflected the Sword Master’s attacks.

And then...

“You’re not even on my level to copy. If you think you can imitate, try this!!”

He set a trap in reverse.

Just as Kyle had fallen for it with his imitation, Hyunsoo provoked the Sword Master to try imitating his technique.

[Achieved 100 Combo for Evasion!]

[You perfectly evaded the opponent’s continuous attacks.]

[Fusion Talent: You can use the Beauty Sword Technique.]

[Activation]

[Bloom (SS)]

Hyunsoo activated Bloom and swung his sword.

“This, this power…!!”

The Sword Master’s mouth dropped open.

The sword technique Hyunsoo used was something the Sword Master couldn’t possibly replicate.

But—

Kaaa-!!

Bloom was blocked by the Sword Master’s sword.

“Impressive. It’s a force similar to Nacchal’s!!”

Just like the Sword Emperor, the Sword Master used a force akin to the Sin of Lust, Nacchal, to block Hyunsoo’s sword.

Then...

“Similar, yes, but that just means it’s inferior to the original!!”

[Activation]

[Full Bloom (SS)]

Kang Hyunsoo increased the pressure.

"His... appearance has changed...!?"

Not only had he used Bloom to push his appearance power to the extreme, but—

[Blood flows profusely from the wounds.]

[Condition met.]

[Hidden Talent: You can use the "Desolate Beauty."]

He activated the condition he had met earlier and unlocked the Desolate Beauty talent.

【Activation】

[Blood Bloom (SSS)]

A radiant sword, blooming like a red flower petal, rushed toward the Sword Master.

"……!!"

The Sword Master hurriedly unleashed a sword strike, powered by the force of Nacchal, but it was futile.

Crash-!!

Shards of aura scattered in the air.

Hyunsoo’s sword shattered the Sword Master's strike and advanced forward.

But just as his sword rushed toward the Sword Master to strike him...

Zzzz-!

A sudden flash of light flashed above Hyunsoo’s head, and a sharp sword strike fell.

Hyunsoo instinctively redirected the path of Blood Bloom above his head and backed away.

In that moment...

Koooooooom-!!!

A gigantic blade fell between Hyunsoo and the Sword Master.

It was as large as the Great Sword of the Giants.

The truth had been revealed.

"This is…."

"This is Sword Master’s swordsmanship. It’s a technique that prays to the heavens and strikes down the enemy!"

It was a technique summoned by the Sword Master.

The aura was so immense that blocking it with a shield was impossible.

It seemed as though it could be used multiple times, as the aura continued to fall from the sky.

Hyunsoo evaded by mixing dashes and lunges, avoiding the Sword Master’s strikes.

"If you can copy this as well, I’ll acknowledge you!" The Sword Master taunted Hyunsoo.

'He wants me to learn this sword technique.'

Hyunsoo quickly grasped the intent behind the provocation.

Even though there was an opening while evading the falling swords from the sky, the Sword Master didn’t pursue with another technique.

But—

Could he learn it?

Hyunsoo analyzed the sword strikes embedded into the ground.

Then, suddenly...

‘Hmm...? What is this...?'

Hyunsoo felt a new sword technique circuit faintly opening in his abdomen, one different from before.

It even contained an unfamiliar energy.

It felt as though something had been injected into him from the outside.

He couldn’t fully understand what was happening, but he could sense something.

When he looked at the Sword Master, the latter was staring at him with an expectant expression, as if urging him to try.

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'So, I’ve already met the qualifications.'

Hyunsoo knew what this meant.

Back when he had been drinking with the Sword Emperor during the previous life, the old man had said:

"Old man, why did you let me go before the regression? You could’ve easily defeated me if you had wanted to."

"Because you already had the qualifications. I’m not looking for someone stronger than me to inherit my sword, but someone worthy of it. If you were stronger than me, there’d be no reason to pass on my sword technique, would there?"

It made sense when he thought about it.

If the opponent was stronger than him, there’d be no reason to pass on the sword techniques.

The Sword Emperor wanted his techniques to be used by someone who needed them, and he had judged that Hyunsoo had met those qualifications.

It seemed that the Sword Master felt the same way.

While evading the falling sword, Hyunsoo injected mana into the new circuit faintly carved inside him.

[You have acquired the Sword Master’s swordsmanship.]

[Sword Master’s Swordsmanship: Sword Prayer (SS) - Prays to a designated point, summoning a sword imbued with heavenly power to strike down from above. Consumes 1000 mana.]

A new sword technique had been learned.

Even though he hadn’t earned the Sword Emperor and Sword Master titles yet, to gain such a swordsmanship skill was both surprising and gratifying.

However, it wasn’t over yet.

[Sword Master Title Quest has begun.]

[Defeat the Sword Master in battle within the time limit (0/1).]

The quest was not completed yet.

Like the Sword Emperor quest, Hyunsoo would likely need to land a decisive blow against the Sword Master to finish it.

Hyunsoo moved quickly and then halted in place.

Then he said:

"I’ll graciously accept your favor."

He prepared to activate the Sword Master’s sword technique.

A strange energy stirred inside him.

'He’s adapting quite fast.'

The Sword Master, observing Hyunsoo, couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Even though he had provided a little help, watching Hyunsoo adapt so quickly made him believe that Hyunsoo was truly serious about the sword.

However, just as he was waiting for Hyunsoo to use the Sword Master’s sword technique...

'Hmm...?'

The Sword Master noticed something strange.

While a person could only hold one characteristic at a time, the energies of both the Sword Emperor and the Sword Master were mingling around Hyunsoo.

That wasn’t all.

"But, I don’t imitate. I walk my own path!"

The moment Hyunsoo swung two swords simultaneously...

【Activation】

[Point Slash (SS)] [Sword Prayer (SS)]

The energies of the Sword Emperor and Sword Master merged together.

[Sword Emperor’s Swordsmanship and Sword Master’s Swordsmanship are simultaneously activated, triggering a linked sword technique.]

[Linked Sword Technique: Judgment of the Sword Emperor.]

"This, this is...!!"

Kaaaaa-!!

A golden sword descended from above the Sword Master’s sword, exploding with overwhelming force.