Report
“I have no intention of reselling the Nancheon Yuun Fist.”
Haryeong sighed. Elena swallowed hard.
“Why?”
Backward’s face twisted. He didn’t openly show his displeasure with Yuri’s response, but it was evident in his expression.
Faint smoke-like wisps emanated from Backward’s body in Yuri’s eyes. The smoke-like wisps cut through the ambient mana and approached Yuri.
Goosebumps rose on his arms, and his skin tingled. He wasn’t being choked, yet he couldn’t catch his breath.
“What are you doing?”
Elena’s expression turned sharp, and the crackling sound intensified. She stepped forward, blocking Backward’s path.
“Pressuring my friend just because the deal didn’t go your way…!”
“Backward-nim, you’re going too far.”
Haryeong also calmed down and drew her sword. She glared at Backward and spoke.
“This is Leseun managed by the Ascard Family. Do you really think you can challenge the Ascard Family, relying on the power of the 6th Grade? And Miss Elena here is the prospective disciple of the Celestial Thunder Orca.”
“Tch…”
At the continued words, Backward’s expression contorted as he withdrew his pressure.
“I unconsciously showed my emotions. Understand that I’m desperate for the Nancheon Yuun Fist.”
6th Grade? Yuri was in awe as he rubbed his arms where the eerie sensation had been. Backward, who was just a Siran guard in his 20s, was now in the 6th Grade after 30 years.
Yuri replied.
“I obtained the Nancheon Yuun Fist because I needed it. So if you want the Nancheon Yuun Fist, you need to talk to me.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Yuri.”
“Okay, Yuri. In my view, are you trying to enter martial arts through the Nancheon Yuun Fist?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Backward touched his beard. He surveyed Yuri standing in front of him. His build was quite good, and his eyes didn’t show any hesitation. He only lacked inner energy; otherwise, he seemed more than capable of following the path of martial arts.
“Why did you choose fist techniques?”
Backward asked.
“The path of unarmed combat is extremely challenging. Most either become ‘nothing’ before reaching the 4th Grade or give in and pick up a weapon.”
“Not everyone is like that. Even Backward-nim.”
“I didn’t have a choice. But you’re in a different situation from me. With 1.5 billion sil, you could easily acquire a sword technique that’s considered exceptional.”
“I prefer fists.”
Yuri answered with a nod. His answer made Backward touch his bear again.
“Do you know what the Nancheon Yuun Fist is?”
“I don’t.”
“Then why do you insist on the Nancheon Yuun Fistl?”
“It’s a martial art I’ve never heard of, but when I saw those characters in the catalogue, I felt a sense of destiny.”
“Des… Destiny?”
“Yes, destiny. While there were many other martial arts in the catalogue, none caught my eye except the Nancheon Yuun Fist. So I’ve decided to bid for it and master it.”
At the continued words, Backward’s expression turned blank. He blinked for a moment, about to say something, but Yuri didn’t stay silent to let him speak.
“So I will never sell the Nancheon Yuun Fist no matter what amount you offer.”
“Well, that’s… problematic. I need the Nancheon Yuun Fist too, you know.”
Ssss… Smoke started drifting around Backward again. However, perhaps due to Elena’s and Haryeong’s warnings, the smoke didn’t press on Yuri as aggressively as before.
“So, what should we do? I need it, and Backward-nim needs it too.”
“So, should we keep standing and talking like this, or should we sit down and talk?”
Backward chuckled dryly.
“Sit down? Haha, are you suggesting we go to a cafe together? Or should we sit down on the floor here and talk?”
Yuri responded with a grin, pointing to the auction hall behind him.
“Go back to the auction hall?”
“Yes.”
Yuri didn’t wait for a response and headed toward the auction hall.
“What are you thinking?”
Elena, who followed closely behind, asked. Though she didn’t ask directly, Haryeong’s face also showed confusion.
“It’s a good idea for you too.”
Yuri grinned at Elena. He was the one holding the knife now. As Elena was most likely associated with the Ascard Family, who managed Leseun, and Yoori was sponsored by the Celestial Thunder Orca, Backward wouldn’t be able to pressure Yuri physically in this situation.
How could he make the most out of this? 1.5 billion sil was a lot of money, but Yuri didn’t want to give up the Nancheon Yuun Fist.
“First, I’ll definitely master the Nancheon Yuun Fist.”
With that as the foundation, I’ve considered what else to pursue.
“Most of the VIP guests attending the auction today have probably been waiting for this moment.”
“The unique magic of the 7th Grade Free Magician, Countess Harabel Ushia. We are honored to introduce the Flame Burst Spell at our Leseun Auction House.”
“Countess Harabel Ushia, a master of the Fire Burst Spell, has graciously submitted this spell for auction. Before introducing the Flame Burst Spell, let us first introduce the esteemed Countess Harabel Ushia.”
The returned auction hall was in the midst of welcoming the Flame Burst Spell, the star of today’s auction. Clap, clap, applause filled the air as a woman appeared at the center of the auction hall.
With hair that flickered like flames, Harabel Ushia, known as the Countess of Flames, had eyes of the same fiery red hue. Her personality seemed as fiery as her name suggested. Wearing a leather jacket, she stood with her hands thrust into her pants pockets, adopting a confident stance.
“The minimum bid is 1 billion.”
Harabel spoke plainly.
“I won’t sell it for less. It’s a spell that’s worth at least that much. I don’t know who will win the bid, but I don’t care how the spell is used. Whether you learn it yourself or analyse it to create another magic, it’s not my concern.”
Her blazing gaze swept over the VIPs in the auction hall.
“Maybe someone wants to analyse the Flame Burst Spell to challenge me. Well, go ahead if you’re confident. But be prepared to die if you’re going to try.”
Yuri was inclined to believe in physiognomy, so Harabel’s brusque manner of speaking actually seemed natural. If Harabel acted arrogant and then switched to a soft tone, that would be more unusual.
“Awesome…”
Elena, who had unknowingly returned to the auction hall, folded her hands in front of her chest and gazed at Harabel’s back without taking her hands out of her pockets.
[Haha, as expected of Countess Harabel. Now, let’s start with a bid of 1 billion.]
The auction for the Flame Burst began. Seated next to Yuri with his arms crossed, Backward glared at Harabel’s back, as if displeased.
“Who on earth has 1 billion sil to spare?”
He seemed displeased that the auction was starting at a minimum bid of 1 billion, not to mention that it wasn’t even for the complete unique magic but just a single spell.
“So, what else do you want to discuss?”
“As I mentioned before, I won’t sell it for a joke.”
“Get to the point.”
“Is Backward-nim trying to learn the Nancheon Yuun Fist personally? Or do you need martial arts itself?”
“Is that a question I need to answer?”
“If it’s a question that doesn’t need an answer, then I wouldn’t have asked.”
Backward briefly closed his mouth and stared at Yuri. It was a piercing gaze, but Yuri didn’t look away. The look he had received from Lorelia in the prep room before the possession was much scarier.
“I will personally learn it.”
Backward’s lips parted after the silence.
“You don’t need martial arts itself, then.”
“I’m not sure why you’re asking…”
“Then I’ll sell a copy of the martial arts manual.”
Backward’s eyes blinked rapidly in response to the swift reply.
[1.4 billion sil… 1.5 billion sil, 1.5 billion sil has been bid.]
Even as the conversation continued, the bidding for the Flame Burst Spell continued to soar.
“Since there’s only one martial arts manual for the Nancheon Yuun Fist, and both me and Backward-nim want to learn it, isn’t it inevitable?”
“Selling a copy…”
“Yes. The price remains the same, 1.5 billion cells.”
“That, what is this…”
Is this something said in one’s right mind? Backward stared at Yuri with an incredulous expression.
“One martial arts, learned by you and me together?”
