Report
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“There’s a huge problem…! Neither you nor I are disciples or sworn siblings!”
“Who is the founder of the Nancheon Yuun Fist?”
“A deceased figure named Yang Ilsu, the master of Spectrum Fist.”
“Backward-nim is not a disciple, nor a sworn sibling, nor the founder.”
Stumped by the response, Backward mouth flapped open, his beard trembling.
“Since I am paying for the martial arts anyway, what’s the harm in making and selling copies?”
“Well… that… sharing one martial arts skill between two people in this era…”
“But the Flame Burst Spell just went up to 1.8 billion, and Countess Harabel Ushia is alive and well. It’s being sold to an unknown VIP. Isn’t that the situation?”
“That’s true, but…”
“I don’t concern myself with old-fashioned traditions, and I’ve provided a reasonable solution given your strong desire for theNancheon Yuun Fist. If you don’t like the idea of receiving a copy, I’ll take the copy, and you can keep the original. If that’s not acceptable either, you can simply give up on the Nancheon Yuun Fist..”
Backward didn’t respond immediately. He was in desperate need of the Nancheon Yuun Fist.
It can’t be forcibly taken. It can’t be done. It’s not like he’s dealing with just anyone; his opponent has a connection to Dercia Tower, the prospective disciple of the Tower Master.
“If you also want to learn the Nancheon Yuun Fist, 1.5 billion sel is too much.”
“Isn’t that the price Backward-nim suggested?”
“That’s true, but! That price would be reasonable if only I inherited the Nancheon Yuun Fist. in this era…”
“You didn’t mention that before.”
Yuri responded without backing down.
[2.3 billion! Countess Harabel Ushia’s Flame Burst Spell is sold for 2.3 billion!]
The auction for the Flame Burst, which started at 1 billion sil, came to an end.
[An astounding 2.3 billion! The Flame Burst Spell has set a new record for the highest bid in Leseun Auction history!]
[Hoping that this fiery enthusiasm will continue, let us introduce the next item.]
[The Thunder Elemental Mage who died three years ago, 5th Grade Thunder Seven Forms by Jang woon!]
Contrary to the host’s energy, the excitement didn’t last. The auction for the Flame Burst Spell had cooled significantly due to the high price it had reached. Elena’s nomination also couldn’t compare to Harabel Ushia’s, and here in Roodran, there was Dercia’s Tower with the foremost Thunder Mage, Orca, and it has been pursured for generations.
Even so… Whether it’s the original or a copy, it doesn’t matter. If you, too, master the Nancheon Yuyun Quan, 1.5 billion cells is too much.”
“Yeah, Bakarde should have bid on it.”
“If only you guys weren’t here…!”
Backward clenched his fists, trembling. He had suffered a greater loss than expected due to the unexpectedly high winning bid for the martial arts manual. He hadn’t anticipated competing over the Nancheon Yuun Fist.. He stared at Yuri, grinding his lips together.
“We’ll start the bidding for ‘Thunder Seven Forms’ at 50 million sil.”
“If 1.5 billion is too much, how about doing it like this?”
Yuri surveyed the atmosphere among the VIPs in the auction hall. The fervour of the intense auction had already diminished. Bids were rising occasionally, but not rapidly.
“If you win the bid for ‘Thunder Seven Forms’ and transfer it to us, then Backward will teach me the basics of Nancheon Yuun Fist directly.”
“What…?”
“As you can see, I’ve never properly learned martial arts. I won the bid for Nancheon Yuun Fist due to a fateful attraction, but honestly, I’m quite concerned about how to learn it.”
Elena, who had been harbouring lingering regrets about ‘Thunder Seven Forms’, looked at Yuri with a half-open mouth, unable to imagine that Yuri would twist the deal in such a way.
“If you’re not interested in this either, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t offer any more concessions. So, I’ll just have to learn Nancheon Yuun Fist from Master Haryeong.”
Although it was suddenly turned toward her, Haryeong’s expression remained unchanged. She knew very well what she should say in this situation.
“I’m in.”
“…”
“I’m elated beyond words. Thanks to you, Yuri, I can now learn the martial arts secrets of Nancheon Yuun Fist for free. Kiyah!”
“Cough.”
“Don’t worry, Yuri. It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say this, but my martial talents are quite exceptional, so I can teach you more than just the basics of martial arts.”
Haryeong cheered without wavering.
“Saluman… Learning Nancheon Yuun Fist….!”
“Saluman still has both hands intact. Why wouldn’t she be able to learn martial arts?”
“Why should I pay for it, and yet teach Saluman for free…?!”
“Haryeong never said she’d pay me, and unlike Backward and the others, she’s on good terms with me.”
“I wonder if I can cry for a moment? Yuri’s words are truly moving. Are we friends from now on, who knew? Are we friends from now on?”
Still maintaining her expressionless face, Haryeong muttered with a lowered voice.
“[300 million sil, 300 million sil.]”
Despite everything, the bidding for the valuable magic item was quickly passing 300 million sil. Backward alternated his gaze between Haryeong’s expressionless face and Yuri’s calm face as the bidding for ‘Thunder Seven Forms’ increased.
“Basics… of… teaching…? Uh, how far does the basics go?”
“Just check if the stances are roughly correct.”
“Is that the basics?”
“It’s not the extreme techniques, just teaching the forms and techniques. What else would be considered basics?”
Haryeong answered in Yuri’s place.
“Yuri, from what I can see and feel, Backward is clearly not interested. So just give up. While I might not be as deep into the martial arts as Backward, my passion is certainly not lacking. If you learn from me, I won’t stop at just the basics; I’ll guide you through advanced and extreme techniques as well.”
Yuri’s calm response followed.
“Ridiculous…! How can someone like Saluman discuss the depths and extremes of martial arts?”
“Backward, don’t waste any more time. If you don’t know, just leave.”
“[350 million sil, 350 million sil.]”
Backward turned his head sharply toward the auctioneer. Yuri confirmed that Backward was nervously chewing his lips and spoke calmly.
“If ‘Thunder Seven Forms’ is won in the auction, then we’ll consider the deal as never having happened. My conditions will never change, so take your time to think about it.”
“Is it okay to take your time? It seems like it’ll be won soon…”
Elena’s voice trembled. If things went well, she could obtain ‘Thunder Seven Forms by Jang Woon’ as well. Now Elena finally understood what Yuri had said earlier.
‘Good idea for you.’
It was true. Along with the Nancheon Yuun Fist that Yuri wanted, she could also obtain ‘Thunder Seven Forms’ that she desired. Elena couldn’t believe that she would receive such a gift from Yuri. Could she really receive such a gift from him…!
‘I haven’t received a gift since I was 8 years old…’
The stuffed doll she brought when she left the orphanage. It wasn’t a doll she made herself, but Yuri had given it to Elena as a birthday present.
It was probably a stolen doll from a shop, but it was the first and last birthday gift Elena received from Yuri. Even after leaving the orphanage, they exchanged birthday letters every year, but she never received a separate gift.
She had clung to it so much during her childhood that it was quite worn out now, but the doll Yuri gave her still adorned Elena’s room. Elena tightly grasped the hem of her skirt at the word ‘gift.’
Yuri didn’t pressure Backward anymore. He wouldn’t compromise the conditions, whether they went higher or not.
[350 million sil, 350 million sil have been bid. Is there anyone else bidding?]
The auctioneer’s voice pushed Backward back. He took a deep breath and pressed the button on the armrest of his seat.
“400 million… sil.”
Yuri chuckled softly.
