Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1097

The sword trembled slightly.

Wiggins stared at the tip of the sword without blinking. That sword was now aimed at his neck.

The sword cried out, resonating.

‘Indeed, Master.’

The Master’s figure, wielding the sword, exuded an inherent dignity.

Wiggins, who had recently seen many powerful individuals and raised his standards, recognized that the Master possessed something they lacked.

Like wine aging in a barrel, the Master had a refined quality built up over time.

‘Jangmin or Rod would laugh if they heard this.’

Well, they are older, so it’s natural, isn’t it?

Perhaps it’s the difference between Eastern and Western martial arts, but the feeling he got from them and the Master was completely different.

What he needed to pursue was not there, but here.

“I’m going… !”

At that moment, the ground beneath Wiggins’ feet gave way.

“Guh?”

Wiggins, who was about to push off the ground and dash forward, momentarily lost his balance.

It was a brief moment, a mere instant, but in a battle between masters, that instant could decide the outcome.

“Hup!”

The Master had already closed the distance, deflected his sword, and now held his own sword to Wiggins’ neck.

“Checkmate.”

“…Isn’t that a bit underhanded?”

“That’s a poor excuse.”

“Ugh…”

Wiggins nodded. Defeat was defeat.

“This is… not easy.”

“I suppose not.”

The Master smiled and withdrew his sword. He sheathed it and shrugged.

“It’s a problem that has no answer other than consistent training.”

“Hmm.”

Wiggins was trying to grasp something new.

The Magic Swordsman.

A demonic class that had plunged countless martial artists into despair. But if one could master it, it was a legendary class that could make one stronger than anyone else.

However, Wiggins knew.

‘There’s no such thing.’

To be frank, the class of Magic Swordsman does not exist in this world.

What do I mean?

A Magic Swordsman is someone who can use magic and swords simultaneously.

If interpreted literally, Wiggins could also be called a Magic Swordsman, but if the word ‘simultaneously’ is strictly applied, there are no Magic Swordsmen in the modern era.

Neither the Master nor Wiggins had found the answer.

They could not use magic and swords at the same time. They could use magic, and they could use swords, but that was it. It was impossible to wield a sword while using magic.

This was a problem stemming from the structure of magic and swords.

Both magic and swords use mana. However, the way mana is manipulated is completely different. Therefore, when using a sword, one cannot use magic, and when using magic, one cannot use a sword.

It is possible to fend off an enemy with a sword and then use magic instantaneously. However, it was impossible to create aura in a sword and wield it while simultaneously arranging mana to prepare a spell.

In conclusion, those called Magic Swordsmen were merely those who could switch between magic and swords as quickly as possible.

And the Master was at the pinnacle of that.

He could use magic without incantation, and the transition from magic to sword was instantaneous. If those who were not Magic Swordsmen faced the Master, it would be no different than facing both a swordsman and a mage at the same time.

The realm he dreamed of.

However…

“You look like you understand.”

“Yes. This is…”

“Indeed.”

The Master shrugged.

“I didn’t know until I saw your ‘회주’ [Hoiju – a technique that allows one to move at extreme speed] with my own eyes. That there is a fundamental limit to this method.”

Wiggins nodded.

“There’s a gap.”

“That’s right.”

A transition is ultimately just a transition.

No matter how smoothly the gears are shifted, the output will inevitably decrease at the moment of transition.

The same goes for Magic Swordsmen.

No matter how perfectly the transition is made, there will always be a gap at the moment when magic and sword are switched. At lower levels, this doesn’t cause any problems. Because there is no opponent who can exploit that gap.

But what if the opponent is at the peak?

“With your ‘회주’, you could slice my neck in an instant. You just need to exploit the gap when magic and sword are switched. But I’ve come too far to fight using only one.”

“…That’s right.”

If he had honed his sword to the extreme, or mastered magic to the extreme, this problem would not have arisen. But Wiggins and the Master had spent their entire lives honing their combat style as Magic Swordsmen. Now, they could not simply use only swords or only magic.

That would be collapse, not change.

So, that meant they had to fight in the same way they always had…

‘This gap is unavoidable.’

In mathematics, a situation that infinitely approaches 1 is defined as 1. But in reality, that is not the case. No matter how much the gap is reduced, the fact that a gap exists does not disappear.

Martial artists who have transcended humanity and reached the realm of demigods can exploit that gap without any difficulty. In the end, they cannot progress further due to the limitations of their martial arts.

“…So that’s what it was.”

“I wouldn’t have known before. It’s a matter of common sense. If there is no premise that someone can exploit this gap, you can’t feel the problem.”

Wiggins nodded.

He felt like he had grasped something.

The reason he couldn’t break through the wall. This wasn’t just a matter of talent. Without him knowing, he had faced the fundamental limitations of his martial arts.

“How did you solve it?”

“If I had solved it, would I be like this?”

The Master tapped the hilt of his sword with a bitter expression.

“I tried to approach infinity. I thought that if I reduced the time again and again, I would eventually reach a realm where there was no time. Simply put, I reduced the gap again and again. But… that gap didn’t disappear.”

That would be the case.

After all, time is a relative concept.

If no one in the world can exploit the gap in the Master’s martial arts, then that gap is as good as non-existent. It exists, but it does not exist.

However, the moment someone can exploit that gap, it no longer matters whether the gap is small or large. It simply exists.

“That’s why I don’t recommend this method.”

“Then…”

“That’s your task.”

The Master smiled wryly.

He wasn’t trying to torment him, nor was he passing the buck. The Master couldn’t give Wiggins the answer he wanted. He had pondered and clung to it his whole life, but he too had not found the answer.

“This is all I can show you. If you stick to your current method, you will eventually reach where I am. But that is…”

“Are you saying it’s the wrong answer?”

“I don’t want to admit it, but yes. If I could go back to your age and your level, I would have found a different path. Martial arts is not just about honing your skills. What’s the way to win a race with a slow car?”

“Honing your driving skills? Creating the best strategy? Preparing the best mechanic? No. The best way is to increase the car’s speed. If you can’t overcome the fundamental limitations, no method is meaningless.”

Wiggins sighed.

He had grasped the direction.

However, the path to that direction was cut off. To overcome it, he had to build a bridge over the cliff, but the method was vague.

“Don’t rush too much.”

“I’m not in a rush.”

“No, you are.”

The Master stared at Wiggins and said calmly.

“When you see those who are ahead and those who are following, it’s natural to feel rushed. It’s a funny thing to say, but when you’re in a rush, you shouldn’t be in a rush. Impatience eats away at your mind.”

“Take a deep breath.”

“Yes?”

“It would be good to watch a movie or go on a date. And reading a book or having a beer at a pub wouldn’t be bad either.”

“Master, what are you…”

“I’m saying don’t push yourself too hard.”

Every word the Master spoke was piercing Wiggins.

“Working hard is important. Making an effort is, of course, important. But that’s not everything. Rest is just as important as effort. Especially when you’re pushed to your limits, you need to refresh yourself.”

“Oh…”

“See? You’re not making a proper effort.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it hard for you to take a break from training with your current impatience, or to rest without thinking?”

“It is.”

“See? You’re choosing the easy way.”

Wiggins’ eyes widened.

What was he talking about?

“Doing what’s hard is effort. Finding what’s easy and comfortable is not effort. For you, rest is the hardest thing right now. There’s no way you can rest properly with that impatience. So, to put it the other way around…”

The Master grinned.

“For you right now, the best effort is rest.”

“…I think I know what Master would have been doing if he hadn’t learned martial arts.”

“A CEO of a large corporation?”

“No, a lawyer. Or a con artist. He would have had a job where he could swindle people with words.”

Wiggins said, putting his sword back into its sheath.

“But I understand what you mean.”

“Rest. And reach out to others.”

“Yes?”

“What your ‘회주’ [Hoiju – a technique that allows one to move at extreme speed] said is right. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should come to me. Don’t try to find the absolute answer, just reach out. That could be a clue.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Now, let’s go inside.”

“But, Master.”

“Hmm?”

Wiggins smiled wryly as he moved inside.

“Isn’t telling a bereaved person to go on a date a curse?”

“Haha, this man, still saying such things. How many years has it been since you were bereaved? You wouldn’t be criticized if you started seeing someone new.”

“That will not happen. And as long as I have my daughter…”

“That Elena said.”

“Yes?”

The Master shook his head.

“She said she’s tired of taking care of her father, and she wishes you would find someone new soon.”

“If it doesn’t work out, hire a butler in Korea. Leaving the household to your grown daughter while you’re busy with outside work. Tsk tsk, what kind of era is this?”

“…Thank you for the advice.”

Wiggins resolved to take measures as soon as he returned to Korea. He absolutely refused to be kicked out by his daughter at this age.

“Now, let’s go. If we’re done with the martial arts talk, we need to get to the real work.”

“Of course, Master.”

The real work.

The work of suppressing the Round Table, which was starting to stir.

Wiggins changed his expression and smiled slyly.

‘Now it’s going to be a little interesting.’

After all, his specialty was comfortable.

“By the way, that disciple of yours.”

“Ah, yes. You mean Lee Hyunsoo.”

“Can’t you really send him this way? My reward will be generous…”