Although it was a sparring match where they didn't use their full power.
Jin Pa-rang was one of the 4th generation Twelve Seats and also a conqueror of the <Dungeon of the Abyss>.
His defeat couldn't help but be somewhat shocking to people.
The atmosphere was bound to be stirred up.
'They say Pa-rang hyung is strong in real battles but weak in sparring, but to think he'd lose to Yu-seong...'
Eun-ha stroked his chin.
Future Yu-seong was 24, and Jin Pa-rang was 30 this year.
Considering their ages, future Yu-seong's victory felt even more impressive.
'Yes, as expected of my son? Of course my son should know how to beat someone like Pa-rang hyung.'
He felt incredibly proud.
His nose naturally lifted.
Eun-ha held back his twitching lips.
Meanwhile.
"Hey, Yu-seong! I said let's do it again!? I just let my guard down earlier, this time I'll really show you properly! That wasn't all of my skill, you know? This time will definitely be different!"
"Haha..."
"Let's use our gifts too! How about it!?"
Jin Pa-rang, unable to accept the outcome, was pestering future Yu-seong.
Future Yu-seong gave a bitter smile.
And the people watching this scene made disgusted faces.
"You're unsightly, Jin Pa-rang. Step back quietly before you become even more unsightly. A loss is a loss."
"That's right. Do you want to be called Chu-pa-rang instead of Pa-rang?"
"Honey, you'll look uncool if you keep doing that."
"Pa-rang hyung is just like that..."
"Tsk, how immature... There's really no bigger fool than oppa."
"Sigh, that oppa really... He's bringing all the shame to Ain by himself..."
"It's unsightly."
"..."
Mok Min-ho, Yeo Woo-bi, Bong Gu-rae, Kang Si-hyeong, Kim Min-ji, Jin Seo-na, and others jeered.
Son Ga-yeon, who could now speak after conquering the <Dungeon of the Abyss> but still preferred writing, also added a word.
"Oppa, stop it..."
Even Kim Mary tried to stop him.
She was covering her face with both hands, seemingly embarrassed by the current situation.
Her face was bright red.
Nevertheless, Jin Pa-rang persisted stubbornly without minding, but...
"I'm sorry. I have to keep the order... There are more people behind, like Uncle Nam-hoon and Uncle Avenier. I'm afraid a rematch won't be possible."
Future Yu-seong carefully expressed his refusal while looking troubled.
Then Yoo Nam-hoon, Avenier, and others also took his side.
"That's right, Pa-rang. I understand how you feel, but you need to consider the people behind too. You should postpone until next time. Or get back in line."
"Hyung, stop whining and move aside! We need to go too!"
"Ugh... Damn it... Alright! I won't do it if you say so!"
The public opinion was harsh like this.
Even the thick-skinned Jin Pa-rang couldn't help but feel conscious now.
Unable to overcome public opinion in the end, he had to step back reluctantly.
Swinging his wolf tail widely, as he returned to the crowd with big strides, he was clearly full of dissatisfaction.
To comfort him.
"Oppa, you did well. It was close. If that attack of yours had landed then..."
Kim Mary spoke warm words.
Saying things like he'll definitely win next time, and that to her, oppa is the best.
At her sincere consolation...
"You too, Mary? Yeah, that's right. If we fight again, I'll win, you know? Hehe."
Jin Pa-rang quickly regained his spirits as if nothing had happened.
He showed his canine teeth in a grin.
People secretly whispered that he was really easy to handle, but.
Meanwhile.
"Is it my turn next now? Yu-seong, are you okay? You don't need to rest?"
"Yes, I'm fine! Let's continue like this!"
Yoo Nam-hoon, who had been waiting for his turn, was about to step forward.
At that moment.
"...Eun-ha?"
"Sorry, but can I do it? I want to try with Yu-seong too."
"..."
Eun-ha suddenly stretched out his arm and stopped Yoo Nam-hoon.
Nam-hoon, who suddenly had his path blocked, looked flustered.
The people present also felt similarly.
Soon Nam-hoon shrugged his shoulders as if he had no choice.
"Alright, if it's your request, what can I do? You go instead of me."
"Thanks."
Previously.
He had pledged loyalty to Eun-ha in return for saving Yeo Woo-bi's life.
Yoo Nam-hoon willingly gave up his turn.
Eun-ha expressed his gratitude to him and advanced towards future Yu-seong.
"Will you spar with me too?"
"Of course! I look forward to learning from you! Fath... No, Clan Lord!"
Facing each other.
The two smiled refreshingly.
* * *
"Unnie, who do you think will win?"
"What about you, sister?"
"Hmm... I think big Yu-seong? They say youth is strong, right?"
"That's a reasonable point. But I'll go with the Clan Lord. How good is the Clan Lord's age right now? He's properly matured but still fresh, isn't he?"
"Oh, unnie has a point too. So it's hard to decide..."
The twin sisters Mei-ling and Mei-rin.
The two whispered among the crowd.
Eun-ha, who happened to hear their voices, couldn't help but react.
He turned his head sharply.
"Don't say strange things, you two. Especially to Yu-seong."
"Oh my, we made eye contact with the Clan Lord. Did we just get marked? Great! It's thrilling."
"The Clan Lord's gaze is too hot. He must have fallen for us."
"..."
As if they didn't even hear the warning.
The twin sisters hugged each other and squealed.
It was irritating.
Eun-ha frowned.
'Really, what should I do with those two...'
They were twin sisters who said it was fine to scold them, fine to punish them, fine to put them through hell training, and if he gave up and ignored them like they didn't exist, they even liked that, saying it was refreshing in its own way.
They were truly eccentrics.
Eun-ha, who had been struggling with them both before the regression and now, heaved a deep sigh.
As if knowing his difficulties, future Yu-seong gave a bitter smile.
"The aunts really have no limits, haha..."
"...Do I still struggle because of them in the future?"
"Uh... Well... Yes..."
"So I can't control them even in the future."
"But they're not bad people, right? They're good as players too. It's just their way of talking that's a problem..."
"Sigh..."
"Um... Hang in there."
"Alright."
Should I just expel them from the clan?
While receiving weak encouragement from future Yu-seong, Eun-ha seriously considered it inwardly.
Meanwhile, the people gathered at the sparring ground had grown even more.
Those who had heard the news that Eun-ha and future Yu-seong would be sparring had additionally come.
Among them were Han Seo-hyeon, Noh Eun-ah, Ryu Yeon-hwa, and others.
"Don't overdo it, both of you. Eun-ha, make sure not to hurt Yu-seong."
"Eun-ha, Yu-seong! Fighting!"
"Good luck to both of you."
People, including the three of them, sent their support.
Jeong Ha-yang's voice was also heard.
"Yu-seong, win!"
"Fath... No, Clan Lord, did you perhaps fight?"
"Don't ask."
"Yes."
It seems Jeong Ha-yang is still upset.
Eun-ha avoided answering while hiding his sheepish feelings.
Future Yu-seong tactfully let it pass.
Eventually.
"Enough. Let's stop the conversation here. Are you both ready?"
"Yes, I am."
"I am too, teacher."
<Empress> Shin Seo-young, Pandora Clan's magic consultant.
She, who was acting as the referee, spoke.
At this, Eun-ha and future Yu-seong brought their hands to their waists.
Eun-ha drew the Dawn Sword and Twilight Sword, and future Yu-seong also drew two swords.
Then they took their stances.
"Magic that could harm the surroundings is forbidden. Gifts are also forbidden. I hope you'll proceed within reasonable limits without hurting each other's feelings. Then begin!"
Shin Seo-young signaled.
With that, the sparring began.
But Eun-ha and future Yu-seong didn't move their bodies immediately.
The two just kept each other in check while maintaining a certain distance.
More precisely, Eun-ha was standing still, and future Yu-seong was looking for an opening.
Eun-ha urged him.
"Come at me first. I'll receive you."
"Really? Then..."
Here I come!
When Eun-ha kindly offered an opportunity, future Yu-seong kicked off the ground and rushed in as if he had been waiting.
The distance closed rapidly.
<Heavenly Step>
'So he can use Heavenly Step. Well, of course he would, being my son.'
Impressive.
However, while his movements are fast, his eye control is clumsy.
There's no need to be wary at all if you know where he's aiming.
Eun-ha was about to block leisurely.
Just then.
<Wormhole>
Future Yu-seong, who seemed about to dive into his bosom, suddenly disappeared.
He had created a subspace in his path direction at the last moment to catch Eun-ha off guard and moved to another location.
Eun-ha flinched.
But even if he was caught by surprise.
'As long as I know where he'll appear, there's nothing I can't avoid.'
Behind.
Eun-ha, feeling the sudden surge of presence, quickly turned his body.
Not stopping there.
'You're not the only one who can use Wormhole.'
Just like future Yu-seong had done moments ago.
Eun-ha created a subspace behind his back and threw himself in.
And as soon as he came out of the exit, taking his first step to change direction.
<Mana Crasher>
"...!"
Eun-ha, who had caught future Yu-seong's back, swung the Dawn Sword without hesitation.
The blue-tinged blade seemed to fall on future Yu-seong like that, but.
──!
With the Maengosu held in his left hand.
Future Yu-seong hurriedly responded.
He caught the Dawn Sword between the cross guard reminiscent of the mountain character (山) and forcibly twisted its trajectory.
Crack!
While the hilt and Dawn Sword created friction, making a metallic sound and sparks flying.
The tip of the Dawn Sword pointed downward.
Meanwhile, future Yu-seong, who had widened his stance and half-rotated, counterattacked with the sword in his right hand, but.
"Kuk!"
His aim ended in failure.
It was blocked by Eun-ha's Twilight Sword.
Future Yu-seong, though frustrated, calmly assessed the situation.
Trying to push further would be nothing more than a reckless challenge.
He distanced himself from Eun-ha to regroup.
Eun-ha was satisfied.
"Looks like I taught you well. Have you learned all my techniques?"
"Of course. There's nothing I haven't learned. And..."
Even what you'll learn in the future, Father.
Swallowing his last words, future Yu-seong immediately activated magic.
At that moment.
"It's a magic called Ghost Blade."
Whoosh!
The shadow at future Yu-seong's feet took on material properties and shot up in multiple strands.
The shadow, honed like blades, rushed towards Eun-ha.
Eun-ha showed curiosity.
'Did I teach this too?'
It was magic he was encountering for the first time.
However, he could quickly understand the foundation of the magic.
'Ghost magic and...'
It was clearly magic that mixed the providence of handling darkness, obtained from inheriting Baek Seo-jin's myth.
While avoiding the flying shadow blades.
Eun-ha raised the corners of his mouth.
'I still haven't gotten a grasp on how to use the power of darkness... So it can be used like this. Not bad?'
Eun-ha couldn't help but be excited at the feeling of glimpsing the wisdom of his future self.
It was very educational.
Meanwhile, future Yu-seong, who had been rushing towards Eun-ha along with the shadow blades, had already disappeared.
'He's not hiding in subspace. Yu-seong is now...'
He's hiding in the shadows.
Sure enough, future Yu-seong jumped out from within the shadow blades.
"Oh, I've been found out."
"Why wouldn't I know my own technique?"
While countering future Yu-seong's sword, Eun-ha snorted.
By now, the shadows that had been sweeping around lost their existence and returned to their original state.
It was an opportunity for Eun-ha.
He couldn't miss this chance.
<Moon Dance>
A combo technique that unleashes sixteen attacks by wielding two swords.
Once, twice, thrice...
Eun-ha pressed future Yu-seong without giving any openings.
Future Yu-seong's appearance as he frantically blocked his fierce attacks was a mess.
In the midst of that.
<Black Curtain>
Once again, shadows rose from beneath future Yu-seong's feet.
When Eun-ha cut through those shadows, future Yu-seong was no longer there.
He had moved somewhere while hiding behind the shadows.
'Where is he?'
The shadows dispersing like smoke obscured Eun-ha's vision.
Moreover, the unique power of darkness also caused a decrease in his sensing ability.
Eun-ha, who had to find future Yu-seong, couldn't help but be perplexed.
It was then that he heard a voice.
"What I'm about to show you next is also something I learned from Father."
9 o'clock direction.
Eun-ha immediately kicked off the ground and plowed through the darkness.
Soon he saw light.
Outside.
And future Yu-seong...
"You won't be able to handle this, will you?"
Contrary to Eun-ha's expectation.
Future Yu-seong revealed himself from the 12 o'clock direction.
He had ended up exposing his flank.
Eun-ha clicked his tongue sharply.
<Moonlight Sword Dance>
Future Yu-seong closes the distance at a rapid speed.
The two swords in his hands emit a fierce light.
Eventually, he struck.
From there.
Whoosh! Swish!
A combo followed.
When the number of strikes reached sixteen, Eun-ha couldn't help but be surprised.
Because the way of wielding the swords was similar to Moon Dance.
In other words.
'Is this a sword technique developed from Moon Dance?'
While inwardly admiring.
Eun-ha analyzed future Yu-seong's gaze, footwork, and the trajectories of his two swords even amidst the fierce sword wind.
The corners of his mouth curved into an arc.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
"It's nothing."
He had been developing a new combo technique based on Moon Dance.
But he had been stuck in the middle, making no progress...
Eun-ha was able to gain inspiration from future Yu-seong's swordsmanship.
No...
'So this is how my future self did it.'
He found the answer.
Therefore.
"Let me show you something too."
"...Huh?"
Right here and now.
He finally completed it.
Just as future Yu-seong was withdrawing his swords and turning.
<Moonlight Sword Dance>
Eun-ha immediately went on the offensive.
He unleashed a combo of thirty-two strikes.
Future Yu-seong, who suddenly had his flow interrupted and was forced on the defensive, couldn't help but be flustered.
Shock spread across his face.
On the other hand, Eun-ha smiled.
'You'll probably try to aim for an opening when my momentum dies down, just like I did earlier.'
I won't let that happen.
I'll end this now.
Just as Eun-ha was about to rotate his body, he created a subspace.
<Wormhole>
"...!"
He thrust his sword into the subspace to counter future Yu-seong's attack.
Thanks to this, Eun-ha was able to continue his offensive without faltering.
And so...
"It seems this is my victory."
"...Yes. I learned a good lesson."
The match was settled.
Eun-ha's Twilight Sword stopped in front of future Yu-seong's nape.
Future Yu-seong had no choice but to acknowledge defeat with a resigned face.