Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 315

The training grounds were quiet.

Given the timing, everyone was too busy handling their tasks to spare time for sparring.

Standing at the center of the training area with his hands behind his back, Su-ho asked,

“What level are you at?”

“133, sir.”

“Hm? That low?”

“I’m still in the upper-middle ranks.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Su-ho scratched his head.

Since his own level was so high, he hadn't paid much attention to anyone else’s level.

Well, no big deal.

If it came down to it, he could just use the Ring of Sacrifice to boost the level temporarily.

Su-ho continued.

“Alright. Come at me.”

“Understood. But... this is my first time here—where are the wooden swords?”

“You don’t have a real sword?”

“Sir?”

“Use a real sword. You should have one in your inventory.”

“Well, yes, but... are you serious?”

“You want to make me say it twice? What, you think I’m bluffing?”

“It’s not that...”

“If you get hurt, I’ll heal you. Did you forget I’m a Healer? And besides, it’s not like you’ll ever hit me in the first place.”

“...Understood.”

Was that last line too much?

He knew it was.

He’d said it on purpose to provoke him.

You need to be pissed off to show your real intent.

If handled properly, anger made for excellent fuel.

Provoked, Park Yong drew his sword from his inventory.

As he gripped his blade, he said,

“Then I’ll swing with the intent to truly cut.”

“Good. If a man draws a sword, he better at least slice a radish. Not that you’ll be slicing anything this time.”

Twitch.

A vein pulsed on Park Yong’s forehead.

But he was still a professional swordsman.

He quickly calmed his temper and took his stance.

True to his word, Su-ho didn’t draw his sword.

He simply locked eyes with Park Yong, never looking away.

Park Yong was the first to move.

Whoosh!

A clean, straight slash.

But it carried force.

Su-ho kept pace with Park Yong’s footwork, maintaining distance.

Park Yong’s brow furrowed slightly before immediately chaining into a combo.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Bang!

Swing. Swing. Thrust.

But nothing landed.

Su-ho remained composed, mirroring Park Yong’s movements with his signature relaxed expression.

Maybe that’s why—

The longer it went on, the more rushed Park Yong began to feel.

Whoosh whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh! Bang!

Thrust, stab, slash, swing.

His swordsmanship was tight and unembellished.

His footwork was clean.

It was clear he’d studied deeply.

He wasn’t a man who swung based on instinct—he was someone who meticulously researched and refined swordplay that suited him.

And yet, even with all that, Su-ho narrowed his eyes.

Whoosh whoosh! Squeak! Squeak! Whoosh! Squeak! Whoosh whoosh! Bang!

The sound of swinging steel.

The friction of his shoes skidding on the training hall floor.

For a while, no words were exchanged—only the sound of their sparring echoed.

Then, for the first time, Su-ho extended his palm.

Smack!

His palm struck Park Yong’s jaw.

An upward blow from below—Park Yong’s head snapped back, his brain shaken from the direct hit to his pressure point.

His eyes rolled for a split second, but he quickly regained consciousness, dazedly standing in place.

Su-ho asked,

“Feeling clearer now?”

“...Yes.”

“I saw your swordsmanship. What do you think is lacking in it?”

“...To be honest, I don’t know. That’s why I asked for this spar—to find out.”

Su-ho nodded.

“Why did you become a swordsman?”

“Because I love swordsmanship. I trained with a sword even before I Awakened.”

He knew that.

In his past life, Park Yong had been a criminal. During the investigation into his background, Su-ho had learned nearly everything about him.

And in that regard, Park Yong was someone who truly loved the sword for its own sake.

Most people trained swordsmanship to carry on a family legacy or for revenge or some similar reason. But Park Yong trained simply because he loved it.

“Have you developed a unique sword skill yet?”

“Not yet, sir.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Because I’m not good enough.”

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