As do-hyeon battled against the overwhelming might of the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen, he was not alone. By his side was a trusted companion—the Ego Sword. Until now, the Ego Sword had seemed like a mere tool, following the will of its master. But do-hyeon now realized it was far more than a weapon. The sword harbored a living consciousness—an ancient will, long dormant, now stirring stronger than ever.
As the fight turned increasingly against him, the Ego Sword suddenly grew hot in his grip. Ido-hyeon could feel the heat radiating through his fingertips—it was reacting on its own. The blade vibrated in the air, exuding a powerful energy. It was as if something within the sword had awakened, changing its presence entirely.
"What is this…?" he muttered, feeling the mana flowing through the hilt into his entire body. The surge wrapped around him, filling him with a newfound strength. The Ego Sword moved as if in perfect sync with his thoughts, taking the initiative in battle.
The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the change."Oh? This sword… how fascinating," she said coolly, though curiosity and wariness gleamed in her eyes.
She didn't relent. Two of her Seven Swords spun through the air, flying toward do-hyeon like predators sensing blood. They moved as if alive, targeting his every opening. At the same time, the remaining swords surged toward the masters of the Hwasan and Kunlun sects.
Already exhausted, Jang Tae-jun and Yun Gwang-hu had little strength left. They tried to hold back the assault, but the Queen's swords were too swift and deadly. Overwhelmed, they collapsed. Their disciples rushed forward, pulling them away from the battlefield.
"Masters, we must retreat!"The disciples supported their fallen mentors, fleeing the deadly threat. The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen allowed them to escape—her attention was fixed solely on do-hyeon.
A smile deepened on her face."So, it's just the two of us now," she said, her voice brimming with confidence. The remaining swords hovered in the air, circling like dancing spirits.
do-hyeon steadied his breath, surveying the situation. His body was fatigued, but the Ego Sword's flow of mana sharpened his focus. The sword whispered strength into him—not as a tool, but as a living ally.
She launched her attack. Two of the Seven Swords darted toward him like beasts. But this time, do-hyeon was different. Mana flared from his blade, clashing against the incoming swords in a burst of light.
Flames in the shape of a phoenix and lightning charged through the air, fusing into a new form of his art—Yeom-Rai Sword Dance. Gripping the hilt with both hands, do-hyeon charged at the Queen. Flame and thunder roared from his body, a wrathful storm as if judgment from the heavens.
She smiled, delighted."Yes… that's more like it. Now I can enjoy myself," she said, summoning the remaining swords and directing them all at him. Like seven dragons, they weaved through the air, trying to snuff out his fire and lightning.
"Your sword… it might actually pose a challenge," she mused. "But still…"
Their blades collided—shockwaves blasted outward. Flame and lightning exploded on impact, trees shook and collapsed under the force.
do-hyeon met every strike with precision. His sword moved as though alive, an extension of his will. The Ego Sword responded once more—its consciousness and ancient will fully awakened, aiding him in overcoming the threat.
The Queen narrowed her gaze. She could sense the energy radiating from the blade.'This sword… it's not ordinary. It holds something far deeper than I anticipated.'
Her mind flashed back to the ancient records of the Magyo. There had been mentions of weapons like this—living blades bound to forgotten powers. She hadn't yet uncovered the truth, but she was certain: this sword was connected to Elysium.
Their duel grew more intense. Every clash of their swords shook the earth and made the very air tremble. Spectators could only watch in breathless awe, as if witnessing a battle beyond human limits.
"You and I… we must settle this here," said the Queen, spinning her blade. "And the secret within your sword… I will uncover it."
do-hyeon, panting, lifted his sword once more. He would not retreat. The Ego Sword, and the power hidden within it, had not yet revealed their full potential. If he could win this battle, he could protect the balance of the Murim—and those he vowed to shield.
The duel between do-hyeon and the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen had only just begun.
**
Chapter : The Overwhelming Power of the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen
The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen began to reveal her true might before Ido-hyeon and the masters of the Cheonuhoe. Her eyes were calm yet cold. As the battle dragged on, she found her rhythm—steadily and thoroughly overwhelming Ido-hyeon and his allies.
"I'll admit… You are an interesting lot," she said with a faint smile, as she gestured for the Seven Swords to rotate faster. The seven blades spun through the air as though extensions of her body, hurling themselves toward Ido-hyeon and the warriors of the Cheonuhoe.
Han So-yeon, Baek Wol-hee, and Cheong Un-jin were already at their limits. Despite their desperate cooperation to stand against her, the Queen's movements were relentless. Her Seven Sword Dance deflected all of their attacks, pushing them back as though they were crashing against a solid, impenetrable wall.
Ido-hyeon drew upon the last remaining mana within the Ego Sword, struggling to maintain its awakened state. His eyes were bloodshot, his body crushed by fatigue. Yet he fought on, knowing that if he fell, his comrades would fall with him. He had no choice but to endure.
The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen briefly paused as she observed their unyielding resistance. Her gaze flickered."Your will is strong… but you're still far from ready."Once more, she imbued her Seven Sword Dance with overwhelming force. The seven swords, as if detonating all at once, crashed down upon Ido-hyeon and his allies.
Ido-hyeon tried to defend with every ounce of remaining strength, but the sheer force was beyond him. A massive explosion erupted, and all of them were thrown to the ground. The Ego Sword slipped from his hand as he collapsed, his vision blurring, consciousness fading. Han So-yeon, Baek Wol-hee, and Cheong Un-jin also fell—defeated by the sheer power of the Queen's final strike.
The Demon Queen looked down upon them and sighed quietly. She stepped forward and pointed one of her Seven Swords at Ido-hyeon's throat."Ending your lives here wouldn't be a bad idea," she said coldly, her voice devoid of sympathy. But then, she turned her head and withdrew her sword with a flick of her hand.
"…But now is not the time."She murmured as if to herself, then turned her gaze back toward the members of the Chilhukhoe. Her expression settled, as if a decision had already been made."We're withdrawing. This is enough for now."
The elites of the Chilhukhoe obeyed her command and retreated. She gave Ido-hyeon and his fallen comrades one last look, her expression tinged with curiosity."When I return, I hope you'll be ready to face me again. Survive, and grow stronger. I'll be watching."
With that, she and the Chilhukhoe faded into the distance. Silence settled over the battlefield, broken only by the wind stirring the shattered earth and scattered sword energy. Ido-hyeon and his companions knelt on the ground, barely conscious—breathing, but battered.
There, amid the bitter taste of defeat, they began to feel the full weight of the reality ahead. Having faced the absolute might of the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen, they now had to ask themselves: what comes next? How could they ever hope to stand against such power?
Ido-hyeon slowly opened his eyes. Despite the pain, he turned his gaze toward his comrades. Han So-yeon was on her knees, gasping for breath. Baek Wol-hee and Cheong Un-jin leaned against each other, barely staying upright.
"We're… not done yet," Ido-hyeon murmured, forcing a faint smile. His eyes shone—not with victory, but with unbroken resolve.
Han So-yeon lifted her head and gave a tired smile."You're right, captain… We'll rise again."
Baek Wol-hee nodded with effort."One day, we will defeat her."
Cheong Un-jin said nothing. Head bowed, jaw clenched, he simmered with shame and rage at his own helplessness. But in that silence, he forged a new vow—to become stronger, for the sake of those who fought beside him.
Though they were broken and bloodied, their hearts burned with a will to rise once more. Having tasted utter defeat, they now understood the depth of their weakness. But they also saw the path ahead—a path of growth, of resolve, and of hard-earned strength.
Far away, as she disappeared into the distance, the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen murmured quietly to herself,"Such intriguing ones… I wonder if, given time, they'll truly become my match."
And so she and the Chilhukhoe vanished, leaving behind a battlefield drenched in ruin—and the beginnings of a new resolve. For Ido-hyeon and his comrades, the journey forward would be one of rebuilding, sharpening their blades, and rising once more as true warriors of the Murim.