A Swordsman’s Stream

Chapter 45

To enter a faction, one had to pass a simple test.

“Seems like it varies for each sect.”

Sojun checked the details of those tests through the explanations from the viewers.

Firstly, the test for the Mount Hua Sect was cutting falling plum blossoms.

In his previous life, neither tests nor training like these existed, but having been exposed to various media in this life, Sojun thought that the Mount Hua Sect’s test, though cliché, seemed interesting.

“The Namgung family, on the other hand, feels like labor.”

The test involved swinging the sword a thousand times in the same posture.

The game seemed to be making gamers undergo real training.

Sojun let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

– LOL, picked Mount Hua Sect myself because it’s over the top.
– They complain even when offered training, these people.
– If you mess up the posture a lot, you have to do it again.
– This is the path of the righteous!
– No tricks work here.

If the posture was significantly wrong, the count wouldn’t proceed?

Then it might genuinely become training, which could be alright.

Damn, he was persuaded.

“And the Beggar Sect really goes all out.”

To beg the village NPCs for money.

It’s no wonder it’s the Beggar Sect, making players do practical work.

“And they even take what you beg away? Wow. They call this the righteous faction?”

Sojun shook his head incredulously as he climbed the stairs.

– LOL
– Don’t underestimate our Beggar Sect.
– Did the mendicant come?

“The Tang family has a test of throwing daggers?”

The Tang family was known for poison and hidden weapons.

They were usually depicted as part of the righteous faction, but due to the brutality of their methods, sometimes classified as an Unorthodox faction, much like in the game.

In his past life’s memories, the Tang family definitely belonged to the righteous faction.

‘Though, it was only for the profit.’

Given they could switch to the unorthodox faction anytime, it kind of suited them.

“Thankfully, it’s about throwing daggers. I thought they might make us handle poison.”

– Who would feed poison to players? LOL
– Can’t feed it to someone who’s yet to join.
– Does that mean they might later?
– Those who join the Tang family can find it themselves. LOL

Indeed.

But why was the past life’s world being depicted as a Martial Techniques novel in this world?

‘Perhaps there was another person like me.’

There was no rule that only he would remember his past life.

Sojun looked up.

As he chatted with viewers over the tests of various sects, the top began to come into view.

Confirming that he was about to arrive, Sojun turned his head to the side again to read the chat.

“Green Forest’s test is holding a rock for a long time? That too is…”

Green Forest, with ‘green’ (綠) and ‘forest’ (林), was a bandit group.

As soon as Sojun read the chat about the Green Forest’s test, he thought it fitting.

Lastly, the Assassin Sect’s test was to find an Assassin Sect member disguised within the village.

Reviewing them all, it seemed he made the right choice by selecting Demonic Cult.

The view, which had shown nothing but stairs, began to change.

Finally, the sect came into view.

Upon reaching the top, Sojun turned to check the path he had taken thus far.

“It took a whole five minutes.”

Five minutes was significant in the game.

And though the time spent might lead one to think it wasn’t high, the altitude of the peak was indeed high.

The village on the ground was perfectly visible.

“This is so tall. But wait, they say lightness skill exists? Why only tell me now… Never mind. What could I expect from you all?”

Sojun chuckled in exasperation.

How could no one have informed him as he made his way up?

Their unity was remarkable.

– Oh, LOL, figure it out yourself!
– Wasted five minutes, right? Really frustrating, isn’t it? LOL
– Complaining even without hints. LOL
– A stream where viewers and streamer aim to mess with each other!

Yes, such a situation could arise.

It was his mistake for not asking in advance.

Resigned, he turned his body again.

The entrance to Demonic Cult came into view.

“There aren’t any guards at the entrance? Just walk in?”

Arrogant.

That was his first impression of the boldly wide-open gate, as though inviting anyone to enter.

But the viewers seemed to interpret it differently.

– The Demonic Cult guys, LOL, they leave it open because hardly anyone comes. LOL
– It’s like, just come in. LOL Please, come…
– What’s the point of a big gate if there are no people?

“Hey everyone, isn’t it a bit harsh on the cult?”

The scene was filled with all kinds of satirical comments. It was shocking to see such a reaction towards the cult from the people. In his previous life, Sojun could never have imagined witnessing such a sight. Only he could treat it this way.

‘I wish the Heavenly Demon could see this.’

“I can’t believe this guy…”

Sojun heard whispers but chose to ignore them. It was a live stream; there was no room for idle talk. Laughing to himself, he entered the main gate. The inside was incredibly vast. It was like an entire village unfolding before him.

‘Considering the cult is more like a massive force than a martial sect, it’s not strange for them to have a village.’

NPCs and users with nicknames floating above their heads wandered the streets.

“Heavenly Demon-nim, no, Sojun-nim!!”

Someone waved enthusiastically from afar. The ID above their head read ‘No.1 Swordsman Under Heaven’.

“Hello, Swordsman-nim!”

Sojun approached and greeted them.

“Hello to you too, celestial Lord, I mean, Sojun-nim.”

“Call me whatever’s comfortable. By the way, have you chosen the cult as well?”

Given that they had just left beginner’s mode yesterday, it was a reasonable assumption.

“Yes, we’re already inside.”

“Why?”

Despite its bad reputation.

“Of course, because the Heavenly Demon-nim joins! Meeting you as an enemy would be… troublesome.”

Swordsman-nim trailed off at the end.

“Been waiting ahead because I thought you’d choose the cult. Watched the stream, too.”

“I see.”

“You’re heading for the test now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Come this way. I’ll guide you.”

Sojun followed the guiding Swordsman-nim. The test location was close, and they arrived quickly. Sojun could see a user swinging a sword on the sparring ground while an NPC observed them.

The cult’s entrance test involved demonstrating Martial Techniques before the cult’s NPC, Elder Baek Wigang.

In this context, Martial Techniques weren’t just about gaming systems but genuinely swinging a sword, with ranks determined by the NPC’s discretion.

“I tried once, but I was rated as third-rate. They accept you anyway, but I’m going for a retest. I’ll follow the strategy I prepared this time.”

“So there’s a strategy?”

“Yes, I uploaded basic techniques that, if others follow, could potentially reach the pinnacle.”

“So it’s like a standard to gauge the AI’s assessment criteria?”

“It’s said that even if the same techniques are used, the ranks vary depending on who performs them. It’s pretty complex.”

While Sojun nodded, listening to Swordsman-nim, a loud voice boomed from the sparring ground.

“You are a first-rate swordsman! Now, be gone!”

The elder sounded rather grumpy.

“Heavenly Demon-nim, mind if I go first?”

“Go ahead.”

With arms crossed, Sojun watched as the Swordsman ascended the sparring ground. The Swordsman saluted with a fist, and Baek Wigang stroked his beard and spoke.

“Why are you back? I told you your level. Do you insist on redoing the test?”

“Yes.”

“Then, give it another try.”

The Swordsman seemed to struggle in recreating the techniques from the strategy. Barely managing to finish the demonstration, Baek Wigang spoke with hands clasped behind his back.

“Your basic skills are lacking for first-rate, but you seem to have a knack for forming strategies.”

“Oh?”

“Is that praise?”

“That strategy is well-known.”

“Many users crafted that strategy.”

“Is it pinnacle rank, then?”

“What’s the outcome?”

“Second-rate!”

“Khh.”

Sojun swallowed the laughter that threatened to burst out when his eyes met the descending swordsman.

His expression was just too pitiful.

“Swordsman-nim, are you okay? It’s fine. They said it doesn’t matter if your rank is low.”

A higher rank allowed players to start with a bonus, but low-ranked users could still earn everything by playing the game.

The only issue might have been the title 『Second-rate Demon』 next to the nickname above his head?

Not like it was a public execution.

“……”

“And if you really don’t like it, you can just do it again.”

“Agreed. Yeah, agreed. Haha. Sojun-nim will achieve greatness if they follow this form, right? They’ve got the basics down?”

“Probably? Should I give it a try?”

“Yes, please, demonstrate it once.”

“Alright.”

Sojun moved towards the sparring ground.

“Wait a minute. Aren’t you going to tell me what forms are available?”

“No, I’ve memorized them all already.”

*Step, step.*

As Sojun climbed onto the sparring ground, Baek Wigang was waiting.

“I haven’t seen you before. Have you come to join the Demonic Cult?”

“That’s right.”

“Does that mean you want to take the test?”

“Correct.”

“Good. But why are you speaking informally to me, an elder of this cult?”

“Because I am the Heavenly Demon.”

“Go!”

– Instantly claiming to be the Heavenly Demon, haha.
– Ah, his nickname really is Heavenly Demon, haha.
– What a lunatic, hahaha.

“I am the real Heavenly Demon.”

Sojun started his act without batting an eye.

Imitating the Heavenly Demon was indeed…

Fun.

“Damn, seems like a weirdo has arrived at our cult. Quickly, show me your Martial Techniques.”

“Fine. I dare to grant you the opportunity to expand your horizons through my Martial Techniques.”

“Ha…”

Seeing Baek Wigang cease to react, Sojun felt it was time to begin.

Sojun first unsheathed the basic sword at his waist.

Then, recalling the forms the Swordsman-nim had demonstrated, he began to move slowly.

What exactly is a form?

With a sword in hand, the tasks were simple.

Thrust and swing.

And a form inserts adjectives into these simple actions.

Vertically.

Horizontally.

Quickly.

Heavily.

‘The more advanced the form, the more complex it becomes.’

Deceive the enemy’s eyes, suppress the enemy’s attacks, and slash.

Pierce the point the enemy cannot avoid.

Block in a posture that can launch an offensive.

However, even such forms are not infallible.

‘The deeper one’s understanding of the sword, the more one sees how to break a form.’

A perfect form does not exist. Only better forms do.

The form shown by the swordsman Sojun saw was no exception.

Thus.

Sojun began moving.

‘I need to introduce change.’

Just slightly.

A little bit by narrowing the angle of his sword swing, stepping forward, and lowering his posture.

Small details.

But the essence of a past life contained in these changes transformed the sword into something more complete.

A sword without an enemy is incomplete.

Yet, the sword Sojun displayed in the air was perfect.

‘Even the Heavenly Demon had a lesser understanding of the sword than I did.’

Could AI even comprehend this?

‘Had it reached a higher level?’

He was purely curious.

Soon, Sojun executed all 10 forms shown by the swordsman.

Having sheathed his sword, Sojun looked at Baek Wigang.

“Huh…”

Baek Wigang was staring at Sojun in a daze.

He seemed so shocked that he couldn’t find his voice for a while.

Sojun questioned Baek Wigang.

“So, how was the supreme form of mine?”

At that moment, the system notification chimed.

“You are……”

TL’s Corner:
Sojun shortened No. 1 Swordsman Under Heaven to Swordsman.