NOVEL NEXT Chapter 325: Troubled Thoughts
Ty remarked, "Your ability is pretty broken, if I remember right. You can pick the perfect option almost every time in real-time. But still, to say you haven't lost a fight in a long time just means you haven't been fighting anyone worth their salt."
With a sincerity beyond understanding, Ty added, "The people I've crossed hands with are leagues above both me and you."
Gritting her teeth, she retorted, "So what! All I can do is focus on who's in front of me." As she spoke, she sprinted forward toward Ty, materializing an arrow in her hand. She swung it toward Ty as though it were a sword.
Ty took a step back, countering the attack. Quickly, she followed it up by stepping further into Ty, connecting her foot with his, almost sweeping him over. However, her foot got stuck as Ty placed his hand on her chest, ready to unleash a rush of black flames. Instead, he twisted his hand and pushed outward, throwing her back.
As she skidded along the ground, Ty declared, "You probably have as much talent as Nana, but your skill alone won't help you cross the path of the strongest!"
Ty questioned Yun-Jin with evident frustration, "What if you were suddenly thrown into the arena with the strongest, what if you fought the strongest right now?! Would you win?"
The lieutenant, observing from a distance, thought to himself, "Wow, this is getting intense. Wish I had brought a snack."
Startled for a moment, Yun-Jin admitted, "So what if I can't? They can just handle things, and I can do what I can do..."
"Do you have anyone you love... anyone you want to protect above all else, anything that you're striving for?" Ty challenged her. "With a mindset like that, you'll end up with nothing but regrets. What happens when those stronger than you aren't enough?" Stay updated through M-V-L
Overwhelmed with frustration and confusion, Yun-Jin couldn't contain her emotions any longer. "I don't know!" she shouted, her voice echoing with the intensity of her feelings as she rushed toward Ty once again
Ty was wrestling with his thoughts about choosing sides and allying with demons, realizing the enormity of the powers at play. He knew that to survive, he and his allies needed to become much stronger.
As Yun-Jin charged at him, he closed his eyes, reminding himself to trust his senses.
Caught off guard, Yun-Jin aimed a punch straight at Ty's face. With his vision obscured, Ty drew a deep breath, feeling the air shift around him. He remembered Rusuf, who, despite being blind, spoke of seeing beyond the physical, hinting at a deeper insight linked to his unique ability.
Reacting instinctively, Ty deflected her punch and, capitalizing on his momentary insight, spun around to land a solid hit on Yun-Jin's cheek. She stumbled and skidded across the ground, cradling her face from the impact.
As she faced Ty, he took a deep breath and settled into the Ma Bu stance, channeling the essence of the gravity manipulator he had vanquished. Reflecting on Yun-Jin's abilities, he prepared to offer guidance.
"I've had ample time to consider your skill and what it means to perceive and choose the right action as you fight," Ty explained calmly. "But if you become so overpowered that there are no viable choices, then you will indeed face a crushing defeat."
Confusion clouded Yun-Jin's face as she shot back, "Th-then what do you expect me to do about it?!"
Ty, after a thoughtful pause, shared his insight. "I'm not an expert, but you might try this: stop using your skill for a while. Learn to understand what others experience in real time. Once you feel confident without your ability, bring it back into play and see if there's been any growth."
The idea seemed to take Yun-Jin by surprise. "I... I can turn it off?!"
Maintaining the Ma Bu stance and keeping his eyes closed, Ty replied with a confident smirk, "Give it a try. You seem to excel when your emotions are in turmoil. Let's see how you handle things without leaning on your skill."
"Just focus on what's in front of you, without letting your mind take over," Ty suggested, considering the paradox his advice might pose for someone so reliant on their abilities.
He steeled himself as Yun-Jin charged once more. This time, he opened his eyes, ready to meet her attack head-on. She adopted a fierce tiger stance, a precursor to a powerful strike, and threw a punch aimed at his chest. As Ty moved to parry, she unexpectedly withdrew her punch, shifting her weight and aiming a kick at his head.
With reflexes honed through countless battles, Ty caught her ankle just in time. Placing his hand firmly against her chest, he maneuvered his knee against hers, destabilizing her balance and guiding her to the ground. Securing her other leg, he kept her pinned momentarily.
"I think that was your best attempt yet," Ty commented, recognizing her progress.
"Th-thanks... Can you let go now? This is a bit uncomfortable," Yun-Jin mumbled, a hint of a blush coloring her cheeks from the close contact and the unexpected compliment.
Realizing the intimacy of their positioning, Ty promptly released her and stepped back, giving her space to rise. Her light blush remained.
Lt. Daemon's applause broke the tension in the dojo as he teased, "Okay, lovebirds, that's enough for one day. Let's get you back before they close down for the night, Demon Boy. And Ms. Yun-Jin, thanks for helping with training. I'm glad you managed to glean something from it too.
And hey, don't forget to spread the word about how charismatic I am, but don't go falling for him—seems his friend has already got that covered."
Yun-Jin's light blush momentarily deepened as she snapped her gaze towards the lieutenant. "What are you even talking about? I don't love him. And I don't care if someone's got a crush on this demon. Besides, if I wanted to, I'd have him anyway because I always get what I aim for."