Black Tiger Sword — Part 2
“Father! This is unacceptable!”
A wrinkled old man with veins bulging in his neck yelled furiously.
“How could you give the Black Tiger Sword to such a greenhorn! At least give him the White Tiger Sword! I wouldn’t oppose that!”
The man was one of the Division Commanders of the Eastern Army, someone even I recognized.
The previously quiet office had turned into an open market, chaotic with shouting voices.
The Legion Commander frowned.
Then, like a thunderclap, his roar shook the room.
“Silence, you fools!”
His aura exploded outward.
The pressure carried no mana, yet it struck like the roar of a raging tiger.
I was still equipped with my mental defense traits, allowing me to barely hold on, but the other superhumans in the room were nearly on the verge of fainting.
They bit their tongues and drew blood to stay conscious, struggling desperately to withstand the pressure.
Seeing this, the Legion Commander clicked his tongue.
“Pathetic. Look at you. So-called Level 7 superhumans, and you can’t even handle this old man.”
“Unless the Heavenly Demon of Cheonsan appears, no one can stand against you, Legion Commander.”
“Hmm? Hahaha! You’re not bad at flattery.”
The Legion Commander chuckled heartily and finally withdrew his killing intent.
The superhumans quickly straightened their postures, awkwardly avoiding his gaze.
‘Right, one of the Legion Commander’s traits is [Might over Will].’
In the game, it was a slightly annoying debuff. But in reality, it was outright terrifying.
The wrinkled old man, the one who had been yelling earlier, now stepped forward and bowed his head.
“I apologize, Father. I lost my composure for a moment.”
“Tsk! You’re over seventy years old, and yet you’re still sulking over a single sword? If you had reached Level 8, the Black Tiger Sword would have been yours long ago.”
“My apologies.”
“The rest of you are no better! Idiots. If even one of you had made it to Level 8, I would’ve retired long ago to spend my days fishing. Instead, here I am, still stuck in this seat because of your failures. And now you dare complain? Saying it’s unreasonable? Asking for the White Tiger Sword instead? Bah! Useless fools!”
It seemed the Legion Commander had a lot of pent-up frustration.
After venting for a while, he finally calmed down and drank a large gulp of water from his glass.
Then, he opened his desk drawer and pulled out something resembling a USB memory chip, tossing it at me.
“Take this too.”
“Legion Commander? What is this?”
“It’s the Tiger King Sword Technique.”
The Tiger King Sword Technique!
The superhumans in the room trembled as if struck by lightning, but none dared to object this time.
They’d already tasted the Legion Commander’s wrath, and besides, the Tiger King Sword Technique was in a different league compared to the Black Tiger Sword.
The Black Tiger Sword was the weapon that symbolized the Legion Commander of the Eastern Army.
And the Invincible Black Tiger Swordsmanship was the exclusive martial art that matched it.
The Tiger King Sword Technique, on the other hand, was a high-level swordsmanship technique beneath that tier.
To put it simply:
The Mountain Breaking Sword Art was a mid-level technique suited for Levels 3 and 4, making it a great foundation for reaching Level 5. The Tiger King Sword Technique was a step above that.
It was regarded more highly than the techniques of Jaegumun and Ilgeomun.
“You’ve been using the Mountain Breaking Sword Art from Jaegumun, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“The Mountain Breaking Sword Art is a style that excels in Dominance. The Tiger King Sword Technique also harmonizes Dominance with Speed, so it should suit you well. I’d have liked to give you the Tiger King Cultivation Method too, but since you’ve been practicing a European Aura Cultivation Method instead of an internal energy technique, I’ll leave that alone. I know nothing about aura cultivation, so you’re on your own there.”
“Thank you, Legion Commander.”
I didn’t hesitate to accept both the sword and the memory chip.
Inwardly, however, I was overwhelmed by the pressure of it all.
If it had only been the memory chip, I would’ve taken it with a smile. But the Black Tiger Sword? Seriously?
Could this be his way of suggesting I become his successor?
The Legion Commander smiled meaningfully.
“You said you wanted to reach Level 9? I’ll be waiting eagerly. If you reach Level 9—or even Level 8—within the next ten years, the Eastern Army will be yours.”
“W-What? Legion Commander!”
I doubted my ears.
Why would he hand it over to me?
He has so many sons and daughters, so many grandchildren! Not to mention countless disciples!
Nearly ten of his disciples alone were already at Level 7—why not give it to one of them?
“The same goes for all of you.”
The Legion Commander swept his sharp gaze over the gathered superhumans.
“If anyone here reaches Level 8, I will pass this position to them. But if none of you manage it, there will be no inheritance. I’ll dismantle the Eastern Army myself—give part of it to the National Armed Forces, turn part into a private security company, and return Cheorwon State to the nation.”
“F-Father!”
“Master!”
“That’s too much!”
“What’s too much? You’re the ones who’ve failed to reach Level 8! I expected to retire before I turned eighty. Think about it. Do you really think, for instance, that Jungju could keep all of you in line if he became the Legion Commander? Hmm? Would Jinju or Hyungju actually follow his orders?”
“Father, if our eldest brother becomes the Legion Commander, of course we’d obey him.”
“We’d follow him without question.”
“Hah! Empty words. Do you think I don’t know what schemes you’re all plotting behind the scenes?”
The elderly man and woman he pointed at looked visibly uncomfortable.
Despite being over a decade younger than the eldest son, Jungju, their faces were noticeably more aged.
The Legion Commander drove the point home.
“The Black Tiger Sword is yours now. I gave it to you because I see your potential and your courage. But you should think carefully. Follow the path you’ve chosen, but if you don’t think you can reach Level 8—or Level 9—then return the sword. As long as I’m alive, these jackals won’t dare challenge you. But in ten years, I can’t guarantee anything.”
And that was the ten-year deadline.
The Legion Commander likely believed he wouldn’t live much longer than that.
It was the same in the game.
As the story progressed, the Legion Commander would eventually pass away from natural causes, and the Eastern Army would collapse into internal conflict and destroy itself.
I bowed deeply.
“I understand. I’ll bring results within ten years—no, within five years.”
I had no intention of inheriting the Eastern Army.
It was far too troublesome.
But keeping my options open wasn’t a bad idea.
After all, people’s goals could change.
And more than that, I couldn’t bring myself to reject the generosity of a man over a hundred years old who was offering me so much out of goodwill.
“Hm? Hahaha!”
The Legion Commander laughed uproariously as he looked at me.
“You’re quite the bold young man! Yes, that’s how a warrior should be! If you’re born with a pair, you ought to show that kind of spirit! Good. I’ll be looking forward to it! Don’t make me wait too long!”
With a wave of his hand, he gestured for me to leave.
I bowed politely and stepped out.
Koo Hyungwon followed behind me, his previously cold expression now tinged with envy as he glanced at the sword on my waist.
“Do you want it?”
I asked, smirking.
Koo Hyungwon immediately shook his head, his face serious.
“Of course not. The Legion Commander must have had a reason for giving it to you.”
“If you ever reach Level 8, I’ll gladly hand it over to you.”
“…Really? No, wait. That’s not right. It wouldn’t be proper for you to give away a sword entrusted to you by the Legion Commander.”
“Then just give me a sword of equal value from the Eastern Army’s armory in exchange. I know what the Black Tiger Sword means to the Eastern Army. If you or anyone else reaches Level 8, I’ll gladly pass it on. I believe the Legion Commander secretly wishes for that too.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true.”
Koo Hyungwon chuckled bitterly.
The gap between Level 7 and Level 8 was vast.
Level 7 was often called the Pinnacle Realm, the highest state a human could reach.
But Level 8?
That was transcendence.
Even comparing the Legion Commander, over a hundred years old with no wrinkles, to his son, a wrinkled Level 7 superhuman, the difference was obvious.
“Well, thanks for saying that. You’re not as naïve as I thought. You’re someone I can have a proper conversation with.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But are you really confident about reaching Level 9?”
Koo Hyungwon gave me a faint smile, but there was a shadow behind his gaze.
Deep in his eyes, I caught a glimmer of something dark—envy, and jealousy.
Seriously? A man born with a golden spoon in his mouth feels this way about me?
I pretended not to notice and shook my head lightly.
“To be honest, I’m not completely confident. But if you’re born a man, you’ve got to try swinging the blade at least once, right? Besides, I have the body my parents gave me. At the very least, I’m sure I won’t stop here.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true… When I was your age, I thought I’d reach Level 8 before turning thirty, and Level 9 by fifty.”
“You’re a hero of Korea, Division Commander Koo. The others we saw earlier are all impressive, but I think you’re the one closest to becoming the next Legion Commander. I’m certain you’ll achieve Level 8 soon.”
“Haha! Thanks for saying that. Well then, should I consider the Black Tiger Sword as something you’re holding onto for me until I get there?”
“Of course! As soon as you reach Level 8, just send me a text, and I’ll bring the Black Tiger Sword to you immediately.”
“Then I’d better start thinking about a worthy sword to give you in return. It won’t take long.”
Koo Hyungwon patted me on the shoulder, clearly pleased.
Yeah, sure. Like reaching Level 8 is going to happen anytime soon.
Even at the game’s starting point—well into Episode 9—Koo Hyungwon was still stuck at Level 7.
Still, a Division Commander is a Division Commander. It never hurts to stay on their good side.
“If anything comes up, be sure to contact me. Even though you’re not officially the Legion Commander’s disciple, receiving the Black Tiger Sword makes you part of the family.”
“Yes, Division Commander.”
“Hey, don’t be so stiff. Oh, and you saw my eldest uncle earlier, right? Be careful around him. He’s an ambitious man. He won’t attack you outright, but you’ll have people causing trouble for you in all sorts of ways. Hah, if only they spent that time training instead. The Legion Commander has his reasons for entrusting you with the Black Tiger Sword.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And about that memory chip—use it now. I’ll watch.”
The Tiger King Sword Technique memory chip.
I snapped the transparent USB-like chip in half.
Information surged into my brain.
The memory unfolded before me: a younger version of the Legion Commander, looking much the same as he did now, slashing, thrusting, and swinging his sword with the ferocity of a tiger. His movements were sharp, precise, and overwhelming.
Koo Hyungwon observed my reaction and gave me a faint smile.
“With this, you’re now truly one of us. Congratulations on inheriting the legacy of the Legion Commander. If anything happens, contact me immediately. While you may not have officially formed a master-disciple bond, you’re essentially a part of the Eastern Army.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“It’s not just words. Don’t forget it. Well, I’m busy, so I’ll leave first. Take care.”
“Thank you, Division Commander. Travel safely.”
Koo Hyungwon waved as he left.
No sooner had he disappeared than Director Kang and the department heads, who had been watching from a distance, rushed over to me.
Their eyes were glued to my waist.
“Hunter Kim! What’s going on? Is that… the Black Tiger Sword?”
“Yes, it is.”
“My God!”
“Unbelievable!”
“The Black Tiger Sword? That Black Tiger Sword? The Legion Commander’s Black Tiger Sword?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Director Kang gaped in shock.
Then, as if struggling to comprehend, he cautiously asked,
“Are you… perhaps a member of the Koo family? Or maybe your mother or grandmother is from the Koo family?”
“No, neither. The Legion Commander must have taken a liking to me.”
“No, no! Who just gives their treasured sword to someone they ‘like’?”
“He offered to make me his disciple.”
“W-What?! You mean you’re his disciple now? Then… you’re going to be commissioned as an officer in the Eastern Army?”
“I turned him down.”
“Excuse me? Are you insane? Why?”
“My dream is independence and self-reliance.”
Director Kang stared at me as if I’d lost my mind.
What else could I do?
It’s impossible to collect the Big Three Sword Arts if you’re tied to an organization.
I’ve already established a connection with Baek Sorin and am waiting to awaken the Mars Swordsmanship, but I haven’t even met Janet or Kali yet.
The same goes for the higher-level cultivation techniques of the Einherjar Cultivation Method.
I’ll need to go on expeditions soon, and if I became the Legion Commander’s disciple, I’d lose my freedom.
The Eastern Army wouldn’t let me continue the Einherjar Cultivation Method, instead forcing me to train in their exclusive techniques.
“Honestly, I can’t tell if you’re ambitious or just stupid.”
“Well, I’d appreciate it if you leaned toward ambitious.”
“Hah… unbelievable.”
Director Kang shook his head in disbelief, as though he couldn’t even imagine making the same decision.
He muttered that if he had been in my shoes, he would have performed the disciple’s bow before the Legion Commander had even finished his sentence.
“What happened with the Hunter Association-affiliated hunters?”
“Oh, I meant to tell you. We dealt with the most vicious ones, and the rest were let off with warnings.”
“That’s probably the right approach.”
If it were me, I’d have killed them all, but Director Kang had his reasons.
After all, the Hunter Association was just that—an association.
It’s a profit-oriented group, not a unit bound by the strict cohesion of an army or a cult.
Director Kang shook my hand earnestly.
“We owe everything to you, Hunter Kim. Without you, I don’t know what would’ve happened. If I’d returned from China to find my two department heads had sided with the Hunter Association President, the entire Association might have split in two.”
The two department heads, Chief Park and Chief Lee, gave awkward smiles from the side.
They seemed to agree with his assessment.
And they were right.
If Director Kang had come back to that scenario, a civil war likely would have broken out within the Hunter Association.
Many hunters would’ve died in the process.
Director Kang might have ultimately won, but at what cost?
“I was originally planning to thank you with a few enchanted firearms, but that won’t cut it anymore.”
Director Kang’s gaze fell to the Black Tiger Sword at my waist.
Of course.
Receiving the Black Tiger Sword meant I was no longer just a regular Level 4 superhuman.
I was now a rising star, a potential successor in the Eastern Army, personally acknowledged by the Legion Commander himself.
In the future, people might even start calling me the Lord of the Black Tiger Sword.
“Hunter Kim.”
Director Kang fixed me with a serious look.
“Would you consider becoming a director in our Association?”
–TL Notes–
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