Despite the silence settling over the training ground, the residual tension between Han So-Yeon and Baek Wol-Hee lingered like an unspoken challenge. Mi-Ryeong remained in the background, carefully observing as the power dynamics unfolded.
Just then, Lee Do-Hyun entered the scene.
As he walked into the training ground, his sharp eyes immediately noticed the charged atmosphere between So-Yeon and Baek-Hee. However, his understanding of the situation was completely different from the reality of what had occurred.
To Do-Hyun, it looked like Han So-Yeon was bullying a defenseless woman.
Having no knowledge of Baek Wol-Hee's true strength, he instinctively perceived her as someone being harassed by a far stronger martial artist.
With a deep frown, he took a step forward.
"So-Yeon, stop it." His voice was commanding, laced with disapproval.
So-Yeon blinked in shock, momentarily taken aback.
"Do-Hyun, wait—" she tried to explain, but he cut her off.
"Regardless of the reason, it's not right to corner someone like this." His tone was firm, and his disapproving gaze made it clear that he believed So-Yeon was in the wrong.
So-Yeon felt a flicker of irritation. "Why won't you listen first?" she thought. "Why are you defending her without knowing the full story?"
Baek Wol-Hee, meanwhile, quietly observed Do-Hyun's reaction with intrigue. She had already expected him to be chivalrous, but his unshakable principles fascinated her. However, deep inside, she also found it amusing how easily Do-Hyun had misjudged the situation.
"Thank you, Do-Hyun," Baek-Hee said softly, playing along. "But this was just a little misunderstanding. There's no need to worry."
Her voice carried an innocent charm, but to So-Yeon, it was nothing but a carefully crafted deception.
Do-Hyun, hearing Baek-Hee's reassurance, felt a bit conflicted. If she wasn't actually in distress, had he overreacted?
Still, he turned back to So-Yeon with a serious expression.
"Even so, it didn't look good."
So-Yeon bit her lip. She had always known that Do-Hyun had a strong moral code, but this was different. He had completely misread the situation, and worse, he had sided with Baek Wol-Hee without hesitation.
Her chest tightened with frustration. She felt wronged—but more than that, she felt a new kind of determination settle within her.
"Fine." So-Yeon's voice was quiet but firm.
She turned slightly away, casting one last look at Baek-Hee, who simply smiled.
"You'll find out soon enough, Do-Hyun," So-Yeon thought to herself.
She was now certain—Baek Wol-Hee was no ordinary woman.
More importantly, she needed to expose Baek-Hee's true nature before it was too late.
Her mind was made up.
She would challenge Baek Wol-Hee again—this time, in a way Do-Hyun wouldn't be able to ignore.
*****
Han So-Yeon's Determination and the Unveiling of Her Skills
Han So-Yeon sat in a secluded corner of the training ground, quietly observing Baek Wol-Hee's movements. Her sharp gaze reflected her growing determination—this confrontation was inevitable. She had already realized that Baek-Hee was no ordinary woman. However, beyond that, So-Yeon felt an unshakable drive to prove her own strength.
She was done with merely watching. It was time to act.
Baek Wol-Hee had been subtly provoking her with her graceful yet deliberate movements, toying with So-Yeon's pride in a way that left her with no choice but to respond. However, So-Yeon was not foolish enough to engage recklessly. She needed to strategically demonstrate her strength while keeping an upper hand.
A direct duel would be meaningless. Instead, she sought to disrupt Baek-Hee's balance—both physically and mentally. A calculated, precise strike at the right moment.
As the day passed and the training ground remained relatively quiet, So-Yeon followed Baek-Hee's movements carefully. She observed the way Baek-Hee walked, how she reacted to her surroundings, and—most importantly—when she let her guard down, even slightly.
And then, the moment arrived.
As Baek-Hee walked past a certain spot, So-Yeon acted.
With lightning precision, she executed a subtle yet forceful leg sweep, aiming to take Baek-Hee off balance. She followed up instantly, channeling a sharp, concentrated burst of energy through her fingertips to push the opening she had created.
But then—something unexpected happened.
Baek-Hee effortlessly recovered.
Instead of stumbling, she shifted her weight with an unnatural grace, completely neutralizing the attack. Not only that, but she did so while maintaining her composure—her movements fluid, deliberate, and utterly unshaken.
Then she smiled.
"Ah... so you were planning to test me?" Baek-Hee mused, her voice as smooth as silk. Her expression carried an air of amusement, but her eyes gleamed with knowing confidence. "But you must know... I won't be caught so easily."
With a simple flick of her wrist, a subtle wave of qi rippled through the air. In that moment, So-Yeon felt it—an undeniable presence. A high-level martial artist's aura.
So-Yeon's breath hitched. She's strong. Stronger than I thought.
The weight of Baek-Hee's abilities sank in, but So-Yeon's resolve only deepened.
If anything, this revelation reinforced what she already knew—this woman was no ordinary schemer. If she wished to stand against her, she needed more than just tactics. She needed to fight her properly.
"Alright then," So-Yeon muttered to herself, steadying her breath. "I'll face you directly."
There was no turning back now.
Just as the tension peaked, a familiar voice rang through the training ground.
"Stop."
It was Mi-Ryeong.
She stepped onto the scene, immediately sensing the clash between the two women. The air was thick with tension, and even without fully understanding the situation, Mi-Ryeong knew it was escalating toward something dangerous.
"Neither of you should be reckless right now," Mi-Ryeong warned, her tone even yet firm. "You both know this isn't just a simple sparring match anymore."
So-Yeon hesitated, but the fire in her eyes didn't diminish. She had no intention of backing down.
Baek-Hee, however, simply smiled, as if she had all the time in the world. "We'll see."