Martial Arts Returnee’s Game Broadcast

Chapter 174

1.

The public chat viewers watching the live broadcast were thrown into confusion by the unexpected turn of events.

• From microphone hijacking to sonic terror, there's no stopping them.
• I’m not sure, but the one using the sound waves is the villain, right?
• Thank goodness they muted it, but the live viewers had to hear all of that! Guess it’s true, the outside world is dangerous.
• It felt like listening to nails on a chalkboard right next to your ear.
• How is it that they’re stopping the villain’s speech by literally bursting everyone’s eardrums instead of catching them?!
• The Silent Swordsman finally did something right, damn.

The Silent Swordsman, sitting in the highest judge’s seat in the tournament hall, played the pipa while looking down at everyone.
Meanwhile, the boss below, trying to attack her with something invisible and struggling to destroy the pipa.
No matter how you looked at it, the villain seemed to be the Silent Swordsman, not the boss.

“You bastard! Finally showing your true colors as the guild leader of the evil guild!”

<Sonic Wave> <Pipa Burst>

If you can’t shut up the villain, then you paralyze the ears of those listening.
Haeung-eung's Russian-style attack made the boss’s hand wave through the air, causing the judge's seat to break apart as the sound waves hit it.

Bang— Bang— Bang—

An attack that didn’t rely on spatial restrictions.
The impact was strong enough to shatter the special chair made from carved stones wherever it touched.

It’s a shame. If my internal energy was just a little stronger, I could’ve blocked everything from my seat using the defensive technique.

For the first time in a while, Haeung-eung felt a sense of competitive spirit.
After Shinseonggak and Baek So-cheon, a truly worthy opponent had finally appeared.

Now that you’ve excited me, I won’t stop until I’m satisfied... you’d better brace yourself. I won’t forgive you kindly.

Haeung-eung didn’t have much expertise in sonic techniques.
She hadn’t fully immersed herself in it.
But the martial arts of Hao Moon and its leader were enough to keep her away.
Now, however, her old grudges were settled.
She could somewhat understand the Hao Moon leader's intentions.
Such a change in her mindset, the resolution of her resistance, opened new possibilities for the Pipa Burst.

[The internal energy’s focus has been directed at one target.]
[The Pipa Burst technique has been upgraded from third-rate to second-rate.]
[The Pipa Burst achievement has reached 1st rank in second-rate.]

Shhzzzz...!

The piercing dissonance from the sonic wave surpassed even that.
The force was so immense, it felt like the very air pressure would burst eardrums.

The ability to deploy a skill at will. Indeed, this is the kind of skill capable of destroying the mighty Mingho Guild!

When the boss swung his arm dramatically, darkness enveloped him, and his figure disappeared.

<Awakening Ability - Dark Matter>

Surrounded by a mist-like shadow, the boss was invisible, but Haeung-eung's Pipa Burst still targeted him.

You think you can rely on that technique? Fine. If you’re that confident, then try to see through this!

<Awakening Ability - Dark Matter>
<Unorthodox Technique - Dark Clone>
<Combo Technique - Secondary Divergence>

The darkness split in all directions.
Dark clumps of shadows split again into 64 paths, rushing towards her.
The boss challenged her.
If she was going to keep spreading that deadly sonic wave, he wasn’t going to just let her.

Let’s see your ugly true form!
Clever fighting methods. I don’t dislike it.

A smile spread across Haeung-eung’s face.
It was the kind of smile a mischievous child might make.
A slightly devious yet innocent grin.

Accomplishing something that seemed impossible—this is the true joy of martial arts.

How can you cut stone with a knife?
How can you block a spear with your bare body?
Is it possible to spew fire with your bare hands?
Can you defeat a crowd with a single instrument?

Such playful questions from many enthusiasts.
The grandmasters of martial arts always answered them.

Yes, you can.

Haeung-eung was one of the few who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest masters in the martial world.
She had the right to answer the martial arts questions.

If you can concentrate one branch of sound into a single point, there’s no reason you can’t achieve the Eight Trigrams technique.

The Eight Trigrams.
The heavens (Ken) and the earth (Kun) set the foundation for all things.
Water (Li), fire (Ta), thunder (Jin), wind (Xun), water (Kan), and mountain (Gen).
By planting two trigrams within the framework and using them like wheels on rails,
the Eight Trigrams would interlock, forming the structure of the universe.

If the Eight Trigrams can be applied to sonic techniques, there’s no reason the techniques can’t work this way.

The majority of martial artists lacked the focus, imagination, and internal energy to execute such intricate techniques.
But Haeung-eung was different.
Her intense concentration and imagination led to the first division of the Eight Trigrams, followed by the secondary divergence into 64 paths, an advanced application.
With sufficient focus and imagination, no enormous internal energy was necessary.
It was as if the 64 Trigrams unfolded naturally, penetrating the darkness.

<Sonic Wave> <Pipa Burst> <Transformation - 64 Trigrams>

“!!”

Zzzzziiiiiiinnn!

The darkness burst like bubbles, and the boss, who had been hiding, pressed his forehead and concentrated his energy.

<Awakening Ability - Dark Matter>
<Unorthodox Technique - Dark Screen>

The boss wrapped himself in a thin, protective dark veil like a defensive technique.
Realizing the sonic wave wouldn’t work anymore, Haeung-eung quickly drew her sword.

Round two begins.
This is the end for you!

The distance between them rapidly closed.

2.  

[Live Update: Silent Swordsman VS Villain Boss]
“Not CGI, it’s really happening. The tournament floor and buildings are getting destroyed by dark electricity.”

• Why is he doing the same thing as in the half-demon region in real life…?
• Guess it’s so frustrating in real mode, he’s going full throttle, lol.
• The screen shakes! This is intense!
• Who’s controlling the drones?
• 01:13, someone is lying flat on the wall.
• How did you spot that? Lol.
• Pulitzer Prize winner for this one.

[Ascended Ones dispatched by the Association]
“Live spectators are just staring, watching the battle of the strongest in the world from afar…”
(Pictures of the Ascended Ones from behind)
(Darkness swirling)
(Lightning cutting through the darkness and sparks flying everywhere)

• How do they even get inside?
• If there wasn’t a barrier, the ascended ones would be dead right now, lol.
• ??? : I’m supposed to go in there?
• Why are the villains so strong this time?
• Seems like it’s a group of former Association ascended ones’ families who formed the organization.
• If they’re children of high-ranking Association members, they’re probably growing up to be high-level.

[But what about Haenam faction?]
“They said something about an evil guild, but Haenam faction wasn’t on the list they released online.”

• What?
• They probably just started fighting randomly, no one knows yet.

The boss was strong.
In the first round, the sonic wave fight.
In the second round, the swordplay and movement contest.
In every fight, a fair contest had formed against the Silent Swordsman.
A battle that painted the skies, a conflict that claimed the space.
The level was different.
Everyone couldn’t help but think the same.

This won’t do.

As Whisper, unable to stand it, was about to make a move, a chunk of broken building debris grazed his head.

“Anyone would know that I can’t let you go here. You’re facing us.”
“Though it wasn’t in the plan... if you provoke us like this... I’ll give you what you want.”

Dashman, sending chunks of debris with <Dash> toward Whisper.

“42.”
“35.”
“59.”

Once again, Dashman faced and withstood the attacks, moving forward with terrifying intensity.

“This guy, seriously, what kind of ability does he have? He looks insanely strong.”

Dashman had shown dramatic growth facing Lee Jeong-woon.
When his control faltered, he finally realized what had been happening.

“Not going to return it? Ten times the strength.”
“What?!”
“420.”

Phew!

His head turned instinctively.
The shard of debris hit the wall beside him.
Before the sweat even had time to form, two more counterattacks came crashing in.

“350.”
“590.”

Kang!
Kang!

The heavy counterattacks sent debris flying, disarming and disabling his posture.
Whisper, sent backward, flowed seamlessly under.

This is dangerous!

<Awakening Ability - Dash>
<Combo Technique - Double Dash>

With each step, Dashman surged forward, outpacing and evading attacks.
Just as Whisper tried to close the gap, Dashman slashed at Whisper’s wrist.

Crack!

The slash hit with precision, but the feeling was strange.
Mist?

Confused but not stopping, the trajectory of Dashman’s sword continued.
It sliced through the wrist, then the forearm, the upper arm, and shoulder in rapid succession, completely disabling one of Whisper’s arms.
As if adding a finishing blow, Dashman pulled the sword toward himself, releasing the pent-up energy like a spring, and pierced through Whisper’s torso.

<Dashman’s Movement Style>
<Dashman Step>

The powerful blow added to Dashman’s already crushing force that had defeated Lee Jeong-woon.

Boom!!

Whisper was surrounded by dust that spread in a circle, the impact shaking the very atmosphere around them.
This strike had definitely landed. However, an unsettling chill still lingered.
An anxiety that couldn’t be explained settled deep in Dashman’s chest, as if something ominous was approaching.

<Awakening Ability - Call Whisper>
<Evolutionary Trait - Redial(C)>

The severed arm, the pierced chest, all restored in an instant as if nothing had happened.
In front of Dashman, Whisper stood, her terrifying presence solidifying before him once more.

“9200.”
“!!”
“Is this your best?”

The shift in power was palpable as Whisper’s hand emitted an intense force.
Instinctively, Dashman took a step back. Whisper advanced, matching his every step with no hesitation.
No, I can't shake her off!

The relentless assault continued, and Dashman knew he couldn’t withstand it alone.

“Late, but I’m joining in!”
“We need to combine our efforts—”
“No!”

It was clear that none of them would be able to stop her alone.
Before Dashman’s warning could finish, Gashin and Yang Gwi-ho rushed to his side.

“52550.”
“Are you serious?!”
“Five times more than Dashman?!”

The numbers were overwhelming.
By the time they realized, it was already too late.
With every blow from Whisper, Gashin, Yang Gwi-ho, and Dashman were easily knocked aside.

“52550.”

As Whisper’s step came down, the ground beneath them trembled.
But before she could crush them completely, a foot, wrapped in silk, kicked her foot away, stopping her advance.

Boom!

Whisper stumbled as the air was compressed by a swift movement.
Before she could react, Baek So-cheon stood before the fallen trio, taking a stance like a praying mantis.

“Seems you were hiding your true strength.”
“You... Baek So-cheon... you were once the head of the Association, the director of planning, weren’t you? You should know we weren’t wrong.”
“Even after you’ve come here to disrupt someone else’s guild’s event, you think we’ll just stand by?”
“Denying our cause...?”
“A cause? Where’s the cause in this act of terror? Haenam faction has no evil guild, nor do we have a tainted past.”

A temporary lull fell over the battlefield as Baek So-cheon and Whisper continued their standoff.
Meanwhile, the boss, who had been watching from a distance, shouted toward Haeung-eung.

“You audacious fools! Even if you destroyed Mingho Guild, do you think we don’t know that you’ve absorbed their members and their assets? You haven’t revealed your true nature, but you’ll eventually become the same as Mingho Guild, an evil guild!”

Haeung-eung calmly took out her notebook, and the boss shouted as if challenging her.

“Is that so? Then answer this: didn’t you build the Haenam faction for power?”

Haeung-eung’s reply came swiftly in writing.

[The guild was created to give my younger brother a ride.]
“...A bus?”
[Dungeon clearing. Experience point bus.]

The reaction was immediate.
Building a guild just to help a sibling level up in a game seemed completely out of place. It sounded almost like a mockery.
And yet, this bizarre explanation stunned everyone.
Instead of exposing a massive criminal enterprise, the revelation was trivial—like busting a chef secretly trading MSG.
Morally questionable, yet legally unblemished. Was this really what constituted an evil guild? The atmosphere shifted, as the chat and those present in the venue started to feel that it wasn’t as bad as expected.

“You’re mocking us now, aren’t you? Do you think we’ve come this far just to be ridiculed?”
[I'm just stating the facts.]
“I knew you’d say that. I brought this crystal ball to prove your lies! If anyone lies, this truth crystal ball will glow red!”

The boss raised the crystal ball, ready to challenge her once again.

“Now, try lying again!”

Haeung-eung, unimpressed, raised her notebook once more. The crystal ball immediately turned red.

<Truth>

It was blue.

“...That’s it! There must be a hidden agenda!”
[There is.]
“Well, what is it then?!”
[It was made out of boredom when I wasn’t playing the game.]

“...What?”

All eyes turned toward the crystal ball.

<Truth>

It was blue.
Everything she said was true.
The shocking truth about the Haenam faction was now revealed.

“Is this for real?”

Who creates a guild just for that reason? What kind of online gaming guild is this?
Even the Haenam faction members wore hesitant expressions at this odd revelation.