Ji Sub’s POV

It’s been a couple of days since Soo Hyun and I had been teleported to this weird world. Even though it might be a little wrong to think this way, I am truthfully glad Soo Hyun is with me. If I had come here alone, I don’t think I could have handled this situation but seeing Soo Hyun be the same as ever had a calming effect on me making me believe that everything will work out.

Ever since I had been young, the both of us had always hung out since I joined his father’s dojo. As we were the only two young children there, we had always practiced together. At first, I hated training in kumdo as I would constantly make mistakes and couldn’t get the feel for the arts. Soo Hyun, however was different as it felt like he was born for the sword arts with his fluid movements and natural talent. Not boasting of his own talent, Soo Hyun always stayed after practice to help correct my mistakes and teach me. With the training I received from his father and the assistance after practice, I gradually got a feel for the sword and started to drastically improved.

By the time I reached the age ten, I could go head to head with adults. At the age of twelve, I was starting to defeat the more skilled disciples in the dojo. When I joined the kumdo club when I reached middle school, I easily handled all the upper classmen and won many tournaments. People started calling me a prodigy. I, however, knew the real prodigy was Soo Hyun. Even though we had fought hundreds of times, I had never been able to beat him.

“Yo, Ji Sub, we’re here”

Snapping back to reality at Soo Hyun’s words, I take a look at our surroundings. Currently we were at a large open space near the audience hall. The king and the ambassadors had already formed up to the side. Turning around toward Soo Hyun, about to say a few words to him I see that he is still looking at that female elf. Seeing this, the edges of my lips begin curling up into an evil grin. Soo Hyun had never lived it down that I had been so popular with the girls in high school, always teasing me, especially when he found out about my crush with Ji Hyun. When he first told me about it, I remember that I thought I was dead as he always had been overprotective about her, but to my surprise he endorsed it and had kept trying to get us to date. Thinking of these memories, I plan my counterattack!

“So even the almighty Kim Soo Hyun can be infatuated with a girl huh?”

“…Huh?”

“Dude, you’re going to glare holes into that elf if you keep staring at her for so long…”

“.wh….what are you talking about?!”

Seeing Soo Hyun’s flustered face, I inwardly hold up the V sign. Revenge is so sweet! Anyways, while we were joking around, the King began speaking.

“So Ambassadors, the sparring partners for the hero and his friend will soon arrive, please wait a few moments”

Haa…. even though Soo Hyun doesn’t mind it, the way the King addresses him irritates me… Well after seeing Soo Hyun’s skills, he won’t be able to laugh…

While I was mocking the king in my head, one of the dwarf steps forward.

“Your majesty, if you don’t mind I would like to test the hero’s skills myself”

“Are you sir? It could get dangerous”

“Bah, dangerous my foot. Crossing weapons is always the best way to test someone’s strength I say”

Seemingly taken back by the way the dwarf spoke, the King opened his eyes in shock for a moment. He had never seen my abilities yet so he was quite worried if I'd be fine fighting a seasoned veteran. Thinking for a few moments whether it would be alright, he finally sighs and consents.

“As you wish then, ambassador. The rules of this spar are simple. No attacks to vital areas will be allowed. If I deem that it’s becoming too dangerous, I will stop the spar. Is that fine for you both?”

“Baah, let’s get it over with”

“Sure, you’re majesty”

Agreeing to the conditions, both the dwarf and I walk back to create some space between us.

“What’s your name, brat? It’s too much of a hassle to call you hero every time”

“….It’s So Ji Sub…and may I know your name?”

“Remember the name Bormin, the dwarf that will give you your first taste of defeat here in Excela!”

Ho…. this dwarf is quite cocky…. He must be confident in his skills… Well… let’s teach him a lesson about how young people can be stronger. Smirking at that thought, I slowly loosen my body and prepare for the fight. From the side, seeing that both of us were ready, the king begins the spar.

“Alright then, BEGIN!”

At those words, the dwarf begins charging at me. Staying still, I begin analyzing the dwarf. Bormin was wearing heavy plate armor that would have been way too heavy for any other people to wear. Donning his helmet, only his auburn beard and brown eyes could be seen from behind it. He currently was gripping a double edged great axe that had a menacing sharpness on both sides. Even though he was decked out in some good gear, all I could think while studying him charge was…

Slow….way too slowly… Even though the dwarves in the movies and games on Earth were slow also, and I thought this might be the case but still…. Feeling disappointed, I let out a sigh.  Bormin, seeing me just stand still and sighing, becomes angry and comes at me with bloodlust. When he finally gets within striking distance, he raises the great axe overhead in both his hands, planning to use all his body to create momentum for his swing. Seeing this, I calmly await the timing and use one of the forms.

As the axe came rushing down toward my head, I raise my sword at an angle and let the axe go down the sword’s whole length, deflecting it toward the ground where the impact had embedded the axe deep into the ground. To Bormin, I then suddenly disappeared. Knowing that his situation was bad, he immediately tried to pull the axe out of the ground and leaps back. While he was stepping backward while looking in the surrounding for me, I put the sword around his neck which causes him to freeze in place immediately.

Moonlight Sword Form three, Moonlight’s Reflection.

This form was based on using the enemy’s strength against them as you fully deflect their weapon. While they get distracted by the sudden counterstrike, I swiftly move toward their back and land a crucial blow. The movement is supposed to be so quick that I leave something like an afterimage of myself where I was. Not actually being where it looked like I was, just like a Moon’s reflection in a lake or river.

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Feeling the sword near his neck, Bormin drops his weapon and slowly raises his hand in defeat. Seeing this, I retract the sword and fall back. Being surprised at how strong I was, the King became quite happy and asked the spectators.

“Well then, I believe that shows everyone how strong the hero is? So now do you all believe in his strength?”

All the ambassadors nod their heads. They knew that a hero was supposed to have been teleported, but when they heard that two kids had been teleported instead, they had actually doubted the validity of their strength. Seeing, however, my strength they recognized that I was truly the hero. While everyone had come forward to congratulate me, the female elf begins to speak.

“Gentlemen, I don’t believe that completes the test, no? We have yet to test the strength of his friend after all”

Realizing their mistake, while blushing, the rest of ambassadors and the King return to their positions while blushing due to embarrassment. Coughing to clear his throat real quick, the King then goes on.

“Well then, does anyone wish to spar with him next? Or will a sparring partner provided by us suffice this time?”

The ambassadors seemed to be discussing among themselves about what they should do. They had seen what they came for, that my strength was indeed legitimate but had completely forgotten about Soo Hyun. Feeling anger that my best friend had been ignored, I take a step forward but feel a hand grab my shoulder. Turning around, Soo Hyun is smiling at me and shaking his head, telling me to let it go. Disgruntingly, I relent as the person himself didn’t want anything to be done. Help, however came from an unexpected location.

Stepping forward again, the female elf begins speaking again.

“Your majesty, I actually have a different test in mind. Would you mind if I took the Hero and his friend to the Cave of Sorrow?”

“?!?!”

At the mention of the Cave of Sorrow, everyone’s faces show expressions of shock. Curious as to why, I ask the lady a question.

“My lady, and what exactly is this Cave of Sorrow?”

“The Cave of Sorrow is a place that is known for being the lair for strong monsters. The King of Shilla had actually sent some forces over there a while to clear them  but they were all decimated. Supposedly, there are even rumors of a young High Dragon making his lair in the cave…”

….That’s quite a dangerous place… Feeling worried, I look back at Soo Hyun to see what he thinks. Seeing my worried face, he just casually shrugs his shoulder before stepping forward.

“My lady, I don’t believe that I have had the honor of hearing your name…”

Seeing that Soo Hyun wasn’t intimidated at all even after the explanation, the female elf smiles and answers.

“Dal Rin, nice to meet you, Kim Soo Hyun shi”

Ho, this is interesting. Even though the King and the rest of the ambassadors refused to call him by his name, the lady elf does as if there’s no problem. Interesting….

“Anyways would you mind if we went to Cave of Sorrow and test your abilities?”

Sigh, that lady elf sure doesn’t know Soo Hyun. He absolutely hates doing anything that seems like a hassle! While picturing the scene in my head, I instead receive a huge shock.

“Sure why not?“

Eh? Did I just hear that correctly? Did that Soo Hyun, infamous for rejecting anything troublesome, just agree?! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BEST FRIEND KIM SOO HYUN?!?!

While I had fallen into mental shock, Dal Rin and Soo Hyun begin walking toward the palace entrance. Looking at the others, I see that they have also received shock from the way things just happened. Snapping out of it, the king blurts out in panic.

"Pr...Princess Dal Rin!! I can't let you go to such a dangerous place! Please think of my position...."

"Dont worry~ we'll be fine.  All of us are quote renown warriors, you know?"

Not even turning around to answer, she just keeps on going. The others and I, finally regaining ourselves, quickly run to catch up to her. The king, whose face paled, had General Kaizer come with us as protection.

As we headed toward the cave, I pondered about whom this person disguised as my best friend was until I finally realized something. Smirking at the realization, I head over to Soo Hyun's side.

"Soo Hyun ah~"

"....You always used that tone when you think of something dangerous...."

At my sudden change in attitude, Soo Hyun eyes me with suspicion.

"What are you talking about~ Anyways you sure have changed....falling for a girl and all... I seriously was worried about you, you know? Always rejecting girls advances and all.... But this elf seems to interest you huh? Even making you agree to a troublesome task without any hesitation~ She’s a princess, no less huh? Anyways, I wonder how Ji Hyun would take it if she found out about this....."

Hearing Ji Hyun's name, Soo Hyun open his in shock. While making a face of horror, he stutters while asking the next question.

"....yo....you wouldn't.. d, d, d, dare...ri...right?"

Seeing victory, I laugh and pat Soo Hyun in the shoulder.

"Ho.... Soo Hyun ah.... I remember that promise you made make with you..."

"Cancelled!! How could I let my best friend do something so shameful!!"

While sweating beads, Soo Hyun immediately cancels the promise he made me make back on earth. Throughout the rest of the trip, Soo Hyun tried sucking up to me until we finally reached the destination.

The sun had started setting. In front of us was a large cave entrance that rose easily to 20 meters in height. Even from this distance, an ominous aura was leaking towards us. As if none of that bothered her, Dal Rin turns toward everyone and tells us the plan.

"Alright then! The Cave of Sorrow is supposed to be 5 floors deep. The first floor is only inhabited by middle ranked monsters so we will only travel there for this test. The high dragon that makes this cave his lair is supposed to be in the bottom floor so luckily we don’t have to deal with him. Soo Hyun shi, please lead from the front. We will follow you closely from behind to observe. If something serious occurs we'll come to your aid~ Does anyone have question? No? Well then let's go~"

Seeing that none of us had anything to say, Dal Rin turns forward and walks toward the entrance. And thus, we entered the Cave of Sorrow.