The Martial Master - 17 A fragmented hear

*BRRRR*

A surge of fluctuations shook the core of the forest as numerous beams of dazzling pillars shot from the sky and onto the ground. A subtle tremor crackled through the dirt swept under a metallic box the size of a small building.A couple of holes with the width of a straw poked through the front of the box; where a finger poked out.

It resembled that of a prison cell, and for the most part, it is…

*COUGH*

Two girls, kneeling on the cold sheeted floor, started to cough out a dark muck. Their pale faces shone under the streaking but dimly lit rays of light that pierced through the wall; eloquently shining on their skin.

Murky dust fluttered through the rays; thrashing against the metallic walls with silent bounces. One of the girls welled with a despaired whimper; echoing in the empty confinement.

A delicate hand patted her head as a hoarse but feminine voice whispered in her ear.

“It’ll be alright. It’ll be… Alright.”

The girl quivered before leaning against the figure next to her; huddling with a tight hug. Her eyes were watery and her face resembled that of toddlers; she was obviously a kid.

She looked up with a despaired gait, speaking in a childish tone.

“Yu Yan. H-how do you know?”

Smiling, Yu Yan patted her head once more before speaking with an overexaggerated tone; full of reassurance.

“You see, somewhere far, far away someone is protecting us! He may look weak, he may seem ordinary, but don’t be fooled by such a look! For he can fly in the sky, thrash mountains and heal any disease known to man! Even ours!”

She tickled the girl’s nose as she swished her hand through the air and circled it through space in a playful manner. The girl’s eyes brightened and her face lifted as she giggled; trying to push Yu Yan back.

“S~stop! Hehehe!”

Yu Yan laughed as she started to play with the girl, bringing more laughter into the desolate container.

Yet…

*Bang* *Bang*

“Hey! Shut your mouths and be the good dogs you are! The Young master is in a bad mood right now, so you better be prepared!”

A male voice shouted at the container as Yu Yan held her breath and covered the girl’s mouth. Although she was still smiling, within her eyes lay a listless light, a light that could only grow.

‘Someone protecting us… Really?’

…

…

In a dozed state, Su Min yawned as he felt a rumble sweep past him which threw him out of his nap. His heart seemed itchy, yet he couldn’t grasp why. It was an itch that just would not go away…

“Mhmm, the reward?”

His blurry eyes set themselves onto the familiar silver crate. It hovered in the middle of the room, shrouding itself in a fantasmal light.

Yi Zan, standing up from the sofa, stared wide-eyed at the crate; spurting out.

“This is the reward for getting first place?”

Su Min paused as he heard her, and for an instant, a smile flashed on his face. He looked at the crate; muttering.

“So we’re still first…”

She seemed to hear him, but she didn’t say anything as a mysterious light shone in her eyes. It faded just as it appeared when she spoke in a playful tone, though.

“Can I open it?”

“Hm?”

Although Su Min was interested in what was inside, it wasn’t like he coveted treasures nor was it likely that it would have anything useful to him. Except for the self-cleaning jacket he has right now, of course.

He nodded with a tired demeanour before shutting his eyes halfway; watching with half his attention.

An excited expression lifted on her face as she hopped to the crate and pressed the ‘open’ button. It resembled a child on Christmas galloping onto a present that she has been anticipating for months.

A woosh swept through the room as the container flew up, revealing a smokey canvas. Su Min could only wryly smile at the intentional smoke effect, but as the object that was inside faded into existence, a gasp could be heard behind Yi Zan.

“A Psuedo Spirit Sword!”

It seemed to cut the air as it silently sat on the ground; exuding a supernatural sharpness. A flame was engraved on its handle that seemed to emit a subtle heat that felt warm to the touch.

The sword youth was about to run up to it when a thought suddenly passed him, making him turn his head to Su Min. His eager gaze was apparent, and it wasn’t like Su Min was a swordsman nor did he want to be one; so he just nodded like always.

A look of gratitude covered the sword youth as he stammered to the sword like it was his long lost lover. He drew a dazzling arc as the sword in his scabbard was drawn out. He seemed to murmur something as he placed the sword on the floor with care and even affection.

Su Min rubbed his chin as he watched the strange actions, making his perspectives broaden just a tad.

‘Swordsmanship isn’t just about using a sword?’

The sword youth trembled as a slight tear flickered in his eye, but a determined gaze shone thereafter when he set his sights on the martial sword. He breathed a deep breath as his hand shot at and grasped the sword handle.

A buzzing sound rang out in the room as sweat started to overflow on the sword youths head, yet he persisted and lifted the sword up. His grip tightened as he drew the same dazzling arc in the air, and swished the sword into his scabbard.

A tearing sound shrieked through the air as a clear-cut flashed; as if it had been cut.

Su Min’s eyes shone with surprise as he looked at the air. He saw a lot more than most, and it shocked him.

‘The air was cut as if it was a material?’

As he was thinking, a new and different tremble suddenly shook the sky, causing the metal base to levitate. A scream rang out in front of the door as a ragged youth was thrown into the base from outside; he was Qiu Jin.

Qiu Jin raged as his face rammed into the wall, cursing all the way.Yi Zan waddled on the floor as she tried to plant herself onto the sofa, although it didn’t seem to be working. The sword youth sighed as he pulled her onto the sofa and sat down with her; his eyes seemed excited as he caressed the sword scabbard with a fervent touch.

Su Min remained expressionless as he looked at the door which was somehow closing, speaking.

“It seems that wave 3 is different…”