CHAPTER FOUR Silver That Should Not Exist
508 Words
Yeonhwa hated waiting.
She sat on a wooden bench backstage and watched the matches.
Too much shouting.
Too much unnecessary spinning.
One man had lost because he stopped to pose.
Disappointing.
Her next match token felt warm in her hand.
Arena One.
The main arena.
Which meant people would actually watch.
Unfortunate.
She stood.
Adjusted her sleeves.
Walked out.
The crowd was larger this time.
Lantern light stretched over the circular stage.
People shouted her tournament name.
MOON.
MOON.
MOON.
Ridiculous.
She stepped into the arena.
Then—
her opponent entered.
The cheering changed.
Not louder.
Lower.
People leaned forward.
Yeonhwa looked.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Older.
No sword.
Only leather wraps around his hands.
Interesting.
The announcer’s voice echoed—
Fourth Match.
Moon.
Against—
Iron Wolf.
The crowd reacted.
Someone near the front muttered—
“…Poor kid.”
Yeonhwa heard it.
Annoying.
Iron Wolf looked at her.
Then laughed.
“You’re small.”
She smiled politely.
“You’re observant.”
The crowd laughed.
He didn’t.
The match began.
—
He was fast.
Too fast.
Yeonhwa blocked.
Her arm vibrated.
He hit harder than expected.
Again.
Again.
Again.
She stepped back.
He closed distance immediately.
Not elegant.
Not skilled.
Relentless.
His fist slammed into the stage.
Wood cracked.
Yeonhwa jumped back.
The crowd shouted.
Her eyes narrowed.
Okay.
Actual effort.
Interesting.
She moved.
He followed.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Too close.
Too fast.
He cornered her.
His strike came.
She reacted—
too quickly.
Her hand moved.
Her fingers brushed Moonveil.
Silver light flashed.
Only for a second.
Like moonlight through water.
Iron Wolf froze.
His strike missed.
Yeonhwa moved.
One breath.
One step.
One cut.
His sleeve split.
Silence.
She stared.
Her sword was still sheathed.
Her eyes widened.
No.
The crowd shifted.
Whispers.
Did they see?
She looked up.
Most looked confused.
Good.
Then—
her eyes lifted.
Top level.
Private viewing area.
Someone was standing.
Black robes.
Watching.
Not surprised.
Taejun.
His eyes stayed on her hand.
Not her sword.
Her hand.
Like he knew exactly what happened.
Her stomach dropped.
No.
No no no.
The match continued.
Iron Wolf attacked harder.
Yeonhwa forced herself to focus.
No magic.
No power.
Just technique.
She redirected.
Moved.
Turned.
Then—
his own momentum threw him outside the ring.
Silence.
Then—
explosion.
Winner—
MOON.
People screamed.
Yeonhwa bowed once.
Too calm.
Inside—
not calm.
She left immediately.
—
Backstage.
Empty corridor.
Fast footsteps.
She turned.
Nobody.
Then—
a voice.
“You felt it.”
She froze.
Taejun stood at the end of the hall.
No expression.
His eyes rested on her.
She said carefully—
“…Felt what?”
He looked at her.
Too long.
Then said—
“Nothing.”
And walked past.
As he passed—
quietly—
so quietly she almost missed it—
he added—
“Be more careful.”
Then left.
Yeonhwa stood still.
Because she suddenly realized something.
That wasn’t curiosity.
That wasn’t a guess.
He knew.
And for some reason—
he didn’t tell anyone.
- Writer
