The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

Hyunsoo's appearance was even more striking than the day before.
But that wasn’t the only thing that had changed.

Though he couldn’t share this with Kyle, a glance at his Status Window told the full story:
《Status Window》
[Lv 497. Kang Hyunsoo]
[Title: Elegant Sword Demon]
After an all-night raid, Hyunsoo had nearly reached level 500 and acquired new skills through quest completion:

[Beauty Skill: Illusion (S)]
[Swordsmanship Skill: Double Slash (A)]
His growth during the tournament had been astonishing, but his final overnight effort had borne incredible fruit.
Hyunsoo was now several times stronger than when he faced Kyle in his previous life—no, perhaps dozens of times stronger.

Though he felt a flicker of pride, Hyunsoo kept it in check. Instead, he turned his focus to psychological warfare.
“You think I look like a different person? I don’t know what you’re talking about. If anything, it’s you who seems different. Are you scared?”
“You’ve got a big mouth for someone who won’t last long,” Kyle retorted coldly.

Their exchange wasn’t just banter—it was a battle for dominance before the fight had even begun.
[Beauty Companion activates Weakness Detection.]
[Consumes 10% of Charged Charm.]
[Remaining Charged Charm: 42%]
[Attempting to identify opponent’s weakness… Searching...]
Swallow, who had hidden himself outside the arena to avoid detection, was secretly using his skill.

This was a tactic Hyunsoo had planned in advance, knowing Kyle’s capabilities.
However:
[Weakness Detection failed.]
[…….]
[Weakness Detection failed.]

“Ugh, it’s still not working. His Sin’s power is blocking me,” Swallow grumbled.
Even during the tournament, every attempt to uncover Kyle’s weaknesses had ended in failure.
‘That’s enough. Save the remaining Charm for protective skills instead.’

“Tch! Fine, Master. What a shame, though,” Swallow replied, withdrawing.
With no other option, Hyunsoo decided to conserve his resources and focus on the battle ahead.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The finals of the Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament begin now!”
“WOOOOOAHHHH!!”

“Both finalists, please proceed to the arena.”
Following the staff member’s directions, Hyunsoo and Kyle ascended to the stage.
“Go, Kang Hyunsoo!”

“God of Upsets, Kang Hyunsoo! Show us again!”
“Kyaaa! Hyunsoo-oppa! You’re amazing!”
“Dae-Han-Min-Guk!”

Clap-clap, clap! Clap-clap, clap!
The audience erupted into chants and applause as the two fighters appeared.
While some cheered for Kyle, the overwhelming majority supported Hyunsoo, especially since the event was being held in Korea.

Hyunsoo smirked as he glanced at Kyle.
“I heard you’re not great with fan service. Seems true—barely anyone’s cheering for you.”
“Don’t worry,” Kyle said with a sinister grin. “After they see you sprawled on the ground, they’ll all shut up.”

Their verbal sparring continued even as they stood on the stage, but it didn’t last long.
The scoreboard changed, and the bell rang.
“Let the match begin!”

Ding!
Hyunsoo and Kyle simultaneously lunged at each other, their swords slicing through the air.
[Skill Activated: Quick Draw (B)]

Their blades collided at the center of the arena.
Hyunsoo’s mastery of Quick Draw, a skill honed against formidable opponents like Gwak Dowon, was impressive.
But as soon as the two strikes met, Hyunsoo rolled to the side.

Kyle’s counterattack didn’t just neutralize Hyunsoo’s strike—it tore through the arena floor, surging toward him.
SLASH! CRACK!
The impact forced Hyunsoo to retreat, narrowly avoiding injury.

[Skill Activated: Sky Splitter (S)]
Without hesitation, Hyunsoo unleashed Sky Splitter, a long-range attack far more powerful than Quick Draw.
As an SS-rank skill, its cooldown was significant, so Hyunsoo used it sparingly and strategically. He hoped to find a weakness in Kyle’s technique through their exchanges.

But:
SLASH! CRACK!
Kyle’s counterattack once again obliterated Hyunsoo’s skill, sending his attack right back toward him.

“Damn it…!”
Hyunsoo gritted his teeth, raising his Flame Sword and Lightning Sword to block the incoming force.
CLANG!

The clash reverberated through his entire body, leaving his hands and arms trembling from the impact.
Before he could recover, Kyle appeared right in front of him, having closed the distance in an instant.
Hyunsoo reacted immediately, swinging both swords in a defensive maneuver.

[Skill Activated:...]
[Swordsmanship Skill: Double Slash (A)]
A second strike follows the path of the first slash. The second strike activates 0.01 seconds later and delivers 80% of the original attack's power. Mana cost: 500.
Double Slash was a technique that created a secondary, intangible strike following the initial slash.

An opponent might dodge the first attack only to be caught off guard by the second, increasing the total damage output by 80%. It was especially effective in one-on-one duels or raids, as the precise timing of the second strike was difficult to predict during consecutive attacks.
However, the skill came with a high mana cost, making it impractical for prolonged use. Despite this, its explosive power in short bursts made it a formidable addition to Hyunsoo’s arsenal.
It was also a skill he had never acquired in his previous life.

SLASH! SLASH! SLAAAAASH!
Hyunsoo unleashed Double Slash, his Flame Sword and Lightning Sword blazing.
But:

“……!!”
Kyle countered it with ease.
Like a mirror, he replicated Hyunsoo’s movements, neutralizing the first and second strikes as if performing the same technique himself.

‘What the hell? Even the second slash?’
Hyunsoo’s eyes widened in shock.
Neutralizing Double Slash required either using the same skill or precise anticipation and timing—both of which seemed implausible.

But Kyle had effortlessly erased it.
Determined to test his theory, Hyunsoo activated additional skills.
[Skill Activated: Stomp (C)]
[Skill Activated: Frenzied Blades (B)]

Stomp enhanced Hyunsoo’s movement and footing, while Frenzied Blades boosted the destructive power of his twin swords.
BOOM! CLANGCLANGCLANGCLANG—!!
But Kyle mimicked Hyunsoo’s every move, erasing the strikes with even greater speed and force.

Hyunsoo’s attacks failed to break through, forcing him to retreat while parrying Kyle’s counterattacks.
From the stands, the spectators buzzed with excitement.
“Whoa, this is insane! It’s neck and neck!”
“Is this the longest match in tournament history? Nobody’s landing a hit!”
“Their swordsmanship looks identical—it’s like watching doppelgängers.”
“But… isn’t it starting to look like Hyunsoo’s losing?”
“Hang in there, Hyunsoo-oppa!”

The murmurs confirmed Hyunsoo’s suspicion.
“So that’s it…” Hyunsoo muttered, locking eyes with Kyle.
“You’re copying my skills.”

Kyle froze for a moment, his expression betraying his shock.
[Special Talent: Envy]
[Envy Skill: Mimicry (SS)]
Mimic the actions or skills of a target you envy. Mimicry executes with +1 greater power than the original. Effectiveness scales with level and stats.
[Target of Envy: Kang Hyunsoo]
Kyle’s ability—rooted in the Sin of Envy—allowed him to mimic his opponent’s techniques, not just replicating them but enhancing them.

He had spent years pushing his power to its limits, extending Mimicry’s capabilities.
“So what if you’ve figured it out?” Kyle barked, trying to regain the upper hand.
“Do you think knowing changes anything? What can you even do about it, Hyunsoo?”

Kyle pressed forward, attacking relentlessly.
He alternated between his original techniques and Mimicry, nullifying Hyunsoo’s every move and retaliating with amplified strikes.
BOOM! BOOM! CLANG—!!

The arena shook with the force of their clashes.
“Ah, no! Hyunsoo!”
“Come on, hang in there!”
The crowd erupted in cries as Kyle’s attacks grew more intense.

Though Kyle’s assault was relentless, Hyunsoo’s Trust Armor remained unscathed, ensuring his shield stayed intact.
But Kyle’s shield wasn’t budging either.
Even when Hyunsoo launched attacks between Kyle’s Mimicry, Kyle’s Trust Armor—replicated from Hyunsoo—nullified the damage.

‘So even hidden skills can be copied,’ Hyunsoo thought grimly.
At last, he understood the secret behind Kyle’s winning streak—and why he had lost to him in his previous life.
But understanding the problem didn’t mean a solution was readily available.

“Master! The power of Beauty cannot be imitated!”
Swallow’s voice chimed in from the shadows, offering a critical clue.
Hyunsoo grinned.

Without hesitation, he launched his plan.
Amid their fierce exchange of blows, Hyunsoo activated a skill.
[Skill Activated: Charm (B)]

Locking eyes with Kyle, Hyunsoo unleashed the power of his beauty.
For a moment, Kyle froze.
His expression wavered, his movements ceased, and his focus shattered.

Kyle couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe—a fleeting but overwhelming impression that Hyunsoo’s appearance was beyond human, untouchable, perfect.
It was as if he were gazing upon a masterpiece that no one should dare to damage.
In that brief lapse, Swallow struck.

THUD!
Kyle staggered as a sharp blow landed on his back, his shield absorbing the damage but visibly decreasing.
[Kyle’s Shield: 8,308/10,000]

“What…?”
Kyle quickly regained his composure and distanced himself, glancing behind him in disbelief.
There, perched casually, was a swallow wearing sunglasses, smirking smugly.

“A… a bird? A summon…?”
“You’re quick to catch on,” Hyunsoo said with a chuckle.
[Beauty Companion activates Stylish Feather Strike.]

Hyunsoo had used Charm to momentarily distract Kyle, deactivating his own shield and instructing Swallow to attack from behind.
Though Kyle figured it out, it was already too late.
The proof was in the damage Kyle’s shield had sustained.

Hyunsoo grinned, raising his swords.
“Go ahead, Kyle. Mimic that.”