[Protagonist's POV]
Her trembling, somber voice felt worlds apart from her usual confident self.
"I'm… strong. Really strong. Peak masters aren't exactly common in the Central Plains, and reaching that level at my age? There aren't many cases like that in our long history. I'm definitely strong… overflowing with talent… but…"
Her voice shifted from gloom to something tearful.
"Why… do I feel so weak right now?"
She'd always seemed unbreakable, but today, her shoulders looked painfully narrow.
No matter how strong she was for her age, she couldn't compare to Yeo Socheon.
Even a hundred Dang Ayeongs couldn't take her down.
That's how vast the gap was between them.
That's just how this world worked.
"…Lady."
"I know. She's one of the righteous faction's top masters. One of the heroes who saved the Central Plains twenty years ago. Our years alive aren't even in the same league—expecting to match her is greedy to begin with. I know all that. I do."
