The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become-Chapter 155: Travel (1)

“Welcome, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. I am Imagawa, Director of the Japanese Hunter Bureau. Thank you for accepting the duel.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Kang Hyunsoo. Let’s begin immediately.”

Tokyo Hunter Bureau.

Kang Hyunsoo wasted no time.

After shaking hands with the Hunter Bureau Director and various officials waiting for him in the lobby, he swiftly moved on.

On the way to the dueling arena—

“Wow, this place is massive. The Japanese Hunter Bureau is huge.”

“They receive a lot of funding. The government backs them heavily.”

“Hyunsoo oppa will be fine, right?”

“There’s nothing to worry about. He even defeated Kyle. Hunter Kang Hyunsoo never loses.”

Jin Seoyun, Hayuri, Yuhana, and the others whispered among themselves as they followed Hyunsoo.

Challenging a swordsman who had won the World Swordsmanship Tournament was something only a fool would do.

Yet—

The Japanese Hunter Bureau wasn’t thinking about that at all. In fact, they were underestimating him.

“Today, we’ll finally see the truth.”

“Exactly. There’s no way a Korean hunter is the strongest in the world.”

“If you think about Kyle’s disappearance, it’s obvious the Korean government must have bribed him.”

“This is the perfect opportunity to show the world Japan’s strength.”

Just like his companions, the Japanese Hunter Bureau staff whispered among themselves on their way to the duel.

They spoke in Japanese, but Kang Hyunsoo understood everything.

He was already somewhat familiar with the language, and besides, he had heard these exact same words in his past life when he had visited Japan.

Back then—

<Korea’s Sword King Makes a Surprise Visit!!>

<A Sword King? He’s nothing compared to the Japanese hunters who inherited the samurai spirit.>

<If Korea’s so-called Sword King loses to a Japanese hunter, he should surrender the title.>

When Hyunsoo had been dispatched to Japan, the Japanese Hunter Bureau—jealous of the Sword King title—had challenged him to a duel.

Their goal was to discredit him and boost the morale of Japanese hunters.

And this time, history was repeating itself.

Even his opponent was the same.

“This is the dueling arena, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. Please step inside.”

Following the Director’s guidance, he entered the arena.

“Nice to meet you, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. I am Yoshimoto.”

Just like in his past life, Yoshimoto, the guild master of Japan’s major Shigoto Guild, stood there, gripping a spear with a flushed expression.

A high-level hunter with outstanding skills—though his talent was spear arts, meaning he hadn’t been able to compete in the World Swordsmanship Tournament.

In his early 30s, Yoshimoto was considered one of Japan’s top hunters.

During official interviews, he had often boasted that if the World Swordsmanship Tournament had been an open-style combat competition instead of a swordsmanship-exclusive one, he would have won.

And it seemed that belief hadn’t changed.

As Hyunsoo stepped into the dueling arena, he clicked his tongue.

Tsk. Their delusions have gotten even worse.

—Show them what you're made of, Master.

A butterfly effect.

A phenomenon where a small change in the past creates massive ripples in the future.

Hyunsoo had experienced this multiple times since his regression.

Deep down, he had hoped that with his improved appearance, his World Swordsmanship Tournament victory, and his accomplishments in the SS-rank Forced Dungeon Break, Japan’s attitude toward him would have softened.

But instead—

Japan’s jealousy and delusions had intensified.

The higher Hyunsoo’s reputation climbed in Korea, the more Japan tried to discredit him.

They spread rumors that he was nothing more than a pretty face, that he used body doubles, or that he had bribed his duel opponents.

Of course, it wasn’t as if Hyunsoo had no supporters in Japan.

Narita Airport had been packed with his fans, after all.

But just as his popularity grew, so did the forces seeking to undermine him.

And leading that faction was none other than the man before him—Yoshimoto.

So, without hesitation, Kang Hyunsoo strapped on his duel-grade protective watch.

“Well then, let’s begin the duel.”

Ding—!

Tap—!!

The moment the signal rang, Hyunsoo kicked off the ground and rushed at Yoshimoto.

“The heavens and earth shall be pierced—Hah!!”

Yoshimoto was in the middle of chanting his spear technique when—

Hyunsoo didn’t give him a chance. He immediately pressed forward, overwhelming his opponent.

And then—

Swoosh—!

Clang—!!

“Kugh...!!”

[Yoshimoto’s Protective Barrier – 0/10,000]

With a swift twin-blade strike, the duel was over in an instant.

From the moment it started, Hyunsoo hadn’t even used any skills—just pure stat-based power to completely dominate Yoshimoto.

Even Hyunsoo himself was a little surprised.

Huh? It’s already over?

—It seems Master has become far too strong.

In his past life, his duel against Yoshimoto had lasted over ten minutes.

The man’s spear techniques involved manipulating wind and ice, effectively neutralizing Hyunsoo’s Sun Swordsmanship.

But this time—

It had ended far too quickly.

And the reason was simple.

Compared to his previous life, the increase in dual swordsmanship and Appearance Power had resulted in an enormous boost in his overall combat strength.

Even without using Bloom, he had completely overwhelmed Yoshimoto.

He had expected there to be a difference, but not to this extent—and it seemed the Japanese side hadn’t expected it either.

The duel had ended too quickly.

“T-There must have been a malfunction with Yoshimoto-san’s protective barrier. Could we request another match?”

Imagawa, the Director of the Japanese Hunter Bureau, hurried into the arena and requested a rematch.

“Well, sure.”

Hyunsoo nodded and faced Yoshimoto again.

But—

[Yoshimoto’s Protective Barrier – 0/10,000]

“K-Kang Hyunsoo wins!!”

The result was the same.

This time, Yoshimoto had immediately retreated and attempted to unleash a spear technique, but Hyunsoo had already moved behind him, striking with his twin swords.

Another duel that ended before it even began.

And then—

“A-As expected of you, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. That said... Would you be willing to duel a few more times? The hunters waiting outside would be valuable sparring partners for you as well. Of course, we’re prepared to pay you as much as you’d like.”

“Yeah, yeah. Bring them in quickly.”

Imagawa bowed deeply, requesting additional duels, and Hyunsoo gestured for them to move things along.

After all, the extra duels had been part of his previous life as well.

[Swordsmanship Quest 31]

[Defeat three foreign awakeners of level 500 or higher (1/3)]

And from Hyunsoo’s perspective, he still needed to take down two more opponents.

It didn’t take long.

While Japanese Hunter Bureau agents dragged the stunned and speechless Yoshimoto out, another hunter stepped into the arena.

Her name was Mio, and she was in her late twenties.

Like Hayuri, she wielded a fan that generated sharp winds, but her primary ability was charm-based talent manipulation—enticing her opponents.

In his previous life—

—"Hello, I’m Mio. You’d better brace yourself.”

She had greeted him with a smirk and immediately attempted to ensnare him with her Charm skill, which had been troublesome to deal with.

But this time, something was different.

“A-Ah... Hello...”

Unlike before, she couldn’t even finish her sentence. She just stared blankly at him, completely entranced.

The reason quickly became clear.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

—Hmm? Master, I think she just fell for you at first sight.

Mio had fallen for Kang Hyunsoo at first glance.

Something had felt off.

In his previous life, when they had faced off, she had smirked mockingly at him.

But now, her lips were slightly parted, her eyes dazed—she had tried to charm him but ended up falling for him instead.

“Stay still.”

Hyunsoo activated Charm and issued a command.

The result—

Clang—!

“Aah...!”

[Mio’s Protective Barrier – 0/10,000]

The duel was over instantly.

He had given her a command through Charm, then brought down his Lightning Sword—and Mio hadn’t even flinched until her protective barrier shattered.

A different process, but just as swift an outcome.

And the final match—

“I am Toshio! I shall not ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) fall as easily as the others!!”

A white-haired hunter in his fifties, wielding a longsword, entered the arena.

He was known as the strongest samurai hunter in Japan, a man who had cleared multiple SS-rank dungeons. He hadn’t participated in the World Swordsmanship Tournament because of those missions, but if he had, he would have ranked among the top contenders.

Even in his previous life, Hyunsoo had struggled against him.

Unlike the previous two, Toshio’s level and skill were significantly higher.

Especially his White Tiger Swordsmanship—in his past life, Hyunsoo had avoided clashing with it directly because it was too strong.

This is a good opportunity to test something.

It was a perfect chance to gather data on the power of Beauty Swordsmanship.

“Let’s begin.”

Hyunsoo charged at Toshio but, unlike with Yoshimoto, he didn’t pressure him with direct attacks.

Swish—! Swish—! Ssshkk—!!

Instead, he evaded.

Toshio’s sword slashed like a tiger’s claws, but Hyunsoo easily dodged every strike.

Not only was his level higher than in his past life, but his stat boost from Appearance Power made a huge difference.

More importantly—

Since he had struggled against White Tiger Swordsmanship in his past life, he now knew all of its patterns.

Toshio’s blade never once managed to land a hit.

“You...! I was holding back because this is a duel, but I see I must get serious!!”

Toshio, thoroughly provoked, activated his strongest skill.

White Tiger’s Assault.

As his sword slashed downward, a giant white tiger formed from pure aura lunged at Hyunsoo.

It was a technique that had slain countless SS-rank dungeon bosses.

“H-Huh?! That swordsmanship—!!”

“Hunter Kang Hyunsoo!!”

Even from outside the arena, Japanese officials and Hyunsoo’s companions gasped at the overwhelming power of the attack.

But Hyunsoo remained calm.

Instead—

[Evasion 100 Combo Achieved!]

[You have perfectly dodged a consecutive string of attacks.]

[Fusion Talent: Beauty Swordsmanship is now available.]

Upon seeing the system message, he drew both the Incarnation Sword and Lightning Sword.

【Activation】

[Blossom (SS)]

Petals scattered along the trajectory of his blade.

The white tiger, roaring as it charged, disintegrated the moment it touched the pink-hued slashes—as if it had never existed in the first place.

And the instant the White Tiger’s form completely vanished—

BOOOOOOM—!!

The entire dueling arena was engulfed in a massive explosion.

[Toshio’s Protective Barrier – 0/10,000]

[Swordsmanship Quest 31 Completed.]

[Defeat three foreign awakeners of level 500 or higher (3/3)]

[Rewards]

[Sword Mastery +31]

Kang Hyunsoo’s test had ended successfully.

Blossom was powerful enough to erase even the strongest techniques of Japan’s greatest hunter.