The era where myths and mysteries prevailed over human civilization.
Since the birth of human beings, gods and superior beings have intervened in the human world in various ways, and as a result, beings that are neither god, human, nor beast were born in the human world.
In the Korean Peninsula, they were the tiger-like and bear-like beings – the Tiger Clan and Bear Clan – which are believed to have been greatly influenced by the Heavenly God.
At first, they didn’t really know themselves and each other’s existence.
The Heavenly God felt sorry for this and intervened, and it is said that he used ‘battling’ as an excuse to gather them.
As a result, according to the voice of the Heavenly God, the Tiger Clan sparred with each other, and so did the Bear Clan.
That’s how they finally met and fully recognized each other.
“Red Tiger, did you hear the voice of the Heavenly God? After ten days, I heard that some beings the same as us would gather to spar. He recommended that I attend even if I don’t want to fight.”
“I heard, but so what?”
“Hahaha! Seeing that you remember, you must’ve planned to go to the dojo on your own.”
Red Tiger was the first one that Yellow Tiger met, and the two became quite close.
Yellow Tiger’s annoying words and Red Tiger’s rough response wouldn’t give the impression that they’re close friends though.
Still, Red Tiger came with Yellow Tiger to the dojo.
“I heard that the battles will be held between the tiger people, but it’s unfortunate. Rumor has it that there is a lot of bear-people who will have one on their own.”
“I don’t care about the bears.”
“Hahaha! What about the tigers? I heard the best of the tigers is the White Tiger of Seosan.”
Rumors about White Tiger has spread among the tiger people even before they all met.
The chatty mountain spirit and river spirit flow through mountain streams, and when they find something strange or amusing, he runs all over the earth to spread the rumors.
The tigers heard about the best tiger, White Tiger, from mountain spirit and river spirit.
Yellow Tiger and Red Tiger didn’t like this rumor very much.
They couldn’t accept that White Tiger is better at them at martial arts.
Red Tiger reacted very violently.
“At this rate, we’re going to have to fight.”
“Hahaha! I knew you’d say that.”
Yellow Tiger laughed at Red Tiger’s hostile words.
Red Tiger was displeased because Yellow Tiger was all up in his business.
“Don’t you think so too?”
“Of course. I don’t like it. Physical fights aren’t this body’s best asset, but I am not weak.”
Yellow Tiger said as he silently stared in the direction of Seosan beyond the clouds.
Yellow Tiger was better at controlling the body and energy of nature compared to using his own body.
However, Heavenly God prevented using such powers in the upcoming sparring match.
“Heavenly God instructed us to fight only with our bodies because the land’s energy isn’t stable yet.”
“If you don’t think it’s going to work, don’t fight and get lost.”
Although Red Tiger’s words were harsh, there was a hint of concern for Yellow Tiger.
Yellow Tiger spoke confidently to dispel that concern.
“It’s not my specialty, but I can overpower them.”
Yellow Tiger stared right at Red Tiger when he spoke again.
“See you in the final round, Red Tiger.”
“…Whatever.”
As expected, this promise wasn’t kept.
White Tiger and Silver Tiger completely won against Yellow Tiger and Red Tiger, and the latter two never reached the final round.
They never doubted themselves that they were the strongest until they met White Tiger and Silver Tiger.
“A lot of them came.”
“It seems that the mountain spirit and the river spirit spread the rumors even outside the Korean Peninsula. There are some people I haven’t seen before. Oh, I know who that one is. A lot of bear people came.”
Ten days later, on the summit of the highest mountain on the Korean Peninsula.
The news that Heavenly God gathered the tiger people was spread by the mountain spirit and the river spirit to the beings that were born with the energy of the land, later known as those of royal lineage.
The Bear people were one of them.
They already met and became close to each other before the tiger people did.
“Bear Clan? Didn’t they have a separate sparring battle? Why did they come here?”
Red Tiger asked half-heartedly without even sparing a glance at the Bear Clan.
“Red Tiger, don’t waste your energy on things you’re not really interested in. The bead people finished their competition yesterday.”
“None of my business anyway.”
Red Tiger ignored the bear people and tried to search for the rumored White Tiger, but they only met when the matches began.
“He’s rumored to be tall with prominent white hair, but it seems like it’s hard to find him.”
“Maybe he backed out, afraid that he’d be in last place.”
“Hahaha! That would be disappointing.”
It was right after the start of the matches that they met White Tiger.
The order of the matches was randomly selected, and the first round was between Red Tiger and White Tiger.
The hall was filled with excitement when the two faced off.
White Tiger was known as the best, but Red Tiger was also famous, and so the audience’s expectations were high.
His harsh personality and way of speaking was the main thing rumored about him, but he was also considered a strong one.
Yellow Tiger couldn’t hide his regret as he watched Red Tiger running out excitedly.
‘I wanted to battle White Tiger. What a shame.’
Soon, the white-haired young man appeared through the cool mountain air.
His straight cold gaze seemed to make the air colder.
White Tiger was holding a finely cut wooden sword with a glossy surface, and its color was similar to an eggshell white.
White Tiger standing with a pure white wooden sword was quite the picture.
‘So that’s White Tiger. Is that a wooden sword he’s holding? It seems like it’s prepared especially for this match. Did his brother make it for him?’
Ever since he was born, White Tiger has been with someone with similar hair color to him, and rumors have it that they treat each other as brothers.
It seemed obvious that the pure white wooden sword was made by his brother who was famous for his dexterity.
Light came down from the sky while everyone was anticipating the match between Red Tiger and White Tiger.
It was the signal from Heavenly God, and when White Tiger saw it, he raised his other hand that wasn’t holding the sword.
Fwaaa!
A sphere of light flickered toward White Tiger.
It was a sign that allowed White Tiger to speak.
Soon, White Tiger’s warm voice was heard.
“…My brother doesn’t want a useless fight. I suggest we break up this position.”
White Tiger’s remarks induced jeers from the audience.
The audience who anticipated the match between the tiger people raised their weapons and shouted.
White Tiger said what he had to say, not caring at all about the atmosphere in the hall.
“The Heavenly God proposed and organized this match to bring the tiger people together. Hasn’t that goal already been achieved?”
The sphere of light turned toward Red Tiger.
The god seemed to be asking about Red Tiger’s opinion.
Red Tiger, without looking at the sphere of light, shouted at White Tiger.
“If you’re scared, just admit defeat. Shout that you’re the loser and then get lost.”
Woaaah!
Red Tiger’s provocation made the audience excited.
Even those who doubted Red Tiger and thought that he’d have his tail between his legs shouted his name with excitement.
White Tiger looked at the audience side.
At the end of his gaze were a blue-haired woman and a silver-haired man.
They seem to be sending a signal to White Tiger, but he shook his head stubbornly.
“I withdraw my proposal. Prepare to fight with all your might.”
White Tiger stared at Red Tiger with burning eyes, completely different from his cold appearance.
When White Tiger pointed the white wooden sword at Red Tiger, he smiled as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Soon, the sphere of light from heaven declared the start of the battle.
Fwaaa…!
The light flashed and covered the hall once.
Hwik!
At the same time, White Tiger took a leap and a cloud of dust appeared from his feet where he kicked the ground.
Yellow Tiger and the audience raised their heads and stare at the sky to the point where their necks were bent in order to see White Tiger.
Although everyone was amazed, Yellow Tiger remained inwardly skeptical.
‘His leap skills aren’t so bad. What is he thinking? They won’t be able to move freely in the air. It’s going to be a disadvantage.”
As if thinking the same thing, Red Tiger scoffed.
He seemed to be taking his time to avoid his opponent’s movements and figure out how to counter.
‘At this rate, Red Tiger and I will reach the final round without a problem. That would be fun, but this is also quite boring…’
While having such thoughts, Yellow Tiger saw White Tiger about to lift his sword high.
The sight of a tendon appearing on White Tiger’s hand gave Yellow Tiger an ominous feeling.
Seeing the unusual movement of the sword, Yellow Tiger shouted out loud.
“Dodge, Red Tiger!”
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Red Tiger recognized Yellow Tiger’s voice.
As if he also felt that something was wrong, Red Tiger also reflexively jumped as far away as possible from White Tiger’s landing point.
Almost at the same time as Yellow Tiger’s words, an explosion broke over the area.
The pressure from White Tiger’s sword touched the ground and caused a heavy explosion.
Kwaaaa!
The sound of the ground cracking and bursting resonated.
The aftermath of White Tiger’s blow destroyed the ground.
‘How did he generate that much power with a wooden sword…!?’
While everyone was shocked, White Tiger safely landed.
He looked impossibly stable as if he wasn’t so high up in the air just now.
The ground where he landed was unscathed as well.
Seeing this, Yellow Tiger noticed his intention.
‘It’s a trap…!’
The explosion, which seemed to be an uncontrolled move at first glance, was a deliberate move to lead Red Tiger to a predetermined point.
Just as Yellow Tiger expected, White Tiger didn’t even look at where Red Tiger was.
As if it were all planned, he raised his hand and rushed to where Red Tiger stood.
A big skill that can knock out an opponent in one strike usually needs preparation time.
White Tiger shortened the time needed by driving his opponent to the position he wanted.
White Tiger adjusted his posture to launch the big skill, and in an instant, he kicked the floor again and flew.
Fwaaa!
White Tiger’s sword tore the air and drove toward Red Tiger.
White Tiger knew exactly where Red Tiger was on the ruined ground, and he swung his sword without any further thought.
On the other hand, Red Tiger’s posture was still unbalanced, but he managed to change the trajectory of the wooden sword and avoid the strike, but his sloppy posture gradually made him collapse.
The defeat of the Red Tiger was already clear.
The relentless pure white sword was about to hit Red Tiger’s neck when…
Fwaaa!
A light from heaven headed toward White Tiger.
White Tiger smirked and stopped his hand right away, knowing that the Heavenly God would restrain him.
Fwaaa…!
Soon the light reached the white-haired young man with the white wooden sword.
The Heavenly God declared White Tiger’s victory
