The first to notice Kang Si Woo’s transformation were the martial artists watching the competition, powerful figures from the Five Great Clans and the Gu Pae Il Bang.
“Isn’t the Infinite Sword Technique dangerous?”
“If they don’t want their heads flying off, they better not harm the audience.”
Among them, Namgung Do Hyeon from the Namgung Clan and Dang Moon Hyuk from the Sichuan Tang Clan exchanged uneasy words as they gazed at the Bimu Jang.
For such a tense atmosphere to be unleashed in a place where the future of each clan relied on the outcome of this match was like a provocation against them.
“It looks similar to magic energy… but it feels different.”
Namgung Do Hyeon furrowed his brow and grimaced. The aura Kang Si Woo radiated appeared to resemble that used by blood sects or dark cults.
The reason Bi Wol chose not to use the Heavenly Demon Art was that martial arts from heretical sects were seen as an absolute evil universally rejected, regardless of righteous or evil paths.
“Shouldn’t we stop the match now?”
“Are you talking about the Yong Bong Gihwa that supported us from the Ice Palace? Even without a clear victor?”
Watching the disagreement unfold was unsettling. The Yong Bong Gihwa was an important martial arts tournament held only once every few years. It was also a moment to assess the growth of various clans and glimpse the future of the central plains.
“Do we have any evidence to be sure that’s magic energy?”
“No, that’s the problem. If we jump in and halt the match, a festival they prepared for years will be ruined.”
With the proof that even third-rate martial arts could reach high levels due to Bi Wol, Kim Hyul, and Verdandi’s feats, ruining this tournament would become an infamous stain in the history of the martial world.
“The elder from the North Sea Ice Palace must be considering this too. They wouldn’t do something foolish enough to take responsibility.”
Moreover, this tournament was a chance to determine who was more suited to be the successor of the Ice Palace between Bing Yeon and Bing Seolhwa.
Their distinctive white hair and blue eyes made it clear they shared the same bloodline.
It was a widely known but seldom discussed fact that the elder of the Ice Palace had chosen Bing Seolhwa as their successor; if true…
“…Bing Yeon choosing the path of the dark side is probably linked to the elder. That’s why they willingly supported this Yong Bong Gihwa.”
Things that had not matched until now began to make sense.
The reason for Bing Yeon, possessing extreme negative energy, not growing up in the Ice Palace and instead being raised by the Five Poison Sect.
The reason this Yong Bong Gihwa, which should have been hosted by the Martial Alliance, received support from the Ice Palace.
And all the reasons why such overwhelming killing intent was being unleashed during this tournament, trying to kill the opponent.
“Our best bet is to prevent any fatalities.”
“Damn, if this were just a regular martial arts tournament and not the Yong Bong Gihwa, I would’ve smacked that big-headed fool’s face into the ground already…”
Dang Moon Hyuk, known as the Poison Dragon, gritted his lower lip.
If such killing intent emerged between martial artists sitting in the audience, it would be obvious they could be killed.
“Besides, that guy over there is definitely Bing Yeon’s disciple. I’m sure he can handle such a crisis.”
“That’s true. If I faced someone like that in my youth, I would’ve done anything to win!”
Dang Moon Hyuk’s fighting spirit ignited as he looked at Kang Si Woo.
Bing Seolhwa’s Seongyeongmun had defeated all of her opponents.
That amazing achievement stemmed not from the Five Great Clans or the Gu Pae Il Bang, but from training ordinary people, which was truly remarkable.
“Damn, if I were just thirty years younger…”
It was rare for him to feel such a desire to fight. The veins in his body bulged, and he struggled to contain the itch all over.
“…This could be a grand opportunity to spread Bing Yeon’s name.”
Namgung Do Hyeon thought it could actually be a good chance.
If they could defeat a strong opponent and win the Yong Bong Gihwa, even Bing Yeon, who had lived hidden until now, would receive attention.
Being weak in this martial world was akin to a crime.
The fact that the man named Bing Yeon was simply unique and soft-hearted did not break this unchanging truth.
“…To have mercy for others in the martial world, one must possess matching martial power.”
Remembering Bing Yeon’s teachings about martial arts and chivalry, Namgung Do Hyeon focused his gaze on the duel between the two.
*
What burst from the adjusted smartphone was an unrecognizable monster.
It appeared to be a grotesque mass of flesh with several animal limbs and legs.
“Have you ever seen something like this?”
Kang Si Woo grinned as he looked at the monster.
“What on earth are you doing…”
Azazel felt chills as she gazed at the creature. As she suspected, Kang Si Woo hadn’t gathered allies upon arriving here.
What lay before her looked like body parts of monsters, akin to minions of the demon king.
“Did you just combine different monsters together? Like a Chimera?”
The creature, a blend of various monsters, bore a striking resemblance to the Chimera from legends.
“Yeah, even if I’ve only gathered my sister, I have all the monsters I’ve hunted so far.”
Kang Si Woo snapped his fingers, signaling Azazel to cut off her tentacles. The Chimera revealed its razor-like teeth.
Shwaaaaarrrk—! The sound of slicing as Azazel’s tentacles were severed echoed out, and she stepped back to find the opponent’s weakness while increasing the distance.
– Azazel, that thing looks dangerous even to me. You should surrender immediately.
“I refuse. Am I supposed to just leave this garbage and admit defeat?”
– That’s not what I mean! Isn’t it clear that that’s not even you fighting? You’re letting someone else fight in a competition to test each other’s strength and skills!
Mordigian thought that the opponent could face disqualification. Even he recognized it was an act against the rules.
“Then should I just concede…”
Azazel briefly glanced at the referee as she whispered, but nothing was done.
Even though it was someone else’s fight in the prestigious Yong Bong Gihwa.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t against the rules.”
Kang Si Woo seemed to have pierced through Azazel’s intentions as he spread his arms wide, shouting.
“This tournament is sponsored by the holy Bing Seolhwa, so my abilities fall under the category of weapons…!”
It was obvious why individual weapons or poison were allowed in this Yong Bong Gihwa. It was to permit Kang Si Woo’s command.
BAMBOOM—!
The Chimera, swinging its balloon-like muscular arms, crashed the creature into Azazel, forcing a strained noise from her.
“Guhh…!”
The difference in overwhelming strength! If she hadn’t utilized the Six Harmonies Fist, she would have been reduced to a pulp of blood and flesh.
“What happened? Where’s that bravado from before…!?”
Kang Si Woo twisted his neck back into place with his hands, hiding behind the Chimera while shouting at Azazel.
– Azazel, it seems that guy doesn’t die. It’s something you can’t even call a living being.
‘I’m aware…!’
Watching Kang Si Woo, who had become an existence that couldn’t be called alive due to the influence of Shub Niggurath, Azazel’s eyes widened.
To win this match, she needed to take down that Chimera before Kang Si Woo.
But how was she supposed to defeat it?
‘Punching or stabbing with my tentacles yields no reaction at all.’
A terrifying creature with forms of various beasts mixed. Its eyes and mouths were numerous, and limbs fused to its back created a form that would send anyone into madness just by looking at it.
Did such a creature have weaknesses? No way, could she even defeat it with just punches?
Doubts began to bloom in Azazel’s heart; she felt powerless on her own. Perhaps with the powers of the fellow outsider, Mordigian, there might be hope, but alone, she saw no solution.
The grotesque monster shocked the surrounding audience; some started yelling or protesting.
“I heard from the organizers that the monster is a beast tamed in the Western Region…!”
Cheoncheonmu was sweating profusely as he tried to calm the other spectators, whispering earnestly to the head of the Martial Alliance, trying to comprehend the situation.
“But it doesn’t seem to be in a normal state at all…! It might be best to pause the Yong Bong Gihwa for a moment!”
The wired shape of Shub Niggurath seemed like it had been stitched together directly. It was unmistakably not the form of a living being.
Martial artists began to stir, considering interrupting the Yong Bong Gihwa to stop the creature. They believed that preventing any backlash was paramount, regardless.
“An inferior game character…!”
SWWWISH—!
Kang Si Woo raised his hand to activate his command ability once more. Suddenly, tentacles sprang from the ground, wrapping around and enclosing the entire space around the Bimu Jang like plants.
It was like constructing a cage made of flesh walls.
“There won’t be anyone to interfere now, Azazel.”
“…Repulsive.”
Unless someone took down the opposing party, neither could they leave nor stop the match here.
Azazel immediately caught on to this truth and charged at Kang Si Woo, delivering an uppercut from below as her Dragon Waist technique surged upward.
Even after taking the blow, the Chimera let out only a whimper, showing no signs of damage.
‘Does this not work either…?’
For a moment, Azazel contemplated if she should borrow the power of the outsider. Even if the spectators lost their sanity, summoning Mordigian here might alter the odds.
In that moment,
– Azazel, your master outside is trying to tell you something.
Like reading her thoughts, Mordigian hinted that he had something to say.
‘…My brother?’
Hearing that advice and looking toward Bing Yeon, she saw his lips move, widening her eyes in shock.
‘Aim for the eyes.’
Bing Yeon’s message was clear; he advised her to target the Chimera’s eyes.
