In martial arts novels, the parts of the body that cannot be trained with external energy, aside from Geumgangbulgoe, are called “johmun” (罩門).
Apart from Geumgangbulgoe, there are many martial arts that can harden the body, like Cheolposam, Geumjongjo, and Sibsam Taebohwaengnyeong, but these techniques can cause one part of the body to become critically weak.
While other parts become so hard that they won’t get hurt even when stabbed with a sword, one part can become critically weak, resulting in serious injury or instant death if it is attacked at the johmun.
“Master, why did you say to target Azazel’s eyes?”
Bi Wol noticed that I had given Azazel a hint with the shape of my mouth and asked. Considering that it was of no help while she was fighting, she seemed a bit jealous, biting her lower lip.
“The most significant target on the body is the eyes. Especially since they mashed together those beasts so chaotically.”
I gently patted Bi Wol’s head while speaking, fully aware of what could happen if she got sulky. She had just declared war on Azazel a moment ago.
“That monster is a fusion of weak beasts. Hence, it hasn’t even thought to hide its weakness.”
A chimera that combines the enemies from I Got Trapped in a Game.
Fortunately, the fact that Kang Si Woo’s level is low means only weak monsters were combined.
“What do you mean by ‘hiding weaknesses’? What does that even entail?”
“Quite literally. The opponent could’ve created a halfway beast or a transparent monster hiding in shadows to attack.”
Due to his lack of creativity, he just combined monsters that looked strong, merely inflating their size.
At least, if I or Seolhwa had thought about it, we would have mixed monsters with conflicting weaknesses like ice and fire to eliminate vulnerability.
“…Then, that would be somewhat terrifying. Are all creatures from the Western Region that bizarre?”
“No, just these kids are unique in their origin.”
The original setting of I Got Trapped in a Game has a game fantasy vibe, distinct from Verdandi and Bi Wol.
When I wrote this novel with Kang Si Woo and Azazel, I tried to depict it as if it were a real game by fleshing out the monster settings one by one.
Seeing through a weakness of such a monster is no big deal. Plus, this world also mixes elements from King of Diamond Fist.
“But just because of that, it doesn’t mean the rules of the martial world don’t apply.”
I muttered softly while running my fingers along my jaw. No matter how impregnable an opponent looks, there’s surely a way to overcome it.
Bi Wol had breached Kim Hyul’s Geumgangbulgoe, and Zikhart had achieved the feat of damaging Verdandi’s armor.
The protagonist and the final boss.
Two individuals at opposite ends will seek to defeat each other no matter what methods they employ.
*
KWAAAAAAM──!
Barely able to block the chimera’s claws by gathering her tentacles, Azazel couldn’t calm her racing heart and blank mind.
How was she supposed to target the eyes? There seemed to be at least ten eyeballs fused to that mound of flesh.
Even if she hit them one by one with her fists, it was impossible to approach due to the ferocity of the opponent’s attacks.
– Azazel, didn’t your master tell you to target the eyes?
‘I know that! But… there’s just no gap to slip an attack through!’
Claws grazed Azazel’s cheek, causing blood to trickle down. Though she was using Six Harmonies Fist as Bing Yeon had instructed, she still felt vastly inadequate.
She never expected that Kang Si Woo would command the monsters, as she had trained only to fight people with Bing Yeon.
Her body’s blood spots were different, and her skeletal structure and muscle build were entirely different too. All the knowledge she’d obtained until now was utterly useless in that moment.
Then,
– If that’s the case, leave it to me. Since the opponent is also fighting with the help of others, it’s time to reciprocate.
Mordigian took control of the tentacles from Azazel. Moving independently of her, they began to react.
The tentacles rapidly sharpened into spear-like shapes and also morphed into a hammer form, moving faster and more accurately than when Azazel was in control.
– At least this is my body…!
‘Mordigian!’
Thanks to Mordigian’s sacrifice, Azazel was able to take a step forward. The distance to the chimera was narrowing. Dozens of eyes were boring into her.
Azazel bit her lower lip at the sight. Memories of her contract with the outsider Mordigian flooded back.
‘Originally, I wanted to strengthen my power to turn back time…’
After her one-sided love for Kang Si Woo faded, she thought the only way to revert that was to leverage the outsider’s power to return.
So, she holed herself up in the Northern mountains where no one came, waiting for him who never showed while building her strength.
At first, there may have been some vague hope.
Since this was where we first met, she thought he would know and come by if she waited.
But,
‘The only one who came to see me was Bing Yeon.’
GRIP! Her fists clenched tightly, filled with determination. Just the thought of her beloved master filled her with faith.
During her training in Six Harmonies Fist, she had deliberately tilted her posture, relishing Bing Yeon’s guiding hands.
She even committed the audacious act of kissing the rim of the cup her master had sipped from, and now her feelings were leaning heavily to one side.
Although they hadn’t known each other long, the warmth of someone embracing her vulnerable side felt far too tender and delightful.
“…A monster like that, I can just take it down in one hit.”
Gazing at the chimera, Azazel reignited her fighting spirit. Just earlier, she thought it would be impossible to take it down with just her fists, yet here she was, filled with renewed confidence.
WHOOSH──!
Right away, Azazel charged her fist forward, aiming directly at the enormous pupil in front of her.
Focusing on the movements of her shoulders and hips as instructed by her master Bing Yeon, she synchronized her upper and lower body.
Combining the principles of Eagle Grasp, which mimics an eagle’s gaze, with the Tiger Hug Head that emulates a tiger’s fierceness, she unleashed her fist.
“KREEEEEEEEEK!!”
The chimera screamed as Azazel’s punch smashed its eye, bursting it open. It flailed its arms wildly, attempting to attack those around it.
In response, Azazel cleverly employed Bear Stance to block the clumsy onslaught.
“UURRRHHHHHHH…!”
Even after releasing her power, she couldn’t stop herself from being pushed back. As the distance grew once more, she gritted her teeth.
She had to crush all its eyes. That was the only way to take down the chimera.
– Azazel, I’ll assist you.
Mordigian, encircling the chimera’s arms with his tentacles, using his help, Azazel could cling onto her opponent again.
‘…Mordigian!’
Using her tentacles like ropes, Azazel began to swing her fists at the eyes scattered across the chimera’s body, moving in harmonious rhythm.
“…Is that all you’re doing, just aiming for the eyes? Chimera, grab her and toss her away at once!”
From afar, Kang Si Woo shouted, aiming his smartphone. Unlike the strong, capable chimera he controlled, he lacked the power himself, so it was the best he could do.
If he accidentally killed her while trying to knock her out, he would have an out, so he was ordering the chimera to attack her.
“KRRRRRRRREEEEK…!”
The numerous eyes began to pop one after another, causing the chimera’s vision to dwindle. Now more blood and guts than a beast, it wailed mournfully while trying to capture Azazel.
With sharp claws and fangs, it lunged at her, even firing the poisoned stinger from its tail, doing everything in its power to succeed.
‘That makes all of them burst…!’
Watching the scene, Azazel found a gap. With all its eyes gone, the sightless chimera was scouring around in confusion, looking for her.
“Get ready! I’ll hit you just enough so you won’t die.”
“Chimera! Behind you! Target the person behind!”
Azazel charged towards Kang Si Woo to knock him out, but reading her movement, the chimera was commanded to block her.
KWANG─! The giant tail swung, placing itself between Azazel and Kang Si Woo. It looked like she couldn’t harm him unless she brought that monster down first.
“That’s a nuisance.”
Azazel got back into stance. This time, she had to unite her physical and mental strength perfectly without wasting any energy.
The unity of heart and will, heaven and earth.
– You have more hands than others, so even larger and stronger beings can be defeated with your fists.
Azazel closed her eyes for a moment, recalling what Bing Yeon had said. He was the first to speak positively about the tentacles that everyone else considered disgusting.
“My victory is for my master.”
She took a step forward, infusing her growing feelings of love for Bing Yeon and her intent to kill the opponent in front of her.
The unity of internal and external energy.
Azazel wrapped her solidified tentacles around her fists like knuckle dusters and recreated her external energy.
Finally, through the synchronization of her shoulders and hips, she unleashed a powerful punch aimed for the bottom of the chimera.
RUMBLEAWAAAAAAAAAN──!
A dragon’s ascent imitated by a fiery dragon fist crashed into the chimera, lifting its form ever so slightly.
The punch pierced it in midair, unable to dodge. It was the pinnacle of the Heart and Unity Fist, the fusion of heaven and earth.
“…Now, only you remain. Trash.”
After defeating the chimera, Azazel flashed a sweet smile at the shivering Kang Si Woo in the distance.
