The ghostly aura burst forth in five directions, embedding itself into Donmu’s head and shoulders. Given his hefty frame, it all went in without a hint of damage.
The force of the Ghost Claw, driven deep, was incredibly powerful. It ripped into Donmu’s scalp like a massive beast’s claw, creating a gaping hole, as his ear tore off while he hissed in agony.
“Screeeech!”
With Donmu bathed in blood, Serin unleashed the fundamentals of the Sword Technique of Boundless Space.
—Swish!
The sharp blade sliced through Donmu’s pig-like belly, cutting cleanly and thoroughly. It was like slicing through pork belly in a butcher’s shop. The urge to sprinkle some herb salt was overwhelming. Donmu was being prepared for a feast while still alive.
“Yooou!”
Raging, Donmu swung his arms wildly, his eyes blazing, but it was futile. Serin had merely changed her target from his belly to something else.
—Thud!
Donmu’s fingers were sliced off one by one. By this point, he screamed in horror and attempted to flee. In a panic, he kicked the ground to change direction, but I had already landed in his path.
“You! I’ll take you down too!”
“You little…!”
He tried to escape.
—Stumble!
Maybe it was from the hit to his head, but he misstepped. Besides, he had expended quite a bit of energy. Dizziness took over, making his whole body feel weak.
“Wooah!”
Donmu charged at me like a freight train.
“Master! Here!”
At that moment, Twin Blossom tossed a sword toward me. Was it an assassination attempt? Surely not. It was tossed for me to use.
—Swoosh!
With a swift motion, I leaned back and spun around, catching the hilt of the incoming sword in my hand.
“What the?”
Even in my dazed state, I could sense it. This sword was even better than the Heavenly Thunder Sword given to those who achieved merit in the Namgoong Clan.
—Whoosh!
As I gripped the good sword, my mind cleared up. Yes, what I had to do now was kill the swine merchant in front of me.
—Swish!
Donmu swung his arms.
With his hand half severed, blood gushed forth, splattering my face and blurring my vision. As he prepared to strike with his other intact fist, it was clear he intended to take me down with him before heading to the afterlife.
Voices calling my name surged into my ears. But more than that, I focused on the sword. With my eyes closed, I drew on all my internal energy and poured it into the new blade, awakening the ghostly aura.
And in that state…
“Ghostly Strike!!!”
I swung the sword with all my might!
—Slash!
The blade met the pig-like belly, and I felt the satisfying sensation of cutting through.
“What…!”
After fully drawing the sword, I wiped my eyes with my sleeve.
Before me, Donmu stood in a panicked stance.
With a massive slash marking his torso.
“I, I can’t be… I serve you, Jeopalgi…”
—Gurgle.
The cut wound widened. Eventually, his insides spilled out. The light faded from Donmu’s eyes. He lifted his uninjured arm one last time.
—Splat!
Serin sliced that arm off, and.
—Thud.
Donmu kneeled down.
I stepped aside.
Thus, Donmu finally collapsed, meeting his end.
“Did I win?”
“Geunhyeop! Are you okay?”
“Hey!”
I felt weak. The dizziness and disorientation knocked me senseless. I could barely keep my eyes open.
* * *
My vision wobbled. Everything felt like a hazy dream, drifting in a blurred and unclear space. I struggled to grasp the situation as my consciousness flickered away.
This effort didn’t yield much. No matter what, the scenery kept shifting restlessly, devoid of any coherence.
“…”
Suddenly, I spotted my Aunt’s figure.
As usual, she wore a blank expression. She didn’t particularly speak unless I was whining or needed something, and it soothed me to see her like that.
She was almost a mental anchor for me.
But lately… I had thought of myself as strong, as having grown, so much so that I scarcely recalled my Aunt. It felt like I had finally gained independence, breaking free from my parents’ protection.
So did her appearance now indicate my weakness?
I couldn’t tell. I didn’t want it to show that I had grown accustomed to bloodshed.
My Aunt continued to gaze at me. For some reason, I found it unbearable to endure her stare.
However…
Oddly, I noticed something different about her compared to usual. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but she wore an outfit reminiscent of something from the central lands.
If I were to hazard a guess… it looked similar to the attire of the Four Fairies?
Was she intending to chastise me for serving the Four Fairies? Or was this expressing my own internalized guilt?
Anyway, my Aunt pointed at me with her finger. I looked on in confusion, and it seemed like she was pointing behind me.
Turning around…
* * *
“Oh!”
When I opened my eyes, it wasn’t the familiar ceiling but rather a familiar chest I saw. I was lying against someone’s thigh.
“Ah! You’re awake!”
“Hayoung?”
“What a relief!”
Hayoung laid my head on the floor and hugged me. That brought back my memory. I had killed Donmu and then collapsed, hadn’t I?
I got hit with that massive fist and burned through all my internal energy, so it was only natural.
“Ah… my head.”
“Does it hurt a lot?!”
Her voice was trembling.
Immediately, I eased my expression.
“I think I might be fine. Hehe, looks like my beloved has been nursing me, huh? How adorable.”
I reassured Hayoung by patting her back. Sure, it hurt, but it wasn’t anything serious. Since I felt no dizziness, it seemed I hadn’t sustained critical injuries.
“What are you talking about…! I really thought you were gonna die!”
“I only fainted for a bit. But where are we?”
“In the town.”
“Did you bring me here after killing that pig merchant?”
“Yup!”
Although, this town didn’t seem to be in a normal state.
I tried to muster strength to sit up.
“Don’t get up! You have significant internal injuries!”
“Internal injuries?”
“Yeah! I struggled a lot to stabilize it!”
Now that I thought about it, there were bandages and talismans stuck all over me.
“Now that I think about it, I feel a bit better. Ah. What about my external wounds?”
“I treated all of those too. It’s a blessing that your head isn’t cracked; if it had been, there would have been nothing I could do.”
“Whoa.”
“Now that the emergency has passed, just take it easy. You never know what might happen if you move around.”
“Got it. I’ll do as you say. Sorry for causing you worry.”
“What are you saying…”
For now, I really ought to follow her lead.
“But Hayoung, what about that pork dish?”
“You just almost died, and that’s what’s on your mind?!”
“Of course.”
“I already packed it up for you. It might come in handy for your recovery.”
“Good job.”
“But don’t eat it yet.”
“I’ll eat it when I’m back to full strength. Wow, but I can’t wait. Donmu was incredibly strong.”
What would happen if I ate that powerful pork dish? My total internal energy had already increased massively; if it amplified even more, I’d be an absolute monster! But more than that, I was curious about what kind of properties it might yield. Suddenly becoming ultra-obese would be rather disappointing.
“Anyway, now that you’re awake, I’ll go gather everyone.”
“Help me sit up. I want to lean against the wall. That should be okay.”
“Okay.”
Being pampered by her like this is beyond comfortable.
Hayoung quickly fetched everyone.
“Geunhyeop! You’re back to your senses!”
“Hehe, yeah. I’m sorry for worrying you all.”
“Really, we were scared to death!”
With urgency, Serin rushed over and started fiddling with my hand, showing her concern. Having the two worry about me made my heart flutter.
And then…
“Master…!”
Twin Blossom stood before me.
Speaking of which, who is she again?
—Whoop!
Right when I was about to ask, Twin Blossom bent forward at the waist in a ninety-degree bow.
“I’m sorry for being late, but I want to thank you! Thank you so much! I thought I was done for, but you came to save me…! You are my lifesaver!”
“Oh.”
I did rush in for a save.
“Well, it’s only natural to help. But Twin Blossom? I still don’t know who you are, so could you introduce yourself?”
“Oh, how rude of me!”
Her face flushed as Twin Blossom frantically tidied up her clothes.
“I’m Mo Yongmiu from the Mo Yong Clan. You can call me Twin Blossom.”
“Mo Yong Clan!”
That’s a pretty renowned clan!
So she’s from there!
“It’s also known as the Martial Arts History, but it’s more popular here, so if I say that, you’ll probably understand…”
“Martial Arts History!”
So it was the Martial Arts History!
“That’s why everyone seemed to catch on!”
“Exactly.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
I looked back at Mo Yongmiu.
So it was from the Martial Arts History; her beauty truly stood out. Brown hair drawn back in a ponytail and her bright green eyes. Plus, she had quite the toned figure.
Earlier, she had been such a mess I hadn’t noticed, but now that she looked clean, it made sense. This was the standard for someone from the Martial Arts History.
“Yes, I’m quite surprised. I didn’t expect to see Twin Blossom in a place like this.”
“It’s been several years since our last meeting, hasn’t it? Everyone’s martial skills have progressed remarkably; I was shocked.”
Serin had indeed grown a lot.
“Anyway, Mo Yongmiu? What on earth happened here?”
“Oh, that…”
Mo Yongmiu began explaining what had transpired.
As I listened, I was awestruck. Mo Yongmiu and other martial artists had bravely stood up to protect the common folk. They hadn’t been given orders from the Martial Arts Alliance but had gathered solely out of a single-minded intention to save people.
Regrettably, they had encountered the pig merchant Donmu, and more than half had perished, but the others managed to escape.
“That’s how things went… If you hadn’t saved me, I would be…”
“It was my duty. More importantly, it’s remarkable that you fought to protect the people. I’ve truly seen a genuine hero.”
“Me… a hero?”
“Guys, I’m so glad we came. If we hadn’t, those heroes might have all died.”
At the mention of heroes, Mo Yongmiu blushed and looked embarrassed. Seems like she has quite an upright character.
“Once Geunhyeop feels better, it wouldn’t hurt to search for them.”
“Oh! Truly, the Jade Flower Sword! Thank you so much!”
“Heroes are worth saving…”
Mo Yongmiu grasped Serin’s hands and expressed her gratitude. If they were heroes, it would be better to save them. They had fled while heavily wounded; they should be easy to find soon.
“So, Geunhyeop, my lord.”
“Yes?”
“As a daughter of the Gumyung Clan, I have something to give you.”
What could it be?
Just as I tilted my head in confusion, Mo Yongmiu produced a sword.
The very famous weapon she had tossed to me earlier.
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