‘That strange human…! How dare they, how dare they!’
The Lightning Demon Fox, with its jaw blown off, sprinted down the mountain path, fleeing and fleeing. None of those three were its match. However, one of them had foolishly used grotesque sorcery and launched an attack, leading to its downfall.
This fact greatly wounded the pride of the Lightning Demon Fox.
How could a fox serving the great Gumiho be defeated by mere martial artists? It couldn’t accept it.
Physical wounds could heal, but recovering from a psychological scar was a very difficult task. This concept is incredibly important for demons.
‘I remembered the scent! I will surely kill them!’
The Lightning Demon Fox, brooding in hatred, returned to where it belonged.
The space created by the master it revered above all else.
“Master!”
“Mm?”
From a distance, a tall blonde woman with nine shimmering tails appeared amidst a sacred smoke. Her height was such that a shrunk-down fox couldn’t look up at her without bowing its head.
“Why are you so hurt…?”
As her pristine hand caressed its chin, the missing jaw regained its form.
“Master!!!”
The Lightning Demon Fox cried out in despair.
—
* * *
They returned with loot and information.
The Transport Agency rejoiced and danced at the news that the Bijonachal had been wiped out.
“Really?! They killed all the Bijonachal… Ah! The hands!”
“I’ll give them as souvenirs.”
“Thank you!”
They received the severed hands of the Bijonachal, and their joy was immense.
“Hehehe, I wiped them all out. I’m just sorry I couldn’t let them hear the screams of those fools.”
“No! Just having you subdue them is more than enough!”
In truth, it was the fox that had done it, but who cared?
It was us who defeated that fox.
In essence, it was as if we had done it all. Whatever the case may be, this would become our fame. The Transport Agency wasn’t the only one hit by the Bijonachal; soon everyone would know our name.
“Now then, shall we eat the Yodan?”
The Yodan of the Bijonachal.
Finally, the time had come to consume it. Naturally, Yodan should be ingested in a very safe place. It had been tough holding off until they returned to the main base.
“But I really have no idea what effects might appear. Could it be that I suddenly grow wings and fly…? That wouldn’t happen.”
“Then you’d be a full demon.”
That’s really scary.
“Hey. Don’t say such scary things. But what if wings really do sprout? I’d be so scared.”
Then you’d genuinely become a demon. However, it doesn’t seem likely that would happen. If it did, I would already be a chimera demon-human.
“If that happens, I’ll quietly perform surgery on you.”
“Ugh!”
“And I’ll stitch you up quickly.”
“I’m trembling because you’re so reliable…!”
Anyway, let’s try this Yodan.
*Snatch!*
Now there’s no tension at all. The moment I consumed the Yodan, I felt my energy transform into inner strength and accumulate in my lower dantian.
The sensation I felt… oh.
Am I flying in the sky?
I had become a bird, soaring through the heavens. Then I spotted prey on the ground below, dove down, extended my talons to snuff out its life, and soared back up again.
A hawk’s dream, perhaps.
“What was it like? What did you feel?”
When I opened my eyes, I saw Serin’s face.
“Hmm… I felt like I became a bit of a bird.”
“Fortunately, it seems no wings have sprouted.”
“Could it be that I can fly?”
I immediately jumped and flapped my arms.
“Phoenix Ascension!”
“Geunhyeop?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Do the MZ generation not even know Jeongyeolman nowadays?
Not being able to fly, I landed straight away.
“I can’t fly, but wait, what’s up with my vision!”
My eyes!
My vision has improved!
Everything around me looks sharper than usual!
“Ah! They say raptors have great eyesight!”
“What? So my eyesight has improved?”
“It seems like that!”
I rushed outside and climbed onto the roof to take in the view.
“Wow…!”
My vision truly had improved.
I could clearly see people passing by from afar. Just how many times better has it gotten? With this level of eyesight, it’s incredible.
“Could it be that my dynamic vision has improved too? Serin! Let’s spar!”
“Hehe, it’s fun how every time you eat Yodan, something new comes up. Okay, I’ll test your dynamic vision.”
Holding a bamboo sword, Serin took her stance and swung it toward me. It was quite fast. Yet, I could see her movements. My dynamic vision had improved too.
And that’s not all!
*Swish!*
I instinctively thrust my bare hand out.
I didn’t unleash a punch or kick; rather, it was like extending a raptor’s claws. Yes, I extended my claws.
The sharp talons collided with the bamboo sword at that moment.
*Boom!*
The bamboo sword shattered.
“Ah!”
“Wow!”
Serin and Hayoung both gasped in astonishment.
“Could it be that I used the claw technique of the Bijonachal…?”
“It seems likely! Wow!”
My vision, dynamic vision, and understanding of claw techniques had all improved. The characteristics once possessed by the Bijonachal were now seeping into me.
“Haaap!”
In my excitement, I fired off claw strikes and reveled in the speed. Quick and sharp! It seemed more powerful than throwing a punch.
Then,
“Wait! Stay back! I’m going to try a new technique while I can!”
“What? You’re trying to use a claw technique like that fox did?”
“Exactly!”
I can’t hold back on this!
*Hooom.*
I concentrated and raised my energy, envisioning a menacing aura wrapping around my fingers, just like the Bijonachal had done, and like that fox had done.
*Whoosh!*
Soon, the aura of ghostly flames began swirling around my hand. Just like the time that fox had conjured thunder in its grasp, I was doing the same.
In that state.
“Spirit Strike!!!”
I slashed through the air.
*Shwaaaak!*
The fierce ghostly flames split into five streams and flew about a yard before dissipating.
Done.
I tore through!
“Waaaah! I did it!”
I successfully executed my new technique, Spirit Strike!
“That’s amazing, Geunhyeop! It was just like the claw techniques used by that fox!”
“Did you really use your energy like that? How long has it been since you’ve come up with such skills…!”
The two girls shouted in disbelief.
This is all my talent.
“Kuahahaha! This is my talent! Again! Spirit Strike!”
*Shwaaaak!*
It truly is a technique that slashes across a wide area. The distance the ghostly flame travels is extremely shorter than the Spirit Strike. But the speed was faster, and its area and destructiveness were even greater.
I feel like I could wipe out a lesser demon horde with this one move!
“See? I could wipe out any pesky demons with this!”
“That’s fantastic, Geunhyeop. But… if that’s the case, shouldn’t you just use Spirit Strike instead?”
“Huh?”
What did she say?
Wait a minute.
“Huh?”
Hold on.
Spirit Strike is a technique that slashes wide.
But this is performed with my bare hands.
In contrast, Spirit Strike?
That slashes wide too.
With a sword.
“…”
Thinking it over coldly, the destructive power, versatility, and stability all seem to favor Spirit Strike.
*Cough, cough, cough! Wait, what gives? Look! Techniques cannot just be created on the fly like that! It requires real insight! It’s kind of cool, but it can’t be better than Spirit Strike!”
Hayoung laughed, covering her mouth with one hand and pointing at me.
“Noooo! This can’t be happening!”
Despairing, I sank to my knees.
Spirit Strike… so cool!
But weaker than Spirit Strike!
Thinking about it, even Inuyasha hardly uses the claw technique. He would rather use Wind Scar anyway.
“Geunhyeop, don’t be too disappointed. There’s always the possibility of an emergency. Like, maybe if you ever lose your sword, Spirit Strike will be a valuable lifeline.”
Serin gently patted my back and reassured me.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And using it without drawing a sword, like a surprise attack…”
“Oh!”
Thinking like that, various applications began to emerge.
There’s no such thing as a useless technique in this world. Since it can be used without a sword, Spirit Strike definitely has value. A surprise attack? That’s handy, and it could also be used when I’m too close to draw a weapon.
“That’s right! In martial arts, there are instances where people keep a dagger close and draw it when in close quarters! I can use Spirit Strike then!”
You could think of it as a secondary weapon.
“Exactly! Plus, people usually grab swords with both hands, but if I’m holding it with just my right, I can use Spirit Strike with my left! That’s a viable option.”
Absolutely!
Being a blade mage has its perks.
Anyway, I’ve created a new useful technique. If I take my time and carefully improve it, I’ll be able to use it in real combat.
“So, Serin, is it okay if I look at the Martial Art Book?”
“No, Geunhyeop! Why is such a righteous martial artist coveting the Martial Art Book?”
*Whack!*
“Ugh!”
Serin’s bamboo sword struck my back!
“Didn’t I tell you there’s nothing good that comes from it! Don’t you listen, Geunhyeop?”
“No! Serin! Just once! I have no interest in mastering it or the techniques! I just want to glance at the basics and shapes!”
Even though it’s the Martial Art Book, it’s still fundamentally a martial arts manual. It will definitely contain information about how to unleash claws effectively and lethally.
“That’s the same for any other claw technique manual! Wi Hayoung! I think we need to restrain him!”
*Sigh,* it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a righteous martial artist with this much luck craving a Martial Art Book. With the way he talks, it’s clear he won’t stop. Education is necessary today. Let’s head inside.”
*Swish!*
Hayoung conjured chains to bind my arms!
“Ugh!”
“Now, let’s go in, Geunhyeop. I’ll expel all your bad intentions.”
“Just the shapes! Please just let me check the shapes!”
“I should go fetch a claw technique manual… But usually, claw technique practitioners tend to reside in the dark side, so I’m not sure if I can get one.”
I want to see it!
Really!
If I see it, I think my Spirit Strike will become stronger!
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