Chapter: 709
At a time when Dang So-yeol could still count her own deaths.
The Dark King spoke to Dang So-yeol, drenched in cold sweat.
“Do you know what you fear the most?”
The lord of the night.
The king of assassins.
At the question posed by the man closest to death, Dang So-yeol lifted her head.
What is it that she fears the most?
“… Is it death?”
Death.
The end of life.
She had said that hoping it might be the answer, but the Dark King maintained his characteristic expressionless demeanor and said,
“Wrong.”
The punishment for a wrong answer was severe.
Crunch-!
The Dark King’s dagger severed Dang So-yeol’s head.
Thud-!
The moment her fallen neck hit the ground…
“Gasp…!”
She awoke once more as if everything had been an illusion.
“Gasp… Hah! Huuugh…!”
The Dark King, watching Dang So-yeol sobbing in fear, said,
“It’s still not enough.”
“Sleep…!”
From that moment, she died another hundred times.
Afterward, Dang So-yeol’s expression vanished.
She no longer sobbed in fear.
But.
“I will ask again. What do you think you are most afraid of?”
The answer remained elusive.
If she claimed not to fear death, then death was not the answer.
So what on earth could it be?
Even then, Dang So-yeol couldn’t respond.
“Not yet.”
The Dark King nodded.
Crunch-.
Death repeated itself again.
How many more times had she died?
Now it was impossible to count.
She felt like she had counted up to five hundred, but stopped after that.
It was just a continued cycle of questions and answers.
“Do you know?”
She answered that she didn’t know.
She faced death again.
“Do you know?”
She felt like she had a vague idea.
But because it wasn’t perfect, it continued to lead to death.
“Do you know?”
She may not have known the answer, but she learned many other things.
Where to stab a person to die instantly?
On the other hand, where should she stab to just feel pain without dying?
She hadn’t studied.
She learned it all through countless repetitions.
One thing, she still couldn’t answer the Dark King’s question.
The number of times was untold.
When she became dull to death, it became unremarkable.
“That’s too bad.”
The Dark King spoke to Dang So-yeol in the same voice he had always used.
“It’s slower than expected.”
“…”
Did that mean her answers were slow?
With wide eyes, Dang So-yeol looked at the Dark King.
Though his face was blank, she strangely sensed disappointment within.
“Are you going to give up?”
“… No… No… I can… do it…”
The Dark King often urged Dang So-yeol to surrender.
Each time, she responded that she could manage it. She couldn’t afford to give up on this either.
This opportunity was all that remained.
If she lost even that, it would be better to truly die.
“Hm.”
After hearing Dang So-yeol’s response, the Dark King seemed to contemplate for a moment.
“Very well.”
He nodded lightly and said,
“From now on, exactly ten times. If you don’t find the answer in that time…”
The Dark King’s dagger thrust into Dang So-yeol’s heart.
Now, pain was no longer a concern, and Dang So-yeol slowly began to slip out of consciousness again.
“I will kill Guyangcheon, whom you treasure so much.”
“…!”
Amidst this, the whisper that slipped into her ear jolted Dang So-yeol back to reality.
Gurgle…
Blood flowed.
She blinked, finding herself amidst death.
“What… did you just say…?”
“It would be best if you find the answer. There aren’t many chances left.”
Even with Dang So-yeol’s words, the Dark King showed no signs of listening.
Thus began the descent into hell.
“Do you know?”
She’d already tried every conceivable answer.
What else could possibly remain?
In this situation, there wasn’t much Dang So-yeol could do.
“Your Majesty the Old One is unrelated…! Why!?”
“That’s not the answer.”
With a dagger lodged in her head, she perished.
“Please… please…! Just don’t touch him. I… I’ll find an answer somehow… Or I’ll do anything. Please…!”
She tried to persuade him and even clung to his leg, begging.
Each time, his answer remained the same.
“I’ll kill him…! If you touch that person, I’ll kill you!”
She even charged toward the Dark King, desperately swinging her dagger.
As expected, the outcome was no different.
“I said I’m right—! I’m s-sure I’m afraid of this—!!”
Nothing worked. She had exhausted eight of her opportunities.
And so, the ninth.
“… Huh… Huh…”
She struggled to recall an answer. It was neither death nor despair.
It was neither poverty nor sacrifice.
Then what in the world could it be? Anxiety began to take hold.
She didn’t mind dying dozens or hundreds of times.
But he must not be involved. He could not be affected by this.
Crack!
Blood dripped from Dang So-yeol’s clenched fist.
She held on so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh.
‘Please, please, please…!’
She felt no pain.
With bloodshot eyes, Dang So-yeol gazed at the Dark King.
She had to find an answer.
What was the answer? What would satisfy the Dark King?
What exactly is it that she feared the most?
She repeatedly questioned herself.
In the meantime, the Dark King gradually moved closer to Dang So-yeol.
He sank to one knee.
Then he locked eyes with her.
“Do you know?”
A question she had probably heard a thousand times.
Also, the same inquiry yet again.
Dang So-yeol’s pupils trembled violently.
Once more, she found herself unable to answer.
No matter what answer she gave, it felt distant from him.
“Indeed, it appears you don’t know.”
This time, the Dark King slowly began to move the dagger.
As the dagger extended toward her, Dang So-yeol thought.
What is it that she fears now?
Neither death nor pain.
Is it losing Guyangcheon? Yes, indeed.
She was terrified.
If so, does it mean she’s afraid of losing something precious?
If it’s not that…
What if I fear being unable to do anything while losing him?
While he was fading, the thought of being powerless to help weighed heavily on her.
While she was losing him, the terrifying prospect of being unable to act filled her.
Isn’t that what’s truly frightening?
At that moment, the realization hit her.
Boom!
The Dark King’s dagger, poised to sever Dang So-yeol’s neck, abruptly halted.
“I’ll ask again.”
A voice rang out.
Dang So-yeol, shaking uncontrollably, stared at him.
“Do you know?”
“…”
The identical voice echoed, the same question.
The fear of loss. Crushed by that, without even realizing it, Dang So-yeol blurted out,
“Helplessness…”
The helplessness of being unable to do anything.
As she spoke, tears streamed from the one eye that had yet to turn green.
Yes, what she feared was helplessness.
Neither death nor pain, merely a pitiful feeling stacked within.
That was it.
“Hm.”
After hearing this, the Dark King withdrew the dagger he had been holding.
“Is that your fear?”
At the king’s words, Dang So-yeol widened her eyes.
“Is this… is this the correct answer?”
She found herself in a perplexing situation.
If it was indeed helplessness, she had already uttered that word thousands of times while dying.
Surely, she must have repeated it countless times.
She’d likely tried to convey a similar meaning and even had spoken it plainly.
Yet, at that earlier time, the Dark King ended her life, claiming it wasn’t the answer.
Why, then, was he retreating now?
In response to Dang So-yeol’s inquiry, the Dark King replied:
“There’s a difference between uttering something without understanding and truly comprehending it.”
What we recognize versus what we don’t.
What on earth was the difference?
At that moment, Dang So-yeol didn’t comprehend.
By the time she grasped what the Dark King meant, her eyes had finally turned green.
Only then did the Dark King permit her a reprieve.
“What… What is that?”
“What’s going on?”
The audience buzzed with excitement at what was unfolding on the stage.
After a few seconds since the Tang Clan’s Poison Spear and Grenade Sword had initiated their duel, everyone was taken aback by the black curtain that suddenly filled the air.
What could that be? A martial technique?
With no clear identity, even the judges outside the stage grappled with whether they should intervene or not.
At that moment.
Saaaaa-!!
The black veil, which had persisted for about a minute, suddenly vanished.
The two individuals inside were revealed once more.
“Her.”
“Hm?”
Those who confirmed the scene reacted in shock.
The two remained steadfast on the stage.
Surprisingly, neither bore a single scratch. Had they not fought at all?
As those doubts arose, the audience witnessed…
“Ugh, ugh!”
Suddenly, the Grenade Sword dropped to his knees, blood trickling down.
“What the—!?”
“The Grenade Sword is down?”
“What on earth…?”
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
It was an unforeseen turn of events. They had all anticipated that the Poison Spear would be defeated, yet it appeared that the Poison Spear merely stared calmly at the Grenade Sword.
“Cough… Gulp… Gulp!”
The Grenade Sword continued to cough, blood pouring from his mouth.
Despite showing no exterior wounds, he grimaced in agony as if something painfully torturous afflicted him.
To that, Dang So-yeol spoke.
“Only four times.”
“…!”
Dang So-yeol’s words terrified the Grenade Sword.
“You could barely endure four times at best.”
“Yes… you!”
“Quit feigning. You begged me while clinging to me, so I felt sorry and let you go.”
“What kind of sorcery did you employ!? ”
“Who knows.”
Dang So-yeol smirked at Grenade Sword’s desperate cry.
Seeing that smile, Grenade Sword froze in shock.
What had just transpired?
When he tried to think back, his body trembled uncontrollably.
It had happened just moments ago, yet somehow, the memory felt oddly hazy.
All he retained was a dull, lingering fear.
In that condition.
“Get a grip. Senior.”
Dang So-yeol addressed him.
“It wouldn’t be fun if it ended right there. I couldn’t show you, so I let you peek. Get a little tense now.”
Her smile may have been beautiful, but the Grenade Sword no longer found her attractive.
Anxiety overtook him. A sense of fear began to envelop him more than concern.
“… This freak… this b*tch.”
The insult slipped from his lips unwittingly. Yet it seemed Tang So-yeol wasn’t fazed.
“Thanks for the compliment. So, are you done here?”
Grind-!
With the subtle taunt in her voice, the Grenade Sword wrapped his energy around his sword.
An ambiguous fear assaulted his mind for a moment, but still, the Grenade Sword was determined not to yield.
He struggled to regain his composure and spoke to her.
“I don’t know what trickery you pulled, but if it didn’t work, it’s over for you.”
If it truly had worked, he should have met his end right then and there.
Since he hadn’t, then that girl had no hope left.
Convinced of this, the Grenade Sword expelled a powerful surge of energy.
Whoosh!
A vibrant and refreshing energy coursed into his sword.
Then, with a swift arc, he aimed the Grenade Sword at Dang So-yeol.
Bwaaa—!!!
The Elasticity of the Shooting Star.
A beautiful sword technique crafted from pure sword energy darted toward Dang So-yeol.
This technique granted the Grenade Sword his nickname.
Contrary to its beautiful appearance, reminiscent of a flying crescent moon, the destructive force within was on an entirely different tier.
Crashhh-!
The lethal force swept across the duel stage.
Upon seeing this, Dang So-yeol nodded.
It was a gesture that evoked someone else’s memory.
And then.
Whoosh-!
“…!”
Before the incoming lethal blow could make contact, Dang So-yeol’s figure vanished from Grenade Sword’s view.
‘What…?’
In this wide-open space, where on earth could she have disappeared to? Desperately, the Grenade Sword sought to locate her presence.
“Truly.”
Dang So-yeol’s graceful voice rang out close by.
No, it was even lower than close.
It was directed toward her lower half.
Immediately, the Grenade Sword looked down and attempted to move his sword again, but—
“The next opponent needs to fight too. How can this stage last with a mess like this?”
Before he could act, Dang So-yeol stepped in first.
She unleashed her words and swung her arm, striking the Grenade Sword’s side with her fist.
BAM-!
“Oof!?”
Even with self-defense techniques wrapped around him, the deep strike hit at his waist.
BANG-!
The impact failed to be fully absorbed and exploded out, whipping the Grenade Sword’s body off the ground.
Crashhh-!
With a thunderous sound, the Grenade Sword tumbled to the floor.
Thump! Thump!
His posture collapsed.
Forgetting the pain, the Grenade Sword struggled to regain his stance.
Before his eyes, a small foot rapidly approached.
Bap-!
The impact sent the Grenade Sword’s head shooting up.
“Cough!”
His teeth shattered alongside his protective gear.
The power exhibited was overly intense for such a delicate frame.
His vision swirled.
Beyond that, he saw the movements of Dang So-yeol.
Thump thump thump-! Thump thump-!
Her small fists rained down on the Grenade Sword’s body.
Quick and fluid movements. Each blow was infused with energy, creating tumultuous sound after tumultuous sound.
If the Grenade Sword tried to escape by moving his legs, she swatted his thigh to hinder him.
If he attempted to swing his sword, she struck his shoulder to cancel his motion.
She wasn’t just anticipating where he could strike; she was normally responding faster than he could make a move.
Yet how was this even possible?
‘This… this is… what in the world….’
As realization dawned, the Grenade Sword’s world started crumbling around him.
The reasoning was simple.
It was simply that Dang So-yeol was faster than the Grenade Sword.
Significantly so.
There was no need for prediction or planning — just swift reactions to every situation.
Because of this, the Grenade Sword was forced to endure blows as if he were merely a scarecrow.
Thump thump thump-! Thump thump-!
What was most terrifying, however, was how Dang So-yeol was controlling the strength behind each hit.
“Ugh!”
She was keeping him from breaking easily.
Just the right amount of force to avoid knocking him out.
For onlookers, it appeared as if she was toying with him.
Yutanggeom, the greatest swordsman in the Central Plains. Here he was, toyed with by Dokbong, a mere second-rate swordsman.
No one in the audience could respond to such a sight.
“… T-the Poison Spear… how…?”
“I can’t believe it… What on earth is happening?”
What they witnessed was akin to a dream.
And if this was a dream, it would undoubtedly be a nightmare.
Time drifted on like this.
The ceaseless cries of the Grenade Sword and the sounds of pounding stopped.
Silence filled the arena.
On stage, a nearly bloodied Yutanggeom endured, with Dang So-yeol clutching his hair.
“Guh… Huhhh….”
Drip. Drip. Blood flowed from the Grenade Sword, soaking the stage floor.
Watching it unfold, Dang So-yeol finally released the grip on his hair.
Thud-! Thump-!
The Grenade Sword that had been clinging on fell hard to the ground.
And then Dang So-yeol’s foot pressed down against his face.
“… You’re covered in blood. How disgusting.”
Blood stained the back of her hand. Dang So-yeol casually took a cloth from her bosom and wiped it clean.
“Gasp… cough… Phew….”
The Grenade Sword groaned beneath her.
After confirming that, Dang So-yeol let out a small chuckle.
“Now it finally suits you.”
The sight of him crawling on the floor strangely fit him well.
She had never found the Grenade Sword appealing, but now it was somehow more tolerable to look at.
He was panting heavily, utterly exhausted.
Dang So-yeol removed her foot from the Grenade Sword and lowered her stance.
Crouching down, she closed the distance and whispered into his ear,
“From now on… Live accordingly to your rank. Don’t reach for things that don’t fit you. Understood?”
As she spoke, her white fingertips delicately brushed his face.
At that touch, Yutanggeom’s body quivered as if caught in a spasm.
“…”
“…”
It was clear the duel had concluded.
However, no cheers echoed through the arena.
All that could be heard was the Grenade Sword’s soft breathing.
As Dang So-yeol stepped away, the referee finally reacted, flinching in surprise.
“Uh… uh…”
In light of that moment, Dang So-yeol didn’t even wait for the announcement of results.
Now she had another destination to reach.
A young man looked over from the entrance.
Turning to him, she waved her hands enthusiastically.
“Prince! I won!! Praise me! Hehehe!”
Despite the brutal display she had just put on, her smile was pure and radiant.
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