Wi Hayoung buried his face in his chest while patting the back of the man who was sobbing.
‘So weak. Really.’
Crying like a baby just because he killed some bandits.
He even kept his cool when executing them one by one, ignoring their pleas for mercy, cold and merciless.
And now, right after the job was done, here he is.
Perhaps it feels like a terrible deed that he believes should never be done, but he had to do it, so he succumbed to madness.
Judging by his recent decision-making, he seems to have some madness in him. Yet deep down, he’s soft and weak. That’s probably why he can get along with the Jade Flower Sword so well.
At first, it was just to tease it, but after spending time together, Wi Hayoung got a clearer picture of this man.
‘He has a Yodan constitution.’
To amass such pure energy in Yodan and be able to handle it, yet he’s this weak.
‘That ability is… truly remarkable.’
Those who don’t know might just think it’s fascinating, but Wi Hayoung knows.
—Creeeak.
His hand brushing through the hair tightens.
Memories of childhood flood back.
There were two sorcerers obsessed with Yodan research. They were Wi Hayoung’s parents, and she watched closely as they fell into ruin, their madness consuming them. Right before her eyes.
‘But now he’s rubbing his face against my chest and grabbing my butt with both hands? Hilarious. This pervy guy… But then again, since he’s crying, should I let it slide… No, but why does he keep pulling me side to side? Can you stop that, please? It’s enough. I need to push him away now.’
* * *
Hayoung giggled, but I couldn’t respond at all. Hayoung’s “embrace” had such a destructive power.
Even now, the image of that pale skin and her overflowing femininity lingers in front of me. And let’s not forget the three talismans stuck on her. That signature sweet scent, too.
Oh, this is bad.
Will I ever be able to look Hayoung in the eye properly again?
“Hehe, why are you so red? Are you that embarrassed?”
“I’m not embarrassed; we’re friends!”
“Ah, you’ve completely fallen for me, haven’t you?”
“Found out…!”
“Haha! You’ve been discovered! Consider it an honor to have seen this sorceress’s naked body!”
An honor, indeed.
But her hugging me like that… even if we’re friends, we are still a man and a woman. Is that how close friends think of each other in this world? Or is it Hayoung’s feelings that enable her to treat me like this?
“Uh, but I wasn’t completely naked, was I? The talismans were still on. Three of them.”
“Ugh, what kind of perverted talk is that?”
“Without the talismans would be fully naked…”
“Come on, do you think I’d remove a talisman from a man I haven’t even married yet? I won’t take them off, no matter how much you ask!”
I didn’t even say that…!
“So don’t think about practicing the ‘Bongjung’ arts with me for no reason!”
“What’s ‘Bongjung’ again? I think I’ve heard of it.”
What was it again?
I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere, but I can’t remember exactly. It sounds like some kind of spell, given the name.
“Who asked you to say something like that!”
—Thwack!
Suddenly, Hayoung slapped my back with her palm and walked ahead.
“Hey!”
What did I even do!
“Come along!”
“Hmph! Follow me if you want!”
“Hey, what’s up with that! I can’t do anything without you!”
I have to move together with Hayoung no matter what.
So I sulkily followed Hayoung. But wait, if she can’t remove the talismans, does that mean she can do more if they are still there? So I can ask again later…!
“Hehe, just some dumb thoughts.”
Walking alongside Hayoung, I slowly come back to my senses.
Today,
I carried out a tremendous massacre.
I became the most brutal I’ve ever been since arriving in the Martial World.
But for Hayoung, it seems this was just a special occasion. She’s that accustomed to this Martial World.
A world that isn’t safe, overflowing with enemies.
Not a world that seeks peace but one that thrives on evil.
While spending time with Serin and Hayoung, I had comfortably forgotten about the harshness of the Martial World. However, today, I realized it very vividly. More so than when I killed Yeon Mipyeong from the Assassin’s Room.
To save a friend, one must be ready to commit such a horrifying large-scale massacre with ease.
“By the way, I saw it.”
“What?”
“The purple aura.”
Ah.
That’s right.
“I saw it on your sword when you fought that chief. And at the end, that aura exploded all at once, and an odd power burst out, splitting him apart.”
“…”
Spirit Strike.
At that moment, I felt an extreme aura and thought of that name as I unleashed it upon him.
“It was a truly powerful force. Was it always like that?”
I shook my head.
“No. I’ve seen the purple aura a few times, but I exploded like that for the first time. I never thought I had that power.”
“Then it’s likely you either leveled up this time or gained some sudden enlightenment. Can you attempt it again?”
“I’ll try.”
Though my energy is almost depleted, I can still attempt it.
—Swoosh.
I grasp the Heavenly Thunder Sword and focus on the Cold Mind Technique, introspecting the remaining energy within me. Amazingly, about 90% of my energy is spent. I barely have anything left.
“Wow.”
With what broke the chief, I have consumed all my energy at once. I’ve never experienced using my energy like this.
It feels like I’ve accomplished something I haven’t before; could this be what they call leveling up?
—Whoosh.
I draw upon the remaining energy, spreading it throughout my entire body. Pushing my focus to manipulate the energy, as soon as I strike with the sword…
—Splash!
A faint purple aura erupted from the blade, only to vanish instantly!
“Wow! It worked! Hayoung, did you see? I did it!”
Even after the extreme situation, I succeeded!
“Ahhhhh!”
Great joy engulfed me completely.
At this point, I feel I can do it any time.
“This is what leveling up feels like!”
I was convinced.
With today’s defeat of the bandit chief, I achieved my level up. Filled with joy, I began dancing a robotic dance while shouting.
“Wait, what’s up with that strange dance…?”
A bewildered Hayoung looked at me, her mouth agape.
“It’s called the Robo Dance! Anyway, I finally succeeded! I feel like I can use it anytime now!”
“Yay! Congratulations on your leveling up! Great job, great job.”
Hayoung patted my head and continued speaking.
“But, just now I noticed something. That purple aura…”
“Hmm?”
“It definitely felt a bit like Yodan.”
“What? Similar to Yodan?”
Really?
“No, but my energy feels pure, doesn’t it? So pure that Yodan doesn’t register at all?”
To be fair, when I used Spirit Strike, I felt that extreme aura. I thought it might be just an illusion, but does my recent burst of energy feel like Yodan?
“Yeah. It was indeed that way. I’m sure of it since I witnessed it firsthand. However, strangely, when you unleashed that purple aura, it felt like Yodan.”
“That means…”
“Let’s set a hypothesis. Your Danjeon energy is pure in normal circumstances… but surprisingly!”
Hayoung’s eyes lit up.
“It seems like when this comes out through your body, it transforms into Yodan!”
“What do you mean by this?!”
My energy transforming into Yodan as it leaves my body?!
“This is truly astonishing! It might be a trait of your body rather than just your energy!”
A trait of the body.
“This is helpful! Once this is all over, let’s research it again! We’ll surely make progress this time!”
“Right. Let’s do that.”
Hayoung, filled with enthusiasm, laughed joyfully, but I remained confused. What is happening to my body that such harmony occurs?
“Those bandits were trash, but they had some use.”
“Oh.”
The moment Hayoung mentioned the bandits, the memory of the corpse pile and our finish came back to me.
…Not a pleasant feeling.
“By the way, Hayoung.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“We need to gather the spoils from those bandits.”
“What? Hey, what gives! You were feeling all gloomy a moment ago!”
What’s wrong with that?
“I avoided touching the corpses for you since I thought it might be tough on you, and now you want to bring up the spoils?!”
“Oh, I see.”
So that’s how it was.
“So you were being considerate and avoided it for me. Thank you, Hayoung.”
“Hmph! You foolish boy! What are you doing! Go gather the spoils!”
“I’ll get right on it!”
As I ran, Hayoung followed me.
The dead bodies were disgusting, but I rummaged through them, collecting whatever I could. Naturally, worthless ones didn’t even catch my eye, and the chief had the most.
“There’s some silver here, but nothing that looks particularly valuable.”
The kids’ clothes were all ragged, so there was nothing to keep.
The same was true for the chief.
The weapons looked like cheap scrap metal. The chief’s axe also seemed useless after our fight.
So I gathered only what was appropriate.
“Let’s go! Since you leveled up this time, eating some Yodan from Hadong might lead to some big changes!”
“Hehehe, that’s something to look forward to.”
After looting, we immediately left the place.
Finally, I asked Hayoung something I was curious about.
“By the way, Hayoung.”
“What?”
“Why do you only wear talismans and not any proper clothing?”
“What kind of pervert question is that?!”
—Thwack!
Hayoung’s low kick struck my calf!
“Ow!”
How am I the pervert when she’s the one exposing half her chest!?
* * *
Eventually, I arrived in my hometown, Anhui City.
After seeing nothing but mountains and fields for so long, arriving in this county with the smell of people felt so good. My close friend Jaemi Son and Mr. Song are here. It’s truly a beautiful place.
“Hehehe, so we’re back here? Then Hayoung, let’s rest for a day before going to catch Hadong. Should we find some accommodations first?”
“Sure! Let’s do that.”
I immediately checked into a place with Hayoung, and as expected of her, being a notable sorceress, she led me to a pretty nice building. It was way better than the inns I usually stay in.
Naturally, the lodging fees were higher, but Hayoung paid for everything without hesitation.
“Are we sharing one room?”
“It’d be a waste to have two.”
“Oh, that’s a good point.”
To be honest, I’ve gotten used to sleeping next to her recently, so it didn’t bother me much. Anyway, Hayoung said she’d take a little rest. I told her I’d go inform my friend and stepped out.
“Jaemi Son, come out!”
I went to the inn where he usually stays, but it turned out he went out to work again. I guess I won’t see his face for now.
Feeling a bit disappointed, I gave some tips to the server and asked him to pass on the news before planning to head back to the inn. But isn’t there no need to hurry?
“I should buy some snacks on the way.”
While I’m at it, let’s check out the Haengdo Sect for some news. I’d like to buy some sweets with the money I have and then head back.
With that thought in mind, I headed to the Haengdo Sect.
The place was still bustling.
But then.
“Did you hear? The Jade Flower Sword is here again.”
“Wasn’t that because of the incident with Madunachal last time?”
“Maybe… but didn’t the Fiery Lotus come last time as well?”
“I’m really glad they settled in this county!”
The vagabonds were talking about Serin!
“Oh.”
At that moment, Serin was calling to meet up; has she come over here? In that case, I should go and see her. Even though I won’t get to meet Jaemi Son today, it seems like Serin is around, so I should go find her.
I quickly went to the market, bought some sweets, and then returned to the inn.
“Hayoung, I’m back!”
“Oh… you’re back? What about my friend?”
Hayoung, lying on the bed, spoke in a sleepy voice.
“He’s out working now. Here, I bought some sweets!”
“Oh my! You went out and bought sweets for me?!”
“Yep. Thought of you on the way.”
Does she like sweets that much?
Hayoung jumped up and took the sweets from my bag.
“Wow! You really bought some! I didn’t expect this! Thank you!”
“Hehehe, enjoy them.”
I’ll have to buy them more often.
“Ah, but Hayoung, while you were out, I heard some rumors saying Serin is here now?”
“What?!”
Hayoung, who was munching on the sweets, turned to look at me.
“The Jade Flower Sword is here?”
“Hey, calling her ‘that girl’… Anyway, I’m thinking of going and greeting her.”
“Well… sure! It’s better to greet her! Let’s go see her!”
“Do you know where to find her?”
“I’ll just have to look for her!”
Hayoung set down the sweets, dressed up, and immediately led the way out. It seems she’s looking forward to it; do they have a connection?
So, I headed out with Hayoung to find Serin.
“First, since we don’t know where she is, let’s split up and look. You go that way!”
“Got it. If we find her, let’s meet there since it’ll be crowded.”
“Yeah!”
Then, shall I search for Serin?
Let’s check the Haengdo Sect again first.
That’ll be the optimal place for finding people.
“There! There’s the Jade Flower Sword!”
“Over there!”
“Let’s go check it out!”
Did I get it right?
Everyone went into a frenzy.
Just as I was about to head in that direction…
“Long time no see.”
At that moment, I heard a voice close to my ear, and someone grabbed my wrist and pulled it. I thought it was an enemy, but it turned out to be Serin.
“Oh! Serin! Wow! Just the person I was looking for!”
I wanted to see her beautiful face!
“It’s been so long! How have you been?”
“Of course, I’ve been well.”
“Honestly, you haven’t changed at all, you’re still like a fairy!”
But it seems after seeing Taesan Yubang that Serin’s chest seems a bit smaller. Although, her slim waist and taut hips truly embody the essence of a fairy.
“Hehe, the way you speak makes it seem like Geunhyeop has been well, too. It’s been a while since I’ve heard such flattery.”
“Hehehe, I’ve been doing great.”
“Ah, follow me this way. It’s drawing too much attention.”
“Okay.”
Serin grabbed my arm and led me away.
But at that very moment…
“Ah! Found you! You’re both over there!”
Hayoung’s voice rang out.
“Eh?”
We turned in unison to the sound.
“Hey! If you find me, you should’ve brought me right away! Where were you going?!”
“Oops.”
—Whoosh!
Hayoung rushed over, tightly hugging my arm. Immediately, the fairy-like body clung to my arm. Simultaneously, Serin’s eyes enlarged as she looked between my face and Hayoung.
“I’m a bit confused here…”
Then she glanced back at me.
“Are you two acquainted…?”
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