The area outside the castle walls was eerily gloomy.
It should have felt familiar, yet not a single thought of comfort crossed my mind. It felt like wandering through a massive field of fear.
We marched at a moderate pace, scanning our surroundings. Since there was no stench of corpses yet, it seemed the Undead Legion was still some distance away.
Well, so what?
Naturally, I began to gauge the mood of my team members.
“…”
It was awkward, to say the least.
The members of the Extreme Reality Tiger Squad, who initially planned to apologize to us, were now simply moving in silence without a word. In this atmosphere, a rest order was given, and we had a light meal.
Did that help ease the tension a bit?
“Hey.”
Some of the Tiger Squad members approached me.
“What’s up?”
“I have a question. Madunachal. Can we talk for a moment?”
“Well… okay.”
What would they want to talk about?
As I moved closer, one of them spoke quietly.
“How on earth did you charm those Martial Arts Fairies? Two of them, no less. I’d really like to know your method.”
What do I say to that?
“Honestly, it just happened because of positive connections I had.”
“That’s nonsense! Just having those connections doesn’t make it happen!”
“Every person is different, right? Anyway, I gotta go.”
“Ah…!”
Even when he asked for the secret, I had nothing to really tell him.
“What did he say?”
“He asked how I charmed the Martial Arts Fairies.”
“Heh, and what did you say in response?”
“I told him there was a positive connection.”
At that, Serin and Hayoung smiled slightly.
But honestly, it’s not about connections or timings. The reason they became my girls is entirely because I, Kim Geunhyeop, am a hero like no other in this world.
“Hey, Jade Flower Sword.”
“Hmm?”
At that moment, other Tiger Squad members approached.
“U-uh, is there anything uncomfortable?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then…”
The awkward member hesitated, searching for something else to say. Dude, are you trying to talk to me privately with my fiancée right next to me?
I was about to say something, when Serin stepped in.
“It’s a bit uncomfortable to talk with another man in front of my fiancée. I hope you understand.”
“What?”
I glanced at the Tiger member and said, “Yep, that’s right.”
“No, I didn’t say anything!”
“Are you raising your voice at my fiancée right now?”
“Not at all…!”
Everyone’s faces turned red. Several of them looked at Hayoung, as if they wanted to say something, but—
“Umm, I might feel the same way. Do you mind moving away?”
“That’s not it! I was just curious and wanted to talk!”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes. U-uh, about the Mosan Sect’s spells…”
Desperately trying to make conversation.
“You’re persistent. Stop bothering my girls; it’s annoying.”
“What! Did I do something wrong? Are you insulting me!”
“You kept trying to talk when I said I didn’t want to.”
“You…!”
The member’s face was filled with hostility.
This isn’t good.
There seem to be more problems than I thought. Don’t these guys have any shame? As jealous as you may be, it’s unreasonable to try and hit on me when I stand right there.
I thought they would behave since they’re upright martial artists, but that assumption was completely wrong. Looking at this, I can already see plenty of guys losing their minds over the Martial Arts Fairies and acting rudely.
“Enough!”
Just as an argument was about to break out, Kyukhyeon shouted.
“Ugh.”
“Tiger Squad Leader, please manage your members. This is quite bothering me.”
“You all! Get over here right now!”
“Understood!”
In an instant, the members’ spirits deflated as they moved behind their leader. Afterward, Kyukhyeon didn’t really look our way anymore.
So, the atmosphere had turned sour.
“Seriously. It’s ridiculous. Whether I engage or not is entirely up to me, right? I wasn’t this straightforward before; is jealousy the reason? Seems to have intensified.”
“I’ve never seen such rude ones before.”
“I’ll take care of it all.”
It appears that due to having two of the Martial Arts Fairies as mine, some are losing their minds, and I’ll need to handle this properly.
“You don’t need to step in, Geunhyeop. If this happens again, I’ll deal with it.”
“Should I just knock them over with my talisman?”
“Hehe, no need for that.”
Both of them seemed somewhat angry, but I’ll have to smooth things over afterward.
In that manner, we continued on our uncomfortable journey, and at some point, I started to detect the stench of corpses wafting through the air.
“The smell of corpses is a sign that the Undead are near. Let’s proceed with caution from here.”
“Yes!”
Following Kyukhyeon’s command, we formed a line and moved slowly.
How long had it been?
“Grrr…”
“It’s coming!”
“Grrrr…!”
A strange growl echoed, and just as we focused on it—
“Huh…!”
Zombies!
Real zombies appeared!
With their red eyes, decaying flesh, and exposed bones everywhere! Corpses that died a tragic death were rising and walking around!
Undead in the Martial Arts World? This isn’t a martial arts story…!
“Undead. Prepare for battle.”
“Ready.”
The Tiger Squad members stepped forward.
I was a bit shocked since it was my first time seeing zombies, but I wasn’t intimidated. I, who even defeated Madunachal, would surely not fear a mere zombie!
“Annihilate them!”
“Ha!”
Kyukhyeon issued the command, and the Tiger Squad members charged ahead.
—Bang!
With powerful swings, their swords cut through the undead.
“Ooh.”
I marveled at their skills. Quite neat. Even if their behavior is awful, these guys are the battle elite of the Martial Arts Alliance; they surely have the required skills and experience.
However, the undead didn’t look that strong.
“Grrr!”
They tried to bite us, but even with their arms outstretched, their speed wasn’t impressive, and their limbs were in terrible shape, making them not threatening at all.
—Slash!
In an instant, their arms and heads were severed.
“Geunhyeop. We can join in too.”
“Sure!”
Let’s go!
We settled on the left flank of the Tiger Squad and moved forward. No need to worry about Serin and Hayoung. Let’s focus on those undead!
“Grr!”
The undead approached, jaws wide open.
“Ha!”
I immediately unleashed the Flowing Stream Sword Technique, splitting their skulls in one stroke. I adjusted my position using footwork and pierced the palm of another one before skewering its forehead.
—Thud!
Undead.
They were just demons that moved as corpses. Those fools wielding weapons, like the dark warriors, must be stronger. It’s unacceptable for a martial artist to lose to mere zombies.
“Ha!”
I continued to cut down the undead with the Flowing Stream Sword Technique.
Serin did the same. She elegantly and cleanly sliced the undead in a flash, while Hayoung swung her staff, conjuring flames to incinerate them.
After some time had passed.
The undead were wiped out.
“Whew!”
After swinging my sword, I felt quite refreshed.
This is precisely what a martial artist should be doing.
“How was it, Geunhyeop?”
“Nothing much. The undead were utterly weak.”
“True. But if hundreds or thousands of these guys swarm from all directions, it can become a serious problem. You need to be cautious when facing the undead.”
“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
As I wiped my sweat, I noticed Hayoung doing something.
“Hayoung?”
“Ah, just a moment. I’ll perform a simple rite for the departed.”
“Oooh…! Truly our Taoist! To perform a rite for the departed, you truly are kind-hearted!”
“Hehe, it’s only natural.”
“Serin, let’s do it together.”
“Of course.”
We assisted Hayoung as she conducted a simple rite for the departed. They had become zombies due to the wicked schemes of the Four Fairies. They were innocent, pitiful people.
Once the rite was concluded—
“Once again, you’re truly a Taoist of the Mosan Sect. You console those who became undead with your kindness.”
Another member of the Tiger Squad approached to strike up a conversation.
“Being a Taoist, it’s my duty.”
“Respectful indeed.”
I figured it wasn’t necessary to stop them.
However.
The expressions on the faces of the Tiger Squad members seemed a bit strange. How should I put it? It felt as if they were subtly showing superiority while looking at me?
Curious about this, I turned to face them, and one of them said, “But, um, Geunhyeop. It seems you used too much strength in your sword.”
“What do you mean?”
“The undead are just weak demons compared to commoners. Using that much strength is wasteful. It seems you might still lack experience.”
Ah.
I get it.
These guys are criticizing my skills. So naturally, when facing the undead for the first time, I couldn’t manage my strength perfectly.
“Jade Flower Sword, please do keep Madunachal in check. You seem a bit immature.”
“Fiery Lotus! If there’s anything regarding the rite for the departed you need my help with, just command me!”
The Tiger Squad members came one after another, adding their comments.
These bastards, seriously.
“Geunhyeop, sweat is pouring from your forehead.”
“Yeah.”
At that moment, Serin pulled out a handkerchief and wiped my forehead.
“Is it hot? Would you like some water?”
Then, Hayoung offered me a flask.
“U-uh…!”
“Cough!”
“Damn it!”
The Tiger Squad members grimaced and stepped back.
“Guys…!”
They just kicked those guys out like that.
“Seriously. Being pretty is tiring.”
“Yep, I guess so.”
The two girls nodded in agreement as if this was the norm; they weren’t even trying to act normal, with those guys clearly losing their minds.
In any case, we finished one battle. We took a moment to regroup, and the Tiger Squad began some sort of investigation.
Eventually, Kyukhyeon spoke.
“From this point on, it might truly be considered enemy territory. Let’s gather some information after moving a bit further. Please cooperate.”
That’s precisely what we came for.
“Understood.”
“Though it takes on the form of a request, fundamentally, this is an order from the Golden Guard. I truly hope you’ll carry it out well.”
“Of course.”
Nodding, Kyukhyeon went back towards his subordinates.
Now, let’s gather as much information as we can in this corpse field.
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