Slash!
A chunk of Hong Wi-moon’s hair was severed.
Rip!
Seo Ryang’s sleeve tore lengthwise.
Quite impressive.
Hong Wi-moon’s martial arts, with the Serpent King Demonic Art fully unleashed, were truly remarkable. While it appeared at first glance that he had been completely consumed by the demonic art, this wasn’t the case at all.
Though his movements resembled those of a beast more than martial arts, with his body completely dyed purple, Hong Wi-moon’s mind remained remarkably clear. It was just that intense rage and killing intent had consumed his clear consciousness.
He swung his hand.
Crack!
One section of a building’s roof was torn away and sent flying.
It was truly tremendous power. Being able to generate such destructive force with a single claw strike meant he deserved to be called a master above Wi Hong-ryeon or Song Gyeong.
Against Wi Hong-ryeon or Song Gyeong, he could probably kill them within ten exchanges. Though Hong Wi-moon was a level above them, he wasn’t a difficult opponent for Seo Ryang, who walked an even higher path.
The problem was that Hong Wi-moon had mastered a higher-dimensional demonic art compared to those two. And that demonic art was making the environment quite troublesome.
What an annoying bastard.
Pa-ak!
Seo Ryang instantly slipped into Hong Wi-moon’s range and grabbed his collar.
Even though his eyes were wide open, he couldn’t tell how the movement had been made. Hong Wi-moon’s hands reflexively gripped Seo Ryang’s wrist.
This won’t work here, you bastard.
Crack!
Seo Ryang’s feet dug three inches into the ground.
Bang!
Seo Ryang moved again while gripping Hong Wi-moon’s collar.
Crack! Crack crack crack!
The veins on Seo Ryang’s forearms bulged prominently. Hong Wi-moon, his collar caught, was thrashing about frantically.
This son of a bitch!
Slash!
A long sword mark was carved into Hong Wi-moon’s cheek. He had dodged the penetrating blade with almost bestial instinct.
Kwang!
As if in revenge, Hong Wi-moon’s fist struck Seo Ryang’s chest, making his body shake.
The stinging pain made his anger surge. He couldn’t understand why he had to go through such trouble just to catch this one treacherous bastard.
Fuck! These demonic cult dogs can get caught up in it for all I care!
But thoughts were just thoughts.
Once he’d realized that even demonic cult members were people, he couldn’t let innocents get caught up in this. Besides, hadn’t he struck first?
At that moment, Hong Wi-moon’s right hand struck Seo Ryang’s side.
Puk!
Ungh.
Impressive. The destructive power was strong enough that it would have caused serious internal injuries if not for the Shadow True Demonic Art’s energy barrier.
But Hong Wi-moon had aimed for something else.
Stab!
Seo Ryang’s eyes trembled. Hong Wi-moon’s index finger had pierced his side.
Pa-ra-ra-rak!
Their bodies shook violently before being driven into the ground.
Puk! Crack!
The two bounced away in opposite directions.
Hong Wi-moon sprang up first. Thanks to his overflowing demonic energy, he felt neither pain nor impact.
It was different for Seo Ryang.
Whoosh!
Purple energy currents flowed from his side. Hong Wi-moon had directly injected snake venom into the wound made by his finger.
“Does it hurt?”
Hong Wi-moon spoke for the first time during the battle. It meant he had found his composure.
“This is poison directly injected into your body. If you try to burn it away with demonic energy, your internal organs will be roasted as well.”
Whoosh.
Thick purple demonic energy concentrated heavily in both his hands.
He emphasized the poison over power. His intention was to slowly, painfully corner his opponent.
“Touching me was a mistake.”
Pa-ang!
Hong Wi-moon swung both palms. He judged there was no need to approach closer.
Pung!
Seo Ryang’s body twitched. He had been directly hit by the Snake Shadow Poison Palm[1].
Hong Wi-moon wasn’t satisfied with just one strike.
Pung pung pung pung!
As Seo Ryang’s body repeatedly jerked, purple poison mist rose around his fallen form.
It was mist generated by the snake venom from the Snake Shadow Poison Palm accumulating in Seo Ryang’s body.
As if determined, Hong Wi-moon unleashed dozens of lethal poison palm strikes.
Pung pung pung! Pung!
Seo Ryang’s figure was no longer visible to the naked eye. A purple poison mist with a radius of twenty feet had completely erased him from view.
Ching!
Hong Wi-moon withdrew his Snake Shadow Poison Palm.
Growing sharp black nails again, he grinned. He couldn’t remember the last time he had smiled so sincerely.
“I won’t kill you right away. Live as a cripple.”
“Kweek!”
Just then, the sound of someone vomiting blood came from within the mist.
Pak!
Hong Wi-moon charged in.
He didn’t let his guard down even against a weakened opponent. Though he had found composure, he wouldn’t miss his chance by becoming complacent.
His actions – immobilizing prey with poison before devouring it – were no different from a venomous snake.
Whoosh!
Entering the mist, Hong Wi-moon could pinpoint Seo Ryang’s location precisely.
Through the hazy vision, he could see Seo Ryang fallen forward, spitting blood.
Farewell, you insufferable bastard.
Hong Wi-moon launched the Black Bone Snake Shadow Hand toward Seo Ryang’s shin.
That’s when it happened.
Crack!
Hm?
What? Where did that bastard Seo Ryang disappear to?
This bastard again?!
He still had strength left?
As Hong Wi-moon hastily looked around, he suddenly felt a sharp pain rising from his forearm.
His eyes widened as he looked down at his right arm.
“Huh…?”
The joint was bent backward.
Why is it broken?
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a whirlwind rose from the ground, causing the poison mist that had covered the area to spin and spin.
It was an incredible wind speed. The sudden gust instantly compressed the poison mist and sent it high into the sky.
The view cleared and the stuffy air became fresh and cool.
And it didn’t take long for that cool air to disappear without a trace.
Whoosh!
Burning demonic energy sucked in the air and spewed out even stronger flames.
Crack! Crack!
Crimson lightning surged around the flames. The one emanating this impressive demonic energy that would intimidate anyone was none other than Seo Ryang.
“Ptui!”
After spitting out bloodied saliva along with the last of the poison energy, he pointed his sword toward the sky.
Woong!
A brilliantly shining red sphere at the sword tip.
Seo Ryang released a ki shout.
“Ha!”
Pung!
The red sphere shot high into the sky and, upon touching the poison energy, spread in all directions like a spark falling on oil-soaked paper.
Hwa-ak!
The purple poison mist completely evaporated. The poison mist that Hong Wi-moon had worked so hard to accumulate disappeared so futilely.
“Bastard, you were annoying enough sneaking around behind me, and your martial arts perfectly match your personality.”
Hong Wi-moon couldn’t understand.
“How…?”
“What? Oh, this?”
Seo Ryang touched his side.
“It’s not even a serious wound.”
It was absolutely a serious wound.
The abdomen is dangerous because of the concentration of internal organs. Human abdominal pressure is extremely strong, so when pierced, organs try to push out through the hole.
Add to that a lethal dose of deadly snake venom. Dozens of times over.
It was a fatal wound that even an immortal would struggle to treat.
“I’m someone who could smile and eliminate targets even with broken limbs and several holes in my gut – that’s how dedicated I was to my profession.”
“W-what did you say?!”
“This much is just a scratch, you bastard!”
Pung!
Seo Ryang closed the distance instantly and swung his sword.
Both his footwork and swordplay were too fast. Hong Wi-moon quickly employed the Flood Dragon Steps.
Pak!
“Kuk!”
Blood burst from Hong Wi-moon’s mouth. Seo Ryang had kicked him in the face.
Just like when his arm was broken, he couldn’t see how he had been hit this time either.
“That’s not how you use footwork.”
Sparks flew from Hong Wi-moon’s eyes.
Pang!
His left hand struck upward diagonally at close range. Though launched suddenly, the form of the Black Bone Snake Shadow Hand was perfect.
Seo Ryang swung his sword mercilessly.
Slash!
“Kraak!”
His middle and ring fingers were cut off at the first joint, and half the nails of his index and little fingers were gone. The pain was enough to force out a scream.
Not only was the response quick, but the precise swordwork was beyond amazing – it was dazzling. Just wielding a four-foot sword at such close range was remarkable.
Seo Ryang’s face turned cold.
“You’re finished.”
Puk!
Hong Wi-moon’s body flew backward.
It was just the right distance. Most of the poison had been expelled, so even some sword strikes wouldn’t cause secondary damage from poisoned blood.
Seo Ryang pointed his sword at the staggering Hong Wi-moon.
Crack!
Red lightning flashed on the blade. And formless wind circled around it.
Smoothly and naturally, he unleashed his secret technique for the first time in a while.
“Wind Blade[2].”
Whoosh!
Another gust of wind swept through.
Internal energy wind independent of weather, terrifying sword wind swept in from all directions and carved into Hong Wi-moon’s body.
Slash slash slash! Whoosh!
No one can block the wind. Cuts appeared all over Hong Wi-moon’s body. Though the Serpent King Demonic Art prevented him from being torn to shreds, the wounds couldn’t be ignored.
But Seo Ryang’s attack was just beginning.
“North Wind[3].”
Rip!
The muscles on Hong Wi-moon’s back were torn lengthwise.
“Kuugh!”
The pain of muscles being torn raw was indescribable. The wound was rough, as if struck by an axe rather than a sword.
Rip! Rip!
Deep cuts were carved into his thigh, chest, and shoulder. Even the Serpent King Demonic Art’s energy barrier couldn’t block them.
“Nine-Folding Wind[4].”
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pak!
Hong Wi-moon’s body shook frantically.
The Nine-Folding Wind, with one move becoming nine forms, one form becoming nine strikes, was itself a chain of slashing attacks. Even the user doesn’t know where the next attack will land.
Hong Wi-moon’s body became covered in blood. Though the intense demonic energy immediately stopped the bleeding, he had lost considerable blood in that brief moment, and his internal injuries were also significant.
Seo Ryang’s sword danced.
“Wind Death[5], Wild Wind[6].”
Whoosh! Puk puk puk puk!
“Aaaagh!!”
It was the loudest and most desperate scream he had let out yet. The pain and terror were beyond what pride or endurance could suppress.
Seo Ryang’s eyes, glaring at him, narrowed like a demon’s.
Click!
Now gripping his sword with both hands, he swung the final form of the chain technique.
“Heavenly Wind Execution Style[7].”
Whoosh!
If wind had weight, this wind pouring down from the heights of heaven would have been like a house-sized steel sphere.
That large and heavy wind was aimed at the staggering Hong Wi-moon.
Puk puk puk puk!
Invisible blades rode the clear, cool wind.
And Hong Wi-moon’s body after that wind passed?
Whoosh!
Hong Wi-moon’s form staggered as he spewed a large amount of blood.
Thud!
Finally, Hong Wi-moon fell to his knees.
His eyes were blank as he coughed up blood.
What is this?
What kind of martial art was this exactly?
Why couldn’t the Serpent King Demonic Art block what was merely pure sword wind, without sharp sword energy or overwhelming demonic energy? No, was this even martial arts to begin with?
Slide.
His vision darkened. Strange feet appeared on the ground that had looked only red before.
Seo Ryang…
Suddenly, chills ran down his spine. Seo Ryang had placed his sword on his shoulder.
“Any last words?”
Last words.
Words left by a person just before death. His pupils shook violently at these words, far more chilling than any curse-laden threat.
Die? Me?
He had never once thought he would die like this. Even if he couldn’t seize supreme power, he had thought his end would be grand and tragic, before everyone’s eyes.
To be defeated in what barely qualified as a duel and even fall to his knees? This ridiculous, empty ending left him dumbfounded.
“Nothing after all? Well, what could you have to say?”
Woong!
The powerful demonic pulse flowing across the blade surface.
Seo Ryang’s eyes grew cold.
“That’s how death is. Human life scatters as meaninglessly as the smoke from the tobacco you used to smoke.”
“…!”
“Farewell.”
Seo Ryang brought down his sword.