Stab.

A sharp thrill ran through my fingertips. It was a familiar sensation I had felt thousands, no, tens of thousands of times.

It went in.

With that certainty, I twisted the dagger I had plunged into the man’s side, and a scream erupted from Pung-yang’s lips.

“Kraaaagh!”

There was the pain from the dagger, but he must have also suffered a considerable internal injury from the blow. The Protective Aura, which was scattering like smoke before it could even fully form, was proof of that.

That was close.

Pung-yang’s instincts were no joke. If the dagger hadn’t gone in just before his Protective Aura was completed, in that truly fleeting moment, I would have been the one on the receiving end.

“Keock!”

Pung-yang vomited dark blood and extended his arm. In that instant, a flash of light shot out from within his dark sleeve.

Swiiisssh!

I instinctively took a step back and tilted my head. A single dagger that had flown from Pung-yang’s sleeve narrowly grazed the bridge of my nose.

That was dangerous.

If I hadn’t backed away, it would have been lodged in my throat, not the bridge of my nose. I was able to dodge it thanks to having seen Pung-yang use his dagger arts before. I stuck out my tongue and licked away the blood flowing down my nose.

“Thanks. I was getting thirsty anyway.”

“You rat-like bastard…!”

Pung-yang, who had created some distance, ground his teeth.

“Were you aiming for this from the start?”

“Yep. Hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Just you wait. I’ll pay you back a hundredfold.”

“What’s the big deal between us? You don’t have to pay me back.”

“Grrrrr!”

Taunting him was quite fun. It would be great if that bastard just died from a fit of anger,¹ but that wasn’t likely to happen.

It was a good opportunity.

I had succeeded in luring Pung-yang in with provocation, but I had failed to finish him completely. Although I had consumed the Blazing Divine Pill, the gap between me and Pung-yang was still large. And above all…

I’m starting to get tired.

My entire body was as hot as a ball of fire. The thirty years of Scorching Yang Qi, which I couldn’t control from the start, was now running rampant. It was a situation where it would be difficult to suppress even with my existing internal energy, but after fighting Pung-yang with the reins completely loose, it was gradually getting worse.

Damn it, I wish it had been a Momentary Strength Pill, not a Blazing Divine Pill.

The Blazing Divine Pill and the Momentary Strength Pill were made for entirely different purposes from the beginning. The latter was a temporary stimulant that pushed one’s latent power to its limit. To make an analogy, it was the difference between herbal medicine and a stimulant.

Does that bastard not have any side effects? He’s so damn energetic.

It was just as I was looking at Pung-yang with a sense of envy.

“Cough.”

Huh, look at this.

In Pung-yang’s short cough, the whites of his eyes momentarily showed. There could only be one reason why his eyes, which had been blood-red the entire time, had changed like that.

The effects of the Momentary Strength Pill are wearing off.

***

Pung-yang was flustered. He immediately recognized the abnormal signal coming from his body.

Already?

The effect of the Momentary Strength Pill lasted for about one shichen. But now, only half a shichen had passed, and the power that had been surging through his entire body was gradually fading. The fatigue he hadn’t felt before was now pressing down on his shoulders like a heavy weight, and the pain that had felt distant was now grating on his nerves.

“Cough.”

On top of that, he had suffered a significant internal injury. Pung-yang bit his lip at the dark red blood mixed in his cough.

I’ve exhausted too much of my strength.

The Momentary Strength Pill was a precious item that could double or even more than double one’s strength, but it came with a price. In exchange for gaining immense power temporarily, one’s physical abilities would decline, and if the user’s body couldn’t withstand it, the effects would disappear.

The problem was taking the Momentary Strength Pills consecutively.

First against the Tiger of Hengshan, Cheol Mu-baek, and then against these young brats from the Taiyuan Jin Family. He would have died long ago if he hadn’t taken the pills, but knowing the price, Pung-yang was afraid of the aftereffects.

In my current state, the effects of the pill will last for one shichen at most… One shichen, I have to settle this within that time.

The last remaining Momentary Strength Pill must not be used. If he took three consecutively, his life could be in danger.

“One shichen…”

Muttering softly, Pung-yang glared at his remaining prey.

“That should be enough.”

The whites of his eyes, which had been briefly exposed, were filled with blood-red once more.

Was I mistaken?

When Pung-yang lifted his head again, his eyes were red, and an unbearable wave of energy poured out from his entire body.

“I’ll kill you in a single stroke.”

I watched his curved blade and opened my mouth.

“You said you needed the martial arts incantations, right?”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not you. Why do you think I bothered to keep Jin Mu-gyeong alive?”

“Because you love him.”

“I swear to the heavens and the gods… I will cut out that tongue of yours.”

It was the moment after Pung-yang raised his curved blade.

Swiiisssh! Thwack!

Pung-yang, who caught the iron arrow that flew at him with fierce momentum, frowned.

“There are a lot of people who want to die. No, this time, is it a woman?”

The owner of the arrow slowly walked up and stood next to me. Footsteps as light as cotton fluff, and a height that barely reached my shoulder. An appearance so beautiful that for a moment, it stole my gaze even in this urgent situation. The head of the Hengshan Sword Sect, Lee Sowol, whispered to me in a small voice.

“We will buy you time.”

‘We’ referred to the surviving martial artists of the Hengshan Sword Sect, including Lee Sowol. A mere ten people. As befitting those who had survived until the very end of a tremendous battle, they were all first-rate masters, but if their opponent was Pung-yang, the result was as clear as day.

Annihilation.

Even if they stepped up, how much time could they buy? It was highly likely they would be more of a hindrance to me. It was cold, but that was the reality. I shook my head.

“That won’t change anything.”

“I’m not suggesting we fight together.”

“Then.”

“Take your brother and run.”

The distance between us and Pung-yang was only about a dozen zhang. No matter how quietly she spoke, there was no way a Peak Realm master like him wouldn’t have heard.

“What, run? Kuhahaha!”

Despite Pung-yang’s explosive laughter, Lee Sowol continued without batting an eye.

“It will only be for a moment, but I will buy you time. Run as far as you can.”

I cast my gaze towards the castle gate. From here to the gate was a distance of about a hundred zhang. Not far from there were Wol-hwa, Hyeok Mujin, and the horses that would carry us.

It’s worth a try.

I was still suffering internal injuries from the Blazing Divine Pill, but I could endure it to some extent. If I squeezed out every last bit of my strength, there was a chance of escape, even carrying Jin Mu-gyeong. But…

These people will die.

I could say with certainty that there would be no exceptions. Since Lee Sowol had included herself, the Sect Leader, in the ‘we’ she mentioned earlier, she too was prepared to die.

Why?

The Hengshan Sword Sect and the Taiyuan Jin Family had an ill-fated relationship. Although they had been played by the Grand Elder’s scheme, they had killed each other and shed a great deal of blood. Yet Lee Sowol was trying to save me, even at the cost of her own life and the lives of her subordinates.

“You don’t need to look at me like that. This was a conclusion I reached after deep consideration. Instead, could I ask you for one favor?”

I asked.

“What is that favor?”

“To avenge us in our place.”

Lee Sowol stared at Pung-yang with cold eyes.

“Just kill that bastard. More cruelly than anyone else.”

Ten people were throwing away their lives for the death of one person. In every single word, I could feel the grudge that Lee Sowol harbored. Just as I was at a loss for words, Pung-yang, who had been watching us with a sneer, opened his mouth.

“A rather bold thought, but that won’t happen. All of you will be buried here.”

One of the martial artists of the Hengshan Sword Sect shouted.

“Shut up, you vicious bastard!”

Pow!

The next moment, the martial artist’s head snapped back. The iron arrow Pung-yang had been holding was embedded in his forehead.

“Senior Brother!”

Listening to the belated scream, Pung-yang smiled.

“I was just running out of daggers… Thank you, Sect Leader.”

Lee Sowol bit her lip.

“Go, now!”

I took a deep breath. I had already mapped out what I needed to do in my head. The place where Jin Mu-gyeong had collapsed was only about twenty zhang away. If I endured the internal injuries, raised my internal energy as much as possible, picked him up, and ran, I could reach the castle gate in no time. Pung-yang might catch up to me by then, but if these people could buy me just a little more time, I could live.

I can go back.

I can go back to the Taiyuan Jin Family where Jin Wi-gyeong is, to the home where my mother and Ha-yeon are waiting. If I bide my time now, I am confident I can return, having become incomparably stronger than Pung-yang.

Then that’s enough.

Taking a deep breath, I turned towards Lee Sowol.

“I will avenge you. I swear it.”

Was it a trick of my eyes, or did she smile for a very brief moment? It was too fleeting, and when I looked again, only a firm resolve remained on Lee Sowol’s face.

“Go. Now.”

Those words were the signal. The martial artists of the Hengshan Sword Sect charged forward with rage-filled shouts. At their head was Lee Sowol.

Right, I have to go.

I drew up all the internal energy in my body. A sharp pain accompanied the dark red blood that flowed from my nose due to the internal injuries left by the Scorching Yang Qi, but I endured it. Just a moment, just a short moment is all I need.

‘Inventory open, equip spear.’

The cool shaft of the spear settled in my hand. And with one stomp of my foot…

Kung.

I shot forward like an arrow, no, faster than an arrow. Not towards Jin Mu-gyeong, but towards Pung-yang. I could see his broadly smiling face.

“Right, this is how you should be!”

“Shut up, you son of a bitch.”

“Hahahaha!”

Pung-yang’s curved blade was larger than ever before. Imbued with a full measure of red saber qi, it was swung towards me. Swaaaaaak! The wind exploded, and it felt as if the very air was being erased. I clutched the iron spear until it felt like it would shatter.

Please, just once.

I poured all fifteen years of my internal energy into the spear. I pulled my shoulder and waist back as far as they could go and shot everything I had forward.

One Annihilation.

Gugugugung—!

The clash of the massive saber qi and the vortex. A roar, as if the sky were splitting, filled the world. I saw it clearly through the raging wind.

KWAAAAA!

The white vortex scattering to pieces before the red saber qi. The giant crystallization of energy completely pulverized One Annihilation. Pung-yang whispered with a face full of ecstasy.

“This is the end.”

The next moment, Pung-yang’s internal energy, which had surged up the spear, struck me.

KWANG!

An immense pain and a ringing in my ears washed over me like a wave.

Tiring.

• -You have suffered an [Internal Injury]! Your condition is very serious!
• -[Scorching Yang Qi] is rampaging!
• -You have suffered a [Critical Injury]! All stats will be greatly reduced!

The system notifications that rang out one after another, the shouts of the Hengshan Sword Sect martial artists, Lee Sowol’s scream, and even Pung-yang’s laughter.

This is the end.

In that moment when my legs gave out against my will, a powerful hand grabbed my neck.

“Keock. Keo-heok.”

“That was quite something. If you had been a moment later, you might have won.”

Pung-yang laughed, baring his teeth. The red energy in his eyes was slowly fading.

Damn it, so close.

I wanted to say it out loud, but my mouth was so full of blood that even that was not easy.

“I swore to the heavens and the gods. That I would definitely pull out your tongue.”

Did he say that? At this point, I was barely aware of who I was. Pung-yang used his other hand to pry open my mouth. I could feel his rough fingers grabbing my blood-soaked tongue.

“Heo-uh…”

“Did you not know this would happen when you were running that mouth of yours? Hmm?”

“Heo-ah, he-ha-haa.”

“Hahaha! What are you mumbling about? Shall I let you leave some last words?”

As Pung-yang laughed heartily and let go of my tongue, I was finally able to speak. I swallowed a mouthful of blood and said.

“Salty.”

“What?”

“It’s damn salty.”

“What kind of bullshit is that?”

What do you mean, what kind of bullshit? It means that tasting your fingers brought me back to my senses a little. In my hazy state of mind, I muttered.

‘Inventory open, summon anything.’

Tiring.

• -The item [Anything] cannot be found. Summoning the oldest item stored in the inventory.
• -[Nameless Sword] has been summoned.

Nameless Sword? What was that again?

Whatever, what does it matter.

I gathered my last bit of strength and stabbed the sword in my hand towards Pung-yang’s chest, which was wreathed in his Protective Aura. It was a desperate struggle with an obvious outcome.

This fucking Protective Aura.

But this was enough. I had no more regrets. It was at that moment, as my head slowly drooped…

Stab—!

Tiring.

• -[Nameless Sword] has met a specific condition.
• -[Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron] has destroyed the [Protective Aura].

…Huh?