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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Buildings crumbled. The sanctuary Jegal Hwi had built was being torn apart.
It was a foregone conclusion that Jegal Hwi would lose against Namgung So-yeon.
The difference in their skill levels was vast enough that an instant defeat wouldn’t have been surprising.
But Jegal Hwi stubbornly clung on, prolonging the fight, and this only fueled Namgung So-yeon’s irritation.
“You’re quite nimble, like a little rat.”
She was smiling, but the vein throbbing in her forehead betrayed her anger.
Under normal circumstances, Jegal Hwi might have taunted her back, but he was too busy desperately dodging her attacks, leaping from pillar to pillar.
He activated the hidden traps within the buildings.
Traps he had designed to repel invaders, in case the Black Heaven Cult was ever attacked.
Traps he had hoped would never be used were now being sprung, one after another.
Boiling oil rained down from the ceiling, triggered by stepping on specific floor tiles in a particular sequence.
Poisoned needles shot out from hidden compartments.
Heavy logs swung down from above.
A variety of deadly contraptions assaulted Namgung So-yeon from all angles.
Some of them connected, but she barely reacted, merely flinching slightly.
She only accelerated, closing the distance between them.
‘That was close.’
Jegal Hwi narrowly avoided her blade and yanked on a rope.
A support pillar collapsed, bringing down the roof on top of Namgung So-yeon.
Dust and debris billowed from the collapsing building.
“Gasp… gasp…”
Jegal Hwi, having barely escaped, gasped for breath.
-Cough, cough
A coughing fit seized him, and he saw blood on his hand.
“I pushed myself too hard.”
The method the Heavenly Demon had taught him to control his poison only worked when he wasn’t actively using it.
The more he used his poison techniques, the faster it consumed him.
-If you want to live a long life, it’s best not to use those techniques.
He remembered her warning. But what was the point of holding back now?
Everything he had sought to protect was already destroyed.
“I know you’re there, Lightning Sword.”
He spoke to the rubble, and the debris exploded outwards.
“Did I give myself away?”
Namgung So-yeon emerged from the wreckage, completely unharmed, brushing dust off her clothes.
The only building left standing was the Ritual Hall.
It, too, had traps, but he couldn’t lure her there.
She was looking for the Young Cult Leader.
Judging by her actions, she didn’t seem intent on harming him, but her motives were questionable.
‘I’ve used everything I have. What do I do now?’
Even at his best, he would have lost.
Now, with a missing arm and his body ravaged by poison, trying to hold her back any longer was pure delusion.
“You seem much stronger than when I heard about you from Shadow Demon a few days ago… Did something happen?”
“Let’s just say I had a change of perspective.”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Jegal Hwi narrowed his eyes, sensing the ominous aura emanating from her.
“Did you… absorb blood?”
“Everyone seems to know about blood absorption. Yes, I did.”
“A righteous warrior, upholding justice, resorting to blood absorption? How ironic.”
“They’re just societal trash. Isn’t this a more worthwhile use of their lives?”
“That you get to decide that is the irony.”
“Yes, yes. Talk all you want. Shall we continue now?”
She smiled, assuming a fighting stance.
“I’m willing to sacrifice every life in this world if it means I can be with Young Master Kang.”
She gripped her sword, ready to strike him down without mercy.
Jegal Hwi also took a stance, summoning the last of his strength.
Blood oozed from his wounds, and his limbs trembled.
“You’ll never get your hands on the Young Cult Leader.”
He smiled, the first genuine smile he had shown since their confrontation began.
“How dare you threaten Young Master Kang, and try to make him the Young Cult Leader of this filthy place?! I won’t forgive you!”
With a burst of speed, Namgung So-yeon shot towards him like a bolt of lightning.
Jegal Hwi momentarily lost sight of her, and before he could react, her blade was upon him.
He twisted his body and took the blow on his shoulder.
The sword pierced his flesh.
Ignoring the searing pain, he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.
The sword sank deeper into his shoulder.
“Ugh…!”
He continued to pull, closing the distance between them.
“What are you doing?!”
Her face contorted in disgust.
Jegal Hwi, burning through the last of his life force, roared,
“Poison Wave!”
A grey mist erupted from his body.
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The tremors stopped.
The ground had been shaking for hours, and Yeon-hwa, who had been cowering in fear, looked around cautiously.
“Young Cult Leader, it’s over.”
As expected, the Black Heaven Cult was strong!
She jumped up and down excitedly, and I relaxed slightly.
“Everyone will be here soon. Just wait a little longer!”
Her fear had completely vanished, replaced by a cheerful smile.
“Yes, I’m glad it’s over.”
But surely, it hadn’t been without sacrifice.
‘When we get out of here, we should hold a memorial service for the Cult members who died protecting us. We’ll build them proper graves and offer our respects.’
I was thinking about what to do next when…
-Bang!
The secret door opened.
-Creak
The door to the shelter creaked open, revealing the dark hallway beyond.
A figure stood in the hallway, seemingly female, her face obscured by shadows.
Yeon-hwa, thinking it was one of the Cult members, ran towards the door.
A strange sense of unease washed over me, and I tried to stop her.
“Yeon-hwa… wait…”
-Thud
Yeon-hwa’s head rolled across the floor.
Her body crumpled, lifeless.
“Yeon-hwa?”
I couldn’t bring myself to approach her. I just stood there, frozen and called her name.
“Ah… Young Master Kang.”
The figure in the hallway stepped into the light.
She reached down, picked up Yeon-hwa’s head, and held it aloft.
Blood dripped from the severed neck.
She opened her mouth, catching the drops of blood like someone savoring a sweet fruit.
After a few minutes, she tossed the head aside as if it were no longer of use.
It hit the stone wall and shattered.
My legs gave way, and I collapsed to the floor.
A pair of glowing golden eyes stared down at me, filled with a chilling madness.
“Thanks to Young Master Kang’s cries, I finally found you. Hehe…”
The monster reached out, seized my hand, and gently caressed her face against it.
“Your good little So-yeon is here.”
It was Namgung So-yeon.
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[T/N: No… not even Yeon-hwa.]
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NOOOOOOOOOOO