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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Like two massive bulls locking horns, Namgung So-yeon’s sword and Sword Demon’s greatsword clashed, neither giving an inch.
Their stances remained almost unchanged, but the force they exerted to maintain this deadlock was immense.
“Wow… you’re still as strong as ever.”
Amidst the screech of grinding metal, Namgung So-yeon expressed genuine admiration.
Sword Demon pushed back against her encroaching blade.
“How dare you!”
While the two were locked in their struggle, Shadow Demon and Fist Demon moved towards In-ho.[1]
Namgung So-yeon wouldn’t let them get away so easily.
A crimson aura erupted from her shoulders, taking the shape of hooked tendrils that lashed out at Shadow Demon and Fist Demon.
“She’s given form to her internal energy… incredible.”
Sword Demon muttered, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
He had reached the level of Divine Sword, where even a twig in his hand could become a deadly weapon, but this… this was something else entirely.
“Are you finally scared of me?”
“Not at all. Compared to the Cult Leader, your technique is crude. I’m merely surprised that such a barbaric method can yield such power.”
She grinned, revealing her teeth, and Sword Demon scoffed.
“Hmph, you’re just jealous.”
“I pursue strength through the righteous path of training. Unlike you.”
His words struck a nerve.
Namgung So-yeon gritted her teeth, the crimson aura shifting, forming a scorpion-like tail.
“Really? Then die.”
The tail shot towards his face.
To dodge, he would have to release his grip on his greatsword.
But if he did, Namgung So-yeon’s blade would find its mark.
-Bang!
Fist Demon’s fist slammed into the energy tail, dispersing the now-unfocused aura.
The hooked tendrils vanished.
“It’s tough, but… not indestructible.”
Fist Demon said, flexing his hand, as if relaying vital information.
“So it seems.”
Sword Demon relayed the message to Lightning Sword, whose face twisted in a snarl.
“Really? Then try blocking this!”
She disengaged, leaping back and taking a deep breath.
Countless threads of crimson energy erupted from her back, like blossoming flower petals.
“Uh…”
Fist Demon was speechless at the sheer number of energy threads, while Shadow Demon tensed, her body poised for action.
The formless energy coalesced, forming a massive, looming shadow, and Sword Demon tightened his grip on his greatsword, his expression grim.
The threads intertwined, forming sharp, needle-like projectiles that pointed menacingly at them.
“Hey… didn’t the Cult Leader do something similar before?”
Fist Demon nudged Shadow Demon with his elbow.
“Focus on dodging, not talking.”
Shadow Demon snapped.
“Here it comes.”
Sword Demon’s voice was low and heavy.
The instant he spoke, the projectiles shot towards them.
-Thud, thud, thud, thud
Unlike a burst of energy or sword qi, these projectiles, formed from solidified internal energy, could be recalled and redirected, making them incredibly difficult to defend against.
“Damn it! Get away from me!”
The serpentine projectiles pursued them relentlessly.
“We’re expending too much energy.”
“Can you buy me some time?”
Sword Demon, deflecting hundreds of projectiles with his greatsword, made a quick assessment.
“Of course.”
He thrust his sword forward, creating a powerful gust of wind that momentarily dispersed the projectiles.
Shadow Demon seized the opportunity, launching herself through the gap in the now-scattered net of energy.
A faint, silver glint flashed from her waist as she flew.
With one of them through the net, Namgung So-yeon had to divide her attention.
Tracking the movements of three opponents wasn’t difficult with her enhanced vision, but having to control the projectiles separately added another layer of complexity.
“Damn!”
Even with the vast internal energy she had gained through blood absorption, there was a limit to how much she could control at once.
And using it in this way was rapidly depleting her reserves.
She suppressed the churning energy within her and focused a portion of it on pursuing Shadow Demon.
Shadow Demon was nimble, darting between the projectiles, weaving a chaotic dance around Namgung So-yeon.
Meanwhile, Sword Demon and Fist Demon slowly advanced.
‘At this rate, I’ll be overwhelmed… overwhelmed?’
How many lives had she taken to gain this power?
And yet, she couldn’t defeat these three?
What had it all been for?
Logically, she was the one pressing the attack, but a nagging feeling of defeat gnawed at her.
“You annoying little rats!”
She cursed, fixated on Shadow Demon.
She diverted some of the energy focused on Sword Demon and Fist Demon, redirecting it towards her most agile opponent.
Shadow Demon’s constant barrage of thrown weapons, though not causing significant damage, was distracting and infuriating.
“Damn it! Damn it!”
Realizing she couldn’t catch Shadow Demon with her energy projectiles alone, Namgung So-yeon resorted to unleashing bursts of sword qi.
Several attacks grazed Shadow Demon, cutting her shoulder and waist, but none were fatal.
And each attack drained Namgung So-yeon’s energy further.
“Brother, her energy is weakening.”
Fist Demon remarked, his fists now easily shattering the projectiles.
“I know. But not yet.”
Sword Demon watched as Shadow Demon twisted and turned in the air, evading the remaining projectiles, and took another step forward.
Shadow Demon, who had been clinging to the ground like a frog, suddenly leaped into the air.
The silver glint at her waist flashed again.
High above, she gathered momentum and then plummeted towards Lightning Sword, utilizing the principle of the falling weight attack.
“Tricks!”
Namgung So-yeon, momentarily forgetting about Sword Demon and Fist Demon, focused all her remaining energy into a single blast aimed at Shadow Demon in mid-air.
Shadow Demon twisted and contorted, narrowly avoiding the brunt of the attack.
“Ugh…”
Not all of the attacks missed.
Her cheek was sliced, and a chunk of flesh was torn from her shoulder, but she didn’t falter.
“Haaa!”
With a shout, she collided with Namgung So-yeon.
Lightning Sword twisted at the last moment, avoiding a direct hit, and Shadow Demon tumbled gracelessly to the ground.
“Hahaha! What was that? Some grand technique…? Wait…”
Namgung So-yeon, about to mock the dust-covered Shadow Demon, stopped mid-sentence, a flicker of realization in her eyes.
A silver thread glinted in Shadow Demon’s hand.
“That’s… wire!”
Shadow Demon had used the same tactic as before, planting objects around the battlefield during her acrobatic maneuvers.
By the time Namgung So-yeon realized what was happening, it was too late.
The objects – discarded weapons, stones, tent fabric, branches, rocks – everything Shadow Demon had touched, flew towards her from all directions.
“Gah!”
The debris slammed into her, pinning her in place.
Above her, Sword Demon, freed from the barrage of projectiles, leaped into the air, his greatsword raised high.
“Noooo!!!”
Namgung So-yeon screamed as the shadow of the descending blade engulfed her.
Sword Demon brought his weapon down without hesitation, cleaving through her from shoulder to hip.
-Thud!!
The debris scattered, and Namgung So-yeon’s bisected body collapsed in a heap.
“I think we got her.”
Watching the body fall, the Fist Demon muttered to himself.
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[1] [T/N: Minor changes, Horse Demon → Fist Demon]
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Don’t do nonsense like resurrecting that crazy bitch, author. Everyone wants her dead.