Episode 134: Return of the Demon Instructor
The monstrous figure tilted its head, puzzled.
“Instructor…?”
“Heh, that’s right. Believe it or not, I’m a bona fide instructor.”
“What business does a mere instructor have here? Which academy are you from?”
“Yongcheon Academy. But does it really matter?”
The creature chuckled softly. Indeed, it didn’t matter. What mattered now was killing the insolent man before him and recapturing the fleeing prisoners.
Boom!
The rock beneath the instructor exploded as the creature’s form appeared instantly before him.
“Get lost!”
Without hesitation, the creature unleashed a powerful force.
Whoosh!
A tremendous gust swept towards the instructor, Sabigang.
“Ugh!”
Sabigang quickly crossed his arms, summoning his protective energy. Though it drained more of his inner strength than a shield would, he judged it more effective against the creature’s attack.
Crash!
The immense pressure enveloped Sabigang, as if a giant hand was pressing him into the ground. His martial robe tore apart, revealing his muscular chest under the moonlight. Behind him, a massive handprint was left on the ground, a testament to the creature’s devastating technique.
The creature leapt back onto a rock, surprised.
‘What is this guy?’
The technique he used should have obliterated a mere instructor. Yet, Sabigang stood there, only his clothes in tatters.
Sabigang, too, was taken aback.
‘Not all experts are the same, it seems.’
This creature was the strongest he’d faced. The technique was indeed formidable. Had he not pushed his protective energy to the limit, he would have suffered internal injuries. If he had chosen a shield instead, it would have shattered, leaving him gravely wounded.
“Such a pity,” Sabigang muttered with a bitter expression.
The creature frowned.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Who are you?”
But Sabigang continued, “Truly a pity.”
“I asked who you are!”
“If only you used your talents for good.”
“Hah! So the esteemed instructor of the righteous sect wants to lecture me?”
Sabigang gave a wry smile. “If it were possible, I’d like to. But I know it’s not.”
“Of course not! Do you think I’d let you prattle on in front of me?”
Boom!
The rock beneath the creature shattered again as it lunged at Sabigang. Even in that brief moment, Sabigang couldn’t help but admire its speed.
‘Impressive technique. Not quite teleportation, but close.’
In an instant, the creature’s fingers multiplied, rushing towards Sabigang in a technique known as ‘Shura Claw.’
Sabigang retreated, swinging his sword, Veritas.
Clang!
The clash of fingers and blade rang out, sparks flying between them. Sabigang, pushed back, suddenly lunged forward with Veritas.
Thrust!
Caught off guard, the creature flicked its thumb, deflecting the blade and causing Sabigang to stagger. Seizing the moment, the creature struck again.
Whoosh!
A dark energy, its hand aimed at Sabigang’s back, exploded with a deafening sound. It was the ‘Black Wind Hand’ technique. Once more, Sabigang had to push his protective energy to the limit to avoid injury.
Both combatants were astonished by each other’s resilience.
“Who are you…?” the creature muttered, feeling the sting in its palm from the repeated use of powerful techniques.
They stood on opposite rocks, the cold night wind howling through the canyon, unable to overcome their auras.
Sabigang, his hair tousled by the wind, murmured, “The more I face you, the more regret I feel.”
“Still spouting nonsense.”
“If you changed your ways, you could have been a great asset to the martial world.”
“Hah! Save your lectures for the afterlife.”
“Yet, when the demonic invasion began, you were the first to join their side.”
The creature’s brow furrowed.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Even now, I wish I could guide you, but…”
“I said, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“I’ve learned that people don’t change easily. Especially opportunists like you.”
“Enough of your madness!”
Boom!
The creature charged again, but this time, Sabigang didn’t retreat. His eyes narrowed.
Flash!
The creature’s eyes widened.
‘He’s gone…?’
In a heartbeat, it sensed a chill behind and turned swiftly. Sabigang was there.
“For the future, I must end you today.”
Veritas descended vertically.
“Argh!”
The creature gritted its teeth, raising its right hand to block.
Crash!
The clash echoed loudly, and the creature quickly thrust its left hand forward.
“Get lost!”
Boom!
Sabigang leapt back, blood trickling from his lips. The close-range attack had caused minor internal injuries. The creature was undeniably formidable, strengthening Sabigang’s resolve.
‘I must kill him. This one, at least.’
Whoosh!
Sabigang vanished again. This time, the creature wasn’t as surprised. At such a high level, there was no need to track an opponent with the eyes. It let its senses guide its body.
“Tricks won’t work on me!”
The creature shouted, extending its hand behind it, clawing the air like a hawk snatching prey.
Clang!
Veritas clashed with its hand, the metallic sound ringing out again. As Sabigang’s eyes flashed open, rocks and debris from the ground flew towards the creature.
“Hmph! More tricks!”
The creature scoffed, swatting the debris away. But then—
Boom!
The rocks exploded upon contact, catching the creature off guard. It quickly summoned its protective energy, retreating as more rocks rained down.
Boom! Boom!
Each impact triggered another explosion, a result of Sabigang’s Rock Blaster magic. He followed up with a Stone Shower, sharp stones falling from the sky.
The creature, forced to the ground by the blasts, looked up, scowling.
‘What the hell is this?’
Sharp stones filled the sky like icicles, descending upon the canyon.
“Damn it!”
The creature cursed, unleashing its technique to shatter the stones.
Boom! Boom!
The stones disintegrated, but Sabigang didn’t relent. He leapt into the air, sending sword energy towards the cliff.
Slash! Slash!
The cliff crumbled, debris raining down on the creature. Sabigang added Gravity magic, accelerating the fall of the debris.
Rumble!
“Ugh!”
The creature gritted its teeth, blood seeping from its lips under the crushing pressure.
“Don’t think you can humiliate me with such tricks!”
It continued to fend off the falling debris.
Crash! Crash!
Finally, Sabigang descended with all his weight.
Whoosh!
“Hahaha! That’s more like it!”
The creature laughed, launching itself into the air despite the Gravity magic. Sabigang was inwardly impressed by its leap.
Clang!
The clash of their swords and the force of their strikes reverberated through the entire canyon, echoing like a thunderous roar.
Crash! Boom!
Sabi Kang was thrown against the slope, while Akcheon Goe collided with the cliff and tumbled to the ground.
A cloud of dust rose, as if a storm had swept through, and the canyon groaned under the strain.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
“Gasp, gasp.”
Both men staggered to their feet, struggling to regain their balance.
Akcheon Goe wiped the blood from his lips and grinned.
“It’s been a while since someone got me this excited.”
“Likewise.”
Sabi Kang adjusted his grip on Berthas and took a deep breath.
They stood in silence, eyes locked on each other.
If they clashed again, one of them would soon be lying on the ground.
Both were drained, having unleashed their highest martial arts and magic against each other.
Akcheon Goe took a slow step forward.
A deep, resonant energy emanated from his entire body, and his left foot sank into the earth.
Sabi Kang drew his chin in and glared at Akcheon Goe.
“Come on!”
The moment Akcheon Goe’s lips curled into a smile, he vanished.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he reappeared in front of Sabi Kang, launching a strike that Berthas blocked.
Snap!
This time, Sabi Kang disappeared.
Swish! Clang!
A streak of light arced through the air, sparking as it was intercepted by Akcheon Goe’s hand.
Flash! Flash!
The exchange was so rapid and chaotic that an ordinary person would struggle to follow it with their eyes.
**
Rumble. Boom.
Flashes of light flickered continuously from the depths of the canyon.
The ground trembled with small quakes, as if an earthquake were underway.
Whenever a loud explosion echoed, the ground shook violently in response.
A senior, supported by cadets as they moved, stopped and muttered in a daze.
“What on earth is happening down there?”
“Could it really be the sound of those two fighting that’s so loud?”
It was as if a natural disaster were unfolding.
The cadets, along with Dang Ihyeop and Maeseolran, swallowed dryly, their eyes fixed on the canyon.
They had seen Sabi Kang fight many times before, but never on such a grand scale.
It was a testament to Akcheon Goe’s formidable strength.
Boom! Boom!
Even from a considerable distance, the explosions and tremors from within the canyon reached them clearly.
Just then, Seok Jipyeong stepped forward, his expression irritated, and shouted.
“What are we doing standing around? Waiting here won’t change the outcome of the fight! Let’s get moving and continue on our way!”