Episode 286: Return to the Demonic Sect
As the infiltration teams led by Sabigang stormed the manor, the cultists scrambled to mount a defense. But the sheer number of intruders caught them off guard, leaving them in disarray.
Sabigang’s martial prowess was unparalleled. With a single sweep of his hand, the ground turned to ice; another, and flames erupted, leaving the cultists bewildered and overwhelmed.
Moreover, the combination of the Heavenly Destruction Squad and the Newborn Team into a single unit created a fierce rivalry, each trying to outdo the other in battle. The result was a relentless assault on their enemies.
“Haah!”
With a battle cry, Mok Danhwa unleashed her Chaos Thunder technique, sending her energy slicing through the air like a swarm of serpents, decapitating her foes.
Screams echoed as blood sprayed into the air like a fountain. In the chaos, one of her energy strikes veered dangerously close to Seol Seorin.
”…!”
Seol Seorin deftly twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the attack. She smiled wryly.
“Oh my, what was that about?”
“Oops, my bad. I’m still a bit rough around the edges. Hope you understand. I was worried you might get hurt.”
“I’m not so fragile as to be wounded by something like that.”
Seol Seorin chuckled, then suddenly lashed out with her weapon, Makhan’s tail, which grazed Mok Danhwa’s cheek before wrapping around the neck of an approaching cultist.
In an instant, spikes emerged from Makhan’s tail, piercing the cultist’s throat.
“Gah!”
The cultist convulsed once before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
“Impressive…”
Mok Danhwa bit her lip, watching Seol Seorin. She had known the weapon was unique, but its ability to transform was unexpected. Not to mention, Seol Seorin’s aura had changed, her skills now swift and formidable.
Seol Seorin retracted Makhan’s tail with a smile.
“No need to thank me. We’re on the same team, after all. It’s the strong’s duty to protect the weak, isn’t it?”
A vein throbbed on Mok Danhwa’s forehead. What was that supposed to mean? She wanted to grab Seol Seorin by the hair and fight, but she held back, channeling her irritation into her attacks on the cultists instead.
“Haaargh!”
“Run! Aaaah!”
The two women danced through the chaos, their movements as deadly as they were graceful.
Not all teams were as tense. Some fought with a detached indifference, despite being on the same side.
“Ugh! What is this wind…!”
A sudden gust sent cultists flying, their weapons clattering to the ground.
“Hold your ground!”
The leader of the cultists crossed his arms, bracing himself against the gale. It was a tremendous wind, and only his considerable inner strength kept him from being swept away.
As he steadied himself, others followed suit, focusing their energy to withstand the storm.
“Damn it! What’s causing this wind?”
“It’s sorcery! Stay alert!”
The leader spotted Neung Sosso and shouted, “It’s her! She’s the one conjuring the wind!”
“Kill her!”
The cultists charged, but Celestine, transformed into a flock of predatory birds, gave them no respite. Only Neung Sosso, wielding her staff, could see the spirit she had summoned.
Despite the cultists’ efforts, the leader slowly advanced against the wind. Neung Sosso, however, was growing anxious. Summoning Celestine drained her energy, and the man assigned to her team…
‘How can he sleep in a situation like this? Does he have narcolepsy?’
She was on the verge of tears. The stranger from the Newborn Team had been dozing since the battle began, arms crossed, seemingly oblivious to the chaos.
‘I’m at my limit…!’
Without her staff, she would have dismissed Celestine long ago. It was a miracle she had lasted this long.
Finally, Neung Sosso released the spirit, gasping for breath.
“Hah, hah, hah… I can’t go on…”
With the wind gone, the cultists who had been bracing themselves stumbled forward, collapsing in a heap.
“You witch!”
“Your tricks end here!”
The cultists, enraged, leapt at her. But just as their shadows descended, a flash of light cut through them.
Ong Gisung, who had been dozing, suddenly sprang into action, slicing through the attackers with precision.
Neung Sosso was stunned.
“He’s… fighting in his sleep?”
She had seen it with her own eyes: Ong Gisung, eyes closed, reacting instinctively.
“Argh!”
“What the…! Agh!”
The cultists fell like autumn leaves, their cries echoing as they hit the ground. As they writhed in pain, Neung Sosso summoned Celestine once more.
“Celestine!”
A powerful gust swept the fallen cultists away, clearing the battlefield. With the fight over, Neung Sosso approached Ong Gisung, her face bright with admiration.
“Wow, you’re amazing! I thought you were asleep… Oh, I don’t even know your name yet. I’m Neung Sosso.”
”…”
“I didn’t realize you were so strong. I’m glad we’re on the same team.”
”…Zzz.”
Neung Sosso realized he had fallen asleep again. She gaped, then gently shook his shoulder.
“Um… hello?”
“Hmm…? Oh! We’re still here. Yawn. Shall we move on?”
“Uh, yes. But your name…?”
”…”
“What’s your name?”
When Neung Sosso raised her voice, Ong Gisung snapped awake, scratching his head.
“Sorry, I sleep a lot… My name is… Ong… Ong… Oh! Almost fell asleep again. ‘Ong Gisung.’”
“Oh, Master Ong. I’m Neung Sosso.”
“Yes, a very pretty… name… Zzz…”
Realizing further conversation was futile, Neung Sosso shook her head and moved on. Miraculously, Ong Gisung followed her, even in his sleep.
As they rounded a corner, they saw Yeom Jaryang engaged in battle.
‘I should help!’
She started to rush forward but stopped, realizing it wasn’t necessary.
Yeom Jaryang was fighting alongside Yusongryeong and Seok Tangang, forming a formidable trio.
“Everyone’s incredible.”
Neung Sosso watched in awe. The man with the chain sickle fought in a style she had never seen, perfectly synchronized with the woman wielding a greatsword.
His chain served as a platform, a lifeline, and a means to amplify her power. With Yeom Jaryang’s support, they were nearly unstoppable.
Swish! Thud!
A chilling sound followed by a scream as the sickle embedded itself in a cultist’s chest. Yusongryeong sprinted along the chain, and Yeom Jaryang quickly followed, using it to enhance their speed.
Thud!
The two warriors reached the end of the chain and leapt into the air.
“Haah!”
“Hyaah!”
Their blades unleashed a storm of energy, cutting down the cultists in droves.
“Monsters!”
“Fools! Fight back!”
As some cultists fled in terror, their leader executed one to restore order. But the battle was already lost for those who had lost their will to fight.
As Yeom Jaryang watched them, he approached Yu Songryeong with a curious expression.
“I’m truly impressed by your exceptional martial skills. My name is Yeom Jaryang. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”
“It’s not that impressive, but sure. I’m Yu Songryeong.”
Though she had a rather strong-willed personality, Yu Songryeong couldn’t bring herself to be rude when Yeom Jaryang was being so polite.
Yeom Jaryang had been impressed by Seok Tangang’s martial arts, but it was Yu Songryeong’s skill with a sword similar to his own that left a deeper impression.
Meanwhile, Seok Tangang, who had been watching from a distance, furrowed his brow and approached the two.
“Ryeong.”
“Oh, Kang. This is my friend, Seok Tangang. He’s quite skilled with a chain sickle…”
“Let’s go, Ryeong.”
Seok Tangang interrupted, grabbing Yu Songryeong’s wrist with a brusque expression.
“Wait, we’re on the same team. We should at least introduce ourselves…”
“Knowing names won’t change anything.”
Yu Songryeong tilted her head, puzzled by Seok Tangang’s abruptness.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“And you.”
Seok Tangang stopped and pointed his sickle at Yeom Jaryang.
Startled by the ominous aura, Yeom Jaryang flinched as Seok Tangang spoke in a blunt tone.
“Stay off my chain.”
“Ah… I just thought it was an effective attack during the fight, so I acted without asking. If it bothered you…”
But before Yeom Jaryang could finish, Seok Tangang was already dragging Yu Songryeong away.
Left standing there, Yeom Jaryang shrugged and muttered to himself.
“Feels like I’m not very popular. Why is that?”
“I think I might know why.”
Neng Sosso, who had approached unnoticed, spoke with a playful smile.
She watched Yu Songryeong and Seok Tangang walk away with a hint of envy in her eyes.
Yeom Jaryang turned to Neng Sosso and asked, “Really? Why? I wasn’t rude to them!”
“Well… Instructor Sabigang always says, ‘If you give away the answers too easily, there’s no room for growth.’”
“Ugh, not you too?”
Just as Yeom Jaryang was grumbling,
RUMBLE!
The ground began to shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck.