Episode 462: Return to the Demon Sect
Maeseolan stood tense, her eyes fixed on the middle-aged man before her.
He was undeniably strong.
Every movement, even the slightest twitch of her fingers, required utmost precision.
A single lapse in concentration, and she would find herself sprawled on the cold ground.
“That can’t happen!”
She bit her lip, determination etched on her face.
In contrast, the man facing her, Ilsinma, remained relaxed and composed.
“Impressive,” he remarked, nodding as if genuinely impressed by the surroundings.
He shrugged. “I thought this would be a walk in the park without the overseer. But you’ve held your ground better than expected. Quite troublesome, really. There were losses.”
“Calling the death of people a ‘loss’—typical of you vile demon sect scum,” Maeseolan retorted coldly.
Ilsinma chuckled. “If you’re trying to provoke me with such honest words, it’s a wasted effort. But I do commend your courage and tenacity. However, this is the end for you all.”
“Enough with the chatter!”
With a sharp cry, Maeseolan launched herself forward.
Two twin-headed snakes hissed menacingly as they lunged at Ilsinma, targeting both his upper and lower body.
“Impressive indeed.”
Clang!
“Ugh!”
Maeseolan staggered back, surprised.
She had anticipated his strength, but not that he would so effortlessly deflect her initial attack.
The blade in Ilsinma’s hand wavered like a reed in the wind.
“A soft blade…?”
She hadn’t expected it to be so thin and flexible until he blocked her attack. Its length and wide surface had given the illusion of a much thicker sword.
Yet, despite its lightness, the impact was heavy.
Maeseolan instinctively realized that her opponent was a step above her.
“He’s stronger than me. I have to admit it. So, what now?”
If only Sabigang were here. If she could just hear his voice, ask him what to do.
But she was alone.
“I have to find the answer myself! I have a duty to protect so many people!”
Gritting her teeth, Maeseolan charged at Ilsinma once more, her resolve unshaken.
“Haaah!”
The twin snakes darted forward again, weaving through the air.
This time, a larger serpent twisted to meet them.
The scene resembled a battle between two snakes and a massive serpent, each trying to overpower the other.
The slender snakes were swift and agile, but the large serpent was powerful and commanding.
As the snakes and serpent tangled, Maeseolan’s mind raced.
“I need to find an opening…!”
But Ilsinma’s languid expression made it seem as if she was the one exposing vulnerabilities.
“I’ve gauged your skills. Interesting, but still lacking.”
“Damn…!”
Maeseolan was taken aback. Despite his calm demeanor, Ilsinma’s breathing remained steady even as he wielded his sword with precision.
He narrowed his eyes. “They say the chief is a peerless beauty. Perhaps the master will be pleased, so I won’t kill you.”
Before he finished speaking,
Swoosh!
“Argh!”
Maeseolan staggered back, blood trickling down her arm.
Her chest, side, and thigh were all wounded, stained with blood.
Her side burned as if scorched by fire.
Her own sword had rebounded, piercing her side.
The blade, made with the bones of a dark beast, left a burn mark on her skin.
Ilsinma watched her with a hint of interest.
His attack could have been fatal, yet she had managed to deflect it.
He had aimed for a vital point, but she had only suffered a burn on her side.
In truth, she hadn’t blocked it; she had sacrificed her side to avoid a fatal blow.
The fact that she could make such a decision in an instant was remarkable.
While Ilsinma paused, Maeseolan caught her breath.
It was overwhelming.
Her hands and feet trembled from the strain.
She had narrowly avoided a critical hit.
By deflecting his sword and sacrificing her side, she had survived.
It was a desperate measure.
“What should I do now? Think. What would Sabigang do if he faced a stronger opponent?”
He would fight until he won.
She wanted to do the same.
But she had people to protect, subordinates to lead.
What would he do then?
Sabigang…!
Her mind was a whirlwind.
He would laugh and tease her for overthinking.
“Why make it so complicated?” he’d say. “Keep it simple.”
And then… wait!
Maeseolan’s eyes widened as if struck by a revelation.
Her thoughts had been complex and lengthy, but it all happened in a brief moment.
“Keep it simple…”
“What?”
Ilsinma frowned slightly.
But Maeseolan was no longer concerned with his reaction.
Her eyes lit up as if she’d been hit on the back of the head.
Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner?
She felt foolish.
Sabigang was always so clear.
Why had she made it so difficult?
Perhaps it was her pride as a warrior.
Once she let go of that pride, the answer was clear.
Maeseolan suddenly relaxed her stance.
Ilsinma narrowed his eyes. “What are you planning now?”
“He would have said this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If it’s too hard alone, fight together.”
With that, she pulled out a signal flare and launched it into the sky.
Whistle, bang!
A sharp sound followed by a small explosion in the air.
Ilsinma looked puzzled.
“A signal flare? Are you ordering a retreat?”
“No. It’s to draw someone’s attention!”
“Who…!”
At that moment,
Whoosh!
Ilsinma’s expression shifted as he quickly raised his blade.
Clang!
The blade wavered, and Ilsinma slid back several feet.
Then,
Whoosh, whoosh!
Two more arrows flew in rapid succession.
Clang, crash!
Ilsinma skidded back, finally stopping when he hit a wall.
In the next moment, Maeseolan pulled something else from her sleeve and threw it to the ground.
“And he would have said, if all else fails, run! He’s surprisingly straightforward!”
Boom!
Thick smoke billowed out, obscuring everything.
It was impossible to see even an inch ahead.
And yet, more arrows flew through the darkness.
Whoosh!
Thud!
Amazingly, the arrow aimed directly at Ilsinma’s forehead.
But even more astonishingly, he split it in two with a direct strike.
As he unleashed his dark energy, the smoke dissipated.
But Maeseolan was already gone.
Looking around, he saw the warriors of the Demon Sect retreating toward the southern gate.
Ilsinma’s expression twisted for the first time.
“Playing cute, are we?”
**
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
Gokbo-ok panted heavily, glaring at the man before him, Samsinma.
Samsinma was also breathing hard, but he seemed more composed than Gokbo-ok.
Wiping the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, Samsinma smirked.
“Not bad, you’ve got some skill with those fists.”
“Remember this. These fists will send you to the afterlife.”
Gokbo-ok clenched his fists, raising them defiantly.
Samsinma chuckled. “You righteous types are always full of bluster.”
“Shut up!”
Thud!
Gok Bo-ok launched himself into the air, landing squarely on Samsinma.
Boom!
Their fists collided with a thunderous impact, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Gok Bo-ok extended his left hand, shouting, “Shock Wave!”
A blue aura gathered around his fist, which then shot forward, striking Samsinma’s abdomen with force.
Boom!
The magic transmitted a shockwave deep into his opponent’s body.
“Ugh!” Samsinma grunted, clenching his teeth to suppress the pain.
“You little…! Don’t get cocky!” he roared, bringing his fist down from above.
Gok Bo-ok quickly raised his arm to block.
Boom!
The sound was like metal clashing against metal.
“Argh!” This time, it was Gok Bo-ok who groaned. Samsinma’s power was truly overwhelming.
Even with his iron gauntlets, the pain felt like his bones were cracking.
Just as Samsinma grinned and lunged forward to headbutt him, Gok Bo-ok thought, ‘What a hard-headed brute!’
Samsinma, having mastered the Iron Skin Technique, was practically a walking weapon. Gok Bo-ok braced himself, closing his eyes.
But then, Samsinma felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively turned around.
Whoosh!
An arrow sliced through the air, embedding itself deep in his side.
Ssssh!
He skidded back several feet before coming to a stop.
“Ugh!” Samsinma gritted his teeth against the searing pain.
Another arrow came flying at him with terrifying speed.
Whoosh!
In that instant, Gok Bo-ok let out a battle cry and charged.
“Die, you pig!”
Whoosh!
With an arrow imbued with energy and Gok Bo-ok’s fist both coming at him, Samsinma had no choice but to deal with one.
‘That arrow is dangerous…!’
Rumors of the Divine Archer of the Demonic Sect being the best in the land were widespread. Though Gok Bo-ok’s fist was no small threat, Samsinma had to make a choice.
Whizz!
He narrowly dodged the arrow, turning to face Gok Bo-ok with an open palm.
Gok Bo-ok’s fist met Samsinma’s palm with a resounding crash.
Boom!
Samsinma’s body was flung back like a cannonball, crashing through a wall.
It was inevitable. Already wounded in the shoulder and side, he couldn’t withstand Gok Bo-ok’s iron-clad assault.
Samsinma glared at Gok Bo-ok with half-closed eyes.
“You… cowards…!”
Gok Bo-ok approached him slowly, his voice cold. “Did I ever promise to fight alone? Besides, our master always said, once a fight starts, there’s no such thing as cowardice. Which means…”
He clenched his fist tightly, raising it high.
Samsinma, battered and defeated, could only glare defiantly.
Gok Bo-ok shouted as he brought his fist down. “Winning is all that matters!”
Whoosh!
Thud!
Gok Bo-ok’s eyes widened in shock. His fist should have shattered Samsinma’s head, but it was caught in someone else’s grip.
‘How… is this possible?’
He turned his head stiffly to see a man with long, flowing hair standing there, exuding a dark aura.
“Winning is all that matters, huh? That’s a simple and appealing philosophy,” the man murmured.
Samsinma looked at him and cried out, “Master!”