Chapter 1236: Scorched World

I was mistaken.

If I’ve done this much, I should be able to rest.

That’s what I thought.

Knowing how endlessly prideful martial artists are. I figured they wouldn’t call upon more humans if they could help it.

Or so I thought.

“I nominate Baek Yangcheon of Cheongryong Unit.”

“Damn it.”

These damn things always move differently than I expect. The crazy bastards started nominating me.

Why would people who live and die by honor call upon exhausted humans who have repeatedly fought?

I really couldn’t understand it.

“You should have used your energy.”

So Yi told me the answer.

“This happened because you weren’t fighting properly.”

“…….”

It seems in their eyes, I looked like I wasn’t even using my energy because I wasn’t up to their level.

The youngest one, not using energy against them.

Seeing that, they got pissed off.

I could feel their determination to make me use my energy somehow.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

It feels like I provoked them unintentionally. Do they think I’m not using it because I don’t want to? I want to use it too.

‘Ha…….’

How many is it now? After Beomdong and Tang Cheongi, I fought three more, so I’ve already defeated five.

This one would make it six.

Yeah. I fought six in a row. Does that even make sense?

“……Don’t these guys have any damn conscience?”

How can they make me fight six? Since when has this kind of rule existed?

Who made this rule?

Grind.

I went up to the martial arts stage, grinding my teeth. No, I couldn’t get down. My position had been here ever since I beat Tang Cheongi.

“It’s Jang Yucheon of Cheollyong Unit.”

“……Yes. I am Baek Yangcheon.”

“This time will be different. I will break your arrogance.”

“…….”

I haven’t been arrogant at all. I’m fighting harder than anyone right now, so who are you calling arrogant?

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the guy.

‘Hand position. Footwork.’

I checked his stance and figured him out.

‘He’s a spear user.’

As expected, he’s a guy who uses a spear as his cherished weapon. I don’t know his nickname or his name.

I just brought my fist forward.

Swish-!!!

I charged in the moment the familiar match start sound rang out. I perceived the agile spear tip with my inner eye.

My body moved. I naturally dodged, as if entrusting my body to the wind.

I calculated the distance to the spear. The opening to charge in was meager.

‘If so.’

If there isn’t one, I’ll find it.

If I can’t find it even after looking.

‘I have to make one.’

I searched for a way, somehow.

Swish-! Swish-swish-!!

Due to its speed and elasticity, the spear looked like it was bending. To be precise, it probably was bending. Seeing the energy surrounding it, his cultivation level must be considerable.

‘If I tried to deflect his protective energy directly.’

It’s obvious my arm would be strained.

‘Instead of deflecting, I’ll go with guiding it.’

I sought and modified the method again.

Seeing the charging spear, I instead threw myself forward.

“What!?”

Jang Yucheon was surprised. He seemed surprised that I charged in instead of dodging, but from my perspective, it was the best option.

Anyway, in a fight against a spear user, closing the distance was important, and there were only a few ways to do that.

I had to charge headfirst.

And do it while deflecting, if possible.

Sssshhhk-!

I lightly pushed the spear away with my palm. The energy approached as if to tear my skin, but I defended using my inner eye’s energy.

They say inner sight is different from energy, but there are parts where I have no choice but to use it, so complete defense is impossible.

Flick-! Blood splattered. My skin was torn.

Pain came, but I ignored it too. The penetrating wound from the fight with Tang Cheongi was taxing.

“Kkuhk!”

The distance closed. The guy tried to push me away using recoil.

My gaze was on his feet.

I analyzed the angle of his knee and the twist of his upper body.

I moved my body according to the angle he was trying to push me.

“What!? …?!”

Instead of getting further, I got even closer. At this point, he’d probably try to push me away using his defensive palm strike.

‘That’s it.’

I found an opening.

The moment he briefly gathered strength to unleash his energy.

Targeting that, I drove my fist in.

Ppak-!!

“Kuhk!”

Kwaduduk-!!

His energy collapsed at the weak point, and his shoulder dislocated.

The spear he was holding wavered. I extended my foot, grabbed his knee, and twisted it. His upper body bent forward.

I raised my palm and flicked his jaw.

Ppuk-!

“Kuuk.”

His mouth closed, letting out a strange groan. The spear user immediately knelt.

He lost consciousness.

“……Hoo.”

After sending off that whatever-his-name-was from Cheollyong Unit, I caught my breath.

‘This….’

My body heated up. Was it sweat? I couldn’t use my energy, so I was fighting purely with physical strength.

The fatigue that came from that. Muscle exhaustion I hadn’t felt recently.

The concentration required to grasp all of the opponent’s senses.

As all that piled up, something I hadn’t felt in a long time was rising within me.

‘……It’s not bad?’

It’s fun.

I subtly felt that way. It felt like I could gain something.

There was something to gain from this martial arts match I was forced into. Thinking that, I laughed without realizing it.

“……That guy. Is he laughing?”

“He didn’t even use his energy and beat him again. Did the Vacuum Spear fall so helplessly?”

“He’s mocking the one he contemptuously stepped on. He couldn’t possibly have that look otherwise!”

“What the hell is that guy’s true identity……!!”

“Damn it……! I can’t believe how infuriated I am…!”

“…….”

It seemed like another strange misunderstanding was occurring.

Ugh. This is driving me insane.

‘Let’s give up.’

I felt it was becoming pointless.

‘Besides.’

It felt pointless to continue. I fought six. If the goal was Cheongryong Unit’s victory, then by my standards, I had achieved my quota.

‘My father is here anyway.’

Based on the situation, I judged that my father could win. The Sinyong Unit Leader. That guy is bothersome, though……

‘Something.’

I felt confident that my father could do it. Just based on the aura and presence he showed earlier.

‘If it comes to this.’

Wouldn’t it be okay to stop for real?

That thought crossed my mind.

‘If I overexert myself further, my regeneration speed won’t keep up.’

The arm Tang Cheongi injured, or the various scrapes from the matches. If left alone, they’d heal quickly, but I can’t leave them unattended for too long.

‘If I’ve done this much without energy, I’ve done enough.’

Further combat would bring more harm than gain. Thinking so, I looked at the referee.

And I spoke the words I had prepared.

“I fought three more. Shouldn’t I be allowed to choose from my side at this point?”

“……The right to choose?”

“Yes.”

I had already fought several more. It felt unfair to only be nominated. So I wanted to get to choose once more.

At my words, the referee looked somewhere.

He looked towards the sect leader’s side, who was in charge of this martial arts tournament.

“That’s a reasonable request. Shouldn’t they allow us to choose as well?”

The answer came from Cheolhyeol Busan. He was looking at me, sending intense gazes.

He had the look of someone who had truly discovered something, and next to him, Paejon was frowning while looking at Cheolhyeol Busan.

“Granted. Choose whomever you wish.”

“…….”

Geomjon hadn’t even said anything, but Cheolhyeol Busan readily granted permission.

Fortunately, the Sword Master seemed to agree, nodding his head.

“Announce your choice.”

The referee then spoke to me.

The moment I heard that, I pointed. I had already found my opponent.

“I choose that person.”

“……Hm?”

The person I pointed at scowled.

“……Hah.”

Then, seemingly grasping the situation, he showed clear displeasure.

“Leader of Beomnyong Unit. Step forward.”

The person I had chosen was none other than the leader of Beomnyong Unit.

The guy who had spouted nonsense at my father.

“This is absurd.”

He stepped onto the martial arts stage with an obviously annoyed expression.

“Don’t get so cocky. Just because you beat one of my subordinates, do you think I’m no different?”

I had beaten Beomdong. Perhaps because he knew his subordinate was defeated. Or maybe.

‘Because he hates my father.’

Maybe because he’s someone who dislikes my father. He seemed quite displeased by my nomination.

“It’s not really like that.”

If I had to state a reason.

‘He’s a unit leader level.’

He was someone who would provide justification if I lost. And he was someone convenient for getting excuses or agreements from the Cheongryong Unit Leader.

“It’s just… he caught my eye?”

“……Hah.”

No matter what I said, he would get upset anyway.

So there was no point in saying more.

Ssssk.

As the Beomnyong Unit leader stepped onto the stage, he immediately drew his longsword.

“You seem to have gotten cocky after beating your inferiors. To show such an attitude in front of me. You take right after your unit leader.”

“Oh, really?”

I chuckled. Resembling my father? I don’t hear that often, so it wasn’t bad.

“……Laughing?”

Perhaps displeased even by my attitude, the Beomnyong Unit leader subtly radiated hostility.

“You must think lightly of us because we’re an intelligence unit. Brat. You’re not in a position to dismiss us so easily.”

“I didn’t dismiss you lightly.”

I shrugged and replied. He’s right. Although Beomnyong Unit is an intelligence unit, they aren’t weak in terms of martial power.

Of course.

‘It’s true they’re the weakest, though.’

Among the Palgeom Units, in terms of martial power, they’re confirmed to be on a level not much different from Pungnyong Unit.

Still, unit leaders might be different……

‘Alright.’

I’ll fight moderately and then lose.

With that thought, I clenched my fist.

Still, if I lose too obviously, it’ll be awkward. I should match his level.

As I was thinking that.

“Martial match.”

“Begin.”

With the familiar call, the Beomnyong Unit leader looked at me.

“I’ll yield the first move. I’ll show you the difference in our levels.”

“…….”

It was truly unnecessary consideration.

“Ah, yes. Then I gratefully accept.”

Thump.

I charged quickly. I deflected the first move, exchanged a few blows, and rolled on the ground.

That was my objective.

With that, I thrust out my clenched fist.

There was still no energy.

So the power would be insignificant.

Surely.

It should have been.

As my fist moved towards the Beomnyong Unit leader, just before contact.

-Yapp.

I heard something cute near my ear.

Whooosh–!!!

“Huh?”

Was that the problem?

“Huh?”

A tingling energy wrapped around my fist. Energy? Did you say energy? Before I could even react to the unexpected sensation.

Thump-!

Kwaduduk-!?

“Kuhk!?”

My fist hit the Beomnyong Unit leader with a different speed than before. I tried to pull back my strength belatedly, but.

Kwaaaa-!!

With a violent sound, the Beomnyong Unit leader flew into the air.

“Ah.”

Watching the man soar high, I thought.

“Shit….”

It seemed like something had gone wrong again.