episode_0096

96. Bodyguard Aura.

In a world slowed down by [Acceleration], Johan watched the approaching blade with clear eyes. And even his broken longsword.

It was cut off very cleanly. I didn’t expect it to go this far.

I’ve been feeling this since earlier, but there wasn’t much difference between magic power and internal energy. If I had to compare, it would be the location where it resides?

Magic power feels like it’s in the chest, and internal energy feels like it’s around the abdomen. Other than that, there really wasn’t any difference.

‘I wish I could use magic to strengthen my body or boost the performance of my sword.’

Well, if I do well, I might be able to get a clue from this trial. While Johan was thinking about that, the distance between the blade and his neck was not much.

Johan extended his finger.

Shield.

[Structural Analysis] [Form Transformation]

Clang!

The index finger and the vice chief’s longsword meet. The vice chief’s eyes widened. It was as if he had swung his sword at steel.

“You! What kind of sorcery!”

In the vice chief’s view, Johan’s finger was visible. Something whitish was wrapping around his index finger. Could it be, Bodyguard Aura?

To block his sword using only pure internal force without any foundation like a sword! Even the chief cannot do this feat!

Johan looked at the trembling tip of the sword and said indifferently.

“Sorcery? It’s not wrong. However, it would be more appropriate to call it magic.”

“What kind of bizarre nonsense are you spouting…”

“I don’t think you’ll be able to understand.”

Johan extended his opposite finger to the vice chief. Soon, a blue light formed.

Pshew-

“Kuh-ah-ack!”

The vice chief’s chest was dented. He retreated, leaving rough marks on the ground.

Johan watched the scene with interest.

‘I was going to pierce through, but he endured it. That’s what Bodyguard Aura is.’

The vice chief, who had retreated for a moment, took a few breaths and charged at Johan again.

His recovery is decent too. Johan thought so.

Clang!

The vice chief’s sword and Johan’s shield met once again. The onlookers widened their eyes.

‘He, he blocked it with just one finger again!’

“Hmph! Die-!”

The vice chief spat out a rough scream and pushed Johan. However, unlike his wriggling body, his sword did not budge.

When Johan slightly extended his finger, the vice chief released a palm strike.

Soon, the magic missile and the vice chief’s palm met.

“You! Do you think I’ll fall for the same trick again!”

The vice chief shouted triumphantly. Johan nodded. And spread all five fingers.

“Certainly, one wouldn’t be enough.”

“What?”

Immediately after, the vice chief saw the afterimage of blue light in his vision. The number of those brilliant lights was five.

Clang- Crack!

He managed to block up to three shots, but after that, the vice chief’s palm was pushed back. The fourth palm was distorted grotesquely, and the fifth one was completely pierced.

The vice chief’s left arm seemed to be pushed back by the intense wind pressure. Thanks to that, the center of gravity of his whole body was broken. Johan looked at the vice chief, who was showing only the right side of his torso, and said.

“There’s still one shot left.”

Johan’s index finger flickered once again.

Pshew- Swoosh!

“Kuh-uh-uck…”

The vice chief with a hole in his abdomen fell forward. Johan slightly avoided it and then kicked the back of his head.

Bang!

“…”

The vice chief of the Black Forest Squad, who dominated a village, fell.

Come to think of it, there were still remaining executives.

Johan scanned his surroundings and said quietly.

“Anyone else?”

“”……!””

They were startled and bowed their heads.

And at the same time, they shouted. It was as if they had rehearsed it in advance. Although that’s unlikely.

“”We surrender!!””

That’s how Johan was able to take over the village without much difficulty.

Johan relaxed and said to Jang Cheong and the executives. It’s hard to keep standing.

“Lead the way to your branch. I think there’s something to talk about.”

***

In the center of the village was a fairly large manor.

Johan entered there, following the guidance of the executives. He unconsciously exclaimed and looked around.

“Oh, interesting.”

I felt it on the first floor too, but when I see the architecture or culture of this world, I get a strange feeling.

It’s like I’m on a trip abroad. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

One of the executives who was walking ahead smiled tactlessly and replied.

“Hahaha, it’s a manor built with a lot of manpower. We even brought in top-notch artisans to construct it.”

“Brought in?”

Johan unwittingly asked back.

The faces of the executives who read the nuance mixed in Johan’s words turned pale.

However, the tactless executive continued to speak.

“Yes. The resistance was so fierce that we couldn’t have brought them without threatening them with their daughter—”

Thwack, someone poked the executive’s side. Thanks to that, his lips stopped moving.

“What? Who dares—”

Bang!

Suddenly, the executive felt a strong impact on the back of his head. His face was slammed into the ground. Johan looked at the throbbing back of his head and said.

“To brag about that kind of thing, it’s ridiculous.”

“We, we apologize. Great Warrior! We will educate them well!”

Another executive quickly said. Johan nodded.

“I’ll trust you.”

“Yes!”

Johan and the Black Forest Squad members entered the conference room. Johan naturally sat in the seat of honor and said to the squad members.

“Sit.”

“Yes.”

Johan buried his whole body in the soft chair. It was a sight that showed no tension at all.

In the eyes of the executives, Johan’s whole body was full of loopholes. If they poured out an attack right now, he would give up his neck without resistance.

But they couldn’t do that. They had already witnessed Johan’s Bodyguard Skill and Finger Flicking Skill.

‘Showing such a defenseless state must be an old monster’s trick! I won’t fall for it!’

They firmly resolved.

Johan looked at the executives with hardened expressions and said.

“I killed one, and the vice chief and one executive are unconscious, so now you’re all that’s left.”

“……”

Johan turned his head to Jang Cheong, who was standing behind him. Jang Cheong and Gong Hyeong’s eyes turned to Johan.

“Jang Cheong. Do you have some faith now?”

“Yes. Sir Johan. I will follow you to the end.”

Jang Cheong made up his mind. He saw the possibility in the earlier fight. Maybe, this man might really take over the Black Forest Squad.

“Okay.”

Johan turned his head again and looked at the executives.

“Where is the Black Forest Squad chief now?”

An executive answered politely.

“He is not far away. It’s a village right next to us. It’s a bit bigger than here, but it’s still a small town.”

Jang Cheong added from behind.

“Currently, the Black Forest Squad owns a total of two villages. And this village that Sir Johan has now taken over is a village that has joined the Black Forest Squad relatively recently.”

“In other words, that side is the main branch, and this side is a branch office.”

“That’s right.”

“What is the combat power of the main branch?”

“That’s……”

The moment Jang Cheong was about to answer, Johan waved his hand. Jang Cheong reflexively shut his mouth.

“Jang Cheong, I didn’t ask you. Hey, vice chief. It seems like you know more than the other executives.”

“……”

Everyone’s gaze turned to the vice chief who was unconscious. The vice chief was still motionless. The executives tilted their heads. What is it?

“Can’t you see we’re having a serious meeting? Sleep later. If you don’t like that……”

Johan’s index finger glowed blue.

“I can wake you up myself.”

Immediately after, the vice chief slowly opened his eyes. He sighed and answered.

“……Alright, alright. You have a keen eye.”

“So, what is the combat power of the main branch? You haven’t answered yet.”

The vice chief frowned and looked at Johan. And he mumbled as if spitting out.

“Why should I tell you that?”

Johan raised his index finger.

“Stop! Stop! That’s enough! Can’t you put that damn finger away right now!”

Whether he was screaming or not, Johan was still pointing his finger at the vice chief.

He even additionally spread his middle finger following his index finger. The vice chief had a seizure.

“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you, so put your finger down!”

“Okay.”

Johan readily granted the vice chief’s request. The finger was withdrawn.

The vice chief let out a sigh of relief and wiped his forehead. The back of his hand became damp.

“……Haa, first of all, the chief is stationed there. And there are several executives under him. Roughly, there are more than twenty of them.”

“How is their level compared to Jang Cheong?”

“Jang Cheong? Ah, they are similar to that guy. There may be slight differences, but most of them are similar. The important thing is the chief. He is incomparably stronger than me.”

Johan smiled slightly at the vice chief’s words.

“At least you think I’m stronger than the chief when you look at it. You’re telling me so easily.”

“……I don’t want to admit it, but that’s the truth. No matter how good the chief is, he can’t use such monstrous Bodyguard Skill and Finger Flicking Skill. I don’t know about fighting only with swordsmanship, but fighting is not just about swords.”

The vice chief said, still stroking his still-numb abdomen. He felt the bandages that the manor’s servants had diligently wrapped to survive.

“What the hell is your identity? You don’t know how to pour internal energy into your sword or body, but you’re so good at using more difficult techniques. How is that possible?”

Johan pondered for a moment. What should I say? There is also a way to not answer, but Johan’s goal is to create his own organization and unify the central plains.

It’s not good to hide too much. Okay, I’ve decided. Johan slowly opened his mouth.

“I am……”