Chokseong-2

Facing a large number of bandits, Inho didn’t give it much thought.

He closed the distance, trudging along as if he were out picking up trash.

They seemed to be a fairly large group of bandits, and the way they brandished their weapons was menacing.

Of course, to Inho, it was no different from a small stray cat hissing.

He planted a knee into the face of the first bandit who charged at him.

Inho’s attack landed fiercely on a vital point where even a light touch could leave one breathless.

Mechanically dodging the incoming blades, he thrust fists and feet, no different from weapons, into every gap.

One person per move, all collapsing or falling backward.

They were still alive, but they wouldn’t be getting up easily.

Yeomjin and Soyou often criticized Inho for being too lenient, but Inho had no intention of changing that.

Taking someone’s life was too high a hurdle for him.

“20.”

By the time Soyou’s count reached 20, the number of bandits attacking Inho had been halved.

In truth, Inho was a little impatient.

He wanted to defeat them and quickly go to the bandits’ hideout.

‘If there’s a structure worthy of being called a hideout, it can only be there.’

He recalled the Black Heaven Cult’s headquarters, where he had lived comfortably in his tainted memories.

It was certainly different from the bandits’ hideout, but he was sure he could find similar traces…

Inho wanted to go there.

Perhaps because of that desire? Inho’s movements became faster and bolder.

Inho threw himself into the midst of the enemy.

“You bastard!”

The moment he struck the jaw of the bandit in front of him, a spear was thrust from the side.

Inho leaned his head back and watched the spearhead pass before his eyes.

-Swish

The spear grazed the tip of Inho’s nose very slightly, and a few drops of blood splattered.

Feeling the sting, Inho was about to retaliate.

However, his fist never reached his opponent.

Soyou, who had flown in unnoticed, slammed her heel into the bandit’s crown, burying him into the ground.

The bandit couldn’t make a sound and died instantly, his head shattered.

The remaining bandits, terrified by the gruesome sight, distanced themselves from them.

“……”

Red eyes gleamed eerily.

Like prey before a predator, the bandits froze, unable to flee or attack.

“Gwaek!”

Soyou grabbed Inho’s cheeks with both hands and pulled him close to her face.

“Inho, are you alright?”

Soyou asked with a voice full of concern.

“I’m fine?”

Inho replied with a disgruntled expression at Soyou’s fuss.

“To put a blade to your face… they deserve to be torn to pieces.”

Even after confirming Inho’s safety, Soyou’s anger did not subside.

Rather, it flared up like oil poured on a bonfire.

Soyou kicked off the ground and struck the throat of the bandit in the front with a hand blade.

-Crack

The bandit’s neck broke, and his head dangled grotesquely.

The bandits let out low screams at the sight.

“The only one who can touch my disciple is me. You vermin.”

Growling, Soyou conjured flames in her hand.

Soon, the smell of burning flesh spread throughout the mountain.