Against an opponent who was clearly stronger, faster, and technically more complete than herself.
Yu-jin bravely stood her ground and successfully bought almost all the ti she had promised Su-hyeon.
But.
"Ugh!"
With just 20 seconds remaining, Yu-jin lost her grip on her Willow Water Sword.
"Ah!"
Looking at Yu-jin's wide eyes, Cheong-myeong said.
"You seem quite attached to that sword."
"!"
"Then I can't help but break it for you."
Cheong-myeong raised his foot to step on and break the Willow Water Sword.
'No!'
Yu-jin, unable to bear seeing the sword Su-hyeon had given her being broken, rushed forward.
"I knew you would."
Cheong-myeong grinned and swung his sword toward her approaching trajectory.
It was a perfectly tid trap bearing down on Yu-jin, but.
Slash!
Yu-jin, who stopped her movent the mont the attack began, swung wide around and avoided Cheong-myeong's sword energy by a paper-thin margin.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, Yu-jin's response of raising her middle finger joint to launch Dragon Head Fist was extrely nimble.
"Hmph!"
Cheong-myeong dodged the attack flying toward his brow and moved to slice open Yu-jin's stomach.
Swish!
Yu-jin, leaping high and doing a sorsault in mid-air, landed behind Cheong-myeong.
Swoosh!
Yu-jin, who dodged the sword drawing a wide arc by greatly lowering her posture as if avoiding a booby trap, stretched out her hand and retrieved the Willow Water Sword.
"A swordsman risking her life to recover her sword! I don't know if that's stupid or smart!"
Boom! Boom Boom!
Cheong-myeong gave no respite to Yu-jin, who rose to her feet while rolling on the ground to avoid the sword trying to stab her.
Clang!
"Ugh!"
Yu-jin, who directly received the Flying Strike that ca ignoring distance, barely dissipated its force as she staggered backward.
However.
Whoosh!
The follow-up triple Flying Strike imdiately assaulted Yu-jin along three trajectories—upper, middle, and diagonal.
'No, I can't block all of this......!'
Right at that mont.
Clang!
Appearing in front of Yu-jin using Chukji, Su-hyeon completely blocked the triple strike using his Moonless Sword and Hardening Shield.
"Su-hyeon!"
"You held out really well."
"Haaaah."
Yu-jin exhaled heavily against Su-hyeon's reliable back, releasing the breath she had been holding.
'Considering the power gap between Cheong-myeong and Yu-jin.'
This was more than just a valiant fight.
'But I believed Yu-jin could hold out.'
Su-hyeon smiled.
"Jeong Su-hyeon!"
Cheong-myeong's face contorted.
'Wait, then Ha Jin-su is......?'
Cheong-myeong's gaze turned sideways.
"!!"
Cheong-myeong was shocked to see Ha Jin-su's corpse lying spread-eagled on the ground with his head gone.
"Su-hyeon, did you...Ha Jin-su...!"
"I dealt with him."
"You bastard! What the hell did you do!"
Cheong-myeong shouted.
"I crushed his head with my fist."
Su-hyeon answered dryly.
"Impossible! How could soone like you!"
"I'll show you how I did it right now."
Su-hyeon said, looking over his shoulder.
"Yu-jin."
"Yes."
"Cover ."
"Got it."
Whoosh.
Yu-jin squeezed out her last strength and launched a Flying Strike infused with Penetrating Scene.
"Tch!"
Clang!
Cheong-myeong turned sideways instead of blocking the Flying Strike.
'Behind!'
Su-hyeon, who used Chukji to position himself behind Cheong-myeong, swung his sword.
Clang!
Although his rear was taken, Cheong-myeong's body vibrated as he managed to block the attack by a hair's breadth thanks to reading the timing.
'This bastard!'
Compared to Yu-jin's, it was an attack of a different dinsion in terms of speed, trajectory, and power.
This was even true when compared to when he had crossed swords with Su-hyeon just days ago.
Slash!
Su-hyeon's calf kick sharply struck the shin, exploiting the gap when Cheong-myeong's posture wavered.
'Damn it!'
"First, I'll take away your mobility."
Slash! Slash!
Su-hyeon drove in consecutive inside and outside calf kicks to the sa area.
'This bastard!'
Just from that, Cheong-myeong's calf muscles ruptured.
'It's really working.'
Seeing the grimacing face, Su-hyeon executed his next move as fluidly as flowing water.
Clang!
Their swords entangled in a middle stance.
'You son of a bitch, trying to kick the sa place four tis?'
As Su-hyeon's left leg moved to deliver another calf kick, Cheong-myeong quickly retreated backward, trying to escape the range.
But.
'Got him.'
Instead of delivering the calf kick, Su-hyeon stepped deeply with his left foot and pushed forward hard, riding Cheong-myeong's retreating montum.
"Kuk!"
Cheong-myeong, who was helplessly pushed back two more steps, belatedly tried to brace himself by putting strength into his back foot and core at that very mont.
Crack!
Su-hyeon twisted his sword greatly, pulling Cheong-myeong's sword down below the waist.
'This is!'
Before Cheong-myeong, who realized his face was completely exposed, could respond.
Smack!
Su-hyeon's sharp short uppercut lifted Cheong-myeong's chin.
"Kuk!"
The fist swung in a state of relaxation accurately hit the pin-point, shaking Cheong-myeong's brain.
Whack!
A lightning-fast spinning kick imdiately followed, turning Cheong-myeong's chin sideways and creating a clean knockdown.
"......!"
Two powerful effective strikes created through fluid combinations and the skill to imdiately utilize the opponent's responses.
'He's really incredible.'
Yu-jin was astonished watching the scene.
"Urrgh, you fucking bastard!"
Cheong-myeong, who quickly recovered from the damage with his Ma-in's characteristically sturdy body, charged at Su-hyeon.
But.
10 exchanges, 20 exchanges, 30 exchanges.
As the exchanges continued, it was Cheong-myeong who was being pushed back.
"Your mastery is much deeper than Ha Jin-su's. I'll give you that much."
"Don't talk as if you're so great!"
Whoosh!
Su-hyeon, who sliced Cheong-myeong's side while avoiding his sword strike and circling away, drained the strength from his body once more.
And then.
'Chukji.'
Su-hyeon, who transferred intense energy to his fist using all the joints and muscles in his body as conduits, tilted his fist sideways, putting the weight of his skull into the punch.
It was a dangerous movent that took his eyes off the enemy and used his body extensively.
But once the fist was extended, doubt was unnecessary.
Boom!
And no confirmation was needed for the result produced by the punch thrown with his entire body.
"Uuurrgh!"
Crack! Crunch!
Cheong-myeong's body, hit in the abdon, bent into a '??' shape and flew dozens of ters, breaking the trunks of ten trees.
"Kuk, urgh."
Looking at Cheong-myeong rolling on the ground, unable to withstand the excessive pain, Su-hyeon nodded.
"This is the end for you."
Another judgnt was approaching.
??????°??☆????°??????
"Hah."
Jang Su-il, who was engaged in a bloody battle with the Sword God, was startled by the trendous boom and turned his head.
He discovered Cheong-myeong rolling about after being sent flying dozens of ters.
"This is really... unbelievable."
Moreover, in the distance was Ha Jin-su's corpse lying with his head exploded.
"Hahaha."
It wasn't funny, but he laughed anyway.
[Jeong Su-hyeon has beco stronger. Unbelievably so.]
Hwang Won-jae's telepathy echoed in Jang Su-il's mind.
"Yeah. He's fucking strong."
As things stood, it would beco a situation where he would be eaten alive by the still vigorous Sword God and Jeong Su-hyeon, who had taken down Ha Jin-su and Cheong-myeong in succession.
'There's that little girl too.'
Turning his gaze to Yu-jin as well, Jang Su-il had to admit that this situation was very, very unfavorable for him.
[I'll make Cheong-myeong go berserk.]
"Huh."
Hwang Won-jae imdiately decided Cheong-myeong's fate.
Hwang Won-jae had shown no rcy even when disposing of 'Pleasure Killer' Kwak Hyeokjung, with whom he had built a kind of comradeship over many years.
Let alone disposing of an old enemy whom he had corrupted with his own hands, rather than being regretful, it was rely 'wasteful.'
"We're fucked."
Jang Su-il smiled bitterly.
'Su-hyeon. Just how strong have you beco?'
The Sword God, without bothering to attack him, was likewise amazed at Su-hyeon's imposing presence.
[Jang Su-il. Retreat.]
"What the fuck is this shit."
Jang Su-il's anger rose to the top of his head.
This ti, truly.
This ti, definitely.
...wasn't it?
Confident in victory, believing in his own strength.
Hadn't he been excited at the thought of killing the Sword God and kicking his severed head?
Yet they had failed again.
'How many tis is this now?'
From the Execution Force's perspective, they must be a truly annoying and troubleso enemy.
But from his perspective as well, the repeated failures to have things go his way were no small stress.
"You're stress. You're all stress."
Especially Jeong Su-hyeon.
Just what the hell was that kid's identity?
Look at what that man had just done.
Now he wasn't even confident that he himself could win.
And nothing wounded his pride more than that.
"Don't you get it yet? That bastard is the problem. We need to kill that bastard. Why didn't we plan to kill him first?"
[You know it too. Until a few days ago, Jeong Su-hyeon was a being who didn't match the power you or Ha Jin-su possessed. Him becoming this strong is completely outside our assumptions.]
"Fuck!"
Hwang Won-jae was right.
But understanding with the head and accepting with the heart were different matters.
"Then what should I do! This is the result of underestimating and sparing one little ant! Kwak Hyeokjung is dead, and Ha Jin-su is dead!"
[I know.]
"You know? Do you also know that leaving that bastard alive will be a constant source of trouble? No, he's already a huge fucking problem!"
[Jang Su-il.]
Hwang Won-jae said, suppressing his anger.
[I know that better than anyone.]
"Then why!"
[Enough. ......Do you have listening ears?]
The Sword God quietly watched as Jang Su-il appeared to be conversing with an invisible soone.
[I'll advise you one last ti. While Cheong-myeong is going berserk, escape. Bang Seung-su is waiting at the designated point.]
"Fuck. I can't stand this. I'll either kill these bastards or die trying."
Jang Su-il replied in an agitated voice.
[Is that so.]
Hwang Won-jae's voice grew colder.
[That's not sothing you get to choose.]
Whoooosh!
[I'm activating the authority granted by 'Him.' I'll activate control temporarily. Rember that this notification is the maximum consideration given your rank and contribution.]
"No, fuck!"
Jang Su-il, finally desperate, tried to engage in dialogue, but it was already too late.
"Just listen to ?"
[Did you listen to ?]
"Damn it!"
[Jang Su-il. You must return alive. Even if we lose Ha Jin-su and Cheong-myeong, you must live.]
Thump!
Jang Su-il's eyes changed.
"Aaaaaargh!"
Cheong-myeong, who had forgotten even the damage to his destroyed body, began to go berserk.
"Move aside, old man!"
Jang Su-il charged at the Sword God.
'Is he escaping!'
Although he had been holding his own through overwhelming experience and skill.
Lee Un-hak was well aware that, considering the remaining strength and stamina, if Jang Su-il were to go all out now, he too would have to pay a great price.
Whoosh!
Jang Su-il swung his fist widely, pushing the Sword God back, and fled.
"I'll definitely kill you next ti!"
Jang Su-il would rember this humiliation for a long ti.
'...Well then.'
Lee Un-hak sighed with a tired face.
'I should finish the remaining loose end.'
??????°??☆????°??????
Ten minutes later.
"Hah."
Cheong-myeong, with his sword broken and combat ability completely lost, lay spread-eagled.
Cheong-myeong's rampage was so fierce and violent.
Su-hyeon activated the Non-Self Realm by dropping his coldly cooled reason below the surface of unconsciousness, and succeeded in subduing Cheong-myeong through combined strikes with the Sword God.
"......How empty."
The turbid demonic energy had almost disappeared from Cheong-myeong's eyes as he muttered.
Reason had returned to his brain as the demonic nature was largely washed away due to the aftermath of going berserk by pouring out demonic energy.
"Cheong-myeong."
Toward his old father looking down at him with grief, Cheong-myeong spoke in a labored voice.
"I lived a life by the sword. My inadequacy, my greed ruined that path. I'm sorry."
"......."
Lee Un-hak closed his eyes tightly, unable to give any response.
"Considering my sins, I have no right to ask."
Cheong-myeong continued his words with difficulty, one by one.
"If you would grant
a final rcy for the lives I've protected thus far. At the very least, let
die by the sword."
"Cheong-myeong, you fool."
At last, Lee Un-hak shed tears.
"Uncle."
Yu-jin said.
"You were my idol."
"Idol...... was."
Cheong-myeong smiled bitterly, ruminating on the irreversible sothing felt in the connotation of those words.
"Thinking about it now, I was a man who fell short of deserving my niece's respect."
"......That's not true."
"Thank you for saying so."
Cheong-myeong turned his head back to Lee Un-hak.
"Hwang Won-jae."
And finally from his lips.
"Hwang Won-jae corrupted ."
The na of the true villain erged.
"......Hwang Won-jae?"
Lee Un-hak asked with an incredulous face.
"You an Chairman Hwang Yong-jae's brother?"
"Yes."
"......!"
Yu-jin was also greatly shocked by this identity she couldn't have imagined.
"......He leads the [Sword of Belphegor]. Acting on behalf of soone called 'Him.'"
"Ah."
"We were all deceived by him."
"Grandfather!"
Yu-jin supported Lee Un-hak who was staggering from the shock.
'Finally.'
Su-hyeon thought.
'Now I can directly target Hwang Won-jae with a perfect justification.'
It was a long wait.
Having Hwang Won-jae's na revealed through soone else's lips rather than his own was the best choice considering the confusion that would follow.
'Your nimble sches have finally caught up with you.'
"......But my corruption was ultimately due to the ugly inferiority complex inside . Father, let
state clearly that at least that much was my responsibility."
"Cheong-myeong."
Tears flowed down Lee Un-hak's wrinkled eyes.
"My inferiority complex, my hypocrisy caused too many innocent deaths. This sin deserves to be repaid with death."
"Cheong-myeong!"
Even if the White Castle was impossible given that he was already designated as a red Ma-in.
It was possible for him to spend his remaining life in the Black Castle.
But.
"Father. I no longer want to be a coward."
Cheong-myeong turned his head to Su-hyeon.
"I'm sorry, but would you help ?"
"......."
Swish.
Su-hyeon drew his Moonless Sword.
"Captain Sword Warrior Lee Cheong-myeong. Do you have any final words?"
Su-hyeon paid his final respects on the sending-off path.
"......Well."
Cheong-myeong smiled sadly.
"What's the use of leaving more miserable words? I only feel endlessly guilty toward my family, toward the disciple who died because of , and toward the people who died by my hands."
"......."
"Now, send
off."
Cheong-myeong, who barely managed to rise and knelt as if in penance, said.
"I understand."
Su-hyeon nodded.
"This grudge."
Lee Un-hak's tears mixed with blood, turning red.
"I will surely repay it."
"......I'll depart keeping that sentint in mind."
Cheong-myeong closed his eyes.
"Father, farewell."
Thrust!
The Moonless Sword pierced Cheong-myeong's heart.
"Cheong-myeong!"
"Uncle!"
Leaving behind the anguished cries of the two blood relatives.
'Ho-seung.'
In his fading consciousness, Cheong-myeong thought.
'My sins are too great for
to go where you are.'
Sword Warrior Lee Cheong-myeong.
A man who had walked a long and winding path.
Yet in his final mont, he closed his eyes as a human.
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