< Chapter 75: Rage (1) >
The Sword Spirit, and the Ghost Spirit sibling, were observing the situation from the sky.
Their flight was achieved through Sword Spirit’s technique ‘Ikigyeom Technique’, where they stood on a floating sword.
Additionally, they were hiding using the unique trait of the Ghost Spirit.
“What’s with that tiger?”
Sword Spirit furrowed his brow looking at Goldie, who was fighting the Drake.
“Why?”
“Look there. It was supposed to be in its peak rampage time, but it’s so calm.”
Was there a monster in Yeoncheon Field that could stand up to the Tyrant Drake?
Ghost Spirit looked at the Drake.
Beyond the grass, they could sense the life force of the academy students.
“Hmm. Seeing the students nearby, could it be a guardian beast?”
“A guardian beast is as strong as a Disaster-level monster?”
“It must be the nonsense of the rich.”
“Will there be any issues with our plan?”
“Hmm, wait a moment. Let me see.”
Ghost Spirit looked around.
Her eyes shone brightly.
“It seems to have improved. While the rampage range has been reduced, it has made the boundary more focused.”
With the reduced boundary range, kidnapping Shin Jia has become easier.
“I see.”
Sword Spirit smiled, seemingly satisfied.
“Speaking of which, that tiger. It’s just a fast skinny one.”
Sword Spirit commented casually, watching the battle between the Drake and Goldie.
“The Drake is overpowering in other specs.”
“Isn’t that a good fight though? It’s out of its territory and weakened, but it’s holding its own 1:1 against a Disaster-level monster.”
“That’s true, but…”
At a glance, it looked like a close monster showdown. But looking closely, the Drake was only focusing on the attack, and Goldie was fully committed to evasion.
Goldie was barely holding on.
“Oh! That was close just now!”
The Drake’s claw grazed Goldie’s skin. It was just a shallow scratch.
“Heh~ So this is the thrill of a monster showdown? Entertaining.”
Sword Spirit laughed and clapped.
“Brother, I found her.”
Ghost Spirit was intently staring in one direction.
There, Team 1, including Shin Jia, received an emergency alert and was heading back to the entrance.
“Finally found her?”
Ghost Spirit’s eyes, the ‘Gwi’s Eye’, only detect living beings.
Detecting lifeforms while ignoring terrain was key to their plan.
“‘Finally’? It’s more like we found her quickly.”
“Well, if not quick, it’s still good timing.”
Sword Spirit looked in one direction with a malicious grin.
“The superhumans are quickly gathering towards where the Drake is. Perfect.”
Sword Spirit’s trait is ‘Survival of the Fittest’. It’s the power to sense the strong.
Now he feels the strong ones converging towards the Drake.
“Then let’s start moving.”
Sword Spirit, standing on the sword, stretched, making a cracking sound from his neck.
* * *
“Seo-yul, isn’t Goldie in danger?”
“…It’s not a good situation.”
We were watching the battle between Goldie and Drake from a distance.
While it remained unclear why Drake had come out of his territory and revealed himself, we could guess why Goldie had appeared.
Guardian.
It must be the power of [Guardian’s Contract]. Special abilities vary widely, so one of those abilities must be in play.
The fact that nearly 70% of my power has disappeared is evidence of this. Perhaps there’s a special ability to sense the master’s danger and fly to the rescue.
“Ugh. Isn’t Goldie getting seriously hurt by that?”
“We can’t let our Goldie get hurt.”
Initially, the team members who didn’t know about Goldie were afraid of the appearance of the second monster. But once they realized it was Goldie, their attitude changed 180 degrees.
‘Go Goldie, you can do it!’
Followed by,
“Goldie, you can’t get hurt!”
It was like they had formed a fan club. I understand their sentiment. I also hope our Goldie doesn’t get hurt.
“For now, he’ll be okay. While there’s no attack that can break through Drake’s sturdy frame and regenerative power, Goldie has the advantage in speed.”
Given Goldie’s unique sensing abilities, wild nature, and rapid speed, he shouldn’t be outmatched by Drake. Another reason is that Drake isn’t in his full state since he left his territory.
“But he was just scratched by a nail.”
Si-yeon said anxiously.
“If there’s a single mistake…”
Drake, wholly focused on the offense. Goldie, desperately on the defense. Obviously, the situation favored Drake. Just playing defense can’t win a fight. Over time, this would be to Drake’s advantage.
“It’ll be alright.”
However, that’s only if Drake and Goldie are fighting one-on-one.
“Time is on our side.”
It’s about time.
The strongest instructor of the Korean Superhuman Academy arrived.
“It seems no one is injured.”
“Instructor!”
Instructor Pi Jin Ho.
He has arrived.
“I heard the full situation over the phone.”
Drawing his sword with a cool gaze, he remarked,
“I guess I’ll have to buy something delicious for Goldie later.”
Thunk. Thunk.
He walked past us toward the battleground where the Drake and Goldie were fighting.
“Everyone, be on guard!”
“Even if it has weakened outside its territory, it’s still a disaster-level monster!”
Other instructors who arrived after Pi Jin Ho began preparing for battle.
“Instructor Pi Jin Ho, you know you ran over here very desperately earlier, right?”
One female instructor approached us and said that. She was Instructor Jinseolha, who was in charge of the infirmary.
“His entire body must’ve been boiling with rage, right?”
She looked at Pi Jin Ho, and so did we.
In the next moment, Pi Jin Ho’s aura wavered like a mirage.
Whooosh!
“Kuoohhh!”
A massive scar appeared on the Drake’s skin.
“See? That rough sword mark? It’s proof he’s angry.”
“Uh…”
“Hmm…”
Everyone was bewildered.
“Oh, I guess you all haven’t seen Instructor Pi Jin Ho wield his sword before.”
“Yes.”
It was obvious. I was seeing it for the first time too.
“Anyway, the Drake outside its domain can’t be our match. Don’t worry too much.”
“Yes.”
The reason why the Drake never leaves its domain is because of its unique ability.
It becomes stronger within its designated territory. A Drake that can’t use that ability will not be able to withstand the combined attack of the instructors. Moreover, with Goldie continuously distracting its vision, we might be able to deal with it even before the professional superhumans arrive.
“By the way, Goldie is really smart.”
Instructor Jinseolha said to me.
“He’s coordinating so well with people he’s seeing for the first time. How did you train him?”
I was genuinely amazed.
“No matter how I think about it, it’s strange.”
Why isn’t the Drake trying to escape? I don’t even understand why it left its domain in the first place. Even if someone intrudes into its territory, the Drake doesn’t chase them out of its domain.
The territory is that important to the Drake. Despite being hunted down, it shows no sign of trying to escape.
I felt a great discomfort from this.
Its desperate resistance resembled a mother trying to protect her offspring. And for the Drake, its ‘offspring’ is its ‘territory.’
Could it be…?
“Wait a minute.”
…Is it mistaking this place for its territory?
A mistake?
“No way!”
“Seo-yul, what?”
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
…Jia is in danger.
I quickly pulled out my phone, intending to call Jia.
[Missed Call: Shin Jia]
As I feared, I had a missed call from Jia. I had been too preoccupied to notice.
“Damn it!”
The anxiety had become a reality.
“Seo-yul?”
“Cadet Seo-yul?”
I immediately pulled out the ‘Promosium Dagger’ from my carrier. Energy surged throughout my body.
“Please send backup based on my smartphone’s location.”
I sprinted off.
“Seo-yul!”
From behind, the desperate shouts of Si-yeon and the instructor reached my ears.
“Physical Acceleration!”
A bright light emanated from the Promosium Dagger, and my body accelerated.
* * *
The situation for Team 1, including Shin Jia, was rapidly deteriorating.
“You’re pretty good for a cadet! Hahaha!”
While trying to escape, they were completely restrained by the sudden appearance of the villain duo, the Sword Spirit and the Ghost Spirit.
Even if she wanted to call for help, her cell phone had been destroyed a while ago. The Sword Spirit shattered it the moment she tried to call Kang Seo-yul.
“Bro, finish this quickly. We’re running out of time.”
“Little sis, I don’t feel the presence of any approaching powerful individuals. What are you worried about?”
“What if we get scolded by Maestro again?”
“…Hmm. That’s a bit scary.”
The two of them were at ease.
“… ”
Shin Jia quickly scanned the surroundings. Apart from her, all the members of Team 1 were critically injured and lying on the ground. Fortunately, they were all still breathing.
‘They deliberately kept them alive.’
To ensure she couldn’t escape.
“What’s with that sharp look? Did you fall for me or something?”
“Bro, there’s no woman in the world who would fall for you. Get a grip.”
Shin Jia wasn’t in a good condition either. Half of her equipment was destroyed, and her body was full of cuts and bruises.
It was fortunate that she was wearing full combat gear in preparation for real combat training. Had she been wearing training equipment, she would have been down a long time ago.
“Finish it quickly, anyway.”
“Got it, got it. You’re so impatient.”
The Sword Spirit stepped forward, flicking his ears. Simultaneously, eight swords that floated behind him shot toward Shin Jia.
The swords moved as if each had its own will, moving unpredictably.
Shin Jia couldn’t perfectly react to their strange movements.
However, it doesn’t mean there’s no way to avoid them.
‘Their goal is to capture me alive.’
So, they would not target vital areas like the heart or head, which carry the risk of immediate death. The focus of the attack is on the limbs, and it’s likely they’ll especially concentrate on the legs, aiming to hinder mobility.
That means, she just needs to protect her legs at all costs.
Desperately, Shin Jia moved her legs. The bow, which had been cut in half and rendered unusable, was used to deflect the swords. Rolling on the ground, she desperately avoided the blades. The indescribable pain was felt as dirt and debris entered her wounds.
Thud!
Her body continued to accumulate injuries, except for the vital areas and legs. But Shin Jia didn’t care.
‘…Even if both arms are gone, it’s okay. As long as the legs are intact, I can somehow endure.’
The moment her legs are injured, everything will be over.
She just needs to protect her legs. With that fierce determination, she endured and kept enduring.
“She’s tough,” commented one.
“Indeed,” agreed the other.
Watching her, both the Sword Spirit and Ghost Spirit clicked their tongues in admiration.
The difference in skill was as vast as the sky and the earth. The only reason it’s taking time is that the Sword Spirit and Ghost Spirit aim to ‘capture’ Shin Jia alive. If it were a matter of life and death, Shin Jia wouldn’t have lasted even a minute.
“Just give up already. There’s no sign of anyone nearby.”
Not even a hint of any strong individual.
“Everyone’s probably busy dealing with Drake.”
The Ghost Spirit felt the same. Scanning the surroundings again, no lifeforms were visible.
From the perspective of the Sword Spirit and Ghost Spirit, they couldn’t understand why Shin Jia was desperately holding on.
Her actions made it seem as if she was certain someone would come to rescue her if she held on long enough.
However, Shin Jia’s struggle didn’t last much longer.
“Argh!”
“Got her!”
One of the swords deeply slashed Shin Jia’s calf.
Thump.
Losing her strength, Shin Jia collapsed heavily onto the ground.
“She’s finally down.”
“Indeed. About a minute later than expected.”
“Hmm. Do you think Maestro will forgive us for the delay?”
“Perhaps?”
Scratching the back of his head, the Sword Spirit inflicted a deep wound on Shin Jia’s other leg with another sword.
Splat!
Blood spurted out.
“Let’s prepare to leave.”
Feeling excruciating pain, Shin Jia bit down hard on her lips.
“Heh… Heh…”
Now my limbs really don’t listen to me.
Is it because I’ve lost too much blood? My consciousness is gradually fading.
With a drowsy feeling as if I could fall asleep any moment, Shin Jia’s hope slowly eroded.
I might lose my life.
I might be tortured in a terrible way by the savior of truth. Just like the cases I’ve seen in the collection, I could end up in a state where I can’t speak to anyone.
However, that was not the most saddening and infuriating thing.
‘…I’m sorry, ancestor.’
Shin Jia knows a lot about Kang Seo-yul.
If I’m kidnapped by them now, that information will go to the villains.
‘The secret that the ancestor wanted to protect even at the cost of sealing their power…’
Shin Jia might be overwhelmed by pain and spill the secrets.
Among the villains of the savior of truth, there might be someone who can control minds or make one spill secrets.
Chances are, the information will leak.
That’s what Shin Jia was most worried about.
‘Given the situation…’
So, Shin Jia decided to end her life.
If I fall into the hands of the enemy, I will die anyway. If so, then…
Just as she was about to bite her tongue hard,
“Kid, it’s better if you don’t think of killing yourself.”
“!”
The spirit said with a smirk,
“One of my abilities is ‘healing’. It’ll only cause you pain.”
“…Ah.”
With those words, Shin Jia’s eyes filled with despair instead of focus.
So, this is really the end.
‘I’m sorry, ancestors…’
A tear streamed down Shin Jia’s face.
“Alright, let’s really get going.”
“Okay.”
It was when the sword spirit reached out to Shin Jia.
There was a sound of something being cut.
“…Huh?”
The hand of the sword spirit was flying in the air.
A foot stepped on the sword spirit’s hand that fell to the ground.
“You damned bastards.”
A man with veins bulging as if they were about to burst all over his body.
“Nice to see you.”
It was Kang Seo-yul, with an aura that made him seem like a demon from hell, oozing an intense murderous intent.
And the next moment,
Kang Seo-yul was swinging a dagger from behind the spirit.
