He intends to take that guy’s life. (1)

“Enemies!”

“Where, where are they?”

Maninbang plunged into darkness, was instantly thrown into chaos.

“It’s over here!”

Sharp voices echoed, prompting them to rush frantically toward the source.

“This, this is…”

Soon, they saw bodies lay sprawled on the ground. Judging from the blood still spurting from their throats, it was evident they were the ones who had screamed moments ago.

“They couldn’t have gone far! Search the area immediately!”

It was right and wrong at the same time.

‘They couldn’t have gone far’ was an accurate assessment, but there was no need to search the area. The one they were looking for was already charging at them from behind.

Aaaargh!

The tip of a sword pierced through the air, plunging into the backs of the members of Maninbang. The merciless blow severed their arteries in an instant.

“Aaaaaaaagh!”

A horrifying scream echoed eerily through the dark night sky.

“There!”

“Don’t let them escape!”

Dozens warriors, drawn by the screams, rushed toward Chung Myung, who swung his sword in the darkness.

Chung Myung glanced at them indifferently and immediately radiated sword energy, kicking the ground.

Paaaaat!

For a moment, it seemed like Chung Myung’s body stretched out, and then suddenly, he vanished from where he stood. The distinctive black robe of Hwasan and the thick darkness intertwined, obscuring his figure in an instant.

“That way! After him! Now!”

“Where?!”

“I said that way, you idiots!”

Maninbang’s members cursed as they pursued Chung Myung’s trail.

“There’s… there’s no sign of him!”

“Nonsense! Are you suggesting he flew into the sky?!”

“B-but..”

Martial artists do not track someone by just following them with their eyes. It involves sensing their presence, the flow of their energy, faint sounds – everything to discern their trail.

But no matter how much they sharpened their senses, they couldn’t detect his presence. It was as if he had truly vanished into thin air.

“Spread out! He couldn’t have gone far!”

Unless he was a ghost, he couldn’t truly disappear. He must be nearby. And not too far…

At that moment, the hairs on the back of one’s neck stood on end.

A chilling sensation, as if freezing one’s soul, crept over him. The eerie feeling of well-forged metal slowly spread from his necks to his entire body.

“W-when…”

Swish!

The chilling blade erupted from the man’s throat, drenched in his hot blood.

“W-what?!”

Startled by the sudden groan from behind, the ones who were rushing forward turned in terror. The one who had been running alongside them suddenly collapsed, frothing at the mouth, and Chung Myung’s figure appeared behind him.

Members of Maninbang swung their swords in a fit.

“Aaargh! Dieee!”

But if Chung Myung could be easily overwhelmed by haphazard swings of the sword, would there be any reason for so many casualties among Maninbang?

Clang! Clang!

Chung Myung’s Dark Plum Sword, swung with deadly precision, flew like a hungry viper, tearing into the enemy’s throats.

Thud!

G-gurgle..

With gaping holes in their throats, each one collapsed in astonishment. Chung Myung, driving his sword deeper than usual, completely soaked it in the flowing blood.

“There!”

“Send a signal, now!”

Biiiiiip!

The sound of someone blowing the signal whistle echoed sharply like a scream. Chung Myung’s gaze darkened even further.

Thud!

The ground exploded under his feet.

With powerful strides, he closed the distance to the enemy in an instant, swiftly swinging his sword to slice through the waists of those rushing towards him.

Thwack!

Blood spurted from the severed bodies.

“Aaaaaaagh!”

As their comrades fell on both sides, gruesomely cut into pieces, those remaining swung their swords in fear and anger.

Crack!

Chung Myung, redirecting the sword looming over his head, swiftly sliced through the enemy’s throat. Before the blood could even spurt from the severed neck, he propelled himself back, landing on the ground.

“Don’t let him escape!”

Desperately rushing from all directions, they cursed as they pursued him.

In that moment, Chung Myung’s figure, which had been charging forward, suddenly vanished behind the mountain, which rose like a blade.

“Follow him!”

Maninbang’s warriors, too, immediately charged towards the direction Chung Myung had moved. But there was nothing in sight.

There was only an oppressive darkness, so thick it felt suffocating.

“What…”

Nothing. Instinctively, they extended their senses, but there was still nothing to grasp.

“Where did he go…!”

Someone, screaming in frustration, suddenly fell silent. His entire body froze for a moment.

Attempting to lift his head in haste, a sharp pain pierced his back before he could even move.

Thunk!

A sword, plunged from above at an angle, pierced through the back of the enemy’s neck.

The sword, piercing through the neck and into the spine, caused him to almost pop his eyes out in shock. The excruciating pain, beyond words, gnawed at his entire body as he struggled to breathe with the sword still lodged within him. The member of Maninbang convulsed in a seizure, trembling uncontrollably.

“Ki-kill…!”

Others nearby swiftly brandished their swords in defense. But before their blades could even extend, Chung Myung’s sword, already piercing through bodies, scattered sword energy in all directions.

“Aaargh!”

“Kraaaargh!”

Along with the cries of those struck by the sword energy, the heavy smell of blood filled the air. Chung Myung, turning five of them into corpses in an instant, seamlessly blended into the darkness.

“Over here! He’s this way!”

The latecomers widened their eyes in shock.

All they could see were the bodies, cooling in death, impaled by Chung Myung’s sword.

“This… this bastard…”

“He’s over there!”

At that moment, someone spotted Chung Myung’s movement and shouted. Without hesitation, several others dashed after his trace.

“We… we’re coming too!”

Then, from behind them, a thunderous roar erupted.

“Where is he?!”

“Captain!”

It was Mo Hwi [모휘(毛暉)], the third captain of the Ghost Sickle Unit [귀겸대(鬼鎌臺) – gwigyeomdae]. His appearance brought a momentary change in expression on the faces of his subordinates. Chasing after Chung Myung seemed quite daunting to them.

“It’s Hwasan Geomhyeop, over there!”

“Follow me!”

Mo Hwi swiftly dashed forward, and seeing his determination, the others bravely followed suit. However, as Mo Hwi traversed the rugged terrain as if it was flat ground, his expression suddenly hardened.

Despite some members of Maninbang going after Hwasan Geomhyeop, there was no sign of their presence. Moreover, the terrain was too complex and treacherous to visually confirm anything.

A surge of fear, enough to induce nausea, suddenly engulfed him. Yet, gritting his teeth, Mo Hwi pressed on, firmly planting his feet forward.

Thud!

As they turned around the corner of the mountain, the strong scent of blood hit their noses.

“Ugh…”

Corpses of members of Maninbang were scattered everywhere. From the freshly punctured holes in their chests, blood gushed out rhythmically with each rise and fall of their chests.

“That damned…”

Mo Hwi’s face contorted with anguish.

“Captain!”

“We can’t find his trail!”

“There’s no need to hesitate! If he’s not a ghost, then where could he have gone! Split the team in two. One group will search this area, and the others will comb the mountainside!”

“Yes!”

Mo Hwi’s gaze focused upwards. If it was Hwasan Geomhyeop, he would utilize the towering mountain. Moreover, the dense darkness would provide the perfect cover for him to hide.

“K-Kuuuuh…”

A faint sound from below caused Mo Hwi’s eyebrows to twitch. Someone who hadn’t been properly beheaded was still writhing in agony.

“Tsk.”

Mo Hwi took a step closer, raising his sword to grant the person a swift death. But as he raised his sword to sever their life, something peculiar caught his eye. The person was desperately rolling their eyes, as if trying to convey something to him urgently. Desperately.

Swish!

In that moment, a gleam burst forth from beneath Mo Hwi’s subordinate and struck his body.

“Aaargh!”

Mo Hwi managed to twist his body momentarily, protecting his vital organs. It was possible because he sensed something amiss in his subordinate’s desperate gaze.

But that didn’t mean he was out of danger.

Swish!

Flipping the body, Chung Myung emerged from below, soaked in blood. His sword flew once again, slicing through Mo Hwi’s knees.

Crunch! Crunch!

Half-severed, Mo Hwi’s knees buckled and he collapsed.

“Aaaargh!”

In the midst of a cruel assault he attempt to wield his sword. Mo Hwi undoubtedly possessed the qualifications to be a formidable captain of Maninbang. However, Chung Myung’s sword, relentless and unforgiving, swiftly severed his wrists and forearms.

Swish!

“Gah…”

In succession, Chung Myung’s sword sliced through Mo Hwi’s solar plexus.

Unable to support his body any longer, Mo Hwi staggered forward, about to collapse.

But before he could, Chung Myung, who had appeared behind him, reached out and firmly grasped his hair.

Mo Hwi’s head was forcibly pulled backward.

Chung Myung’s Dark Plum Sword made contact with his exposed neck.

“Guh… Ggh…”

As Mo Hwi turned his eyes back to look behind him, he saw chilling, blue glow emanating from Chung Myung’s eyes, even amidst the dense darkness.

“H-Hwa…”

Thud!

“Aaargh!”

A harrowing scream erupted from Mo Hwi’s mouth, resonating like a call to his allies, echoing in all directions.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Despite the agonizing tremors coursing through his enemy, Chung Myung’s gaze remained unwavering, infused with the same chilling aura as before, as he looked down upon Mo Hwi.

Mo Hwi, amidst his agony, found it peculiar.

He wasn’t afraid of death, but the moment he locked eyes with Chung Myung, a terror unlike any he had ever known engulfed him.

“You need to scream louder.”

“…”

“That way, more will come rushing. These wretches who don’t even know this will be their grave.”

“This… this damned…”

Thud!

Chung Myung’s sword pierced Mo Hwi’s throat, slicing through muscles and vessels in an instant, unabated, severing the spine without hesitation.

“G-guuggh…”

Foam bubbled from Mo Hwi’s lips as the light rapidly faded from his eyes.

Without hesitation, Chung Myung kicked Mo Hwi away, sending his body to the ground. As he sensed the gathering crowd around him, Chung Myung laughed.

Step by step, he approached the hesitating enemies, who backed away with pale faces.

“What’s the matter?”

Their faces turned ashen with fear as they stumbled. Chung Myung continued.

“Didn’t you come after me to kill me?”

“T-This madman…”

Chung Myung’s gaze briefly shifted to the sky. It was dark, devoid of any light, much like the countless nights he had experienced on these mountains long ago.

“It seems you understand,”

Chung Myung said as the raised edge of his blade partially obscured his face.

“The roles have reversed.”

His eyes behind the bloody blade emitted a chilling glare.

“Let’s proceed. There’s still plenty of night left.”

Soon after, a harrowing scream of agony echoed like a signal in the darkness.