That’s true, if it’s a human. (3)

Ordinary people cannot comprehend Hwasan Geomhyeop.

His behavior is supremely human yet exceedingly beast-like, so to speak.

Unparalleled rationality and an absurd level of savagery coexist.

Hence, he is incomprehensible and unpredictable.

An ordinary person would probably not even be able to guess what he was thinking.

Outwardly, one might roughly guess, but no one can approach the hidden truth within.

Then, is Ho Gamyeong different?

Can he, unlike the other ordinary people, approach that truth?

Absolutely not. In Ho Gamyeong’s opinion, he himself is nothing more than an ordinary person.

There was a time when he once thought his talents and intellect were exceptionally outstanding.

But that vain pride had long been thrown into the trash.

He is unpredictable. Incomprehensible. Indecipherable.

Yet, he could understand.

How Hwasan Geomhyeop would move, respond, and act.

Ho Gamyeong didn’t attribute it to his own talents. It was simply because he had seen it countless times.

How beings surpassing common perception, surpassing common sense, think, act, and live.

‘I don’t want to admit it, but…’

Yes. It’s similar.

He really didn’t want to admit it for a long time, but after encountering Chung Myung in Haenam, he had to admit it eventually.

Hwasan Geomhyeop is eerily similar to Jang Ilso.

So, there’s no need to hesitate.

If Jang Ilso, with those who must be protected at all costs, finds himself in a situation similar to Chung Myung’s, what will he do?

The answer is already clear.

People often have misconceptions.

Jang Ilso is an absolute existence, they say, ruling over everything in the world.

Creating Maninbang, creating Sapaeryeon, even dominating Gangnam, is nothing more than a game to him.

However, when Ho Gamyeong, who had been observing Jang Ilso for a long time, heard this, it was all nonsense.

Jang Ilso is a person desperate for everything.

Even a single action, gesture, or word is meticulously calculated.

Disguising himself as absolute evil, exploiting hypocrisy, and sacrificing everyone, even sacrificing himself.

Thus, ultimately becoming the one who achieves and obtains the one bloody thing – “purpose”.

There was one reason Jang Ilso could become an absolute figure.

‘Because he never shows weakness to anyone.’

Even at moments when he is completely out of breath, even in moments when he exhausted all his strength and could collapse with just the poke of a finger, even in the face of imminent danger of losing his own life, Jang Ilso never stops portraying himself as powerful.

There have been countless crises.

Despite moments of despair where there seemed to be no way out, the result of not losing sight of the self he wanted to portray, Jang Ilso has come this far.

He goes beyond folk tales and legends, and now is trying to climb into the realm of faith.

That’s who Jang Ilso is. Then…

Wouldn’t Chung Myung, who resembles Jang Ilso, be the same?

That unparalleled strength, that unyielding demeanor that shows no sign of wavering no matter how much pressure is exerted, that figure resembling a god of death effortlessly cutting down enemies…

Could it be a form crafted desperately through the use of evil?

A form that one must display to allies or enemies alike?

Just as Jang Ilso endlessly molds himself, isn’t Chung Myung doing the same?

‘It’s impossible not to get tired.’

He fought the most battles.

He expended the most energy.

He shed the most blood and endured the greatest burden.

From Haenam to here, Chung Myung has carried and endured the most.

It’s impossible for him not to collapse.

A human made of flesh and blood cannot endure endlessly.

If he were to collapse, he should have already collapsed.

But at some point, isn’t everyone starting to believe?

Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung will never fall.

Not only his comrades, even the monsters who tried to hunt him down, even Ho Gamyeong who devised all these plans, hesitated until the last moment.

It a phenomenon resembling faith.

A certainty where both allies and enemies don’t doubt.

This is the brilliant piece that Chung Myung has painstakingly carved for years.

But now, Ho Gamyeong has confirmed it clearly.

Even that monstrous creature is nothing but human.

Made of flesh and blood, a frail human.

With certainty, Ho Gamyeong asserted.

“He has reached his limit.”

Goe Ryang looked at Ho Gamyeong with a bewildered expression.

“Why is that?”

“I confirmed he was dragging his foot.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“More than enough. Excessive, even.”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Wild beasts don’t show signs of pain until right before death. It’s an instinct to know that the weak perish.”

“…”

“He may not be a beast, but ultimately, he’s no different. He must be strong. He must not fall. He must always endure with ease and resilience. And yet, he couldn’t do that.”

Ho Gamyeong asserted unequivocally.

“That means he’s already crumbling.”

Goe Ryang’s gaze showed a hint of puzzlement.

He scrutinized Chung Myung again.

No matter how long he looked, he couldn’t readily accept it.

Chung Myung still appeared ruthless and monstrous as when he was first seen.

Furthermore, the spectacle he created was no different from before.

The members of Maninbang were being cut down one by one.

But…

‘Looking at it logically, it’s not wrong.’

Was there even time to catch one’s breath?

There wouldn’t have been time to sleep, let alone rest.

And yet, how many have already died by that sword?

Even the simple task of cutting down rice with a well-sharpened sickle becomes exhausting when repeated all day long.

But to continuously cut down people without rest for days?

The conclusion is already clear. It’s definitely impossible.

With just a little thought, it’s evident.

He fought tirelessly for days, covering long distances, fighting, even protecting those following behind him, but Maninbang chased them without engaging in a single battle.

Yet, until he heard Ho gamyeong’s words, Goe Ryang believed that guy named Chung Myung wasn’t tired at all.

“…Feels like being possessed by a ghost.”

“No need to blame yourself. It’s not because you’re stupid, it’s because he’s extraordinary.”

Goe Ryang nervously licked his dry lips.

Honestly, he still wasn’t sure.

There was a significant disconnect between what he understood in his mind and what he saw and felt with his eyes.

‘It’s commander’s words.’

These were the words of Ho Gamyeong, a man with an unyielding spirit like no other.

If that’s the case, isn’t it worth considering?

“What are you hesitating for?”

“Hmm?”

“You need to pay for your meals.”

At Ho Gamyeong’s words, Goe Ryang stopped smiling.

Honestly, this was far from his preference.

Goe Ryang originally preferred a more leisurely hunt.

He enjoyed watching the wounded prey, unable to resist any longer, gasp for breath, and taking his time to slit its throat.

But… if he had to be picky, he didn’t particularly dislike the thrill of plunging a knife into the heart of prey still full of strength.

“If you insist, gladly.”

And anyway, there was no intention of gracefully letting anyone out of this gorge.

Whether it was a fight to finish off or a fight to inflict wounds, the only difference was in the details.

Sssshh.

As Goe Ryang drew his sword, the Blood Sword Squad’s members who had been behind him stepped forward as if they had been waiting for it.

“But before that, I have one question.”

At Goe Ryang’s words, Ho Gamyeong glanced at him with a slightly displeased expression.

His clear intention not to waste time with unnecessary talk was evident.

But despite knowing this, Goe Ryang asked again.

“What is your goal?”

“Obvious.”

Ho Gamyeong’s gaze shifted to Chung Myung.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop. If we can deal with that guy, the rest won’t matter.”

“Clean and simple.”

With a sinister smile, Goe Ryang stepped towards the gorge.

“Let’s proceed.”

His foot struck the ground.

Stepping on the shoulders of those standing densely in front of him, he surged forward like a shooting star.

Honestly, this wasn’t his preferred terrain.

It was burdensome for the pursuers to follow the narrow path.

The one being pursued can clearly identify the position of the pursuer, and in such places, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

Moreover, in terrain surrounded by solid rocks like this, the Blood Sword Squad’s long-standing strategy, unconventional attacks, cannot be utilized.

So, all that remains is to clash with sheer force.

But precisely because of that…

‘It’ll become clear.’

Goe Ryang’s body tore through the air as he advanced.

The narrow shape of the gorge on either side distorted arbitrarily.

Amidst this warped world, only the figure of Chung Myung in front was clear and distinct.

Swish!

Chung Myung’s icy gaze, who had been effortlessly splitting the bodies of Maninbang, and the seething gaze of Goe Ryang met head-on in the air.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop!”

Swish!

Goe Ryang’s sword cleaved through the air towards Chung Myung.

Incredible speed of the attack. And the tremendous power infused into the sword matched that speed.

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes and stomped the ground.

Then, he fiercely swung his sword to intercept Goe Ryang’s flying blade.

Clang!

The sound of metal colliding erupted like thunder.

A burst of red and blue menacing sword energies scattered in all directions like fireworks.

“Haha!”

An indescribable heat emanated from Goe Ryang’s eyes.

A strong sensation was felt in his wrist.

This meant that his prey was still alive and well.

However, Goe Ryang didn’t hesitate at all and continued his relentless sword strikes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sharp and keen sword strikes, like a swarm of venomous snakes, aimed at Chung Myung, twisting and turning.

It was as if they were tearing apart his entire body.

In response, Chung Myung’s sword emitted dozens of sword afterimages.

The twisting and turning of Goe Ryang’s sword clashed with the rapid and straight movements of Chung Myung’s sword in the air, colliding dozens of times in a short moment when one could barely take a breath.

Clang!

The noise, resembling hundreds of iron beads striking a steel plate in succession, resounded loudly.

Each sword strike was filled with an intense determination and murderous intent, desire to kill the opponent with every blow.

Clang!

As their sword’s entangled, Goe Ryang’s body, which had been rushing forward, was pushed backward.

It was because the power contained in the Dark Plum Sword was too much for his thin sword to handle.

Swish!

Chung Myung’s sword flew, leaving a long cut from Goe Ryang’s eye to his earlobe.

The area below his ear was severed, and blood gushed out.

But in that moment, Goe Ryang’s sword technique changed completely.

He momentarily infused immense internal energy and struck from top to bottom.

Chung Myung, without yielding, received the descending sword.

Clang!

Internal energies collided head-on, and shockwaves spread in all directions.

Swept away by the sudden storm, everyone around stumbled back.

Yet, amidst the overwhelming impact, neither of them backed down, tightly restraining each other and pushing their swords.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of swords scraping against each other echoed.

Thunk!

But what rang clearer in their ears was the sound of hand gripping the swords twisting and straining.

Without anyone retreating, they locked gazes fiercely over the swords between them.

“Khhh.”

Goe Ryang’s gaze, which seemed to be pressing down on Chung Myung, momentarily dropped below.

Precisely, towards Chung Myung’s leg.

Chung Myung’s robe was constantly getting wet.

Blood was gushing out from within.

“Heh heh heh heh. That leg…”

A glint of satisfaction gleamed in Goe Ryang’s eyes.

“It seems like the wound hasn’t healed, huh?”

“…”

“Huh? Hwasan Geomhyeop!”

Swish!

Goe Ryang exerted all his strength towards Chung Myung’s injured leg with his sword.

At that moment, Chung Myung’s body staggered backwards.

With half of his face soaked in blood, Goe Ryang burst into laughter and lunged forward.

Like a beast that had discovered its wounded prey.