Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: Holy War Army
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With her arms crossed, Mariel bared her teeth and spoke in a fierce tone.
"That's right. A condition."
"What condition?"
A condition?
"...I want to have a proper match with you using bare-handed martial arts."
"What the fuck? I don't fight without my sword, you bitch."
It looked like she thought she'd lose, so she was asking me to drop my weapon and fight. Sure enough, that martial arts instructor wasn't an easy opponent without my swordsmanship to back me up.
Mariel's flashy kicks were a pain to deal with.
I'd won in the end, but it was all thanks to my sword.
Like it or not, I was a swordsman.
If a bare-handed fighter came at me with kicks, it only made sense for me to fight with my blade.
"That's why I'm proposing a condition."
"Not worth hearing. The Heavenly Demon doesn't fight cowards. If you want to challenge me, come at me in your best shape—against the best of me."
A swordsman challenging someone to a bare-handed fight? It was so pathetic it nearly brought tears to my eyes. She didn't even grasp the basics of being a warrior. It was like the Fist King challenging the Sword Saint to drop their weapons.
This was the limit.
A true clash of warriors staking their souls? Nothing but a pipe dream.
"Asking a swordsman to drop his weapon? You've got to be kidding me."
Anyway, now I had an excuse to bail.
I wasn't some battle maniac, and there was zero reason to fight some half-assed martial arts instructor for free. I don't fight unless there's money on the line. My violence has monetary value.
It's like an asset.
Using personal skills for free is a loss.
Of course, pounding Serka gives extreme pleasure, so I'd carve out personal time for that. But not Mariel. Pure bare-handed? I might even lose.
A competent warrior doesn't fight battles he can lose.
"For a swordsman, you're pretty damn good at martial arts!"
Mariel's compliment lifted my mood a bit.
Obviously. My taekwondo, actual combat fist techniques, and Heavenly Demon Divine Arts were transcendent beyond standards. Mariel might look dumb, but she had an eye for talent.
"Of course I am."
"Then it wouldn't be bad to spar... Wait, why the hell am I the one begging? You shameless barbarian! Accept my challenge already!"
"Holy shit."
Should I just run?
No. My pride wouldn't allow it.
And she was already fired up—no dodging this. With a deep sigh, I addressed Mariel, who was radiating aggressive energy.
"Fine, let's hear the condition. What do you want?"
"Simple. If I win, you come to the martial artists' guild, apologize for your rampage, and pay for the damages."
"No, you idiot. That was your side's fault first. Why the hell should I apologize? You asking the victim for compensation?"
"Nonsense! It was entirely your fault!"
"Fuck off, you mangy dog! Save your bullshit for your mom's bedroom!"
"Shut up! If you're a man, come at me!"
"You fucking bitch! Then what if I win?!"
Fury boiling over, I shouted while suppressing my surging impulses.
I needed a condition that offset the penalty of dropping my sword.
"Do whatever you want to me!"
Mariel declared boldly!
"Wh-what?! Anything goes?!"
"Yes! That's the condition! So sheath your sword! And face me!"
I sheathed my sword.
For a condition like that, I'd gladly fight.
But before starting, there was one more thing to agree on.
"Hey, Mariel."
"Ready to start?"
"Hold up. I dropped my weapon like you said. For fairness, shouldn't you take off those boots too?"
The long boots Mariel wore were combat-made, hard enough to block swords.
They fucking hurt when they hit.
Weapon status.
I dropped my sword, so she drops her boots.
If not, I'd just draw and slash.
"...You're right. I'll take them off."
After a moment's thought, Mariel started removing her boots.
—Srrk.
Her snow-white thighs emerged from under her qipao, followed by her calves. As expected from a kick specialist, they were toned and healthy-looking.
Not that they compared to Claudy's, of course.
Slowly, she removed one boot, set it neatly aside, and planted her bare foot on the ground to take off the other.
When the second boot was halfway off...
"You're dead now, you bitch!"
"Wh-what?!"
I was Kim Katt, the stabber who struck when the opening appeared.
A true warrior never lets his guard down in front of the enemy or shows weakness. He always seizes the optimal chance and charges without hesitation if victory is assured.
No hesitation, no second thoughts.
That was the path of the super-grass Kim Katt, walking the way of martial might.
"Kim Katt Dropkiiiick—!!!!"
Ambush attacks were everyday for me!
With explosive rage and a battle cry, I slammed a dropkick into her!
"Wha—kya?! Kyaaaaak!!!!"
—Thud!
Incredible impact!
Mariel, unable to defend or dodge while removing her boot, took my ultimate strike—gathering every wrinkle from my balls—and flew back!
"Gahk!! Y-you coward!"
"How dare you speak of cowardice before the Heavenly Demon?!"
—Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon.
I instantly unleashed the ultimate footwork and charged at Mariel as she tried to stand. To win, no holds barred—once you seize the offensive, rain blows until the enemy falls. That was the teaching of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!
"W-wait a sec..."
"No need for words! If you're a warrior, come at me with everything!"
"You ambushed me and call yourself a warrior?!"
—Kieeeek!!!
I drove a kick into Mariel as she tried to rise, roaring.
—Thud!
"Gehk!"
"Get up! Fight! Is that all you martial artists from your guild amount to?!"
"Ngh...! G-give me time to...!"
"Too chatty!"
Unless you live in constant extreme vigilance, everyone falls to ambushes. Even peak masters can't stay tense 24/7.
First strike wins; no one stands against a surprise attack.
Crime of forgetting basic combat doctrine despite coming for a duel.
"That's your downfall."
"Kahak!"
Mariel couldn't recover from my attacks. —Arhat Kick. Trampling a fallen foe was easy. My kick landed, and she screamed.
"Asura Blood-Shattering Fist."
I drove my fist into her thigh.
No boots meant zero defense.
"Kyaaaaagh!!!"
Ignoring her cries of "coward," I unleashed top-tier fist and kick arts for maximum damage. She was a mana user, so she didn't shatter instantly.
Despite the tsunami of techniques, her durability held—no surrender yet.
"Blood Heaven Asura Kick! Get up! Don't kneel! Fight to the end if you're a warrior!"
"What bullshit...!"
Finally, after rolling wildly, Mariel managed to stand.
Good! Now for a proper showdown!
A transcendent fighting spirit surged, like shaking a jar of courage and confidence extracted from her brain!
"I never thought you'd be this barbaric! But that's it! Time to show you what for!"
Voice full of certain victory.
Mariel charged with terrifying momentum, unleashing a kick.
—But.
"Too slow."
In her battered state, she couldn't touch me.
"Heavenly Demon."
No dodging.
No parrying.
"Heaven-Splitting Palm."
I met her flying kick head-on with a punch. A soul-infused strike with precise calculation. Unlike her bare foot, my hand was protected by an iron gauntlet.
At impact, I focused mana.
—Boom!
The result was utterly natural and right.
"Kya, kyuk...!"
Gauntlet clashed violently with bare foot.
Mariel's face twisted in agony.
"You psycho. What'd you expect kicking iron?"
"Gr...uaaaagh!!"
Grabbing her foot, Mariel collapsed and rolled on the ground, screaming in pain. Her foot swelled bright red. It looked so fucking painful even I shuddered.
"Hey, hey. You okay? Looks like it hurts like hell."
A twinge of pity hit me at the sight, so I asked.
"Urgh...aaak!! M-my foot! It hurts so much...!"
"Damn, it really looks bad."
The match was over.
My victory.
We'd crossed fists, even if under bad circumstances—erasing grudges and becoming true friends?
Fuck no, I don't buy that.
Time to claim the condition.
"Anyway, I won."
"Ridiculous...!"
Mariel groaned in protest, her face full of injustice. Of course, from her ambushed perspective, I looked like a coward.
But that's just the weak excuse of a loser.
What if it were real combat?
She'd be dead already.
I just educated a naive martial artist on reality.
True warriors don't nitpick such things. Mistakes and lapses lead to death, and warriors endure them always.
Me winning was natural.
"What's ridiculous? I won. So now I do as I please?"
Just fulfill the original condition.
"Wh-what are you planning to do to me?!"
"Heh heh heh..."
As Mariel writhed in pain, she covered her modest chest with both hands. I reached out, grabbed her waist.
"Kya, kyaaaaak!!!"
A scream erupted.
But no mercy.
Conditions are absolute.
—Srrk.
I rummaged in her pocket and pulled out her wallet.
—Clink.
A heavy jingle.
"...?"
Mariel cracked her eyes open and stared at me.
"Well, you said do whatever."
So per the condition, I freely took her wallet.
Opening it—holy fuck! Silver coins!
How many?! One, two, three... four?!
Mood skyrocketing transcendentally, I immediately helped Mariel to her feet.
"Wh-what the hell...?"
"Hey, you okay? Might be broken. Get to a hospital quick."
I spoke kindly to the confused Mariel.
At least 4 silvers—a fortune.
Of course I'd be nice.
"You mean 'whatever' meant...?"
"Hey, hey! Patient's talking! Hospital now! And damn, you fight well! Real master! Shit, one slip and I'd have lost! Anyway, I'm out!"
Getting her ass handed by a swordsman in bare hands must sting her pride bad. With 4 silvers pocketed, a few nice words were easy.
After some kind words, I grabbed her discarded boots, handed them over, and went on my way.
Ah, fuck.
Scored pocket money from an unexpected source.
"Th-this goddamn... What the hell just happened?!"
Mariel's frustrated yell echoed behind me.
The loser's wail was always music to my ears, like outdated jazz.
"Heavenly Demon barbarian! I won't forget this humiliation! Next time, I'll win—so prepare to apologize!"
"Yeah, go get 'em, Mariel. I'll use this cash for world peace."
"Aaaargh!!!"
Jongno?
Myeongdong?
"Or Cheongnyangni~?"
Feeling great, I belted out a tune heading to Elise's place. Original goal was telling her about the bandit scum anyway.
Hey, use the extorted cash for dinner together.
She'll love hearing I beat down some heretics on the way.
"Standing at the corner of Uljiro Street."