Northward March (2)
Clang!
Boom! Boom!
“Argh!”
“Gah!”
The Red Wolf Corps tangled fiercely with the pirates.
Yeon-hoo strolled leisurely toward the battlefield. He wanted to gauge the corps' prowess firsthand.
But something felt off. What he'd expected to be a one-sided slaughter was turning into a grueling stalemate.
“These aren't your average pirates,”
Yeon-hoo nodded silently, eyes scanning the fray. The pirates wielded swords, blades, axes—standard fare. But a handful stood out. About ten of them, clad not in the motley garb of their comrades but in black cloaks, crimson bands tied around their heads.
They held their ground against the Red Wolf Corps' wolf-like charges. Two rash attackers from the corps even sprayed blood from their blades, crumpling to the sand.
Strange sword styles, Yeon-hoo thought. Trajectories I've never seen. Like swordplay mimicking blade arts.
Then—
Thwack!
One black-cloaked pirate staggered, arm severed clean. Yet what caught Yeon-hoo's eye was the man's silence—no scream of agony.
“Cheol-u.”
“Yes.”
“Capture one alive.”
“Understood.”
Cheol-u launched into the melee first. Their skill exceeded expectations, but he saw no need for killing strikes. Yeon-hoo, by contrast, advanced at a measured pace.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind heralded Noegeom and Jo Yeong landing behind him.
“You two.”
“Yes!”
“Nothing hones the blade like live combat. Get in there.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood.”
They vaulted over Yeon-hoo in twin bursts of lightness skill, Jo Yeong's speed edging out Noegeom's—thanks to the elixirs he'd devoured since childhood, forging profound inner energy.
Scree!
A hidden dart sliced the air toward Yeon-hoo. With a flick of his wrist, it sparked and ricocheted harmlessly away.
He turned toward the shooter. A Red Wolf elite charged him furiously.
“I'm no pirate. I've come to see your division leader.”
Yeon-hoo produced a token from his robes—the very one Gwan-ryang had given him long ago.
“...!”
Boom!
The charging Janghan skidded to a halt, kicking up a choking sandstorm. Yeon-hoo regarded the sand-caked warrior calmly.
“Deal with the pirates first. Then we talk.”
“Yes, sir!”
Shing.
Yeon-hoo discarded his branch and drew his sword. Without the black-cloaks, he wouldn't have bothered. Ignoring the rabble, his gaze locked on them.
Then his eyes flashed with insight.
Tight formation...
Indeed, from the start, the black-cloaks had held a circular array, unyielding even under the Red Wolf Corps' savage assaults. They never strayed beyond their perimeter.
Yeon-hoo's eyes gleamed white for an instant. Amid their ranks, one figure emerged briefly—black-cloaked like the rest, but with a headband of different hue.
So that's it. They're guarding him.
Curiosity surged. Why else would they ignore their dying comrades, fixated solely on protection?
Thud!
Sand erupted where Yeon-hoo had stood.
“Gasp!”
The Red Wolf warrior who'd lunged at him gaped in shock at his blinding speed.
Hiss.
As he closed in, Yeon-hoo channeled energy into his blade. White radiance coiled around it, the sword seemingly doubling in length—an optical marvel.
Two pirates flanked him, but their heads tumbled before they closed the gap. Cheol-u materialized where they fell.
[Stronger than they look.]
Ignoring the transmission, Yeon-hoo unleashed a slash at the black-cloaks.
Swoosh!
Bang!
“Gurk!”
“Nngh!”
Two reeled with stifled groans but held firm, formation intact.
Linked Array...
The pinnacle of defensive formations, pooling multiple strengths into one unbreakable shield—no mere pirates could master it.
Yeon-hoo struck again.
Boom!
A louder explosion; the pair spat blood. The third blow felled them.
The array shattered, exposing the central black-cloak: a youthful face, eyes quaking with horror as they fixed on Yeon-hoo.
“If you value your life, end it here,” Yeon-hoo said flatly. “Refuse, and everyone but you dies. You'll be dragged off like a dog.”
“...!”
“Your call.”
“Stand down!”
The black-cloaked youth's cry sent the pirates retreating. In that brief clash, fewer than thirty survived.
Yeon-hoo glanced at Janghan, who'd followed at a distance. Their eyes met; Janghan hesitated, then bellowed to his comrades.
“Cease attack! Cease attack!”
The Red Wolf elites shot puzzled looks at Yeon-hoo. Janghan pressed on.
“He's a guest of Division Leader Gwan-ryang!”
They fell back at once—a testament to Gwan-ryang's authority.
Yeon-hoo strode toward the youth. Black-cloaks raised blades against him.
“Lower your swords,” the youth commanded heavily.
“You misunderstand. Drop them and kneel.”
“...!”
“Want a demonstration?”
Flash!
A blink of light—and one black-cloak staggered, head lolling free.
“Gasp!”
“Urk!”
Cries erupted everywhere.
“Need more?”
Trembling...
The youth's eyes shook violently, then dulled with resignation. He issued a limp order.
“Drop your swords. Surrender.”
“Young lord!”
“That's an order! Drop them and surrender!”
Thud-thud-thud!
Weapons plunged into the sand; pirates knelt. The black-cloaks followed suit, hesitant but compliant.
“Cheol-u.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, behead anything that moves.”
“As you command.”
The frenzied battlefield fell into suffocating silence, overwhelmed by Yeon-hoo's single display and crushing presence. Even the Red Wolf Corps felt it.
“You. Come here.”
Yeon-hoo crooked a finger. The youth shuffled forward, defeated.
“Remember: their lives hang on your compliance. Spill everything—who you are, where you're from.”
Then Janghan shouted.
“Pirates who plunder these seas!”
Yeon-hoo turned.
“I'll hear it from him. Tend to your wounded.”
“Ah... yes, sir.”
Janghan scratched his head and withdrew. Yeon-hoo fixed on the youth again.
“Haa...”
The boy sighed, head bowed, then met Yeon-hoo's gaze and began.
“We...”
* * *
Atop the ridgeline overlooking the coast, on a broad grassy clearing, the Red Wolf Corps kindled fires and roasted meat.
Cheol-u leaned against a tree some distance away. Noegeom and Jo Yeong battled smoke, grilling for Yeon-hoo.
“I was itching for a real scrap...”
Noegeom smiled faintly at Jo Yeong's regret.
“Indeed.”
Since leaving Iron Blood Family, the pair had grown close.
Jo Yeong glanced at Yeon-hoo. The black-cloaked youth knelt before him, face drained like a man bereft of his homeland.
Noegeom eyed the kneeling black-cloaks behind him.
“No ordinary pirates. Their martial arts were exceptional.”
“That's why it's such a letdown. Perfect chance to test our training...”
They'd sensed the black-cloaks' uniqueness mid-approach—too late, as Yeon-hoo ended it.
“You'll burn it.”
“Whoa!”
Jo Yeong flipped the meat hastily. Noegeom called to Cheol-u.
“Well done?”
“Medium rare.”
“Got it.”
Then Janghan approached, glancing at Yeon-hoo before whispering.
“Who the hell is he?”
Jo Yeong started to answer, but checked with Cheol-u. Their eyes met; Cheol-u nodded permission.
“Our lord of the North.”
“Gasp!”
Janghan toppled backward, eyes bulging. Jo Yeong grinned—pride swelling vicariously.
“Got any liquor?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Not just any—fit for our lord. We drained ours en route...”
“Only fierce fire wine...”
“Perfect. Grab some for us too.”
“R-right! I'll scrape it all up.”
Janghan bolted off. Noegeom and Jo Yeong shared smirks.
Yeon-hoo rose. Cheol-u—eyes seemingly closed—stood too. Jo Yeong whistled inwardly.
[No blind spots, that shadow of his.]
[We need to match it. Or he won't keep us around.]
Jo Yeong's eyes sparkled at Noegeom's words.
If that's the game...
He'd sampled every luxury life offered. Mirror that treatment, and he'd win Yeon-hoo's favor—he was sure.