Chapter 199
Ju Cheong-ah swung her sword toward the presence creeping up behind her amid the terrifying slaughter of the necromancer's undead soldiers. Clanggg...! Sparks flew from the fierce clash of steel on steel. The momentum from Regina's rapid descent added raw power, pushing Cheong-ah's body back slightly.
Cheong-ah lightly shuffled her feet a few times, retreating while quickly checking on Ian. She let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it hadn't burdened him. Then, she turned toward the direction of her attacker.
It was clearly aimed at her—no, precisely at her husband. The problem was that the dagger held no killing intent. What it carried instead was pure sorrow and pain. Hesitation and reluctance. Sensing this inexplicable emotion from her foe, Cheong-ah paused in thought. Aiming for her husband meant clear murderous intent. So why the hesitation, the sorrow? Who could this be?
If Cheong-ah could see, or even if she had a moment's leisure, she would have recognized her assailant instantly. But now, not only was she blind as ever, all her senses were locked on protecting Ian. She failed to immediately identify her attacker as Regina.
'This aura... it's not unfamiliar.' Someone she'd met before. Even if she'd had no choice but to defend Ian... Still, to force her back like that? A true expert. It clicked quickly. 'Regina.'
'...Can I win?'
Recalling Regina's strike, Cheong-ah assessed objectively. In her current state... if that foe had struck without hesitation, intent on killing her husband...
'I definitely couldn't have blocked it.' Ian would have suffered a fatal wound, and she, utter despair. Thank goodness Regina had faltered, hesitated.
But why had she hesitated to attack Ian? In that moment of contemplation, a memory flashed through Cheong-ah's mind—from their communication while Ian was kidnapped.
"My lord, life there must be so uncomfortable, right? Just hold on a little longer. I'll come fetch you soon."
- Ah, well... It's inconvenient, sure. But it's fine. Kinda livable here.
"Livable...? No way."
At first, she'd thought it was just Ian's teasing to reassure her, them.
- No, really. There's this girl named Regina... She treats me well.
Before Ian could finish, Bella shoved Cheong-ah aside, cutting him off.
"Regina? Hey, that fucking bitch up to something? Tormenting you?"
- No, Bella. Nothing like that. Regina's just been good to me. That's why it's bearable.
"What bullshit, you idiot. That cunt kidnapped you, and you're saying it's comfy 'cause she's nice? Is our husband a perv?"
- Aw, come on, Bella.
"More than that, Bella—it's my turn now. Yours is over."
"Ah, I jumped in from shock. Hearing that bitch Regina's name outta nowhere. Sorry."
Those words resurfaced. Clearly, her husband had said Regina treated him well, making it okay. His tone then? Not toward a kidnapper, but warm, gentle. Like how he spoke to her, Bella, Dina.
"So it's you, huh? Regina."
Just like the voice he used for her, Bella, and Dina.
"Uaa...?"
A questioning tone, like You know me? Regina tilted her head at Cheong-ah's words. Cheong-ah couldn't see her, but it didn't matter.
"Yes, I know you."
Someone she'd desperately wanted to meet.
"...Finally."
How dare she... "Thieving stray cat bitch."
Daring to wag her tail at her husband. Cheong-ah's eyes flashed.
Her unfocused, hazy eyes. Yet those pitch-black, vacant orbs brimmed with thick killing intent. Facing it, Regina gripped her dagger tightly.
"...Uaa."
She's strong, for sure. On par with her, no doubt. Sensing this, Regina drew another dagger from her thigh holster into her free hand. No room for leisure here. Nor would tension guarantee victory.
...Can I win giving it my all?
Cold sweat beaded lightly on Regina's tense back. Cheong-ah faced her and twitched first—aiming her sword with a flick.
"Come at me. Your target is my husband, right? Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a bind to move first right now. I'd appreciate it if you lunged."
"......"
"And wouldn't that be more comfortable for you anyway?"
"Uaa?"
Regina tilted her head at the baffling words.
"A thieving stray cat eyeing someone else's man—surely striking first suits you best?"
"Huh?"
Someone else's? Tilting her head again, uncomprehending. But...
"Uuuuaa......"
"Come on, thief cat."
Somehow, Cheong-ah's words grated. The count had ordered Ian's death, but no deadline. For now...
"...U."
Deal with this woman spewing irritating barbs, radiating killing intent. Then after...
Ian...
Ian?
'I don't know... for now...'
Fight first. Regina leaped at Cheong-ah.
The key in battle: unsettle the foe. The more rattled, the more openings.
'I hate this, but...'
Win first. She thrust her left dagger at Ian. Not seriously, of course.
Clanggg...!
Ju Cheong-ah would block, naturally. Even if not, she'd stop just before striking. Killing Ian was the goal, but not now. First, drop the woman before her.
As Cheong-ah parried the left dagger, Regina aimed her right at the woman's brow. Feint east, strike west. A classic war tactic, perfect for duels too.
The dagger lanced toward her forehead. From Cheong-ah's view, it drew a scoff.
"Predictable trick."
Bella's brute strength might've allowed it. Most would falter at Regina's inhuman speed. But to Cheong-ah? Child's play.
Thud...!
Before the dagger connected, Cheong-ah's straight kick slammed Regina's lower belly precisely.
"Guuk...?!"
Regina staggered back a step. A blade of blue mana sword energy shot straight at her.