Bug Cut
In this shitty world without phones or computers, bimu and training were one of Namgoong Juhee's few joys.
Even that had been lacking real competition lately. Whether they'd learned some demonic art or bad luck had struck—no excuses mattered. It all boiled down to fear of losing.
If you're scared of PVP, why even play the game? Or do these NPCs have some kind of handicap? Should I force a fight and see? Her mind was churning with vicious thoughts.
Then came that one line. Something about a mere girl this and that. Whoring herself out or whatever. The classic cliché, tired and predictable.
Now this is what makes a game a game. Villains like this were rare even in reality, and even if you met one, what could you do? Lose and you'd pay hospital bills; win and it'd be settlements. Either way, money down the drain.
But in a game? Lose and it's just regret; win and the stress melts away. Plus, they drop loot instead of costing you cash—pure joy.
A grin crept across Namgoong Juhee's lips.
A smile like it was drawn in a picture.
"You talking about me?"
"Yeah, if not you, then who...?"
"My name was... what was it again?"
"...?"
"Still can't remember. Do I even need to know?"
Namgoong Geon's face went blank at her words. A bizarre smile paired with a hypnotic vibe. A storm of thoughts crashed through his head.
Wait, isn't this the Namgoong family grounds? That's my little sister standing there. Damn... she's gorgeous. But why doesn't he know her name? Am I just getting played by bullshit?
The gears grinding in his head echoed loud enough for Namgoong Juhee to notice.
"Kidding. So, what's your business with me, Namgoong Geon sohyeop?"
"You...!"
"You! Hah, look at that face—totally red."
"L-Lady... You must show respect to the acting heir."
"Oh, right. Acting heir. Acting heir. If the acting heir's here himself..."
Namgoong Juhee sucked in a massive breath. Then unleashed a earth-shaking roar!
"CHARGE!"
BOOM!
"Guhk!"
No inner energy behind it, yet the sheer force was no joke. Like a lion's roar—or more precisely, like she was acting one out.
"Ah, always wanted to try that. Finally got my chance."
"What nonsense is this?"
"Huh? Oh... it's called a lion's roar. Something trash NPCs like you couldn't pull off dead or alive."
Namgoong Geon was beyond baffled now. He'd heard all about Juhee's antics and personality, but seeing it up close left him speechless.
Of course. This was medieval China, where face and gender mattered most. A woman talking back? That wasn't a joke—it was straight out of the history books.
And then a girl like Namgoong Juhee shows up. Ignoring men entirely. One-of-a-kind talent, unprecedented.
"Cat got your tongue? Or are your legs frozen in fear?"
"......"
"Too bad. The crowd's already here. Come on, let's make this a real show."
At her words, Namgoong Geon glanced around. A decent crowd had already gathered, and more were trickling in—thanks to her lion's roar imitation.
"What happened? Heard a big noise... Was that a lion's roar?"
"Looks like the acting heir's about to teach the lady a lesson."
"Ha! What could that wild filly possibly learn? Waste of the heir's time."
"Sibling love, probably. We'll just watch."
The onlookers chimed in, filling the space. Even in a modern world overflowing with dopamine hits, fights were rare entertainment. In Cheonju Mountain, where fun meant training, reading, or Go? Forget it. Plus, everyone loved seeing a pain like Namgoong Juhee get her comeuppance. That was the draw.
"Nngh..."
Namgoong Geon let out a groan. The situation had gotten messy.
Normally, he'd quietly challenge her to a bimu, shatter her dantian, and be done. But with eyes on them, rumors would fly. Plan B it was.
An arm... yeah. They might call it ruthless, but no formal reprimand.
For martial artists, a severed dantian meant death. A severed arm? Just a missing arm. Same value as for a commoner. No threat to his acting heir position. Hell, the ruthless image might even help his bid for family head.
Namgoong Geon raised his sword high, resolve hardened.
"Namgoong Juhee! I can no longer stand by and watch your antics!"
"Ooooh!"
"Draw your sword! Today, as acting heir, I will correct your ways and restore the Namgoong traditions and etiquette!"
"Acting heir! Acting heir! Acting heir!"
Cheers erupted around them. A solid speech, perfectly tailored. Given Juhee's usual behavior, it rang true. The mood favored Namgoong Geon completely.
So why...!
Yet Namgoong Juhee just smiled brightly, like something hilarious was about to unfold. Cold sweat trickled down Namgoong Geon's neck. Peak realm instincts screaming.
. . .
Namgoong Juhee knew her own abilities cold—basic as checking your character's specs in a game.
Her inner energy was pathetic, skills limited to three. Passive: Luk Hap Gong. Actives: Luk Hap Sword and Amhyang Pyo. All third-rate arts from the Huashan branch family. Impressive she'd even grown them to sword qi level.
And her body? Slender and fragile, stamina that wouldn't build. She still couldn't wrap her head around playing a woman's body in a game.
But one thing she loved?
Her acting chops.
Mysteriously beautiful face. Delicate curves, silk-smooth hair.
Juhee's looks created an aura, and that aura bred plausibility. Every little gesture felt loaded with intent. Meaning she could make opponents interpret her moves however she wanted.
"How the hell...!"
Namgoong Geon's sword sliced empty air. Literally nothing there.
Namgoong Juhee just grinned from afar. A glance left, a twitch of her right arm—that was it. And he'd poured everything into blocking an imaginary strike.
Martial forms burned inner energy and stamina. Even the world's best had limits. Show your hand too much, and they adapt.
Acting? No cost. Just eye flicks and twitches. Basically standing still.
But you couldn't adapt to it either. Experts reacted to the slightest motion or intent. Spotting unconscious habits was martial artist 101. You couldn't unlearn a lifetime's worth in seconds.
Result? Bimu started, Juhee hadn't moved a step. Utterly relaxed.
Namgoong Geon? Soaked in sweat, clothes dripping puddles. The fate of anyone facing her killing intent and feints at once. You never knew till you tried it yourself.
"Namgoong Juuuuheeee!"
A rage-filled howl, no peak qi behind it. Like a beast's death cry.
"What...! What sorcery is this?!"
"Dunno. I didn't do anything."
"Didn't do anything?"
"Yeah. Thought we'd have a real fight for once, but this is it?"
"Ha! Haha. Hahahahaha!"
Mad laughter now. Juhee figured the fun was over.
"Right...! Right! You! There's a reason you're doing nothing! Yeah! You don't have the guts to come at me! So you just stand there! Ha! My win! My victory!"
"Hmm."
"Obvious! I've lived ten years longer. My inner energy's incomparable. You can't beat me up close!"
Not wrong. Peak realm tenure aside, his arts dwarfed Luk Hap stuff.
And he still had plenty of qi left—one solid hit for her.
Up close, he had the edge. Pointless, though. If she just twitched from range, he was screwed.
But.
"I just ignore that shit."
In a flash, Namgoong Juhee vanished.
"Wha—!"
"Hey, let's chat."
Voice right in his face. Namgoong Geon tensed every nerve.
Where from? Sword arm? Unpredictable bitch—maybe fist or kick.
In that split second, her eyes locked on his left arm. Killing intent and will blazing.
"As if!"
Peak realm even rotten—his sword guarded his left arm instantly. Left hand prepped to counter. Textbook against a left-side strike.
If it came from the left.
Crack!
White grains scattered in the air. Juhee's fist smashed his right cheek.
"Come on. Not done yet."
Her hand kept him from flying—grabbed his collar, smash!
"Kuhk!"
One, two, three. He twisted free on the fourth.
But then? Half his vision gone. Eye crushed from the earlier hit.
"Let's chat. Wanna watch a movie?"
"Cough. Kek! Hack!"
"Choked? Need a back pat?"
She approached slow, ghost-like.
Needed distance. No—run! His legs scrambled back.
"Stop! Stop... I lost. I lost! Bimu's over...!"
Thud!
"Grrraaah!"
"No 'stop' in PVP. No victory call? We go till the end."
"Grrrh..."
"Acting heir, sir. I always clap back if someone trash-talks me in-game. Even friend me and I'll chase. Man, this game needs a friends list."
Juhee's wooden sword flashed amid the bullshit. Perfect Je Wang Geom Hyeong form.
"A... ah..."
Namgoong Geon had no eyes or will left to read it. Just rage spilling out.
"You filthy bitch! Someday next year I'll—!"
Slash!
His left arm hit the ground. Horror and shock blurred his vision.
Fading consciousness. Amid it, Juhee's dainty lips moved faintly. A whisper drifting in.
"Bug cut."