They All Deserve to Die
The man leading the group of male adventurers spoke in a voice as cold as ice. "Mu Hong, do you really think you're in any position to stop me? You don't have the right to stand in my way. Go and call Pung Sa-nang out here. I am So-ryeong's father. She is my daughter, and I am taking her with me!"
"Hah! You dare think you can just take So-ryeong? In your dreams!" the muscular female swordsman shouted, her face contorted with a sneer of pure rage.
The man, Ju Seong, replied with a dark chuckle. "Heh, so you won't hand her over? Fine. Then hand over every bit of loot you gathered during this hunt to my Flying Eagle Adventurers. Do that, and I'll consider this matter settled."
"Hmph! So that's it. You're just looking for any excuse to pick a fight so you can steal our hard-earned spoils!" Mu Hong's eyes flashed with fury.
"Heh, is Pung Sa-nang not coming out? Or rather... is she too injured to move?" Ju Seong's lips curled into a mocking smile as he glanced toward the tents pitched deeper within the camp.
"It looks like your situation isn't exactly great. Heh. Hand over the girl, or hand over the goods. The choice is yours. Choose wisely."
Mu Hong trembled with indignation. "Ju Seong! Do you have no conscience at all? You were nothing but a starving refugee about to die in the streets of Unmong City. It was our Master who saved you and taught you martial arts! He treated you like his own son! Even on his deathbed, he granted your desperate plea and let his daughter marry you! We never imagined you'd turn out to be such a beast! Not only did you spend every day gambling and chasing women, but you even conspired with some mistress to strip the Pung family of its fortune! And now, you want to utterly crush our Lady? You're worse than a beast! Are you even human?!"
"That was so long ago, I hardly remember," Ju Seong said, his expression indifferent, showing not a shred of shame. "I'll say it again: I gave ten years of my life to the Pung family. I stayed by that old man's side until the day he died. Heh. I've paid back every debt I owed. I'm simply taking the compensation I deserve for all my hard work. How is that 'going too far'?"
"What absolute nonsense!" Mu Hong's entire body shook with rage. "You gave your life for the family? You did nothing but live in luxury at the Pung family's expense for ten years! Everyone knows your heart is as black as coal!"
A chilling look crossed Ju Seong's face at her words. "It would be best for you to stop this useless chatter. Bring So-ryeong out now. Or hand over the loot. Otherwise, I won't be showing any more mercy."
The other male warriors behind him let out sinister grins. A group like the Fire Rose Adventurers, composed entirely of women, was a very rare sight within Bukhwang Mountain. In this wild land, far beyond the reach of the law, women faced immense hardships. They had to contend not only with elusive magical beasts but also with men who approached them with malicious intent.
"What a truly shameless bastard!" Baek Geum-un muttered, her face flushed with anger as she watched the scene unfold.
Bukjin rubbed the bridge of his nose, lost in thought. I thought this was going to be a story full of wondrous survival and grand adventures, so why did it suddenly turn into a trashy late-night soap opera?
Bukjin realized he still had much to learn about the nuances of this world. While he was pondering this, a battle erupted between the two adventurer groups. It was a real fight—one intended to maim and kill.
"Hahaha! Brothers! Attack at will! We're wiping out the Fire Rose Adventurers today! Once you've subdued those wenches, you can do whatever you want with them!" Ju Seong laughed loudly.
"But don't kill them! Women fetch a good price if we sell them to the mountain dens!"
"You piece of trash!" Mu Hong raised her twin swords and charged at Ju Seong. The other female swordsmen also engaged the male warriors. In the fierce clash of blades, injuries began to mount rapidly.
Thud—!
The seventeen-year-old female swordsman who had spoken with Bukjin's group earlier was kicked by a male warrior. Spitting blood, she was sent flying toward Bukjin and Baek Geum-un, collapsing at their feet.
"Hahaha! You little chick! You've got a nice kick to you!" The bald brute who had attacked her rushed forward with a vile smirk.
"You disgusting pig." Unable to hold back any longer, Baek Geum-un stepped forward and delivered a powerful kick of her own.
CRACK—!
The bald brute was sent flying, vomiting blood. Baek Geum-un had never been weak to begin with, but after obtaining the martial arts of White Cloud City and undergoing special training under Bukjin's guidance, she had become significantly more powerful. Her current strength was equivalent to a 9th Grade Warrior Rank.
The bald brute, who was at best an 8th Grade Warrior, was no match for her.
"A little brat dares to strike us? Get her! Don't let that girl get away!"
"Haha! Look at how pale her skin is! She'll fetch a fortune!"
"Capture her alive!"
Several male warriors rushed at Baek Geum-un with predatory expressions. They had no idea who she was, likely assuming she was just another member of the Fire Rose Adventurers.
"Junior Sister Baek, be careful!" Han Bul-bu shouted as he dashed forward.
"Geum-un! Get behind me!" Ak Hong-hyang also drew her sword and stepped to the front.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing steel filled the air. Bukjin was a bit taken aback. How did this fight end up dragging us into it?
"You beasts! I'll never forgive you! I'll punish you all with the blade of justice!" an infuriated Baek Geum-un screamed. She swung her massive greatsword, charging forward and beginning to cut down the male warriors.
Fueled by rage, she channeled every ounce of her Mystic Energy. In an instant, two of the men were sent tumbling back from the force of her blows.
Seeing the situation, Bukjin couldn't just stand by. He expanded his mental perception and took a position behind his companions. Every time one of them faced a dangerous opening, he flicked his hand to fire a Water Bolt. Occasionally, he would manifest a Water Circle to heal their minor wounds.
Under Bukjin's support, Han Bul-bu, Baek Geum-un, and Ak Hong-hyang grew more courageous and fierce as the battle progressed.
The two deans, Ban Oe-min and Cho Heun, stood outside the fray with their arms crossed, smiling with satisfaction. They clearly had no intention of stopping the students. In their eyes, teaching martial arts was important, but teaching students about fairness and justice was paramount. As a swordsman, drawing one's blade to help the weak when witnessing injustice was the most fundamental of virtues.
Students educated at the 3rd Academy were expected to possess at least a modicum of chivalry—the heart to help those in need rather than turning a blind eye. To these teachers, this was more important than any technique.
With the four students from the 3rd Academy joining the fray, the Fire Rose Adventurers, who had been on the verge of defeat, began to push back and seize the advantage. Bukjin continued to fire his Water Bolts without pause. Every time he waved his hand, a male warrior would scream and collapse in a spray of blood.
"Dammit!"
Watching this, Ju Seong swung his longsword to knock Mu Hong back. He then leaped into the air, soaring toward Bukjin like a hawk. He intended to take down the boy who was providing long-range support and healing first.
Ju Seong's biggest concern was being intercepted by the other three students. Because of this, he poured his full strength into his strike against Bukjin, holding nothing back. However, contrary to his expectations, the other three students didn't even try to block him. Instead, they watched with expressions that almost looked... amused.
Why? was the last thought that flashed through Ju Seong's mind.
CLANG—!
The sound of clashing blades rang out. Immediately after, an irresistible, gargantuan force surged through his sword.
SHATTER—!
Ju Seong's longsword exploded into fragments that hissed through the air. He coughed up blood as the shards lacerated his skin. A moment later, an agonizing pain surged through his entire body.
"Aaaagh!"
Ju Seong let out a scream of pure agony. He felt as if half of his body had been crushed as he was sent flying, slamming violently into the ground. When he looked at his hand, his sword was gone—shattered into nothingness.
He looked up to see Bukjin, who had been attacking from a distance, now standing before him with a sword in hand. The tip of the blade was pointed directly between his eyes.
S-Strong! Who is this boy? How can he be this powerful?! Ju Seong was utterly terrified. He had reached the 1st Grade Master Rank, making him one of the top experts among adventurers. Yet, he hadn't been able to withstand a single blow from this youth.
"I-Impressive, haha! I never thought that wretched Pung Sa-nang would have called in such help! I lose today!" Ju Seong spat out a mouthful of blood and forced a bitter smile.
"I swear I will never trouble the Fire Rose Adventurers again. Young hero, please... let me go."
Ignoring his plea, Bukjin delivered a brutal kick to the man's stomach.
THUMP—!
The force of the blow sent Ju Seong skidding nearly twenty feet until he slammed into a large rock. A massive spray of blood erupted from his mouth. Bukjin's strength was overwhelming; it was impossible to tell how many bones he had broken with that single kick.
In the next instant, Bukjin's figure blurred. The sound of rushing wind followed as he unleashed the Four Moons Sword Style. Sword light flashed brilliantly as Bukjin thrust his blade forward repeatedly.
"Gah!"
"My—my hand!"
"Aaaargh!"
"Urgh!"
Screams echoed one after another. Bukjin, now fighting at full strength, was like a tiger in the middle of a flock of sheep. The adventurers Ju Seong had brought were nothing more than fodder to him. In coordination with Han Bul-bu, Ak Hong-hyang, and Baek Geum-un, Ju Seong's subordinates were utterly decimated.
The entire group lay on the ground, writhing and screaming in pain. They had completely lost the ability to fight.
"W-Who... who are you people?" Ju Seong cried out, his voice trembling with agony.
Bukjin pointed his Doran Sword at Ju Seong. Without him even realizing it, a dark, poisonous impulse began to swell within his heart.
I want to kill them.
It was as if someone was whispering directly into his ear.
"These people are all trash."
"Worthless insects."
"They all deserve to die."
"Take their lives!"
Bukjin, still clinging to the moral compass of his life on Earth, felt a violent conflict erupt within his soul.