Jinseok's Defeat
Jinseok, mistaking that Miyeon was under attack from Kang Cheonhu, swung his fist at him.
However, Jinseok's attack had no effect whatsoever. Instead, he was met with a devastating counter from Kang Cheonhu.
As Jinseok came under assault from Kang Cheonhu, Serin rushed in immediately to shield him, while Miyeon held her sword to Kang Cheonhu's throat.
"Crkkuk. What the hell was that? I was just defending myself fair and square."
Kang Cheonhu smirked slyly at Miyeon, even with her blade right at his neck, his tone dripping with smug arrogance. He brazenly claimed he'd only protected himself justly.
"An attack from someone like Jinseok wouldn't faze a powerhouse like you. So why'd you hit him like you were trying to kill him?"
But Miyeon believed Kang Cheonhu had overreacted excessively to Jinseok. And she wasn't wrong. Even Jinseok's full-powered punch hadn't fazed Kang Cheonhu in the slightest. Yet he'd retaliated with overwhelming force, making his response seem disproportionate.
"Hmph. I just gave that arrogant trash a taste of reality—he doesn't even grasp the gap in our power."
Kang Cheonhu spoke with unyielding arrogance. To him, a mere B-rank like Jinseok daring to challenge him was infuriating in itself. He saw Jinseok as worthless garbage, and his rage at the audacity had fueled that brutal counterattack.
"If you're gonna talk pure power, then I'll answer with power too. Don't think you're the only one who has it."
Miyeon glared daggers at Kang Cheonhu, her voice laced with threat once more. Her presence didn't waver under his intimidating aura. Just as Jinseok had charged recklessly to protect his sister, Miyeon was now desperately shielding her beloved little brother.
"Hmph. Heroes fighting each other is pointless anyway."
Kang Cheonhu snorted and took a step back, shoving his hands into his pockets. He showed no further intent to fight. To him, battling Miyeon right now would be meaningless.
"But tell me, Yoo Miyeon—do you really think you can beat me?"
"I know you're one of the top S-rank heroes. Hell, you might be the strongest solo fighter out there."
Miyeon acknowledged Kang Cheonhu's strength. Even she couldn't guarantee victory against him. He wielded power and abilities on an absurd level.
"But at this range—close enough to touch—I'm the one with the advantage as a melee specialist."
Miyeon fixed him with a razor-sharp stare. It wasn't bravado. While Kang Cheonhu's raw power and destructive output were top-tier, his wind and lightning manipulation was elemental—leaning toward mid-to-long range. At point-blank, with her sword practically kissing his throat, the devastating cutting force of her Sword Qi was impossible to ignore.
"Crkkuk. Got some guts. I like it."
(I thought she was just ice-cold, but she's got more fire than I expected. Makes me want her even more.)
Kang Cheonhu chuckled through gritted teeth, eyeing Miyeon with a predatory gleam. Deep down, her defiance only heightened his attraction. She wasn't crumbling or cowering easily—that intrigued him.
"Ugh... S-Sis..."
Jinseok, critically wounded by Kang Cheonhu's counter, was barely regaining consciousness. The blow had sent him flying, knocking him out cold for a moment. His counter had been devastating; Jinseok's body ached everywhere, covered in injuries. Even a glance showed no part of him unscathed—he could barely twitch a finger. Kang Cheonhu's lightning strike had ravaged him head to toe. For a hero far tougher than any normal human to be wrecked in one hit... it underscored Kang Cheonhu's monstrous power.
"Jinseok! Are you okay?! Sniff... waaah!"
"Serin...?"
Serin, face crumpling in tears at the sight of his injuries, hugged him tightly. She hadn't fully blocked Kang Cheonhu's attack, but she'd thrown up a barrier around Jinseok, absorbing some of the delayed lightning with her powers. That was why his wounds weren't even worse—thanks to her.
"Don't worry. I'll heal you."
"Ugh... Thanks, Ye-eun sis."
Ye-eun rushed to Jinseok's side too, channeling her healing ability into his grievous wounds. A soft white light poured from her hands, and Jinseok felt the pain easing in the areas she touched.
"Pathetic trash, but tougher than I thought. Fitting for a Physical Enhancement user. Crkkuk."
"Kuh..."
Kang Cheonhu sneered down at the fallen Jinseok. Jinseok ground his teeth in fury but had no urge to charge again. He'd felt the overwhelming gap in their skills firsthand. He wasn't a coward, but the power disparity was too vast to ignore the fear.
(Even my full-force punch didn't faze him. That monster...)
Still just a B-rank hero, Jinseok had taken pride in his trained combat skills and enhanced strength. He'd figured even against an S-rank, he could land a solid hit. But reality had crushed him, confirming only the hopeless chasm between them.
"That's enough. Stop picking on the injured."
Miyeon, witnessing Kang Cheonhu's sleazy attitude toward Jinseok again, issued another warning. Less aggressive than before, but her intent to protect him was crystal clear.
"If you hurt Jinseok any more, I won't stand by."
Serin glared at Kang Cheonhu while cradling Jinseok. Ye-eun shot him a hostile look too. All of Team Valkyrie radiated readiness to fight if he went after Jinseok again.
"Crkkuk. Fine, fine. Tch. You all team up to fight, but you won't welcome me, huh."
Kang Cheonhu chuckled and turned away, starting to walk off. Overhead, Team Tempest's private jet was already circling. Their custom supersonic bomber handled not just deployments but extractions too.
"Well then..."
As he prepared to leave, Kang Cheonhu glanced back at Miyeon. And then...
Smack!
"Kyaa?!"
In a blink, he blurred behind her at blinding speed and slapped her ass hard enough to echo. Miyeon couldn't react in time to his explosive approach—her butt jiggled elastically from the impact. A surprisingly cute yelp escaped her lips.
"Y-You bastard!"
"...Hahaha! See you next time."
Kang Cheonhu, having spanked Miyeon, kicked off the ground, manipulating wind to launch into the air and vanish at high speed.
Jinseok watched Kang Cheonhu smack his sister's ass, rage boiling up again, but he still couldn't move properly. He could only lie there, seething in helpless fury.
"...Haa..."
Thud!
"Sis?!"
"Miyeon unnie!?"
Miyeon, struck on the ass by Kang Cheonhu's palm, suddenly sighed deeply and collapsed to her knees. Her long hair draped down, half-hiding her lowered face—which was flushed bright red.
"Miyeon, you okay? Need help?"
"I'm fine. Just... a bit tired. Focus on healing Jinseok."
"Yeah, got it."
Miyeon blocked Ye-eun from healing her, insisting she prioritize Jinseok. Ye-eun worried a little but turned her attention back to him.
(W-What... the hell... was that...)
"Haa... haa... mm... ahn."
The moment Kang Cheonhu's hand had struck her ass, it burned hot, a surging sexual pleasure bubbling up that Miyeon struggled to suppress. Just one spank, and her breath came ragged, her body heating uncontrollably—she could barely hold it back.