Come on, Kill Me!
The sudden assault by the assassins put everyone on high alert.
It wasn't just fear—it was a terror unlike anything they'd felt before.
The ordinary soldiers, especially, trembled in abject dread as they watched their comrades collapse beside them, never knowing when death might claim them next.
Even seasoned warriors like Neung Han couldn't help but stiffen, their faces ashen. The assassins' movements were too elusive, too ghostly.
Luk Ban-jang, sensing Yeop Hyeon's gaze, fell silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"We just have to hold out until dawn. Assassins hiding in the shadows aren't easy to track."
'Hold out until morning?'
Yeop Hyeon furrowed his brow.
If they had to wait that long, how many would live to see the sunrise?
As that thought crossed his mind, screams began echoing from between the camp's tents.
Gang Gu's expression twisted into something feral in an instant.
At that moment, something unexpected happened to Yeop Hyeon. The entity on the second floor of the Gyeok Ok Tower, silent for so long, pushed a single sheet of paper through the door crack.
👁️👁️
'Human eyes!'
Yeop Hyeon stared blankly at the drawing before realization dawned.
Sword Eyes!
He had them all along.
Yeop Hyeon quickly steadied his mind and activated his Sword Eyes, sensing everything around him. Right then, he whipped his head toward one direction, eyes snapping wide.
Shiiik—!
Two beams of sword light shot from his eyes like lightning toward a spot.
A soldier several zhang away turned at the suspicious noise, only to see a black shadow hurtling toward him.
In that instant, a streak of sword light flashed through the camp.
Shk—!
Blood sprayed across the ground, revealing a man in black garb.
Yeop Hyeon extended his right hand, and the sword quietly flew into his grasp.
All the private soldiers broke into cold sweats, scanning their surroundings warily.
Sometimes, the path to death terrified more than death itself.
"They're gone."
At Yeop Hyeon's words, the soldiers exhaled in relief.
Yeop Hyeon, Gang Gu, and the others kept their faces grim.
Yeop Hyeon turned to Luk Ban-jang and the rest.
"Be extra careful tonight."
Then, to Gang Gu:
"Let's talk inside."
Gang Gu nodded and followed him into the tent.
Once seated inside, Gang Gu spoke gravely.
"The soldiers are scared."
"I know. I'll find a way. Those assassins are beyond what you or the troops can handle. Keep them steady until I do. And they were targeting you just now. Stay sharp."
Gang Gu was Kanguk's supreme commander. Her death would cripple the kingdom.
Gang Gu nodded.
"Of course. But their main targets are you and your friends. Don't forget that!"
"Got it. I'll consult my comrades. You request reinforcements from the Lord."
Yeop Hyeon stood.
Returning to his own tent, he entered the Gyeok Ok Tower. As he opened the door, another paper slipped out beneath his feet, bearing a tiny claw mark.
🦇
"……."
Yeop Hyeon was speechless. He couldn't fathom the second-floor entity's intent. A claw mark—what the hell did that mean?
Then another paper flew out.
This one was different. Instead of claws, it bore a human handprint.
✋
"Hey! Can't you just say it!?"
Bam!
The second floor rumbled, and a surge of immense energy blasted Yeop Hyeon.
Thud!
Yeop Hyeon flew through the air and slammed into the floor, feeling like his body might shatter.
He pressed his forehead to the ground, wailing inwardly.
"What did I ever do to you!?"
Another paper fluttered before his eyes.
Unfolding it revealed lips first, then an arrow →, more indistinct lips (human or beast?), and finally a ?.
💋 → 💋?
"This is driving me insane!!"
Yeop Hyeon felt like he might explode from frustration at the cryptic symbols.
Just then, the floor shook again. He flattened himself and yelled,
"Ah, I get it! Please, just talk to me—I'll do better!"
From then on, Yeop Hyeon pored over the papers desperately. Soon, his face darkened.
Did the second-floor entity not speak human language?
Was it from another world?
His suspicions grew.
Another paper slipped through, this one with overlapping claw and hand marks.
🦇✋
Yeop Hyeon frowned, trying to decipher it. When the rumble came again, he yelped,
"Ah, got it! Wait, just wait!"
A long while later, he glanced cautiously at the ceiling.
"Do you... want to merge with me? Or possess my body to act through it?"
A breeze stirred the tower, sending a paper with a V mark.
✅
"……."
Possession!
Yeop Hyeon mulled it over and shook his head.
"No way. Absolutely not!"
'Someone else controlling my body?'
The mere thought was horrifying.
He'd heard tales of mighty experts seizing others' bodies. If that's what the entity wanted, Yeop Hyeon could never accept it.
Another paper arrived.
After half a shichen of this paper charades, Yeop Hyeon collapsed, exhausted.
Interpreting the drawings was grueling, but wrong guesses earned him strikes from above, doubling the mental and physical toll.
Lying there, he turned toward the second-floor entrance.
"Like we discussed before, twice a month. Once when you want out, once when I need you. Deal?"
A paper with V flew down.
✅
Yeop Hyeon sighed deeply.
He hadn't wanted this, but refusal meant who-knows-what from the entity. With his power, resistance was futile.
Exiting the tower, Yeop Hyeon headed to Luk Ban-jang's tent. She was—still—gnawing on fried dough, a roasted green onion in her other hand.
He plopped down uninvited.
"One question. Besides Amgye, any other assassin groups in Jungto Sinju?"
Luk Ban-jang paused mid-bite and nodded.
"Yeah."
"Can we contact them?"
She shook her head vigorously.
"Impossible."
"Why?"
"They won't come if called, and even if they did, they're greedy bastards. Trouble for sure. Summoning ghosts is easy; exorcising them, not so much. Better handle this ourselves."
Yeop Hyeon fell silent.
Truth be told, the assassins didn't scare him anymore. With Sword Eyes, they'd never get close. Their stealth was fearsome, but their combat prowess? Overrated.
The issue: they targeted the Kanguk troops and officers, not him. Letting them die would shatter morale.
Even Neung Han and the others lived in constant threat, forced to stick together.
A voice called from outside.
"Young Master Yeop, come out a moment."
Yeop Hyeon and Luk Ban-jang emerged to find O Ru-ju. He smiled lightly, snapped his fingers, and a Yeop jade token flew to Yeop Hyeon.
"Your requested item. Check it."
Yeop Hyeon blinked in shock.
"How so fast...?"
"Haha, well... After parting with you, I went to the head and explained. He ordered every Chwi Seon Ru in Jungto Sinju to scour for it, no holds barred. Got lucky."
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists formally.
"How can I repay this grace? I, Yeop Hyeon, will engrave O Ru-ju and Chwi Seon Ru's favor in my bones and never forget!"
He glanced at Luk Ban-jang, who summoned Neung Han and the rest. They pooled gold equivalent and handed it to O Ru-ju.
O Ru-ju snapped again. A pure white vial appeared before them.
Seeing the Divine Fusion Pills, Neung Han and the others' hearts raced. These could shave years—even a decade—off their path to Divine Fusion Realm.
O Ru-ju snapped once more, sending a lead box their way.
Yeop Hyeon nodded and turned to Neung Han and the group.
"Back to your tents now and take them. Luk Ban-jang and I will stand guard."
O Ru-ju hesitated.
"Isn't it too risky now?"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"Time will only get tighter. Better breakthrough ASAP."
O Ru-ju nodded.
"Fair point. Oh, intel from Jungto Sinju: Changmok Academy and Amgye are openly targeting you now."
"Dropping all pretense, huh."
"With a Sword Immortal behind you, how could they rush lightly? They'll likely ally with Daeun Empire soon. Prepare well, little brother—and Kanguk too!"
"Thanks for the advice!"
O Ru-ju nodded.
"One more thing: Chwi Seon Ru's dispatching thirty Dao soldiers for you. Here by tomorrow at latest."
Luk Ban-jang and the others stirred. Chwi Seon Ru was going all-in for Yeop Hyeon.
For an organization that had bet heavily on Yeop Hyeon and the Heavenly Maiden, it was only natural. His death would ruin everything.
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists.
"Someday, I'll repay this kindness!"
O Ru-ju waved it off.
"Truth is, we're doing this to win you and your master over. But it's not just that. Chwi Seon Ru holds some loyalty and friendship toward you, Yeop Hyeon. I've prattled on. Stay safe."
With that, O Ru-ju vanished from the camp.
Neung Han and the others turned to head back for the pills.
Suddenly, Yeop Hyeon shouted,
"Do it outside the walls!"