Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Baek Idan's Fury
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Lee Soo-hyuk gazed into Unhyang's eyes as she held his hand.
Whether his persuasion had worked or not, at least her gaze was different from when they had first reunited here.
‘She’s made up her mind to fight.’
He knew it wasn’t an easy decision. The reason Unhyang had been bound here all this time wasn’t because she was weak or foolish.
It was because her opponent was just that strong.
Paht, pababat—.
In that instant, a group armed in crimson divine armor appeared around Soo-hyuk and Unhyang.
Martial artists radiating sharp, wolf-like auras and baring their killing intent.
They were the elite unit raised by Baek Idan, the warriors of the Baekrangdan.
‘All of them are Rankers.’
As the absolute elites of Shinryeon Citadel, not a single one among them wasn’t a Ranker. Beyond them, over a hundred other experts encircled them.
Kwak—.
Strength entered the hand gripping his sword.
Fighting in the heart of Shinryeon Citadel was something that, at least in Soo-hyuk’s mind, wouldn’t happen for a long while.
“No need to worry.”
It was then.
Unhyang spoke in a completely different tone from moments ago.
“You’re not fighting alone.”
Unhyang’s eyes glaring at the Baekrangdan were utterly unlike those she wore while handling manager duties.
‘I’ll protect him. No matter what.’
Separate from her trust in him, protecting him was now her role from here on out.
She absolutely wouldn’t let him die. If he fought for her, she would fight for him.
Soo-hyuk smiled at Unhyang’s support.
“Feels reassuring.”
He had fought alone for so long that he’d forgotten.
Originally, he was accustomed to fighting alongside others rather than by himself.
Thud—.
At that moment, one of the Baekrangdan warriors stepped forward boldly.
Judging by his overwhelming presence, he seemed to be the captain or vice-captain of the Baekrangdan.
“The Vice Citadel Lord has ordered us to bring you both. Come quietly.”
“I’ve finished talking with my manager, so just let us go.”
“We can’t do that.”
Soo-hyuk’s eyes turned fierce at the Baekrangdan captain’s response.
“Why not? What gives you the right?”
“It’s not a matter of right. This is the Vice Citadel Lord’s command.”
“Can’t because it’s a command?”
He’d expected this response, but hearing it firsthand made his blood boil.
What kind of command was it that allowed them to toy with someone’s life like this?
Not even parents—no one in the world—had that right.
“We’re leaving.”
Thud—.
Soo-hyuk took a step forward.
“Neither I nor my manager will ever return here.”
“Stop right now, or else……”
Flaaash—!
“……!”
A bolt of lightning shot through the ranks of Baekrangdan warriors.
In an instant, golden light flashed as Soo-hyuk charged in.
Kwarung—!
The explosive sound signaling the start of battle.
As if determined to break through in one go, Soo-hyuk plunged into the midst of the Baekrangdan warriors. Each time his sword flashed and thunder roared, Baekrangdan warriors were sent flying.
“Block them from escaping! You can kill Lee Soo-hyuk if……”
Kakakak—.
The sound of bones cracking.
The words of the Baekrangdan vice-captain, Jo Un-jae, cut off. His body split vertically and collapsed to both sides.
Her eyes flashing red, Unhyang had leaped into the front lines alongside him.
“Who do you think you are, talking about killing?”
Kwarung—!
Kururung, flaash—!
On this untimely night, the sky over Shinryeon Citadel blazed like daylight.
Baek Idan looked up at the sky from below the citadel.
In the distance, he could see Lee Soo-hyuk and Unhyang fighting.
“He’s stronger than expected.”
Baekrangdan’s captain, So Ma-hyeon, said.
“The young lady changing her mind is an issue, but… we seem to have misjudged Lee Soo-hyuk’s combat prowess as well.”
Kwarung—!
Another flash lit up the sky.
Lee Soo-hyuk swiftly subdued the Baekrangdan warriors and other Shinryeon Citadel martial artists surrounding him.
Lightning exerted tremendous power in battles against groups. Its wide-area spread overwhelmed numbers.
“Indeed… he fights well.”
Even Baek Idan hadn’t anticipated this situation.
Unhyang’s betrayal? He’d known a moment like this would come someday. Even he might have done the same once.
But Lee Soo-hyuk was different.
‘I heard he just reached the 8th floor.’
Baek Idan hadn’t participated in the great counter-war for this mission. This was his first time directly assessing Lee Soo-hyuk’s abilities.
“At this rate, we’ll be wiped out.”
Lee Soo-hyuk and Unhyang. Their synergy was better than expected.
He’d thought the Baekrangdan alone would suffice.
The thought that they might all die like this made Baek Idan furrow his brows fiercely.
“We have to kill him now, somehow.”
He’d wanted to conserve as much power as possible to capture Uncheon-geuk.
“Bring out Cheongryang first. With her, even if not Lee Soo-hyuk, we can stop Unhyang.”
“If I go, then over here—”
“I’ll handle it.”
Thud—.
His single step echoed like a giant’s footfall.
In the end, Baek Idan began to move.
Swords flew at him from all directions.
No.
Including from above, five directions.
Deflect with lightning? Smashing them with raw power would be easier, but Soo-hyuk swung his sword instead.
Kagagagagang—!
Metal clashed, sparks flying precisely five times.
The swords coming from five directions bounced away, making the Baekrangdan warriors hesitate.
Their eyes said it all. He blocked that? Without even using a skill?
And in that moment.
Kaat—.
Unhyang’s sword sliced through the necks of Baekrangdan warriors.
Chwaaa—!
The severed necks gushed fountains of blood. Soo-hyuk gave her a thumbs-up as she spun her sword like an umbrella to block the sprays.
‘She’s really good.’
He had fought alongside Unhyang once before.
Her opponent then had been Shinryeon Citadel’s leadership, the Heavenly Thunder Sword. Against that high Ranker, Unhyang had held her own.
Yet now, Unhyang’s skill seemed several levels higher than back then.
Thanks to him.
Even in situations where she’d need to rely on skills like just now, she didn’t have to.
Soo-hyuk, who had been leading the charge to clear the path, shook his head.
He’d gotten too fixated on the goal of rescuing Unhyang and misjudged.
“Let’s switch positions.”
“How?”
“Manager, you take the front. That suits you better.”
Contrary to her appearance, Unhyang was an aggressive style who dove into the enemy’s heart.
Meanwhile, Soo-hyuk could fluidly wield his power in any situation.
Like this, Unhyang’s positioning would be awkward. Her abilities shone brightest at the vanguard.
At Soo-hyuk’s words, Unhyang burst into laughter.
“Didn’t you say you’d escort me out earlier?”
“I’ll take it back. Manager, mind escorting me instead?”
“What?”
Wearing an incredulous expression, Unhyang burst out laughing again.
Her face was utterly different from when Soo-hyuk first arrived here.
Yes.
This was her true self.
No matter how darkly she’d lived, she was fundamentally this bright. Soo-hyuk hoped she wouldn’t forget that.
“Got it. Let’s switch. I’m much more comfortable that w……”
Bwooooong—.
—Kwaaaang!
It was then that something fell from the sky.
The pavilion where the two stood collapsed in an instant.
Losing balance, some warriors staggered, and debris from the shattered structure created clouds of dust.
The leisure of conversation from moments ago vanished.
An entirely different aura filled the citadel. From the rising fog, Baek Idan’s bluish eyes gleamed.
The air had changed.
“We have to save Cheongryang first.”
At Baek Idan’s appearance, her concern was for Cheongryang.
Baek Idan was fearsome not just for his skill. He didn’t hesitate to use any means for his goals.
He would surely use Cheongryang’s life in the dungeon as leverage.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“But……!”
“I’m not saying to abandon her.”
Soo-hyuk reassured Unhyang.
“She’ll definitely be safe. Someone even greater than me went there.”
“Greater than you, Soo-hyuk-ssi?”
Who could he mean, to speak with such confidence?
Doubt flickered, but Unhyang nodded.
She had to trust him first. She wouldn’t have come this far without believing in Soo-hyuk.
Besides, the opponent before them wasn’t one to fight while distracted elsewhere.
“Done chatting?”
As the fog cleared, Baek Idan’s revealed face looked displeased.
Daring to look away with him right there? Even leisurely conversing?
Kre rung, a beastly growl leaked through his teeth.
“I warned you clearly. I wouldn’t allow your meeting.”
Goooo—.
With crimson energy, the citadel shook centered on his feet.
As the leader’s battle began, the surviving Baekrangdan and Shinryeon Citadel warriors scattered to the sides. They kept their distance to avoid getting caught in Baek Idan’s fight.
This was likely something Baek Idan had ordered in advance.
Kwaang—!
In an instant, Baek Idan’s form charged toward Soo-hyuk.
Baek Idan, rushing at blinding speed, passed Unhyang’s side. Soo-hyuk’s eyes widened at the fist that filled his vision in a flash.
‘When?’
Fortunately, his body reacted before his mind.
Kwawoong—!
Two flashes and an explosive boom like something bursting engulfed everything. Thud, Soo-hyuk was sent flying backward.
In the meantime, Unhyang didn’t stand idle.
Kweeut—!
The energy at the tip of Unhyang’s sword split into three like a dragon’s head. Ziiiip, Baek Idan’s arm was deeply slashed.
It was the price of ignoring Unhyang to target Soo-hyuk.
As if he’d anticipated this much, Baek Idan quickly widened the distance from Unhyang.
“Soo-hyuk-ssi!”
Having driven off Baek Idan, Unhyang went to the aid of Soo-hyuk, who had been sent flying first.
Fortunately, Soo-hyuk’s head was intact. Though thrown with lethal intent, Baek Idan’s fist had been blocked by Soo-hyuk’s sword.
Soo-hyuk rose to his feet.
Jirit—.
His sword hand trembled.
The power in that fist was immense. Blocking a strike loaded with enough inner force to crumble the entire citadel had wrecked his hand.
“Strong. For real.”
As expected, Shinryeon Citadel’s Vice Citadel Lord was no pushover.
Thud—.
Baek Idan approached Soo-hyuk and Unhyang.
“I’ll give you one last chance.”
He growled, emanating a terrifying presence.
“Kneel now and lick my feet like a dog. Swear your loyalty, and I’ll spare you.”
Whoosh—.
The energy Baek Idan emitted rose as scorching heat.
Having bared his hostility, Baek Idan was no longer just a brutish giant.
A man like a beast forged from steel, needing no humility in his strength.
That was Shinryeon Citadel’s Vice Citadel Lord, Baek Idan.
“That bastard, a mere fox strutting around because the tiger’s gone……”
Grind, Unhyang gnashed her teeth.
Daring to tell Soo-hyuk to lick his feet? It was more insulting and repulsive than if she’d heard it herself.
Hwaaaa—.
Gripping her sword tightly, Unhyang drew up her mana.
Baek Idan or whatever, she had no intention of letting anyone who touched Soo-hyuk go free.
But what actually concerned Soo-hyuk wasn’t Baek Idan’s words.
“Tiger? Fox?”
No way?
Grab—.
Soo-hyuk grabbed Unhyang’s hand as she was about to charge at Baek Idan.
“You’re saying Uncheon-geuk isn’t in the citadel right now?”
“Yes?”
Stunned by Soo-hyuk’s sudden action, Unhyang nodded.
“Yes. Come to think of it, I didn’t tell you.”
“Ha—.”
He’d assumed Uncheon-geuk came after Baek Idan. Feeling like he’d been smacked in the back of the head, a hollow laugh escaped Soo-hyuk.
But this kind of twist? He welcomed it.
“Well, then.”
Soo-hyuk stood.
Kurururu—.
Storm clouds gathered in the sky. Pajik, sparks flew from Soo-hyuk’s body.
From golden light to blue, then black. The lightning’s color shifted as his mana amplified.
Kwarung—!
“—Does that mean I just have to break through this guy?”