Jade Flower Sword: Namgung Serin #8
The Namgung family warriors had all been taken down, and there was nothing I could do except launch a suicide special op. But I resolved to do it gladly. If I didn't, I'd die for sure, and if by some miracle it worked, I'd survive. It was a life-or-death gamble.
So I ripped open the great ogre's belly, dove inside, and came back out covered in its guts.
"Kuh... you vicious bastard. You're really going that far?"
"Jae Mi-son. To survive, I'll do anything."
I was drenched in the great ogre's blood. Literally turned into a blood man, a red commie. My whole body was beet red with sincerity. If I ran into those moth bastards like this, it'd be instant Taegeukgi complete, Avatar 2 sequel premiere, and all of America wailing.
"You're one vicious fucker."
The metallic stench of blood was so thick it made my head spin. But I had to do this. Nothing else would mask my human scent so well. Camouflage, breath concealment, and erasing my presence were essential before an ambush.
"The air's thick with great ogre blood stench from all directions. To boost our odds even a little, this is the only way. Jae Mi-son."
"Kuk kuk... hey, you think that yokai bitch won't notice just because of some blood stink? Don't fuck around."
"I think she won't."
"Kick kick! You're a real madman, Kim Geun-hyeop!"
Jae Mi-son shouted with genuine delight. This guy's a total nutjob too.
"People go mad when death's staring them down."
The plan was simple. That horny demon nachal bitch was mesmerized by Okhwa Geom's beauty, obsessed and toying with her. With all the other warriors neutralized, she'd be off guard. Sneak behind her and deliver one fatal slash. No brainpower involved—no, actively shutting down the brain for a skull-cracking suicide special op. A plan so shit even Mo Jeon-gu-ryeom-ya, the legendary independence fighter called a tactical genius and Japanese massacre artist, couldn't dream up.
No safety nets except the great ogre blood masking my scent.
"You're gonna die. Kim Geun-hyeop."
"Yeah."
He was right. At my level, if spotted, I wouldn't last a second. Instant death. But if I didn't? The demon nachal would grab Okhwa Geom and slaughter us all. Worst-case scenario. But say I succeed halfway. Buy just one second? My death could create an opening for Okhwa Geom to turn the tables. Seems stupid, but it's perfectly rational. I don't wanna die, so I bet. And if I do, I still make the reversal chance. That's who I, Kim Geun-hyeop, am.
Above all, Song-ssi. That man would've made the same call.
"Let's dance before we die, Jae Mi-son."
"With pleasure."
Jae Mi-son chuckled low.
"What do I do?"
"Toss your I-sang Je-go at the right moment. Just a split second to draw her eyes."
"Gladly... you're the madman I acknowledge."
"Yeah."
Auntie, give me strength!
Best outcome: My ambush lands, Okhwa Geom reverses in the gap. I pull back and survive. Odds are low. But I do it. I have to. No other answer!
"Puhihihhing! You stubborn bitch! How long you gonna keep resisting? You should be pondering how many piglets that fat ass of yours can pop out, not swinging a sword at your lord hubby!"
"I will carve you alive and kill you...!"
The demon nachal kept toying with Okhwa Geom, swinging her massive blade lazily. She looked utterly relaxed, enjoying it. Okhwa Geom, on the other hand, looked exhausted. I slowly crept toward the demon nachal's rear.
—Thump thump.
Heart pounding the instant the ambush op kicked off. Chest hammering so hard I thought I'd be busted. I killed my breath, brainwashing myself to calm my heart. Recall the gangsters I killed. Recall Do Sam-cheol butchered by those skull monks.
"...!"
Those empty eyes burned into my chest. Staring at my heart about to burst. Maybe reaching out for its warmth. Perfect to cool my overheated ticker.
...Song-ssi. That man would handle this easy. With power and righteousness, nothing's impossible. Today, I surpass Song-ssi.
Auntie! Give me strength! I'll go back and be filial!
—Flash!
Eyes snapped wide. Vision expanded then contracted sharp, locking on the demon nachal. Would my blade sink into those bulging back muscles? Make it so.
—Aim.
I had inner power. The kind Okhwa Geom praised. Honestly, I didn't know how to use it well. Still getting used to it. But I poured it all in. If it's inside me, explode it all into one strike!
—Whoosh.
Inner power flowed from my lower dantian, racing through meridians across my body. Strength surged like never before. Had I ever felt such mighty energy inside me? Right now, I could do anything!
—Step.
Dark shadow footwork. Inner power in my feet to muffle steps. Tiptoeing. Right foot and arm together. Left foot and arm. Creeping toward the demon nachal.
"Puhihihhing! It's over now, wench! No more concubine—you're my sex slave!"
"Kuh!"
The demon nachal bellowed, raising her greatsword high. Keep waiting for the perfect moment. Get closer, stealthier, then strike. At that critical point, I literally chambered my sword. No need for powerful slash or cut. Just one thrust to pierce a single target.
—Rumble.
Power boiled through my body!
"...!"
I aimed at her back, detonating the surging power—without even a kiai!
—Tsch!
Shot toward her back like an arrow!
—Fwoosh!
Split-second. Purple yin ghost energy sparked from the extending blade. What the hell? No idea now. Never reached sword aura or anything. Didn't look like it anyway. But I felt it came from my inner power. So what? Doesn't matter. I'm tasting a whole new realm!
—Screee!
My all-in thrust launched!
"Puhhing?"
Demon nachal sensed the anomaly. But her eyes flicked to the I-sang Je-go Jae Mi-son hurled at her head. She swatted it away like a bug.
And right then—
—Pfooo!
My sword plunged into her lower back!
—Boom!
A light explosion at the impact. Time finally flowed right again.
"Uwaaaaaah!"
I roared, driving the sword deeper...! Deeper, loading more power! Success! I did it! Wild ecstasy, ultimate bliss from my move landing. It bleached my mind white with pleasure.
Not over yet. I clenched my teeth, gripped the hilt, and thrashed wildly.
—Rip!
Praying her flesh tore to shreds!
"Pu, puhhing?! Puhiiik...! Wha-what the!"
Demon nachal spun in shock.
"A, a human?! When the hell...! How! This demon missed a trash like your presence, puhiik!"
Twist and twist and fucking twist it!
"Die, you motherfucking pig bitch!"
The instant I roared—
—Slash!
Blue radiance burst from Okhwa Geom's eyes. Her sword flashed blue sword aura, advancing on the demon nachal.
"N-no!"
Demon nachal freaked, trying to swing her greatsword. Too late.
"Haaap!"
The blue blade ravaged space. Swung, swung again. Endless barrage.
—Screee!
I was entranced. Sword aura traced blue paths, painting a brilliant azure sky. The black blade was just a brush embroidering heaven. Such mystical beauty birthing sky on earth—shattering the demonic demon nachal there.
—Rip!
Arms cleaved like a Chop-Chop Fruit user. Sword didn't stop. Dove deeper through the sundered arms.
And finally, as the sky-embroidering dragon ascended—
—Split!
Demon nachal's head cracked vertically from the jaw up. Okhwa Geom's sword split her skull and burst out. Perched in the sky, Okhwa Geom was a true fairy.
"Cha, Cheong-gong Mu-ae Geom-beop (Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art)...!"
Jae Mi-son yelled. Ah, so that's it. That's Cheong-gong Mu-ae. That gorgeous sword art. Witnessing transcendent martial arts for the first time sent shivers down my spine. Such a thing exists? How? If humans can do that, what can't I, Kim Geun-hyeop, do?
Dazed. I stared up at the fairy who slew the yokai. Blood-soaked but stunning. She descended slowly, like gracing the earth.
I instinctively reached to catch the falling fairy. But why? Overused inner power fatigue? Arms out, but my feet tangled, and I ended up taking Namgung Serin's massive ass to the face.
—Wham!
"Keurk!"
My face stamped with such a huge mark...! Blissful death!
"Kyat!"
Okhwa Geom jolted up from my face.
"..."
Then stared down at sprawled me with a blank face and murmured softly.
"...Lewd enemy."
No!
"Wh-what lewd enemy bullshit!"
Lewd enemy means a lecherous foe!
"I saved your life and you call me lewd enemy?!"
"..."
Okhwa Geom primly bent at the waist, dusted her ass. Then shot me a contemptuous look and repeated.
"Lewd enemy."
"Ah!"
"...Kidding."
Call someone lewd enemy then say kidding?! Anyway!
"Did we win?!"
"...Yes."
"We won, we wooooon!!!"
I bolted upright, throwing my arms up in victory. We beat that mighty demon nachal! I, Kim Geun-hyeop, made the big call at the end, super saved, and clutched soul-tier victory!
"Uwaaaaaah!"
I roared in rapture. Life's joy and warrior's thrill fused into ultimate ecstasy drenching my mind.
"Well done. First, let's handle the aftermath."
"Yes! Got it!"
Okhwa Geom looked heartbroken. Makes sense. Most of her subordinates were down. I helped her quickly tend the wounded. Hacheon Team had only two dead, thankfully. Rest just internal injuries. They'll recover. Even Pi Ri-ja Daehyeop lived.
Sad part: lots of ronin dead. But plenty hid behind great ogre corpses. After cleanup, Okhwa Geom approached.
"Fairy?"
"...Thank you."
"Sure."
"Truly, thank you."
Deep bow, ninety degrees. Pure gratitude.
"You saved my life and let me slay that demon nachal. All thanks to you, Geun-hyeop."
"Nah. Without you, I couldn't have killed her anyway."
"No... your, your bold courage created the victory. Truly impressive. To challenge a yokai like that..."
She spoke with genuine admiration, but it was nothing special.
"Hacheon Team warriors did the same. All fought bravely."
"Slightly different. They were trained, refined warriors. But you're not, are you, Geun-hyeop?"
"True."
"Yet you made that daring call for ambush... impossible without exceptional courage. Innate."
"Ah."
"Geun-hyeop. You're a true martial hero, fearless champion worthy of the title."
"Aigoo!"
I saved her life, sure, but this praise was too embarrassing!
"Hahaha! Well, yeah, I am kinda like that! Ah, but hearing thanks from you, Fairy? I'm so thrilled I might faint! Huge reward!"
"Is that so."
My joking loosened her expression a bit.
"Yes! Take good care of me, considering my merits!"
"Of course. I swear on my name."
"Yahoo!"
I jumped for joy. Okhwa Geom promised rewards! What to ask? This was a freak emergency no one foresaw. I personally saved a Namgung family lady. Reward would be massive.
"Kuhahaha!"
Couldn't help bursting into laughter. Then spotted the demon nachal's corpse.
"Hold up."
No way? Heart racing, I checked her solar plexus. There—glowing faintly!
"Yodan!"
A yodan! From that mighty demon nachal! Jackpot again!
"That! Fairy, that thing!"
That's my reward!
"Hm?"
"Yodan! Yodaaaaan!"
"Pardon? Yodan?"
"Fairy! Give me that yodan as reward!"
Demon nachal was a powerhouse yokai. Her yodan had to be priceless. But I earned it. Fair demand. Demon nachal yodan! Way better than that clan head shithead!
"What yodan do you mean?"
"This!"
Sliced her solar plexus, yanked out the blood-red yodan. Glimmering like a ruby.
"Ha? You mean that yodan?"
"Yes! Give it as reward!"
"Why would you want a yodan...?"
"Hm?"
Her reaction's weird? Okhwa Geom tilted her head, genuinely baffled.
"Yodan? You call this a yodan, not inner core?"
"Yokai inner core, so technically inner core, but it's poison, no?"
"Why yodan then?"
Wait?
"Pardon?"
Poison?
"Poison...?"
"You planning to eat that yodan?"
"No."
Not that.
"Already did? Th-that last one."
"What...?"
Okhwa Geom's face cracked.
Brief silence.
"Are you an idiot?!"