Catfight #1
Wi Ha-young stroked the back of the man's head as he buried his face in her chest and sobbed. He's so soft-hearted. Really.
Killing a bunch of mere bandits and now bawling like this. And yet, even for that, he'd stayed ice-cold calm right up until confirming the kills—methodically slaughtering each one without mercy. Ignoring their pleas for life. Ruthless, without a shred of compassion. But the moment it was over, here he was crumbling. Probably felt like he'd done something utterly unforgivable, something he had to do by surrendering to madness. That sharpness in his judgment earlier suggested a latent streak of frenzy. But at his core, he was kind and fragile as hell. That's probably why he could get along so well with the Jade Flower Sword.
It started as teasing the Jade Flower Sword, but living together let her see this man clearly. And he's got that yokai core constitution.
Building such pure inner energy from yokai cores—and wielding it. An unprecedented freak of nature, and yet so damn soft. That power of his... it's insane.
Others might just gawk at it as a curiosity, but Wi Ha-young knew better.
Squeeze. Her hand tightened on his head. Memories of her childhood flooded back. There were two Taoists obsessed with yokai core research. They were her parents, and she'd watched them crumble firsthand. Watched them spew madness as they died. Right before her eyes.
But right now, this guy's rubbing his face in my tits and groping my ass with both hands? Hilarious. This pervert... fine, whatever. He's crying, so I'll let it slide... wait, why's he tugging side to side? Stop spreading them, dude. Alright, time to shove him off.
* * *
Ha-young giggled wildly, but I couldn't muster any response. Her "hug" packed that much punch. That pure white skin and overflowing feminine curves still danced in my mind's eye. Plus those three talismans stuck to her. And that sweet, signature scent.
Ah, shit. Could I even look her in the face from now on?
"Kukuku, why're you so red? That embarrassed?"
"You're my close friend—why would I be...!"
"Aww, looks like you're totally smitten with me!"
"Busted...!"
"Kyahahahaha! 'Busted'—that's adorable! Whatever, just be grateful you got an eyeful of this lady Taoist's bare glory!"
It was glorious, no lie. But hugging me like that? Even as close friends, we're still a guy and a girl. Is "close friend" that intimate in Zhongyuan thinking? Or was it just Ha-young's way of saying she could go that far with me?
"Wait, it wasn't fully naked though, right? Those talismans were solidly in place. Three of 'em."
"Hah. What kinda pervert talk is that?"
"No talismans means full nude..."
"Listen. You think I'd strip 'em off for some guy I haven't even married? Beg all you want—no dice!"
I didn't even say that...!
"That's why I won't practice bedroom arts with you either—don't get your hopes up!"
"Bedroom arts? What's that? Sounds familiar..."
What was it again? I'd heard it somewhere, but the details escaped me. The "art" part suggested some kinda technique?
"Don't make me explain it!"
Smack! In a flash, Ha-young palm-slapped my back and stormed ahead.
"Ow!" What the hell did I do?!
"Come on!"
"Hmph! Follow if you wanna!"
"Aigoo, chill! I can't do shit without you!"
I had to stick with Ha-young no matter what. Pouting, she led the way, and I trailed after.
But hold up. She won't strip talismans for an unmarried guy? Flip that—she could do more if she left 'em on? So next time, just ask again...!
"Heh heh heh, quit daydreaming, perv."
Walking behind her, my head started clearing. Today, I'd pulled off a massive slaughter. The cruelest since landing in Murim.
But to Ha-young, this barely registered. She was that inured to Murim. A world unsafe, teeming with enemies. Not one for righteous deeds, but evil ones. Hanging with Serin and Ha-young had let me forget Murim's brutality—pure bliss. But today hammered it home, hard as killing that Dark Earth Fortress leader Yeon Mi-pyeong.
To uphold justice and save a friend, you had to unleash carnage like this without batting an eye.
"Hey, I saw it, y'know."
"Saw what?"
"That purple energy."
Oh. Right.
"It clung to your sword fighting the boss. And at the end, it exploded in one burst, unleashing some freaky power that split him clean."
"..."
Ghost Cleaving Strike. Back then, I'd felt an intensely sinister energy and named it as I detonated it to cleave the bastard.
"Insanely powerful. You always had it?"
I shook my head.
"Nah. Purple energy's shown up a few times, but exploding like that? First for me. Never knew I had it in me."
"Then probably a realm breakthrough or flash of insight. Can you do it now?"
"Lemme try."
Drained as I was, testing was doable.
Snap. Gripping my Thunderclap Sword, I circulated Blue Wing Heart Art, scanning my remaining inner energy.
Shockingly, it was down to about 10%—barely scraping the bottom.
"Ooh."
Splitting the boss had burned through my reserves in one go. First time using it like that. Nailing something I'd never tried before—had to be a realm ascent.
Whoosh. I rallied the dregs—maybe 10%—and spread it through my body. Focusing max, I manipulated it and thrust the sword.
Crackle! A faint purple energy flickered from the blade—then vanished!
"Whoa! It worked! Ha-young, you see that? Success!"
Even post-battle, not in extremis—I did it!
"Yesssss!"
Joy surged through me. I could pull this off normally now.
"This is realm ascent!"
Confirmed. Killing the bandit boss had pushed me up a level. Ecstatic, I busted out robot dance moves, whooping.
"What the hell's that weird jig...?"
Ha-young gaped, stunned.
"Robot dance, baby! Anyway, nailed it! I can use it anytime now!"
"Yup yup. Congrats on the breakthrough. Good job, good job."
She ruffled my hair, continuing.
"But y'know what I saw? That purple energy."
"Hm?"
"Kinda like yokai energy."
"What? Like yokai qi?"
For real?
"But my inner energy's pure, right? No yokai vibe at all?"
I'd felt the sinister edge using Ghost Cleaving Strike too—thought it was my imagination. But now she says the energy I just emitted matched yokai qi?
"Yeah, it was pure before. I'm sure—I checked myself. But weirdly, when your purple energy came out, it felt like yokai qi."
"Meaning..."
"Lemme hypothesize. Your dantian energy's clean normally... but get this!"
Ha-young's eyes lit up.
"It converts to yokai qi passing through your body!"
"Whaaaat?!"
My inner energy turns yokai qi on exit?!
"This is huge! Might not even be your dantian or energy—could be your body's trait!"
Body's trait.
"Helpful! After this, let's research back home. Bound to be progress!"
"Yeah. Let's."
Ha-young beamed, fired up with scholarly zeal. Me? Stunned. What the hell was my body even made of for that synergy?
"Those bandits were trash, but useful after all."
"Ah."
Her mention yanked back memories of the corpse pile and mercy kills.
...Not a great feeling.
"Right, Ha-young."
"Yeah? What?"
"Gotta loot the bandits."
"What?! You were all mopey a sec ago!"
So?
"I skipped the bodies thinking you'd hate it, but now loot talk?!"
"Oh. Damn."
That was it.
"You were looking out for me. Thanks, Ha-young."
"Hmph! Idiot! Hurry up and loot!"
"On it!"
I dashed back; she followed. Bodies were gross, but I rifled pockets for anything worthwhile. Lowlifes had zilch; boss had the most.
"Decent silver. Nothing pricey though."
Clothes were rags—no keepers. Boss's axe was wrecked from our clash, useless. Weapons all cheap scrap.
Grabbed what was decent and bounced.
"Let's go! With your breakthrough, eating that Hadong yokai core might spark big changes!"
"Heh heh heh, can't wait."
Loot done, we split. Last thing—I asked Ha-young something nagging me.
"Hey, Ha-young."
"What."
"Why no underwear—just talismans...?"
"You perv, asking that?!"
Thwack! Her low kick nailed my jewels!
"Argh!" But calling me perv when you're half-titty-exposed?!
* * *
Finally hit my hometown, Anhui Province. Mountains and fields got old; a bustling county like this smelled of people—mood booster. My pals Jae Mi-son and Song-ssi were here. Gorgeous place.
"Heh heh heh, back here again? Ha-young, crash a night, then Hadong tomorrow. Inn first?"
"Yup. Let's."
Booked one quick—she dragged me to a swanky spot, fitting her famed Taoist rep. Leagues above my dives. Pricey, but she covered mine without blinking.
"One room?"
"Two's wasteful."
"True."
We'd bunked together lately—whatever. She wanted rest; I said I'd ping my pals and dipped.
"Jae Mi-son—out."
Checked his usual inn—off working again. Sigh. Tipped the errand boy to pass word, headed back.
Eh, why rush.
"Snacks first."
Hit the market for intel, grab sweets. Strolled to the market street—packed as ever.
But.
"Heard? Jade Flower Sword's back."
"She nabbed that Demon Witch—something up?"
"Maybe... wasn't Fire Lotus here last time?"
"Best call settling this county!"
Ronin buzzing about Serin!
"Oh."
She'd said meet again—came here? Time to find her. Jae Mi-son was out, but Serin seemed around. Bought sweets, back to inn.
"Ha-young, me."
"Ah... back? Pals?"
She mumbled sleepily from bed, not stirring.
"Working. Brought sweets—eat up."
"Whoa! You went out for candy?!"
"Yeah. Thought of you."
Sweet tooth? She bolted up, rummaged my bag.
"Holy crap, for real! Didn't expect it! Thanks!"
"Heh heh heh, pig out."
Buy often now.
"Oh, Ha-young—overheard rumors. Serin's here?"
"What?!"
She spun, candy mid-bite.
"That Jade Flower bitch?"
"Hey, 'bitch'? Anyway, should say hi?"
"...Fine! Greetings are polite. Let's go!"
"Know where?"
"We'll find her!"
She primped, led out. Seemed thrilled—friends after all? Off we went hunting Serin.
"No clue, so split up. You that way!"
"Cool. Meet at the crowd spot—packed anyway."
"Yup!"
Serin hunt. Market street first—best people-spot.
"There! Jade Flower Sword!"
"That way!"
"Check it!"
Bullseye. Whole world's losing it. I headed there too—
"Long time no see."
A voice whispered in my ear; someone yanked my wrist. Enemy? Nah—Serin.
"Oh! Serin! Perfect timing—I was hunting you!"
Missed that pretty face!
"Seriously forever! You good?"
"Of course—quite well."
"Fairy vibes unchanged!"
Post-Taeshan boobs, hers felt smaller. Still, slim waist and firm hips—pure celestial.
"Hee hee, sounds like you've thrived too, Geun-hyeop. Nostalgic praise."
"Heh heh heh, killed it."
"Ah, this way first. Too much attention."
"Yeah."
She grabbed my arm, leading—then.
"Ah! Found ya! Both right there!"
Ha-young's voice. We turned.
"Dummy! Drag him straight to me when you find him! Where you going?!"
"Uh."
Whoosh! She charged, clamping my arm hard. Taeshan boobs locked on.
Serin blinked wide, eyeing my face, then Ha-young.
"This... doesn't compute."
Then back to me.
"You two know each other...?"