Nachal Bang Organization #7
The Money Sword Ghost charged at us with terrifying speed. Damn, he was fast. A true monster of a master. Even with the three of us fighting together, his composure suggested he was beyond first-rate. No holding back against this guy. Time to end him with Gui-gyeok-cham.
Ghost Slash unleashes in a explosive wave of purple sword aura, ripping through the air with ghostly wails.
"Tchaaap!" I stepped forward as the Money Sword Ghost let out his battle cry. Galbi Jong and Jae Mi-son flanked left and right.
Whoooosh. My power was already fully gathered. The inner energy filling my dantian surged through my body, concentrating in my arms.
Fwoosh! Ghostly flames flickered up from my sword.
"What?!" The Money Sword Ghost flinched, trying to slam on the brakes, but it was too late, you bastard!
"Haaaaap!" Gui-gyeok-cham!
Kiiiaaaak! I swung hard, and a ghostly scream echoed as purple sword aura exploded, painting the air.
The Money Sword Ghost desperately tried to defend, but he dropped his sword and leaped back instead. Son of a bitch!
Bang! My Gui-gyeok-cham went to waste, shattering only his blade.
"What was that?! How can you wield sword aura like...!" The Money Sword Ghost swiftly snatched a sword from one of his underlings behind him.
I retracted my Gui-gyeok-cham and prepared my next move. Damn it, I thought it'd land! I burned over half my energy, and he just ditches his sword and bails...!
"Galbi Jong! Jae Mi-son!"
"Uh, yeah..."
"What the hell..."
They stared at me in shock. You idiots, we barely stand a chance if we move now—why are you gawking?! Yeah, Gui-gyeok-cham's impressive, but this is a real fight!
Shaaa. The ghostly energy blazing on my sword soon died down.
"Good! So it only works once!" The Money Sword Ghost burst into laughter and charged again. As a master, he recovered his wits fast. This was bad!
"Fun trick! Now die!" As he lunged, Jae Mi-son and Galbi Jong finally snapped to and formed a sword formation.
"Screaming Nachal, that was...!"
"In-incredible martial art...!"
"Not the time to be impressed! Ack!"
Swaeek! The Money Sword Ghost's sword flew at us. I barely blocked it and retreated a step, with Jae Mi-son covering me. Still, he was strong—pressuring all three of us solo, striking freely.
"I'll kill you all!" Thick killing intent poured from him. Were we really losing? No. Not happening. Serin would back us up from behind, but as a man, I couldn't show a pathetic display!
Fwaaak! That thought triggered memories of wiping out Il Do-mun. Yeah, I could do it. I control ghost energy. Think one shot ends it?!
Paat! Again. I aimed my sword at him, igniting ghost energy.
"Ha...! You can do it again? But that monstrous art's already countered!" He tossed his sword and backstepped, widening the gap. True master—countered instantly. No more Gui-gyeok-cham. So...
I recalled the sensation of felling the Demon Nachal. In a flash, that perfect thrust from then resonated through my body. Stepping forward in that state...
Fwaaaak! Ghost energy erupted from my whole body and Cheon-rae Sword. I shot toward him like a bolt.
"Huh?" Like an arrow cleaving the sky, my thrust pierced space itself, aiming straight for the Money Sword Ghost's heart. I became one with my sword, sliding across the ground without running, launching the strike.
Fwoosh! Ghost energy blazed along the trajectory. A true ghostly thrust. Gui-hon-il-seom.
Ghost Soul Single Thrust—a piercing strike that fuses body and sword, closing vast distances in an instant with explosive ghost energy.
Push! That was it.
"Uh, urk...!" The ghost energy-clad blade pierced the Money Sword Ghost's chest. I closed several jang in a blink, stabbing explosively.
"Cough...!" He vomited blood and dropped to his knees.
"Kuhk!" Overwhelming exhaustion gripped me. After Gui-gyeok-cham, unveiling the new technique Gui-hon-il-seom. The realization was so intense my head spun, and the massive inner energy drain made my stomach churn like I might puke. Still, I bluffed.
"I killed the Money Sword Ghost!!! With these hands!!! So slaughter them all to send his soul off!!! Kill every sinner who defied Nachal Bang!!!"
A roaring shout.
"Waaaaaah!" My crew went berserk, riding the momentum. With their master gone, Ja-gwi Pa and Jang-sa Bang's grunts were just rabble—fodder cut down by our furious blades.
"Incredible, incredible! Screaming Nachal! Hiding something like that...!"
"Truly amazing, Geun-hyeop! Unbelievable...! Kuk kuk!"
They approached excitedly, but keeping up appearances while regaining my senses was my limit...
* * *
I came to under a familiar ceiling.
"Ah."
What the...?
"Geun-hyeop. Awake?"
"Ung... What? I'm up?"
My body felt warm. There were Serin and Ha-young, lying on either side of me—wearing nothing but underwear. This luxury felt like a dream. Had I lost to the Money Sword Ghost and was seeing my life flash?
"You pervert. Hard the second you open your eyes? So brazen."
"What kind of kid is this? Like that right away?"
Squeeze! The two reached down and gripped me tight!
"Wait, hold on...! What the hell?!"
"You won, Geun-hyeop. Money Sword Ghost is down, and Nachal Bang's enforcers secured the site. Should be cleaned up by now."
"Ah! Good!"
Guess I blacked out midway. They'd handled the cleanup. Dodging the hassle was a huge win. I'd already killed the Money Sword Ghost—job done.
"What're you so happy about, Geun-hyeop? You know how dangerous that was?"
"I... yeah, I know."
Serin scolded me.
"Money Sword Ghost was clearly above you. Even Gui-gyeok-cham failed. It was risky."
"But..."
"I had your back. You can't rely on that alone."
True.
"I moved the instant Gui-gyeok-cham failed, but you killed him faster with a new technique."
"Really?"
"Yes. Incredible... Closing several jang instantly for that thrust. Like Jeom-chang Pa's Four-One Sword."
That good? My shoulders swelled with pride.
"Well, fighting a tough foe sparked enlightenment, right? Your ghost energy felt denser too."
"Yeah. I felt it."
"Not that. Don't you get the bigger issue? I said hide your unique power."
Ha-young's tone chilled.
"You showed it to everyone. Now they'll say Screaming Nachal wields sinister power."
Shit, big problem.
"Geun-hyeop. Now do you see your mistake? This could get dangerous."
"Sorry..."
"Well, with me here, relax."
"Serin!"
I turned to bury my face in Serin's chest—
"Hey!" Ha-young yanked hard!
"Heok!"
"My tits are bigger? Come here!"
"O-okay...!"
"Where do you think you're going, Geun-hyeop? You chose here—come!"
Serin pulled my head to her chest.
"Really, still not learning...! You handled the job well, raised Nachal Bang's status—praise for that! And realm progress is great! But fixating on my chest?!"
Sharp reprimand!
"Keep zoning out, no relief for you!"
"Can't be!"
"Hng, then I'll handle it~?"
"Wei Ha-young, shut it!"
Screaming Nachal screamed.
* * *
Business wrapped. Ja-gwi Pa and Jang-sa Bang annihilated. No major black path left in the area. Minor trash like Ba-sensei—can't eradicate weeds, so ignore 'em. Anyway, Nachal Bang claimed the region's underbelly.
"A massive black path born. Congrats."
Dan-du said—what?!
"Massive black path?! Nachal Bang's righteous! Watch it!"
"A-ah! Sorry!"
Now Nachal Bang operates as righteous. Build fame and forces that way. Chest swells just thinking.
"Hahaha! Don't bully Dan-du, Screaming Nachal. He's our honorary member now."
"True."
Galbi Jong approached with a bright laugh.
"Anyway. Amazing. Killing Money Sword Ghost like that...! Makes me admire you!"
"Just a fraction of my power."
"As expected!"
This guy's fully devoted now.
"Anyway. Nachal Bang's top dog. Word spread fast. Low-tier Merchant Association rep's here."
"Low-tier Merchant Association?"
"Heard we're righteous, came to greet. Gotta hash out protection fees, etc."
Perfect.
"And more."
"What else?"
"Tons of joiners! All want to be Nachal Bang enforcers!"
"Ooh, Dan-du's promo worked! Nice, Dan-du!"
"Ahem... Do well from now."
Dan-du blushed, coughing. Cuter by the day.
"Right! Let's check joiners! Oh, merchants first!"
"Heh heh, they're waiting. Jae Mi-son's guiding—go now."
Finally, construction over killing.
Whew.
Looking up at the sky en route. So clear.
"Beautiful."
That sunlight washed away lingering negativity. Yeah. I'm Screaming Nachal Kim Geun-hyeop of Nachal Bang. If a righteous hero sweeps black path scum, it's heroism. No need to overthink. I chose this path, advanced, succeeded! I'll charge ahead even stronger!