Zan-yeong-hoe (1)
Zan-yeong-hoe. The crime organization that had swallowed District 5 of the Stigma Zone whole.
'Smaller scale than in Dust Saga?'
By the time of the original story, they'd gobbled up Districts 4 and 6 too, turning into a colossal beast that even great clans and churches hesitated to poke.
'Lucky.'
Honestly, I'd been a little spooked. At that size, even I couldn't handle them right now. Truth be told, they weren't pushovers even at their current, relatively modest scale. The Empire's biggest slum—and they'd claimed an entire district. That alone put them leagues beyond the small-time gangs I'd been practicing on for training.
Think of it like the gap between alleyway punks chain-smoking and shaking down students for lunch money versus actual mafia.
'Plus, they're pretty unique compared to other groups.'
Unlike others, they didn't stir up big scandals or spread wild rumors. True to their name, they worked quietly from the shadows, and even if something blew up, they wrapped it up without a fuss. Only possible thanks to the overwhelming brute force of their elite cadres.
'Their boss alone was a 5th circle? 6th circle? Mage around that level, I think.'
A 5th circle mage could go toe-to-toe with Kalan, but 6th circle? They'd squash even him in an instant. Either way, at my current pathetic level—where I couldn't even beat Kalan—it was way beyond me.
'Wait, no, hold up?'
Thinking about it, me? I'd fought Hunchun Noeje—that vile, powerhouse traitor of humanity, the absolute worst—and managed a draw. Sure, that was back when I had no restrictions, pulling out insane power... but still.
'Who'd win between Hunchun Noeje and the Zan-yeong-hoe boss?'
I ran a solo tournament in my head. The verdict was quick.
'Hunchun Noeje wins with one hand tied?'
Alright. Zan-yeong-hoe boss? Total scrub.
"Guess I can loot 'em carefree."
Of course, given their size, I couldn't wipe them out in a day. I'd have to chip away at the small branches over time, slowly dismantling them.
'...Two weeks sound about right?'
* * *
"Meee... so tiring..."
A week in, and I was already on the verge of breaking.
Guerrilla raids to solo a massive organization? Way more stamina-draining than I'd imagined.
'And starting from the third branch, they were fully prepped like they meant business.'
For a crime syndicate, their branch comms were shockingly tight. Maybe direct orders from HQ? They were waiting for me, locked and loaded.
'Constantly using Morph is wearing me out too.'
To avoid getting pegged as me—and to pretend I was a group—I'd been Morphing nonstop. One day a busty big sis, next a little girl, then mimicking one of their female grunts I'd already taken out.
Variety of looks to erase branch after branch.
'Well, proficiency's shot up solid.'
My Morph skill was leagues better now. I could near-perfectly copy anyone—horns aside, since stamina issues meant I couldn't hide 'em.
"Gonna be useful in tons of ways."
Anyway, truth was, I was hitting my physical limits. Good thing I could recharge comfy at the mansion daily; nonstop Morphing while fighting would've flattened me ages ago.
"One more today, then a long break."
Intel said 12 branches total, including HQ. Seven down—Zan-yeong-hoe's internals must be chaos by now. They'd pause ops to hunt me desperately.
Perfect timing for me to hole up at the mansion and rest.
"I'm a total genius."
One snag, though. I'd cherry-picked the weak branches first, so the remaining five were all bigger than before.
From interrogating grunts...
"The rest are guarded by their elite cadres."
Five elite cadres, each running a branch. One at HQ with the boss.
Call it quits after today? Means I still need to bag one cadre.
"...Sigh. Might as well do it now. Quick smash, then crash."
I knew the spot. Once decided, it didn't take long to arrive.
A bit away from the building, I Morphed. Into a plain village girl vibe. S-grade beauty by kingdom standards, of course.
"Confidence boost maxed."
Even transformed, my killer looks would mesmerize 'em, then strike vitals in their daze.
"Perfect plan."
Admiring my genius strat, I approached the entrance. Two burly doormen blocked me.
"Hey, don't know who you are, but this is Zan-yeong-hoe turf. Scram."
"C'mon, bro. She's cute—bring her in for fun? She approached first."
"Shut your dumb mouth, kid. We're at war right now."
Listening in, big bro had the brains and street smarts. Smart to be wary.
But the real threat? Little bro.
Damn, he clocked my beauty instant. Sharp eyes.
'High-level... Is this guy the elite cadre?'
"Oi. Told ya not to come closer."
Now was the moment—they saw me as fragile girl. Close enough to touch, I struck.
"Hiyah! Acupoint Strike..!"
Fingers packed with mana, I smashed both hard.
Splat-splat!
Flesh exploded where I hit.
"Gah! Attack—!"
"That ain't acupoint..."
Bleeding, they crumpled yelling. Soon, a horde rushed out.
"Itchin' for a fight! Who dares hit Zan-yeong-hoe?!"
Endless grunts poured from the door.
Why so many?
The hulking leader at front scanned, spotted me, eyes bulging.
"What? No attacker—just a pretty chick."
"Offer her to Bark-nim?"
These creeps eye-fuck on sight.
I scowled, pondering how to wreck 'em, when downed little bro sprang up yelling.
"Fuck! This bitch might be that crazy raider! Beat her!"
"Forgot the mute point..."
Late, but mute him now.
'Where's the mute point again?'
Emergency jaw punch. Crunch—jawbone shattered.
He slumped limp.
"This bitch!"
"Dares raid Zan-yeong-hoe!"
"Heh heh, c'mere!"
Grunts charged, weapons gleaming: swords, spears, clubs, axes.
"Eep."
This... felt like a fan meet mobbing an airport idol. Total nuisance.
Cold steel swarmed from all sides.
'Zan-yeong-hoe branch run by an elite cadre? Different league.'
Unlike prior scrubs, these knew their stuff. Pros at murder.
Axe whistling to split my skull. Spear at gut, sword at shoulder.
Dangerous.
"Ah."
Why the grin? Why the thrill?
"Aha, haha, hahaha."
Axe first. Fist shatters axe-hand.
Axe flies free. I kick off ground, step on incoming spear, leap high.
Flip midair, grab axe. Handle fits perfect—like a well-worn buddy.
'NTR. Successful.'
Land, axe down. Spear guy's head explodes, warm blood splashes my cheek. Salty tang in mouth.
"Blech. Tastes bad."
Obviously. Succubus, not vampire.
"...—— ——! ...! —— ...!"
"——.... ——————...! ————!"
Grunts screamed at me. Couldn't make it out.
"Hm."
Didn't wanna anyway. Their voices suck. All that smoking?
So I fake-grinned like I got it.
My cute smile worked? Sword guy charged wild.
"Autograph? Tough."
Hurl axe at his head.
But...
"Huh? Dodged?"
He tilted, axe whiffed clean.
Kinda hurt my feelings.
Zan-yeong-hoe grunts were all Aura Users. Sharper senses than norms.
Didn't expect that easy dodge, though.
Then I eyed the spear from exploded-head guy. Blood-soaked, rolling. Tip aimed nice—I mana-kicked it.
"Gasp...!"
Spear rocketed into sword guy's gut.
"Ooh."
It worked. Rush in, kick spear through. He'll die soon.
Just black-hearted thugs living off murder, robbery, rape. No pity needed.
'No reason to hesitate.'
Killing 'em here saves more lives. True hero of this era.
"Dark fantasy chivalrous knight."
Muttered a webnovel-y title, turned.
All one-second kills. No breath needed.
To the nice grunt who lent the axe:
"Your axe sucked."
"...Fuckin' hell."
"Easy dodge. Better axe, maybe not."
Finish, burst stacked mana at his vital.
I rocketed forward, too fast even for me.
"...Shit!"
Broken-hand guy gasped at my face up close.
Know I'm hot, huh.
"Stare all ya want—my number's too pricey."
Straight punch. Ribs crack-crunch to bits.
The fist art I'd gotten hooked on lately and been honing.