Shredding the Shadows (2): Namhwa Yeongchun Fist
Namhwa Yeongchun Fist. One of the martial arts used by the Fist King's disciple in Murim Rebirth. It flows with enemy attacks, seizes openings, unleashes rapid short strikes, and pulls back—a close-range technique focused on hit-and-run tactics. But its real quirk? The soft, unique southern footwork that creates variables out of thin air.
"It's not made for crowds, though."
Still, the fist's variability shone even against multiples. My honed senses picked up every assault. A club swinging at my nape from the left rear. Sword and spear targeting my legs to cut my mobility first.
'A lot of 'em.'
No problem. I'd handle them one by one, cool and steady. Dodge, deflect, parry, twist, shatter. Tiny cuts like fine lines multiplied across my skin. Enemies everywhere. All gunning for one woman's life.
Individually, they were small fry. But this setup? I loved it. You don't get swarmed like this every day.
"Haa."
Was my body running too hot? My sigh came out scorching. I steadied my ragged breaths but never stopped moving. The Zan-yeong-hoe grunts trying to kill me didn't either. They charged endlessly, ignoring their dying comrades.
All but one: Baren.
Baren was a three-month newbie in Zan-yeong-hoe. Grew up showing off his strength, graduated to killing and raping as daily routine. Hobby, even. In the Stigma Zone, that was normal—no guilt. He turned it pro: take contracts, kill, collect pay. Fixer, if polite; hired thug, if not.
Baren had skills, caught an elite's eye, joined up. Inside, he realized he was a frog in a well. Seniors mastered killing properly. Most handled mana too! He bowed low. They laughed, taught him to fight. In Zan-yeong-hoe, he'd fear nothing forever.
Or so he thought.
"Wha…."
How the hell?
Kwachik! Blood sprayed. The senior who'd smacked Baren's head yesterday for more booze exploded from the torso up.
"Wha-wha…."
Wooduk! Thud—! Next, a senior's skull shattered into dough, body slamming into the wall.
The woman appeared out of nowhere. Insanely beautiful. Zan-yeong-hoe life meant no women; he was backed up bad. That body, that face—if he could have her, he'd do anything. Even her moves begged for it, coy and teasing. Her light steps flirted. Reaching toward them? Pure seduction.
"Fuck…."
Not now. Three heads exploded in her outstretched hand. Reality hit. Not seductive or cute—demonic. Unreal beauty to mesmerize, then kill, rip, burst. Her hand blurred; necks snapped like clockwork. One per strike. Effortless deaths. Her smile deepened each time, bewitching even here.
"Ahahat."
Her cheeks flushed. Blood splatter helped, but mostly thrill. Cuts on her? Covered in victims' gore? She laughed in joy.
"Puhuhu. You guys flop like dried-up frogs."
Her innocent mockery was the cherry.
'How'd I end up in Zan-yeong-hoe….'
To meet this psycho who got off on killing? By then, his seniors were all heavenly bound.
"……."
"Huh?"
She closed her eyes, savoring blood-soaked bliss. Our eyes met. Baren opened his mouth to beg mercy.
And—
"Yap."
Silver flashed unseen from her. Puk—. Pierced his brow. End.
"Umhahaha."
The tossed dagger hit dead center. He died clueless.
"Fear me? This is the Tang clan's hidden arts…!"
Just yeeted it, really.
"One cadre left? Cool down first."
I stroked my chest, exhaling whoosh~. Tired, but not winded.
Still… since Hunchun Noeje,
"Weird how I can't calm down only in fights."
Deep focus, trading blows… rationality flies? Nah, not berserk.
Like,
"Buzzed on booze with friends, tension exploding?"
Hard to rein in surging hype. Especially mid-battle. Dopamine overload, basically.
'Lena full-throttle mode.'
Cooling off, blood on skin and clothes chilled and crusted. Warm was fine; cold and sticky? Gross.
"Time to go."
One left: Zan-yeong-hoe's elite cadre running this branch. Strongest in Stigma Zone yet.
In Dust Saga, cadres were low-end Aura Users or weak Sword Experts, I think.
"Ugh, fuzzy memory."
Not main story; no need to memorize sub-quest trash. Stronger than these, anyway.
Why wait till all minions died?
"Obvious."
Knew he was strongest. Sacrificed grunts to wear me down. Fitting for scum boss.
"King of trash. Trash of trash."
Grabbed a floor sword, entered the Zan-yeong-hoe branch building. More giant warehouse.
Worried I'd hunt him? Nope.
"You wormmm—! Daring to raid Zan-yeong-hoe alone!"
Elite cadre leaped from somewhere, landing in my face.
"You've come to your death!"
"You've come to your death!"
"…What?"
"Huh?"
Our voices synced like a game. Infuriating. Raised sword to kill—
"……!"
Killing intent hit; body reacted. Dropped stance, protective guard up. Razor slash whistled in.
Srrek. Clean cut: elite cadre split crown to groin.
"Whoa… just met ya."
The slash kept coming at me.
"Haat!"
Horizontal block. Brutal sword force; mana-infused defense, but wrist throbbed. Backstepped for distance.
Attacker unknown, but no pushover.
'Snuck past my senses, and that clash confirms it.'
Senses sharp, waited. She didn't hide: emerged behind bisected cadre.
"…Whoa."
Gorgeous. Melted gold hair, steady emerald eyes. Pale glossy skin, lean toned build.
'Outfit's iffy.'
White armor-uniform hybrid. Gold embroidery popped. Only one group wore that.
"…Holy Church?"
"Yes."
Star emblem on breastplate. Normally ends there, but hers had crossed swords behind.
Holy Church Heretic Inquisitor.
'Lemme think….'
Inquisitors: 4th Circle mages min, mid-high Sword Experts. Heavy hitter.
"…What brings a Church Heretic Inquisitor to this dump?"
"No reason to tell you."
"Right…. So nearly killing me was… a mistake?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"Meant to kill you."
"Aha… got it!"
"Yes."
What? Psycho?
"Why?"
"No reason to tell you."
Rude.
"You're cute, forgiven."
"?"
Oh shit. What now? Probed her strength while chatting. Verdict: panic.
'Can't win?'
With limits on (no strain), no. Drop 'em?
'Backlash city.'
Mom finds out I snuck out fighting. Scolding. Plus hyped Bella torment.
"Hmm…."
Bella/mom pummeling vs. this inquisitor. Mom/Bella scarier.
One choice: bolt.
Exploded mana in Yongcheon acupoint; vision-warping speed escape.
"Crap."
Caught in exactly 16 seconds.
[Character, Regina Diabolos? confirmed encounter with main character 'Leona Krovell']
[Calculating…]
[Character, Regina Diabolos?'s karma excessively high from recent actions]
[Bestowing trial upon Regina Diabolos?]
[Main character 'Leona Krovell' now hostile!]
[Safely overcome current situation for 'Special Reward']