Chapter 63: Crazy Bitch VS Three Demons-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: Crazy Bitch VS Three Demons-4
The tendons barely holding her together began to tear away, exposing the jagged edges of the severed flesh.
Bizarre, irregular sounds leaked from the lump of flesh that could hardly be called Namgung So-yeon anymore.
"Wow... You're actually kind of impressive, aren't you?"
The Fist Demon clapped his hands and approached the Spirit Demon, reaching out to her.
Having exhausted all her strength, the Spirit Demon took his hand while gasping for breath.
"I couldn't have done it alone."
Pulled to her feet by the Fist Demon, she offered a respectful bow to the Sword Demon as she spoke.
The Three Demons moved past Namgung So-yeon and headed toward In-ho.
Seeing the Young Sect Leader’s gaunt, hollowed face, the Fist Demon and the Spirit Demon felt their hearts break.
"Young Sect Leader..."
According to the Sect Leader, his Dantian had been destroyed, leaving him with a body incapable of learning martial arts.
Seeing how a mere commoner who had only physically trained could travel from the Black Sky Cult to Anhui in such a short time, it wasn't hard to guess how much he had pushed himself.
"Spirit Demon...?"
"Yes, Young Sect Leader. The Spirit Demon is here."
When In-ho called her name through his fading consciousness, the Spirit Demon burst into tears. She couldn't help but feel that his current state was her fault.
Passing her by, the Sword Demon knelt on one knee in greeting.
"Young Sect Leader, it is the Sword Demon. From this moment on, I shall escort you."
As if handling a delicate piece of glass, the Sword Demon carefully placed his hands on In-ho and helped him up. Once his feet touched the ground, the Young Sect Leader’s legs wobbled like those of a newborn goat.
"The Sect Leader is not far from here."
The Spirit Demon, having composed her surging emotions, took the lead. The Sword Demon supported the Young Sect Leader in the middle, and the Fist Demon brought up the rear.
The Fist Demon remained vigilant, wary of any potential ambush from the Murim Alliance forces.
However, the Alliance warriors remained motionless, seemingly paralyzed by the shock of the Thunder Sword’s transformation and her subsequent defeat in a single blow.
It happened just as In-ho was slowly passing by Namgung So-yeon.
"Huh?"
A tiny sound echoed, and the Fist Demon, at the very back, felt his body grow heavy.
A stinging sensation flared in his left hand. Looking down, he saw a red energy, wriggling like an earthworm, had pierced through his palm and was crawling upward.
The small sounds continued, and red stalks began to embed themselves all over his body.
"Everyone, get away!!"
The moment he heard the sounds, the Fist Demon threw himself forward. He calculated that the stalks would surely target the others as well.
At his urgent cry, the group ahead turned around.
What met their eyes was the sight of the Fist Demon, his entire body riddled with red stalks.
"Fist Demon!"
"Haha... This bitch isn't dead yet."
The Fist Demon spoke through gritted teeth, blood spilling from his lips. He tried to tear the stalks from his shoulder, but they were rooted as deep and firm as an ancient tree.
Then, they slowly began to drain his blood.
"Argh...!"
The Fist Demon groaned as he felt his very life force being sucked away.
"Fist Demon!"
"Don't come any closer!!! Look around you!"
The Fist Demon shouted, stopping the Spirit Demon in her tracks.
Only then did she look around, gasping in horror.
A single strand of something was lodged in the necks of every warrior from both the Murim Alliance and the Black Sky Cult.
The only ones still free were the Sword Demon, the Spirit Demon, and In-ho.
Those having their life force drained could only let out hollow, gurgling sounds.
The weak collapsed instantly, while even the stronger masters only managed to hold out for a few more minutes before falling just the same.
The Fist Demon was no exception.
As his face turned deathly pale and he finally sank to his knees, the Sword Demon looked at him with a pained expression.
The life force of the fallen flowed through the stalks, pulsing as it surged toward the lump of meat that used to be Namgung So-yeon.
Every time the thick, crimson liquid entered the mass, new flesh sprouted from the severed wounds.
"Ah... I really want a bottle of booze right now. Dammit."
The Fist Demon flashed a playful smirk before losing consciousness and collapsing. In his place, a perfectly restored Namgung So-yeon stood before them.
"Young Master... where are you going without me?"
Her eyes didn't even register the Sword Demon or the Spirit Demon.
She saw only In-ho’s face.
Namgung So-yeon lunged for In-ho with explosive speed, but her arm was intercepted by the Sword Demon’s blade.
His posture was unstable, holding the greatsword with only one hand.
"Spirit Demon! Take the Young Sect Leader to the Sect Leader! Now!"
"We can all escape together!"
The Spirit Demon argued as she took the Young Sect Leader from him, but the Sword Demon adamantly refused.
"No, it's impossible. I'll buy you time."
"But...!"
"You're the fastest among us. You must get the Young Sect Leader to safety."
Seeing the Sword Demon urging her with a voice that almost sounded like a plea, the Spirit Demon bit her lip.
"......"
To the Spirit Demon, who stood there struck dumb, the Sword Demon spoke.
"Everything is..."
"...according to the Heavenly Demon’s will," the Spirit Demon finished.
Carefully cradling the Young Sect Leader, the Spirit Demon turned and sprinted away without looking back.
Though she was slower than usual due to the injuries from the previous battle, she was still remarkably fast.
"I'll hold out as long as I can."
Muttering to himself as he watched the Spirit Demon’s retreating back, the Sword Demon raised his weapon.
Namgung So-yeon, seeing In-ho moving further away, tried to give chase.
"Your opponent is me."
The Sword Demon grabbed Namgung So-yeon’s ankle as she leaped into the air and slammed her back down into the dirt.
"An... obstacle?"
Only then did Namgung So-yeon acknowledge the Sword Demon. Radiating an ominous, chilling aura, she charged at him.
*
The Spirit Demon ran frantically with In-ho on her back.
She cursed her legs for not moving as fast as she wanted.
'If I can just reach the Sect Leader!'
Driven by the absolute faith that the Sect Leader would resolve everything, she pushed herself to the limit.
Suddenly, a frigid wind blew from behind.
The wind brushed past her calf, and blood sprayed from the contact point. Losing her balance, she tumbled forward.
In-ho was thrown through the air, rolling across the dirt.
"Young Sect Leader!!"
Caring more for his safety than her own, she tried to scramble toward him.
But her body wouldn't move.
The strength drained from her legs through the deep gash.
Before she knew it, Namgung So-yeon had caught up. Her hair was a wild mess, and she stood over them, clutching the Sword Demon’s greatsword in one hand.
"Give him back. Give him back. Give him back! Give my Young Master back!!!"
Consumed by madness, she raised the greatsword high.
The Spirit Demon squeezed her eyes shut as the blade swung down toward her head.
At the sound of an atmospheric explosion, the Spirit Demon cautiously opened her eyes. A familiar back stood before her.
"Who the hell are you now?!"
Namgung So-yeon, who had been knocked aside as if struck in the face, lunged forward again. The Heavenly Demon responded by driving a straight punch into her stomach.
"Ugh!"
With a pathetic shriek, Namgung So-yeon was sent flying backward.
"Know your place, you crazy bitch."
The Heavenly Demon shook out her fist a couple of times as black flames erupted fiercely from her body.