16
Ep 16
Heonmu clenched his fist, a twisted smile spreading across his face.
Even with the nickname “wild dog,” surviving in a place where only the strong rule meant he had real skill.
“…Heh.”
He imagined Yujin’s expression collapsing.
A pampered fool, lucky enough to end up here—
Crushed beneath him.
In front of the Sword Empress, acting arrogant—
Only to be broken by someone like him.
If he returned half-crippled, what kind of face would he make?
Just imagining it made his fists itch.
In this place—
Weakness was the greatest sin.
If he defeated Yujin,
He would be cast aside immediately.
Begging for his life, perhaps.
“…And that guy dares to claim he loves her.”
He couldn’t understand it.
But—
That thought didn’t last long.
///
Heonmu laughed as Yujin approached.
A strange chill crept up their spines.
“…Got something to say?”
Knuckles cracked.
A threat.
But Yujin didn’t react.
No fear.
No hesitation.
As if this was nothing new.
Just another passing storm.
“…No words now?”
“….”
“…The Sword Empress must have poor judgment.”
“…One thing.”
Yujin spoke calmly.
“I didn’t plan to get angry.”
“But now I can’t ignore it.”
“…Heh. There are plenty like you.”
“If I win—”
“Don’t mention Cheon Hyerin again.”
“…Why?”
“That’s all I want.”
“….”
“…You’re really giving everything to her, huh?”
“…It’s already hers anyway.”
“…You’re insane.”
“…So? Fight or not.”
“…Come all at once.”
“…Fine.”
Heonmu smirked.
“I’ll break your limbs and throw you out.”
“…Try it.”
///
Silence fell.
Yujin took a breath.
Calm.
Focused.
The first attacker moved—
Right shoulder rising.
Yujin saw it.
Predicted it.
Calculated everything.
He gathered energy.
No need to draw his sword.
The fight was already over.
—Boom.
One strike.
Before anyone could react—
It ended.
—Thud! Thud! Thud!
Heonmu was crushed into the ground.
His face smeared with blood and dirt.
The others—
Couldn’t even process what happened.
“…Calling me a coward?”
Yujin looked down at them.
One step.
They flinched.
“…Not coming?”
“…W-wait!”
“We were wrong!”
“…In this place—what happens to the defeated?”
He grabbed Heonmu’s head.
Lifted it.
“…That’s not it.”
—Crash.
“…What I want—”
—Crash.
“…Is simple.”
—Crash.
“…Don’t ever insult Cheon Hyerin again.”
“…!!”
“Don’t even approach her.”
“…Cough… you…!”
“…Next time, I won’t stop.”
“…Y-you’re crazy!”
“…Maybe.”
“…No one will acknowledge you anyway!”
“…I don’t need them to.”
“…What?”
“…Even if she abandons me, I’ll hold on.”
“….”
Silence.
“…That’s what it means to love.”
///
The atmosphere froze.
Even those watching felt it.
Heonmu—
A peak-level fighter—
Defeated instantly.
“…Impossible…”
“…He was injured just days ago…”
And yet—
Overwhelming.
He stood alone.
Against everyone.
Like a single flame in darkness.
“….”
Cheon Hyerin watched.
Her heart raced.
“…This is bad…”
She tried to suppress it.
But couldn’t.
“…Why do you make it so impossible to push you away…”
Even when she wasn’t there—
He protected her.
“…I shouldn’t feel this way…”
But she did.
“….”
She clutched her chest.
Breathing uneven.
“…He loves me…”
Heat surged through her.
“…What am I supposed to do…”
Her heart—
Was already beyond control.