Chapter 23

Chapter 22. Accepting the Mission (2)

'I have to create an opening somehow.'

This is what Seohwi is most concerned about at the moment.

Combat Power 70,000

I know the opponent is strong.

The calculated power of Shenbi is a maximum of 70,000.

It's a combat power where one hit can send you to your grave.

I know I can lose.

But retreating to plan for the future has become tiresome.

The numerous strong opponents who stood in my way.

To escape their contempt and ridicule, I will no longer retreat.

And I still have one more life, don't I?

'Now it's recorded.'

Is it because I received my first mission?

At first, I didn't notice, but there have been various changes in the status window.

[State, Status]

Seohwi [Performing Gonma's Mission]

Lives Coin 2 Two chances

Physical Condition Normal

[Value, Stats]

Health 7,306/7,708

Internal Energy 3,600/7,070

Combat Power 30,000 (New)

Equipment, Gear

Weapon: Dan Yeong Sword

Gloves: (Right Hand) Quanma Toujia

Armor: Palhwang Full Body Armor

'I believe in my abilities.'

Unlike my weak past, I have the best fortune that only I possess.

Knowing the opponent's abilities.

Judging the situation with precisely calculated information.

Don't I have the 'ability' to deliver a powerful blow when the opponent lets their guard down?

※ Success Reward: [One Thousand Dragon Pill]

Especially, if I win this match, I will obtain a medicinal herb that I could never have in the past.

The moment I get this incredible reward, I will be one step closer to the martial arts of the Heavenly Demon in my tool box.

Just thinking about it makes the thrill so intense that the fear seems to fade somewhat.

[Using Stealth Technique]

If I'm prepared, there's no need to hesitate.

* * *

Thud.

The place Seohwi headed to was a green building.

Unlike the purple building, this was a standalone structure, and it was the tallest of all the buildings.

It resembled a tulou (土樓) of Central China, a circular tower seven stories high.

Each floor was stacked with green tiles and roofs.

Plop. Plop. Plop.

Seohwi quickly stepped on the eaves and climbed up the building.

Rushing in blindly would be tantamount to suicide.

The Black Gold Corps, known as the best unit within the Taihuang Pavilion.

In reality, he represents the seven units.

As seen from the stats, he is a person of a different caliber from those he has faced so far.

'Now that I'm here, I can see all the terrain clearly.'

Thud.

Climbing to the seventh-floor roof, Seohwi lowered his posture and looked around.

Under the gentle moonlight, the garden inside the martial arts hall is visible at a glance.

In the center is a purple building in the shape of a (匸), and around it, six buildings are built in pairs, front and back.

And in the front row, there was the green building where he was located.

"Huh?"

While looking at the blue roof, Seohwi noticed something.

A presence.

Swoosh. Swoosh.

A man who came out of the building was running away.

To disrupt the opponent's movement, he jumped over a few walls and quickly dove into an artificial pond.

'It's too late.'

He might have hoped that the person chasing him would just pass by, but that was just his wish.

The pursuer arrived a little late but jumped into the pond without looking back.

"Ah!"

A scream.

After that, the pond turned red with the man's blood under the moonlight.

That was the beginning of this bloodbath.

* * *

"Don't follow me!"

"You'll die if you attack!"

"Damn it!"

Chaos erupted from all directions.

A man running through the bushes.

A man crouching and running between artificially created walls.

A man waiting for a chance to counterattack with his back against the wall.

But that level of ingenuity was not enough to shake off the 'Beings of Dawn.'

"Ah!"

The forehead of the guy hiding in the landscaping was split in half.

"Ah!"

While circling the building to separate the enemy, the deception was easily exposed.

"Ugh!"

The man who crouched to counterattack had his neck severed before he could even counterattack.

Not only that.

Thud!

Crack!

The Beings of Dawn, upon entering, were overwhelming almost all the martial artists.

'F*ck. This is a hunt...'

At this level, it's almost a massacre rather than a fight.

The 12 high-level experts who appeared with the moon at their backs were far superior to the existing martial artists.

'How did I survive in my past life?'

They have terrifying skills and are adept at chasing and tracking.

They even found and quickly took down the ones hiding in the outer bushes.

In the past, I was hiding there and managed to survive by luck.

'Is it because of the Stealth Technique?'

That's a possibility.

With my skills, it's impossible to survive without being noticed by them.

Or, there might be another reason.

"Ugh!"

"Ah!"

Crack!

Martial artists falling through the broken walls.

It seems they have already been stripped of their treasures and killed, rolling on the ground.

'Come out already...'

Seohwi crouched and surveyed the area around the green building.

He was checking if they might come out from a different place, not just the entrance.

After some time passed,

Shenbi, who was walking out through the entrance, came into view.

Even from a distance, he could be identified at a glance.

Because the word <Target> was written above his head.

'Let's follow him.'

Seohwi moved.

There's no need to be afraid.

Somehow, just once. Just once, I need to create an opening.

* * *

"Ugh. Ah."

A young man, clutching his chest, leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

The floor was already drenched in blood.

Moreover, his groans were gradually fading, indicating a fatal wound.

"Why... Why is this happening?"

A few steps away,

Two men were standing, and the outcome of the fight was already clear.

One man was trembling, while the other looked at him with complete ease.

"Just a whim, I guess?"

Black Gold Corps Commander Shenbi crossed his arms and looked down at him.

His opponent,

Surprisingly, was Black Corps Commander Cheokho.

'He hasn't left yet?'

It was past midnight, but he was still here, seemingly due to his greed for treasures.

That's one thing, but the current situation is hard to understand.

He was fighting against someone from the same Taihuang Pavilion.

"If the Taihuang Pavilion leader finds out... He will surely hold you accountable."

"Do you really think so?"

Step. Step.

He slowly approached Cheokho.

"Unfortunately, the negotiation with him is already over."

"What...?"

"He said that those who only seek treasures can be eliminated at any time."

"Ugh..."

Cheokho clenched his teeth and squeezed out his last bit of internal energy.

Whoosh!

And he launched his final, desperate counterattack.

But Shenbi's palm was several times faster.

"Ugh!"

Struck in the chest by the palm, Cheokho lost consciousness.

He fell to the ground, already dead.

The skill gap was so large that it was beyond recovery.

"..."

Shenbi's head turned to the side.

The man who was barely breathing against the wall seemed to have stopped moving.

"The commanders of these units are so weak."

Swoosh. Swoosh.

Shenbi began to search the dead body of Cheokho.

He collected four bamboo pieces and a few miscellaneous treasures from his pockets.

"Is this all I get...?"

His face was full of frustration.

Considering he has been inside since yesterday morning, the two dead men didn't yield much.

"Well, that's about the level of skill they have."

He turned his body again.

Another one of the seven Taihuang Pavilion unit commanders, who was lying limp.

He was searching his body.

[State Summary, Status Brief]

Muhyeong [Black Sun Commander of the Taihuang Pavilion's Seven Major Organizations]

Health 0 (↓1,850)/1,850

Internal Energy 0 (↓1,250)/1,250

'Killing someone from the same origin.'

Seohwi, pressed against the door, was tense.

Clearly, Shenbi killed Cheokho.

Not only that, but he also killed Muhyeong, another Taihuang Pavilion origin.

Somehow, Shenbi, who was moving with the Taihuang Pavilion origin, killed everyone.

'That's not the important part. No matter what, I need to create an opening...'

The status window doesn't appear easily.

He watched for a long time and even tried to approach, but at this distance, it doesn't manifest.

Judging from the situation, he seems to have the ability to detect even the slightest presence.

'Ah, right! Wall Blast!'

A method that just came to mind.

The Wall Blast, given as a treasure.

This can distract his attention and create an opening.

'Let's try it. This is the best opportunity anyway.'

Shenbi was searching the body of Muhyeong. If not now, there might not be a better chance.

Most importantly, if he encounters the 'Beings of Dawn,' he might be in even more trouble.

[Cannot open the tool box