Chapter 66

Chapter 65. Part 2. The Appearance of the Private Army Commander (4)

Perhaps he had been expecting it.

Even though he could have avoided a fight with the private army commander, Bijeon, Seohui had captured him because he wanted to test his own strength.

A combat power of 6 million, now exceeding 7 million.

He wanted to know just how much it compared to his own, and how much of a difference there was.

"Y-You dare to... "

Instead, Bijeon's face turned very red, and he displayed an intense hostility.

Seohui wanted to suggest a truce, saying, "Why don't we reconcile here?" after they had confirmed each other's abilities, but Bijeon showed no intention of doing so.

'What is this thing!'

The strange pattern pointed to something.

Soryeong was curious about what it meant, despite feeling a strong aversion to it.

But the atmosphere did not allow for further questioning.

'Should I make the first move now that it has come to this.'

When it came to fighting, Bijeon was a difficult opponent for Seohui.

He had no physical strength, inner power, or combat power that was inferior to Seohui's.

Moreover, even after Seohui had delivered a powerful blow, Bijeon's combat power did not decrease.

Tap, tap, tap.

'He's coming.'

Seohui's gaze moved to the side as he confirmed Bijeon's movement.

Sssss!

Suddenly, sparks flew from Seohui's sword blade.

He barely managed to block Bijeon's sword, defending himself.

It was fast.

Bijeon's movements surpassed Seohui's expectations.

Even though his thigh was cut, his movements were so swift that they were hard to follow with the eyes.

"I will... definitely kill you."

In the midst of their swords clashing, Seohui could see Bijeon's distorted expression.

His already intimidating face seemed even more monstrous.

"Before that, I told you... what I said...!"

Clang!

Before Seohui could give a simple retort, he was pushed back by Bijeon's strong inner power.

Swish.

Without a moment to catch his breath, Bijeon began to move again.

Circling around with Seohui at the center, he started making deliberate foot sounds.

Tap, tap, thud.

The foot sounds varied with his movements.

Normally, the sound should be consistent based on the distance of each step.

But Bijeon was using this to his advantage.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

His foot sounds were slow when his movements were fast, and fast when his movements were slow.

A technique that used the time in the air and speed to create confusion by causing a discrepancy between what was seen and what was heard.

At that moment, while chasing his opponent.

Sssss!

An unexpected thrust came from Bijeon's sword.

It was a sudden sword aura.

"Ah!"

Seohui, who had already anticipated it, dodged, but in that moment, Bijeon was floating in the air.

"......?!"

Seohui's eyes blinked as he was about to counter with a sword aura.

Bijeon had disappeared from the air, even though there was nothing to step on.

'What kind of lightness technique is this...'

Seohui had no time to be flustered.

The enemy's movements were already detected from the opposite side of the air.

Flash.

Seohui barely managed to dodge the sword aura.

At that moment, he realized something was wrong.

'Damn!'

[Warning! 'Bijeon' has detected a weakness in Seohui. How will you respond?]

▶ Counterattack.

▷ Defend.

▷ Flee.

'I can definitely counterattack.'

Seohui was confident as he read the message in front of him.

Although Bijeon had moved quickly in the air, Seohui knew where he was.

In such a situation, it was better to counterattack rather than retreat.

After all, if he just defended or fled, he might give the enemy another chance.

<'Counterattack' selected.>

The time that had stopped began to flow again.

It was the moment Bijeon was about to launch his third sword aura, and Seohui also chose to counterattack simultaneously.

Sssss!

A powerful resonance of energy.

However, Seohui's figure was pushed back due to the inferiority of his inner power.

Just as he was shaking his head to clear the dizziness.

It appeared again.

[Warning! 'Bijeon' has detected a weakness in Seohui. How will you respond?]

'Damn it.'

Seohui had no choice.

This time, it was too risky to counterattack as he had lost track of his opponent's movements.

He needed to respond as safely as possible.

<'Flee' selected.>

A flash appeared in front of his eyes, and for a moment, he could see Bijeon swinging his sword.

He thought he could easily dodge it.

However, despite the distance, Bijeon's thrust was too fast, and Seohui was cut on his shoulder and waist in succession.

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted some damage on Seohui.>

Health 680,000 (↓30,000)/710,000

"Ugh."

There was no time to feel pain.

It was already difficult to block the continuous attacks from Bijeon.

As expected, once an opportunity was given.

It led to a continuous crisis.

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted some damage on Seohui. 50,000!>

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted some damage on Seohui. 40,000!>

"Ugh."

The continuous sword auras and magical attacks from Bijeon.

It wasn't just the speed of emitting sword auras.

Bijeon was also using the same One-Element Demon Art as Seohui.

Given the nature of the martial art, the one who took the initiative could gain an advantage.

The One-Element Demon Art could lead to a disadvantage if one responded to the opponent's reactions.

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted some damage on Seohui.>

Health 350,000 (↓330,000)/710,000

'This is bad.'

Seohui couldn't regain his composure.

Due to their similar combat power, Bijeon's movements did not exceed his predictions.

However, the reason he found it difficult to keep up was because of that lightness technique.

'What kind of lightness technique is this?'

It slowed down, then sped up, and could change direction quickly without touching the ground.

He could also adjust his time in the air, disrupting Seohui's breathing and focus.

"Ugh!"

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted some damage on Seohui.>

He was hit again.

Although he avoided fatal wounds, the continuous minor injuries were increasing.

"Did you think you could provoke me like this and get away with it!"

Bijeon laughed openly, thinking he had gained the upper hand.

At first, he thought he might lose, but after fighting, he felt it was nothing.

'Let's change the approach.'

Seohui focused his inner power, sending it to his hands and feet.

A cold, white aura spread from the ground he was standing on and the sword he held.

Hardening.

A technique he began using after reaching the beginner stage of the Lesser Demon Art.

Tiny ice fragments emitted from his body and sword, permeating the air.

If any target was caught within five meters, it would have the effect of temporarily freezing them.

Although it consumed a lot of inner power, it was necessary to capture someone using a special lightness technique like Bijeon.

'Ice Armor.'

Sssss.

Another faint barrier formed around Seohui's chest.

Another defensive aura of the Lesser Demon Art.

"Seems like you're finally getting serious."

Sensing the unusual aura from Seohui, Bijeon stepped back and spoke.

He was also preparing to fight in a different way.

'Fire Art?'

Flame.

Seohui detected a change in Bijeon.

The fire that sprang from the tip of Bijeon's sword.

However, it felt different from ordinary Fire Art.

Instead of the usual red and blue, his Fire Art emitted a blue light.

Moreover, it was moving from the sword to his arm and shoulder.

A sign of high achievement in the Fire Art.

'This isn't going to be easy...'

Bijeon was clearly a master who had reached the pinnacle of his art.

Not only did he know the Yin Ying Sect's martial arts, but he also seemed to know strange martial arts.

"Since we've come this far, why don't you speak honestly?"

In a tense situation.

Bijeon, who had approached to a certain distance, spoke.

"......What do you mean?"

"What was the reason for provoking me like this?"

Bijeon's words had a certain persuasiveness.

Although Seohui had come to meet him, he was the one who had provoked Bijeon.

Of course, Seohui had a valid reason for seeking him out.

However, it was impossible to convince Bijeon with that excuse, especially with the choice window appearing.

"Everyone underestimates us."

"......?"

"I mean, our command unit. So I thought I'd give you some education this time."

"......So, it's because of your subordinates' inferiority complex?"

"Think what you want."

Sssss.

Seohui concentrated the power of the Lesser Demon Art at the tip of his sword.

This time, he intended to make the first move.

"If you touch our people again... "

After gauging the distance to Bijeon, he added,

"...you'll die."

Swish, swish, swish.

He moved.

Quickly approaching Bijeon's position.

Bijeon moved horizontally as before, and this time, Seohui chased him.

'Traceless Ghost Step.'

A unique martial art given by the Education Unit Leader.

A lightness technique that Bijeon would naturally know.

However, just knowing it didn't mean he could counter it.

This technique also allowed for speed control.

"Haah!"

The moment Seohui sensed Bijeon nearby, he fiercely struck the ground with his sword.

In an extremely short time, a simple swing turned into an astonishing attack.

Boom, boom, boom!

Following the sword, the aura of ice scattered in all directions from the ground and air.

The aura of Ice Silk.

Due to the extreme cold, just swinging the sword produced an effect similar to a sword aura.

No, it was much more widespread and powerful.

"Tch."

Bijeon, who was using Fire Art, quickly retreated.

He instinctively thought that the fine powder scattered around might bind his movements.

And this was precisely detected by Seohui.

'I've got him.'

"Haah!"

Sssss!

Seohui quickly emitted the cold aura of Ice Silk at Bijeon, and Bijeon responded by shooting a fire-infused sword aura.

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted significant damage on Seohui.>

<Hit! Seohui has inflicted significant damage on 'Bijeon'.>

Both suffered significant damage.

[Opportunity! Seohui has detected a weakness in 'Bijeon'. How will you respond?]

[Warning! 'Bijeon' has detected a weakness in Seohui. How will you respond?]

He gained both a warning and an opportunity.

▶ Use a martial art.

'What? Only one option?'

Was it because the battle was so intense?

This time, the only option available was to use a martial art.

<Which martial art will you use?>

▶ One-Element Demon Art

▷ Lesser Demon Art

Moreover, because he was holding a sword, there were only two lower-level options.

In this case, there was no need to hesitate.

The Lesser Demon Art was much more powerful than the One-Element Demon Art.

<Using Lesser Demon Art.>

First form, Ice River Moon.

With the guidance, Seohui, without intending to, used the first form of the Lesser Demon Art.

He shot Ice River Moon.

At the same time, he was hit by Bijeon's Fire Art.

<Perfect Hit! Seohui has inflicted significant damage on 'Bijeon'.>

<Hit! 'Bijeon' has inflicted significant damage on Seohui.>

Bijeon [Private Army Commander]

Health 1,800,000 (↓3,000,000)/5,500,000

Seohui [Command Unit Leader]

Health 180,000 (↓410,000)/710,000

"Ugh!"

With a groan, both Seohui and Bijeon staggered.

They didn't fall despite taking direct hits from each other.

However, when he regained his composure, Seohui's expression was much darker than Bijeon's.

It was because of the overwhelmingly higher health of his opponent.

Even though he had inflicted much more powerful damage, his health was still lower.

Bijeon [Private Army Commander]

Health 1,800,000 (↓3,000,000)/5,500,000

Inner Power 3,480,000 (↓770,000)/4,200,000

Seohui [Command Unit Leader]

Health 180,000 (↓410,000)/710,000

Inner Power 70,000 (↓1,140,000)/1,210,000

The difference was also stark in inner power.