Chapter 67 of 100

Chapter 67

8 min read1,980 words

Chapter 66. Part 2. The Appearance of the Private Army Commander (5)

There was something he had overlooked all this time.

He had believed that the most important thing for survival was combat power.

Thus, he had focused all his efforts on improving his combat power, and inevitably had to neglect his physical strength and inner energy to some extent.

As a result, this outcome had appeared.

Even though he had the same physical strength as his opponent, a fight he could have easily won was turning out to be disadvantageous.

Despite inflicting much greater damage on the enemy, he found himself in a crisis.

'Just 70,000...'

Repeatedly using the Soul Heart Demon Art, which required a lot of inner energy, and the Bingyunjie armor, which he artificially created, had drained his inner energy.

As a result, his inner energy, which had exceeded 1,000,000, had plummeted to just 70,000.

"Looks like something's wrong."

Perhaps because the power of the Soul Heart Demon Art that Seohui was using had weakened.

Bijun immediately recognized Seohui's condition.

Without even attempting to start a conversation, he fiercely charged forward.

'Damn it.'

Papapap.

Seohui gritted his teeth as he watched Bijun unleash his Light Body Technique again.

With his physical strength declining, his concentration also weakened.

What had been intermittent before, his footwork, was now all blurry.

"Ugh!"

"Ah!"

The relentless attacks from the enemy.

Seohui was gradually crumbling.

First, his concentration.

Next, his reaction speed.

Then, his defensive stance.

'One time... I'll end it in one time.'

Seohui's thoughts, driven to a corner, ultimately focused on one thing.

A martial art that could reverse the situation in an instant.

It was an absolute power, and at the same time, a martial art that did not require inner energy.

Fengshen (Wind God): → N (Neutral) ↓↘, A <4.5x Speed>

The highest technique he could perform.

If successful, he could subdue this guy with one blow.

However, the problem was that the opportunity to perform it and the success rate were not very high.

'I need to draw him in. A bit closer... a bit closer...'

Despite the continuous damage, Seohui focused on performing this technique properly.

If he followed the training, the possibility of success was more than half.

This level was worth taking a gamble on.

Bang!

One clash.

Bang!

Another clash.

"......!"

At the moment of the third clash, the opportunity Seohui had been waiting for finally arrived.

Or rather, he had created it intentionally.

By throwing the sword he was holding towards Bijun.

'Opportunity.'

At that moment, Seohui quickly bent his body and moved forward.

The Fengshen technique he had practiced.

He bowed his head and smoothly moved forward, extending his right fist.

"......"

Silence fell.

Bijun's face was filled with astonishment and disbelief.

And Seohui's face, which had turned awkward, crossed with his.

"What are you doing?"

"Hehe..."

Seohui's embarrassed laugh was short-lived.

Kwaang!

A fierce sword energy, enveloped in flames, struck Seohui directly.

Seohui [Private Army Commander]

Physical Strength 3,200 (↓128,000) / 710,000

"Argh!"

Seohui's body rolled on the ground.

The Bingyunjie armor that had been protecting his chest shattered, and the strong impact left him unable to get up.

The Fengshen Fist had completely failed.

"......"

Bijun approached silently.

His leisurely steps seemed to confirm his victory.

'Damn it.'

Seohui regretted it.

The days he had spent trying to become stronger.

Focusing all his efforts on combat power, he had ultimately ended up in a situation where his physical strength and inner energy were lacking.

If only he had a bit more, he could have surely won against an opponent he could have defeated.

"Kim Sae."

Bijun sneered at the fallen Seohui.

"To think the representative of the private army would resort to throwing his sword. Aren't you ashamed in front of your subordinates?"

"......"

Even without Bijun's criticism, Seohui genuinely felt ashamed this time.

For some reason, Bijun's sarcastic voice sounded particularly loud.

"Huh?"

Bijun's steps stopped as he turned around.

The guy who had been lying down was now standing up again.

"Come on. What can a guy like you do?"

Seohui gritted his teeth.

He didn't want to use it, but he had no choice.

If he didn't finish this guy off perfectly now, he would regret it for a long time.

"I have no choice. I won't kill you for the sake of the Demon Sect disciple..."

Bijun adjusted his grip on his sword.

Dark energy was already gathering at the tip of his sword.

"However, I'll have to make one of your arms useless."

Combat Mode AI

As soon as he chose the combat mode, Bijun disappeared from his sight.

A light body technique that was too fast for him to follow.

And he was already in front of him.

The distance that had been far away was suddenly closed.

And then...

Jjeok.

As soon as the AI text appeared, Seohui felt the ground shake.

Gagagag.

Cracks appeared in the ground where he was standing.

This was due to the accompanying lightning power.

Kwaang!

A massive storm was created, rising tens of feet high.

And it swept everything in front of it away.

"Ah..."

Seohui was genuinely surprised.

Fengshen.

The technique that was difficult to use in real combat.

The AI had unleashed it without a moment's hesitation as soon as it awoke.

In one blow, it had finished Bijun.

"What kind of... nonsense..."

* * *

<How would you like to deal with 'Bijun'>?

Unconscious or kill.

If the AI hadn't given him these two choices, he would have definitely killed him.

Bijun, who had just regained consciousness.

As soon as he realized Seohui was beside him, he shuddered.

"Did I lose to you..."

But the shock soon subsided.

Recalling the astonishing martial art from a moment ago, an indescribable sense of powerlessness washed over him.

"Well, something like that."

Seohui didn't feel particularly happy about defeating his opponent.

He hadn't brought him down with his own abilities.

It was the AI that had won.

"The martial art you used at the end. Wasn't that the Four Great Extreme Demon Art?"

Seohui nodded at Bijun's words.

"Something like that."

"Ah..."

Bijun still lay sprawled on the ground.

Many emotions must have been running through his mind.

The fact that the private army commander knew the Four Great Extreme Demon Art. How strong the opponent might be.

And that was true for Seohui as well.

What was his level without the help of AI abilities?

Or, how long would he have to rely on such abilities in battle?

How much of a gap was there between him and the AI?

Lost in these thoughts, Seohui muttered without realizing it.

"Good luck."

"Is that supposed to be comforting?"

"Think what you will."

For some reason, Seohui felt lighter.

The insulting words the opponent had said to him earlier didn't come to mind.

"I want to hear more about the Taihuang Pavilion."

When Seohui asked, Bijun suddenly closed his mouth.

After a moment, just as Seohui was about to ask again, Bijun unexpectedly answered.

"Well, isn't that something you already know? A few of our people who were under surveillance recently died."

'...What?!'

He had been attacked?

Had a war already broken out with the Taihuang Pavilion?

Seohui focused more on Bijun's words.

"To be honest, I wanted to know what kind of guy you were. If you were useless, I wanted to absorb your squad. I provoked your squad leader, Xiaoling, for that reason. I didn't expect my subordinates to do such dirty work, though. For that, I apologize."

"......"

Seohui was curious about what Bijun meant.

Was he genuinely apologizing, or was he trying to get him to reveal that he was the one wearing the mask?

After pondering for a long time, Seohui said:

"Well, I didn't do a good job either."

"......!"

Bijun's eyes widened.

He seemed to have not expected Seohui to reveal himself, looking at him from his lying position.

"You could have pretended not to know?"

"Bijun, our enemy is not around here."

"......"

A moment of silence from Bijun.

Seohui slowly took off the mask he was wearing.

"You..."

Bijun's face showed confusion.

He must have been wondering why Seohui was revealing his face.

Actually, Seohui had no intention of hiding his face.

The first reason for wearing the mask was to avoid meeting Xiaoling, and the second was to prepare for the future confrontation with the Taihuang Pavilion.

'Huh?'

But when he took off the mask, an information window appeared in front of him.

<'Bijun's' interest has increased.>

Score: 50/100 (Friendly) ↑

'Is this good?'

It was a bit strange that it was interest rather than affection, but it was still positive.

There was no harm in getting along with him.

Seohui decided to ask one more question while this window was up.

"Don't misunderstand, but... do you remember when you first tried to leave after coming to my place? The words I said then. What did they mean?"

"What?! How far do you plan to toy with me!"

<'Bijun's' interest has decreased.>

Score: 30 (Slightly Friendly)

'Damn it.'

The anger on Bijun's face was evident.

Seohui quickly changed the subject.

"No, I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention!"

"Of course not. If it were, you'd be in a life-or-death battle with me."

'...Whatever it means, it's terrifying.'

Seohui made a vow.

From now on, he wouldn't bring up anything related to that.

Ugh.

Bijun struggled to get up from the ground.

He looked at Seohui for a moment, then tilted his head.

"Even if you take off the mask... next time, change your outfit."

"I didn't receive any commander's uniform?"

"Don't you have a wardrobe? Open it. There should be extra outfits. You can choose what you like."

'Choose what I like?'

Seohui couldn't understand what Bijun meant.

Why did he suddenly mention the wardrobe?

But then...

A window appeared in front of him.

<Congratulations. You can choose several items from your residence's wardrobe.>

And this text appeared.

▶ Mask

▷ Outfit

▷ Shoes

A type of question he had never seen before.

It piqued his curiosity even more.

What did these mean?

After pondering, Seohui chose 'Mask' first.

▶ Skull

▷ Tiger

▷ Military

There were three types of masks.

Seohui, who had read the unusual text, returned to the first text.

Then, he chose 'Outfit'.

▶ Private Army Commander's Outfit

▷ Yellow Jogging Suit

▷ K-Military Look

Three options appeared.

'Jogging suit, jogging... K-Military?'

Seohui's gaze lingered on the second and third options.

Though he didn't understand what they meant, the outfits piqued his curiosity.

He chose the third option, 'Military Look', which he couldn't understand at all.

As the screen brightened, his outfit changed.

"Wow, this..."

The unfamiliar colors and the outfit he was wearing.

No, it wasn't just an outfit. The green patterns and the light green stripes that resembled granite captured his attention.

Moreover, something was firmly tied around his waist, like a belt.

"This..."

Seohui, standing in front of the mirror, opened his mouth wide.

It was a unique outfit, as if he had wrapped himself in natural colors, something he had never experienced before.

After staring at his outfit for a long time, Seohui said with a serious face:

"It's better than I thought."

And he smiled.

For some reason, this outfit made him feel inexplicably good.