Splash, splash.
Running across the water’s surface.
Mana spread across my soles gently pushed against the lake.
Where my feet lifted, ripples spread, echoing across the entire lake.
Splash, splash.
The sound wasn’t solitary.
Expanding my senses, I could hear others’ footsteps on the water too.
Splash, splash, splash…
Without seeing them, I felt their presence.
A moment later.
Screech!
We’d closed in enough for the monsters at the front to engage us.
“Hyung Seok-woo.”
Battle was imminent.
Noticing the foes’ hostility, I spoke.
“Hey, Gyeon-woo.”
“The minions are yours to command. Sis and I need to focus on the Sovereign, so we won’t be able to watch your back.”
“Got it. I’ll hold the line from behind.”
Do Seok-woo, the oldest among the participants, was respected enough to lead.
With that in mind, I slowed my pace, falling back behind the others.
Do Si-eun did the same.
Before long.
“Scatter the foes to the sides!”
“Prioritize clearing a path!”
Combat erupted.
Led by Do Seung-woo and others my age, we charged, clashing with the minions to carve a path forward.
“Push them back!”
“Keep moving!”
A second battle followed.
As before, we grappled with the minions, forging a path.
There, ahead, was the Sovereign.
“Sis, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
I signaled Do Si-eun.
We picked up the pace we’d deliberately slowed, sprinting down the unobstructed path.
Splash!
The lake wailed as we sped forward.
My vision narrowed, focusing solely on the Sovereign.
Screech!
As we recognized it, it recognized us too.
When the distance closed—
The Sovereign slammed its spear down with all its might.
The force birthed wind and currents that surged toward us.
Thud!
We immediately changed direction.
As planned, I veered right, Do Si-eun left.
The Sovereign’s gaze split.
Screech!
It frantically tracked our movements, head jerking left and right.
Meanwhile, we exchanged glances over its body.
Nod.
Do Si-eun nodded—she’d strike first.
I nodded back, matching her pace.
Then, she crouched and accelerated.
Shuwang Style Attack Form III
Lion’s Whip
Like swinging an iron whip.
Do Si-eun coated her blade with mana, extending its reach as she swung.
The mana arcing through the air delivered an unconventional strike at the Sovereign.
Crack!
But the Sovereign only staggered briefly, then spun to parry with its spear.
Then, it immediately continued its strike, aiming to counterattack her.
I seized the opening.
Shuwang Style Attack Form I
Lion’s Fierce Slash
I struck the exposed back.
The sound of the slash cutting through air roared like a lion’s roar.
Screech!
It dodged.
The Sovereign slid across the water, glaring at me through gritted teeth.
But that only lasted a moment.
Splash!
While its attention was on me,
Do Si-eun closed the distance in an instant.
Her blade flared again.
Splash!
I too leaped onto the battlefield where Do Si-eun and the Sovereign were clashing blades and spears.
Clang!
Do Si-eun’s sword was deflected.
The Sovereign’s spear dropped.
My sword knocked the spear away.
She swung her recovered blade.
The Sovereign hastily stepped back, spinning counterclockwise.
While rotating, it blocked with its spear, evading the attack.
Simultaneously, it drew a semicircle with its foot and advanced, swinging its spear wide.
Whoosh!
The spear lashed out rapidly.
It transitioned between attack and defense effortlessly.
This made it hard to approach.
Yet we held the advantage.
Clang!
No need to rush.
While the Sovereign was breathless, constantly blocking us, Do Si-eun and I took turns catching our breath.
In contrast, it had no respite, forced to block us nonstop.
…Gasp.
Deprived of its minions’ aid, it had no time to catch its breath.
As our exchanges grew, it grew increasingly strained.
…!
Finally, it exposed a flaw.
We seized the moment.
Immediately, we compressed mana into our blades.
Shuwang Style Attack Form II
Lion’s Claw Mark
Compressed mana amplified our strikes, etching beast-like gashes into our foe.
Our thoughts aligned.
Whoosh!
Almost simultaneously.
Do Si-eun and I slashed at its flanks from opposite sides.
“Damn, its hide is annoyingly tough.”
“Not hide—it’s scales.”
“Whatever.”
Screech…
Unfortunately, the wounds weren’t deep.
But the Lion’s Claw Mark’s wounds healed slower.
It would bleed continuously during combat, eventually dying.
Unable to best us.
“A Rank 3 monster’s nothing special.”
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“But don’t you think so too, sis?”
“…”
Maintaining this momentum.
The Sovereign was furious.
Once the lake’s ruler, it was now dragged above water to fight mere humans, its limbs severed, bled out from deep wounds.
“How dare these humans, how dare they…!”
Some monsters act purely on instinct, but others possess reason—like the Sovereign, taking a human woman’s form.
Thus, it felt not only rage but humiliation.
“How dare they treat me like a rabbit to be hunted!”
The more it indulged its emotions, the more it wanted to tear the approaching humans to shreds.
Yet despite its weakened state, their skills weren’t to be trifled with.
Especially the girl with blue eyes.
“She’s different from the rest.”
After just a few exchanges, the Sovereign gauged her considerable skill.
So it warily focused on her—then…
“What is this brat?!”
There was another.
A shorter man than her.
His skills matched hers.
“Annoying brat!”
He knew when to strike and retreat.
While she engaged me, he lurked, seizing opportunities, or when she stepped back to catch her breath, he’d swiftly take her place, hindering me.
Each time I tried to counter, he’d dance on the edge of provoking me, barely evading attacks.
As if he knew where my strikes would land.
“If only my arm wasn’t severed…”
And yet.
He relentlessly targeted my defenseless left side.
Unscrupulously so.
In this sense, he was far more annoying and dangerous than her.
The Sovereign, frustrated yet compelled, had to deal with him.
Then, in that moment.
Shuwang Style Attack Form II
Distracted by the man, it allowed the girl’s surprise attack.
Lion’s Claw Mark
The Sovereign reacted late.
The blade slipped under its armpit, shattering scales, tearing flesh, nearly reaching bone, when it twisted its body to narrowly avoid a fatal blow.
But the situation was grim.
Splash!
Left and right.
The two humans sprinted across the water to finish it.
They were about to end this.
Shriek!
The Sovereign wailed as if its throat were torn.
It couldn’t die like this.
If it died, it would drag them down too.
Consumed by such fervor, it pushed past the pain.
Whoosh!
Once more, swords and spears clashed.
The Sovereign swung its spear with all its might, dislodging the clinging humans while using its reach to threaten them.
──!*
The wind roared.
With relentless movement, the water’s surface never stilled, churning ceaselessly.
Clang!
Swinging, thrusting, overhead strikes.
The humans dodged, blocked, deflected, refusing to back down.
The sounds of wind and water.
Metallic clangs echoed through them.
A sound of unwavering resolve rippled like waves.
Screech!
Exhausting its life force.
The Sovereign pressed its remaining strength into relentless attacks.
At some point, with each step, the two humans were retreating.
Click.
The humans were now strained too.
Their movements slowed.
The endless dance of metal was nearing its end.
The Sovereign resolved to cling and drag them down.
So it targeted the man first…
Then, at that moment.
Shuwang Style Defense Form III
The man tilted his sword, slicing the water from the blade’s tip to its hilt.
──!*
A violent mist erupted.
Within the mist, the blade rose.
And following the sword’s trajectory…
Lion’s Curtain
The mist and mana within the sword’s spirit combined, erecting a barrier.
Screech!?
The barrier shielded the man.
Unable to sense beyond it with my aura, the Sovereign swung its spear blindly.
Whoosh!
The spear sliced the barrier horizontally.
But the man was gone.
He’d evaded.
Yet he was still nearby…
Shuwang Style Attack Form V
Then, the girl’s presence was felt.
The Sovereign spun around frantically.
The girl stepped forward, crouching as she drew her sword inward.
Then,
Crack!
A blue lightning bolt erupted.
A thick streak soared into the sky.
Lion’s Fierce Attack
A lightning bolt far more intense than the occasional sparks earlier.
She charged, the surface flashing with lightning.
Dangerous, must evade.
The Sovereign’s mind blared an alarm.
But there was no retreat.
Shuwang Style Attack Form V
Because the man was there.
He mirrored her stance.
And…
Crack!
A lightning bolt erupted from him too.
The blue lightning soaring into the clear sky resembled a dragon ascending.
The sound of crackling electricity roared like a dragon’s roar.
No, a lion’s.
Lion’s Fierce Attack
The lion moved.
The man, enveloped in blue lightning, swung his inward-drawn sword outward with force.
Do Gyeon-woo and Do Si-eun launched a combined assault.
Though it was their first time syncing their moves, they flowed seamlessly. The Sovereign, entangled in their coordination, struggled to retaliate effectively.
“…Impressive.”
Above the cliff, the onlookers watching the screens could only offer genuine admiration. No one contested the remark someone had murmured.
“I’d like to see it from above.”
“We can arrange that by asking someone on site. I’ll make sure to pass it along.”
Do Ye-eok was captivated by the spectacle. He found it regrettable that he could only witness the battle through the screens. To make the most of it, he decided to adjust the angles for a more dynamic view.
Moments later, several screens trembled as the camera angles shifted. His gaze fixed on one screen in particular. A smirk curled his lips.
“They work well together.”
The aerial shot captured Do Gyeon-woo and Do Si-eun’s movements vividly. They danced around the Sovereign like spiraling leaves, their blades meeting and parting in a mesmerizing rhythm. It was akin to watching a pair of ospreys duel.
Then, it happened.
[Whoosh!]
Their swords finally struck home, slicing the Sovereign’s flank in near-simultaneous strikes.
“Heh. Now I see why Gyeon-woo bested Seung-woo.”
“…”
Those who’d witnessed Gyeon-woo’s prowess could no longer dispute the claim. Contrary to earlier doubts that he paled in comparison to Si-eun, he now proved himself her equal.
“Ugh… How could that brat…”
Do Beom-joon, Do Seung-woo’s father, had to concede Gyeon-woo’s skill, his face contorted with frustration. Unable to bear watching further, he rose abruptly.
“…I’ll step out for a smoke.”
“The battle seems near its end. Stay a moment longer.”
“…Very well.”
Do Beom-joon bowed to Do Ye-eok, attempting to leave as if fleeing. But Do Ye-eok detained him. Bound by the head’s command, he swallowed his pride and resumed watching.
As Do Ye-eok had predicted, the battle neared its climax. The Sovereign’s desperate assault was thwarted by Gyeon-woo’s defense, leaving it vulnerable.
[Shuwang Style Attack Form V]
Do Si-eun, in a charging stance, unleashed a strike.
[Lion’s Fierce Attack]
Like a thunderbolt, lightning erupted around her. The blue arc soaring into the sky resembled a blossoming flower.
“…”
The onlookers were spellbound. For the first time, she’d fully unleashed Bijung—a feat previously hinted at but never realized.
“Haha! You’ve finally done it!”
Do Ye-eok roared with glee, watching the screen as the lightning flower bloomed across the water’s surface.
Then, someone shouted, “Look over there!”
Another screen captured the lake from afar. There, mirrored by the water, was a second lightning flower.
[Crack!]
“…”
The crowd gasped. It couldn’t be—Si-eun’s Bijung couldn’t possibly reach that far. Yet,
[Crack!]
A vibrant lightning bolt surged from the left, where Gyeon-woo stood. The water’s surface, acting as a mirror, revealed two blue flowers blooming side by side.
[Lion’s Fierce Attack]
The flowers erupted into ferocious lions, roaring as they charged the Sovereign.
[Screech!]
From below, Bijung ascended. The Sovereign, cleaved by their blades, split into three pieces without a final cry, its corpse floating lifelessly.
Thus, the Sovereign fell.
[Gate Conquered]
The message flashed before everyone’s eyes.
“So, it wasn’t just one of them!”
Ignoring the message, Do Ye-eok fixated on Gyeon-woo, hidden in the cascading Bijung. His laughter echoed.
“I thought you were just a rabbit, but you’re a lion cub too.”
“…”
Indeed, bearing the Shinjeom Taoist Sect’s blood, he couldn’t have been born a rabbit.
Overwhelmed, Do Ye-eok forgot decorum, shaking with laughter.
Meanwhile, his exclamation triggered an achievement:
[You’ve earned the Head’s recognition.]
[Title “Lion Cub” acquired.]
Gyeon-woo received the message.
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