<h4>Chapter 100</h4>


    “<i>Argh</i>...!”


    An excruciating pain came from An Gil-Hyun’s right eye. However, despite it, he swiftly swung his crescent moon ive again.


    <i>Boom!!</i>


    mes erupted, forcing Se-Hoon slightly back. As he retreated, he briefly saw An Gil-Hyun’s right eye, which should have been pierced by the Nocturne Piercer, trembling faintly.


    It appeared as if the attack had no effect, but in reality, it had.


    <i>Fwoosh-</i>


    A faint me dimly flickered within the pocket of An Gil-Hyun’s top, signaling that his protective charm had been consumed upon absorbing all of the damage from the attack.


    <i>How on earth did this guy get here?</i>


    He had witnessed firsthand Se-Hoon being utterly defeated at the hands of the Silent Shadow Squad, unable tond even a single blow. So how could he be standing here, unscathed? What could exin this unexpected resilience?


    He wanted to understand the situation, but Se-Hoon wasn’t foolish enough to wait for him.


    <i>ng!</i>


    des silently surged behind An Gil-Hyun, forcing him to turn and counter with his crescent moon ive all in an instant. And when he pushed them back and found out who the assants were, his eyes widened in shock.


    <i>The Silent Shadow Squad?!</i>


    Their bodies blurred like a shadow and their physical abilities were more enhanced than before, yet their faint presence and movements were clearly those of the Silent Shadow Squad he had seen earlier.


    Assaulted by their unexpected hostility, An Gil-Hyun’s mind raced with newly sparked possibilities.


    <i>Was I the target from the start? </i>Otherwise, there was no way Se-Hoon, whom he presumed dead, would ambush him with the Silent Shadow Squad.


    With limited information and the sudden turn of events cluttering his mind, it was natural that he wasing up with countless unbelievable scenarios.


    “You seem quite lost in thought!” Se-Hoon shouted, swinging the Forgefire Hammer with all his might at An Gil-Hyun.


    “<i>Urgh</i>...?!


    Though caught off guard by the attack that had precisely exploited his vulnerable spot, An Gil-Hyun quickly reacted. Se-Hoon had the upper hand, but even he couldn’t ovee the overwhelming physical disparity.


    Now focused, An Gil-Hyun quickly closed the distance, swinging his crescent moon ive, trying to split the hammer.


    <i>You got way too cocky from that first attack...!</i>


    He didn’t understand exactly what was happening, but regardless, all he had to do was simply eliminate both Se-Hoon and the Silent Shadow Squad.


    With his decision made, his eyes fixed on Se-Hoon as he was about to split the hammer into two.


    <i>Fwoosh!</i>


    Crimson mes arose from the Forgefire Hammer, precisely striking the de of the crescent moon ive.


    <i>ng!</i>


    The crescent moon ive was deflected, and the Forgefire Hammer sprung backward with great force. It was a situation significantly different from what An Gil-Hyun anticipated, which widened his eyes in shock.


    “What the...”


    Had he panicked so much that he had failed to control his strength? However, before he could dwell on it, attacks from the Silent Shadow Squad poured in from all directions.


    “Quite clumsy!”


    <i>ng! ng! Boom!</i>


    Despite being thrown off by their coordination, he managed to fend off the onught of attacks from the four undead assassins and Se-Hoon. And as time passed, he managed to stabilize his stance.


    If he could just hold on a little longer, he would be able to use a proper technique to take all of them down in one blow. But... he felt an inexplicable sense of doom, even if he had the upper hand.


    <i>What exactly... what exactly went wrong?</i>


    Why were these guys, who should have been dead long ago, clinging so persistently to him? Why were they purposely shouting before they attacked, drawing attention to themselves?


    Feeling more and more like they were baiting his counterattacks, his gaze strangely fell on his unresponsive crescent moon ive.


    <i>ng!</i>


    Causing him to finally notice that the shaft was gradually being deformed with each consecutive strike from the Forgefire Hammer.


    “This crazy bastard...!”


    He hadn’t been their target from the beginning—it was his crescent moon ive all along.


    Realizing this btedly, he began to detonate the residual mes he had set around him to create some distance. But someone had been waiting for that.


    <i>Got you.</i>


    Se-Hoon struck the crescent moon ive’s shaft once again with his Forgefire Hammer, creating a strange pulse.


    <i>Boom!!!</i>


    A terrifying explosion erupted around An Gil-Hyun.


    Having been observing An Gil-Hyun’sbat with Eyes of irvoyance, Se-Hoon imitated the mana impulse, Explosion Trigger, to detonate the residual mes before the user could—just like when he first met Sung-Ha.


    Unlike how Sung-Ha had controlled his power in the past, though, An Gil-Hyun had exerted his full strength in this life-or-death situation. Thus, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the st from the residual mes left any ordinary hero in a near-death state.


    <i>Unfortunately, it seems like he was thoroughly prepared.</i>


    The movement of mana within the smoke indicated that the ordeal was not over yet.


    “<i>Argh!!!</i>”


    <i>Whoosh!</i>


    With an explosive swing, An Gil-Hyun swung the crescent moon ive to clear the cloud of smoke. Appearing all charred and disheveled, he red at Se-Hoon with bloodshot eyes.


    The look in his eyes was now one ofplete alertness, devoid of anycency. Seizing the moment, Se-Hoon pulled a White Light Dagger from his waist and threw it without hesitation.


    “<i>Hmph</i>...!”


    <i>Crack!</i>


    Though An Gil-Hyun easily deflected the White Light Dagger and shattered it to pieces, it was within Se-Hoon’s calctions; he had been aiming to create an opportunity for the undead assassins tounch a coordinated attack.


    “Come here!!!” An Gil-Hyun shouted.


    <i>ng!!</i>


    He had managed to block the onught of the undead assassins, but his breathing had be disordered and he was beginning to be pushed back. His eyes and face seemed to have any sign of rationality, but his mind was still rapidly assessing everything.


    <i>It’s just that I used up all of my protective charms. I still have a chance.</i>


    He knew he would overpower the Silent Shadow Squad in a head-on confrontation, seeing as they specialized in ambushes. He also knew how to vary the frequency of his Explosion Trigger to prevent the residual mes from exploding preemptively.


    Thinking the situation wasn’t that bad, he steadied his breathing and was about tounch another offensive, but hisposure was soon shattered.


    <i>Creak-</i>


    His foot had tripped an invisible wire.


    <i>Boom!!</i>


    “You... you bastard!!!”


    Confirming that the trap he had set up was sessfully activated upon hearing the explosion from the forest and An Gil-Hyun’s scream, Se-Hoon sighed in relief.


    “At least we’ve bought some time...”


    If the undead assassins could keep leading An Gil-Hyun through the surrounding forest to trigger the remaining traps, they would buy them enough time for him and Sung-Ha to rearm themselves.


    Taking a moment to steady his ragged breathing, Se-Hoon returned to the waterfall and Sung-Ha to ensure they could secure their advantage.


    “Hey! I’m going to pass you the spear now, so together we can... huh?”


    Trailing off in disbelief, Se-Hoon started at Sung-Ha who hadn’t moved an inch and was still staring powerlessly at the ground.


    At this disheartening sight, he could only incredulously ask, “Have you... have you seriously given up?”


    “...”


    “Wow. You actually have. Oh my God,” Se-Hoon eximed in amazement over and over, as if he had seen some precious artifact.


    His reaction caused Sung-Ha’s eyebrows to furrow momentarily, but since his spirit had been ground to the finest of powders, it wasn’t easy to reform it again.


    Having expected Sung-Ha to shout or grab him by the cor in anger, Se-Hoon wore a grim expression due to thepletely opposite reaction. The conversation between An Gil-Hyun and Sung-Ha wasn’t supposed to have been taken seriously, but it seemed to have provoked many thoughts in Sung-Ha.


    <i>He isn’t the Mad Dog any longer; he’s just apletely drenched cur now...</i>


    Swallowing the fact that Sung-Ha could not be sent back into the fray, Se-Hoon stepped forward and stomped on the de of Sun Shooter.


    “What are you...”


    Seeing Se-Hoon’s iprehensible action, Sung-Ha looked up questioningly.


    <i>Smack!</i>


    Only to fall back listlessly due to Se-Hoon powerfully jabbing the end of the spear shaft into his sr plexus.


    “<i>Ugh.</i>... What was that for...!”


    Since it was more of a push than a hit, Sung-Ha quickly regained his posture.


    Meanwhile, Se-Hoon picked up Sun Shooter and said, “You just died right now.”


    “...What?”


    “So, this is mine now.”


    yfully shaking Sun Shooter in front of Sung-Ha, Se-Hoon tossed it upward and then struck its de fiercely with the Forgefire Hammer.


    <i>Boom-!</i>


    A shower of sparks burst, sending red fragments into the air. Seeing the shattered fragments of the spear de, Sung-Ha’s eyes widened.


    <i>Why...</i>


    Why would Se-Hoon deliberately destroy Sun Shooter in this situation?


    He grappled with confusion, anger, and the shame of his helplessness due to just watching his own weapon be destroyed.


    <i>Thump.</i>


    Then, a red fragment fell into Se-Hoon’s extended hand.


    Seeing that, Sung-Ha realized Se-Hoon had only broken off the sides of the spear de and straightened the main part into a new form. The fact shocked him.


    “This doesn’t seem good enough...” muttered Se-Hoon.


    Although the new de had many imperfections, seeing as how it had been hastily destroyed when it should have been slowly chipped away, there was no other choice but to use the quickest method with whatever was avable in its current state.


    Hooking the Forgefire Hammer back on his belt, he began fitting the Crimson me Rod from his void pocket with the new de.


    Soon, the inside of the de, which had faded from use, began to glow a deep crimson, gradually intensifying to a vivid red.


    “<i>Whew</i>,” Se-Hoon exhaled, steadying his breath. He then looked at Sung-Ha, who stared nkly back at him.


    “What are you doing? Don’t just stand there; leave.”


    “Leave?”


    “I told you, you’ve already died.”


    Turning away, Se-Hoon finished in an indifferent voice, “Just leave right now and beg the Sect Master to spare your life. He might just pity you, seeing how pathetic you look right now.”


    With that, Se-Hoon sprinted away in the direction An Gil-Hyun had vanished.


    Sung-Ha’s mind went nk.


    <i>I’m... dead? </i>Sung-Ha thought, watching Se-Hoon’s back getting further and further away.


    The words, almost yful, pierced deep into his consciousness, stirring a troubling question within him.


    <i>What was I even fighting for all this time?</i>


    Although his master had indeed instructed him to be the next sect master, if that were truly all, he wouldn’t have needed to resort to such drastic measures. He could have hidden his power or simply allied with those who opposed Lee Won-Ryong.


    So why had he chosen not to hide and instead confront everything directly? Why had he chosen this inefficient and perilous path?


    <i>I just wanted to prove myself...</i>


    All along, he had wanted to prove that the spear techniques and the life taught by his master were correct. <i>That</i> was why he had chosen not topromise and faced all the obstacles head-on, aspiring to be the next sect master.


    He knew that was what his master had truly hoped for him.


    “Damn it!”


    That was the path he had vowed to follow.


    <i>Boom!</i>


    Getting back on his feet, he rushed into the forest, catching sight of Se-Hoon ahead of him. He also spotted An Gil-Hyun further past and noticed he had already dealt with three of the four assassins, looking poised to engage in battle with Se-Hoon at any moment.


    Seeing that, Sung-Ha shouted at Se-Hoon with all his might, “STOP!”


    However, Se-Hoon didn’t halt, treating him as if he were truly dead. Biting his lip in frustration, Sung-Ha pondered what he could say to gain another chance and make him listen.


    Then, a phrase burst forth: “It’s a deal!”


    At that shout, Se-Hoon finally stopped in his tracks, turning his head and looking back.


    Seizing the moment, Sung-Ha shouted again with resolve, “I’ll pay double; just hand the spears over to me!”


    “Haha. It’s triple the price, you bastard,” Se-Hoon said, casually tossing the two spears at him.


    Catching the two spears hurled toward him, Sung-Ha swiftly bypassed Se-Hoon and charged right toward An Gil-Hyun, who had just finished dealing with thest remaining undead assassin.


    “How... how dare you underestimate me!”


    Battered from the numerous traps and ambushes, An Gil-Hyun looked toward the approaching Sung-Ha and immediately stomped on the ground in defiance.


    <i>What difference does changing from one worn spear to two seemingly insignificant ones make?</i>


    Determined to behead Sung-Ha immediately when given the chance, he swung his crescent moon ive.


    <i>ng-!</i>


    However, unlike his expectation, Sung-Ha’s twin spears easily deflected the crescent moon ive.


    “...Ah?”


    The ck spear shifted the trajectory of the crescent moon ive and the red spear followed up by bashing it back with explosive force. An Gil-Hyun’s eyes popped open upon the effortless deflection, and Sung-Ha seized that moment to press the attack.


    <i>ng, ng, ng!</i>


    The distance between the two closed quickly.


    The power of the residual mes An Gil-Hyun previously deployed slowly diminished as the space narrowed, while Sung-Ha, having drawn him into his range, relentlessly exploited any openings with his own residual mes.


    <i>ng!</i>


    Seeing the crescent moon ive swung downward once again, Sung-Ha blocked with twin spears, getting them all stuck together. He then immediately directed the crescent moon ive further down before stomping on the crescent moon ive’s spear shaft.


    <i>Thump!</i>


    Pinning the crescent moon ive to the ground, heunched a chilling flurry of strikes, targeting An Gil-Hyun’s head and heart.


    In desperation, An Gil-Hyun infused his mana into his fists and struck back.


    <i>Crack!</i>


    “<i>Ugh</i>...!?”


    He had managed to divert Sung-Ha’s attack, but his gauntlet had been cleanly sliced through. Seeing how Sung-Ha had managed to cut through the gauntlet even though he had infused quite a lot of mana, An Gil-Hyun began to sweat coldly as he frantically kicked the shaft of his crescent moon ive with all his might.


    <i>Bang!</i>


    Sung-Ha was thrown backward, and An Gil-Hyun, having recovered his crescent moon ive, steadied himself and took stance again.


    “<i>Huff</i>... <i>huff</i>...”


    He had originally thought that Sung-Ha would be a threat only in the far future if he had let him escape today. However, after that brief exchange, he realized he waspletely wrong.


    <i>He was... already a threat to begin with.</i>


    Having failed to kill Sung-Ha during their first encounter and then letting the twin spears be passed into Sung-Ha’s hands, he was now faced with a certain truth—it was now about how he would survive.


    Realizing it wasn’t about the assassination any longer, An Gil-Hyun infused the rest of his mana into the crescent moon ive and swung it with all his might onest time.


    <i>Whooom!</i>


    As the crescent moon ive slowly traced its circr path, he soon became surrounded by a ring of mes that was rapidly elerating and shining brighter and brighter. He then swung the ive toward the brilliantly glowing me ring.


    <strong>Inferno Ring: Sun Disk Cleaver</strong>


    A fiery sh swept forward.


    It was a secret technique of the Inferno Ring that released all of thepressed mana infused in a single strike.


    Facing the ensuing mes, Sung-Ha gripped his twin spears tightly.


    <i>There’s no way I could overpower that.</i>


    He knew that his only chance was to utilize his advantage in finesse,patibility, and talent.


    Recalling the strange pulse Se-Hoon had shown at the training grounds long ago, Sung-Ha infused the Nocturne Piercer with darkness mana and created a me ring in front of him.


    He then poured all his fire mana, Crimson me Soul, into the Crimson me Rod and thrust toward the center of the ring with all his strength.


    <i>Whooom!</i>


    The two different elemental manas resonated as one.


    <strong>Inferno Ring: Eclipse Shatter</strong>


    <i>Boom- </i>


    A massive me engulfed the battlefield. And piercing through its center was the Crimson me Rod, dispersing it in all directions. At the end of the spear’s path was An Gil-Hyun’s abdomen, which it pierced through with ease.


    “<i>Cough</i>... what is... this...”


    An Gil-Hyun couldn’t believe how this strange me entwined with ck swirls tore apart and overwhelmed his own; he was sure that his me was purer and more powerful.


    He stared at the heretic before him, unable to understand the situation.


    “The old ones are you guys.”


    Sung-Ha twisted his spear half a turn.


    <i>Boom!! </i>


    An explosion erupted, and An Gil-Hyun’s body vanished without a trace. Staring at the remnants of the me, Yeom Sung-Ha withdrew his spear.


    <strong>[The equipment ‘Crimson me Rod’ has been transformed into ‘Sun Piercing Spear’.]</strong>


    <strong>[<u>Sun Piercing Spear</u>] </strong>


    <strong>[Tier: Hero] [Quality: Above Average] </strong>


    <strong>[A spear made by heating a special type of wood over a long time. </strong>


    <strong>It has the ability to absorb and store mes, which can then be used as nourishment to regenerate damaged parts. </strong>


    <strong>The imnted mana circuit helps maintain efficient power output, increasing the spear’s strength.</strong>


    <strong>It can concentrate and release all of the absorbed mes from the tip of the de, with an adjustable range. </strong>


    <strong>*Can regenerate using the mes stored in equipment</strong>


    <strong>*Strength increases when infused with mana</strong>


    <strong>*Enables the use of the skill Crimson me</strong>


    <strong>*Current stored me: 100%]</strong>


    A new spear, refined by the me of ck me Wheel, was revealed.