Chapter 70: Sword of Winter


    TL/Editor: looloo


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    Enveloped in a ck cloth, a figure entered through the window.


    "What the...?!"


    "It''s a Viin! Contact the Association immediately!"


    Those who recognized its identity raised an uproar.


    KABOOM!


    An explosion echoed from below, sealing off the entrance. It seemed everyone in the vicinity was now trapped.


    The man nced around with his heavy eyes, raising his senses.


    "Hmm."


    The figure wrapped in the ck cloth looked around. Nothing particrly irked him. At most, they seemed like middle-tiered rookies.


    But there were many of them, and they looked formidable.


    ''Hmm?''


    His eyes then met with another.


    A strikingly handsome man stood out.


    His thick, jet-ck hair cascaded down his neck, and abyss-like eyes stared back intently.


    Those eyes were truly intriguing.


    Such a deep shade seemed unnatural.


    "You, are you Lee Seoha?"


    "How do you know my name?"


    "I have a task for you. A high-priority request from the Legion of the Sky."


    The room plunged into shock at the mention by the figure wrapped in the ck cloth.


    "The... the Legion of the Sky!"


    "God, why are those Viins here?"


    Most civilians hadn''t even heard of them.


    But if one entered the hero industry, climbed the ranks, or lingered in politics, they''d encounter the name. And to them, this group was nothing short of a nightmare.


    Elite among elites, their group, counting heroes, mines, and viins all over the world, didn''t even reach 1,000.


    Calling them elite was an understatement when considering all of them were of the highest rank.


    Moreover, they were a group of Viins.


    Beings that disrupted societal order and pursued their own desires above all else.


    "Run!"


    "Where to?"


    "Damn it! Where are those from the Association? With all the taxes I''ve paid, when will they arrive?"


    "W-wait! The one wrapped in the ck cloth is..."


    "Could it be the Deputy Chief?!"


    Gasps of astonishment filled the air.


    Revealing his teeth in a grin, the figure wrapped in the ck cloth, the Deputy Chief,ughed.


    "Yes, that''s right. I am..."


    BOOM!


    mes surged. A man in a suit, his eyes gleaming, appeared.


    "You''re about to meet your end."


    "The Crimson Tower Master."


    The two didn''t engage in much conversation. The Deputy Chief reached for his handle, while the Crimson Tower Master drew his staff.


    "You''re just a pawn in a Mine''s game. Today will be your grave."


    "We''ll see."


    The Deputy Chief smirked.


    SHING.


    A chilling metallic sound echoed. A blue-hued de revealed itself. The Sword of Winter.


    CRACK! CRUNCH!


    As the Sword of Winter made its presence known, the ground beneath the Deputy Chief began to freeze. A weapon boasting the power of absolute frost.


    It was freed from the Deputy Chief''s grasp.


    "Help me, Smander."


    -Kieack!


    From atop the enemy''s shoulder, a me-shaped lizard appeared.


    An elemental spirit.


    It spewed mes, bolstering the enemy''s strength.


    sh!


    Behind the enemy, crimson mana condensed, revealing itself in the form of dozens of orbs.


    A critical moment was upon them!


    Ersil gathered everyone nearby with a mana thread. Lee Seoha and Kim Seohyun took the front.


    -Shura''s Grasp.


    -Eternal Hell.


    Two monsters wearing human disguises began their incantations.


    ---


    Raei Trantions


    ---


    Kwaang!


    The two forces collided with a mighty sh.


    This is seriously nerve-wracking.


    With a single sh, the two had only collided once, but the resulting shockwave was immense. At the top of the hotel, an area the size of the third floor vanished from the aftermath. The sky contorted from the heat and then immediately froze.


    "Watching top-tier fights always feels like witnessing monsters in action," a womanmented in a leisurely tone. A blue-haireddy wearing a form-fitting dress approached me.


    "Wow, you''re really something. Were those photos not retouched at all? You have a face worthy of a national treasure."


    Sheplimented my appearance out of the blue, but she didnt drop her guard. Both Kim Seohyun and Ersil warily watched her.


    Parang.


    Her specialty leaned closer to that of an assassin. However, she uniquely harnessed the power of water to cause chaos. If one had to define her, she''d be something between a magician and an assassin.


    Thud, thud.


    A man with blood-red eyes approached. Bare-chested, d in ck pants, and shouldering a greatsword, he walked forward barefoot.


    "What''s he doing here? This makes our job easier," hemented.


    "Can I really have him?"


    "Would you please not spew nonsense, you wench?"


    Harun clicked his tongue and nced at me. "They''re just kids."


    "Those two are mid-tier. Plus, they''re the annoying type when provoked."


    "Humph, when have we ever cared about that?"


    "That white-haired boy is the disciple of The Sorcerer of Heavenly Vision."


    "Guess we have no choice then."


    Despite their yful banter, they observed our movements with razor-sharp focus.


    BOOM! CRASH!


    The temperature fluctuated wildly, plummeting and soaring. It was due to the confrontation between an assassin who wielded ice and a magician of mes. Even though it was night, the sh of fire and ice made it feel as though night and day were interchanging.


    This isn''t an ideal location.


    The difference in their power levels was clear.


    Jeok Tapju was superior.


    However, the Deputy Chief harnessed a power that countered Jeok Tapju''s. Furthermore, the night boasted a full moon, amplifying the dark powers.


    That''s why the Deputy Chief could fight on equal footing.


    Time was of the essence.


    We needed to keep Harun and Parang here.


    At the very least.


    Until the safety measures I''d put in ce arrive.


    "Ho, ready for a fight? You''ve got spirit. I''ll take you on," Harun taunted.


    "Get lost. How many have you killed? Surely more than fifty?"


    "Hmph. Born reckless, die reckless. That''s happiness for people like you."


    "You''re seriously insufferable."


    In sync, they lunged.


    "Goodbye."


    Parang approached me with a bright smile. Meanwhile, Harun, with a sinister grin, lunged at Kim Seohyun.


    "Ersil! Hong Yuhwa! Assist Kim Seohyun!"


    I swung the ck Heavenly Demon Sword.


    Dark powers enveloped it, producing a ck-colored wave.


    BOOM!


    A shockwave swept in all directions. Parang''s eyes widened in surprise, and she skillfully retreated.


    Wow, this is no joke! I was just warming up, but my hands are shaking?


    A yful tone.


    However, her eyes told a different story, filled with caution and alertness.


    Hey, should I handle that guy?


    Back off. Thats mine.


    As Parang looked at me, her eyes widened in surprise.


    Swish!


    Another leap, and she drew a dagger. A sharp aura emanated from her de.


    Sword aura!


    Every sense of mine was on high alert. This was dangerous.


    I channeled energy into the ck Heavenly Demon Sword. Wisps of dark energy surrounded the sword.


    Boom!


    Our forces collided with a st.


    Damn!


    I was the one being pushed back. Although the energy of the ck Heavenly Demon Sword contained an unparalleled power, there was a clear difference between someone who had just reached intermediate level and someone at an advanced level.


    Try blocking this too!


    She said with excitement, her hair turning blue. Her energy changed  a ripple. This was her power. And as the ripple spread in the air...


    What...?


    She vanished.


    Did you really think you could cause trouble at our grandfathers birthday banquet and get away unscathed?


    A fierce voice.


    Hong Yuhwa pushed her hair back abruptly. A crown, glowing with a crimson hue, materialized above her head.


    At the same time, space beside her rippled.


    Think you can handle it?


    I''d like to think I can manage all day... but help me out here.


    Alright, just dont get hurt.


    Hong Yuhwa said and stepped back.


    What kind of power is that? Did you copy my talent? No, it feels more like a forceful theft? This... this is against thews of nature...


    The person named Parang faltered. Though it seemed like an opportunity, I readied my counterattack.


    While Parang had immense talent, herbat experience was limited. Even in the midst of battle, she often lost herposure.


    She''s challenging, but I can retaliate even in this state.


    I needed to slowly corner her.


    Luckily, my allies were holding their ground. With thebined strength of Hong Yuhwa, who had awakened the Piger talent, Ersil, and Kim Seohyun, they could withstand this onught.


    Distracted, are we?!


    Parang darted towards me with a sinister grin, her movements flowing like water as she swung her dagger.


    Now''s not the time to worry about others.


    sh!


    I parried her dagger. My hand throbbed. She had infused her dagger with sword aura.


    I need an opening.


    I drew the Sword Phantom and threw it towards Parang, conserving as much energy as possible. To counter her attacks, I had to pour in significant energy into the sword.


    Streamlined Phantom de.


    A blue aura shot up from her dagger. Parang brandished it with a creepy smile.


    ng-ng-ng-ng!


    A series of fluid strikes followed. Gritting my teeth, I gathered my energy. With the ck Heavenly Demon Sword''s aura, I deflected them all, using the Phantom de to distance myself as much as possible from her range.


    "Sword qi is dangerous!"


    Its power doesn''t just sever all concepts, but the real problem is the wound it inflictsit''s not easily healed. With my lowered regeneration due to the Demonic Qi energy, I can''t afford to get injured.


    Dodging every sword strike, I retreated just in time to see the mouth of the energy wave widen as if it was being torn apart.


    My sword spirits screamed a warning. An invisible sword strike wasing from behind.


    Grinding my teeth, I engaged my skill.


    ck Storm.


    The world went momentarily dark, reced by a Abyssal Void. I took a single step.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, I was 3 meters away, catching a glimpse of the energy wave''s surprised face.


    "Wow, our pretty boy here is quite the dodger, huh?"


    "I''d appreciate it if you''d just let me be."


    "That won''t do. I just find you too irresistible."


    I should''ve expected as much.


    My opponent is a viin. There''s no way she would be kind to me, no matter how enamored she might seem.


    ''She''s even crazier in reality.''


    If she falls in love with a man, she kills him, and then using a special drug, she preserves the corpse forever.


    She''s a viin for a reason, after all.


    [Master, it seems he''s here.]


    ''Really?''


    I felt a mix of relief and concern.


    I had almost rxed, but I gritted my teeth, wanting at least tond one hit on him.


    Pouring all my Demonic Qi energy into the ck Heavenly Demon Sword, I initiated my attack.


    Woooong!


    The corrupt mana began to negate everything.


    Heavenly Demon and Heavenly Spirit had told me I couldn''t fully use this energy in my current state. They were half right, half wrong.


    The capacity I could harness increased with my skill level.


    Sizzle.


    Demonic Qi energy negated everything.


    I had managed to bring the power I thought I could only use in the upper realms down to this mid-realm, all thanks to the conceptual stat of Spirit Against Heaven.


    ck Divine Martial Art, ck Abyss.


    A de that negates everything surged from within the Heavenly Demon.


    Harun stared at me, recognizing me as an equal opponent, and raised his guard.


    "HAHA! Is that all you got in mid-realm?"


    Parang''sughter filled the air as she stood next to the energy wave.


    "Wench, he''s not your match. Step aside."


    Harun drew his great sword.


    Whoosh!


    Blood-red, ominous mes erupted. The evolution stage of sword qi, the Sword me, a technique allowed at the brink of the upper realm. He grinned menacingly at me.


    "Brat. Or rather, you''re Lee Seoha, right? My name is Harun."


    "So?"


    "I wanted you to know my name. The one who might go down in history, the one who could reach the heights of great heroes, as the one who was in by me."


    Harun took on an offensive stance.


    "When you meet the King of Hell in the afterlife, let him know. It was Harun who ended you."


    With that, Harun lunged at me.


    I wrapped my body with the Demonic Qi energy and lunged forward too.


    It was a head-on sh. Harun''sughter grew even more ecstatic.


    [Farewell.]


    Nyeom spoke.


    I activated the Mark of Illusion.


    Mark of Illusion (A+)


    A token obtained from Illusion''s Tower.


    Once engraved on the body like a tattoo, its power can be unleashed.


    :Adds 10 Spirit.


    :Innate skill Illusion of Truth


    :???(Unlocks upon clearing the 10th floor of Heumong''s Tower).


    :Qualification of Truth.


    Illusion of Truth.


    Normally, Harun wouldn''t be affected. However, I''m currently wearing the coat given to me by Ersil, the Nightmare Coat Where Dreams and Reality Cross.


    This coat distorted Harun''s senses.


    The Sword Phantom''s intuition surpassed Harun''s, misleading him.


    Harun''s focus wavered for a moment, and he swung his sword. The movement of his zing sword me changed.


    I swiftly closed the distance. Harun''s focus returned, albeit toote. And I could sense his shock.


    The sword me quickly receded. A bloody aura enveloped him.


    Qi Armor.


    A power borrowed from a protective energy form, employed by those proficient with sword energy.


    I smirked.


    Zing!


    The Abyssal Void. Its power negates abilities. The Abyssal Void repelled the Qi Armor and sliced right through him.


    [That won''t work.]


    Zap.


    I felt a sudden chill. The Sword Phantom''s intuition warned me just a half-beat early. If I kept going this way, it''d be a lose-lose situation. I might die too. Well, no regrets. If things had proceeded, Harun might have killed me anyway.


    I retreated, holding the Abyssal Void.


    "Kraaah!"


    Blood gushed from a diagonal cut across his chest. Soon after, a figure wrapped in silk stood before me.


    It was the Deputy Chief.


    "You''re more dangerous than I imagined. Even if Harun underestimated you due to his overconfidence... Talent, swordsmanship, and some unknown negating power and ability to handle tools. At the very least, it''s on par with an expert level, isn''t it?"


    The Deputy Chief''s eyes shifted.


    Behind me, Jeok Tapju appeared, shielding me.


    "Whatever it takes, make sure you survive."


    -Use the beings here in the formation as a shield if necessary. Just somehow save Yuhwa, Ersil, and Kim Seohyun.


    Jeok Tapju conveyed his message to me through magic.


    Upon closer inspection, his suit was soaked in blood, looking as if something had frozen on it and then got shattered.


    "Jeok Tapju. I''ll spare you for now."


    "Even if I live, I won''t be truly alive. If I can save this boy by giving my life, isn''t it worth it?"


    Saying that, Jeok Tapju advised,


    -Run away now!


    I didn''t run.


    "There''s no need to flee."


    "What...?"


    Boom!


    There was the sound of something copsing. Suddenly, an energy wave rocked the surroundings.


    "What?!"


    "Why, why is that person...!"


    Jeok Tapju and the Deputy Chief were in shock. Parang and Harun''s eyes wavered.


    "What, what''s that! That, that eerie feeling just now!"


    "Damn it! Run away right now!"


    The Deputy Chief cursed, taking out a bead from his pocket, and threw it to the ground. Dark clouds began to gather and spread.


    A smog inducing a whirl of sensations enveloped the area.


    I let out a snicker.


    Well, it''s only expected.


    After facing an ambush by Mines and viins at the school and suddenly encountering the likes of sworn enemies like the Sword Phantom, it''s unthinkable that I''d be unprepared.


    "Pipsqueak, I sensed their presence. Did you just hit the one at the rear?"


    "It''s a shame I couldnt finish him off."


    "Heh, don''t pretend. A rear attack is just that. Those fools always have a trick up their sleeve when their lives are on the line. Whether it''s using a hidden technique or escaping with w''. From the looks of that one, it''s some hidden technique. And you, you anticipated that and refrained from a lethal blow."


    "But... why are you calling me ''pipsqueak''?"


    "So, would you prefer if I addressed you as my son-inw? Well, I wouldn''t mind."


    The towering figure spoke to me with a familiar tone.


    The surrounding crowd stared at us, their faces a mix of shock and bewilderment.


    "Well, that''s a bit... I''m not quite ready to divert my attention to romance yet."


    "Tsk. Don''t worry about it."


    The Suzerain responded, casting a weighty nce at the opponent.


    "Even if he''s a top-tier viin, do you think I''d spare someone who disrupts the order and allies with the Mines?"


    With an overpowering aura, the Suzerain took a step forward.


    enjoy! :)


    (3/3) what is even happening


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