Another thought: if he fights like that, going toe-to-toe with the Moejang would actually be entertaining. Or am I off base?
Damn... he should've gone a bit easier on his body...
My joints throb from every hinge, elbow to knee. I hate this kind of excruciating pain...
"Everyone's late... at this rate, I'll have to handle it all solo and raise funds to repair this building."
That means I need to take Jang Chen alive. Then that Dragon Head will have something to brag about, too.
"What time is it? I can't see any sunlight outside... oh, there's a clock. It's... nine o'clock?!"
It was definitely between four and five when we came in?!
They're slacking off... too much.
All right... let's see.
"Hey you. Wake up. Not dead yet, are you?"
"Uhh... uhh... uhhgh!!!"
What a reaction. This one will be fun to break in.
"Good evening. I'll get straight to the point: you don't want to die."
"Y-yes, yes! I don't want to die! I'll do anything, just let me live...!"
"I don't want to hear any promises of doing anything for some guy. Which floor is Jang Chen on?"
"The 25th floor! The 25th floor!!!"
"Is that right? You'd better not be lying. If you are, I'll shove you into that wall over there."
"Of course I'm not lying! It's the truth!!"
Well then... oh, there's an elevator running up the central shaft. That'll go straight there.
"Listen. I'll let you live. Walk over there, put your hands up, and keep them up until the Danguk Royal Guard arrives."
"Y-yes!!! Right away!!!"
Good. It's nice when they cooperate.
"All right, let's finish this."
Odd. I'd expect a call soon or someone to bring Jang Chen here...
But if I leave, who knows what these idiots will do?
Tch, maybe I should've left Yang Tae here and gone myself?
No, I'm out. I've already secured my main bankroll and lifeline, after all.
There's an escape route beneath: a poorly constructed sewer tunnel made during the parking garage construction. That's where we're headed.
"Keep quiet and follow!"
hic...!hic...!
Swaye couldn't do anything. This was the most terrifying, helpless Christmas of her life.
Anyone... please... help me...!
I'm so scared. I hate this. I hate him... Grandpa, I'm scared... what will happen to me...
Ding!!
"...you damned little brat..."
"Hey. Let go of that hand."
A blood-soaked figure around my age stepped forward. His outfit resembled the traditional Danguk formal wear, though it was slicked in blood. And unlike those boys shrieking at the sight of gore, he moved with detached purpose—proof he wasn't from our world.
"Hey, don't freak out. I'm not killing anyone except Jang Chen."
"W-what...? Really...?"
"Yes. See this badge? It's Danguk Royal Guard. Now, all of you take the elevator down to the first floor. If you don't want to die, go. As for Jang Chen, you stay here. And untangle your arms from the girl. What are you doing with a little girl?"
"I'm not dead yet...!!"
"I am Harbin Jang Chen!!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know—damn you. And by the way, I came alone. Single, understood?"
"...What kind of bullshit is this?"
"This is usually the line my bigger partner says, you know? But now I'm the one saying it. Be thankful."
If my face could match half of Detective Dongseok's glare, you'd be pissing yourself.
"Then you've sent everyone down? Planning to leave her here?"
"Are you crazy? I'll snap her neck if she comes any closer."
What?! No... please save me.
"Go on."
"...? What did you just say?"
"I said do it. Makes it easier for me to catch you. Or should I do it for you?"
"You're completely fucked as a human being."
Shut up. He's bluffing. Doesn't he know what a poker face is?
"Ugh... enough with the bullshit talk. Get it done. Don't look. Bind those damned claws back on if you both want to live."
"You got nothing to give me?"
"Nothing. My energy's already bled out, so use that. But you'll still need a hospital bed, you weakling! Ha ha ha!!"
What a prickly mountain spirit. Still...
That power... it's not just what I had before falling. It's even beyond that.
[Breeze—Tailwind]
The sensation of wind wrapping around me began.
[Whirlwind—Death Wheel]
Clang!
"Phew, nice shot! And woah there. You all right?"
"Ugh... I thought I was dead..."
"...Swaye?"
"Huh? How do you know my name?"
"Well... you're pretty famous?"
Beatrix Swaye—the name belonged to a 5-star Guard and later a 6-star Specialist in Arknights. I knew nothing of her combat record, but she'd been designed to look good. Honestly, the moment she showed up in hot shorts instead of that event swimsuit, I couldn't help but look.
"Anyway, who are you?"
"I'm Baekhyun. From the Sword Sect. Now I'm not the Dragon Head but in business with Wei Yenwu."
"Business...?"
"Yeah, business. We need to take Jang Chen in."
"Take him in?!! Let's just get out of here! It's too dangerous!!"
Everything in this world is dangerous. So what?
"Then go alone."
"What?!! You think there's someone downstairs?!!"
"The people we sent down earlier. There's no one else."
"How can you be so sure?!"
Right... because I killed them all...?
"Enough. If you don't want to, stay behind me. Having a civilian die is a headache."
This is strange. To face someone who could have been a formidable opponent and still remain this composed...
"Isn't this crazy?!"
I could only manipulate an object or two with the Death Wheel. Now I can handle multiple heavy plate fragments and still hold a conversation.
"Then let's go for real!"
I drew my sword, deactivated Death Wheel, and using my small frame, executed an upward slice from below.
[Updraft]
"Gah...!"
"Relax. It's just a shallow cut."
The wind-coated blade changed trajectory, enabling a flurry of complex strikes.
"How can... I... even be me...?"
"Shut up. With these flames, disappear."
Not disappear, actually.
This fire pillar was hardly comparable to the last—more like smoldering embers—but fire and wind have long been a perfect match. Even Master Wolong used it himself.
'Focus on the impact... enough to punch through a steel wall!'
[External Wind—Bull Gale]
The drilling wind ripped off Jang Chen's left ear. And as a bonus...
[Spectral Exorcism—Cataclysmic Flame]
The seed of blue flame that spares no impurity rode the gale, searing into the metal plate. When it finally heated the steel and forced it apart, Yongmun saw it: a comet-like streak of light cutting across the obsidian sky. It was like a signal flare.
"The path is completely blocked."
"Because it's Christmas Eve, the evacuation of civilians has taken even longer."
"...huff..."
The Danguk Royal Guard couldn't speed up because the sudden terror attack during the holiday meant civilian safety was top priority. With the streets packed today, it took exceptionally long, and above all...
"Where's the Originium cutter?"
"It's in use, but the wall is too thick; we've requested heavier support from outside!"
The very wall designed to stop the Catastrophe had ensnared us.
'Too much time has passed. The odds Baekhyun is still alive inside have been slim for a while...'
I couldn't know how many enemies were inside exactly, but from years on the field I could guess at least dozens around Baekhyun lurking within.
No matter how talented, a child's body is still a child's. And if dozens—let alone hundreds—of attackers swarm him, the outcome is obvious.
'What a shame. He was talent on par with Talulah, and I never expected he'd be lost like this.'
The world takes geniuses early...
Roar!!!
"Blue flames spotted on the 25th floor! And... something's falling!"
"What?! That's 25! There's no way anyone survives..."
"He was."
Klang!!
"Whew—that was close. Wind control is tricky. Hey you, get up. You're safe now."
"Ughh... who—who treats a lady like this?"
"Here. And I don't discriminate—we all get treated like this."
"What... is... this...?"
"It's for you, Dragon Head. And you're way too late—everyone's been waiting. Here's your gift. Still fresh."
"Ah... ah... ah..."
"...it was fresh."
"Ha ha ha! I underestimated you! You're insane!"
Why trash-talk when you brought me a present?