Episode 74

“Hahhh… Hah…” Yong Jin ran down the small path between the trees, darting between the bushes protruding from the walls and the plants on the ornate tombs. Despite his agile movements, however, the distance between him and his pursuer was not widening.

“Ah, hahhh.”

He remembered strolling through the garden when he was suddenly ambushed.

“Who are you?!”

However, his assailant didn’t answer and broke through his defenses too easily. Even after only a few moves, Yong Jin had wounds all over his body.

I’m no match for them!

He couldn’t understand why someone would be after him, a member of the Earth Demon’s Hidden Truth Corps.

Yong Jin had a bad feeling as he ran. If this goes on… His opponent wasn’t narrowing the gap, almost like a beast cornering its prey.

Shit. Getting help here is… He could dodge the daggers his pursuer was throwing all he wanted, but finding help would be a problem. It was his fault, really; he had no reason to be in the back garden on a class day. Even if he tried to go back, however, it was obvious that the enemy would kill him before he made it. Somehow, he had to lose them.

Damn it. This dense thicket makes my eyes water. The whole place was packed with buildings, too, because it was used for welcoming visitors.

Another dagger zipped by.

That was strong enough to kill me. But why? Why are they doing this? Yong Jin’s mind churned in an adrenaline-fueled rush.

Suddenly, something appeared behind him. Yong Jin saw his life flash before his eyes and almost screamed, but a familiar voice graced his ears.

“Shhh. It’s me, the captain.”

“Mmm…!”

Seol-Hwi was moved to the tallest building in the area. He could see Yong Jin and Heuk Bi headed straight for him.

He shook his head in worry. What do I do now? She isn’t going to be easy to take down. Seol-Hwi knew this—he’d fought her before. A straight-up fight wouldn’t work.

Even if he took her out with a surprise attack, he still had the Supreme Pavilion Lord to deal with.

I think luring her away would be better… That was the best he could do, under the circumstances; the question was, how? He looked around and saw a house with a half-opened door.

Damn it, here they come. Seol-Hwi tried to look around some more, but Yong Jin was getting close. He couldn’t delay any longer. He moved into the alley they were approaching and waited. The quicker he could spirit Yong Jin away, the better.

[A great opportunity! Found a weakness in Yong Jin. How would you like to respond?]

▶ Attack

▷ Use Martial Arts

▷ Use Toolbox

▷ Approach the Opponent

▶ Approach the Opponent

He had to act differently since he wasn’t doing a surprise attack.

<You have selected “Approach the Opponent.” Choose direction: North, South, East, West.>

<You have selected “South.” Proceeding.>

Seol-Hwi appeared behind Yong Jin and immediately sealed the blood points in the other man’s mouth, preventing him from making any noise.

“Mmm…?!”

“Shh. It’s me, the captain.”

Yong Jin gave him a shocked, confused look, but it quickly gave way to relief.

Good. Now we move. WIth Yong Jin secured, he had to avoid being detected by Heuk Bi. Seol-Hwi picked up the man and ran him over to the house with the half-open door he saw earlier.

Please… please… Seol-Hwi prayed furiously that he’d buy himself enough time to come up with a plan. He used all his internal energy and a bit of footwork to get them there faster.

“Phew.” He shut the door behind them and took a deep breath. He then released Yong Jin’s blood points, who coughed and clawed for breath.

“Captain, how did—”

Seol-Hwi raised his finger to his lips, cutting Yong Jin off.

“How did this happen?”

“No time. That one will find us soon.”

He was lucky to catch Yong Jin just as he was passing through the shadows, but he knew Heuk Bi was no normal opponent. She would be searching all the houses for them right now.

“Do you know who that is?”

“Heuk Bi. The Supreme Pavilion Lord’s secret guard.”

“The Supreme Pavilion Lord?”

“Yes.”

Seol-Hwi began taking off his mask and clothes.

“Captain, what are you doing…?”

“Let’s switch clothes. I’ll be the target.”

“Uh… Why don’t we just fight?”

“What if the Supreme Pavilion Lord comes in? We’ll die.”

“Ah! But why is he doing this?”

“I don’t know. Hurry up and strip.”

Seol-Hwi knew: the Supreme Pavilion Lord had approached Jeok Seong looking for Seol-hwi, and now he was chasing Yong Jin; he was obviously targeting Seol-Hwi. By bullying Seol-Hwi’s subordinates, they’d be able to get information without attracting the Earth Demon’s attention.

Perhaps they’re investigating the map.

“It’s all off.”

“Okay? Then wear this.”

Seol-Hwi put on Yong Jin’s clothes, and Yong Jin put on Seol-hwi’s.

“But will this work? You and I have different bodies and faces…”

“Don’t worry about that. I learned some skills a while ago.”

“Will you be safe?”

“Let’s hope I am.”

Seol-Hwi finished pulling on Yong Jin’s clothes and then used his martial arts. His body and face squirmed as it shrank and shrank; fortunately, he already had long hair like Yong Jin.

“Shocking.” Yong Jin admired the change, impressed by Seol-Hwi’s perfect rendition.

They were lucky Seol-Hwi had learned this skill during his mission. Seol-Hwi just didn’t think he’d be using it so soon.

“You look good too.” Seol-Hwi smiled at Yong Jin’s unusual outfit.

“I’m sorry, captain. This happened because I’m weak…”

“I’m your captain. Don’t say things like that.”

Seol-Hwi turned around; he didn’t have time for this. If he wanted to deceive Heuk Bi, he had to get out there and lure her.

<Won over Yong Jin’s heart. Yong Jin’s favorability has risen to max.>

<Vice-Captain’s Favorability>

1^st Member, Yong Jin: 100/100(↑20) [Trusting]

As expected!

[Favorability has risen to “Trusting.”]

[Except under special circumstances, favorability will not decrease.]

[You can now issue missions to Yong Jin.]

However, the next part was not expected.

<You can acquire the below information from Jeok Seong.>

▶ Why he came here.

▷ How to upgrade combat mode and simulation.

What is this? Upgrade? He couldn’t ignore it, regardless of the circumstances.

<You have selected “How to upgrade combat mode and simulation.”>

At first, Yong Jin didn’t answer; Seol-Hwi just got a pop-up.

<Upgrade SImulation Lv.2>

What is this?

Then, Yong Jin Spoke:

- Simulation Lv.2 makes more effective judgments.

- Use simulation, tell it what you want, and it will judge accordingly.

- On top of fighting the opponent, it can also flee or attack specific areas, according to the situation.

This again! He wasn’t certain what it was, but gave Seol-Hwi goosebumps. Adapting to the situation? Finding the optimal solution? Yong Jin was starting to look downright pretty.

“Then, bye.”

“Yes.” As with Jeok Seong, Yong Jin went rigid when he was done passing information to Seol-Hwi.

Seol-Hwi stepped outside.

Seol-Hwi climbed up onto the roof; by the time he was there, he could see that something was approaching him quickly.

She found me.

Seol-Hwi hurriedly fled.

She’s so fast! Heuk Bi’s footwork was incredible; it was no wonder Yong Jin suffered. Did Sama Gwi teach her that? The distance continued to close even though Seol-Hwi was running with all his might.

Seol-Hwi finally realized he had a new tool at his disposal.

Should I try it?

Combat Mode: <Simulation Lv.2>

<Analyzing Seol-Hwi’s martial arts.>

<Analyzing Seol-Hwi’s techniques.>

…

<Analysis complete.>

That much was familiar to him; what came next was different.

<Which simulation would you like to use?>

A question… but no options.

I don’t have to choose? I just say it?

Seol-Hwi thought about it.

“Tell me a way to escape from Heuk Bi.”

Hopefully that would work.

<Analyzing…>

Surprisingly, it started working.

<Found.>

▶ The monument is 1.3km away. Path is marked with a line.

A map, superimposed over a grid pattern, unfolded; on it was a road highlighted in red. It wasn’t in the residences, but it wasn’t far from this back garden, either. The simulation had found him somewhere shrouded in darkness.