SYM 49

Eun-hyeon was startled by the word Undead and looked around, but the fog covered the entire area, making it impossible to see anything.

“…Undead have appeared?”

“They’re not as impressive as their reputation suggests. Other than emitting a stench, they don’t seem to be capable of much.”

At Ha Yeo-un’s words, Eun-hyeon sniffed, but he didn’t detect any particular odor.

Since being trapped in the formation, Eun-hyeon had noticed that all his senses were becoming dulled. At first, he thought his senses were dulled because his body was tired. But now, after some time had passed, he was certain. Regardless of fatigue, all his senses had become dull.

Now, even when he touched his own skin, it felt stiff and strange, as if he were touching someone else’s.

Was this what it felt like to be anesthetized? But Eun-hyeon didn’t bother to tell Ha Yeo-un about his condition. He was already relying on Ha Yeo-un for everything, and he didn’t want to burden him further by mentioning this.

“It’s fortunate that the Undead weren’t impressive. It seems Great Hero Ha’s Martial Arts are truly advanced.”

“Indeed. I didn’t even realize my Martial Arts were this formidable. Isn’t it remarkable that the person on my back didn’t even wake up while I was dealing with dozens of Undead?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Ha Yeo-un was slightly taken aback by Eun-hyeon’s listless reply. He hadn’t expected this reaction; Eun-hyeon’s response was so different from what he had anticipated. Ha Yeo-un cautiously added, watching Eun-hyeon’s expression.

“It seems the Eldest Young Master is greatly fatigued due to the formation. And this fog doesn’t seem to be merely blurring our vision, so it would be best to escape this place quickly.”

Ha Yeo-un lightly waved his fan, and a great wind arose. The persistently pursuing fog parted, revealing a long, straight path ahead.

“If you don’t want to bump that tiny head of yours, hide well behind my back. It’s already small enough; what if it gets even smaller from bumping into something?”

Before Eun-hyeon could say anything, Ha Yeo-un heavily stomped one foot, performing a Stomping step.

In that instant, Ha Yeo-un’s foot pierced through the tree roots and soil, sinking deep inside. And at the same time, Ha Yeo-un’s figure shot forward like an arrow.

“…Ugh! Great Hero Ha!”

Eun-hyeon, afraid of biting his tongue if he spoke, quickly pressed his face against Ha Yeo-un’s back.

He had experienced Ha Yeo-un’s light body skill before, but today it was beyond comparison.

Since he was clinging to Ha Yeo-un’s back, he wasn’t exposed to much wind, so it wasn’t too difficult.

Ha Yeo-un used the straight trees as stepping stones, rising swiftly above them. And he began to run forward.

Unlike below, where the fog was thick, it was clear up above. The temperature was slightly cool, but it felt refreshing as he clung tightly to Ha Yeo-un.

“Haa… It’s much easier to breathe up here.”

“I was going to proceed safely, but I’ve changed my mind. We’ll break through the life gate and head straight to Godeok Temple.”

With those words, Ha Yeo-un increased his speed.

Eun-hyeon, dizzy from the constantly changing scenery, closed his eyes. Then, it felt so stable that it was hard to believe he was running through the air.

Just how outstanding was his Divinity Steps that he could carry someone and perform light body skill with so little shaking?

Eun-hyeon was once again amazed by Ha Yeo-un’s Martial Arts and hugged Ha Yeo-un’s shoulders tightly.

After passing through the foggy coniferous forest, a rocky mountain range appeared.

Looking at the towering rocky mountains, it was so absurd that he almost laughed. He had clearly seen it as a low hill behind the mountain, but this was almost like being in the middle of the Tian Shan Mountains.

“…Formation techniques are truly terrifying.”

“If they’re so terrifying, how about learning about formation techniques from the Eldest Young Master’s uncle later? When it comes to formation techniques, there’s no place that surpasses the Jegal Clan.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“And no matter how strong a formation technique is, it’s nothing once it’s broken.”

“…It’s reassuring to have Great Hero Ha with me.”

After exchanging light conversation with Eun-hyeon, Ha Yeo-un suddenly stopped.

“It seems we have visitors coming to find us, so let’s wait a moment and deal with them before we go.”

“Pardon?”

As Eun-hyeon asked, not understanding, something burst out of the bushes.

A dark face with an unreadable expression and an somehow awkward aura.

It was an Undead.

Eun-hyeon involuntarily gasped at the eerie appearance of the Undead, which he was seeing for the first time.

“It seems a bit better than that trash from before. Rest for a moment, Eldest Young Master.”

“Yes?”

Ha Yeo-un released the robe he had been using to carry Eun-hyeon and set Eun-hyeon down.

[Yoon Ju-myeong.]

[I apologize for being late.]

Ha Yeo-un called Yoon Ju-myeong with telepathy. The reason Ha Yeo-un had put down Eun-hyeon, whom he had been carrying, upon seeing the Undead was because he had sensed the presence of the Dark Soul Pill.

After roughly scanning their energy, it didn’t seem like anyone was seriously injured.

[Have you found the missing Dark Shadow?]

[I apologize. We have not found him.]

[I will deal with these Undead. You protect the Eldest Young Master. If it is unavoidable, you may reveal yourselves. Above all, prioritize the Eldest Young Master’s safety.]

[Understood.]

At Yoon Ju-myeong’s reply, Ha Yeo-un’s figure shot towards the Undead.

He knew from the first glance that this Undead was different from the trash from before.

Ha Yeo-un swung his folding fan wide.

Clang!

A dull sound, like metal clashing against metal, echoed loudly. Ha Yeo-un’s expression slightly hardened, and Eun-hyeon was also startled.

“Iron Corpse Fiend! Great Hero Ha, it seems to be an Iron Corpse Fiend!”

“It seems so.”

Ha Yeo-un folded his fan and drew his sword. He could have dealt with it using the fan if he had to, but there was no reason to use the folding fan when he had a sword. Now that he had reunited with all the Dark Shadows, he intended to deal with this quickly and leave this place.

A faint energy lingered on Ha Yeo-un’s sword. It felt as if cold air was lingering on a sword made of ice.

“…Sword energy?”

The moment Eun-hyeon muttered that, Ha Yeo-un’s sword moved horizontally.

It was a simple-looking movement that was neither too fast nor too slow. But at that moment, the air vibrated heavily with a hum.

The Undead, which had been about to rush towards Ha Yeo-un, paused and dodged.

“Huh? It dodged?”

The corners of Ha Yeo-un’s lips turned up. He hadn’t swung it with much effort, but it wasn’t a strike that such an Undead could dodge.

“Great Hero Ha! That Undead seems to be learning Martial Arts…!”

At Eun-hyeon’s shout, the Undead stretched out both hands. Sharp blades protruded from the Undead’s hands. Ha Yeo-un lightly stepped back and dodged.

Eun-hyeon’s face turned pale. He hadn’t thought that the Heavenly Demon Ha Yeo-un could be in danger, but seeing the danger with his own eyes made his heart burn.

“B, be careful…!”

No sooner had Eun-hyeon finished speaking than the bushes rustled, and one by one, Undead appeared. There were more than ten just within sight.

“Tch. It doesn’t matter if there are dozens or hundreds of these things. Shall I loosen up a bit?”

Ha Yeo-un’s sword drew a graceful curve, cutting through the air. It was like an elegant dance.

Each time Ha Yeo-un’s sword moved, the Undead’s arms or legs flew into the air. But it took Ha Yeo-un considerably longer than he had expected to deal with all the Undead. The Undead rushed in without regard for missing an arm or a leg, so he had to completely immobilize them.

It was after he had dealt with all the Undead.

The bushes rustled, and new Undead appeared. This time, they were all Undead holding swords.

“They’re all Undead made from the corpses of Martial Artists.”

Seeing that, Ha Yeo-un’s eyes sank heavily.