"Look at that sight."
Brrr.
Gwak Sa trembled. Jung Il-ryong spoke without even glancing at him.
"Isn't it truly ironic? The sight of beasts that don't even resemble humans submitting to real beasts."
"Ugh."
"This martial world is filled with illusions. The chivalrous hero who couldn't stand injustice and drew his sword to save a family, the romance of exchanging drinks on a sailboat due to the friendship from a duel without grudges... Every warrior who enters the martial world harbors such illusions."
"......"
"But the martial world is just one side of the world. Though I don't like it, it operates according to the principle of survival of the fittest that those demonic cultists shout about. In the end, isn't it the rule of beasts to eat and be eaten?"
Jung Il-ryong's smile, reminiscent of an immortal, was filled with deep and profound darkness, just like his noble appearance.
"Humans are ultimately beasts too. Whether you kill by biting or deceiving, once you kill and kill again to claim the top spot, that's all that matters."
Jung Il-ryong turned his head to Gwak Sa. Gwak Sa involuntarily closed his eyes tightly. The clear gaze of Jung Il-ryong looking at him was terrifying.
"In a world of beasts, morality and norms are worthless. Struggling endlessly to climb to the highest place is the reason we were born into this world, isn't it?"
Jung Il-ryong turned his head again. In his eyes, he saw Ju-hwa being grabbed by the hair by Yul-rang.
"And those who sit at the top can strip all rights from those who dwell below."
He grinned. The noble smile he had shown until now was twisted beyond recognition. It was puzzling how such an expression could come from such a refined appearance.
"Today is truly a delightful day in many ways."
Behind the pure white smile, a desire more vicious than the demons the world calls evil was boiling. The defeated one, who had retreated before a stronger power despite desiring the ultimate throne, still couldn't give up on the dream.
Higher, stronger, more superior.
Behind his back, without looking down, only gazing at the sky, a red lightning bolt filled with explosive killing intent flashed.
Yeon-i shouted.
"Everyone stop! Stand by!"
Grrr.
Even the demons and wolves stopped their attacks. While it was expected for the demons, it was surprising that the wolves' offensive halted. Yul-rang had stopped the Blood Wolf Brigade.
Yul-rang looked around. A slight crack appeared on his previously expressionless face.
"Eight of them fell to these worm-like creatures... Indeed, it's lacking."
Squeak.
The wolves each retreated, lowering their heads. They seemed frightened.
Yul-rang looked down at Ju-hwa. Except for one swollen cheek, her expression remained unchanged. However, the shock and anger in her trembling eyes reflected her feelings.
Yul-rang's eyes sank deeply.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
Ju-hwa's waist bent backward. She was struck in the abdomen once more with a knee.
"That's not a fitting expression for a loser."
Yeon-i gritted her teeth.
"You scoundrel! Can't you let her go right now?"
Yul-rang turned his gaze to Yeon-i. In that moment, Yeon-i felt her legs go weak.
'What kind of gaze is this...?'
It wasn't a human gaze. But it wasn't a beast's gaze either.
It was similar to the fear of the demonic eyes she had felt from high-ranking officials in internal conflicts. That gaze, which seemed like an unknown fear that shouldn't exist in this world, was similar.
Wooong.
Demonic energy rose from Yeon-i's body. It was like another beast raising its fur when facing a threatening predator.
Yul-rang smiled. He slowly raised his arm and pointed at Yeon-i.
"Die."
"What?"
At that moment, Ma Dong-pil, who had regained his senses, shouted.
"Dodge...!"
Crunch!
A massive wolf leaped in an instant and bit Yeon-i's neck and upper body whole.
Crunch! Crunch!
The merciless jaws crushed bones. The light vanished from Yeon-i's eyes.
Yul-rang spoke coldly.
"You killed it, so it's yours. Finish it cleanly."
Crunch!
In front of everyone, a person was devoured whole. The faces of the demons turned pale. Although Ju-hwa held the highest status, Yeon-i was practically the leader who had been guiding them.
The sight of such a leader being devoured by a wolf the size of a calf was shocking.
Ma Dong-pil's eyes shook.
'This can't be.'
Yeon-i was a master. Although she was below himself or Ju-hwa, she was a demon worthy of being called a pinnacle master.
She could have dodged. Why didn't she notice the wolf attacking?
At that moment, Yul-rang turned his head towards Ma Dong-pil.
"Your performance was impressive. I don't know how many Blood Wolves died at your hands."
"......!"
"Wolves can be raised again, but my personality isn't good enough to ignore the effort put in."
Flinch!
Ma Dong-pil felt his entire body stiffen. As soon as he met Yul-rang's chilling eyes, his nerves went wild. His heartbeat intensified, and his hands and feet grew cold.
'Those eyes!'
Yul-rang was an extraordinary master. But his body wasn't reacting to his aura. The gaze, that bizarre gaze, was binding the opponent's body with invisible chains.
Yul-rang raised his hand once more. His thick, long fingers pointed at Ma Dong-pil.
"You too, die."
Bang!
Ma Dong-pil charged. Not towards anywhere else, but directly at Yul-rang. His intention was to kill the leader of this group before the attack came.
A faint admiration appeared on Yul-rang's face.
"Impressive."
Bang!
"Ugh!"
Ma Dong-pil was flung backward. It wasn't Yul-rang who struck him. He was hit by the tail of the Blood Wolf Brigade leader, who had approached unnoticed.
The body of the Blood Wolf boasted the strength of steel. Being hit by the tail of the strongest Blood Wolf Brigade leader was no different from being struck by a metal club.
Gush!
A large amount of blood poured from his nose and mouth. His trembling body proved the severity of his internal injuries.
'Dangerous.'
The internal bleeding was severe. The little remaining energy was running wild, and the tangled muscles and broken ribs sent excruciating pain.
He was unable to fight. If he moved recklessly, he would surely die without even being able to attack.
"S-Squad Leader."
A groaning voice escaped Ju-hwa's lips. Yul-rang looked around and shouted.
"Prey is scattered everywhere. Fill your bellies..."
"Run away!"
Ju-hwa shouted again, spitting blood.
"Everyone, run away! Quickly report this situation to the branch..."
Thud!
Ju-hwa's words were abruptly cut off. Her complexion turned pale, almost blue, after being struck in the abdomen three times in a row.
Even if he was being moderate, Yul-rang was a man with a body dangerous enough to kill a first-rate master with just his external strength.
It was remarkable that she had endured until now.
Ma Dong-pil shouted in a hoarse voice.
"H-Hurry, escape...!"
The members of Squad Three gritted their teeth. The squad leader's command was absolute. As soon as Ma Dong-pil's words fell, they immediately tried to escape.
But it was impossible. Not because they were concerned about Ma Dong-pil, but because they couldn't actually escape.
Sssrrrk.
Blood Wolves surrounded them from all sides.
Not only that, but among the Blood Wolves, beasts that appeared from nowhere began to reveal themselves one by one.
Dozens of wolves scattered around the nearby hills, as well as two tigers and wild dogs, gathered.
The beasts that appeared didn't even growl. They all drooled with red eyes, staring blankly at the group as if hypnotized.
They had the appearance of beasts, but they didn't seem like beasts. The newly appeared beasts were even more terrifying than the Blood Wolf Brigade.
"Eek!"
One demon gritted his teeth and charged. He aimed between the Blood Wolves, towards the ordinary wolves.
"Get out of the way, you things!"
Thud!
Two wolves were crushed by the demon's sword. However.
Chomp!
Wolves recklessly pounced and bit the demon's limbs.
"Aaah!"
He spun his body to shake them off, but surprisingly, the wolves clung to him until the end. It wasn't the strength of ordinary wolves.
Whoosh.
A Blood Wolf that appeared behind the demon bit his head.
Crunch!
It was a futile death.
Yul-rang smiled.
"Being bitten to death alive is better than dying like that."
They couldn't even resist. In a situation where it was difficult to move a single finger, the fear among the group reached its peak.
Thud.
Yul-rang released his grip, and Ju-hwa fell to the ground.
Yul-rang, looking down at her, slightly raised the corners of his mouth. The skin exposed through her torn clothes, like a blooming flower, stimulated the beast's instincts.
"If there was time, I would have violated you until dawn before killing you."
Brrr.
Ju-hwa looked up at Yul-rang with fierce eyes.
Yul-rang looked around and shouted.
"It's mealtime!"
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The beasts that roared fiercely pounced all at once.
Ma Dong-pil and Ju-hwa closed their eyes tightly.
Jung Il-ryong stroked his beard.
"Hmm, this is unexpected. I thought he would humiliate them in front of everyone."
The victor has the right to claim everything from the loser. Although they were going to be killed anyway, he thought they would at least enjoy some amusement.
Jung Il-ryong, looking at Ju-hwa, clicked his tongue.
"Well, he wouldn't want to embrace a stinking demonic woman."
He stood up.
"It seems to be over, so let's prepare to move... Hmm?"
Jung Il-ryong frowned.
He looked down at the back of his hand.
'......?'
The hair on the back of his hand stood on end.
Not only that, but his spine felt cold, and goosebumps covered his neck. Meanwhile, blood rushed to his face, making it hot.
An unusual premonition. Before he could realize it with his mind, his body reacted first.
'This feeling is...'
Srrk!
Startled, Jung Il-ryong turned around.
His eyes widened.
Crackle!
An overwhelming aura emanated from afar. The light that flashed repeatedly was distorted with killing intent and anger.
Clang!
Jung Il-ryong unconsciously drew his sword. He didn't know the opponent or their skill, but it seemed like he had to.
'The direction of the killing intent...'
Jung Il-ryong's face hardened.
'It's me?!'
Whoosh!
The red lightning bolt that had been shooting straight suddenly changed direction.
The lightning bolt soared high into the sky.
It seemed like it was about to attack immediately, but it changed direction. Yet, the killing intent was still directed at him.
Jung Il-ryong's gaze followed the lightning bolt upward. And then back down.
'......!!'
Something far more red and fierce than the blood-red wolves descended to the ground.
Boom!
Everyone, including Yul-rang, Ma Dong-pil, and Ju-hwa, was startled.
Dust rose thickly from the shattered ground. And beyond that dust, a red light flickered repeatedly.
Grrr.
The wolves that had been charging stopped in their tracks and lowered their heads. The wolves, baring their teeth, showed signs of caution in their eyes.
The dust slowly settled.
And there, a young man carrying a massive sword appeared.
The young man, Seo-ryang, growled more fiercely than the Blood Wolves.
"I came to smash one guy, but there's a heap of trash to clean up."