Slosh. Slosh.
The sound of boots squelching in damp mud echoed as the group left the swamps behind. The terrain began to rise, the trees thinned, and soon mossy hills rolled into view, their surfaces dotted with scattered ruins from a forgotten era. Bits of shattered columns and broken statues lay buried beneath the creeping vines.
Sun-Ho adjusted his outer cloak and turned to Yeon, who was perched on a boulder nearby. "You didn't flinch during that last serpent ambush."
Yeon gave a small nod.
"Good," Sun-Ho added. "Next time, I want you to try restraining one without hurting it. Controlling force is harder than using it."
Kwak.
Yeon cracked his knuckles in response.
Yul-Rin smirked. "He's picking up your bad habits."
"Hopefully not all of them," So-Ri said, casting Sun-Ho a side glance.
They crested a hill. In the distance, the remains of a vast monastery came into view. Tall, cracked pillars stood like skeletal sentinels around a circular plaza.
Master Jang stopped and sniffed the air. "We aren't alone."
Ji-Mun unsheathed his blade with a practiced flick.
Shing.
Ma-Rok raised his shield instinctively, taking the front position.
Sun-Ho narrowed his gaze. "Spread out. Don't engage unless necessary."
From the shadows of the broken monastery, a group emerged. Five figures in dark robes with matching serpent insignias — clearly affiliated with the Hydra Sect, but not disciples. Mercenaries, perhaps.
One of them stepped forward. A tall, wiry man with long hair tied into a topknot and a cruel smile. "You must be the little travelers making all that noise in our swamp."
Sun-Ho stepped forward, hood down, expression calm. "We were merely passing through."
"You passed through our territory and torched half a grove of guardian serpents. That's worth compensation."
Ji-Mun muttered, "Should've let them bite me instead."
Sun-Ho's voice turned sharp. "We did what we had to. Step aside."
The leader sneered. "Or what? Your masked hero going to come save you?"
Wheeee...
A gust of wind swirled around the ruins as the tension escalated.
Master Jang scratched his beard. "I've got a better idea."
He stepped forward with a booming voice. "You want a fight? Choose your best. We settle it with a duel."
The mercenaries conferred. The leader snorted. "Fine. Raka will deal with you."
From their ranks stepped a massive, bald man wielding dual maces. His presence alone caused the ground to seem heavier. Inner Core Realm... near peak.
Sun-Ho's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward instead.
Jang Cheol-Oh held up a hand. "Let the boy handle it."
The mercenaries laughed.
Raka cracked his neck. Kwak.
"This runt? I won't even need both maces."
Sun-Ho smiled faintly. "You really won't."
BOOM!
The fight began.
Raka charged like a wild boar, bringing down his mace with a roar.
CRASH!
The ground trembled as the stone shattered beneath his blow.
But Sun-Ho had already moved.
Whoosh.
He danced to the side, brushing past the giant and landing a light palm on Raka's shoulder.
Pop!
Raka's arm twisted unnaturally. He stumbled, confused.
Before he could recover, Sun-Ho stepped in.
Whump!
A leg sweep, a quick elbow, and a soft flame pulsed from his fingers to disorient.
Raka roared, trying to swing wildly.
Sun-Ho ducked, slid under, and struck.
CRACK!
A direct hit to the pressure point at the back of the knee.
The giant dropped.
Silence.
Sun-Ho stood, breathing calmly, not a speck of dust on his robe.
The mercenaries stepped back.
Master Jang nodded. "Still too flashy. But better."
So-Ri folded her arms, eyes twinkling. "You promised you'd stay subtle."
He grinned. "I did. They just weren't paying attention."
The mercenaries retreated, dragging the unconscious Raka with them. Not another word was said.
---
That evening, around the fire, Ji-Mun broke the silence. "Can we not make that a daily habit?"
Yul-Rin laughed. "You say that, but you always watch wide-eyed."
"That's appreciation, not volunteering."
Sun-Ho turned serious. "We're not far from the Eastern Peaks. We may encounter worse than Hydra mercs. Be ready."
Ma-Rok stared into the flames. "We should forge ties before we get there. Any loyal factions nearby?"
Master Jang nodded slowly. "I heard rumors of the Mistwind Outpost. Hidden group. Kept clean despite Murim rot. They don't know who to trust. Maybe we can change that."
So-Ri leaned toward Sun-Ho. "You planning to introduce them to the Sovereign?"
He smiled slowly. "Only if they prove worthy."
Crack!
The firewood split and flared.
In the distance, the stars shifted over the land, as if Murim itself was watching.
---
End of Chapter 37