Solo Max-Level Newbie
chapter-219

Chapter 219: Blood Sword (血劍), White Snake (白蛇) (1)

Keeping a constant distance, the shadows followed behind them. There had been several instances of being tailed before, but none as skilled as these.

‘They’re probably waiting to reveal themselves once we’ve gone deeper into the forest.’

An intent to follow was rarely a good sign. So, regardless of who the adversaries were, Jinhyuk’s plan was simple—subdue and interrogate.

He gave a subtle cue to Elise.

“You take the three on the left. Tibon, handle the one in the trees.”

As for the remaining three on right and the others yet to be identified…

“I’ll deal with them.”

This time, they decided to strike before the enemy could make the first move, confident that their pursuers would be convinced of their own stealth.

His breathing slowed in rhythm with his heartbeat.

In the air, a tiny fissure appeared, followed by the appearance of a fang glowing blue from his spatial inventory, and a pair of dragon swords.

Elise and Tibon also drew their weapons.

“Now!”

At Jinhyuk’s signal:

Whoosh!

Swish!

Thump!

They sprang into action in different directions.

***

The Blood Sword, White Snake.

Leader of the Shadow Corps, which is known as the shadow of the Dark King and one of the highest-ranking assassination groups within the Heavenly Demon Cult.

When the Dark King had first taken an interest in a player, White Snake had scoffed.

What was so impressive about a player who had barely stepped foot in the tower?

Relative to their rigorous training, slicing through flesh and chiseling bone, these newcomers were nothing more than insignificant dust.

‘I should quickly finish this and loosen up with a few of the Empire Swordmasters.’

The urge for action after a long seclusion period was intense.

The Empire’s knights, who possessed commendable skills, were just the opponents the Shadow Corps needed to satiate their cravings.

Leisurely following their mark, White Snake anticipated an imminent opening to strike decisively.

But then…

“…Gasp!”

The target unexpectedly turned towards them, moving at an alarming pace.

They knew precisely where the pursuers were.

“Ck!”

“Counterattack!”

Instinctively, White Snake commanded his men.

Clash! Bang!

With a flash of bright flames, the shadows in the trees landed on the ground.

However, none seemed seriously wounded despite the attempted surprise attack.

Indeed, such was the mark of true masters.

‘Not bad at all,’ Jinhyuk mused, gripping his fang lightly.

Though he had hoped to incapacitate at least two before starting, it seemed the battle wouldn’t be easy, especially when Elise, too, failed to make a notable impact.

Whoever these assailants were, they undoubtedly hailed from one of the pinnacle martial arts factions.

Naturally, the Shadow Corps were just as stunned by the unfolding events.

“Are you saying… they noticed us tailing them?”

With disbelief, White Snake muttered.

“All that sinister energy and you think they wouldn’t notice?”

“…Remarkable. The Imperial fools just watched helplessly as we roamed their capital.”

“That’s because you only contended with dim-witted knights and guards. Though you can hide your energy decently, it’s not enough to roam the Palace freely. Especially not the rest of you, aside from you.”

“Ha! As if you’re suggesting that you’re above the knights.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Jinhyuk shrugged nonchalantly.

Excluding Abraham and a few others, there was hardly anyone in the entire Empire who was a match for him, thanks to his optimized growth path.

“…Madness.”

“Master. What’s this fellow saying?”

“How could he possibly think he’s better than knights who have been wielding swords since childhood?”

Even to the incredulous ears of the Shadow Corps, these remarks seemed preposterous.

Detecting the tail had been impressive, but perhaps it was just an acute sensory perception. Players had unique abilities and various skills, after all. It was possible he might have some remarkable abilities putting him slightly above others. That was everyone’s shared notion.

But to claim to be better than the knights of the Empire, especially those forming the core of its strength, was nothing short of ridiculous.

“We came all this way because of some blathering fool.”

“There’s no need for Master to intervene. We’ll dispose of him tidily on our own.”

“Let’s see if this player who has only grappled with mediocrity can handle the bitter taste of reality.”

Yet amidst the sneers, White Snake remained stoic.

“….”

With a frosty gaze, he faced Jinhyuk head on.

“Indeed, I now understand why he took an interest… This is the reason.”

White Snake’s mouth curved upwards, and simultaneously, he gestured towards the ranks of the Shadow Corps.

“Tragically, you are beyond their level.”

“Master? What do you mean…”

“We surely can’t be foiled by this young whelp, can we?”

There was an expected uproar, as even those accustomed to numerous missions had never seen White Snake behave this way before.

With determined sincerity, he affirmed:

“Focus on the little girl and skull-faced one. I’ll handle him myself.”

Swoosh!

White Snake drew his sword from his waist—its blade shaped like a saw and tinged red.

And in the moment he glimpsed the characters engraved with ‘Dark’ on the sword:

“The Dark King…”

Jinhyuk realized the origin of these men.

“So, that’s what it was.”

He murmured, as if everything finally made sense.

He had deemed them extraordinary based on their skills, but had not expected them to be sent by that faction, especially at a time when the Heavenly Demon Cult, just out of seclusion, was preparing to make a move.

‘Figures it’s that old man again.’

A slight grin crept across Jinhyuk’s face as he reminisced about meeting numerous formidable opponents in the Tower of Trials. Among them, the Dark King was one of the few with whom Jinhyuk had shared open conversations and learned a lot in multiple aspects.

However, White Snake misinterpreted his smile.

“You’re laughing?”

“Ah, sorry. A past acquaintance crossed my mind.”

“You seem oblivious to the severity of the situation. By using his name to gain favor, you’ve defiantly challenged us.”

Fzzt! Fzzt!

A surge of red energy fizzed around White Snake’s sword tip.

Considering that colored aura was a hallmark of a strong warrior…

White Snake was certainly not someone to underestimate.

‘Of all the martial artists I’ve faced, he might be the strongest.’

But then again, wielding ‘color’ wasn’t exclusive to his side alone.

Jinhyuk gripped both the ‘Fang’ and ‘Pair of Dragon Swords’ in his hands.

[The unique ability ‘Sword Grave’ is activated!]

Rumble! Rumble!

From the depths of different blades, black energy began to emerge.

If the opponent’s martial arts stemmed from the Dark King, then the Sword Grave traced its origins to the soul of the Sword Demon—a legendary figure of extreme talent and malevolence.

The endless black began to engulf the entire forest.

“Insanity…!”

“What is this energy?!”

“How can a player wield such power…?”

The Shadow Corps’ operatives targeting Elise and Tibon came to an abrupt halt, paralyzed by the pressure.

It was suffocating, a vicious aura that made their skin prickle.

“Ha! Just perfect. Get involved at your own peril. I won’t be responsible if you get caught in the crossfire, so deal with the rest from a safe distance.”

White Snake burst into raucous laughter before…

Boom!

…vanishing from sight.

In the blink of an eye, the distance closed. The now crimson-streaked blade slashed diagonally.

Cling!

…It was light.

More of a diversion than a real attempt to ensnare the opponent. In that case…

‘Behind!’

With reflexive speed, Jinhyuk guarded the back of his head with his sword.

Crash!

He felt a significant impact, which sent his body flying backward.

“Your response time is quick, and your energy formidable. Outstanding.”

White Snake acknowledged with a nod of appreciation, even as Jinhyuk slightly curled his lip mockingly.

“I’m disappointed. How to put it… the leader of Shadow Corps is less thrilling than anticipated. I was expecting a spicy hot pot but got stale sweet and sour pork instead. Is that fitting for the Dark King’s shadow?”

“What did you just…?”

“Don’t take it too hard. Watch and learn, I’ll show you how to spice things up.”

Jinhyuk smoothly rotated the swords in his hands.

Whirr! Whirr!

Following the arc of his blades, a black crescent moon appeared.

[Black Night Moon is manifested!]

The ominous crescent seemed to consume even a pinch of light.

“This is the real flavor.”

The mass of malevolent energy headed straight for White Snake.

“Hmm!”

Sensing the imminent threat, White Snake’s eyes darkened.

With bulging temples, he faced down the Black Night Moon head-on.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The resulting collision sent reverberations through heaven and earth, while the ground cracked open like a turtle’s shell.

A stroke powerful enough to be a natural disaster.

“Get back!”

“We’ll all die if we’re caught in that!”

“Farther away… We need to be much farther!”

Nearby Shadow Corps members screamed, fleeing the epicenter of the clash.

This situation was far more dangerous than expected.

Rumble! Rumble!

Dust clouds shot up from the ground, and visibility blurred.

At that moment…

Plunk.

A white palm lightly touched down on White Snake’s sword.

“You claimed I was impersonating the Dark King’s favored pupil?”

Then.

“What’s your explanation for this?”

“Could it be…?”

In a fleeting instant, Jinhyuk caught the quiver in White Snake’s pupils.

How could he not recognize…

The Dark Celestial Demon Emperor’s unique martial arts, the Black Heaven Demon Emperor Technique.

“This is impossible…”

White Snake’s disbelief quickly morphed into utter shock.

***

‘It’s over.’

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The shockwave that pierced through the sword engulfed White Snake entirely.

Or at least, that’s what Jinhyuk thought.

As the tempest of energy began to settle, a red aura filled its place instead.

“…!”

Something was off.

By the time he sensed it, it was too late.

Thud!

A searing pain shot through his brain.

From an impossible direction. Something swiftly grazed Jinhyuk’s right arm and left thigh.