The Protagonists Are Murdered by Me
chapter-169-30041322

Jinbeop was the act of engraving a specific object or mark in a specific place, or a specific number of people who were gathering at a specific location performing a specific motion to cause ‘a certain mysterious natural phenomenon’.

Of course, Jinbeop wasn’t perfect. There were a number of countermeasures one could employ to fight its effect, such as changing the arrangement of stones on the floor, walking along a specific path, or closing their eyes or ears. However, the countermeasures were different depending on the Jinbeop itself, and the more advanced the Jinbeop is, the more difficult it was to deal with.

The creation of natural phenomena using the arrangement of objects and people like that was very similar to the beginning of the science called ‘magic’. Primitive magic was mostly activated by combining body parts of certain creatures or plants just like Jinbeop while modern magic was activated by formulating the arrangement of mana and using the laws of nature.

Of course, Jinbeop and magic couldn’t be said to be the exact same technique. Because in the end, Jinbeop was something derived from martial arts while magic was derived from mysticism.

However, thinking that the two were similar, Yoo Seodam had asked Seol Jungyeon about Jinbeop as well as various techniques that ‘Cheonma Sect’ could use while staying at Cheonma Palace and studied how to deal with them.

As a result, he had constructed a ‘Physical Manipulating Barrier’ magic circle on the peak of the mountain by squeezing out all his mana every day for two weeks without a break. The function of the barrier itself was self-explanatory; it allows its caster to manipulate the ‘law of reality’ at will.

Even in [Library of The White Witch], the magic circle was ranked as C rank magic, and it was the most difficult barrier magic amongst all. Considering the fact that even a D-rank library couldn’t be properly accessed by him, Yoo Seodam was once again reminded of the prowess of the Flowerpot.

– Hey Witch~

“You’ve worked hard. After this job is over, I will give you enough soju until you’re sick of it.”

– Okay~ Hehe~

Glittering beam of light exploded from above his shoulder, and a spirit slightly larger than the palm of his hand flew up. The current Flowerpot was able to escape from its petals a little. As she began to circle around Seodam, he also drew out his sword.

“What the hell did you do?”

“Why? Is this the first time you’ve been exposed to a Jinbeop?”

Baek So-hwi’s expression hardened. Her ferocious cat face became even scarier than usual. As a Hwakyung Expert, her level alone was 200, so her level was much higher than Yoo Seodam. Nevertheless, the moment she entered the barrier, which was also called the ‘Wizard’s Space’, it became certain that she couldn’t kill Yoo Seodam.

However, Baek So-hwi was unaware of the fact, and was not afraid of the Jinbeop used by a High-Peak Rank Expert. She just felt the fight would be slightly troublesome.

Slowly, Baek So-hwi took a step forward.

Woo-Woo-Woong!!

As if an escalator had been installed, the distance between her and Yoo Seodam instantly widened by 10m.

‘What is this…!’ Baek So-hwi grimaced. It was the first time she saw such a trick in her life. Was it a Jinbeop that manipulates the space itself?

Of course, the truth is Yoo Seodam could only cloud her senses by moving the ground little by little, but the magic barrier designed for two weeks was powerful enough to even make an Expert fall into a state of confusion.

“Stay calm! Spread out and execute Heavenly Demon Extermination Technique!”

One of the other basic techniques they practiced was a technique that completely steals opportunity and rhythm from the opponent by attacking at the right timing with the 17 Experts skillfully positioning themselves and attacking at the right time.

And at that time, Yoo Seodam finally began to move. He took off his white uniform underneath which he wore an armor like a medieval European knight, and drew a Western-style sword.

Eventually, with a beeping sound, a dark red magic circle was created underneath Yoo Seodam’s feet. It shot out a bunch of sharp rocks in all directions.

“Just what–!!”

It was a technique and magic that Baek So-hwi and the Gwisaldae, who had seen a lot of things, had never seen before. Even the swordsmanship used by the Sect Lord was not as aggressive and bizarre as the phenomenon before their eyes.

The attack which Gwisaldae had thrown towards Yoo Seodam hit a different spot from what they intended it to after seemingly hitting Yoo Seodam’s neck. Even when they stabbed their sword towards Yoo Seodam, they couldn’t reach him because the distance between them suddenly widened again. On the other hand, Yoo Seodam was able to deal some blows towards the group while parrying several of their attacks.

But while clashing with them, Yoo Seodam realized.

‘If I fight them with my swordsmanship alone, it’s going to be a disaster…’

Although the swordsmanship of the Gwisaldae was only at the level of Peak-Rank Expert, their pure technique itself was comparable to or superior to Yoo Seodam’s swordsmanship. Their swordsmanship was so sharp to the point if he made a mistake, his neck would instantly fly. So, he decided to passively use the sword while actively employing magic.

Thanks to Flowerpot, who had become stronger than before, Yoo Seodam was able to fight like a proper magician.

Boom!

Lightning struck from the clear sky and split the ground into two, entangling the feet of several Gwisaldae’s member. After that, a pure white blizzard blew out of nowhere.

“Ugh…”

“I can’t even get close…!”

Of course. Aside from the barrier, Yoo Seodam had also installed dozens of pre-installed magic around the peak. In the realm created by magicians, the power they could exert was higher than usual, so Yoo Seodam could comfortably withstand the assault of 18 Murim Experts.

But even when the Experts didn’t know about magic, Yoo Seodam’s chances of winning were questionable at best. Even though he had designed dozens of magic spells, and even installed a C rank barrier, the Gwisaldae were undoubtedly powerful. He couldn’t deal a decisive blow at them, and if more than three people approached him, Yoo Seodam had no choice but to retreat.

However, from the point of view of the Gwisaldae, they were no longer thinking whether Yoo Seodam was strong or not; only a burning fire of rage was left in their mind.

They had pride as a group who were able to defeat even a dragon when seventeen of them gathered together, but currently their strength of numbers was incapacitated in this space, and because of the mysterious magic that only one person used, they could not even attack properly.

Also, the man was quick to run away like a coward even when they were slightly close to him, it made it very difficult for even the strongest five Experts in their group to catch up with him.

“Ha! Even though you are born as a man, you keep running away, it’s unsightly!”

“You guys are the unsightly one because even with 18 of you, you can’t even beat me alone.”

“….”

Moreover, even if they threw a taunt to him, he counterattacked as if his tongue were coated in oil, making their anger rise even more.

So, Baek So-hwi, who finally snapped, exploded the Jinshin Inner Energy in her body.

Koo-!!

In an instant, the flow of air subsided. The energy of the barrier was partially being offset, and at the same time, all Gwisaldae members were struck by vertigo. Up until now, she had been hiding her energy as a consideration for her allies, but she thought there was no need for that anymore.

‘I’ll catch that guy myself!’

From her body, a ferocious red magic energy, which could be called as the trademark of Cheonma, erupted. In Seol Jungyeon’s case, the red energy was controlled tightly, and finally, it was sublimated into a beautiful pink color, but Baek So-hwi treated the energy in a wilder way, making it even redder!

It seemed as if a wind of blood were blowing all over the world, because even the sky was dyed red by it.

“How dare you enrage the Cheonma Sect!”

With every step she took, several installed magic on the surroundings disintegrated. Magic which was thrown towards her by Yoo Seodam was shattered by a simple gesture, and the magic that he had prepared for a little while was also split in half when she swung her sword. Afterall, since martial arts also use mana (essence) in the air, the stronger one would cancel the weaker one.

Yoo Seodam broke out in a cold sweat.

‘At this rate, I think I will be caught.’ Yoo Seodam was severely affected by the aura emanated by Baek So-hwi even inside the barrier he designed for himself. Because in the end, he was still only a level 150, and the power gap between him and a level 200 or Hwakyung Expert was as vast as sea. It was still possible for him to hold the barrier for now, but it wouldn’t be so for long.

But, it doesn’t matter. Because Yoo Seodam’s purpose was to stand his ground even when Baek So-hwi was attacking.

“What are you doing?”

Baek So-hwi raised her eyebrows and asked Yoo Seodam who released his battle stance and lowered his sword. But without answering, he just looked somewhere.

Baek So-hwi then realized something and gathered her aura. She slowly turned her head towards the edge of the cliff.

There, Seol Jungyeon was looking at her with a complicated expression on her face. Her pure white sword was also drawn.

“Master…”

“What happened here? Explain, Baek So-hwi.”

Seol Jungyeon’s hair started to flutter. However, unlike Baek So-hwi, who was covered in red aura, there was no aura surrounding Seol Jungyeon. Having reached the realm of Hyunkyung, her aura was simply colourless and formless.

After several moments passed, Baek So-hwi finally opened her mouth.

“Master is now being contaminated by that man. This is all for you, Master. You may not understand right now, but in the future, you will be grateful to me-“

“Shut your mouth.”

Seol Jungyeon said without hearing her rambling to the end. And finally, her unique pale pink aura bloomed all over her. The white lotus, which was all white, slowly turned pink, and finally filled the red sky.

Yoo Seodam briefly admired the splendid atmosphere which had turned the apocalyptic atmosphere in the surrounding into the atmosphere as if the cherry blossom season had arrived.

“You have gone too far, Baek So-hwi.”

“Master! Master, something is wrong with you! My master who had reached the realm of Hyunkyung that will never be seen again in history, and just for that man…”

“What does greatness have to do with it? You are in the wrong for thinking about something like that right now. If not, are you saying that I shouldn’t even be in love after I’ve reached the realm of Hyunkyung? Falling in love is permitted to any woman. How dare you decide what my heart can feel?”

“Master! I don’t mean it like that… I only meant that the very existence of a man is wrong!” As if frustrated, Baek So-hwi exclaimed.

Seol Jungyeon shook her head as if she was genuinely sorry, and pointed her sword at her.

“Giving one’s heart to someone they love is something that humans have been doing since ancient times… There is nothing wrong with me giving my heart to a man. The wrong thing here is your opinion. I know how you feel when you’ve been tortured by a man. However, from the moment you inflict damage on others with your thoughts and beliefs it should be called plague not a mere wound that can be cured.”

“I can’t admit it,” said Baek So-hwi as blood dripped from her eyes. But Seol Jungyeon didn’t stop and still approached Baek So-hwi.

“Do you love me?”

“Yes…. Enough to give everything in this world to you.”

“Thank you. How would you feel if I died?”

“I would despair. I will either kill myself or destroy everything in the world.”

“That’s exactly how I feel right now.”

“Yes?” Baek So-hwi looked at her in disbelief with a hopeful expression, but in the end, the answer she wanted did not come.

“Not you, but that man. If you had killed someone I loved to the point I’d give him the world if he desired it… Do you think I would just sit still?” Seol Jungyeon shook her head. “I would have struck you in the neck without even the slightest hesitation. There is no room for excuses.”

“Ah, ah…”

Seol Jungyeon approached Baek So-hwi and pointed her sword at her neck. For some reason, the blade Baek So-hwi had always thought was a beautiful sword was so cold and sharp today and she felt like she was about to cry.

“Baek So-hwi. I know the wounds you’re going through. But, I firmly believed that if you treat your wound with affection, it can be healed…” Seol Jungyeon slowly looked at the Gwisaldae behind Baek So-hwi. The current Cheonma Sect was not like what it used to be. Because of the wounded Lord, the Cheonma Sect also suffered those wounds. It was really sad and heart breaking for her.

If this place wasn’t Murim but Earth, and if she hadn’t done harm to Seol Jungyeon, her Yoo Seodam would likely have found a way to heal her with his heart. But… Aside from that, her wounds did not match the ‘Cheonma Sect’ at all. What they should seek was pure ‘strength’ not ‘wounds’.

“Baek So-hwi.”

“Wait…wait a minute, Master. It can’t be… I don’t want it. I’d rather die by your hand than to be abandoned by you again, please, please…!”

Only

However, Seol Jungyeon could not cut off the disciple she had raised with her own hands and was once she loved more than anyone else, with her own hands.

She was forced to inflict the most severe punishment she could.

“I will excommunicate you from the Cheonma Sect as of today. Leave. And live forever unseen by me.”

“Ah….”

At those words, Baek So-hwi collapsed to the floor.