Chapter 193

Thud—!

“Ugh…!”

While blocking the spear, Yoo Ju’s kick landed squarely on the guy’s abdomen, sending him flying. I could see him rolling on the ground a few times before quickly getting back up. It didn’t seem like a fatal blow, but blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.

‘Come on, kid, pull yourself together. What the hell are you doing? Aren’t you supposed to be an Executive Member of the Execution Society?’

Even though Yoo Ju was winning, I was getting more and more anxious.

‘If this keeps up, all the growth and effort will go down the drain.’

I’d invested so much time and money, and now it felt like my investment was going bust.

Of course… Ho-yeon’s growth alone was already a win, but the most important thing was Yoo Ju’s development.

‘Dammit, what’s that hidden ally of hers doing?’

From what Yoo Ju had said, it was clear someone was hiding nearby.

‘So why aren’t they jumping in?’

I couldn’t help but suspect that maybe they’d run away after seeing their comrade get beaten up.

‘Even she’s suspicious.’

I could see doubt creeping into the eyes of that guy, Han Tae-geol or whatever his name was.

Just as Yoo Ju swung her spear, aiming for the big guy’s lower body—

Whoosh—

In the blink of an eye, a shadowy figure appeared beside Yoo Ju.

But Yoo Ju’s reaction was faster than the speed of the scythe-wielding figure.

Thunk!

“…?!”

Yoo Ju instantly released mana from her body, deflecting the scythe before it could even touch her.

While the guy was still stunned, Yoo Ju spun her body and kicked.

Crack!

“Ugh…!”

The guy who got kicked and the big guy were both staring at Yoo Ju with their mouths wide open.

Even I was at a loss for words.

‘…Ha, she used the spear as a pivot to move her body instantly, even when she couldn’t swing it.’

Watching Yoo Ju, it was clear that her movements were beyond common sense, regardless of her stats.

‘A Returner is a Returner…’

Even Ho-yeon had been impressive when fighting Gwi Chang, but Yoo Ju felt like she was already complete.

‘It’s the experience.’

Comparing Yoo Ju’s experience as a Returner to anyone else’s was nonsense.

‘Damn… Still, there are two of them, so they should be able to push her a bit, right?’

Even though Yoo Ju had gotten incredibly strong recently, these two were top-tier players, even if they weren’t rankers.

I prayed they could at least give her some kind of challenge.

‘I believe in you guys. Damn it, I believe in you.’

The scythe guy and the big guy gritted their teeth and charged at Yoo Ju.

Even though it was two against one, Yoo Ju didn’t look the least bit flustered.

In fact, it was the other two who seemed panicked as Yoo Ju effortlessly blocked their attacks.

“Damn it! Hey, mute! Dodge to the side!”

As soon as the big guy shouted, the scythe guy twisted his body to the side.

At the same time, Yoo Ju’s spear missed him by a hair’s breadth.

If he hadn’t twisted his body, he would’ve been slashed by the spear.

Immediately, the big guy swung his fist at Yoo Ju with all his might. But Yoo Ju blocked it with her spear and—

‘What the hell is that?’

She used the force of the big guy’s punch to propel herself toward the scythe guy at lightning speed.

“…!”

Bam—!

“Ugh…!”

She used the opponent’s own strength to deliver a flying kick.

Yoo Ju’s technique and movements were so absurd it was almost laughable.

‘…This is ridiculous.’

I must’ve seriously underestimated Yoo Ju’s strength.

Honestly, I thought she’d struggle against two Executive Members of the Execution Society.

That’s why I even had Ruska on standby, just in case.

‘Or did I mess things up by being here?’

After getting kicked back, the scythe guy’s eyes suddenly turned blood-red.

It looked like he was powering up, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit hopeful.

‘Come on, do something, please.’

It seemed like he had activated some kind of ability because his overall speed increased.

As proof, Yoo Ju started dodging less and blocking more.

‘What are those things?’

Even stranger, ghostly, pale figures started appearing around him.

They didn’t attack Yoo Ju, but they kept muttering something.

Yoo Ju frowned for a moment before coldly saying,

“Ha, you think I’d fall for that? Not twice.”

She charged her spear with golden energy and shot it forward.

I didn’t know what those ghostly things were supposed to do, but they screamed and disappeared as Yoo Ju’s spear struck them.

‘…Does she know how to counter everything?’

It seemed like Yoo Ju knew these two well and was fully aware of their abilities.

If that was the case, it made sense why they couldn’t use their full strength.

Bam!

In an instant, the big guy closed the distance and punched Yoo Ju, sending her flying with a loud crack.

“This bitch…”

The big guy didn’t look too pleased.

And for good reason—while Yoo Ju did get punched and sent flying, I could see it.

She had released mana at the last second to minimize the damage.

‘…Her reaction speed is insane.’

Releasing mana from your body instead of channeling it into a weapon is extremely difficult and consumes a ridiculous amount of mana, making it inefficient.

Especially using it to minimize damage at critical moments—most people wouldn’t even attempt it.

Because if your timing is even slightly off, you’ll take the full brunt of the attack.

So, using that kind of defense is practically a life-or-death gamble.

‘And she does it without hesitation, with complete confidence…’

It meant Yoo Ju had already mastered it.

“She’s a monster…”

This realization must’ve been hitting the guys fighting her even harder.

They probably know. They must be feeling it directly through their skin.

The two flinched as Yoo Ju stared at them with a murderous gaze.

“…Ha, you, are you really a first-year?”

It seems they can’t believe Yoo Ju’s military power even after seeing it.

‘Well, everyone reacts like that when they meet her.’

It’s actually abnormal to think she’s a first-year after seeing that kind of power.

Yoo Ju didn’t answer the guy’s question. Instead, she fired back with her own.

“…Where’s Yoon Seong? And Woo Seo-heun, where is she?”

“Huh?”

At Goh Han’s retort, Yoo Ju’s face twisted.

‘Damn it…’

Yoo Ju has been desperate to figure out my location since earlier. The problem is these guys keep reacting like idiots to her words.

There’s no way Yoo Ju would be in a good mood after those reactions.

“Why aren’t you answering? Is what I’m saying… funny?”

Suddenly, explosive magical energy erupted from Yoo Ju. Her golden magical energy radiated, creating a pressure that felt out of place.

Surrounded by golden light, she looked like a hero, but the aura she emitted was completely different.

‘Yoo Ju looks more like a villain…’

Unlike the golden magical energy, the killing intent she radiated was sticky and dark.

“Crazy…”

Of course, those two sensed it too.

Goh Han and the guy with the scythe simultaneously charged at Yoo Ju.

“Uwaaaaah!”

An instinctive scream to shake off fear.

But this wasn’t a kids’ fight, and simply yelling wouldn’t solve anything.

Yoo Ju blocked the guy’s punch with her spear.

The funny thing is, Yoo Ju is the one defending, but the one with the serious face is the other guy.

“This damn…”

Goh Han cursed as he watched Yoo Ju effortlessly deflect their attacks.

‘There are two attackers, but how is she blocking like that?’

The way she wielded the spear as if it were part of her body was jaw-dropping.

Realizing this wasn’t working, Goh Han’s body began to glow red and grow in size, as if overheating.

Boom!

“Hup…!”

Even though she blocked the punch, Yoo Ju was pushed back.

Seizing the opportunity, the guy with the scythe swung at Yoo Ju from behind.

Yoo Ju twisted her body quickly, but the scythe grazed her arm.

‘Finally…!’

Yoo Ju was injured on her arm.

It was strange to feel happy about Yoo Ju getting hurt, but from my perspective, it was a moment of triumph.

Yoo Ju looked down at her arm with a twisted expression.

Seeing this, Goh Han and the scythe guy smirked.

‘You idiots… don’t get too cocky just because you landed one hit.’

Thinking they had the upper hand, Goh Han spoke mockingly.

“Haha, starting to get it now? You got what you deserved for being so arrogant.”

‘You’re the ones who don’t know your place, you lunatics.’

It’s ridiculous how they’re celebrating just for landing one hit.

“I’ll bury you next to that Lee Yun-seong guy you’re looking for. Together, how about that?”

“What…?”

Yoo Ju reacted to his words.

‘What the hell is this lunatic saying?’

I couldn’t understand why he was provoking her now.

Of course, Yoo Ju’s expression hardened upon hearing that.

This guy might be digging his own grave without realizing it as he continued.

“Do you think he’s still alive?”

“……”

‘Stop it, damn it.’

“None of the guys taken by the boss have ever survived. He’s probably already dead. Not… not a clean death, though. A gruesome… one. Screaming… in agony…”

Goh Han’s voice trembled as he spoke. The reason his voice shook was…

‘…He’s scared.’

His body instinctively reacted in fear to Yoo Ju’s overwhelming aura and killing intent.

‘Sigh…’

Even I, watching through the Chimera’s eyes, flinched for a moment.

Because Yoo Ju’s gaze was anything but normal.

Bang!

“Ugh…!”

Goh Han, who blocked Yoo Ju’s spear with his arm, widened his eyes in shock. The ground beneath him even caved in from the impact.

The scythe guy tried to help his comrade by approaching Yoo Ju, but…

Clang!

Yoo Ju swung her spear with incredible precision, sending both of them flying.

“Cough…!”

Both crashed into the wall, coughing up blood in pain. They seemed to have suffered severe internal injuries.

‘That’s why you shouldn’t provoke her.’

You should only run your mouth when you’re absolutely sure of your victory.

The result of running your mouth after just one hit is clear.

‘What’s she doing now?’

The scythe guy, having taken too much damage, couldn’t even get up properly, his weapon lying uselessly beside him.

‘Get up, you idiot.’

Thud.

Just as he was about to stand, his body slid and he fell to his knees.

Blood dripped from his mouth as he trembled, using his hands to support himself on the ground.

‘Pick up your weapon, damn it.’

I couldn’t help but think as I watched the scene.

…I instinctively realized that the plan to help Yoo Ju grow had half-failed.