“What the heck!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop finally sensed the presence behind him and swung his sword backward, but it was too late.
The Heavenly Killing Star easily dodged Yoon Dae-hyeop’s blade, kicked his leg out from under him to throw him off balance, and in an instant, began to dismantle him.
“Cough! Ack! Please!”
The suppression was instantaneous.
Yoon Dae-hyeop swung his blind sword wildly, but there was no way the Heavenly Killing Star would be hit by such a clumsy attack. Instead, the Heavenly Killing Star grabbed Yoon Dae-hyeop’s wrist, causing him to drop the sword, which was thrown down the alley.
In just a brief moment, the Heavenly Killing Star incapacitated Yoon Dae-hyeop and pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him to kneel. The Heavenly Killing Star smoothly went behind the disoriented Yoon Dae-hyeop, drew his sword, and held it to his neck.
‘What an incredible master!’
No amount of resistance was going to help. Kneeling, Yoon Dae-hyeop was greatly startled by the blade touching his neck.
‘I didn’t sense a thing in this narrow alley.’
When exactly had this person arrived? He had been so focused on ensuring no one saw him intimidate the deal-maker at the alley’s entrance that he hadn’t noticed anything at all.
He was caught off guard, and yet he couldn’t even attempt to resist. The presence that hid its intent and martial arts skills far surpassed his own. The current situation showed he wasn’t even being suppressed by swordsmanship, but simply held in place by the bare sword.
Yoon Dae-hyeop felt overwhelmed by the immense gap in skills.
“W-Who are you?”
A master of this caliber in Chilgok County? Who could it be?
Could it be that they hired a master from another sect to intimidate the market? It would take a fortune to hire someone of this level. Was it really just for this tiny market?
Did that barbarian brat plan all of this just to mess with him? Yoon Dae-hyeop couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.
“Who do you think I am?”
Kang Yoon-ho said with a relaxed smile.
“Everything was a trap, wasn’t it!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop thought he was simply drawn into this alley by the deal-maker holding a grudge against him, but now a master of this magnitude showed up.
It felt like everything was part of the deal-maker’s scheme.
“A trap? I’ve never set a trap. You’ve come to your own death, Yoon Dae-hyeop.”
“W-What are you planning to do with me?”
“You thought you could swing your sword at me because you were stronger. But now the advantage is mine. What do you think I’m going to do now?”
Just moments ago, it had been Yoon Dae-hyeop who held the power of life and death over Kang Yoon-ho. But now, it was the opposite.
Kang Yoon-ho, much like a judge, calmly questioned him.
“I’ll kill you right away.”
The Heavenly Killing Star looked at Kang Yoon-ho as if questioning why he was asking something like that to someone about to die.
“I was wrong! Please spare me!”
A tremendous murderous intent surged toward Yoon Dae-hyeop. He was going to die. He felt the fear of death creeping in.
To survive, he needed to beg for his life from the deal-maker in front of him, not the powerful figure behind him.
“You were about to swing your sword at me with intent to harm. That has now become a grudge against me. Do you understand?”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to kill you! I was just too angry and thought I’d just rob you! I’m also a righteous person! People saw me dragging you away; there’s no way I’d kill you, right? Please, have mercy!”
It was the truth.
Despite being pushed over the edge by losing a fortune, Yoon Dae-hyeop never actually intended to kill the barbarian deal-maker. He was a person who, despite being a bit unruly, maintained a minimal sense of morality.
Kang Yoon-ho stared at Yoon Dae-hyeop for a long time. The seconds passed, and with it, the fate of Yoon Dae-hyeop hung precariously in the balance.
In that incredibly brief moment, Yoon Dae-hyeop regretted putting himself in death’s path because of his foolish actions.
Time flowed between life and death, and Kang Yoon-ho delivered his verdict.
“I’ll spare you.”
Kang Yoon-ho raised his hand to signal the Heavenly Killing Star to stop.
“R-Really!”
Relief flooded Yoon Dae-hyeop’s face.
“You hold power, yet you intended to harm me. But I will repay that grudge with the mercy of a stronger person. So let’s not sully our faces over this incident.”
“Thank you! I won’t harm you again!”
“If you seek revenge for this….”
Kang Yoon-ho handed the Heavenly Killing Star a stone the size of a child’s fist and gestured.
The Heavenly Killing Star understood immediately and showed the stone to Yoon Dae-hyeop.
The stone crumbled easily in his grasp, spreading across the ground.
gulp Yoon Dae-hyeop swallowed hard.
“By my honor, my name, and the Sword and Spear Sect, I vow not to seek revenge!”
He was up against a master for whom revenge would be utterly out of the question, especially against a weak sect that merely collected protection fees in the marketplace.
If this master was involved, the entire Sword and Spear Sect would stand no chance. Yoon Dae-hyeop trembled in fear.
“Well then, leave without looking back.”
Kang Yoon-ho gestured toward the end of the alley.
“I’m sorry! Truly sorry!”
As the Heavenly Killing Star relaxed the grip of the sword, Yoon Dae-hyeop bowed repeatedly. He felt as if he had just escaped from the jaws of a tiger.
For the sake of his life, Yoon Dae-hyeop resolved to keep today’s affair a secret and disappeared down the alley.
*
‘That was close!’
Hey, Heavenly Killing Star. You said you wouldn’t kill anyone, so why’d you immediately draw your sword?
‘I’ll kill you right away.’
Just hearing that made my heart drop.
Do you realize if you end up killing someone and go crazy, it’s my neck on the line to take responsibility? Not you!
“Why did you let him go?”
The moment Yoon Dae-hyeop vanished, the Heavenly Killing Star asked me.
The moment he thrust his sword, it felt like Russian roulette; would you let me take the shot?
Before me stood someone who acted like a coward, yet was a man whose name was respected in Chilgok County. Once he returned, he would realize how embarrassing today’s incident was.
Even if he wanted revenge, would he say, “Hey, I got angry and brought this deal-maker to rob him; can you help me?” after paying a hefty price?
Plus, he’s got an incredible master on his side.
For Yoon Dae-hyeop, socially and physically, this was something completely beyond his capabilities.
“It’s foolish for a person to wash blood with blood.”
“He was going to harm you.”
There was a subtle anger in his voice.
“Sohee, are you angry because your brother almost got hurt?”
I smiled playfully at the Heavenly Killing Star. Honestly, I didn’t think that was the case, but I needed to lighten the mood.
“…… I said that because that’s how things are here.”
The Heavenly Killing Star briefly averted her gaze before speaking.
“Ha ha. So that’s why I seem to be treated like a barbarian here.”
“……”
Her eyes became slightly wider as she looked at me once more.
“And it’s not like I have to repay blood with blood, there are still side profits to be made.”
The Heavenly Killing Star picked up the pouch of coins that had dropped when she subdued Yoon Dae-hyeop.
I had wanted to pickpocket Yoon Dae-hyeop, but she ended up taking all of it. Sweet!
“If you keep trusting your mouth like you did today, you’ll get into big trouble.”
Oh. Is she worried about me?
“I didn’t trust my own mouth; I trusted you, Sohee. I believed you’d protect me when I was in danger.”
I looked at the Heavenly Killing Star with a heartwarming smile. Honestly, I felt really reassured.
Thanks to her, I could hold my head high even in that situation. If only she hadn’t drawn her sword, that would have been better.
“You talk too much as always.”
Suddenly, the Heavenly Killing Star bowed her head and covered her face with her hat as she walked out of the alley.
What’s with that?
“Wait up, Sohee!”
I had to stick by her!
————–
“Where’d she go?”
The Heavenly Killing Star left for a moment after dinner, but hasn’t returned.
She can’t be sulking over the food she didn’t like. I bought the expensive stuff for her. Of course, I got something else for dinner since it wasn’t her favorites.
“When’s she coming back?”
I was thinking of suggesting we rent a four-person room or move to another inn since I couldn’t keep sleeping on the floor two nights in a row.
I waited for the Heavenly Killing Star in our room, sitting idly on the bed.
“She’s back.”
The Heavenly Killing Star opened the door to the guest room while wearing her hat.
“Sohee, you’re back! I have something to tell you about the sleeping arrangements….”
“I have something to say about that too.”
The Heavenly Killing Star interrupted me.
She must prefer a separate bedroom after all. If she brings up moving rooms, I’ll instantly go down to change.
The Heavenly Killing Star mentioned she had something to say but then remained silent.
What’s going on?
Upon closer inspection, I noticed something odd about the Heavenly Killing Star. After entering, she’s been looking down, hiding her eyes beneath her hat, and her arms were behind her back.
Her shoulders kept twitching as if she was hesitating to say something.
“Sohee?”
Is she too embarrassed to suggest changing rooms? When I called out to her, the Heavenly Killing Star finally met my gaze. Then, seemingly resolute, she nodded slightly.
What’s going on? Why so anxious?
The Heavenly Killing Star strode right up to me and revealed what she had been hiding behind her back.
“What’s with the rope?”
What she revealed was a very strong-looking black rope that looked to be made of leather. It didn’t seem like an ordinary rope.
As I contemplated the rope, the Heavenly Killing Star made an unexpected request.
“Please tie me up with this.”
Oh…… SM?
