Sensing the battle turning against her, Mira-Kyung unleashed her signature technique—Hongryeon Pogwoo (Crimson Lotus Rain). A flurry of daggers erupted from her sleeves, cascading like a torrential downpour upon Hajin-Woo, Lee Do-Hyun, and Mi-Ryeong. Each dagger followed an unpredictable trajectory, making it nearly impossible to evade them all. The air grew thick with deadly intent.
Lee Do-Hyun immediately assessed the situation. Dodging alone would be a losing battle. Just as he braced himself to counter, Igo's Sword began to resonate. It responded to his intent, its glow intensifying as if awakening from slumber. Then, as if possessed by its own will, the sword lifted into the air, intercepting the falling daggers with a dance-like motion.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each dagger was deflected midair, their trajectories disrupted. Igo's Sword moved like a sentient entity, weaving through the storm of blades with fluid precision. What had started as a mere defensive maneuver now resembled a dance of steel, a living entity protecting its wielder.
Meanwhile, Hajin-Woo wove between the daggers with expert agility, his sharp gaze fixed solely on Mira-Kyung. He studied her movements, the rhythm of her attacks, and the small gaps in her defense. Finally, he spotted an opening.
"Now!"
Hajin-Woo lunged forward, his dagger flashing like lightning.
Mira-Kyung sensed the danger at the last moment, twisting her body to evade, but the combined pressure of Do-Hyun's blade and Hajin-Woo's relentless pursuit forced her into an increasingly defensive stance.
Do-Hyun, having successfully shielded Mi-Ryeong, shifted his focus. With Igo's Sword controlling the battlefield, he could fully engage in the fight. The air buzzed with tension as their duel escalated into a clash of tactics, willpower, and martial skill.
The battle under Heukwoon Hall's moonlit sky had reached its crescendo.
*******
The Crossroads of Life and Death
The battlefield became a web of choices, each movement deciding the warriors' fate.
Mira-Kyung's daggers carved invisible lines in the air—paths of life and death. In that moment, Lee Do-Hyun chose life, stepping forward onto a safer path. Hajin-Woo, however, chose death, charging straight through the storm.He was willing to risk everything to break through.
His reckless gamble cost him. A dagger cut deep into his shoulder.
Blood splattered the ground, but he did not stop. His eyes remained locked on Mira-Kyung's next move, his determination stronger than his pain.
Meanwhile, Do-Hyun moved fluidly through the chaos. His steps were calculated, and his sword resonated with his will. Igo's Sword was more than a weapon—it was a partner. It guided his hand, allowing him to see what others could not.
Then, he saw it.
A weakness in Mira-Kyung's defenses.
This was the moment.
With all his strength, Do-Hyun unleashed a decisive strike.
Mira-Kyung, realizing her mistake, desperately attempted to dodge. However, Do-Hyun's blade moved faster than her body.
Slash!
A deep gash opened across her shoulder. She staggered, her face twisting in surprise and frustration. She had misjudged him.
The momentum shifted instantly. The crimson rain of daggers ceased. The battlefield's tempo slowed, and for the first time, Mira-Kyung wavered.
Hajin-Woo, clutching his injured shoulder, staggered to Do-Hyun's side, chuckling through gritted teeth.
"So... you chose the right path, huh?"
He acknowledged Do-Hyun's choice—the path of life. And in turn, Do-Hyun acknowledged Hajin-Woo's sacrifice.
The air between them crackled with mutual respect.
Mira-Kyung, wounded but still standing, gritted her teeth. She wasn't finished yet. She couldn't be.
The battlefield grew silent as all eyes focused on her.
The battle was far from over.
*****8
The Arrival of baek wol-hee and Han So-Yeon, and Mira-Kyung's Escape
Just as Mira-Kyung prepared for her next move, two figures entered the battlefield.
Baek Seol-Hee and Han So-Yeon.
Their arrival shifted the energy entirely.
So-Yeon rushed to Mi-Ryeong's side, checking for injuries. Meanwhile, Baek Seol-Hee locked eyes with Mira-Kyung, her presence alone exuding immense pressure.
Mira-Kyung narrowed her gaze. She was outnumbered.
She needed to retreat.
Fwoosh!
Before anyone could react, Mira-Kyung tossed a smoke bomb onto the ground.
Thick, choking fog instantly consumed the battlefield.
The warriors tensed, trying to pierce through the dense smog. But by the time it began to clear, Mira-Kyung was gone.
She had vanished without a trace.
Do-Hyun clenched his fists, frustrated. He had let her slip away.
"Damn it…"
Baek Seol-Hee, watching the dispersing smoke, placed a hand on Do-Hyun's shoulder. "Let her go for now. We need to tend to the wounded."
So-Yeon was already applying first aid to Hajin-Woo, who was bleeding heavily from his shoulder. His face twisted in pain, but his frustration outweighed his physical injuries.
"If I had been just a little faster…" he muttered bitterly. "I could've stopped her."
So-Yeon tightened the bandage around his wound. "Don't dwell on it. We all make mistakes. What matters is learning from them."
Hajin-Woo sighed but nodded. He had no choice but to accept his shortcomings.
Meanwhile, Do-Hyun turned to Mi-Ryeong. "Are you alright?"
Mi-Ryeong, still visibly shaken, nodded. "Thanks to you and Hajin-Woo."
She paused before adding, "I won't be this helpless next time."
Her words carried determination.
The others took note.
This wouldn't happen again.
Mira-Kyung had escaped, but her threat was far from over.
As the smoke finally cleared, the warriors of Heukwoon Hall stood amidst the aftermath. Their bodies were exhausted, their wounds fresh—but their resolve had never been stronger.
They knew one thing for certain.
The next time Mira-Kyung appeared… it would be her last.