Junyeok and his team stood in the center of a forest clearing—an open field scattered with jagged rocks and gnarled roots. The quiet was almost suffocating, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves.
Junyeok's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smirk. "So… how did we end up here?"
Three hours ago, near the camp
Fighting with goblins, Junyeok called out, "Yun, behind!"
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Yun replied coolly, dispatching the last few goblins with swift, precise strikes. The fight was over almost before it began.
The goblins fell easily under their combined assault. Junyeok frowned slightly, "At this rate, I think we won't be on top."
Yunji tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What? Then we should head in that direction." She pointed casually to a random part of the forest. "Guaranteed monsters there. Plenty of points waiting for us."
Junyeok's thoughts betrayed him: Just admit it… she wants the points that badly.
"Really? Are you sure?" he asked, trying to sound casual but feeling a hint of unease.
Yun chimed in from Junyeok's side, "We could go any random direction, really."
Nyxara's eyes narrowed, her instincts on high alert. I'm getting a bad feeling about this…
"Yes, I'm sure," Yunji said, her confidence unwavering.
Junyeok exhaled slowly. "I mean… are you sure-sure?"
Yunji's patience thinned slightly. "Yes, I mean sure-sure."
Junyeok frowned deeper. "No, the one that's 100% sure."
"Fine. 100% one-sure-sure," Yunji replied, rolling her eyes with mild irritation.
Junyeok's mind screamed a warning. I really don't want to go where she's pointing… In his previous life, she had earned the nickname "Misfortune Guide." Anyone who followed her confident directions had found themselves in trouble.
With a reluctant sigh, he muttered, "Fine. Let's go."
Yun leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "Are you sure, Junyeok? She doesn't actually know the way, right?"
Junyeok offered a reassuring smile. "Relax. At least we won't be alone, no matter where we go."
---
Present
Junyeok scanned the clearing. "So… where's the 100-percent-sure one-sure thing you mentioned?"
Yunji flinched slightly. "Wait a moment… it takes time for the monsters to appear."
Before anyone could respond, a massive white boar—a creature they had encountered before—came flying from the forest. It landed half-dead in front of them, then suddenly crumpled, crisped beyond recognition.
"Someone… threw it here?" Junyeok murmured, concern tightening his brow.
"But who could've done this?" Yun asked, worry evident in her voice.
Nyxara tilted her head. "Could it be…?"
Junyeok's gaze hardened. "Yes. That's the only one it could be." His jaw clenched, worry flickering across his face.
From the direction of the boar, a figure appeared. Shion stood there, expressionless as ever, a small, three-headed black dog at his side. Flames curled around the creature's body, and steel collars with spikes encircled each head.
"So… you're behind this," Junyeok said, his tone measured but tense.
Nyxara groaned audibly. "Why does it have to be this early?"
Shion's expression was cold and unreadable. "You again."
A shiver of unease ran down Yunji's spine.
Nyxara scoffed, her confidence unshaken. "Don't worry. He's no match for us—we're three people, after all."
Junyeok's glare met hers. Did you forget to include yourself in that statement?
"There is no way he can defeat all of us," Nyxara added smugly.
Junyeok's lips twitched in irritation. Now you've jinxed it.
Shion raised a hand and counted deliberately, pointing at Junyeok. "1… 0… 0."
Yun blinked. Is he… counting? His math is weak.
Yunji furrowed her brows. "Can't you count properly? We're three people!"
Junyeok's lips pressed together, a tight, worried smile forming. His mind raced. It's not the count that's wrong… it's him underestimating them.
Shion's voice was calm. "No, I counted properly. I only see one person who can hold against me." He pointed firmly at Junyeok.
Yun's brow furrowed. I understand about me… but Yunji is also strong. How could he underestimate her?
Yunji tightened her grip on her katana. "Oh? Is that so? Then I'll prove it with my blade."
Shion's lips quirked slightly. "Go for it."
Junyeok observed silently: They're almost alike… same intensity, same focus.
Yunji stepped forward, her katana gleaming. "Don't interfere," she warned Yun and Junyeok.
Junyeok's hand rose instinctively. I know she's strong—but not a match for Shion.
Yunji lunged forward, her katana slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Shion sidestepped, pivoting on his heels, the tip of his blade barely grazing her wrist. Sparks flew as metal met metal. Yunji staggered but balanced herself with a quick spin, readying another strike.
Yunji staggered, breath heaving.
Yun whispered, panic creeping into her voice, "We have to do something!"
Junyeok's face remained calm, almost cold. "We can't. You know what's most disgraceful for a swordsman? Not defeat, but victory achieved with someone else's help. Yunji's honor… must remain intact. And remember—if you interfere in a duel, you become the primary target."
Nyxara snorted sarcastically. "Their morals… unbelievable."
Junyeok muttered under his breath, "Aren't you a bit low for a noble dragon?"
"Excuse me? We dragons don't duel—we obliterate battlefields in a single strike!" Nyxara shot back.
Junyeok smirked faintly. Of course you do.
Yunji adjusted her grip and pivoted, bringing her katana in a horizontal slash aimed at Shion's midsection. Shion twisted his body backward, parrying with minimal movement, the clang ringing sharply. He countered with a vertical strike, forcing Yunji to roll forward, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Yunji's breathing was heavy; beads of sweat ran down her temple. I can't let him read me…
Yunji's breathing grew heavier. "Someone's standing… I have no chance like this."
Shion, untouched and calm, spoke lightly. "You should have known from the start."
Yunji gritted her teeth. "Then I'll change my approach."
"Activate skill—Sword Fusion."
Her ecoe fused seamlessly with her katana, the blade shimmering crimson-black.
Yunji prepared her main attack, taking a deep stance. The air seemed to still as she swung with all her strength—
"Crimson Demon Blade Style… First Form."
Yun's eyes sparkled with hope. "Looks like Yunji might win!"
Nyxara's claws flexed, anticipation clear. "She's got this."
Junyeok's calm expression betrayed nothing. If I were her… I wouldn't say that.
Yunji swung her blade—
"Formless Blade."
but in the blink of an eye, Shion appeared behind her, pressing the hilt of his sword against her stomach.
"What… what's happening?!" Yunji gasped as she collapsed to the ground.
"It's not that bad," Shion said quietly, his face still unreadable. "I can count you as half… at best. But your openings were far too generous during your last attack."
Yun's eyes widened. "How… how did he do that?"
Junyeok's lips curved faintly. It's obvious. He waited for her main attack, exploited the timing, and closed the distance instantly.
Nyxara's voice trembled. "Monstrous speed…"
Junyeok's expression remained calm. "Technically… he isn't fast. Just precise."
Yun's confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"
Junyeok's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You'll see soon enough."
"Ready to see your ass kicked?" Junyeok called, stepping forward, a confident grim on his face.
Shion's calm voice replied, "What a million-in-one hypothetical assumption."
Junyeok leaned toward Yun. "Take Yunji back. Things are about to get spicy."
Yun nodded and moved them both away.
Junyeok faced Shion alone. "Shall we begin?"
---
Steel met steel with a sharp, ringing crack.
Junyeok's blade cut diagonally toward Shion's shoulder, fast and precise, but Shion turned his wrist at the last instant, deflecting the strike so cleanly that the force slid away instead of colliding. Sparks scattered between them.
Before the sound of the clash had even faded, Shion stepped forward—not back—closing the distance in a single smooth motion. His sword flashed in a short, controlled arc aimed at Junyeok's ribs.
Junyeok reacted on instinct. He twisted his body, the edge of the blade grazing his coat as he brought his sword down to intercept. The impact vibrated through his arms, the force heavier than he expected.
They separated by half a step.
Shion's face, usually blank and distant, had changed. A faint curve tugged at the corner of his lips—not warmth, not kindness, but something sharper. His eyes were alive now, focused, burning with quiet excitement.
Junyeok saw it and felt a chill run through him. So this is the real him…
Shion moved again.
A quick feint to the left—Junyeok shifted to guard—then the real strike came from the opposite side, low and fast. Junyeok barely managed to parry, the sound of metal clashing echoing across the clearing.
The force pushed him back one step… then another.
Shion followed without hesitation, each step perfectly measured, each swing controlled, relentless—not wild, not reckless, but precise and eager, like a predator that had finally found prey worth chasing.
And the faint smile on his face never disappeared.
"Now this is a fight," he said, voice low and intense.
Junyeok mirrored him, passion and competitive fire burning through his calm exterior. "So you are a battle maniac," he said, smirking, "I can respect that."
Shion's lips curved slightly. "Look who's talking."
Junyeok gritted his teeth, realizing he was barely holding his own.
Shion's faint smile faded, his eyes turning sharp and cold.
"…Time to get serious."
A quiet breath left his lips as heat began to gather around him.
"Activate skill - Hell Flames."
Red and orange flames erupted from Shion's ecoe, engulfing him in a deadly aura.
"Don't trick me with words—you already used that against Yunji," Junyeok said, voice sharp.
Shion's eyes gleamed. "So you noticed. Observant, aren't you?"
Junyeok's gaze sharpened as the flames swirled around Shion.
Hell Flames Body… he thought.
A skill that surrounded the user in blazing fire and allowed complete control over it. Most people assumed it was simply a destructive ability—flames meant only to burn and attack. But that was only the surface.
Shion used those flames in far more refined ways. By manipulating their flow and concentration, he could enhance his offense, defense, and agility at a time.
That was why the white boar had died so quickly. The flames weren't just killing it—they were reinforcing Shion's body, sharpening his movements, and amplifying every strike.
Junyeok's eyes narrowed slightly as he remembered the duel with Yunji.
At the final moment, Shion had gathered the flames beneath his feet and released them in a single burst—like the thrust of a rocket. The explosive propulsion had closed the distance in an instant, far too fast for Yunji to react, leaving a decisive opening.
That's the real nature of Hell Flames Body… Junyeok thought, his expression growing serious.
Nyxara's eyes widened with worry. "What do we do now?"
Junyeok's lips curled into a confident grim. "Relax. I have a plan."
"What plan?" Nyxara asked, tense.
Junyeok's smile broadened. "To kick his butt with everything I've got."