Touch him??

The group moved cautiously into the desolate village, the eerie silence hanging heavy in the air with the smell of the rotten corps,Leader Yang, Lee Kang, and So Hyeon stopped in front of the largest house in the center of the village. Leader Yang glanced at So Hyeon and asked, "Can you use your eyes?"

So Hyeon hesitated, shaking her head. "If I use them again, I won't be able to fight."

Leader Yang nodded in understanding, his calm demeanor unwavering. He looked at Lee Kang and So Hyeon one last time before stepping forward. Exchanging a determined glance, they braced themselves as Leader Yang pushed open the door.

The interior was dark and ominously quiet. Just as Leader Yang stepped in, the ground beneath him erupted in a brilliant red glowt.

Recognizing the trap too late, Leader Yang turned and shoved Lee Kang and So Hyeon out of the building with all his might.

"SECT LEADERRRR!" they screamed as the house exploded, the shockwave throwing them to the ground.

The deafening blast left their ears ringing and their vision blurred. Dust and debris clouded the air as they scrambled to their feet. Lee Kang recovered first, pulling So Hyeon up as she swayed, still disoriented.

Emerging from the shadows, a figure approached. His torn black-and-red clothing hung loosely on his wiry frame, his purple hair glowing faintly in the moonlight. He smiled, a wide, unsettling grin that sent a chill down So Hyeon's spine. His laughter was maddening, echoing through the desolation.

"HAHAHAHAHA! I didn't think you'd actually fall for it!" the man shouted, his voice dripping with malicious glee. "I guess sacrificing all my men was worth it!"

So Hyeon instinctively took a step back, fear flickering in her eyes. Lee Kang placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering her a calm smile.

"You know he can't die from this," he said, his voice steady. "Maybe a few scratches, but nothing serious."

Turning back to the lunatic, Lee Kang pointed his sword at him, his expression hardening. "What's your reason? Why are you doing this?"

The lunatic tilted his head, his deranged smile unwavering. "Reason?" He drew his chained double scythe, holding both blades in one hand as the chain rattled. "Do I need a reason to get rid of the pests who killed my men?"

Lee Kang's eyes widened. Was this man aware of their presence all along?

So Hyeon, regaining her composure, stepped forward and pointed her sword. "WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?" she demanded.

The lunatic chuckled darkly. "Don't worry. All three of them are fine. FOR NOW!" With a shout, he dashed toward them, his scythe gleaming as it sliced through the air.

Lee Kang met him head-on, their weapons clashing with explosive force. Sparks erupted from their blades, lighting up the battlefield. The lunatic's attacks were relentless, each swing of his scythe more powerful than the last. Lee Kang dodged and parried, shifting his stance to keep up, but the lunatic's strikes seemed to carry a chaotic rhythm, making it difficult to predict while he was fighting So Hyeon wondered who was the third child

The lunatic kicked toward Lee Kang's legs, trying to trip him up. Lee Kang sidestepped just in time, countering with a quick slash aimed at the lunatic's torso. The lunatic spun his chained scythe, wrapping it around Lee Kang's blade and yanking. Lee Kang held firm, twisting his wrist to free the blade, but the maneuver left his guard open.

Taking advantage, the lunatic lunged with a knee strike. Lee Kang blocked with the hilt of his sword, but the impact sent him skidding backward.

So Hyeon darted in, slashing with her sword, forcing the lunatic to disengage. He twirled his weapon, the scythe blades spinning like a whirlwind as he used the chains to create a barrier. So Hyeon ducked under the spinning blades, slashing at his legs, but the lunatic leaped into the air, coming down with a crushing swing.

Lee Kang intercepted the blow mid-air, their weapons crashing together. The force cracked the ground beneath their feet, sending tremors through the village. So Hyeon circled around, aiming for the lunatic's blind spot, but he spun just in time, deflecting her strike.

The battle raged on, the three of them moving like a blur. Lee Kang's breathing grew labored as he tried to keep up with the lunatic's overwhelming strength. His sword arm trembled from the constant clashes.

The lunatic kicked up dust, temporarily blinding Lee Kang. Taking advantage of the moment, he created distance and hurled his scythe. The deadly weapon spun toward Lee Kang like a vortex of death.Before it could reach him,

So Hyeon leaped into the fray, blocking the scythe with her sword. But the weapon's chains coiled around her blade, locking her in place. She struggled to free herself as the lunatic pulled his scythe back, ripping her sword away.

Undeterred, So Hyeon drew two small knives from her back and resumed the fight. Her strikes were quick and precise, targeting the lunatic from multiple angles. Despite her efforts, he held his ground while laughing , his movements was brutal and uncalculated.

Meanwhile, Jin Seok stirred inside a nearby building. The explosion had jolted him awake. Disoriented, he felt a jagged stone next to him and began cutting the ropes binding his hands. After several tense moments, he freed himself, yanking off the blindfold and rope that covering his mouth. Moonlight reflected in his golden eyes as he took in his surroundings.

He saw Min Joon nearby, still bound and murmuring to himself. And then he noticed her—a girl binded by ropes as well. She was beautiful but she was still fainted,he thought absently, but there was no time for distractions. He felt stronger than before, his body surging with newfound energy.

He sat next to the Min Joon untying his friend

As he freed his mouth,eyes,hands and legs Min Joon's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Jin Seok! You're alive! They did something to you!" Min Joon exclaimed. "They talked about you draining their demonic IQ or something!"

Jin Seok frowned, confused, but something about Min Joon's words stuck. He clenched his fist and turned to the crumbling wall beside him.

Jin Seok grinned and punched the wall. The impact left a gaping hole, rubble scattering around him.

"Jin Seok, what the hell do you think you are doing,do you want to break your hand?" Min Joon asked with a worry on his face.

But there was nothing on Jin Seoks hand curious Min Joon tried the same but only hurt his fist, yelping in pain and blowing on his hand after that The two exchanged a smirk, their spirits momentarily lifted.

The sound of clashing steel brought them back to reality. Peeking outside, they saw Lee Kang and So Hyeon, both bleeding and visibly exhausted. Lee Kang's sword strikes were slower, his injuries taking their toll. So Hyeon, now wielding only her knives, moved with determination despite her faltering steps

The lunatic wasn't unscathed either. One of his eyes was blinded, blood streaming down his face and his hands trembling. Yet his energy seemed boundless as he shouted,

"WHY WON'T YOU TWO DIE ALREADY !!!!"

He swung his chained scythe with ferocity, forcing Lee Kang and So Hyeon to fight defensively.

Back in the shadows of the night, Min Joon sniffed the air and spoke suddenly. "Ugh I smell it again."

"Smell what?" Jin Seok asked.

"Him," Min Joon replied, his face serious.

"That same smell from the guy you almost killed. But this time, it's stronger and it is faint but you smell awful as well."

Jin Seok's mind raced. Min Joon's words seemed to hold the key to something important.But He didnt understand what he meant by smell.Was the smell made him stronger he thought to himself .

After that Min Joon suddenly shouted, "I FOUND IT!"

Jin Seok turned to him curiously, startled. "Found what?"

Min Joon grinned. "You just need to touch him," he said, his voice filled with urgency and excitement meanwhile Jin Seok was wondering was Min Joon serious or not with a blank face.