The situation was as bad as it could possibly be. The ground was littered with the corpses of familiar faces. Unidentified figures in black revealed their killing intent as they tightened the encirclement around the students. The students had to protect an injured person behind them while they fought.
No matter how outstanding their martial arts are, this environment is mentally too harsh for students who are still just teenagers.
The black-clad warrior leading the encirclement expected them to break and flee like the others before them. However, the students this time were...a reformed worst delinquent turned genius, and a Student Council President who had struggled to change the Azure Dragon Academy, which had placed last in the Heavenly Martial Festival for ten years.
"Dokgo Jun. Wanna bet on who can take down more?"
"The loser has to run errands for the winner during the school trip."
"Isn't it much rougher and heavier than we were told?"
Both were among the most stubborn individuals at the Azure Dragon Academy. Although nervousness was evident on their faces, neither wavered.
"Stay calm, Hyonwon Kang. Don't forget the Principal is behind us."
"Hey, Dokgo. Let's get our act together this time."
"You stay calm. My focus is at its peak right now."
No one knew how to lighten the students' moods better than he did. "The next group will be here soon.
Behind them, Noh Goonsang's eyes sparkled like a curious young boy. "Don't you worry about me, hoho. I still have enough strength to take care of myself..."
Hyonwon Kang and Dokgo Jun couldn't look back, their focus locked on the enemies before them. They could only hear the voice of the dying Principal.
It was language unbefitting of the Student Council President, but no one pointed it out.
"Principal, just stay still!"
"Capture them alive, don't kill them. We'll use them as hostages to threaten the Azure Dragon Hero," he commanded his subordinates. His tone sounded somewhat rehearsed, but in such a tense situation, it was difficult to notice.
"We'll protect you no matter what."
"Goooh... thank you..."
After answering with great effort, Noh Goonsang sent a signal to the black-clad warriors with his eyes. What are you doing? Hurry up and start!
Under that silent pressure, the leader of the black-clad warriors wore a dumbfounded expression, but since it was hidden by his mask, no one could see it.
"Capture them alive, don't kill them. We'll use them as hostages to threaten the Azure Dragon Hero," he commanded his subordinates. His tone sounded somewhat rehearsed, but in such a tense situation, it was difficult to notice.
The black-clad warriors drew closer, pulling out blunt weapons and metal mesh nets. Some drew bows from the rear.
"...!" For a fleeting moment, the black-clad warrior whose eyes met Hyonwon Kang's flinched. Although the boy's pupils shimmered with a dreadful killing intent, a closer look revealed that his reason remained coldly intact.
"Who said we'd let you capture us!" Hyonwon Kang's eyes flashed with fury at the thought of being used as hostages against Baek Suryong.
"Shut up! Are you crazy?!"
FWOOSH!
However, when it came to dealing with poison, no student at the Azure Dragon Academy was more skilled than Dokgo Jun.
The Black Dao split the sky, dyeing it red with killing intent, as he instantly unleashed the Asura Blood Heaven Blade. In a single breath, he tore through an net flying toward him and charged forward.
"...!" For a fleeting moment, the black-clad warrior whose eyes met Hyonwon Kang's flinched. Although the boy's pupils shimmered with a dreadful killing intent, a closer look revealed that his reason remained coldly intact.
As if having the same thought, Hyonwon Kang glanced over at him.
Is this kid really an orthodox martial artist?
CLAAANG!
They parried the attack with their sword.
"Tsk. I wanted to take out the guy who looks like the commander first." Hyonwon Kang clicked his tongue in disappointment, but he didn't get greedy and retreated. Right now, his top priority was protecting Noh Goonsang. While reducing the enemy's numbers with a surprise attack would have been great, he had no intention of rampaging recklessly.
Dokgo Jun frowned and scolded Hyonwon Kang, "...Next time, at least give a signal before you charge out."
"Where's the time for that? We have to act based on the situation."
"It's hard to coordinate with you." Dokgo Jun sighed softly and unleashed the Nine Swords of Dokgo to deflect incoming arrows. As he did so, he carefully observed the enemies.
"I know you're skilled, but it's useless if you can't utilize those skills."
Baek Suryong's advice suddenly came to mind. He remembered being beaten one-sidedly and having his weaknesses pointed out repeatedly because he couldn't coordinate with Hyonwon Kang. He suspected that some of the criticism was just venting, but thanks to that training, they could now synchronize their movements to some extent.
The Black Dao split the sky, dyeing it red with killing intent, as he instantly unleashed the Asura Blood Heaven Blade. In a single breath, he tore through an net flying toward him and charged forward.
As if having the same thought, Hyonwon Kang glanced over at him. "Hey, Dokgo. Let's get our act together this time."
"...We have to. The Principal is behind us!"
"What kind of Test of Courage is this?!" he roared, jumping up and down in fury.
Noh Goonsang's voice rang out from behind them. "Don't mind me and go all out. I have enough energy left to defend myself."
The two boys nodded gravely and dashed toward the encirclement together. They had no choice but to trust each other. Noh Goonsang followed with his hands clasped behind his back and a pleased expression on his face.
He suspected that some of the criticism was just venting, but thanks to that training, they could now synchronize their movements to some extent.
"Block them!"
The black-clad warriors tightened their encirclement and aimed their weapons, but the dense wall of blades did not slow the two boys down. They reached striking distance in a single breath.
CLAAANG!
Pushed back by Dokgo Jun, those at the front repeatedly clenched and unclenched their tingling hands.
"What kind of sword qi is this...?"
Dokgo Jun asked without looking back, "Principal, are you okay?"
"Isn't it much rougher and heavier than we were told?"
Before they could finish muttering in surprise, the Asura Blood Heaven Blade rampaged through the wide space created by the Nine Swords of Dokgo.
SHWIIING!
The Black Dao drew consecutive red arcs, wailing like a demon as it tore through the air. Feeling the hair on the backs of their necks stand up and chills running down their spines, the black-clad warriors hastily retreated.
"We're going to get hurt at this rate..."
"Everyone, stay sharp!"
The black-clad warriors steeled their resolve to fight seriously.
Meanwhile, Noh Goonsang chuckled in satisfaction, "Hohoho!"
The fierce, flashy Asura Blood Heaven Blade and the heavy, profound Nine Swords of Dokgo merged seamlessly, producing a series of devastating combination attacks. Standing back to back, the boys complemented each other perfectly as they blocked, parried, and counterattacked.
Feeling a moment of gratitude for the absent Tang Soso, they gritted their teeth and resumed the fight. Unfortunately, the stamina they had expended fighting the Four Heavenly Kings was catching up to them.
From the opponents' perspective, this was incredibly frustrating. Each boy was already an extraordinary opponent, yet together, they displayed a power far greater than the sum of its parts.