Aligning the formation with the movement of the Spirit Wolf.
“Bingsung!”
Crack crack!!
“Ugh!”
The Black Cat, at the center of Bingsung, barely caught the wolf’s snout by borrowing the power of the Minor Divine Skill. The remaining four people, including me who received the strength, sequentially attacked various parts of the Spirit Wolf.
Since our minds were linked, as long as there was a moment’s calmness to send Qi, concentration could be achieved even if each member attacked from all sides.
The strength sent out was not particularly great when considered individually, but the power received by the attacker was several times that of what they usually handle.
Swoosh!
The blade infused with the power of the Array Formation was sufficient to slice through the Spirit’s coarse fur and thick skin.
The result was vastly different from when Hyeok Gi-rin had stabbed its neck earlier.
Surprisingly, it was also somewhat expected.
Unlike when Hyeok Gi-rin attacked, we now had fully drawn forth the power of Oh Seong-jin.
The Black Cat also effectively absorbed the wolf’s attack. Though I, a Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist, had barely escaped being flattened after directly receiving the wolf’s strike, the Black Cat completely withstood the wolf’s assault.
This was also due to the fact that Oh Seong-jin’s abilities had significantly bolstered the Black Cat’s strength.
Having consumed Spiritual Medicine like it’s a meal, the Black Cat was able to perform 1.5 servings of power effectively, while Miss Yeo Il-ye’s energy was around four to five times that of an average Peak Expert.
There were five members in Oh Seong-jin’s formation, but the strength that flowed through the Array was roughly equivalent to ten Peak Experts.
Such amplification of power was also the reason why experts who could move like the wind were bound to form the Array.
Roar!!
The injured wolf lashed out with its teeth and claws in every direction. Typically, in a standard defensive formation, one would have to maintain their position to keep the flow of the Array, but…
Oh Seong-jin was connected by the Heart Method.
As long as the framework of the Array could avoid total destruction, our team dodged its claws while also anticipating how each would move, continuing the flow of Qi through our minds.
Whoosh!
Gradually, the Nine Yin shared through the five-member formation started to infiltrate the Spirit Wolf’s body. While it might not be enough to completely freeze the Spirit Wolf, a certain degree of slowing effect could be expected.
Ducking away from the wolf’s ferocious attacks, our energies shifted once more.
Dark Energy.
“Chaah!”
Dokgo I-seol’s sword traced a chaotic trajectory as it shot out.
Black Dragon Wave.
A rough and unrefined energy. The Black Dragon Swordplay took advantage of that murkiness to aim at the wolf’s flank.
The Spirit Wolf blocked the initial strike with its jaws.
But Dokgo I-seol’s face showed no sign of frustration as he withdrew the initial attack.
The role of Dark Energy was to show strength amidst chaos and buy time to stabilize the Array.
As Yeo Il-ye stepped forward to face the Spirit Wolf, once again, the flow of the Array changed.
Grand Energy.
“Chaahhhh!!!”
With Yeo Il-ye’s battle cry, the energy of the Array poured out like a raging torrent.
The target was straight-on.
Boom!!!
Bingsung was the formation that absorbed the opponent’s attack while entangling them within the Nine Yin, while Dark Energy was the formation aimed at regaining control in chaos.
Grand Energy, however, was all out attack formation aimed directly at the opponent.
It could either smash or at least create an opening to smash.
This time, it was the latter.
The wolf staggered, having received Yeo Il-ye’s twin swords slashing in a cross formation.
Looking at the reeling Spirit Wolf, I thought.
Could this be a chance for a critical hit?
Or should I keep my strength reserved?
I, as the main user of the Array’s energy, the Thundering Force, could unleash a decisive strike that overwhelmingly bursts forward with speed and might, but it had to be used exclusively as a finishing blow.
Exploding the Array’s energy meant it would collapse.
Could I deliver a decisive blow to the Spirit Wolf using Thundering Force in a situation where Grand Energy had consumed a significant portion of the formation’s power?
Ultimately, the choice we made was to go with a friendlier motion.
Since this was our first real battle, we didn’t have the confidence to make a decisive blow, but above all, we desperately needed experience in fighting with entities.
While we had no intention of dragging out this conflict recklessly to gain practical experience, we didn’t need to rush to end the battle while taking risks.
We gave up on the decisive blow through Thundering Force, but the opportunity to attack remained unchanged, so we aimed for openings and attacked.
Swoosh!
Meow!
The Spirit Wolf, having sustained multiple wounds through the openings, let out a painful whimper and retreated.
Grr!
Although it revealed its fangs and growled menacingly, now I could clearly sense the dread lurking behind that growl.
Whoosh!
And soon, the power of the Spirit Wolf began to explode outwards in all directions.
It seemed to be actively using its Qi now.
Spirit Entities were beings who had mastered the manipulation of Qi.
Humans learned and organized Qi through Martial Arts, while Entities mastered its manipulation instinctively in their own ways.
Just as Seo Gong had the power to reduce its size, that wolf must also possess some kind of power.
What trick the Spirit Wolf would pull was swiftly resolved.
Awoooooo!
A long wolf howl resonated.
With that howl, the surrounding wolves began to respond.
Awooooo!
“I don’t know what it is, but we need to reduce their numbers!”
Bang bang!!
Tang So-yeol, without hesitation, pulled the trigger of the device, launching hidden weapons, but the results were different than before.
Pow pow!
Unlike earlier, where the launched hidden weapons failed to evade, the wolves swiftly dodged and evaded the hidden weapons.
It seemed the power of the Spirit Wolf amplified the abilities of the pack.
“This isn’t good.”
Roar!
Tang Do-yeon murmured, while the wolves charged fiercely. Some of the pack targeted the Bicheongmacha, but most charged toward us, composing the Array.
Bang! Bang!
Meanwhile, to protect us, Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol hurled hidden weapons. But the wolves charged on without even paying attention, despite the hidden weapons embedding in them.
Roar!
In response, the Spirit Wolf attacked as well.
“Form a Bingsung formation! I’ll take the attacks!”
“Sure!”
At the shout of the Black Cat, we shifted into the Bingsung formation just as the wolves rushed forward.
“Ugh!”
As I sliced through one wolf leaping for my neck, I heard the Black Cat’s groan as it confronted the Spirit Wolf.
With our formation engaged in dealing with the wolves, Oh Seong-jin was leaving our team unprotected. The Black Cat, defending against the Spirit Wolf’s blow alone, showed signs of physical strain on its arms.
I felt relieved that it wasn’t a serious injury based on the Black Cat’s state of mind, but…
“This is troublesome…”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s mutter echoed my concern.
For Oh Seong-jin, who needed to link our hearts and continually circulate our energies, maintaining concentration was crucial.
However, keeping focus while wolves charged from all directions was no easy task.
Awooooo!
Had the Spirit Wolf caught on to our vulnerabilities?
The wolves’ movements changed.
Instead of aiming for our necks with fatal attacks, they were now clearly looking at our legs, and their movements shifted accordingly.
With an air of wariness, they moved busily without making rash moves.
Tang So-yeol and Tang Do-yeon were tirelessly pushing back against the attacking wolves.
Even when struck by hidden weapons, the wolves didn’t collapse, moving instead. Whether they had forgotten the pain or developed a tolerance to the poison, due to this, Tang So-yeol and Tang Do-yeon were forced not to sweep away the wolves cleanly with hidden weapons, resorting to directly wielding daggers and whips instead.
Grr.
The Spirit Wolf’s gaze shifted toward Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol.
The wolves seemed bothered by the rapidly decreasing numbers.
I clicked my tongue.
If the Spirit Wolf were to charge after either Tang So-yeol or Tang Do-yeon, those two would end up in a precarious situation.
Especially if it chose Tang So-yeol, there would be no way to intercept the Spirit Wolf.
“Spread out!”
“Tch!”
Tang Do-yeon quickly set the Bicheongmacha in motion upon sensing the Spirit Wolf’s intent. The wolves that had been blocking Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol started to follow the rear of the Bicheongmacha.
“I’ll finish this quickly and come back!”
As the Bicheongmacha moved, the wolves completely split into two groups.
One group followed after the cart, consisting of a dozen wolves. The other group, surrounding Oh Seong-jin, appeared to contain at least twenty.
While we wanted to quickly reduce their numbers, to slice through the wolves that were only holding back would require breaking the formation and stepping outside.
Should we wait for the Bicheongmacha to return after dealing with the wolves?
“This looks like it’ll turn into a long battle.”
“Prepare yourselves.”
Shaped in Bingsung, our team remained guarded around the Black Cat, while the surrounding Spirit Wolf and pack were lurking about.
Such a standoff.
Squeak!!
With Seo Gong’s powerful howl, it was broken.
“Seo Gong?!”
We spotted Seo Gong charging towards us from the direction Bicheongmacha had disappeared.
Was it wanting to help us?
I waved my hand at Seo Gong, signaling to flee, but that guy, who usually couldn’t pick up on my words, seemed to understand gestures perfectly and kept wagging its tail while barreling our way.
Grrr!
Upon issuing a command, the Spirit Wolf directed three wolves rushing toward Seo Gong.
Hyeok Gi-rin’s anxious feelings reached me, but right now, there was nothing we could do.
Roar!
As the Spirit Wolf’s sudden appearance caused chaos, it struck with its foreleg.
The Black Cat struggled to defend against that assault. Meanwhile, the leading wolf exposed its fangs and lunged at Seo Gong.
Seo Gong looked at the charging wolf and…
Slice!
Dove straight under the wolf’s jaw, thrusting its tail into the wolf’s mouth.
Whoosh!
Seo Gong’s tail burst through the wolf’s throat from inside its mouth. Not stopping its legs, it swiftly pulled the tail out from the collapsing wolf and aimed for the second.
In an instant, expertly dodging while weaving a figure-eight, Seo Gong bit into the leading wolf’s foreleg.
Crunch!
With a swift snap, the wolf’s foreleg was severed. By the time that wolf’s body touched the ground as it fell, Seo Gong’s tail was already wrapped around its neck.
Then, Seo Gong explosively leapt up.
Crack!!
The wolf’s neck, held by Seo Gong’s tail, shattered from the sudden impact.
And just like that came the third attack.
Swish swish swoosh!!
Curling its body mid-air, Seo Gong naturally rotated and struck the third wolf’s face with its tail.
Smash!!
With the head of the third wolf completely squished, Seo Gong annihilated the three wolves without breaking stride and casually landed, turning back to dash towards us.
What just did I witness?
Such thoughts briefly crossed my mind, but they were swiftly drowned in delight.
The wolves, flustered by Seo Gong’s unexpected combat prowess, rushed at Seo Gong once more, but the outcome remained unchanged.
With swift movements, great speed, and a sharp tail, Seo Gong took down the pack of wolves.
Seo Gong’s battle seemed less like a beast fight and more like witnessing a Martial World master.
Having shrunk in size to board the Bicheongmacha, Seo Gong hadn’t shown any special energy or remarkable action, leading me to treat it like just a large rat, but it seemed that was quite the misconception.
“Let’s go!”
The wolves that had surrounded us were now in disarray due to Seo Gong’s rampage in the rear.
Thanks to Seo Gong’s exploits, an opportunity arose to shift into offense.
Taking advantage of that gap, we transformed the formation from Bingsung into Grand Energy and charged at the Spirit Wolf.
Roar!
The Spirit Wolf, raising its foreleg with fierce momentum, was indeed imposing, but with the now completed formation, it wasn’t at a level we couldn’t repel.
That confidence was reflected in our movements.
Yeo Il-ye crossed her twin swords to offset the Spirit Wolf’s attack, and in that moment, Hyeok Gi-rin’s strike flew out.
Perhaps inspired by Seo Gong’s act of slipping beneath the wolf, Hyeok Gi-rin crouched low, targeting the wolf’s hind leg.
Slash!!
Grrr!!
Seizing the opportunity, Hyeok Gi-rin’s strike left a deep gash. It sliced through the skin and reached deep into the muscle.
Upon confirming that wound, Hyeok Gi-rin’s gaze turned to me.
And just like that, the formation began to shift.
Rumble rumble!!
The sounds of thunder echoed as Oh Seong-jin was infused with energy, as if scolding its own strength to finally show its true might.
Condense.
Feeling the power of the Array poised for explosion, I recalled the surrounding situation piece by piece.
Seo Gong was steadily whittling down the wolves, moving openly between the packs.
The wolves that were targeting us, instead of chasing after Seo Gong, were being restrained by Dokgo I-seol.
And the Spirit Wolf was struggling, unable to exert full strength in its injured hind leg.
There were no surprises.
So, I stepped forward without hesitation.
Bang!!!
And at that moment, the energy of the Array erupted.
It was a sensation I had felt countless times during training, but this feeling was always fresh.
It was like being swept away by an enormous flow that I couldn’t completely control.
I had never tried surfing, but it felt as if this is what it would be like.
With such reflections, I focused my gaze on the Spirit Wolf.
In its eyes, there was an undeniable fear brewing. That target was not towards me, but the energy of Oh Seong-jin that I was entwined with, yet that didn’t matter.
I poured all my concentration into overwhelming the Spirit Wolf with the outpouring energy of Oh Seong-jin.
With that flow, I swung my sword.
Initially, I attempted to discharge this torrent with Ilroe’s intricacies, but now I was ready to abandon that approach.
I could now execute the Single Cut Blade Technique more suitably.
Without Oh Seong-jin’s strength, I would not have been able to even mimic the Single Cut Blade Technique’s seventh form.
Thunderous Roar of the World.
It didn’t even reach the essence, nor could it form properly.
Yet, even that awkwardly shaped Thunderous Roar of the World held more than enough strength to cleave the Spirit Wolf.
Though the Spirit Wolf poured all its might to try biting my sword to stop it, it could only manage to snag it with its teeth.
A few of the sharp wolf teeth shattered, unable to halt my sword, which buried deep into its neck instead.
Blood gushed forth.
With the foul spirit’s blood drenching me from head to toe, I could feel the creature’s strength waning through the grip on my sword.
Bang!!
At last, the massive body collapsed.
The spirit of the Spirit Wolf dispersed rapidly. As I watched its weakened essence, I could hear a faint whimpering from behind.
Turning around,
The moment the Spirit Wolf fell, the power it had provided to the pack vanished, and all the wolves were fleeing with their tails between their legs.
Squeak!
Seo Gong watched the retreating wolves and flicked its tail. The blood that clung to its tail fell to the ground with a thud.
“Haha.”
The sight was reminiscent of a swordsman shaking the blood off their blade, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
The humor lifted my spirits since Seo Gong looked so proud of itself, almost akin to declaring victory.
Exactly.
It was indeed our victory.
