Chapter 57. Skill Acquisition (4)
Normally...
Constellations did not constantly give individual instructions to their Contractors.
There were two main reasons.
First...
A single Constellation could have countless Contractors.
It was impossible to pay attention to every single one.
Contractors all over the world acted independently.
No Constellation could constantly track each of them and give specific orders.
Second...
Most Constellations preferred to remain observers.
They did not actively interfere in earthly affairs.
If they found an interesting Contractor, they might watch, offer advice, or send donations.
But they normally did not give constant orders to their own Contractors.
Of course...
There were exceptions.
The A-rank Constellation "Hero of Nine Dragons," contracted with major Hwaseong Sect figures such as Jegal Geum, Han Sewon, and An Cheollyang, directly issued orders.
But among all Constellations...
Those types were a minority.
The Constellation assigned to Lee Sion, the Hwaseong Sect's fourth-ranked officer, was the "Murderer with Two Axes."
Normally...
He never interfered.
Lee Sion herself had said as much.
The entire Hwaseong Sect knew this.
That was why, when the officers learned Lee Sion had rushed out...
They assumed it wouldn't become a major problem as long as they moved quickly.
Before Lee Sion could locate Jegal Geum and join him...
They expected their own group, supported by the "Hero of Nine Dragons," to find and eliminate Jegal Geum first.
That assumption...
Was far too careless.
Lee Sion reached the battlefield almost simultaneously with the execution squad.
This definitely feels like Lee Sion's Constellation has started interfering directly.
An Cheollyang bit his lip while looking at Lee Sion.
If the B-rank Constellation "Murderer with Two Axes" was actively feeding her information...
Then this was a serious problem.
Is he openly turning against us?
For Han Sewon's faction, which wanted control of the Hwaseong Sect...
Lee Sion could become a huge obstacle.
And if the "Murderer with Two Axes" interfered too...
Everything could fall apart.
No matter what...
I have to stop Lee Sion here.
An Cheollyang gathered his strength.
In terms of organizational rank...
An Cheollyang stood third.
Lee Sion stood fourth.
But in pure combat ability...
The two were considered roughly equal.
And in short battles...
Lee Sion was generally considered stronger.
Normally...
An Cheollyang would avoid a one-on-one fight.
But if he failed to stop her here...
The situation would grow much worse.
So he decided to defeat Lee Sion with everything he had.
"Haaah!"
An Cheollyang charged.
Lee Sion used large axes.
That naturally created openings in her movements.
He intended to exploit them.
But at that exact moment...
A huge iron mace flew out from between the trees.
BOOM!
It smashed straight into An Cheollyang.
[B-rank Constellation 'Golden and Silver Children' becomes delighted to see Kang Yujin using an iron mace again.]
[A-rank Constellation 'Naval Commander Holding a Pitchfork' nods and says an iron mace suits Kang Yujin best.]
As expected...
This thing is useful.
Kang Yujin slowly walked forward after confirming that the thrown mace had hit its target.
He had lost his previous mace during the battle against Taotie.
But this time...
He had purchased the exact same type through Number 49.
I can swing it.
Throw it.
Use it to restrict enemy movement.
There are plenty of ways to use it.
As Kang Yujin walked forward...
He saw Lee Jukheon standing there with an injured expression.
"Who was that guy I just hit?"
"You threw him without even knowing?"
Lee Jukheon looked annoyed.
"That's An Cheollyang."
"Third-ranked member of the Hwaseong Sect."
"Really?"
There was also a woman Kang Yujin had never seen before.
She carried two large axes.
Kang Yujin looked at her.
"Lee Sion?"
"That's me."
Her voice was cold.
"Jegal Geum is behind us."
Kang Yujin continued.
"He seems tired from teaching me."
"...!"
The moment Lee Sion heard that...
She left immediately.
She didn't even look back.
Kang Yujin returned his attention to An Cheollyang.
"Damn..."
An Cheollyang forced himself upright.
Blood ran from his mouth.
"You're Kang Yujin?"
"Yes."
"You threw such a heavy iron ball..."
An Cheollyang frowned.
"Your martial arts are impressive."
"I didn't use martial arts."
Kang Yujin tilted his head.
"I just threw it with strength."
"..."
An Cheollyang looked genuinely caught off guard.
Kang Yujin turned toward Lee Jukheon.
"Help Seok Taejun and Joo Minha."
"I'll handle this."
"He's not easy."
"You seriously want to fight him alone?"
"Yes."
"Tsk."
Lee Jukheon looked slightly offended.
"Do whatever you want."
Then he added one last warning.
"He's not incredibly fast overall."
"But every attack feels like an ambush."
"Don't let him catch you off guard."
"Got it."
"Tsk..."
Lee Jukheon left.
"Confident, aren't you?"
An Cheollyang took a stance.
"Unfortunately..."
"I don't have time to entertain you for long."
"I need to eliminate Jegal Geum quickly."
Then...
An Cheollyang vanished.
Just like Lee Jukheon said.
He was suddenly standing on Kang Yujin's right.
His fist shot forward.
Kang Yujin barely twisted his body in time.
"You dodged?"
An Cheollyang sounded slightly surprised.
He continued attacking.
Kang Yujin barely avoided or redirected every strike.
His overall speed is around Lee Jukheon's level.
But the first step he takes when starting an attack is unbelievably fast.
Kang Yujin kept avoiding the attacks while analyzing An Cheollyang's fighting style.
Come to think of it...
Jegal Geum had a similar feeling.
Is this something you gain through martial arts training too?
Kang Yujin was avoiding every strike so far.
But he couldn't counterattack at all.
I could keep dodging and wait for an opportunity...
But that would take too long.
They had already decided to finish this quickly.
