Crack.
The sound of something fracturing echoed from somewhere.
A visible ripple formed in the space, as if cracks were spreading, and the pressure in the room grew palpable.
An overwhelming energy.
This was nothing like the oppressive aura Yuri had felt earlier; her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
âHaa⦠haaâ¦â
Even breathing became a struggle.
It was the most intense killing intent she had ever experienced.
âPrincessâ¦!â
Ubeom moved as if to intervene, reacting to Yuriâs state.
âStop.â
A voice spoke up from the front.
It was one of the Crimson Featherâs escorts.
âIf you move, youâll be cut down.â
The voice carried no trace of exaggerationâit was pure sincerity.
Ubeom felt the weight of it and hesitated to act.
The warning wasnât directed at him specifically.
Ubeom could see it.
The gaze of the speaker was fixed entirely on the princess.
Could he stop this?
Ubeom bit his lip as he assessed the situation.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI canât stop him.â
At least, not as he was now.
Even the slightest movement sent shocks of pain through his arm.
The opponent was far stronger than expected.
It wasnât just that he couldnât defend Yuri in this oppressive atmosphereâhe couldnât even muster the confidence to try.
âTo think a warrior from Zhongyuan could be this powerfulâ¦â
He clenched his teeth, acknowledging the harsh reality.
The strength of the opponent far exceeded his expectations.
The swordsman in front of him, as well as the woman who had effortlessly intercepted himâ
âI noticed it before as well.â
Her sudden, precise movements to target his neck, her calm, expressionless demeanor, and her lethal precision.
She was a master of her craft, a seasoned assassin.
Even if Ubeom hadnât been injuredâ¦
No.
âEven if I were at my full strengthâ¦â
It wasnât just the swordsman in front of him.
Could he have defended Yuri from that womanâs fingertips?
He had no confidence.
Swallowing his frustration, Ubeom came to an unsettling realization.
âItâs not just White Fox.â
He had heard tales of Zhongyuan warriors rivaling the strength of those from the Northern Sea, but he had never imagined they would be this formidable.
And at their age?
How had they reached such heights of power?