Editors: Ytho, LaidBackGuy

He paused for a moment. He didn't know how thick the wall was, but it was better than reaching the end. Lee Sungmin looked at the mini-map floating on a corner of his vision.

There were four paths leading to the end. At present, Lee Sungmin was on the path with Jang Deuksu, Chwigeol, and Crimson Death. He stared at four different paths.

Two of the four paths had both yellow and red dots. On the other path, there were two yellow dots and only one red dot on the last path. Lee Sungmin stared at the road left with only one red dot.

'Who could it be?'

Who's the Doppelganger? If only one Doppelganger was left on that path, it would mean that all the other people on that path were killed by that Doppelganger.

'Is it Wijihoyeon?'

Maybe Baek Sogo was already dead. He was taken over by such an ominous feeling. Lee Sungmin swallowed down his anxiety and bit his lower lip. He looked at the road with only three dots. One road where there were both people and doppelgangers. One road with two doppelgangers.

Except for roads that only have Doppelgangers. Which should he choose? He could go either right or left from where he was currently located. There was a human and a Doppelganger on the left. On the right there were three humans.

Lee Sungmin watched the mini-map with furrowed brows. The three yellow dots were approaching each other.

He didn't know how to go about it.

The worst case scenario was this. The three yellow dots were not Wijihoyeon, but her followers. If it were Wijihoyeon, there wouldn't be a problem. She would recognize Lee Sungmin. But what about the experts following her? It was unlikely that they would leave Lee Sungmin alone.

'I don't think they would believe me even if I use Wijihoyeon's name.'

The distance of the yellow dots was getting closer. He would encounter them soon. Or maybe they have already captured each other. Lee Sungmin glanced down the road on the left. The distance between the Doppelganger and the people was quite far.

“d.a.m.n it.”

Lee Sungmin pointed his spear at the wall on his right. If it really was the worst case, then going beyond the wall. He might come across Solitary Blade Dokgo and Iron Fist Marang. Or perhaps it might be Wijihoyeon and Baek Sogo, or it could be Heavenly Skyfall and Peerless Warrior.

Nothing was certain. He had to try. The spear qi that usually distributed through the whole spear concentrated at the spearhead and condensed to form a small metallic end with an extremely sharp edge at the top.

[Huu.]

Heoju was surprised to see that. He knew that Lee Sungmin was an expert with excellent skills, but he didn't know that he was so good at coordinating his skills.

[It's not possible using just martial arts. How did you do it?]

“I have done it before.”

Lee Sungmin replied while staring at the edge of the spear. The world of martial arts that was within his reach. If he used only the martial arts given in the status window, it would be impossible to tune his strength. In fact, Lee Sungmin's martial arts was composed of Amethyst Cloud, Nine Heavenly Spears, and Shadowless technique.

But other than that. Lee Sungmin remembered that he had already reached a much higher level. It was a strange thing. He remembered it in his mind, but his body could neither comprehend nor use it. It was the same at this moment. Since he used a method that he wasn't at a level to use, he had used up a lot of his inner qi.

But he still did it. Although he had a feeling of emptiness in his Dantian, Lee Sungmin did not care. He continued to channel energy into the hand holding the spear by tapping into his inner force. Rubia clucked her tongue out, and Heoju was silent. The dense qi condensed at the tip of the spear was dark purple.

'It's definitely different from my subconscious.'

It was faster and easier than this over there. Lee Sungmin smiled bitterly. That was it. He drove the spear into the wall made of red flesh.

[What a weirdo.]

Heoju smiled and said when Lee Sungmin's spear pierced through the wall.

Lee Sungmin took a deep breath and walked into the pierced wall. He felt dizzy from the sharp internal pain. He had no strength in his legs. Lee Sungmin held his trembling legs and bit on his lower lip.

'I can't help it.'

He took out a potion from his interdimensional pocket. He drank it in one gulp. Although it did relieve his fatigue a little, the potion did not restore the qi that was consumed. In order to recover his inner energy, he would have to fix his meridians, but there was no time for that.

Lee Sungmin took out a Restoration pill from his interdimensional pocket. He split the pill in half and put it in his mouth. It was absorbed instantly. Usually, when you take a pill, you would need to circulate it into your meridians for it to work, but Lee Sungmin, who had a Blackheart, didn't have to go through that process. The half of the pill that he took was absorbed into Lee Sungmin's Dantian.

“Huu!”

He left without taking the rest of the Restoration pill or the Magic Jewel pill. There was also an urgent need to recover his inner strength, but he also had to reach on time. His empty Dantian was full. It was worthy of being Shaolin's finest, as the Restoration Pill had replenished most of the inner qi consumed by Lee Sungmin with only half of it.

'There is no dropped loot. Heoju might be right.'

Although he could not completely trust him yet, Lee Sungmin ran to the front immediately after confirming that his inner force had been replenished. The two yellow dots were in the same location, and not far from where Lee Sungmin was now.

How long had he been running for?

He could see the two engaged. When he saw their backs. Lee Sungmin's chest was thumping. Pure white robes and grey hair. Lee Sungmin knew that appearance.

It was Baek Sogo.

There was a giant man in black robes attacking her. Looking at the size, he was bigger than Jang Deuksu. He used his bare fist instead of wielding a sword, and the powerful attack was threatening enough to make his chest feel stuffy even though he wasn't facing it head-on.

'That fist. Is it Iron Fist Marang?'

Baek Sogo and Iron Fist Marang were the same in that they were both fighting without a weapon. However, their methods of attacking were very different. Baek Sogo attacked without hesitation, moving with flawless agility and using her perfected Shadowless technique, while Iron Fist Marang's moves were slower but heavy and loaded with power. It seemed too early to judge which one of the two was superior, but it seemed to Lee Sungmin that Baek Sogo was leading.

But that didn't mean Baek Sogo's situation was good. A little distance from him, a skinny man stood with his arms folded. He saw Lee Sungmin coming up and opened his narrow eyes.

It was Solitary Blade Dokgo.

He couldn't think of anyone other than Solitary Blade. He didn't know Heavenly Skyfall or Peerless Warrior, but there was no reason for them to attack Baek Sogo. Indeed, a long sword was hanging at the man's waist.

Lee Sungmin sped up using the One Thunder technique.

So far, he had been lucky, but not now. He never thought that he would encounter Solitary Blade Dokgo and Iron Fist Marang on this road. Fortunately, they were not working together.

This was because Iron Fist Marang was hard-headed. Since neither of them used weapons, Iron Fist Marang fought her fairly in a one-on-one match.

'Even if I win here… '

Baek Sogo bit her lower lip. Iron Fist Marang was an excellent expert, but he was only half as good as her. Although it is not easy to defeat him, Baek Sogo would be able to win the fight unless a significant variable occurred.

The problem was Solitary Blade. Solitary Blade Dokgo was considered the best among Wijihoyeon's followers. If she was in her best form and fought Solitary Blade Dokgo after defeating Iron Fist Marang, the chances of her survival were minimal.

'If I overpower Iron Fist Marang and threaten Solitary Blade with his life … no. That wouldn't do. Solitary Blade would never care about Iron Fist Marang's life.'

However, she could not give up. Baek Sogo could not die yet. She clenched her first and went head to head against Iron Fist Marang. Seeing himself be pushed back little by little, Iron Fist Marang's expression was distorted. He heard Solitary Blade's subtle laughter from behind, looking at him be embarra.s.sed like this, and his blood boiled.

“That b.i.t.c.h… !”

He roared out with an angry voice, but Iron Fist Marang could only get hit one-sidedly by Baek Sogo. Meanwhile…

Kuuuung!

There was a loud noise. Solitary Blade reacted quickly and Baek Sogo's shoulders trembled. Although a small gap was created as a result, Iron Fist Marang was also caught off guard by the sound and couldn't take advantage of it.

“Someone is coming.”

Solitary Blade murmured. Iron Fist Marang and Baek Sogo also felt it. Someone was approaching at high speed. Who could it be? Baek Sogo's pupils constricted. The worst thing for her right now would be if there was another Doppelganger approaching … or if it was Wijihoyeon. If so, there would be no chance that she would survive unless a miracle happened.

“What is that guy?”

Baek Sogo could not afford to look behind. However, that was not the case for Solitary Blade. Iron Fist Marang could not see who was approaching while focusing on Baek Sogo.

“Was there anyone who used a spear?”

Solitary Blade drew out his sword while muttering like that. Spear. None. It wasn't Chwigeol or Peerless Warrior, Jang Deuksu used an axe, and Heavenly Skyfall used dao. spear… Spear. A figure emerged from Baek Sogo's memory. There was one person. She knew someone who used the spear.

“He looks quite young… I don't know what he's doing.”

Solitary Blade muttered and headed forward. He didn't know who was coming, but he was curious. Baek Sogo felt the urge to look back. But she could not.

“Should I kill her first?”

“No need!”

Solitary Blade asked Iron Fist Marang, who replied in a harsh voice. He answered that reply with a grin. Meanwhile…

Kkaaang!

A flash of an attack hit Solitary Blade's sword. His posture did not waver even an inch. He stood firmly rooted on the spot and received the attack. Solitary Blade, who was smiling leisurely just now, narrowed his eyes. Through the current blow, he could tell that his opponent was an expert with extraordinary skill.

“Who are you?”

Solitary Blade asked. In response to Iron Fist Marang's attack, Baek Sogo stepped back a few steps. With the sudden intrusion of a third person, Iron Fist Marang did not immediately rush to attack Baek Sogo. As he caught up his breaths, he looked at the man who just attacked Solitary Blade.

Lee Sungmin.

Baek Sogo opened her eyes wide and saw Lee Sungmin's back. She saw him a year ago. There wasn't a big difference in appearance compared to that time. Then, why? Why did his back look bigger than it did a year ago?

Lee Sungmin did not look back. Actually, he had missed her. He wanted to turn around to face Baek Sogo. He wanted to greet her. It's been a long time, how have you been? He wanted to say that. But he couldn't do it. Right in front of him was Solitary Blade Dokgo and Iron Fist Marang. If Lee Sungmin revealed any gaps, Solitary Blade would attack without missing it.

“Baek Sogo.”

He raised the spear with both hands and attacked. His hands felt numb. It collided against the sword with speed, but Solitary Blade received Lee Sungmin's attack calmly. Even though Solitary Blade's doppelganger fell to Chwigeol, its ability wasn't inferior to him by much. Solitary Blade seemed to be the strongest martial artist he'd clashed against so far. Even Ghost Blade under the full moon seemed to be far from Solitary Blade's level.

“Long time no see.”

Lee Sungmin did not look at Baek Sogo's face. He stared at Solitary Blade, Then said slowly. Baek Sogo's shoulders trembled when she heard those words. 1 year. At least one year. Compared to a year ago, Baek Sogo was clearly stronger. However, Baek Sogo's skills, which had already reached this stage, had not been improved greatly in that one year.

But what about Lee Sungmin?

Baek Sogo couldn't believe it. The Lee Sungmin she met a year ago was not this strong. Even then, Lee Sungmin was close to the peak, but there was a strong feeling of instability somewhere. But now? Now, Baek Sogo found Lee Sungmin to be surprisingly strong.

“… Lee-… Lee Sungmin?”

Why are you here? Baek Sogo wanted to ask him, but she remained silent because she knew it was inconvenient to ask such a question in this situation. Solitary Blade laughed while watching Baek Sogo and Lee Sungmin.

“Was there someone like that following Silent Flare? This is the first time I'm hearing of it.”

Solitary Blade raised his sword which had a red aura surrounding it. Lee Sungmin's breath quickened as he held up the spear with both hands. They wouldn't believe him if he told them that he was Wijihoyeon's acquaintance. Then, should he take Baek Sogo and escape the fight? He didn't think they would allow him to do that.

If so, could he do it?

The opponent was Solitary Blade. They had never fought before. He had already experienced how difficult it was to deal with an expert swordsman. Lee Sungmin instinctively knew. That the Solitary Blade standing in front of him was stronger than he was now.

Could he do it?

In response to the question that came up again, Lee Sungmin simply walked forward.

He had to.

(T/N: There's a little quirk of Lee Sungmin's that doesn't quite translate. He refers to Baek Sogo by name in his head but calls her with the honorific 'priestess' when he speaks to her when other people are around, kinda like calling her fellow Daoist/Taoist, or rather like 'fellow Shaman priest'. Same goes for Baek Sogo as well.)