"Are you really sure that you can defeat me?!" shouted a man as he emerged from the green smoke. The man had dark, shoulder-length hair and looked middle-aged, wearing a purple business suit. His mocking gaze bore down on the others.
The ones standing below him were Creature Hunters with their various weapons, but the man was speaking directly to Jang Min-Seok. Jang Min-Seok looked back at him with furrowed brows, remaining silent as he fiercely met the man's gaze.
"But are YOU sure you can defeat Cale?!" Jang Min-Seok's mocking tone matched his gaze now.
The man above grew furious at the mention of Cale. "You dare say his name in front of ME?!" he roared, tightening his fist. Then, with another shout, he declared, "I guess I should show you all why they call me the Poison King!" Green smoke swirled around him as he dashed forward.
"Move back!" shouted Jang Min-Seok as he drew his sword with his right hand and signaled with his left. The other Creature Hunters quickly scattered, giving Jang Min-Seok more space.
"Take this!" The Poison King shouted as he clashed with Jang Min-Seok's sword using his poison-coated hand. Jang Min-Seok defended himself but was pushed back a significant distance.
"Truly worthy of being called the Sword of Korea," the Poison King said, taking slow, deliberate steps toward Jang Min-Seok.
Jang Min-Seok remained silent and countered with a vertical slash, sending a glowing arc toward the Poison King.
The Poison King dodged to his right and smirked. "...Why does it feel like you're stalling for time?" he asked, his tone dripping with suspicion. He dashed forward, slashing multiple times with his poison-covered, beast-like hands.
Jang Min-Seok responded fiercely, trading blow for blow. They exchanged at least 10 to 15 strikes before Jang Min-Seok finally landed a heavy blow with his Sword Aura and leaped backward.
However, the Poison King stood unscathed. Jang Min-Seok gritted his teeth and glanced around. 'The entire part of the city is destroyed because of our clashes... And the Poison King has no injuries while I...' He clenched his jaw as he looked at his hands, which were marked with green root-like veins and dark spots. His hands trembled as he held his sword.
"This bastard isn’t just keeping up with me—he’s poisoned me," Jang Min-Seok muttered angrily, glaring at the Poison King.
The Poison King smirked, clearly enjoying the situation. "My, my. It seems like the great Sword of Korea has been poisoned!" he mocked in a playful tone, taking slow steps toward Jang Min-Seok.
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Jang Min-Seok looked at him calmly but was panting heavily. It was clear he wouldn’t last much longer in his poisoned state. 'I guess I should end this with my best move,' Jang Min-Seok thought as he shifted into a different stance.
"Oh, what do we have here?" The Poison King tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Are you going to fight me seriously now?" Poisonous gas swirled in his hands as he spread his arms wide.
"Well... it seems like it," Jang Min-Seok replied with a faint smile.
The Poison King’s smirk disappeared, replaced by an annoyed look. "Why don’t you join me to fight Cale together? We could make a pretty good team, don’t you think?"
Jang Min-Seok regarded him seriously for a moment, then chuckled. "I refuse."
The Poison King stayed silent for a moment, crouching as if preparing to attack. However, his eyes widened slightly when he noticed Jang Min-Seok's body glowing with a blue aura.
'...This guy was holding back!' the Poison King thought in frustration. 'I need to prepare.'
Jang Min-Seok unleashed another vertical slash. The Poison King dodged easily but was shocked to see Jang Min-Seok already in front of him, his sword slashing at lightning speed. The Poison King's eyes widened in alarm.
Just when the Poison King thought it was over, Jang Min-Seok suddenly fell to his knees, his aura dissipating. The Poison King staggered back, wiping sweat from his brow as he realized how close he had been to death. 'This guy... he almost killed me,' the Poison King thought, still shaken.
Jang Min-Seok panted heavily, his eyes wide open as he knelt on the ground. '...This poison...' he thought, glancing at his left hand, now almost completely covered in green, root-like marks.
"Looks like the poison has taken its toll on you," the Poison King mocked.
Jang Min-Seok snapped out of his thoughts, lifting his gaze to meet the Poison King’s. Both stared at each other for a long moment.
"You’ve lost, Jang Min-Seok, the Sword of Korea," the Poison King said coldly. "I would have liked to watch you full strength."
"...Is that so?" Jang Min-Seok managed to reply, his voice weak. Yet, the Poison King noticed a faint smile on his face.
"What’s so funny?!" the Poison King demanded, glaring at him.
Jang Min-Seok's smile widened as he raised his left hand, flipping his middle finger at the Poison King. "He’s here. You bastard!"
The Poison King quickly scanned the surroundings but saw no one. He turned back to Jang Min-Seok with a nervous smirk. "You’re lying. Stop trying to buy more time."
Jang Min-Seok began laughing, a sound that made the Poison King’s nerves fray. He glanced around again, only to notice a figure approaching in the distance—a streak of lightning cutting through the destruction.
"What is that—" The Poison King's words were cut off as a sharp aura blade nearly struck him. He jumped back, barely managing to defend himself with his poisonous gas, but the force sent him flying.
When he regained his balance, he saw a figure standing ahead with his back turned. A dark-red scythe rested in the figure’s hands, its ominous blade glowing faintly.
"C-Cale... YOU BASTARD!!!" The Poison King screamed, his rage boiling over as the figure turned, revealing a face full of cold fury.
Cale’s right eyes crimson pupils and dark Sclera locked onto the Poison King with a dark vertical mark stretching from the bottom of his eye to his cheek., his aura radiating unrestrained power. The Poison King didn’t kneel under the immense pressure but instead stood his ground, his poison swirling around him fiercely.