Chapter 05
We were Trying to Protect YouWe were Trying to Protect You
"I'm going to kill you..."
"......."
Hmm, that's scary.
What makes it even scarier is that, in the novel, she is supposed to be as strong as the protagonist.
But looking at her, tied up like that, even when she growls...
"You're cute."
"You—!"
She just looks really adorable in my eyes.
When I patted Yu Somyeong's head, she lunged at my hand as if she was going to bite it.
"Hey, calm down and listen to me. We've been protecting you all along, and now we're going to send you home."
"...What?"
As soon as I said that, Yu Somyeong froze, looking shocked. I gently stroked her neck and continued.
"Since we've protected you, we should get some protection fee, right?"
"What are you talking about? Protection fee! ...Ugh."
She shouted in frustration as soon as I mentioned the protection fee, but I flicked her forehead, pushing her back a little.
"...But you took everything I had!"
"Not enough."
"What—?"
Of course, selling her belongings and sword would more than cover the toll fees we used to collect from merchants passing through the mountain.
But Yu Somyeong is in a different league.
"I need 10 pieces of gold."
"...What?!"
Her mouth dropped open at the mention of 10 pieces of gold. Typical Yu Somyeong, full of reactions.
"...I don't have that much money on me right now."
"You don't have to pay. Your family in Shanxi will cover it."
"...My family?"
I answered with a sly smile. Without a mirror, I couldn't be sure, but I probably looked like a complete thug.
"We bandits are smarter and more informed than you think."
"Smart... what?"
"Never mind. The head of the Yu family in Shanxi is gone, and many of their warriors are missing, right?"
"H-how do you know that...!"
In reality, bandits gather quite a bit of information. We learn about the world's affairs while extorting merchants.
Last week, we had interactions with a merchant who mentioned significant movements within the Yu family in Shanxi.
They said the head of the family had left with warriors in response to the Martial Alliance's request for reinforcements.
Essentially, the Yu family in Shanxi is practically empty now. It's perfect for plundering.
Besides, I have their precious gem in my hands.
"Come on, young lady. Make me rich."
"I'd rather die than suffer such humiliation... Mmmpf...!"
"If you're going to say that, keep this gag in your mouth."
I gagged Yu Somyeong and tied her securely to my back before heading out.
Outside, my subordinates were already prepared and waiting.
"Boss, let's go."
"Yeah, guys."
Nothing more, nothing less, exactly 10 pieces of gold.
"Let's go make some money."
We were going to strip them down to the bones.
.....
.....
But then...
"Wow—!!"
"...Hey, why is it so noisy over there?"
"...I don't know."
We were almost at the Yu family estate in Shanxi, but for some reason, it was extremely noisy.
Dongryong climbed the wall of the Yu family estate to check and then returned to me.
"Boss."
"What is it? What's going on?"
"Warriors are fighting inside."
"...Huh?"
...This is confusing.
I was here to make some money but it seems someone has already beaten me to it.
'I can't believe someone else would've had the same idea...'
A celebrity's words from my previous life came to mind.
'The thoughts in your head are also in someone else's head.'
Everyone thinks of robbing an empty house.
"Damn it, I should've come earlier."
In this chaos, I can't collect money... what to do.
"Boss, what do we do now?"
"I don't know either."
Ugh.
At that moment, I felt something wriggling behind me like a fish out of water.
It was Yu Somyeong, who had been listening to our conversation.
"Mmm!! Mmmph!!!"
"Ah, hold on... alright, alright. I'll put you down."
As her struggle grew more intense, I put her down and removed the gag.
As soon as she could speak, Yu Somyeong asked in confusion.
"What's happening in my house right now?"
"I don't know exactly, but warriors are fighting inside."
"Why..."
Her expression quickly shifted from confusion to urgency.
"...Untie me."
"Yu Somyeong now's not the time to be stubborn..."
"Untie me now!! Inside...!"
No, looking at her now, she seemed more desperate than urgent.
"My brother is inside!!"
"...!"
...Brother?
Only then did I recall more details from the original novel.
Did Yu Somyeong have a brother in the novel?
No, she didn't. She was the only heir of the Yu family in Shanxi.
Then I remembered Yu Somyeong telling the protagonist about her brother.
She said...
"He was killed by the demons... ...!"
'Something felt off.'
Now that I knew, I could sense a strange aura with my intuition.
Demons... members of the Heavenly Demon Cult... are in there.
"..."
My life's goal is to avoid getting entangled with the novel, the righteous sects, or the Heavenly Demon Cult and live peacefully.
But...
'Go... and never set foot here again.'
...Just hearing the name Heavenly Demon Cult made my body tremble.
"Untie me now!! I need to protect my brother!!"
Thud.
I untied Yu Somyeong, who was struggling violently. She widened her eyes, not expecting me to free her so easily.
"You..."
"Miss."
I helped her up and said,
"Looks like I'll have to charge double for the protection fee."
**
Shwing-.
"Ugh-!!"
Wi Yongmyung's sword, imbued with dark red energy, slashed Yu Jinmyung's waist.
His arms and legs already bore numerous sword wounds.
"Gasp..."
Wi Yongmyung sneered from above as he watched Yu Jinmyung lose balance and kneel due to the burning pain.
His usual benevolent smile was replaced by a sneer that suited him well.
"If you give up now, I'll end your suffering quickly."
"You bastard..."
Yu Jinmyung gritted his teeth and stood up.
"Even if I die, I will never give up."
Despite his brave words, he knew that the situation was dire.
The enemy outnumbered his allies, and he had a wounded leg.
'The speed of the Willow Sword Art is crucial...'
Moreover, his opponent was an experienced master. His sword, tainted with demonic energy, was even more formidable.
There were only a few options left to win.
'No choice.'
Yu Jinmyung decided to put everything into one final strike.
Sssss-.
"Oh?"
As Yu Jinmyung started gathering energy into his sword, Wi Yongmyung sneered.
"Planning a final strike? But, young master, you don't seem to have much energy left."
"..."
Yu Jinmyung didn't respond, but Wi Yongmyung's observation was accurate. Due to his injuries, he had little internal energy left.
Still, he mustered every last drop of energy he had.
Then he lowered his stance.
"...!"
Yu Jinmyung's eyes widened, focusing solely on his opponent's neck. As if his entire existence had been leading to this moment.
The time it took to focus on Wi Yongmyung's neck and gather strength in his legs and arms was less than a second, but he poured all his effort and sweat into that second.
Finally, he leaped into the air.
His sword performed a single stroke.
[Willow Sword Art: Willow Slash]
Piiing-.
Time seemed to slow down for Yu Jinmyung.
But to others, it was a split second.
His sword aimed straight for Wi Yongmyung's neck.
'Got it.'
The speed of the Willow Sword Art was hard for even a master to counter.
From the moment the strike connected, Yu Jinmyung was confident of his victory.
However....
Boom-.
"Ugh-!"
His sword did not reach Wi Yongmyung's neck. Instead, Yu Jinmyung's body flew several yards away due to the impact.
"Ugh-!!"
He coughed up blood from the rebound of gathering energy and taking a strong hit.
The internal injuries made his body tremble from the searing pain.
Wi Yongmyung, adjusting his clothes, approached him slowly, like a victor.
"You're so foolish, young master."
"You bastard—! Ugh..."
"I've been with the Yu family in Shanxi longer than you've lived. Did you think I wouldn't know how to counter the Willow Sword Art?"
"That—"
The counter to the Willow Sword Art... Yu Jinmyung despaired. Wi Yongmyung continued explaining kindly.
"Those who use the Willow Sword Art always aim for the neck. What can you do if I block the predicted path with a heavy sword?"
"Ugh..."
Though the logic might sound simple to some, the lack of experience led to this outcome.
And no matter how unfair it may seem, the victor and loser had already been decided.
The victor, Wi Yongmyung, raised his sword to deliver the final blow.
"See you in the next life."
"Wi Yongmyung-!!!"
His sword descended toward Yu Jinmyung's neck...!
Whoosh-.
Smack!
"Ack!"
Wi Yongmyung felt a sharp pain at the back of his head.
"Who's there—!"
"Who do you think?"
Clang-!
Turning around, he saw a young man swinging a sword at him.
Dressed shabbily like a beggar, the youth used his body's rotation to deflect Wi Yongmyung's sword.
Thud-.
"Ugh...!"
He kicked Wi Yongmyung in the solar plexus, sending him rolling several yards away.
'Who is this guy?'
Seeing him, Yu Jinmyung realized the young man before him was no ordinary person.
Yu Jinmyung couldn't help but be surprised, especially since he was a stranger who suddenly appeared to help him.
But he couldn't let his guard down and cautiously asked the young man,
"Who are you? Are you with the demons?"
"You're the young master, right? Don't worry, I'm not a demon."
Yu Jinmyung was relieved at the fact and finally managed to smile.
Even though he didn't know who he was, this young man seemed to be an ally.
Now that he looked closely, the young man was quite handsome, which made him even more trustworthy...
"I'm a bandit from Mount Hyungak."
...
Trustworthy... wait, what?
"W-what did you say...?"
"I'm here to protect you."
Yu Jinmyung rubbed his eyes and looked up again to examine the face of the young man who had saved him.
Just as he first noticed, the young man was indeed very handsome, but...
"Lady Yu promised us to double the protection fee."
...he looked like a total rogue.