Translator: Nox
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Forming the Alliance
#1
Peng Hyeon-do stood quietly, leaning against the cart as the caravan rolled forward.
The Zhegall Sect, huh?
Just thinking about it made his stomach churn.
‘Most annoying sect in the whole damn game.’
They weren’t bad.
Actually, they were noble, strong, efficient, and composed.
But they were also cold and rigid.
Obsessed with logic, reasoning, and fairness.
Hyeon-do didn’t do well with people like that.
Which was ironic, considering they had the best overall story in the game.
He remembered running that route again and again just to see the ending.
‘Let’s avoid causing any friction.’
This wasn’t the time to clash.
The Zhegalls were tacticians — they would make excellent allies.
His thoughts wandered as the caravan traveled.
He focused on channeling qi and maintaining internal energy balance.
Crackle—
His Thunderforce Divine Art was steadily advancing.
It would soon surpass the Heaven-Earth Phantom Divine Art.
That meant he needed to step things up.
And now — they were finally approaching the meeting point.
“There! I see a signal flare!”
It was red — indicating friendlies.
The carriage master, Yi Baek, smiled.
“They’re punctual.”
Hyeon-do nodded.
“Everyone, prepare to halt!”
The wagons stopped one by one, and dust settled.
From the ridge, several figures appeared — clad in signature Zhegall uniforms.
Tall, refined, with proud postures and immaculate composure.
Leading them was—
“That’s...!”
A girl in her late teens, with sharp eyes and a dignified aura.
Peng Hyeon-do narrowed his eyes.
Zhegall Yeong-yeong.
The Zhegall Sect’s prodigy.
Genius tactician.
And... quite frankly, a royal pain in the ass.
<Oh great. It’s her.>
“Let’s proceed carefully.”
She descended with elegance, her retinue following in neat formation.
“Is that the merchant chief?”
“I am. Meng Ja-seong.”
“Good. You’re on time.”
She nodded.
“And this...?”
“This is Peng Hyeon-do.”
“From the Peng Sect?”
“Yes.”
Yeong-yeong examined him.
Head to toe.
Cold eyes.
But then — a slight change.
<She recognized me.>
In the game, Zhegall Yeong-yeong had an impressive AI.
She evaluated allies and enemies based on hidden stats.
<She probably sensed my energy.>
“You seem... above average.”
“Thank you. I’ll take that as praise.”
“It wasn’t.”
Yup.
Still a pain.
#2
The Peng Sect and Zhegall Sect formally joined forces that day.
The contract was brief and clear.
Escort the Meng merchant group safely through Green Forest.
Compensation: 10 silver per day per warrior. Bonus upon completion.
It was Hyeon-do’s doing.
He had offered a supplementary route with slightly higher risk — but greater profit.
And that caught Yeong-yeong’s attention.
“...You studied the terrain?”
“I did.”
“And you’re suggesting we take this canyon?”
“Yes. It’s an old bandit path. No one expects us to go *into* it.”
“Risky. But clever.”
“I’d call it... efficient.”
Her eyebrow twitched at that word.
Eventually, she agreed.
They would march through the Green Forest’s canyon route.
Thus, the dual escort formation was born.
Zhegall warriors on the flanks and rear — Peng warriors at the front.
It was a logical arrangement.
Zhegalls were formation and analysis masters.
Pengs were brutes built for head-on clashes.
Hyeon-do rode near the front.
Zhegall Yeong-yeong stayed center-rear, coordinating with sub-commanders.
It was working.
Until—
“Enemy movement. Up ahead.”
One of the scouts returned.
Bandits.
As expected.
But their numbers were... considerable.
More than a hundred.
“Probably a subsidiary of Green Forest,” said Yeong-yeong. “But no flags. Not official.”
“A rogue band?”
“Likely.”
Hyeon-do smirked.
“Well, let’s crush them.”
Yeong-yeong gave him a side glance.
“You’re calm.”
“This is nothing.”
“And you’re confident?”
“I *know* we’ll win.”
“...Show me.”
“Gladly.”
#3
The battle began at dawn.
The canyon narrowed — the perfect place for an ambush.
But the Peng Sect was waiting.
Saber warriors crouched low, breathing in rhythm.
Zhegall archers had set up support positions on higher ridges.
And Hyeon-do...
Stood front and center.
Saber in hand.
Weights strapped to his arms and legs.
He hadn't removed them.
The bandits didn’t take him seriously.
“Look at that little brat.”
“You gonna cry for mommy?”
“Don’t kill him too fast. Let’s play a bit—!”
CRACK—!
The first voice went silent.
Split in two.
Hyeon-do vanished — then reappeared in the center of their ranks.
Electricity crackled.
His saber tore through bandit after bandit.
Shockwaves burst outward.
[Thunder Tiger Breaks the Gate!]
Boom!
Three went down instantly.
The Peng warriors roared and charged in.
The Yellow Tiger Squad followed behind.
In the rear, Zhegall Yeong-yeong gave orders.
“Form Line Six. Fire on the right flank. Suppress and disrupt. Left team, cut their retreat.”
“Understood!”
Arrows rained down — not at random, but in perfect formation.
Every shot disrupted an enemy’s stance.
They didn’t kill — they *controlled*.
Combined with the Peng warriors’ brute force...
It was over within minutes.
The remaining bandits fled.
The escort resumed.
No one questioned the route after that.
Especially not Zhegall Yeong-yeong.
Who now looked at Peng Hyeon-do very differently.
【To be continued in Chapter 9】
