Chapter 23:

The smell of blood drifted across the snowy field.

Shin Sooah's brows twitched faintly as she faced off against the white wolves.

"We're in trouble."

Shin Sooah was hunting with a few people in a party. They had smoothly cleared the area near the entrance and were searching for more demons. Although Shin Sooah had suggested they stick together, some impulsive individuals decided to search further on their own and left the party.

Seeing that dusk was approaching, Shin Sooah and what’s left of her party started to head back. And along the way, they witnessed several individuals being attacked by demons. Shin Sooah rushed over to rescue them, but the real problem began afterward.

*Crunch!*

It was not just one or two white wolves, but dozens of them. With saliva dripping from its jaws and glowing eyes, one wolf lunged at an injured person. But Shin Sooah's attack was faster.

[The ability ‘Way of the Forest’ is activated!]

Thorny vines sprouted from the ground and pierced through the wolf's chest in an instant.

"Everyone, get behind me!" she urgently shouted.

The people hurriedly hid behind her. However, it’s not enough because if they showed even the slightest opening, the white wolves would charge at them. Moreover, even with Shin Sooah’s barrier using the vines, it was difficult for her to handle all of the demons alone.

"The terrain is too unfavorable."

They were situated in an open snowfield. If there was a wall behind them, they could fight with their backs to it, but that was not possible in this open field. The wolves surrounded them in a circular formation, making it impossible to escape.

'It's impossible for me to attack and defend everything in my current state.'

Shin Sooah could have escaped alone, but the problem was the others. Three were injured, and only two were unharmed. There was no way the injured individuals could break through the pack of wolves and escape.

'If someone could either attack the white wolves or protect the people...!'

If someone could take on one of those roles, they could turn the situation around. But among them, there was no one capable of fulfilling those roles. Just as Shin Sooah gnashed her teeth a long howl of a wolf echoed in the distance. Shin Sooah's eyes widened as she looked toward the source of the sound.

"Seo Gangrim-ssi...?"

She stared at the person who appeared before her as if he were a ghost. With the appearance of a new target, some of the white wolves charged at Seo Gangrim. Just as a wolf was about to bite Seo Gangrim's side—

*Slash!*

In an instant, the wolf's head flew off. The white wolves faltered at the appearance of this formidable opponent.  Seo Gangrim, holding a sword stained with blood, immediately rushed toward the next target.

*Crunch!*

Despite being one of the top predators in this realm, the white wolves had their throats severed or chests pierced mercilessly every time Seo Gangrim swung his sword. Amidst the countless demons, his figure, swinging his sword and leaping through the battlefield, resembled a scene from a sword dance. Shin Sooah was momentarily tranced by the spectacle, but soon snapped out of it.

'This is not the time.'

With Seo Gangrim buying her time, she’s able grew trees and create a barrier to surround the people.

"This should hold up!"

Although her mana was nearly depleted, she still had her sword, and with the sword in hand, Shin Sooah charged onto the battlefield. She rushed at a wolf that was targeting Seo Gangrim from behind and plunged her sword into its neck. With this attack, she realized that it was not easy to pierce through the wolf's body, which seemed to be made entirely of bone.

Shin Sooah wore a bewildered expression, thinking, 'How did he take them down so easily?'

The bodies of the white wolves were so tough that they couldn't even compare to the horned rabbits or ice spiders she had fought so far. On the other hand, Seo Gangrim was effortlessly defeating the white wolves. Shin Sooah firmly held onto that thought as she protected Seo Gangrim's back, eliminating the wolves that approached one by one.

Awoo-

At that moment, a long howl from behind reached their ears. The wolves' ears twitched at the sound. They couldn't resist the call of their alpha. The white wolves, who had bared their teeth just a moment ago and were eyeing their preys, started retreating one by one. In no time, only the corpses of the wolves remained around them.

"...It's over."

Seo Gangrim declared, relaxing his defensive stance. Shin Sooah nodded and released the barrier of trees, and the shivering people inside poked their heads out.

"W-We survived!"

"Isn't he Seo Gangrim?"

The people who had narrowly escaped death sent Seo Gangrim grateful glances. However, Seo Gangrim showed no sign of being affected by their gratitude or paid them any mind. His gaze was fixed solely on Shin Sooah.

"...You're a real mess."

Among them, the one in the worst shape was Shin Sooah. Her physical and mana reserves had already hit rock bottom from fending off the pack of wolves. She had numerous small and large wounds all over her body as well, but she didn't show any signs of being in pain.

"The others are worse off than I am. Since you've helped me, please help me to the end."

After saying that, Shin Sooah approached the injured individuals. Although their injuries were not fatal, they seemed to have difficulty moving. Seo Gangrim let out a short sigh and fed his remaining healing pills to the injured individuals. Once everyone was healed enough to walk, Seo Gangrim looked around and said, "Let's return quickly. It's going to be worse when night falls."

Shin Sooah nodded and swiftly led the people. Thanks to their hurried pace, they were able to reach the lobby as the sun began to set. As soon as they entered, the people collapsed into their seats as if their strength had drained away.

"Haah... We... We survived!"

When the door closed behind them, the chill dissipated. With the aura of the statue, the frost on their bodies melted away, and their bleeding wounds began to heal.

Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul, who had been waiting for Seo Gangrim in the lobby, approached him.

"Hyung, are you okay?"

"Oppa, you're not hurt, are you...?"

"I'm fine. It was nothing. You should go and rest too."

Seo Gangrim replied calmly and then turned to look at Shin Sooah, who was also approaching him as if she had something to say.

"Thank you, Seo Gangrim-ssi. If it weren't for you, it would have been a big problem-"

"Sooah-ssi, if you had escaped alone, there wouldn't have been any problem. Why didn't you run away?" Seo Gangrim said, interrupting Shin Sooah.

His voice remained calm but it seemed to contain a faint anger.

"Protecting someone is only possible when you're strong. You knew the situation was unfavorable."

It was the same when Baek Yeong had come. Shin Sooah clearly knew that the situation was disadvantageous. However, instead of running away, she chose to protect Seo Gangrim and died in the end. Of course, the white wolves this time were not as formidable. Even if Seo Gangrim hadn't helped, she would have at least survived. But he was concerned about Shin Sooah's self-sacrificing nature in various ways. He hoped that she wouldn't sacrifice herself for others again. That kind of death should only happen once.

That's why he spoke in such a cold tone to her.

"Luck was on your side this time. Remember that. If you let your guard down, you'll die here."

His chilling advice silenced the room.

Shin Sooah, meanwhile, listened to his words silently and then spoke up, "Thank you, Gangrim-ssi. Thank you for worrying about me in many ways."

"I wasn't particularly worried."

"Gangrim-ssi, you seem like a caring person. I don't know why you keep pretending to be a bad person."

Although Seo Gangrim made a bitter remark, there was concern underlying his voice. Shin Sooah recognized that, and so she smiled even when hearing the bitter remark. Seo Gangrim silently stared at her for a moment and then turned away.

"...Think whatever you want."

He briskly walked upstairs, and Shin Sooah watched his back for a while.

"Why does he feel so familiar?"

***Read at novelworldtranslations.blogspot.com***

The rain that had been falling for several days finally stopped. Seo Gangrim got up with a refreshing feeling after a long time. Through the window of his room, a clear sky was visible.

"Hoo..."

After taking a short breath, he stood up from his seat. Even considering the annoying incident from yesterday, his physical condition was surprisingly good at the moment.

Yesterday, he helped Shin Sooah fend off the wolves. He tried not to get involved, but he couldn't help but be concerned about her. Also, even if he distanced himself, Shin Sooah would still approach him from time to time. It seemed that she had developed some goodwill towards him. Given her personality, if he acted too coldly, she would become even more interested.

Seo Gangrim let out a short sigh and stood up from his seat. Shin Sooah was Shin Sooah, but he needed to focus on the conquest of the Demon World first. Saving Yoon Geoul's life should be his priority for now.

He checked my task completion rate.

[Number of defeated demons: 8/10]

By killing the white wolves yesterday, he had defeated eight types of demons. Now, he only needed to kill two more types to complete the task. Of course, he had no intention of completing it right away. If he completed the stage too quickly, Dokgo Jun would start paying attention to him again. Hence, it would be better to clear the stage slowly.

Seo Gangrim went outside since the scheduled time to meet Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul was approaching. When he went down to the lobby, he didn't see the two of them yet. Instead, several people rushed towards him as if they had been waiting and bowed their heads.

"Seo Gangrim-ssi, thank you so much yesterday!"

They were the people who had accompanied Shin Sooah yesterday. They looked at Seo Gangrim with expressions of deep gratitude.

"We survived thanks to you! Thank you!"

"I was truly amazed. How did you defeat all those wolves at once...?"

"You're amazing. What rank are you, by the way?"

He felt slightly awkward with the barrage of questions. He had no intention of receiving gratitude from these people in this way, since he had never intended to save them in the first place. He only helped a little because Shin Sooah seemed to be in trouble.

"Seo Gangrim-ssi, do you need someone? I'll assist you wholeheartedly!"

"I have a defensive ability. Take me with you!"

They proposed forming a party together, and before he knew it, more and more people gathered around him, surrounding him, to which he wasn’t particularly happy about. It would be a pain in the ass if he caught Dokgo Jun’s eyes again…

At this moment, the third door opened, and Dokgo Jun stepped out. The people, however, ignored this and continued to shower Seo Gangrim with praise.

"I know I won't impress someone as strong as Seo Gangrim-ssi... But I'll work hard!"

"Please take us with you!"

Seo Gangrim tried to escape, but there were too many people, there was no way out. He was surrounded by people, receiving their proposals to join a party. At this time, Dokgo Jun looked at him.