Suddenly, the wind stopped. The air around them became chilling, cutting through to the bone. It felt as if the world had frozen in place. From the thick fog, which slowly started to dissipate, emerged a man. He was tall and sturdy, standing still like a dark shadow that engulfed the entire battlefield. His face was obscured, but the aura emanating from him was terrifying. His presence seemed to devour the light around him.
Not far away, Karyo lay helpless. His body crashed into a tree with a loud crack, and he spat out blood, his eyes empty as he stared at the gray sky. Tian Le, still standing, looked pale and trembling. His hands shook violently, and cold sweat ran down his temples. His eyes were filled with fear as he gazed at the man—this stranger who had become the center of their world.
"W-Who are you?" Tian Le asked, his voice shaking like a leaf in the wind.
Without even looking at his opponent, the man spoke calmly, yet with an undeniable pressure:
"Don't make a ruckus around here. Su Daji is sleeping soundly."
The voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it rang clearly throughout the forest. Tian Le gritted his teeth. "You bastard!" he cursed, then immediately turned and ran toward Lian Shi, intent on reporting.
Meanwhile, Du Chen and Hyeon Li, who lay not far away, were both shocked and relieved at the appearance of the mysterious man.
"Thank you, senior... you've saved us," Du Chen said weakly. Blood soaked his white robe, spreading like a blooming flower.
Hyeon Li warned, "They... are from the Demon Fire Sect... they have a General-level warrior with them. Be careful, senior..."
The man turned slowly. His eyes showed no emotion, only a frozen calmness. His gaze was like the starless sky at night—empty, yet profound.
"It's fine," he said softly. "Let me handle them. You two, go quickly... and don't make any more noise around here."
"Understood, senior!" they responded in unison. Without wasting time, they staggered to their feet and left the area.
A moment later...
Tian Le returned with Lian Shi and the remaining forces of the Demon Fire Sect. They surrounded the mysterious man from all sides. Their footsteps echoed softly yet heavily, forming a circle of death under the moonlight, which had just emerged from behind the clouds.
Lian Shi eyed him cautiously. His voice trembled, though he tried to sound firm.
"Who are you? Are you part of the sect alliance?"
The man shook his head slightly.
"No. I'm just an ordinary person. But you've made a ruckus here, and that... disturbed Su Daji's sleep."
He glared at them all with sharp eyes.
"…and for that, you must bear the consequences."
Lian Shi growled in anger. "You're asking for death! Everyone, attack!"
The Demon Fire forces moved in unison, forming a deadly formation. But before they could get close, the sound of metal being drawn echoed—cling!
In an instant, the man's sword was unsheathed.
Three seconds later—every one of the soldiers collapsed. Their bodies dropped in unison, as if pulled by an invisible string. Fine lines of blood appeared on their throats and chests. They didn't even understand what had killed them.
The air grew quiet again.
The wind seemed to stop, paying its respects to the man's sword movement.
Jian Mo stood still amidst the pile of bodies. His face remained calm, without anger... just the determination of someone protecting his small world.
In the tense silence, Jian Mo sheathed his sword. Not a single soul dared to breathe. The night grew calm once more—and Su Daji remained soundly asleep.