The clash of steel and fire echoed through the gorge as Seol-Yeong's sword met the bandit leader's massive axe. Sparks flew from the impact, but Seol-Yeong held his ground, the heat of his Azure Flame radiating around him in waves.
The bandit leader sneered, his scarred face twisting in amusement. "You've got guts, kid. But fire's nothing new to me."
With a roar, the bandit swung his axe in a wide arc, the air itself trembling from the sheer force of it. Seol-Yeong sidestepped, flames flickering around his feet as he danced just out of reach. The axe struck the ground with a thunderous crack, splitting the earth and sending debris flying.
But Seol-Yeong was already moving. He surged forward, his sword a streak of blue fire as it slashed toward the bandit's side. The bandit twisted, deflecting the strike with the haft of his axe, but Seol-Yeong's follow-up was immediate — a burst of flame aimed directly at his face.
The bandit stumbled back, cursing. "You'll pay for that!"
Meanwhile, Yoon-Hee moved through the battlefield like a winter storm. Her sword carved through the bandits with deadly grace, and every strike left ice blooming in its wake. A bandit rushed at her from behind — but she spun, her palm releasing a burst of frost that froze him mid-step. A single strike shattered him like glass.
Hyeon was a force of nature. His fists broke bones and his kicks sent men flying. The Barbarian Tribe's strength coursed through him, and he reveled in the fight. Three bandits tried to rush him at once — and he met them head-on, his laughter ringing out over the sounds of battle.
The bandit leader's aura surged. "ENOUGH!" His axe ignited with dark flames, and Seol-Yeong's eyes narrowed. This wasn't ordinary martial arts.
Seol-Yeong's grip tightened on his sword. "You're not the only one with power."
He took a deep breath — and the Primordial Ascent Manual responded. The air around him grew heavy, the flames around his blade turning darker, hotter. The power within him stirred, ancient and limitless.
The bandit leader charged — and Seol-Yeong met him head-on. Their weapons clashed, and the ground cracked beneath them. Fire met fire, but Seol-Yeong's burned brighter. The bandit's strength was monstrous, but Seol-Yeong's control and precision kept him just ahead of every strike.
And then Seol-Yeong saw it — an opening.
With a burst of flame, he shifted his stance and struck. His sword pierced through the bandit's defenses, cutting deep into his side. The bandit staggered, his dark flames flickering — and Seol-Yeong didn't let up.
"Azure Flame Strike!"
The world erupted in blue fire. The bandit leader's scream echoed through the gorge — and when the flames finally died down, he collapsed to his knees, defeated.
The remaining bandits saw their leader fall — and they ran.
The battle was over.
Seol-Yeong stood amidst the ruins, his breathing heavy. Yoon-Hee approached, her eyes filled with pride — and worry. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
"I'm fine," Seol-Yeong said, though the ache in his body told a different story.
Hyeon joined them, grinning. "That was incredible! You two are monsters."
Yoon-Hee smiled faintly. "So are you."
They gathered what they could from the bandit camp — gold, weapons, supplies. It was enough to make a real difference for their families. Enough to take the next step forward.
As they turned to leave, Seol-Yeong glanced back at the fallen bandit leader — and the faint glow of an ancient symbol carved into his axe.
Something far darker was stirring in the world.
But for now, they had won.