"What the hell are you..." Valan yelled, seeing Kang Oh's back turned as he flew up the altar. 

However, his sword moved before his mouth. He needed to stop Sraka, who swung his sword at Kang Oh's exposed back.

Clang!

Valan and Sraka's blades clashed, emitting a weighty 'clang'. He had successfully warded off Sraka's attack.

It was as Kang Oh expected. Valan was trying to keep him safe.

If that's the case, then Kang Oh would be safe even if he turned his back to Sraka. Of course, Valan wanted him to stay put. That's why he'd questioned his actions at first, but was forced to fight off Sraka.

Sraka's expression was concealed by his bronze mask. However, someone as skilled as Valan could read a person based on their breathing and the small changes in their movements.

'He's panicking.'

From an outside view, Sraka seemed like a barbarian who simply overpowered his opponent's with superior strength. However, he was no bear, he was a fox.

Yet he was panicking?

Someone as astute as Valan knew exactly why. It was because Kang Oh had suddenly flown up to the altar.

'There's a reason he can't let Kang Oh go up the altar.'

He knew...