Very carefully, Hawa moved past the mud monster. Thinking that it could be a trick, she kept her guard up, but the mud monster didn’t move at all. She looked back afterward, dumbfounded by what had transpired between the monster and Chi-Woo.

‘How did those two…?’ Hawa wondered, but decided to not think too deeply about the matter.

Once he was left alone with the monster, Chi-Woo took the first step forward; seeing this, the mud monster followed suit. They met each other’s eyes, and their gazes burned with feelings that neither of them could explain. Both had saved each other’s life once; Chi-Woo did it because he considered the mud monster a worthy opponent the likes of which he would be unlikely to encounter another time, and the mud monster did it because it couldn’t let its opponent die so foolishly. Both wanted to finish their opponents with their own hands! 

With their hearts aligned, Chi-Woo and the mud monster shared their thoughts without talking. It was a promise made between two free-willing individuals, and there was no need for them to say more. Chi-Woo arched his back and knees to lower his stance. The battleground of the mud monster’s choosing was a wide clearing without corners. However, Chi-Woo didn’t necessarily think he was at a disadvantage because he had formed a contract with La Bella. The mud monster beckoned Chi-Woo to come forth. Chi-Woo concentrated his energy, determined to give as good as he got.

‘I will pierce through it.’ His spiritual energy raged and flowed toward his two legs, and with...