GIJS

Chapter 26

Overwhelming Gratitude!

Boom, boom-.

With the grand percussion sound, the formation scattered in all directions.

The tips of the guards' swords were aimed at the tyrant. The booming bass drum created a tense atmosphere.

The encircled king's gaze darted in all directions. It seemed like the entire stage had become his enemy. The army, once aligned to dance the sword dance, no longer seemed inclined to protect him.

"Are they... fighting?"

Yeonji's hands were already drenched in sweat. The scholar's eyes, observing the guards, were burning with uncontrollable anger.

'These disloyal, unfilial children.'

Though this anger was induced by brainwashing.

Yeonji and the audience, unaware of this, were completely absorbed.

As she swallowed the saliva down her throat.

Bang-.

The scholar's body moved like a protective shield.

Swish, clang, kaaaang-.

As swords clashed, the audience had to doubt their eyes once again.

The lightning-fast footwork and dazzling sword strikes. In an instant, the guard Jeong Dong-won was sprawled on the floor.

This was definitely, definitely not the swordsmanship of an idol trainee.

As the tyrant spun with his sword, his red dragon robe fluttered in the air. Sliding across the stage like a ghost of the palace, he charged towards the second guard, Ha Hyeon-jae. Before completing ten counts, his sword left a mark on Hyeon-jae's right shoulder.

Pfftt-.

Blood spurted from the chest of the guard with a pale face. Even though they knew it was fake, screams erupted everywhere. The tyrant's sharp eyes, covered in blood, swept over the remaining guards and audience.

At that moment, everyone watching felt a chilling shiver.

Boom, bang-!

With the increased drum sound, the tyrant charged at two large guards.

Kaang, kang, kaga-gak···.

The burly guard Kwon Tae-woong couldn't withstand the tyrant's fierce assault.

Kaaang, pfftt, kaaaang-!

The massive, fierce-eyed Cha In-hyeok crumpled as his waist and ribs were deeply cut.

In reality, the guards' movements were all about holding their swords and taking defensive positions.

It was unavoidable. It was impossible to prepare both group sword dance and one-on-one sword fighting within a week.

But the scholar's movements were on a different level.

As if a true master swordsman had descended onto the stage, he overpowered the guards with light movements and brilliant attacks.

As a result, the stage did not look empty at all. Rather, it was filled with the tension of the duel. Even the audience who had been writing negative comments about the scholar couldn't take their eyes off the stage.

Before the music had even progressed through eight measures, four guards had been subdued.

Swish-.

Now, the tyrant 's eyes were fixed on the last guard.