Failed Possession Chapter-117

## Ch-117.

—

“Don’t smile. It’s irritating.”

“Are you going on a trip?”

He had not even eaten breakfast before coming out ready to depart—yet the scolding flew at him immediately.

While Yuri was gone, the two of them would continue to suffer under Lorellia.

It was a precious and grateful experience, yes—but it was painful. And with three people rather than two, even the breaks were longer. Perhaps that was why their gazes were far from kind.

“I’ll be back soon.”

If he provoked them openly, it might escalate beyond sharp looks into harsh words. So Yuri said something he did not mean.

No matter how much he hurried, the journey there and back alone would take three days.

Perhaps Fist Wolf might arrive a little late. If they met, talked, and shared a drink, five days—no, perhaps a week—might pass.

Which meant that for one week, he would not be beaten by Lorellia, rolling on the ground and vomiting. Yuri suppressed the smile threatening to spread across his face.

“If he isn’t there, come straight back.”

“Don’t wander off somewhere else.”

It was possible that he might go all the way to Dunjeong and still not meet Fist Wolf—but unlikely.

If meeting were truly impossible, Fist Wolf would not have told him to come again ten days later.

“Then I’ll be off. Please convey my regards to Lorellia as well.”

Lorellia had been meditating in Sharp Sword Valley since dawn. He had already said his farewells yesterday and did not wish to disturb her.

Yuri waved and headed toward the main gate of Yicheon Sword Sect.

“Ah, Young Hero!”

On the way, one of the sect’s disciples stopped him.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes.”

“Good thing you didn’t miss each other.”

“Excuse me?”

“A guest has just arrived.”

Didn’t miss each other?

A guest?

Yuri’s eyes trembled.

In the guest room he was led to sat Fist Wolf Bakered, outwardly almost unchanged from two years ago.

“……”

Yuri felt like collapsing into a seat, but forced his expression into order.

Objectively speaking, after Lorellia, Bakerred was the one who had properly taught him martial arts. This reunion should have been joyful.

Had they met as planned at Jeongyeon Inn in Dunjeong, the joy would have been far greater.

“What’s with that expression?”

Seeing Yuri frozen at the doorway with a stiff face, Bakered blinked.

“You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Ah… um…”

With that, his guaranteed three days of rest had vanished.

Why did you come all the way here yourself?
He was not trash enough to demand that outright.

Yuri quickly composed himself and bowed.

“It has been a long time.”

Bakered nodded and looked Yuri over.

The Yuri he remembered was from before he bore titles like Thundercloud or Cloud Dragon—back when he lacked even the fundamentals of martial technique, when he carried the malicious label of “Marigold’s kept man.”

And now?

Two years—endlessly long or endlessly short.

For a martial artist, it could be enough time to cross a wall.

Not just one wall.

None of the countless rumors about Yuri had been exaggerated. If anything, they had been understated.

“Excellent.”

Bakered smiled faintly.

He knew well Yuri’s genius. Two years ago, Yuri had claimed it was his first time truly learning martial arts, and Bakered himself had taught him Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist.

He still remembered that absurd growth—daily, no, minute by minute.

“It is fortunate we did not miss each other, is it not?”

“I was just about to depart for Dunjeong.”

Yuri smiled awkwardly and sat across from him.

“I had intended to wait in Dunjeong. But when I heard you were staying at Yicheon Sword Sect with that infamous Calamity Star, I could not restrain myself.”

Calamity Star Lorellia.

To a martial artist, she was second only to the Heavenly Demon in approaching the ideal.

“I had long heard of her martial renown. Even the Fist King I once met said that the title ‘Calamity’ should have been hers rather than his.”

The Fist King Yuri remembered had been an eccentric martial artist overflowing with confidence in his own skills.

If even he had said that, he must once have tasted Lorellia’s fists personally.

“Did you come all this way to meet the Priestess rather than me?”

Yuri asked in a tone half-playful, half-wounded.

Bakered laughed heartily.

“It is because of you that I hastened.”

“You were the one who sought me first, were you not?”

“Ah, as expected.”

Yuri’s eyes lit up.

“So you came to Dunjeong after hearing that I was looking for you.”

At first, the Faceless Killer had said Fist Wolf was in Dunjeong. But when Yuri arrived, he had not met him—nor even heard rumors that he was there.

Thus, the Faceless Killer had lied at first. Yet in the end, he had made their meeting possible.

Had Lorellia not appeared suddenly, Yuri and Bakered would have reunited at Jeongyeon Inn in Dunjeong as planned.

“I borrow the eyes and ears of the Tiger slaying Gate Lord. From him I heard that you wished to meet.”

*The Faceless Assassin, whose whereabouts were unknown? Hmph. How can I acknowledge one whose Rank is not even known?*

When Yuri first met Bakered in Lutran, he had judged the Tiger slaying Gate Lord thus. At that time, there had been no connection between Bakered and the Faceless Assassin.

*What happened in those two years?*

He had heard through the Fist King.

Bakered, who had secluded himself in mountain training, had crossed the Sixth Rank wall, reached Seventh Rank, and descended once more into the world.

“So then—why did you seek me?”

They had parted after those words: *Do not die.*

They had not set a definite next meeting. If neither died, they would meet again someday.

At that time, Yuri had wanted to follow him.

He had been in the period of realizing that he must not grow accustomed to the comfortable life at Elena’s estate.

If one grows accustomed to comfort, one cannot grow stronger.

The longer such a life continues, the more lies accumulate.

In the end, he had not followed. He knew he would only hinder Bakered’s path of revenge.

“Did you hear that I encountered a Saint of the Evil God in Alderan?”

“Of course. Was his name not Agwi? A strong one indeed—if Heavenly Thunder had arrived a moment later, you and the hostages alike would have died.”

“I heard your name from him.”

Bakered’s body stiffened. Beneath thick brows, his eyes flashed with a chilling light.

“I also heard the name of the Laspion family.”

Crack.

Bakered’s hand on the table clenched into a fist.

To Yuri’s eyes, unrestrained fury visibly warped the space itself.

“Tell me in detail.”

Through clenched lips came a growling voice.

It was the reaction Yuri had expected. He steadied his voice.

“I did not hear much. Agwi spoke the name ‘Bakered Laspion.’ He sneered that it was quite the coincidence he would personally kill that man’s disciple ‘as well.’”

“Disciple as well?”

Bakered’s lips twisted.

“Then Agwi must be one of those who massacred the Laspion family. Did you hear anything else?”

“No. He said there was no need to explain anything to one about to die.”

From here onward, Agwi had revealed nothing further.

“Agwi seemed to be a possessor.”

His build had recreated almost exactly the Blade Storm Druid popular on the community boards—so Yuri judged it nearly certain.

Moreover, judging by the fact that he wore no items beyond robe, accessories, and undergarments, he might even have replicated a penalty skill through gear constraints.

“Among the cultists who serve the Evil God, there are not a few possessors. Those who possess particularly powerful strength among them are called Saints. Aside from Agwi, there are likely possessors among the Saints as well.”

“Yuri, do you know of the tragedy of the Laspion family?”

“I understand they were a family annihilated in a single night several decades ago.”

“That is correct. They were a sword clan of considerable lineage, belonging to the Cartel, based in a city named Sairan. And I…”

“You are the illegitimate son of the Laspion family.”

At the answer, Bakered’s expression stiffened.

“I do not know the detailed circumstances. But I do know that you are the illegitimate son of the Laspion family.”

“Is that a guess?”

Yuri had heard Bakered’s name from Agwi. It was hardly a deep deduction. One who did not receive the family surname was almost always an illegitimate child.

“I knew from the beginning.”

“From the beginning?”

“Yes. From the first time we met, I knew your surname was Laspion.”

Yuri rose and bowed deeply.

“I am a possessor. I am sorry for deceiving you.”

He believed this was the best course.

Though their instruction had begun as a transaction, Bakered had helped him.

And it had not ended there. Beyond the transaction, the teaching had been sincere. He had even received Storm Wind Cloud Step without any compensation.

Bakered remained seated, gazing at Yuri. In that brief moment, many emotions flickered through his eyes.

“Yuri.”

After a short silence, Bakered stood.

“The one I knew could not even step properly. Yet in two years, the world calls you Cloud Dragon, the foremost among the rising generation.”

The change in topic was sudden. Before Yuri could respond, Bakered’s large hand came down heavily on his shoulder.

“Show me how strong you have become.”

—

—

 

Though they were staying at Pointed Sword Pavilion due to Lorellia’s forceful insistence and using the training ground behind it, the land belonged to Yicheon Sword Sect.

They could not spar freely with a guest like Bakered without permission. Thus, they sought out Gongsun Myeong directly.

“It is no matter.”

Even without Lorellia looming behind them, Gongsun Myeong readily granted permission.

“However, since you will be using our training ground, I would like to observe. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I am grateful for your indulgence, despite our sudden intrusion.”

“We are not strangers.”

“You have met before?”

At Yuri’s puzzled question, Bakered replied with mild embarrassment.

“We exchanged greetings at the Assembly of Chivalry three years ago. I believe I mentioned it before.”

“Ah… the event where you requested a match with Full-Moon Play?”

“It is a grand gathering held every few years, attended by sects, clans, and martial artists affiliated with the Orthodox Alliance. Invitations are also sent to those deemed qualified. The date of the next Assembly has not yet been set, but one will surely be sent to you.”

In the training ground behind Pointed Sword Pavilion, Estor and Haryeong were warming up, hoping to be beaten slightly less painfully. Lorellia was not yet present.

Haryeong’s eyebrow curved ever so slightly as she looked at Yuri. It seemed she had already heard that his departure had failed.

Yuri pressed his lips tight, sensing the faint ridicule contained in that subtle arc.

After light greetings, Yuri and Bakered stood facing each other at the center of the training ground.

“Have you learned any other fist arts?”

“I have added various things through fighting often, but I have not formally studied another fist art.”

“Let me see.”

Bakered clenched his fist and took his stance. It was an invitation to strike first.

Yuri steadied his breathing and raised his fists.

Though given the initiative, he had no intention of attacking leisurely. They both had a rough understanding of each other’s arts.

*Seventh Rank.*

He considered the odds slim—but decided to aim for initiative nonetheless.

Under such conditions, the choice was the fastest technique—Violet Lightning Flash.

Yuri’s foot pressed firmly into the ground and he became a streak of lightning. The distance of dozens of steps vanished as his fist drove toward Bakered.

Violet Lightning Flash was the martial adaptation of Heinderga’s third magic formula—Single Flash Penetration.

Linked with it was Thundercloud Dragon Fang, the swift strike of Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist.

Papak!
The fists that struck in succession toward Bakered’s solar plexus were withdrawn.

Bakered was from the start a head taller than Yuri. At this distance, where fist met fist, he felt even larger—like standing before a massive boulder.

*Pressure.*

Even this sensation was amplified by Intent, weighing down upon him.

As Yuri sought to continue his assault, Bakered’s fist moved.

The fist, moving slowly, wavered.

Yuri recognized the incoming strike—Floating Cloud Wanderer, a move from Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist.

He responded instantly—but—

Bang!

The force exceeded expectation, driving his body backward.

*It’s not just Floating Cloud Wanderer.*

Midway, its form changed.

Bakered had originally mastered not only Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist but also Vajra Shattering Fist, and had pursued fusing the two into a new art.

*Has he completed it?*

He had said he found a clue during his match with Full-Moon Play.

Two years of immersion had elevated Bakered’s fist beyond what Yuri once knew.

—Pajik!

Expanded consciousness linked with Gate Sealing Thunder.

*Withered Eternal Source is not yet usable in real combat.*

Bakered stepped forward. That alone split apart the lightning energy with immense pressure.

Do not be crushed.

Yuri did not retreat—instead, he advanced.

That fist contained both softness and power. It flowed leisurely like drifting clouds, yet burst with the force to shatter the heavens.

*First.*

He connected perception—Intent—to Gate Sealing Thunder.

The immense fist ceased to be mere pressure and became a definite attack.

The instant it approached—

Crackle—

Lightning raced through him, and Yuri’s body moved.

Before the fist fully extended, Yuri’s hand slipped in. He tried to sever the flow at its vital vein—but failed.

The attack was too solid, too heavy to cut.

*Fist King?*

Though he failed, Bakered sensed in that attempt the Fist King’s Myriad Wave Severing Fist.

It had lacked the strength to cut—but the timing of the intrusion was exquisite.

*Indeed.*

A faint smile spread across Bakered’s lips.

When he heard Yuri was a possessor, he had been slightly surprised.

He had considered the possibility—but never truly suspected it.

He had personally seen Yuri two years ago.

That talent, describable only as genius, was utterly different from that of ordinary possessors.

If anything, in terms of growth speed, he far surpassed them.

It was absurd to say—but he had seemed so extraordinarily gifted that Bakered had almost thought he might not be a possessor at all.

*This is not a fist crafted in infatuation with talent.*

To understand a martial artist, one must face the martial path he has built.

In Yuri’s fist before him, Bakered felt countless repetitions—and the scent of life-and-death struggle.

In such a fist, whether one is a possessor or not holds little meaning.

Two years ago, this youth had grimaced while failing to connect even four forms of Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist cleanly.

Now he soared beyond them like a dragon.

*Still… I did not expect him to confess with his own mouth.*

It was clear the truth had not been revealed lightly.

To disclose something that could have remained hidden—meant sincerity.

*Even so, it is a bit irritating.*

Smiling, Bakered drew his fist back.

He had heard from Full-Moon Play what “Bakered Laspion” had been like in the game.

Yuri had known from the beginning that Bakered was the illegitimate son of the Laspion family—and had known of his desire for revenge.

[You concealed it to the end. That is irritating—so I will strike you once, painfully.]

Though Yuri had deflected, redirected, and blocked several blows, his bones already throbbed.

Maintaining his still-unfamiliar heightened senses left his body drenched in sweat.

Then Bakered’s voice sounded in his mind.

[Will you forgive me with just one strike?]

[Yes. If you can dodge it, dodge. If you can redirect it, redirect. If you can block it, block.]

Confidence filled the words—confidence that he could do none of those.

Yuri did not respond. He focused every nerve on Bakered’s fist.

Did it begin with Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist?

Not Floating Cloud Wanderer. Not Wind and Cloud Dance. Not Dark Cloud Enshrouds Moon. Not Thundercloud Dragon Fang.

The trajectory began as though piercing through all those forms—

—and was accompanied by the power to shatter diamond.

It became a massive fist that swept aside Yuri’s Intent entirely.

If he dodged or redirected, he would be swept away by force. If he blocked, he would be crushed whole.

It was a storm born from an ordinary cloud.

Knowing this, Yuri did not hesitate. He thrust out his own fist.

If nothing would work, then he would answer with what he most wished—and what he did best.

—Kwaaaang!

Did he halt it for an instant?

No. He was swept away.

As he flew backward, he thought—

“This should settle—”

Bakered began to say with a smile—

“Who the hell are you, you bastard?!”

With a thunderous roar like a lion’s cry, the Calamity Star descended.