Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 68: Member Number Three V: Hwa Jin A

Chapter 68: Member Number Three V: Hwa Jin A

Arel wanted to laugh, but he dared not. Knowing what Ryuen was capable of.

He could simply throw his sword, and it would certainly meet its mark.

There was no thinking twice about it because that would just be a waste.

Instead, he simply stated, "We exist to keep the balance. Your kind should also learn to keep the balance."

"Is that so?" Ryuen said with a smile. "Tell me, what races control the North, East, and West?"

Arel chuckled. "Kitsune, Elf, and Beast."

"Now, is there a human among these three?"

"No, because humans are worthless. The only human..." Arel paused. "I mean, the only being with a bit of human features."

Ryuen just scoffed. "That person isn’t doing a good job representing humans."

With that said, he moved—faster than Arel had anticipated.

His sword sliced through the air, aiming straight for Arel’s exposed throat.

But—

CLANG!

A barrier erupted around the throne, stopping the blade mid-swing.

Ryuen’s eyes narrowed. "Ah. Using magic now?"

Arel smirked. "Did you think I would sit here defenseless?"

A golden glyph spun beneath the throne, feeding the barrier.

The king lifted his hand, and the magic surged outward, attempting to throw Ryuen back.

But Ryuen did not budge. This was where Yuki’s abilities came in handy.

Her powers enhanced his physical abilities—agility, strength, and stamina.

He reached forward, pressing his palm against the barrier, focusing his mana on it as if it were another weapon.

The room trembled, and glowing blue vein-like lines formed on the barrier, spreading from Ryuen’s fingertips.

Arel’s eyes widened. "What—"

CRACK!

The barrier shattered.

Ryuen reached out, grabbing the king’s throat before he could react.

With a smile and brutal force, he slammed Arel against the marble wall beside the throne, cracking the stone upon impact.

The king gasped, struggling, but Ryuen’s grip tightened.

"You sit here on your throne, pretending to be untouchable," Ryuen said, ever so calmly, despite the rage boiling within him.

"But you’re just a man—like every wicked human out there. Yet, as a Kitsune, you’re far worse."

"A weak, pathetic man who hides behind magic, his kids, and his servants."

Arel coughed, blood staining his lips. "You... won’t... win."

Ryuen tilted his head, as if amused. "I already have."

Then he drove his dagger into the king’s abdomen.

Arel grunted, but he did not scream.

Not yet.

Ryuen twisted the blade slowly, savoring every reaction, every twitch of pain.

"You know," he mumbled, "don’t you think I could kill you quickly? But that would be too kind."

He yanked the blade free and stabbed again—this time in Arel’s leg. Then his side. Then his shoulder.

Each strike was a reminder of what he had felt that day in the dungeon—the pain he had endured.

Claws that drove into his flesh but drew no blood.

Hits not meant to kill instantly, but to put the victim through agony.

Arel’s breaths came in ragged, bare gasps. Blood pooled beneath him, seeping into his regal robes until they were soaked.

"You... you monster," he choked out.

Ryuen smiled. "I’ve been called worse."

True, the masked crusader had many names—too many to even count.

With a final raise of his dagger, Ryuen plunged the blade into the king’s chest.

Arel’s body jerked from the rush of pain, the burning sensation of the mana-imbued blade searing through him.

His vision blurred, he could feel it—his life slipping away.

But as the darkness slowly came, his lips curled into a weak, bitter smile.

"Fine," he whispered. "If... this is my end... then let it be known..."

His fading crimson-red eyes locked onto Ryuen’s.

"You... are now... king."

And with that, his body went limp, and his eyes turned gray. The room became silent.

The King of Mirath was dead, and Ryuen had gotten his revenge.

He stepped back, watching as Arel’s corpse bled and turned pale.

Slowly, he turned to the others with a calm expression, but his joy was far beyond great.

Yuta, Kenta, and Erina stared at him, their faces pale.

He smirked.

"Revenge complete," he said, and his weapons vanished. "Come with me."

---

Ryuen stepped over the lifeless body of Arel, his boots touching the blood, but he cared little.

It would dry anyway.

Yuta, Kenta, and Erina followed him, their faces still pale from witnessing the brutal execution.

None of them spoke as they moved through the grand hallways of Mirath Palace.

The weight, dread, and terror of what had just happened still lingered over them.

Outside, the sky was beginning to darken, casting long shadows across the palace grounds.

As they stepped into the courtyard, Daiki walked over to Ryuen with a smile.

"Yurei found Akari."

Ryuen’s gaze snapped to him. "Oh? Where is she?"

Daiki gestured toward a gazebo at the far end of the palace gardens. "She’s with Yuki and Yurei."

Without another word, Ryuen made his way there.

The moment he entered the gazebo, his eyes fell on Akari.

She was seated calmly, drinking water, her expression blank—despite what she had been told and what had just happened.

Yuki stood to her right, arms crossed, her cold gaze fixated on their new guest.

Beside her stood Yurei, wrapped in her bandages, stained with blood.

From the soldiers she had fought, the wounds she had taken, and the strain of finding Akari while defending herself—it had left its mark.

For a moment, silence settled over them. Then, just as Ryuen opened his mouth to speak—

From above, a figure descended, landing effortlessly on the wooden floor of the gazebo.

Long, greenish-blue hair cascaded down her back, and her turquoise eyes gleamed with mischief.

Her presence was both commanding and unpredictable. In fact, she was the definition of mischief, and Daiki would boldly say that.

It was the girl from earlier—the one who had shattered Yuki’s barrier and yet did nothing to help.

"You must be Hwa Jin A," he stated, crossing his arms.

The woman chuckled, her voice rich with amusement.

"So, you did your homework. I’m flattered."

He hadn’t. Daiki had already told him her name during their little mind conversation.

"What do you want?" Ryuen asked, his tone neutral.

Hwa Jin A stepped closer—far too close for comfort.

But Ryuen didn’t flinch. He only arched a brow as her breath brushed his skin.

Her smirk deepened.

"I’ve been watching you, Ryuen. And after what I just witnessed in that throne room..." She paused, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I’d love to be on your team," she whispered.

Then, her lips curved into something else—a warm smile, with something hidden.

Something Ryuen would have to deal with for a long time.

"But not as an ally. I want to work for you, not with you."

Yuki scoffed, unimpressed, but Ryuen merely smiled, tilting his head slightly.

"Is that so?"

Hwa Jin A leaned even closer, her lips just inches from his ear.

"It would be fun," she whispered. "Don’t you think?"