Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 77: The Spearman Who Gained Strength (2)

The moment Black Blood Fortress came into view, Gugwi’s breath caught in his throat.

That was no fortress—it was a colossal tomb.

The black granite walls towered toward the heavens, sharp and oppressive like a gigantic blade rising from the earth. Even the moonlight seemed to be sucked in when it touched the dark surface.

But what truly sent chills down his spine was something else.

Crimson light leaked from between the cracks of the walls—blood energy.

The murderous intent of hundreds of Soul-Summoners had fused into one, enveloping the entire fortress.

Gugwi sensed the Spirit Flow Core trembling uneasily.

A cold shiver surged up from the depths of his chest.

The core was warning him. It told him not to enter that place—that only death awaited within.

A stinging stench rode the wind toward them.

The smell of blood. Not the scent of freshly spilled blood, but that of old, rotted, and dried blood. The stench of death that had accumulated for decades—no, perhaps centuries.

“Is that… Black Blood Fortress?”

His voice quivered. Just gazing upon the fortress made his entire body break out in goosebumps.

The skull sculptures embedded in the walls gleamed ghostly white beneath the moonlight. They were no mere decorations. They were real skulls—the remains of those who had died here, used to adorn the fortress.

How many people had perished here?

This was no place of the living. It was as if a piece of hell had fallen into the mortal realm.

“Black Blood Fortress… hm.”

Yeon Sohye muttered as she gazed up at the walls.

“The first impression is a bit much, right? You’ll get used to it soon. This is one of the outer strongholds of the Heavenly Sound Cult.”

Jang Unhyeok spoke as his eyes lingered on the fortress.

“This is where they train Soul-Summoners—and conduct new experiments.”

Gugwi’s heart sank. The word experiments carried a sinister ring.

“What kind of experiments?”

“Human experiments. They forcibly turn living people into Soul-Summoners.”

Jang Unhyeok’s voice fell cold.

“The success rate isn’t even one in ten. The rest either go mad… or die.”

Yeon Sohye frowned.

“Those Heavenly Sound bastards….”

“That’s why they call it Black Blood Fortress. Too much blood has been spilled here.”

Gugwi focused on his Spirit Flow Core.

He could hear the wailing of countless spirits from within the fortress—the resentful souls of those who had died during the experiments, forever wandering through its halls.

His chest ached.

“I have to purify those spirits.”

“Not now. If you use your core, they’ll detect us. Let’s get inside first.”

Yeon Sohye grabbed Gugwi’s arm.

Jang Unhyeok took the lead.

“I know a secret passage. Learned about it back when I was with the Intelligence Division. It should still be safe.”

He pushed aside thick bushes at the base of the fortress wall, revealing an old metal plate beneath. It was so rusted it was barely visible.

“Here.”

Jang Unhyeok lifted the plate, exposing a dark passage leading below.

Gugwi frowned as the stench of decay hit his nose.

“It’s been a while.”

“Over ten years, at least. But still usable.”

Lighting a torch, Jang Unhyeok stepped into the passage. Yeon Sohye and Gugwi followed close behind.

The passage was wider than expected—three adults could walk side by side. But the air was thick with dampness, and mold clung to the walls in heavy clusters.

“Careful. The floor’s slippery.”

Jang Unhyeok warned.

And indeed, the ground was sticky beneath their feet—moisture that had seeped in over countless years.

“How much farther?”

Yeon Sohye asked.

“Just a bit more. This path connects straight to the inner section of the fortress.”

But then—Gugwi suddenly felt his heart drop.

The Spirit Flow Core vibrated coldly. It was signaling danger.

“Wait. Something’s wrong.”

He stopped walking.

“What is it?”

Jang Unhyeok turned back.

“There’s someone ahead.”

Gugwi focused his senses through the core. From the end of the passage, he felt a wave of spiritual energy—an aura filled with hostility.

Jang Unhyeok’s face hardened.

“Don’t tell me…”

The three of them advanced cautiously through the passage. Even with the torchlight illuminating their path, the end remained unseen.

At last, they reached the exit.

And there—a man was waiting for them.

A Black Blood Unit warrior, clad in black armor and wearing an iron mask. Yet his stance wasn’t one of hostility. Instead, he cheerfully raised a hand in greeting.

“As expected! Hahaha! I knew you’d come this way!”

The man’s bright voice echoed from behind the mask.

“Deputy Chief?”

Jang Unhyeok exclaimed and stepped forward.

“Kang Hwi? How are you here?”

“Haha, I heard word that you were coming this way, Chief.”

The man called Kang Hwi removed his iron mask. He appeared to be in his late thirties, his face marked with a few scars, yet his eyes were gentle.

“I figured you’d use this passage if you came to Black Blood Fortress, so I came to greet you.”

Gugwi still felt the vibrations of the core, but they carried no hostility. Instead, a faint sense of relief spread through him.

“It’s good to see you, Kang Hwi.”

Jang Unhyeok smiled warmly as he approached.

“I miss the old days at the Intelligence Division. I couldn’t have completed many missions without you.”

“You’re too kind, sir. I learned a lot thanks to you.”

Kang Hwi bowed politely, then turned to look at Gugwi and Yeon Sohye.

“And these people are…?”

“My comrades—Gugwi and Yeon Sohye.”

Jang Unhyeok introduced them.

“They’re trustworthy. You don’t have to worry.”

“Understood.”

Kang Hwi nodded and gestured further down the passage.

“I’ll take you somewhere safe first. It’s too dangerous here.”

The four of them began walking through the passage again, with Kang Hwi leading the way.

“The fortress has been unsettled lately. There’s a rumor that the Lord of the Eleventh True Army is preparing something big….”

“Ma Ungyeol is here?”

Jang Unhyeok asked.

“Yes. Strange orders have been coming down for the past few days. Especially one to find a Soul-Summoner possessing a Spirit Flow Core….”

Kang Hwi suddenly stopped mid-sentence, then turned his head sharply to stare straight at Gugwi.

“Could it be…?”

His gaze changed.

It happened in an instant.

Swish! Whip!

Thin needles shot from Kang Hwi’s hand like lightning.

Neither Jang Unhyeok nor his companions had the slightest time to react—it was a betrayal far too sudden.

Shuk!

A Poison Dart pierced Jang Unhyeok’s shoulder.

“Ghk!”

Jang Unhyeok let out a cry as he staggered backward. Black blood trickled down his arm.

“Jang Unhyeok!”

Yeon Sohye shouted, rushing forward in alarm.

But another Poison Dart flew toward her—this one aimed at her side.

Pshuk!

Yeon Sohye groaned as she fell back against the wall, blood seeping from her ribs.

“Yeon Sohye!”

Gugwi glared at Kang Hwi, eyes blazing with fury.

The traitor calmly put his iron mask back on. His voice turned cold.

“Sorry, Chief. But you know how it is—orders are orders.”

“Kang Hwi… why?”

Jang Unhyeok clutched his bleeding shoulder, his voice trembling.

“You and I weren’t just….”

“Just what? Superior and subordinate? Chief and Deputy Chief?”

Kang Hwi laughed bitterly.

“You used me. When the Chief’s seat opened, you gave it to someone else. That’s the kind of man you are.”

Resentment that had long festered tainted his voice.

While Kang Hwi reveled in his ambush, Gugwi immediately summoned Namgung Hoyoung.

“Namgung Hoyoung!”

The spirit appeared, already holding his needles.

The Spirit Union Physician no longer needed instruction—he silently moved to Jang Unhyeok’s side and began inserting transparent Divine Needles into his arm.

Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

The speed at which he struck the acupoints was faster than lightning.

Of course, Kang Hwi couldn’t see Namgung Hoyoung. His mastery of Soul-Summoning Arts wasn’t high enough to perceive another’s Spirit Union Martial Artist. Watching Jang Unhyeok twitch, he simply assumed the man was reacting to the poison.

While Namgung Hoyoung treated the wound, Gugwi drew his spear.

“I’ve heard enough. Can I kill him?”

He asked Jang Unhyeok calmly.

At that very moment, Kang Hwi quietly prepared another Poison Dart, trying not to be noticed. The green-tipped needle glimmered between his fingers.

“Your soul is unified—so you’re at the Third Level of Spiritual Sensitivity. Guess you never made Chief because you weren’t strong enough. Didn’t realize that yet?”

Gugwi raised his spear with composure.

Rage boiled within him. Not only had Jang Unhyeok and Yeon Sohye been poisoned, but the betrayal of trust itself was intolerable.

Paaang!

A burst of blue light exploded outward.

A black shadow was ripped away from Kang Hwi’s body. The Blood River Demon Army vanished—the Spiritless Zone had been unleashed!

“W-what?! My Blood River Demon Army…!”

Kang Hwi panicked.

“Now, you just need to pay the price for your betrayal.”

The tip of Gugwi’s spear aimed straight at him.

“You little brat, don’t act tough!”

Kang Hwi sneered and threw his needle.

Shu-shuk!

The dart cut through the air. Gugwi tried to block with his spear, but it veered aside, aiming for his shoulder. Yet Gugwi was already moving.

Cloud Flow Step.

His body rippled like water. The needle grazed past, tearing the shoulder of his black martial robes. A shred of fabric fluttered to the ground.

“Oh? Better than I thought.”

Kang Hwi’s eyes sharpened.

He drew more Poison Darts from his belt—five this time. The needles wedged between his fingers gleamed like a viper’s fangs.

Gugwi spun his spear.

Whoosh!

The spear tip traced a circle, whipping up a gust.

Kang Hwi flung all five needles at once.

Tat-tat-tat-tat!

The darts clanged off the spinning spear, scattering with metallic shrieks that echoed down the passage.

In the same moment, Kang Hwi was already lunging forward. As the Deputy Chief of the Intelligence Division, his martial skills were formidable. A black dagger glinted in his hand—the blade coated with deadly poison.

“Die!”

The dagger thrust toward Gugwi’s throat.

Gugwi swung his spear sideways.

Kwaaang!

Spear and dagger clashed, sparks flying.

Kang Hwi was driven back but twisted his body, counterattacking at once. The dagger slithered like a serpent, striking toward Gugwi’s flank.

Gugwi pressed his spear downward.

The spearhead crushed the dagger beneath it, twisting Kang Hwi’s wrist painfully.

“Ghaaa!”

Kang Hwi screamed, retreating in agony.

But he didn’t give up. With his free hand, he snatched the poison pouch from his belt.

“Everyone in here will—!”

Before he could finish, Gugwi’s spear shot out like lightning.

Thud!

The spear tip pierced Kang Hwi’s chest.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

“Th-this can’t be….”

Blood poured from his mouth—dark and thick. Yet even then, he summoned his final strength and hurled the poison pouch to the ground.

Paaang!

The pouch burst open, releasing a wave of green toxic gas that filled the passage with a choking stench.

“Ghk… let’s die together….”

Coughing blood, Kang Hwi collapsed.

Gugwi leapt back instantly, covering his nose. The fumes stung his eyes, tears welling up.

“Yeon Sohye! Jang Unhyeok! We have to get out of here now!”

He shouted.

But it was already too late.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Alarms resounded throughout the fortress.

“Intruders!”

“There’s fighting in the passage! Gather the Soul-Summoners!”

Shouts of soldiers echoed from every direction, and the thunder of approaching footsteps filled the air.