That night.
The outer disciple courtyard smelled like iron.
Blood.
Dozens of outer disciples were dragged out of their rooms screaming.
"WHAT DID WE DO?!"
"PLEASE NO!!"
"I DIDN'T TOUCH ARJUN!"
"I ONLY LAUGHED ONCE!!"
It didn't matter.
Because Rudra wasn't punishing them for doing something.
He was punishing them…
For existing.
Inner disciples moved like executioners.
Cold blades.
Cold eyes.
No emotion.
An outer disciple tried to run.
A sword flashed.
His legs fell off.
He crawled, crying like a child.
"PLEASE!! PLEASE!!"
The inner disciple stepped on his head and pushed his sword down.
SHNK.
Dead.
One by one…
They died.
Some begged.
Some fought.
Some screamed Arjun's name like it could save them.
But it couldn't.
Because Arjun wasn't there.
And Rudra wanted that.
He wanted Arjun to return to a world already burned.
By morning—
Bodies hung from wooden poles.
Eyes gouged out.
Tongues removed.
Skin carved.
The word TRASH repeated again and again.
The entire outer courtyard turned into a slaughterhouse.
And the elders?
They didn't stop it.
They watched silently.
Because Rudra's master was an elder.
And the sect protected power.
Not justice.
Thirty days passed?
No.
Only ten.
Because Arjun didn't train like normal disciples.
He hunted.
He killed.
He grew.
In Bone Grave Valley, Arjun walked out of the fog like a ghost returning from hell.
His body was different now.
His steps heavier.
His eyes darker.
His aura sharp.
A guard at the gate saw him and froze.
"Y-you're alive…?"
Arjun stared at him.
The guard's knees shook.
"D-don't come closer…"
Arjun stepped forward.
The guard swallowed.
"I-I'm just doing my job!"
Arjun's voice was calm:
"And I'm doing mine."
The guard blinked.
"Your… job?"
Arjun answered:
"Killing."
Then he walked past without touching him.
The guard fell to the ground, sweating like he survived death.
Arjun entered the sect.
And the first thing he smelled wasn't incense.
It wasn't food.
It wasn't training sweat.
It was blood.
He walked into the outer courtyard.
And stopped.
His eyes slowly widened.
Bodies.
Hanging.
Mutilated.
Carved like animals.
Some faces he recognized.
Not friends.
Not allies.
But familiar.
Faces that laughed.
Faces that mocked him.
Faces that kicked him while he was down.
Now they were silent.
The courtyard was filled with flies.
And in the middle—
a wooden stake had a sign.
WELCOME BACK, TRASH.
Arjun stared at the words.
His breathing didn't change.
But something inside him…
Cracked.
Not sadness.
Not guilt.
Not horror.
Something worse.
Joy.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He whispered:
"So Rudra started it."
Arjun walked to the hanging bodies.
He looked up.
Then he spoke softly.
"To all of you…"
"I was going to kill you anyway."
The wind blew.
The bodies swayed.
Arjun turned around slowly.
His eyes burned with a calm madness.
He raised his hand.
And the system flashed.
🔊 [New Mission Triggered: Sect Blood Debt]📌 Objective: Eliminate Rudra
📌 Optional: Destroy Inner Disciple Tower
🎁 Reward: Talent Seal Key Fragment x1
Arjun whispered:
"Not enough."
"If Rudra wants war…"
"Then I'll give him extinction."
At that exact moment—
A heavy pressure crushed the air.
A voice echoed from above.
"Arjun."
Arjun looked up.
Standing on the roof of the disciple hall—
Rudra.
His crimson robe fluttered.
His eyes looked down like a god staring at an insect.
He smiled.
"You returned."
Arjun smiled back.
"I did."
Rudra's eyes sharpened.
"You saw my gifts?"
Arjun nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"They were beautiful."
Rudra laughed.
Then his voice turned cold.
"Good."
"Now come here."
Arjun took one step forward.
Rudra's aura exploded.
The ground cracked.
Outer disciples fell to their knees from pressure alone.
Rudra spoke like a judge:
"Kneel."
Arjun's smile didn't fade.
He stepped forward again.
Rudra's eyes narrowed.
"Kneel."
Arjun stepped forward again.
And the air around him turned red.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT!
Suddenly—even Rudra's breathing paused for a fraction of a second.
That fraction…
Was enough.
Arjun vanished.
✨ SHADOW STEP!
He appeared right in front of Rudra.
Rudra's eyes widened.
Too close.
Too fast.
And Arjun whispered:
"You wanted me to crawl?"
His fist rose slowly.
"I'll make you crawl with broken legs."
Then—
💥 IRON BONE FIST!!!