Night had settled deep over Songrim, its thick shadows casting an ominous silence over the grounds. The air felt heavier tonight, and Hae-rin's instincts sharpened with each cautious step she took through the courtyard. Still, her hand instinctively moved to rest on the hilt of her sword, her senses tingling at every rustle and whisper of the wind.

As she turned toward the main hall, a feeling—dark and unnatural—crept into her awareness. There, shifting in the shadows, she caught a glimpse of figures, clad in black and moving like wraiths across the stones. She narrowed her eyes, every nerve on edge. Assassins.

Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm, instinctively stepping into a defensive stance. Before she could call out, she sensed another presence beside her. Seo Yul had appeared, moving silently to her right, his blade already drawn, his face an unreadable mask.

"Stay sharp, Hae-rin," he murmured, his voice a calm anchor.

She nodded, her jaw setting as her fingers tightened around her sword hilt.

"I can handle this," she replied firmly, her resolve hardening as the assassins stepped closer, their eyes gleaming with a quiet malice.

From behind, footsteps approached swiftly. Dang-gu had joined them, and his usually jovial expression was replaced with a rare intensity, his stance shifting into a ready position as he took in the dark figures encircling them.

"Well, isn't this a charming welcome," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as he held his weapon aloft.

A figure, larger than the others, stepped forward, his voice a low sneer.

"Songrim's defenses are weaker than we expected. Do three young warriors truly believe they're a match for us?"

Hae-rin met his gaze coldly, not flinching as she raised her sword.

"You have no idea what you're up against."

At her signal, they moved in unison, launching forward as a team. The courtyard erupted into chaos as the clash of steel and the muffled thuds of swift footfalls filled the air. Hae-rin surged forward, striking at the first assassin who dared to engage her.

Their blades met with a screech, but her agility and precision allowed her to deflect his strikes, each movement swift and calculated. Her opponent stumbled back, clearly underestimating her skill.

To her right, Seo Yul's movements were fluid and exact, his blade flashing as he blocked and struck with deadly efficiency. A second assassin tried to flank him, but he spun deftly, countering the strike with a blow that sent his attacker sprawling.

Dang-gu fought with a different energy, his raw strength propelling his swings as he took on another assassin with powerful strikes.

"I didn't sign up for a party tonight!" he grunted, dodging a blade aimed for his shoulder.

Their coordination was flawless, each one watching the other's movements, covering each other's weaknesses as they pushed back the assassins. Yet the waves of attackers seemed endless. More shadows slipped out from the darkness, encircling them, their movements quick and deadly as wolves converging on their prey.

As Hae-rin parried another strike, her mind raced, each move rehearsed countless times in Songrim's training grounds. But there was something real—almost frightening—about facing an enemy who truly intended to kill. She dodged to the side as another blade swung toward her, and with a sharp twist of her wrist, she managed to disarm her opponent. He staggered back, his expression darkening as he realized the skill behind her strikes.

Not far from her, Jang Uk stood at the edge of the courtyard, his face tight with frustration as he watched the scene unfold. Helpless without his powers, he was forced to observe as his friends fought off the wave of assassins.

"Uk, stay back!" Hae-rin called, her voice cutting through the chaos as she deflected another attacker. Her tone was steady, yet tinged with a protectiveness she couldn't ignore.

"They're here for blood. You're unarmed."

Jang Uk clenched his fists, his jaw set in defiance as he struggled to accept his own limitations.

"I'll alert Master Park!" he shouted, turning swiftly and sprinting toward the main hall.

Seo Yul cast a glance toward Hae-rin, pride and a hint of worry mingling in his gaze. Her skill in combat had always impressed him, but seeing her in real danger stirred something deeper within him.

"Hae-rin," he called out, his tone laced with urgency, "focus on the right flank—they're converging."

Without missing a beat, Hae-rin adjusted her stance, aligning herself with Seo Yul as they turned to meet the fresh wave of attackers. Her blade moved like an extension of her own body, each swing precise and powerful. She took on two assassins simultaneously, her strikes pushing them back as she balanced her movements with practiced agility.

Meanwhile, Dang-gu noticed her position and adjusted his own, moving to cover her left side as he fought.

"You've definitely gotten faster," he remarked, his voice low but edged with admiration as he parried another strike aimed at her.

Hae-rin shot him a quick grin as she delivered a sharp kick to one of the assassins, sending him reeling backward.

"Guess I had a decent sparring partner," she replied, breathing heavily but refusing to let her guard down.

Suddenly, a cold draft swept over her, and instinctively she ducked, barely dodging a blade slicing through the air where her head had been. Rising quickly, she blocked the next strike, spinning and disarming her attacker with a decisive blow. She sensed Seo Yul nearby, the two of them moving in a seamless rhythm, covering each other's vulnerabilities with an unspoken understanding.

Despite their efforts, the fight was far from over. One of the assassins—larger and seemingly the leader—lingered just beyond the edge of the fray, watching them with a cold, calculating gaze. With a dark sneer, he gestured for his men to fall back, leaving them with a parting message.

"You may have survived tonight," he taunted, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction.

"But Songrim's days are numbered." And with that, he melted into the shadows, leaving behind a tense silence.

Hae-rin lowered her sword slowly, her breath heavy as she scanned the now-empty courtyard. The adrenaline still coursed through her veins, but the realization that the fight had ended began to sink in. Beside her, Seo Yul and Dang-gu also relaxed their stances, though their expressions remained alert and wary.

At that moment, Jang Uk returned, Master Park close on his heels. The older man took in the scene, his gaze sweeping over the fallen attackers as he assessed the situation with a practiced eye.

"Is everyone alright?" he asked, his tone even but edged with concern.

Hae-rin straightened, nodding firmly as she sheathed her sword.

"We're fine. But they knew our weaknesses. They came with a purpose."

Master Park's expression darkened, his gaze lingering on each of them with a quiet pride.

"These were no mere assassins. They were trained and prepared to intimidate." His eyes settled on Hae-rin, his voice softening.

"Your courage tonight was impressive. You protected Songrim well."

Seo Yul turned toward Hae-rin, and for a moment, his usually composed demeanor softened, warmth flickering in his eyes.

"You handled yourself remarkably," he murmured, his voice laced with genuine admiration.

"If it weren't for you, we may have lost control of the fight."

A faint blush crept over Hae-rin's cheeks, though she tried to hide it, focusing instead on sheathing her weapon.

"It's... my duty," she replied, masking her pride with a modest tone. But the subtle smile Seo Yul gave her sent a pleasant warmth through her chest, one she couldn't quite ignore.

As they walked back toward the main hall, Dang-gu slung an arm around her shoulders, his typical grin restored.

"Well, I'd say you more than earned the title of 'Little Guardian' tonight."

Hae-rin laughed, shaking her head even as a warm sense of pride settled within her. With her friends by her side, she felt an unbreakable bond—a sense that, no matter what threats they might face, they would protect Songrim and each other.