352.5 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Time passes. The hands of the clock had just crossed noon, approaching the hour considered auspicious. The heavy scent of blood lingered stubbornly in the forest, yet the once overwhelming presence of malice and intent to kill was gradually dissipating. It was a period of relative calm, where the constant screams of the Guan Do soldiers were becoming less frequent. By dusk, the situation had finally reached a manageable state. It had been an unexpected and massive assault. Yet amusingly, this attack was subdued in less than a day. The surprising element was not merely its quick resolution. After I headed to the Ma-Gyeong and returned, I had expected several days to have passed. Astonishingly, not even one full cycle of the clock's hour hand had elapsed since my disappearance. What on earth could explain this...? As for the attack, could it be attributed to the early defeat faced by significant figures like Heuk Ya Gung Ju and Heuk Ryong Geom? If someone heard that individuals of their stature were subdued in less than a day, they might dismiss it as dull. Yet an attack's lack or presence of thrill does not truly matter, especially when lives are lost. Swish. As the life drained from the captive, leaving only blackened ashes, I finally let go of his hand. The lifeless body crumbled to the ground in a heap, a nameless itinerant's demise thus concluded. Flicking the dust off my hands, I surveyed my surroundings. "Is there still more?" Expanding my senses, I noticed that perhaps the enhanced realm allowed me a broader perception, no longer limited to a portion of the mountain but almost half of the grand peak. While my expanded core and larger vessel played a part, development of finer, more precise control greatly contributed. "It seems a few are still hiding." What remained seemed manageable for the instructors to handle. Crackle. I retrieved any leftover flames nearby and assessed my condition. "I'm feeling the fatigue." The weariness enveloping my body was palpable, probably due to rolling straight into the fray upon reaching this heightened state. But what could I do? The disaster was already underway when I arrived, not getting involved would have been its own issue. Moreover... "I needed to find him." As I sought Jang Seon Yeon, tidying up any other matters felt incidental along the way. Ultimately, I was unable to locate Jang Seon Yeon, and therein lay the problem. "What could have happened?" According to the laws of the Ma-Gyeong, Jang Seon Yeon should have returned with me. Even when I questioned the World Tree, the answer was consistent. It was something anticipated, expecting it wouldn’t pose a significant issue. Yet now... "In this very situation, it’s perfect timing." An assault indeed. I couldn't have anticipated anyone would attack Sin-Ryong-Gwan. Though I hesitate to say it was fortunate, it undeniably simplified handling those meant to be eradicated. If Jang Seon Yeon had returned with me, it would have been the ideal situation to erase without a trace as he now seemingly vanished into thin air. "It's gotten troublesome." Even visiting the spot where Cheol Ji Seon opened the Ma-Gyeong, Jang Seon Yeon was conspicuously absent. Despite scouring the mountain's entirety by incinerating any foes, Jang Seon Yeon remained elusive. How could such a thing be? "If he’s hiding... No, it still doesn’t explain." It was absurd that Jang Seon Yeon, presumably with no recollections, would hide from me. Even if he was hiding, there's no way I wouldn't find him. The only possibility left... "He might already be dead." Devoid of life force, lying somewhere out of my reach—an unfortunate yet plausible scenario. Unless...he vanished without a trace, like a ghost. "Click." This became slightly annoying. Had I been able to handle it now, the situation would be exceedingly favorable. Yet a slim possibility persists. "Ha... since when have my ventures ever gone smoothly." I ruffled my hair and collected my energy. Though fatigue burdened my body, I still managed to move without issue, likely due to... "The effect of demonic transformation." I had vented all demonic energy into my body and gambled with my heart. Through doing so, I succeeded in severing the connection with Demon Lord entirely while concurrently transforming. Surprisingly... "I didn’t expect to regain control." Clenching and unclenching my fist, I examined my body. It reverted from a demonic state back to that of a normal human. Normally, once demonized, one cannot revert until death—a rule inviolable set by Demon Lord. I returned from a demon back to a human. “Was it this easy?” It dawned on me as soon as I claimed the demonic energy entirely as my own. Without needing guidance, I inherently knew how to revert to human form, and how to wield the demonic energy—it felt instinctual. "There’s also..." Rolling up my right sleeve, I scrutinized my skin, frowning at the unusual traces left. “What is this?” A subtle, unknown influence lingered. It wasn't there in my past life when I turned into a demon. Why now? It felt like... "Hyung-nim." "...!" At the sudden sound of a voice, I quickly hid the sleeve. I turned my head toward the source of the sound to see Pae Woo Cheol standing there. "Oh, so you’re alive?" “...Alive, you say?” Pae Woo Cheol showed a hurt expression at my remark. With his equally stern demeanor, he looked even more intimidating when wearing such an expression. "You seem...alright, Hyung-nim." Surveying the scene around me, Pae Woo Cheol widened his eyes. The remains of numerous burned corpses of the itinerants littered the area, few in number but alarming enough to behold. As I gazed intently into Pae Woo Cheol’s eyes, I suddenly uttered, "Did you kill?" "...!" At my words, Pae Woo Cheol’s eyes twitched. The emotion within them was something all too familiar to me. Judging by the state of his body and the telltale signs on his hands, he had indeed dealt with an enemy itinerant. It seemed an unsettling experience had slightly disturbed his mindset. Observing him, I realized despite his large frame, he was still at the preliminary stage of mastering perfect detachment. "You worked hard." That summed up my feelings. An inevitable ordeal for any born a warrior. Empathy or sympathy were unnecessary; it was something one had to endure independently up to that point. "It seems to be over, so head back." “...What about you, Hyung-nim?” "I’ll follow soon." Initially, the Guan Do soldiers should have sought refuge as a precaution. I was simply... driven by the urge to find and deal with Jang Seon Yeon. I just needed an outlet to relieve my pent-up anger. It was strange to see Pae Woo Cheol still lingering here. "Why are you still here?" At my question, Pae Woo Cheol hesitated, averting his eyes, lips tightly shut. It seemed there was some unspoken reason. Observing him, I began walking again, brushing past him. My hand lightly tapped his sturdy shoulder. "Enough. Let's head back." I wasn't inclined to pry if he preferred not to talk. If he wanted to say something, he would have already. "Yes, Hyung-nim." A gentle spring breeze, heralding the end of winter, brushed against my cheek. Under normal circumstances, the wind would have carried a fresh, delightful scent, but today, it was tainted with the stench of blood. "..." This spring, perhaps more than any season since my return, felt utterly mundane. ********** The once grand Sin-Ryong-Gwan was now reduced to a refuge. Among the wounded soldiers receiving treatment and those trembling in terror, some sat against the walls with vacant eyes, seemingly drained of life. Despite the attack lasting less than a day, those experiencing such chaos for the first time were in poor condition. "Or perhaps, almost all of them." We live in what's referred to as a peaceful era. Past conflicts with the Sapa concluded after prolonged turmoil. Despite the Sapa claiming dominance, they ultimately lived under the shadow imposed by the orthodox sect's limitations. Considering the three revered figures ruling over them belong to the orthodox sect, it's a clear sign of this era's reality. It's the age of the orthodox sect now. No matter how vehemently the Sapa might rise, they cannot stand tall against the might of the orthodox sect. How long has it been since an incident like this occurred? Probably the first time in over a decade. "Even in my previous life, significant events only began with the fall of Heuk Ya Gung." An attack on Sin-Ryong-Gwan never occurred in my past life. This was yet another anomaly in this current life. Which implies... "It's my fault." A statement pondering whether these happenings are a repercussion of my return. Such thoughts settle heavily in my mind. "...No... don't... wake up!" "Hyung.... Hyung!" "Senior... Please open your eyes...." In the plains of Sin-Ryong-Gwan, where the deceased soldiers were gathered, cries of desperation echoed loudly. How could so many have perished in such a short span of time? Though the casualties weren't high compared to the total number of soldiers, the dead were still dead. Those who might have lived until the imminent bloodshed instead met their end prematurely. If this wasn't my doing, what could explain this? Events that never unfolded in my past life transpired, seemingly due to my presence. "..." Could I have not foreseen this? On the contrary, I realized there was always a possibility lurking. Yet experiencing it—feeling the sheer magnitude firsthand—was far more tormenting than anticipated. Moreover... In the center of the screams stood someone, holding a blood-stained sword. The promising disciple of the Wudang, known for his lazy demeanor and boisterous language, was silent amidst the lifeless bodies of his peers. Since Wudang disciples were among the deceased, it seemed several of them also perished in the attack. Observing intently stood the imposing figure of a hidden dragon, his solemnity evident. Cracked. Unable to hold back, I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood. What an utterly wretched day. Thinking about approaching, I opted to turn away, realizing there was nothing I could offer. Nothing at all to alleviate his plight. So, I continued walking. As I dragged my exhausted steps along, I spotted Goo Jul Yeob in the distance. He too looked worse for wear. His face bore signs of severe fatigue, the tension unrelieved. Having engaged in skirmishes with people, as opposed to monsters on the battlefield, it was likely his first real combat. Despite his efforts, beads of cold sweat glistened, yet to be wiped away. “Have you arrived?” Perceiving my approach, Goo Jul Yeob lowered his head slightly. “Are you alright?” “Yes, Ilgongja-nim... You seem well, as always.” "What do you mean by 'as always'?" "It’s hard to imagine Ilgongja-nim suffering any blows." "..." Under usual circumstances, I might have cuffed his leg for being cheeky. But for now, I let out a resigned sigh and moved on. “You’ve worked hard.” He commented as I passed by, prompting a furrowing of my brows. Worked hard? Do I truly deserve such acknowledgment? I bypassed Goo Jul Yeob and entered the building, if one could still call it that given its state of disrepair. “...Ha.” There were people bustling about. The interplay between the soldiers and instructors created a palpable tension. - Is there still no word from the alliance? - ...They must be on their way. - Is that seriously your response? Aren’t you from the alliance? - I’m frustrated too! The atmosphere wasn't pleasant. The chattering of people only added to the overall disarray. This hastily arranged shelter served the dual purpose of treatment and rest. However, a glaring issue was the disproportionate number of physicians compared to the injured. Even among the already scarce doctors, some had perished, slowing progress further. I maneuvered around them as I continued to walk. “A…” Someone exclaimed upon spotting me. I had already seen them from a distance. Wrapped from head to toe in bandages, they looked almost comically absurd. How much blood did they lose to appear so gaunt? “Are you here?” Alongside stood Paeng Ah Hee, seemingly hovering in a caregiving manner. Her disheveled hair and dusty martial arts uniform gave her an uncharacteristically ragged look, considering she hailed from a noble family. She managed a weary smile in my direction. “I heard about it... Must have been tough, huh?” Hearing Paeng Ah Hee's immediate remark made me chuckle. “Apparently, there are peculiar rumors going around. I didn’t do anything….” “Really?” “Yes. Really.” Paeng Ah Hee gave a bittersweet smile, presumably thinking I was joking. Leaving Paeng Ah Hee behind, someone caught my eye, gesturing towards me. It was Namgoong Bia, his face gaunt, wrapped in bandages. “...Hello…” Seeing this, I ground my teeth inwardly. “Now you have greetings for me?” At the anger simmering in my voice, Namgoong Bia flinched. “...Are you angry?” "Wouldn’t you be?” “...I'm sorry.” Namgoong Bia shrank under my words, and I disliked seeing him like that, especially apologizing to me. "What were you thinking of doing?" "...Huh?" "You should've assessed the situation before jumping in." I'd already heard the story. Namgoong Bia had stood against Heuk Ya Gung Ju, and that's how he ended up in his current state. "Are you crazy? Did you have a death wish?" "..." "What were you planning if you died? What could you possibly achieve with such weakness...!" The more I spoke, the less I could control my emotions. It wasn't anger directed at him, but at myself. I was about to lose something yet again due to my own ignorance. My helplessness infuriated me. At that moment, Namgoong Bia's hand tentatively grasped my sleeve. "...I'm sorry... Don't cry." His sudden words unexpectedly recalled a memory from my past life. "Who's crying?" "...I'm fine..." Despite his words, I knew his condition was serious—broken bones, depleted energy, and a dangerously excessive loss of blood. What could possibly be fine about that? "Enough. Stop apologizing." "...Okay." The one who needed to apologize was me. I felt utterly pathetic, trying to belittle my guilt through such interactions. What was the point of improving my prowess if I couldn't even manage something this basic? My gratitude for the World Tree doubled. Its power allowed me to return sooner than expected, preventing days from passing by. If it weren't for its help... 'What if I had been late?' The thought was enough to send shivers down my spine. It was something I didn't want to imagine. I felt relieved knowing she hadn't died. Shifting my gaze, I noticed Tang So Yul lying next to Namgoong Bia, eyes closed. She was not naturally asleep, but rather seemed to be forcibly put to sleep through certain means. "She's lost a lot of blood, but her life isn't in danger," Paeng Ah Hee, who had been attending to them, informed me. "...Then why put her to sleep?" "...My sister is fine due to her level, but for So Yul, it was faster this way." Namgoong Bia's naturally high level accelerated his healing, but Tang So Yul wasn't at that level, necessitating an intervention. I had heard how she had faced Heuk Ya Gung Ju. Stirred by the thought, I unconsciously stroked her hair. Namgoong Bia observed my actions in silence, saying nothing. He only asked one question. "What about Seol Ah?" He was referring to Wi Seol Ah. "She's resting." The day's events replayed in my mind. Many things transpired, and after everything, Wi Seol Ah collapsed unconscious. Dealing with her and Bi Ui Jin consumed additional time. Moreover, -It seems we have matters to discuss, doesn’t it? -Bi Ui Jin had said meaningfully, Damn it. He made it clear he wouldn't let it slide easily. 'How should I resolve this?' I was uncertain. When a situation spirals out of control, it does so spectacularly, leaving me dizzy each time. "I need to tell you something." While I racked my brain, Paeng Ah Hee spoke to me suddenly. "...What is it?" "The Sword Queen was here earlier." "The Sword Queen?" Seeing no sign of her, I was concerned, but it seemed she survived. Given her level of expertise, surviving an attack like this shouldn't have been too difficult. 'When thinking of Cheonghae Ilgeom, though, you never know.' Recalling the old man who lost an arm, a sense of dryness crept into my throat. "She asked to see you when you came." "To see me? Where?" Paeng Ah Hee conveyed that the Sword Queen was with Cheonghae Ilgeom. So, after relaying my presence to Namgoong Bia and Tang So Yul, I proceeded to the location. Though I initially wanted to check on Wi Seol Ah immediately, I believed the Sword Queen’s summoning might be urgent. I moved to where Cheonghae Ilgeom was receiving treatment. Upon seeing me, the instructors who had been guarding him flinched but stepped aside when I mentioned the Sword Queen had called for me. Apparently, they'd been informed beforehand. Making my way through the guards, I brushed aside the veil blocking entry. There lay Cheonghae Ilgeom, seemingly slumbering after his treatment, and beside him sat the Sword Queen who had summoned me. "...You’ve come." "...!" The problem was that beside the kneeling Sword Queen sat the white-haired, white-eyed man I'd encountered earlier that day.