In the Bimu Jang, the scene was nothing short of apocalyptic, as the dust clouds rose high, training dummies lay shattered into pieces, and countless sword marks adorned the ground.
“What the hell happened here….”
I couldn’t hide my astonishment at the sight. After all, I had met the protagonists from the original story at a major event like the Yong Bong Gihwa.
Still, the fact that I hadn’t rescued Yoo Seolhwa yet and that Kang Si Woo had fallen for her trick weighed heavily on my mind.
‘There shouldn’t be any reason for such a massive fight….’
My disciples, who seemed to have just gotten a bit closer, had no reason to turn the Bimu Jang into a chaotic battlefield.
What was bothering me the most was the method Shin Ui had mentioned, which could spare me from my life-threatening condition.
First, I needed to defeat the Outsider that was consuming Seolhwa’s body, to eliminate the substance blocking my blood flow.
Since my level was currently at the pinnacle, I had to spend the night with someone who reached that stage to gain the appropriate vitality for my recovery.
‘…I’ve been so indecisive that my disciples don’t even realize how terrifying I can be.’
I covered my face with my hand and took a deep breath. The final bosses and protagonists of my novels were like children I had created with Seolhwa.
The very thought of laying a hand on them was unimaginable.
“…….”
I furrowed my brow and focused on where I sensed a presence. Even so, I thought this had crossed a certain line.
“Master…? What are you doing here…?”
A girl who had been about to throw a broken wooden post stopped and gently set it down upon spotting me. Bi Wol wore a flustered expression.
She attempted to right the fallen pillar like it was simply a matter of course, but it was already too late for whatever excuse she had in mind.
“Bi Wol.”
I called out to her as if reprimanding her.
“I-I didn’t do anything…! I was actually trying to stop my sisters from fighting…!”
Bi Wol waved her hands, insisting she was not at fault. No matter how much she tried to explain, the magical debris scattered around couldn’t be hidden.
“Did you think such lies would work on me?”
My sect, Bing Yeon Blossom Heart, was a sanctuary for the weak abandoned by society, children and parents caught in wars or fires, and the sick or suffering.
Thus, the mere idea of her—who appeared as the final boss in my novel—being involved in this situation was nonsensical.
“If my disciples harbor personal grievances and challenge each other, how would the entire martial world view me?”
“Well, we could just move to a remote valley where no one goes. If we go to a rugged place that even the strongest in the Central Plains can’t reach…”
Bi Wol trailed off, glancing nervously at my stern expression. If she were truly the proud Heavenly Demon, she might think that way.
But,
“…Are you telling me to abandon those I’ve taken in? I bear my own sect and responsibilities.”
I was different from her. I had to minimize the damage caused by my presence. That was the legacy Seolhwa had entrusted to me.
The difference between an adult and a child. As one grows older, the weight of responsibility falls solely on oneself.
Although I had suspended three of my works due to lack of profit and views, fiction and reality are entirely different matters.
“Bi Wol, gather the other sisters.”
I commanded her to summon the other disciples, as this turmoil stemmed from Bi Wol’s stubborn approach, believing a fight would solve everything.
In the martial world, conflicts were often resolved by following the words of the stronger party.
“B-but, Master…! We haven’t even settled the match yet!”
Bi Wol, who had a slight scratch on her cheek and was covered in dust, looked alarmed as she protested.
“Is winning more important to you than your sisters who should be teaming up together?”
How much longer would this go on? I was starting to feel angry at Bi Wol’s attitude.
I had successfully persuaded the protagonists of the original story to some extent, and there was also hope for my own survival.
If I could just defeat the Outer God, Shub Niggurath, all that would be left was confessing the truth to Bi Wol and the others and begging for forgiveness.
Yet, was it really appropriate for my disciples to engage in serious duels over a single man like me?
“I won’t say it again. Gather your sisters immediately, and tell me who started the fight first. I will punish that child severely.”
Ignoring the reverse flow of my blood, I raised a chill in the air. If things went south, I would freeze this entire place to stop further fights.
“……!!!”
The air around us grew heavy, and Bi Wol began to tremble. She was clearly overcome with fear.
Based on her reaction, it seemed the one who suggested fighting was indeed Bi Wol. My guess was spot on.
“M-Master. Actually, I….”
“I was the one!”
Just as Bi Wol was about to confess to me, another loud voice erupted in the Bimu Jang.
“I was the one who said I wanted to fight with you, Bi Wol-senpai!”
The owner of that voice was Verdandi, brushing off the dust from her hair carelessly as she stood up.
Now able to use the sacred armor and sword freely, Verdandi maintained her characteristic bright smile while lying through her teeth.
“So please, scold me instead!”
“S-sister….”
Looking at the lying Verdandi, I realized something was amiss. I instinctively covered my mouth to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape.
In the original story, [I Must Kill the Hero], she had a deep-seated aversion to lies, to the point of being obsessive about always speaking the truth.
After enduring abuse and bullying in the village, she’d learned to hate villains and lies, but now she seemed to be past that pain.
‘Right now, Verdandi looks almost healed from her past wounds.’
The girl standing in front of me had lost all reasons to exist as a final boss.
Bi Wol overcame her mental barriers and erased the marks of Heavenly Demon Star, Verdandi didn’t kill her mother and thus did not fall, and Azazel had resolved her one-sided love issue.
“…No, it was me who first suggested we fight, wasn’t it?”
While I hesitated briefly, Azazel edged closer, her tentacles squirming.
They both insisted they had been the ones to initiate the fight without anyone playing the blame game.
“Then, pray tell, what was your reason for fighting?”
I asked them hopefully, unsure if they were truly appealing to some romantic feelings. After all, one shouldn’t convey such sentiments through another’s mouth.
“It’s all to save our Master. We can’t practice Chae Um Bo Yang with just anyone!”
Azazel said, placing her hands together in a prayer-like gesture. Unfortunately, nothing about my expectations was deflected.
The sudden urge to fight among girls who had begun to bond through the Yong Bong Gihwa must have stemmed from this reason alone.
“That’s none of your concern.”
I declared my stance before Azazel and the rest.
Bi Wol was like my daughter, raised from a young age, as were the other disciples, so they had never borne any malicious intentions.
Even if I had to crawl through hidden corners of the martial world and plead to find a hidden hero, I would never reach out to minors.
“I know my body better than anyone; it won’t be solved by you stepping in.”
“Isn’t it enough for us to reach the realm?”
“Do you think that it’s easy? That realm has eluded many of the best martial artists.”
In my original novel, [King of Diamond Fist], only two had reached that realm—Bi Wol, the Heavenly Demon, and the main character, Kim Hyul.
Among them, Kim Hyul was male, and he obtained enlightenment through the final match with Bi Wol, so their paths varied.
“No matter how much you practice, it will take years of diligent training just to reach that level.”
In reality, it had been quite a long time since I’d entered the pinnacle.
“I don’t want to lose my Master to another woman!”
“I feel the same way. Master.”
Bi Wol and Verdandi rose their voices in unison, not backing down an inch, prompting me to let out a deep sigh.
‘…In the end, could it all be because of me?’
Seeing them like this, it became clear they harbored feelings for me.
Children often confuse kindness with affection, especially after enduring life-saving moments.
‘Should I accept these children’s hearts…? Is that really right?’
They were far too close to me, like my very own children. I had never once thought of them as a different gender.
I had always considered their plight as casualties spawned from my shortcomings, but even if my expiration date could be extended, I was still the cause of their unhappiness.
It was impossible for me to receive their forgiveness.
*
As Bing Yeon continued to grapple with her feelings, an unfamiliar voice broke through.
“Long time no see, Bing Yeon.”
“Been a while.”
Zikhart and the one being carried by Kim Hyul appeared before Bing Yeon, both bowing and surveying their surroundings.
“How did it end up like this? Please tell me we haven’t been found out for running away.”
“If that were true, just look at the traces left by swords and that vile wicked magic. An Outsider could wipe us out with a mere gesture; they wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble.”
They were clueless about why the Bimu Jang was in ruins, almost mistaking it for being tracked down by the Outsider.
“Kim Hyul and Zikhart! That one on your back can’t possibly be…”
“Correct. The master of the Golden Tower, Wolfram Alchemist.”
As Kim Hyul set down the woman on his back, he casually spoke up.
“Ah, hello… It’s been a while.”
Wolfram flushed red from the physical contact with Kim Hyul, covering her face with her hands, and managed to utter those words.
