Chapter: 352
Time goes by.
At a moment just past noon, as it approached dusk.
The lingering scent of blood remained thick in the forest, but the once overwhelming aura of combat and menace began to wane little by little.
It had reached what one might call a lull in the storm.
The incessant screams of the guards gradually diminished.
Only when the sun began to set did the situation become manageable enough to sort things out.
It had been an unexpectedly massive raid.
Ironically, the onslaught could be contained in less than a day.
And that wasn’t the only surprise.
I thought several days must have passed while I ventured into the Demon Realm, but astonishingly, I was told it hadn’t even been an hour since I disappeared!
What on earth is happening…?
As for the raid,
Was it because the key players, the Black Night Princess and the Black Dragon Sword, suffered an early defeat?
If anyone had overheard, they might scoff, saying it was ridiculous that a raid involving such prominent figures would be subdued in less than a day.
You might even say, “Isn’t this a bit bland?”
But there’s nothing bland about a raid.
Especially when lives were lost.
Hwiruruk.
As the breath of the captured stops, and all vitality turns to nothing but black ash, only then did I release the grip of the hand I was holding.
I collapsed weakly to the ground.
The impact crumbles my body to the core.
Such was the end of the nameless Sapa.
Tap, tap.
I dust off my hands and scan the surroundings.
‘Is there anyone left?’
I expand my senses.
Perhaps because I had pushed through the terrain, I could only feel a fraction of the mountain.
It expanded to the size of half of Tai Shan.
It might be because the upper dantian was opened and the vessel got bigger.
Clearly, my ability to control has developed more finely and precisely.
‘…I think a few are still hiding.’
It seemed like the instructors would handle whatever remains.
Tap, tap.
I collected the remaining sparks from around and checked my body’s condition.
‘I’m feeling drained.’
I can feel the weight of my body keenly. It was because I rolled around so much that I was already exhausted after reaching Hwagyeong.
What could I do? An incident erupted as soon as I came out.
If I hadn’t rolled, it would have been a problem in itself.
Then,
‘I had to find him.’
I wandered around searching for Jang Seon-yeon while also cleaning up.
In the end, I didn’t find Jang Seon-yeon.
That’s the problem.
‘…What happened?’
According to the laws of the Demon Realm, Jang Seon-yeon should have returned with me.
When I asked the World Tree, I got the same answer.
I thought that wouldn’t be a significant issue since it was one of those things I anticipated.
Even so,
‘In the current situation, it fits perfectly.’
There’s the raid.
I didn’t expect some crazy person would attack Shinryonggwan.
Thanks to this—not that it’s something to be thankful for—it’s become quite convenient to eliminate those I need to kill.
If it was said Jang Seon-yeon returned with me,
Now that I’ve cleaned everything without a trace, it’s as if I were in the same situation as the enemy.
‘This is annoying.’
I took a chance and went to the place where Cheoljiseon opened the magic gate.
But Jang Seon-yeon’s presence had vanished as if it was erased entirely.
I checked all of Tai Shan while turning enemies to ashes.
Yet, Jang Seon-yeon was nowhere to be found.
How could this be possible?
‘If it’s that they’re hiding… No, I can’t wrap my head around it.’
It’s also odd that Jang Seon-yeon, who must have lost his memory, would hide from me.
Even if he did, there’s no way I wouldn’t find him.
The only possibility left is,
‘…he’s already dead.’
Having lost vitality and lying here, that would be the only story.
Unless he vanished without anyone noticing.
Tsk.
This is becoming a bit bothersome.
It would’ve been great to clear this up while I had the chance.
But now a potential problem stays unresolved.
“Haa… Well, when did anything I do ever go smoothly?”
I raked my hair back roughly, reclaiming my energy.
Though my body felt heavy with fatigue, I still had no trouble moving.
This must be,
‘Is it through the influence of mine transformation?’
I released all my magic into my body and used my heart as collateral.
Thanks to this, I managed to sever my connection with Cheonma completely while becoming a mine.
Even…
“…I didn’t know it could be unraveled.”
I clenched my fist, confirming it.
My current body is not that of a mine, but rather that of a human originally.
Once you become a mine, you can’t revert until death.
This was an unalterable law delivered by the Heavenly Horse.
Yet I was able to transition from mine back to human.
‘Was it really this easy?’
When I transformed into a mine, having completely made the magic my own,
I was able to realize how to revert to being human without needing anyone to teach me.
How to use the magic, that is.
Almost instinctively.
‘Beyond that…’
I rolled up my right sleeve and examined my skin.
Upon seeing the remnants left there, my expression darkened.
“What the heck is this?”
There was something subtle that I couldn’t quite identify.
There hadn’t been anything like this during my past life when I became a mine.
Why is that?
It feels like this.
“Brother.”
“…!”
The moment I heard the voice, I concealed my sleeve. I immediately turned my head towards the source.
There stood Pae Woo-cheol.
“Oh, you were alive?”
“Were you alive?”
Pae Woo-cheol appeared offended by my words.
With a face as fierce as mine, his expression was even more intimidating.
“Brother… You seem fine.”
Pae Woo-cheol scanned the surrounding area, widening his eyes.
All I could see were the charred corpses of the Sapa scattered around.
Though not in high numbers, it surely would shock any onlooker.
Then, observing Pae Woo-cheol’s gaze, I suddenly asked,
“Did you kill them?”
“…!”
Pae Woo-cheol’s eyes flickered at my question.
The emotions reflecting in his gaze were all too familiar to me.
From his condition and the marks left on his hands,
It looked as if he had dealt with the Sapa warriors.
It seemed like his mindset had been skewed because of it.
Yet, seeing that, I felt he still had his innocence about him.
“You’ve done well.”
That’s as far as my sentiment goes.
If born a martial artist, such experiences are inevitable.
No comfort or empathy needed here.
That’s precisely the nature of the struggle—something to endure alone.
“It looks like it’s wrapping up, so head back.”
“…Brother…”
“I should be off too.”
In the first place, the guards should have evacuated in advance.
I merely,
Aimed to find Jang Seon-yeon to tidy up and vent my frustrations.
It would indeed seem peculiar that Pae Woo-cheol hasn’t left yet.
“Why are you still here?”
“….”
At my inquiry, Pae Woo-cheol slightly turned his head.
His avoidance of eye contact and closed lips suggested there was something he couldn’t disclose.
Seeing this, I walked past him.
My hand slapped down lightly on his sturdy shoulder.
“Alright then. Let’s head down.”
If he didn’t want to talk, I had no intention of prying too hard.
If he had intended to say something, he would have by now.
“Yes… Brother.”
Whoosh.
A warm spring breeze brushed my cheek after winter’s retreat.
This wind, which should have been fragrant originally,
Was tainted with the smell of blood.
“…”
This year’s spring,
Is probably the worst I’ve experienced since returning.
The collapsed and crumbled Shinryonggwan had transformed into a makeshift refuge.
Students were bleeding and receiving treatment.
I can see many shivering in fear.
Also, there are those sitting against the wall, their eyes dull as if their souls have fled.
Although the raid had barely begun within the day,
The condition of those experiencing something like this for the first time was far from good.
‘No, it’s probably that there weren’t many at all.’
Was it an era of peace, they said?
It was an old tale that we concluded the wars against the Sapa amidst the chaos.
Though the Sapa leaders might appear to thrive in their opulence,
Eventually, they are all holding their breath beneath the boundaries set by the righteous sects.
The absolute beings known as the Three Noble Ones,
It’s easy to recognize this if you remember they are all from the righteous factions.
Now is the era of the righteous.
No matter how fiercely the Sapa snarl and make their appearance, they won’t be able to strut beneath the power of the Jeongpa.
How long has it been since such an incident and raid occurred?
Probably the first time in several years.
‘Even in my previous life, the major incidents began only when the Black Night Palace collapsed.’
The incident of attacking Shinryonggwan was something that never existed in my previous life.
This, too, is an anomaly that has appeared in this life.
Which means—
‘It’s my fault.’
The butterfly effect caused by my return.
That statement tinged with regret strikes heavily.
“…No… Get up…!”
“Jang-hyung… Jang-hyeong!”
“Please, hyung… open your eyes…”
In the midst of the plain set up in Shinryonggwan.
The reason a sound so close to a scream echoes is,
Because it’s where the lifeless bodies of the fallen are gathered.
How much time has passed?
Did that many officials breathe their last?
Strictly speaking, the number of the slain isn’t exceptionally high compared to the total.
Still, the dead are dead.
Had this incident not happened, at least some of those people might have been alive right up until the moment of the slaughter.
Yet, this could have meant their demise.
If that’s the case, it’s my fault.
If events unfolded differently than in the past,
It all bears my responsibility.
‘…’
Did I not foresee that this could happen?
No, I was well aware.
I knew about the potential for such events long ago.
The issue is experiencing it firsthand—it feels a hundred times worse than I imagined.
On top of that.
In the midst of those anguished cries, I see someone standing with a bloodied sword.
The Shaman’s rising star, usually lazy-looking and loud-mouthed,
Is standing among the fallen priests, uttering nothing.
Since there were disciples belonging to the Shaman, it appears there were casualties among them as well.
The figure of the sleeping dragon, observing closely, seizes my attention.
Clench.
Unable to hold back, I feel the taste of blood on my bitten lip.
What a terrible day this is.
I considered approaching, yet I forced myself to turn away.
There’s nothing I can do to help him right now.
I moved forward.
Step, step.
After walking wearily, I spot Gujeol-yeop in the distance.
The state of the Gujeol-yeop doesn’t look too good either.
A face worn with exhaustion and a lingering tension.
Unlike when he wrestled against monsters at the front lines, this would have been his first true confrontation with humans.
I see beads of cold sweat he couldn’t wipe away still flowing.
“…You’re here.”
As I approached, Gujeol-yeop lowered his head slightly.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Your Highness… It seems you’re fine, too.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s hard to imagine a high-ranking official would get hit somewhere.”
“…”
In normal circumstances, I might have smacked his calf for being cheeky.
But for now, I merely sigh and continue on my way.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
As I pass, Gujeol-yeop comments.
I winced slightly at those words.
You think I deserve such praises?
I slipped past him into the building.
Though calling it a building feels a bit off since it’s already falling apart.
“…Sigh.”
I see people bustling around frantically.
A mix of students and instructors.
– “Has there been no word from the association yet?”
– “…They should be on their way.”
– “Is that even appropriate to say now!? You’re part of the association!”
– “I’m frustrated, too!”
The atmosphere is thick with tension.
It could be exacerbated by the sheer volume of people milling about.
This is an emergency shelter hastily erected for treating and comforting the injured.
The problem is that the number of healers is significantly fewer than the number of injured.
To make matters worse, several of those already few healers are dead, making the process even slower.
I wove through the crowd and continued my steps.
“Ah…”
At that moment, someone spotted me and shouted.
This is a situation that I had already observed before.
The sight of being wrapped in bandages looked quite comical.
How much blood did he lose? Why does he look so gaunt?
“Are you here?”
The one who came up was Páeng Ah-hee, who was tending to the injured.
Her disheveled hair and dusty clothes were unlike those of a young noble.
Páeng Ah-hee, looking quite disoriented for a child from a renowned family, gazed at me with a wearied appearance.
“…I’ve heard what happened. It seems you had a tough time?”
I couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh at her words.
“Seems there are odd rumors flying around. I didn’t do anything…”
“Really?”
“Yep. Really.”
Perhaps thinking I was joking, Páeng Ah-hee gave me a bittersweet smile.
Leaving Páeng Ah-hee behind, I noticed someone waving at me.
It was Namgung Bi-a, looking frail and wrapped in bandages.
“…Hi…”
I had to grit my teeth at the sight.
“Are you here just for greetings?”
Namgung Bi-a flinched at my irritated tone.
“…Are you angry?”
“Wouldn’t it be natural?”
“…I’m sorry.”
In an instant, Namgung Bi-a’s face crumpled at my words.
I didn’t appreciate how it looked.
I don’t like seeing this apologetic expression directed at me.
“What exactly made you think this was a good idea?”
“…Huh?”
“You should have gauged your opponent’s strength before diving into a fight.”
I had heard the tale.
About how Namgung Bi-a faced off against the Black Night Princess.
And how things turned out poorly.
“Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?!”
“….”
“What would you have done if you had died then? What were you trying to do while being so weak…?!”
As I continued to speak, my emotions spiraled out of control.
I was not angry at anyone but rather at myself.
Didn’t I almost lose it again without realizing it?
Because of my incompetence.
That thought burned with anger inside me.
At that moment, Namgung Bi-a reached out and gingerly grabbed my clothing.
“…I’m sorry… don’t cry.”
Those words, coming out of nowhere, stirred old memories within me.
—“Crying?”
The situation I dealt with in my past life floated back to mind.
“Crying? Who’s crying?”
“…I’m alright…”
My bones felt broken in multiple places.
I had risked my life and bled far too much, nearing a deadly situation.
What does “I’m alright” even mean?
“Stop already… don’t apologize.”
“…Okay.”
The one who should be apologizing was me.
I felt shameful.
Seeing myself releasing guilt in this way made me seem so pitiful.
What good was it to reach high realms?
I couldn’t even handle something like this.
I ought to be thanking the World Tree.
As expected, it should have been days before this moment.
The World Tree’s power likely intervened to stall the process, letting me come out not long after.
‘What if I’d been delayed a few days?’
That thought gave me chills.
It was something I didn’t want to contemplate.
I’m just glad she’s still alive.
Shifting my gaze, I noticed Dang So-yeol lying next to Namgung Bi-a, eyes closed.
From the looks of it, she hadn’t fallen asleep naturally.
It seemed that forcing her to sleep using a bet was the method.
“She lost too much blood, but they said it’s not life-threatening.”
Páeng Ah-hee answered the thought I had.
“…But why did they put her to sleep?”
“…My sister’s at the peak, so she’ll manage, but they said it would be faster for Soyeol.”
Namgung Bi-a was indeed fine, being at the peak of her natural healing abilities.
That’s why this approach was necessary for Dang So-yeol, who didn’t possess such levels.
I had also heard about how Dang So-yeol confronted the Black Night Princess.
“…”
As those thoughts surfaced, I absentmindedly brushed her hair.
Namgung Bi-a merely observed my actions closely, offering no additional words.
She just asked me.
“What about Seol-ah?”
I meant Wi Seol-ah.
“She’s resting.”
I recollected the day’s events.
Multiple things had transpired, but afterward, Wi Seol-ah had collapsed and lost consciousness.
Consequently, I needed some time to gather Wi Seol-ah and Bi Ui-jin.
Moreover,
—“I feel like we have something to discuss. Don’t you agree?”
This was what Bi Ui-jin had insinuated meaningfully to me.
Damn it, she clearly didn’t intend to let it slide easily.
‘How do I handle this?’
I have no idea.
Once a disaster strikes, it often creates an overwhelming mess that leaves me dizzy.
“You know.”
Thinking about how to proceed, I racked my brain.
Suddenly, Páeng Ah-hee approached me.
“…What is it?”
“Earlier, the inspector dropped by.”
“The Sword Master?”
Perhaps something unsatisfactory happened while I was away.
Fortunately, Geom-hu seems to be alive.
After all, it’s difficult for a figure of that caliber to die from an assault like this.
‘If I think about the fate of Cheonghae Ilgeom, that thought doesn’t hold.’
The sight of the old man who had lost an arm and collapsed came to mind, leaving my lips feeling dry.
“He asked me to come find you when you arrived.”
“Me? Where?”
He’s indeed looking for me.
Páeng Ah-hee informed me that Geom-hu was at the place where Cheonghae Ilgeom was being treated.
I then relayed a bit about my bet to Namgung Bi-aa and Dang So-yeol before setting off.
Despite what my heart desired—to head straight to Wi Seol-ah—I figured if Geom-hu was seeking me, it must be urgent.
I walked towards the room where Cheonghae Ilgeom was receiving treatment.
The guards escorting me flinched upon seeing me.
When I conveyed Geom-hu’s message, they moved aside naturally.
It seems they received prior notice.
After breaking through the guard detail,
Swish.
I pulled back the cloth barring my way.
There lay Cheonghae Ilgeom, seeming to doze after his treatment.
Seated next to him was the inspector who had called for me.
“…You made it.”
“…!”
The issue was,
Beside the kneeling swordsman,
The white-haired, white-eyed man I had encountered in the daytime was also sitting there.
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