By the time I finally managed to drag myself out of the cave, the sun had already set.
My entire body was drenched in sweat. Even though I’m the type of person who usually doesn’t care about a little dirt, I felt uneasy enough to find it off-putting.
‘…It’s really exhausting.’
I stumbled out, dragging my weary body.
As if it had been waiting just for me, the night air that blew in felt somewhat refreshing.
How long have I been digging holes in this cave?
I can’t honestly gauge the time, but considering I skipped a meal, it must have been quite a while.
‘Ah, speaking of which, I forgot to mention that I wouldn’t be eating.’
I only realized it after coming out. Normally, I’d either eat before coming or let my companions know I would eat later.
But today, I was too focused and didn’t say a word.
‘It shouldn’t matter, right?’
Surely they wouldn’t skip meals just because I wasn’t there…
‘Hmm.’
I wanted to think that couldn’t possibly be the case, but I felt a little anxious since it had happened a few times before.
Should I pick up the pace a bit?
Once I leave the cave and head down the mountain, I’ll see the city shortly.
Even though it was late at night, the streets of Hanam were still bright.
Of course, the phrase “not too long” applies on my terms.
If I pick up my speed a little, the distance is something I can cover swiftly.
‘This has certainly changed.’
Feeling this way brings back memories from the past.
I’m reminded of the time I was stumbling around Sichuan, panting in my quest to find a monument.
‘Back then, Wi Seol-ah secretly followed me.’
It was only when I reached the pinnacle that I realized Wi Seol-ah was tailing me.
What was embarrassing was that while I was exhausted from running, Wi Seol-ah followed without breaking a sweat.
‘That was strange back then.’
It was weird from the start, but as I delve deeper, it becomes even stranger.
I don’t know about the current Wi Seol-ah, but at that time, she had something that made it hard to categorize her as human.
Things like being so low-key or having insane strength for an ordinary person.
Of course, I had a vague idea of the reasons by now.
In reality, it was pretty obvious.
‘She just wasn’t human.’
Wi Seol-ah is not human.
That realization now hits home—it means there’s something unique about her.
But I just don’t want to think that way.
‘Wi Seol-ah is a person.’
If I choose to believe it, then it is true.
It feels like a half-hearted rationalization, but I genuinely want to think that.
Look at what I remember now. Instead of the oddball behavior of Wi Seol-ah back then, I’m only recalling the time I jumped up, carrying her and soaring through the air!
What I mean is, understanding Wi Seol-ah’s identity isn’t particularly crucial to me.
‘This street used to be pretty tough back in the day.’
It was during that odd chance when I was close to reaching the second-rate level in my mastery.
What was I thinking trying to carry Wi Seol-ah while leaping around?
‘Ah.’
That’s right.
Wi Seol-ah had asked me to carry her, didn’t she?
Did she request a piggyback because she was tired? Just thinking about that makes it pretty funny.
Not to mention, it’s a bittersweet memory.
While recalling those scattered thoughts, I realized I had already arrived at the present.
Upon arrival, I took out a bamboo stick to use.
‘…Tsk.’
Here I am, wearing this mask like I’m some sort of fugitive. What an absurdly embarrassing reason!
Becoming too famous also turns out to be a problem.
Especially now, with people from other regions filling the streets, it’s even more apparent.
Damn those Murim Alliance folks!
‘At least spread some decent rumors, would you?’
While they mess up everything else, they’ve sure taken the time to propagate such nasty gossip.
I’m so well-known in Hanam that you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone unaware of my nickname and who I am.
In a way, fame can be a form of power for martial artists, so these rumors aren’t entirely bad…
‘No, actually, I think they are bad.’
I released an exaggerated sigh.
Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled with this level of attention.
Even if it’s different from the interest I received in my previous life, the stares from people still felt more annoying than pleasant.
Should I chalk it up to some rite of passage I had to endure?
‘I really don’t get how others manage to handle this.’
It makes me think of the Four Great Families.
They usually had the clan’s emblem etched on their uniforms, so just a glance would be enough to identify them.
It signals the arrival of bloodline representatives from the Four Great Families.
When I was younger, I always thought it was embarrassing why they strutted around like that, but now that I’ve broadened my perspective, I see it as essential.
It serves as a kind of value.
You might avoid unnecessary trouble. As long as nothing major happens, you can receive special treatment wherever you go.
How you’re treated by others will change, and you’ll start off at a higher level than most.
That’s the power of fame.
If I look deeper, it’s way more complex, but from my viewpoint, that’s about the gist of it.
Of course, even if there are so many perks to it—
‘Until things settle down a bit… let’s keep a low profile.’
No matter how I look at it, I just don’t feel like I fit in.
I pressed the bamboo stick tighter into my grip.
I made sure to erase my presence and increased my pace.
I quickly became eager to reach the guesthouse.
After walking a little, I came to a sudden halt.
Hoh—
In front of me stood what appeared to be a tavern. I recognized the place too.
It was a spot where Mo Yong-hee would occasionally buy dumplings. Maybe because I praised them before, she diligently picked them up from there.
“…Hmm.”
I thought about it for a moment and didn’t hesitate long. I marched straight into the shop and placed an order.
By the time I stepped out of the shop, I found myself with a hefty stash in one hand.
I might have bought a bit too much food, but since there’s at least one person who will polish it off, I thought overbuying was justifiable.
Should I also grab some medicine?
If I spot a pharmacy while passing, I might as well.
With that thought, I redirected my steps toward the guesthouse again.
The crowd was still bustling.
The night’s glow lit up the streets.
The delightful aroma of food wafted from my hands.
I strolled along, relishing the vibrant atmosphere for a moment. While I usually hated these crowded streets, there is a contradictory part of me that yearned for it.
Seeing the throng assured me that the inevitable chaotic conflict hadn’t yet arrived.
With that thought occupying me, I walked slowly.
Not long after, as I continued down the path, I noticed the crowd beginning to thin.
I was passing through a lively street and edging closer to the guesthouse.
‘Still, this is awfully sparse, isn’t it?’
As I began to wonder what might be going on with the unexpectedly low turnout…
“Huh?”
Just as I suspected, something was off in the distance.
There seemed to be a gathering of people. Were they up to something?
‘Aha, that explains why there were fewer than usual.’
I was just about to turn back, contemplating whether to head back or not when—
“…I apologize.”
An unmistakably familiar voice reached my ears.
I turned my head. Following the voice led me to the back of a woman.
I recalled our previous conversation about symbols.
They mentioned that a symbol of a great family indeed held value.
It was the same for the Gu clan.
My family also had its emblem of sorts.
There were uniforms with it stitched on the chest, but I tended not to wear them.
It’s embarrassing to strut around like that, you know?
I likely won’t wear it in the future either.
‘Not like anyone would wear it anyway.’
I hadn’t seen my father or even Gu Hee-bi wear one.
They only donned it for important occasions.
I wore it to the last righteous gathering, for instance.
Anyway.
If you wondered why I was mentioning the symbol now, it was because the woman had on a uniform with that very symbol.
Indeed, it was the Gu family’s uniform.
The deep red fabric boasted delicate yellow embroidery.
That was the emblematic attire worn by the Gu family’s blood relatives.
I could only think of one blood relative who would wear such striking attire.
‘Gu Yeon-seo?’
Yes.
The owner of that voice was Gu Yeon-seo.
Confirming this, I moved closer to the crowd.
Gu Yeon-seo was offering an apology to someone.
Upon seeing that, I frowned slightly and observed the other individual.
The person Gu Yeon-seo was addressing was a massive middle-aged man.
To put it plainly, he resembled the figure of Iljang-ro.
A physique that dwarfed even his waistline.
What he wore was a black uniform—
A black ring adorned his finger as well.
As I recognized those details, it became evident who that person was.
After all, I had encountered his face several times before.
That man was—
‘Paeng Ga-ju?’
The head of the Paeng family, known for his title as the Sword King.
‘Why?’
Confusion washed over me.
Why were Paeng Ga-ju and Gu Yeon-seo in such close proximity?
And here they were, in the middle of the street.
It seemed Gu Yeon-seo was a little intimidated, shoulders hunched.
Paeng Ga-ju’s expression while observing her appeared rather prickly.
“…Hmph. The juniors nowadays are really lacking. They can’t even see where they’re going.”
“…”
“What’s more, to bump into a senior with such a high standing? Were you taught it was acceptable back home?”
“No… It was indeed my fault.”
As Gu Yeon-seo spat out that apology without excuses, one of my eyebrows shot up.
‘What’s going on here?’
Did Gu Yeon-seo really brush past Paeng Ga-ju while walking?
From what I gathered, that seemed to be the case.
“Even if you saw me first and approached with proper respect, it wouldn’t be enough. Tsk tsk.”
Paeng Ga-ju’s expression while he spoke was a peculiar one.
It seemed more akin to a mocking smile than anger.
‘Did she really shoulder bump him?’
This was altogether beyond comprehension.
Even though there were plenty of people around, this area was still relatively sparse.
There was no chance a figure like Paeng Ga-ju would let someone get close enough to bump shoulders.
So that implies—
It was practically a weak attempt at provocation.
“Though I acknowledge you’re still young, we need to reevaluate the educational standards of the Gu family.”
Mentioning the Gu family made Gu Yeon-seo flinch. Her ears flushed red, and I could see her shrinking back slightly.
Had he noticed? It seemed like the corners of Paeng Ga-ju’s mouth turned up slightly.
“Kids may show promise, but when it comes to basic etiquette, the teachings seem seriously deficient…”
“Oh, no…! This is entirely my blind fault…”
“Wait—!”
Paeng Ga-ju suddenly exploded with anger, causing Gu Yeon-seo to jump back in shock.
“You cut me off before I even finished my sentence!”
“…I’m sorry. Please forgive my rudeness…”
For each fault he found with Gu Yeon-seo, Paeng Ga-ju’s smirk grew wider.
“This is how the most famous Sega bloodline behaves… how disappointing.”
“…That’s…”
Gu Yeon-seo managed to muster the words but quickly shut her mouth. The previous comments were now shackles.
Noticing her reaction seemed to please Paeng Ga-ju as he continued.
“Despite the unfortunate circumstances concerning the Gu clan, I had tried to maintain a positive perspective. After seeing this, perhaps I should just be thankful that things ended poorly back then.”
“…!”
When even the mention of a broken engagement came up, Gu Yeon-seo squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
With the situation laid bare before me, I felt my body move naturally.
“With your bloodline in this state, there’s no point in looking at others…”
Paeng Ga-ju’s rant was suddenly cut short.
I intervened between the two.
If I watched any longer, my blood pressure would spike, and I’d die right here. I couldn’t risk that in any shape or form.
I promptly grabbed Gu Yeon-seo’s shoulder and pulled her back.
Startled by the sudden motion, her eyes widened.
I shielded her from Paeng Ga-ju, stepping in front as if to protect her.
“Wha…?”
Paeng Ga-ju looked at me with a mix of surprise and bewilderment.
I could understand why.
I was just as flabbergasted, too.
How could I not be, given the way he was speaking?
“Sir.”
The moment I spat that out, Paeng Ga-ju’s brows knitted tightly.
Perhaps it was the utterly unexpected address.
Well, that makes sense.
Where would someone like the head of the Paeng family ever hear the term “Sir”?
As I observed the increasingly distressed look on Paeng Ga-ju’s face, I continued.
“You really need to mind your words.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“You’re really talking nonsense… huh?”
Just as I was about to elaborate, I felt an unexpected wave of weakness.
Someone had jumped in and taken the words right out of my mouth.
“Your mouth is filthy. Do you think it’s a trash can? Spit out the garbage.”
“What…?”
Paeng Ga-ju regarded his unexpected interrupter with confounded eyes.
The words hadn’t come from me; instead, they issued from a woman who had appeared next to me, arms crossed.
Similar to Paeng Ga-ju, I was busy taking in the sight of the woman who had barged in out of nowhere.
I never thought there would be another crazed individual aside from me who would dare spout insults at the head of the Four Great Families.
I watched as she stared back at me with wide, astonished eyes.
“Huh?”
I couldn’t help but say that aloud as I scrutinized her uniform.
A pale blue uniform with embroidery on the chest. Plus several adornments.
They were items I was familiar with from somewhere.
‘Is this…?’
Of course.
It closely resembled the garments worn by Mo Yong-hee of the Mo Yong family.
It wasn’t just a resemblance; the uniform was exactly the same, and the decoration had the unique design the Mo Yong family was known for.
In other words—
It indicated that she was a member of the Mo Yong bloodline.
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