Chapter: 404
My vision remained dark, and my senses had yet to return.
How much time had passed? With my five senses in disarray, it was hard to even gauge.
All I knew was this.
Phew-!
“Ugh!”
This marked the ninth time.
Exactly nine times.
That was how many times I had died.
Staggering from the sudden wave of dizziness, I collapsed to the ground.
Blood started to gush from my pierced neck, and at that moment, I felt a sense of disorientation, succumbing to unconsciousness.
Just a few seconds passed like that.
“Haaak…!”
Once I regained my senses, I jolted up.
What happened just before? I felt something sharp at my neck…
I cautiously checked my neck with my hand and felt no pain, not even a scratch.
‘…Shit.’
This sensation had become something I could recognize; this was indeed the ninth time.
Killed by the hand of the Dark King, no less.
Frowning, I surveyed my surroundings.
I hadn’t strayed far from the plain where Pajeon had been a moment ago.
‘What on earth is this?’
Could it be that I was experiencing a hallucination? Yet, the sensation of my throat being slit and my heart pierced felt too real.
The moment right after I realized my throat had been pierced by something sharp was the same.
In that moment, I could affirm that I had definitely died nine times.
The problem was…
‘But how am I alive?’
How was I even alive?
‘Fuck.’
That thought escaped my lips involuntarily.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
That damn Pajeon… What did he toss me into this situation for?
After disappearing with just the advice to “endure,” I had repeatedly faced death by the hands of the Dark King.
In so many ways, this felt like shit.
Illusions, delusions, or whatever nonsense—why was I subjected to this at the dead of night?
“I really want to give it all up.”
Should I just ditch everything and hide in the mountains?
I couldn’t help but think that might actually be better.
Bam.
I clenched my jaw in frustration.
I knew deep down that I couldn’t do that, but it was just a fleeting thought.
Taking a deep breath, I shifted my gaze.
A palpable tension hung in the dimness around me.
Before making any conclusions about my situation, there was something else that needed doing.
‘Where am I?’
I drew up my senses.
Was there still some recoil left, or was something blocking my energy? My sense didn’t spread out properly, but hey, it was certainly better than doing nothing.
‘Where could they be?’
I concentrated, spreading my perceptions across every area I could.
Pajeon had said.
This was also part of my training.
And to complete this training, I just needed to catch the Dark King at least once.
‘I don’t get what this training is supposed to accomplish at all, though.’
Even if I didn’t understand it, it wasn’t a situation where I could turn down the training.
So, I just had to grit my teeth and push through.
Hooo…
I exhaled sharply, releasing some heat.
The Dark King was still intent on attacking me, so I was trying to catch him in that moment.
But damn, it wasn’t as easy as I hoped.
Crisp-
“…!”
I turned my head towards the sound, instinctively reaching out my hand.
I suddenly noticed there was no one in sight.
It had been an illusion…
Fwoosh-!
“Ugh!?”
I couldn’t contain a scream as a blade sank into my thigh.
Where did that come from?
The direction pointed to behind me.
So, was the presence in front merely a diversion to let my guard down?
Just a stab to my thigh, yet the pain felt exacerbated.
Could this be another ability of the Dark King’s martial arts? I thought I was quite accustomed to pain, thanks to training in the Tuapacheonmu.
But this level of pain was surprising enough to make me shriek.
‘Where are you?’
Despite the excruciating soreness, I made the call that catching the Dark King took precedence over the immediate pain.
Ignoring the agony in my leg, I spun around to search for the Dark King.
Craack-!
“…!”
Before I could react, the tip of the Dark King’s blade pierced into my abdomen.
Blood surged up to my throat.
Pain shot through my bones, tightening my eyes.
In the murky darkness, I couldn’t even make out the Dark King’s form right in front of me.
But still.
I reached out. Because dodging was not an option.
I stretched my fingers out, hoping to make contact with something, but before my fingertips could touch anything, I saw something menacing approaching.
The tip of the sword.
Just as I registered that and attempted to move my head.
Gulp.
The Dark King’s dagger was halted inches before it could graze my forehead, strangely frozen midair.
It was so close to me.
Why was that?
As my mind spun with questions, the Dark King said,
“It’s over.”
He withdrew the dagger he had been holding and took a step back.
I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant by “over,” but the air suddenly brightened, as if answering my unasked question.
Suuuuuuu-!
The dark sky, previously obscuring my vision, lit up suddenly, revealing the sun rising in the distance.
Is it… day now?
‘Then what was that just now?’
That space had been so dark moments before, I couldn’t see an inch in front of me.
And yet, just like that, it turned brightly… What a ridiculous situation—this was absurd.
‘No way….’
It dawned on me that this darkness that had lurked around, apart from the deaths I had endured thus far, was the very power of the Dark King.
Just thinking of this sent chills down my spine.
‘What a madman.’
They said that no one could defeat the Dark King at night, but this meant he could create the very night itself.
Assassins are said to wait for the right moment and environment to strike, yet this man could mold both to his desires.
‘…And.’
The thigh that had just been punctured was inexplicably clean.
As with my previous deaths, even this phenomenon was beyond outrageous.
‘Should this even be called martial arts?’
I thought it was closer to a power of formations than martial arts.
The pain was too vivid to be dismissed as a mere hallucination.
Can something like this really be considered training?
It didn’t feel like training but more like torture.
‘But it’s too neat to be labeled torture.’
The way it caused death was so clean, it was a stretch to call it torture.
I swallowed hard and looked again at the Dark King.
“That’s all for today.”
As he spoke, the Dark King faded from view like mist.
It felt like further conversation was unnecessary.
After confirming this, I exhaled a relief-laden breath.
“… Is this really the end?”
This training is supposed to only occur at night.
Did he vanish just as the morning came for that reason?
This means…
“So, does that mean I must do this every night?”
Should I be subjected to this sort of death at the hands of the Dark King every morning?
“…”
With that thought, I began to contemplate.
‘Should I seriously just abandon everything and bolt?’
I found myself in serious need of that reflection.
While Gu Yangcheon was considering his escape plan seriously.
The Dark King arrived at some point in the forest, moving with light footfalls.
When he revealed himself, he was just about to reach his destination.
“You’re here.”
Paejon was perched on a rock enjoying a drink alone.
Judging by the two cups present, it seemed the Dark King had already known he would arrive.
Paejon tossed a glass towards the Dark King.
The wine glass sailed through the air, only to suddenly shift direction, slow down, and land on the Dark King’s palm.
Paejon chuckled lightly and addressed the Dark King.
“Why waste your energy when you could just catch it?”
“This method feels more comfortable.”
“Tsk tsk.”
Accepting the glass, the Dark King strolled over and plopped down beside Paejon.
Swirl, swirl—
Without a word, Paejon began pouring wine into the Dark King’s empty glass and turned to him, inquiring.
“Well, how was it?”
There was no need to further clarify what “it” referenced.
The discussion that needed to happen had already been established.
Paejon was now asking about the time Guyangcheon and the Dark King had just spent together.
After hearing the question, the Dark King took a sip of wine and responded.
“He’s a peculiar one.”
“Oh?”
Paejon’s eyes gleamed at the Dark King’s response.
That was a rare answer from someone like the Dark King, who usually spoke only of good or bad.
“Why do you find him peculiar?”
“He’s unusually calm.”
The Dark King’s thoughts drifted back to Gu Yangcheon.
Though Paejon might not know, the individual known as Gu Yangcheon was an already interesting young man in the eyes of the Dark King.
A figure with talent warranting a place in history?
That wasn’t a topic which piqued the Dark King’s interest too much.
What interested him about Gu Yangcheon was that he possessed something similar but also distinctly different from himself.
More importantly…
‘Taecheon is interested.’
The entity that the Dark King sought so earnestly held an interest in Gu Yangcheon.
And that wasn’t all.
The reason behind the Dark King calling Gu Yangcheon “peculiar” boiled down to this fact.
‘He doesn’t change at all.’
Around the third time he had died by his own hands.
What struck the Dark King about Gu Yangcheon’s actions was that he actively attempted to capture the Dark King.
Up to this point, this behavior made sense.
He must have understood that capturing the Dark King would signify the end of his training.
However.
‘He did not relent until the very end.’
From sunrise to the end of the training session, Gu Yangcheon relentlessly endeavored to apprehend the Dark King.
If asked what the problem with this was, it would be that.
While coming close to dying ten times,
From start to finish, Gu Yangcheon showed neither fear of death nor faltering spirit.
The Dark King could sense this.
Gu Yangcheon tirelessly endeavored to perceive the Dark King’s presence.
He tirelessly made attempts to seize that presence, never revealing any fright or signs of exhaustion.
In such a situation, a normal person might feel terrified or plead for mercy.
Even if this absurd cycle allowed for revival after death.
Gu Yangcheon’s composure was something beyond the ordinary.
Even for the Dark King, the King of Assassins.
It was indeed peculiar.
While saying that the resilience threshold is elevated in martial artists,
Gu Yangcheon felt distinctly different.
He faced death and pain with unflinching resolve. It was bizarrely normal.
‘And.’
The Dark King’s contemplation of Gu Yangcheon shifted to Paejon.
“You knew all along, didn’t you?”
“Hmm?”
Paejon stared at the Dark King, confusion etched on his face.
The Dark King held a firm belief.
That Paejon was well aware of everything concerning Gu Yangcheon’s eccentricities.
‘Is that why he asked me for this favor?’
If Paejon genuinely realized his disciple was in such a state, did he determine it was fine for him to engage in this kind of training?
If so…
‘You’re still irritating.’
Regarding achieving martial prowess, Paejon too, was not functioning normally.
A master who leaves his disciple under the Dark King’s custody, implementing such cruel training methods from the get-go.
In turn, the disciple endures with calmness rather than question this and seeks a breakthrough.
Through the lens of the Dark King, they were both strange individuals.
Reflecting on this, the Dark King turned his gaze from Paejon back to the wine glass.
‘It’s of no concern.’
Regardless of their circumstances, the Dark King didn’t have the faintest worry.
Just as they had their own goals, the Dark King similarly needed to achieve his, that was what mattered.
This was merely an act borne out of being asked to perform a favor.
As that thought crossed his mind, the Dark King addressed Paejon again.
“Just remember the request you made.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t forget.”
Almost too tired to listen, Paejon replied and stood up.
There hadn’t been much to drink, and having observed everything throughout the night, it was about time he went off to train himself.
“Oh, right.”
Just as he was about to leave, Paejon turned to the Dark King and asked something.
“How long do you think it will take? Until that kid succeeds.”
“…”
At Paejon’s inquiry, the Dark King regarded him with a bemused glance.
How long did he reckon it would take for Gu Yangcheon’s reach to connect with him?
The Dark King pondered for a brief moment before responding.
“It’s impossible in his current state.”
He replied in a resolute tone.
“You’re quite decisive.”
“Besides, it would be quicker to explore other paths.”
Though he might have underestimated it with a mere day’s judgment.
In Gu Yangcheon’s current process, even if he died and resurrected, he wouldn’t reach the Dark King.
The true intentions behind Paejon’s preparations for this training eluded me, but at least that’s how the Dark King perceived it.
Nevertheless, despite the Dark King’s adamant rejection, Paejon merely smiled.
The Dark King didn’t like that smile one bit.
His expression was usually devoid of emotion, yet this time his brows knitted slightly.
Typically, whenever Paejon wore that kind of smile, it meant unexpected trouble was on the cusp.
“Setting that aside, do take care of me moving forward.”
“…”
The Dark King dismissed Paejon’s words right away and vanished.
Paejon confirmed his exit and turned on his heel.
As he walked, he thought.
‘That’s impossible.’
The Dark King had declared that it was impossible for Gu Yangcheon to reach him, but Paejon viewed it quite differently.
‘I can’t imagine it being quite that grim.’
While he had not spent much time observing, Gu Yangcheon always managed to exceed expectations.
Could this time be different? Paejon held onto that hope.
Time passed from morning to near noon.
Just before the carriage was about to set off again—I was halfway through breakfast and preparing for some training.
I was still weary from the chaos of the previous night, but I couldn’t afford to skip practice.
Thud.
In the midst of my efforts, upon hearing the news brought by Pae Woo-cheol, I figured I’d take a short break.
I set down the boulder I had been lifting and asked Pae Woo-cheol.
“Who’s arrived?”
“They said that the Moyong clan has finally shown up.”
“Oh, so they’re here at last.”
I nodded, listening to that news.
It appeared to be the arrival of the people from the Moyong side.
They had clearly indicated they would arrive in a few days, yet here they were after just a day.
When weighing the fact that it had been a while since I had seen them, I felt compelled to go.
“Ugh….”
Lying on the ground, I could see Cheol Ji-seon exhaling tiredly.
Witnessing this caused Pae Woo-cheol to cast me an odd look and ask a question.
“Um… how did Brother Ji-seon end up like this?”
“I thought he looked so frail that I’d give him some training, and this is the result. Tsk tsk, how can a man be so weak?”
“Oh, I see… ”
“If you’re going to train, why not do it here? You could train with him.”
At my suggestion, Pae Woo-cheol’s gaze shifted elsewhere.
There, standing was Woohyuk, who continued to exercise with something slightly smaller than the boulder I had been lifting.
Even while dripping in sweat, he pushed through as if taking no breaks.
That sight struck me as attractive, likely due to his charming features.
And here I was, resembling a sweaty rat. Honestly, how is that fair?
Despite his diligent training, one could hardly call him deficient except for his bad eating habits and annoying personality. Ah, those two had to be serious flaws, right?
Well, he had a fiancée, so perhaps that counters it all.
Even while seeking out his flaws, that brat’s look masked them quite effectively. How intensely irritating.
“Dammit.”
“Yes?”
“I wasn’t talking to you. So, can I leave now?”
“Ah, yes… But, um…”
Pae Woo-cheol wore a look suggesting he had more to say.
“It seems that aside from Lady Moyong, someone else has also arrived.”
“One other? Who?”
I tilted my head, puzzled by Pae Woo-cheol’s words.
Who else showed up besides Moyong Hee-ah?
Judging from Pae Woo-cheol’s tone, it didn’t appear to be someone familiar, so my mind wandered. Could it possibly be Baekcheon Sword Master?
‘No, not that hothead. Even he’d think twice about coming all the way here.’
I thought it improbable that a head of a prestigious family, especially one from a renowned clan, would chase after his daughter this far.
Of course… given that man’s temperament, I couldn’t be entirely certain.
I gazed at Pae Woo-cheol with slight concern as he eventually revealed his companion’s identity.
Oh, thankfully, it wasn’t Baekcheon Sword Master.
It was just someone far more unexpected.
“Senior Baekryeongeom has come.”
“Uh…?”
I found my expression frozen in disbelief at the unexpected name that escaped from Pae Woo-cheol’s mouth.
…Why is that woman’s alias being mentioned here?
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