The Birth of Morning, The Death of Night (2)
“Are you really going to stay like this?”
Despite the urgency in Dark Superior’s voice, the Dark Master kept his eyes closed, seemingly indifferent.
“He’s become the leader of the Martial Alliance. As soon as he took the position, he whisked away the remaining eight of the Ten Masters. They’re probably suffering the same fate as me, being tortured to cough up their remaining wealth!”
“That sounds about right.”
“With wings like a tiger, he doesn’t need the help of a wolf.”
“Perhaps.”
The Dark Master remained calm, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
“Have you given up on everything? Is that it?”
At this, the Dark Master opened his eyes.
“Do I look like I’ve given up?”
“Yes!”
Dark Superior couldn’t contain his rising anger. He had never seen the Dark Master so defeated, and the unpredictable moves of the mysterious Biryedan were infuriating.
The leader of the Martial Alliance? It was unimaginable. With the power of the alliance behind him, confronting him would be twice as difficult. It also meant reclaiming his wealth would be even harder.
If someone like Ma Bong-gi or Ma Cheol-gun were in charge, the organization might not amount to much. But with a proper leader, the Martial Alliance could even crush the Demonic Cult.
The Dark Master spoke with a steady voice.
“Yes, I’ve given up on many things. I’ve abandoned my pride, my underground network, and the Ten Masters. But there’s one thing I haven’t given up on.”
“And what’s that?”
“My money. My belief that gold is the most valuable thing in the world.”
From the unwavering look in the Dark Master’s eyes, Dark Superior knew he was still very much alive. His refusal to give up on money meant he hadn’t given up on anything.
“What are you planning to do? He’ll try to take the rest of your wealth.”
“I’m willing to give it up.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“But didn’t you just say you wouldn’t give up on your money?”
“I did.”
Seeing Dark Superior’s confused expression, the Dark Master explained calmly.
“I’m giving it all up to get it all back. If I survive by giving everything away, the opportunity will come.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve already asked for help from there.”
Dark Superior understood. It was the last place he had heard of for seeking help.
“Where is that?”
“The Black Land. The place that serves the Dark God.”
“Ah! That’s our origin, then.”
“It’s not our origin. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with our underground world.”
“What?”
“It’s a place connected to me personally.”
“Why didn’t you ask for help sooner?”
The Dark Master sighed.
“The person leading that place is… my wife.”
“My goodness! The owner of the Black Land is your wife?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“She’s a madwoman. Completely insane.”
Just then, a low rumble filled the room.
A circular shadow appeared on the floor, and from it, a person emerged as if the shadow itself had given birth to them.
The newcomer was a middle-aged woman dressed in black, exuding an aura that was anything but ordinary. Despite being well over fifty, she looked like a woman in her thirties.
“A madwoman, you say? Quite the compliment for someone who’s dedicated her life to reviving the Dark God.”
Dark Superior was startled. The woman was the Dark Master’s wife and the owner of the Black Land.
The Dark Master’s eyes wavered as he looked at her. In a weak voice, he spoke.
“You’re here? Sooner than I expected.”
“Did you leave me just to end up like this?”
The Dark Master couldn’t find the words to respond.
“Nothing to say? Even if you don’t want to talk, surely you have something to say to this madwoman?”
The Dark Master spoke weakly.
“Save me.”
The woman looked at him with disdain, and the Dark Master turned his head away, pretending not to notice.
Dark Superior could only watch them in shock.
A shadow formed beneath the Dark Master’s feet.
Dark Superior shouted.
“Take me with you!”
He realized the woman intended to save only the Dark Master.
The Dark Master looked at the woman, and a choice was presented.
“You can take one person. Is it you or him?”
The Dark Master sighed lightly and said.
“Go.”
The woman smirked as if to say, “I knew it.”
With a low rumble, the Dark Master and the woman disappeared into the ground.
Dark Superior shouted.
“No! Take me too!”
But before his cries could finish, the two had vanished.
“You filthy bastard! You’re the crazy one!”
Hearing the commotion, the warriors of the Black Panther Brigade rushed in.
Soon, the alarm blared, announcing the Dark Master’s disappearance.
The news reached me quickly.
Gal Saryang and I arrived at the safe house. As we walked in, I asked.
“Any damage on our side?”
“Fortunately, none. The woman who infiltrated only took him.”
“A woman?”
“According to Dark Superior’s testimony. He was tight-lipped at first, but after some rough interrogation, he spilled everything. The one who took him was the Dark Master’s wife.”
“She left him behind?”
“Yes.”
“He must be furious.”
“Once he started talking, he revealed everything.”
In a room guarded by the Black Panther Brigade, I met Dark Superior.
Having been interrogated by the warriors, he recounted the events to me once more.
The Black Land, those who seek to revive the Dark God.
The identity of those exuding a dark aura was now clear. It was revealed that the leader was the Dark Master’s wife.
Lee Beom, the new head of the Black Panther Brigade, spoke to me.
“I’ll send a pursuit team immediately.”
“Don’t bother.”
True to the reputation of the Black Land’s leader, she had the skill to infiltrate without a trace and escape with him. Even if we pursued immediately, we wouldn’t catch them.
I couldn’t guard him all day, so if I hadn’t killed him earlier, he was destined to escape.
“What should we do with this one?”
At Lee Beom’s question, Dark Superior clung to me.
“Spare me! Please, spare me! I’ll give you my loyalty. I’ve already been betrayed. Take me in!”
“Then prove it.”
“How?”
“Convince the remaining eight to give up all their wealth, and I’ll spare you.”
We had started extracting money from the Ten Masters, but those who had already lost half were not easy to persuade. They were choosing death over giving up the rest.
But if Dark Superior intervened, he might find a way to persuade them. He knew them better than anyone.
“If you succeed, I’ll consider taking you in.”
I deliberately didn’t promise to accept him. A clever man would be suspicious if I agreed too easily.
“Understood.”
He bowed his head in resignation, but I sensed his resentment. He was seething with a desire for revenge, having lost everything.
This man is dangerous.
The warriors of the Black Panther Brigade came in and took Dark Superior away.
After they left, I spoke to Gal Saryang.
“Once we recover all the wealth from them, eliminate them all.”
“Even Dark Superior?”
“Yes, him too. All of them.”
“Understood.”
The response was immediate, but I asked Gal Saryang out of concern.
“Are you disappointed in me? For not keeping my promise to him?”
“No. I just think you’ve changed a lot from before. In a good way, of course.”
“I’m not sure if it’s good. I used to be called the Lord of Retribution. But now, I sometimes wonder if that was true retribution.”
“What do you mean?”
“Back then, retribution might have been a ritual to show someone who I was. To be honest, I cared about public opinion. For example, in the past, I wouldn’t have ordered Dark Superior’s death. I would have worried about what others would think of me breaking a promise.”
“If I may say, I understand the Lord’s past actions.”
“Thank you. Anyway, now I focus only on the opponent and reality. I will deliver death to those who deserve it, without wasting energy on keeping promises.”
“I understand your intentions.”
“Thank you for understanding. If that woman decides to save Dark Superior and the others, we must finish the job before she acts.”
“Yes.”
Gal Saryang and I left the place together.
There was no need to worry about what had already happened. Instead of hesitating, it was wiser to take even one step forward. That was the most sensible approach when facing a strong enemy or when the situation was not fully under control.
The Dark Master and the woman sat across from each other, separated by a dying campfire.
It was the woman who broke the long silence.
“Now it’s proven. Money isn’t everything.”
“Money is still everything. It’s just that I’m not the best.”
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“I’ve changed a lot. It’s you who hasn’t changed.”
“Blaming others again? How long will you keep doing that?”
“When have I ever blamed others?”
They glared at each other.
The Dark Master shouted angrily.
“Being around you is suffocating.”
“Do you think it’s any different for me?”
“Why did you save me? You should have just let me die there.”
“Then why did you send for help? Why not just die alone?”
“Damn it!”
They glared at each other, anger etched on their faces.
“We’ll never escape this parallel line,” the woman said, her voice tinged with resignation.
The dark figure sighed deeply. “How did it come to this?”
He kept the words that surfaced in his mind to himself. They held no meaning now.
‘We were happy once, weren’t we?’
I made love to Song Hwarin.
Of course, I had to ask Cheonma to take a nap first. Cheonma obliged without hesitation.
I left Gwangdu and the Maenghodan waiting at the foot of the mountain, and we shared our passion at the summit.
Was it because it had been so long? We indulged in each other with fervor. Her supple body awakened desires in me that had lain dormant. It was so intense, I wondered how I had managed to hold back for so long.
After what felt like a fierce battle, the dreamlike moment passed, and we lay side by side, gazing up at the sky.
She spoke, “I just made love to the leader of the martial alliance, didn’t I?”
“That’s right.”
“Maybe that’s why it felt so thrilling and good. Does that make me shallow?”
I chuckled. Her serious expression was endearing.
Holding her close made me want to leave the martial world behind. To wander peacefully with her, living a life of quiet contentment.
“Things are going to get busy now,” she said.
“Yes, they will.”
She seemed to have much on her mind, but she simply said, “Stay strong.”
“Thank you.”
I hugged Song Hwarin tightly.
We hadn’t started off on the best terms. I hadn’t intended to fall in love in this life either. At first, I didn’t even see her as a woman, just someone whose youth I wanted to support.
I even fought her in a duel, though it was to keep her safe at the time.
What could have been a fleeting encounter turned into love.
Life is unpredictable like that, with love leading the charge.
Becoming the leader of the martial alliance was no different.
After waking in the body of Byeokridan, I often felt pushed by fate. But now, I don’t plan to resist. Let it push me all it wants.
In the end, the destination will be one I choose, not one fate dictates. And if fate laughs, claiming it was its plan all along, well, I’ll concede that much.
She asked, “Do you think we’ll end up fighting one day? Hating each other?”
“Who knows?”
“Oh? You’re not saying it won’t happen?”
“No one knows the future.”
I looked up at the sky, and she followed my gaze.
Watching the drifting clouds brought a sense of peace. We couldn’t tell where they were headed.
“Let’s be like those clouds,” I said.