Episode 248: Return to the Demonic Sect
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m sorry.”
Back in the military office, Ryu Yeo-jung was giving Dokgo Jin and Joo Ki-hyun a severe scolding.
Their rash actions had completely ruined the chance to free Hong Myo.
“If you can’t read the situation, at least learn to buy some time! What on earth were you thinking?”
”…”
Dokgo Jin clamped his mouth shut. In all his time knowing Ryu Yeo-jung, he had never seen him this angry.
Joo Ki-hyun, too, hung his head low, fidgeting like a guilty puppy.
Ryu Yeo-jung sighed, trying to suppress his anger as he spoke.
“Don’t act recklessly again. If this happens once more, I won’t stand by idly.”
**
“What will you do if you don’t stand by idly?”
Sabi Kang asked abruptly, looking down at the pond from the pavilion.
Chulyang, standing beside him, propped his chin on his hand, pondering before replying.
“I’ll have to show my superiority!”
“And what will you do with your superiority?”
“I’ll prove that I’m higher in rank!”
“To whom?”
“Who else? That Black Ghost or White Ghost or whatever he is!”
Sabi Kang shook his head.
“Let me be clear, when it comes to protection skills, Black Ghost is far superior. His stealth techniques are flawless.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration. Black Ghost, who had made a pact with the dark god, was unmatched in stealth. He was practically Sabi Kang’s shadow. Even now, though Black Ghost was hidden somewhere nearby, Sabi Kang couldn’t pinpoint his exact location.
Chulyang, frustrated, shouted, “But it’s not right for a newcomer to oust the established!”
“Let them sort out their hierarchy. I won’t interfere,” Sabi Kang said nonchalantly, turning away.
Just as he descended the pavilion steps—
Whoosh!
Two daggers sliced through the air.
In an instant,
Swish! Swish!
A dark figure blocked the path,
Clang!
Deflecting the daggers with ease.
Then,
Thud! Thud!
Seok Tan-gang and Ong Gi-seung charged in unison.
But once again, Black Ghost was a step ahead.
Whoosh!
With a gust of black wind, the two were sent flying.
Meanwhile, Maeng Ga-sook’s group and the Seol siblings followed behind.
But then,
Whoosh!
A black wind emanated from Black Ghost, halting them in their tracks.
“What… what is this, brother?”
“I don’t know.”
“Damn it! What kind of bizarre sorcery is this now?”
The Seol siblings and Maeng Ga-sook’s group looked around, unable to hide their confusion. The moment the wind passed, everything went pitch black, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.
In a flash, beams of light cut through them.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
“Ugh!”
“Ah!”
Screams erupted from the darkness.
“Rina, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What about you, brother?”
“I’m okay too.”
With Seol Soo-min’s words, the pitch-black space vanished as if it had been a lie.
Maeng Ga-sook’s group, the Seol siblings, Seok Tan-gang, and Ong Gi-seung lay bleeding on the training ground.
This was the unique ability of So Yu-gang, who had become Black Ghost. By making a pact with the dark god, he could envelop the surroundings in perfect darkness temporarily.
As the vanguard lay bleeding on the training ground, the group led by Baek Gong-bo hesitated and retreated.
“Damn it! Increasing the number of bodyguards is cowardly!”
“Will you say the same when facing a real enemy later?”
Sabi Kang retorted sarcastically, and the new recruits couldn’t muster a response, retreating in silence.
Meanwhile, Chulyang gaped at Black Ghost, who had swiftly dealt with the new recruits.
Black Ghost bowed respectfully to Sabi Kang before vanishing like smoke.
Sabi Kang glanced at Chulyang.
“See that? That’s how you protect someone.”
”…!”
As Sabi Kang walked away, Chulyang clenched his fists, staring at the protective gear on his wrists.
‘I have to get stronger. Stronger than him. I will become stronger.’
**
Perched on a tree branch, Seok Tan-gang applied a healing salve to the long wound on his left forearm.
The stinging sensation made him wince involuntarily.
It was a wound he received that morning while ambushing Sabi Kang in the training ground, only to be thwarted by Black Ghost.
Though not deep, the long gash looked like a giant worm crawling across his skin.
After spreading the salve evenly over the wound, Seok Tan-gang wrapped his left arm with a torn cloth.
Using his right hand and teeth, he tightened the cloth, then leaned back against the tree trunk, closing his eyes.
Suddenly, memories of that day long ago resurfaced.
**
“Does it hurt a lot?”
Despite the concern in her voice, Yoo Song-ryeong’s youthful face remained stoic.
Her lips pressed tightly together, as if suppressing her emotions from showing.
The white snowflakes that had been falling gently settled on her head.
Nodding.
Young Seok Tan-gang didn’t hide it. For some reason, he felt free to complain in front of her, even though they were the same age.
Yoo Song-ryeong tied the cloth tightly with a firm hand.
“Ah…!”
As Seok Tan-gang groaned, Yoo Song-ryeong spoke with a stern expression.
“Why do you just stand there and take it like a fool? You should fight back!”
”…”
“Your skin is dark because you’ve mastered the Black Arts, right? Do you know how rare it is for someone your age to have learned martial arts? You should be proud.”
”…”
“If you let them hit you again, I’ll join them in beating you up.”
Seok Tan-gang stared at Yoo Song-ryeong’s face.
For some reason, tears welled up.
Was it the sudden surge of resentment?
He recalled the kids who had kicked him earlier.
If Yoo Song-ryeong hadn’t appeared and brandished her sword at them, he might still be getting beaten.
Even when he knelt and begged, they hadn’t stopped kicking him.
“Why don’t you say something?”
When he came to, Yoo Song-ryeong was staring at him intently.
Looking into her large eyes made his heart race for no reason.
Strangely, Yoo Song-ryeong seemed to have matured since her father, Yoo Gwan-ryong, died.
“Thank you, miss.”
A faint voice escaped his lips, sounding pitifully lacking in confidence even to himself.
But Yoo Song-ryeong nodded as if it was enough and stood up.
“Good. But from now on, don’t call me ‘miss.’”
“What?”
Seok Tan-gang looked at Yoo Song-ryeong with wide eyes.
Three years ago, it was Yoo Gwan-ryong who had brought him here.
His father had died fighting righteous warriors.
Seeing him begging on the streets as an orphan, Yoo Gwan-ryong had extended a hand.
“A child with unique martial arts skills. You’re too valuable to die like this. Come with me.”
And so he came here and met Yoo Song-ryeong for the first time.
Since then, he had always called her ‘miss’ and treated her with respect.
But now, she was telling him not to call her that.
Did it mean she would abandon him now that her father, who had brought him here, was dead?
His heart pounded.
But Yoo Song-ryeong’s next words were completely unexpected.
“You’re my friend now. We’re the same age, aren’t we?”
“Oh…”
“And never kneel to those kinds of people again. No, never kneel to anyone. If you’re going to kneel, fight for your life instead. At least if you’re a warrior.”
After speaking, Yoo Song-ryeong bit her lip and clenched her fist tightly.
She was probably thinking of her father, who had knelt to a righteous warrior and been beheaded half a year ago.
“Understood… I mean, got it.”
“Good, let’s go.”
“Where to…?”
“Now that your wound is treated, let’s go teach those guys a lesson!”
For the first time, Seok Tan-gang’s usually stone-like expression brightened.
“Okay!”
He took Yoo Song-ryeong’s hand and stood up.
And he made a vow.
That from now on, he would protect her.
This friend of his!
**
‘I promised to protect her…’
Seok Tan-gang let out a self-deprecating laugh.
But what was this?
Here he was, wounded again, applying healing salve like before.
He looked down at his left arm.
There was a time he thought he had become quite strong.
But this damned world was full of powerful people.
Everywhere he turned, formidable opponents kept appearing.
When Yoo Song-ryeong returned injured by the Seol siblings, he couldn’t do anything.
He couldn’t protect her, let alone avenge her.
Especially when he saw the words carved into her back with a knife, he felt so powerless he wanted to end it all.
Fortunately, Sabi Kang had healed her back completely, leaving no scars, but the incident left an indelible mark on his heart.
‘I’m still far from it. I need to get stronger!’
Gritting his teeth, Seok Tan-gang took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
How much time had passed?
In the deep of night.
He opened his eyes.
A presence!
Seok Tan-gang slowly adjusted his posture, doing his best to conceal his energy.
It was a familiar presence.
It had to be Sabi Kang.
“At this hour?”
This path was one that Sabigang often traveled. I had been lying in wait here, preparing for tomorrow morning. But to see him appear in the dead of night was unexpected.
Where could he be going?
I tucked the question away for later. The important thing wasn’t where he was headed. It was how I was going to kill him.
“This time…!”
Just as Sabigang passed beneath the branches, I sprang into action.
Swoosh!
The first to react was none other than Churyang.
“Haah!”
With a shout, he raised his left arm, and to my surprise, a bluish barrier appeared.
“What the…!”
Clang!
With a clear metallic sound, my sword was deflected, and I staggered back. Churyang seized the moment, charging at me with another shout.
“Take this!”
“Tch!”
I clicked my tongue. His unexpected defense had left me exposed. Churyang quickly closed the distance, thrusting his fist forward.
Mana gathered at the core of the cartel, meant to pierce my chest like a sharp blade…
”…Or so it should have?”
Instead, his fist landed squarely on my chest.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
I stumbled back a few steps, taken aback for two reasons. First, I was shocked by Churyang’s unforeseen defensive ability. Second, I had expected a more powerful counterattack, not just a punch.
“Is he going easy on me?”
The thought only fueled my anger.
Meanwhile, Churyang was just as bewildered.
“What the… Why isn’t the spike coming out?”
Under Sabigang’s orders, the Black Ghosts had stayed out of it, essentially giving me a chance. But now, the cartel’s core wasn’t responding!
In his confusion, he flailed his arms, and the unnecessary barrier popped up again.
Whoosh!
“Ugh! This isn’t right!”
Sabigang placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Good effort. Stand back.”
Then, fixing his gaze on me, Sabigang spoke, “Even my disciple seems to underestimate you now. Heh.”
“Ugh!”
“Come at me again with that ferocity. I’ll make sure no one interferes this time.”
Grinding my teeth, I launched myself forward once more.