Episode 305: Return of the Demonic Instructor
After listening to Sa Bi-gang’s lengthy tale, Gu Gang-ryong raised his swollen face, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.
“You little… where do you get off playing games with me…?”
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
A fist, charged with powerful energy, struck him, causing his vision to blur. If his martial arts skills weren’t at the peak, he would have died a dozen times over by now.
Sa Bi-gang sighed, offering an apology. “Sorry about that. I tend to act before I think. It’s a habit I really need to break.”
His sincere tone left Gu Gang-ryong speechless. Just moments ago, he had been on the verge of passing out from the shock.
‘What kind of instructor is this?’
He had assumed that since Sa Bi-gang was dispatched by the Justice Alliance, he would be someone with moderate martial skills. After all, wasn’t he just an instructor from a righteous sect? He thought no one with such a mindset could survive in the Blood Demon Sect.
But this man defied all expectations.
Rumors had been rampant, but he had dismissed them as exaggerated. Now he realized…
‘The rumors were too mild. This guy is far worse than they said!’
Sa Bi-gang’s eyes narrowed, as if reading his thoughts. “You just thought I was a lunatic, didn’t you?”
Startled, Gu Gang-ryong frowned. “What are you accusing me of now? Are you claiming to read minds?”
“Well, if not, then fine.”
‘This guy’s a mind reader…’
Relieved, Gu Gang-ryong asked, “Anyway, why should I believe anything you say…?”
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
“Watch your tone. I don’t usually demand respect, but in the Blood Demon Sect, I’ve decided to change my approach.”
If the Heavenly Destruction Squad heard this, they would never agree.
Grinding his teeth, Gu Gang-ryong shouted, “Damn it! Stop hitting me…!”
Thud!
“Ugh…! Damn it… stop… stop hitting me!”
“Hmm, alright. I’ll let it slide for now.”
“Anyway, why should I believe the nonsense you’re spouting…?”
Whoosh.
“No, I mean, why should I believe what you said, Instructor!”
“Hmm. Go on.”
“Ugh…! Is there any proof that what you said is true?”
Gu Gang-ryong asked, half-respectfully, out of sheer frustration. He had no idea how long this ruthless instructor would continue to torment him otherwise. The only reason he wasn’t dead yet was probably because he was one of Sa Bi-gang’s students.
After all, hadn’t the masked men and the martial artists of the Demon Sect been killed without mercy?
“Proof, huh… You need proof to believe me?”
“So you expect me to trust just your words…?”
Thwack!
“Ugh…! Damn it!”
“You’re a slow learner.”
Sa Bi-gang wiped his bloodied fist on Gu Gang-ryong’s chest, a humiliating gesture that left him speechless. The difference in their abilities was painfully clear.
As Gu Gang-ryong struggled to stay conscious, Sa Bi-gang slapped his cheek lightly. “Speak up. We don’t have all day.”
“You want me to just trust your words, Instructor?”
“Yes, that’s all you need to do. Why couldn’t you just say that from the start?”
“Just answer me… please.”
“If you want proof, I’ll provide it.”
Gu Gang-ryong’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes. But if your beliefs are shattered, you must follow me without question.”
Sa Bi-gang’s confidence made Gu Gang-ryong hesitate. “What kind of proof?”
“I’m not entirely sure yet. I’m about to find out. So, are you willing to take a gamble?”
“And if your assumption is wrong? If my beliefs are correct?”
Sa Bi-gang glanced at Ong Gi-seung, who stood like a lifeless statue. “Then I’ll give you that guy. Do with him as you please. I can’t cover for murder.”
“Fine. How will you provide this proof?”
Sa Bi-gang turned and shouted, “Ryang! Come here!”
Almost immediately, Chu Ryang and Jeong Ryu-gwang appeared, cautiously surveying their surroundings.
Chu Ryang looked at the blood-soaked courtyard and clicked his tongue. “It’s no different up here than below.”
“I had a little fun. Anyway, Chief Jeong.”
“Yes? Oh, yes. What is it?”
Jeong Ryu-gwang, still taking in the bloody scene, snapped to attention and responded deferentially. Sa Bi-gang’s presence was intimidating, making him shrink back involuntarily.
Sa Bi-gang gestured toward Ong Gi-seung. “Can you tell if this guy is under a spell?”
“Ahem, let me take a look.”
Jeong Ryu-gwang cleared his throat and approached Ong Gi-seung, who stood motionless with his eyes tightly shut. Jeong Ryu-gwang circled him, examining him closely.
Meanwhile, Sa Bi-gang turned to Chu Ryang. “Hand over the Soul Elixir.”
“Here it is.”
Taking the elixir, Sa Bi-gang instructed Chu Ryang, “Go back and gather the new recruits. Make sure everyone agrees that I was never here.”
“Understood.”
Once Chu Ryang left, Jeong Ryu-gwang spoke up. “I can’t tell just by looking. May I examine his spirit?”
“Do as you wish.”
“Then…”
Jeong Ryu-gwang rolled up his sleeves and placed his palms on Ong Gi-seung’s chest. A soft golden aura began to emanate from his hands. Despite the short duration, sweat soon drenched Jeong Ryu-gwang’s body.
Illusions and similar spells typically involve the energy stored in the upper dantian, or brain, which can be exhausting even without physical exertion.
After a moment, he withdrew his hands and took a deep breath. “He’s under a major spell and a minor one.”
“I know about the major spell. What about the minor one?”
“It’s a type of illusion, but different. A sinister energy has tricked his spirit into recreating a false reality.”
“Explain it simply.”
“In short, his memories have been altered.”
“Can you reverse it?”
“It’s possible. But…”
Jeong Ryu-gwang looked at Ong Gi-seung with a troubled expression. “I can’t break the major spell. It’s something only the Demon Sect would use. Even my master might not be able to break it.”
“Hmm. What exactly is this major spell?”
“That, I don’t know…”
Jeong Ryu-gwang trailed off, glancing at Gu Gang-ryong.
His face a mess, Gu Gang-ryong spat and said, “I heard it’s the Illusory Jade Sealing Spell.”
“The Illusory Jade Sealing…!”
Jeong Ryu-gwang flinched, and Sa Bi-gang asked, “Do you know it?”
“The Illusory Jade Sealing Spell traps someone in their worst memory, creating an endless nightmare.”
“Oh, really?”
Sa Bi-gang’s eyes gleamed. Time was of the essence. There was no point in waiting for Jeong Ryu-gwang’s master, whose whereabouts were unknown.
“Alright, let’s take a gamble. Let’s start with what we can do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Restore his altered memories.”
“Even if we do, it won’t break the major spell.”
“That’s unavoidable.”
“Alright… I understand.”
“How long will it take?”
“It’s a relatively simple spell, so it shouldn’t take long. Removing the sinister energy from his upper dantian should suffice.”
“Good. Hurry up.”
Sa Bi-gang crossed his arms, watching Ong Gi-seung intently. Occasionally, Ong Gi-seung’s eyelids twitched, as if he were dreaming.
**
“Please… make it stop…!”
Young Gu Gi-seung wept, his hands stained with blood. His father had died by his hand. He had lost count of how many times he had killed his father.
This horrific nightmare repeated endlessly. When the mental anguish reached its peak, he awoke with a start, as if convulsing.
“Gasp, gasp, gasp…!”
Slowly, he lifted his head.
‘Please… make it stop…!’
But once again, the scene before him shattered his hopes. His master lay fallen, his father’s sword embedded in his chest. His father, struggling to breathe, barely managed to stand.
“Nooooo!”
Awakening from one nightmare only to find himself in another. He had lost count of how many times this had happened. Hundreds of times, the same scenario played out.
He knew it was a dream. But his will was not his own. Knowledge and reality moved separately. Trapped in a relentless nightmare, he saw no escape.
This world was a prison, a living hell.
“Ugh! You… you…! Snap out of it!”
A desperate shout pierced his ears, jolting him to his senses. His right hand gripped his father’s head. The urge to let go was fleeting, overpowered by the rage boiling within him.
Gu Gi-seung screamed, “Why did you kill him?”
“Ugh… I can’t… I’ll explain everything… Ugh!”
“Why!”
“Aaaagh!”
A gut-wrenching scream pierced the air, followed by a sickening thud that seemed to stab at my eardrums.
My father’s head had exploded, leaving his body so mangled it was unrecognizable.
“Huff, huff, huff…”
I gasped for breath, my hands trembling uncontrollably.
Tears of blood streamed down my face.
‘Damn it!’
I wanted to escape. I couldn’t bear to live in this relentless nightmare any longer.
But it would start all over again.
And yet, there was a flicker of hope that when I opened my eyes, I might return to reality and meet the new recruits.
But…
A metallic sound echoed faintly in my ears.
Gu Gi-seung slowly opened his eyes again.
‘A dream…’
If only that metallic sound were the clamor of the recruits training.
Please, just this once, let me wake from this wretched nightmare!
I lifted my head.
Thud!
The sight of my master collapsing filled my vision, the sound of his body hitting the ground chilling me to the bone.
My father was gasping for air.
‘Damn it…!’
I hadn’t woken up.
It was a wonder I hadn’t lost my mind already.
“Please, stop!”
I shouted, my voice raw, as a desperate cry rang in my ears.
“Ugh! You, you…! Get a grip!”
When I came to my senses, I found my hands clutching my father’s head.
A bitter laugh escaped me, a mix of rage and despair.
Was I losing my mind?
Then it happened.
‘Come forth!’
A powerful voice thundered in my mind.
‘Who…?’
Gu Gi-seung looked around, still holding his father’s head.
For the first time, the dream had shifted.
‘Come forth! I am you!’
The voice echoed again, more insistent.
“Damn it! Who are you?”
Gu Gi-seung clutched his head, shouting.
His father, bewildered, cried out, “Seung-ah, what’s wrong?”
“Shut up! Who are you? Show yourself!”
“I told you. I am you.”
”…!”
To my shock, the voice was coming from my own lips.
Gu Gi-seung’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Swoosh!
His body seemed to split, as if unfolding into another form, dividing into two.
But it was different.
Yes, it was.
The one holding his father’s head was the young Gu Gi-seung.
And emerging from him was none other than the adult Ong Gi-seung.
Ong Gi-seung stared intently at Gu Gi-seung.
Gu Gi-seung’s eyes were pitch black, filled with a strange, swirling energy.
He gritted his teeth, glaring at Ong Gi-seung.
“Who are you…?”
Ong Gi-seung murmured, meeting his gaze.
“Can you be sure? That your nightmare is the truth.”
“What… nonsense is this?”
“Don’t see the distortion. See the truth.”
“Stop spouting nonsense!”
In a flash, Gu Gi-seung lunged at Ong Gi-seung.