Episode 442: Return of the Demon Instructor
CRASH!
The ground shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed throughout the training grounds.
A thick cloud of dust enveloped the area.
Whoosh!
As a cold gust of wind swept through, the training grounds were revealed, now resembling a crater.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
Ong Gi-seung stood, barely managing to support his trembling legs as he took deep breaths.
Stay up all night, he said?
The night had passed, and now, as the day stretched into evening, Ong Gi-seung faced his opponent, Sabikang, who smirked slightly.
“Not bad.”
“It’s not… over yet.”
With a shout, Ong Gi-seung launched himself forward, his sword clashing against Sabikang’s.
“Hiyaah!”
A fierce wind followed the blade.
CLANG!
Sabikang spun like a top, effortlessly blocking Ong Gi-seung’s attack with his sword, Berthas. Behind him, the image of a red dragon flickered, reacting to his every move.
“That’s right. It shouldn’t be over yet!”
Sabikang charged forward with a hearty laugh, the red dragon’s form surging towards Ong Gi-seung.
Narrowing his eyes, Ong Gi-seung thought, ‘I can see it…!’
He realized that the red dragon wasn’t just a threat. It was a demonstration, showing him how to harness the power of the spirit that appeared behind him.
“Haah!”
With determination, Ong Gi-seung collided with Sabikang once more.
As their swords met precisely,
BOOM!
A shockwave burst outwards, sending scattered wooden debris flying.
The red dragon and the spirit behind Ong Gi-seung were locked in a fierce battle of wills.
But now, Ong Gi-seung maintained his composure.
“You’re doing well.”
Sabikang praised him with a twisted smile, and Ong Gi-seung grinned back.
“I might surpass you soon.”
“At least your arrogance is impressive.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment!”
CLANG!
Another intense clash sent them both skidding back.
Whoosh!
Ong Gi-seung charged again, each strike filled with power and intent.
‘This feels amazing!’
When was the last time he felt such joy in wielding a sword?
Since sensing the spirit, he had always fought in a trance, but this was different. It wasn’t the result of advanced martial arts, just the nature of his sleep technique.
Now, it was a different kind of trance. His body moved with purpose, his spirit observing and occasionally intervening.
Before, he feared the spirit might awaken and act on its own, so he focused solely on mastering his sleep technique, hoping to suppress it.
But through this near-real combat with Sabikang, he learned to embrace it.
If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it!
Fighting alongside the spirit was exhilarating, almost addictively so.
“Haah!”
With a spirited shout, Ong Gi-seung brought his sword down.
BOOM!
The ground of the training area caved in further, energy rippling outwards.
As Ong Gi-seung prepared to leap again,
“Well done.”
Sabikang sheathed Berthas.
“Huh?”
Ong Gi-seung looked at him, puzzled.
“Why stop now?”
“There’s no need to continue.”
“Just a bit more.”
Ong Gi-seung genuinely wanted to continue. He feared this joy might never return.
Sabikang looked at him intently.
“Don’t fear power, but don’t become intoxicated by it either. Remember, your sword is double-edged. It could cut you.”
“Ah…!”
“Excessive emotion, in any form, won’t benefit you. Remember, it’s not just you in your body. That spirit is there too, waiting for a chance. Lose control, and you become a monster.”
“I understand. Thank you!”
Thud!
Ong Gi-seung knelt in gratitude.
As Sabikang turned to leave,
“Can I join the subjugation team now?”
“What?”
Sabikang turned back, frowning, as Ong Gi-seung spoke with fervor.
“I want to join the subjugation team! I want to help! I want to test my abilities!”
It was a determination uncharacteristic of Ong Gi-seung.
But Sabikang’s response wasn’t what Ong Gi-seung hoped for.
“You’re not joining.”
“But…!”
“Do you think the subjugation team is the elite?”
“Isn’t it?”
“There’s a chance the place we’re targeting isn’t the real stronghold. We need to leave forces behind just in case. It’s not because you’re weak.”
“I see. Understood.”
Ong Gi-seung finally accepted, bowing slightly.
Sabikang surveyed the area and sighed.
“What a mess. It’ll cost a lot to fix this. You know, you’ll have to cover the repair costs… huh? Where did he go?”
But Ong Gi-seung was nowhere to be seen.
As Sabikang grumbled and looked around, footsteps approached.
“Where have you been…!”
He stopped mid-sentence.
It was Maesellan approaching, her eyes gleaming as she surveyed the chaos.
“Quite the spectacle you’ve made, Instructor.”
“Well, it wasn’t just me… Where did Ong Gi-seung go?”
“Even if it’s to teach a student, did you have to wreck the training grounds? The repair costs will be significant.”
Sabikang saw the vein throbbing on Maesellan’s forehead and instinctively stepped back.
She sighed, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Was it effective?”
“What?”
“The chaos you caused.”
“Well, I got to play instructor for a bit.”
As Sabikang relaxed, Maesellan softened her expression.
“The subjugation team is ready, as per the message. This is going to be a big battle, isn’t it?”
“Probably.”
“Like the Great Battle of the Western Plains?”
“Maybe bigger. More will die.”
Sabikang didn’t sugarcoat it.
The betrayal of Jaunryong and the revelation of the stronghold’s location wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by the Demon Sect.
They’d be prepared.
If it’s a trap, they’d be deeper in it. If it’s real, the sect would be ready.
Maesellan studied Sabikang’s face.
“You seem troubled.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah, like you’re deep in thought.”
“Just… maybe because a big fight is coming.”
A crucial battle.
If they win, they can stop the Demon King. If they lose, the struggle continues.
Maesellan gently took Sabikang’s hand.
“That’s not like you.”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
“It looks worried. Uncertain.”
“Guess I’m too honest to lie.”
“That’s not it.”
They shared a laugh, easing the tension.
Sabikang pondered his feelings.
He’d never felt this way before, not even facing life-or-death battles.
But now he understood.
‘I have things I care about…’
As he gazed at her, Maesellan blushed.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
“Take care of it.”
“What?”
“The Demon Hall.”
“Why do you sound like you’re not coming back?”
“Of course I am.”
“Don’t worry. Leave the Demon Hall to me.”
“Don’t overdo it. If anything happens, keep an eye on Ong Gi-seung. He could be a great asset, though he’s still a double-edged sword.”
“Got it. I’ll guide him well. All of them.”
“Reliable.”
“Enough talk. Get some rest. You’re leaving tomorrow, right? After the send-off ceremony.”
“With such a beautiful woman beside me, how can I sleep early?”
“There you go again.”
Maesullan cast a sidelong glance, but a smile played on her lips, as if she didn’t really mind.
**
Awakening to the sound of birds in the early morning, Maesullan opened her eyes.
Sitting up, she noticed that Sabigang was already gone, likely having stepped out.
“Today’s the day we part.”
It was a morning filled with a strange mix of emotions.
The first thing that came to her mind was the time she spent with Sabigang last night.
It had been a while since they had such a meaningful time together.
Even in hindsight, it already felt like a sweet memory.
Draping a thin robe over her shoulders, Maesullan walked to the window.
The entire view of the Myeolmagwan unfolded before her.
“Ah…”
A sudden wave of unpleasant memories washed over her, and she let out a soft sigh.
It was the dream she had last night.
Unlike the blissful moments shared with Sabigang, her dream had been a terrible nightmare.
In the dream, Sabigang was holding a departure ceremony with the suppression forces in the grand martial arts arena below.
A dark shadow loomed, and a black hole appeared in the sky.
From that hole, all sorts of malevolent spirits poured out.
They set the Myeolmagwan ablaze, slaughtering instructors, trainers, and cadets indiscriminately.
Everyone was reduced to ashes amidst screams and blood.
Sabigang was no exception.
Despite his fierce resistance, he was eventually caught by the demon leading the spirits and torn apart.
Maesullan tried to run to Sabigang, crying out, but her body was bound tight, unable to move.
The dream continued for a while, though the details were hazy.
A dream where Sabigang died.
It was the first time she had such a dream.
She had once wondered if there could be a force capable of killing someone as strong as him.
Yet today, for some reason, Sabigang seemed vulnerable.
The thought that there might be someone stronger kept nagging at her.
Maesullan shook her head vigorously.
“No, stop thinking about it!”
It was just a dream.
She didn’t believe in superstitions.
It was merely a bad dream, a manifestation of her own anxieties.
Sabigang is strong.
That one fact remains unchangeable.
Just then, she spotted Sabigang walking below.
Watching him, Maesullan clenched her fist with determination.
“You’ll come back with that confident smile of yours, just like always. And I’ll be here to welcome you. Don’t worry and go. While you’re away, I’ll make sure Myeolmagwan stands firm. No, I’ll make it even stronger.”
Though Sabigang couldn’t hear her, she made a clear promise.
She wouldn’t just sit and worry; she would do the best she could right now.