Episode 458: Return to the Demon Sect
At the headquarters of the Justice Alliance, the atmosphere was tense.
Gatekeeper Jeon Libaek stood with a stern expression, organizing the guards into neat rows. His voice was firm as he addressed them.
“Listen up, everyone! No one is to be allowed entry to the headquarters under any circumstances! We’re in a state of emergency! The Demon Sect is conducting a summoning ritual nearby. Our main forces are engaged in eradicating them, but remember, it’s not over until it’s over! Until we receive further orders, no one gets in or out! Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
The thirty or so guards responded in unison, their voices echoing with determination.
Satisfied, Jeon Libaek nodded and instructed them to return to their posts.
Deputy Gatekeeper Ho Ilmun approached, a puzzled look on his face.
“Brother, doesn’t this seem a bit strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“If any of our forces are injured, wouldn’t it make sense for them to retreat here since we’re the closest? But if we’re not allowing anyone in, even them…”
“Ah, you fool!”
Jeon Libaek scolded him loudly, then glanced around to ensure no one was listening. He leaned in to whisper.
“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”
“What rumors?”
Ho Ilmun, feeling a bit intimidated, replied in a hushed voice. Jeon Libaek clicked his tongue and continued.
“There’s talk that our forces have been defeated.”
“What? Is that true?”
Ho Ilmun’s voice rose in surprise, drawing a sharp look from Jeon Libaek, who quickly gestured for him to lower his voice.
“Is it true, brother? Does that mean they failed to stop the ritual?”
“I don’t know for sure. But I overheard some scouts talking.”
“What did they say?”
“They said our forces couldn’t stop the ritual, and the injured we tried to rescue started having strange fits, like they were possessed.”
“Possessed? All of them?”
“Yes.”
“How is that possible?”
“That’s the problem! The leaders think it might be some kind of contagious disease.”
“A disease? Please, tell me more.”
“Keep this to yourself. We don’t want to cause panic.”
“I’m just asking out of concern.”
Jeon Libaek sighed before continuing.
“Think about it. If the kidnapped injured all started acting possessed, what could cause that? A disease, perhaps?”
“Yes, it seems like it could be some kind of illness…”
“Exactly. We have to consider the worst-case scenario. If we catch it too…”
“Just the thought is terrifying.”
“That’s why we can’t let anyone approach!”
“I understand! This is no ordinary situation.”
“But maybe no one will come.”
“What do you mean?”
Jeon Libaek paused before speaking again.
“The scouts couldn’t get close to the ritual site because of some barrier. When they finally could, everything was gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?”
Ho Ilmun was shocked once more, his voice rising again before he caught himself.
“Everything vanished? How is that possible? Weren’t there thousands of our warriors?”
“There were. But none survived.”
“Even the leader?”
“Yes. The scouts saw a barrier, and when it disappeared, everything was gone. Just a frozen lake remained.”
“How could that happen?”
“Who knows? The scouts returned when the barrier vanished, but by then…”
“The forces were gone?”
“Yes. Not just them, but everything there.”
“This is troubling. So those who come here might not be our allies, but the Demon Sect.”
“Exactly. That’s why the leader is so cautious.”
“I hope no one comes. We need to know what’s happening to respond properly…”
But Ho Ilmun’s small hope was shattered in the next moment.
“Someone’s approaching!”
A guard shouted, peering through a telescope.
**
As the distant lights came into view, Biryung, carrying Guyun on her back, silently thanked the heavens for the first time in her life.
“Sir! We’re almost there! Just a little longer!”
“What do I have to endure? You’re the one doing all the work.”
“No, it’s my duty.”
Biryung bit her lip, feeling frustrated and ashamed for not protecting her master better. Guyun’s self-reproach only deepened her guilt.
“You are… the hope of the Alliance.”
“Are you flattering me now?”
Guyun joked, making Biryung blush and shake her head.
“No, I mean it!”
“Haha, just teasing. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you so serious.”
Biryung couldn’t help but smile at his words.
Guyun, still on her back, spoke softly.
“That smile is a rare sight.”
“Hold on tight!”
With a burst of speed, Biryung pushed herself harder. Her master had to survive. If she were in his place, she would have crumbled, unable to move a finger. Her plan had failed spectacularly, endangering countless lives. People were dying before her eyes, brutally and mercilessly. Could she have risen again in such a situation? She doubted it.
Though she had urged Guyun to see the bigger picture, she knew she wouldn’t have listened if she were in his shoes. But Guyun had risen again, clinging to life with a fierce determination that was almost painful to witness.
On her back, Guyun kept repeating the same words. If he could save even one more life, just one more…
He would give everything he had. That’s why he had to live.
Finally, Biryung reached the headquarters, collapsing from exhaustion as soon as they arrived at the gate.
Even in her fall, she did her best to protect Guyun from harm. Her knees scraped, her cheek grazed, but she ensured he remained unscathed.
“Huff… huff… huff…”
“Are you alright, Biryung?”
Guyun quickly helped her up.
Biryung nodded, looking at the guards of the headquarters.
The guards, who had been on high alert as they approached, now stared at them in confusion. They had been ready for a fight, but the sight of Biryung collapsing at the gate left them bewildered.
Deputy Gatekeeper Ho Ilmun finally found his voice.
“Who are you people?”
“The situation is urgent. Let us through. We need to see the leader immediately.”
“What? Who do you think you are?”
“This is the Chief Strategist of the Alliance.”
Biryung pointed to Guyun, and Ho Ilmun squinted at him, then scoffed.
“Hah! A trick from the Demon Sect!”
“Stop this nonsense and fetch the leader!”
Biryung’s voice rang out, causing the guards to exchange uneasy glances.
Moments later, they all raised their weapons, pointing them at Biryung, ready to attack if necessary. Though they sensed no dark energy, they knew the Demon Sect could easily hide such things.
Jeon Libaek stepped forward.
“You claim this man is the Chief Strategist?”
“Yes!”
“Can you prove it?”
“What?”
Biryung was exasperated. There was no time for this!
If the leader came out, everything would be resolved. He would recognize Guyun immediately.
But the gatekeeper, stubborn as ever, refused to open the gate.
Guyun limped forward, pulling a token from his robe and tossing it to them.
“Here.”
It was the token proving his status as Chief Strategist of the Alliance.
Jeon Libaek examined it, then shook his head.
“The Demon Sect could easily forge such a token.”
“You idiots…!”
Biryung was furious, but Jeon Libaek remained unmoved.
“Sorry, but under orders, we can’t let you in.”
Faced with this impasse, Guyun could only let out a dry laugh.
Even amidst the chaos, the selfishness of humanity seemed both pitiful and contemptible.
Perhaps Jonya’s words weren’t entirely wrong.
“Are humans bound to be selfish rather than altruistic in extreme situations?”
In the end, Biryeong drew her sword.
Clang!
“Words won’t suffice! Whatever happens next is on you!”
Jeon Ribek shouted with a sharp expression.
“Hmph! So you finally show your true colors! Defend with your lives! Do not let them inside!”
“Yes, sir!”
The gate guards rushed forward, spears at the ready.
Biryeong deftly dodged the spears and swung her sword.
Yet, a strange thought crossed her mind.
Why were they so determined to stop them?
She couldn’t fathom the rumors about the plague, leaving her puzzled.
“Argh!”
Swoosh!
Slash!
“Aaah!”
With each flash of her blade, the guards fell, screaming.
Jeon Ribek was taken aback.
These guards were supposed to be elite fighters, specially chosen.
Yet, they were falling one by one to a single woman.
But Biryeong wasn’t invincible.
Already injured and having traveled a long distance without rest, her energy was waning, and her limbs began to falter.
Finally, the guards found an opening.
Slash!
“Ugh!”
Thud! Slash!
“Damn…!”
Biryeong gritted her teeth.
Blood flowed freely from her side and shoulder.
Her strength was failing, and even her eyelids felt heavy.
“Ryeong!”
Gu Yoon rushed forward in alarm, but Biryeong raised a hand to stop him.
“It’s dangerous! Stay back!”
By now, Jeon Ribek was also confused.
‘Could she really be the commander?’
Should he report this to his superiors?
He hesitated briefly but quickly steeled himself.
The die was cast.
If he couldn’t undo it, he might as well clean it up thoroughly.
But then…
“What is going on here?”
Two figures emerged with a commanding voice.
It was the chief and the leader of the stronghold.
Jeon Ribek had no choice but to run over and bow his head in report.
“An unidentified man and woman have come, demanding to see the leader!”
“A man and a woman…?”
Leader Wi Baek furrowed his brows and strode towards the gate.
The chief handed him a cloth, advising caution.
“Leader, just in case, cover your nose and mouth…”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence.
Wi Baek’s eyes widened as he recognized Gu Yoon and rushed over.
“Commander Gu! How did you come here?”
In that moment, Jeon Ribek and the guards exchanged shocked glances.
Gu Yoon spoke coldly.
“I’ve had quite the ordeal thanks to your men not recognizing me, even with my official token.”
“My apologies! But how did you…?”
“We don’t have time for chatter. Use the fastest means to inform all branches of the alliance! We must find the missing warriors.”
Wi Baek hesitated.
The rumors had unsettled him, and he feared repercussions for today’s events.
The same thought crossed his mind as Jeon Ribek’s.
The die was cast.
If he couldn’t undo it, could he erase all traces?
And if it became an issue later, couldn’t he just blame the gatekeeper and remove him?
These sinister thoughts showed on his face, and Gu Yoon could easily guess his intentions.
“Think carefully.”
Gu Yoon’s voice was calm but firm, causing Wi Baek to stammer.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Will you become a traitor to the world, or a hero who saves it? The choice is yours.”
Wi Baek swallowed hard.
Gu Yoon, who had only basic martial skills, now had a gaze more intense and fierce than any beast.
It wasn’t about martial prowess.
It was a matter of will and spirit.
Gu Yoon shouted again, driving the point home.
“We don’t have time! Either take the thorny path to the end, or if you lack the courage, follow my orders and bow down! If you choose to follow me now, I won’t hold today’s mistakes against you.”
Even his tone had changed.
Biryeong, watching Gu Yoon, thought he resembled Sabigang in some way.
Finally, Wi Baek bowed his head.
“My apologies! Please, come inside. I will hold the guards accountable for their offense against you.”
“Forget it. Aren’t they just the limbs following the head? If you want to cut something, cut the head.”
“Commander…”
“So from now on, keep your wits about you and listen well.”
“Of course!”
Gu Yoon glared coldly and walked on.
Wi Baek was completely overwhelmed by the aura emanating from him, unable to say a word.
Gu Yoon clenched his fist tightly.
Though he was furious about what happened to Biryeong, now wasn’t the time to dwell on personal grievances.
“If I can save even one more person…!”
Yes, it’s not over until it’s over!