Episode 46: Return to the Demon Sect
Sabigang couldn’t help but chuckle at Maeseollan’s intense glare.
“Alright, let’s get out of here.”
“Are you sure? Can we really escape? If you’re just bluffing, stop it. I barely made it back here after getting lost once. If we wander into the maze again, we won’t even have water.”
“Well, if you prefer, we could stay a bit longer…”
“Hey!”
“Okay, okay. Let’s go.”
Sabigang stood up, gathering his clothes.
Maeseollan quickly followed suit, prompting Sabigang to raise an eyebrow.
“Are you planning to go out like that?”
“Why not?”
“Maybe you should put something on…”
“Oh!”
Only then did Maeseollan realize she was still undressed. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes, covering herself.
“What are you staring at?”
“Anyone would think I forced myself on you.”
“Shut up! Just get moving!”
“Alright, but put on some clothes first. I don’t want to be embarrassed walking out with you like this.”
Maeseollan felt a surge of irritation but couldn’t find a retort, so she bit her tongue and dressed quickly.
“Why are you perfectly fine, anyway?”
“Well, it’s a long story…”
“No, I mean, how are you okay after… you know, being with me?”
Any other martial artist would have lost all their energy. Yet, Sabigang hadn’t lost a single ounce of his power. In fact, she couldn’t sense any internal energy from him at all.
Sabigang grinned.
“I converted all my energy into mana.”
“Mana? What does that even mean?”
“You’ll find out eventually. By the way, if you’re here, it means the students have been left unattended.”
Maeseollan sighed deeply.
“Is this really the time to worry about that? It’s been months. They must have returned to the academy by now. We can only hope they’re safe.”
“That’s not the case.”
“Why not?”
“Time flows differently within this barrier compared to outside.”
“A barrier? Is that what this place is called?”
“Something like that.”
Maeseollan bit her lip, feeling increasingly foolish the longer the conversation went on.
“I’ve never heard of a mechanism that alters time.”
“But it’s true.”
“That’s…!”
It sounded impossible. Time flowing differently? Yet, why did she find herself believing him?
Sabigang adjusted his clothes and said, “Outside, not even a day has passed.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Check for yourself later. See if I’m wrong.”
“Then let’s get out of here now!”
“Alright. I did see a signal flare earlier. I thought you might be with them, but I guess not.”
“A signal flare? Then we shouldn’t be wasting time here! The students could be in danger!”
“Relax. Even if we spend another day here, only a fraction of an hour will pass outside.”
“Still, we can’t just sit around! The students are waiting for us!”
“They can wait a bit longer. Maybe they’ll learn to appreciate their instructor more.”
“How can you say that? Now of all times!”
In the end, Maeseollan stormed off.
“Maeseollan?”
“What now?”
“Not that way. This way.”
Sabigang pointed in the opposite direction.
“What are you talking about? That’s the way you came in.”
“Trust me, it’s this way.”
Sabigang smiled, and Maeseollan felt her cheeks flush as she quickly looked away.
“Fine, since you know the way, lead on.”
“Alright. Let’s hold hands.”
“Why?”
Maeseollan touched her hand, flustered. It was endearing how shy she was, despite their recent closeness.
Sabigang chuckled.
‘How did someone like her learn such a seductive technique?’
He shrugged.
“If we get separated and lost again, we might be stuck here for years.”
A thought too dreadful to entertain.
“Well, if you really don’t want to…”
As Sabigang started to walk, Maeseollan hurried to catch up.
“Wait! Who said I didn’t want to? I was just asking why!”
Sabigang laughed softly and took her hand firmly.
Maeseollan blushed and murmured, “Don’t let go. Ever.”
“Of course.”
**
Midnight had passed.
The students gathered in the inn’s courtyard, all silently staring down the alley, waiting for someone.
Finally.
“We can’t wait any longer. Let’s go on our own.”
At Danrijung’s words, the students turned to him. He had been so timid at the start of their journey, barely able to answer questions. Now, he was leading the charge, making the boldest suggestions.
“What about the instructors?”
One student asked.
Danrijung’s expression darkened.
“I don’t think they’re coming back today. If we wait any longer, it might be too late.”
They had sent up a signal flare an hour ago, but Sabigang and Maeseollan were nowhere to be seen.
Yeomjaryang agreed with Danrijung.
“Yeah, we can’t just wait for the instructors. We need to go and rescue our friends.”
“Against the Black Twin Demons? You said they were incredibly strong!”
Gokbo-ok protested, raising an eyebrow.
“But we have no choice. If we’re not careful, Mokdanhwa and the others could be in real danger…”
“Shouldn’t we inform the academy first?”
It was Yeonwoogyeong who spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Inform them? Why?”
“There’s been an incident. Someone should run to the academy and report it. The instructors are missing, and Mokdanhwa’s group has been kidnapped by the Black Twin Demons.”
“That can wait! We need every bit of strength we have right now!”
“And if we all end up in trouble?”
“What?”
“It doesn’t make sense that both instructors disappeared. What if they were also taken by the Black Twin Demons?”
“That’s ridiculous…”
Yeomjaryang muttered, his expression wavering. He had considered the worst-case scenario, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
‘No way. The instructors wouldn’t fall to those guys.’
Just then.
“That’s obviously nonsense.”
A familiar voice!
Yeomjaryang and the students turned their heads.
“Instructor!”
Danrijung was the first to shout.
Sabigang and Maeseollan were approaching.
Yeonwoogyeong watched them with a calm expression.
‘What? They’re alive and well?’
He stepped forward and questioned them.
“Instructor, where have you been? Did you see our signal flare…?”
“I saw it, which is why I’m here.”
“You’re late.”
“That’s your opinion.”
Danrijung quickly ran up to Sabigang.
“Instructor! Mokdanhwa and Minyuhyang…!”
“I know. You’ve all been through a lot. Leave it to me now.”
“How do you know…?”
“I overheard your conversation on the way here.”
Before Danrijung could say more, Sabigang turned to Yeonwoogyeong.
“And you… I heard from Instructor Maeseollan that you followed Neungso last night. Is it related to Mokdanhwa’s kidnapping?”
“What are you talking about? We didn’t follow anyone…!”
Maeseollan stepped forward.
“Are you trying to lie to me? Do you think I didn’t notice your presence when I approached Neungso last night?”
“That was just…!”
Yeonwoogyeong’s face showed a flicker of panic before he regained his composure.
“It was just a prank. But that’s not the issue right now, is it?”
“Really? So it’s completely unrelated?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. You can play pranks on me all you want. But if it affects other students, I won’t forgive it.”
”…!”
“Now, everyone, return to your rooms. Instructor Maeseollan will stay with you.”
The students murmured among themselves as they headed back to the inn.
Maeseollan approached Sabigang, pretending to look at the distant mountains.
“Be… be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Who’s worried…?”
She mumbled softly and quickly walked away.
But one student lingered at the entrance, not going inside.
It was Jomuntak.
He hesitated before approaching Sabigang.
“Um… Instructor.”
“What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“Do we really have to save those female students?”
“What do you mean?”
“Actually, they… they got themselves kidnapped on purpose!”
“On purpose?”
Jomuntak glanced around and whispered.
“Last night, I overheard something while passing by Yeonwoogyeong’s room. I saw Mokdanhwa’s group going in.”
Feeling Sabigang’s curious gaze, Jomuntak quickly waved his hands.
“I was just curious, thinking they might be up to something… inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
Eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation was hardly something to be proud of, so Jo Muntak’s voice grew quieter.
“Well, that’s not the reason I came to see you.”
When Sabi Kang spoke nonchalantly, Jo Muntak recounted everything he had overheard that day.
“So, I don’t think the instructor should bother saving those cadets! They brought it on themselves. If necessary, I’ll testify at the academy. I don’t think you need to take unnecessary risks.”
“Hmm. So that’s how it is.”
Sabi Kang nodded, though his mind was elsewhere, recalling a different memory.
‘Muntak was supposed to die early.’
In truth, he didn’t remember much about Jo Muntak.
A guy with such a faint presence.
He died at the hands of a rogue warrior even before the demon invasion began.
So, he never really knew him.
But now that he thought about it…
‘This kid has some talent after all.’
Among the cadets, Mok Danhwa was known for her exceptional senses.
For him to eavesdrop on her without being noticed was a clear sign of talent.
If nurtured well, he could be useful in the future.
“Anyway, eavesdropping on your fellow cadets wasn’t the right thing to do, so from tomorrow night, come see me every day. Consider it a light punishment.”
“What? Oh, yes…”
“Now, head back to your quarters.”
“Are you… going to save Mok Danhwa?”
“I have to. I am an instructor, after all…”
“But risking yourself for those cadets…!”
“You’re mistaken about something…”
“What?”
“For me, it’s not much of a risk.”
Sabi Kang flashed a sly grin and strode away confidently.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the inn, someone was gazing out the window, deep in thought.
‘Tch, so the presence Mok Danhwa sensed was that guy? That fool, spouting nonsense…!’
He ground his teeth and glared intently at Jo Muntak as he entered the inn.