Chapter 1099: Scorched World.

Speaking of the Sword Brigade’s duties, they primarily focused on hunting monsters.

It’s only natural. The very reason the Sword Brigade came into existence was, after all, to confront monsters, signifying those who had mastered the means and methods to fight against them.

Thus, each sect, clan, or even merchant guild would sometimes form its own Sword Brigade.

An era where monsters had risen up.

Though it wore the guise of peace, it was ultimately an era where danger lurked, meaning the existence of the Sword Brigade held considerable influence.

That was equally true for the Martial Arts Alliance.

After all, the Sword Brigade established by the Martial Arts Alliance occupied a significant position within the Central Plains.

Perhaps that’s why.

‘I did sometimes receive missions for matters other than monsters.’

It had been quite some time since the Sword Brigade’s missions were no longer solely limited to monsters.

Not just for opposing monsters, but handling the affairs of the entire Martial Arts Alliance.

It was, quite literally, a state of becoming one with the martial artists of the Alliance.

As such, it wasn’t strange for missions to be assigned by the Martial Arts Alliance.

“Brigade Leader-nim… what’s going on all of a sudden?”

Neither Soi nor I could quite comprehend the current situation.

“A mission?”

“You heard right. It’s a mission.”

“No…”

As Soi questioned him, the Sword Master replied, picking his nose.

“Why? Receiving a mission isn’t exactly strange, is it?”

“That’s true, but it’s because the personnel don’t match.”

“Why?”

As the Sword Master asked again, Soi answered, biting her lip.

“Isn’t including rookies who haven’t been here for even a month against the Alliance’s regulations?”

As she spoke, Soi pointed to the side.

Where her hand pointed, Do-yun and I were standing.

Just as Soi said, these were newcomers who hadn’t even been initiated for a month. Some hadn’t even been here for seven days and nights.

“That’s correct.”

The Sword Master nodded, seemingly affirming Soi’s words. Soi’s expression brightened slightly at his reaction, but…

“Then…”

“However…”

The Sword Master cut off Soi’s words and said to her.

“If it’s an order from the Alliance Leader-nim, wouldn’t that make it slightly different from the regulations?”

“…!”

At his words, Soi’s eyes widened.

“…Are you saying it’s an order from the Alliance Leader-nim?”

“That’s right.”

“How…”

How could the Alliance Leader issue an order while breaking the rules? Soi seemed quite surprised by this.

‘What the? What is going on here.’

I felt the same way.

It was strange enough to be sent on a mission out of the blue, but it was even stranger that the Sword Venerable would deliberately break the rules.

Just as I was wondering what this was all about.

“As you said, it’s correct not to assign missions to riff-raff who haven’t even been here a month.”

Cheongyeol Sword Master put down the hand that had been picking his nose and grabbed the dispatch.

“However…”

Then he handed the dispatch straight to Soi. Soi wore a reluctant expression for a moment but quietly accepted it.

“That’s a problem when they’re still riff-raff.”

The Sword Master looked at us, smiling.

“You lot aren’t, are you?”

“…”

“…”

At those words, Do-yun and I both stiffened slightly. More precisely, Do-yun stiffened considerably.

‘This fellow.’

He seemed to know that Do-yun was hiding his strength. Well, if one reached that level, it would naturally be possible.

‘Because he’s a strong individual, even for a Sword Master.’

Although I was seeing Cheongyeol Sword Master for the first time, a flicker of admiration crossed my mind. The Sword Masters I knew had all reached the Hwagyeong realm, but…

‘This fellow is stronger than them.’

Cheongyeol Sword Master was exceptionally strong even among those Brigade Leaders. Whether the leaders of this era were just that strong, or if he was special, I didn’t know, but that was the case.

Since he was that kind of person, it likely wouldn’t be too difficult for him to notice Do-yun.

“Right?”

The Sword Master asked as if seeking confirmation, but Do-yun didn’t answer, and I simply scratched my cheek nonchalantly.

Seeing how things turned out, I started to understand a bit.

‘So that’s what this was about.’

Why they’d send me and Do-yun out together on a mission.

‘…Are they trying to keep an eye on us?’

Weren’t they trying to see how we’d act? That guess popped into my head.

“In any case. The mission departs in two days, so be prepared accordingly.”

“…Brigade Leader-nim.”

“I won’t accept any further objections. Like I said earlier.”

The Sword Master said, his expression hardening.

“This is an order from the Alliance Leader-nim.”

“…”

Soi finally shut her mouth at that. It wasn’t just any order; it was one issued by the Sword Venerable.

Because there was no one within the Martial Arts Alliance who could defy it.

---

After the conversation ended, we stepped outside. Despite the sky still appearing bright, the expressions on our faces were far from cheerful.

“Haaah.”

Soi’s expression was particularly noteworthy. One could clearly sense her feelings of discomfort and irritation.

Should I try to say something? As I was briefly pondering this.

“…See you in two days.”

Soi, without uttering another word, spoke as if resigned and turned to walk away from us.

With her slightly quickened pace and the palpable ‘don’t bother me’ vibe radiating from her back, I just watched her go.

“Hmm.”

What should we do now? As I pondered this briefly, I spoke to Do-yun beside me.

“Shall we head to our rooms first?”

“Huh? Uh…”

Do-yun looked surprised by my casual remark. He seemed taken aback that I’d initiate conversation.

The reason I suggested heading to our rooms was simple.

Since our initiation was fully complete, the Azure Dragon Brigade itself had provided us with accommodations.

“Where’s your room?”

“The building on the left.”

“That’s the same as mine.”

There were two buildings, and it seemed I’d been assigned to the same lodging as Do-yun.

Even.

“…We have the same room?”

My room was the same as Do-yun’s. Murmurs could be heard, likely from the other rookies who had already moved their belongings in.

Training had concluded, and we were instructed to finish the day with personal practice, so some were already resting.

So, Do-yun and I slowly began unpacking.

Honestly, I didn’t have much to unpack.

‘Maybe just my clothes.’

The clothes I was wearing. That was about it, and since I had no other luggage, I was just considering lying down on the bed when…

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

Do-yun, while unpacking, called out to me.

“…How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That I was hiding my strength.”

“Ah.”

Sssshhh-! As he spoke, something struck within the room. It was an energy blast. Do-yun must have casually unleashed it.

‘He’s not planning on hiding it anymore?’

An energy blast of that caliber wasn’t exactly top-tier. Whether he’d given up on hiding it, I replied brusquely to the casually unleashed blast.

“Of course I knew. It was visible.”

“…Visible?”

“If you’re going to hide it, do it properly. The Brigade Leader probably already knows?”

“…”

“And this situation, from what I can see, must also be intentional.”

Sending us out on missions at the same time, even assigning us the same room.

“So, whatever you’re planning, I don’t know, but if you’re going to do it, hide it properly. If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

“…Aren’t you going to ask what I’m planning?”

“Why would I ask that?”

I frowned. Why aren’t you asking? I wanted to ask him back. Why should I need to ask?

“It looks like a hassle just looking at it. I don’t want to get involved. Besides, it’s pretty obvious what it is.”

The reason for entering the Alliance while hiding strength? It probably isn’t the same reason as mine.

If that’s the case, then…

“It’s probably revenge, or maybe infiltration. Though, I doubt it’s infiltration.”

“Why do you say that?”

“If it were infiltration, he would have tried something against me.”

Knowing someone had caught on, he would have stepped forward to act.

Do-yun didn’t do that.

Besides.

“If he had tried, I would have already killed him.”

“……!”

Do-yun stiffened at my chilling words. It was also a warning: don’t get any bright ideas.

“Friend Baek… Just what are you…”

Surprised by the killing intent, Do-yun spoke stiffly. Seeing that, I let out a small chuckle.

“It’s not a joke, but don’t be tense. I won’t do anything as long as you don’t provoke me.”

“What if they’re remnants of the Demonic Cult? Will you still do nothing?”

“If it’s something like that, the Brigade Leader or the Alliance Leader will handle it. Like I said, I don’t care as long as they don’t cause me any trouble.”

“…Aren’t you part of the Orthodox faction?”

“That’s harsh!”

I couldn’t believe it.

“Still, nominally I belong to the Orthodox faction. I tend to kill those Demonic Cult bastards on sight.”

“…Are you from the Demonic Cult?”

“No.”

“Then we’re good.”

Thump. I lay down on the bed. I wouldn’t concern myself with whatever reason Do-yun had for coming here.

‘It’s annoying that I’ve already gotten involved, though.’

Still, it couldn’t be helped. I’d already stood out.

All I had to do was not get any more involved than this.

‘He’s someone whose name I don’t even know, anyway.’

A junior disciple hiding his strength like that.

Unlike me, who was rumored to be the Baek family’s secret weapon or something, this person might actually be the Do family’s true secret weapon.

I didn’t know about such a person.

Besides.

“Where even is the Do family?”

I didn’t even know there was a clan called Do in Shanxi. I don’t know any masters born from such sects either.

Which means…

“Whatever they were trying to do, they failed.”

Which likely means they were either erased from the records of the Central Plains or simply remained unknown.

“Therefore, there’s no need for me to get involved.”

As I lay there thinking this.

“You’re right.”

Do-yun began to speak.

“My goal is revenge. That’s why I came to the Alliance.”

He seemed to have something he wanted to say on his own, because he spoke even before I could reply.

‘As expected.’

His reason was indeed revenge.

I wasn’t particularly surprised; it was a world filled with people like that.

‘I really shouldn’t get involved.’

With that thought, I tried to cut him off, telling him to stop talking.

“Just stop…”

“Gu Cheol-un of the Sanseo Gu Clan. I came seeking revenge against him.”

“…What?”

Hearing Do-yun’s words, I shot upright.

…What kind of crazy talk is this now?

My senses snapped back instantly.