Chapter 1230: Scorched World

That man. The name of that man, who was called the Unit Leader of the Divine Dragon Unit.

I recall it.

It was definitely his name.

‘Tae Ho-an, wasn’t it?’

Though not precisely. I remember it being so. That cross-shaped scar on his cheek.

It was the same when I saw it.

‘I remember him being one of the Tae-Ma-in.’

An early Ma-in. They were beings personally selected by the Heavenly Demon, who bestowed demonic energy upon them.

They were the ones who possessed superior authority and demonic arts compared to other Ma-in.

That man was an individual, one of those Tae-Ma-in.

His sobriquet was probably.

‘Pae-Ma-Gwon.’

It must have been that sobriquet. I remember. It wasn’t just anything else; a Ma-in of that caliber was memorable.

But.

‘……He was from the Divine Dragon Unit?’

He was in the Divine Dragon Unit? I didn’t even know he was from a righteous sect. This is the first time I’m learning he’s from the world-renowned Divine Dragon Unit.

And the Unit Leader, no less.

He was a much bigger deal than I thought.

I was watching him with curious eyes.

“For this martial arts tournament, personnel from the Divine Dragon Unit will also be participating as such.”

The Sword Master continued speaking.

“I hope it will be a good experience for everyone.”

The participation of the Divine Dragon Unit. Perhaps because they witnessed it with their own eyes, all those watching fell silent.

The Sword Master turned his back after finishing his words. As he disappeared, the seated Iron Blood Fan rose to his feet.

“Have fun, everyone. I’ll be watching.”

He said, waving a large hand, and turned his back. I don’t know if it was a mistake or not, but I felt like he looked at me at that moment.

It probably wasn’t a mistake.

“……Tsk.”

The Overlord clicked his tongue and stood up.

The Sword Empress followed them with a slight smile.

Right after the Heavenly Beyond Heavenly level figures departed. The remaining individuals exchanged glances.

At that moment.

“Hmm.”

The Divine Dragon Unit’s Unit Leader turned his head and looked at us.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many familiar faces.”

Others flinched at his beaming smile. His aura radiated outwards. It was an overwhelming presence.

“Especially……”

His gaze shifted and fixed somewhere. It was precisely on my father’s location.

“I never thought I’d see you in a place like this. Wouldn’t you agree? Divine Dragon… no, that’s not right. I suppose I should call you the Azure Dragon Unit Leader now?”

“……”

Tae Ho-an’s eyes, looking at my father, showed a hint of regret.

“It’s a shame. That you didn’t join our side even after receiving that sobriquet.”

“I greet the Divine Dragon Unit Leader.”

My father merely gave a slight bow to Tae Ho-an. He said no more.

“Still so quiet.”

Tae Ho-an patted my father’s shoulder as he looked at him.

“Well, let’s do our best. Opportunities like this don’t come often. Oh, and.”

This time, Tae Ho-an’s gaze turned towards me.

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Yes?”

“I’m asking if you are indeed the disciple of the esteemed Overlord.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Hmm.”

He scanned me up and down. I felt like I’d been getting that damn look often lately.

“……You seem a bit different from the rumors?”

“Don’t I? I’m actually a bit better looking in person.”

“……Hmph.”

He reacted as if my words were absurd. I just shrugged nonchalantly and moved past it.

“What an interesting fellow. Or perhaps a bit too cocky?”

“Who knows.”

“Whatever.”

Tae Ho-an quickly averted his gaze and turned back.

“Regardless. We’ll know when we see it directly.”

With those words, he took a step forward. His form vanished instantly, reappearing among his unit members.

“As the Alliance Leader said. Since it’s been a while since the tournament, I hope everyone enjoys it well. I hope there are those who have changed from before. See you later then?”

Tae Ho-an disappeared with a grin. As he vanished, the Divine Dragon Unit members disappeared all at once.

Once the Divine Dragon Unit was completely gone, everyone finally let out the breaths they had been holding.

“Hoo… Fwooo……”

“……That aura was something else……”

“Is it really the Divine Dragon Unit…?”

As if they had been constantly emitting energy, everyone looked exhausted.

“Well, this is… I don’t know if this will even be meaningful if the Divine Dragon Unit is participating.”

Someone who looked like a member of the Soaring Dragon Unit shrugged.

“I was thinking of making an impression on Iron Blood Fan. But this way, it’s not very meaningful.”

“It’s obvious Tae Ho-an will win. The Divine Dragon Unit’s participation is surprising enough, but for the Unit Leader to be able to attend too… It’s like they’re telling us to prepare to be humiliated.”

Most reactions were that they couldn’t possibly win. Is the difference with Tae Ho-an really that extreme?

‘That guy seems to have been better than I thought.’

To think he was from the Divine Dragon Unit. Moreover, judging by the reactions, he seemed to be quite a powerful expert. Especially considering these reactions without even having fought a match.

Just then.

“But isn’t there something different about this situation?”

Someone among the reactions spoke curtly.

“No matter how outstanding the Divine Dragon Unit is. We have the great Divine Dragon here, don’t we? The youngest Azure Dragon Unit Leader who kicked away the chance to join the Divine Dragon Unit.”

“……”

Gazes turned towards my father. Meanwhile, I focused on the words about kicking away the Divine Dragon Unit.

“Nah… Even if the Divine Dragon is outstanding. This situation is a bit different, isn’t it?”

“That’s probably true.”

The reactions were lukewarm to that statement. They acknowledged the Divine Dragon’s excellence, but… they meant this was different.

My father didn’t seem bothered by any of that. He just silently maintained his characteristic expressionless face.

“Prepare yourselves.”

He said to us as he walked forward. The noise continued, but he walked as if unconcerned.

‘Hmm.’

The Azure Dragon Unit moved, following my father’s back. Amidst them, I thought.

‘How should I tear them apart?’

How should I rip apart those guys spouting nonsense? I pondered that calmly and carefully.

---

The preparations for the martial arts tournament were simple. The personnel were already all within the Martial Arts Alliance, and the tournament stage was prepared, so it was a situation where they just needed to start. That must have been the reason they gathered so early in the morning. If it were me, I would have explained something and suggested doing it the next day. I didn’t expect them to do it so hastily.

It was said that the matches would begin immediately after the explanation. The number of participants wasn’t that large either…

“Let’s get this over with quickly.”

Iron Blood Fan urging them on was also a reason. That old geezer probably accounted for nine-tenths of the reason.

‘……What an impatient bastard.’

What’s the rush for him to be acting like this? I don’t understand. But for me, it was actually good.

‘Faster is better.’

If they were leisurely, I might have prepared something. But that wasn’t necessary.

So, the participants immediately surrounded the tournament stage. There were no spectators. It was a space filled only with martial artists.

Ah, not entirely absent. Those within the Alliance could watch. So, I saw several familiar faces. Madam Mi was visible, and Hyeon So-yeong was too. Was the one wearing a veil next to them perhaps my mother?

Nah, surely they wouldn’t bring her out so openly. Just as I tried to convince myself it wasn’t her.

Swish swish!

The veiled figure wildly waved their hands towards me.

“……”

It seemed it was indeed her. I tried my best to ignore it. They brought her out like that? This is driving me crazy. Weren’t we supposed to keep her hidden?

I suppressed a sigh threatening to escape. I glanced at my father. My father’s eyes were also shaking strangely. It seemed he noticed my mother was here.

‘Oof.’

I shook my head. While I was doing that.

“Those whose names are called, please come up.”

The announcement signaled the start of the martial arts tournament. There was no grand opening. I could feel that this was truly put together in a hurry.

But.

“Azure Dragon Unit’s Baek Yangcheon.”

“Huh?”

I was called first. What the? Is it a coincidence? As I stared, looking puzzled.

“They usually call the youngest first.”

So-i, who was next to me, told me. Ah, because I joined the unit last…?

With a reluctant acceptance, I stepped onto the tournament stage. As I climbed up, clearly showing my reluctance, the person who seemed to be the referee looked at me.

“Do you know what you need to do?”

“No.”

“It seems you weren’t given an explanation.”

“Yes. Since it’s my first time…”

“Hmm.”

The man who nodded gave me the explanation.

“It’s a simple method. You call out the person you want, and you fight them.”

“You just call someone and fight them?”

“Yes. Since you’re the youngest, you’re given the first chance.”

“……Ah.”

A chance to pick and fight a seemingly weaker opponent. Hearing that, I nodded. It was a decent method, all things considered.

‘No wonder they didn’t draw up a match list.’

I wondered what they were planning, and it seems this was it.

‘Calling out, huh.’

Who should I call? I turned my gaze and looked around. The gazes looking at me were full of intense desire.

Pick me right now, you young punk.

That was the look in their eyes. So much affection for the youngest, from people who usually wouldn’t even glance my way. It wasn’t even funny, but as I continued looking around.

“Hmm?”

I spotted someone amidst the crowd. He was someone who pretended not to see me while everyone else was looking.

“Ah.”

Seeing him, I lifted the corners of my mouth. It was a familiar face. I couldn’t be happier to see him.

“I choose.”

My hand pointed at someone, along with my words. The guy who kept avoiding my gaze. He flinched upon noticing my gaze and pointing hand. I chuckled at his amusing reaction. The youth trembling as he looked at me.

It was Beom-dong of the Soaring Dragon Unit.