Chapter 403: Tag.

A man was looking up at the sky, dyed in darkness.

At first glance, it looked like the night sky, but it was actually midday, just past noon.

Seeing it, one could tell that the sky was not in a normal state.

As the man was blankly raising his head while looking at such a sky.

Boom-! Boom-!

A huge sound brushed against his ears, coming from somewhere.

Just as he wondered what on earth that sound was, the man could feel it.

That someone was approaching him from afar.

Feeling a heavy presence, the man soon shifted his gaze in the direction of the sound.

There.

Grrrr-!

Someone was approaching, dragging a monster about the size of a small hill, even at a rough estimate. The monster was already dead.

Its body was gouged in various places, bones protruding through its skin, clearly having suffered a rather violent fate.

There was no need to ponder what had reduced the monster to such a state.

The man’s gaze turned towards the one dragging the monster.

Deep green hair and a crookedly upturned corner of his mouth.

A man steeped in madness, whose massive physique and the blood smeared on his jaw strangely suited him.

He was a figure known to the people of the Central Plains as the Green King (Nokwang).

The man, looking at the Green King, asked.

[Tang Daeju. What is the meaning of this?]

[Ah, Daeju. It’s been a while.]

Seeing the Green King answer with a grin, the man frowned.

[It’s a gift. I heard there was someone causing quite a ruckus, so I caught this on my way to let you try it.]

[…]

At the Green King’s words, the man waved his hand.

At that moment.

Fwoosh-!

The monster the Green King was holding was instantly engulfed in black flames and began to burn.

[Tsk.]

Seeing this, the Green King clicked his tongue and briefly thrust his fist towards the monster.

Pang-!

Krrack-! Whoooosh-!

The wind pressure erupting from his fist erased the flame-covered monster without a trace.

Only ashes remained, but it was terrifyingly potent energy.

[Hey, you’re completely disregarding my effort after I went to all the trouble of bringing this.]

[Your business.]

[Heh heh… You’re such a boring human.]

Despite the Green King’s words, the man showed no particular reaction.

He merely gazed at the Green King with impassive, violet eyes.

The Green King watched him quietly before finally letting out a huff and speaking.

[Have you heard the news? The Heavenly Net Black Net Brigade (Cheonraheukmangdae) was annihilated?]

At the Green King’s words, a spark flickered in the man’s eyes.

It was news the man also knew. The Heavenly Net Black Net Brigade, one of the Heavenly Demon’s (Cheonma) direct subordinate units.

A unit considered one of their key forces had reportedly been wiped out in an instant.

[And all by the hands of one person.]

A master called the Monster of the Peng Family (Pengga).

By the hands of the Blade Emperor (Doje), Peng Woojin.

[Isn’t it strange? I never imagined that old geezer would lose to someone like that.]

[What is it you want to say to me, Tang Daeju?]

[No, I’m just saying it’s strange.]

The Green King kept talking with a chuckle, but the man found his demeanor quite irritating.

[I just think it wouldn’t have been possible if someone hadn’t helped him.]

[…]

At the Green King’s words, the man tilted his head and then rose to his feet.

Just then.

Rumble-!

A tremendous vibration began to resonate through the darkened sky. Like a raging storm, black heat began to swirl.

[What are you trying to say?]

[Well…]

[Are you implying that I, this Daeju, was involved in the death of Pil Doma (Pil Doma)? Is that what you’re trying to say, Green King?]

What the Green King meant was that he was suspecting the man’s involvement in the death of Pil Doma, the leader of the Heavenly Net Black Net Brigade, at the hands of Peng Woojin.

[Well, it’s not exactly like that… Does it hit a nerve?]

[…How pathetic.]

Crackle.

A harsh sound came from the man’s body.

Watching this movement, the Green King’s eyes gradually filled with madness.

[Green King.]

[Speak.]

[I hear you’ve been going around saying you covet this Daeju’s position. Is that true?]

At the man’s words, the Green King’s smile deepened.

[Which loose-lipped bastard has been spreading that around?]

It was confirmation.

The Green King coveted the man’s position.

Hearing this, the man let out a faint sigh.

[…Because the Cult Leader (Gyo-ju) instructed me to refrain from unnecessary actions. I’ve been overlooking your petty ambitions.]

There were four units directly under the Heavenly Demon.

The Green King served as the leader of one of those units.

This meant he was a high-ranking demon (ma-in) within the Demonic Cult (Magyo), but…

The Green King was not satisfied with this.

While the position of the Heavenly Demon, his master and sky, was unattainable,

he felt he had to at least reach the position directly below him to be content.

From that perspective, the man was an obstacle to the Green King.

The Demonic Cult had four units below the Heavenly Demon.

Each was a deadly unit composed of fearsome masters.

The Green King was the demon leading the Green Winged Flying Daggers Unit (Nogui Bigyeokdae).

Heavenly Net Black Net Brigade.

Ghostly Blade Unit (Gwichalgeomdae).

Green Winged Flying Daggers Unit.

And the last one.

There was the main unit that commanded the aforementioned three units.

The man before him was the master of that group, and

the man directly below the Cult Leader.

The man began to walk closer to the Green King.

As he approached, a blazing heat seemed to emanate from the man’s body.

[Coveting my position…]

What emotion was settling in his deep violet eyes?

The Green King judged it to be an overwhelmingly heavy irritation.

The man, holding that gaze, spoke to the Green King.

[You, of all people?]

Hearing the heavy tone, killing intent wrapped around the Green King’s body.

Although their physical sizes differed by about two heads,

the man’s presence did not yield to the Green King’s at all.

Finally, as they stood face-to-face right in front of each other,

the man looked at the Green King and said.

[Kneel. Your gaze is too high, isn’t it?]

That statement was the trigger.

The Green King swelled his muscles and swung his fist at the man.

Black flames erupted from the man’s body, scattering instantly in all directions.

Following this fight,

the Green King lost an eye, ripped out while he was still alive, becoming one-eyed,

and Mount Tai in the south, which had few forests, had half of its scenic beauty obliterated, turning into a wasteland.

---

Just as I recalled all that, I could finally regain some consciousness.

…Was it a dream?

Was it because I thought about that guy right before falling asleep?

I ended up dreaming about useless memories.

It was a memory about the Green King, who was reportedly staying somewhere in Sichuan.

‘Annoying.’

Since it wasn’t a particularly good memory, I felt an inexplicable sense of unease the moment I woke up.

It wasn’t quite a nightmare, but it wasn’t a good dream either.

First, I couldn’t just keep lying down, so just as I was trying to sit up,

a whispering voice reached my ears.

“…Cheeks…”

“Or maybe…”

It felt like I was slowly waking up.

It sounded like someone was saying something, but I couldn’t hear it clearly.

Right after I forcefully woke myself up by channeling my inner energy (naegi) into my sluggish body.

“Ugh…”

Rubbing my messy eyes, I sat up.

Sensing my presence, something nearby flinched, or so it felt.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes again was

that the owner of the lap I had been resting my head on had changed.

I was sure I had been sleeping with my head on Namgung Bi-ah’s lap, but

for some reason, Wi Seol-ah was sitting there instead.

So, does that mean I was sleeping with my head on Wi Seol-ah’s lap?

‘This… girl…’

Come to think of it.

Did Wi Seol-ah say she was coming with me?

I don’t remember her saying anything specific to me…

Meanwhile, for some reason, I wasn’t free from my fatigue.

How could this be, especially after I used my inner energy (naegi)?

“Young Master…?”

As soon as Wi Seol-ah saw me staggering slightly, she called out in surprise.

Though my blurry vision was bothersome, Wi Seol-ah’s brilliant golden eyes were clearly visible amidst it all.

“…Hoo.”

“Are you alright…?”

“You…”

Meeting Wi Seol-ah’s worried gaze, I first asked what I wanted to ask.

“…Are you okay?”

“Yes?”

“…Is it okay if I come with you?”

“Ah.”

Wi Seol-ah seemed flustered by the abrupt question, her eyes darting.

It was quite sudden to ask right after waking up.

“Ah…”

Wi Seol-ah hesitated for a moment, looking into my eyes, then smiled slightly and said to me.

“It’s fine.”

Was that smile in her eyes particularly radiant, or was it just a sleepy illusion?

Probably not.

“I’ve decided not to worry about things like that anymore.”

Wi Seol-ah said that with a smile.

Just as I was about to say something while looking at Wi Seol-ah,

-If you’ve regained consciousness, come out soon. How long do you plan to rest?

I had to frown at the voice that reached my ears.

It was Pac-jeon (Pae Jon) calling me, somehow knowing I was awake.

That ghostly old man. Was he watching me the whole time?

-Tsk tsk, you should come out briskly now that you’re awake. Already showing such interest in the fairer sex.

-…I was planning to come out anyway.

-Oh, I’m sure you were.

-…

Sighing at Pac-jeon’s taunt, I gently stroked Wi Seol-ah’s hair, then opened the carriage door and stepped outside.

Time had somehow turned into night.

I only meant to sleep for a little while, how did I end up sleeping for so long?

If I was going to sleep this long, I should have asked the others to wake me up.

‘…Where is this.’

I scanned my surroundings, turning my tired eyes.

The first thing I saw was a valley and a gravel field.

Seeing that most of the carriages had stopped, it seemed we planned to stay here for the night.

Not content with just seeing, I tried to expand my spiritual sense (gikam) a bit, but I felt it spreading much slower than intended.

‘What is this? Why is it acting like this again.’

Just as I was starting to panic, wondering why it was acting like this, Pac-jeon’s telepathic message reached my ears.

-Don’t be surprised, it’s only natural, in a way.

-Natural?

-Yes, it’s the backlash from being forced into a state of trance (mua jigyeong).

-Ah.

That time during training when I lost consciousness and moved on my own; Pac-jeon had said that the Two-Forms Heavenly Soaring Skill (Tuapa Cheongong) had forcibly induced that state.

So it’s the backlash from that time?

-As I said, it’s because you reached places you shouldn’t have yet.

It means I stepped into that state of trance prematurely, before reaching the required level.

‘So that’s why my body is tired and my spiritual sense is acting up.’

No wonder trying to use my inner energy (naegi) didn’t fix it; there must have been a reason.

Clutching my throbbing head, I shifted my gaze.

I was trying to find Pac-jeon, but since my spiritual sense wasn’t spreading properly, it was impossible this way.

So, I eventually had to ask Pac-jeon directly.

-…Where are you?

-Come straight into the forest on the left.

Following his words, I started walking.

A forest spread out behind the valley.

It seemed he meant that direction.

Since little light penetrated there, I conjured a flame at my fingertips to light the way.

Yet, the surroundings were unnaturally dark.

I wondered if this was also a side effect of the backlash.

Had my eyesight deteriorated?

Thinking that, I went a little further.

Eventually, I reached a suitable clearing, and saw Pac-jeon standing in the center.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

“Tsk tsk… Judging by your expression, you look like you’re dying.”

“…I can manage, relatively speaking.”

Honestly, it was a bit tough, but

not enough to stop my training.

As I tried to pull myself together and regulate my breathing,

“Your body seems ready now, so I think it’s time to move on to the next stage of training.”

Pac-jeon’s words made my eyes light up.

The next stage of training meant what Pac-jeon had been talking about for a while – heading towards that single, decisive move.

“I believe you are ready, so I intend to pass down the First Style (Ilsik) of the Two-Forms Heavenly Dance (Tuapa Cheonmu) to you.

Do you have any objections?”

“None.”

I’ve been going through all this trouble just to learn that one technique.

If he’s offering, of course I have to learn it.

There was no time to rest.

Even the time spent traveling to Sichuan had to be used this sparingly.

“Very well. Then.”

Pac-jeon shrugged his shoulders.

Was he really going to teach me without any explanation?

“Before that. There’s something you need to do.”

“Something I need to do…?”

Something to do?

Just as I was about to ask Pac-jeon about his sudden statement,

Shink-

I was enveloped by a sensation accompanied by a chilling sound.

As I wondered what was happening, my vision suddenly distorted.

My gaze, which had been looking straight ahead, suddenly shifted downwards, showing me the ground.

And I was rapidly approaching the ground.

Could this be… my head being severed?

Just before my head was about to collide with the ground amidst the disorienting sensation,

“…Hah…!”

Suddenly, my senses snapped back into focus.

I immediately gasped for breath and clutched my neck with my hands.

Thankfully, my neck was still attached.

…Then what was that sensation just now?

As cold sweat trickled down my face, Pac-jeon’s voice cut in.

“I mentioned it before, didn’t I? About your biggest problem.”

Not fearing death.

Was that what he called the problem?

That I didn’t care if my body broke.

It could be an advantage, certainly, but I remembered him saying it was excessive.

“Normally, I would have taken some time to correct it with you through twisted movements,

but it seems there’s a more suitable teacher nearby.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You have just died once. Do you know that?”

“…!”

“Your head was severed, so you must know.”

Was that sensation something Pac-jeon intended? If so, was it some kind of hallucination?

Or perhaps a formation technique?

As I couldn’t properly grasp the situation, someone appeared behind Pac-jeon.

Seeing him, I inwardly gasped in surprise.

It was none other than the Dark King (Am Wang).

Just as I was trying to process my utter confusion as to why this person had suddenly appeared here,

Pac-jeon continued speaking, observing my reaction.

“I didn’t want to resort to methods like this, but you seem more exceptional than I anticipated, which makes me greedy.”

“…Elder?”

“If I’m going to raise a disciple, they must be perfect. A disciple of Pac-jeon, no less.”

“Is that related to why the Dark King is here…?”

“Of course, it is. This friend will help with your training.”

The Dark King helping my training? What kind of nonsensical statement was that?

I frowned deeply and demanded an explanation from Pac-jeon, but

he simply smiled brightly and told me.

“You have only one task. From moonrise until before sunrise, you must catch this friend just once.”

I was dumbfounded the moment I heard Pac-jeon’s words.

“You mean the Dark King…?”

“Yes. The deadline is every day until you succeed.”

Catch the Dark King?

And tonight, no less?

“It would be too difficult otherwise… so this friend will constantly approach you instead.”

‘Does that mean he’s giving me a chance?’

Still, it didn’t feel quite right.

I had hoped to start training the Two-Forms Heavenly Dance right away.

I couldn’t understand why I was being told to play such a random game of tag.

Did the Dark King also agree to this bizarre request?

…He must have.

If he agreed, that’s why he’s suddenly here.

Since I had no choice but to comply, it meant I, at my age, had to play tag.

And not just any tag, but with the Dark King, the King of Assassins.

‘Then, what was that illusion I saw just before?’

The illusion of my head being severed felt far too real to be called mere illusion.

Pac-jeon had explicitly said it was an intended situation.

Did that mean there was something more?

As I continued to ponder these questions, Pac-jeon took a step away and spoke.

“Then, good luck. I hope you succeed as quickly as possible.

There’s much more I need to teach you.”

“Are you leaving just like this?”

“I’ve told you all I needed to. All that’s left is for you to accomplish it.”

Is he really leaving?

As I watched Pac-jeon leave with a blank expression,

Pac-jeon turned his head and looked back at me.

“Ah. I have one last, crucial request, but I forgot to mention it.”

“Yes?”

“Please, do not break.”

“What do you mean by…”

Because he kept spouting strange words, I tried to grab Pac-jeon to get a proper explanation, but

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Thump-.

Something pierced my heart.

“…!”

There was no pain.

A surge of blood welled up, and my consciousness faded.

Even then, I managed to identify who had plunged the dagger into my heart.

Standing there was the Dark King, gazing at me with cold eyes.

---

Hiiing-!

On a moonlit night with a crescent moon hanging in the sky, a horse galloped relentlessly, forging its path.

Wherever it was rushing off to, the carriage behind it was shaking violently.

“Ugh…”

The beautiful woman inside the carriage, unable to endure the jolting, held onto the window frame and hastily covered her mouth with her delicate hand.

Her skin was so pale it looked almost blue, indicating the severity of her condition.

Was it because this was her first time riding in such a rough carriage?

Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t stand the nausea churning in her stomach.

“Slow… slow down a bit… Ugh…”

Moyong Hi-ah pleaded in a pitiful voice, but the speed only increased.

‘I think I’m going to die…!’

Moyong Hi-ah wondered if all the thoughts flashing through her mind were merely a deathbed review.

It wouldn’t be strange if she died like this.

It was amusing, even to herself, that the thoughts surfacing amidst this were not of cherished memories, but the face of one man.

Moyong Hi-ah squeezed her eyes shut and directed her thoughts to the man appearing in her mind.

‘…Young Master… I think this is as far as I go.’

Moyong Hi-ah slowly succumbed.

The coachman driving her carriage began to speak to her in an excited voice.

“Niece! Look out the window. The moon is beautiful tonight!”

“Auntie… speed…”

“Huh? What was that? You want to go faster? My niece enjoys things more than she lets on!”

“Ah…”

Perhaps spurred by her niece’s supposed request, the woman driving the carriage grinned broadly and increased the speed further.

Unable to bear it any longer, Moyong Hi-ah finally lost consciousness, but

the woman didn’t notice and just urged the horse onward even faster.