Book 19 Chapter 11

A Midnight Scream

—Where is Biryu-yeon?

"Hey, Nohak! Have you seen our eldest disciple?"

"No, I haven't. What's wrong, Hyeon-un?"

"He hasn't been seen since this evening."

"Then that's a good thing, isn't it?"

"Ah, well, of course, but… if he's not seen, it makes me uneasy, wondering what he might be plotting somewhere?"

"Indeed, that's true."

Nohak nodded his head as if he wholeheartedly agreed with Hyeon-un's opinion.

***

"Aaaaaaaagh!"

A desperate scream echoed beneath the moonlit night.

"Huh?"

Biryu-yeon certainly thought he was showing more than usual enthusiasm to guide the foolish youngsters who challenged him, more so than usual. However, the rumors that he was faster than a thousand-li horse seemed to have suffered some sort of internal injury this time, as they were not very effective. Because of that, challenges against him continued endlessly. He seemed to be underestimated because he didn't have any noticeable special aura and didn't carry any obvious weapons.

Well, you see, that kind of thing is a waste…

Biryu-yeon's usual principle was that there was no benefit in advertising his strength everywhere. A sheathed sword is always scarier than a drawn one.

"Urgurgurgurgur!"

At that moment, another scream echoed.

"Huh? Where is it?"

Biryu-yeon looked around, scanning his surroundings, but there was nothing.

"Ughkghkghkghkghkghk!"

Again, a continuous and peculiar scream from somewhere.

Was it his imagination? The screams seemed to be coming from very close by.

"Gueeeeeek!"

With a final, dying pig-like squeal, Biryu-yeon finally looked down at his feet. In the darkness there, a figure was struggling desperately. All the screams, except for the first one, had come from beneath his feet.

"Huh? You, since when have you been there?"

Biryu-yeon asked, as if they had met for the first time today.

"Since a while ago."

The young man pinned beneath his feet replied, tears streaming down his swollen face.

"Oh, right?"

It seemed to have finally come to his memory.

"I'd forgotten."

It was a baffling situation for the one being relentlessly beaten.

"Waaah! Please, save me! I won't do it again!"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then do you know why you're being hit?"

"Uh… no…"

"Then keep getting hit!"

"Aaaaaaaagh! P-please, save me! Wahhh!"

"Don't worry! I wouldn't kill you, would I?"

***

"Hah, hah!"

The young man, his body aching, ran through the darkness of the southern market.

To escape the presence that was pressing down on him from behind.

His internal energy, which he had accumulated for the entrance examination, was rapidly depleted like water poured on sand, and the muscles of his body, which he had meticulously cared for over months to maintain their peak condition, were exhausted and screamed in pain.

In just fifteen days, it would be the day of the entrance examination, the culmination of his lifelong preparation, and he…

'Damn it! Why did it turn out like this?'

It was no exaggeration to say that his life had been dedicated solely to passing this one hurdle. Even before he had matured, before he had the eyes to see into his own heart and look into his future, long before he knew who he was, he had been forced to swim to pass this narrow gateway.

But what was he doing now? He was desperately fleeing, unable to even dare to confront the sudden threat head-on. Having never learned anything other than how to pass the Ascension Martial Arts exam, he couldn't quickly judge how to act when faced with any other situation. He was just confused.

'How am I supposed to deal with this! Damn it!'

In fact, all his decisions had been made for him by others. His parents and sect had monopolized all decision-making power. But he had never questioned that fact. It was a natural scene from before he had come of age.

It had its conveniences, too. He never had to make any decisions for himself. Perhaps the hardening of his brain and the moss and mold growing between the wrinkles of his brain were acceptable to him. Therefore, he had never properly learned to judge and decide for himself at the crossroads of life and take responsibility for the consequences. No one had ever taught him separately. All he had learned were the techniques to pass the entrance examination for the Heavenly Martial Academy.

How to live a rich life, how to react quickly to danger, how to realize his inherent potential into reality—these were always topics outside his main concerns. He had always believed that everything would be guaranteed once he entered the Heavenly Martial Academy.

But now, he couldn't even stand before the gate, let alone enter it, and had to fight a threat that descended upon him alone for the first time in his life. Suddenly, his vision went black.

He said he fought, but in reality, it was just a sudden, natural disaster that struck him, and all he could do was flee with all his might.

"What should I do? What should I do?"

When faced with an opponent of a different caliber, all he could do was utter vulgar curses on his tongue, avoid their gaze, and run.

However, the darkness of the southern market seemed to be an endless maze, offering no light of hope.

'Should I give up?'

A voice was heard when his breath was catching in his throat.

"What? Are you giving up already, so lazily?"

The enemy who had been threatening him from behind was now threatening him right in front of his eyes.

"H-how…"

His voice barely escaped his gasping breath.

"The night may hide your appearance, but it cannot hide your sounds. You can't even run properly. Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

Although his tone was filled with genuine concern, the content within it was not very kind.

"Th-then what am I supposed to do? Is there a method to running, too?"

He didn't suddenly feel the urge to receive life counseling as death loomed. It was merely an attempt to buy some time.

"That's a good question."

The other party readily responded to such a shallow ploy.

"I will answer you with all my heart."

It seemed there was still time before their next appointment.

"Not all running is the same. Since you can't be the strongest from birth, there's a reason for the phrase 'strategic retreat.' You have to constantly rack your brain, thinking about where to run, how to run, how to deceive and shake off the pursuer, and so on. How to run more effectively and efficiently. Keep that in mind even when you're running away."

He added one more thing.

"Only those who are always prepared for the worst can run away properly."

He had never heard of such detailed methods of escape.

"B-but I've never learned those kinds of methods!"

The young man had only thought of two options: 'fight' and 'flee.'

"Tsk, tsk, just because no one taught you, does that mean you can't do it? How utterly pathetic. Then what are you wearing that round thing on your shoulders for? It's just in the way."

The monstrous figure looked at the young man with extreme pity.

"What's your name?"

But then he waved his hand dismissively.

"No, never mind! It's a waste of time to ask for the name of someone who doesn't even know who they are."

"I have a name!"

"You have one?"

The monstrous figure's voice rose slightly skewed.

"Y-yes."

The young man quickly backed down. Only then did the monstrous figure seem satisfied.

"Your life has always been decided by others, hasn't it? Not just your name, but your past, present, and even your future. Then why bother living when it's all so bothersome? Even the air you breathe and the water you drink are a waste."

The monstrous figure's tone was utterly scathing.

"Th-those harsh words…"

The young man, who had never been scolded in his life, teared up with indignation.

"Pfft!"

At the childish remark, the monstrous figure burst into laughter.

"Puhahahaha! Puhahaha! Ughahahaha!"

As if he didn't care who heard him, he laughed loudly and heartily.

"So, have you decided what you'll do after entering the Heavenly Martial Academy? If you have, I'd like to hear it. Tell me! Tell me!"

"Th-that…"

No matter how much he rummaged through the drawers of his memory, what came after was a blank, white sheet.

"See! You don't even know what you'll do after you get in! What can you do if you enter a place you don't even know why you want to enter? Did you mistakenly think that once you got in, enlightenment would suddenly fly in from the universe and you'd achieve enlightenment?"

The monstrous figure's tone remained scathing.

"B-but… as long as I get in…"

The monstrous figure shook his head and ruthlessly cut off the young man's words.

"That's why it's useless. With ambitions like that, you might as well just die. It's too troublesome, isn't it?"

He said it in a casual tone, as if suggesting they have dinner together.

"After all, you're like a puppet with its strings cut, breathing but as good as dead. So, nothing will change even if you die."

What the monstrous figure said might have been true. It might have been as insignificant as a puppet whose strings were cut.

"The world will keep spinning just fine without one of you. There are so many like you that losing one won't even be noticed."

As the monstrous figure's words continued, the young man's spirit sank to the bottom of an endless abyss.

"But don't worry. As a reward for making me laugh, I'll let you fall asleep without pain."

Clink!

The monstrous figure stepped out of the darkness. Moonlight bathed his body. Black martial robes with long sleeves that blended into the night, and long bangs that covered his eyes. A gentle smile played on his lips beneath the long bangs.

Swish!

The wind blew.

Carrying within it the unseen hand of the Grim Reaper.