Fated Bonds (3)
Of course, the Sacheon Three Heroes didn't truly represent their sects to the extent of their self-proclaimed titles. They were direct blood kin of their clans, sure, but merely half-brothers who weren't even the first or second sons. And judging by their behavior, they were little more than the black sheep of their sects.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. They should have gotten some proper eyes before judging others.
Ga-bok, who was handling the introductions, sized them up the moment they arrived. Guys like this tended to act out if they felt ignored, so he made a point of showing maximum courtesy. They were probably the type to start whining about being disrespected if he dragged things out even a little.
Compared to that, Young Master is so straightforward.
Whether at the branch office or the main house, there was no wasting time. Escort them straight to the Young Lord's room, done. No need to make them wait, either. The Young Lord had no intention of hiding his strength from the start.
As they neared the courtyard, a scream pierced the air.
Kraaaack!
It was a routine occurrence, so Ga-bok didn't flinch. But the three young masters froze at the gut-wrenching cry, their faces paling in confusion.
"What in the world is that noise?"
"Probably the first challenger."
Ga-bok skipped the part about the guy getting wrecked while trying to mooch off some fame. He didn't glare at them like you're next, but the Sacheon Three Heroes still looked like thieves caught red-handed.
They must've called in that guy to rattle us.
As if such childish provocation would work.
So that's how he earned the title of Yi-ryong.
Even with the situation deviating from expectations, they stubbornly denied reality—just like all the other greenhorns who'd shown up so far. The one screaming now had come for a free title too, after all.
They entered the courtyard.
Barrr!
A man clutched his broken arm, blood dripping from it, while Cheon-woo gazed down at him impassively—a stark contrast. The guy wailed in agony, but Cheon-woo remained oblivious.
"Next."
"...I'm good!"
"Good?"
"...Yes, I'm good!!"
The challenger who gave up had some honor, at least. He hoisted up his companion—arm shattered, lips busted—and bolted from the courtyard. Far quicker than when they'd swaggered in.
Swoosh!
Cheon-woo glanced at Ga-bok. Ga-bok proceeded with the usual introduction. Warriors lived and died by their pride, and they ate it up.
"The next challengers are the Sacheon Three Heroes. True to their titles, they're remarkable figures, so even the Young Lord will need to give his all."
...?
Ga-bok's gilded words left the Three Heroes speechless. It felt too brutal to be flattery meant to hype them up. Two arms—not one—snapped clean off, the guy a mess of tears, snot, and drool.
Those punks are the dregs of Sinpungjang and Cheonjungbang!
They deserved it, but breaking both arms?!
Is it safe to even challenge this guy?
Dregs recognized dregs. They were from mid-tier Sacheon sects like him, half-brothers who weren't heirs. New Sword Hero or whatever childish title they'd cooked up. Pathetic.
"Who's first?"
"...!"
They should've stepped up boldly with a Me, you bastard! Not one moved.
Sure, Sinpungjang and Cheonjungbang were called dregs, but seeing someone crushed that pathetically made the rumors about Yi-ryong feel real. Even a fraction of those rumors, halved again, would be too much.
"You're first."
"No, why... me?"
Yang Bo-myeong, singled out by Cheon-woo, startled back in alarm. Hwang Seo-woong and Geum Jeong-gi blocked his rear with their arms, denying him escape.
"You're the strongest of the three, aren't you?"
"...That's!"
Admitting it meant a beating. Denying it bruised his pride. He at least wanted to rank above Geum Jeong-gi and Hwang Seo-woong. They called themselves Sacheon Three Heroes, but it was just loose camaraderie—not life-or-death loyalty. Circumstances made it impossible now.
"Unleash Cheongsong Palgeom."
"You know us?"
Demanding a sect's signature move meant he knew them. But how? They weren't that famous outside. Face alone?
"Here I come."
"... Cheongpungjangcheong!"
Flustered, he blurted the stance and unleashed the third form of Cheongpung Palgeom. An art emphasizing unyielding stability like a pine—panic from the start doomed it.
His mid-stance sword, meant to be immovable, fluttered like a fly. A fist pierced the flawed sword path, slamming his core.
Huhk!
Breath caught, but the jaw strike dazed him. Pababak! Swift and decisive. Double strike. Yang Bo-myeong flew a few paces through the air before crashing down.
Kwang! Thud!
Tongue lolling, mouth bloody—eyes rolled back white. Brrr! Hwang Seo-woong and Geum Jeong-gi, locking eyes with his dead-fish stare, shuddered at their futures.
"Geum Jeong-gi, step up."
"...No, I...!"
"Is Hwang Seo-woong stronger?"
"I'm stronger... Huh?!"
Geum Jeong-gi, hyper-reactive to his name, drowned in regret. Even Hwang Seo-woong's resentful glare—I'm better than that guy—piled on. The Three Heroes' bond shattered instantly.
"Unleash Geumseong Geomgyeol."
"What does that— Aak!"
He hastily formed Geumseong Cheolbyeok, the sturdiest defense. Attack as best defense? Too late—the assault was incoming. More instinct to dodge than reaction.
Srrek!
Damn! Not frontal. I-hyeong Hwanwi? If only it were a hallucination from empty guts. Geum Jeong-gi's hope vanished as Cheon-woo appeared in his blind spot.
Dodge failed. Crack! Why fight anyway? He'd double-struck a stronger Yang Bo-myeong. First blow ended it. No contest.
Thud! Kraaak!
Cheon-woo's fist was merciless. Core strike froze the body; jaw double-strike blacked him out. Thud thud! Kwang! Tongue out like a dead camel, blood pooling. Hwang Seo-woong froze meeting that vacant gaze.
I wanna go home!
Half-brother said rumors exaggerated. Believed it, came—and it was an understatement. Massive mistake.
"I'll withstand Taecheon Geomchik."
"...I forfeit— Hwak!"
Couldn't finish. Couldn't go down easy—barely unleashed Taecheon Chuldong, his fastest, most polished form.
Shuuung!
Sword withdrawn, whirlpool spin-thrust. Thud, thud! Double strike. Polished for him, relative to foe. True fusion of spin and sword force? Lacking inner power and stance doomed it.
Kwang!
Flew, crashed ugly. Friends' states mirrored his before blackout. Wanted minimal dignity—same fate. Dead fish and camel.
Gurgle!
Out cold.
Ga-bok noted the Young Lord's unusual handling. Arrogant, sure, but not much different from others. Warriors scorning merchants wasn't new.
"Put them in a room."
"Giving them rooms? What makes these punks special?"
"They're somewhat useful."
"More than me?"
"That's right."
"Hey, it's Ga-bok here!!"
Less useful than those idiots? Ga-bok's pride stung. Status aside, he outdid two young masters and the lady in skill. These were worse.
Ah, the spur-with-carrot ploy!
Young Master had leveled up. Wound pride to drive harder effort.
"It won't work!"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"You hear that?!"
Ga-bok hoisted the three by arms and shoulders. Thump! Lifting limp bodies effortlessly showed freakish stamina. Training embarrassing, results solid.
Cheon-woo eyed the unconscious trio.
-Take us! We'll do anything for our benefactor!
From past loops, they weren't this intact. Cowards fleeing revenge. Yet they'd begged as his subordinates, calling him benefactor.
Byproduct of Mireok Paedo for world's people. But current state? Hard to see why accept them.
Naturally refused first meetings. By 10th loop, spotted potential: Toryong Seongche. Late-bloomer body for fame if awakened. But hard.
Age deepened Toryong Qi's hold, sapping drive. Tried hard, stalled—self-doubt led to quit. Why Toryong Seongche faded to history.
Paewang researched all physiques, advanced them. Found awakening method.
Worms wriggle when stepped on.
Simple: Crush Toryong Qi rampant with Paewang Qi. Auto-stimulates awakening.
Very efficient.
Highest ROI among physiques. Earlier better. Each loop, Cheon-woo fetched them—Sacheon Three Heroes, once Puppet Three Heroes.
-We never said we wanted strength!
-Wanna go home!
-Please, stop! Kill us!
Resisted, but past loop lord-vassal bond held. Words once spoken must bind. Don't swear lightly, past or future life.
Each loop: Infuse Paewang Qi, awaken Toryong Qi, wield as Mireok Paedo sword. Later, promoted to Paewang's sword, top tier.
Granted their wish for strength—perfect. Fulfilled desire, advanced cause. One stone, two birds.
This time, they came themselves. Windfall for Cheon-woo. Delayed Mireok Paedo, but glad to reunite old blades.
Luck follows.
Fate meets eventually. Even if misfortune for some.