There Are No Evil Demonic Cult Leaders in the World (4)
“...Uncle, where are you going?”
“Just a night stroll.”
At my words, Hye-ryeong glanced sideways at Mok-gyeong as if I were about to commit some crime. Mok-gyeong lay fast asleep, so still it was impossible to tell whether he was alive or dead.
“...I’ll come with you.”
“...It’s just walking around the village.”
“Still.”
If that was what she wanted, so be it.
I nodded and eased the door open with extreme care. The old door creaked, but it wasn’t difficult to slip out without waking the household. The village head wasn’t a martial artist, after all.
“Uncle, are you really just going for a walk?”
I couldn’t keep fooling her forever. I fell silent for a moment, organizing my thoughts, then gave her only what I could afford to reveal.
“...I was planning to practice the Arrow Sprint Steps a little before dawn.”
“Do you have to do it here?”
Hye-ryeong tilted her head, puzzled.
“It just felt right.”
“Watching someone train feels a bit awkward...”
“It doesn’t bother me. You already know the concept anyway.”
From what I’d read several times on the way here, it wasn’t anything particularly special. It was simply a detailed breakdown of a basic footwork technique, from principle to application. To Hye-ryeong, who had already learned the Cloud-Flying Steps, it would probably look like child’s play. Letting her watch wouldn’t cause any real harm. If anything, she might even offer some useful advice.
“Then I’ll watch Uncle train.”
“Let’s find an open space first.”
We wandered through the village swallowed by darkness, searching for a suitable clearing. It didn’t take long to decide that heading toward the mountains would be better.
“We might get lost.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a good sense of direction.”
Hye-ryeong planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with confidence.
“Fine. Let’s hurry, then.”
The path into the mountains was dark, but we weren’t ordinary people. If we set our minds to it, we could leap thirty feet in a single bound, shatter boulders with our fists, and hear whispers from far away. Even pitch-black darkness couldn’t block our way.
“This should do.”
“I’ll sit over there.”
I met Hye-ryeong’s gaze as she settled onto a nearby rock, then turned forward and closed my eyes. I had come out to search for traces of the Blood Saber Asura, but since I couldn’t say that honestly, I had to at least put on a show.
With my senses stretched to their limit, I recalled the theory behind the Absolute Stance Footwork. Bend the left leg placed behind, then use the stored elasticity to spring forward in an instant. It wasn’t difficult to execute, nor was it hard to master. In the end, it was simply recreating with an empty body the movement technique I had once used as a substitute for footwork, without relying on aura. But footwork ultimately came down to the movement of the feet. To create a proper technique, I had to first master footwork itself.
I crossed the clearing again and again, executing the Arrow Sprint Steps. It was a crude, unrefined movement with none of the flashy elegance typical of ascending footwork. Yet it was exactly what I needed most. What I wanted was a technique that would let me fight opponents who used footwork even while wearing armor. It might be outdated, but there was a reason people said “simple is best.” Straightforward and fast—that was why it suited me so well.
I was creating exactly that kind of footwork.
“Uncle, you should ease up a little on the strength in your legs.”
“You think so?”
“My master said you shouldn’t put too much force into your feet when moving them. If you tense up too much, the path of the footwork gets easily ruined...”
“In short, don’t waste strength unnecessarily.”
“Exactly.”
“Thanks.”
“Hehe...”
She seemed genuinely pleased by a simple word of thanks. I looked away from her bright smile and resumed practicing the Arrow Sprint Steps, repeating the simple motion until it became more complete.
“You’re saying you want to stay a few more days?”
“You don’t need to worry about meals. We brought our own provisions.”
“I can’t treat guests that way. At the very least, I’ll provide meals. It won’t be anything luxurious given the circumstances... but how could I not offer food to my guests?”
“We’ll pay, at least.”
“No need. What use does this old man have for money anyway?”
Hearing that made my conscience sting. We were staying here to prevent the village from being destroyed by a madman, but using training as an excuse to remain would undoubtedly become a burden on them.
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Thank you for allowing us, Elder.”
“It’s nothing. I have nothing better to do anyway... I’m just doing it because I’m lonely. Don’t worry about it. I’ll go prepare breakfast, so rest well.”
The old man left the room after those words. We stared for a moment in the direction he had gone, then moved to a corner, sat cross-legged, and closed our eyes.
“Hye-ryeong, Mok-gyeong. I’m going to meditate for a bit, so keep watch.”
“Okay~”
“Understood, Benefactor.”
Good. Then I’ll sort through the information I know while meditating.
Feeling my mana core stir, I sank into a sea of thoughts. First, when would the Blood Saber Asura appear? According to the original story, the village was destroyed some time after the martial arts tournament ended, so it would likely happen within the next few days. It might be sooner or later than I expected, but the odds were high that it would occur within my predicted window. The incident itself had taken place shortly after the tournament concluded.
So the wisest course was to stay here for a few days and wait for Gwak Mu-sam, the Blood Saber Asura. Even if the original story had twisted, his movements shouldn’t have changed... At least, I hoped they hadn’t twisted in some strange direction. There was almost no room for variables in his path, yet the unease still crept up. Life never went according to plan. All I could do was my best—just like on the battlefield.
“...It’s over. Hye-ryeong, you should do your energy circulation too.”
“Then please keep watch for me!”
“Of course.”
I readily accepted Hye-ryeong’s request. Standing guard while she trained was basic courtesy. Leaning against the wall, I watched her sit cross-legged and begin her energy circulation, my mind drifting. She looked so serious—different from her usual self—that it felt strange.
“...Hehe. I can’t concentrate when you stare like that, Uncle.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
I turned my gaze from Hye-ryeong toward the window. The weather was so clear it needed no further description—clear enough that I would have urged us onward if we had anywhere urgent to be. While waiting for her to finish, I listened to the sounds around me. The clatter of household items. Hye-ryeong’s steady breathing. The distant chirping of sparrows. Nothing unusual. Maybe I should just space out for a while. Or think about how to incorporate the Arrow Sprint Steps into my aura techniques.
Time passed idly like that until Hye-ryeong opened her eyes and spoke.
“Uncle, I’m done!”
“Good. Next is Mok-gyeong.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
If that was what he wanted, so be it.
“Are you all awake?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Come this way. I’ve prepared a meal, so let’s eat together.”
“Understood.”
We rose to have an early lunch.
“...It should be about time.”
Three days had passed, yet there was still no sign of him. Had I misjudged the timing?
“Hm?”
“Nothing.”
I stared blankly up at the night sky. The full moon hanging round and bright caught my eye. A full moon in autumn made me think of Chuseok. There was no Chuseok here, but...
Wait.
A full moon?
A sudden thought struck me. I pressed my fingers to my forehead, trying to untangle the threads of memory.
“...Is it today?”
How could I have forgotten? In the original episode’s opening, a villager who reported to the patrol squad had mentioned the night of the full moon. All I had to do was wait for the full moon during this period.
Feeling a mix of bitterness and faint excitement, I picked up the longsword leaning in the corner. If he appeared today, where would it be? The original story never specified where the Blood Saber Asura emerged to massacre the villagers. I had only assumed he came from the mountains.
“...I can’t just sit and wait.”
“Uncle? Why are you suddenly saying that?”
“Hye-ryeong, Mok-gyeong. Let’s step outside for a moment.”
“In the middle of the night, sir?”
“Looking at the full moon makes me want to go hunting.”
“Hunting?”
“Hunting... sir?”
Both of them tilted their heads at once, clearly puzzled by my words. Since I couldn’t give them a clear reason, I spoke again in a firm tone.
“I have a bad feeling. I’m going to meet it head-on. So follow me. If you don’t trust me, you can stay here.”
“If it’s what Uncle says, I’ll follow.”
“I feel the same, Benefactor.”
Hye-ryeong and Mok-gyeong both strapped their swords to their waists and stood behind me. I needed to finish this quickly and get back to sleep. Quietly opening the door, I stepped out of the village head’s house.