Chapter 237: Battlefront (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 237: Battlefront (7)
After reporting back to the camp, I returned to the demon-infested forest.
Though I had hunted enough demons this year to fill the entire woods, hunting wasn’t my goal today.
“…Found it.”
After walking for a long time and cutting down any demon that crossed my path, I finally discovered what I was searching for.
A small tear in the fabric of space.
That makes six in total.
To the untrained eye, it might resemble an ordinary Gate of Demons, but its color was different—a deep, concentrated black. It was unlike any Gate of Demons I had ever seen, and the atmosphere around it felt far more sinister.
Moreover, this rift didn’t summon any demons. It simply hung in the air, completely inert.
I slowly reached out toward the opening, my gaze fixed upon it. My fingers slipped inside effortlessly, as though it had been waiting for me.
As it enveloped my hand, memories of the first time I had seen such a rift surfaced in my mind.
Back when I first arrived at the frontlines, Gu Huibi had brought me to one, claiming he had something to show me. It was a motionless rift, neither summoning demons nor expanding in size. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just a hole—it was a puzzle.
[Grrr…!]
The moment my hand entered the rift, that thing reacted as if it had been anticipating this very moment. Though I couldn’t see it, I could almost feel it wagging its tail in delight.
Calm down. I’ll feed you soon.
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than—
Cggggk-!
The rift began to disintegrate.
It was being absorbed into my hand. I could feel the energy flowing up my arm, into my dantian, and then sinking even deeper inside me.
Crunch, crunch.
I could sense the creature feasting on the energy as it poured in.
You’ve got quite the appetite, huh? And after all you ate yesterday.
As the beast devoured the energy, I felt another small piece of the puzzle slot into place within my middle dantian.
“…Phew.”
But it was only a tiny fragment—so small I couldn’t even wield it as my own qi.
I had run test after test, but the result was always the same.
Even so, I kept searching for these rifts along the frontlines, if only to remove them.
Because the beast wants them.
Not only did the beast inform me of their locations, but it also urged me to find them so it could consume them.
Not that I know what any of this is for.
I had no idea why these black rifts were forming on the frontlines, or what purpose they served. Had they existed in my past life? I racked my brain, but I couldn’t recall anything like them.
Since I’d never even heard of a black rift before, I suspected this change was a result of my regression.
I knew this could put me in danger, and if I had a choice, I’d avoid them altogether. But I wasn’t in a position to choose.
[Con… tract…]
I know.
That was the promise I had made with that bastard.
“I’m feeding you, aren’t I? I know what I agreed to, so stop rushing me.”
[Grngh…]
“And free the old man already. It’s about time.”
[Grngh…?]
“Damn beast. You always play dumb when this comes up.”
I wanted to say more, but the bastard withdrew, clearly not in the mood for a lecture. It wouldn’t be showing itself again anytime soon.
“…Tch.”
After starving myself just to feed the damn thing, its attitude was seriously grating.
“Just you wait until you show up again…!”
Grumbling to the air, knowing I wouldn’t get a response, I got ready to head back to my tent.
I needed to meet Moyong Hi-ah when I returned, and pay visits to Gu Huibi and Namgung Bi-ah. My shift would be starting soon, too, so I had to go to the central area with Namgung Bi-ah.
Just as I was about to leap toward my tent—
-Ahhh… Aghh!
“Hm?”
A scream echoed from nearby.
* * *
Pow!
On the border between the plains and the forest, a figure lay sprawled on the ground, being beaten mercilessly.
“Still got the nerve to scream, have you?”
The attacker sneered. Dressed in dark clothing and built like a giant, he was clearly a martial artist of the Hwangbo Clan.
“Gah… Ugh.”
The victim, also seemingly a Hwangbo martial artist, looked frail and small compared to the group surrounding him. His body was already covered in bruises and wounds.
The man delivering the blows wore a twisted smile.
“You didn’t even get your master’s permission, and yet you scream like a wounded animal. Do you really think anyone’s coming to save you?”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s not your fault. It’s my failure for not teaching you properly.”
Thwack!
“Aghh!”
The man writhed in agony, unable to hold back his cries.
“Even after this mighty Hwangbo ordered you not to scream, you still dare to disobey!”
“…Hrgh…”
“What, do you think we’re equals just because we share the Hwangbo name?”
“N-No, never… I wouldn’t dare…”
“Then why won’t you listen…?”
Haha!
As the man laughed mockingly, another figure watched from behind with a grim expression.
…I have to stop him.
The observer was none other than Hwangbo Cheolwi, and the aggressor was his older brother, Hwangbo Cheok.
Unlike Hwangbo Cheolwi, who had only recently gained fame as a young prodigy, Hwangbo Cheok was already a well-known martial artist throughout the Central Plains.
Hwangbo Cheok nudged the fallen man with the tip of his boot, then turned his gaze to Hwangbo Cheolwi.
“Little Brother.”
“…Yes, Big Brother.”
“I’ve had my fill. Care for a turn?”
Hwangbo Cheolwi glanced at the beaten man before answering.
The victim was from a collateral branch of the Hwangbo Clan, one who possessed only a trace of Hwangbo blood—which explained his weakness.
His name was Hwangbo Seon.
“…I’ll pass.”
“Hmm?”
“If someone sees this, it could cause trouble. I’ll deal with that wretch myself la—”
“Little Brother.”
Hwangbo Cheok’s massive hand clamped down on Hwangbo Cheolwi’s shoulder.
“Big Brother…?”
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s shoulders trembled as he met his brother’s gaze.
“You’ve been acting strange lately. Showing concern for collateral branch trash.”
“What are you talking about? Why would I care about a wretch like him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m asking. Why do you?”
The change had started around last year, after Hwangbo Cheolwi returned to the clan following the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament. Since then, for some reason, he had stopped looking down on the collateral branches, stopped bullying others, and no longer boasted about the clan’s glory.
Hwangbo Cheok didn’t like it. He couldn’t understand how his own brother—blessed with the pure blood of the main lineage—had grown so soft.
“Little Brother.”
“Yes, Big Brother…”
“Take this chance and finish him off for good.”
“What?”
“I really don’t like how your attitude no longer reflects the dignity of the Hwangbo Clan.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Go break that bastard’s leg.”
“…!”
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s eyes widened at the command. He hadn’t expected such a demand from Hwangbo Cheok.
“Big Brother… this is Murim Alliance territory.”
“I’m aware. Do you take me for a fool, Little Brother?”
“Then why…?”
“Ha.”
Hwangbo Cheok laughed mockingly at Hwangbo Cheolwi’s concern, dismissing it as pointless.
“Do you honestly think the Alliance would care if you broke the leg of some collateral branch trash? They’re worthless.”
“But…!”
“You held back because you were afraid the Lord might see. But that doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Big Brother… what are you saying…?”
The Lord of the Hwangbo Clan was past his prime, and Hwangbo Cheok was increasingly likely to become the next Young Lord. Trivial matters like this were beneath his concern.
“He’s a worthless bastard. Might as well make him useful by letting you vent.”
“…”
Hwangbo Cheolwi suppressed his emotions as he listened to his brother’s cruel words. The madness in Hwangbo Cheok’s eyes was anything but trivial.
…How did it come to this?
Hwangbo Cheolwi bit his lip. This wasn’t a sudden realization—he had likely known, deep down, but refused to acknowledge it, just like his brother.
“…Big Brother, even so, this is—”
“What the… who are you?”
Hwangbo Cheolwi began to speak, but was cut off by an unfamiliar voice.
He stepped back in shock—and he wasn’t the only one. Every Hwangbo martial artist present was equally startled.
No one had sensed the newcomer’s presence until he spoke.
Caught off guard, Hwangbo Cheok gathered his combat qi and demanded, “W-who the hell are you…?”
But the young man ignored him completely. Instead, he walked over to Hwangbo Seon, who was still lying on the ground, and examined his battered body.
He acted as though the surrounding martial artists were utterly beneath his notice.
“Beaten to a pulp, and in such a stupid way. Too obvious to hide… tch.”
“You bastard…! I asked who you are!”
Hwangbo Cheok grabbed the young man’s shoulder and tried to lift him.
“…!”
But to his shock, the young man didn’t budge an inch. It was as if he were rooted to the ground.
…This fucker…?
Hwangbo Cheok was a direct descendant of the Hwangbo Clan, with a giant’s physique and strength. Yet, even when using his full power, he couldn’t move the young man at all.
As Hwangbo Cheok prepared to channel more qi, hiding his shock, the young man finally turned to look at him.
“Hey.”
“…Ah!”
Hwangbo Cheolwi gasped inwardly as he got a clear look at the young man’s face.
It was unmistakably familiar—a face as fierce and terrifying as they come.
Hwangbo Cheok, however, wore a menacing expression and seemed not to recognize him.
“Ha, you must be out of your mind. Looks like you don’t know who I am.”
Just as Hwangbo Cheok was deciding how to deal with this clueless fool, the young man spoke first, startling him.
“Five.”
“Huh?”
“Let go of me before I count to five. I’m not in a patient mood today.”
Hwangbo Cheok couldn’t help but smirk at the threat.
“And what if I don’t? Huh?”
“One.”
“What do you plan to do to me, Hwangbo Cheok of the mighty Hwangbo Clan?”
“Two.”
“I don’t know what tricks you’ve got, but do you honestly think you can even touch the clothes of this great Hwangbo Cheok? What a joke… Unfortunately, you’re going to die here tod—”
“Three.”
Craaack-!
“Uggh…!?”
A sickening crunch echoed as Hwangbo Cheok’s arm, which had been gripping the young man’s shoulder, twisted at a grotesque angle.
Despite Hwangbo Cheok reinforcing his body with qi, the young man had bent his arm as easily as if it were clay.
“You…!”
Hwangbo Cheok snarled the moment he saw his arm twisted.
Crack-!
Thud!
But in the next instant, he was forced to his knees, his massive frame now looking up at the young man.
…What just happened?
Hwangbo Cheok couldn’t process it. It had happened in the blink of an eye. By the time he realized it, he was already kneeling.
The young man looked down into Hwangbo Cheok’s trembling eyes and spoke bluntly.
“This is why I hate wasting time talking to beastly people. There’s such a thing as conversation, but they always jump to violence first. It’s really annoying.”
His voice was calm, but carried a sharp edge of anger that pressed down on everyone present.
Meanwhile, Hwangbo Cheolwi, watching from behind, tried to calm his racing heart.
T-True Dragon.
He knew exactly who the young man was.
The True Dragon.
One of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, rumored to be a disciple of the Dishonored Venerable. He was the monster who had defeated Hwangbo Cheolwi with a single blow and taken first place in the tournament.
Why is he here?
But there was something else that intrigued him even more.
W-Why…?
A curiosity that surpassed even the shock of seeing his brother brought to his knees, or the presence of the Gu Clan’s True Dragon.
…Why did he only count to three when he said he’d count to five?
That was the question that puzzled Hwangbo Cheolwi the most.