Chapter 327: The Abyss (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 327: The Abyss (2)
This occurred shortly after the hands-on training test had begun.
Cheol Jiseon was following Jang Seonyeon, but his heart was heavy with reluctance. A sense of unease had plagued him for days.
It’s not too late to turn back…
Even as he pressed onward, his thoughts were a tangled knot. The Meteor Sword walked in silence, but the oppressive aura he radiated was enough to send a cold sweat trickling down Cheol Jiseon’s spine. He could feel it—a darkness emanating from the man.
The tension was so thick that Cheol Jiseon dared not speak.
This is the Meteor Sword?
His first impression of the man had been poor, yet he was the son of the Alliance Leader. The Meteor Sword was known for his kindness, but the demeanor he showed now was entirely different.
At this point, I’d rather…
A familiar face flashed through Cheol Jiseon’s mind. A man who looked every bit a member of the Unorthodox Faction, yet carried an air of blunt honesty.
…be with him instead.
Cheol Jiseon stopped in his tracks. He had been ordered to follow Jang Seonyeon’s every command, but this was something he could not bring himself to do.
To open a gate directly beneath someone…?
A childhood memory surfaced. Flames devouring the land, houses swallowed whole, his father standing amidst the inferno. He had screamed until his voice gave out, and his sister had held him, comforting him until the very end. After that day, his mother had never looked at him the same way again. For Cheol Jiseon, it was a living nightmare.
…And now he wants me to do the same thing with my own hands?
His fists clenched. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping from the tip of his nose. Lost in the grip of the past, Cheol Jiseon failed to notice…
“Master Cheol.”
The Meteor Sword’s voice jerked him back to the present.
“…!”
Jang Seonyeon had noticed his hesitation. Cheol Jiseon turned in shock, instinctively covering his mouth. The look in Jang Seonyeon’s eyes was terrifying.
“You seem hesitant,” the Meteor Sword said.
“N-Not at all.”
Hearing the unsteadiness in his reply, Jang Seonyeon’s lips curled into a faint smile. To Cheol Jiseon, that smile was more chilling than reassuring.
“You’ve come too far to hesitate now.”
“…”
“We both have our own desires.”
With that, Jang Seonyeon turned away.
My desires…
The words made Cheol Jiseon reflect. The revival of my clan. To clear the false accusations that had tainted them and restore the Zhuge Clan to the Orthodox Faction.
…And my sister’s happiness.
He wanted her to live a good life. That was all. He wanted to achieve the dreams his father could not.
My sister… I will cure her illness.
That was why he had come to the Central Plains. Jang Seonyeon had promised to help him restore his clan. Had he also promised aid for his sister, Cheol Jiseon would have agreed without a second thought.
…If I hadn’t met the True Dragon.
Yes, that would have been the case. Setting aside the man’s intention to kill him, the True Dragon’s presence alone was overwhelming. His mere attendance at the Heavenly Dragon Academy spoke volumes.
Cheol Jiseon had been shocked initially by the gathering of prodigies from the Four Noble Clans. This year’s class was said to have the greatest potential in the Academy’s history. Most of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes were here, each radiating an extraordinary aura.
But that wasn’t all. There was the Sword Dancer of the Namgung Clan, famed for her peerless beauty. The Meteor Sword, the Alliance Leader’s son, was a name on everyone’s lips. Even the descendant of the retired Sword Venerable was present. The place was filled with unbelievable monsters.
And yet, in just two months, the one who had made the greatest impact was the True Dragon. He had taken first place in the entrance exams and, on his very first day, defeated an instructor. He seemed to be at the center of every major incident, like a harbinger of storms.
…Because of him, I became the ‘Mad Dog’ or whatever.
The thought made Cheol Jiseon grind his teeth, but that wasn’t important now. The True Dragon was not arrogant or aloof. Countless negative rumors swirled around him, yet he appeared completely indifferent, as if other people’s opinions meant nothing. But he would not tolerate anyone who insulted his friends. Once, when someone spread a rumor about the Poison Phoenix, the True Dragon hunted the culprit down and beat him severely. “Do that again,” he had said, “and I’ll burn your mouth shut so you can never speak again.” Those who witnessed it knew he was not bluffing; the killing intent that filled the room was real.
This was why Cheol Jiseon considered the True Dragon honest. He didn’t care for others’ judgments—he simply followed his own path. He crushed those he disliked and protected those he favored. His methods were simple, but his disregard for convention was absolute. Of course, he had his secrets, but unlike the Meteor Sword, his presence did not feel sinister.
…In that regard, he is better than the Meteor Sword.
Whether the rumor was true that the True Dragon felt guilty toward the Meteor Sword, or that he was jealous of him, none of it seemed to matter to the True Dragon. At least, not in Cheol Jiseon’s eyes.
On the contrary,
The person in front of me seems to care more about it.
In fact, it seemed more likely that the Meteor Sword harbored some guilt toward the True Dragon. The atmosphere surrounding him now seemed to confirm it.
The True Dragon had instructed Cheol Jiseon to follow Jang Seonyeon’s orders, but Cheol Jiseon questioned whether it was right to raise his sword against him, even as an act. The True Dragon was unaware of the full extent of Cheol Jiseon’s abilities. He could not only summon a gate that unleashed Demons but could open a dimension that consumed everything nearby. Furthermore, once the gate formed on the ground, anyone standing above it would be immobilized. It was powerful enough to restrain even Peak Realm martial artists, and those swallowed by it had never returned. That was what had happened to his father.
As Cheol Jiseon hesitated, the two of them reached the mountain’s peak. After a long silence, Cheol Jiseon spotted Gu Yangcheon in the distance. So, the Meteor Sword had indeed come for him. Cheol Jiseon had anticipated complications, but it seemed everything was unfolding according to Gu Yangcheon’s plan.
Then, “Stay here,” the Meteor Sword instructed.
Cheol Jiseon crouched low in the tall grass as commanded.
Swoong-!
The moment he settled, a strange barrier formed around him. A faint Qi enveloped him, and he heard a soft, vibrating hum. It was a protective barrier. Cheol Jiseon was momentarily awed by the Meteor Sword’s mastery, but the feeling quickly passed.
He could see clearly. During his conversation with the Meteor Sword, Gu Yangcheon’s gaze locked onto Cheol Jiseon for a split second.
Did he notice me…?
Despite the distance and the barrier, Gu Yangcheon had spotted him. He smirked when their eyes met, then casually returned his attention to Jang Seonyeon. Cheol Jiseon swallowed nervously. It was clear Jang Seonyeon had prepared meticulously, but to Cheol Jiseon, it felt like a stage orchestrated by Gu Yangcheon, as if he had known this would happen.
Just what is he?
Gu Yangcheon was younger than him, but his attitude suggested otherwise. He played the part of a reckless bully, yet every move was calculated, as if he possessed far more experience than his years implied. Still, it was hard to view him as an Orthodox Faction martial artist, given how brutally he dealt with others—leaving them unable to stand. And then there was the fact that he had once intended to kill Cheol Jiseon. The Meteor Sword made him uneasy, but Gu Yangcheon filled him with outright fear. He was horrifying. The more Cheol Jiseon tried to understand him, the more elusive he became. Even though Gu Yangcheon seemed honest, that didn’t mean he wasn’t hiding secrets.
Now, Cheol Jiseon wrestled with doubt—could he really go through with this against Gu Yangcheon? He glanced between the two men, but he could not hear their conversation. The barrier the Meteor Sword had set up not only concealed his presence but also muffled all sound within it. Though he couldn’t hear them, he could feel the palpable tension between the two. Gu Yangcheon wore his usual smirk, while the Meteor Sword’s menacing expression sent shivers down Cheol Jiseon’s spine.
Is it really okay to do this?
Instead of wondering how the Meteor Sword knew his secret, Cheol Jiseon now questioned whether it was right to use his power in this way. What could the Meteor Sword be thinking, risking this when instructors were all around?
He told me to do as he says and not worry, but how can I not?
As Cheol Jiseon struggled with his doubts,
-Now.
“…!”
The Meteor Sword’s telepathic voice echoed in his mind. He was commanding him to open the gate.
Following the order, Cheol Jiseon reached out toward the spot where Gu Yangcheon stood. As he stirred the air with his hand, a familiar sensation coursed through him.
This is it…
If he tore it open, calamity would be unleashed. Gu Yangcheon would be immobilized and dragged into the Abyss. He might never return, just like Cheol Jiseon’s father.
“Ugh…”
The strain of holding the power without releasing it caused him great pain, but he continued to hesitate. Memories of the past surged back. He knew that reviving his clan this way would not bring his sister any joy.
-Master Cheol.
The Meteor Sword’s voice came again, more insistent.
Cheol Jiseon glanced at Jang Seonyeon and saw that he had lowered his head, attempting to distract Gu Yangcheon. He could hesitate no longer if he wanted to fulfill his promise.
However,
I… I can’t do it.
He could not bring himself to use his power. There was no way he could commit such a terrible act.
I…
-Hey.
‘…!’
Just as Cheol Jiseon was about to release the energy, a rough, fierce voice cut through his thoughts. It was not the Meteor Sword.
-Stop being a wimp and open the gate. What are you staring for? Do you want to die?
It was Gu Yangcheon’s voice. Despite the barrier, it sliced through, ringing clear in Cheol Jiseon’s ears. He had no time to question how it was possible.
“But… I.”
-Can you hurry up? What do you have arms for? Do you want me to rip them off?
Gu Yangcheon’s irritated tone shattered his hesitation. Cheol Jiseon’s trembling hand reached toward the energy.
Riiiiip-!
The air tore like paper. Cheol Jiseon despised this sensation to his very core.
And then…
Rumble-!
As he had expected, the ground beneath Gu Yangcheon began to warp, and the gate to the Abyss slowly took shape. The Meteor Sword smiled in satisfaction, while Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened in shock.
Just as I thought…
Gu Yangcheon’s body should have frozen solid—
-It won’t take long, so stay still.
…Huh?
Though Gu Yangcheon’s expression showed shock as he stared at the Meteor Sword, his voice was unexpectedly calm. Just as Cheol Jiseon began to question what was happening,
“Hey, you can close it now.”
This time, Gu Yangcheon’s voice came from outside the barrier, piercing right through it.
“…Huh!?”
Cheol Jiseon had been certain Gu Yangcheon would be immobilized, yet the man moved freely atop the gate as if unaffected. Not only did he move, but he did so with incredible speed, grabbing the Meteor Sword by the neck and dragging him onto the gate.
“How…?”
Cheol Jiseon gasped. Even his father, far beyond the Peak Realm, had not been able to move a muscle on such a gate. Yet Gu Yangcheon moved as if nothing held him back, so fast that the Meteor Sword could not react.
Rumble-!
The gate began to close, ready to swallow the two men standing atop it. Cheol Jiseon had not intended for it to close; he had hoped to keep it open as long as possible. The Meteor Sword thrashed in Gu Yangcheon’s grip, but his body was frozen, paralyzed by the gate beneath him. Somehow, only Gu Yangcheon could move freely.
Before Cheol Jiseon could even begin to question how this was possible,
Slaaaam-!
The gate swallowed the two men and vanished in an instant.
“Uh… Huh?”
All Cheol Jiseon could do was sit there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He stared blankly at the spot where they had vanished before snapping back to reality.
Now…
“Now… what do I do?”
He had opened the gate as the Meteor Sword wished, but Gu Yangcheon had dragged him into the Abyss. His mind spun; he could not think straight. He had no idea what to do next. Could Gu Yangcheon have wanted to die? But that did not seem like him…
Desperate thoughts raced through Cheol Jiseon’s mind as the situation overwhelmed him.
“W-What do I do now…?”
If Gu Yangcheon was gone, that was one thing. But if the Meteor Sword—the one who had promised to help him—was lost as well…
Then what am I supposed to do?
Cheol Jiseon tugged at his hair in frustration, agonizing over his next move.
Woong-!
“…Hmm?”
The clear blue sky above him began to shift. A strange feeling of unease crept over him, prompting Cheol Jiseon to look up.
“That’s…?”
His eyes widened at the sight above. It could not be a coincidence. The once pleasant, clear sky was slowly being swallowed by darkness.
“What is that…”
He knew this ominous event had nothing to do with his own abilities. He lacked the power to turn day into night. Cold sweat dripped down his back as he recalled the Meteor Sword’s words from earlier.
-Don’t worry. I have a plan.
A bead of sweat hit the ground as the words echoed in his mind.
“…Perhaps.”
Had this been the Meteor Sword’s plan all along? Forcing himself to his feet, Cheol Jiseon bolted down the mountain. He needed to find others. He was worried about both Gu Yangcheon and the Meteor Sword, but his instinct was screaming at him. He wasn’t sure if it was tied to what had just occurred, but something felt wrong—something strange was beginning to unfold.