Seo Gayeon (4): Whispers from the Boundary
In this world, there exists a place called the Boundary. It appeared when the dimensional gates shattered, connecting Earth to other dimensions. The "gates"—the closest points to it—are guarded by those known as "humanity's protectors." And deeper within...
The "demons," humanity's eternal enemies, have made their home.
Demons are the foes of mankind. There is no room for compromise between them and humanity. They offer the world's treasures to the outsiders they call "their own" and gain power in return, all for the ultimate goal of humanity's destruction.
"What a hassle..."
As time passed, the demons realized they were running out of it.
"That guy the prophet left behind. I heard he enrolled at Korea Hero School this year."
In a place shrouded in thick darkness, the demons held their meeting. None among them looked remotely normal. One had a frame exceeding 15 meters tall, while another resembled a lump of flesh melted and frozen after being hurled into a blaze.
"We can't leave this place. But if that being awakens, our lives won't last much longer."
"The best would be to wipe out the entire school and all its students."
"Impossible. That's where the 'Emperor' resides. The moment we step out from the Boundary, he'll be waiting for us there."
The demons' power wanes the instant they venture beyond the Boundary. This stems from an oath forged by the greatest hero in human history, once hailed as the finest of them all.
"Move the villains."
"Can we trust those scum? They talk big about dismantling society's order, but when push comes to shove, they'll prioritize their own hides first."
"Even trash has its gems. What about Jecheonhoe? They call themselves rulers of the heavens, waiting for the Heaven-Covering Demon. Wouldn't they be useful?"
The demons pondered. It would cost a steep price to mobilize them, but they made for a solid hand.
"Fine, we'll move Jecheonhoe. Then, as follow-up, target the one who will awaken the power of starlight."
"What do we know about that one?"
"Nothing. Not their appearance, gender, or even origin."
"Is that why you mobilized Heukmaryeon?"
"Exactly. We moved them just to glean any scrap of info. But all we got is that they're a first-year."
"Tricky. We can't even pinpoint who."
"Then just kill them all?"
The quietest one spoke up—a man around 2 meters tall. Unlike demons, he and his kind sought to shatter the world's order and thus sided with them. Villains. They hadn't borrowed power from malevolent entities, which made them all the trickier.
"Good, you've got confidence. Then let's keep it simple. Make passing the initiation test hinge on how they handle this incident."
The villain grinned at the demon's words.
"First off..."
Soyosan in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. It was quite a trek normally, but I warped straight there using Korea Hero School's gate. Guitar case slung over my shoulder, I leaned against a pillar there.
"Hmm... Power of the stars, huh."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword stood beside me, tilting its head.
"Someone inheriting starlight's power exists in this era?"
"You know it?"
"Of course. I've only seen it in texts. Anyway, Master. The key is, don't let that girl slip away."
"No way in hell."
I yawned lazily. Yesterday's intense training left my body pleasantly sore.
"S-Seoha."
Soon, Seo Gayeon arrived. I'd told her to dress comfortably, and she had—black short-sleeve top, white high-waisted shorts, and a sword for self-defense. Korea Hero School treats us as trainee heroes, so carrying weapons is no issue.
"You're here? Let's head out then."
"Y-Yeah."
As I started up the mountain path, she trailed close behind.
"B-But Seoha. Wh-where are we going?"
Seo Gayeon asked. I debated for a sec but decided to just lay it out straight.
"Dungeon."
"D-Dun... Dungeon?!?!"
She freaked.
"A d-dungeon? C-Can we even c-clear it just the two of us?"
"Relax. Just trust me."
I'd handpicked this dungeon for her sake. Unless she was a demon plant trying to trap me—which she wasn't—it was safe enough. The demons were a minor snag, but I'd tuned it to something I could handle easily at my level.
'Plus, I've got Nian.'
Nian (念). A power manifesting from the mind into reality. It had evolved into the Reverse Heaven stat, but the essence remained—far stronger now.
'Status window.'
Name: Lee Seoha
Strength: 7
Agility: 10 (7+3)
Stamina: 13
Dexterity: 8
Conceptual Stat
Reverse Heaven: 6
◈ Talents
- Viewing (-), Incomprehensible Talent (A-), Handiwork (B+)
◈ Martial Arts
- Black God Martial Art (?), Alton's Secret Alchemy (B), Icar's Advanced Spirit Control (C), Black Island Swordsmanship (D)
◈ Constitution
- Reverse Heaven Body (S-)
Stamina jumped out the most. It had skyrocketed, even without consuming the elixir from Seo Yebin yet. The rest had ticked up modestly too.
"You look right at home hiking."
"Y-Yeah. M-My parents loved hiking when I was little."
Her cheeks flushed faintly. I knew why. Her family wasn't poor, but not well-off either. Back then, they'd forage for mushrooms and wild greens on mountains to eat.
"Shall we head up then?"
"Y-Yeah."
We kept climbing. A few steep spots winded us, but we'd pause to catch our breath and push on. After an hour, we reached a plateau dotted with graves.
And countless people milling about them.
"This place?"
"Graveyard."
Corpseless graves, they called them. When dimensions first cracked open, beings from other worlds arrived—some awakened mana or abilities. The benevolent ones taught humanity their martial arts and magic.
But problems arose with the "demons" and monsters that poured out. Many were devoured. Many vanished without a trace. Some got lost in gates, others trapped and perished in towers. Just in Korea, the toll topped ten million.
These graves honor them—the nameless tombs.
And this dungeon was nearby, born from the grudges gathered here resonating with some object.
I led Seo Gayeon deeper, where crowds thinned, graves dwindled. Eventually, we reached a spot barren of both.
A cliff. A tiny crevice split its sheer face—barely wide enough for a child.
"Th-This is the d-dungeon?"
"Yep."
She shivered as she spoke. It felt oddly nostalgic. No one would question how I knew this place. It was just like the game world.
"I'll go first. Follow close."
"O-Okay."
To guard against surprises, I took point. I willed the guitar case holding the Black Heaven Demon Sword ahead with Nian.
"Master, am I being treated too roughly?"
'Bear with it.' I replied via the telepathy-like ability I'd gained mastering Nian. Truth be told, I'd love to stash it in my subspace, but it hated that, so I carried it like this.
Folding my body, I slipped inside.
"Nngh."
I sensed Seo Gayeon following. Good, she's keeping up. About 100 meters of crawling later, the passage widened.
"Kek?"
A monster appeared. Trailing deep purple flames, it was semi-transparent. A wraith, they called it.
"Wh-What's th-that?!"
"Monster. A spirit-like thing born from gathered grudges."
"I-Is it dangerous?"
"Not at all."
To reassure her, I drew the Black Heaven Demon Sword first.
Whoosh—
Guided by my Nian, it shot toward the wraith.
"Keeheeek!!"
The wraith screeched in death throes. Forged countless times in Reverse Heaven's power, the Black Heaven Demon Sword rends mana-based flesh effortlessly. Against wraiths, I'm more than their natural predator.
'That's the problem, though.'
My overwhelming strength was the issue here. Seo Gayeon was safe, but any demon made of wraiths couldn't withstand my strikes.
"It... vanished?"
"You think I'd drag you somewhere dangerous?"
I smirked, and she flinched. Did she really suspect I'd come unprepared?
"Don't worry. It's safe. I picked this dungeon because it's perfect for you."
"Th-This one?"
"Yeah. Your starlight power is the antithesis of evil. Fighting evil-related stuff will gradually awaken it."
"I-I see."
She gazed at me with trembling eyes.
"So, what's the fastest way to awaken your mana?"
"F-Fight hard?"
"Nope. Roll right up to the brink of death. Don't sweat it—I'll keep your life out of danger."
"H-Huh?"
I pulled a potion from my subspace. One with a scent wraiths loved. I uncapped it.
A foul stench wafted over.
"Alright, good luck."
"H-Huh?!"
I shoved her forward as wraiths charged, positioning myself behind.
"Hah... huff."
Seo Gayeon gripped her sword, breathing raggedly. Her neat clothes were torn and scraped everywhere. Most wraiths were dead. Midway, she'd nearly been in real peril, but as her starlight faintly awakened, they literally evaporated.
Lee Seoha silently applied a recovery potion without a word.
"Drink this."
"Hah... huff. Th-Thanks."
She took it in both hands and gulped it down.
"Found your groove?"
"Y-Yeah. Kinda."
She panted.
"Then a bit more... Nah. Let's call it here for today."
Her expression hardened—no way she'd go further. Seoha felt a pang of regret but relented. If it were his own task, he'd push, but forcing her felt off. Not yet.
Breathing heavily, she replayed it all. The wraiths reaching for her. Just before Seoha moved, the power stirring inside her.
That vivid force shocked her to her core.
"Hmm, next time a different dungeon."
"H-Huh?"
Before she could ask what he meant, a chilling gaze swept over her.
"Demon."
Seoha chuckled lightly, gripping the Black Heaven Demon Sword. He had no intention of engaging now, but if loot walked up, it'd be rude not to take it.