Sword Clash Climax and Morning Rivals
Thirty minutes before Kim Donghu woke up. Fresh snow fell slowly over the previous night's heavy blizzard. "...Looks like we're heading into war."
"Tell me about it."
The extras gathered in position, trembling with an unfamiliar tension. Some of it was from the cold, but the bigger reason was the intimidating aura Kim Donghu commanded.
"It's definitely a prop sword, and I even wore protective gear underneath just in case..."
Why did the sword in Kim Donghu's hand look like it had a razor-sharp edge? Even veteran extras from countless historical dramas felt pressured to yield.
"Aren't you cold?"
As they spoke, the extras turned their eyes toward Kim Donghu. Even with thermal underwear and a thick winter hanbok white robe, it had to be freezing beyond imagination.
"Youth really has its perks."
"Is that what you call that? Youth?"
There wasn't a hint of it. If anything, his demeanor gripped the atmosphere even tighter. Standing like a general on the eve of battle, he stirred tension that hadn't even existed before.
Gulp.
Amid the sound of someone swallowing beside them.
"Alright, let's start shooting! Everyone, gather up!"
The long-awaited filming finally began.
Gulp.
Director Yoon Seongbin swallowed hard as he surveyed the set.
'The story itself is incredibly straightforward.'
Jo Seonghak and Lee Taeseong confronting the rebels. A clash between those trying to reclaim and those seizing. Followed by betrayal and a bloody fight.
Pababak!
Every time the camera rolled, extras fell.
"He's alone anyway! If we want to end him, we can!"
The rebels boosted morale, shouting,
"He's exhausted!"
They pointed out Lee Taeseong's fatigued state.
"He's human too—he's got to be worn out by now!"
He was a monster. Over a hundred men had died by his hand, including more than three officers. They'd felt it during the raid on the outpost, but he was an even greater monster than Jo Seonghak running alongside them.
Chasing relentlessly, pushing through the underbrush, and when they came to their senses—Lee Taeseong was gone.
'Did he escape?'
They'd thought their net was inescapable. But in the end, it was a loose encirclement by untrained peasants—bound to have gaps.
"We might need to split up and search mo—"
The rebel leader, Cheon Do, trailed off as he turned to Jo Seonghak for input. But like magic, Jo Seonghak was no longer beside him. He'd been running together just moments ago—where did he go?
Unlike Cheon Do's bewildered expression,
Jo Seonghak, who had predicted Lee Taeseong's moves from the start, finally blocked his path.
"So here you are."
He could have killed him with the rebels, but since Lee Taeseong was a calamity he'd summoned himself, Jo Seonghak wanted to untie the knot he'd made.
"I've come to finish you myself."
Since he'd brought the disaster, he had to end it. Jo Seonghak extended his sword and stared at Lee Taeseong.
'Everything's fine except his breathing—that doesn't make sense.'
He'd cut down over a hundred grown men. His sword's edge was dulled to ruin, his white robe soaked red. Yet nothing had changed beyond his panting. If anything, he seemed loosened up, flashing sharp eyes and a deep smile.
"My lord, it's not too late. If you change your mind..."
I'll spare you. That leisure, assuming no one followed him. How far could his instincts see?
'No different from a beast.'
Jo Seonghak steadied his stance amid the tension. Then,
"As they say, 'the able are profoundly dark'—not a word of it wrong."
Lee Taeseong let out a deep sigh and drew his sword. A breath acknowledging no words would get through. And as it ended,
His eyes shifted, closing the distance to Jo Seonghak in an instant. Eyes burning fiercely.
"A sword demon, eh."
Jo Seonghak sincerely admired as he met Lee Taeseong's blade. Or tried to.
Chwajajak!
As if choreographed from the start. Jo Seonghak clashed swords with Lee Taeseong and,
'?!'
was effortlessly pushed back.
At that moment, Jo Seonghak—no, Jin Yuseong—was genuinely shocked.
'What the—his strength...?'
It was clearly the same prop sword, made light for acting. Yet Kim Donghu's felt solid like forged steel.
'He can wield it that heavily? With pure power?'
How monstrous was his grip and muscle strength to handle plastic like that?
Pushing aside the questions, Jin Yuseong—no, Jo Seonghak—charged at Lee Taeseong again.
Swordplay rehearsed countless times. Follow the cues, and nothing goes wrong. But accidents happen precisely because they're unpredictable.
After a few scripted clashes, as Jo Seonghak made a big motion for flashy action—
Mis-slip.
His foot slid on the icy ground, altering the sword path.
Like in Geomgeom Baek Dongsu. The changed trajectory aimed straight for Lee Taeseong's head.
"The same old trick."
With Kim Donghu's natural ad-lib,
Sreung.
A short sword emerged from within his robe.
Tak!
Blocking the falling blade overhead so naturally it didn't seem like a mistake, then perfectly controlling the situation from there.
'Like a waltz.'
Nothing to it. Like an expert teaching a beginner to dance—approach first, account for every move, including errors.
'Clash blades, and I'll guide the next path.'
Kim Donghu's mind spun rapidly. Like seeing five moves ahead in go or chess.
Moments immersed in the sword demon's life now shone. The pinnacle of dual-wielding left sword, right blade.
Perfectly understanding and wielding sword and blade traits, before Lee Taeseong's advance—
Pook!
Jo Seonghak collapsed helplessly, followed immediately by,
"Cut!"
The director's long-awaited signal, and,
"Kuh-huh-huh-huh!"
A cry like an old man tumbling in shock.
With the biggest hurdle—the action scene—done,
filming went so smoothly I could relax in the van.
'All wrapped up.'
Strictly speaking, more scenes remained, but Lee Taeseong had no more parts.
'Story ends with him killing Jo Seonghak and escaping.'
That was Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption. Though the corrupt official Jo Seonghak died, Lee Taeseong survived ugly, after all.
'Meant to be kept alive on purpose.'
If it hits big, there'd be a sequel, with him as the main villain.
Anyway, Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption wrapped.
Next thing I knew, it was March. I snapped to and found myself prepping a speech for the entrance ceremony.
"...Why do I have to do this, sunbae?"
"Obviously you, since you're Daejong High's face."
Sunbae Bong Jinu shrugged like it was the most natural thing. Why was it?
I wanted to refuse, but couldn't. With teachers begging and Chairman Edward Park subtly urging,
stubborn refusal felt off.
'Tch, might as well.'
Not hard anyway. So, preparing the freshman welcome speech,
I spotted the new student rep's name and widened my eyes.
"...Daejong High takes foreigners too?"
"Oh, her? Art knows no borders."
Usami Chisako. Super cute name. But I'd seen it somewhere—where?
Shrugging it off as nothing, I headed home for deep sleep.
No schedule, pure bliss.
Kim Donghu's 2014 schedule had lots open. Aside from voice work, mostly rest—maybe real school life for once.
Shin Yerim heard first, same agency perks.
Thus,
"Heh-hehm!"
Shin Yerim woke early to play devoted wife to Kim Donghu.
Exactly 15 minutes' walk to his place—a bit far, but worth it for shared breakfast.
'Tofu stew today? Or jjajangmyeon?'
No KakaoTalk reply—definitely sleeping soundly.
'If I show up apron-clad right then...'
Curtains drawn, faces meeting.
'Bet his heart races for me.'
With that anticipation, as she approached his officetel—
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
Shin Yerim turned instinctively at the voice beside her.
There stood a girl in sunglasses, mask, and cap pulled low.
Normally, she'd be unrecognizable. But Yerim spotted her instantly.
"...Kim Sujin sunbaenim?"
At her certain words, the masked girl—no, Kim Sujin—removed it, smirking.
"Yup, that's me."
Why're you here? You live here?
Thirty minutes before Kim Donghu woke.
An unexpected situation arose.