Blood Flower and the Princess's Challenge

Mu-hyuk stopped in front of his master Valsian's house.

It's quiet around here.

He was just about to knock when—

"Who's out there?!"

The familiar voice brought a smile to his face.

"It's me."

"Then who the hell else would it be, you punk?!"

The door flew open, and they locked eyes.

"So it is my prized disciple."

"Yes."

"Ahem, let me take a look at you..."

Valsian nodded approvingly.

"As expected of my top disciple. I've taken on plenty of students, but there's hardly any outsider who's grown this fast."

"Is that so?"

"Damn right. Anyway, you're here to learn a new technique, right?"

"Yes."

"Can't just hand this one over, though."

"Then...?"

"Pass a little test I'm giving you, that's all. It's not that hard. Well, originally it's a bit—just a bit—tricky, but I figure you'll manage."

"What is it?"

"There's this flower that only grows in the imperial palace. Blood Flower, they call it. Bring me exactly one—no more, no less."

Of course he accepted.

"I'll grab it quick and be back."

"Don't overdo it."

It seemed easier than expected, so he headed straight for the palace. He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flashed his noble insignia to prove his status and entered the inner grounds, then started looking around.

Blood Flower, huh?

He checked every flower in sight.

Most flowers were beautiful with positive effects, but occasionally something like the Crimson Orchid popped up.

It was intriguing, but since it wasn't what he was after, he quickly lost interest.

He kept moving diligently, double-checking any new flowers or ones he vaguely remembered.

Before he knew it, he'd covered about a quarter of the vast palace grounds in no time.

Bound to turn up eventually.

With that mindset, he scoured the remaining three-quarters.

Still nothing.

"What the hell?"

He'd examined every flower there was. He'd wasted hours doing it, too.

If it still wasn't there, it had to be in a restricted area—which he couldn't access.

Alone, that is.

Duke Amur came to mind.

Should I ask him?

He hated begging for something as simple as a flower, but failing meant no level 200 skill, so no choice.

Just in case, he circled once more—still nothing.

No helping it.

Shaking his head, he headed to Duke Amur's residence.

"Is Duke Amur in?"

He pulled out his baron's insignia.

"Ah, Baron Mu-hyuk."

"Yes."

"I'll go report in."

One guard stayed; the other entered the mansion.

The butler emerged and escorted Mu-hyuk inside.

"It's been a while."

"Good to see you, Duke."

After brief greetings, he got to the point.

"Blood Flower?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, never heard of it. But since it's your request, I'll look into it."

"Thank you."

Duke Amur summoned the butler.

"They say there's a Blood Flower in the palace. Find out where."

"Understood."

"How long?"

"Twenty minutes, my lord."

Duke Amur glanced at Mu-hyuk.

"Let's chat in the meantime."

"Sure."

They started with small talk, which gradually expanded to Mu-hyuk's village, then the broader Forma continent.

"You went to the Kaiyon continent?"

"Yes."

"How was the atmosphere?"

"Atmosphere... what do you mean?"

"Remember that matter we pushed before? Alteon, tied to Paradox Guild, crossed to Kaiyon. His whereabouts are unknown, but we suspect and are investigating. Ever hear of Harasen Empire?"

"Ah, yes."

"High chance he's there. Problem is, they dominate Kaiyon's power balance. There's that odd Baekho Family, but they stay out of imperial politics..."

Mu-hyuk's focus sharpened at "Baekho Family."

"Baekho Family?"

"You know them?"

"Just a small connection."

"Hooh..."

Duke Amur looked intrigued.

"I don't know much. They avoid imperial affairs, and their hidden power dwarfs what's visible. That's most of it. Key point: Harasen is hiding Alteon. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠We must find him our way. Understand?"

"Tensions between continents are rising."

"Exactly. Fine now, but who knows later. Worst case: intercontinental war."

War? Between continents?

"That's too huge to imagine."

"Just a figure of speech—no need to worry."

How could he not?

War, huh.

Serious food for thought. It might really happen.

Mu-hyuk's knowledge ended at Main Episode 2's finale; anything after was unknown.

Every scrap of info mattered now. He tucked "continental war" away in his mind.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

The butler reported.

"The Blood Flower is in Her Highness the Princess's garden."

"The princess's garden?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Damn, of all places..."

Mu-hyuk tilted his head at their exchange.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. Er, hard to say outright. I'll report to His Majesty—go there yourself."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"Hope you find it."

"See you next time."

He didn't get the fuss, but he'd found it—good enough.

Princess's garden.

Leaving the office, he walked with the butler.

"May I say something...?"

"Go ahead."

"Speak only the truth. Absolutely."

"Pardon?"

"Only truth."

What the hell?

Before he could ask, the butler stopped.

"We're here. Enter and you'll see it."

"Ah, okay."

He watched the butler leave, then turned.

What was that about?

Shaking it off, he stepped forward.

Step.

Soon, a lavishly adorned garden appeared.

"Whoa."

Flowers of every color flaunted their beauty.

Their swaying was enchanting, but the subtle, addictive fragrance filling the air was even more potent.

He stopped involuntarily, closing his eyes to savor it.

Nice.

Mu-hyuk slowly opened his eyes.

"Gasp...!"

His heart dropped at the woman in his view.

Shit, that scared me...!

Probably the princess.

Last thing I wanted—running into her.

Deep breath to steady himself, then a formal bow.

"Baron Mu-hyuk."

"I've heard. An outsider, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, first time meeting one. Intriguing."

"Is it?"

"Yeah. So, in that spirit..."

The princess flashed a chilling smile.

Her hand moved.

Her waist twisted slightly.

What...?

Definitely a sword-draw stance.

Puzzled, but wary, he heightened his focus. Then he spotted the thin blade flashing out and urgently leaped back.

Too slow—his armor scraped.

Scraaaape.

Stunned, Mu-hyuk stared at the princess.

"Ho, you dodged that?"

"What... is this...?"

"Whatever. Dodge again. Do it, and I'll acknowledge you."

The princess kicked off the ground.

Whoosh.

Her robes billowed as she closed in at terrifying speed.

Mu-hyuk frowned.

What kind of woman is this?

Swallowing his irritation, he shifted his center of gravity.

White Tiger Step.

A skill that instantly identifies 24 positions to evade any attack, slipping naturally into the biggest gap.

Swoosh.

The princess's sword sliced empty air.

Mu-hyuk was behind her.

She whirled around, eyes on him.

"You..."

She trailed off.

"Fine. A promise is a promise. I acknowledge you."

"So you'll give me the Blood Flower?"

"No."

"Pardon...?"

"I acknowledge your skill. But that doesn't mean I have to give you the flower, right?"

Mu-hyuk was speechless.

"His Majesty ordered it, but I act on my terms. So tell me: why should I give ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you the Blood Flower?"

She sheathed her sword and straightened up.

The atmosphere shifted.

Gulp.

Mu-hyuk swallowed unconsciously.

Not her looks—it was the overwhelming dignity radiating from her.

"Hey, hey."

"Yes...?"

"You listening?"

"Ah, yes."

"No third chance. Don't make me repeat: why should I give you the Blood Flower?"

What to say?

The butler flashed in his mind.

His word: truth.

"So I can get stronger."

The princess stared piercingly into his eyes.

A gaze that stripped him bare.

"Hm. Really?"

"Yes."

"Good. Honest answer. Damn, can't take it back now. Follow me."

Honest? She saw through me?

Some special ability...?

Curiosity surged, but he suppressed it.

He followed silently.

Deep in the garden.

Unlike elsewhere, an open space held about ten flowers at its center.

Gloved, she carefully uprooted one root and all, placed it in a wide glass jar filled with sand.

She capped it with a perforated lid and approached Mu-hyuk.

"Here."

"Thank you."

"Go."

After another bow at her cool demeanor, he turned.

"Hey, you."

"Yes?"

"On second thought, no."

"..."

"I'm inviting you to the banquet in five days. This is a princess's command—you cannot refuse. Got it?"

Annoying—a forced quest, no less.

No choice but to nod.

"Understood."

"Good. Be here before sunset in five days."

Finally, she let him go.

Whew, a banquet out of nowhere.

Elegant in a way, or maybe just whimsical.

One thing clear: that princess was no ordinary personality.

Just sharing space with her was stressful.

Oh well.

Couldn't refuse with a quest on the line.

The penalty was hefty too.

Shaking off his thoughts, he eyed the Blood Flower in hand.

Got it fairly easily—lucky.

Exclusive disciple skill as reward.

Couldn't wait to see what it was.

*

Valsian nodded at the Blood Flower.

"Faster than I thought."

"Got lucky."

"Good work."

"Now, time for the new technique?"

"Yes."

"Take these first."

Two skill books.

One was the summoning skill he'd hoped for.

Finally.

Golem-type skeletons—what he'd longed for ages. This moment felt all the sweeter.

Resisting the urge to learn them right away, he stowed them in his inventory.

"Those are standard."

"Yes."

"As my prized disciple, one more technique. My absolute ace, treasured for years. Can't learn from a book—I'll teach directly. Follow."

Valsian never bullshitted.

Treasured secret technique.

Those words hooked him already.

"Yes, understood."

Unable to hide his excitement, he followed Valsian.