My Little Sister is from the Fire Cult (9)
"...I was mistaken. You're no monster."
I didn't let my guard down at Mukgang's sudden declaration of humanity—trap or not?—but he really seemed to have lost all will to fight. He turned back, picked up his shirt from the rock by the riverbank, and started putting it on.
"Monsters don't protect people. Only people do."
Mukgang slipped into his rough yet weighty black Daoist robes—the kind that screamed his master's personality—and looked at me and Yeomhwa as he continued.
"In other words, your little sister isn't a monster. She's a person. Sorry for calling her one."
"Glad we don't have to fight anymore, but is that weird three-part logic really gonna fly?"
Mukgang chuckled lightly at my dubious question. "Call it personal belief."
Then, with a suddenly serious expression, he extended his authority over his own fate to us.
"Reasons aside, I nearly took an innocent life. I'll take responsibility. Tell me what you want."
Considering the aura he exuded, I was thrilled to have survived, but this rapid turnaround left me deflated. I was dumbfounded. And what the hell was I supposed to do with this musclebound hunk saying, "Do whatever you want with me!"? Part of me just wanted to call the cops.
What do I even do with this? The thought popped up naturally, but then I realized the real victim wasn't me—it was Yeomhwa. So I turned to ask her opinion.
Yeomhwa moved with me, refusing to let go of my clothes. I looked back—no sister. I turned again at the presence behind me. She matched my turn. We started spinning in circles.
Dee-deet? Little sis? What the heck are you doing?
The issue had somehow resolved itself, but this wasn't the time for games, and she wasn't the type for pranks. I was a bit flustered.
...Was she scared and acting spoiled?
Makes sense. Even I'd hide behind a cop if a yakuza with giant tattoos bellowed, "Kukuku—hey, kid~ Lemme smash ya!" while closing in. I'd sleep clinging to Mom that night.
She looked mature on the outside, but she was still just fifteen. Going through this at such a sensitive age must've left her psychologically shaken, craving comfort from her protector.
...Did that mean she saw me as someone she could rely on, lean on when things got rough?
I recalled her first night at our house—feverish enough to collapse, yet enduring alone without leaning on anyone. The girl who'd never depended on others had opened her heart to me, even if just a little. A corner of my heart tickled with warmth.
...Guess a big bro's gotta indulge her.
Honestly, I was thrilled. Proud. In reality, she was spinning to hide her flushed face and figure out how to look at Mancheon—but oblivious Mancheon figured he'd taken a step closer in their sibling bond and felt great.
"You two get along well. Good sibling relations are a blessing."
"Uh... thanks for the kind words."
We shouldn't drop our guard after he'd just tried to kill Yeomhwa for real, but his calm, confident praise had me nodding reflexively.
I scrutinized Mukgang's face as he stood there like a stone pagoda, waiting patiently for our demands.
...Didn't look like he was lying. He really had no intention of harming Yeomhwa anymore.
Embarrassing as it was, I had zero confidence in beating him, so ending it without a fight was a relief.
Whew... Thought I was a goner. How does a guy have zero openings?
With the crisis past, tension ebbed, and a sigh of relief escaped from deep within.
And unfortunately, before my sigh even finished, a new crisis emerged.
"A Fire Cult monster and a Milgyo guardian beast... Lucky us. Perfect sacrifices for Heavenly Demon-nim."
Without a sound, five grim-faced men in black uniforms burst from the dark forest shadows, encircling us.
No... fuck... what the hell are these guys?
I don't swear lightly, but this? Real curse-worthy. What kinda day is today? Why hunt Heavenly Demon gifts here? Go to a mineral spring or deep mountain rock pool. Mom fed me tons 'cause it's good for you—I know Heavenly Demon prefers cleaner water than human necks. Confirmed it before eating.
*sigh*
I assumed a stance, ready to unleash Dog-Beating Stick Technique forms anytime. Angry and wronged? Tough luck. I'd protect Yeomhwa, no matter who it was.
Come at me, you dark plant enthusiasts.
"Secure the monster. Kill the guardian beast. And..."
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult reconnaissance squad leader eyed Mancheon, licking his lips. A murderer's eyes gleamed with bloodlust.
"Obviously, kill the witnesses."
Chasing the escaped Fire Cult monster with a small team had been the right call. Now he could offer the Fire Cult freak and the hated Immovable Bright King—who'd thwarted the cult time and again—to the Lord.
Luck was on his side. He glanced indifferently at Mukgang, who scanned his squad's positions with emotionless eyes. No openings. Ironclad presence.
No wonder some cult elders warned against fighting Milgyo's guardian.
"Tch!"
Thinking of those mountain corpses holed up in the palace after fleeing the front lines made him nauseous. Cowards. How dare they flee before the cult's enemies? Blasphemy.
He roughly unwound the black bandages on his right hand. A hideous, ominous arm emerged—shriveled bones exposed, grayed from blood-and-poison tempering.
A demonic cult secret art that grows stronger by absorbing corpse poison with each kill.
No protective gang qi could block it. One hit—no, a graze—and victory was his!
He sent a transmission to his men: Use them as bait, pierce Mukgang's heart in one go.
Blood boiled. Body thrummed. He stepped forward with his left foot, crouching low—like a viper lunging to bite.
Down—down—targeting the heart. Sensing every twitch with full-body awareness, he waited for the perfect moment.
Opportunity came faster than expected. With enemies before him, Mukgang turned to the boy and girl.
"It'll end soon. Think about the responsibility I owe while you wait."
'...Soon?'
The ultimate insult to a warrior twisted his face. Reason snapped. He signaled his men: Charge now!
But the reckless, brave strike never landed.
"—Who said you could move?"
Mukgang took one step. Just one.
And it was over.
The giant guardian of the world crushes evil spirits daring to harm humanity.
It was just one instant. Truly one fleeting moment.
The moment Mukgang unleashed Immovable Bright King Step, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult assassins—reeking of murderous intent—couldn't even execute a single form before slamming into the ground.
Like a colossal being had stomped them flat, their bodies twitched and burrowed into the earth.
I didn't know the principle, but gravity seemed to act differently where they stood.
...But that was trivial. Utterly unimportant.
What mattered was I needed to learn that technique.
The instant I saw Immovable Bright King Step, a fire ignited in my heart. Burning desire to learn it, wield it.
I closed my eyes, took deep breaths, imagining myself mastering it.
That Jegal Yang guy always mocking my limp leg! After ages, he nags me to play baduk again—but no more holding back!
Right away—Immovable Bright King Step! Force him to his knees!!
He grovels late, begging mercy? No way~!
"This is the difference in our levels."—bam, killer line, then Dog-Beating Stick Technique to the skull!
Kuku~ Felt good just fantasizing.
...I opened my eyes quietly. Simulation complete: Immovable Bright King Step was a must-learn. Required course.
Obviously an amazing technique. Would he teach me?
He said he'd take responsibility. Mention that, ask nicely—probably.
...Nah, not right.
I eyed Yeomhwa coldly glaring at the flattened, unconscious cultists.
She was the one whose life was truly threatened. Wishing for a technique as my "reward" would tank my big-bro cred.
Regrettable, but find another way.
As I racked my brain, Yeomhwa suddenly addressed Mukgang elegantly.
"Will you truly grant any request?"
"Yes. Anything, as long as it doesn't harm others."
At Mukgang's firm affirmation, Yeomhwa smiled brightly and stated her wish.
"Then teach that martial art you just used to my oppa. That's my request."
Flames of allure danced in her crimson eyes.