Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Why Rules Exist - 7
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The Secret Realm they had visited before had lost its red aura after they overcame its trials.
Even if they entered through the wide-open stone gate, they could no longer access the hidden side of the world within the Secret Realm.
The Sword Saint, who had gone to investigate afterward, said it was merely a waiting period for the Secret Realm to reconstitute itself, and that it would reveal its power again once natural energies accumulated in the future.
Sayoon glanced slightly at the Sword Saint. Her eyes held a mix of the wonder from seeing that Secret Realm back then and a touch of melancholy.
'Master...'
Her eyes were subtly moistening.
The Sword Saint was utterly reliable when it came to martial arts, but awkward and clumsy in other ways.
That made her all the more endearing master, now lost in memories as she gazed at the Secret Realm.
Memories of the pain she had endured, the blood that had stained her hands.
Ryuhyeon seemed aware of it too, saying nothing to her master.
How long did they remain in silence?
The Sword Saint pointed at the Secret Realm in a slightly subdued voice.
"It doesn't seem dangerous."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The aura feels quite familiar."
I can't sense that, Ryuhyeon thought. But since it was her master's word, she had no choice but to believe it. So she lightly tapped Sayoon's back.
"Want to give it a try? Or..."
"Ah. I'll do it."
Sayoon stepped lightly up to the Secret Realm, and the same phenomenon occurred as before. A red aura. The moment it enveloped her body, the Secret Realm emitted a voice just like last time.
"A disciple of the Crimson Star Sect. Sayoon."
At the same time, the red aura drifted toward Ryuhyeon and settled on her.
"A disciple of the Crimson Star Sect. Ryuhyeon."
And finally.
When the red aura settled on the Sword Saint's body.
The Sword Saint didn't answer right away. Her lips trembled as if words failed her, and only under the gazes of Sayoon and Ryuhyeon did she finally force out the words.
"...Nayerin, Sect Leader of the Crimson Star Sect and Sword Saint."
Unlike her usual self, the Sword Saint spoke in a slightly cowed tone.
Ryuhyeon and Sayoon were puzzled by her reaction. Why is she acting like that? But the Sword Saint merely stared stoically at the Secret Realm.
Tension, perhaps even fear.
As the two were startled by this unprecedented sight from her.
-Kuuung...!!
The door to the Secret Realm opened. Inside lay the hidden world, a space prepared for challenges. Ryuhyeon asked the Sword Saint.
"Shall we go in?"
"I want the other disciples to experience it too. Considering how the previous Secret Realm went dormant after being cleared once..."
If this was a Secret Realm left for the Crimson Star Sect, it was only natural for its disciples to experience it. Even if the last one was an exception.
But the Sword Saint didn't finish her thought. She merely gazed softly at Sayoon.
"Sure. I'm totally fine with it!"
This Secret Realm's existence was unknown even to the Sect Leader, the Sword Saint. The mysterious 'Uncle' had informed her of it, sending a letter specifically to Sayoon.
If 'Uncle' had revealed its location for the Crimson Star Sect's sake, he could have just sent the letter to the sect.
Yet he had singled out Sayoon, which meant he clearly wanted her to experience this Secret Realm.
Even if it was created by an ancestor of the Crimson Star Sect, the decision rights lay with Sayoon.
"Thank you."
The Sword Saint smiled warmly at the unflinching Sayoon, then gently stroked her hair. As the pale hand caressed her gray locks, Sayoon broke into an unwitting grin.
Not a single disciple skipped the midnight assembly.
Upon hearing the circumstances, everyone wanted to experience the Crimson Star Sect's Secret Realm, and they all met the qualifications.
"But Senior Sister, is it okay to have so many entering the Secret Realm? Won't that make the challenge too easy?"
"Secret Realms sometimes increase in difficulty with more entrants. And if there are formations involved, more people means greater damage."
Ryuhyeon, who had experienced a Secret Realm before, explained in Hongryeon's place. As the novice disciples marveled, the Sword Saint added,
"You also have to consider rewards. In the worst case, people end up fighting each other in the final chamber after claiming them. That's why it's usual to bring a moderate number of trusted companions."
"Huh? Really? Then isn't it dangerous if we all go in together...?"
"But with Hongryeon and Ryuhyeon going in, and since it's the Crimson Star Sect's Secret Realm... even with a large group, I doubt issues will arise. Still, I wanted to get your permission first."
The Sword Saint had Sayoon step forward and re-explained how the Secret Realm was discovered. Those in the know just nodded, but the rest stared at Sayoon in surprise, hearing it for the first time.
Her face flushed red under the senior disciples' focused gazes.
"So, no matter what the reward is, I want Sayoon to have it. If anyone objects, speak up."
No one did. Hongryeon grinned and nodded, while Ryuhyeon glanced at Sayoon, recalling their prior conversation.
No one in the Crimson Star Sect envied the youngest's growth.
Especially since revealing the location to Sayoon meant it was for her sake, hoping she'd claim the reward.
Coveting others' possessions was straying from righteousness.
And if this made Sayoon stronger, wasn't that a joy for all?
Thus, the disciples cheerfully accepted the Sword Saint's proposal.
Sayoon felt a swell of emotion in her chest. Her eyes burned, her hands trembled. As she bowed her head and shuddered, the Sword Saint stroked her hair.
"Alright. Let's head in."
"Um... Master, you're not coming?"
"Someone has to stay behind... That's the Sect Leader's duty."
Hongryeon eyed the Sword Saint's complexion with concern.
The Sword Saint merely gave a faint smile in response.
Hongryeon sensed it was a forced smile to hide her melancholy.
Inside, the atmosphere resembled the previous Secret Realm, though the aura emanating from it felt slightly stronger this time.
"Stay sharp."
Hongryeon, leading the group, heightened her vigilance.
Even if it was for the Crimson Star Sect, Secret Realms weren't without danger.
Upon reaching the first chamber, Hongryeon gave a wry smile.
Unlike before, it was a long, passageway-like room. Suspicious holes dotted the walls, and she paid close attention to the patterns etched on the floor and ceiling.
"Hmm..."
Just by looking, Hongryeon knew the room's purpose.
"Star Flow Step footwork, combined with the Starburst Strike patterns on the ceiling."
That alone made it clear to all disciples how to pass. Starburst Strike was an offensive technique from the first half of the Crimson Star Divine Art.
The previous one tested mastery of Star Flow Step itself; this one tested its application.
They paired well and were often linked in practice.
"I'll go first."
Hongryeon lightly warmed up and took the first step of Star Flow Step. Iron rods shot from the wall holes at speeds that would hurt badly if they hit.
Dodging one with Star Flow Step footwork brought another.
Anyone without proficiency in Star Flow Step would get battered out.
"Hup!"
But for Hongryeon, Star Flow Step was second nature, even with eyes closed. She effortlessly evaded the rods, kicked away a falling club from above with Starburst Strike, and passed leisurely.
At the room's end, she waved to the remaining disciples.
"See? Easy."
And so, the midnight training began.
As expected, the Secret Realm was similar to the last.
It was as if it existed to verify their mastery of the Crimson Star Divine Art.
Trials and challenges.
Even repeating familiar techniques, the Crimson Star Sect disciples harbored no complaints.
Some even gained small insights during the review process.
Though only reconstructing and applying early techniques, everyone from Hongryeon knew such accumulations led to growth.
The sudden night expedition yielded much.
Arriving joyfully at the final chamber.
-Krurrr...!!
The Secret Realm's guardian, the Evil Yak, appeared as expected.
But this one was different. The previous Evil Yak had wounds all over; this one was unscathed.
Hongryeon eyed the pristine monster, capable of full combat, then glanced at Sayoon.
Can she handle it?
"Think you can do it?"
"Yes."
Hongryeon smirked at her nodding response.
"Everyone else, stand by... Sayoon, sword okay?"
Sayoon glanced at her blade at Hongryeon's words. It was worn-out. Damaged from the prior fight with the Demon Tiger, on the verge of breaking.
Hongryeon had offered a new sword she'd bought, but Sayoon yielded it to Yuhee, who fought alongside her.
Hongryeon mentioned it out of guilt.
"Ahaha... Yuhee Senior Sister's was even more worn. It could've snapped anytime... so of course she should take it. I'll be off then."
There was no fear in her steps.
"Will she be alright?"
"She will."
The moment Sayoon encountered the Evil Yak, her sword moved. Fast, sharp strikes.
With free control of internal energy and harmony of sword, fist, and staff arts, facing the Evil Yak didn't look difficult.
"A child who found her path at the onset of demonic possession. That level shouldn't be an issue."
Plus, the spirit medicine had boosted her internal energy.
So they just watched.
'While smiling.'
The Evil Yak was strong. But not overwhelmingly so.
Starlight already shone before Sayoon.
In one step, starlight's grace enveloped her.
In two, starlight revealed itself.
In three, starlight urged her to grow stronger.
In four, starlight showed the way.
As long as that guiding starlight remained vivid, the Evil Yak held no terror for Sayoon.
-Kyaaaak!!
With a horrific roar, the Evil Yak's kick came after its arm was severed.
But Star Flow Step softly evaded, and Meteor Fist shattered its thick hide.
A sword strike severed another arm.
-Kieek... Kieek...!!
The Crimson Star Divine Art ignored the Evil Yak's hatred. Her star shone too brightly to be swayed by others' malice.
Thus, she raised her sword.
-Seogeok!!
The final blow.
Like a crashing thunderbolt, the sword descended fiercely, its faint yet subtle red aura slicing through even the Evil Yak's thick hide.
"Huuu..."
Manifesting sword aura via technique wasn't easy. Feeling her dantian empty, Sayoon stepped back, and Hongryeon grinned at her.
"The insight from escaping demonic possession last time helped a lot. Sword aura already."
"Thanks to Master and the senior sisters."
And Uncle too.
Sayoon savored the unspoken words inwardly.
"Good work."
Patting her shoulders, Hongryeon led her to the reward chamber.
It was a large chest. Sayoon stared, then gently opened it and grasped the contents.
A sword.
A long sword encased in a jet-black pearwood scabbard.
Sayoon lightly gripped the hilt. The leather wrapped snugly around her palm felt good.
As she slowly drew the sword from the pearwood scabbard.
"This is intriguing. Weapons from Secret Realms aren't always for mounted combat?"
It wasn't a special sword.
Just ordinary, perhaps a bit crude-looking.
Even lacking a sword inscription, standard on fine blades.
Compared to the spirit medicine from before, it seemed lacking. Hongryeon examined it curiously before handing it back, and Sayoon clutched it dearly.
"It's still a treasure to me."
Because he.
Uncle wanted her to have it.
And so today.
A new treasure joined Sayoon's possessions, and the light within her grew a bit brighter.