Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Forgotten Spear
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was the winter two years before entering Babel Academy.
The remote valley was blanketed in snow, turning everything pristine white, and from the pavilion in the workshop courtyard, the view stretched out in full.
A small back, silently gazing at the scene. Words slipped out unbidden at that profoundly lonely silhouette.
"Why did you leave 'Shoot the Sun' there, Master?"
In that chaotic era without fences around danger zones or even the pilgrimage path blocking the Myriad Demons' Mire, it was the spear that had pierced countless monsters and fiends.
Why let a spear he wielded like an extension of his own body rot away in this remote valley?
"Hm..."
At the question, the master tilted his teacup briefly before answering slowly.
"Because it's passed me by."
"...I don't understand."
"It means the strength to wield it, and the time for it, have already slipped away from me."
Even after wetting his throat, his parched voice continued calmly.
"That's why I sent it back here. Better to melt it down and make something new than let it rot idle."
"Melt down Shoot the Sun? That's impossible."
"Hahaha! Even Jin-hwan said the same and mounted it like a trophy. So pathetic... cough cough!"
"Master!"
The master, who had chuckled softly, broke into coughs, and she rushed to his side in alarm.
"I'm fine..."
But before her hand could reach, a wrinkled one stopped her, and the master rose from the pavilion after the coughing subsided.
"It should be wrapping up by now. Let's go see."
He walked past her toward the workshop as if nothing had happened. Watching his back, a whirlwind of thoughts filled her head once more.
A back growing smaller with each passing year. Hair turned snow-white. And the red mixed into the coughs that erupted at night...
Clang!
Her reverie, unbroken until then, shattered at the metallic ring, and Yeom Seong-ha turned from the pavilion.
Clang! Clang!
Sharp echoes resounded from the workshop. Seeing the chimney smoke thicken, Yeom Seong-ha narrowed his eyes.
'He's making something.'
He hadn't received his spear yet, so maybe he was working on that. After a moment's hesitation amid the continuing sounds, Yeom Seong-ha headed to the workshop.
'I was going to check the place anyway and see Master's Shoot the Sun too...'
Absolutely not because he was curious about the spear this guy was making for him. With that thought, Yeom Seong-ha peered inside the workshop.
"Hup...!"
There was Lee Se-hun, about to smash his hammer down on the crimson long spear, Shoot the Sun.
Bang!
Before he could fully grasp the scene, his body moved, crossing the workshop in an instant.
Lee Se-hun swinging a long-handled hammer with both hands, oblivious. And a fist clenched to smash his face.
"Wait...!"
A desperate shout came from the side, but it meant nothing once his body was in motion.
Thus, Yeom Seong-ha's rock-hard fist swung full force toward Lee Se-hun's head.
Whoosh!
The hammer's downward arc twisted aside.
Crash!!
His body flew off, sweeping one side of the workshop, shattering a table and scattering materials and tools everywhere.
The workshop turned to chaos in seconds, and Lee Se-hun dangled from the ceiling. At the bizarre sight, Yeom Seong-ha's paused thoughts resumed.
"...What."
He realized he was rolling on the workshop floor.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Yeom Seong-ha sprang up at Lee Se-hun's pitiful gaze, hammer slung over his shoulder.
'What the...'
How had he, who struck first, ended up rolling on the floor? In that doubt, his eyes went to his pants.
Among the dirtied clothes from tumbling, his knees stood out black with soot. Seeing it, Yeom Seong-ha understood exactly what happened.
'He struck my knee with the hammer to break my balance.'
It was such a slight twist that pain barely registered, but it made his fist miss and his stance collapse completely, sending him tumbling.
Even if he'd lost his reason, considering their original gap, this was impossible.
Staring at Lee Se-hun, Yeom Seong-ha wore an incredulous expression.
'How much stronger did he get in that short time...?'
Not just physical prowess—his technique was honed to a completely different level. As Yeom Seong-ha stood speechless at the absurd growth,
"Oh. This?"
Lee Se-hun picked up Shoot the Sun from the anvil.
"Some misunderstanding? I was just—"
Smack!
Before he finished, Yeom Seong-ha strode up and snatched it away. Lee Se-hun narrowed his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"This isn't for trash like you to touch."
"I got permission."
"I never gave it."
A chill hung between them. Then, belatedly regaining his senses, Park Jin-hwan grabbed Yeom Seong-ha.
"I permitted it. I thought using Shoot the Sun's blade would be good to complete your spear..."
"So what?"
Yeom Seong-ha whipped around, glaring at Park Jin-hwan with fury.
"I should be grateful because it's for me?"
"That's not—"
"You opposed melting it when Master suggested, but now you flip like a pancake... Utterly ridiculous."
One of the few who remembered Master, so the betrayal stung deeper, and Yeom Seong-ha unleashed his rage on Park Jin-hwan.
"Leaving Shoot the Sun there was your greed too? Can't make hero-grade gear anymore, so you gaze at past glories for comfort?"
"..."
"That explains now too. Make a new one this time, hand it to me, and your name floats with Lee Se-hun's. Great opportunity."
At Park Jin-hwan's silence, Yeom Seong-ha distorted his features.
"Say something..."
"Hey."
A low voice filled the workshop. Yeom Seong-ha, mid-tirade, flinched and turned.
"Get out. I don't make for scum like you."
Lee Se-hun's eyes, calmer yet deeper. The inexplicable pressure made Yeom Seong-ha recall Master unbidden.
Eyes always above him, no matter how strong he grew. Yeom Seong-ha scowled fiercely, then turned away.
"Tch..."
He stormed out with Shoot the Sun.
The frozen tension thawed, and Lee Se-hun sighed, relaxing his gaze.
"That rude bastard..."
He got his eyes turned from Yeom Jin-hyeon ties, but words should have limits.
'At least he didn't swing. Count blessings?'
Compared to Mad Dog days, he was tame, leaving Lee Se-hun ambivalent on whether to rejoice,
"Sorry."
Park Jin-hwan, silent till now, spoke slowly.
"I knew it'd turn out like this... But I didn't tell him, fearing he'd oppose."
"No need to apologize. He's the one wrong."
"Not entirely. His words aren't baseless."
Park Jin-hwan eyed the wrecked workshop bitterly.
"I knew too. Staring at Shoot the Sun recalled not the first sect leader, but myself beside him."
"..."
"I know it's gone... but I couldn't let go. Recalling it felt like returning to those days."
Slumping into a chair, Park Jin-hwan stared at his hands.
Wrinkled, trembling, rickety from time. He squeezed his eyes shut, muttering.
"Blind to how pathetic that made me..."
Lee Se-hun watched Park Jin-hwan's voice thick with regret.
'Everyone's worries boil down to this.'
Nostalgia for lost time, regret it can't return.
A hero's—or anyone's—plight, including Lee Se-hun's.
'Tough issue.'
Regret changes nothing, yet knowing that doesn't free you.
Without strength to climb further, you're stuck gazing back.
No clear answer, inevitable for all. Facing the worry he'd shelved, Lee Se-hun spoke slowly.
"Don't push too hard."
"...?"
Park Jin-hwan's puzzled look drew a wry smile from Lee Se-hun.
"Willful or not... standing still is hard."
"..."
"Least understand and comfort yourself, if no one else."
Polish yourself raw, but if it all wears away, it's futile.
"You..."
"I'll check the lower forge alone. Rest."
Grabbing his subspace pocket of materials, Lee Se-hun left. Park Jin-hwan watched with an odd expression.
Felt like comfort for him, yet like for someone else.
"That kid..."
"Tch..."
Outside, Lee Se-hun scratched his jaw awkwardly.
Just wanted to use decent materials—what a mess.
'Stirred up old crap... Annoying.'
Seemed better than Mad Dog at first, but Yeom Seong-ha's actions grated more.
Using it for his own spear—such a problem?
'Heard Yeom Jin-hyeon permitted early. He's solo raging. Tch.'
Muttering curses inwardly, Lee Se-hun descended the hill into the empty village.
Shh.
Darkness engulfed the surroundings.
Not blocking sight directly, but absorbing all ambient light—a spell limited to the area, escapable by stepping out.
But...
Whoosh!
Skilled assassins gave no chance.
Five shadows lunged inside the curtain around Lee Se-hun. Their presences melted into the dark, followed by chilling sounds from within.
Stab!
Five blades piercing flesh.
At the bold daylight ambush, a middle-aged man overlooking from the mountain spoke calmly.
"Not bad."
Even watching directly from afar, their presences blurred.
To fool even his A-rank eyes with that eerie trait. The man turned to the tree's shadow.
"Those 'Silent Shadow Squad' guys. All C-rank physically, right?"
"Yes."
"Yet they fool B-ranks hiding presences... That modification's something."
Admiring, but tone uneasy. His gaze unkind, yet the shadow ignored.
"Many abilities. Could show if target resisted—pity."
"We'll see in time. I'll vouch to the sect leader. No worries."
Glancing back up the mountain, the man asked again.
"Barrier?"
"Activated when he climbed."
"Good. Old man's yours."
The man headed up. Moments later, a different voice echoed from the shadow.
"Doesn't even know who's dealing."
"Expelled riffraff knows nothing. Pawns are disposable."
An elder sat on a rock behind as if always there, eyeing the shadow.
"Clean him after. He had a ward—confirm kill."
"Understood."
The elder gazed at the new darkness below, muttering.
"Wasted trip..."
Then vanished. The masked Silent Shadow leader, hidden in shadow, turned to the village.
'Ambush good, cleanup sloppy...'
Why no emergence? Irritated at showing lack before the elder, he signaled subordinates.
Shh.
Shadows emerged from the village, reentering the curtain.
Slice!
A sharp sound, and something rolled out.
A cloth-wrapped ball—the subordinate's head. The leader's eyes widened.
'What...'
How? Panicking yet reacting, he signaled the rest.
Squelch!
A black spear shot from within.
Sleek short spear, all black from tip to shaft. It flew at him, then vanished.
Not hidden—erased from existence. Thought froze the leader.
'Mana conjured, fizzled from lack?'
Then hide and sneak better than dodge.
That slowed him.
Shh.
A black short spear emerged from a slit in empty air before him.
Stab!!
"Guhk...!?"
Too late to leap; it pierced his thigh.
In pain and shock, he whipped toward the village.
The curtain gone. Subordinates' corpses strewn, vital spots pierced or heads gone. One man stood center.
Swish.
Lee Se-hun, unmoved from the curtain's spot. The unfathomable foe aimed an inscribed black dagger at him.
"Closed-Eye Realm Seal."
⟨ Blindfold Boundary ⟩
Darkness erupted from the black short spear, engulfing the Silent Shadow leader.