A Moonlit Bet
When I mentioned the Sowol Squadron, Wolseongeom's eyes narrowed to slits.
A chill ran down my spine. It might have been my imagination, but the temperature in the room felt like it had dropped.
I wanted to rub my arms to warm up, but I held back.
The real conversation hadn't even begun yet.
“The Sowol Squadron... I did not expect you to have an interest in them.”
“How could I not be interested? That is why I am asking.”
They weren't just any group; they were the elite strike force of Cheongwol Gate. Simply belonging to Cheongwol Gate was enough to change how the world looked at you, and the Sowol Squadron was the absolute pinnacle within it.
It was a position that ordinary martial artists couldn't even dream of looking at.
From what I knew, the Sowol Squadron...
I think they were treated as honored guests in the local branches.
To use the Anhui branch where I used to stay as an example, if someone carrying the token of the Sowol Squadron appeared, even the branch leader would rush out to greet them personally.
Of course, since coming to Cheongwol Gate was the first time I had ever seen the Sowol Squadron in person, I didn't know the exact details, but that was what I had heard.
Cheongwol Gate, a sect directly affiliated with the Martial Alliance.
The elite force of such a sect carried that kind of weight.
At this, Wolseongeom asked.
“Then, what do you intend to do once you have your answer?”
“Well... it will probably depend on your answer.”
I pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“If it seems possible, I think I might give it a try.”
“……”
It was a bold statement. I would do it if I could. At those words, Wolseongeom stared at me silently.
I had felt it last time too, but this man's gaze was incredibly heavy. Even without him doing anything, just meeting his eyes made my body stiffen.
The distinct presence unique to leaders was clearly visible in him.
Unlike a certain someone.
“If you do not like it, you do not have to tell me.”
When I spoke as if backing down slightly, Wolseongeom finally broke his silence.
“No. That was not my intention. It is merely out of concern.”
“Concern, you say?”
“I have seen that Young Master Bang has inherited his legacy and is indeed an outstanding individual, but...”
“I wonder if it is not still a bit too dangerous to compare you to the Sowol Squadron.”
“……”
I wished he would choose between insulting me or defending me.
And calling the Sect Leader a "wet-behind-the-ears punk." Many retorts came to mind, but I had to hold them back.
“Does it seem to you, Sect Leader, that I am still lacking?”
“Rather than lacking, it would be better to say that the significance of the Sowol Squadron is heavy.”
Surprisingly, a sense of pride could be felt in his calm voice.
I wished the old man would stay out of this.
“The significance is heavy... So it is still a bit too much for me to join...?”
“I hope you will take it in a positive light.”
“Hmm.”
Yoo Chun-gil laughed. I flinched slightly at the sound. Seeing the way that man laughed, it seemed like something had displeased him.
I glanced at him and immediately turned my head away.
Ugh, his face is terrifying.
His wide, tearing grin was exactly the kind of smile he wore when he was plotting something.
It was scary as hell, but this time, it was fine.
Because looking at it, it seemed like it would benefit me this time.
A permission that wasn't quite permission was granted. Funnily enough, hearing those words made me feel relieved in spite of myself.
“Then, Sect Leader. I would like to make a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes.”
I spoke with a smile.
“Would you care to make a bet with me?”
“……A bet?”
A sudden flash of interest crossed the Sect Leader's face.
“I do not know what kind of test it is, but I really want to join the Sowol Squadron.”
To be honest, it wasn't to the point of "really," but I wanted to use slightly more provocative language.
“However, since you are giving off the feeling that it is absolutely impossible for me... let us make a bet on that.”
“……A bet……”
“Yes. A bet.”
“I have felt this every time I see you.”
The look in Wolseongeom's eyes shifted slightly.
“Young Master Bang is indeed a peculiar individual.”
“That is strange. There is no one as ordinary as me.”
He always chimed in at times like this.
“Haha.”
Even the Sect Leader laughed. Did this man think I was joking? I was being serious.
“Nonsense. No one has ever stood so boldly before me. Much less possessed the arrogance to propose a bet concerning the Sowol Squadron.”
Suck.
“……!”
I swallowed hard. I felt a sensation as if something had been cut. What was cut? Where was I cut?
“……”
At Yoo Chun-gil's words, I steadied my momentarily shaken composure.
If I hadn't been cut anywhere, was it purely an illusion?
No, this is a warning.
It was a warning from the Sect Leader to watch my step, as I had just crossed the line.
The feeling that I would be utterly crushed if I pushed any further dominated my entire body.
Normally, I would have backed down here. I would have cooled my head and thought of another way, but...
“If you put it that way, I suppose I am a bit peculiar.”
I did not back down.
Because...
Do as you wish.
It was solely because of that one sentence Yoo Chun-gil had said.
“However, I believe the same applies to you, Sect Leader.”
“……Hmm?”
At my words, Wolseongeom furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, think about it.”
I added with a bright smile.
“If someone is asking this much, you could at least think, 'Ah, he must have a trick up his sleeve,' and give it a look. Yet you only weigh the value of the Sowol Squadron and refuse to even see what I can do.”
I wiped the smile from my face.
“Who is truly the arrogant one here?”
“……!”
Yoo Chun-gil let out an exclamation of admiration.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a sudden gale swept through the room.
Wow... Crazy.
I swallowed hard at the wind I felt. A gale was blowing directly from Wolseongeom's body.
How was this even possible? Could all masters do something like this? I couldn't help but feel intrigued, but this wasn't the time to investigate.
I didn't avert my gaze either. We locked our blue eyes for a long moment.
Eventually, the howling wind subsided.
“Young Master Bang.”
“Yes.”
“The only reason I tolerate your insolence is because I consider you to be his successor.”
“I know.”
Of course I knew. That was exactly why I was using it to push his buttons.
“This also means there is a limit.”
I could feel other emotions beginning to cloud his blue eyes.
“I admit that my words went too far.”
Sensing the shift, I took a step back.
“However, I believe there was nothing wrong with the statement itself. Nor do I regret it.”
Yet, I still held my ground on the core issue.
“……”
A deep crease finally formed on Wolseongeom's forehead.
How would he react? I watched him closely.
Whoosh. The lingering wind completely died down.
“Let me ask... what are you planning to wager?”
This time, Wolseongeom stepped back. Seeing that, I smirked and spoke.
“Man-wol. I will wager that.”
“Man-wol?”
“Yes. If I fail to join the Sowol Squadron, I will transfer ownership of Man-wol to you.”
“……Hmm.”
Honestly, since Cheon Ui-jin was the one who found it and gave it to me, it was a bit awkward to use it like this.
But whatever. It was mine now.
Dead people should stay out of this.
“Since you called it a bet, you must want something in return.”
“Of course.”
There was no way I wouldn't. However...
“You only need to grant me one favor, Sect Leader.”
“A favor...?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of favor?”
“I haven't thought of it yet. I'll use it when I think of something later.”
“……”
For a moment, Wolseongeom stared at me as if he found me utterly absurd. I suppose it was a rather unfair bet, but...
“If you do not like it, you can always back out.”
If you're scared, just give up.
“Haha...”
As if realizing my intention, Wolseongeom chuckled softly. Then, he spoke in a low voice.
“……Sowol Daeju.”
“Yes.”
...Whoa, startled me.
The voice came from right next to me. Before I knew it, a man was kneeling beside me.
The Sowol Daeju.
He was the most famous martial artist in Cheongwol Gate after Wolseongeom.
Naturally, he was someone who had awakened the Moon Eye.
“Can you prepare the test now?”
“If you wish, I can prepare it immediately.”
“Then prepare it.”
“I obey your command.”
“Also.”
While he gave the order to the Sowol Daeju, his gaze was fixed on me.
“Since this is strictly a bet, it would be best to have many witnesses. What do you think?”
Witnesses, huh.
“I do not mind.”
“Sowol Daeju.”
“I obey your command.”
The Sowol Daeju spoke and vanished on the spot. Once again, I couldn't even track his departure. Silence descended upon the room.
As I stood there awkwardly,
“Will you not regret this?”
Wolseongeom asked. Regret...
“I will be fine.”
“A reply full of confidence.”
I didn't bother replying to that. It was true.
After all, I had a renowned expert in this field backing me up.
Around noon, I was guided to a certain location.
I heard it was called the Sowol Hall.
I wondered what kind of place it was, and it seemed to be a training ground of sorts.
However...
It looks a bit different from where the other disciples train.
The feeling was quite different from the training grounds of the ordinary disciples I had occasionally passed by during my walks.
Aside from its sheer size, how should I put it?
It's grand.
The atmosphere it exuded was entirely different.
It felt purer and far more sacred.
I nodded at Yoo Chun-gil's explanation.
So it wasn't a training ground, but a testing ground.
No wonder the name felt so straightforward.
Still, it felt excessively large for just that.
It seemed like it would be much more efficient to use it as a training ground instead...
The old man had a point.
Especially for a prestigious sect or family, this was something they had to uphold.
Spending money on useless things.
Well, that was just my perspective. From the organization's point of view...
Upholding tradition.
It could be viewed from that angle.
As I stood there waiting for a moment,
Creak—!
The entrance opened again, and a crowd of people poured in.
Whoa.
At the front was the Sowol Daeju I had met earlier.
And behind him, a line of people filed in.
They're all from the Sowol Squadron.
Every single person entering belonged to the Sowol Squadron.
It's obvious from the clothes they're wearing... Hm?
As I scanned them one by one, I spotted someone who shouldn't have been there.
It was Cheon Hye-in, smiling brightly at me.
That crazy girl was in the Sowol Squadron too...?
Since she was wearing ordinary disciple robes last time, I thought she was just a second-generation disciple.
But looking at her now, she seemed to be part of the Sowol Squadron.
Ha.
The Moon Dance Beauty really was something. I realized her worth anew.
“All members are present, excluding eight on missions and five absent for medical treatment.”
At the Sowol Daeju's report, Wolseongeom nodded.
“To your positions.”
At the command, they moved in perfect order. I wondered where they were going, but the thirty-odd members lined up in two rows facing each other.
At the opposite ends of the line, the Sect Leader and I stood facing each other.
The atmosphere was heavy. I rolled my eyes and looked around.
Even Cheon Hye-in, who had walked in smiling earlier, now stood with an expressionless face.
“Now that the Sowol Squadron has assembled, we shall begin.”
Sssss—!
I narrowed my eyes at the sensation.
The air is terrifying.
An indefinable pressure radiated from Wolseongeom.
“As the Sect Leader of Cheongwol Gate, I shall personally verify whether you possess the qualification to become the moon.”
I swallowed hard at his words.
It was one thing for his tone to change, but...
...This is a bit too much.
If this continued, I felt like I would have trouble breathing. Just as I was wondering what to do,
“……”
Hearing Yoo Chun-gil's words, I immediately activated the Cheongwol Mind Method within my body.
Then,
Whoosh—!
Huh?
The energy circulated far more powerfully than usual, and then...
Flash—!
The circulating energy erupted outward from my body.
“What?”
“That is—!”
Instantly, exclamations erupted from the surroundings.
“……”
A blue energy was shimmering around my body. At a glance, it almost looked like floating stars.
It was brilliant and beautiful.
What is this now?
This had never happened before. It was a sudden change.
Moreover...
“……Moonlight...?”
“How can he possess not only the Moon Eye but even the Moonlight at that age...!”
Judging by the reactions of the Sowol Squadron, it seemed I had displayed something extraordinary.
“……Ha.”
As if to prove it, even Wolseongeom let out a hollow gasp.
“Is that a sign that you are ready? A rather aggressive way to show it.”
No, that's not it at all...?
What did this damn old man do this time?
It was certainly easier to breathe now, but looking at their reactions, it seemed I had done something I shouldn't have.
Dumbfounded, I looked at Yoo Chun-gil.
Sure enough, that evil spirit was cackling.
It seemed he knew this would happen all along.
It was truly exasperating.
Anyway.
Putting that aside.
What is the test?
What kind of test did I have to take to enter the Sowol Squadron?
That old man told me not to worry and that it would be fine.
Would it really be as he said? Just as I was looking at Wolseongeom with doubt,
“From now, we shall proceed with the Blue Moon Dance according to tradition.”
...Huh? Blue Moon Dance?
An odd term came out of his mouth.
Dance? If it's a dance...
“Do-hyeong of the Sowol Squadron, prepare for a duel.”
“……Your disciple, Do-hyeong, obeys your command.”
Oh... Bullshit.
At Wolseongeom's words, the young man standing at the very end stepped forward.
It was a familiar face. He was the Sowol Squadron martial artist who had guided me just moments ago.
Which meant...
Oh, no way.
Anxiety surged within me.
No wonder the entire Sowol Squadron gathered. Is this...?
A sudden realization crossed my mind.
Yoo Chun-gil spoke, as if he had been waiting for this.
“……”
Son of a bitch. Sure, real easy.
I bit my tongue slightly at his confident words.
It was simple, all right.
It was the most simple-minded and brute-force method in the world.
Their name is Blue Moon, so why is everything they do so violent?
I felt something was off.
A duel with the youngest?
I looked at Do-hyeong. Was he the youngest?
So it wasn't Cheon Hye-in.
He was excessively young for a second-generation disciple, but technically, Cheon Hye-in was younger.
Well, since Cheon Hye-in was probably a second-generation disciple from the moment she entered the sect... it made sense. Still...
This is bad.
I frowned as I looked at Do-hyeong.
This was really not good. The duel itself was troublesome, but...
I'd rather not fight that guy.
To be precise, it wasn't that I was reluctant to fight Do-hyeong himself.
...I just don't want to make an enemy of the entity behind him.
The "presence" behind Do-hyeong was what bothered me.
Tsk.
But there was no way to back out now. Just as I was thinking I had no choice,
Thud—!
At the loud sound, everyone's gaze, including Do-hyeong's, turned.
Wondering what it was, I looked over and saw someone suddenly kneeling.
Huh?
He was a familiar face too.
And for good reason.
“……Second-generation disciple Seom Seong-gyeong. I have something to say.”
He was one of the guys who had been secretly watching me on the day of the incident in the dining hall.
“What is it?”
Wolseongeom asked with a blunt expression.
“……Your disciple, Seom Seong-gyeong. I wish to take this opportunity to personally experience the swordplay of the Grandmaster's successor.”
“You bastard—!”
The one who shouted at Seom Seong-gyeong's words was not Wolseongeom, but the Sowol Daeju.
“How dare you in this presence...! Do you not know what kind of occasion this is!”
To experience the swordplay of the Grandmaster's successor.
This meant he wanted to fight me. And of all times, right now.
“For a mere fellow like you to disrupt this sacred occasion...!”
“Enough.”
Wolseongeom stopped the furious Sowol Daeju.
“……Hmm.”
An expression of interest appeared on his face.
And in front of him, I...
That fucking bitch, seriously.
My face contorted as I glared at Cheon Hye-in.