A Familiar Shadow
It was warm.
It was the kind of weather that naturally brought such a thought to mind.
Nice.
The sunlight embraced every single street.
The cloudless sky was exceptionally clear, lifting my mood just by looking at it.
It was my favorite kind of weather.
Because it was beautiful? That was part of it, but not all.
Usually, when the weather is this good, ghosts can't muster any strength.
The clearer the weather, the weaker the things dwelling in the dark became. That was why I loved clear skies.
On days like this, I could walk the streets with peace of mind.
Without a single worry. Without anyone's eyes on me.
For me, such days were a rare comfort.
Tsk.
But right now, I couldn't fully enjoy it.
It was probably because of the woman walking ahead of me.
One of the Seven Great Talents.
The Moon Dance Beauty, Cheon Hye-in.
She had shown up at the crack of dawn, claiming she would guide me, and was now dragging me off to who-knows-where.
She wouldn't take me anywhere strange.
I had heard there was an official schedule today, so she was likely taking me to our destination.
She wasn't so incompetent that she would try to pull something under these circumstances.
That aside...
Setting Cheon Hye-in aside.
Where on earth is that old man?
Now that the evil spirit who always chattered by my side was gone, it was strangely bothersome.
What's his deal?
He bothered me in the middle of the night using that Spiritual Dream, yet when I woke up, the culprit was nowhere to be seen.
Where did he disappear to?
Did he really just vanish?
No way. He's definitely plotting something again.
I would be grateful if he were gone for good, but that old geezer was absolutely not the type to do that.
He was undoubtedly scheming behind my back.
Sigh.
Anxiety washed over me.
Between the Spiritual Dream and everything else, I just couldn't understand him.
So self-centered, as always.
Should I just run away right now? As I pondered this, my gaze drifted to Cheon Hye-in.
It wasn't intentional. She just happened to be walking right in front of me.
...Hmm...
But for some reason, I found myself watching the way she walked.
A light, fluttering, yet precise stride.
It was a stark contrast to my own sluggish, slouching gait.
That's definitely not how a normal woman walks.
There was a fluid rhythm to it.
No, rather than a rhythm...
Balance and control. Or perhaps restraint.
It felt like she had complete mastery over her body. It was the distinct movement of a martial artist who had reached a certain level.
A natural grace built layer by layer through grueling training.
Hmm.
It was fascinating.
Perhaps that was why my eyes kept tracking her movements.
As I said before.
It's incredibly consistent.
A steady breath. She took deep, controlled breaths to maintain her posture.
Was she breathing through her abdomen? Did she choose diaphragmatic breathing over chest breathing because that was where her dantian was located?
Her stride was beyond consistent; it was precise.
Naturally, her arm movements followed the same pattern.
Did the arms move automatically in sync with the legs?
Or...
Does her center of gravity look so stable because her core is anchored by her breathing?
I couldn't tell.
How could a mere third-rate... no, a newly minted second-rate martial artist like me comprehend the form of a master?
However.
If I can see the pattern, memorizing it isn't hard.
It was interesting.
I had never observed a so-called master this closely before.
I've run into plenty of them lately, but...
I had never focused on one like this. I simply hadn't felt the need to.
But now.
This is actually fun.
Watching her was proving to be quite entertaining.
Just then.
"Do you have a thing for backs?"
Cheon Hye-in spoke without even turning her head.
I swallowed hard.
I'd been caught staring.
"My apologies."
I apologized flatly. I didn't have a good excuse anyway.
Cheon Hye-in glanced back at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"I didn't expect you to apologize."
"I zoned out for a moment. I didn't mean to stare."
"I see."
Deciding it wasn't worth fussing over, she resumed her quiet walk.
It felt a bit strange.
What's with her?
Earlier, she was making all sorts of faces, trying to tease me or test me.
Now, she was silent and expressionless.
She had been like this ever since we met up after changing clothes.
Was it because of the argument we had inside? If so...
Works for me.
For me, a quiet trip was as good as it got.
As we continued walking in silence.
Cheon Hye-in's walk is one thing, but...
Would a master far superior to her walk differently?
The thought suddenly crossed my mind.
A far superior master...
If we were talking about masters, there was Wolseongeom and the Sowol Squadron Leader, but...
...Superior.
Not them, but someone even higher. Someone truly overwhelming.
From my perspective, only one person came to mind.
He was obnoxious and had a terrible temper, but he was revered as the strongest of all.
Hmm.
I nodded slightly as I pictured him.
Should I try it?
At that moment, it was just a light, casual thought.
A residence built on a slightly elevated hill deep within Cheongwol Gate came into view.
This was a place where outsiders, and even ordinary members of Cheongwol Gate, could not easily enter.
Only the Moonmaster of Cheongwol Gate and a select few elders were permitted entry.
Other than them, only the martial artists of the Sowol Squadron could come and go.
The Sowol Path.
True to its name, it was a path created solely for the members of the Sowol Squadron.
Even among the elites of Cheongwol Gate, only those who embraced the moon could tread here.
It was managed with extreme secrecy, to the point where even elders were barred without proper authorization.
And now, those who possessed such qualifications were gathered in one spot on the Sowol Path, waiting for someone.
The man seated at the head of the table whispered quietly.
"He is late."
At his words, the surrounding martial artists stiffened.
"Late on his very first day. What is the meaning of this?"
His voice, low and strained as if suppressing a boiling rage, was all the more terrifying.
The martial artists of the Sowol Squadron inside the room were busy walking on eggshells around him.
It was only natural. Aside from the Moonmaster, Wolseongeom, no one dared to cross this man.
He was the leader of the Sowol Squadron and, excluding Wolseongeom, the strongest martial artist in Cheongwol Gate.
The Sowol Squadron Leader.
Frowning deeply, he waited.
"Sigh..."
The Sowol Squadron Leader let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.
He had much to say, but his options were limited.
Damn it.
How did things end up like this? The Sowol Squadron Leader truly wanted to know.
First, the successor of the Sword Saint suddenly appeared and turned Cheongwol Gate upside down.
Then, that same successor joined the Sowol Squadron.
And now, he was the last to arrive on his very first day.
How on earth did the situation devolve to this point?
He was genuinely baffled.
Suppressing another sigh, the Sowol Squadron Leader looked to his side.
"...Duseong."
"...Yes, Leader."
The man named Duseong answered immediately.
"What of Seom Seong-gyeong?"
He was asking about the absent Seom Seong-gyeong. Duseong replied.
"Physically, he is unharmed... but perhaps due to the aftermath of the duel, his qi and blood flow have been disrupted. He is currently resting."
"..."
Disrupted qi and blood? The Sowol Squadron Leader immediately understood the underlying meaning.
He must have suffered a mental deviation.
It seemed his mind had taken a severe blow.
Then again, after being so utterly humiliated by a youth young enough to be his nephew, it was no surprise he was in bad shape.
"Understood. Submit a more detailed report on his condition later."
"I shall obey your command."
The Sowol Squadron Leader averted his gaze and stared at the empty seat.
Thanks to yesterday's events, one seat was now vacant.
This is not good.
They were already short-handed due to recent incidents, and things were only getting worse.
...What is the Moonmaster thinking?
This was no time to be distracted, yet the Moonmaster seemed far more interested in Bang Seong-yeon than the squadron's affairs.
...Seriously.
The timing couldn't be worse.
For the Moonmaster to take an interest meant he saw significant value in the young man.
...Of course, it's not like he lacks it.
He had to admit it.
Recalling the duel, he had no choice but to acknowledge the boy's skill.
The sheer presence Bang Seong-yeon had displayed was certainly worthy of attention.
However.
Even so, I do not like him.
Even if Bang Seong-yeon possessed immense value, the Sowol Squadron Leader refused to accept him.
He is arrogant and insolent.
He tried to hide it, but that attitude was undeniably there.
The Moonmaster said that as long as one has the worth to back it up, it is confidence rather than insolence, and a form of expression rather than arrogance...
But the Sowol Squadron Leader found it hard to agree.
And yet, he is the latest on his very first day...?
It wasn't just a minor delay; he was outright late.
It was utterly absurd. How cheaply must he view Cheongwol Gate to behave in such a manner?
Does he truly believe he stands on equal footing with the Sword Saint?
Since he called himself the successor of the Sword Saint, did he think he actually was the Sword Saint?
He had disliked the brat from the start, and this latest stunt only fueled his irritation.
And yet, despite all this.
He dares to join the Sowol Squadron?
To enter the very unit he commanded.
...
The Sowol Squadron Leader's Moon Eyes gleamed coldly. In a way, he thought, this was for the best.
No matter who you are.
Within the Sowol Squadron, his word was law.
If you dare to show that attitude here...
No matter how the Moonmaster reacted, he would not let it slide.
Just as the Sowol Squadron Leader made this vow.
"Leader. Junior Sister Cheon has brought the... new recruit."
The squadron member stumbled over the name before correcting himself, clearly unsure of how to address him.
Hearing this, the Sowol Squadron Leader stood up.
"Let them in."
"Yes, sir."
He's here.
I will make you regret this.
If the boy gave him even the slightest excuse, he would show no mercy.
He would use this tardiness to break him right from the start.
He would make the brat beg to be dismissed.
Steeling his resolve, the Sowol Squadron Leader waited for Bang Seong-yeon.
Step.
Footsteps echoed from down the hallway.
Step.
The approaching steps drew closer to the door.
Creak.
The door swung open, and someone entered.
The first to step inside was Cheon Hye-in.
The moment he saw her, the Sowol Squadron Leader prepared to roar.
"You...!"
Or rather, he had intended to.
But the words died in his throat.
"..."
The moment he saw Bang Seong-yeon walking in behind her, his entire body froze.
Step.
Bang Seong-yeon revealed himself as he followed Cheon Hye-in into the room.
Upon seeing him, not only the Sowol Squadron Leader but everyone in the room widened their eyes in shock.
Bang Seong-yeon, now clad in the uniform of the Sowol Squadron, was completely different.
His hands were clasped behind his back, his spine and chest perfectly straight.
His slow, measured steps and the absolute silence of his imperceptible breathing exuded a profound stillness.
Moreover, his calm, settled gaze and aura instantly overwhelmed the entire room.
He had merely walked in.
Bang Seong-yeon had done nothing but enter the room.
Yet, for some reason, everyone felt as if a sharp blade was pointed directly at their backs.
It was a sensation they had never felt from him until now. Everything, from the way he walked to the subtle atmosphere he radiated, had completely transformed.
How...?
How on earth could he project such an aura?
Had he been hiding his true power all this time?
As a flurry of thoughts rushed through his mind, the Sowol Squadron Leader could not tear his eyes away from Bang Seong-yeon.
The fact that Bang Seong-yeon was late.
His plan to use that tardiness as an excuse to teach him a harsh lesson.
At this moment, the Sowol Squadron Leader remembered none of it.
How in the world...
...could he see the presence of the Sword Saint in Bang Seong-yeon?
The Sowol Squadron Leader could only swallow hard, his mind reeling in silent shock.