10
Ep 10
My body suddenly tilted.
The shattered rock had been completely pulverized, reduced to unrecognizable fragments.
At the same time, Cheon Hojung’s eyes widened in disbelief—
Then he let out a quiet laugh, his shoulders shaking.
The strike, filled with demonic energy gathered to its limit and reinforced with inner power, carried force far beyond anything I had imagined.
Pebbles scattered from the impact.
The ground trembled.
The sound drew nearby martial artists rushing over.
The problem was—
Even though I had destroyed the rock, the recoil twisted my arms and legs violently.
A reckless strike.
I had never used martial arts before.
I managed the attack—
But wasn’t prepared for the aftermath.
Damn it.
At this rate, it’s all for nothing.
That thought flashed through my mind.
My body was thrown backward.
Strength drained from me.
I was about to slam into the wall—
“…?”
Then—
A figure appeared.
My mind went blank.
—!!!
Arms wrapped around me tightly.
A familiar touch.
Cheon Hyerin.
She had sensed the danger and caught me.
Sand scattered from the ground.
“…I told you not to push yourself.”
“….”
“Are you alright? I told you not to overdo it.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
“…That only makes me worry more.”
Her face was flushed all the way to her ears.
“What did you say?”
“…Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“….”
We were close.
Very close.
Her eyes, once alluring—
Now filled with concern.
I could hear her heartbeat.
Her face burned red.
“…Y-Yujin… I’ll put you down now. This kind of contact… is new to me.”
She gently set me down.
“….”
Still dazed, I leaned against the wall and stood.
I wasn’t injured—
But her sudden action left me confused.
My head spun from the backlash.
Like I was drunk.
Cheon Hojung smiled, clearly impressed.
“As expected of someone worth noticing.”
But Cheon Hyerin stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Please take better care of him from now on.”
“…Understood.”
It had been dangerous.
If I had hit the wall—
Who knows what would have happened.
She spoke quietly.
“…Seeing him get hurt… troubles me.”
“….”
She hesitated.
Then—
“…If he gets hurt… my heart aches as well.”
Her voice came out with effort.
There was a hint of frustration—
And undeniable warmth.
///
In the Demonic Cult, strength is everything.
Naturally—
Strong individuals attract attention.
“…What was that just now?!”
“That man… isn’t he the one who saved the Sword Empress?”
“That power…”
“…Impossible…”
“Who is he?”
The more attention—
The more jealousy.
“…He must’ve received something.”
“He can’t even control his power properly.”
Still—
Most were simply stunned.
“…No wonder he stands out.”
“That might exceed the rumors…”
But the true shock—
Was not just that the rock shattered.
He was barely at the early stage.
Young.
With little inner power.
And yet—
“….”
The principle behind that strike—
Was real.
Something beyond his level.
No one expected it.
But—
He did it.
In front of everyone.
But that wasn’t the real problem.
“…Interesting.”
So Cheonma.
Hong Yeon.
She rested her chin on her hand.
Silver hair glinting softly.
Sharp features.
Long lashes narrowing slightly.
Arms crossed—
Watching me.
Her gaze lingered.
“…He mastered that technique… impressive. How old is he?”
She stepped forward slowly.
Her presence was captivating.
But to me—
It was terrifying.
While I struggled to stand—
She watched intently.
Eyes widening slightly.
A faint smile forming.
Interest.
Curiosity.
Her gaze followed every movement.
“…Everyone’s watching…”
Voices rose around me.
“…Yujin? Where is he from?”
“…I should speak to him…”
“…Quickly—”
And there I was—
Scratching my head.
Three days in the Demonic Cult.
Twelve hours of martial experience.
And already—
I had drawn everyone’s attention.
Even—
The owner of the technique I was imitating.
“…Am I screwed?”
This is bad.
///
Hong Yeon watched him.
At first—
Confusion.
He used the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Perfectly.
Something only direct descendants should know.
But then—
Her gaze changed.
“…?”
That wasn’t a modified version.
It was—
The original.
Pure.
Like something from ancient records.
Her interest deepened.
A single strike.
Precise.
Powerful.
Even his smallest movements—
Caught her attention.
“…If he were suspicious, I’d kill him immediately… but…”
“…He’s interesting.”
Her subordinates hesitated.
“…What if the technique leaks—”
“It doesn’t matter. Most wouldn’t be able to use it anyway.”
“….”
“If it becomes a problem, we can kill him.”
“….”
“And if death isn’t enough… we’ll do more.”
“….”
“But the Sword Empress favors him. We can’t act recklessly.”
She brushed her hair back casually.
Though—
She didn’t seem to want him dead at all.
If anything—
She seemed drawn to him.
“…Find out everything about him.”
His background.
His connections.
Everything.
She looked at her palm.
Her expression shifted.
“…This feeling…”
Attraction.
Unfamiliar.
Her heart beat slightly faster.
“…I’ll meet him tomorrow.”