---

The job of the Sword Team primarily focused on hunting down Demon Beasts.

This was only natural. The very reason the Sword Team was established was to confront Demon Beasts, and it referred to those who had mastered the means and methods to fight them.

Thus, various sects and clans, even the Upper House, formed their own Sword Teams.

In an era where Demon Beasts resisted, beneath the guise of peace, danger lurked, making the existence of the Sword Team quite significant.

The Martial Alliance was no exception.

The Sword Team formed by the Martial Alliance held a considerable position in the Central Plains.

Was that why?

“I’ve occasionally been assigned missions that aren’t related to Demon Beasts,” I reflected. The Sword Team’s personnel had long ago expanded beyond just fighting these creatures.

Their responsibilities had grown to encompass the entire affairs of the Martial Alliance, not merely to combat Demon Beasts.

They effectively operated as the martial artists of the alliance.

Thus, receiving missions from the Martial Alliance was not an unusual occurrence, yet—

“Great Lord… what on earth has happened suddenly?”

Neither So-i nor I quite understood the current situation.

“It’s a mission.”

“You heard right. It’s indeed a mission.”

“No…”

As So-i questioned, the Sword Master absentmindedly picked his nose.

“Why? Is it particularly strange to receive assignments?”

“That’s true, but the personnel don’t match,” So-i replied.

“Why?”

The Sword Master prompted again, and So-i bit her lip before responding.

“Isn’t it against the rules of the alliance to include recruits who have been in for less than a month?”

As she spoke, So-i pointed to the side.

Where her finger directed, there stood both me and Do-yun, who had also joined recently.

As So-i mentioned, we were new recruits who hadn’t even been in the alliance for a month, and barely a week.

“That’s right.”

The Sword Master nodded, seemingly agreeing with So-i. I could feel her mood slightly brightening at the Sword Master’s response.

“Then…”

“But,” he interrupted her.

“If it’s a command from the Clan Leader, wouldn’t it differ slightly from the rules?”

“…!”

At his words, So-i’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying it’s the Clan Leader’s command?”

“Correct.”

“How could…?”

How could the Clan Leader issue a command that broke the rules? So-i appeared genuinely surprised by this.

‘What is going on? What’s happening here?’

I was equally baffled. It was strange enough to be unexpectedly assigned a mission, but the Sword Sovereign blatantly disregarding the rules was something else entirely.

Just as I was pondering this, the Sword Master spoke again.

“It makes sense not to assign missions to temporary personnel, as you said.”

He set aside the hand he’d been picking his nose with and grabbed a letter.

“However…”

He then handed the letter to So-i. For a moment, she wore a bewildered expression but took the letter gracefully.

“That’s a concern for the time of being a temporary member.”

The Sword Master grinned as he looked at us.

“You’re not just any temporary recruits, are you?”

“……”

“……”

At his statement, both Do-yun and I stiffened slightly. To be honest, Do-yun seemed to stiffen even more.

‘This guy.’

He appeared to know that Do-yun was hiding his strength. Of course, if someone was at that level, it would be obvious.

‘He’s quite a strong individual for a Sword Master.’

I hadn’t seen the Cheongyeol Sword Master before, but upon watching him, I felt a shallow admiration. All the Sword Masters I knew had reached the Transformation Realm, but—

‘This guy is stronger than that.’

The Cheongyeol Sword Master stood out as particularly powerful among those Clan Leaders.

Whether it was a trend among the Clan Leaders of that era or if he was exceptional, I couldn’t say for sure, but it was evident.

If he was capable enough to notice Do-yun, he probably wouldn’t have any trouble understanding his capabilities.

“Right?”

The Sword Master asked as if confirming something, but Do-yun remained silent, and I just awkwardly scratched my cheek.

It was becoming clearer now.

‘So that’s why…’

I had been wondering why they grouped Do-yun and me together for the mission.

‘…Are they planning to keep an eye on us?’

Perhaps they were checking how we would respond. That theory crossed my mind.

“Anyway, we’ll set off two days later for the mission. So prepare yourself accordingly.”

“…Great Lord.”

“I won’t accept any more objections. As I mentioned earlier,” the Sword Master said, his expression hardening.

“This is a command from the Clan Leader.”

“……”

So-i finally closed her mouth at those words. After all, the command of the Sword Sovereign was not something anyone within Martial Alliance could defy.

*

After finishing the discussion, we stepped outside. Despite the sky still looking bright, the expressions of the three of us were far from cheerful.

“Haah.”

In particular, So-i’s expression was an utter sight to behold. Her discomfort and irritation were palpable.

Should I say something to her? Just when I was pondering this, she declared, “…See you in two days.”

She didn’t bring up any other words and seemed to give up, striding away from us.

Her quickened pace and the unmistakable feeling emanating from her back to not engage made me merely watch her go.

“Hmm.”

What to do now? Just as I contemplated, I turned to Do-yun.

“Should we go to our room first?”

“Ah? Oh…”

To my flat remark, Do-yun seemed surprisingly startled, as if he hadn’t expected me to say anything.

It was just a suggestion to head to the room.

Since my trial period was over, the Blue Dragon Clan had provided accommodations for us.

“Where are you assigned?”

“Left building.”

“Same as me.”

It seemed we were assigned to the same building, as there were two structures nearby.

Furthermore—

“…We have the same room too?”

We found out that our rooms were shared. Other recruits had apparently already moved in their belongings, as murmurs could be heard.

With training concluded for the day, many had been instructed to wrap up their personal training, so several were seen taking a break.

Thus, Do-yun and I slowly started unpacking.

Honestly, there really wasn’t much to unpack.

‘At most, just my clothes.’

I merely tossed my clothes onto the bed, and as I did, I thought about lingering there for a moment when—

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

While unpacking, Do-yun called out to me.

“…How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That I’m hiding my strength.”

“Oh.”

He initiated the conversation first.

Swoooosh!

I heard a sound as something was erected in the room. An Energy Barrier. Do-yun must have casually set it up.

‘Is he no longer trying to conceal it?’

This Energy Barrier was no ordinary skill. He seemed to no longer care about concealing it, hence the blunt reply I gave to the Energy Barrier he erected.

“Whether I knew or not, it was plain to see.”

“…You’re saying you saw it?”

“If you’re going to hide something, at least do it properly. The Great Lord probably knows already.”

“……”

“Looking at this, I can tell it’s intentional.”

Being sent on missions simultaneously and even assigned the same room—it was clear this situation was orchestrated.

“So whatever you’re trying to do, if you’re going to do it, at least do it properly. If you’re going to act, keep it real.”

“…Are you not curious about what I’m trying to do?”

“Why should I ask?”

I squinted at him. Why should I even care? If anything, I wanted to ask. Why should I have to inquire?

“You seem to look bothered. I don’t want to get involved. Besides, whatever your intention is, it must be obvious.”

What could be the reason for hiding one’s strength and entering the alliance? It likely wasn’t the same as mine.

If so—

“Revenge or something like that. But it doesn’t seem like it’s for infiltration.”

“Reason?”

“If it was infiltration, you would’ve tried to do something against me.”

Now that I had realized there was someone else who figured things out, he would’ve probably approached me for something.

But Do-yun hadn’t done that.

Additionally—

“If he had wanted to do something, I would’ve already finished him.”

“……!”

At my chilling words, Do-yun froze. This was also a warning—if he were in such a position, not to act recklessly.

“Baek Chingu… what exactly are you…”

Seemingly surprised by the killing intent, Do-yun hesitantly spoke. I couldn’t help but chuckle at this display.

“I’m not joking, but don’t be tense. As long as you don’t provoke me, I won’t do anything.”

“What if you encounter the remnants of the Demonic Faction? Would you still not act?”

“If that’s the case, the Great Lord and Clan Leader will take care of it. I’ve said it before, I only care as long as I don’t get harmed.”

“……So you’re not a righteous faction?”

“How harsh of you?”

I couldn’t help but feel absurd.

“Regardless, on paper, I am righteous. I usually kill off Demonic Faction members on sight.”

“……”

“Are you with the Demonic Faction?”

“No.”

“Then that’s settled.”

With a thud, I fell back onto the bed. I wouldn’t be concerned about Do-yun’s true intentions.

‘Annoyingly tangled already.’

What could I do? I had already caught his attention.

I just had to ensure I didn’t further get involved.

‘After all, he’s just someone whose name I don’t even know.’

That so-called Late-Stage Talent hiding his strength.

Perhaps he was compared to me, a secret weapon of the Hundred Families—his true secret weapon might be a different caliber entirely.

I had no way of knowing who he truly was.

After all—

‘Where is the Dao Sect even located?’

I didn’t even know there was a Dao Sect in Mount Shan. I was oblivious to an exponent born from such a sect.

What this indicated was—

‘Whatever he was trying to do, it ended in failure.’

Meaning, the result was that he was erased from the records of the Central Plains or simply went unnoticed.

‘So there’s no need for me to get involved.’

As I lay there thinking,

“You’re right.”

Do-yun began to speak.

“My intention is revenge. I came to the alliance for that purpose.”

He seemed to have something else to say and started talking even before I replied.

‘Sure enough.’

It appeared his motive was revenge.

I was hardly surprised as such individuals were ubiquitous in this world.

‘What’s more, I need to avoid getting entangled.’

Just as I was planning to silence him,

“Enough now…”

“Gu Cheolun from the Mount Shan Clan. I came seeking revenge against him.”

“…What?”

Hearing Do-yun’s words, I bolted upright.

…What the hell is this madness?

My mind regained clarity.

 

---