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The World Was Split in Half

At least, that’s how the world appeared to the man.

From the sky, petals bloomed in full glory, and a slender line seemed to tilt the horizon.

Something split along the horizon.

Crack.

The man instinctively realized that it was his own body.

As he did, he found his vision dimming.

An elderly figure looked down at him from above.

The one who introduced himself as a martial artist regarded him with an indifferent gaze.

“…How.”

There are things that one can never surpass.

As long as this truth is not understood, or the world doesn’t change drastically, it should be impossible.

“You…”

An outsider from another world.

Strength acknowledged, but that’s where it ends.

One who lacks the necessary qualifications can never reach him. That is the law and discipline dictated by the world.

“Gguk…”

The man felt his body tearing in two and glared.

“It cannot be.”

His voice echoed as if there were two of him speaking.

“Just…”

He could not accept being defeated by one lacking true qualification.

“You…!!”

Tsutsuzuk-!!

Just before his split body fully tore apart, something erupted from the surface like tentacles.

What emerged hastily connected the split surface and began to fuse the broken body back together.

In an instant, he restored himself to his original state.

“Haah-!”

It felt like his body was now superior to before.

The formidable energy and divine status astonished the man.

“This…”

He could not be unaware of how it came to be. Immediately, he raised his head to the sky.

“O heavens!! Truly… it is you!”

It was that being. That being must have bestowed him another blessing.

A command not to lose to such a fool. To avoid such a trivial defeat.

Thus, that which was given as a blessing.

Just as he tried to form a bright smile, he realized something.

“…Huh?”

The man suddenly became aware.

What is this?

Why.

“My gaze…”

Why was it moving on its own? Even spinning around.

As the view spun and wobbled, it soon came into focus before the man’s eyes.

His own body.

The surface where his neck had been cleanly severed from his body.

The moment he confirmed this, he realized he had lost his head.

But it was too late!

Plum Blossom Slash!

Petals burst forth from the sword tip, filling the sky.

That many slashes poured down upon the man.

Cha-chakakakaka—!!!!

Like petals caught in a typhoon, a monstrous wave of slashes rained down.

In an instant, his head was reduced to powder, and his body followed suit.

It truly turned to dust.

As if intending to leave not a single fragment, Shin Cheol swung his sword with a speed that was almost invisible.

“…”

Crumbled away, turning to dust.

Finally, Shin Cheol halted his slashes and gazed at the spot.

He quietly observed the swirling dust and then turned his gaze away. There, he saw a bloodied turtle.

Thud.

Gently landing, he stepped on the floating petals.

Upon reaching the ground, Shin Cheol examined the turtle.

A lot of blood was flowing. Observing this, he placed his hand over his abdomen.

Fhooo—!!!

He infused energy to stop the bleeding.

“You seemed so confident… so what’s with the current state?”

As he spoke with a smirk, the turtle scowled.

“…You think this is my fault? You, who were so careless!”

“Well, thanks to that, I did get a good nap. So, how are you holding up?”

“Do I look fine?”

“No?”

He looked like he was on the verge of death.

“Thank you.”

“…”

Having done all this, Shin Cheol sincerely expressed his gratitude.

The turtle made an awkward face upon hearing that.

“…Unnecessary.”

He sought to brush it off.

The embarrassing feeling was one thing, but there was an even bigger problem.

“It’s not over yet, is it?”

With the turtle’s remark, Shin Cheol’s expression turned serious. That statement was correct.

Then, he turned to face the void above.

An empty space with nothing visible. Staring into it, Shin Cheol murmured.

“How long do you plan to stay like that?”

A quiet voice mixed with a martial arts energy swept through all directions.

Even as merely a voice, it resonated throughout.

In that moment.

“Oh? Indeed.”

With a tone of surprise.

Ku gukukukung—!!!

The void began to tremble and crack open. Despite the sudden turn of events, neither Shin Cheol nor the turtle was particularly startled.

They had anticipated it.

And shortly thereafter.

Ku uuuuu—!!!

A tremendous gust of wind encircled the wide terrain. It looked like they were trapped in a fierce whirlwind.

The sky was obscured, and perhaps due to the color of the whirlwind, the ceiling seemed tinged with ash.

Once the space emerged.

“What a fascinating occurrence.”

Alongside the previous voice, a change occurred in the rift of the void.

Cheojak-!!

As it tore apart, eyes popped out from within.

“How did you know?”

“It’s obvious; how could I not know?”

Upon hearing that, Shin Cheol chuckled.

Whirr.

His sword twirled, and…

Chwaaa—!!!!

He split the eyes horizontally. However, despite the slash landing, there was no change in them.

“Let’s introduce ourselves. Who are you?”

Even while observing, Shin Cheol casually spoke, and the eyes narrowed slightly in response.

“That introduction seemed a bit too violent, don’t you think?”

“It’s more heartfelt this way.”

Shin Cheol raised the corners of his lips, and at that, the eyes smiled.

“Hahaha–!!”

Kukugukung.

The earth trembled with laughter.

“Cough-!”

The turtle, unable to endure the vibrations, coughed up blood, and Shin Cheol lightly snapped his fingers.

As the petals fell and touched the turtle’s body, a thin membrane formed.

“Quite amusing. That being from the world I saw long ago was the same, but you are not different. Quite entertaining.”

“Long ago? Who did you see?”

“Well, I’m not the kind to remember someone’s name clearly. I only recall having visited once. That person was rather interesting.”

“…Hmm.”

Who could it be?

Someone from the Central Plains besides himself. He found the brief curiosity fading quickly.

That wasn’t the important matter now.

“Well then, I have another question for you.”

Swirrrr.

Scarlet energy enveloped his sword.

“How does a being from another world come to this distant place?”

“Ha.”

Shin Cheol’s question made the eyes widen.

“You truly are perceptive.”

“Perceptive or not, isn’t it strange not to know?”

A being capable of influencing Mankye.

The moment Shin Cheol saw the man with white wings, he understood. Something had happened.

“Who are you?”

He asked while fixing his gaze on the eyes.

“Who, indeed, has awakened my precious sleep?”

An arrogant tone. And certainly a tone appropriate for someone of great power.

The eyes regarded Shin Cheol with that thought.

This bodily form, containing powers that could not be held within such a trivial level, was indeed noble.

Unattainably so.

“I’m called Taechon.”

“Taechon…”

“Since the heavens were born, I have been the only one standing tall.”

“What brings such a grand being to this place?”

Shin Cheol nodded as he asked while something began to move in the void.

Dust. Ashen dust began to flow toward the enormous figure in front of them.

Before long, it coalesced into a shape. The very same winged man that Shin Cheol had turned into dust.

“I had business here.”

“I had business here.”

The words of the eyes flowed exactly as the man spoke.

“For Mankye?”

“Yes. I simply had some business to attend to here.”

“That business appears rather violent to me.”

Entering without permission and creating chaos. How could this be considered business?

“Since the host is not present, I merely intended to finish my errand quickly and leave.”

“Oh, I see. So that’s what you call breaking and entering?”

With that statement, another flash of light erupted. Shin Cheol’s sword lunged toward the man to cleave him apart.

Kik-!

Something seemed to block right in front of him, halting the sword.

But it didn’t matter.

Hup!

Ka-gak-!!

If blocked, just cleave it anyway. Pouring in energy along with a battle cry, the Heart Sword surged forth.

A massive sword blade surged and pierced the man.

His body, once again, was split in two.

At first glance, it appeared the attack had landed.

“Tsk.”

Shin Cheol pulled back, observing his sword. The blade remained untouched.

An unsettling sensation.

“You’re quite observant.”

Taechon remarked while looking at Shin Cheol.

“I like it. So I’ll ask you once: Will you come to me, Taechon?”

“Hmm?”

“That which this foolish man has failed to obtain, I shall grant it to you. What do you say? Do you not desire to rise from your humble station and become like the heavens?”

The heavens.

Hearing that, Shin Cheol glanced up at the sky. He saw the ashen whirlwind.

“Heaven. Sounds good.”

It was a wonderful word. If it meant reaching greater heights, it was indeed desirable for a martial artist.

“But let me say this.”

While gazing at the heavens, Shin Cheol looked back at Taechon.

“It only holds meaning if one ascends there by their own will. It cannot be done by your trivial manipulations.”

“Understood.”

Taechon nodded at the firm refusal.

“Then just die.”

Ku gukukung—!!!

With Taechon’s words, a multitude of massive, grotesque tentacles erupted from his shadow.

Hundreds of monstrous tentacles, chaotic and horrendous, surged toward Shin Cheol.

Hisss…

He steadied his breath and infused energy into his sword.

Just as he prepared to strike in defense.

Kwaaaahhhhh—!!!!

“Hmm?”

Before his eyes, tentacles were engulfed in flames.

Ku gukung-!!

He felt the scorching heat sweeping across the ground.

It was white flame.

“Ha.”

Upon seeing that, Shin Cheol turned to look at where the flames burst forth.

There stood…

“…That guy, showing up so pompously.”

A fierce-looking young man with a twisted expression.

Gu Yangcheong was glaring at Taechon with eyes shimmering with killing intent.

As Taechon sent a glance toward the glaring Gu Yangcheong…

“You damn bastard!”

Gu Yangcheong spat out curses as the White Flame enveloped him.

 

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