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**

The warriors guarding Ilma’s home are mostly those who have the basics down. However, there had never been a case where they transcended those basics.

It was simply the pinnacle come to an end.

But there was a reason for that. A person with strength that ranks among the best within the Demon Cult.

Who would dare to target the first horse, who could be defeated by no one but the leader?

Ilma’s mansion wasn’t even worth targeting in the first place. It was a desolate place that didn’t fit the name Ilma.

There were only minimal structures in place to maintain prestige; even those were mostly just maintained without being used at all.

A silent palace for the first horse. Since there was nothing to steal, there were no greedy intruders, making it a place devoid of invaders.

If anything, it could be likened to the Heavenly Demon’s training hall. An open area that nobody desired.

In such a place, a shadow seeped in.

—Tap.

The footsteps were quiet. A woman clad in black wiggled her fingers.

As if frustrated, she swiftly pulled down the cloth covering her mouth.

She moved like a beast, turning her back to the moonlight.

A sigh leaked out through the silence.

“…It’s so stuffy.”

The woman, undeterred by the peak’s bodyguards surrounding the manor, walked toward the structure.

Then, she encountered another guest who had arrived before her.

“……?”

“……?”

Both turned to look at each other, and slowly began to circle one another with faces they had never seen before.

“The hired warrior… doesn’t seem to be it. Who are you?”

“And you? Seems a bit late for a visitor…”

“Isn’t it the same for both of us?”

“…Hmm…”

The white-haired woman and the black-haired woman.

The two women who were at odds simultaneously questioned each other.

“Could it be Jeok-un…?”

“Could it be your brother…?”

—Startle.

The wary gazes of the two met in the air.

The black-haired woman opened her mouth.

“Brother? Why do you call him that?”

“Because he’s my brother. Seeing you call him Jeok-un means… you must know his real name?”

“I do. We’re close. We’ve shared both joy and sorrow.”

The words pointing to a single time were omitted.

The same was true for the other.

“We’re similar in that way. But I think I’ve been with him longer… I know everything about your brother.”

“What do you know?”

“Tastes. Hobbies. Favorite food. The movements of the sword he wields. His attitude toward martial arts… I could list it all. Want me to tell you?”

“I feel like I already know everything.”

“…Who are you?”

I don’t want to be in a place like this.

But the black-haired woman, Eun Seol-ran, brought up her status to push down her opponent.

“I am Eun Seol-ran, disciple of Sma.”

“Ugh…?! Disciple of Sma?!?”

“Yes. Since I’ve revealed my status, shouldn’t you do the same?”

“…I’m Baekmae, Blood Sea Candidate.”

“Blood Sea Candidate…?!”

Once again, their gazes clashed. Eun Seol-ran’s expression hardened.

“Blood Sea Candidate… How can you prove that?”

“And what about your claim of being Sma’s disciple?”

“…Hmm.”

“…Hmm.”

Amidst the clashing gazes, someone jumped over the wall once more.

“Why did you even set it for today?”

“I had no idea…?”

The two, caught off guard, froze. They began spinning as they noticed the two who had arrived early.

Eun Seol-ran opened her mouth.

“Who are you?”

“And you? What’s happening? Didn’t you say no one would be here?”

“I thought so too.”

The atmosphere felt sharp.

Was it just me?

There was an unmistakable feeling of danger. If the woman with a fan was to be taken lightly, the well-endowed woman was a master.

Eun Seol-ran’s eyes narrowed.

“How about revealing your identities first?”

“I am Seob Honyohee, Black Danhwa. Ask anyone living here. We’re friends.”

“I’m Ju Ryeongryeong. Same here.”

“Friends? Why would a mere friend cross the wall at night?”

“You’re suspicious too, aren’t you? Why are you spinning around here at such a late hour?”

“I’ve been with Jeok-un and the Blood Demon since the beginning.”

Baekmae was astonished.

“…What? Then could it be… you’re the Twenty-Nine?! I feel like I’ve heard something similar…?!”

“What? How many are you?”

“I’m Twenty-Nine, the second to arrive.”

“From the Blood Demon?”

“That’s right.”

Eun Seol-ran and Baekmae cautiously narrowed the distance between them. Unexpectedly siding with each other, the gathered makeup began to split into two.

Nervous gazes were exchanged. Black Danhwa lowered her voice.

“Ju Ryeongryeong. Don’t let your guard down. These seem like people who are after Jeok-un.”

“Late-night guests… were they going to take us as snacks? Snacks… snacks… hmm… pork…”

“You said your name was Baekmae? Since we’re from the same place… let’s eliminate the immediate threat.”

“Even if I don’t like it, that seems efficient.”

Black Danhwa opened her fan. Ju Ryeongryeong subtly tightened her grip.

Eun Seol-ran placed her hand on her sword. Baekmae did likewise.

A pressure began to rise. In that moment, a foot slipped in.

In an instant, all four heads were slammed to the ground.

“Ugh?!”

“Ah?! eggs?!”

“Argh…?! ”

“Ugh?! ”

“…With four women, and a familiar face mixed in…”

The absolute master, who overwhelmed everyone just from her presence alone, muttered softly. Each time she took a step closer, it felt as if the world was collapsing.

“What are you here for? It’s strange how many of you have gathered….”

Her voice settled like a weight.

The long talisman stuck to her mask shook vigorously in the uneasy atmosphere.

“Get lost. While you’re still alive.”

“T-the Heavenly Blood Demon…!”

—Clunk.

The previously closed door swung open. Jeok-un, as if reading a book, stepped out.

“Lord Ilma, you’ve… no, what is everyone doing here?”

“Ugh, ugh, ugh…”

“F-first, please release us! Lord Ilma! They are guests!”

“They’ve entered my domain without my permission. Did you summon them?”

“I did, Lord Ilma. It wasn’t intended, but… as a result…”

“…Tch.”

In an instant, the charged aura made the four cough.

Without a care, Ilma moved past them and grabbed Jeok-un’s nape.

“This one has a prior engagement. Go home today.”

“…Y-yes?”

“I told you to go home. Is my word trivial?”

“That’s… not what I meant, but…”

“Get lost.”

—Bam!

The four found their gazes shaken by the firmly closed door.

Eun Seol-ran quickly turned her head. By a narrow margin, Black Danhwa folded her fan.

Baekmae was astonished. Ju Ryeongryeong blinked in surprise.

“Y-you really expect us to back down?”

“Are you going?”

“Or what… confront the Heavenly Blood Demon? You said you’re a Blood Sea Candidate, right? As both a Heavenly Blood Demon and the Blood Sea Master, it wouldn’t be wise to earn her displeasure, would it?”

“It’s a handshake. Ju Ryeongryeong. I hear there’s plenty of time, so building connections later wouldn’t be a bad idea. Since you’re close with Jeok-un, it’s important not to fall out of his favor.”

Eun Seol-ran and Black Danhwa exchanged glances.

“They mentioned a parental figure, so it shouldn’t be dangerous. Jeok-un doesn’t lie.”

“They said a similar thing about their master, so thinking ill would be more strange, wouldn’t it? Ultimately, it seems like just a review of the mission.”

“…We seem to share the same thoughts?”

“I know what kind of person he is.”

Eun Seol-ran shrugged. She turned her head.

“You said your name was Baekmae? I’m curious about what happened between Jeok-un and the Blood Demon… How about you share some of your story? You’re curious too, aren’t you?”

“…I would be fine with that… Hmm…”

“I’m curious too. How about we properly introduce ourselves? We’ll be seeing each other for a while.”

“Can’t we keep it short?”

“Just come along, Ju Ryeongryeong.”

Black Danhwa nodded cutely.

“Let’s have some drinks, just us girls… What do you think? We should have plenty in common to discuss, right? Let’s start from the beginning, even if we end up competing.”

“…A straightforward declaration of war… sounds good. This side has plenty of blanks to fill in.”

“I’m fine with that… too.”

“Know a good place to eat?”

“That’s not the topic, is it?”

…

—Bam!

They were thrown against the closed door. As she leaned against the wall, Ilma threw off her mask.

Her beauty was revealed naturally. But in stark contrast to that beauty, her hand suddenly swiped.

—Bam!

The building shook slightly. She looked down at me, having leaned against the wall.

I looked up at her structure. The faint pink hair cascading down brushed against my cheek.

Her narrowed eyes inquired.

Her voice was sharp.

“What is it?”

“Y-yes…?”

“What are you asking? Those girls.”

I lightly explained what had happened in the corner, maintaining my position. Ilma, still looking down at me with her hand on the wall, muttered.

“Right… You wouldn’t have called those girls all at once… You don’t seem interested in that sort of thing…”

“Uh?”

“…Tch.”

She turned around and leaned against me.

She slid down smoothly.

The body nestled in my arms was slender. Though I knew she was a martial artist, the feeling against my chest was incredibly soft.

A sweet scent wafted through the air. Was it perfume…?

No. I’d recognized that scent before; it must be body fragrance.

“Jeok-un.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t like others entering my territory.”

“I will remember.”

“…Good to know.”

I noticed the back of her head tightening with irritation. I gently placed my chin atop her head.

Ilma flinched slightly. Since I was a bit far away, I pulled her closer for comfort.

“…You’re audacious.”

“I’ll let go.”

“It’s fine. I’m not in pain.”

Ilma hesitated.

“…How did you get involved with Nine Heavens Jade Woman?”

I slowly unraveled the story about what had happened during the accident. There was a lot to discuss, so I had to add different elements as I went along.

I started with Ju Ryeongryeong’s story. Ilma fell into thought.

“Ansasugwi? You got involved with a bothersome one.”

“He was malicious.”

“Most of the beings from the Demon Cult are like that. There’s a reason they’re not affiliated. They value their own strength above all, so they use ruthless means without hesitation to achieve what they desire.”

Black Danhwa brought up a related tale. Ilma inquired.

“Spirit Demon Conjuration? What did you see within it?”

“…….”

“Why can’t you answer?”

“Well… I saw many people…”

“What about?”

“After seeing you, I split into two.”

“Why?”

“I felt as if I was insulting you… I didn’t like it.”

“How did you manage to get out?”

“I tried to stick to you.”

“…Let’s move on.”

“Yes.”

I brought up the Black Wind. Ilma extended her hand.

“Show me the token you received from Full Moon.”

“Here it is.”

“…It’s real. You received something valuable. Don’t lose it, keep it with you at all times. No matter what your status becomes, with that token, Full Moon will listen to you.”

I spoke of the events from my stay at Eungmin. She seemed curious about the Nine Heavens Jade Woman and snarled slightly.

“That damn woman…”

“She’s not a bad person. She did help me in the end…”

“Are you saying you’re siding with her?”

“Not at all…”

“…Fine. It’s true that you were helped. It’s not in my nature to nitpick over that.”

She looked up at me.

“You’ve leveled up.”

“I was just lucky.”

“Lucky? No way. What you’ve been doing all this time must have unfolded all at once. Initially, you were standing at a precarious midpoint here.”

“……”

“Impressive.”

“Lord Ilma.”

“What is it?”

“You seem angry… considering those words.”

“…Grrah…”

Ilma grumbled.

“I don’t like it.”

“I’m not planning to serve anyone other than you as my master.”

Ilma held my hand and twirled it.

“Lord Ilma?”

“Shut up. Be still.”

“…….”

“I heard about a lot from Wolhyang. Some are quite embarrassing.”

“Yes?”

“Was everything you said sincere?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything up until now. Including what you said to me.”

I reflected back.

I hadn’t told any lies. Everything I said had come from genuine feelings.

“I’ve… never lied to you, Lord Ilma. Not once.”

“…Hmmm.”

“Well… I also have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“The words you said at the gathering… were they sincere?”

“Related to your master?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because, as I said earlier, I don’t want to serve anyone but you, Lord Ilma. Even if you permit me… I simply don’t want to…”

“Why?”

“It’s just how I feel.”

Ilma stood up. She spun around and grabbed my chin.

She examined me, inspecting my eyes, nose, and mouth closely.

“…After passing through the martial arts stage, you’ve gotten rid of impure elements entirely.”

“That’s correct.”

“Because of that, your appearance has become even more striking. This isn’t a rare occurrence. After undergoing such transformation, many have become handsome within the main school. The representative being Eun Yangbaek, dens of the Mystical Society.”

“…….”

“But the scars remain. Is that what you wanted?”

“Probably… yes.”

“I see.”

Ilma lifted my chin, her gaze gleaming in a fiery light.

“Your role is as the huntsman of the Master. You haven’t forgotten your duties, right?”

“Of course.”

“Who’s responsible for you?”

“It’s… Lord Ilma…?”

“That’s right. Remember this. You are the Master’s dog, but the one managing you is me. And you remember what I said earlier, right? The part where you don’t want to serve anyone but me?”

“That’s… correct.”

“I feel similarly. I have no intention of giving you away. I’ve raised you this much.”

Ilma opened her mouth wide.

It brushed against my face and nestled into my shoulder.

The edge of my neck pricked slightly. Blood began to flow from the bite on my shoulder.

She lifted her head. The wound itself faded quickly, but my blood dripped down her lips.

“Did you really think I would hand you over to someone else?”

“…Why the neck…”

“I showed you the difference. You are beneath me. Jeok-un. And you know you’ll soon be leaving for the Martial Alliance, right?”

“I know.”

“Until that time, stay by my side as before. I’ll watch over everything from martial arts to studies. No individual actions are permitted.”

She licked the blood she’d smeared on her fingertips.

“From today onward, you have one duty. Stick by my side all day long. Even for the washroom, seek my approval first. Understood?”

“Yes?”

“Answer me.”

“I… understand?”

“Good.”

Ilma rubbed her face against me, pushing her entire body gently against me before mumbling.

“I have no greed. Not for money, treasures, or swords… It’s not like I have anything in particular that I want.”

“……”

“But if something does arise that I want, I make sure to have it. That was the favor towards the Master. And now a second desire has arisen.”

“What is it…?”

“I was thinking that when you return, I’d tell you one.”

Ilma lifted her head. Our faces were nearly touching.

The words she spat were bold. At the same time, they dripped with desire.

“I had no plans to take on a disciple. I thought it was inefficient and pointless. I had no intention of passing my martial arts onto future generations. But you are different. So it seems we need to clarify this.”

“Are you implying…?”

“After everything is settled, when you return to the main school, I will formally propose to the Master. I will be naming you my disciple.”

“……!”

“If you dislike that, speak now.”

I held her tightly. I lifted her and spun her around.

“How could I possibly deny that! Master! Hahaha!”

“Ca-careful. It’s not official yet, so only refer to me as that when it’s just the two of us. If you reveal that at a gathering like earlier, it could lead to your identity being exposed due to the Master’s antics… Ah! Easy on me!”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“What. It’s fine. Feels good, so it’s acceptable. Anyway, don’t think of anything else and stick by my side.”

Ilma murmured while nestled in my embrace.

“…You are now my disciple.”

 

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