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**

2 years.

Two years have passed since that incident.

Two years is a short time.

Very short.

But for some, it hasn’t been short at all.

The sword quivers.

Ilma traced its movement with his eyes.

“…….”

People don’t change easily. The same goes for martial prowess.

Life itself is like a long journey. Viewed from the entirety of that path, two years is certainly not long at all.

Time that cannot change a person.

Even if it changes, it’s barely any change at all.

“…….”

…But.

The girl before him is different.

The extended sword beautifully unfolds. The colors that tinged the world were murky yet red.

The chaos twists before his eyes.

It will become the origin that jumbles everything inside.

Neither the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique nor anything else.

It wasn’t the Hwonwon Divine Technique either.

That is…

Literally her own martial technique.

She was definitely taught by Yeol.

But she grasped Baek all on her own and solidified her pillar uniquely.

A genius among geniuses… one could say.

No, it’s foolish to simply express it as genius.

That’s the same caliber as that person.

Just like her master…

Completely the same caliber.

She is out of standard.

“…….”

A blade dance that lacks any inner power comes to an end. The girl, whose movements alone twisted the world’s principles even if just for a moment, sheathes her sword.

Steadying her breath. A gentle exhale.

The face she turned back to him relaxed for a moment.

“Ilma-nim.”

She hops over. Maybe it’s because of her small body and tiny feet.

Even her movements are cute. Ilma bent down.

The more he looks…

What a cute child.

She’s naturally gifted. She has a charm that captivates people. Her face is cute, but that charm doesn’t simply come from there.

With a warm nature, looking at her becomes comforting.

Even her small, chattering voice is soft, making one want to keep listening.

He tried not to get attached, but he couldn’t help feeling affectionate. Like father, like daughter. Ilma struggled to steady his loosening voice.

“Have you completely grasped the form of the martial art you wanted to create yourself?”

“I feel like there are still shortcomings. But I can’t pinpoint exactly where.”

“Creating a martial art is difficult. It’s like trying to navigate a dark street without a single beam of light. That’s natural. It’s actually quite amazing that you’ve come this far.”

Ilma reached out to her.

“There’s no need to strain yourself to create a new martial art. Learning what already exists is also a method. In fact, that could be an easier and quicker path.”

“…I won’t be able to reach it through conventional methods.”

“Are you talking about that man, Jin Baek-cheon?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes suddenly turned cold. Even after quite some time, the fury that hadn’t cooled was frozen, appearing more dangerous than when it was hot.

…No, am I the same? I haven’t forgotten that guy for even a single day.

Ilma grasped her small hand. Though her appearance hadn’t changed at all since the first time he saw her, the contents held within that hand had changed far too much.

The child who had reached unprecedented heights had now surpassed her limits.

She had even completely shattered those limits and displayed unbelievable miracles.

A talent that left even her master, the Great Master, in shock. With praise that it felt like looking at his childhood…

The child before his eyes demonstrated.

That even at her young age, she could reach the pinnacle of Huaxing.

The talent of the devil.

That is what this child possesses.

Yet even so, she was not prepared at this moment. The rise of her abilities is incredibly steep, but unprepared is still unprepared.

Her opponent is the bizarre group known as Reverse Heaven.

And the Sua before him is targeting the ‘Yiseong,’ the strongest of them all.

An existence that has entered the transcendence realm. Someone standing in the same place as him.

And because of that…

Great care must be taken when executing an assassination.

Losing one person is enough.

He cannot afford to lose two.

“…Calm your head more.”

“……”

“Rash anger will only delight your opponent.”

Ilma held her hand and slowly guided her.

For the one who had sharpened nothing but martial prowess, to give her a moment’s respite.

“Your father also took breaks in the middle. So take some time to rest as well. Pushing yourself too hard can make your head rigid.”

“…But…”

“Rest.”

Ilma lightly shoved Sua.

“I won’t hear any objections.”

…

Rest.

What does resting mean?

Sua quietly gazed up at the ceiling in her room. Then she picked up her sword and left the room.

Daybreak had arrived. The breeze was also cool. The season transitioning from winter to spring made the morning air feel especially cold.

Under normal circumstances, it would be time to start dawn training. But Ilma had said.

At least take a two-day break. Otherwise, he would not forgive her.

“…….”

A kind yet terrifying person.

That’s Ilma. Teacher to her father and…

The person who was said to be the closest.

“Sua.”

…Ah.

I hate this. I dislike it. I really dislike it.

In this time of not moving my body, memories of my father come to mind. But even if I think of them, I can’t see him again.

No matter how much time passes, I can’t forget. When I look back, it feels like he should be standing right there, but he isn’t.

…I dislike it.

I dislike that he isn’t here.

I still can’t understand that my father is gone.

“…….”

Sua turned in a different direction. Even if she’s not practicing swordsmanship, there are many things she can do.

Study. Yes. Let’s study. Let’s focus on that instead.

To keep my father’s thoughts at bay.

To not cry.

“…….”

But in Ilma’s study, there was a guest.

A woman with unkempt hair filled with shadows was mumbling something. The woman buried in countless books suddenly looked up.

“…Sua?”

“Dan-hwa unni.”

The woman, who had been exploring knowledge like a madwoman, Black Danhwa, blinked. She peeked out the window and then stretched languidly.

“Has time already passed this much…”

“…Did you stay up all night? Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Of course I am.”

She raised her voice, pretending to be nonchalant, but Sua knew. She understood what kind of knowledge she was pursuing at the moment.

A spell one might only hear of in legends.

Reincarnation Technique.

She had spent time in Ilma’s study solely researching that knowledge. The rumor was that she was gathering books from everywhere, looking for even the smallest clue.

And that was probably…

An act to bring back her father.

Sua passed by her. Now used to the tea, she placed it gently in front of her.

Shared situations, shared feelings.

That’s why she understood. She could see why the usually neat and polite woman had become so disheveled.

Thus, she couldn’t say anything either. Just whisper softly.

“…Take it easy, unni.”

“Sua’s not one to say that, is she?”

She weakly lifted her tea cup. After taking a sip, she smiled with an expression that looked like it might break any moment.

“Thank you. I’ll take it easy. Really.”

“…Yes.”

It seems that spending time in the study isn’t going to work.

It might disturb her.

Sua turned around. But then Black Danhwa caught her.

“Sua. Could you pass something on to Ryeong-ryeong for me?”

“A thing…?”

“Yes. That over there. I was originally going to deliver it myself, but I’ve discovered something intriguing. It looks like I need to invest time here… If you’re not busy, would you help me?”

Black Danhwa held out the item. The bundled goods emitted a faint scent of meat.

“It’s something that Ryeong-ryeong likes. So…”

Seemingly hesitant to mention a name that was almost taboo, Black Danhwa chuckled awkwardly.

“Just bring it to her. Ilma-nim prepared it specially.”

“…Okay.”

…

Ju Ryeong-ryeong.

A friendly unni who loves to eat.

But Sua noticed that she seemed much thinner than before, having settled far from the capital.

She had been in this state since that day. And her condition had been progressively worsening.

Anorexia.

She hadn’t been eating or drinking properly. Days were often spent dazed and indifferent.

In front of a grave with no corpses. Just managing the tombstone.

“…Unni.”

“Yeah?”

At her call, she turned her head. The face that belatedly found her broke into a wide smile.

Hollow cheeks. A wrist that had become skinny from not eating.

It wasn’t a fast. But it might be worse than that.

Sua cautiously hugged Ju Ryeong-ryeong’s body.

“Dan-hwa unni asked me to deliver this.”

“…What is it?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Hmm…”

She rummaged through the wrapping. Finding the jerky inside, she smiled faintly.

“Did Dan-hwa ask you to bring this?”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously… Thank her for me.”

If it were two years ago, she would have immediately popped it into her mouth.

Such was she.

But she doesn’t do that now. She merely pushes it aside and quietly stares at the tombstone before her.

Sua turned her head to follow her gaze. A grave with no corpse. But it, too, was a place she visited regularly.

“…….”

It is her father’s grave.

A tombstone for one who cannot return.

Sua sniffled. She tried desperately not to shed tears.

She quietly wiped and cleaned the tombstone while she was there. She took care of the grass growing on the mound and sat quietly in front of it.

Neither Ju Ryeong-ryeong nor Sua said a word.

They just sat and spent time together. Silently.

“…Sua.”

“…Yes?”

Ju Ryeong-ryeong spoke.

“Don’t die.”

That was a heavy statement.

But Sua understood.

She knew the intentions behind those words.

“…Yes, unni.”

“Okay.”

Sua spent a while silently with no words. But at the same time, she also felt worried.

She looked too frail. Ju Ryeong-ryeong’s body, which hadn’t eaten anything, seemed precariously close to breaking apart.

She wanted to feed her something…

But since she herself refuses to eat, there was nothing she could do.

She wanted to take a day to make her eat something, but it was impossible.

Suddenly, a plan popped into Sua’s mind. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since everyone was together in one place.

“Hey, you know. Unni.”

Aside from her father, she hadn’t really acted spoiled much.

But this time, she wanted to be a bit spoiled. Even for the sake of Ju Ryeong-ryeong.

It feels like if this continues… she might lose her too.

I dislike that. Losing someone I’ve gotten close to.

So let’s uplift her spirit. To keep her from disappearing.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve all seen each other, right?”

“…Isn’t that so?”

“Shouldn’t we all gather for a reunion soon?”

Of course, the gathering is merely an excuse.

She really wants to forcibly make Ju Ryeong-ryeong attend the reunion and use her unnis to feed her.

The things she can’t accomplish might be done by her unnis.

That’s what friends are for.

“…I miss everyone.”

“…….”

Ju Ryeong-ryeong nodded slightly. Sua smiled for the first time in a long while.

There’s something to do now. Inviting those who taught her and were close to her directly.

“Come visit in three days! I’ll contact the other unnis too!”

 

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