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“That’s not entirely wrong.”

The leader of the Fokma Clan chuckled.

“The Fokma Clan is an organization responsible for guiding the excursion group. As long as we refuse to give up, we have a responsibility to support from behind. Of course, specific assistance is out of the question. Our role is solely to lead, so we must not assist him directly. Bi Cheon, you understand, right?”

“Of course. I will simply provide support to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“If that’s the case, there’s nothing to stop you.”

“…There seems to be a flaw in your words, Clan Leader.”

Jin Wi-lyang remarked sarcastically.

“How can you be sure that that member won’t help him ‘directly’?”

“Are you saying you can’t trust the Fokma Clan?”

“Clan Leader, I trust you, but that member is not you, is he?”

Jin Wi-lyang gave me a sideways glance. His eyes brimmed with hostility.

He grinned, as if daring to crawl up to him.

“Fairness. Wouldn’t something certain be better than something uncertain? If you’re trying to take responsibility from behind, we should set some reasonable limits on him.”

“What does that mean?”

“I have a certain item. San Gong Poison. A poison that disrupts internal energy and renders one incapable of utilizing their power.”

“…Are you saying you want to poison my subordinate?”

“It’s a weak San Gong Poison that fades with time. Its effect isn’t long-lasting, so it will naturally detoxify. But…”

Jin Wi-lyang shrugged.

“At least for about ten days, he won’t be able to use his internal energy. Wouldn’t this be fair enough?”

“You’ve crossed the line by a significant amount. Jin Wi-lyang, are you challenging my authority right now? Anyone who ingests the San Gong Poison can’t find their way to Fengma Cave.”

“Looks like your Su-ryeon is quite developed. With a sturdy body, you don’t even seem to need internal energy. Besides, I’m not trying to cross a line here, Clan Leader. Please calm your anger. I’m merely stating that I need something certain as well.”

The followers of the Manma Sect gradually circled around him.

“In a place that seeks to establish harmony, isn’t it debatable to favor a specific group? Before it sprouts, let’s tidy things up in advance.”

“I refuse.”

“If you refuse, there’s nothing I can do. I’m simply sticking to my position. I can’t trust that person. If you won’t follow my suggestion, even if Master Yeon reaches Fengma Cave, I’ll have no choice but to doubt his qualifications. Isn’t the test already starting the moment we step out of the black star?”

“If someone unqualified is treated the same way as someone qualified, it’s only natural to doubt the fairness of the Fokma Clan.”

“You dare…”

“Master Yeon.”

San Gong Poison, huh.

I didn’t expect it to come to this. This was truly an act full of malice.

In a dangerous terrain like this, being unable to use internal energy is basically saying, ‘Don’t follow me.’

But I accepted it, taking responsibility for my own words.

Every word from Jin Wi-lyang irritated me. He stood in stark opposition to my thoughts, and part of me wanted to break him.

What meaning is there in effort if one can overcome anything with whatever is given? What weight do the words of a fool who ridicules the path others walk hold?

I was dissatisfied.

Everything from the beginning until now.

I looked back at Yeon Guang, asking the bulky figure who looked at me with a wavering gaze.

“What will you do?”

“Mu… Warrior. I really…”

“You won’t know until you try, will you? Giving up can wait until the end.”

“…….”

“You don’t need to worry about the eyes around us.”

The followers were gathering. The atmosphere was growing noisy, and even the Fokma Clan was drawn in.

Bodyguards were glancing at us. I felt Eun Seol-ran’s gaze on me.

But I didn’t look back at anyone.

I simply told Yeon Guang.

“The choice is entirely yours.”

“…….!”

Yeon Guang’s gaze wavered. He looked down at his sword and opened his mouth.

He was still observing my reactions. But I shook my head.

If he sincerely said he wouldn’t do it, I would have let him go.

But if even a single hair had lingering attachments…

Then he must go.

That is what is right.

“I… I will…”

The stuttering individual took a deep breath. He still lowered his head in uncertainty.

But what slipped out from his lips ultimately contained his true feelings.

“…I will see it through to the end.”

Good.

That single word was enough.

I reached out my hand towards Jin Wi-lyang.

“Please give me the San Gong Poison.”

“…Are you really going to take it?”

“If I didn’t intend to consume it, I wouldn’t have brought it up.”

I didn’t hesitate to swallow the poison he offered, chewing it as if to demonstrate.

I could feel that despite employing the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique, my energy was not circulating.

The poison’s level was a different affair from the one inside the Blood Demon Cave.

It wasn’t a mild one. What Jin Wi-lyang had handed was the deadliest kind of poison.

It was undoubtedly the most potent type of San Gong Poison. He had lied when he said it was light; it was challenging for Cheongeop to flush it out.

Ultimately, Cheongeop would regain its status, that was certain. It was already gradually breaking down the poison and pushing it outward.

But of course, it would go as he said.

For the time being, it looked like I could not use my internal energy.

“I will pursue them. In time.”

But that’s alright.

My heart still moves.

. . .

The sun rose. The excursion group began to move.

As before, we fell behind.

Partly due to worsened conditions. Because I couldn’t use my internal energy, I couldn’t move like I had before.

Climbing a single boulder required continuous effort. I almost stumbled and fell many times.

I moved my body without internal energy. It was slightly slower than before due to adaptation, but I continued to walk diligently.

Yeon Guang lagged behind me, stumbling.

“Why… why are you going to such lengths to help me…?”

“I’m not speaking to help Master Yeon.”

“If that’s the case…”

“Honestly, I got heated. Every word from start to finish was unpleasant to me.”

“…….”

“I acted simply because I didn’t like it. Since it was your decision, you don’t need to feel burdened.”

The wind was growing stronger. I lowered my body.

The capricious weather continued to shift. If I stood too tall, I might topple right over at once.

Yeon Guang murmured from behind. His voice was soft and hard to hear.

“…Thank you.”

“I’m not swallowing the poison to hear words of thanks, Master Yeon. Actions are more important than words. If you want to prove your heart, you need to move your feet.”

I reached out to the wobbling Yeon Guang.

“Let’s go. We have a long way to go.”

“…Yes.”

The increasingly fierce wind swept us even as the sun began to set.

We had fallen further behind than the day before. Only around the time the sun finally rose could we begin to chase after them.

With a cold sweat, I barely arrived at a place where the group had rested sufficiently and was packing up.

“…Honestly, you really don’t know your place.”

Jin Wi-lyang chuckled as he passed by, looking at our sorry state. Others merely glanced at us as they left.

Only Eun Seol-ran paused for a moment to watch us. Goon Cheon-gyeong whispered to her.

“Are you alright?”

“I can hold on. Senpai.”

“…You don’t look like it. You seem stubborn. Be careful and follow closely. I’ll keep leaving trails for you.”

In the spot where everyone had left, only burnt firewood remained. I glanced toward the rising sun.

We need to rest for even a moment. Otherwise, we will drift further away.

“Let’s unpack. Master Yeon. We need to rest, even if just for a bit.”

“…I’m sorry.”

We unpacked in the cave. Instead of sleeping, I quickly took out food and cooked.

It was merely reheating what was already prepared. As Yeon Guang ate the warmed food, he began to doze off.

I glanced at the sky.

“It would be good to rest for an hour. Sleep for a bit.”

“And what about you…?”

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

I leaned my body against the wall, sitting down and lowering my head.

I had no idea how much time would pass if I fell deep asleep. I kept waking briefly, checking the time repeatedly.

Exactly one hour passed before I woke him. A dazed Yeon Guang took a step forward again.

We moved again in pursuit of the trail. However, the distance had widened even more than the day before, and by the next day, we had already encountered the place they had left behind.

We could not catch up with them in time. My body was failing me, and simultaneously, Yeon Guang was growing wearier.

Our steps slowed continually.

The sound of Yeon Guang gasping for breath increased.

The water in the canteen ran dry, and I had to swallow my thirst with saliva.

“…….”

“…….”

The conversation that had already been sparse dwindled even further. In the cave we arrived at late at night, only cold, burnt firewood remained.

It’s late. Ridiculously late.

Yeon Guang leaned against the cave wall.

“…Perhaps…”

Yeon Guang murmured with a pale face.

“I was dreaming of something beyond my reach.”

“…….”

“It was never something I could do. Even if I were to arrive at Fengma Cave with assistance, there’s no way someone like that could receive help from Master Guigok. That man only crafts swords for the geniuses among geniuses.”

“…….”

“I lack exceptional talent. Master must have misjudged when he chose me. It’s only natural that I would tire trying to force myself to do what I cannot. The Neurostorm Sword is no skill meant for someone like me. It’s only reasonable for others to scoff at me. It’s only natural for them to ridicule me for being given an excellent sword.”

Yeon Guang coughed harshly, looking at me.

“Maybe… maybe it’s best to stop now. I won’t be able to make it in time. It might be best to give up and go back…”

“Why can’t dreaming beyond your means be something that’s not allowed?”

I took out some food. I reignited the cold firewood.

I heated the food. I watched until warm steam began to rise.

Repeating what I had done before.

Until I succeed.

“If dreaming is even forbidden, then who in the world would walk forward?”

“Yes, but…”

“I don’t know much. Neither you nor your master. But one thing I do know.”

The food was heated.

I handed it to him.

“It’s better to take a step forward during that time than to spew endless excuses.”

“Why… why…”

“Will you not regret it?”

I was tired.

My body without internal energy felt exhausted. My body, having repeatedly taken short naps, creaked as I moved.

Yet I could still walk.

I could still walk.

“It is about the words you just said.”

“…….”

Yeon Guang, who had been staring blankly, took the food with trembling hands.

He began to chew in big bites.

. . .

“Master’s master is…”

Blisters began to form on his feet from the walking. The harsh terrain was taking a toll on his body.

It was a raw, primal pain I hadn’t felt in a while. Since Cheongeop was focused on pushing out the poison, of course, my body wasn’t regenerating…

Thus, every step felt like my soles were screaming.

The consequences of constantly marching without help.

But I moved, stifling my groans. At this point, a little pain didn’t matter anymore.

“What was Master’s master like?”

“He was a good person.”

“What kind of…?”

Yeon Guang staggered. I pulled up his arm.

“Though he spoke harshly, he had a warm heart. Our first meeting was the worst. He laughed at my suffering.”

“…Really?”

“Indeed. Our first relationship was more like enemies than a master and disciple. But eventually, due to circumstances, that form changed.”

The wind blew. It began to rain.

We spoke as we walked. To quench our thirst.

“I learned the sword. I also learned martial arts. I still can’t properly call him Master… but at least I’m sure that in my heart, I regard him as such.”

“Quite a complicated… relationship.”

“It seems so to others, but at least it isn’t so for me.”

I recalled her.

I took one more step.

“Since I’ve received so much, I only want to give back something for that person.”

“…I feel the same way.”

Yeon Guang followed my pace.

“My Master was the one who looked after me, who was drifting. In the end, he accepted me as a disciple and taught me his sword. I… I wanted to repay that expectation. But my talent is lacking…”

“…….”

“If you receive something, don’t you want to give something back? He was the most important person to me. Someone incomparable… like a father to me. But I have shown him nothing. I have never properly demonstrated the Neurostorm Sword that he always displayed.”

We leaned against a cave.

We looked at each other across the dry firewood.

I heated the food.

We ate.

“I couldn’t present anything worthy as I left. I simply cried. Honestly, I regret that the most. I wanted to show him a proud and strong appearance at the end… but that proved to be very difficult.”

“How many people can show such profiles when someone important departs?”

“Haha… but that’s the nature of feelings.”

We walked again.

I exerted myself to close the distance.

“The reason I tried to repair this sword is also that. I showed nothing until the end, so when I’m on the verge of death, I wanted to show at least something.”

“Is that sword really that important to you?”

“It is, but… a sword is merely a tool. My Master always said that his sword, the Neurostorm Sword, was still incomplete. Although I learned from what was passed down from prior generations, it still hasn’t seen the end. He was a man who kept running towards its completion. Now, since I’ve inherited that legacy, I wanted to prove that his archetype is solidly etched in my own actions, before his tombstone. I wanted to complete his sword with my own hands.”

“……”

“Finally living up to expectations. That is what I desire. My master’s sword holds the secrets of the Neurostorm Sword, so by fixing it, I could gain something from it, right? I plan to gather everything and complete the Neurostorm Sword… showing all those who looked down on my master that they were wrong. Of course, I also want to repair my Master’s heirloom.”

I nodded. I pushed him forward.

“That’s a great idea.”

The next morning, I found two water bottles in a corner of the cave. There was also a short note scrawled alongside.

[Eat and regain your strength. Are you keeping up?]

It was Goon Cheon-gyeong. I burst into a smile.

My eyes weren’t deceiving me. This canteen confirmed it.

What a truly kind person. Coincidentally, it had just rained, and the canteen had collected some water.

Thanks to that, I could quench my thirst.

However, my stamina was already reaching its limits. Yeon Guang was staggering.

I was the same.

“Will we be able to catch up…?”

“We’ll try until we can no longer.”

My mind was also reaching a corner. We were sleep-deprived. We knew that if we slept soundly, we would really be unable to chase after them, so we had to keep walking.

One hour per day.

A brief power nap.

The terrain was becoming increasingly harsh. The words from my mouth turned into muffled grumbles.

I could endure.

But Yeon Guang could not.

On the tenth day, he finally spoke. Whispering through cracked, dry lips.

“…My body… has reached its limit, Warrior.”

“…….”

“I can’t move my feet anymore. The skin on my soles is all torn, I can no longer walk. My hands are scratched from gripping the stones.”

“…….”

“I think I’ve done all I can… but it seems it was too much.”

I knew he’d reached his limit. That’s why I didn’t stop him.

He was right. Truly, he had done enough.

…It deserved respect.

I asked one last time.

“Are you satisfied with this?”

“…Yes.”

“Sleep. I won’t wake you.”

I watched him turn to lie down. I also used my pack as a pillow and closed my eyes.

As soon as I lay down, my exhausted body fell into a deep slumber. It felt like I fell into the abyss for just a moment.

There was so much regret.

But…

I also couldn’t force that upon him.

Deciding whether to walk on the road or not is always up to the individual.

. . .

Yeon Guang stared at the wall.

A crack in the wall. Between it lay nothing. Yet still, he continued to look.

Sleep overwhelmed him. But it never came. He thought that giving up would ease his heart, but it seemed that was not the case either.

Something stuck in his throat. He tried to expel it with a cough, but it wouldn’t budge.

His mind was agitated.

He turned over, yet it persisted.

“…….”

But…

Isn’t it the case that some things are simply unavoidable?

Yeon Guang thought that living often means there are things that aren’t meant to happen. There are some things that slip through the fingers even when one tries to hold on tight.

No matter how hard he tried, it didn’t work. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t reach it.

Those who gain everything with a single swing of their sword don’t know. Only those who follow steadfastly behind know this unyielding truth.

The world isn’t fair.

And in the center of this unfair world stood himself.

“…….”

His feet ached. What of his hands?

He found broken nails. Calluses ripped open, causing blood to flow.

It hurt. Even standing still it was painful, and moving would only intensify that pain.

His knees wobbled as if they would buckle. He trembled constantly, unable to walk properly.

He didn’t run away.

He truly couldn’t.

“Guang-a.”

A familiar voice echoed. Yeon Guang unknowingly looked out of the cave.

The wind was subsiding. Beyond it, moonlight settled.

…Actually.

Whenever he was exhausted, he had a hiding place he’d go to. A place where no one came, allowing him to close his eyes in peace.

But, you know… it wasn’t really like that. He didn’t seek that place out because no one came.

Every time the moonlight bathed the area, someone came without fail. When he was exhausted and in a time where nobody would seek him out, that person would appear.

Always unchanging, that made him start waiting for them one day.

“Are you sulking again?”

…Master.

I… I don’t know.

I think I’ve done enough. After all, it’s obvious that since I forcibly occupied a place for which I had no qualification, sinking is only natural, right?

Since I was pushed into such obvious logic, it would only make sense to give up.

…But…

Why exactly… can’t I sleep…?

“……”

Yeon Guang stared blankly at the moonlight. He turned his gaze and looked back.

The man who had been stripped of his internal energy stood there. Someone who walked ahead of him without aid, facing the wind.

Why doesn’t that person give up?

It must be hard, so how can he keep moving forward?

I don’t understand. My head is spinning. I need to sleep. Once I sleep, all my thoughts will be neatly ordered.

So… I should close my eyes.

Close my eyes and…

…somehow…

“Will you not regret it?”

His eyes snapped open.

Yeon Guang realized too late.

Why the moonlight was so bright.

Why Master’s voice echoed in his ear.

Even though his soles were raw and he couldn’t walk…

Why he could not fall asleep.

“…Ah.”

Ah, right. That’s it.

I know now. No one will come to find me, no matter where I hide.

If I dawdle like this, even Master’s name will fade with the light.

The reason he came here was simple. He wanted to repair even his Master’s broken relic, and sincerely, to complete the Neurostorm Sword.

But that reason was not solely for himself.

He wanted to show those who ridiculed him for being a foolish disciple that Master was right.

He wanted to demonstrate the greatness of that man in every way, to show that he had taken on a qualified disciple.

I know it.

Stopping here would certainly lead to regrets.

“…Ugh.”

I bit my lips. Can I move?

…No.

Don’t overthink it. Yeon Guang.

Didn’t the Warrior say?

Instead of wasting time on tangled excuses…

It’s important to take at least a step forward.

. . .

Someone shook me awake. I slowly lifted my head.

The shadow of the moon had slightly shifted. My head throbbed, proving I had taken a brief nap that lasted one hour.

“…Warrior.”

“…….”

“I want to try a little more.”

I turned to the side.

Yeon Guang’s face, in disarray, spoke.

“I will walk more. I can do this.”

“Why…?”

“I was going to give up… surely I was…”

In his arms was something wrapped up.

The Master’s sword.

Holding the broken object tightly, Yeon Guang gritted his teeth.

“I feel like I’ll regret it… I can’t be satisfied…”

His legs trembled. The soles of his worn footwear had pooled with blood and were ratted.

He was showing with his whole body that he was walking with nothing but bare skin.

But he moved. He crawled and knelt before me.

“I have no talent. I might be lacking to fulfill Master’s dreams. In fact… I have thought that all along. I’ve been talking a big game, but I’ve concluded deep down that I won’t be able to finish the Neurostorm Sword.”

“…….”

“Because deep down, I’ve been determining that I couldn’t, I showed nothing. Until my departure, I displayed nothing. Jin Wi-lyang was right. I’m foolish. A piece of garbage… an idiot who has achieved nothing. But, ah…!”

The trembling hand gripping the sword shook visibly.

“I tried… to sleep, but… I simply couldn’t. I feel uneasy… I’ve received so much, yet… I have given nothing… nothing at all… so…!”

The man raised his head.

His disheveled face contorted. His tightly clenched jaw couldn’t hold back and burst forth, spilling blood.

“So…!”

Yet, from that spilled blood…

“I want to hold it close. A dream that, by rights, I don’t deserve to have.”

A flame ignited in his waning spirit.

He bowed down. His forehead kissed the earth.

He struck down multiple times. Skin broke, and blood streamed down. The blood staining the ground ran down his chin.

But he didn’t stop.

Even as he cried out in pain, he continued to plead.

“Warrior. I know this is unreasonable. I know these aren’t words that someone who can’t use internal energy ought to say.”

“……”

“I want to move forward. I want to fulfill this sword, my Master’s wishes. But I am lacking on my own. Please help me. I must reach Fengma Cave. I must meet Master Guigok to repair the sword.”

“…….”

“I lied. I can still walk. I can push forward. I am… I am…”

The man who pressed his forehead to the ground spoke.

His legs, which bled, trembled.

“I have not yet done enough. Warrior. I can still walk further.”

I raised my gaze. I reached out to block him from being struck down once more.

I wiped his face. I cleared my clouded thoughts.

I stood up.

I packed my things.

“…Let’s go, Master Yeon.”

I took a step.

“Let’s move. If you feel so pathetic about yourself…”

A path that won’t end until we give up.

“Now, we just need to take a few more steps.”

He wiped blood from his hands. He cleared away tears and grit his teeth.

He stood up on trembling legs. After adjusting his blood-slick shoes, he shouldered his pack.

He stumbled.

But he quickly steadied himself.

“…Yes!”

We began to walk again.

With blood and sweat mixed, on shaking legs…

In pursuit of something beyond our reach.

 

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