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There’s a line that everyone should never cross.

And that line also existed for Ilma.

Who was it that reached out a hand to him when he was starving to death? It was Cheonma, the Master of the time.

That’s why he followed her. He decided to dedicate his life to loyalty, thus he worked hard at anything.

He worked hard, yet…

“…Ugh.”

All that returned was mockery.

He knew. He understood what the Master felt. But knowing didn’t mean he comprehended it.

If she wanted to joke around, she could have done it in another way. If she wished to show camaraderie, couldn’t she do it with her usual banter?

To pick on him while being fully aware of how he felt…

That was crossing the line.

“…….”

No. Wait a minute.

This doesn’t quite add up.

Caring? No way.

That guy was just a dog. Nothing more.

He simply took in someone who seemed useful based on Cheonma’s advice. He just saw that boy trying hard to keep up and gave him a few additional tasks.

There was no deep feeling involved. Looking back, it was definitely just that. After all, he was merely a toy to be used and discarded. The little effort spent on him was all that mattered.

If you think about it, there’s no reason to be angry, right? All he needed to do was react as usual.

…But… despite having a logically sound argument…

Why did his heart remain unsettled?

As if someone had uncovered something he’d been trying hard to ignore.

“…Hmm.”

Ilma glanced down at the paper he had been writing on. The character at the tip of his brush was one character.

忍 (In – Endurance).

That form resembled someone he had seen before. The one sitting in a corner, focused on writing to overcome the pain given by Cheongeop.

“…….”

He received a letter stating that he had departed from Fengma Cave. By now, it should be the time of arrival…

Is he taking a longer route? Or has he gotten himself into trouble again, just like he always does?

“Ilma-nim.”

“What is it?”

A warrior who followed him whispered from outside.

“That person has returned. They just passed through the main gate.”

“……!”

Ilma quietly moved the table to one side. He pushed aside the paper he had been using and straightened his back.

But even after waiting, that person didn’t arrive. After waiting for a whole hour, she called the warrior again.

“Didn’t you say they were coming?”

“They did… but suddenly disappeared within the castle.”

“…….”

Below the castle. Within this very place established as the foundation of the main school, there was only one person who could exert stronger influence than himself.

Cheonma. The Master of the main school.

She must have acted first. There was no one else who could have taken him away without being noticed.

“…….”

“Il, Ilma-nim?”

“Step back.”

“Yes, yes!”

Ilma waited a whole day. Almost staying awake through the night, he heard a small commotion at the entrance of the manor he was staying in.

A familiar presence entered the spacious atmosphere. Though he hadn’t seen it, he knew.

He knew who it was.

“Ilma-nim.”

He raised his hand. Using only his inner strength, he unlocked the previously shut door.

Hollow Space Technique.

One of those very few techniques that only a handful could perform in this world.

He saw a familiar masked figure before him. But what came out was not a greeting of joy.

“…Why.”

Why did he feel so annoyed?

Ilma asked coldly.

“Why so late?”

…

The air felt tense. Even exhaling required all his concentration.

It felt like an endless black lake was staring back at him.

Cheonma was right.

Ilma’s mood was not good. Just sitting in front of him made the air feel heavy.

“Have you been well?”

“Just answer the question.”

“…….”

In that moment, Cheonma’s advice flickered in his ears.

“If possible, don’t mention meeting me. It’d be best to dodge that topic. Normally, the moment you entered the castle, it would have been reported to Ilma, but as soon as he locked himself in, even the movements of warriors under his command slowed down. He wouldn’t know you had been smuggled out before completely entering the castle.”

Ilma asked once more.

“Why were you late?”

Advice and truth.

I hesitated slightly between them. If Cheonma had said to stay silent, I would have done so. That would have been a command, not a request.

But her words were just advice. And I really didn’t want to…

“I met the Master.”

I didn’t want to lie to her.

After all, she was the one I trusted the most here.

“…….”

Silence hung heavy. For some reason, the air felt a little lighter.

“What else did you hear?”

“I heard that Ilma-nim is angry.”

“Did you hear the details?”

“I didn’t. Just that he was angry and advised me to be careful.”

“…Hmm.”

The air around Ilma relaxed a bit more.

“What happened to what you went to do?”

“I acquired the Ear Sword. The three blades as promised. Didn’t the Blood Phoenix bring back a letter?”

“It did. So I generally know what happened. Can you use the Ear Sword?”

“Not yet. However, the resistance has lessened a little. How we handle things in the future will determine the outcome.”

“Indeed.”

The conversation came to a halt. Though the tension around them eased, she still maintained an attitude that suggested she was in a bad mood.

So, I began to pull out what I had brought.

“I received many items while I was inside Fengma Cave, Ilma-nim. Among them, a good portion is for you.”

“…….”

“Would you like to see?”

“Show me.”

As I had resided within Fengma Cave, I also bought a few notable items.

Some acquaintances I made there insisted that this was good for women, and even made a few things themselves. So, the amount had grown far beyond what I had originally intended to bring.

I first pulled out a cute rabbit plushie.

“I thought this would suit you well.”

“…Do you see me as some newborn baby?”

“I’m sorry…”

“I told you I didn’t need to bring any gifts. But since I brought it, it would be rude to throw it away.”

The rabbit plushie was snatched away.

I laid out the rest of the items as well.

“This one is a dagger… this is a hair tie. There’s a separate hairpin. I thought you might need these, but I’m not sure if you’ll like them. This outfit… I bought it without knowing the exact size, so I just eyeballed it. Of course, it won’t be as good as what Ilma-nim wears…”

“Hand it over.”

“Yes.”

I handed over all the miscellaneous items. After taking out everything I had bought, I set the last item on the floor.

“…What’s this?”

“All the other items were gifts, but this one was something I chose for myself. For some reason, I felt it would suit you well…”

“……”

Ilma picked up the pink-hued glass teapot. Starting with the teapot, she fiddled with the cups and saucers, then looked back at me.

“You thought it would suit me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Even as I examined other teapots, this one caught my eye. The patterns and colors were to my liking, but what struck me most was…”

I smiled softly.

“The color and elegance stood out, blending with nothing around it. So, I felt it looked more special than anything else. Ilma-nim.”

“……”

“Umm. But… if you don’t mind me asking… why are you angry?”

“No need to ask.”

“Come closer.”

I crawled up to her. Ilma began inspecting my body.

“Did you cut off Jin Wi-lyang’s right arm?”

“I crossed the line, so I drew my sword.”

“Why didn’t you cut his neck?”

“I thought that would be sufficient.”

“If you intend to draw your sword, don’t hold back. The world of warriors is ruthless. If you meant to cut, then cut thoroughly. I can handle the chaos of the Shinwon Jin Clan up to my line.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say this to hear your apology. I heard you were having a hard time due to the latter stages of the Dark Virus.”

“I did what I thought was right. It somewhat helped with my training…”

“Helped with training? What nonsense.”

She glanced at my clothes and then turned her gaze to the Ear Sword.

“Is that the Ear Sword? What happens when you draw it?”

“Master Guigok Yajang said that when taming one, you must focus only on that one. Otherwise, what you’ve tamed might end up becoming futile effort.”

“Since the maker said so, it must be true. If someone carelessly draws that sword, it would run rampant. What about the transformation sword?”

“I haven’t even unfolded it yet… but I feel I can use it if I tame it. I can sense the energy of the Ear Sword stirring the dark energy inside me.”

“Seems you have a long way to go. However, now that you found the right direction, you’ll reach it someday.”

Ilma placed her hand on my face, pulling off my mask.

“…Hmm.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Let me ask. Jeok-un. Why did you bring so much? I distinctly said I didn’t need any gifts.”

“Ah… that’s…”

Isn’t the heart of a gift-giver the same for all?

It’s the desire for the receiver to be happy.

“I mentioned before, didn’t I? That I want to do something for Ilma-nim.”

“……”

“It’s the same. Although these items aren’t valuable like the hidden treasures of the Northern Sea Ice Palace… I simply wanted to do something for you…”

“I see.”

“Right?”

Ilma coughed awkwardly.

“I learned Cheonma’s martial arts. Though I did not inherit the complete technique, I learned a part of it from the Master. Considering the full Cheonma martial arts can only be learned by the Cheonma, it’s akin to receiving exceptional privileges.”

“……”

“While I acquired the Cheonma martial arts, the foundation underlying it is the Death King Martial Arts. It doesn’t match exactly, but it can replicate the power to some extent. I’ve pieced together what I learned from different martial arts to supplement the incomplete Cheonma martial arts. An imperfect rendition of the Cheonma martial arts. Yet, its power is higher than anything I’ve seen before. As I mentioned before, the Ice Sword’s martial arts aren’t highly valued to me.”

“…….”

“Most martial arts hold that same value for me. Even if I were to receive the best hidden treasure in the world, I’d likely already possess something similar. My unique Death King martial arts, created by deciphering countless principles, surpasses any other martial art aside from the Cheonma martial arts. Do you understand what that means?”

“I don’t.”

“To me, hidden treasures are like documents I’ve read once. They serve only to refresh my memory, but hold no significance on their own. Everything is part of my past, and all of it is nothing to me. Hence, even the top hidden treasures in the world are not essential for me. That’s who Ilma is, and also who I am.”

Ilma stretched out her hand, pulling my cheek.

“Still, I quite like that one. To me, that glass teapot seems more valuable than the hidden treasure I received from the Northern Sea Ice Palace. You’ve brought me something nice.”

“…….!”

I cautiously looked at Ilma.

“So, are you no longer angry?”

“What exactly did the Master say?”

“She said you’d hold a grudge for a long time…”

“Grudge? Hah… I’ve never held a grudge. Not once. I’ve never been angry. It’s all just a misunderstanding by the Master.”

“Is that so?”

“Absolutely.”

I let out a sigh. The air that had been so hard to breathe was now as light as ever.

So, I asked once more.

“Ilma-nim, have you been well?”

“Just the same as usual.”

“I see.”

I stared at the mask.

I gently placed my hand on top of hers that was caressing my cheek.

“I missed you, Ilma-nim. I rushed over but was late. I ended up talking with the Ear Sword along the way…”

“…….”

Ilma’s hand twitched.

She awkwardly cleared her throat a few times, then lightly placed her hand on my head.

Then she began to pat me.

“Hurry, hurry back. Think of those waiting for you.”

Those waiting.

I nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

…

Cheonma rolled her eyes slightly. During busy times, she always looked down at Ilma who was running to the castle.

There were many unfamiliar things stuck on her body. Starting with the rabbit plushie hanging from her waist, a dagger peeking out from her chest, and even her martial arts uniform had changed.

The waist tie, looking a bit loose, was something I had never seen before.

“…Well, Ilma.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you no longer angry?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She stretched out her hand.

“My work has piled up. Master, hand over half.”

“…Here! Here it is!”

Excellent. Jeok-un. No idea what you did, but you truly managed to handle things well!

Cheonma hastily handed over the papers. Once she regained her composure, the piled-up tasks began to decrease rapidly.

“I see many things I haven’t seen before. Did that mutt bring them all?”

“…….”

“He does have a pretty good eye, doesn’t he? They suit him quite well.”

“I just brought a bit too much, so I wore some. It’d be a waste to throw it away.”

“Hm. I see.”

Cheonma stamped the documents.

“I also received a flower this time. It was quite beautiful.”

“How many did you receive?”

“Hmm? Just one dagger and one flower…”

“I received exactly 26 items. Including something special, that makes 27.”

“……?”

—Scribble.

Ilma organized the documents.

“I’m thinking of teaching Jeok-un more seriously.”

“You mean taking him as a disciple?”

“Not really. I won’t take him as a disciple. But still, if he’s going to step up more, there should be proper incentives, shouldn’t there? If he has a place to return to, I’m sure he’ll work hard.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“I happen to need someone to run errands for me…”

Ilma turned her head.

“I’m thinking of giving him a position.”

“A position… Is there anything you have in mind?”

“I could make him a member of my direct organization, the Pursuit Spirit Pavilion.”

“……? Was there such an organization?”

“There wasn’t. But I plan to create one.”

Creating an organization?

For just one person?

Cheonma asked, looking skeptical.

“If you step in, forming a new organization from scratch isn’t too difficult, but… to establish a group solely for one person?”

“I plan to supplement members later on.”

Supplement? Who would be added later?

Cheonma chuckled mischievously. Internally, she mumbled without saying it aloud.

It seems you’re quite fond of that person after all. You say you won’t take him as a disciple, yet…

Aren’t you seemingly willing to do all you can to help him?

 

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