HDCLSSRS Ch 54

Chapter 54 An Unavoidable Matter (1)

“They’re all dead, Commander.”

“What about Hwajeong Valley?”

“Seems they ran away.”

Several men in black searched the hut, but there were no survivors. The man referred to as the Commander, Wirim, grimaced and spat out a curse. He rubbed his forehead as if weary.

“Can’t be helped. We return to the cult.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Wirim turned to leave, he froze.

A man stood dozens of paces away, the hem of his white robes fluttering in the breeze. The moonlight reflected off the white garment so brightly it seemed to glow on its own.

After a moment, Wirim recognized the man.

“Haha… Surely my eyes are not mistaken? To think I’d run into the Seventh Young Master here.”

“It’s been a while, Wirim.”

“Yes. How many years has it been? Ten?”

“Twelve.”

“It’s already been that long. My, my. I heard you went missing, but seeing you unharmed is a relief.”

Wirim spoke in a familiar tone, like one meeting an old friend.

“Still, regardless of all that, I’m your teacher. You should address me properly, Seventh Young Master.”

Wirim’s tone shifted, and he gave a quiet warning.

Seong Muyeon burst into laughter.

“A teacher? What could you have possibly taught me?”

“Good grief… Is that adolescent rebellion of yours still not over? Why do you have to be so contrary about everything?”

“…”

Wirim pointed his chin toward the hut.

“Anyway, I came looking for Young Master Seomun, but he wasn’t there. Was that your doing, Seventh Young Master?”

“Yes. I spirited him away.”

“I figured as much. Something felt off. Hah, how long must I keep cleaning up after you, Seventh Young Master? I, the adult, must be the one to show restraint.”

Wirim turned away, seemingly ready to leave Seong Muyeon behind.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the Seomun Clan, of course. Loose ends must be tied. The Seomun Clan will be annihilated tonight.”

“You still haven’t kicked that habit, have you, Wirim?”

“What habit?”

“That one where you always want to spill blood at the drop of a hat.”

“…”

For a moment, Wirim looked blank, then burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

“Hahahahaha! So that’s what this is about! The Young Master is still holding a grudge over that incident, huh? Really, you never change. That was ages ago.”

“…His name was Damcheong.”

Seong Muyeon murmured.

“He was my companion for three years. During hardship and sorrow, we comforted each other and endured that brutal training together, waiting for it to end.”

And yet.

“You told me to kill that boy.”

On the final day.

The instructor, Wirim, gathered all the trainees and handed each of them a weapon. Then he shouted,

〈Kill your partner.〉

The children were so shocked they couldn’t even speak.

〈Only one of you will earn the right to pass this training.〉

None of the children dared attack their partner. They only gripped their weapons so tightly their hands turned pale.

〈What are you all waiting for? If an hour passes and no one kills, both of you will die.〉

At those words, a boy, glancing nervously around, swung his sword at his partner.

〈Wh-what are you doing?!〉

The attacked child trembled in betrayal.

〈I’m sorry, I want to live.〉

Once the dam broke, chaos erupted. Screams, shouts, and the clashing of weapons filled the air.

Even then, Seong Muyeon couldn’t bring himself to attack Damcheong. Damcheong was the same.

Wirim, who had been watching with interest, approached.

〈Seventh Young Master. Don’t be foolish. Do you want the Cult Leader to be disappointed in you?〉

The Cult Leader.

At those words, Seong Muyeon flinched.

〈Father…〉

〈Yes, “Father.” What do you think he’ll do if you fail the test? Comfort you? Or coldly cast you aside?〉

〈…〉

Seong Muyeon trembled. His father, the Cult Leader, had always been a figure of fear. Being abandoned by him was unthinkable.

In the end, Seong Muyeon raised his weapon. The blood vessels in his wide eyes bulged, turning red.

〈I’m sorry, Cheong-ah.〉

〈…Young Master.〉

He overpowered Damcheong with ease. The boy hadn’t even taken a proper stance and fell backward. Seong Muyeon pinned Damcheong down and raised his sword.

At the final moment, their eyes met.

〈…〉

In Damcheong’s gaze, as he looked up at the friend about to kill him, there was resignation. He had already given up resisting. He had no hope of survival, so he was prepared to die for his friend. Though his face bore a peaceful smile, a single tear slid from the corner of his eye.

〈I… I can’t do it.〉

Seong Muyeon lowered his sword.

〈You can’t do it?〉

Wirim sneered, amusement in his voice.

〈Then what will you do? Will you let the Cult Leader be disappointed? Be cast aside? Not only you, but your mother will also pay the price.〉

〈…〉

Seong Muyeon trembled in fear, but did not waver. With pale hands, he helped Damcheong to his feet.

〈Young Master… don’t. Kill me. I’m okay with it. I wouldn’t survive long anyway. If you do this, then at least you…〉

〈I’m the Young Master. Don’t worry. I won’t die.〉

His mother would understand. After all, even if he fell out of favor, he would merely lose some servants and eat poorer meals. His mother would value saving a friend over comfort.

〈Instructor Wi, I’ll forfeit. Let Damcheong pass instead.〉

〈Forfeit?〉

〈Yes.〉

〈You’ll be the first Young Master to ever fail a training.〉

〈I don’t care.〉

〈What a shame. So be it.〉

Seong Muyeon tried to smile to reassure the terrified Damcheong. Damcheong also managed a weak smile.

Squelch!

Then something happened that Seong Muyeon would never forget for the rest of his life.

A sword pierced through Damcheong’s abdomen, the blade soaked in red blood. Behind him stood Wirim, grinning from ear to ear.

When the sword was pulled out, Damcheong crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.

〈D-Damcheong…!〉

Wirim laughed uproariously.

〈Forfeit? Hahahaha! Don’t flatter yourself. As you said, I can’t kill you. But a loser can’t pass either. You didn’t see that coming?〉

〈Damcheong! Damcheong! Stay with me!〉

〈Hahahaha! You foolish Young Master. Ha ha!〉

Seong Muyeon was dragged away by guards. Until the very end, Wirim kept laughing. Not long after, Seong Muyeon’s illness became widely known. Whether he liked it or not, he had fallen out of the Cult Leader’s favor, and Damcheong’s body was never recovered.

“What a pity. If not for the Young Master, that boy might have survived.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“He had talent, you see. Your partner. Though he was overshadowed by your greater gift, he could’ve won if he’d faced someone else. Tsk tsk, if his illness was going to make him useless anyway, it would’ve been better if it appeared sooner.”

“…”

“In the end, it’s the same as if you killed him.”

“What did you say?”

Seong Muyeon trembled in fury.

“Well, anyway. I’ll be sure to report that I saw the Seventh Young Master. I have other matters to attend to. It was nice seeing you. Farewell.”

Wirim began to leave with his subordinates, heading in the direction of the Seomun Clan.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Seong Muyeon calmed his rage and blocked Wirim’s path. Then he slipped his hand into his sleeve. When he pulled it out, he was holding the Sword of Ilgwang.

“You’re going to die here.”

“Pardon? You’re going to kill me? You, Young Master? Oh dear, this just got interesting.”

Wirim clutched his belly, laughing so hard tears welled in his eyes.

But at some point, his laughter stopped cold.

“A worthless wretch dares to lay a hand on me?”

He growled threateningly and started advancing on Seong Muyeon.

“Listen here, Young Master. If you lack ability, you should at least know your place. You really don’t know your own worth. The only reason I’ve let you live this long is because you carry the Cult Leader’s blood.”

“…”

“But look around—there’s no one here but us, is there? Who would know if I just killed you right now?”

Wirim exaggeratedly looked around.

“Or wait… don’t tell me. Could it be that you’re after Hwajeong Valley too? That would make sense. Just one of them might be enough to cure that wretched body of yours, right?”

As Wirim chuckled, the subordinates behind him laughed along.

“But Hwajeong Valley is mine. Don’t lay a hand on it. I’ll enjoy it myself, and maybe I’ll share some scraps with you. Of course, there might not be a single bite left. Hahahaha!”