Chapter 76
“An unbelievable scene is unfolding! All Master! Being separated wasn’t a mistake—it was part of the plan!”
Amidst countless fallen players, All Master appeared, shrouded in dark, blood-red mana.
More than twenty people surrounded All Master.
Even so, there wasn’t a hint of anxiety on his face as he rested a greatsword with a blood-red blade on his shoulder.
“Now’s our chance! We have to retire All Master here!”
“Attack! Everyone, attack!!”
As all manner of unknown skills surged in from every direction to swallow All Master whole, his white teeth flashed on the audience’s TVs in a grin.
“All Master! He’s smiling! Is this what Jeonsin meant when he said he’d gotten stronger?!”
“I heard a new figure recently joined the Unrivaled Guild as a master! What was his name?”
“I believe he’s a man of Chinese nationality named Chang-kyung! He’s the hottest topic right now because of the rumor that he was Jeonsin’s master!”
“No wonder the Unrivaled Guild is different this time! They were outstanding before, but in this World Arena, they’re simply peerless!”
The moment Chang-kyung’s name was mentioned, the battle that followed between All Master and the other guild delivered yet another shock to the commentators and everyone watching on TV.
All Master was incomparably stronger than before.
His combat power had surged to the point where he was forcing an entire guild on the defensive.
“Wow!!! The name Chang-kyung is going to cause an uproar after this tournament is over!”
“This is unbelievable! All Master! He just retired ten people by himself in an instant!”
Five minutes after the clash began, the guild that had been fighting All Master was forced to flee, leaving only five members behind.
‘Chang-kyung.’
Just as the commentators had said, once the World Arena ended, every guild and nation in the world became hell-bent on finding Chang-kyung, the man rumored to have been Jeonsin’s master.
Not long after, Chang-kyung quietly breathed his last in front of the giant Buddha statue at the Great Buddha Temple.
All Master had said something like that in his past life.
The Immortal Demon Art’s unique power was dark red like blood, viscous, and—unlike blood—emitted light.
Blood Demon Energy.
Even All Master, who had obtained the Immortal Demon Art and the Immortal Demon Sword and used them for a long time, hadn’t known such a thing existed within the Immortal Demon Art.
That was, until he met Chang-kyung.
All Master met Chang-kyung through Jeonsin’s insight, trained for a long time, and finally learned to use Blood Demon Energy.
As a result, he single-handedly crushed a rising new guild in China.
Bringing Chang-kyung to the Unrivaled Guild had a massive impact on the entire guild.
Sogoe, who earned the nickname “The Pride of Korea.”
Choi Hyun-jung also became an unbelievably powerful force after meeting Chang-kyung, turning into a monster who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Unrivaled Guild’s executives at the youngest age.
‘That’s exactly what I’m aiming for.’
December 26th.
To become a monster on the level of All Master and Sogoe in the war that would take place on that day.
“We shall see each other tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Following Chang-kyung’s guidance, Hyuk-min’s party arrived at the grand entrance of the Great Buddha Temple and bowed their heads toward him.
“Don’t misunderstand. I do not yet trust you all completely.”
“You will know soon enough. That we have no ill intentions.”
“Since you’ve had your say, may I have mine?”
“Yes.”
A dark light flickered for a moment in Chang-kyung’s benevolent eyes before disappearing.
“Do not be so certain. The human heart is something no one can easily control.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Chang-kyung turned toward the Great Buddha Temple.
His words continued as he turned away.
“The heart is difficult to control even for oneself. No matter how much you are on the same team, or how much you get along. To think you know them well, and that they will remain the same, is an excessive judgment and an uncertain belief.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
As if pleased with Hyuk-min’s answer, Chang-kyung nodded.
When Chang-kyung’s feet stepped fully inside the Great Buddha Temple, the heavy, massive doors closed with a thud!
Once Chang-kyung was gone, the oppressive atmosphere lifted.
Only then did No Death let out a deep sigh of relief and speak.
“Whew~ Why are that old man’s eyes so scary?”
“They’re not exactly scary. It’s just… you feel like you’re being stripped bare.”
“That’s it exactly! For a young kid, you’ve got a way with words.”
“I may be young, but I know what’s what. Maybe even better than you, old man?”
“You little brat.”
“Let’s go.”
Hyuk-min turned his back on No Death and Hyun-jung.
Chang-kyung’s advice echoed in his head.
It wasn’t something to take lightly.
He looked at the two following behind him and said, “You’ll have to steel your hearts.”
“Huh? Did he say something else to you?”
Hyuk-min answered the curious No Death and Hyun-jung with a serious expression.
“For Chang-kyung to say something like that, the training we’ll undergo… must be related to our mindset. That’s the least easy kind of training. And the most difficult.”
At those words, No Death’s eyebrows twitched.
“You’ve been acting like this for a while, talking as if you’ve been trained by Chang-kyung before. The future you said you saw… I guess Chang-kyung was in it?”
It was a sensitive question Hyuk-min would’ve avoided in the past, but since almost everything was out in the open now, he decided not to hide it.
“He was. All the techniques I’ve used while clearing Dungeons or the Tower were things I learned from Chang-kyung.”
“But that’s strange. I’m sure you don’t have a skill that lets you see the future. But when I think of it as you seeing the future, everything fits together with an uncanny perfection.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s talk about this when we get back to our lodgings.”
“You really are a strange one.”
Thanks to Chang-kyung, they got a day of rest.
However, on Hyuk-min’s face, worry was settling in rather than joy.
‘Is there a training I don’t know about? What kind of training would make the great Chang-kyung give us a day’s break instead of starting the test or the training right away?’
At that moment, among the countless memories of his past life flashing through his mind, something clicked and surfaced.
‘Don’t tell me…’
A very long time ago.
The day he entered the Great Buddha Temple to receive Chang-kyung’s training, only to leave as a cold corpse.
Just as worry and anxiety began to creep in, a text message arrived on the phone he used to contact Black Label Company.
Ding.
= = =
After Hyuk-min’s party left, Chang-kyung returned to the Great Buddha Temple and immediately summoned the temple’s only two Dharma Protectors.
“Bring Gakyak and Mantae.”
“I will send a summons to the Dharma Protector Hall at once.”
The two Dharma Protectors arrived at Chang-kyung’s command, knelt before him, and bowed.
“Great Buddha Temple’s Left Dharma Protector, Gakyak.”
“Great Buddha Temple’s Right Dharma Protector, Mantae.”
“We have come at the call of the Head Monk.”
Before the two great mountains protecting the Great Buddha Temple, Chang-kyung gave his orders with a more serious expression than ever.
“Gakyak, have your subordinates immediately investigate a place in Korea called Ulleungdo.”
“What should I have them look into?”
“Find out what happened—whether there was anything unusual—and report back on every single detail.”
“Understood, Head Monk.”
As soon as the order was given, Gakyak rose and went outside.
The door closed softly.
Then, the seated Chang-kyung stood up and began to walk slowly around the room.
Sensing something in Chang-kyung’s long walk without any further orders, Mantae spoke first.
“Shall I prepare to open the rear gate of Taebudong?”
“And why do you think so?”
“There can only be one reason you would send Gakyak away and hesitate to give me an order. The rear gate of Taebudong.”
At Mantae’s words, Chang-kyung let out a small laugh and stopped walking.
“How could I ever lie to you two?”
“You never will, for the rest of your life.”
Mantae, who had been prostrated, stood.
Then, bowing his head deeply toward Chang-kyung, he said, “I will proceed without Gakyak’s knowledge.”
“Will that be possible?”
“It will be possible. However, I don’t think we can avoid him finding out on the day it happens.”
“I suppose so. He is one who sees all within the Great Buddha Temple.”
“Shall we… proceed?”
Chang-kyung couldn’t answer immediately.
The Dharma Protectors, Gakyak and Mantae, were the ones who had spent the longest time with Chang-kyung.
Knowing well what Chang-kyung was worried about, Mantae spoke with a bitter expression as he glanced at the door Gakyak had exited.
“Gakyak will return soon. Please make your decision quickly.”
“They are not people of the Great Buddha Temple.”
“Then isn’t it simple? I am reluctant to open the rear gate of Taebudong to those who are not of the temple, but if something goes wrong and they die… I believe the wound Gakyak receives will not be so great.”
Chang-kyung shook his head.
“My worry is not of failure.”
“Then what…”
“If people who are not even of the Great Buddha Temple succeed and walk out of the rear gate… will Gakyak be able to bear it?”
“Ah…”
“He is a man who lost both his cherished disciple and his child in Taebudong. If I think of Gakyak, it would be right not to do it.”
The more he spoke, the more Chang-kyung’s will wavered.
However, Mantae—having trained with Gakyak his entire life—spoke up boldly.
“I will make the preparations.”
“Mantae, you…”
“Do you know how long it has been since you, Head Monk, have spoken of Taebudong again? For you to even mention Taebudong, must they not be fine talents in your eyes as well?”
“……”
“I think this is a good thing. Taebudong is the treasure of the Great Buddha Temple. It cannot be locked away forever. I believe this could be an opportunity for my friend, Gakyak.”
Chang-kyung, who had been listening in silence, nodded.
It was at that very moment—his thoughts filled only with Taebudong and Gakyak—that another thing surfaced.
‘Bang Hyuk-min, was it…’
The desperate look in Hyuk-min’s eyes suddenly came to Chang-kyung’s mind.
“Head Monk, Gakyak will be here soon. Now is the only time to make a decision.”
Urged on by Mantae, Chang-kyung—his eyes still clouded with inner conflict—quietly nodded.
“Set it for three days from now.”
“I will proceed in secret.”
“However, I have a favor to ask.”
“Please, speak.”
“They are not people I can trust completely yet. Therefore, if I tell you to stop, even in the middle of it, you must return everything to nothing.”
“I will do so.”
Having heard his answers, Mantae finally broke into a gentle smile.
Before leaving, he showed that smile to Chang-kyung.
“You look happy for the first time in a long while.”
“I do?”
“It seems the talents who have entered this seclusion are quite intriguing.”
“What do you mean…”
“Are you aware that you are smiling right now? It seems this seclusion will proceed no matter what. Well then.”
With Mantae’s bright smile, the door closed.
Then, Chang-kyung’s own face was reflected in a mirror beside the door.
The corners of his mouth were gently raised, just as Mantae had said.
He hastily erased the smile, but the faint curve he’d seen in the mirror refused to leave his mind.
“There’s no way I’d feel that way about some brats with a strange energy that even my eyes can’t see! Ahem. I should get some fresh air.”
Do you believe in the invisible threads of fate that bind certain people together?
Those who haven’t experienced it may not believe, but those who have personally felt that thing called fate are certain of its power.
A mysterious force that cannot be explained.
That thread of fate—so thin it was absolutely invisible to the naked eye—stretched across a past life and was neatly tied to the little finger of Chang-kyung as he walked in his present life.
A thread tied without Chang-kyung’s knowledge.
That thin thread, which had crossed over from a past life, was also tied to the little finger of Hyuk-min, who was staring at his phone in his lodging.
“He wouldn’t do anything foolish. Then again, there’s no way Gakyak would do that.”
As if the thought itself was absurd, Chang-kyung shook his head and began to walk again.
= = =
At that moment, after checking the text from Black Label Company’s head, Hwang Ji-young, Hyuk-min wore a meaningful expression.
“Hyuk-min!”
It seemed No Death had received the same text.
He rushed out, holding up his phone and shouting, “Did you… see the text?”
“I saw it.”
Only then did the phone in Hyuk-min’s hand become visible.
No Death looked at Hyuk-min with a grave expression.
“You might not know this, but for that man to make a move… means the country has made a move.”
“I suppose so. He’s military.”
“He’s not a man to be taken lightly. Even the White Mountain Guild and that Park Chung-ho you want revenge on have to yield to him.”
Hwang Ji-young’s message was right there on the screen.
[The head of the new power unit directly under the Minister of National Defense. Major ‘Wi Gwakdu’ is about to depart for Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in China.]
[Don’t engage. Run, do whatever it takes.]
“Hyuk-min!”
At No Death’s urgent tone, Hyuk-min quietly closed his eyes and said, “Wi Gwakdu, you say…”