The sun broke through thin clouds, spilling faint warmth across the Dustcloud Sect. It was the kind of day that tried to be spring, but still whispered of winter.
Baek Sun-Ho sat in the courtyard, sharpening an old training spear.
Shhhhck... shhhhck...
The grindstone sang quietly, rhythmically, as if it remembered better days.
Across from him, Yeon So-Ri dropped a scroll into his lap.
Plap.
"Supply inventory. We're down to five jars of pickled radish, two intact rice sacks, and a family of foxes living in the herb shed."
Sun-Ho didn't look up. "Do the foxes pay rent?"
"One of them hissed at me this morning. That counts."
He smirked, then paused.
"Any updates from the Alliance?"
She tapped her chin. "Official Proving Assembly still five days out. But word's spreading. Small sects are watching us. Most think you bribed someone or forged your way in."
"And the big sects?"
"They're quiet."
She crouched beside him, lowering her voice. "Too quiet."
---
A Reputation Awakens
Later that morning, Sun-Ho moved through the training yard. His steps were light. Controlled. Every motion exact. The spear in his hands wasn't enchanted or refined—but it moved like it was part of him.
Fwip. Whir. Thrust. Tap.
A group of junior disciples watched from the porch, jaws slightly agape.
"Did he just… disarm a wooden dummy?"
"He didn't even touch it."
Yeon So-Ri strolled past the group, arms behind her head.
"He's just warming up. Wait until he actually starts training."
In truth, Baek Sun-Ho didn't want to show off. But he also knew fear wouldn't keep the sect alive. Reputation might.
So he trained—openly, cleanly, precisely—until even the youngest disciples began mimicking his stances.
> I don't need them to worship me.
Just believe they can stand taller.
---
An Old Scroll Unearthed
While Sun-Ho drilled formations, Yeon So-Ri rummaged through the archives. Dust floated in beams of sunlight like golden threads.
She opened a cracked box marked "Do Not Touch – Spider Nest."
Click.
Inside: a faded scroll sealed in copper rings. She tugged it free.
Crrrk... ffft.
Handwritten notes, ink flaking from the decades. A list of past Dustcloud Sect techniques… most long forgotten.
"Hmm," she muttered, skimming.
> Stormgrass Step: Beginner-level footwork.
Waning Plum Thrust: Originally ceremonial. Ineffective in duels.
Shadow-Crane Pattern: Banned after disciple sprained all five toes.
She blinked.
"Perfect. We're doomed."
---
Evening – Tea and Thunder
Sun-Ho sat quietly under the archway, a steaming cup of tea beside him. He listened to the crackling of plum branches swaying.
Crk-crk... whshh...
Yeon So-Ri joined him with two bowls of rice.
"Dinner."
"Smells like survival."
She laughed. "That's generous. Smells like desperation and weak vinegar."
They sat in silence, warmth pooling between them and the stars beginning to blink into view.
Then—
BOOOM.
The mountain shook.
The plum tree trembled, sending petals into the sky like scattered feathers.
Disciples tumbled from their seats.
"W-what was that?!"
Yeon So-Ri sprang to her feet. "That wasn't a quake. That was impact!"
Baek Sun-Ho was already standing.
He looked toward the mountain path.
The cliff above the outer gate was cracked. A line of scorched stone ran from the peak to the trail.
Then footsteps echoed. Calm. Measured. Confident.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
A figure approached—tall, broad-shouldered, cloaked in dark jade and leather wraps, a long blade strapped flat across his back.
The pressure around him felt wrong.
Heavy. Not malicious—but vast.
Sun-Ho's pupils narrowed. Even Yeon So-Ri took an unconscious step back.
The man finally spoke.
"Dustcloud Sect. Funny name."
His voice was calm, but layered—like it echoed inside a canyon.
"Which one of you is Baek Sun-Ho?"
---
[End of Chapter 6]