Dawn broke over the Blue Pearl Sect with unusual heaviness. The explosion from the storage chamber had left visible cracks in the eastern wall, and disciples whispered in clusters, speculating about what happened.
Raon stood in the training yard, sword in hand, pretending everything was normal. His ribs ached from the blast, and his left arm was bandaged beneath his guard uniform. But he'd learned long ago that showing weakness invited questions.
**Current Status: 3 broken ribs, mild Qi deviation, and a concerning lack of common sense. Impressive.**
"Can you not?" Raon muttered, swinging his sword slowly to test his mobility.
**Most people would take a day off after nearly dying. But you're out here doing morning calisthenics like a gym bro.**
"If I rest, people will ask why. If people ask why, they'll investigate. If they investigate..."
**You'll become the main character, which goes against your entire 'just a guard' aesthetic. Got it.**
"Mhmm."
He resumed his practice, moving through the forms carefully. The Blue Pearl Flow felt different now, smoother, more instinctive. The corrected techniques had become second nature, like muscle memory written into his bones.
"Raon!"
He turned to see Ara Lin rushing toward him, medical bag bouncing at her hip. Her expression was somewhere between worried and annoyed.
"You're training? After what happened last night?"
Raon blinked innocently. "What happened last night?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't play dumb. The entire eastern wing heard the explosion. Young master Jin said he caught a spy, but..." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "The guards said they saw you heading that direction during your patrol."
**Uh oh. Someone's been watching.**
"I was on patrol," Raon said carefully. "I heard the explosion and went to check. Young master Jin was already handling it, so I left."
It wasn't technically a lie. Jin had been handling the aftermath. Ara's gaze lingered on his bandaged arm. "And that?"
"Fell during patrol. I'm clumsy." He said with a plain expression
**Smooth. Very convincing. She definitely believes you.**
Ara sighed, pulling out a small jar from her bag. "You're a terrible liar, Raon. Here, apply this twice daily. It'll help with the Qi circulation around your wounds."
She pressed the jar into his hands and walked away, muttering something about "stubborn guards" and "death wishes."
**She knows.**
"She suspects," Raon corrected quietly. "There's a difference."
**Not for long. Your secret protagonist activities are showing.**
Before Raon could respond, a commotion erupted near the main hall. Disciples were gathering, and the tension in the air was palpable.
Elder Cho stood on the steps, his expression grave. "All disciples and guards, assemble immediately!"
**Plot advancement detected. Buckle up.**