Chapter 34: The Flame of the Yeon Family (3)
The Flame of the Yeon Family—a power said to be inherited only by direct-line women.
It is the very reason Yeon Ehwa survived the Hell Train platform.
"I know the general idea."
"Good. Then this will be easier to explain. I possess that flame."
…Huh?
The Flame of the Yeon Family was supposed to pass down only to female heirs.
So why does Hwarang have it?
I'm certain I didn't misremember.
Hwarang raised his hand, and a tiny ember flickered to life—barely a flame, but the power radiating from it was unmistakable. He stared at the ember with a tangled, unreadable expression.
"This flame is… both a blessing and a curse.
A fortune, and a misfortune."
"You know our Yeon Family is a matriarchal clan. The direct-line women hold all authority. Part of that is due to the family head and Ilarde's will—but the Flame justifies that power."
The Flame passes only to direct-line women.
Naturally, they stand superior to the men in strength, which solidified their hold over the clan.
"But then… I was born."
"A direct-line male—and I awakened the Flame."
The cause was unknown.
Even Yeon Ilarde couldn't explain it.
But the cause didn't matter.
Only the result mattered: For the first time ever, a direct-line male carried the Flame—the symbol of power and authority.
"The moment the clan learned I had the Flame, many tried to kill me. Just because a male inheriting it was 'inauspicious.'"
But that wasn't all.
They feared their immovable power structure might crumble.
If one boy could inherit the Flame, then future sons might inherit it too.
A nightmare precedent.
They feared losing their authority.
I understood Hwarang's meaning.
The Flame was their exclusive source of power. If men could inherit it, the hierarchy might flip.
Hwarang's existence alone threatened the entire system.
But I had one question.
"Hwarang, what about the male Rankers of the Yeon Family? To them, you should be the key to regaining authority."
Hwarang chuckled bitterly and shook his head.
"They're powerless. In authority and strength, they're far below the women who bear the Flame. And more importantly… they've long since given up. They don't want change. They'd rather keep the current comfortable life than risk a civil war over me."
He smiled—an empty, defeated smile.
"Don't get me wrong. I don't blame them. But that means… I have no allies in the clan. Not even my father or mother."
I clenched my jaw.
Of course. The male Rankers didn't want chaos. Standing by Hwarang meant risking everything. To them, he was nothing but a spark that could ignite ruin in their cushy lives.
"The only reason I survived was because Lady Ilarde—my mother—protected my life. But I lived as the clan's tool. I killed when ordered, fought when ordered. I even entered the War Games and defeated the Lo Po Bia Clan, helping Yeon take control of this floor."
Hwarang looked out the window.
"Now do you understand why I feel so conflicted on this floor? Why my relationship with my clan is… twisted?"
I nodded silently.
"So this Flame is both curse and blessing. A curse and misfortune that trapped me in this life. A blessing and good fortune only because it gave me enough strength to survive."
He exhaled, shoulders slumping.
"But when I look back… I don't know what the point was. Hoaquin, honestly, I have no attachment to this life anymore. Maybe the only reason I haven't cut my thread yet… is because of you two."
Hwarang smiled faintly.
"When I'm with you guys, I'm… happy. You're the only bright spot in this stale, miserable life of mine."
He left before I could respond.
Living only for others… depending on us just to keep going…
That wasn't right.
"That's not the only reason," I murmured at the door he walked through.
I returned to my room and slept.
Hwarang waited outside, watching the moon, waiting for dawn.
....
Next Morning — 7:00 AM
The three of us headed to the test site.
We split up halfway—each exam was individual.
I encouraged Luf, then called out to Hwarang.
"Hwarang."
"?"
"That thing you said last night… Think about it again."
"…Alright."
Truthfully, I almost said "Let's grab a drink after this,"
but it sounded way too much like a death flag, so I kept quiet.
We each entered our exam halls.
The candidates and a female test administrator were already present.
"Hello. I'm Lumi, your examiner. Today's test is Flag Retrieval.
"Somewhere in the sea of the 21st floor lives a shinheuh called Jigena. They spend most of their time underwater but occasionally come up to the surface. We have attached flags to their backs. Your task is simple: Find a Jigena, get on its back, retrieve the flag, and return it here."
A toned-down version of "Bring Back the Jigena Flower."
Probably modified from the original design.
A candidate raised his hand.
"Where is the exam field? Where do we find these Jigena?"
Everyone agreed—there was nothing but ocean.
"The exam field is the entire sea. The Jigena roam the whole 21st floor ocean. We prepared boats for all of you. Your time limit is two days. Fail to bring a flag within two days, and you're eliminated."
"Also—if the orb we gave you emits a warning sound, turn back immediately. That means you're about to cross into another exam sector. This is sector A."
A ridiculous test based entirely on luck.
But no one objected—luck was a crucial part of climbing the Tower.
"Bring the flag back here. I will remain in this location.
The test begins… now! Good luck to you all."
Candidates sprang into action—forming teams, plotting ambushes, running for boats…
And me?
I unfolded my white shinsu wings.
"W-what the—?!"
The entire group stared, even the examiner blinking in surprise.
Back on the 2nd floor I couldn't use them properly,
but five months had passed.
If I still couldn't fly now, I'd just be lazy.
While others scrambled with boat engines, I launched upward, soaring over the endless sea.
'How are the other two doing, I wonder.'
....
Sector C — Hwarang's Test Site
Yeon Hwarang sped across the ocean in his boat.
He knew Jigena well — massive creatures that roamed the deep sea and only surfaced to bask in sunlight.
So the place he needed to search was obvious:
"A deep sea zone with strong sunlight. If I roam around an area like that, one should appear."
Their bodies were huge; even if they weren't directly beneath him, the moment one surfaced anywhere nearby, he should be able to sense it.
After hours of sailing, Hwarang finally found the perfect spot—deep waters, bright harsh sunlight pouring down.
All he needed to do now was wait for a Jigena to rise.
Most candidates who didn't know what Jigena were stayed near the starting area.
Few had sailed far out like Hwarang.
He assumed he was alone out here.
At least, that's what he thought—
"…What?"
Something was approaching.
Several strong shinsu waves—far stronger than anything among the candidates.
Shuaaaaak—!
"Kuh!"
Three spears shot toward him at frightening speed.
He raised a wall of flame, blocking one, but the remaining two pierced through the flames and smashed into his boat.
The vessel exploded beneath him.
Hwarang narrowly escaped by leaping high into the air just in time, landing atop the water with shinsu gathered under his feet. And then he saw them—
a group approaching rapidly.
"What do you think you're doing? This is an exam."
"So you're Yeon Hwarang. Hard to believe something so filthy was born from our clan."
"…"
Hwarang understood instantly.
Among the attackers was a Ranker of the Yeon Family.
The 21st floor was under Yeon control.
They could easily manipulate the test however they pleased.
"So you were after me."
"Of course. Last time, you escaped to the 2nd floor as a Regular…but luck won't save you now. Be grateful your pathetic life lasted this long."
Hwarang clenched his teeth.
He had done nothing.
He never asked to be born cursed, never wanted the Flame.
He had survived only by being a tool, doing whatever he was ordered to do.
And still—
"I'm surprised. A Ranker of the Yeon Family, so fond of comfort and safety…do you really have the guts to kill a Regular?"
The Ranker's eyes twitched, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Relax. I'm not killing you. Consider yourself lucky — your life gets to 'continue' again. Though what comes next will be worse than death. Capture him."
At his command, the others charged forward.
"These are B-Rank Regulars sponsored by our clan.
At this level, even the administrator will look the other way. We're disposing of our clan's shame, after all."
Hwarang erupted in flames immediately.
His Yeon Family flame forced them back for a moment—
—but a sudden gust extinguished the blaze like a blown-out candle.
"…!"
"Hmm. So controlling your fire without harming you is possible."
That bastard—The Ranker had suppressed his flame.
The B-Rank Regulars charged again.
Hwarang was forced to fight with only the faint embers remaining.
"Fisherman, engage! Light Bearer, deploy and lock movement! Spear Bearer, aim for openings! Scout, restrict his escape line! Wave Controller, keep ranged pressure!"
Their teamwork was flawless—clearly elite B-Rank hunter types, specialized in suppressing fire-specced opponents.
One Fisherman punched at Hwarang.
He blocked it with an arm and countered—
only to be struck from behind by another Fisherman.
The moment distance opened, several bang flared to life, freezing his movements.
And from far away—three spears shot toward him.
Hwarang reinforced his body with shinsu and braced himself—
"Gghh…!"
Pain exploded through his chest as he vomited blood.
He needed to break the encirclement. Now.
He leapt back to gain distance—but the Scout, specialized in speed, cut him off.
The Fishermen swarmed in again.
Hwarang dodged one punch, kicked another away, and cloaked his fist in flame to strike—
"Wave Controller!"
Multiple shinsu blasts slammed into him the moment he attacked.
The Fisherman he struck barely flinched—his race had strong resistance to fire.
Again the Fishermen pressed him.
Hwarang could only fight defensively while dodging the Wave Controller's bombardment.
He was being pushed back—badly.
"Fall back!"
The Light Bearer's command lit up the lighthouses again, forcing both sides to reposition.
Hwarang dashed toward the only gap—
Thud.
"…What?"
An invisible item.
A transparent spear skewered his abdomen.
"They even prepared something like this…"
Hwarang gritted his teeth and ripped the spear out.
Blood surged from the wound.
They had deliberately left that gap open to lure him in.
"Tch—
Kuh…!"
The Fishermen rushed him again.
With a hole through his stomach, he no longer had the strength to hold them off.
"His strength is fading! Keep pressing!"
He barely blocked and dodged, but it wasn't enough.
A kick struck him from behind—the Scout had joined the melee.
His balance shattered—and two Fishermen unleashed a full-force impact technique straight into his chest.
"Agh—!"
His vision went white.
His consciousness slipped.
Lighthouses blinked on around him, ensuring he could not move even if he woke.
"Target captured. He's losing a lot of blood—orders?"
"Cauterize him with flame, then hand him to the Workshop."
Their voices echoed faintly inside his fading mind.
Ah…
Damn it…
Hoaquin even warned me.
And still—
He lost consciousness completely.
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