"It's warm."
Dan Hyung-u murmured softly.
"And peaceful."
Hyeongpyo didn't understand what Dan Hyung-u meant. But that wasn't important.
"Listen. Whatever the case, this is also a kind of fate—and I find myself rather fond of you. So from now on, think of me as an older brother. I'll think of you as a younger brother and look after you. At the very least, as long as you're within the Hanam Escort Agency, no one will dare lay a hand on you if you mention my name."
Hyeongpyo spoke earnestly. He simply wanted Dan Hyung-u to live comfortably, even if only for as long as he stayed at the Hanam Escort Agency. And since he would be helping him anyway, he figured it was better to go a little further.
Dan Hyung-u looked at Hyeongpyo's serious expression, then nodded indifferently.
"Hahaha. You really are a simple man. Since things have turned out this way, I'll teach you a few techniques. They should come in handy someday. You're carrying a sword, after all—surely you have some interest in swordsmanship."
Hyeongpyo planned to pick out some of the more practical and combat-useful techniques from the sword arts he knew. With just a little guidance, Dan Hyung-u would at least be able to avoid getting bullied by insignificant ruffians.
But Dan Hyung-u shook his head. Seeing this, Hyeongpyo smiled knowingly.
"So you're already practicing a sword art, then. May I ask which one?"
"Samjae Sword Art."
At Dan Hyung-u's answer, Hyeongpyo smiled gently. He already knew from Chief Escort Sama Cheol that Dan Hyung-u had learned three techniques from the Samjae Sword Art.
"Yes, the Samjae Sword Art. A very fine style—excellent for building fundamentals. But if you ask whether it's useful in real combat, that's another matter. I could teach you something more practical. What do you say?"
Hyeongpyo explained enthusiastically, but Dan Hyung-u only continued to shake his head. Still smiling, Hyeongpyo pressed on.
"Then how about this? Why don't we spar once? If we do that, I'm sure your thoughts will change."
As Hyeongpyo stopped walking and spoke, Dan Hyung-u looked at him quietly.
"Does sparring mean fighting?"
At the question, Hyeongpyo nodded.
"Well, you could see it that way. So? Want to try?"
Dan Hyung-u fell into thought. Watching him, Hyeongpyo began forming a mental image of how he would subdue him. If Dan Hyung-u attacked using one of the Samjae Sword Art's techniques, the pattern would be obvious.
Even if he'd learned three techniques, Hyeongpyo didn't know which ones, so he had to account for a few possibilities. Still, it would be easy.
"Then does that mean killing?"
Dan Hyung-u's sudden question threw Hyeongpyo's thoughts into disarray.
"What are you talking about? Killing? I just mean measuring each other's skill."
Dan Hyung-u shook his head.
"I am stronger."
At the blunt reply, Hyeongpyo's expression went blank. Then he burst out laughing.
"Pwahahaha! You really are an interesting fellow. Still, why not give it a try? I can't tell yet, you see."
Dan Hyung-u thought for a moment. He liked this man called Hyeongpyo. He absolutely did not want to kill him. After a brief pause, Dan Hyung-u nodded.
"Wait a moment."
Hyeongpyo nodded enthusiastically. He could wait as long as needed. Though they were on the road to the blacksmith, this stretch was deserted.
In fact, Hyeongpyo had deliberately chosen a path with no people. He wanted to teach Dan Hyung-u swordsmanship.
Dan Hyung-u drew the sword at his waist and swung it toward the sky several times. He tilted his head a few times, then repeated the motion.
At first, Hyeongpyo looked on in confusion—then he could only gape in shock.
The instant Dan Hyung-u's sword moved, it vanished from sight. It was so fast that Hyeongpyo's eyes couldn't follow it at all.
"That'll do."
While Hyeongpyo was still stunned, Dan Hyung-u had already turned to face him.
"Now I won't kill you."
Hearing that, Hyeongpyo swallowed hard.
"I'm starting."
The moment Dan Hyung-u finished speaking, Hyeongpyo charged forward. Every plan and thought he'd formed a moment earlier was wiped completely blank.
He simply raised his sword and executed the best technique he knew. Hyeongpyo's blade, packed with tremendous force, shot toward Dan Hyung-u.
Dan Hyung-u responded by calmly bringing his sword down in a single, simple motion.
Flash!
Rumble—
Hyeongpyo saw lightning blaze before his eyes. As consciousness faded, he heard a distant roll of thunder echoing in his ears.
You said Samjae Sword Art…!
That was the last thought Hyeongpyo had before he lost consciousness.
Jo Seolyeon rested her chin in her hands, staring blankly at the distant sky. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Jo In and even Jo Ilhyeon approaching nearby.
"Ahem."
Jo Ilhyeon even cleared his throat, but Jo Seolyeon remained unmoving. Unable to stand it any longer, Jo In stepped forward and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Oh—Big Brother."
Jo Seolyeon snapped out of her reverie and smiled faintly. Seeing this, Jo In subtly gestured with his eyes toward where Jo Ilhyeon was standing. Only then did Jo Seolyeon notice him.
"Father, you're here too."
When Jo Seolyeon smiled shyly, Jo Ilhyeon could only chuckle. The smile of his only daughter melted his heart completely.
"So then, is something troubling you?"
"No, of course not. How could I have worries when I'm monopolizing Father's love like this? Hehe."
At her words and laughter, Jo Ilhyeon looked thoroughly pleased.
"Haha, well now… That aside, my child—do you perhaps have someone in your heart?"
At that question, Jo Seolyeon's heart dropped. The moment she heard it, a certain person flashed through her mind.
But she shook her head in the end. That couldn't be. She had only exchanged words with him a few times. She knew nothing about him—how could she possibly harbor feelings?
"No."
At her answer, Jo Ilhyeon and Jo In exchanged glances. Both had clearly seen the complicated light that had crossed Jo Seolyeon's face. There was definitely something there.
"Are you sure there's no one?"
Jo Ilhyeon asked gently, but Jo Seolyeon continued shaking her head. There really was no one else who came to mind.
"This time, talented young people from the Murim Alliance will be visiting our Jo household. They'll be staying for quite a while, helping with work and training together. You should spend time with them as well."
"Yes."
Jo Seolyeon had no choice but to answer that way.
Truthfully, she wasn't enthusiastic—but when her father spoke directly, what could she do?
Jo Seolyeon understood perfectly well why Jo Ilhyeon wanted her to associate with them. Still, she truly had no desire to deal with people from the Murim Alliance. Her brief experience with the Seungryong Division had been more than enough.
"Then I'll take my leave."
After giving Jo Seolyeon one warm look, Jo Ilhyeon turned and walked away with an unsteady gait. Lately, he had been extremely busy with increasing responsibilities and rarely had time to spare.
Once Jo Ilhyeon disappeared, Jo In spoke in a heavy tone.
"I hear you haven't been training much lately."
Jo Seolyeon gave a bitter smile.
"I'll start again soon. Don't worry, Big Brother."
At her words, Jo In fell silent. He was already twenty-two—five years older than Jo Seolyeon. To him, she always seemed young.
Still… seventeen isn't that young anymore.
"I suppose you'll handle it yourself. But tell me—are you so lost in thought because of that man?"
Jo Seolyeon flinched at the sudden question. Seeing her reaction, Jo In frowned slightly.
"So it was."
"No, it's not!"
Jo In looked at Jo Seolyeon shaking her head emphatically, then sighed and shook his own head before turning away.
"You're already seventeen. You're old enough to start thinking about what's best for the family."
Jo Seolyeon watched his back as he walked away, her gaze lingering.
How much time passed like that? Eventually, Jo Seolyeon sat back down, propping her chin on both hands and gazing at the far-off sky again.
"Haah… it's complicated."
A feeling of hurt came first—then a sense of happiness filled the space. That was why, when Dan Hyung-u had said those words to her, she had stood there in silence before returning.
"Haah…"
Another sigh escaped her lips.
Dan Hyung-u stood quietly, waiting until Hyeongpyo—who lay on the ground—woke up.
The place was quite secluded; not a single person passed by. Dan Hyung-u simply stood there, waiting and waiting.
"Ugh…"
Hyeongpyo opened his eyes with difficulty. The first thing he saw was a deep blue sky. For a moment, his mind was blank.
He couldn't understand why he was lying down—then, like a lantern reel, the moments before he lost consciousness flashed through his mind.
"Hah!"
He sprang upright, then sat there, scanning his surroundings for Dan Hyung-u. Dan Hyung-u was standing quietly right beside him.
"Y-you…"
Hyeongpyo couldn't even finish his sentence. The shock from before he blacked out still hadn't faded. He had never imagined someone could possess such overwhelming martial power. All he'd truly felt was a blinding flash before his eyes.
"W-was that truly the Samjae Sword Art?"
At the question, Dan Hyung-u nodded.
"It's a technique called Heavenly Thunder."
Hyeongpyo thought the name suited the martial art perfectly—especially since he'd heard the faint rumble of thunder at the end. Of course, it was not a technique included in the Samjae Sword Art as Hyeongpyo knew it.
"It's Samjae Sword Art… and yet it isn't."
Hyeongpyo slowly stood up. From what he could see, there were no traces of martial training on Dan Hyung-u's body.
Even less so of sword training. Having seen him naked, he was certain—no one would ever guess Dan Hyung-u possessed such terrifying martial prowess.
Hyeongpyo tried to gauge Dan Hyung-u's level, but it was beyond his ability. All he could vaguely feel was that Dan Hyung-u might even be able to contend with Chief Escort Sama Cheol.
"I know now that your skill is extraordinary. It's beyond anything I can teach."
Hyeongpyo continued while looking at Dan Hyung-u.
"But don't grow overconfident. Always be careful. There are truly formidable masters in this world. And Murim doesn't fight with martial arts alone—there are those who wield poisons and other dangerous methods. You must always stay vigilant."
Dan Hyung-u listened silently. There was still much about the world he didn't know.
As Hyeongpyo said, there were surely people stronger than him—perhaps many.
His memories from before were mostly gone, and he couldn't compare the monsters of that hell to the humans here. Still, among those he had met so far, there had been no one stronger than him.
"For now, I won't tell anyone that you practice martial arts. You should keep it hidden as well. And if you ever need to draw your sword, consult me first. I fear you might invite disaster otherwise."
Hyeongpyo said this entirely for Dan Hyung-u's sake. Dan Hyung-u was still ignorant of worldly matters. He might easily get into trouble and draw his sword.
If he did so against someone he absolutely shouldn't, he might not survive it. Hyeongpyo's head began to throb.
Should I report this to the Chief Escort?
He doubted Sama Cheol would believe it. How could anyone believe Dan Hyung-u was a peer-level master? Besides, Sama Cheol had said Dan Hyung-u didn't practice martial arts.
Could he even be stronger than the Chief Escort?
Hyeongpyo shook his head. That couldn't be. No matter how gifted he was, Dan Hyung-u was barely around twenty.
Sama Cheol, on the other hand, was already over fifty, having devoted decades to martial training.
That meant Dan Hyung-u either possessed a special technique to conceal his martial arts—or could hide them instinctively.
Living in the mountains for so long… that could explain it.
To survive among wild beasts, one had to suppress one's presence. Hunters did the same. Dan Hyung-u likely learned to conceal his power that way.
In the end, Hyeongpyo decided not to report it. Doing so would only complicate matters, and Dan Hyung-u probably wouldn't remain at the Hanam Escort Agency for long anyway.
"You must remember what I've said. Even after you leave this place, remember what I teach you. Do you understand?"
At Hyeongpyo's earnest words, Dan Hyung-u finally nodded. Concern and sincerity were evident in Hyeongpyo's gaze.
The two of them headed once more toward the blacksmith. Though much time had been lost, there was still more than enough time to order a scabbard.
Hyeongpyo didn't miss the flicker of greed that crossed the blacksmith's eyes—but it wasn't desire for the sword itself.
"W-who made this sword?"
At the question, Hyeongpyo glanced at Dan Hyung-u. Dan Hyung-u merely stood there silently. Suppressing a sigh, Hyeongpyo answered the blacksmith.
"Just make a scabbard that fits it. Can you do that?"
"O-of course. Leave it to me."
The blacksmith handled the sword as though it were a treasure, carefully measuring it from end to end and examining the blade. The cold, bluish killing intent emanating from it was truly chilling.