📘 Chapter 13
The General of Silence
Night fell over the Sanctuary.
The winds were calm.
Too calm.
Ji Young stood alone in the courtyard, holding the Lightbound Blade.
Its glow was stronger now.
Level 2.
But Kael's warning remained in his mind.
"Strength alone is not enough."
Ji Young exhaled slowly.
He wanted more power. Faster growth. Enough strength to protect Ji Min from anything.
Suddenly—
The air changed.
No wind.
No sound.
Even the insects stopped.
Ji Young frowned.
"What is this…?"
A shadow moved across the white stone walls.
Then another.
Darkness spread unnaturally.
Ji Min stepped outside.
"Brother… something feels wrong."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Get back!"
But it was too late.
The shadows formed into a tall figure.
Its body was thin and covered in dark mist. Its eyes were hollow silver.
No flames.
No noise.
Only silence.
"The General of Silence…" Kael whispered.
The creature tilted its head.
"So this is the future Guardian."
Its voice felt cold enough to freeze the soul.
Ji Young raised his sword.
"I won't let you hurt anyone."
The General looked almost amused.
"You speak loudly… for someone so small."
Then—
It vanished.
Ji Young's eyes widened.
Too fast.
A sharp pain struck his side.
He was thrown across the courtyard.
Ji Min screamed.
"Ji Young!"
He crashed into stone.
Blood touched his lips.
"What…?"
Kael moved quickly, creating barriers of light.
"Be careful! Silence attacks without presence!"
The General reappeared behind Kael.
Even Kael barely blocked in time.
"This one is far more dangerous…" Kael thought.
---
Ji Min stepped forward, hands glowing.
"Sacred Barrier!"
A shield of light formed around Ji Young.
The General touched it.
For the first time—
It stopped.
Ji Min gasped.
"My barrier… worked!"
The General's hollow eyes shifted.
"The vessel evolves."
---
Ji Young slowly stood.
Pain burned through him.
But his heart was stronger.
"I'm not done…"
He gripped his blade.
The sword responded, glowing brighter.
Kael looked at him.
"Do not chase its speed. Predict it."
Ji Young closed his eyes.
He listened.
Not to sound—
But to instinct.
A shift.
A movement.
There!
Ji Young turned instantly.
Clang!
His sword blocked the silent strike.
For the first time—
He successfully defended himself.
The General paused.
"Interesting."
Ji Young pushed back.
Light burst outward.
"Light Arc!"
The blade struck, cutting through part of the darkness.
A small wound appeared.
The General stepped back.
Not defeated—
But surprised.
---
For the first time, Ji Young had injured a second General.
The General of Silence stared coldly.
"You are progressing."
Its body began fading.
"But not enough."
The shadows dissolved.
And it disappeared.
---
Silence returned.
Real silence.
Ji Young dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
Ji Min rushed to him.
"You did it!"
Kael looked serious.
"No," he said. "This was only a test."
Ji Young looked up.
Kael's voice was heavy.
"The Generals are measuring your growth."
Ji Young clenched his fists.
"Then I'll keep growing."
Far away, inside the dark throne chamber—
The King of Darkness smiled.
"Excellent…"
"The boy carries true potential."
His red eyes narrowed.
"Soon… I may finally have a worthy opponent."