Daybreak. The night after I cleaved the brass ox, Moejang, Lee Sang, Faust, and Don Quixote departed for Mount Gyejok. As for me? If I tag along, I'm just dead weight.
"That [Yukcham Godan]... was insanely powerful."
The ox I thought would never break was torn to shards. But what terrified me more was—
"The control he had over his blade..."
Swordsmen of the Sword Sect embed their blades with an [E.G.O]. The hue is determined by the nature of the sin housed within.
Recently, the redness in my strikes signified anger. Moejang's [Yukcham Godan] was crimson as well.
And then, in a moment, it shifted to blue.
Blue signifies arrogance. And rightfully so—a blade harboring supreme arrogance can be unmatched.
How could he switch it so swiftly...
What unsettled me was that split-second shift. The very instant Moejang's form wavered and he realigned his posture, I saw red become blue.
A sword is a tool, designed to cut or pierce. It's astonishing enough to house a soul within the steel, but Moejang went further—he appeared to perceive that blade as an extension of himself, infusing it with emotion.
Could I ever replicate that...
"Why are you still awake, staring into the void at dawn?"
"Ah. Lee Sang..."
Already that late? My thoughts had tangled so much that I lost all sense of time.
"Did you forget Otis said she'd punish you if you're late again? Or did you have a nightmare?"
"Just... some thoughts."
"Speak up. It's my duty as an elder to listen to the worries of a young one."
"Actually, when we were coming down, I saw Moejang's blade up close. That [Yukcham Godan]... soul? In any case, I've been thinking about that sword."
Awe and exhilaration. When swordsmen witness a master's blade, ordinary folk cower, but the exceptional few tremble with excitement.
As expected, it's not despair but exhilaration you inspire. Truly the makings of a slayer.
"It's only natural if you felt that. That blade embodies the level I sometimes dream of reaching myself."
"Is it beyond your grasp, Lee Sang?"
"Beyond me?"
"Yeah. You're incredibly strong too."
"Strong, yes. I'm strong. But when it comes to controlling an [E.G.O], I can't compare to Meursault. My focus lies in mobility."
"I see... mobility?"
"In that sense, your swordsmanship might one day become my own perfected form... I often think that. Once you nail the basics, you'll train under me."
"Under you, Lee Sang?"
"I may not allot you endless hours, but prepare yourself. I will be exacting."
I've never felt Lee Sang's blade myself, but Faust said it's a rain of blows interlaced with Arts, utterly unpredictable.
"I look forward to it. I'll make sure to beat you!"
"Now get some rest. Good children sleep early."
"Yes!"
If I learned from Lee Sang... I might edge closer to Moejang even faster...!
"Enough!"
"Huaaah! How was it, Otis!"
"Yes. One hour as promised. Not once did you falter. Both of you pass."
Three months had already passed, and summer had dawned.
"That's it! Hahaha! Today felt great!"
"Is it real? You're not messing with me?!"
Otis's basic training in breath control was already mastered; their fundamentals were at a proficiency worthy of note.
"Tsaap! I don't know why we worked so hard to climb up here!"
"Right? Now that you try it, it's nothing special."
"You two go on ahead~"
"Ah, Don Quixote?!! Hey, let's go Sinclair! I need to be ahead of that rat!"
"Uh?! C-come on!!"
Now I could match Don Quixote up even steeper cliffs, my breath perfectly under control. And most importantly—
"Embedding [E.G.O]. You got it, Sinclair!"
"Memorize that sensation. It will become your defining skill from now on."
"One more time, Otis!"
"Hm? Rookie, what's this sudden spur?"
"It's because next to me..."
"Hmm. Excellent. Nothing more to add."
"Now will you team up with me, Lee Sang?! Right?!!"
"Hmm... I just remembered something urgent..."
"Huh?! Draw your blade at once!"
"It's already so bright—geniuses are unbelievable..."
"You're gonna help me! Come on in here!"
Before I knew it, I had grown close to everyone.
"Baekhyun, Sinclair."
"Oh hey, Moejang? What is it...?"
"Your first mission. Accept it."
"Huh? Wh-what?!! First, first mission?!!"
I knew the Sword Sect dispatched missions, but already? At Meursault's words, Sinclair turned ashen, trembling like a leaf.
"Faust saw it coming."
Faust bragged about his foresight.
"Oh! At last, you two will be recognized as righteous deliverers and proper members of the Sword Sect!!"
Don Quixote congratulated.
"Wait a moment... even if they're prodigies, isn't it too early?"
"Agreed. Do we have assurance they're ready for the field?"
Only Lee Sang and Otis voiced objections.
"Oh, Otis...? Always wasting food, now you worry when we're earning coin?"
"Worry?! Do you know how big a loss it is if the ones I fed come back dead?"
"...I was trying to be moved for a second..."
"I understand that sentiment, brother."
"Brother? You don't even know my birthday!"
"We agreed on the day we found you. Cheers~"
Sinclair's birthday is July 2. Mine is February 19 based on the day they found me. That makes me the older brother.
"Enough with chatter. It's settled. You two, follow me."
"Yes, yes~ Coming."
"You'll do fine... you will, Sinclair..."
"Is it really our casual clothes this time?"
"Probably the uniform..."
Still, better than that white garb. Better than a high school uniform, at least.
"This time we're going a bit farther. We'll head into the city."
"To the city? Seriously?"
"Yes. It's a three-hour ride by bus to reach the city."
"Three hours? Damn... what am I supposed to do for that long..."
Maybe I should study the vocabulary list Faust gave me...
"So... what will we be doing?"
"Here. Information on a fledgling organization rumored to be conducting human experiments on children. Cut down this guy."
"Huh? Normally we'd capture him alive and extract information?"
"He's just a courier. Gather what intelligence you need then strike him down."
After all, he's the middleman. Just find out who hired him and kill him. Simple.
"We're off then! Let's go, Sinclair!"
"Huh?! Now? I'm not mentally prepared yet!!"
"Life is the real field, rookie."
And thus, Magpie and I embarked on our first mission.