1270 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Immediately following a short respite, he met Tae Ho An once more. It seemed like a day had passed, but being inside the cave made it difficult to confirm. "I assume you've already heard about the circumstances from the small group leader." Tae Ho An responded as if he would forgo detailed explanations. He was correct; she had already explained everything to Mi Hyo Ran. All that remained were mere confirmation procedures. "I heard the attack is scheduled for three days from now. Is that true?" "Yes, that's true. Now it will be in two days." "Hmm... How is the attack supposed to occur?" "There's nothing particularly noteworthy. Simply put, it will be a straightforward assault." It wasn't in the realm of trickery or ambush, but rather a simple direct approach. It seemed hard to believe such a brutish attack could succeed. Yet, given the nature of the Sado (Apostle) clan, it was plausible. "Do you have a specific plan for retaliation?" "We plan to allocate our forces based on levels. Additionally, since there is only one entrance, we intend to make use of that... but." "You mentioned there was an attack last time as well. Is this method effective?" "...To some extent." He spoke without much confidence. The Tae Ho An he remembered used to possess a slight arrogance, so perhaps his time here had changed him in some way. Then. "Haven't you considered an escape?" Dok Bong (Poison Phoenix) interjected with a question. "Escape, you say?" "Yes, if the Sado are a threat... and knowing an attack is coming, isn't escaping an option?" "Haha." At those words, Tae Ho An chuckled lightly. "Fleeing with all these people is impossible. Besides, it's not as if we hadn't attempted it." "What do you mean by that...?" "Do you understand what it means that the Sado have scheduled an attack?" "I don't." "It's because they won't let their prey escape just by running." "Such...!" "The Sado are that kind of existence. It seems you have much to learn about the world, Dok Bong." Dok Bong paused at Tae Ho An's words. Annoyance was evident in his voice, perhaps because he deemed the questions unnecessary. "Oh, my apologies. I've been overly sensitive lately." Realizing his mistake, Tae Ho An offered an apology. "…No, I was out of line as well." Dok Bong respectfully replied. The tension that had built up dissipated. "No, such things can happen. It's understandable if you don't know. Well then, since that part is settled... let's discuss what's next." Tae Ho An's eyes turned toward him. "Baek Gong Ja." "Yes." "Can you truly subdue the Sado?" "I'm not sure." "Hm?" At his vague response, Tae Ho An's eyes widened. He quickly followed with the next words. "If it's about killing, that's easy... but as for subduing, I haven't tried it yet, so I'll have to see." "Oh...?" "So, could you promise me just one thing?" He looked at Mi Hyo Ran and spoke. "If it seems impossible to subdue them, let me kill them." "..." Mi Hyo Ran's eyes wavered as she heard his words. "I don't intend to cause unnecessary sacrifices. If it seems truly impossible, killing them is the right choice. I'm informing you in advance. It's not a request." It wasn't a plea for permission. Mi Hyo Ran would surely understand this. The intention was to try until it proved futile; if it became impossible to subdue them, killing would be the only option. Having heard his words, Mi Hyo Ran... "...Understood." Nodded in agreement. Realistically, even if she disagreed, there wasn't much else to do. After observing Mi Hyo Ran, he looked at Tae Ho An again and spoke. "You mentioned it's in two days?" "Yes." "Hmm... Two days." It's a bit of a short time to prepare, but the good thing is there's not much to prepare in the first place. "There's nothing for me to do until then, right?" "It seems so." "Is it possible to step outside?" "It might be dangerous, so I would advise against it... but." "I see." It meant that leaving wasn't entirely off the table. He nodded with a slight sense of disappointment and got up. "It seems we've covered everything, so I'll take some time to rest. Oh, can I wander around the cave a bit?" "That’s fine. I'll inform others in advance." "Understood." With permission granted, he moved. All the conversations were complete. The rest would be up to them. With that in mind, he left the room. * * * Caves brought back numerous memories. During the transition era of the Demonic Gate. There was a precedent for choosing caves as hideouts back then. The martial artists organized around Mo Yong Hee Ah. The place they gathered was a cave just like this. He walked, brushing his hand along the wall. 'You.' Unbidden, the memories from that time began to surface. 'Are you just planning to die? Meaninglessly?' The frustration of Mo Yong Hee Ah, who would often confront him. 'Struggle to survive, even if you find no reason.' Though he found little reason to live, he couldn't understand why he should do so. In response, he asked Mo Yong Hee Ah why. 'Do you need a reason? Simply struggle to survive because you're alive.' 'Even if you can't fathom a reason or understand it, still do it.' 'Your attitude affects others. I plan to survive. At the very least, don't hinder that.' 'I'm going to live. And I'm going to save them too. Therefore, don't get in the way.' An inexplicable sense of responsibility. Mo Yong Hee Ah was someone who possessed such qualities. As cold and seemingly indifferent to allies as she might appear. 'Hurgh...!!' On days she chose to sacrifice a comrade, she'd secretly retreat to a corner and retch. If there was a blemish in his relationship with her, perhaps it was witnessing such a scene by chance. It was unexpected. The realization that she, too, had emotions. One day. He asked her why she didn't simply avoid doing difficult things. To this, Mo Yong Hee Ah, with a weary face, replied. "Someone has to do it. And it seems like something only I can do." No one else could take on the role she did. That was the truth. Among the survivors, there wasn’t anyone capable of such strategic thought. Even if there were, none could bear the burden of discarding a comrade when the time came. "No one is willing to make that sacrifice." When the impossible choice appears, none could bring themselves to cut emotional ties with their comrades. Thus, Mo Yong Hee Ah said it was her responsibility. "There needs to be someone to blame." A scapegoat was essential to make the decision to abandon comrades as an order, as something forced by duty. That was the necessity, and hence, she stepped up. Mo Yong Hee Ah was that kind of person. "Incredible..." For someone who appeared so cold on the outside, she harbored such sentiments within. No matter how she acted, you couldn’t really hate her. Hate? No, not really. "It wasn’t possible." Though it couldn't be described as affection, it certainly wasn't resentment or hatred. Perhaps she felt similarly towards him. "…Live." Given those words she uttered to him at their last moment, even more so. "Tsk." He shook his head, staring at the wall. Unnecessary thoughts filled his mind. "Maybe it's because I haven't seen them in a long time." He wondered if it was because he hadn't seen the others for some time or was it simply because he happened to be here. Memories from that time kept surfacing. "What are they up to?" He wondered what Mo Yong Hee Ah might be doing now. As that question flitted through his mind, Rumble---!!! "Hm?" Suddenly, a vibration shook the ground. * * * Rumble, rumble---!!! Rumbling---!!! A series of harsh thunderous roars echoed. The entire cave reverberated with the fierce explosions and tremors. A space shaking to its foundations. Martial artists housed within the refuge reacted swiftly. "Ugh...!!" "... Thunder energy!" A peculiar thunderous energy swirled within the space. Just brushing against it caused paralysis and felt like twisting one's internal organs. While many staggered and collapsed, "What is happening?" He appeared and inquired. By then, Tae Ho An and the others had already emerged from the room. "...It's an attack." "Huh?" He frowned at Tae Ho An's reply. "An attack? You said it was two days away." "I know... It's supposed to be in two days. How is it happening now...?!" Tae Ho An seemed just as confused as the moment unfolded. Rumble, rumble---!!!!! Another explosion erupted with sound similar to the earlier roar. "Hah." He let out a soft chuckle and gathered strength in his body. The air tingled. Sensing the aura, he too released his own energy. Whoooosh-!!! His energy spread out, pushing away the thunderous energy. Creating a barrier to block the thunder allowed everyone to finally catch their breath. "Cough, cough...!!" Those struggling to stand held on with difficulty. Observing them, he turned his gaze forward. The source of the energy. Something indistinctly felt from afar; he couldn't help but sigh in disbelief. "What changes did I expect, exactly?" This thunderous energy felt both familiar and foreign. And he already knew very well who owned this energy. He mused how someone so incapable and arrogant in his memories could become so different. Becoming part of the Sado wasn't supposed to make him that threatening. "Seems he's changed more than I thought?" With the realization, he had to reassess the being standing before him now. Step. The sound of footsteps crossing the cave. Groan---!!! Amidst the growling of beasts, a distinct step approached. Crackle-!!! As the figure neared, light pierced the darkness. The grayish thunder floated around the young man's body like fireflies. Witnessing this thunder, he clenched his fists tightly. He was powerful. That thought instinctively crossed his mind. The Sword Dragon, Nam Gung Jin. He met eyes with the Sado version of Nam Gung Jin and spoke. "It's been a while. We meet sooner than I expected." "..." Nam Gung Jin looked at him in response. In that moment, Whooooooooong---!!! An overwhelming aura exploded from his body. The force of the Imperial Sword Technique surged forth like a mighty presence.