IBMMA 45

“No one knows where that guy is right now. He stole the sword Mu-wol had been keeping and disappeared somewhere.”

“He stole the sword…?”

“The sword Mu-wol is currently using is a poor one that doesn’t suit his level at all. But even now, he can’t bring himself to let it go.”

I grew serious.

“Is the sword Mu-wol is using now… something Master gave him?”

“That’s right.”

“….”

I didn’t know all the details, but I could tell that Mu-wol had a complicated love-hate relationship with his master.

“Then one day, a craftsman whom Mu-wol had once helped gifted him a famous sword, saying it was meant for the future strongest under heaven. It was an excellent blade. Perfect for Mu-wol. But…”

Young Master Un-yeop ground his teeth.

“That damn bastard stole it. That’s when we found out he had been deceiving us about everything from start to finish.”

Mu-wol was sensitive to others’ emotions. He could quickly read what people were thinking. He was widely praised for his insight. And yet, someone like that had been completely fooled?

“I can’t even imagine how skilled of a con artist he must be.”

“It wasn’t just us—some of the most experienced elders in the Murim Alliance were completely taken in by him as well.”

The Murim Alliance was a coalition of orthodox martial artists, centered around the Five Great Families and the Nine Sects. It had been formed during the bloody conflicts against the Demonic Cult, and many of its members had lived through countless hardships. And yet, even they had been deceived.

“He’s definitely no ordinary person.”

“He wasn’t part of the Demonic Cult. If he had practiced demonic arts, there would’ve been a sinister aura—but there wasn’t even a trace of that from him.”

“Then… someone from the unorthodox faction?”

“That’s what Mu-wol believes too. But aside from stealing the sword, everyone treated it as nothing serious. After all, it’s common for people from the unorthodox faction to steal. What matters is that he toyed with Mu-wol. Do you know how much Mu-wol cared for him? And yet he repaid that with betrayal…!”

‘That’s… strange.’

Mu-wol cared for someone? That was hard to believe. I couldn’t imagine him doting on anyone at all.

“Did he really care for him…?”

“Of course! That look in his eyes and the way he treated him—there’s no way that was an act!”

“Do the others think the same way as you, Young Master?”

He answered confidently.

“No!”

“….”

As expected, this man clearly saw Mu-wol as a “friend who looks cold on the outside but is actually soft-hearted and needs taking care of.”

‘People interpret others differently, I know—but this is a bit… Well, I should respect his perspective. Maybe my analysis is the wrong one.’

At the very least, it was good that he didn’t see Mu-wol in a twisted light like other martial artists did.

As I looked at him, he gave an awkward smile.

“Like I said, we don’t know everything. I’m sorry—I have no face to show you.”

“No, not at all. I learned a lot thanks to you. I don’t even know how to repay you.”

“No need for repayment. Just treat Mu-wol well—for my sake too. That’s enough.”

“….”

Un-yeop smiled faintly as he said that. Anyone would think he was speaking as if he’d never see Mu-wol again, which left me flustered.

“Why are you suddenly talking like that? Someone might think you’ll never see my husband again.”

“Even if he doesn’t feel betrayed, he must feel displeased.”

Un-yeop smiled lightly and turned around.

“Isn’t that right, Mu-wol?”

From the darkness, Mu-wol quietly revealed himself. I gave an awkward smile.

“You’re here?”

“….”

Without a word, Mu-wol looked at me and then sat down beside me. Was he angry? As I grew anxious, he finally spoke.

“I apologize for being away so long. Did that guy cause any trouble for you while I was gone?”

“Trouble? Not at all. He kept me company. But why were you so late?”

“There wasn’t just one martial artist who came looking for me.”

Mu-wol glanced at Un-yeop.

“They begged for one-on-one sparring matches without asking for reasons, so I had to deal with each of them.”

“Ah… you’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

He nodded, then added to Un-yeop:

“Your junior disciples only fainted—they’re not injured.”

“Thank you.”

After that, silence fell. As I sat there awkwardly between them, Un-yeop spoke.

“Aren’t you angry?”

“Not particularly.”

At Mu-wol’s short reply, Un-yeop asked in surprise:

“Why not? You hate it the most when people talk about you behind your back. I thought you’d definitely be mad.”

“Are you dissatisfied that I’m not angry?”

Un-yeop hurriedly denied it.

“No, not at all! I’m very grateful!”

Then… was he angry at me instead? Anxiety crept in. Mu-wol hadn’t said anything to me yet, but feeling guilty, I quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry, my husband. I let my curiosity get the better of me and did something you dislike—”

Before I could finish, Mu-wol shook his head.

“I think I’m the one who should apologize.”

‘What does that mean?’

Cold sweat ran down my back.

“Seeing your face makes me realize something. I think I’ve been hiding everything too recklessly.”

“Don’t think like that. I’m the one who said I wanted to respect you first.”

“No. You must have felt quite frustrated to not refuse Un-yeop’s suggestion.”

‘Is he… subtly criticizing me?’

I felt downcast.

“I’m really sorry, Mu-wol. I guess I’m just a human who can’t resist curiosity.”

“That’s not it. Even in a light relationship, people need to reveal a little about themselves to maintain it. How much more so for a married couple who’ve promised a lifetime together?”

“…Husband.”

“I’m sorry, my wife.”

Mu-wol lowered his eyes sorrowfully.

“You’ve been considerate enough to give me a stable life, but I’ve only just realized that I haven’t done the same for you.”

‘What is this? Are you really Mu-wol?’

Just earlier, he wouldn’t allow even a single detail about himself to be asked—and now he was completely changing his stance. Staring at him blankly, I quickly shook my head.

“But it doesn’t change the fact that I broke my promise.”

“My wife.”

Mu-wol gave a faint smile.

“During the short time we’ve lived under the same roof, I’ve come to realize many things.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. Among all the people I’ve met, you are the one who respects me the most.”

“Oh my—”

We both turned toward Un-yeop. He quickly covered his mouth and shrank back. We looked at each other again.

“So it’s only right that I respect you as well.”

“…Then.”

“If you’re curious about something, please ask me directly instead of asking him. Of course, I may not be able to answer everything, but I will do my best.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“…Really?!”

Mu-wol nodded. I couldn’t say anything.

—Are you sure about this? Marrying a shameless man who won’t give even a piece of himself away?

The Mu-wol from that day and the Mu-wol now were so different that my body trembled. I wasn’t the only one shocked.

“…Mu-wol is offering something that generous? That’s unbelievable.”

Un-yeop looked like his eyes might pop out.

“Is this what they call being whipped by your wife?!”

“Just be quiet.”

“Husband…!”

After staring at Mu-wol blankly for a while, I finally cried out in a moved voice:

“To think you’d say something like that…! All my efforts have paid off!”

“There’s no need to be that happy—”

“Thank you for recognizing my efforts, husband!”

I threw myself into his arms. Un-yeop rubbed under his nose and watched us with a pleased expression. It was only natural—this scene was as touching as a wary cat finally opening its heart to a human.

But I knew.

‘He’s telling me not to ask unnecessary questions to others.’

The hidden meaning behind his words.