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Chapter 34
Kaang! Kang!
No matter how much he swung his sword, it was repeatedly blocked by hers with barely an inch of difference. Unlike him, drenched in cold sweat, Sa-yeol’s face remained calm. Each time their swords clashed, it trembled like a musical instrument.
‘She hasn’t moved a single step.’
Dowee bit his lower lip. No matter how many times he swung his sword, Sa-yeol didn’t move from her spot. He clenched his teeth, thinking this was the gap between him and Sa-yeol. He swung his sword horizontally.
Ka-gang!
Sa-yeol moved a step sideways. Dowee didn’t miss it and plunged his sword into the opening, but soon—
Kaang!
The sword was struck from below to above, sending a ripping pain through his grip. The sword flew and fell to the ground. Dowee stood there staring at his hand. It was injured. It seemed he couldn’t withstand her martial power.
“…I lost.”
“That was a good sparring match.”
Sa-yeol assumed a respectful stance and immediately turned her back. Dowee stood there staring at the floor. He had tried to become stronger to protect Sa-yeol, but somehow, he felt like he couldn’t even keep up with the tips of her toes, and anxiety welled up. As he stood frozen, Sa-yeol, walking toward him, paused for a moment and spoke.
“You’re doing well, brother.”
“….”
Though it was a perfunctory remark, Dowee clenched his fists tightly.
“I’ll try harder.”
“As you wish.”
Sa-yeol then left the training hall. She took Sohwa, who had been waiting outside the official’s office, and headed straight to the dormitory. As they approached the dorm, Wol was standing in front of his room. He glanced at her and said:
“You got a sword.”
“I received one.”
“It seems usable, for now.”
“Yes.”
Sa-yeol entered her dorm, and Wol followed naturally. Sohwa glared at Wol briefly, but he didn’t care. The two sat at the table, and Sohwa served hot tea.
“Have you heard about the Later-Stage Index friendly matches between families?”
“I have. Are you going to participate?”
“I said I would go because something is needed.”
“What’s needed?”
“To give the other families a warning in advance.”
“A warning about what?”
“The return of Cheonma.”
“….”
“The Ma-wol-hu has already awakened, and ears everywhere will be buzzing. It will happen soon.”
“…I see.”
“Since you said Ma-wol-hu is your goal, come along.”
“Should I?”
“That guy likes attention. He won’t refrain from causing trouble when all the families gather.”
“…You know him quite well.”
“Accidentally, perhaps.”
She said it casually and drank her hot tea. Wol silently looked into his teacup, eyes lost in countless thoughts. Sa-yeol waited silently until he spoke.
“When I meet him, I’ll kill him.”
“As you wish.”
“Don’t you care about his safety?”
“I only need to find out what needs to be found.”
“I understand.”
Wol answered expressionlessly, yet somehow seemed a little relieved. Sa-yeol noticed this subtle change but didn’t press further and simply set down her teacup.
“By the way, Wol, do you have anything to do with the opening?”
“…No.”
“Then what was that appearance when you first showed up?”
“…I was just lost for a long time.”
“Lost your way?”
“Yes.”
“You’re really terrible with directions.”
“….”
Wol, looking dissatisfied, took a sip of tea. Sa-yeol finished her cup and put it down. Talking with Wol was simple and comfortable—no need to gauge emotions. He was the only person she had interacted with since becoming who she is now.
“Then I’ll tell you to come along as well.”
“Your brother won’t like that.”
“Why not?”
“…Ask him yourself.”
“Alright, I will.”
Sa-yeol gestured for him to leave. Wol seemed like he wanted to stay a little longer, but Sa-yeol wasn’t the type to indulge that. Finally, Wol got up with a displeased expression and left the room. Sa-yeol said to Sohwa:
“Leave Hwayoung at the apothecary and come with me.”
“The Later-Stage Index friendly match?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you going?”
“The others were incompetent.”
“You’re really amazing, Miss!”
“You only have that to say?”
“Not particularly.”
“Well, if that’s how you see it, fine.”
Sa-yeol smiled faintly as she saw Sohwa still trusting her. Even if a person changed drastically, it would seem strange, yet Sohwa always believed her to be herself. Previously, she had said that even if slightly different, she was still the same Miss.
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“Excuse me? About what?”
“Nothing at all.”
She wrapped up the conversation that way.
When Wol stepped outside the room, he ran into Dowee. It seemed likely that Dowee had come looking for Wol. Wol stood there staring at Dowee, and Dowee didn’t avert his gaze. After a short while, Dowee sighed.
“Could you spare a moment?”
“….”
“It’s about Sa-yeol.”
“Understood.”
Hearing it was about Sa-yeol, Wol immediately agreed. Dowee glanced at Sa-yeol’s room briefly. Since she wouldn’t want to hear it, he moved to another spot with Wol. Wol followed Dowee silently, and between the empty buildings, the two faced each other.
“Thank you for taking the time.”
“You said it’s about Sa-yeol. What is it?”
“Ah, that…”
Dowee clenched his fist again—his palm torn from sparring with Sa-yeol.
“I suppose you’ve heard that she’s going to participate in the Later-Stage Index friendly match.”
“Yes.”
“I want you to escort her, both on the way and upon arrival.”
“Escort her?”
“I am asking because you have been doing so until now.”
“Didn’t you dislike me?”
“…I still do. But in my current state, I cannot protect Sa-yeol myself, so there’s no choice.”
Wol nodded. It was a sign of acknowledgment. Dowee’s pride was slightly hurt, but what could be done was what could be done. Wol had already promised to accompany Sa-yeol, but being asked to personally escort her was different—it came with responsibility. Yet Wol didn’t hesitate.
“I intended to from the start.”
“…Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
It was natural for him. Dowee looked at Wol, a man whose intentions were unreadable. He seemed interested in Sa-yeol, but the nature of that interest was unclear. While it appeared positive since he wanted to protect her, the exact intention was ambiguous, leaving Dowee uneasy.
“Let me ask one thing. Are you on Sa-yeol’s side?”
“….”
At that moment, Wol faintly smiled.
“Even if I say I am, she might not think so.”
He said this cryptically and turned away. Dowee didn’t ask further, as the expression seemed rather bitter.
“….”
Both Sa-yeol and this man Wol carried too many unknown stories. They were people whose pasts were hard to question or understand. Wol may not have cared, but Sa-yeol’s past was different. Dowee was curious how she had become so strong, what she had gone through, and what secrets she held.
‘If I become stronger…’
Then perhaps she might trust him fully and reveal everything. With that thought, he gripped his sword sheath tightly and headed toward the training hall. To overcome the new barrier in front of him. To move forward and grow stronger. For his half-sister, Sa-yeol.
