I steadied my breathing and touched my face.
The mask had torn, and part of the Infimyungu was damaged as well.

I could feel the wind seeping through the cracks. Though I tried to cover one side of my face, everyone was already staring at me.

But no one spoke.

"...I..."

One of the warriors straightened his back and walked past me.

"I saw nothing."

"...Nor did I."

"I saw nothing as well."

One by one, the warriors passed by, glancing down at the corpse split in two before spitting on it.

"That bastard."

"The sect master must have suffered greatly."

"...Damn it. We should have noticed something was wrong much earlier."

Something touched my shoulder. I turned to see a familiar face—one of the gatekeepers of the Black Sky Axe Sect. He gripped my shoulder and whispered softly.

"...Wang Sohong. I don’t know who you truly are... but thank you."

"......"

"You are a benefactor of the Black Sky Axe Sect. You’ve reminded us of a truth that was nearly lost."

The gatekeeper drew his sword. The blade gleamed under the pale moonlight as he planted it firmly into the ground, clasping his hands together in a gesture of reverence. He knelt on one knee, his gaze fixed downward.

"I, Jeok Dae-gwang, owe a debt to Wang Sohong. Even if this night ends, that debt will not be forgotten. This is not only out of respect for the sect master but also gratitude to you for protecting what we could not."

The other warriors looked at one another. Another knelt.

"I, Mak Sa-min, will never forget this kindness. The benefactor of the sect master is my benefactor as well. If ever you need aid, call for me. Even if I do not know your true name, whisper this night’s events to me, and I will risk my life for you."

More warriors gathered. Dust rose as knees hit the ground one by one.

"I, Jo No-baek, cannot put into words the gratitude I feel for the benefactor who repaid the kindness I received from the sect master."

"I, Jin Bu-yeong, swear on my axe that I will heed your call, even if only once. Thank you for restoring the honor of the Black Sky Axe Sect."

"I, Deung Pae-cheon, swear on the Black Axe. If you ever need my aid, seek me out. I will lend you my axe whenever you ask."

"I, So Baek..."

Words poured forth, endless and overwhelming. They spoke so much that I could not find room to respond.

...No, was there anything I needed to say in the first place?

I spat the blood pooling in my mouth onto the ground.

Amid the unending oaths of the Black Sky Axe Sect warriors, I felt the weight of the sect master’s legacy. His influence, his reputation—it was alive even in death. None of them reproached me for hiding my identity. They were simply grateful that their enemy had been avenged.

Thus, I returned their gesture. I bowed my head lightly.

The night was drawing to a close.
And so was my time as Wang Sohong.

"This wasn’t something I did to receive anything in return."

"......"

"......"

"Please, raise your heads. I am..."

I smiled faintly.

"...just like you. The sect master gave me much, so I only wished to give something back."

I staggered as I walked away. I could feel countless gazes pinned on my back.

But I didn’t look back. From the start, I came here to kill Meng So-un. I didn’t even dirty my own hands in the process, so I wasn’t exactly in a position to accept their gratitude.

We all merely acted as our circumstances dictated.

"......"

Even so, I felt a strange sense of relief.

"Sohong."

It seemed I had made the right choice.

I reunited with Number 29. She was surveying the area, her expression grim after failing to apprehend Teacher Baek.

"He fled quickly. He’s no amateur. At the very least, he’s on my level."

"On your level...?"

"At the peak of perfection, just shy of the wall that separates us from transcendence. But you..."

Number 29’s foot shifted slightly, and I finally understood her true standing. It was so vast that I hadn’t been able to see it before. But now, its outline became clear.

She was a monster, standing at the very peak, just one step away from the colossal wall of transcendence.

Number 29 squinted at me.

"Did you stumble upon some extraordinary opportunity?"

"Everything I had accumulated burst forth at once."

"...Hmm. Congratulations. But it’s still incomplete. You know what Sim Gi Che is, don’t you?"

"I’ve heard of it."

"The heart, energy, and body must all reach the same level. Only then can you call it 'perfection.' If even one aspect is lacking, you’re just a half-formed shadow. Your heart seems to have reached perfection, but your body and energy are far behind. You’re only at the edge of mastery—a novice at the pinnacle. Can you manifest energy through your sword?"

"I cannot."

I had tried on my way here but failed.

"When all three aspects align, you’ll be able to channel energy into your sword as you wish. Until then, refrain from trying—it might backfire."

"Thank you."

Number 29 turned her gaze to the warriors of the Black Sky Axe Sect.

"Did everything go well?"

"My heart feels lighter."

"Good. It seems the Black Sky Axe Sect warriors aren’t completely devoid of honor. Letting someone as suspicious as you leave..."

"Meng So-un’s infamy probably played a role."

"Maybe. But perhaps they saw something in your sword, beyond Meng So-un’s villainy."

Number 29 smirked.

"Even that pig seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve, but you overcame them. Well done, Number 30. For someone who just crossed a small wall, you’re remarkable."

"......."

"You have talent."

Talent.

I chuckled softly. It was such an unfamiliar word to me that it felt absurd.

If anyone else had said it, I might have doubted their sincerity. But Number 29’s words seemed genuine.

Talent.

Talent, huh.

"...Even without talent, I’ll find a way."

"Do your best."

"I will."

We returned to our quarters, gathered our belongings, and prepared to leave. But before we could depart, someone hurriedly ran up to us.

"Sohong!"

It was the gatekeeper I had spoken with before. He stood before me, panting heavily.

"I thought you’d leave soon, but I’m glad I caught you in time. I almost missed you..."

"What is it?"

"Don’t be alarmed. I’ve come to deliver something."

He rummaged through his belongings and pulled out a small, black pill.

"I found this near Meng So-un’s corpse. At first, I thought it was dung, but that wasn’t the case. It was embedded between his ribs. Judging by its aura..."

"It resembles the sect master’s energy."

I turned the pill over in my hands. I could feel it—the same aura I had sensed in Mengcheon’s axe.

"Why give this to me?"

"Meng So-un was a beast, a pig who knew nothing of honor. Even as followers of the Heavenly Demon Sect, we are still human. It would be wrong to let anyone else take this prize from the hunt of such a beast. That would be truly beastly."

"......"

"The one who should have it is you. I’ve never seen the sect master smile as brightly as he did when speaking of you. Not once in ten years."

The gatekeeper smiled bitterly.

"I don’t know your true name, but this belongs to you. No one else. That’s what the sect master would have wanted."

"......"

"What? Is this behavior unfitting of the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

"...It is, but..."

"The Black Sky Axe Sect may be under the Heavenly Demon Sect, but our sect master always emphasized one thing."

The gatekeeper clasped his hands in a formal salute.

"Mutual aid. Those who receive help must also give it. Even in the Heavenly Demon Sect, we are not beasts who crave only power. At least, not in the Black Sky Axe Sect."

"......"

"And you said the same, didn’t you? You received much, so you simply protected what needed protecting."

He patted my shoulder.

"I am the same. I’ve received, so I came to return the favor."

"...What is your name?"

"I told you earlier... but perhaps you’ve forgotten. Jeok Dae-gwang. And yours?"

"I cannot tell you. But..."

I tucked the pill into my belongings.

"Jeok Dae-gwang. I will remember your name. Since I’ve received something, I must return the favor."

"Ha! This will go on endlessly, won’t it?"

Jeok Dae-gwang laughed heartily.

"If only we had spoken more, sooner. My eyes were blind. But now, I’ll remember only the name Sohong. It may not fit the Heavenly Demon Sect, but I have one more way to remember you."

"What do you mean?"

"A hero. Doesn’t that suit you well? Go, Sohong. I don’t know where you’re headed..."

Jeok Dae-gwang took a step back, his expression tinged with sadness.

"I hope we meet again."

"...Yes, Brother Jeok."

I bowed to him in return.

"I hope we meet again someday."

"A report has arrived

, Lady Ilma."

"Is that so?"

The Blood Demon Deputy handed a missive to Ilma, the First Demon.

"It says Number 29 and Number 30 not only killed the Black Sky Axe Sect master but also his eldest son."

"Yes, Lady Ilma."

Silence hung heavy.

The Blood Demon Deputy knew Ilma well. Though he had never seen her face beneath the mask, her mere presence made it clear she was a master far beyond his comprehension.

A being who had been chosen by the sect leader at the age of eight to join the Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth. Her talent was monstrous, her power unfathomable.

Though she remained composed, the deputy knew one thing well—she despised deviations from her plans.

Desperate, he prostrated himself before her, hoping to avoid her wrath.

"I will personally handle the reckless actions of those involved. I will ensure everything is cleaned up perfectly. Please, do not worry..."

"No. That won’t be necessary."

Ilma tilted her head slightly.

"Instead, tell me exactly what happened."

"......?"

...Something was different.

The Blood Demon Deputy cautiously observed her. Ilma normally paid no attention to such minor matters, yet she was now asking for a detailed report.

Did this mean there was something more at play?

"Are your ears blocked?"

"N-No! I will report immediately! Before the operation, Numbers 29 and 30 learned of the Black Sky Axe Sect master’s death. According to the report, they infiltrated the sect to confirm the body."

"That much is written here. I asked about the ones they clashed with."

"According to the intelligence division, the Black Sky Axe Sect master’s eldest son had mastered a technique known as White Demon Body. He was also accompanied by someone posing as a disciple of the ‘Great Physician of Ten Thousand Arts,’ a man named Teacher Baek."

"The White Demon Body?"

Ilma’s sharp gaze pierced through her black mask.

"Is that true?"

"Y-Yes, according to our findings..."

"And?"

"Number 29 clashed with Teacher Baek but failed to capture him. He escaped with injuries."

"So Number 29 is a decent swordsman."

"...Do you know this Teacher Baek...?"

"That’s none of your concern. Continue."

"Y-Yes! The Black Sky Axe Sect master’s eldest son, who had mastered the White Demon Body, fought against Number 30."

"And?"

The deputy nervously looked for cues in Ilma’s expression. Her mood seemed darker than usual, carrying a weight he couldn’t decipher.

What could this mean? Number 30—he wasn’t even an original member. Why would Ilma care?

"Your ears are useless if they don’t listen. Should I remove them?"

"I-I’m sorry!"

"This is your last chance, Blood Demon Deputy. What happened?"

"N-Number 30... Number 30 killed the eldest son. Though he was at a disadvantage, he split him in two from head to groin with a single strike."

"He killed someone who mastered the White Demon Body?"

"Y-Yes?"

Ilma paused for a moment. The Blood Demon Deputy panicked, wondering if he had misspoken.

Finally, Ilma spoke.

"...The Fourth Demon will come looking for the Blood Demon Division. That one has an insatiable appetite for talent. Once they’re fixated, nothing can stop them. To have breached the wall of mastery within a year of entering Magok..."

"E-Excuse me?"

"Return to Magok, Blood Demon Deputy."

Ilma turned back to her documents.

"When Numbers 29 and 30 arrive, send word. I will meet them personally."