The silence was heavy. I realized that my answer would determine the path ahead of me.

What should I say? Cheonma smiled, her captivating smile laced with an unknowable darkness.

"Choose your words carefully and answer. Lies will not be tolerated."

"…A collar already fastened, does answering change anything?"

"There’s a difference between what someone else fastens and what you fasten yourself."

A collar fastened by oneself.

…A collar fastened by another.

I met her gaze, piercing through the space between those two concepts. The moment I opened my mouth, my fate would likely be sealed.

What if I refused here and now?

Would I die? Or perhaps be tortured? I couldn’t tell. Her intentions were beyond my comprehension.

Cheonma had been like that from the start. I couldn’t fathom her thoughts, and it felt like an insurmountable mountain was toying with me.

…If so.

What could I do?

I agonized over it endlessly. She didn’t rush me. She simply looked up at me, humming a tune as if she found this amusing.

Time passed. It flowed endlessly. Perhaps it was only a fleeting moment, but to me, it felt eternal.

I traced back over everything.

The conclusion I reached, after all that deliberation, brought me back to where I began. To the thoughts I had when I first saw her.

The pounding of my heart under the gaze of a predator.

"…I am an ordinary man, Master."

"I know."

"Even if I wield a sword my entire life, I may never surpass you."

"Of course."

"However, even so…"

I want to try.

I want to see with my own two hands.

What is the gaze of a predator?

What is the perspective of someone who looks down, not up?

Sincerely.

—I truly wanted to surpass her. As a warrior.

"I plan to push myself as far as I can."

"Even if it means dying in the next moment?"

"I’m already well-acquainted with pain."

I smiled. I could feel the tension ease within that smile.

Yes. This was my truth.

"One cannot look at two places with one eye, can they?"

"…What does that mean?"

"As long as I pursue the sword, a collar will remain around my neck. However…"

I looked at her earnestly. Still, I could not see.

It was the same as when we first met. Even now, with all the strength I believed I had gained, I couldn’t even glimpse the tip of her toe.

…But.

Seeing it wouldn’t change what I carried in my heart.

"If a dog stronger than its master has a collar around its neck, wouldn’t that be strange?"

"……"

"As long as I stand behind you, I’ll willingly wear this collar. But if the day comes when my shadow surpasses your back…"

Then, at last, I will hold everything I desire in my hands.

Power and the sword.

The gaze of a predator.

Born an ordinary man, but ultimately grasping the end of the sword.

"On that day, I will take off the collar I fastened myself and wield the sword."

"Rebellion?"

"To see what I’ve built, I must take off the collar. To cross swords with the one I pursued, there’s no point in keeping the collar on."

"You’re quite the fool. You spoke words you didn’t need to say. Why?"

"Didn’t you ask me to reveal my true intentions, Master?"

I clasped my hands together and bowed respectfully.

"A dog follows as a dog should."

"…Hah."

Cheonma let out a low laugh.

"Jeok Woon. None within this sect have truly tried to surpass me. Those with power revere me instead. Do you know why?"

"I don’t."

"A monkey doesn’t look at a tree it cannot climb. That’s the way of things. I am like a giant tree rooted deep in this sect. If we were the same kind of beast, they might try exchanging glances. But as entirely different beings, they cannot even fathom looking up."

"……"

"You’ve barely grasped the sword, and yet you see my shadow more clearly than ever. Do you feel the edge of my power? Can you envision the strength of my sword?"

"I cannot."

"Soul-Severing Sword. Even the formidable warrior you faced couldn’t glimpse the tip of my strength. That is who I am. Even if you were to reach the same level as the Soul-Severing Sword, you still wouldn’t see it."

"……"

"And yet, you truly wish to catch up to me? If you take one step forward, I will take two. Perhaps even ten. The gap will widen, and eventually, it will become unbridgeable. Time is not on your side. It’s fair to everyone. When your time runs out, so too will mine."

She stood before me.

She looked up at me.

"I walk faster than you. While you toddled forward, I walked above the heavens. And yet, you still wish to pursue me?"

"…Yes."

"On what basis?"

"I realized it after the fight with the Soul-Severing Sword."

A terrifying gaze.

But I didn’t intend to leave it as mere fear.

"Every warrior has a sword that suits them, do they not?"

"Indeed."

"It seems a sword of thought doesn’t suit me. Acting first and thinking later worked better for me."

"……"

"So this time, I plan to act first and think later."

"When?"

"Perhaps…"

The fear in her eyes was overwhelming as I gazed down at her.

"Isn't it the moment when the sword can no longer be wielded?"

"Ahahaha! You're the first to say such a thing to me! What a hilarious little dog you are!"

Cheonma grabbed my collar, pulling me closer as she leaned against me, looking up with a tilted gaze. At the ends of her alluring eyes hung tiny droplets of water. I realized they were tears of genuine amusement.

"Is it... such an absurd thing to say?"

"It’s not absurd. After all, is there a wrong path in one’s journey? But the path you've chosen is a pit of fire far worse than a thorny road. Declaring that you'll walk it of your own accord—how could I not laugh?"

She released me and spun around, taking a few steps ahead.

"All warriors are the same. They all covet the sword and will do anything to grow stronger. That principle applies across orthodox sects, unorthodox sects, and even the Demonic Cult."

"......"

"But most of them hit the wall of reality and despair. Eventually, they settle into their positions and give up looking up. For ordinary people, that happens even sooner. Those without talent, like you, usually give up far earlier."

"......"

"Jeok Woon, but you’re different. My thoughts were correct. Even with a wretched body, your spirit surpasses that of any formidable warrior. It’s truly a pity that you encountered me so late. A child who never dreamed finally starts dreaming—the ripples from that can’t help but be enormous."

Cheonma glanced at me, a smile she couldn’t hide tugging at her lips.

"But still, you remain second to one and above all others. Let me make it clear: there will never be a day when you surpass me. Never, not even if you die and are reborn countless times. Even so, will you still chase after me?"

"I’ve already died and come back to life more times than I can count."

I matched her laughter with my own.

"A few more times shouldn’t be a problem."

"Ha. If anyone else had said that, I’d have laughed in their face. But you… you’re entitled to say such things."

Cheonma took my hand and led me from one room to another.

"Since you’ve chosen to put the collar on yourself, let me add one more condition."

"What kind of condition?"

"As long as I stand before you, aren’t you my dog? The hunting dog of Cheonma. Therefore, you belong to me. Never forget it. I am the one holding your leash, and no matter how much you dislike it, you cannot refuse."

"I have no intention of refusing."

"And why is that?"

"Because you’re the one who granted me this life. Even if I stand before you one day, I’ll carry that gratitude in my heart."

"…Hmm."

"And even if the day comes when I remove the collar, standing against you will never happen…"

I made it clear.

The greatest sincerity I could offer to the person who planted a 'dream' in my heart.

"Even if the heavens split in two, it will never happen."

"I could split the heavens if I wished."

"…I’d prefer it if you didn’t."

"Ha. Just a joke. You’re quite amusing."

She chuckled mischievously as she opened a door.

I froze.

Before me was an enormous bed the likes of which I had never seen. Instinctively, I stepped back. Cheonma placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Master…?"

"You are now undoubtedly my dog. You’ve put the collar on yourself, which means you’ve essentially declared that you’ll follow me. Since I’ve decided to raise you properly, it’s time for some basic training."

"What kind of training…?"

"Oh? Don’t step back. Didn’t I say I’d give you 'personal' education?"

She grabbed me firmly, pressing against me, her teeth lightly grazing my ear.

"Refusal is not an option. Do you think any dog could refuse its master’s orders? There’s no such thing."

"…At least give me some time to prepare—"

"Nonsense. For someone who claims patience is their sword, what are you blabbering about? Now, lie down. I’ll teach you everything from one to ten."

I closed my eyes tightly and removed my top.

Cheonma retrieved a vial from a nearby shelf, her smile as radiant as ever.

"In a hurry, are we?"

"…I’m just embarrassed…"

"Embarrassed? Don’t be. Just prepare yourself to not die. I’m about to straighten out that twisted body of yours and remake it until it satisfies even the heavens."

"…What?"

"What? Were you expecting something else? Don’t be ridiculous. I have no such interests. I prefer being pursued, not pursuing. Of course, no one’s ever managed to pursue me. Well, there was one once, but they all died by my hand. If anyone could pursue me, it’d be Ilma. She’s fierce and resilient, so if she ever serves me at night, you’d best watch your back."

"E-Excuse me?!"

"Startled like a rabbit. How adorable. Haven’t been with a woman, have you? Visit a brothel sometime. You’ve got to release that energy occasionally."

Her teasing left my head spinning, and I covered my face in exasperation.

"Could you please stop?"

"Pfft. You’re a funny one. So cute. Like a well-behaved little puppy. Good boy, good boy."

"……"

"Alright, enough chatter. Jeok Woon, listen carefully because this may be the last thing you ever hear. What I’m about to perform is the Forbidden Technique: Eternal Reverse Blood Flow Art (逆天血流大法). It’s a forbidden art that defies the heavens. There’s a ten-out-of-ten chance of death."

"…What?"

Ten out of ten…

Wasn’t that just guaranteed death?

"Don’t worry. I have a plan. With your regenerative power granted by Cheongeop, you should be able to endure it. The odds of death drop to five out of ten. And with the Frozen Essence you absorbed from the Bingbaekseol, it could go down to three out of ten. Of course, it all depends on your ability to endure."

"……"

"Isn’t patience your sword? Persist like the tenacious dog you are. If you do, you’ll gain something."

"What would that be?"

"A body far stronger than your current one. The Eternal Reverse Blood Flow Art consists of five stages. It can’t be completed all at once, so we’ll proceed according to your Cheongeop level. Fortunately, yours has reached the second stage. You’ve endured so many life-threatening moments to get here, haven’t you? Well, throwing your life on the line should yield results. Cheongeop loves blood, after all."

She pulled out an enormous needle, its sinister presence chilling me to the core.

"Based on your results, I’ll elevate the Eternal Reverse Blood Flow Art to the second stage. The balance between your regenerative power and the destruction of your body will be razor-thin. Through repeated destruction and regeneration, your body will shed its old limits like a snake’s skin. Your weak physique will grow stronger, and your body will harden."

"Does that mean…"

"It means your foundation will be fully established. But keep in mind, I’ve never performed this on anyone before. Well, there was one time, but that person bit their tongue and died, unable to endure the pain. And they were quite the esteemed warrior. An assassin of renown who couldn’t even get through the first stage."

Cheonma sighed, climbing onto me and brushing my cheek with her hand. Her hair cascaded down, tickling my neck, but I felt no excitement.

Because in her crimson eyes, I saw death swirling.

"Still, you’ll endure, won’t you? You’re my beloved little dog, aren’t you?"

"……"

"Don’t look away."

"…Will it hurt more than Cheongeop?"

"Who knows…"

She smirked, toying with the enormous needle.

"You can tell me afterward how it feels."

—Thunk.