The moment the enormous needle pierced my body, an unbearable scream escaped my lips.

It was an excruciating, grinding pain, as though my entire body was being torn apart. I could feel Cheonma's inner energy crawling into me through the needle.

That sensation was…
Horrifying.
It made the pain from all the past torment of Cheongeop seem insignificant.

"Arghhhhhhhhhh!!!"

"If you lose consciousness, you’ll die, Jeok Woon."

I endured. And endured again. I wanted to claw at the ground with my fingertips, but I couldn’t even do that. Instead, I clenched my jaw and howled.

I felt something leaking from under my bloodshot eyes. Tears. Tears mixed with blood blurred my vision.

I couldn’t see anything.
I could barely breathe, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

My body convulsed helplessly. My trembling hands and feet refused to obey me.
Yet Cheonma’s voice reached me clearly. It was heavy and resolute.

"This is only the first one. Dozens more of these needles must be driven in."

Dozens more of this pain…?
Even the agony of the first one hadn’t subsided yet.

"Little dog, if you wish to give up, speak now. You can still manage words, can’t you?"

"Ah… ah…"

I opened my mouth, and my vision wavered.
I didn’t want to endure this. This pain was not the kind one could ever grow accustomed to.

With each needle, a new wave of torment would surge through me, enough to make me want to split my head open just to escape it.

…But…
This was a method approved by Cheonma. The whisper of strength called to me.

"Can I… get even a little closer…?"

Cheonma laughed.

"Of course."

"Then…"

I gritted my teeth.

"Please… continue."

"Whose dog are you, I wonder? Such a clever little thing."

Her gentle hand brushed my cheek.

"Let’s get this over with so you can rest."

The needle twisted deeper into my body.
I writhed in what felt like endless agony, screaming as if the pain would never end.

Endure it.
Endure it, Jeok Woon.

Please…
Please endure it.

...

Cheonma Cheon Soso wiped her hands, glancing at the blood-soaked bed.
The stench of blood filled the air. Judging by the sheer amount, it looked as though dozens of people had died there.

But it had all come from one person. One dog, stretched out as if dead, yet still enduring the pain.

Cheonma tucked an arm that had slipped off the bed back onto it. She leaned closer, meeting the blurry gaze of the figure and whispered softly.

"Are you alive?"

"......"

The response was delayed, the voice faint.
But it was there.

"I’m… alive…"

Cheonma smiled.

What was the Eternal Reverse Blood Flow Art?

It defied the heavens. A forbidden technique, its record preserved only in legend.
It was a remnant of past Heavenly Demons who had attempted to craft bodies capable of enduring Cheongeop. But all had failed.

Why?

—Because every single recipient of the technique had died.

There were no exceptions. Ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred. They all perished.
The cruel condition of this technique was that one had to endure the pain without losing consciousness.
Even a single needle was enough to make countless warriors foam at the mouth and faint. How could anyone endure dozens?

It was a defiance of heaven.
It was never meant to be easy.

And yet, the dog before her had done it. The doubts lingering in Cheonma’s mind had been shattered right before her eyes.

Determination.
And desire.

Trembling uncontrollably, the dog’s blood-soaked eyes remained wide open. Cheonma gazed down at him with affection.

The perfect plaything. Ah, only this much would suffice to be her dog.

"Where did such a thing come from…"

She extended her hand, gently poking the tip of his nose.
When his face winced slightly, she smirked.

"You should’ve come to me sooner. Then you wouldn’t have had to endure this pain."

The blood-drenched eyes widened slightly.

"Is that… true…?"

"Of course not."

"......"

"Don’t scowl at your master, little dog."

Cheonma toyed with the scar on his cheek. Among her words, there was a sliver of truth.

If only she’d known sooner, things might have been different.

But it couldn’t be helped.
From now on, she would have to be content just watching.

"Jeok Woon."

"…Yes."

The faint voice reached her. She leaned down and placed a light kiss on his forehead.
His eyes widened slightly. The bitterness on her tongue lingered.

Wiping the blood from her lips with her finger, she whispered softly.

"Well done. Now rest."

...

When I opened my eyes, Cheonma was gone. All that remained was the clean bed and the attendant standing over me.

"You’ve awakened," she said.

"……."

I touched my body. The excruciating pain had vanished, leaving behind only an eerie calm.
It felt as if everything had been a fleeting dream. But that didn’t mean nothing had changed.

I clenched my hand and then opened it again.
A dense inner energy surged within, teeming with a vitality I hadn’t known before.

My body, now refined to its peak, allowed for free manipulation of energy. Not only that—if I willed it, I could summon sword energy with ease.

Before, I had struggled. That much was certain.
But now?

"…Hoo."

I activated the Gucheonhyeolmagong. The sword within the turbulent energy became clear in my mind.
I drew it lightly, examining its edge as I grasped the emanating aura with both hands.

The blade remained sharp as ever. Yet, even as I raised my hand, it didn’t cut me.
My body had become as hard as steel. Merely applying pressure was enough to keep the blade from piercing my skin.

The structure of my muscles, their strength…
Even the very composition of my bones felt altered, as if I had become a completely new person.

Moreover, the relentless pain of Cheongeop had disappeared. It was as if it had never existed, which left me slightly uneasy.

To test it, I summoned sword energy and slashed at my flesh.
The wound vanished immediately, and only then did my unease settle.

My mind, shaped by the Soul-Severing Sword, had awakened. I now had a clear sense of where I wanted to go, and naturally, insights followed.
What about my energy? I had nearly died from the side effects of consuming the Frozen Essence Cheonma had summoned. But in the end, with the help of others, I had made it my own. That process had also enhanced my energy significantly.

Even with only two of the three aspects—mind (sim) and energy (gi)—I had reached a pinnacle state, despite the imbalance with my body (che).
But now? Even the lacking aspect of my body had ascended. What should have taken extensive training following my mastery of the Overpowering Demon Path had been completed in a single night.

I could feel it.

The massive wall before me. Though still blurry, the once impenetrable wall was now riddled with cracks.
It no longer seemed as solid as it had before. It felt precarious, almost within reach if I extended my hand.

So close.
What would happen if I crossed this wall? Would everything I knew be upended?

No, I wasn’t particularly curious about the wall itself at this moment.
What mattered was testing this newfound strength. To see where I now stood.

"Calm your excitement, Samsipho. The Master has a message for you," said the attendant.

"Pardon?"

"You are to go to Magok within six months, defeat the Lord of Magok, and consume his blood. Additionally, you must absorb his core to solidify your foundation."

"The Lord of Magok?"

"Indeed. And once that’s done…"

The attendant handed me a clean set of clothes.

"Prepare to return to your primary duties by following Ilma."

"......!"

Primary duties. The realization struck me.
Why had Cheonma taken me under her wing in the first place? The answer was clear:

To use me as a double agent within the Heavenly Demon Sect.

"…I will obey the Master’s command."

Six months.

Within that time, I decided on my course of action:
Defeat the Lord of Magok and hone my swordsmanship.

Once I returned to the orthodox sect, my mission would be clear. Under Cheonma’s orders, I would infiltrate the cult that had betrayed and deceived her, eliminating their spies with my own hands.

In doing so, I could repay the favor and take revenge on the Martial Alliance that had used me as mere bait. Yet, I felt no rage or turbulence.

Returning to the Martial Alliance wouldn’t signify the end of everything. The high-ranking spies they had embedded were undoubtedly powerful.

The pinnacle of mastery? That alone might not suffice.

On the day their spies vanished, the Seven Demons had disappeared as well—Cheonma had said as much.

Among the enemy’s spies lurked warriors at the level of the Eight Extremities of Heaven and Earth.
Even such figures would have to be overcome.

But…

"The Lord of Magok. I’ve heard and understood."

I had set my sights on Cheonma’s back.
If I couldn’t even surpass the Eight Extremities, there would be no meaning in taking another step.

I would press forward.
Higher and higher.

"I will prove my ability within six months."

"Excellent."

The attendant nodded curtly.

"I will guide you back to Magok, Samsipho."

I returned to Magok, accompanied by Isipguho.

"You—did you meet with Ilma?! How was it?! Did she mention me?!"

"I did not meet with Ilma."

"Then who?"

I looked at Isipguho.

"Isipguho. Do you still wish to join the Blood Enforcement Division?"

"Uh, yes? Of course?"

If I left Magok, we would likely not meet again. We were destined to walk different paths.
I would eventually head toward the Martial Alliance. Even if I tried my best to survive, there was no guarantee of the outcome.

In the worst-case scenario, I might never return to the sect.
But I had no intention of resenting that.

I had received much from Cheonma, and I wanted to repay her in some way.
To let those who had threatened my benefactor’s life walk free would make me unworthy of being called a warrior.

"……."

…And so.

I wanted to do something for Isipguho before we parted. For the one who had silently followed my absurd decisions.

I requested an audience with the Head of the Blood Demon Division. He greeted me warmly.

"Did you relay my story to Ilma?"

"Blood Demon Head, I have a favor to ask."

"…Another one?"

"I wish to request an audience with Ilma."

"......"

The Head’s expression darkened.

"I’ll try, but Ilma isn’t exactly someone with free time. She oversees dozens of tasks, not to mention being the Master’s personal aide. Even if you’re on her good side, she’s not someone who comes whenever she’s called—"

Ilma arrived.

"What is it this time?"

"Ilma."

Ignoring the sweating Blood Demon Head, I addressed her directly.

"I assume you’re aware I met with the Master."

"Of course. What about it?"

"The Master ordered me to defeat the Lord of Magok within six months."

"That’s right."

"I want to reduce that timeframe to one month."

"…What?"

Ilma’s incredulous tone didn’t faze me.
This was the only way I could repay Isipguho.

"For the time saved, I will assist you directly. In return, I ask for one favor."

"What kind of nonsense is this—"

"I’ll do whatever you ask, even if it means giving up sleep, to repay this debt."

"......"

Ilma stared at me for a moment, her fingers brushing her chin as if trying to make sense of my proposal. She scrutinized me closely, her hands even briefly prodding me.

"Have you been threatened?"

"No."

After a moment’s deliberation, she nodded.

"Let’s hear it."

"......!"

I laid out my request in full detail. Ilma regarded me with a steady gaze.

"Is this about affection?"

"I just want to help her in her path. She and I…"

If I had to describe it, that was it.
Comrades who had crossed life and death together. Who had trained side by side, backs pressed together.

"We are comrades."

"Hm."

Ilma stepped back slightly.

"It’s not a difficult request. There’s no reason to refuse. One month it is. But know this—once the remaining five months are over, you’ll be worked to the bone. Consider yourself dead during that time."

"…Understood!"

"This will be the last time I entertain such a ridiculous request. Don’t expect it to happen again. I’m the one in charge of you, and if I wanted to, I could use you as I see fit for free."

"You’ve agreed nonetheless, and I will repay it with effort."

Ilma smirked.

"Jeok Woon. Remember this. I have no tolerance for men who fail to keep their promises. Whatever you’ve proposed, uphold it even if it costs your life. Just as you’ve done until now."

"......?"

Her words left me puzzled.

"So, does that mean you’ve been satisfied with me until now…?"

"Why do you ruin it at the last moment?"

She kicked me squarely in the shin.