“They’re saying lowerclassn beat Red Shadow’s interdiate and senior students?”
Gwak Pyeong’s eyes widened at the morning news.
“Yeah. I heard about it this morning too—shocked .”
“Holy shit. Don’t tell that group rush yesterday was them chasing after Red Shadow?”
“Looks like it.”
“But why?”
“Apparently the Red Shadow kids tried to ss with Bang Un.”
“What the hell for?”
“Thought he was too arrogant for a junior.”
“They should’ve been ashad of losing and focused on training instead. Pathetic.”
“Typical of that sect’s descendants.”
“Right? That sect’s always been shady. Doesn’t live up to its na. So what, they fought the Red Shadow seniors to protect Bang Un?”
“Seems that way.”
“I an... Seon Woo Baek we can believe—he’s the real deal. But are the others really that strong too?”
“They say there’s another one on Seon Woo Baek’s level.”
“Who?”
“Jang Un.”
“Who’s that?”
“First I’ve heard of him too. There’s also Heo Uk, from Black Shadow, who used to compete with Seon Woo Baek and Gong Ya-cheon for top spot.”
“Gong Ya-cheon? He’s a tactician, though.”
“Yeah, but he’s good at martial arts too.”
“What?”
“They say he’s been getting stronger by the day. Supposedly, he’s closing in on Seon Woo Baek’s level.”
“...Huh.”
“Oh, and get this—Bang Un’s officially transferring to our academy.”
“Bang Un too?”
“Yeah. Feels like every rising talent is gathering at Baekyeong.”
“What the hell is going on?”
Even with his sharp mind, Gwak Pyeong couldn’t make sense of what was happening.
“Does Seon Woo Baek have so kind of magnetic pull we don’t know about?”
“Well, there is sothing strange.”
“Strange?”
“Yeah. If you watch closely, the students... they’re not really looking at Seon Woo Baek.”
“They’re not? Then who?”
“They’re watching soone else. A kid nad Yeon Woo Jin.”
“Who the hell is that?”
Another unfamiliar na popped up.
“He’s always quiet in the group, but the others act unusually cautious around him.”
“Cautious?”
“Yeah.”
“Then it has to be one of two things. Either his family’s top-tier... or he’s insanely strong.”
“Not the family. I checked—he’s the grandson of the Wurang Library caretaker.”
“Really? Then his background’s totally unimpressive. And they’re still wary of him? That ans he’s strong.”
“Should we take a closer look?”
At Ho Je’s suggestion, Gwak Pyeong nodded.
“Yeah. Sothing about him is off. Keep an eye on him.”
“Got it.”
They were beginning to approach the truth, even though Yeon Woo Jin had erased their mories of him.
****
The atmosphere inside Red Shadow Academy was heavy and silent.
But one person walked in through the gates with a bright smile on his face—Bang Un.
Following close behind him was Mak Son-oh, the tactician who’d always stuck by his side.
“What the hell happened yesterday? That senior carried you off. You alright?”
“Yeah.”
“Seriously?”
“If you were that worried, you could’ve co along.”
“I tried to. But the senior midclassn blocked , rember? I’m not exactly strong.”
“...Honestly, sothing did happen.”
“What?”
“Jeon Yeok-gi tried to cripple .”
“What?!”
“No joke. I was this close to being done for.”
“Then how’d you get out of it?”
“Soone showed up. Like a miracle.”
“Who?”
“Students from Baekyeong.”
“Baekyeong?”
“Yeah. Red Shadow abandoned —but Baekyeong ca to save . That’s when I decided. I’m transferring to Baekyeong.”
“You think it’s that easy to transfer?”
“Beats . But I was told everything’s already handled. I just need to wrap things up today.”
All in a single day?
No way. Transfers weren’t sothing that happened overnight.
Maybe they ant, take your ti cleaning up while we handle the rest.
They walked inside together. At the entrance, a teacher was waiting.
As soon as he spotted Bang Un, the teacher’s face twisted in a grimace and he marched over.
His expression was anything but friendly.
“What’s your deal?”
“...Sir?”
“Why did the Military Advisor himself request your transfer?”
What was that supposed to an?
Why was the Military Advisor suddenly in the picture?
“You’re saying... the Military Advisor asked for my transfer?”
“Yeah. You didn’t know?”
“No...”
“...Shit, then what’s going on?”
The teacher shook his head, still frowning, and pulled sothing out.
“Here. Transfer authorization. Starting tomorrow, you’re officially a Baekyeong student.”
“Wha—Tomorrow?!”
“Yep. Judging by your face, you really didn’t know. What the hell is going on...”
Mak Son-oh stepped in, looking stunned.
“Wait, they can just do that? Transfers like this?”
“What do you an ‘just like that’? Didn’t you hear say it was the Military Advisor’s request? When that man gives an order, you follow it. Tch. Kids like you don’t know how terrifying that man really is.”
The teacher waved them off and walked away.
Bang Un and Mak Son-oh stared at each other.
Mak Son-oh spoke first.
“Who... the hell did you get mixed up with?”
Bang Un answered, eyes full of reverence.
“I knew he was incredible, but... I didn’t think even the Military Advisor would move for him.”
“Who? Who is it?”
Bang Un shook his head solemnly.
“I can’t speak without permission. That’s an order.”
“An order?”
“Yeah. I’ve decided to follow him.”
“You’re saying you’re serving under soone?”
“Yup.”
Unbelievable.
It wasn’t just that Bang Un had chosen to serve soone—but he looked proud of it.
This wasn’t the Bang Un he knew.
Even that constant desperation in his eyes was gone.
Who was this person?
He didn’t say—but Mak Son-oh had to know.
“Then I’m coming too.”
“...What?”
“Don’t think you’re leaving behind.”
Bang Un looked flustered.
“I-I’ll ask first.”
“No. I’m transferring to Baekyeong too.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° that easy.”
“It won’t be. Not for . But I’ll figure it out. Just wait.”
“...Alright. I’ll wait.”
****
That evening, when Bang Un arrived at Baekyaksa, Yeon Woo Jin greeted him.
“Transfer went through?”
“Yup! You’re amazing! You even know the Military Advisor?”
“Yeah. I know him well.”
“How?”
“He’s my master.”
“...Seriously?”
Bang Un’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
He’d never t anyone this incredible in his life.
And now... he’d been chosen by such a person.
The joy that welled up inside him quickly turned into devotion.
That loyalty made even the harsh training he’d never experienced before feel bearable—even fun.
The other students could only shake their heads.
“Is he... a masochist?”
“Dude’s nuts. He’s actually smiling through that?”
“Looks like Woo Jin really brought in a monster.”
“Well, we can’t lose to him!”
Inspired by Bang Un’s transformation, the other students pushed themselves harder than ever.
Yeon Woo Jin hadn’t planned it, but he was thoroughly satisfied with the outco.
After training, Yeon Woo Jin walked with Bang Un.
“So, how was your first session?”
“I loved it.”
“Loved it? Wasn’t it hard?”
“It was hard. But I liked it. Training together like this—it’s way better.”
Until now, Bang Un had always trained alone.
He didn’t know what structured training really was.
But today, he’d seen it firsthand—a complete system of martial developnt.
No wonder Baekyeong’s juniors were so strong.
And the one who had created that system—Yeon Woo Jin—seed all the more incredible.
Being chosen by him... might be the greatest fortune of his life.
They chatted as they walked, until they neared Bang Un’s ho: the Heavenly Armor Gate.
As they approached the gate, Yeon Woo Jin suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong? Did you forget sothing?”
“You’ve got a filthy murderous aura leaking from your ho.”
“...From my house?”
“Yeah. Looks like Jeon Yeok-gi’s clan made their move.”
Bang Un froze.
A malicious aura in his ho could only an one thing—it had already been taken over.
“Wh-what about the people inside? They’re safe, right?”
His voice trembled as he spoke, and Yeon Woo Jin gave a slight nod.
“Yeah. Luckily, they’re unhard.”
If Yeon Woo Jin said so, then it was true.
Bang Un let out a shaky breath of relief.
“But don’t relax just yet. They’re being held hostage.”
“...What?”
“To be precise, they’re holding them and waiting for you to show up.”
“But why?”
“To hurt you. There’s nothing more painful than watching soone you love die right in front of you.”
“They’re going to kill them?! No—no, they’re my family! They’re everything to !”
Thud.
Bang Un collapsed to his knees in front of Yeon Woo Jin.
“Please help ! You’re the only one I can trust right now!”
Yeon Woo Jin placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke with firm resolve.
“Of course I’ll help you. Like I said—you’re one of mine. Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
Bang Un trusted him—but how would he save them?
If they already had blades to their throats, wasn’t it too late?
“Let’s go.”
“...We’re just going to walk in?”
“Why not?”
“Shouldn’t we sneak in, catch them off guard?”
Yeon Woo Jin chuckled.
“Don’t know how to do that. A man should walk in with his head held high.”
And with that, Yeon Woo Jin strode boldly toward the front gate.
Bang Un hurried to follow.
Creeaak—
Boom.
As soon as they stepped inside, the gate slamd shut behind them.
In the sa instant, n in black appeared around them, surrounding the two.
“Well, well. Done with class and out roaming the streets like so punk? Don’t you know to co straight ho?”
One of them spoke with a scowl, clearly annoyed.
“You’re from Jeon Yeok-gi’s lot, aren’t you?”
“Tch. They weren’t kidding—you’ve got no manners. Calling your senior by na like that.”
“He’s not my senior anymore. I’m a student of Baekyeong Academy now.”
“...What?”
What kind of nonsense was this?
“Who do you think you’re fooling? Everyone knows transferring to Baekyeong isn’t sothing you can just do.”
He wasn’t wrong—but Bang Un didn’t bother to answer.
The man turned to Yeon Woo Jin.
“This your buddy?”
Bang Un nodded.
“Damn, talk about bad luck. What a day to visit a friend’s house. So, what family you from, kid?”
Yeon Woo Jin smirked.
“Why? Planning to let go if I’m from a good one?”
“Maybe we will.”
“Too bad. Not in the mood to tell you.”
“...You’ve got a mouth on you, huh?”
“You’d probably faint if you knew who I was.”
“Hah! Faint? We already know all about you—Yeon Woo Jin.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. The grandson of a damn library caretaker. And look at you, acting all high and mighty. But I guess it fits—so moldy old bookworm’s grandson hanging out with a parentless orphan.”
“...You talk too much.”
“Oh, was that rude? Gosh, sorry about that. But I guess you haven’t figured out what kind of situation you’re in right now?”
“I’ve got it figured out just fine. You’re the ones who don’t.”
“...Pfft... Hahaha. You’re funny. I like you. Set that one aside. I want to break him myself.”
“Yes, squad leader.”
So this guy was their leader.
The squad leader turned his attention back to Bang Un.
“Alright. Got a little gift for you. Let’s go take a look, shall we? What are you waiting for? Move.”
A swordsman behind Bang Un jabbed him in the back with the tip of his blade.
“Guess we’ll see what they’ve prepared.”
Yeon Woo Jin took the lead, and Bang Un followed.
The squad leader watched them go, then scoffed.
“What the hell is with this kid? He’s not scared at all...”
He followed behind, eyeing Yeon Woo Jin like he was so kind of rare specin.
They arrived at the sparring arena at the heart of the Heavenly Armor Gate.
There, all of Bang Un’s family and servants were on their knees, bound.
Swords were pressed to the backs of their necks—one wrong move, and heads would roll.
“Tadaa~! A little gift just for you! Aren’t I thoughtful? Giving you the chance to say goodbye.”
Bang Un trembled violently.
The squad leader let out a loud, satisfied laugh.
“Bwahaha! That’s the look! That’s what I wanted!”
“...So noisy.”
The laughter stopped at Yeon Woo Jin’s voice.
The squad leader’s tone turned cold.
“Your big mouth just cost your family their lives. Kill them all.”
“No!!”
Bang Un’s scream tore through the air—
—and in that instant, everyone in the arena froze.
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