"Young master, it's morning. Please wake up."
The next morning, Choi Seungmin woke up Yoo Baekjun.
Yoo Baekjun rubbed his eyes as he sat up. He felt a strange heaviness on his
chest.
"Hey, something... feels heavy."
"Of course it does. Take a look."
"Huh?"
Yoo Baekjun looked down.
Something was sitting on his chest. Small, round, and covered in fluffy fur—
"Tsk."
It was Seol Young.
No wonder he had been feeling uncomfortable. Clicking his tongue, Yoo Baekjun
lifted the creature up.
–Kyahuu...….
"She can't open her eyes. Shall I take her?"
"No, it's fine. I'll carry her."
Even if he handed her over to someone else, she would just cry endlessly the
moment she woke up and didn't see him.
He had no choice but to bring her along.
"What's for breakfast today? I've got my hopes up.""Last night, we received some top-grade Korean beef, so I grilled it over a
charcoal fire. And the soup is your favorite—spicy soybean paste stew."
"Ah, sounds great."
Choi Seungmin's cooking skills were exceptional.
He had been in charge of Yoo Baekjun's meals since they were young, so his
skills had naturally improved over time.
One of the things Yoo Baekjun liked most about his current body was the food
Seungmin cooked.
"You're up, young master."
"Oh, Master Han Seonga."
When they stepped outside, Master Han Seonga was already waiting. The three
of them headed down to the living room.
"How's your magic training? Going well?"
"I've already mastered it. It was a skill book, after all. But there were a few parts I
didn't understand, so I reread it several times..."
"And now you get it?"
"Yes, I think I'll be fine trying it out in real combat."
Yoo Baekjun nodded with satisfaction.
"You'll get a chance to use it soon enough."
"Will I...?"
Whether he wanted to or not, he would end up using it.As Yoo Baekjun savored the meal prepared by Choi Seungmin, Seol Young
stirred awake in his arms.
–Bbaeng, bbaeng...
"She's crying."
"She must be hungry. Give her some meat."
"Oh! There's some meat left. I'll bring it right away."
Choi Seungmin hurriedly brought over some meat.
As soon as Seol Young laid eyes on it, her gaze shifted and she lunged at the
meat on the table.
Crunch, crack.
"That eating sound is brutal. It sounds like she's crunching bones..."
"She's a tiger, after all. And a mythical beast at that."
"True enough."
"Young master."
Han Seonga, who had been watching quietly from the side, spoke up.
"About taking down that corrupted mythical creature. Are you sure it's okay not to
inform the clan head?"
"Why, so we can get some praise?"
"That's not exactly it... though it's close. The clan head might think better of you
for it."
"It's fine."Yoo Baekjun waved his hand.
There was no need to make a big deal out of it. It would naturally come to light
eventually.
"She eats well. Cute—ack!"
–Grrraang!
Choi Seungmin recoiled in shock as he tried to pet Seol Young's head.
She had nearly bitten his hand.
"So vicious for such a small one..."
"She'll be like that for a while."
Yoo Baekjun calmly continued eating. And as they neared the end of their meal—
Choi Seungmin suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, young master. The clan head was asking for you."
"Really?"
Yoo Baekjun wiped his mouth.
It was time to start the event he had been waiting for.
***
In a room designed like a throne chamber, all the direct members of the Sword
Saint Clan were gathered.
Yoo Moohak, Yoo Jungyeon, Yoo Kangho, Yoo Min, and Yoo Baekjun.Only Yoo Taerang, who had gone to tackle a gate, was absent.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes, Father."
Yoo Jungyeon replied. Yoo Moohak, who had been standing by the window,
slowly took his seat on the throne.
"So, Yoo Kangho is here as well."
"...Yes, Father."
"I heard that you didn't leave your room even though your injuries were treated
long ago."
Yoo Kangho bit his lip.
"Were you ashamed? That you lost to the younger brother you used to belittle?"
"No, that's not—"
"Is that so?"
Yoo Moohak's gaze grew even colder, as if displeased by the answer.
Thud! His foot stomped the ground.
"You shameless brat! You lost like that and still don't even feel ashamed?"
"N-No, Father. I was just lacking..."
"Yes, you were lacking. If you realized that, you should've spent your time
sharpening your skills instead of locking yourself in your room!"
"Kh..."Yoo Kangho lowered his head.
It wasn't something a father should say to his son. It wasn't a word of comfort to
someone who had failed.
But it was undeniably the truth.
"Hoo..."
Yoo Moohak let out a long breath and leaned deeply into the throne, looking
down at his children.
"I will give you an opportunity."
"A-An opportunity?"
"Yes."
Yoo Moohak gestured. A screen lowered from the ceiling, and a projector lit up
the display.
What appeared was a massive map. It was a map of Seorak Mountain with four
X marks drawn on it.
"Gates have appeared."
"At four locations, I see."
"Indeed. All of them are significant in size. As you all know, defending Seorak
Mountain's gates is the duty of the Sword Saint Clan."
Yoo Moohak gave a nod to the servant beside him.
The servant stepped forward and began explaining each marked location.
"I'll explain. As you can see, all four marked areas are locations where gates
have appeared. This one here—"To summarize:
One location was closest but located beneath a cliff, making it dangerous and
highly difficult.
Another was far away but on open snowfields, easy to survey and relatively
small.
The third was at a moderate distance and moderate difficulty. And the last one...
"The most challenging one is this."
"The fourth gate?"
"Yes, not only is it large in size, but the location is particularly troublesome. It
appeared inside a dungeon. And there's little time left before the gate releases."
"If we delay even a little, monsters will pour out as the gate opens."
The last one was undoubtedly the most difficult. Yoo Min shook his head.
"Conquer both a dungeon and a gate? That's just asking for trouble."
"Exactly. The location is remote and surrounded by rough terrain."
"You can't even bring many people."
Neither dungeon nor gate conquests could be wrapped up in a day or two.
If the two overlapped, it would be a long campaign.
"Considering supplies and travel logistics, it's better to go with a small team."
"If we move in a large group, we'll be more likely to get attacked by monsters
along the way.""Hmm."
Yoo Jungyeon fell into thought.
'If I want to win Father's favor, the fourth gate would be the best bet. But...'
The risk was too high.
Since it appeared inside a dungeon, there was no way to assess the situation
until one was inside.
And if they decided to retreat, the distance was too great.
'If I go there and the clan's talents die, it'll damage my reputation more than
anything else.'
Just as she raised her hand, having made up her mind—
"I'll take the fourth gate."
Yoo Baekjun quietly raised his hand.
Everyone turned to him in surprise. To voluntarily take the gate everyone
avoided?
"Hooh."
Yoo Moohak narrowed his eyes.
"It's the least understood and likely the most dangerous. Are you sure you want
to go?"
"Yes. That's exactly why I find it appealing."
"Appealing?"Yoo Moohak gestured for him to continue. Yoo Baekjun answered without
hesitation.
"When the time comes for me to lead the Sword Saint Clan, I'll face even worse
situations. Rather than run or retreat, I want to confront challenges head-on."
"Hmm..."
Yoo Moohak nodded in satisfaction. The other direct bloodlines' expressions
changed.
"Very well. So be it. How many people do you plan to bring?"
"Myself, Master Han Seonga, and two trainees."
"Y-You're going with just four?!"
Yoo Kangho jumped up in alarm.
But Yoo Baekjun remained composed, and so did Yoo Moohak.
"Fine. Do as you wish."
"Father! That's madness. You're sending our clan's talents to die—!"
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
"Gh!"
A cold stare pierced Yoo Kangho.
It was a look he had never experienced before. For the first time, he sensed how
his father's view of him had changed.
'Damn it, I have to make up for this somehow...'
Yoo Kangho bit his lip in frustration.The other direct descendants also chose their gates, and Yoo Moohak finally
spoke.
"Dismissed. Make sure to conquer the gates before they release."
"Yes."
And with that, the meeting concluded.
***
"Young master, what happened?"
Han Seonga was waiting outside. Yoo Baekjun shrugged his shoulders.
"I got assigned to the hardest one."
"What? The hardest? Did the clan head command you to do it?"
"No, I volunteered."
"E-Eh?"
Han Seonga's eyes widened in shock. Yoo Baekjun began walking right away.
But he could feel a gaze on him.
"Yoo Baekjun…"
It was Yoo Kangho.
Though he had been defeated miserably last time, his pride still hadn't been fully
crushed.
He glared as if he might charge at any moment."...He's really staring daggers."
"Ignore him and go."
Yoo Baekjun chuckled and left.
No need to pay attention. Yoo Kangho was bound to fail this gate conquest
anyway.
"This is Grandmaster Ja Yeon's training ground. Why are we here?"
They had arrived at the training grounds. Han Seonga tilted his head in
confusion.
"I've got some business."
Yoo Baekjun strode in boldly.
"Oh my, the youngest master. It's been a while."
"Yes, Grandmaster Ja Yeon."
Inside, Ja Yeon was leading a group of trainees through intense drills.
"As you may know, I've been assigned to conquer a gate."
"Yes, the clan head mentioned that. He said he would assign them to the direct
bloodline."
"Right. And I'd like to take a few people with me."
Yoo Baekjun looked over the trainees.
"Would it be alright if I selected a few of the trainees under your guidance?"
"The trainees?"Ja Yeon looked a bit surprised.
"I don't mind—this is a great opportunity for them to gain real experience. But are
you sure? Gate conquests aren't easy. Wouldn't it be better to bring other
masters..."
"I'm already bringing Master Han Seonga. We're traveling a long distance, so I
plan to keep the team small."
"Hmm."
Ja Yeon observed Yoo Baekjun with a keen eye.
"If the trainees themselves are willing, I'll allow it. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Yes."
Yoo Baekjun picked two among the trainees.
One was a muscular man with a shaved head. The other was a long-haired
woman with a smaller frame.
The two looked at Yoo Baekjun in surprise.
"Park Chan-kyong and Cheon Minju. I'll take those two."
"Hooh..."
Ja Yeon let out a quiet exclamation.
None of his trainees lacked talent. But those two were among the best.
'Not sure how he knew, but...'
Ja Yeon signaled the two trainees."What do you say? Will you go? Conquering a gate is no small task. With so few
people, your lives may be at risk."
"Yes."
"But you'll gain invaluable experience."
The two trainees hesitated.
But only briefly.
"...I'll go."
"M-Me too."
Both accepted.
Yoo Baekjun nodded in satisfaction.