The sound of the night rain still echoed on the rooftops of Jeonghwa when Jin stripped off his training tunic and plunged his face into the cold water of the bucket. His muscles throbbed. The palms of his hands were bandaged, and a thin line of dried blood marked his collarbone. But in his eyes, there was only focus.
That morning, the sky was clear, but the air carried an unusual electricity — as if the very world was waiting for something.
Baekho crossed the courtyard toward him, wearing his old hardened leather armor. Jin noticed. The old company chief only wore that when he sensed real danger.
— We received an urgent request for reinforcements — he said without preamble. — One of the merchant convoys that passed through a section of the old Leaf Road hasn't reached its destination. The last message spoke of hooded figures and blackened trees.
Jin didn't hesitate. He simply adjusted the sword at his waist.
The mission was formed with three escorts, two reinforcement carts, and Baekho at the front. The tension among the men was thick, but there was confidence in Jin. He was no longer the rookie. He was the silent blade among them.
Chi appeared only when they left the city walls behind.
— Back to the shadows, heir? — he said, his voice lower than usual. — You're getting good at this.
— I was never good — Jin replied, without taking his eyes off the road. — I just don't stop walking.
Chi looked at him for a moment, then nodded silently.
The Leaf Road, once a vibrant trade route between forest villages, was now a silent corridor between dead trees. Color had abandoned the place. The branches stretched like claws, and the ground seemed to absorb the sound of footsteps.
At the entrance to the trail, Jin felt it again: the strange pulse of the void. The same icy touch in his chest. And he knew.
— He's here — he murmured.
Baekho looked at him. He didn't need to ask who.
The first attack came with the falling dusk. Silent. Fast. Three shadows emerged from the trees and attacked the carts. But Jin was already waiting for them. His sword cut through the air with precision. One opponent fell without a sound. Another retreated with a bleeding arm.
The third... was not human.
It was like the previous vessel — but incomplete. Its eyes glowed in deep purple tones, and its skin appeared cracked, like the bark of dried clay. Jin traded blows with it until the blade broke.
Chi shouted instructions, but Jin no longer listened with his ears. The Qi within him pulsed, hot and dense. And then... something snapped.
The air trembled.
From Jin's body, a burst of black and red energy exploded, pushing the enemies back. His eyes, for a moment, glowed like Chi's.
Baekho watched from afar, eyes wide.
— He... is awakening.
Jin fell to his knees, panting. The enemies retreated. The trees returned to silence. Chi appeared beside him, crouching, looking into his eyes.
— You touched something... from the depths. And it answered.
— It... who?
— The book.
Jin didn't ask anything more. He knew he had crossed an invisible line.
When they returned to Jeonghwa, there was no celebration. Only glances. Whispers. And respect.
That night, Jin climbed to the rooftop of the dormitory and stared at the moon. Chi sat beside him, with a rare, calm smile.
— Now you're no longer just the heir. You're the spark. And the shadows are watching.
Jin remained silent.
And then, in a thin voice, he said: — Maybe I need time...
Chi nodded.
— Good. Because the world... will wait.?