“Great Hero Wi, it is time.”
At this statement, I glanced at the innkeeper who had appeared carrying something wrapped in a bundle. After knocking and announcing his arrival, he placed the bundle down courteously before straightening up.
“It is clothing for you to change into.”
“By any chance, do you not have any armor?”
“Excuse me?”
“It is fine if there is no armor, but could you prepare a mask that can fully cover the head?”
“However, wouldn’t that obstruct your field of vision?”
Vision is life to a warrior. My suggestion to deliberately restrict one’s vision drew concern from the innkeeper. However, if I had thought it through, I wouldn’t have mentioned it in the first place.
There are no knights who take off their helmets on the battlefield, after all.
And helmets restrict vision far more than expected.
“This is fine. Contrarily, I am more accustomed to this. Moreover… I’ve ordered a sword from Mok-kyeong Ironworks. It would be better if you bring it to me instead of me going there.”
“…Yes, understood.”
It was still midday.
If my memory serves, the gathering will begin late at night.
For now, I should change and wait. I’ve already planned what to do during the waiting period.
It might be a little unstable, but it’s not like they sent a supreme master to consume Haomen. Thus, it won’t be too difficult a task.
After all, I’ve handled bodyguard duties before.
“Master Eun-gong, do you intend to conceal your identity?”
“Whoever they are that plans to consume Haomen, it would be better to delay revealing my identity for as long as possible. It will confuse them.”
The longsword technique is not an art suitable for fighting many opponents.
Therefore… I plan to use an art more advantageous for battling multiple foes.
“Uncle, will covering your face with a mask really hide your identity?”
“A mask that covers the head will be sufficient.”
“Wow…you’re going to look so scary!”
What is scary?
“If you cover your face completely, you might look like a demon, scaring everyone into fleeing.”
“How is my impression so frightening?”
I don’t get old looks, but I don’t hear that I’m ugly either. Shaking my head at Hye-ryeong’s bizarre taste, I picked up the clothes.
“Seeing you like this, anyone might think you’re not a warrior, but a Grim Reaper.”
Though my original attire is uniformly dark, this is even darker.
I do not have much knowledge of dyes, but it seems similar to what assassins would wear.
“In the martial realm, I’m experiencing all sorts of things.”
It is odd for a knight to move about in assassin-like clothing. If Leader saw this, he would have scolded me and slapped the back of my head on the spot for sure.
However, there are places where one should not step back, but for the sake of saving someone, flexibility is necessary.
“I’m going to change. Please leave.”
“…Can’t I watch?”
“…”
Could you just leave already? I glared, and reluctantly, Hye-ryeong left the room. I promptly began changing clothes.
“…Master Eun-gong, are all these scars from the battlefield?”
“Yes.”
Arrows, spears, blunt weapons, and swords… the medals on my torso from surviving the battlefield often remind me of it when I look at my reflection in the water.
“I can’t believe you are still alive.”
“Neither can I.”
I survived through sheer desperation.
Oddly, the Mamluk captain seemed impressed by my ability to kill their soldiers, trying to recruit me.
Thinking about it now, it sounds absurd.
Since Mamluks acquire slaves from all over, it isn’t surprising, but would anyone recruit a person who had decimated a third of their men?
Are they generous or out of their minds?
…Fine.
What good does it do to dwell on past events?
I have my job to do.
“Miss Mok-kyeong, please take care of Hye-ryeong. Though I don’t think they’ll target you, as we all know, the future is unpredictable.”
“…Please leave it to me. I will ensure Miss Hye-ryeong’s safety.”
“Good.”
“Great Hero Wi, as you requested, I have brought the sword and the mask.”
“…Is that more like a mask or a full-face covering?”
Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
I donned a gaudy lion mask and then covered it with a wide-brimmed hat.
The innkeeper awkwardly commented despite his obvious shock.
“You look quite fitting.”
Your obvious horror beneath such flattery… Nevermind.
“Shall we leave now?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Then let’s go.”
It’s been a while since we have stretched our legs.
—————————-
“I wonder if this will resolve smoothly.”
“Head of Haomen, all will be fine.”
“Where is the master that you recruited?”
“He will come soon, don’t worry.”
‘Time for him to arrive…’
The vice branch leader of Haomen glanced at the rear door of the hall where he was supposed to appear. They needed Haomen’s help, so it’s unlikely he would have fled at this point.
He anxiously looked at the rear door.
Fortunately, footsteps began to reach his ears.
Heavy and crude like a bull’s.
The door finally opened.
“Great Hero Wi…?”
“Could it be…you?”
The two of them stared speechless at the strange man cloaked in a lion mask and a wide-brimmed hat.
A man with broad shoulders, bulging muscles under his clothing, and an imposing stature stood with a terrifying aura.
The two bodyguards standing beside the Haomen leader watched him with guarded eyes, their hands hovering over their sword hilts, ready to strike if necessary.
William paid no attention to their reaction and stared at the Haomen leader.
“Are you the leader of Haomen?”
“Yeah, that’s correct.”
‘This man looks like a demon risen from hell. Could this be the so-called Lion Sword Hero?’
When Haomen leader saw a slightly different looking man than what was rumored, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. William, however, spoke first.
“Just in case, I’ve changed my appearance.”
“I see.”
Their eyes met. William looked at the elder, the one whose life hung on a single line in the original story, and lost himself in thought.
“Is this really the Haomen leader? Whether an impersonator or the real person, this is the one I must protect.”
“Welcome. Great Hero Wi.”
“Please call me Black Lion.”
William casually made up a name and glanced around the empty hall.
“Such a vast space. Built separately, it’s not easy to find.”
If I were to die here, no one would ever know. Having assessed the structure of the hall, his eyes returned to the Haomen leader.
“When will it begin?”
“It will start in an hour, so you may rest in the corner for now.”
William followed the instruction and sat cross-legged in the corner to take a short rest.
Meanwhile, the Haomen leader watched as the regional branch leaders of Haomen began to arrive one by one.
“How many traitors are there? Ten confirmed. Perhaps as many as thirty more, maybe more.”
The Haomen leader learned about the existence of the traitors a few years after ascending to his position. Five years ago, he identified the traitors but, without certainty about the mysterious forces behind the betrayal, he dared not interfere rashly.
The position of Haomen leader isn’t obtained by force alone but through information and political power.
Being relatively new to the position, lacking a solid foundation, even when discovering traitors, he couldn’t easily punish them.
After this, though he managed to reduce the number of traitors with various pretexts, during that time they had grown like a tumor, making it nearly impossible to estimate their number.
‘This is the last chance. I must eliminate all the traitors and fully control Haomen this time. The chance of success isn’t high, but…’
Upon investigation, the mastermind behind all this was the Demonic Sect.
If they deploy their elite fighters, Haomen would be wiped out in no time. Even with the secret martial arts of Haomen, the leader wasn’t at a very high level.
That’s why today, he prepared thoroughly.
Mechanisms and hidden bodyguards in the great hall. And…his loyal subordinate who brought in this master.
‘The extent to which this Lion Sword Hero can help will determine my survival.’
“It’s been a while, Chief.”
“Is that you, Wengkyeom? How have you been?”
“Yes, I’m doing well thanks to the leader.”
Formalities and empty pleasantries devoid of sincerity. The Haomen leader continued this tedious task as he watched the gathering regional branch leaders.
‘The day has come when I must punish my own people. I couldn’t face the past leaders with this.’
Yet, how could he surrender Haomen to the Demonic Sect?
With determination in his face, he glanced at the gathered branch leaders and began to speak.
“Greetings, pillars of Haomen.”
“Managing Haomen must have been difficult, but seeing you in such good health is comforting.”
‘Yunchul, the supposed leader of the traitors who competed with me for the position of Haomen Leader… a despicable man.’
With countless attempts to poison him, he harbored a deep grudge against this man.
But as the leader of a sect, one cannot freely display personal grievances.
He smiled falsely and responded.
“It is due to all of your help, after all.”
“Haha, you flatter us.”
Small contests of nerves played out in the grand hall. The other branch leaders quietly observed the exchange between the two.
Two factions.
Today, one will be eliminated.
“May I ask why you issued the summons? It must be for something significant…”
“Ah, I have summoned you all here for an urgent matter.”
The Haomen leader glanced at the gathered branch leaders.
Traitors. And the loyal.
How many will stand by him?
‘Hopefully, many.’
“The reason I summoned all of you is… because there are rats infesting our Haomen, and they have a very foul smell.”
“What do you mean?”
Yunchul, feigning ignorance, asked with a feigned expression of surprise. The Haomen leader controlled his rising anger and replied patiently.
“For several years, rats have been running around Haomen. Pursuing their trail has allowed us to finally catch hold of the tail.
…
“So then…”
“Our leader intends to cleanse Haomen of these rats. Therefore…”
The Haomen leader looked around the room with glimmers of hope and resolve.
Some averted their eyes, perhaps pricked by conscience. Others looked straightforwardly at him.
“If you truly love Haomen, the rats must reveal themselves.”
“Rats…”
To his words, Yunchul clicked his tongue as if in disapproval and stepped forward.
The leader of the traitors had decided it was time to act.
“Doesn’t the side with the fewer numbers go against the tide? Thus, the rats you speak of… it’s not us. It’s the Haomen Leader. You.”
“So, you have chosen punishment.”
“Does Haomen have the strength to punish us?”
Yunchul raised his right hand.
Instantly grasping it as a signal, the Haomen leader quickly activated the mechanism underfoot, closing all the doors of the grand hall. Branch leaders who understood nothing of the matter screamed and fled to the corners.
Not wishing to get involved.
“Warriors of the Thousand Demon Sect! The time to act is now!”
With his cry, the hidden Sect warriors revealed their killing intent.
The grand hall was filled to the brim with thick killing intent.
The Haomen leader, feeling suffocated, quickly activated the second mechanism with his foot, even as he glanced at his bodyguards standing in front of him.
But Yunchul only sneered at that action, taking no other measures.
‘If this works, the situation can be resolved instantly!’
“…What?”
But the mechanism didn’t activate.
“Ha! Listen here, Haomen Leader. Did you really think we wouldn’t understand your intention?”
“Even if you think you’ve destroyed our defenses, do you truly believe that you’ll survive this, being trapped here?!”
“Ha! We’re not the ones trapped! It’s you and your men who are trapped! Su Lao! Black and White Twin Ghosts! Bloodline Demons! Show us your power!”
The Haomen leader’s eyes turned to William standing behind him as he heard the aliases of the Sect warriors.
With the mechanism destroyed, his last hope was now solely on William.
“It’s been a while since my sword has tasted blood.”
“Tsk… Leave at least some for us to kill.”
“I want to finish such trivial matters quickly and go back.”
Three masters. And about ten Sect warriors.
A shiver ran down the Haomen leader’s spine.
“Haomen Leader, it is time for me to reclaim my position.”
As Yunchul spoke, the battle began.
However, the battle was temporarily delayed by the strange figure who appeared from behind the leader.
Even though he carried an ominous aura, his energy didn’t feel overwhelmingly strong.
“This is entertaining. Why not let me join?”
“Who are you, you bastard!”
“Ha… Ha… How dare you stand before us without knowing your place…”
“Right, brother. Even with that imposing figure, this level of power makes me pity the Haomen Leader who relies on you.”
“But brother, tearing him apart should still be somewhat exciting.”
Though they spoke this way, they did not lower their guard.
He was, after all, the last card of the Haomen Leader. An oversight could be costly.
“Dispose of him quickly, then let’s cut down the Haomen Leader.”
“Even though dividing the spoils isn’t ideal… let’s go!”
“Trouble.”
The four top martial artists pointed their weapons at William: one sword, one spear, and a pair of clawed hands.
Leaning against a wall while observing, William then spoke,
“Being cautious is good, but…”
William’s foot struck the ground.
And,
“This… is absurd…”
Sulao’s head, twisted at an unnatural angle, crashed to the floor.
Frozen in place, everyone witnessed the meager demise of an ultimate master.
One punch.
Had their eyes not deceived them, it was indeed a single punch that instantly killed Sulao.
Silence filled the room as everyone watched. The lion mask-covered figure, cracking his knuckles, declared,
“Bringing you to the judge is troublesome, so let me pass judgment here instead.”
