Chapter 30

“…I must have been mistaken. You’re not a monster.”

At Mukgang’s sudden declaration of humanity, I didn’t let my guard down, thinking it might be a trap, but Mukgang truly seemed to have no intention of fighting anymore. He turned around, picked up the top he had left on a rock near the river, and started putting it on.

“Monsters don’t protect people. It’s always people who protect people.”

Mukgang, now dressed in a rugged yet dignified black martial arts uniform that seemed to reflect his personality, looked at me and Yeonghwa and continued.

“In other words, your sister isn’t a monster. She’s a person. I’m sorry for calling her a monster.”

“It’s good that the reason to fight is gone, but is it really okay with that strange syllogism?”

At my awkward question, Mukgang chuckled lightly and replied.

“Let’s just say it’s a personal belief.”

Then, with a serious expression, he extended the decision-making power regarding his treatment to us.

“Whatever the reason, I almost took an innocent life. I’ll take responsibility. If there’s anything you want, tell me.”

Considering the aura Mukgang exuded, it’s good to be alive, but the sudden turn of events left me speechless. I was dumbfounded.

And now, a muscular middle-aged man saying, “Do whatever you want with me!” is just awkward. I just want to call the police.

What should I do with this? – I thought, but upon reflection.

Since the victim wasn’t me but Yeonghwa, I turned to ask for her opinion. Yeonghwa followed my movement.

She didn’t let go of the hem of my clothes.

When I turned around, my sister wasn’t there, and sensing a presence behind me, I turned again. Yeonghwa also moved accordingly.

We started spinning around each other. It was an unexpected game of tag.

What the heck is this? What are we doing?

Although the problem was resolved, this isn’t the time for jokes, and since she doesn’t usually play like this, I was slightly taken aback.

…Is she acting spoiled because she’s scared?

Well, if a muscular yakuza with a large tattoo approached me saying, “Hehe~ Hey~ You~ Come here,” I’d be scared too and hide behind a police officer. That night, I’d hold my mom’s hand and sleep.

She may look mature, but she’s still a fifteen-year-old kid. Going through such an event at a sensitive age, she must be psychologically unstable and wants to act spoiled towards her guardian.

…Does that mean she sees me as someone she can rely on, someone to lean on in times of trouble?

I recalled the time when Yeonghwa first came to our house. Even with a high fever that made her collapse, she didn’t rely on anyone and endured the pain alone.

The fact that a child who never relied on others has opened her heart to me, even just a little, makes a part of my heart tingle.

…Well, as her brother, I have no choice but to accept her acting spoiled.

Honestly, I’m really proud. I’m happy.

In reality, I’m spinning around to hide my red face and because I don’t know how to face Mantian, but Mantian, unaware of this, thinks we’ve taken a step closer to a good sibling relationship and feels happy.

“You two get along well. It’s good for siblings to get along.”

“Uh… thanks for the compliment.”

Even though he was about to kill Yeonghwa just moments ago, I shouldn’t let my guard down, but at Mukgang’s calm and confident praise, I reflexively nodded and replied.

I carefully examined Mukgang’s face, standing still like a stone tower, waiting for us to say what we wanted.

…He doesn’t seem to be lying. He really doesn’t intend to harm Yeonghwa anymore.

It’s embarrassing, but since I had no confidence in winning against Mukgang, I’m glad it ended without a fight.

‘Phew… I really thought I was going to die. How can someone have no openings?’

Anyway, thinking that we’ve overcome a crisis, I relaxed and let out a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, before my sigh even ended, a new crisis appeared.

“The monster of Baehwa Church and the guardian lion of the esoteric sect… Lucky. You’ll make fine offerings to the Heavenly Demon.”

Without any warning, five men in black martial arts uniforms with sinister faces quickly emerged from the shadows of the dark forest and surrounded us.

No… damn… what the hell are these guys? I usually don’t swear, but I can’t help it. What day is it today?

Why are they looking for a gift for the Heavenly Demon (a perennial high plant belonging to the orchid family, effective for headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, diabetes, diuresis, cerebral hemorrhage, depression, epilepsy, hemiplegia) here? Go to a mineral spring or a deep mountain spring.

My mom fed me a lot of Heavenly Demon because it’s good for the body, so I know. Heavenly Demon prefers clean water over human necks.

I checked before eating it.

…I sigh. I get into position, ready to unleash the Dog Chasing Stick Technique at any moment.

I’m angry and frustrated, but what can I do? I’ll protect Yeonghwa. No matter who the opponent is, it’s my duty.

Bring it on, dark plant enthusiasts.

***

“The monster is secured. The guardian lion will be killed. And…”

The leader of the Heavenly Demon God Sect’s reconnaissance team looked at Mantian and licked his lips. The eyes of a murderer who enjoys slaughter gleamed.

“Of course, the witnesses will also be killed.”

It was the right decision to persistently chase the escaped monster of Baehwa Church with a small number of subordinates.

To be able to offer the monster of Baehwa Church and the head of our long-time nemesis, the Immutable King of Light, to the sect leader. We’re really lucky.

I looked at Mukgang, who indifferently turned his head to check the positions of his team members. No openings. His presence is like steel.

It’s no wonder some elders of the sect advised avoiding fights with the guardian lion of the esoteric sect.

“Tsk!”

…Thinking of the corpses who retreated from the front lines and holed up in the palace made me nauseous.

Cowards. How can they talk of fleeing when the sect’s enemy is right before their eyes? It’s blasphemous.

I roughly unwrap the black bandage around my right hand. The hand is so emaciated that the bones are visible, tempered with blood and poison, revealing a grotesque and ominous gray arm.

Black Corpse Demon Claw – a demonic technique of the Demon Sect that absorbs the poison of corpses and grows stronger with each kill.

Even if you have protective energy around your body, you can’t block the Black Corpse Demon Claw. Just one hit – no! Just a graze, and I win!

I send a signal to my subordinates. Using them as bait, I’ll pierce Mukgang’s heart in one strike.

My blood boils. My body trembles. I step forward with my left foot and lower my upper body. Down – down – I leap up like a venomous snake aiming to bite its prey, targeting his heart.

Using all my senses, I react to every movement of Mukgang. I wait for the best moment to attack.

The opportunity came unexpectedly quickly.

With the enemy before him, Mukgang turned his head and said something to the boy and girl.

“It’ll be over soon. Remember the responsibility I mentioned earlier.”

‘…Over soon?’

My face contorted at the worst insult a martial artist could receive. The thread of reason snapped. I signaled my subordinates. We’ll all rush at him at the same time.

But the reckless and brave strike never reached.

“-Who said you could move?”

Mukgang took one step, just one step. That was the end of everything.

『Immutable King of Light’s Step』

A giant protecting the world crushes the evil spirits trying to harm people.

***

For a moment, just a single moment.

When Mukgang used the Immutable King of Light’s Step, the assassins of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, who had been exuding a chilling killing intent, fell to the ground without even being able to execute a single technique.

Their bodies, as if crushed by something enormous, writhed and sank into the ground. I don’t know the principle, but gravity seems to work differently here.

…But that’s trivial. It doesn’t matter at all.

What matters is that I want to learn that technique.

The moment I saw the Immutable King of Light’s Step, a fire ignited within me. The desire to learn and use it squirmed inside.

I close my eyes for a moment, take a deep breath, and imagine myself mastering the Immutable King of Light’s Step.

Jiegal Yang, who always looked down on me as a cripple!

When we meet again, he’ll probably nag me to play Go, but I won’t hold back anymore!

I’ll make him kneel with the Immutable King of Light’s Step!!

When he finally realizes the situation and begs for his life, it’ll be too late~!

“This is the difference between you and me.”

– I’ll deliver the iconic line and smash his head with the Dog Chasing Stick Technique!

Hehe~ Just imagining it makes me feel good already.

…I quietly open my eyes. After running the simulation, I concluded that I must learn the Immutable King of Light’s Step. It’s a required course.

But it’s clearly a high-level technique. Will he teach me?

Mukgang said he’d take responsibility. If I bring that up and ask him to teach me, he might.

…But that’s not it.

I glance at Yeonghwa, who is coldly looking down at the crumpled Heavenly Demon God Sect members.

Since Yeonghwa was the one whose life was actually threatened, using my wish to learn a technique would be unbecoming of an older brother.

It’s a shame, but I’ll have to find another way.

As I was pondering this, Yeonghwa suddenly spoke elegantly to Mukgang.

“Will you really grant any request?”

“Yes. As long as it doesn’t harm people, I’ll grant any request.”

At Mukgang’s firm answer, Yeonghwa smiled brightly and made her request.

“Then, please teach my brother the martial arts technique you just used. That’s my request.”

A seductive flame flickered in her red eyes.