IRNH C49

#49

Then, instead of the usual red aura he emitted when using his qi, a damp, gloomy gray qi began flowing from Sihyeon’s hands and mouth. It looked like thick jelly or dense smoke clumped together.

“–“-~//#”

At that moment, an incomprehensible phrase slipped from Sihyeon’s mouth. A strange sound, as if two voices overlapped, echoed briefly, and the smoke swirling around absorbed into the head of the deceased before disappearing cleanly.

Then, unconscious thoughts the man had before dying began flooding into Sihyeon’s mind.

This technique was not something Sihyeon acquired through a quest but rather by chance.

There was a time when Taewoon unusually suggested taking a little break, so they lingered by Sunset Lake for quite a while—his only period away from constantly chasing quests.

During that idle time, while boasting he would teach swimming, Sihyeon discovered the entrance to the pupil of the lake underwater.

Perhaps seeking a core or secret interior, he found an aged manual that was almost falling apart. It contained hopes from posterity for some kind of revival of their “sect.”

Of course, Sihyeon mercilessly learned from it then burned it.

‘Though it’s unfortunate the range of thoughts it controls can’t be adjusted.’

However, as with all martial arts, there was at least one drawback. So before dying, one tries to narrow the thought range by repeating questions.

Sihyeon swiftly arranged the chaotic incoming thoughts, extracting only the necessary information.

But only briefly, as he narrowed his eyes and without hesitation gathered qi in his finger, shooting it toward the remaining man’s head.

“Tsk. Too late, huh.”

A hole swiftly appeared on the living man’s forehead; he died instantly without even a gasp, collapsing limply.

Before Sihyeon could organize answers to his questions, the awkward situation suddenly arose, and he grabbed his aching forehead.

“They share their thoughts regularly?”

Hiding oneself while knowing the enemy—it was a fundamental tactic. But now the reverse situation made Sihyeon frown deeply.

“…Maybe our movements have been exposed too. Perhaps it’s better to eliminate them first and find out the information later.”

“Hmm? But that’s a bit…”

“Master, you really don’t trust me.”

Before Taewoon finished, Sihyeon covered his red lips with his hand.

“Tsk. That’s not it. It’s just that this place is different from before… I don’t want you to think killing is an easy means. Though I’m not exactly managing it well either, that’s why. So don’t think I distrust or dislike you. Please don’t say things like that.”

Taewoon, wide-eyed for a moment at Sihyeon’s earnest words, smiled gently with half-closed eyes and carefully grabbed the hand resting on his face.

“So, that means you find me the most trustworthy and best, right?”

Though Sihyeon spoke at length, Taewoon’s reply was short but accurate.

Sihyeon glanced at Taewoon’s brightly shining face, nodded awkwardly, and averted his gaze.

‘I wish he’d stop acting cute in times like these.’

Sihyeon sighed silently as his disciple rubbed his cheek against his hand like a puppy or kitten.

“It’s unfortunate, but I remember the first time I killed someone and how much Master grieved. You patted me and apologized then. You’re always the same, Master.”

Taewoon stared at Sihyeon without blinking.

He lightly pressed his lips against the hand on his cheek, then slowly spoke.

“That’s always nice.”

Sihyeon felt his heart pounding as if a door’s hinge kept rattling; discreetly, he withdrew his hand and hid it behind his back, nodding casually.

“Yes, same here. Also, we need to move quickly. Kyu-min is in danger.”

Sihyeon overturned some soil in the clearing, swept two corpses inside, and quickly tramped the ground.

After quickly checking surroundings, he gave Taewoon’s back a couple of taps.

“Let’s go, Taewoon.”

“Yes, I’ll follow.”

Sunlight fell, making Taewoon’s velvet-like face glow translucently with meaning.

Sihyeon realized it was impossible to deny the truth in that face.

‘I… seem to be a bit weak with Taewoon…’

He scratched his head lightly, swallowed a sigh about to escape, then postponed the conversation, pushing off the ground.

“Earlier, it seems not only us but also Kyu-min was targeted by those bastards. Time is tight.”

They had run into those people several times—from Sihyeon’s home to inside the gate, and now.

As Sihyeon leapt across buildings using lightness martial arts, he tried to understand the cause.

Two things were learned using Soul Capture Technique.

First, Kyu-min was involved but likely in the same predicament, being chased.

Second, the pursuers had started tailing seriously only after emerging from the gate.

Why they couldn’t remember him was uncertain but somewhat predictable, as such things were common even in the martial world.

‘But if they belong to the Villain Alliance, why is their hatred so vague? They should be the clearest.’

Still, nothing was certain.

Sihyeon increased the qi flowing toward his feet and dashed forth.

He was certain meeting Kyu-min would clear up more doubts and reveal the broader picture.

Sihyeon compressed his lips tightly and headed back to the café they had left not long ago.

“Taewoon, scout near the café. I’ll head back to the hotel.”

Sihyeon roughly searched his pockets, handed the phone to Taewoon, and checked his body for injuries.

“Also, this. When I call, a green circle will appear. Press it to answer, okay?”

“Don’t worry, Master.”

“And come straight to the hotel if you don’t find anything. You remember the way, right?”

“Yes.”

Taewoon’s reply was calm, but Sihyeon couldn’t hide his unease, explaining several times how to answer calls before finally forcing his reluctant legs to move.

The situation was urgent; he couldn’t afford to delay here.

During the way, he tried calling several times but Kyu-min remained silent.

A continuous busy signal only deepened his bad feelings.

‘I better hide well this time.’

Taking a deep breath, Sihyeon hurried toward the nearby hotel, turning toward the rooftop in case of emergency.

Their room was on the 21st floor, just five floors below the top.

While planning a quiet way inside, his feet touched the rooftop.

Instantly, his qi stretched outward, sweeping through the building.

‘There are at least two suspicious ones. They probably don’t know what happened to their pursuers yet.’

A deep sigh escaped him.

No matter how skilled he and Taewoon were, they didn’t want to face unknown enemies with unknown size and powers defenselessly.

Indeed, Sihyeon remained unable to identify the powers those enemies kept using.

He’d seen magic Ha-jung used, and the powers Shin Ryuha utilized.

Their abilities ultimately used internal qi, so couldn’t be unrecognized.

But his failure to identify theirs yet meant they were not using their full powers.

“Damn. It’s been a while since such a shitty situation.”

He honestly thought he’d find peace upon return.

Instead, the information was missing, making the situation even worse.

With concealed presence, he silently cut down the locked door and quickly slipped inside.

At the 22nd floor, he went not down to the 21st room where Kyu-min stayed but to the room directly above it.

Though not expecting to be detected, he moved carefully, wary of the strange spells they might cast.

‘Ha, I’m really sorry. I’ll make it up. Of course, Kyu-min will.’

A deep red qi slipped between the door cracks.

As Sihyeon grabbed the handle and turned it, the door opened smoothly without resistance.

He caught the falling lock pieces and pocketed them carefully before closing the door quietly.

The room was quiet, no one inside as he had confirmed, but his steps grew slower.

His stride became irregular like a normal person unfamiliar with martial arts, and his steps unsteady.

He couldn’t help it—one of the intruders’ bodies contained internal energy.

Though only a small amount, it was enough to make him cautious.

After the previous incident, Sihyeon approached the kitchen, grabbed a spoon, lightly imbued it with qi, and struck both ends rapidly to make a makeshift dagger.

‘This should work.’

When mastery reached the peak, unarmed or armed made little difference, but for now, a sharp object was a necessity.

He carefully wrapped the remaining metal chopstick with thin cloth and held it tightly.

Fortunately, Kyu-min was hiding well in the ceiling near the bathroom.

He seemed to have a breathing control skill as his biological signals were low enough to impress Sihyeon.

Though apparently at his limit now.

Sihyeon detected the faintly trembling qi and immediately prepared to move.