Another day passed.
I stayed up all night and could see the morning sun rising, but I hadn't actually slept.
Partly because my body was in a state where I didn't particularly need sleep. And because I had to do some training in the middle of the night.
Was I trying to feel again the enlightenment I'd experienced during sparring?
That was also part of the reason, but ultimately, it was because I needed to get used to my aura senses.
"Hmm."
I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my hand.
I'd gone through various procedures until the night passed, but the conclusion was the same.
"This won't happen in just a day or two."
Whether it was firepower or aura senses, the increase itself was welcome, but adaptation was the problem.
I was making efforts to get somewhat used to it, but.
'At this rate, there will be problems in actual combat.'
So much more was felt and projected now.
I had to keep checking how to handle it in real combat.
'There shouldn't be much of a problem facing those of lower realms.'
If I encountered someone of a similar level or a higher realm, the problem would be obvious.
Of course, having come this far, one might wonder how many more people stronger than me I could even face.
'How often such cases occur isn't important.'
Regardless of whether the probability is high or low.
'What's important is that such a possibility exists.'
Unless it was unprecedented, I had to consider it countless times.
For now, they might not be enemies, but there might come a day when I faced them as such.
'Unless I properly grasp this. It becomes a dagger.'
Not a dagger to stab the opponent.
A dagger that would stab me.
Every second, I had to worry about such things.
Huuuk-!!
I retracted my energy and furrowed my brow.
'Seven days and nights until Jegal Hyeok arrives in Hamnam.'
He should have arrived within four days, but I heard from Cheol Jiseon that something had come up.
He was someone I wouldn't have called if possible, but there was so much need for brainwork that I had to ask for help gradually.
There was also the task I'd been asked to do by Sin Ui.
'I need to call the other guys too.'
I needed the strength of the guys I'd assigned to Jegal Hyeok.
"Huu…."
Since I'd caused more than one or two incidents, I wondered what Jegal Hyeok would say when he saw me.
He probably wouldn't say anything outright, but he'd look at me with resentful eyes.
Or might he refuse and balk? That was certainly a possibility.
If so, so what.
'…I'll have to make use of Moyong Huia.'
I had no shortage of excuses to make, so it would work out somehow.
'Seven days and nights, huh.'
Time stretched from four days.
If one asked if I was disappointed that my plans were delayed due to setbacks, that wasn't the case.
'I've bought time.'
Rather, I had bought time.
Time to cause a little more trouble before he arrived.
Thinking thoughts that would make Jegal Hyeok or Cheol Jiseon spew blood in shock, I moved.
"Shall we go?"
Training any further was ambiguous.
And since morning was approaching, I had to move.
I took off my sweat-soaked martial uniform, threw it aside, and turned my head.
"Hey."
"Keuuung…?"
When I called out to someone beyond my sight, a figure flinched at my voice from near the trees, body trembling.
"Get up."
"Uuu…. Cult Leader… is it all over…?"
"Yeah. We need to go now, so get up."
The woman wiping away drool she'd spilled while sleeping was Bong Suni.
Looking at her somewhat pitifully, I continued speaking.
"Let's go. If we linger, we'll be late."
"…Ung."
"…"
Her appearance made it impossible to tell if she was wiping drool or washing her face with it.
Feeling my eyes becoming contemptuous without realizing it, I turned my head.
With her looking like that, it was somewhat awkward to go together, but.
It couldn't be helped.
'…Because it's starting today.'
From today, Bong Suni had a role.
Something I'd been preparing for a long time.
A dagger to hurl at the Murim Alliance.
A role that would never change, even if the timing and circumstances shifted within the altered plan.
And so, from today, Bong Suni had to enter the Murim Alliance with me.
******************
After only a light wash, I arrived at the Murim Alliance.
"We greet the Seongwang."
"Yes. It's a pleasure."
Entering was no different from last time, so it wasn't difficult.
I immediately followed the guide.
If last time I'd gone deep inside to reach the conference room for the Commanders.
This time it was a spot further forward. A space that ordinary people could enter if need be.
Upon arriving at the space, I had to hold back a laugh at the situation.
'Look at these people.'
Because a familiar space had appeared.
I wondered where it was—it was the very space where the martial tournament had been held.
'So they're trying to recycle it like this.'
It seemed they hadn't closed it yet and were just managing it separately.
Since an incident had erupted there, I'd naturally assumed they'd gotten rid of it.
'Guess it's a waste to demolish, so they're trying to use it for something else.'
Well.
The martial tournament had become a mess, and though I or the Divine Dragon Divisions had urgently taken control of the merchant groups, there must have been places that cut their sponsorship.
Because of that, funds were tight, so it seemed they intended to use whatever they could.
'Good grief.'
It did feel somewhat uncomfortable, but from my standpoint it wasn't anything to particularly worry about, so for now I followed the guidance and took my seat.
The seat was right in front of the dueling stage where the martial tournament had been held.
There, a table and chairs had been prepared, and even a canopy had been installed above to block the sunlight.
My seat was the head seat in the middle of the several positions.
Sitting down lightly there, I looked to both sides and spoke.
"Good morning. Have you all been well?"
"…"
"…"
No answer came.
Those seated around were the Golden Dragon Commander, Ssangui Hwangeom, and the Iron Dragon Commander, Eunranggeom.
The other Commanders didn't seem to be visible; it appeared these two were all.
Those two didn't even spare a glance at my greeting.
Seeing that, I had to click my tongue briefly.
"Tsk. How can people be so cold when a newcomer greets them? If the workplace is this barren, how is anyone supposed to enjoy it?"
The intimidation is no joke.
If it's like this, how can a tender soul like me walk around at ease?
Thud.
Thinking so, I plopped both legs onto the table.
Leaning back in the chair in the most comfortable posture in the world, the expressions of the Commanders on both sides instantly soured.
"What are you looking at?"
When I asked gruffly under their gazes, Ssangui Hwangeom asked me with the most uncomfortable expression in the world.
"…Seongwang. What is the meaning of this."
"What do you mean, what? Can't you see?"
"There are many eyes watching. Yet for you to act this way—."
"So what?"
"…What?"
At my brazen attitude, Ssangui Hwangeom was at a loss for words.
There certainly were many eyes watching.
Only two Commanders attended directly, but besides them there were also Murim Alliance personnel.
Figures who seemed to be vice-commander or squad leader level.
They were all proxies for Commanders who couldn't attend.
And it wasn't just such sword agents; there seemed to be command staff members who might include someone like Mukyeon as well, meaning this was a gathering of considerable figures, but.
'So what.'
I didn't care one bit about such things.
What did it matter how these people saw me?
"How dare you say so what…!"
"That's what I'm saying. So what are you going to do about it?"
"…"
Perhaps because my attitude was extremely grating, Ssangui Hwangeom's eyebrows furrowed deeply.
"Seongwang, do you still not know what this place is…? As a member of the Murim Alliance—."
"No, what is this place?"
"…This bastard really…!"
"Is it such a great place that I need to watch my step? Besides."
Hehe.
I smirked at Ssangui Hwangeom.
"A member of the Murim Alliance? Oh, how proud I must be."
As if I have nothing better to be proud of.
"Moreover, strictly speaking, isn't this a place where I can do as I please? That's what I heard from the strategist when I came."
I tilted my head slightly and added.
"Of course, including the Golden Dragon Commander, the people here are strictly spectators who came to watch. So let's not waste our strength on each other. I didn't even eat breakfast and I'm tired."
"What…? Spectators?"
Strength filled Ssangui Hwangeom's eyes upon hearing those words.
He had an expression as if he might strike at any moment.
"What? Are you going to hit me?"
"Just because you possess some talent, to be so insolent—! Do you think you can ascend to the position of Commander of the Alliance like this?"
"The more I listen, the more strangely this senior speaks?"
I forcibly held back a hollow laugh.
"That damn Commander position. Who said I wanted it? I'm doing it because they begged and pleaded. Anyone listening would think I came in kneeling and begging."
"Yo—!"
"Ah, so noisy…."
How loud he was; it was enough to hurt my ears, so I waved my hand and cut him off.
"If you're upset, leave."
"Ha…?"
"Didn't you hear? If it displeases you, leave through that door right now."
My finger pointed to the entrance I'd come through.
"If you don't like that either."
I turned the pointed fingertip toward the dueling stage.
"Stop the useless chatter. Or have a round with me."
"…"
"What? Scared?"
"Yo…!"
Ssangui Hwangeom finally tried to explode to his feet, but.
"Golden Dragon Commander."
"…!"
"…Please calm down."
The Iron Dragon Commander, Eunranggeom.
He blocked Ssangui Hwangeom.
"Iron Dragon Commander… but, this bastard."
"As the Golden Dragon Commander said, many eyes are watching. Moreover."
Eunranggeom looked at Ssangui Hwangeom with flashing eyes.
"We did not come here today to fight."
"…"
Words spat out as if to inform him. Hearing that, Ssangui Hwangeom forcibly suppressed his anger.
Watching that, my eyes narrowed slightly.
'Look at these guys.'
Within the tone that seemed to be calming him down. I detected a subtle sense of dissonance.
Not sound, but energy.
I could feel energy going back and forth between the two in the gaps of their conversation.
'It was voice transmission.'
Perhaps because they were Hwagyeong-level martial artists, they were sending voice transmissions even as they spoke.
Because I was sitting between them, I could feel it even more clearly.
'So they've prepared some kind of scheme.'
No wonder I thought it was strange that two Commanders attended such an event personally.
As expected, they seemed to have come to do something.
'Hmm.'
Having grasped this, I instead buried my body deeper into the chair.
'If they're going to do it, shall I watch for a bit?'
If they've gone through the trouble of preparing a scheme, let them try it.
They must have prepared diligently. I should at least have a taste.
As I was thinking that and trying to organize my thoughts.
"…Since we have confirmed that the Seongwang is seated, may we now bring in the applicants?"
"Yes. Please do."
At the same time.
"We will enter."
Screech—!!
A door much larger than the one I'd entered opened.
Countless people began entering from within.
Huuuu—!!
Wind rushed in with the doors' opening.
The aura wafting from inside the door was heavy. Fighting spirit was mixed in the wind.
This meant there were many within who harbored fighting spirit.
And those who appeared—sure enough, they were all martial artists.
The number of those entering slowly was roughly over a hundred.
Quite a large number.
They slowly gathered around the dueling stage following the Alliance's guidance.
As I was examining them one by one.
"Thank you all for coming."
Soon the one guiding them explained why those people had gathered here.
"From now on."
The reason martial artists of that caliber had gathered here.
It was precisely.
"We will begin the entrance examination for the Sacred Dragon Division."
Because I had to select the members of the battalion I would command.