Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 374

Chapter 374 – That Day (1)

Long ago,

More than a hundred years before the present.

On the north, east, and west sides of a large training ground sat three extraordinary middle-aged men, each guarded by what appeared to be their escorts.

These three middle-aged men were swordsmen from the Three Veins that had branched off from a single origin long ago.

To the north was the Heaven Vein, to the west was the Earth Vein, and to the east was the Moon Vein.

They had been periodically meeting every year to exchange martial arts through sparring matches, and today was that day.

Crack!

The sound of something breaking echoed throughout the training ground.

It was the sound of a wooden sword shattering.

At this, Ryu Gang, the head of the Moon Vein sitting on the east side, frowned.

This was because there was a beautiful young woman holding the broken wooden sword, and she was his only heir.

[Damn it!]

A harsh sound burst from the woman’s lips.

Hearing this, Ryu Gang, the head of the Moon Vein, raised his voice while remaining seated:

[Ahem!]

[I was just unlucky. If only the wooden sword hadn’t broken…]

The woman, who appeared to be around eighteen years old, spoke as if complaining but then stopped mid-sentence.

Her gaze was fixed on the tip of a wooden sword touching her neck.

The handsome young man holding this wooden sword,

He was Bi Yong-heon, the heir of the Heaven Vein.

Bi Yong-heon grinned mischievously, in contrast with his handsome face, and said:

[Luck is also a skill, isn’t it?]

[…You’re really annoying.]

[A win is a win, so you’ll keep your promise, right?]

[Hmph, who said I wouldn’t?]

Pak!

The woman snorted and then threw the broken wooden sword to the ground.

Seeing her behavior, Ryu Gang, the head of the Moon Vein, rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache and shook his head.

[Growing up like such a tomboy…]

She had grown up like a real tomboy, even without a mother.

Of course, he had raised her that way.

After his firstborn son and younger brother died of an unknown illness, the only one who could succeed him was his sole daughter, Ryu So-wol.

So he raised her more like a man than a woman.

At that moment, Yu Soon, the captain of his guard sitting to his right, smiled and said:

[Hehe. But Master, the young lady’s swordsmanship has improved tremendously…]

[It’s junior head!]

[…I apologize. In any case, Junior Head has made great progress. Who would have thought she’d improve this much when just three years ago she couldn’t even beat the Earth Vein’s heir?]

[She still has a long way to go. At this level, she’s still far from being worthy of being called Junior Head.]

[But Master…]

[Don’t you know how much the Heaven Vein’s heir was going easy on her? That child is acting like this because she knows that and is frustrated.]

[…]

At these words from Master Ryu Gang, Guard Captain Yu Soon closed his mouth.

He too had guessed this to some extent.

The swordsmanship of Bi Yong-heon, the Heaven Vein’s heir, had reached an excellent level that was hard to believe for someone so young.

He was already comparable to the top masters of each vein.

[If only Hun were still alive…]

Master Ryu Gang muttered softly, as if regretful.

Ryu Hun was his deceased son.

He was a promising talent of the Moon Vein, said to have martial talent even greater than Bi Yong-heon.

He had hoped that on the day of the Three Veins’ unification ceremony, as per the long-standing agreement, that child would defeat the heirs of the other two veins and become the leader of Heaven-Earth Moon Society, formed by the union of the Three Veins.

But that child had died and left his side.

As he was feeling regretful like this, a subdued voice was heard:

[Yes, things would have been different if my brother were here.]

‘!?’

It was Ryu So-wol’s voice.

Master Ryu Gang, who hadn’t been aware of her approaching, felt a pang of regret.

But she had already run out of the training ground with a hurt expression.

[Ah ah.]

He had hurt that child again.

He had tried his best not to make verbal mistakes, but as the gap seemed to widen over time, he had unknowingly revealed his true feelings.

[Master…]

Guard Captain Yu Soon called out to him with a disappointed look.

[No. Why didn’t you tell me she was coming?]

[Who was lost in thought when she was approaching right in front of us?]

[…Right. It’s all this master’s fault.]

[And cleaning up after the master is always my job. Hwa-yeon, Deputy Captain.]

[Yes, Captain.]

At his call, a woman with a sturdy face who appeared to be in her early thirties stepped forward.

Guard Captain Yu Soon gave her an order:

[Comfort Junior Head and bring her back.]

[Understood!]

Pat!

As the deputy captain called Hwa-yeon followed after her, Master Ryu Gang clutched his throbbing head and stood up from his seat.

[Let’s go back.]

[Master… over there?]

[Hm?]

But then, someone was seen approaching.

It was Bi Hyeong-myeong, the current head of the Heaven Vein.

Although they had been seeing each other every year recently, he had changed a lot since his father’s funeral three years ago.

He had become less talkative, and his whole demeanor had changed, you could say.

As he approached looking like he had something to say for the first time in a while, Master Ryu Gang couldn’t hide his puzzlement.

In truth, he didn’t really want to talk after Ryu So-wol’s defeat.

***

Ryu So-wol was running out of the Heaven Vein’s estate.

Someone caught up with her and blocked her path.

[So-wol.]

It was Bi Yong-heon, the heir of the Heaven Vein.

She raised one eyebrow and spoke with an annoyed voice:

[Why are you following me?]

[Were you planning to just leave without keeping your promise?]

[…You’re really persistent.]

[No, what’s persistent about claiming what was promised?]

At his words, Ryu So-wol clicked her tongue, then tore off an ornate jade orb accessory hanging at her waist and threw it.

Pak!

Bi Yong-heon caught it with a smile.

She said to him with displeasure:

[Even if it was a bet, do you really have to take something someone cherishes to feel satisfied?]

[It’s special because it’s something you cherished.]

[What?]

[Ah, it’s nothing. Anyway, I’ll take good care of it. Or do you want to make another bet? I’ll give it back if you win in our next match.]

[No thanks. Do you think I’d want something that’s been in someone else’s hands?]

[Don’t be like that…]

[Enough. If you’re done, I’m leaving.]

[No, wait, I have something else to say besides this.]

[Something to say?]

Although she wasn’t in a good mood after losing a cherished accessory, she stopped to listen since he seemed quite serious about having something to say.

As she turned her head, Bi Yong-heon spoke, fidgeting slightly unlike his usual self:

[Um… you know, So-wol.]

[What? Hurry up and say it, man.]

[No, why are you rushing? We haven’t seen each other in a while.]

[We’ve seen each other, that’s enough. Why are you hesitating and fidgeting like that when you said you had something to say?]

In truth, Ryu So-wol knew.

She had noticed for some time that he was showing signs of liking her.

Every time they met, he would blush and avoid meeting her eyes. One would have to be a fool not to notice.

But she didn’t feel the same way.

To her, he, the heir of the Heaven Vein, was someone to be compared against and a mountain to be conquered.

That’s why Ryu So-wol couldn’t bring herself to like him.

[No, I’m not doing this on purpose…]

[Hey, it’s late. I need to run away, you know.]

[Huh?]

[If you have something to say, tell me next time.]

Pat!

With those words, Ryu So-wol immediately used her lightness skill and jumped over the estate wall.

Seeing this, Bi Yong-heon bit his lip hard and was about to follow her but then stopped.

He had heard someone calling from behind.

[Junior Head!]

It seemed to be the Moon Vein’s deputy guard captain.

Knowing he would only be interfering if he followed, Bi Yong-heon couldn’t help but feel regretful.

***

Pat! Pat!

Ryu So-wol displayed her nimble lightness skill as she cut through the undergrowth.

‘Almost there.’

Among the many mountain peaks, there was one particularly special place.

This mountain peak, which held a place she treasured like a treasure, was the highest and most scenic.

She had discovered it by chance three years ago and had been visiting it every year since then.

The circumstances that led her to find this place were quite amusing.

It was after she had fled from her father’s disappointed gaze following her defeat in a sparring match, just like today.

She had climbed up there after running for several ri without rest to shake off the deputy guard captain and guard warriors sent by her father, Master Ryu Gang.

There, she was mesmerized by the red-tinged sky and the setting sun.

Could there be anything more mysterious and beautiful in the world?

For the first time, she felt comfort for her tired and wounded heart.

After her mother, older brother, and younger uncle had died of illness, her father had raised her strictly and sometimes didn’t hesitate to say hurtful things.

“The one who will become the next head is no longer a woman.”

“If your brother were alive, do you think you’d even be worthy of that position?”

“Behave like a proper heir.”

Because of this, she grew up differently from other daughters.

She grew up like a tomboy, but the wounds inside had festered.

However, after seeing that scenery when she was struggling, she found solace in her heart and visited that mountain peak whenever she felt stifled, making various excuses.

[Junior Head!]

The voice of Deputy Guard Captain Hwa-yeon echoed from afar.

Perhaps because she had chased after her every time she ran away, her lightness skill had definitely improved compared to before.

If she didn’t hurry up the mountain peak, she might be caught.

Pat! Pat!

She climbed the treacherous cliff of the mountain peak.

It was quite difficult at first, but now she was so familiar with it from frequent visits that she felt she could climb it with her eyes closed.

The sun was about to set soon, so she was excited.

Full of anticipation, she climbed to the top of the mountain peak and was about to let out a small exclamation when,

‘!?’

She couldn’t do it.

This was because on top of the mountain peak, which she had considered her own secret paradise, stood a long-haired man with his hands behind his back, his black robe fluttering.

Her face, which had been expecting to see the breathtaking scenery, immediately turned to disappointment.

Who on earth is that guy?

Who is he to come first and monopolize her personal paradise?

As she was wondering about this,

Pak!

At that moment, someone pressed down on her shoulder and slammed her to the ground in one swift motion.

Thud!

[Ah!]

Ryu So-wol, thrown to the ground, couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

The force pressing down on her shoulder was so strong that even though she instinctively raised her inner energy, she couldn’t move at all.

[Eeek!]

[Stay still.]

[Let… let go!]

Ryu So-wol struggled with all her might, but she eventually had to submit to the overwhelming force that felt like being crushed by a massive rock.

Meanwhile, the man who had been standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the scenery she had considered her personal paradise, turned his head and approached.

[Ah…]

The moment she saw the man’s face, she inadvertently let out a gasp.

Despite having black hair and skin similar to hers, he had a strangely exotic and beautiful face.

Could a man be this beautiful?

Even someone like her, who had little interest in appearances, couldn’t help but be surprised.

The man who had been staring at her intently opened his mouth.

[Is it a female?]

[Yes, it seems so. Ra…]

Swish

At that moment, the man dressed entirely in black raised his hand, cutting off what the other was saying.

Then, as if uninterested, he waved his hand dismissively and said:

[Kill her and dispose of the body.]

[I obey your command.]

Grip

With those words, the one pressing down on Ryu So-wol’s shoulder applied even more force.

She should have been scared, but strangely, a strong defiance arose in her in this situation, and she shouted:

[Female? What a shitty way to talk. You fucking male.]

[…]

The man who had been about to turn away as if he had lost interest stopped.

The one pressing down on her shoulder became flustered and applied more force while raising his voice:

[How dare you, you worthless…]

[Quiet.]

[But…]

[Leave her be for now.]

[What?]

[I said leave her alone.]

[…]

At this, the one who had been about to crush Ryu So-wol’s shoulder released his grip.

She quickly got up and drew the sword at her waist.

Regardless, the man raised the corner of his mouth and said:

[An interesting female, indeed.]

‘Again!’

As he called her a female again, she angrily unsheathed her sword towards the man without hesitation.

It was the fastest quick sword technique in the Moon (Wol) Sword Style.

Pat!

At that moment, an unbelievable thing happened.

Tak!

‘!?’

The man had effortlessly caught her prized quick sword between two fingers.

[You know how to use some force, female.]

[Wh-who are you?]

To her surprised question, the man answered in an arrogant voice:

[I am the one who will become your master.]

At those words, her surprise was momentary, and she spoke incredulously:

[You’re completely insane.]