Seorin stood in the training courtyard long after the other disciples scattered.
Only Hongji remained, still trembling and clutching his wrist as if Seorin were some monster that would lash out again.
"D-Don't come near me!" Hongji shouted, scrambling backward.
"You… you're not normal!"
Not normal.
Seorin would have laughed had he not been the one hearing voices in his head.
Instead, he just looked down. "I'm not going to hurt you."
Hongji fled regardless, tripping over his feet and then disappearing into the outer halls.
Silence fell in the courtyard.
Seorin exhaled and felt the last traces of the blue light fade beneath his skin.
His heart beat regularly.
His injuries are gone.
He moved his fingers slowly, testing them.
How…?
Before he could complete the thought, the cold, mechanical voice returned:
"Host physical state: stable.
Damage to the ribs, sternum, and abdomen was successfully repaired.
Seorin stiffened.
"You again…"
"Affirmative."
"And what exactly are you?"
A short pause, almost as if the voice considered the question.
I am the Spinal Nexus Core. Type-07, temporal bio-integrated augment.
Host identification confirmed: Ryu Seorin.
Seorin blinked.
"I don't know what any of that means."
"Insufficient host knowledge. Would you like a simplified explanation?
"Yes!" he whispered sharply, looking around to make sure nobody was near.
The Nexus responded promptly:
"I am an advanced core system implanted into your spine at infancy.
My responsibilities include:
— continual absorption of ambient energy,
— combat analysis,
— accelerated healing,
— technique optimization,
—and prioritization of survival.
Seorin froze.
"You're telling me… I have some kind of artifact inside of me?"
"Correction. Not an artifact. A construct from a future timeline."
He swallowed hard.
Future…?
Past…?
Time travel…?
His head spun. "That's impossible."
Statement false. Temporal displacement confirmed.
Host has been living in this age for fifteen years, three months, nine days."
Seorin's knees almost gave way.
"So… someone put you in me. When I was a baby.
"Correct."
His mind began to race.
Who? Why? Why me?
But before he could ask, the Nexus spoke again:
"Host heartbeat irregular. Adrenaline spike detected.
Recommends calm respiration.
"Don't tell me to calm down," Seorin hissed under his breath.
"This is insane."
The Nexus didn't respond.
"Would you like me to suppress the panic response?"
"What—no!"
Seorin clamped a hand over his mouth, as two nearby disciples walked past the entrance.
He forced himself quiet.
Only when they were gone did he whisper:
"You. you said you optimize techniques. What does that mean?
"I can analyze any martial movement, internal flow, or enemy technique and guide the host toward perfect execution."
"So. you can help me learn martial arts?
"Correction: I can make a host extremely efficient at learning martial arts."
Seorin felt his heart pound again.
For fifteen years he'd been useless.
Weak.
Barely able to sense qi.
Now…
Now something inside him claimed it could fix everything.
He clenched his fists.
"What do I have to do?"
"Accept initial synchronization protocol. This will enable deeper integration and partial access to higher functions.
Seorin nodded, then his eyes wavered.
"Wait. Will it hurt?"
"Pain level estimated: minimal.
Temporarily.
"That means yes, doesn't it?
"Correct."
He sighed.
"Fine. Start it."
Before the Nexus could respond, a harsh voice cut across the courtyard.
"Ryu Seorin! What happened here?"
Elder Hyun, one of the instructors of the Ironcloud Sect, strode into the courtyard; robes snapped in the wind as his eyes swept the cracked ground and scattered weapons.
Then they landed on Seorin.
"You."
His tone hardened.
"Multiple disciples report you attacked them. Is this true?"
Seorin opened his mouth—
"Recommendation: deny." the Nexus whispered. "No," Seorin said quickly. "They attacked me. I defended myself." The Elder's eyes narrowed. "You? Defend yourself against three trained disciples?" "I… got lucky?" Seorin offered weakly. Hyun stepped closer; his eyes were sharp. "Come with me. The Sect Master will decide your punishment." Punishment. Even now. Even when they attacked him first. Familiar bitterness rose in his chest. Seorin looked at his hands, steady, unbruised, clean. Those same hands, a few hours earlier, had been shaking out of fear. He raised his chin. "Elder… I didn't do anything wrong." Hyun's eyes widened slightly, for Seorin had never spoken back before. "That's not your decision," the Elder snapped. "Move." Seorin took a deep breath. "Nexus," he whispered inwardly, "what are the chances of the Sect Master believing me?" "Zero percent." "…Fantastic." With a heavy exhalation, Seorin followed the Elder toward the main hall, unaware that the brief display of power he'd shown today was already spreading across the sect like wildfire. And far above the mountain— into the deep forests, where shadows gathered— something else had already noticed him. Something old. Something hungry. The resurgence of the Nexus did not pass unnoticed.