Kang Museong looked at his disciple—whom he had always thought immature—with astonishment.
Without a moment of hesitation, fast yet careful, the way he placed the acupuncture needles was astounding even to the unlearned eyes of Kang Museong.
"It's done. It's done. But it's not over. We have to take her to Yakseon as quickly as possible."
He was far too calm to be called a child.
Normally, a fifteen-year-old would tremble at even a minor injury.
Kang Museong himself had been like that when a comrade died for the first time.
But Seoha was even more composed than Kang Museong.
"Now we have to break through that."
Under normal circumstances, he—the elder—should have taken the lead.
But he couldn't bring himself to say he would go first.
Breaking through while carrying Choi Hyojeong was difficult even for Kang Museong.
He didn't care if he got hurt, but if something went wrong and the sealed blood vessels ruptured, it would all be over.
Looking at Seoha's small back, Kang Museong lowered his head.
It was bitter to entrust the task of clearing a path to a fifteen-year-old disciple, but right now, he had no choice but to trust Seoha.
"Just look forward and run. I'll handle everything behind us."
"Sounds good."
"And if it gets dangerous, prioritize your own life. If you rush in thinking you can save everyone with half-baked skills, everyone dies. Got it?"
"I know. I know. Ah, and what you see today is a secret."
"A secret? What do you—?"
With a smile, Seoha's body began to burn with a golden light.
Kang Museong knew exactly what that meant.
Yang energy overload.
A martial art that burns lifespan to gain power.
A technique long discarded, impossible to learn even if one wanted to.
"Then follow closely. I'm going fast."
Before Kang Museong could recover from the shock of seeing such an unimaginable martial art, Seoha dashed forward, and Kang Museong followed.
Soon, the Geuheukrang charged in with shrill howls, and Seoha slaughtered them with bizarre movements, as if dancing.
Because he was an elder.
Because he was among the most formidable warriors.
Kang Museong could accurately gauge Seoha's level.
'Right now, he's at the elder level.'
Seoha's movements were undeniable.
That was how much Yang energy overload enhanced physical ability.
But Yang energy overload was essentially borrowing power from the future.
The stronger he became, the faster Seoha's body would age.
Kang Museong kicked away a Geuheukrang that lunged from behind and continued following his disciple.
Golden light that burned lifespan.
Like molten lava, it scorched everything in its path as it surged forward.
'Just what kind of life have you lived…?'
Mastery of martial arts, and even the cold composure of the battlefield.
Things a fifteen-year-old child could never possess.
After a brief moment of marveling at his disciple, Kang Museong refocused on the rescue mission.
'First, we save Hyojeong.'
Choi Hyojeong lay with her eyes closed, as if dead.
Looking at the woman he secretly loved, Kang Museong muttered,
"I should've confessed when that kid told me to."
Everything has to be done before it's too late.
"Please hold on, Hyojeong. Don't make me regret this."
And so Kang Museong ran after his disciple's small back.
My heart was burning.
It always felt like this whenever I used the Extreme Yang Divine Art.
My body screamed under the uncontrollable power, yet an indescribable exhilaration curled my lips into a smile.
The Geuheukrang charging at me were no match.
I had always wanted this kind of power.
Power that could change everything at will.
Choosing the Nakwol Sword Art had been the right decision.
Even if it gnawed away at my lifespan.
As I ran without pause, a river appeared ahead, and beyond it, I saw Lee Geon-ha's unit.
At the same time, my sword turned to ash and scattered.
Even so, this blade had lasted quite a while.
'…Even a fine sword like this can't endure it?'
Someday, I would need to obtain a weapon that could withstand my Yang energy.
That was for later.
For now, I checked that Kang Museong was safe and spoke.
"Are you alright, Elder?"
"I'm fine."
Kang Museong nodded.
His shoulders, legs, and back were torn by the claws of the Geuheukrang, blood flowing freely.
No matter how well I cleared the path, many Geuheukrang must have rushed him from behind.
Even so, he had protected Choi Hyojeong perfectly.
By sacrificing his own body.
"You were cut on the back?"
"It's nothing. Just some skin torn off, so don't worry."
"I'm not worried. Just looking at it, it's nothing."
"…You really know how to speak nicely."
"What? And I'll release some of my energy before we go. I can't let anyone notice. Like I said, me using Yang energy overload is—"
"Yes. A secret."
Nodding, Kang Museong asked with a serious expression,
"…You know about the side effects, right?"
"I do."
"Then don't use it often."
"Don't worry. I'll only use it when absolutely necessary. Let's regroup now."
I crossed the river and approached my cousin, Lee Geon-ha.
Lee Geon-ha, who seemed to have just arrived and was inspecting the corpses, frowned slightly when he spotted us.
"Kang Museong?"
"Lee Geon-ha. I have a favor to ask."
Kang Museong immediately laid Choi Hyojeong down in front of him.
"Please take care of Hyojeong."
"What about you, Elder?"
When I asked, Kang Museong smiled bitterly.
"I need to save the others."
Ah, that idiot.
Kang Museong was unnecessarily full of responsibility.
Wasn't everything already set up perfectly?
If he just took Choi Hyojeong to Yakseon, and I bragged that I saved him, it would've been flawless.
But that was precisely why I acknowledged Kang Museong.
He had a sense of responsibility.
Even when he looked lazy or thoughtless, when it was time for him to step forward, he always did so more than anyone else.
"Then I'll go with you."
"That's enough. Seoha."
Smiling, Kang Museong approached me and placed a hand on my head.
"Look at your own body."
My body?
I lowered my head and examined myself.
No fatal wounds, but my body was covered in injuries.
Scratches from the Geuheukrang's claws.
I had no right to say anything to Kang Museong.
Blood was soaking my pants, and I hadn't even noticed.
"And if you come with me, you'll use that martial art again, won't you? Save it."
"It'll be dangerous if you go alone."
"I'm not weak enough to need your concern. Please see Hyojeong through to the end."
Those were Kang Museong's final words.
…Or so it seemed.
That wouldn't actually happen.
He was unquestionably capable, so I decided to trust him for now.
As Kang Museong disappeared, Lee Geon-ha spoke.
"…You all start the rescue operation. I'll take Choi Hyojeong to the physicians."
Lee Geon-ha lifted Choi Hyojeong and left the forest, while his subordinates scattered in all directions.
Wasn't this like the bear doing all the work while someone else took the money?
"…What on earth does she see in that guy, Hyojeong, Elder?"
Even Hyojeong Elder had terrible taste in men.
Lee Geon-ha entered the city boldly, immediately heading to the clinic while carrying Choi Hyojeong.
If Lee Geon-ha's goal was to become a hero, then he had achieved it.
Just appearing with the bloodied Hyojeong Elder in his arms made the city's women gaze at him like a prince on a white horse.
By tomorrow, rumors would spread everywhere that Lee Geon-ha had rescued a comrade.
Kang Museong. That loser.
Does he think responsibility gets you married?
Well, actually, responsibility does get you married.
Still, he couldn't even do what he was supposed to.
'It's awkward, but I'll have to say it directly.'
All Kang Museong had to do was say that he was the one who saved her.
If needed, I could even stand as a witness.
Upon arriving at Yakseon's clinic, Lee Geon-ha immediately laid Choi Hyojeong down and said,
"She's injured. Please help her. And there will be many wounded from the Northern Great Forest. I would appreciate it if you could set up a clinic near the front of the forest."
Yakseon rushed out and examined Choi Hyojeong's condition.
"Oh? This treatment…"
Without answering, Lee Geon-ha left the clinic.
Look at him—he was so careful carrying her in, and the moment his business was done, his expression changed.
I glared at Lee Geon-ha as he left and began explaining the emergency treatment.
"The bleeding was stopped by stimulating the blood points."
"Yes, that's what it looks like. Well done. It was difficult, but you handled it well."
"Thank you. But where is the golden wound medicine?"
I was still bleeding. No matter how shallow the wounds were, leaving them untreated would cause infection. I needed to apply medicine and at least wrap them with bandages.
"Oh ho ho, well done. Well done indeed. Teaching you was worthwhile. Then I must proceed with the follow-up treatment right away."
"Yakseon?"
"Then take care of the other wounded as well. Hurry and go."
"So, the golden wound medicine—"
The treatment room door closed.
Isn't that a bit much?
Is it really that hard to help your disciple find some medicine?
"It's probably somewhere on the shelf."
"Here it is."
The scent of orchid brushed my nose.
When I turned around, Arin stood there with a cold expression.
Her long hair fluttered, so beautiful it was almost frightening.
No—just frightening.
Arin's expression was colder than the blizzard of Minor Cold.
"Why did you go alone?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you go fight alone? Without telling me?"
"Oh, I didn't go alone. I went with Elder Kang Museong. It was an emergency."
"…Don't do that."
Arin opened the golden wound medicine.
"Sit over there. Don't go alone anymore. What if something happens to you?"
"Huh? Ah, okay."
Arin generously scooped out the medicine and began applying it to my body.
This stuff was expensive.
"I can apply it myself."
"How are you going to apply it to your back? I'll do it."
Biting her lower lip, Arin applied the medicine with everything she had.
It tickled, but I endured it.
If I made any strange noises here, I'd be too embarrassed to sleep for a year.
"Take care of yourself first. It hurts to see this."
"Huh?"
"I'll get bandages."
Arin tossed the empty jar of golden wound medicine aside and went into the dispensary.
"This… isn't good."
I had told Yu Hyeonseong that Arin probably didn't think anything of me, but now there was no excuse left.
No matter how clueless someone was about romance, failing to notice this would make my years of life mock me.
"I feel bad for no reason."
From the moment I started learning the Nakwol Sword Art, I had no intention of building a family.
No matter how sparingly I used it, I would live a shorter life than others.
Once full-scale war began, I would have to remain in Yang energy overload all year long.
On top of that, I would live apart from my family on the front lines every day.
Who would want a husband like that?
I didn't deserve to enjoy this life.
Having used my one and only chance at regression, I had to take responsibility for everything.
An ordinary life.
Those were the things I had to give up for everyone's happiness.
"…For now, I'll just pretend I don't know and watch."
Childhood feelings fade easily.
As I watched the sun sink beyond the horizon, another day passed.
The Northern Great Forest expedition ended with a result not much different from before.
Most were dead, and only a handful survived.
But there was something that had changed.
At the end of every tragedy, a hero is born.
"White-Clad Elder Kang Museong, step forward!"
Kang Museong was included in the merit rewards.
"White-Clad Elder Kang Museong entered the forest alone and protected seven precious lives, becoming a model for all warriors. Thus, we appoint Kang Museong as Manho."
Manho was a rank that allowed one to command the city guard of roughly ten thousand households.
It meant he could possess an independent military force.
Moreover, he was freed from his position as an instructor at the Seongmu Academy and could return to active operations. For Kang Museong, who aspired to become a Red-Clad Elder, things couldn't have gone better.
"Greetings, Yakseon."
"Oh, you rascal. I hear you became a general?"
At Yakseon's words, Kang Museong scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Yes, that's how it turned out. Being in the spotlight isn't all that great."
"Of course not. You end up with more responsibility."
"Yes. By the way, where is Hyojeong?"
"She's in there. Go on in."
Kang Museong bowed his head and entered the ward where Choi Hyojeong was.
Choi Hyojeong, burning incense, beamed when she saw him.
"What? You're only coming now? You're pretty late. Did becoming a general make you busy?"
At her playful words, Kang Museong smiled bitterly.
"How's your body?"
"I almost died."
Choi Hyojeong shrugged.
"I heard Geon-ha brought me in. The rumors really spread, you know? Does he like me? He was in such a hurry, carrying me all the way to Yakseon."
"That could be. You are charming."
"Really? I heard you were in the forest too?"
"Yeah. I was."
"…You were?"
Choi Hyojeong stared quietly at Kang Museong before speaking.
"It's good to see your face. You must be busy, so go."
"Yeah. I'll go. You look better too—that's good."
Kang Museong stood up awkwardly and left the room. Choi Hyojeong's expression hardened.
"…What is this? You even confessed. I was the one you saved! Shouldn't you at least say that much? After making such a mess of things."
Looking at the incense, Choi Hyojeong spoke.
"Like my older sister said, I can't pretend not to know anymore. My mother told me this—don't love someone who doesn't love you."
Choi Hyojeong smiled softly.
"I don't know how long I'll live, so I should love someone who loves me. Sister."
The future was changing like that.