Early the next morning, the day of the face-to-face meeting.
Boom—! Boom—!
Along with the great drum sound, Kim Jungheon, the host of the face-to-face meeting, came out and proceeded with the ceremony.
“We announce to His Majesty watching over us from above—!”
Before the ceremony, the first duty was a greeting to His Majesty, the ruler of Joseon.
The nobles who’d observed proper etiquette bowed respectfully toward the top of the Administration above in the sky, though it couldn’t even be seen.
“Receiving Your Majesty’s will, the descendants of heroes who will protect Joseon have gathered in this place!”
“Before this glorious event, all the people of Joseon observe proper etiquette!”
“May you live eternally and forever watch over this nation of Joseon!”
“Watch over us—!”
Echoing the calls of the elders conducting the ceremony, all the nobles gathered in the venue bowed their heads in unison.
Respect toward His Majesty watching from Geunjeongjeon Hall above.
All the heads of the power clan families dominating Joseon observed proper etiquette toward the invisible sky.
“Kim Changwoon.”
After the most important ceremony ended, just as the face-to-face meeting’s most crucial event—the group sparring—was about to begin—
My brother Kim Hyunwoo, who’d somehow approached near me, glared at me.
“A powerless one daring to show his face at this sacred event—do you have no shame?”
“Qualification to participate in the face-to-face meeting is granted by lineage, not ability. Even a powerless one like me knows that, so why do you bother asking?”
“…!”
He clicked his tongue roughly and immediately cut off his interest in me.
He must have realized that saying more would only upset him.
As the ceremony concluded and everyone headed to their seats—
“Young man.”
I turned my head at the familiar voice, and Yoo Sanghyeon was waving his hand at me.
Unlike yesterday, there was slight wariness.
From the looks of it, he’d done some background research on me in the meantime.
“I never imagined the one who played with my daughter would be someone from the Andong Kim clan.”
“Someone from the Andong Kim clan… I wonder about that.”
Responding like that, I pointed to one side.
The family members disappearing to one side of the venue among themselves, as if I didn’t exist.
“Does the General see our family treating me like a person?”
“…Right. I understand well enough.”
Seeing that, Yoo Sanghyeon softened his sharp expression as if he understood.
Illegitimate. And powerless on top of that.
What treatment someone like me would receive from the family was obvious without looking.
“Will you sit together? Coming to this distant foreign land, there’s no one to keep me company in conversation.”
“It would be an honor to sit with the Iron Tiger General. Rather… would it be alright for you to associate with someone like me?”
“Not being treated like a person is the same for both of us. Who would welcome an aristocrat like me stuck in the Hamgyeong Province frontier?”
Yoo Sanghyeon spoke while scratching his head.
As he said, he who came down from Hamgyeong Province was not a particularly welcome presence to the central nobles.
‘Why did he crawl out to the capital when he should stay quietly stuck in the frontier?’
‘Is he trying to enter the capital now by selling his daughter… What a pathetic scheme.’
‘The Iron Tiger Army. Having to watch those lowly scrap metal pieces swagger around the capital—has Joseon’s law and order really become this corrupt?’
And so on.
Most of the gazes directed at him were contempt and ridicule, with fear existing alongside them.
“Even so, the reason you deliberately came here…”
“It’s because of our Arin.”
Sanghyeon spoke with a complicated expression.
“Since the First Monster War when King Gwangjo was active, our Iron Tiger Army has protected Joseon’s frontiers. Though support from the royal guard was cut off long ago and supplies and aid are utterly inadequate… we’ve managed somehow.”
“…”
The Iron Tiger Army.
A special monster subjugation unit created to support the royal guard composed of phase power wielders.
Composed of powerless non-ability wielders, those who subjugated monsters through high-grade artificial bodies.
Unlike the royal guard where only phase power wielders could enter, the Iron Tiger Army was therefore a progressive military force anyone could apply to regardless of status.
‘But after power clan politics began, the nobles started abusing this.’
Anyone could apply regardless of status.
The nobles cleverly exploited this clause to slowly transform the Iron Tiger Army.
Common or lowborn soldiers without power bases.
Or political criminals who’d lost in political struggles—the place they ultimately headed.
A human trash heap where those expelled from the nation of Joseon finally went.
That’s what the current Iron Tiger Army had become.
“As the Iron Tiger Army’s commander, I have a duty to protect this land of Joseon. Until my life ends.”
“…”
“But Arin… I don’t want to pass such harsh duty on to my daughter.”
Along with a sigh full of fatigue, Yoo Sanghyeon spoke.
“Is that why you came to Hanseong?”
“Right. I came thinking there might be a good marriage prospect. That’s why I eagerly flattered those inkwell scholars.”
Yoo Sanghyeon spoke with a bitter laugh.
“Arin. I hope at least our daughter can see good things in a good environment… and live peacefully like that.”
“I see.”
Who would’ve thought I’d learn the Iron Tiger General’s true feelings like this?
Being brought back from death, I’m experiencing all sorts of things.
“…My goodness.”
But that thought was brief.
“I’m making myself talk about all sorts of things to a friend I just met.”
“To be honest, I didn’t know how to react either.”
“Hahaha, is that so? I’m sorry. It’s the first time my daughter made a friend, so I’m unconsciously talking a lot.”
Having said that, Yoo Sanghyeon showed his characteristic good-natured smile.
Opening up like that to someone he’d just met.
Should I call it simple or naive?
Seeing that brought an involuntary chuckle.
‘Because…’
I knew.
A peaceful life.
A safe environment.
That Yoo Sanghyeon’s wish would absolutely never come true.
‘And the one who provided the cause for that is none other than that choice of yours.’
The choice to present his daughter to Hanseong’s nobles.
Because of that choice, the daughter you cherished would begin the revolution that would burn all of Joseon.
For revenge for her father murdered at the face-to-face meeting.
“By the way, General.”
“Hm?”
The wariness had conveniently loosened, so it was the right situation.
Maintaining a light atmosphere, I spoke to Yoo Sanghyeon.
“About the food costs your beloved daughter ate yesterday.”
“Urk.”
Suddenly bringing up food, Yoo Sanghyeon seemed to flinch and hurriedly pulled out his interface.
“I’ll pay right now. Let’s see, the expense records…”
“No. Instead of the food costs, I’d like to ask a favor.”
Thanks to this conversation, I now knew for certain.
The instigator of the revolution, the hero Yoo Arin.
What I needed to do now to survive the revolution she would trigger.
“A favor?”
“Yes.”
I would save her father, Iron Tiger General Yoo Sanghyeon.
“A simple one. And a very strange favor.”
Save him from his scheduled death.
And change the future.
KRAKOOM—!
“Aaaagh?!”
As a bolt of lightning struck the ground, those crowded around were swept away like fallen leaves.
“I-I forfeit! I forfeit!”
“I’m done here too.”
“How is his phase power so…!”
The aristocrat sons staggering with depleted phase power.
At the center of their focused gazes was Kim Hyunwoo.
The lightning flowing from his surroundings and the massive force crushing the surrounding space.
The other phase power wielders couldn’t even approach, let alone land a blow.
“Tremendous phase power. At that level, he could handle five royal guards charging at once.”
“The phase power’s nature is also excellent. Thunder and wind. A perfect combination.”
“A gem has emerged from the Andong Kim clan.”
At the overwhelming sight dominating the center of the training hall, the aristocrat sons declared forfeit one by one.
What remained at the end was Jo Seonghwan, the eldest son of the competing Pungyang Jo clan.
As he concentrated, fierce winds reminiscent of a typhoon began swirling around him.
The Pungyang Jo clan’s hereditary trait, phase power with wind nature.
“Phase power with wind nature…?”
“I have to at least struggle. Right?”
Jo Seonghwan pointing his sword with competitive eyes.
As he concentrated, fierce winds reminiscent of a typhoon began swirling around him.
“Interesting.”
Having muttered that, Kim Hyunwoo gathered up the phase power he’d spread out lavishly.
This was a place to demonstrate one’s power while simultaneously finding ‘enemies’ who might oppose him.
In that sense, Jo Seonghwan standing against him could serve as sufficient teaching material.
So—
“I’ll make you know your place.”
Thunder a
Having briefly spat that out, Kim Hyunwoo immediately released his phase power.
nd lightning shaking heaven and earth.
Power tremendous enough to make onlookers’ knees go weak.
“Not bad.”
That power.
Watching Kim Hyunwoo’s phase power overwhelming everyone present, a satisfied smile appeared on Kim Jungheon’s face for the first time in a while.
“The combination of two traits is also usable, and there seems to be no difficulty in control. Just raise him like this and he can grow without problems.”
Speech not looking at a son but appraising well-fattened livestock.
But as if not noticing that, the family elders around him were busy agreeing with his words.
“Your words are correct, my lord! Young Master Hyunwoo’s phase power is truly overwhelming!”
“He’s an ability wielder raised by pouring the family’s full resources into him. Truly living up to his reputation.”
“Look at Lord Jo Gangwoon’s face over there! Hahaha!”
“…”
Old men fawning to live even one more day.
While swallowing those inner thoughts, one person caught Kim Jungheon’s eye.
Iron Tiger General Yoo Sanghyeon.
When he heard the tiger stuck in the frontier was coming down, he’d had quite a hard time guessing his intentions.
Though now it wasn’t particularly something to worry about.
And the seat beside him was—
‘Empty. Who was there just before?’
To thoughtlessly leave one’s seat at this important event.
Who could it be?
Just as Kim Jungheon thought that while narrowing his eyes—
KRAKOOM—!
“Aaaagh?!”
Lightning struck the center of the training hall, and Jo Seonghwan’s body, which had been charging at Kim Hyunwoo, fell away helplessly.
Combat incapacitation judgment.
With this, Kim Hyunwoo had finally subdued all the noble sons gathered in this place.
“It’s over.”
Since none of the nobles’ late awakeners could handle that one person, the Andong Kim clan’s world would continue for another generation.
Just as Kim Jungheon thought that and was about to leave his seat—
Beep—!
Along with a buzzer sound, one young girl entered the arena.
A girl who looked about twelve years old.
As someone not on the roster appeared, people’s gazes gathered there.
“Who’s that child?”
“Yoo Arin… Ah, the daughter of Iron Tiger General Yoo Sanghyeon. They say she’s late to participate because her phase power test was just completed.”
“Sending a fledgling who just awakened phase power to the face-to-face meeting?”
“She’s a frontier-born lowborn, isn’t she? They must be desperate.”
While the elders poured out such gossip, Kim Jungheon sat down without any particular reaction.
“If she has phase power, we should verify it.”
As Kim Jungheon muttered that and gestured, instructions to continue the sparring were displayed on the training hall screen.
One latecomer.
Kim Hyunwoo, who’d been sheathing his sword, greeted the uninvited guest with unpleasant eyes.
“A girl from the frontier. I understand you’re in a hurry, but it would be better to go back.”
A brief warning.
But the girl who’d joined late, Yoo Arin, tilted her head and spoke.
“Why? Isn’t this where we fight?”
“…”
An innocent remark.
Hearing those words, Kim Hyunwoo sighed.
“She thinks she came to play house or something.”
A fledgling who’d just awakened phase power joining the already finished face-to-face meeting.
Kim Hyunwoo had someone bring him a wooden sword.
Something like that wasn’t worth subduing with his own sword.
‘If I show a fragment of phase power, she’ll flee the venue in fear.’
Having judged that, Kim Hyunwoo immediately activated his phase power.
Whoosh—!
Transforming into lightning in an instant, Kim Hyunwoo rushed behind the girl.
If he pointed his sword at the nape of her neck like this, it would undoubtedly be his victory.
Human reaction speed couldn’t chase his speed.
Just as Kim Hyunwoo finished that judgment and seized the girl’s back—
“…!”
Kim Hyunwoo’s eyes widened while looking at the girl.
The reason was simple.
The girl’s round eyes were looking straight at him.
‘Dangerous?!’
Swish—!
The flustered Kim Hyunwoo immediately created distance.
It wasn’t that the girl had taken a counterattack stance or demonstrated phase power.
Just instinct.
His body had automatically judged that girl was dangerous.
“Did Young Master Hyunwoo just back away? Why?”
“Back away? I couldn’t even see it?”
Around them, as if not noticing what had happened, people were murmuring.
But high-ranking phase power wielders.
And the royal guards deployed for emergencies couldn’t close their gaping mouths.
“That child, just now…!”
“She reacted to that speed?”
“That’s impossible. How could a person…?”
But that was brief.
Kim Hyunwoo raised his gaze to look at his father Kim Jungheon.
Lord Kim Jungheon looking not at him but at the girl with wide eyes.
As his peaceful expression twisted, the wave of phase power shown just before revealed itself again.
Goooooooo—!
It must be just a momentary illusion.
His phase power was the highest level even among successive Andong Kim clan heads.
Chasing him was impossible.
‘Seeing her reaction speed increased, she’s a body enhancement-focused phase power wielder. Then even if I show my power, it won’t cause much damage.’
At the same time, Kim Hyunwoo thought—
And what if it did cause damage?
A frontier girl—even if she died, no one would care.
No need to hold back.
Right now, only one thing mattered.
Showing my power before everyone.
Making clear who the master of Joseon is in this place!
Krrrrrumble—!
Having finished his judgment, Kim Hyunwoo immediately took action.
Lightning swirling around the girl bound her movements, and Kim Hyunwoo’s form transformed into lightning and began endlessly circling around.
“Ooh!”
“Linking two techniques—how can he do that at that age…!”
Those watching the training hall exclaimed in unison.
The sight of a circle made of electrical current surrounding Arin.
If you collided head-on with this acceleration, even a tactical-grade artificial body wouldn’t survive!
Just as they thought that, Kim Hyunwoo rushed toward Arin while deploying phase power at combat output.
KRAKOOM—!
“…Huh?”
The next moment, the entire training hall was wrapped in silence.
“…!”
The girl had received Kim Hyunwoo’s charge head-on.
Precisely, she’d caught with her bare hands the practice sword Kim Hyunwoo had struck down from above to below.
As if uninterested in the shocked Kim Hyunwoo’s face, the girl named Yoo Arin opened her mouth innocently.
“Oh, I caught it!”
The next moment, she immediately threw Kim Hyunwoo’s body into the training hall wall.
CRASH-CRASH-BOOM—!
“Aaaagh?!”
“Wh-what?!”
Just throwing him had burst the arena’s protective devices.
Phase power? No, it wasn’t.
Just strength.
The recoil and shockwave from the force that threw Kim Hyunwoo mercilessly tore through the layers of protective barriers.
“This is insane?!”
“It’s dangerous!”
“Honored guests, come behind me! Quickly!”
Royal guards had to be deployed to withstand the shockwave that couldn’t be completely absorbed.
How much time passed in that maelstrom of shock?
In the venue covered only in silence without cheers or exclamations, only the unconscious, sprawled form of Kim Hyunwoo remained.
“Quite surprising, isn’t it.”
While everyone was watching Arin and Kim Hyunwoo’s match—
Only one person, Kim Changwoon, was not looking that way.
What he was looking at was the Andong Kim clan head Kim Jungheon and the power clan elders positioned around him.
They were frozen with wide eyes, as if they’d seen something they shouldn’t have.
“Th-that power… could it be?”
“No. It can’t, it can’t be…!”
The power clan heads who had everything in the world beneath their feet.
What arose in their eyes was clear fear.
The reason was obvious.
The golden radiance circling around Yoo Arin.
Because they had memories of seeing something like that in ancient records.
The phase power of Joseon’s king still sitting on the throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall, looking down on them.
King Gwangjo ‘Yi Cheolheon’s’ phase power.
-Young Master. It’s Mooyoung.
While watching the training hall wrapped in silence, a voice flowed in from beyond the communicator.
-I received the goods from our ‘collaborator.’ I’ve started production at the promised location now.
“Good. Tell our ‘collaborators’ this.”
Changwoon slowly opened his mouth into the communicator.
“As planned, the operation begins.”
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