I ran.

I ran without looking back. Those were the eyes of a true murderer. Not someone who killed one or two but someone who killed tens of thousands. Perhaps even more. His eyes were filled with contempt and disdain. As if it was humiliating for him to have to kill me.

"Ha? How annoying." As soon as Bu Chu-Ryong sneered, a hot sensation pierced below my knees, and in the next moment, I tumbled onto the floor. At first, I couldn't understand how I tripped.

At least not until I saw my foot on the floor.

"Arghh…!?" A screech escaped my lips.

My feet were severed. Both of them were chopped. Left and right. They were still wearing footwear, too.

I could even see the dirt and blood on the bottom of my shoes.

"You fucker… do you think my father will stay silent once he finds out about this?!" I threatened. Hoping then it would save my life.

"Only if he finds out about it," Bu Chu-Ryong said, bending over. He crushed both my amputated feet while walking towards me. "But even if he does find out, what can he do about it?" he asked.

My eyes followed his legs as he gradually got closer and closer to me. He slowly circulated internal energy in his hands, and drew his blade. "Don't worry. As a parting gift, I will kill you as painlessly as possible."

Bu Chu-Ryong approached closer. "You truly are a poor man. The more I watch, the more I can feel it. Even on your deathbed you still can't figure out that you've been used this whole time. Why else would you not have a single guard around you even as the only heir to the Sword Illusion Clan?"

"I don't know anything! Ugh. Just end it already…."

"In the end, you are nothing but a coward. Refusing to accept the truth that's placed right in front of you. How pathetic."

"You're adopted, Jin Han-Ryong. That's why you don't bear the Mong surname."

I felt his presence above my head.

He was bending his knees to look down on me. "You've become a threat to the Blade and Dark Clan. And your 'father' doesn't want to risk the lives of his true blooded family just to save you."

"Ha…I see….."

Betrayal, hurt and anger clouded my mind. But there was nothing I could do to quell it.

'If only I could have another chance...' I thought to myself.

"Goodbye." Bu Chu-Ryong plunged his blade straight through my chest and twisted.

Screaming in pain, I slowly lost consciousness.

How pathetic. Even after working my ass off to improve the Sword Illusion Clan for the past 20 years, I was still discarded like garbage once they were threatened.

Although I held the title of heir, in truth, I had absolutely nothing. And the worst part? Is that it took me 20 years to finally realise the truth.

[The 'Stone of 3 Wishes' has been activated.]

[The 'Stone of 3 Wishes' cannot be activated again.]

[Please make your 3 wishes]