Chapter 136
The next day.
The commotion that occurred on Dobongsan Mountain last night was reported as a simple forest fire caused by the explosion of abandoned camping equipment, including flammable items.
As it wasn't a particularly noteworthy topic and didn't receive much coverage, the incident was quietly fading away without attracting much public attention.
However, not everyone's actions and thoughts were the same.
Especially Park Seon-woo, who could be considered directly involved in the incident, couldn't simply bury the events of last night in his memory.
'...It all started because of me.'
While the news was reporting it as a simple fire, Park Seon-woo, knowing the full context, couldn't possibly accept that at face value.
No, in fact, no hunter above a certain rank would believe it.
The explosion that occurred last night couldn't be seen as a simple detonation of flammable material.
It was a fierce battle between hunters, one that could only occur when top-ranked fighters clashed.
Yet none of the hunters in Korea spoke up about it.
This was because it could be considered revenge against the Korean Returnee Association and Tae Sang-cheon, who had committed countless abuses and evil deeds against hunters, using their power as an excuse.
Of course, what mattered now wasn't the thoughts or feelings of other hunters.
'Master fought for me.'
The fierce battle with Tae Sang-cheon, who had reached the Manifestation Realm - even for someone of Master's caliber, it must have been an incredibly intense fight between equals.
He might have even had to risk his life.
Yet despite this, there wasn't a shred of hesitation in Master's actions.
'Has anyone ever truly gotten angry and fought for me before?'
He could say with certainty that it had never happened.
Park Seon-woo, who had lost his parents in a traffic accident when he was too young to remember clearly, had always lived a cold and lonely life.
'Everyone has only tried to pursue their own interests or use me.'
Knowing this fact himself, he had always drawn clear lines in his relationships and lived alone.
That's why when he first received martial arts training from Master, he desperately cultivated to build his strength, intending to repay his debt.
But instead of repaying the debt, it only grew larger.
'Will I ever be able to repay the kindness I've received from Master?'
The question flashed through his mind for a moment, but Park Seon-woo quickly shook his head to erase the thought.
The question itself was wrong from the start.
'...Master is someone who doesn't need my help at all.'
The actions and majesty that Master had shown so far were truly like those of a being above all others.
He couldn't even dare to think about being able to repay the debt.
However, that didn't mean he had any intention of forgetting yesterday's events.
'I must dedicate my entire life... even if it takes everything, I must gradually repay this debt.'
The feeling of receiving and giving kindness to someone felt somewhat awkward.
But if it was for Master, Lee Seong-jun, he could do it as much as needed.
No, he would definitely do it.
The feeling of caring for each other warmed a corner of his heart, giving him emotions of happiness and gratitude.
Park Seon-woo barely suppressed the overwhelming emotions by biting his lower lip hard, then immediately bowed his head and conveyed the sincere feelings deep in his heart to Lee Seong-jun, who had come to visit him in the hospital.
"Thank you. Thank you so much!"
"It's all because I wanted to do it, so there's no need to go that far."
"But..."
Lee Seong-jun quickly cut off Park Seon-woo's words, smiling as he patted his shoulder.
"Thanks to you, my father could be safe. You fulfilled your role to the best of your ability. That's enough for me."
Park Seon-woo understood everything Master Lee Seong-jun said intellectually.
But his heart couldn't accept it.
'...In the end, it was Master who resolved everything.'
It meant that due to his own lack of ability, he had to burden Master with the task.
He couldn't forgive his own incompetence and felt angry at himself.
'Even if I can't repay the debt... I must at least strive not to be a burden to Master like yesterday!'
Perhaps due to his earlier firm resolution?
Emotions hotter than usual began to surge from within, manifesting as a powerful will.
At that very moment.
Boom-!
With a thunderous sound echoing in his ears, the thick wall residing in his inner world crumbled.
Naturally, his consciousness expanded, and the energy within his body began to surge and spread throughout his entire body.
"This, this is..."
Lee Seong-jun, watching Park Seon-woo who couldn't hide his surprise, broke into a bright smile.
"Looks like you've broken through the barrier."
Though he spoke calmly, Lee Seong-jun was also feeling considerable surprise inside.
'...I knew he had exceptional talent, but this is beyond expectations.'
He hadn't anticipated that Park Seon-woo would gain enlightenment and break through the barrier in such a situation.
He wasn't sure whether to call it remarkable or stubbornly persistent to the point of being foolish, but one thing was certain.
"That's truly an excellent rate of growth. You're doing very well."
Although he had said he wasn't a master, seeing Park Seon-woo's continuous growth gave him considerable satisfaction.
'Well, it's not a martial art I created, but since I'm the one who passed it on... I guess you could call me a sort of co-master.'
At first, he approached Park Seon-woo simply because he needed talented individuals, so he drew a clear line.
However, as he continued to converse with Park Seon-woo and build a connection, his feelings gradually changed.
'He doesn't bother me with unnecessary things, and his pure desire for martial arts is quite admirable.'
As Lee Seong-jun was looking at Park Seon-woo's face with a pleased expression, Park Seon-woo, having regained his composure, hurriedly bowed his head.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! It's all thanks to you, Master."
"Thanks to me? It's all because of your own efforts."
Seeing Lee Seong-jun waving his hand, Park Seon-woo spoke in a firm tone.
"No! This would have been impossible without Master's help!"
It was obvious, but these weren't words spoken for flattery.
Without the powerful will forged from his firm resolution, it would have been a wall he could never have broken through.
This growth was entirely thanks to his master, Lee Seong-jun.
"I'm truly grateful!"
Lee Seong-jun nodded at Park Seon-woo's unwavering gaze.
"Well, if that's how you see it, I can't argue... Let's say it was thanks to your excellent master this time."
Park Seon-woo's eyes widened at Lee Seong-jun's words, tinged with playfulness.
It was because Master Lee Seong-jun had never once referred to himself as a master until now.
In the past, like Park Seon-woo, he had always drawn lines in his relationships.
But now he had uttered the word 'master' with his own mouth.
It meant he was officially acknowledging their master-disciple relationship.
Emotions of deep gratitude welled up as he felt the sincerity of those words.
"M... Master!"
"..."
He still didn't give a direct answer.
But seeing Lee Seong-jun's demeanor, no longer stubbornly denying it as before, Park Seon-woo spoke with a voice full of emotion, the tip of his nose turning red.
"Until the day I die. No, even after death, I will serve you as my master for eternity!"
* * *
Jagang Province. Located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, this area that used to be North Korean territory bordering China remained a boundary zone even in the present day.
At first glance, the desolate landscape might not seem much different from the past before the great cataclysm, but the reality was entirely different.
This was no longer human territory.
It had fallen to become the domain of corpse piles, holding a deadly stench that stung the nostrils and a chilling coldness.
At the center of this territory of corpse piles, a single out-of-place castle stood alone on the barren land.
The pinnacle of the corpse piles.
The place where the true king resided, having defeated all the other kings who had occupied the northernmost regions and unified the forces.
Intense magical energy was emanating from the entire body of the Lich King, Rathar, who was reclining on the massive throne placed there.
Boom-!
At the overwhelming magical energy that shook the earth's axis, the thousands of corpse piles lined up in front of the throne, kneeling on one knee, trembled and showed reverence.
It was a natural reaction, as the magical energy that the Lich King was emitting now was a majestic sight that was ecstatic even from the perspective of the corpse piles who worshipped evil.
In fact, the reaction of the corpse piles in front could be considered mild.
Among the lined-up corpse piles, Death Knight Rage, who was closest to the throne, let out a groan mixed with admiration.
"Ah... Aah...!"
From the moment Rathar first appeared in this world and demonstrated his ability to turn Rage, the king of the nearby Shadow Elves, into a cold corpse and make him a subordinate, Rage thought Rathar was no ordinary king.
No, if he had been an ordinary king, Rage and his Shadow Elves, who had ruled and reigned over Jagang Province, wouldn't have lost the war in the first place.
The Lich King, Rathar, was a being who could be called the king of kings from the moment he appeared.
And now, after decades of accumulating experience and power, Rathar had finally broken through his own limits.
He had succeeded in transcendence!
It meant he had become an absolute being reigning at the very top among the numerous beings called kings.
"Corpse piles, as your master and father, I declare."
The moment Rathar, enveloped in an energy darker than darkness itself, opened his mouth with his blue eyes glowing, it happened.
Boooom-!
Immeasurably vast magical energy burst forth, making the world seem to tremble in fear and scream.
At this overwhelming sight that could only be described as dominating, the corpse piles unanimously bowed their heads.
"O great king, please declare!"
"We will obey any command."
Satisfied with the loyal appearance of the corpse piles, Rathar opened his mouth with a pleased smile.
"I, Rathar, have ascended to the position of Emperor! Therefore, our kingdom of corpse piles must also be reborn as an empire!"
Rathar's cold gaze looked across the river, towards the land of China.
"All of you, go north! Create vast territories and corpse piles befitting the name of an empire!"
The moment Rathar's order was given, the thousands of lined-up corpse piles, as if they had been waiting for this, shouted while slamming their heads to the ground.
Thud-!
"We obey your command!"
"For the glory of Lord Rathar and the Empire!"
It was the moment when the march of the corpse piles began - a terrible advance that could be called nothing less than a calamity.