The soft rustle of robes against the stone floor broke the silence in Jang Tae-won's room. His mind was still racing, struggling to process the reality he now found himself in. Ten years ago, this was the place where everything began—where he was first molded by the ambitions of others, by those who saw him as nothing more than a pawn in their schemes. But no longer.
He paced, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. His memories of betrayal were still fresh, the pain of his brother's treachery and So-rin's cold dismissal slicing through him as sharply as any blade. But here he was, younger and whole again, with the chance to undo everything. His jaw tightened.
"This time, I'll destroy them before they even get the chance to act."
He paused, gazing at his hands. They trembled, not from fear, but from the sheer potential coiled within them. With the knowledge of the future, his path to revenge was clear, but it wouldn't be easy. His enemies were cunning, ruthless, and powerful. If he wanted to crush them, he needed to become stronger than ever before.
His first goal was simple: "master the arts they never expected him to touch".
---
"Two Weeks Later"
The training grounds of the Heavenly Blade Sect buzzed with the sounds of sparring and the clashing of swords. Tae-won stood off to the side, watching as the younger disciples moved through their drills. To them, he was nothing special—a boy with potential, but hardly the prodigy his elder brother had been. Little did they know how wrong they were.
In his past life, Tae-won had been careful, cautious. He had never strayed too far from the teachings of his sect, believing that loyalty and discipline would be rewarded in time. But now, after seeing how Sun-ho manipulated his way to power, Tae-won understood that true strength lay beyond mere obedience. He needed to master what others feared.
He glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowing at the distant figure of "Instructor Han", the sect's most feared master. Han was known for his ruthless teaching methods, and the rumors that surrounded him were as dark as the arts he was said to possess.
In his past life, Tae-won had avoided Han, terrified by the whispers of those who trained under him. But this time, he would not shy away.
He approached the instructor's chambers, determination hardening his steps. The door loomed before him, a heavy wooden structure that seemed to hold within it untold secrets. Tae-won raised his hand and knocked.
"Enter," a voice came from within, cold and clipped.
Tae-won stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. Scrolls lined the walls, each containing ancient techniques and forbidden knowledge. In the center of the room, sitting cross-legged on a worn mat, was **Instructor Han**.
The man's piercing gaze fell on Tae-won, as though he could see right through him. "You seek something, boy."
Tae-won bowed respectfully, though his heart pounded with anticipation. "I seek to learn. To become stronger."
Han's eyes flickered with amusement. "Many come to me with such requests, but few understand the price that comes with true strength."
"I understand," Tae-won replied firmly. "And I am willing to pay it."
Han remained silent for a moment, studying him. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he rose to his feet and approached the young disciple. "Very well. But know this—there is no turning back. Once you begin down this path, it will consume you."
Tae-won's gaze never wavered. "I don't plan to turn back."
Han smiled—a dark, twisted smile that chilled Tae-won to the bone. "Good. Then your training begins now."
---
"The Forbidden Arts"
Over the next few weeks, Tae-won's life became a blur of grueling training sessions, late-night meditations, and endless study of the forbidden scrolls. Han's methods were brutal, pushing Tae-won to the edge of his limits and beyond. Every day, he was forced to confront his weaknesses, his fears, and his anger.
But Tae-won endured. He had to.
With each passing day, his skills grew sharper, his body stronger, and his mind more focused. He mastered techniques that had once been beyond his reach—shadow techniques that allowed him to move unseen, martial arts that drew upon the darker aspects of his inner strength.
But the most powerful weapon he gained was control—control over his rage, over his desire for vengeance. He couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment. His revenge had to be calculated, precise.
As the weeks passed, Tae-won could feel the change within himself. He was no longer the naive boy who had trusted blindly. He was becoming something more, something darker. And with every step he took, his enemies unknowingly inched closer to their doom.
---
"Three Months Later"
The day had finally come. Tae-won stood in the courtyard of the sect, his breath calm and steady. Across from him stood **Kang So-rin**, her eyes flashing with cold determination. This was the first step in his plan—to show them all that he was no longer the weak, naive disciple they thought they knew.
The sect had organized a sparring match, meant to showcase the skills of its promising young disciples. But for Tae-won, it was something far more important. It was a chance to make his mark—to begin his quiet, deadly ascent to power.
As they faced each other, So-rin's lips curled into a mocking smile. "You shouldn't have accepted this challenge, Tae-won. You'll only embarrass yourself."
Tae-won said nothing, his gaze cold and unwavering. She had no idea who she was truly facing.
The moment the signal was given, So-rin struck first, her movements swift and graceful. But Tae-won was faster. He blocked her attack with ease, countering with a move she had never seen before—a technique he had learned from the forbidden scrolls.
So-rin's eyes widened in shock as she stumbled back, her confidence shaken. Tae-won pressed the advantage, his strikes relentless, each one calculated to expose her weaknesses.
The sparring match ended as quickly as it began. So-rin lay on the ground, panting, her face twisted with disbelief. Tae-won stood over her, his expression unreadable.
"Consider this a warning," he said quietly, his voice low and dangerous. "You won't have the chance to betray me again."
He turned and walked away, leaving So-rin stunned and the other disciples whispering among themselves. This was only the beginning. The real battle had yet to come, but Tae-won was ready.
His path to retribution had begun.
---
"End of Chapter 2"
Tae-won has started his journey of transformation, training under a ruthless master and mastering forbidden techniques. His first confrontation with So-rin marks the beginning of his calculated revenge, as he silently rises in power, preparing for the ultimate payback against those who betrayed him.