Jihoon stood at the edge of the cliff once more, gazing out at the vast land that lay before him. The winds of Murim carried the scent of pine and damp earth, but his mind was far away, focused on the task he had set for himself.
Create a sect. Teach magic.
The words echoed in his mind like a constant hum, driving him forward. But Jihoon knew that building a sect was no small task. He needed followers—disciples who would believe in his cause and, more importantly, people who had the potential to wield magic. It wasn't enough to simply teach magic to anyone. He had to find those who could become true magicians, people who could change the world alongside him.
With a deep breath, Jihoon closed his eyes and concentrated. The system had been silent for some time, but now it spoke, its voice cold and mechanical.
Initiating sect creation protocol. The first step is to recruit disciples. Choose wisely, Jihoon. A sect is only as strong as its foundation.
Jihoon nodded, his resolve hardening. He needed a place—a home for the sect. But where could he establish it? The land of Murim was vast, and its mountains, rivers, and forests were divided among various sects and martial artist families, each vying for power. To create his own sect, Jihoon would need a place where he could train, grow, and build the foundation of something that could rival the mightiest forces in Murim.
His thoughts turned back to Master Han. The martial artist had taught him much, but Jihoon knew that in order to truly succeed, he needed more than just martial discipline. He needed allies—people who could believe in his vision and, like him, were willing to challenge the traditional ways of Murim.
The following days were spent traveling through the region, seeking out individuals who might join him. The task wasn't easy. Magic was a rare and mysterious force in Murim, feared by some and dismissed by others as mere fantasy. Most martial artists saw it as a weakness, something that could not compare to the raw physical power that martial arts provided.
But Jihoon was undeterred. He knew magic had its place in Murim, even if others didn't see it yet. He just needed to find the right people.
It wasn't long before he found his first disciple.