Jihoon had been traveling for days, crossing rivers and climbing mountains, before he stumbled upon a small village hidden deep within a valley. It was quiet, peaceful, but there was a certain tension in the air. Jihoon could sense it immediately—there was something about this place that was different from the others.
He walked into the village square, his gaze sharp as he observed the people around him. Many of them were young, working in the fields or tending to small shops. But there was one individual who caught his eye.
A girl, no older than sixteen, stood off to the side, watching the others with a calm and calculating gaze. Her hair was long, black, and tied into a simple braid, and her clothing was plain, though it fit her slender form well. What stood out most, however, were her eyes. They were a bright, piercing shade of green—unnatural for someone from this part of Murim.
Jihoon approached her, sensing something unusual about her. When she saw him coming, her expression shifted, and she seemed to brace herself, as though anticipating a challenge.
"I don't mean any harm," Jihoon said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I've been traveling for some time and was wondering if you might know of anyone who could guide me to the nearest sect."
The girl studied him for a long moment, her sharp gaze never leaving his face. Finally, she spoke, her voice low but clear. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Jihoon smiled faintly. "You could say that. I'm looking for people who are willing to learn something… different."
At this, the girl's eyes narrowed. "Different? What do you mean?"
Jihoon hesitated for a moment, then spoke with conviction. "Magic. I can teach you magic."
The girl's expression remained unreadable, but Jihoon could feel the weight of her words as she replied, "Magic? There's no such thing here. People like me don't belong in places like that."
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "People like you?"
She stiffened. "I'm an outcast. My family was cast out from a martial sect years ago, accused of using forbidden techniques. I've learned to survive on my own."
Jihoon studied her for a moment, then spoke gently. "You've been taught to believe in limitations, but I know that you have potential—something greater than you've been told. You can learn magic, and I can help you."
For a long while, the girl was silent, as though weighing his words. Finally, she spoke again, but this time with a spark of hope in her voice.
"I don't know if I believe in magic," she said slowly, "but… I'm willing to see what you can teach me."
Jihoon smiled, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He had found his first disciple. Now, he could begin to build his sect—one disciple at a time.