Orang yang paling diliputi emosi pada saat itu adalah Bih Sa-in.
Jika Geom Mugeuk tidak membunuh Poison Overlord, tak seorang pun tahu berapa banyak pendekar dari Unorthodox Alliance yang akan tewas.
Dan lebih dari segalanya, dia sangat bersyukur bahwa Geom Mugeuk selamat. Siapa yang sangka akan tiba hari di mana dia merasa bahagia karena Young Cult Leader dari Demonic Cult berhasil selamat?
'Alliance Leader benar-benar mempercayai bahwa Young Cult Leader akan berhasil.'
Seperti biasa, pemikirannya memang berbeda dari pemikiranku, pikir Ingung kagum. Namun sebenarnya, Baek Jagang juga tidak sepenuhnya yakin.
Dia hanya memiliki secercah harapan yang samar. Harapan tanpa dasar bahwa Young Cult Leader ini, yang terus menunjukkan kepadanya dunia yang bahkan tidak bisa dilihatnya sendiri, tidak akan mati sia-sia.
Bahkan Thirteen Wolves dari Unorthodox Alliance menatap Geom Mugeuk dengan rasa terima kasih yang mendalam. Dulu, saat pertempuran melawan Great Elder Seok Gwan-chu dan Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi, banyak anggota Thirteen Wolves yang tewas atau terluka. Setelah itu, ketika Bih Sa-in menjadi penerus, terjadi pergeseran generasi, dan kekuatan tempur mereka mau tak mau berkurang dibandingkan saat pertama kali bertemu Geom Mugeuk. Jika Poison Overlord melepaskan racunnya, mereka pun pasti akan kembali menderita kerugian besar.
—Aku yakin Young Alliance Leader telah membuat pilihan yang tepat.
Para junior akan secara bertahap tumbuh lebih kuat di bawah bimbingan Bih Sa-in, dan jika mereka selamat dari pertempuran hari ini, para pendekar yang mewakili Unorthodox Alliance sekali lagi akan menjadi Thirteen Wolves.
Menanggapi pesan telepati Il-rang, Bih Sa-in menjawab dengan gembira.
—Aku tidak bisa mengungkapkan betapa besar kekuatan yang kauberikan padaku dengan keberadaanmu di sini, Il-rang.
Hal yang sama juga dirasakan oleh para pendekar dari Extreme Forces Brigade. Faktanya, merekalah yang kemungkinan besar akan menderita korban paling banyak.
Dan Division Leader Beoncheon menyimpan lapisan rasa terima kasih yang lain. Dia telah mendengar dari Alliance Leader sendiri bahwa jika Geom Mugeuk tidak turun tangan, semua kesalahan akan ditimpakan kepadanya. Itulah sebabnya niat baiknya terhadap Geom Mugeuk menjadi semakin besar.
Jika para pendekar Unorthodox Alliance saja begitu terkejut, bagaimana mungkin pihak musuh tidak?
Moral pasukan Battle King telah benar-benar runtuh, dan New Moon Blade serta Blue Death Ghost, yang muncul bersama Poison Overlord, saling bertukar pandang.
'Dan tetap saja dia dibunuh dengan begitu mudahnya?'
Bahkan bagi mereka berdua, Poison Overlord adalah sosok yang sangat tangguh. Siapa di antara mereka yang hadir di sini bisa menghadapinya dengan santai dan begitu tanpa usaha?
New Moon Blade dan Blue Death Ghost secara alami mengalihkan pandangan mereka ke arah Battle King.
.Battle King tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda kegelisahan atas kematian Poison Overlord. Berpegang teguh pada seseorang yang sudah mati sama sekali tidak akan membantu jalannya pertempuran.
Namun sekarang setelah jelas bahwa ketenangan semacam itu bukanlah seperti yang terlihat, dia memeriksanya lebih dalam.
Saat itulah Battle King mampu merasakannya.
'Aroma bau darah.'
Di dalam benak Battle King, terbayang wujud Geom Mugeuk yang berdiri seorang diri di medan perang. Di atas tumpukan mayat dengan sebilah pedang yang terkulai ke bawah, pandangannya beralih ke langit yang mendung di tengah zona perang.
Battle King secara naluriah tahu bahwa pertarungan hari ini tidak akan mudah. Bagaimana dia bisa menang?
Sementara itu, Geom Mugeuk telah mendekati Hyeok Sagun.
Hyeok Sagun masih dalam keadaan syok akibat kematian Poison Overlord. Jauh di lubuk hatinya, dia telah mempercayai pria itu melebihi siapa pun.
“Apa kau sedang berusaha menjebakku lagi?”
Hyeok Sagun sudah merasakan bahwa Geom Mugeuk tidak akan membiarkannya begitu saja.
Langsung saja, pria itu membuatnya kesal. Geom Mugeuk telah mengadu kepada Division Leader Beoncheon dari Extreme Forces Brigade.
“Orang yang menjebakmu adalah Deputy Strategist yang ada di sini.”
Baru setelah mengucapkannya, Hyeok Sagun menyadari bahwa itu adalah jawaban yang salah. Dia telah melapor kepada Alliance Leader bahwa bukti telah muncul yang menunjukkan Beoncheon bersekongkol dengan Demonic Cult, dan sekarang di sini dia malah menyebutnya sebagai fitnah. Seharusnya dia mengatakan hal ini kepada Beoncheon:
Ada bukti bahwa kau telah bergandengan tangan dengan Demonic Cult.
Ini adalah pertama kalinya dia melakukan begitu banyak kesalahan lisan hanya karena satu orang.
“Takut akan apa?”
“Kau bisa sampai sejauh ini berkat pria di sana itu. Tapi begitu dia menjadi Alliance Leader, apa kau pikir dia akan membiarkanmu hidup?”
“Apa yang kau bicarakan? Apa kau sedang mencoba menuduhku secara palsu lagi?”
“!”
Bagaimana mungkin Hyeok Sagun tidak pernah memikirkan hal itu sebelumnya? Tetapi dia telah menguburnya dalam-dalam di dalam hatinya. Semakin besar keinginannya untuk sukses, semakin dalam lubang yang digalinya untuk menyembunyikan ketakutannya.
Dia telah memutuskan untuk mempercayai Hwang Seokgyeong sepenuhnya. Pria itu akan menjadi Alliance Leader, dan dia akan menjadi Chief Strategist. Dia hanya bermimpi tentang masa depan cerah di mana mereka berdiri berdampingan di jendela Alliance Leader’s Hall, mengenang masa lalu yang gemilang.
Dan sekarang Geom Mugeuk telah menggali pikiran yang terkubur dalam-dalam itu. Dia tidak pernah menyadari sampai sekarang bahwa semakin seseorang meyakini sesuatu disembunyikan dengan baik, semakin mudah hal itu meledak ketika disentuh.
Hyeok Sagun nyaris meneriakkan hal itu. Tapi itu adalah sesuatu yang sama sekali tidak boleh dia ucapkan. Belum waktunya bagi siapapun untuk tahu bahwa dia dan Hwang Seokgyeong berada di pihak yang sama.
“Jangan mencoba memecah belah Alliance Leader dan aku.”
Itu adalah respons yang tepat.
Namun Geom Mugeuk menyerang lagi, tepat mengenai sasaran.
“!”
Pada saat itu, Hyeok Sagun tidak mampu merespons.
Geom Mugeuk tidak melepaskannya—terus-menerus mengguncangnya. Kemudian, dia berteriak ke arah Battle King.
“Jika kau tidak mundur, aku akan membunuh ahlinya strategi kalian di sini!”
“Lihat reaksi pria itu. Dan kau masih berpikir tidak akan dibuang setelah dimanfaatkan?”
Hyeok Sagun merasakan gelombang kebingungan. Dia teringat apa yang dikatakan Geom Mugeuk sebelumnya: Apakah kau menginginkan seorang ahli strategi yang merangkak naik berkat bantuan orang lain? Atau ahli strategi yang benar-benar kompeten?
“Ayolah. Kenapa kau tidak mengaku secara jujur apa yang telah kau sembunyikan dan kembali ke pihak kami?”
Pada saat itu, Battle King yang sedang mengamati maju melangkah.
Hyeok Sagun menatap Baek Jagang dengan rasa tidak percaya. Jika Hwang Seokgyeong yang mengatakan hal seperti itu, pastilah Baek Jagang akan bereaksi—tetapi Baek Jagang bahkan tidak meliriknya. Dan itu menjelaskan segalanya.
'Jadi dia benar-benar tahu.'
Pada saat itu, sumber sejati dari kegelisahan dan ketidaknyamanan yang dia rasakan di sepanjang perjalanan ke sini menjadi jelas. Baek Jagang bahkan tidak bertanya mengapa dia berkhianat.
Bahkan Bih Sa-in tidak meliriknya sedikit pun. Setelah mencoba membunuh pria itu, dia pikir dia setidaknya layak mendapatkan beberapa kata umpatan—tetapi dia diabaikan begitu saja.
Akhirnya, dia menatap Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk memberinya satu catatan terakhir.
“Perhatikan baik-baik. Di belakangmu, kuali besar untuk hidupmu mungkin sudah tergantung.”
Itu adalah sesuatu yang amat sangat disesalinya telah mendengarnya.
Battle King memanggil Hyeok Sagun.
Apakah dia benar-benar bisa pergi begitu saja? Bagaimana jika seseorang menyergap dan membunuhnya?
Dia memiliki ketakutan semacam itu, tetapi tidak ada pilihan lain.
Hyeok Sagun mulai berjalan perlahan menuju ke arah Battle King.
Rasanya sangat mengerikan. Dia tadinya ingin pengkhianatannya terlihat jauh lebih dramatis, jauh lebih mengesankan.
—Aku telah mengkhianatimu.
Dan Alliance Leader akan mendesah dan berkata:
—Aku tidak percaya. Kau adalah pengkhianatnya?
Bahkan jika Battle King adalah orang yang membunuh Alliance Leader, dia ingin menjadi karakter utama terakhir. Dia telah membayangkan percakapan terakhir mereka berkali-kali.
Dia berharap setidaknya seseorang akan mengumpat padanya—tetapi tidak ada seorang pun yang memedulikannya.
Hyeok Sagun merasakannya sampai ke tulang sumsum: diabaikan ternyata terasa jauh lebih buruk daripada dibenci.
Dan akhir yang paling menyedihkan dari semuanya justru disampaikan oleh Battle King.
Battle King bahkan tidak mengatakan sesuatu yang bermakna kepadanya.
Hyeok Sagun sangat merindukan kata-kata pujian seperti itu. Satu-satunya hal yang bisa menghapuskan pengabaian total ini adalah sebuah komentar tunggal dari Battle King.
Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
Chapter 369: Just how desperately must he have insisted
The person most overwhelmed with emotion in that moment was Bih Sa-in.
Had Geom Mugeuk not killed the Poison Overlord, no one could say how many martial artists of the Unorthodox Alliance might have died.
And more than anything, he was glad that Geom Mugeuk was safe. Who would have thought there would come a day when he’d be happy that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult had survived?
‘The Alliance Leader truly believed that the Young Cult Leader would succeed.’
As expected, his insight was different from mine, Ingung thought in admiration. But in truth, Baek Jagang had also not been completely sure.
It was just that he had a vague sense of hope. That baseless hope that this Young Cult Leader, who kept showing him a world he himself couldn’t see, would not die in vain.
Even the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Alliance looked at Geom Mugeuk with deep gratitude. Back during the battle against the Great Elder Seok Gwan-chu and Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi, many of the Thirteen Wolves had died or been injured. Afterward, as Bih Sa-in became the successor, a generational shift occurred, and their fighting strength inevitably diminished compared to when they first encountered Geom Mugeuk. If the Poison Overlord had released his poison, they too would have suffered great losses again. 1
—I believe the Young Alliance Leader made the right choice.
The juniors would gradually grow stronger under Bih Sa-in's guidance, and if they survived today’s battle, the martial artists who represented the Unorthodox Alliance would once again be the Thirteen Wolves.
To Il-rang’s telepathic message, Bih Sa-in replied with joy.
—I cannot express how much strength it gives me that you are here, Il-rang.
The same went for the martial artists of the Extreme Forces Brigade. In fact, they were likely to have suffered the most casualties.
And Division Leader Beoncheon carried another layer of gratitude. He had heard from the Alliance Leader himself that had Geom Mugeuk not intervened, all the blame would have fallen on him. That was why his goodwill toward Geom Mugeuk was even greater.
If even the Unorthodox Alliance martial artists were this shocked, how could the enemy not be?
The morale of the Battle King’s forces had completely collapsed, and New Moon Blade and Blue Death Ghost, who had appeared with the Poison Overlord, exchanged glances.
‘And yet he was killed this easily?’
Even they found the Poison Overlord to be a formidable presence. Who among those present could have dealt with him comfortably, and with such effortlessly?
New Moon Blade and Blue Death Ghost naturally turned their gazes toward the Battle King.
The Battle King showed no sign of agitation at the Poison Overlord’s death. Clinging to someone already dead wouldn’t help the battle in the slightest.
But now that it was clear that that kind of composure wasn’t what it seemed, he examined it more deeply.
Then the Battle King was able to sense it.
‘The stench of blood.’
In the Battle King's mind, the image of Geom Mugeuk standing alone on the battlefield arose. On top of a mountain of corpses with a single sword lowered, his gaze turned to the clouded sky in the middle of a war zone.
The Battle King instinctively knew that today’s fight would not be easy. How could he win?
Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk had already approached Hyeok Sagun.
Hyeok Sagun was still in shock from the Poison Overlord’s death. Deep down, he had trusted that man more than anyone.
“Are you trying to frame me again?”
Hyeok Sagun had already sensed that Geom Mugeuk would not leave him alone.
Right away, he irritated him. Geom Mugeuk had tattled to Division Leader Beoncheon of the Extreme Forces Brigade.
“The person who framed you is this Deputy Strategist right here.”
Only after speaking did Hyeok Sagun realize that was the wrong answer. He had reported to the Alliance Leader that evidence had surfaced showing Beoncheon colluded with the Demonic Cult, and now here he was calling it slander. He should have said this to Beoncheon instead:
There’s evidence that you’ve joined hands with the Demonic Cult.
This was the first time he’d made so many verbal missteps because of one person.
“Afraid of what?”
“You got this far thanks to that man over there. But once he becomes the Alliance Leader, do you think he’ll let you live?”
“What are you talking about? Are you trying to falsely accuse me again?”
“!”
How could Hyeok Sagun have never thought of that before? But he had buried it deep in his heart. The greater his desire for success, the deeper the pit he dug to hide his fears.
He had decided to fully trust Hwang Seokgyeong. That man would be the Alliance Leader, and he would be the Chief Strategist. He had only dreamed of a bright future where they stood side by side at the window of the Alliance Leader’s Hall, reminiscing on the glorious past.
And now Geom Mugeuk had dug up that deeply buried thought. He had never realized until now that the more deeply one believed something was hidden, the easier it was for it to burst forth when poked.
Hyeok Sagun almost shouted this. But that was something he must not say. It wasn’t time yet for anyone to know he and Hwang Seokgyeong were on the same side.
“Don’t try to drive a wedge between the Alliance Leader and me.”
That was the correct response.
But Geom Mugeuk struck again, hitting the mark.
“!”
In that moment, Hyeok Sagun couldn’t respond.
Geom Mugeuk didn’t let up—relentlessly shaking him. Then, he shouted toward the Battle King.
“If you don’t back off, I’ll kill your strategist right here!”
“Look at that man’s reaction. And you still think you won’t be discarded after use?”
Hyeok Sagun felt a wave of confusion. He remembered what Geom Mugeuk had said earlier: Would you want a strategist who clawed his way up by someone else’s help? Or a truly capable strategist?
“Come now. Why don’t you confess cleanly what you’ve been hiding and come back over to our side?”
At that moment, the observing Battle King stepped forward.
Hyeok Sagun looked at Baek Jagang with disbelief. If Hwang Seokgyeong had said something like that, surely Baek Jagang should have reacted—but Baek Jagang didn’t even look at him. And that told him everything.
‘So he really did know.’
In that moment, the true source of the unease and discomfort he had felt on the way here became clear. Baek Jagang hadn’t even asked why he betrayed them.
Even Bih Sa-in didn’t spare him a glance. After trying to kill the man, he thought he at least deserved some swearing—but he was ignored completely. 2
Finally, he looked to Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk gave him one last remark.
“Take a good look. Behind you, a great cauldron for your life might already be hanging.”
It was something he wished he hadn’t heard.
The Battle King called to Hyeok Sagun.
Could he really just go? What if someone ambushed and killed him?
He had such fears, but there was no other choice.
Hyeok Sagun began slowly walking toward the Battle King.
He felt awful. He had wanted his betrayal to look far more dramatic, far more impressive.
—I’ve betrayed you.
And the Alliance Leader would sigh and say:
—I can’t believe it. You were the traitor?
Even if the Battle King were the one to kill the Alliance Leader, he had wanted to be the final main character. He had imagined their last conversation many times. 3
He had hoped someone would at least curse at him—but no one paid him any mind.
Hyeok Sagun felt it deep in his bones: being ignored felt even worse than being hated.
And the worst end of all was delivered by the Battle King.
The Battle King didn’t even say anything meaningful to him.
Hyeok Sagun had desperately longed for words of praise like these. The only thing that could have wiped away this complete disregard was a single comment from the Battle King.
"Go stand in the back."
But that was all he said.
The Battle King's gaze left Geom Mugeuk and returned to Baek Jagang. He never even glanced at him once since his affiliation was revealed.
Even though he understood the Battle King, he couldn't help but feel bitter. Unconsciously clenching his fists, Hyeok Sagun walked toward the back. Inside his heart, the cauldron that had been hanging began to boil.
The Battle King asked Baek Jagang,
"When did you find out?"
"A few days ago."
Baek Jagang nodded. That was true. If Geom Mugeuk hadn’t shown up, he likely wouldn’t have believed Hyeok Sagun had betrayed him, even at the final moment.
Who would dare to imagine someone manipulating the Deputy Strategist to make him the Chief Strategist, plotting to kill the Young Alliance Leader, and aiming to seize the Unorthodox Alliance Leader’s position?
Baek Jagang’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.
"You insisted relentlessly. Just how fiercely did you press on, that I ended up trusting the words of the Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader over our own Deputy Strategist?"
And of course, there was no way Geom Mugeuk would miss a chance to jest in a moment like this.
"Ah! Truly, it took tearful effort. Even the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult is working this hard, yet what are you doing here instead of accepting the new recruits being offered to you? Have you gotten tired of helping others start fresh, and now decided to do your own restart?"
The Battle King sensed he was being played. His opponent was looking at him from the battlefield, soaked in blood. The Poison Overlord had died precisely because he hadn’t seen that.
In that heavy silence, Monster Evil stepped forward.
Monster Evil pointed at someone.
"You. Let's talk, you and I."
His opponent was none other than New Moon Blade, one of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters.
"If we have to fight anyway, wouldn't it be more dignified to be the first ones to do so?"
"You're right."
As the two stepped forward, the martial artists who had been facing off naturally stepped back, creating a space for them to fight.
Everyone held their breath. This was a duel between two of the Unorthodox Alliance’s Seven Martial Masters.
Bih Sa-in was worried about Monster Evil. He had come here today for Bih Sa-in’s sake, despite not yet being fully recovered.
In response to Bih Sa-in’s concern, Monster Evil gave a single nod with his back still turned.
New Moon Blade drew a crescent-shaped blade. It radiated a sharp killing aura as he launched the first attack.
The beautiful crescent moon that hung in the sky turned savage once it descended to earth.
Shwiiik, shwiik, shwiik, shwiik, shwiik—shweeeeeek!
Because both knew each other’s skill level well, the fight grew intense in a flash. Blade energy flew in all directions, and the force emitted from their bodies swept across the surroundings.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
Even watching was dangerously risky. They paid no heed to those around them as they fought.
The onlookers released sword energy to block the blade aura that surged outward, and sometimes they had to fling their bodies aside to dodge.
Half-moon-shaped blade energy was unleashed in rapid succession. Even grazing it could erase bone and flesh without a trace—it was that powerful.
This time, screams erupted from all directions. Mugeuk’s sword aura protected all those from his side who nearly got injured. The Battle King didn’t bother to do the same for his subordinates. A Fighting Wolf who failed to dodge in time was swept away by the blade aura and his corpse was sent flying.
The observers stepped back. The ones with relatively weaker martial arts retreated even farther.
In the midst of the chaos, Baek Jagang and the Battle King were staring directly at each other. They weren’t watching the fight. They only locked eyes. Blade energy brushed past their faces, but neither moved an inch. They were still—as if standing in another space entirely.
‘Go ahead, try making a move.’
Because Baek Jagang was keeping him so tightly in check, Geom Mugeuk could watch the duel with ease.
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