Chapter 5

Chapter 4: Starting Over (4)

It was a natural thought.

A pursuit so fast it defied common sense.

They wouldn't be able to appear in front of us like this unless they knew the exact date and time of our arrival.

"......huff."

Seohui shuddered all over.

The intense pain blurred his vision, and he could no longer see Goo Jongmyeong's face.

"Well, since I already know, I'll tell you."

Goo Jongmyeong whispered in Seohui's ear, who was groaning.

"Think about it. One side is happy because of the increased performance, and the other side is happy because the troublesome guy is gone. It's a win-win, right?"

"......grr......grr."

"Come to think of it, you're quite a unique guy. A mine who disobeys his superior. Huh? Hey, you......?"

Blood trickled down the corner of Seohui's eye.

His corneas had already burst from the pain.

"Ha ha ha! A guy who claims to handle demonic energy, and yet he's crying! Huh. No, still, I'm grateful. You helped boost my performance."

Chug.

Goo Jongmyeong raised his sword high.

"I have to leave now."

'Please......'

Seohui prayed.

This wasn't what he wanted.

He didn't wish for a life that would end so futilely.

It was too unjust to die like this.

"Go well. Assassin Squad Captain. General."

'Please, just once more......'

He pleaded as he watched the sword move slowly.

Just once more.

If given one more chance.

He really wanted to live a different life.

'Fucking bastards. Come back, come back, come back!'

Squish!

Splosh!

Seohui's senses faded.

What slowly came into view was the ceiling.

The space changed haphazardly, showing his subordinates rolling on the floor.

And.

The text became clearer.

<You still have one more chance.>

At first, it was unfamiliar.

He had even questioned himself several times.

▶ Start Over from the Beginning.

▷ Continue from Here.

▷ Load a Saved Point.

But not now.

Seohui no longer had any doubts or hesitations.

10...... 9......

Time was passing.

'Starting over from the beginning is not an option.'

Seohui analyzed the situation calmly.

Even if he went back in time, there was no guarantee that this situation wouldn't happen again.

He couldn't leave the demonic sect, nor did he have the strength to do so.

So what should he do?

How can I survive?

As he pondered, one of the three options in front of him caught his eye.

▶ Load a Saved Point.

'Save?'

As he wondered what 'save' meant, an explanation naturally appeared.

Save: Recorded life.

And it was naturally selected.

[Empty Save Slot]

[Empty Save Slot]

[Empty Save Slot]

<You have no saved records. Returning to the previous screen.>

'What does this mean?'

Unfathomable explanations.

And

▶ Start Over from the Beginning.

▷ Continue from Here.

He returned to the previous scene.

Moreover, the option to load a saved point had disappeared.

'Time is running out. Time!'

Seohui's eyes were now focused on the next option.

▷ Start Over from the Beginning.

▶ Continue from Here.

And he made his decision.

<You have chosen 'Continue from Here.'>

Splosh!

Seohui selected the text and waited for what would happen next.

Tense with anticipation.

In front of him,

A new text slowly appeared.

<Continuing is impossible. I will explain the reason once.>

Ding!

<Continuing is impossible if the opponent's martial arts overwhelm you or if the situation cannot be resolved through dialogue.>

'What?'

It was telling him that this was impossible.

But the words that followed caught his attention again.

<Let's examine the current situation with some explanations.>

"There was quite a capable guy here."

Time rewound slightly.

Goo Jongmyeong appeared, and Seohui's subordinates froze like statues.

Surprisingly, his own figure standing by the window was also frozen in place.

<Let's examine the terrain from a greater distance.>

Suddenly, the view shot up through the roof of the wooden building and rose into the sky.

When it had risen hundreds of feet,

The scenery for dozens of miles was visible.

The wooden building where Seohui and his subordinates, and Goo Jongmyeong, were located looked as small as a fingernail.

It felt like he was a bird soaring through the sky, looking down.

<There are over twenty Huashan Sect warriors positioned to the east and west. Additionally, over thirty warriors of the alliance are patrolling about ten miles to the south.>

'When did so many people follow us?'

Seohui felt like a god.

From the towering sky, 'it' was providing him with countless pieces of information.

<Even if you try to escape from this building, the chances of survival are zero. Returning to the previous situation.>

"There was quite a capable guy here."

As Goo Jongmyeong spoke, the scene froze again.

At the same time, sentences unfolded like a record.

<The opponent's offensive martial arts are divided into twelve types.>

Plum Blossom Sword Slash: Attack damage 54 million

Plum Blossom Cut: Attack damage 22 million

Yangwu Sword: Attack damage 75.7 million

Crazy Wind Fast Sword: Attack damage 35 million

......Omitted

<Seohui's offensive martial arts are divided into two types.>

Demon Sword Heaven: Attack damage 1,002

Black Demon Seven Swords: Attack damage 1,524

Seohui was completely lost.

But unlike before, he didn't try to understand and accepted what he saw.

<There is no way to win against this opponent using martial arts. Returning to the initial screen.>

▶ Start Over from the Beginning.

'......'

He returned to the beginning.

And with only one option left, it was automatically selected.

<You have chosen to start over from the beginning.>

Loading the temporary file.

'Returning to before the private meeting with Taehwang Pavilion Master.'

* * *

Seohui opened his eyes.

A faint light allowed him to gauge his surroundings.

He found himself sitting on the elevated training ground.

"Ha ha......"

Seohui stared blankly at the stone-paved ground.

His head had clearly been cut off, yet he was alive.

There were no signs of the fight.

His attire and physical condition were the same.

"Am I possessed by a ghost......?"

It was possible.

This was the second time he had faced this situation.

No matter how he tried to escape, he couldn't.

"Rather, I wish it were. If there's a way to survive......"

Seohui realized.

This situation wouldn't continue indefinitely.

Before he died, he had clearly seen the phrase "one more chance."

Sitting there blankly, he suddenly came to his senses.

"I can't stay here."

If he stayed, that guy would come soon.

Jikmyeong, the Black Moon Captain.

Papapap.

Seohui got up and hurriedly left the training ground.

* * *

Seohui stood in front of a building behind Taehwang Pavilion.

He had come here because of a mirror placed in one corner.

Coin 1 [Last Chance]

The words floating above his head were clearly visible.

Unlike the words he had seen by the river, they were distinctly embroidered.

"What should I do from now on......?"

He wanted to escape and run away.

But if he did, he would be pursued by the sect.

Even if he managed to evade them, there was no guarantee he could survive in the Central Plains.

"I have to find a way."

Seohui gritted his teeth.

Everyone around him was an enemy.

He had to fight against an opponent he couldn't avoid or defeat.

After pondering for a while, Seohui moved.

He headed towards.

Surprisingly, Taehwang Pavilion, where Sima Gui was.

* * *

"Assassin Squad Captain Seohui requests an audience."

Seohui spoke in front of the Taehwang Pavilion door.

As expected,

"Come in."

An old man's voice sounded, and Seohui entered the office of the Taehwang Pavilion Master.

"You've come."

As expected, inside the room were Taehwang Pavilion Master Sima Gui and Ocheon Pavilion Master Dang Choin.

Thud.

Unlike before, Seohui quickly bowed his head to the floor.

"Assassin Squad Captain. I have come at the request of the Taehwang Pavilion Master."

"......"

"......"

There was a moment of silence.

Then Sima Gui spoke.

"Didn't I just tell you? This is Seohui."

"Ho, is that so?"

As expected, it was the same up to this point.

And a new reaction came.

"He seems to have some potential, doesn't he?"

"Hehe. That's what I thought."

'The situation is different from before!'

Seohui's expression brightened.

Was it because he prostrated himself this time?

It was different from before. Their mockery didn't come.

It was a small change, but a significant one for Seohui.

"Hem. By the way. You there."

Sima Gui changed the topic.

"Would you consider becoming a scribe in the Tianri Office?"

'Tianri Office.'

The same story as before.

If he accepted this offer, he would be assigned to a reconnaissance mission near the border of Nanzhou.

Thud!

After a moment's thought, Seohui bowed his head to the floor.

"No. Taehwang Pavilion Master. How could someone like me deserve such a prestigious position? It's not suitable for me."

"Oh, is that so?"

Sima Gui seemed a bit surprised at Seohui's response and tilted his head.

Dang Choin also showed a subtle expression.

Sip.

Sima Gui took a sip of tea from the cup on the table and continued.

"Well, that's fine. By the way, I have a mission for you......"

Seohui's eyes sparkled.

"Pavilion Master, actually, I have something to say."

And he had been waiting for this.

<Choose from the options below.>

Right at this moment of choice.

▷ [I will follow any mission.]

▷ [I want a different mission.]

▶ [I will cut off my right arm.]

Seohui quickly looked at the last option.

He knew the first and second options would lead to his death.

So now, this was his only choice.

If it didn't work, so be it.

If this was a fate he couldn't escape, he wanted to see the result with his own eyes.

<You have chosen 'I will cut off my right arm.'>

Continuing.

"Why? Out of the blue?"

Sima Gui asked immediately.

His eyebrows twitched slightly, surprised.

"I have reflected on myself. I once spoke presumptuously about wanting to learn advanced martial arts and even dared to search the Taehwang Pavilion Master's office. I remembered that."

"......"

"I deserve to die many times over. I want to show my loyalty to the Taehwang Pavilion Master."

A moment of silence followed.

Seohui and the Pavilion Masters exchanged some subtle emotions.

Then the silence was broken.

"You're more interesting than I heard."

It was Dang Choin.

Sima Gui also seemed curious and tapped the corner of his chair with his fingertips.

"Then, let's see you do it."

"......"

Thud.

A dagger thrown by Sima Gui.

Seohui slowly picked it up.

'Sima Gui. Dang Choin......'

Click.

The sharp blade was revealed with a metallic sound.

Holding it in his left hand, Seohui brought it to his right arm.

A chill ran through his body, but he gritted his teeth.

Seohui closed his eyes tightly.

Just once. If he could get through this once, he would find a way.

"Grunt."

Seohui clenched his teeth and applied force to his hand.

The dagger, given by Sima Gui, had already pierced his shoulder.

"......That's enough."

When the floor was soaked with blood, Sima Gui intervened.

He frowned, seemingly displeased, and shook his head.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Disgusting. What kind of bizarre act is this in front of a guest!"

"......"

Seohui's hand trembled.

Fortunately, his arm was still attached.

But it was in a state where he couldn't tell if the tendons were severed and if it would still move.

"Ha ha ha. Didn't I say he was interesting?"

"Indeed."

The laughter of the two old men reached Seohui.

"Ha ha ha! What an interesting guy! I've never seen anyone like this since the founding of our sect. Ha ha ha......!"

Seohui didn't feel humiliation or shame.

He was calm.

He was engraving this moment in his mind, enough to suppress the unbearable pain.

"Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha."

Seohui gritted his teeth and knelt down.

His mind was focused on one thought: he couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

Then,

"Try it once."

Thud.

Sima Gui threw a token and said.

"Didn't you say you wanted to be in the Tianri Office before? Go there."

'Ah, this was it!'

Seohui bowed his head.

The three options.

Ultimately, the method to survive was the last option.

"Thank you! I will never forget this kindness!"

"Sure, sure. Don't forget. You cripple. Ha ha."

"Ha ha ha. Pu pu pu pu!"

Sima Gui and Dang Choin laughed so loudly that the room echoed.

"Then, I'll go."

Seohui slowly got up and turned to leave, quietly closing the door behind him.

"I will never forget."

Seohui spoke only after he had walked out of Taehwang Pavilion.

He clenched his teeth, looking back at the office he had just visited.

"I will never forget."

His right arm, half-severed and crippled.

Holding it, he spat out the words only he could hear.

"These two bastards."