Chapter 7

Chapter 6: Mastering Magic (2)

Seohui was confused.

She couldn't decide which of the two choices was better.

▶ I have never seen that book.

The young man was looking for a book that she was holding.

▶ I have mastered that martial art.

She couldn't say she had mastered the martial art written in the book without knowing his intentions.

8...7...

Time was flowing as it was supposed to, mercilessly.

Even though she knew this, Seohui continued to hesitate.

4...3...

It was due to fear.

She was afraid that one of the two choices would directly affect her life.

The young man's presence was that intimidating.

To be precise, the oppressive words "Life + 10" above his head were overwhelming.

▶ I have never seen that book.

▷ I have mastered that martial art.

'There's nothing I can do but leave it to fate.'

In a choice between the lesser of two evils, Seohui decided on the first option.

<You have chosen "I have never seen that book.">

The story continues.

"Oh, you've never seen it?"

The young man blinked and nodded.

From the way he immediately turned his gaze, it seemed he was about to quietly back away.

Seohui, feeling uneasy, added a word.

"I'll look for it too."

"Oh, would you? I can't remember where I put it at all..."

Seeing the young man's bright smile, Seohui finally felt relieved.

It seemed she had passed the critical moment.

She didn't pay much attention to what she was holding.

Clap!

"Oh, I just remembered where I put it."

Just as Seohui took a few steps to leave, the young man clapped his hands and reacted.

"Where, where?"

Seohui, thinking she should say something, asked, and the young man's expression suddenly stiffened.

"You're holding it."

"......!"

For a moment.

An oppressive silence filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

Creak.

The young man took a step closer.

Seohui could only look at him with a stiff face.

"Hahaha!"

But then the young man suddenly stood still and burst into laughter.

The laughter was excessively long and messy.

"It's a joke. I was just being a bit mischievous."

"......What?"

"Oh, you said this was your first time here, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Bu Ilgi."

The young man was grinning as if he found it amusing.

He gave a light bow to the frozen Seohui and then turned around.

To be precise, he moved to one of the dozens of bookshelves.

'Just who is this guy...'

Seohui stood there with a dazed expression.

His laugh was so repulsive.

And his actions were hard to discern as intentional or not.

A suspicious character in more ways than one.

The fact that he could move around the Thousand Days Pavilion, a place where no one could enter without permission, as if it were his own home, was also concerning.

'First, the book.'

Seohui quickly gathered her thoughts and moved to the next bookshelf.

She wanted to avoid further conversation and put the book she was holding back.

* * *

"......So you came here on the recommendation of the Taihuang Pavilion Master?"

Two hours later.

Bu Ilgi, who had been quietly silent, asked.

"Yes, that's right."

And right next to him.

Seohui, who had been organizing the books around her, answered.

"Surprising. That old man. He's not the type to ask anyone for favors."

At the mention of "that old man," Seohui's brows furrowed.

His young age and higher rank than the pavilion master.

With just this information, she could deduce his identity.

"No, he's been very kind to me."

Seohui deflected the question.

She didn't want to be put in an awkward situation by being too honest.

"Oh, so he was so kind that he made you disable your right arm, the right hand of a martial artist?"

"......!"

Seohui's head turned reflexively.

The young man's gaze was still on the book.

His expression suggested he had anticipated her reaction.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to pry into your background. I was just curious about the new librarian... hehe."

Despite his words, he didn't look the least bit apologetic.

In fact, it seemed he had forgotten his original purpose for coming here. He had been holding books unrelated to what he was looking for.

"Well, at least you're still alive, right? Even if you roll in a dung field, this world is better than the afterlife. However, you'll have to give up on mastering the school's new martial arts from now on."

'This guy...'

Seohui's expression twisted.

He was deliberately provoking her.

As if daring her to get caught in a net.

'Who are you...?'

The more the young man's mischief escalated, the more Seohui reviewed the core institutions of the school.

The Four Institutes (四院) and the Eight Halls (八殿).

These 12 institutions are the core of the school.

Below them are the Five Pavilions (五閣) and the Nine Parties (九黨).

So, among the figures of higher rank than the Taihuang Pavilion Master...

"Can't think of it, can you?"

Thud.

At that moment, the young man closed the book.

Seohui's gaze returned to him.

"Huh? What...?"

"The figure who can call the Taihuang Pavilion Master 'old man' at such a young age."

Was he reading her mind?

Seohui's expression changed dramatically.

"No, I wouldn't dare to call him that..."

"It's fine. It's a natural process."

The young man continued as he put the book away.

"Then, tell me."

"......Huh? What?"

"Xiaohuimagic. How far have you mastered it?"

"......!"

The young man stared at her, a subtle emotion shadowing his smile.

For some reason, Seohui couldn't look him in the eye.

'Does he really know?'

She couldn't bring herself to speak.

She couldn't tell if he was just throwing out a random statement.

Seohui quickly composed herself and spoke.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"......Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes. I can't use my right arm. As you know, martial arts are based on the principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. Accumulating Qi in the dantian requires a balanced body. How could a disabled person like me master any martial arts?"

Seohui tried to persuade him by using all the martial arts knowledge she had.

In fact, it was partly based on the truth.

"I see. No need to frown so much..."

Seohui believed her words had gotten through to him based on the young man's reaction.

Of course, that was before she heard his next words.

"However, if that's not true..."

"......"

"You've been toying with me."

Seohui felt a cold sweat run down her back.

The young man's tone.

The more they talked, the more it became indistinguishable between laughter and seriousness.

It was giving her a heart-wrenching fear.

"Then, good luck."

Even his bow as he turned around felt like a sharp dagger, ready to strike at any moment of carelessness.

Thud, thud.

Seohui felt relieved as she watched the young man walk away.

Thinking the immediate crisis had passed.

'Wait? Why isn't he leaving...?'

The young man stopped again.

No, he didn't just stop.

<Choose one of the following lines.>

It suddenly appeared.

In a situation where further conversation seemed unnecessary, she was now the one who had to initiate the dialogue.

'What is this?'

Seohui was shocked.

While she was pondering, a character she hadn't considered at all appeared.

▶ Isn't this Kunma, the fourth disciple of Heavenly Demon?

The fourth disciple of Heavenly Demon.

Rank 30.

A figure approaching the pinnacle of martial arts. Why was he mentioned here?

▶ In fact, I have mastered the Xiaohuimagic you were looking for.

'Oh no!'

Seohui's nerves were on edge as the second line appeared.

It was the line the young man had just mentioned, suggesting that mastering the Xiaohuimagic would mean toying with him.

▶ Your situation doesn't seem much different from mine, does it?

'What...?'

The last line left her even more bewildered.

This was a line she shouldn't even consider.

Absolutely...

Absolutely, she shouldn't choose.

▶ Isn't this Kunma, the fourth disciple of Heavenly Demon?

▷ In fact, I have mastered the Xiaohuimagic you were looking for.

▷ Your situation doesn't seem much different from mine, does it?

'There's no need to hesitate.'

Seohui quickly chose a line.

There was no other choice.

<You have chosen "Isn't this Kunma, the fourth disciple of Heavenly Demon?">

The story continues.

Thud.

The young man stopped.

Seohui could only watch.

His reaction would determine her fate.

If there was any reason she couldn't be exposed, the worst-case scenario couldn't be ignored.

Just as Seohui, feeling uneasy about the prolonged silence, was about to speak.

"You're quite something."

The young man's voice broke the silence first.

Was it a positive or negative reaction?

"I don't know how you knew, but it won't change anything. I'm just a guy who lost in the power struggle a long time ago."

Fortunately, it was a positive reaction.

The lack of energy in the young man's voice was unexpected.

"I beg your forgiveness. I committed a grave error without knowing anything."

Seohui bowed.

She could guess why he was saying this.

From the fact that he was wandering around the Thousand Days Pavilion instead of returning to the main compound, it was clear.

The world's attention was on the first, second, and third disciples, who were fighting at the forefront of power.

"Hmm."

The young man, Kunma, continued on his way.

However.

Not long after, he stopped again.

Seohui's eyes widened in shock.

<Choose one of the following lines.>

▶ In fact, I have mastered the Xiaohuimagic you were looking for.

▷ Your situation doesn't seem much different from mine, does it?

'Why is this still appearing?'

The lines appeared again.

This time, only the line she had chosen was missing.

She thought she had gotten past it, but the lines were not over.

'Damn it!'

Again, she was faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils.

<You have chosen "In fact, I have mastered the Xiaohuimagic you were looking for.">

The story continues.

"Oh, really?"

The young man reacted naturally.

Seohui was sweating.

How was she going to clean up this mess?

"You want to die now."

"......!"

Click.

The young man drew his sword and slowly turned around.

His face had turned vicious.

Seohui realized it immediately.

She had made the wrong choice.

No, this situation was inevitable from the start.

However.

Just as the young man was approaching.

<Choose one of the following lines.>

It appeared again.

▶ Your situation doesn't seem much different from mine, does it?

The only line she could choose.