The ground beneath the tree had long since fractured. Its shadows writhed and shifted constantly as the earth split into jagged shards.
Jichang stood across from one of the Kojima brothers, his once-pristine peach-colored suit torn at the seams. Blood had seeped through the rips, dyeing the white of his shirt a deep, ominous red.
To his right, Jagyeon Na lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. But the steady rhythm of his breathing reassured Jichang—he was still alive.
It looks like the rest is up to me, he thought, ears ringing from the ferocity of the ongoing battle beside him.
Taesoo and Gongseob were locked in a ferocious clash with the other Kojima brother, their figures flickering like afterimages across the torn battlefield.
Jichang's gaze finally settled on the man in front of him. His heartbeat grew louder, thudding with each step as he advanced.
His last attack had landed—he'd managed to make the seemingly invincible opponent cough up blood. The scent of it twisted his stomach. Not because it was blood, but because of who it belonged to. This man had done unspeakable things. And now he bled like anyone else.
Jichang tensed. Muscles coiled. And then—whoosh.
He vanished in a blur, a whirlwind of dust kicking up beneath his feet.
In the blink of an eye, he was next to the Kojima brother again, hand blades slicing with frightening precision.
BOOM.
Before he could process it, a foot slammed into his solar plexus—hard. It didn't stop there. The leg pressed further in, driving through him until he felt it in his organs.
His body was flung across the grass like a broken ragdoll. He landed with a brutal thud. Trying to stand, his knees buckled beneath him.
What? His mind spiraled. Why… why can't I get up?
The Kojima brother stepped forward, voice calm and cruel.
"You were strong. But without your partner… there's nothing distracting me." He raised his voice. "Prepare yourself."
Time slowed.
Jichang drowned in the weight of failure. He prided himself on being stoic—but deep down, he saw himself as someone who could carry the world. And now, for the second time, he was up against a wall he couldn't climb.
Why am I trying so hard? A question crept in.
His eyes flicked to the boy still sitting in fear nearby. Ah… that's right. He reminds me of my brother.
Jichang exhaled slowly. His thoughts stilled.
I guess I am… kind.
The anger that had plagued him since arriving in this accursed town—rage that made him reckless, made him lash out—finally dulled. He had understood it all along but never accepted it. Until now.
The ground felt different beneath his feet—steadier. The grass hadn't changed, but it looked greener somehow. Brighter. Like the world itself was letting light in.
It wasn't divine intervention.
It was belief—his belief.
I don't need to erase a part of myself to be strong, he thought. I believed kindness was a weakness. But from now on, I'll carry it with pride.
He clenched his fists.
From now on, I believe in myself.
I finally understand why I was so angry.
And then it happened.
That same old feeling—when he stood against monsters far beyond him.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His heartbeat surged. The fog in his eyes lifted.
He saw the kick coming.
Wind whispered against his cheek long before the strike arrived.
I can't completely deflect it, he realized.
But his hands moved on their own.
The kick's angle shifted—just enough. He changed its course.
The Kojima brother's eyes widened in disbelief. This was the same man who couldn't even stand a moment ago.
Jichang's thigh ignited with raw force. He shot forward, hand blade slamming into the man's jaw.
The impact sent the Kojima brother soaring.
Before he could recover, Jichang was on him again—blades cutting into his throat like lightning.
BOOM.
The man crashed into the earth, dirt exploding around him.
He scrambled to counter. Using his martial arts, he landed clean hits—but Jichang fought like a man possessed. A wild grin stretched across his face, his eyes burning.
Even as pain coursed through him, he kept pressing forward.
This… Another strike landed. This is why I fight.
I will keep getting stronger. No matter who stands in front of me.
The Kojima brother dodged and countered—a straight punch aimed at Jichang's core. But Jichang twisted, redirecting the blow.
Did he…? the Kojima brother thought, stunned. Did he just get stronger?
His eyes flicked to the young boy watching from the sidelines. A tuxedoed child, staring wide-eyed at the chaos.
Another hand blade slammed into the charging silhouette of the Kojima brother.
The man wasn't losing—not yet. But Jichang had shifted the rhythm of the fight. He fought like someone who had abandoned the concept of pacing altogether.
At this rate, he'd burn out in two minutes.
But to the King of Seoul, that didn't matter.
He hacked, slashed, tore. Sometimes he hit air. Other times, he hit flesh. But every blow was delivered with purpose.
I just need to keep growing, he thought.
Each strike was a fraction stronger than the last.
Boom.
Swoosh.
The Kojima brother blocked another attack, sweat dripping from his chin. His face paled with every second.
This man… he's a genius. A real one. Maybe even like Young Master…
A flash of memory crossed his mind—a boy with eyes like the void.
Jichang Kwak was evolving before his eyes. His attacks made the man flinch now.
The Kojima brother stared at the King of Seoul, fear creeping into his heart.
He had chosen the wrong king to hunt.
.
.
.
But Jichang wasn't looking at him anymore.
His eyes were fixed on something else entirely.
A colossal wall stood before him—tall, imposing, immovable.
Is that… what Apollo talked about?
Jichang Kwak had found the wall he needed to climb.
And for the first time, he was ready.