The symbol burned into the stone glowed brighter—pulsing with rhythm, as if the room itself had a heartbeat.
Sun-Ho remained still, eyes fixed on the sigil as light spread in concentric circles from his feet. The floor shifted.
Click.
A ring of ancient stone slabs rose from the ground, forming a raised arena at the center of the room. Carvings on the walls shimmered faintly, and each pillar surrounding the chamber began to hum with qi. The basin dried completely, revealing intricate runes now fully visible.
"Something's waking," So-Ri whispered, her fans ready at her sides.
"No traps," Master Jang murmured, stepping closer. "Not this time. This… is recognition."
From the pillars, a projection flared to life—a spectral figure robed in gold and black, his face veiled, voice solemn.
> "To seek the path of the Alliance is to wield power not for glory, but for balance. Speak, inheritor—what do you seek?"
The voice reverberated through their bones.
Sun-Ho stepped forward. "Justice. For those who were silenced. Reform for a Murim corrupted by pride. A future where power answers to wisdom."
The spirit's head tilted. "And if balance demands sacrifice?"
"I will give it."
"Even if it breaks you?"
"Yes."
The room fell silent again. Then…
> "So be it."
A sharp gust blew inward from the ancient vents above, carrying motes of silver light.
The symbol beneath Sun-Ho's feet exploded with qi.
The next moment, he vanished.
—
Sun-Ho's Trial – Inner World
He stood alone now—in a field of golden grass stretching beneath an infinite sky. Wind rustled through the blades, but no birds sang, no insects buzzed.
Only silence.
A familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Still chasing ideals?"
Sun-Ho turned.
And froze.
There stood a younger version of himself—eighteen, flame dancing across his arms like a second skin, eyes gleaming with pride and rage.
It was him, from the peak of his past life. Arrogant. Untamed. Blazing.
"Why did you come back?" the younger version sneered. "You already died for Murim once. That wasn't enough?"
Sun-Ho didn't answer at first. "I came back… because dying didn't fix anything."
"Exactly." The younger self stepped forward. "You failed. They betrayed you. You trusted people—sect elders, disciples, even friends—and they destroyed everything you built."
"I know."
"You let them use you like a banner. You think this time will be different?"
"No," Sun-Ho said softly. "But this time… I'm not doing it alone."
The younger version laughed—raw and bitter. "You've gone soft. The old you would've burned down the world."
"I still could," Sun-Ho said, stepping forward until they stood face to face. "But this time, I'll build something stronger with the ashes."
Their auras flared.
Flame met flame. Lightning sparked between them.
Then, suddenly, the younger version smiled—a strange, sad smile—and dissolved into golden dust.
> Balance is acceptance. Of strength, and of fault.
Sun-Ho stood alone again.
The golden field faded.
—
Return – The Chamber
He gasped as the real world returned in a burst of sensation.
The others rushed to him, but paused as light gathered behind him.
The ancient symbol now hovered in the air—its form shifting.
Two elements pulsed within: fire and lightning.
Then, the symbol split into five, each glowing with latent energy.
Only two were lit.
"Two of five," So-Ri whispered.
Sun-Ho stood slowly. "I passed."
Master Jang smiled. "You're now recognized by the founders' will. That symbol won't fade—it will mark you in the eyes of Murim's spirit itself."
Ji-Mun tilted his head. "Can we weaponize it?"
"No," Sun-Ho said with a dry smile. "It is the weapon."
Yul-Rin crossed her arms. "Now the other heirs will be watching closer."
Sun-Ho nodded. "Good. Let them."
—
Back at Camp – That Night
The stars were bright. A rare calm.
They sat around a new fire. Ji-Mun cooked fish this time—edible, for once. Ma-Rok and Yul-Rin were arm wrestling. Yeon was studying the glowing sigils from the chamber, silently mimicking them with a twig in the dirt.
So-Ri sat beside Sun-Ho, brushing ash off his sleeve.
"You really did change," she said.
"I had to."
"But you're still you."
"I hope so."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "You're still annoying when you act wise."
He chuckled.
She added, quieter, "And I'm still going to follow you. Even if it burns."
He looked up at the stars, and for the first time in weeks, allowed himself to relax.
But only for a moment.
Thunder rumbled faintly again in the distance.
He would need it soon.
---
Bonus Scene – "Yeon's Secret Weapon"
As they stepped back into the forest trail that led to their temporary camp, Ji-Mun casually flipped a small stone into the air and caught it behind his back.
"Not bad," he said to Yeon, who was watching quietly. "But next time, don't hesitate to toss a rock at someone's head if they're threatening Sun-Ho."
Yeon tilted his head.
Sun-Ho glanced at the boy. "What did you do?"
Yeon shrugged. Then he pulled out a small pouch from inside his robes. With both hands, he unwrapped the cloth to reveal… a single dried chili, tied delicately with a golden thread.
Yul-Rin blinked. "Is that…?"
Ma-Rok leaned closer. "A death-pepper? Those are banned in three provinces."
Yeon nodded, looking mildly proud.
So-Ri looked at Sun-Ho with mock accusation. "Did you teach him that?"
"I taught him formation basics," Sun-Ho said. "The rest… I think he learned from Ji-Mun's cooking."
Ji-Mun held up a finger. "Hey, my dishes only cause spiritual breakthroughs."
"Or organ failure," Yul-Rin muttered.
Yeon tucked the chili back into its pouch like a sacred relic.
Master Jang, walking behind them with his hands folded in his sleeves, chuckled. "Give him time. The boy's more dangerous than half the sects at the Assembly."
"Maybe we should put him up for heir," Ji-Mun mused.
Yeon tapped out a sign on his wooden board:
> Pass. Too much paperwork.
The entire party burst out laughing.
---
End of Chapter 77 – The Trial of Balance