Hyun's initial instincts screamed for immediate action against the Crimson Peak Cult, but his adult mind, seasoned by years of office diligence, quickly enforced caution. He was a ten-year-old boy in a strange world, facing an organized demonic power. He needed power and information. On the night he arrived, Hyun used the cover of darkness to secure a low-profile base in the abandoned annex of a dilapidated structure: The Inn of Quiet Shadows.
The Inn was managed by an elderly, gaunt woman named Ahn. Hyun presented himself as an orphaned survivor of a forest calamity, and Ahn reluctantly allowed him to stay and work for meager rations. The next two years were defined by relentless, silent self-improvement. Hyun established a rigorous, secret training routine, using the solitude of the forest outskirts. His Murim-infused body proved its potential: his physical strength grew exponentially, and his near-instant healing ability meant he could push his limits without fear of lasting injury. He learned to tap into the "imperceptible energy" that sustained Snow, finding it slowly strengthened his core.
At the Inn, Hyun worked diligently, perfecting the art of observing without being noticed. His small stature made him seem harmless, allowing him to listen to the hushed, fearful conversations of the villagers. Snow was kept hidden during the day, but Hyun realized the cub was more than just an animal. Snow would often stand guard, radiating an undetectable pressure that seemed to keep unwanted strangers away.
Throughout the two years, small, chilling incidents reinforced the urgency of his mission. Once a month, a figure in dark crimson robes, the Cult Collector, would arrive, exuding the sickening smell of sulfur and rot. Hyun, hiding with Snow, learned that the Cult's headquarters was the nearby Demon Peak. One cold winter night, Ahn caught Hyun polishing a knife with unnerving focus. "Do not show any hope, boy," she whispered, her voice rough. "They know when hope flickers. Hope brings fire." This confirmed that Hyun's mere existence was a danger to the village. By the age of twelve, Hyun's small body was toned and his strength disproportionate to his size. He was a cultivator in the making, a silent observer, and a protector. The time for simple preparation was coming to an end.