Lee Do-hyeon stepped out from the place of recovery and slowly looked down at his own hand. Though the sensation of holding a sword lingered in his palm, the blade that should have been there—the Ego Sword—was no longer present. It had vanished beyond the dimensional gate, leaving no trace behind in this world.
He murmured to himself, as if to soothe his own heart."Just because the sword is gone doesn't mean everything I've become has disappeared. My mana, the techniques I've mastered—they're still within me. But..."
He clenched his fist tightly."That sword wasn't just a tool. Lachesis was within it, and the will of the sword itself. They made me laugh, made me cry... and in the end, they left me."
His voice sank into a quiet sorrow."Now, I truly feel alone."
Chunhyang silently stepped beside him. She gently took his hand and spoke."Captain, the sword may be gone, but you haven't changed. It was just a tool. The power behind it was always yours."
Baek Wolhui added with a playful smile,"Do-hyeon-nim~, you're still strong—even without that sword. And honestly… you're still incredibly cool, so don't worry too much."
Lee Do-hyeon tried to return a smile at their comforting words, but the sense of loss rooted deep in his heart did not fade so easily. He shook his head and replied,"Thank you. But the Ego Sword wasn't just a weapon. The time we shared went beyond martial arts or steel. From the very moment I arrived in this world, that blade was a part of me."
Cheong Unjin, arms crossed, spoke with a weight in his tone."Brother, it's a shame the sword is gone—but you didn't become strong just because of it. You have to believe in yourself."
Han Soyeon added, her voice sincere,"That's right. Captain, even without that sword, you are already strong. And we're here. The emptiness it left will heal—just give it time."
Lee Do-hyeon let out a deep breath and slowly lifted his head."You're right. I can't stop just because the sword is gone. My mana remains, my techniques are intact. I still have work to do. But I need a new sword."
He looked around him and said with quiet resolve,"I'll forge a new sword. One shaped by everything the Ego Sword taught me—something that's truly mine."
Chunhyang smiled gently."That sword will be yours and yours alone. Will you name it yourself too?"
Baek Wolhui chimed in teasingly,"Do-hyeon-nim~, just don't fall in love with this one too deeply, okay? If it leaves you again, it'll be even harder for us to cheer you up!"
Their comforting and playful words brought a faint smile to Lee Do-hyeon's lips. He opened his palm and whispered a vow."Even without a sword, I am still the Black Cloud Sword—Lee Do-hyeon. And I must keep moving forward."
Even without the blade, he remained the Black Cloud Sword of the Murim. With his comrades by his side, Lee Do-hyeon began preparing for the next chapter of their journey. Yet deep in his heart, the memory of the Ego Sword remained—not merely as a sense of loss, but as a cherished bond, a fragment of himself that could never be replaced.
As Lee Do-hyeon took a step forward, his companions followed. Together, they would fill the absence left by the departed sword and move toward what lay ahead.
Now, the Black Cloud Sword without a blade was ready to forge a new path—his own path.
**
Chapter : The New Sword and the First Duel
Near the Cheonuhoe headquarters, in a quiet corner of the training grounds, Lee Do-hyeon stood with a newly forged sword in hand. It lacked the fierce aura once emanated by the Ego Sword, but the balance and grip felt surprisingly natural—as though it had always belonged in his palm.
Chunhyang asked softly from beside him,"Captain, how does the new sword feel?"
Do-hyeon gave it a light swing before answering."Not bad. But… it doesn't carry the weight that the Ego Sword did."
Baek Wolhui chimed in with a mischievous grin,"Do-hyeon-nim~, once you start using it, it'll become famous in no time. A sword is just a tool—you're the one who gives it meaning."
But Lee Do-hyeon couldn't shake the bitterness in his chest.'The absence left by the Ego Sword goes beyond mere performance. It was something I was truly connected to.'
Just then, a scout came running from the outer perimeter of the Cheonuhoe compound."Captain! A group of martial artists—unaffiliated with the Justice Alliance—is approaching. Their intentions appear hostile."
Do-hyeon adjusted his grip on the hilt and said,"Whatever they're after, I'll confront them myself."
Stepping away from the training ground, he calmly advanced toward the disturbance. There, standing beyond the boundary, was a renowned—infamous, even—martial artist not aligned with any sect, accompanied by several companions.
The man sneered as he laid eyes on Do-hyeon."So this is the stronghold of the Cheonuhoe? Lee Do-hyeon, the Black Cloud Sword... I heard you're not what you used to be. Word is, you lost your blade—and with it, your strength."
Do-hyeon responded evenly."Then you're here to see for yourself whether the rumors are true."
The man drew his sword, lips curling in amusement."Exactly. Everyone in the Murim is eager to see this—what the Black Cloud Sword looks like without his blade."
Without another word, Do-hyeon assumed a stance, raising his new sword. His opponent surged forward with powerful internal energy, launching a sudden barrage of strikes.
Though the new sword didn't yet possess the commanding presence of the Ego Sword, Do-hyeon's technique and mana blended in flawless harmony, deflecting each blow with precision.
As the battle wore on, Do-hyeon began to read his opponent's rhythm. The man's attacks grew more desperate, more forceful—but Do-hyeon's defense remained ironclad.
At last, in a fluid spinning motion, Do-hyeon knocked his opponent's blade aside and brought the tip of his own sword to the man's throat.
"Your rumor was wrong," he said coldly. "Changing swords doesn't mean I've lost my skill."
His opponent lowered his head with a reluctant grimace."I acknowledge it… Even without that sword, you're still powerful."
His companions burst into cheers as they ran to his side. Chunhyang beamed."Captain, you were amazing! That was a flawless display with your new sword."
Baek Wolhui added with a teasing smile,"Told you~, Do-hyeon-nim. I said you didn't need the sword to stay strong."
But Lee Do-hyeon didn't smile. He slowly sheathed the new blade and spoke quietly,"Whether I'm strong or weak doesn't matter. What I miss… is the feeling of fighting alongside the Ego Sword."
Cheong Unjin placed a firm hand on his shoulder."Brother, you've always had strength that doesn't rely on any blade. But I understand your longing. That kind of loss… only time can mend."
Do-hyeon nodded, though the heaviness in his expression remained.'Even without a sword, I am still the Black Cloud Sword, Lee Do-hyeon. But the meaning that blade carried… still lives in my heart.'
That night, Do-hyeon sat alone, quietly staring at the sword.'This new blade is merely a tool—but it will become the beginning of a new definition of strength. I must move forward. I cannot let the loss stop me.'
With his new sword, Lee Do-hyeon, the Black Cloud Sword, resolved once again to carve his own path. Though the blade was gone, his spirit, his technique, and the road ahead remained undiminished.