Each step felt heavier than the last.
Mae-Bi followed Seo Gyeol up the thin stone path carved into the cliffside, winding toward the summit of the Blood Blade stronghold. The stairs were narrow, jagged, and wind-whipped. Mist curled around them like spirits watching from below.
[System alert: Three high-level Qi signatures locked on your position.]
"I see them," Mae-Bi thought back.
From behind the trees and cliffs, he could feel them — elite guards watching his every move. Eyes like needles, their presence like wolves hidden in the fog.
So this is what real pressure feels like...
The further he climbed, the more it hit him.
Gravity. Aura. Weight.
It wasn't physical — it was spiritual.
A crushing presence pushed down on his shoulders, coiling around his spine like invisible chains. Every breath felt like he was dragging his lungs uphill.
He stole a glance at Seo Gyeol.
The man climbed without effort. Not even a flicker of strain. His back straight, posture unshaken like he'd done this a thousand times blindfolded.
"A piece of advice," Seo Gyeol said, his voice calm as they climbed. "Our Lord... might be in a bad mood. Or not. You can't tell. That's the danger."
Mae-Bi said nothing, focusing on keeping his steps steady.
"Answer sincerely," Seo Gyeol added. "Whether it saves you or damns you."
"I shall do so."
Seo Gyeol looked back, a faint smile on his lips. "What a polite young man."
Finally, they reached the last platform a wide circular space of black stone, at the very top of the mountain. The sky above was clear, but the wind was sharp, slicing between the pillars of dark marble surrounding the hall's entrance.
Mae-Bi staggered slightly, his breathing ragged.
"You climbed well," Seo Gyeol said, glancing sideways. "Though you look ready to faint."
Mae-Bi bowed slightly. "Thank you, Sir Seo Gyeol."
Damn, he thought, wiping sweat from his brow. I almost died trying to look cool.
[System note: You currently look 67% uncool.]
Shut up, he thought, cheeks flushing as he tried to stand straighter.
In front of them, two crimson-robed guards stood at the final gate.
The moment they saw Seo Gyeol, they bowed low without hesitation.
Mae-Bi stood still, letting the weight of the moment settle in.
Beyond those doors...
Waited the man whose presence had nearly killed him just by existing.
The air was thick with incense and silence.
Mae-Bi stood inside the Main Palace of the First Pillar — the chamber of Hyeolgeom Gunju himself.
But he couldn't see the man's face.
Only shadow.
The vast room was dimly lit, lined with black stone and silver pillars. Soft music played in the background as veiled dancers moved with elegant precision. A few silent maids poured wine, refilled incense, never speaking, never looking up.
At the far end of the hall, atop a high dais, he sat.
The blade of the First Pillar.
The shadow of death.
Hyeolgeom Gunju.
Seo Gyeol stepped forward, knelt down on one knee, and offered the formal salute — right fist pressed into an open left palm, raised over his head.
"Your blade kneels before you, my Lord. I have brought the newly appointed Fifth Commander. With your permission, I shall take my leave."
Mae-Bi dropped to his knees beside him, mirroring the gesture.
From the high throne, Hyeolgeom Gunju didn't speak — only gave a small nod.
Seo Gyeol rose, turned silently, and walked away.
As he passed, his eyes flicked briefly toward Mae-Bi.
Live or die, that look said. It's all on you now.
Mae-Bi remained kneeling, eyes lowered, spine straight.
Hyeolgeom Gunju raised his cup as a maid poured him a clear golden sake. He drank slowly, letting the silence stretch like a drawn bowstring.
The weight in the room shifted.
Like something enormous was coiling in the dark, unseen.
This was the man feared by even other Pillars — the First of the Demon Cult, the most loyal disciple of the Heavenly Demon, and the head of the Blood Blade Division.
A man said to kill with a glance. And worse — a man who never needed to.
Then finally—
"So you're the new commander."
The voice wasn't loud.
But it sliced through the air like steel.
Mae-Bi didn't answer right away. Every word now was a gamble. A trap.
He stood slowly, keeping his gaze low.
"I am, my Lord. Mae-Bi, newly appointed commander of the Fifth Division."
"Mmm."
Mae-Bi froze.
Mmm? What does that mean? Agreement? Suspicion? Is he testing me?
Then Hyeolgeom Gunju spoke again, voice low but clear.
"Have I seen you before...?"
Another pause.
"Ah. I remember now. You were that slow one. Sent on a patrol with your former commander — the one who ran away."
Mae-Bi's eyes widened slightly, but he kept his head bowed.
"Baek Mu-Gi."
From the shadows near the throne, the First squad leader appeared in an instant.
He dropped to his knees and saluted.
"Yes, my Lord."
"Still no trace of that rat?"
"We searched every outpost. No body. No Qi trace. No trail. It's as if Cho Gwan never existed."
Hyeolgeom Gunju exhaled slowly.
"Then he either escaped... or was erased."
His eyes flicked down to Mae-Bi.
"But it doesn't matter, does it?"
Mae-Bi said nothing.
Hyeolgeom Gunju stood.
His bare feet echoed softly against the black stone as he descended from his seat one step at a time.
Until he stood just in front of Mae-Bi.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Long black hair flowing like smoke. His skin pale, his eyes deep, dark, unreadable. Despite his youthful appearance, his aura was ageless as if time itself bowed to him.
He stared down at Mae-Bi for a long moment.
"You're not that strong," he said. "And I don't think you swallowed that pill."
Mae-Bi kept still.
Thankfully, the system had held back healing his body fully his inner state still showed post-breakthrough instability.
That alone saved him.
Hyeolgeom Gunju turned and walked back up the steps, settling again into his throne.
"You'll go on a mission," Hyeolgeom Gunju said, his voice like still steel. "Bring me the pill. I assume your First Squad Leader has already told you where."
Mae-Bi bowed deeper. "Yes, my Lord. I shall retrieve it... and I shall not betray your trust."
"Go."
Without hesitation, Mae-Bi stepped back, saluted with a clenched fist to open palm, and spoke with practiced calm.
"Your blade, the Fifth Squad Leader of the Fifth Division, shall take his leave."
The chamber doors creaked shut behind him.
Silence returned to the throne hall.
One of the veiled maids poured more sake into the Lord's cup.
Baek Mu-Gi stood beside the throne, silent and still.
Hyeolgeom Gunju took a slow sip.
"...It's been a long time," he said quietly, "since I've seen someone with wit and restraint."
Baek Mu-Gi gave a small nod.
"He used to be a useless brat. Lazy. Sloppy. I sent him on missions just to fill numbers. But now... he's changed. He beat down two elites from his squad in front of the entire division."
"Oh interesting ," Gunju murmured, swirling the drink.
His lips curled into a faint smirk.
"He killed his own commander to take the position."
He swirled the sake in his cup and continued, "I already find him... interesting."
Baek Mu-Gi glanced sideways. "What do you mean, my Lord?"
"Killing his commander to claim the position—that, I didn't expect," Gunju replied. "He concealed it well. No hesitation. No arrogance. Even now, the way he looked at me—trembling, yes—but there was still confidence. Composure. As if he were... innocent."
He paused.
"Does he not fear death at all?"
Baek Mu-Gi didn't answer.
He wanted to ask how his Lord had come to that conclusion—there was no proof. The centipede hadn't reacted when Mae-Bi swore, and the system used by the cult was flawless. But Baek held his tongue. Pressing Gunju with questions was not wise.
Still, deep down... he, too, had his suspicions.
Was it him? And if so... why?
He'd find out eventually.
"Shall I dispose of him?" Baek finally asked.
"No," Hyeolgeom Gunju said flatly. "He harbors no ill intent. If he did, the centipede would've devoured his heart the moment he lied."
"...You're right."
Gunju chuckled softly and leaned back.
"This will be entertaining. I want to see what he becomes. Let's watch closely, Baek... Mae-Bi might surprise us both."
Meanwhile...
Descending the mountain steps, Mae-Bi suddenly shivered.
Then sneezed.
"Damn," he muttered. "Someone's definitely talking behind my back."
He wiped his nose, grumbling, and kept walking.
Hopefully, they keep it respectful.