Chapter 47 - Episode 8. The Last Romance (3)
Chapter 47: Episode 8. The Last Romance (3)
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The following day, a rumor swept across Gorgon. The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall had been “narrowly” defeated by the Fortress Lord.
“You got lucky, brat. If a stronger Hall had attacked first, things might not have gone so smoothly.”
“It would not have mattered who came.”
“Of course it would not have mattered to you, but your goal is not simply to crush them, is it?”
Cheongheo let out a deep sigh as Jaehwan looked at him as though asking what he meant.
“Phew... Now that I look at you, you really do not think things through. What do you think would have happened if the Hall Master of Heavenly Dragon Hall, ranked first, or the Hall Master of Limitless Hall, ranked second, had come first?”
“Hmm...”
“If you defeated them first, the Hall Masters ranked third through tenth would naturally have no choice but to hold back.”
If the Hall Masters ranked first and second had lost, there was no way the Hall Masters ranked third or lower could defeat Jaehwan.
But it was different when the defeated opponent was the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall, ranked ninth. The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall possessed the lowest level of strength among the Ten Hall Masters.
In a sense, it had been fortunate for Jaehwan that his first opponent was the ninth-ranked Hall Master of Thunder God Hall.
“Well, if the Hall Master of Heavenly Dragon Hall or the Hall Master of Limitless Hall had really come, even you would not have been able to make it look this easy...”
A shadow rippled through the air just then, and the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall appeared.
“...I spread the rumor.”
His eyelids were swollen, and his lips were pushed out in a pout. Cheongheo snickered at him.
“Well done. You made sure to include the part about it being a narrow defeat, right?”
“Of course.”
The ninth-ranked Hall Master of Thunder God Hall was a sixth-stage Adapter. His strength was comparable to that of a deputy Hall Master in one of the upper-middle-ranked factions of the Ten Halls.
Someone of that caliber had been defeated “narrowly.” In other words, rumors would now place the Fortress Lord’s strength at roughly equal to that of a sixth-stage Adapter.
A sixth-stage Adapter was by no means weak.
Still, if asked whether that was enough Combat Power to become the master of one of the Ten Halls or a Fortress Lord, anyone would have to hesitate.
Even the Hall Master of Goddess Hall, ranked seventh among the Ten Halls, possessed Combat Power comparable to that of a seventh-stage Adapter. Considering that the Fortress Lords of other fortresses were eighth-stage Adapters, the sixth stage was not particularly impressive.
Yoon Yong, the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall, let out a sigh so heavy it seemed to sink into the ground.
“But... is this really all right? Once the rumor spreads like this, there is no telling how the other Ten Halls will react.”
“You saw that guy’s strength and you can still say that?”
“That is true, but...”
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall had complicated feelings.
Spreading the rumor was not necessarily bad for him. If another Hall Master appeared and defeated the Fortress Lord, he would not have to become a member of the 「Abyss Expedition」, even if he failed to take the Fortress Lord’s position.
The problem was whether anyone could actually defeat the Fortress Lord of Gorgon.
What about the Hall Master of Heavenly Dragon Hall or the Hall Master of Limitless Hall?
The Hall Masters ranked first and second were at least two levels above the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall himself.
But could they defeat that man? For some reason, he could not picture it.
...No, that could not be right. The other Hall Masters could surely defeat him.
It was already common knowledge that several of the Ten Hall Masters had entered Gorgon Fortress. By now, the Hall Masters who had been cautiously watching for an opening would likely be streaming toward the Inner Fortress.
Surely even the Divine Doctor knew that, no matter how strong the Fortress Lord was, he could not fight all Ten Halls.
Thinking that, Yoon Yong glanced at Cheongheo. Then he froze.
“...Huh?”
He had only lived for 207 years, but even the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall knew a fair amount about Cheongheo, the Divine Doctor of Despair.
A man who had once belonged to the legendary 「Abyss Expedition」. One who had stepped forward to save 《Chaos》 by obtaining the 「Fruit」. A human who had lost everything after facing overwhelming despair.
No one in Chaos knew despair better than the Divine Doctor of Despair.
So what was that expression?
Cheongheo was watching Jaehwan silently repeat his Stabs alone. His expression was, in a word, very far from despair.
Perhaps sensing the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall’s thoughts, Cheongheo spoke.
“Brat, you are lucky. You got to see that man before you ever learned what true despair is.”
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall wanted to ask what about that man had made Cheongheo glimpse such potential.
At that moment, someone kicked open the training ground’s doors.
“I have come to challenge you, Fortress Lord of Gorgon!”
It was Kang Hwang, the Hall Master of Fire King Hall, ranked eighth among the Ten Halls of Chaos, and Cayman, the South Sea Hall Master, ranked fifth.
“I wondered why that Fire King bastard was so late.”
Cheongheo muttered as he looked at them with pity.
“Looks like quite a few people are going to get badly hurt today.”
* * *
The match was decided in less than ten minutes.
True to his fiery temperament, Kang Hwang unleashed torrents of tyrannical flames and turned the training ground into a sea of fire. Then, after taking a few Stabs, he sprawled flat on the ground.
Cayman, the South Sea Hall Master, lasted the longest. He exchanged a full fifty blows with Jaehwan.
“I have lost, Fortress Lord.”
Jaehwan did not use the technique he had recently created. He still could not control its power. Throughout the fight, he had used only Light Stab and Normal Stab.
“That was a good match.”
Jaehwan was a little surprised by Cayman’s strength.
Unlike the other two Hall Masters, who remained at the sixth adaptation stage, Cayman was a seasoned seventh-stage Adapter.
Jaehwan judged that Cayman’s true strength was not greatly inferior to that of Cheongheo, the Divine Doctor of Despair.
“You did not show me all of your strength.”
“Couldn’t the same be said of you, Fortress Lord?”
Cayman laughed heartily.
“There are things one can tell without fighting to the end.”
Cayman gave a satisfied salute, then headed toward the other Hall Masters.
Kang Hwang was being treated by Cheongheo at one side of the training ground, repeatedly breathing flames from his mouth.
“That temper of yours has not changed, Kang Hwang.”
“Thank you, Divine Doctor.”
Kang Hwang grumbled.
“That dog bastard, the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall. What? Narrowly defeated?”
“Heh heh. Who are you blaming? The one who lost is at fault.”
“Damn it.”
Yoon Yong, the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall, had been wearing a grave expression for some time, as though he were deeply lost in thought.
Once the treatment was finished, the three Hall Masters gathered in one place. They stood some distance away from Jaehwan and Cheongheo, as if they were about to discuss something.
Yoon Yong spoke first.
“Excuse me, seniors. Do either of you know who else among the Ten Halls is coming?”
“I heard the Hall Master of Scholar Forest Hall and the Hall Master of Goddess Hall are on their way.”
The one who answered was Cayman, the fifth-ranked South Sea Hall Master.
“Scholar Forest Hall, ranked sixth. And Goddess Hall, ranked seventh...”
Yoon Yong fell into thought.
The fifth-ranked South Sea Hall Master had been defeated. There was no way those two could overcome the Fortress Lord either.
“Is there still no word from Heavenly Dragon, ranked first, or Black Forest, ranked third?”
“Wouldn’t you know more about them than we do, Hall Master of Thunder God Hall?”
Cayman asked in confusion. It made sense, since Heavenly Dragon Hall and Black Forest Hall were based in Manticore, the same fortress as Thunder God Hall.
Yet the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall’s expression turned strange.
“Yoon Yong, what is it?”
“...It is nothing. More importantly, what will the two of you do now?”
They had lost their matches, so they had no choice but to join the Abyss Expedition. But who would want to make such a choice?
An unexpected answer came.
“I came here intending to become part of the 「Abyss Expedition」 from the beginning.”
It was Cayman, the South Sea Hall Master.
“South Sea Hall Master, are you serious?”
Kang Hwang asked suspiciously.
“Of course.”
“Huh...”
Kang Hwang remembered what kind of person Cayman was.
He had been a close friend of Aimel, the former Fortress Lord of Gorgon. At the time, Cayman had not been strong enough to join the 「Abyss Expedition」.
Cayman had witnessed the end of the Abyss Expedition 900 years ago with his own eyes.
“I was planning to visit the Abyss soon anyway.”
Cayman was 954 years old this year. For all those distant years, he must have endured alone and honed his blade. Kang Hwang found Cayman admirable.
“Some things do not change, even after 900 years.”
“What are you planning to do, Fire King?”
“Well, I lost the match. There is nothing I can do about it.”
Kang Hwang shrugged. Then he looked toward Yoon Yong.
“What about you, Yoon Yong?”
“I just made up my mind.”
“You made up your mind? About what?”
Yoon Yong gave Kang Hwang and Cayman a salute, then walked straight toward Jaehwan.
Kang Hwang’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me that brat still has not come to his senses and wants another round with the Fortress Lord...”
Even Cayman, the South Sea Hall Master, had failed to defeat the Fortress Lord. Still, Yoon Yong was young enough to act recklessly.
Then something happened that none of them expected.
“I, Yoon Yong, Hall Master of Thunder God Hall! From this moment onward, I swear to devote my loyalty to Jaehwan-nim, Fortress Lord of Gorgon!”
Kang Hwang watched from afar, his eyes bulging.
Then Jaehwan spoke.
“No, I do not need your loyalty.”
“...No! I will devote my loyalty to you! Even after I die, I will remain loyal!”
“You are already dead.”
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall had even fallen to his knees. Cheongheo frowned as he watched.
“What are you plotting, brat from Thunder God Hall?”
Even if he had lost a wagered match, a Hall Master from one of the Ten Halls would not lower his head this easily. Thunder God Hall might be ranked ninth, but it was still one of the Ten Halls.
“I have no ulterior motive! I was simply deeply moved by the Fortress Lord’s Combat Power...!”
“Cut the bullshit.”
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall looked wronged. His eyes were so watery that it seemed he would burst into tears if someone poked him. It was an expression unbelievably innocent for someone 207 years old.
Cheongheo’s gaze remained firm.
After some time passed...
“Tch.”
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall stuck out his lips. He had realized that acting would not work.
Jaehwan spoke as he watched him.
“I only need expedition members. I do not need loyal subjects.”
“They mean the same thing to me.”
“How are those the same thing?”
Cheongheo cut in again.
Yoon Yong quietly studied Cheongheo’s face, then asked with a doubtful look.
“...Divine Doctor, have you not heard anything yet?”
“Heard what?”
Yoon Yong shook his head, then spoke to Jaehwan.
“Anyway, Fortress Lord of Gorgon, please take me into your household. You can even give me a position like division leader, if that is all you can spare.”
“Household? What are you talking about?”
“Ah, I will not steal any secret manuals, so please take me in. And if possible, my subordinates too...”
Cheongheo’s eyes blazed.
“You call yourself a Hall Master? What nonsense are you saying about abandoning Thunder God Hall?”
“Phew... Thunder God Hall... You mean Thunder God Hall?”
Yoon Yong looked angry, yet somehow empty as well. Then he said,
“The faction called 「Thunder God Hall」 no longer exists in Chaos.”
“What are you talking about? Then what are those people?”
The members of Thunder God Hall crouching in one corner of the training ground shrank back under Cheongheo’s gaze.
The Hall Master of Thunder God Hall hesitated for a long time before answering with a sigh.
“Thunder God Hall suffered destruction of a Hall a week ago. The only survivors are the seven over there and me.”
Footnotes:
Chapter discussion