Published at 27th of August 2026 7:13 pm

Chapter 1094: The World of Ascension (24)

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Kuuuuung---!!!

The massive body of the Red Stone Beast collapsed to the ground, its once-mighty roars now silenced.

A thick, unnatural blood gushed from its corpse, soaking into the ground.

The damp sensation crept up to my feet, an unpleasant feeling that should have made everyone grimace.

Yet, not a single person changed their expression.

Grkkk.

Because in the presence of the man before them, no one dared to move carelessly.

Step.

The sound of light footsteps echoed through the heavy silence.

A small figure.

A body that seemed almost too frail compared to the warriors surrounding him.

Thin, devoid of muscle, and aged.

Just an old man.

A man whose physique suggested he had never practiced martial arts.

And yet, for those who knew his identity, there was no way they could take him lightly.

He was a symbol of peace.

The very leader who had ushered in the golden era of the Martial Alliance.

Perhaps it was uncertain who the strongest in the world was.

But if one were to ask who wielded the strongest sword, there would be only one answer.

"Sword Master Wi Hyogun."

One of the Three Masters—the supreme master of the sword—had arrived.

The Sword Master of the past.

He didn’t seem all that different from the one I remembered.

His back was slightly less hunched, and instead of pure white hair, there were traces of black.

Other than that, he was practically the same.

Saaaah.

The blood flowing from the beast veered away from the Sword Master, repelled by the sheer pressure of his aura.

"...Strong."

Tension gripped my body.

The moment I laid eyes on him, my instincts reacted on their own.

The Three Masters.

Compared to when I first encountered the true form of the Tyrant Master (Paejon), what I felt now was far more overwhelming.

The golden sword in his hand glowed with a mystical radiance.

The Moon Spirit Sword —the very origin of Wi Seol-ah’s swordsmanship.

Fsssh.

The Moon Spirit Sword in his grasp scattered into light, dissolving the remaining blood.

Then, the Sword Master stepped forward, approaching my father, who was still bowing.

Reaching out with his small hand, he gently stroked my father’s hair.

"You have worked hard."

"It was nothing."

"I'm glad I wasn't too late."

The old man’s golden eyes swept over us.

"I sensed something amiss and decided to come. That was the right choice."

"Something amiss?"

The Alliance Leader’s residence was nowhere near here.

Yet, he had detected this battle from such a distance.

And more importantly—

"He severed it in one strike."

I narrowed my eyes at the beast’s cleanly severed neck.

I had seen it clearly.

The energy barrier had been fully active.

Yet, the Sword Master had cut through it as if it weren’t even there.

Had he simply struck the weakest point of the barrier?

No.

"It may have been a relatively weaker section, but it wasn’t an outright weak spot."

It was simply overwhelming power.

His single slash had cleanly sliced through the energy barrier and the beast’s neck at the same time.

"...Hmph."

As everyone stood in awe, trembling at his presence, the Sword Master walked past us and approached the beast’s corpse.

"...Red."

He examined its blood-stained fur and massive size, incomparable to its blue-furred counterparts.

Feeling the weight of its existence, the Sword Master’s expression twisted slightly.

"This is a Crimson-Rank Beast."

At those words, those nearby flinched.

"Did he say... Crimson-Rank?"

"Why would a Crimson-Rank appear...?"

A forgotten classification, unseen for hundreds of years.

A type of monster so rare that people now had to study ancient records just to learn about them.

Yet, the Sword Master had recognized it immediately.

The shock in the air was palpable.

"A Crimson-Rank Beast...?"

"A monster of that level...?!"

"Silence."

As the murmurs grew louder, my father cut through the noise with a warning.

His low voice pressed down on the surroundings.

"The Alliance Leader stands before you."

"Ah... O-oh...."

The atmosphere grew tense.

My father’s expression hadn’t changed.

But the weight of his voice alone was enough to silence them all.

The Sword Master, however, remained focused on the monster’s corpse.

A long moment of silence passed.

Then, he spoke.

"Recover the body. The remains must be sent to the Wind Dragon Division for analysis."

"Yes, sir."

The Wind Dragon Division specialized in NvIight (Original source) tactical formations and monster research.

It made sense to send the corpse there first for further study.

As soon as the order was given, warriors moved toward the Crimson-Rank Beast’s remains.

Then—

"They've arrived."

The Sword Master’s gaze lifted toward the sky.

At the same time, my father turned his eyes upward.

I had felt something too, but had chosen to ignore it.

The Sword Master waved his hand lightly.

Immediately, the blood pooled on the ground shifted, clearing away and creating an empty space.

Not long after—

Thud-!!

Several figures landed from the sky, touching down precisely within the cleared space.

"The Divine Dragon Division...!"

Someone muttered.

And only then did I fully recognize who had arrived.

"Divine Dragon Division."

Their flowing martial robes.

Unlike the typical uniforms of the Martial Alliance, theirs were pristine white, embroidered with gold, exuding an air of prestige.

More importantly—

"Masks."

All four of them wore masks.

Their body shapes revealed their genders, but aside from that, nothing else could be discerned.

"They’re highly skilled at concealing their presence."

They had completely suppressed their aura and killing intent.

That fact alone made it clear—

These were not ordinary martial artists.

"...So these are the Divine Dragon Division."

If Wi Hyogun was the symbol of peace,

Then the Divine Dragon Division was the very symbol of the Martial Alliance itself.

The most elite force handpicked by the Alliance.

Unlike other divisions, whose members openly revealedtheir identities, the Divine Dragon Division operated in complete secrecy.

Their origins, their affiliations—whether they came from prestigious martial clans or powerful sects—were completely unknown.

Of course, if someone’s martial arts style was famous, one might guess their background.

But for the most part, they hid their identities and carried out their missions in absolute secrecy.

"It was even disbanded for a time."

After Wi Hyogun stepped down as the Alliance Leader, the Divine Dragon Division had vanished.

Of course, in the era I came from, it had been revived—ironically, by the Blood Demon.

"Hmph."

Seeing the Divine Dragon Division in person now left me feeling strangely nostalgic.

"The corpse of the Crimson-Rank Beast must be delivered to the Wind Dragon Division for study."

At Wi Hyogun’s command, the Divine Dragon Division moved.

They began retrieving the beast’s remains.

Shortly after, others arrived.

"I, Blue Flame Sword Master , pay my respects to the Alliance Leader."

It was the leader of the Azure Dragon Division.

"I, Commander of the Iron Dragon Division, greet the Alliance Leader."

A massive man, likely the leader of the Iron Dragon Division.

"I apologize for my late arrival."

Though they had been nearby, they had arrived after the Alliance Leader, something that clearly weighed on the Iron Dragon Division’s leader.

"There is no need for apologies. I simply happened to be free at the time."

Wi Hyogun gave a slight smile before turning his back.

Then—his body began to rise.

Beneath his feet, a sword made of light had appeared, lifting him into the air.

"It seems something is wrong with this era."

His sigh carried a deep sense of lament.

At those words, I swallowed hard.

Because they hit me right in the chest.

"The situation has grown complicated. From today onward, all internal training within the Martial Alliance is suspended. The division leaders will ensure this order is carried out."

"Understood!"

"Understood."

Both commanders bowed, accepting the command.

Then, Wi Hyogun turned slightly, looking at someone.

"Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Division."

"Yes."

He was talking to my father.

"Report to the Alliance Leader’s office as soon as possible."

"I will comply."

"And..."

Then, Wi Hyogun’s gaze shifted again.

"You come as well."

"...Excuse me?"

Surprisingly, he was looking right at me.

**********

Martial Alliance Headquarters

News spread like wildfire throughout the Alliance.

Not only had a Crimson-Rank Beast suddenly appeared, but it had done so during a joint training session between the Azure Dragon Division and the Iron Dragon Division.

The sudden emergence of a Crimson-Rank Beast—this was enough to shake the entire Alliance.

It wouldn’t be long before even the Beggars’ Union got involved.

The Alliance would try to contain the rumors, but there was no way to stop them entirely.

Rumors were like that.

There were already a thousand different things to be concerned about, but—

"How the hell did I end up here?"

Now wasn’t the time to worry about any of that.

I glanced to my side.

Standing next to me was my father—Gu Cheolwoon.

A man at least a head taller than me.

But the real problem wasn’t him.

"...The Alliance Leader’s Office."

Right in front of us.

Standing outside its doors was already trouble enough for me.

"Why? Why does he want to see me?"

Wi Hyogun had called for me.

And I had no idea why.

"I hid it well."

Suppressing my power hadn’t been an issue.

I had moved because my father commanded me to, but I had done nothing noticeable.

Nothing that should have drawn Wi Hyogun’s attention.

"Then why call me?"

Just as I was lost in thought—

"Let’s go in."

"Huh? Oh, yes."

My father reached for the door handle.

"Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Division, Gu Cheolwoon, entering with one additional person."

"Enter."

With permission granted, the doors opened.

Creeeak.

Beyond them, Wi Hyogun sat at a desk.

The room was neatly arranged.

His golden eyes locked onto me.

Perhaps due to the dim lighting, his gaze seemed to shine even more brightly.

"Step forward."

"Yes."

My father moved ahead first.

"I know this must be an overwhelming situation, but I called you here because I have questions. Particularly..."

Just as my father reached the desk—

"Yangcheon."

Wi Hyogun looked straight at me.

"I have something to ask you."

And then.

Shhhhhhh---!!!

"...!!"

Dozens of swords materialized in midair—

Every single blade was aimed directly at me.

A murderous aura surged down from above, pressing against me.

"Who exactly are you?"

Wi Hyogun’s golden eyes gleamed as he asked.

"Oh... shit."

I had a bad feeling about this.

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