Beginning of New Lives

The evening sky glowed with a warm orange hue as Min Joon sat cross-legged by the fire, his laughter echoing through the clearing. He was gesturing animatedly at Alara, who sat across from him, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched him attempt to teach her simple words in their language.

"This," Min Joon said, holding up a chunk of roasted deer meat Lee Kang hunted skewered on a stick, "is meat. Meeeat. Got it?"

Alara tilted her head, her crimson eyes narrowing in thought. "Mee… at?" she repeated, her tone hesitant but earnest.

"Yes! That's it!" Min Joon exclaimed, grinning widely. He turned toward So Hyeon, who was leaning against a log with a bemused expression. "See? She's learning!"

So Hyeon smirked, shaking her head. "You've got a lot of enthusiasm, I'll give you that. But if you're going to teach someone, at least stand properly while doing it."

She got up and walked over to Min Joon, tapping his shoulder. "Straighten your back. And stop flailing your arms like a bird trying to take flight."

Min Joon scowled but complied, sitting up straighter and lowering his arms. "Happy now?"

"Not quite," So Hyeon replied with a teasing grin. "But it's a start,it would be better ıf you managed to get used to that."

Leader Yang chuckled softly as he tore into his share of the deer meat. "You're all getting along better than I expected. It's good to see some laughter after everything you've been through."

Lee Kang sat quietly on the other side of the fire, his brown eyes reflecting the flames. He chewed his food slowly, his expression calm and introspective. Occasionally, his gaze would drift toward Alara, as though trying to decipher the mystery she represented.

Over the next six days, their journey toward the Iron Willow Sect was made them connect to each other at least a little bit.

Min Joon continued his mission to teach Alara, pointing out objects and naming them, hoping she would pick up the language.

So Hyeon took every opportunity to tease Min Joon, correcting his posture or mocking his exaggerated attempts at communication. "You're not her teacher, you're her entertainer," she quipped one afternoon, earning a glare from Min Joon.

Lee Kang, on the other hand, focused on keeping watch during their travels, his quiet presence offering a sense of stability to the group. Leader Yang, despite his injury, provided guidance and wisdom, often sharing stories of the sect's history to keep their spirits high.

The bond between them deepened as they hunted, cooked, and navigated through the wilderness together. The deer they caught and roasted became a symbol of their shared efforts, each meal a celebration of surviving another .

Meanwhile, far from the warmth of the group, Jin Seok's world was one of relentless hardship.

The sun blazed high in the sky as Jin Seok trudged forward, his body bent under the weight of a massive stack of wood strapped to his back. The logs was twice his height, their rough surfaces digging into his skin with every step. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his legs trembling with exhaustion, but San Woo's voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Keep moving! Don't stop unless you want to do it all over again!"

Jin Seok clenched his teeth, his face drenched in sweat. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to take another step. And another.

San Woo watched him from a distance, his arms crossed and his expression cold. "You think you are something in this world? You're wrong. You're a insect who will get killed the moment where it will see a day"

Jin Seok stumbled, his knees buckling under the weight, but before he could fall, San Woo was there, grabbing the ropes tied around the logs and hauling him upright.

"No falling," San Woo said sharply. "Not until you've finished."

Days passed like this, the grueling routine continuing without mercy. When Jin Seok wasn't running with the wood, he was climbing steep hills with weights tied to his ankles or practicing strikes against air until his hands collapse.

"You'll thank me for this one day," San Woo muttered, his voice barely audible as he watched Jin Seok collapse at the end of the day, too tired to even eat.It was a norm at this point.

But even as Jin Seok's body screamed for rest, his mind burned with determination. He would endure. He would grow stronger. He would prove to himself—and to the world—that he was going to be the strongest.

____________________________________

As the days passed, the group's journey finally brought them to Hyesan Town—a bustling settlement under the protection of the Iron Will Sect. The sun hung low in the sky as their cart creaked along the dirt road, carrying Leader Yang, Min Joon, and Alara. Leader Yang sat upright despite his injury, his bandaged leg propped up on a small cushion. His expression was calm but observant, as though mentally preparing for the next step of their journey.

Min Joon, sitting beside him, couldn't contain his excitement. He leaned out of the cart, his eyes widening as the towering walls of Hyesan came into view. The stone walls stretched endlessly in both directions, and the tops of countless buildings rose above them, bustling with life. It was the first town Min Joon had ever seen.His village cant even get close to being this big.His jaw hung open in amazement.

Ahead of the cart, So Hyeon and Lee Kang rode their horses side by side. So Hyeon held her reins loosely, her posture relaxed as she stole occasional glances back at the cart. A playful smirk tugged at her lips as she saw Min Joon's awestruck face. "Close your mouth before a fly flies in," she called back teasingly. "You'll have plenty of time to gawk once we're inside."

Min Joon flushed with embarrassment but quickly turned back to the sight of the town. "It's... massive," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Beside him, Alara sat weirdly calm like she seen much bigger towns. Her crimson eyes were fixed on the town ahead, but unlike Min Joon's excitement, her gaze was kinda humiliating. Her posture was calm.

Just as they neared the gates, a loud horn blast echoed through the air. The sound was sharp and commanding, cutting through the faint hum of the distant marketplace. Min Joon flinched at the noise, gripping the edge of the cart tightly.

"What's that?" he asked, his voice tinged with nervousness as he looked at Leader Yang.

Leader Yang smiled faintly, gesturing toward the small Iron Will Sect emblem carved into the side of the cart. "They've recognized the cart," he explained. "It's their way of signaling the sect that someone familiar is approaching."

Up ahead, Lee Kang's brown eyes flicked toward the sound of the horn, his expression calm and focused. He tilted his head slightly toward the Iron Will Sect flag fluttering atop the gates. "We're expected," he said simply, his voice low but steady,he finally could get a rest knowing this place was safe.

So Hyeon grinned as she urged her horse forward. "Finally," she said with a hint of excitement. "I was starting to think we'd never get home."

Min Joon's gaze darted back to Alara, who remained unmoved by the horn's blare. Her crimson eyes remained fixed ahead, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with his restless energy. He couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.

As the gates of Hyesan creaked open, revealing the lively streets within, Min Joon felt his heart leap. The bustling marketplace was filled with vibrant colors, the shouts of merchants, and the laughter of children running through the crowds. It was more than just a town—it was alive, pulsing with energy and opportunity,it was similar to his hometown but it was also felt much bigger,different.

"This is... amazing," Min Joon whispered, his eyes darting from one sight to another.

So Hyeon, riding slightly ahead, turned to look at him with a grin. "Get used to it," she said. "This town will become your home as well."

Min Joon smiled back, excitement bubbling in his chest. He turned to look at the town once more, but before he could take it all in, the blaring sound of another horn echoed through the air.

Leader Yang straightened slightly, his expression thoughtful. "They've seen us," he murmured, his tone steady.

Min Joon looked toward the gates again, noticing the disciples of the Iron Will Sect gathering to greet them. Their uniforms bore the sect's emblem, and they moved with practiced discipline. The flag of the Iron Will Sect fluttered proudly above them, a symbol of strength and unity.

The disciples stationed at the gate quickly approached the group as the cart rolled into Hyesan Town. Their faces lit up with recognition upon seeing Leader Yang, So Hyeon, and Lee Kang, but the smiles faded almost instantly as their eyes fell upon the two shrouded bodies lying at the back of the cart, covered in white cloaks.

Their gazes then shifted to Leader Yang's injured leg, propped up and heavily bandaged. Whispers spread among the disciples like wildfire, their voices tinged with sadness and concern. "What happened?" one of them asked, his tone trembling.

Another stepped closer, his brows furrowed. "Are those… our brothers?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he pointed toward the shrouded bodies.

The questions began to pour out all at once, a cacophony of worried voices overlapping. "Who did this?" "Is Leader Yang okay?" "What happened out there?"

Leader Yang raised a hand to try and calm them, but the disciples' emotions had already swelled. Their sorrow and unease only grew as they stared at the group, piecing together a grim story from the injuries and the covered forms.

It was Lee Kang who finally cut through the noise. His voice rang out, sharp and commanding:

"ENOUGH!"

The disciples froze, their chatter ceasing instantly as they turned to face him. Lee Kang's usually calm expression was gone, replaced by a storm of frustration and anger. His piercing gaze swept over the group, daring anyone to speak again.

"We will explain," he said, his tone firm and unwavering. "But not here."

The authority in his voice left no room for argument. The disciples, though still filled with questions, nodded and stepped aside, creating a clear path for the group to enter. Their eyes remained heavy with sadness, but they held their tongues, respecting The Next Sect Leader's-Lee Kang's-command.

So Hyeon, riding beside him, gave a small nod of approval. "Good job," she muttered quietly, her voice just loud enough for Lee Kang to hear.

The cart began to move again, the horses' hooves clopping against the stone-paved streets of the sect grounds. As they passed through the gates, the disciples followed at a respectful distance, their gazes still flickering toward the cart and its somber cargo.

Leader Yang glanced at Lee Kang briefly, a faint glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "You handled that well," he said softly.

Lee Kang gave a small nod, his expression softening only slightly as he replied, "We owe them answers, but front of the gate isn't the place to talk."

Min Joon, sitting in the cart, shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the silence that followed. Even Alara, usually unreadable, seemed to sense the tension, her crimson eyes darting toward the disciples as they trailed behind,talking to each other.

The group moved deeper into the sect's grounds, the towering buildings of the Iron Will Sect rising around them like silent sentinels.

As they entered the sect, Min Joon was struck by the sheer grandeur of the place. Towering buildings with sloping tiled roofs loomed over him, their intricate carvings of dragons and clouds gleaming faintly under the afternoon sun. Wide courtyards stretched out before them, filled with the rhythmic sounds of clashing swords and synchronized movements. The atmosphere was alive with discipline and purpose, unlike anything he had ever experienced.

Min Joon's eyes wandered to a group of kids his age sparring in the open courtyard. Their wooden swords moved with precision, their feet shuffling in practiced stances. For a brief moment, they paused to glance at the cart and its passengers before returning to their drills, their expressions serious.

So Hyeon noticed his amazement and smiled knowingly. "Those are the youngest disciples of this sect—Grade 1s," she explained, her tone warm but instructive. "They've been training for at least 11 months and In about a month, they'll face their first real test to see if they can advance to Grade 2. If they fail they will be dismissed altogether. After that, new recruits will arrive and take their place, provided they pass the basic talent test."

Min Joon's curiosity was piqued. He nodded, taking in every word as his gaze flitted back to the young disciples.

So Hyeon continued, her voice dropping slightly as if to emphasize her next point. "But since you're entering the sect by my recommendation, you don't need to take the basic test. You'll start as a Grade 1 no matter what. The rest, however, will be up to you."

Her words made Min Joon pause. He turned to her, his expression a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "Then… which grade are you?" he asked hesitantly.

Before So Hyeon could answer, Lee Kang interjected, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "She's a Grade 4, just like the rest of the disciples trailing us right now."

So Hyeon shot him a playful glare, but Lee Kang ignored it, straightening his posture as if to underscore his next words. "As for me, I'm a Grade 5. There's only one Grade 5 in every sect, chosen by the elders and the current leader. Grade 5s are the next sect leaders." His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable note of pride in his voice.

Min Joon's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, you're the next sect leader of this place?" Min Joon asked

"Yeah,it's hard to believe right."So Hyeon said with a smile Lee Kang gave her a sideeye glance and after that while looking at the Min Joon he asked."Yeah. Didn't Leader Yang tell you?"

Min Joon opened his mouth to respond, but his attention was pulled forward. Ahead of them, six elderly men stood at the entrance of the sect's main building, their robes flowing in the gentle breeze. Each bore an air of authority, their sharp gazes assessing the newcomers.

"It's the elders," Lee Kang said, his tone suddenly serious.

The cart slowed to a halt, and Leader Yang's calm voice broke the silence. "So Hyeon, take care of the kids and ensure they have a place to rest ı will talk to them about the journey"

"Yes Leader, but will you talk to them about Jin Seok as well" So Hyeon asked.To answer to her question was only Leader Yang slowly smiling as she was stepping down from the cart with practiced ease and motioned for Min Joon and Alara to follow. "Come on, let's go. I'll show you where you'll be staying."She said with a worried look on her face.

Min Joon climbed out of the cart, his feet crunching against the gravel. He turned back to see Lee Kang helping Leader Yang descend, his movements careful and deliberate. As soon as Leader Yang's feet touched the ground, a group of disciples rushed toward him, their faces filled with concern. Whispers of worry and sorrow rippled through the crowd as they talked about his injured leg and the two bodies covered in white cloaks.

"Leader Yang ,What happened?" one of them asked, his voice trembling.Before anyone could answer, Lee Kang's sharp voice cut through the growing commotion.

"Did you Fuckers have not heard me saying enough!?" he barked, his gaze hard and unyielding. "I will talk to you guys separatly, but not here like ı said. Now step aside."

The disciples immediately fell silent, stepping back to give them space. As Leader Yang walked towards Elders with the help of Lee Kang. Their gazes lingered on the cloaked bodies as they murmured amongst themselves, but none dared to question further.

Min Joon's eyes flicked between the scene and So Hyeon, who was already leading Alara toward a path that branched off from the main courtyard. He hesitated for a moment, watching as Leader Yang, surrounded by concerned disciples, was slowly escorted toward the main building. A small smile tugged at Min Joon's lips.

Despite the tension, there was a sense of unity and care in the way everyone treated Leader Yang. He remembered his life in the church and the Priest.

Turning back, he jogged to catch up with So Hyeon and Alara, his thoughts racing as they walked toward the resting quarters. This was the Iron Will Sect, his new home—a place of discipline, tradition, and strength. It was unlike anything he could have imagined, and deep down, he knew his journey here was only beginning.