The Seperation

As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the funeral in the village came to an end. The smoke from the burned ruins of people had thinned, leaving behind a faint, acrid scent that clung to the air. A solemn silence hung over the members of the Iron Will Sect as they prepared to depart gathering food and water.

Leader Yang oversaw the preparations, his usual calm demeanor unshaken despite the grief lingering in everyone's hearts. The carts were loaded, the horses prepared, and among the belongings, two bodies wrapped in pristine white cloth rested gently on the back of one of the carts—the remains of their fallen disciples.

The journey ahead was long, nearly a week through rugged terrain and forested paths. The Iron Will Sect had no time to linger in the devastated village, as danger still loomed in the shadows. They had done all they could for the villagers, but now it was time to move forward.

As the group gathered near the carts, Min Joon approached Jin Seok. His steps were slower than usual, his normally cheerful demeanor subdued. He stopped in front of Jin Seok, extending his hand for a final handshake.

Their eyes met, golden reflecting golden, each one trying to hold back the weight of the emotions threatening to spill over. They both knew that words would only make this moment harder, and so they stood in silence for a long moment, their hands clasped firmly together.

Min Joon finally broke away, his lips pressed into a thin line. As he climbed into the cart, he hesitated at the entrance, turning back toward Jin Seok one last time.

With a trembling voice that carried both determination and sorrow, he shouted, "IF YOU DON'T MASTER THAT SHIT INSIDE YOU, I SWEAR I'LL BEAT YOU UNTIL YOU ADMIT I'M THE GREATEST!"

His words echoed in the crisp morning air, loud and unfiltered. Jin Seok couldn't help but chuckle softly, even as a pang of sadness tugged at his chest.

Inside the cart, Min Joon sat down, his back against the wooden wall. He wiped at his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, muttering under his breath, "Damn dust…"

Not far from the carts, So Hyeon and Lee Kang were mounting their horses. They exchanged a glance, their usual playful banter absent for once. Instead, Lee Kang offered a small, reassuring smile, and So Hyeon returned it faintly.

As she adjusted her reins, her gaze faltered, drifting toward a distant figure clad in the familiar clothes of the Iron Will Sect. A boy she had used to known but couldn't seem to forget. Her smile faded for a moment, her eyes clouding with something unspoken.

But as quickly as the thought came, she pushed it away, shaking her head slightly before focusing on the road ahead. The sound of hooves striking the ground broke the stillness as she and Lee Kang rode toward the front of the cart.

Jin Seok stood where Min Joon had left him, watching the cart disappear down the trail. His chest felt hollow, yet there was a flicker of resolve in his eyes. This wasn't goodbye—not forever. Min Joon's words echoed in his mind, and he clenched his fists, a determined smirk playing on his lips.

The Iron Will Sect began their journey in silence, the weight of their losses carried with them. The morning sun rose higher, casting long shadows on the road ahead, as each member silently resolved to carry the memory of this village and its people in their hearts.

For Jin Seok, the road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was only the beginning.

San Woo appeared silently behind Jin Seok as he wiped away the small, stubborn tears that fell from his eyes. His heart, still aching from the farewell, was heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. He didn't expect anyone to be there, but when he felt the familiar presence behind him, his body tensed in surprise.

San Woo's voice was low, almost a whisper that barely carried over the wind.

"Tell me, what should I do to get stronger?" Jin Seok's voice cracked slightly, a rawness lingering in his tone. His body felt heavy, but the question was one that he had been holding onto for so long.

San Woo didn't answer immediately. He let the question hang in the air, almost as if testing Jin Seok's resolve. Finally, with a sharp, cold gaze, he replied, "Run until you have no breath left in your lungs."

Jin Seok blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the answer. "That's it? Just run?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

San Woo's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You want something more complicated? Or are you looking for excuses to stay weak?" He said with a serious face,his voice was sharp, but there was a glint of something almost approving in his eyes.

Jin Seok, stunned but determined, nodded once. "I'll do it. I'll run."

Without another word, he took off. His legs burned almost instantly as he went faster. San Woo's voice followed him like a shadow. "Don't stop until you can't stand. Don't stop until it breaks you. Only then will you be stronger."

Jin Seok gritted his teeth, ignoring the his voice but he was still hearing San Woo's words echoing in his mind, urging him on. "I'll do it. I'll keep running," he muttered to himself, as his pace quickened, the air growing heavier with each breath.

San Woo, standing in the distance, watched Jin Seok disappear into the horizon. His voice, barely audible, floated in the air, "Okey,I should start preparing as well."

The shadows of the morning deepened around him as he vanished into the darkness, leaving Jin Seok to face the challenge alone.

Jin Seok's breath grew shallow, but he kept running, the world around him turning into a blur. His only thought was San Woo's words, "Don't stop. Don't stop." everything faded into the rhythm of his footsteps.

As Jin Seok continued running, the rhythmic sound of the cart's creaking wheels echoed through the morning air. Inside the cart, three figures sat in tense silence.

The girl, small and bound by ropes, sat with her crimson hair and crimson eyes wide open, her body stiff with restraint. Her clothes were torn in places, and the ropes dug into her skin as she shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting from side to side. Beside her, a boy around the same age the girl was in.

His golden eyes that collected blood from crying and messy yellow hair, his small frame covered in scratches, sat motionless.His expression was hurtful, but his eyes kept flicking towards the outside,as though he was waiting for something.

At the front of the cart sat an older man, his long beard and gray hair contrasting with his rough, bloodied clothing. His leg was wrapped in bandages, stained with blood, and he appeared weary, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that suggested otherwise.

Before the Leader Yang spoke, there was an unsettling silence inside the cart. The faint sound of the horses' hooves and the squeaking of the cart wheels were the only things breaking the stillness. The girl, bound tightly, sat with her back against the cart's wooden walls, her hands clenched into fists, her body rigid with restraint. Her crimson eyes shone with a cold, calculating intensity, but she remained silent, her gaze flickering from the boy beside her to the old man at the front.

Min Joon, covered in scratches, sat with his head lowered, his golden eyes narrowed as if lost in thought. He shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable, but his face remained stoic. His gaze occasionally met the girl's, but no words passed between them it was obvious that he wanted to talk but scared that he might offend someone.

Leader Yang, who had been quietly observing them, adjusted his position and gave a low sigh. The bloodstains on his clothes marking his recent injuries. But his sharp eyes betrayed a mind that was still calculating, still searching for answers.

He looked from the girl to the boy and back again, his thoughts apparent only to himself. Then, breaking the heavy silence, he spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Should we learn who this little girl is?" Leeder Yang asked, his voice like the scrape of stone.

Without waiting for a reply, he leaned forward and, with a swift motion, ripped the cloth from the girl's mouth, exposing her silent defiance. The harsh sound of fabric tearing filled the air, but the girl remained still, her eyes betraying only a flicker of fear as the old man's gaze settled on her. The boy beside her looked on quietly, his expression excited.

The old man paused, watching the girl closely, waiting for any sign of reaction. His gaze lingered on her, his thoughts unknown, but the moment hung thick with tension.

After that she opened her mouth saying that

"..."