Author's Preface
Ilho rushed into the tent, Jinhu was already by Blue's side. Wu Jin walked in behind. "Don't take too long, we have to get back to the compound, now that he is awake and moving." Wu Jin paused. "We leave before nightfall." He turned and walked out. So-Yeon stood and placed her hand on Jinhu and Ilho's shoulders and leaned in between them. "You are good friends, I'm happy he has people like you by his side." She looked at Kang and Shenwu. "We should give them a moment." The three walked out behind Wu Jin. Wuxing Ye patted Ilho's head. "Get the words out now. When the training begins, that mouth of yours will cower in fear." Black qi filled the room as he vanished.
Shan Tie laughed loudly. "He's just a big softy, don't let him scare you." He walked to the door, with one leg he kicked the door off its hinges and sent it flying into the woods, he turned back to the boys and chuckled. "I hate doors."
"What the hell was that all about? What did you two get into?" Blue braced his arms against the bed as he struggled to sit up.
"We didn't get into anything. It's your fault." Jinhu said as he helped Blue get upright.
"Technically, it's Wu Jin's fault for bringing Sa Gwan and Mu Jang into Silent Edge, then recruiting us to be their disciples."
Jinhu looked back at the vacant door. "I'm starting to regret my decision."
"Me, too." Ilho looked back as well, petrified.
"Mind telling me what the fuck you two are talking about?" Blue smacked Jinhu in the back of the head.
"Those men, they... they are legends. They are all myth ranked." Jinhu answered.
"Yes, I'm aware. I've been conscious this whole time. But, what decision do you regret?"
"We were conned Blue." Ilho turned his head. "Down right swindled by our own masters. Apparently, our masters are disciples of those monsters." Ilho stood. "Why is all this shit happening with you at the center of it all?"
Blue stared at Ilho confused.
"Seriously, what the fuck are you? Murim has been messed up since the gates and monsters came. But, ever since I joined Silent Edge, terrible shit happens and you seem to be wrapped up in it. Now I'm paying a toll, when I never asked to be on this fucking road in the first place. I just wanted to survive."
Blue swung his feet off the bed. "Where is all this coming from?"
Ilho turned around, his eyes were bloodshot from holding back tears. "LOOK AT YOU!" He sighed. "This isn't the first time you've been almost killed. Your sister lost all of her men. We fought FUCKING DRAGONS... you're some champion of some cosmic beings."
Jinhu stood. "Then walk away, Ilho. No one has asked you to stay and fight. If you're scared, then say so. Don't blame Blue for things that aren't his fault."
"Aren't his fault? Then who's to blame?" Ilho collapsed on the floor. "Yes I'm scared, you two are the only family I've ever had. I don't want to lose that. I also know to not lose it, I need strength. So tell me, who do I blame for all this then? Because from my perspective, we can just tie Blue up and hide him in a closet, and this bad shit won't be directed at us anymore."
"Hatred." Blue spoke softly.
"What?" Jinhu tilted his head.
"Blame Hatred. That's his name."
Ilho spun around to face Blue and Jinhu. "That's whose name?"
"Inside that gate we met a being, well a crystal actually. The thing on the other side was a god. He said he was one of the twenty something original gods that exist and he's rebelling. He is who's causing all of this, on Murim and world's throughout the universe." Blue sat next to Ilho. "I know things are crazy, I'm aware of the name these golden gods gave me. Though, I do not know why or to what end." He paused. "But, I will use it to defend Murim and my other home... Earth. Even if it means my death. I don't want to force you guys to follow me. I don't wish to see you two hurt either."
Jinhu smacked Blue in the back of the head. The moment his hand landed Ilho shot him a glare, worthy of death. "You dumbass don't hit him."
"My bad, but we aren't going anywhere." Jinhu sat next to them on the floor.
"I'm sorry." Ilho lowered his head. "Alot has happened quickly lately. So much so, that i haven't even processed seeing a fucking dragon god fight against who we thought were Murim’s strongest. Now, there's four men who make them look as if they are toddlers. To top it off, my dumbass agreed to be trained by scariest of them all." He sighed. "Why couldn't I have just been a monk."
Blue and Jinhu laughed. Jinhu did his best Hanjo impersonation. "Amitabha, your mouth... that's why."
Blue nodded his head in agreement. "So, you two are training with the assassin and the bigfoot pretending to be a man?"
"Big foot?" Jinhu's eyebrows furrowed.
"Sorry, another Earthism." Blue smiled. "Ill explain it later. But, if you are training with them that's perfect."
"Perfect? Are you fucking mad?" Ilho crossed his arms. "I just told you we are training with the strongest men Murim has ever known. Men that have stories written about them, and you think it’s perfect. Have you not been listening to yourself. You're casually talking about gods and shit like its just another day."
"You're right. I'm not trying to be dismissive. I guess dying and being reincarnated makes all this easier to digest for me. Just know, if there's anyone i want by my side... it's you two. So yes, it's perfect, because I have to go back to Earth." Blue hung his head. "I found the second piece of the pendant in that gate. My system is on my ass about finding the third, which is on Earth. So when I'm gone, you guys can train and become even stronger." Blue paused. "By the way, where is Ryul and Hanjo?"
"They went with Cheng to finish grabbing the rest of the gear from Silent Edge." Jinhu said. "But like... how soon are you leaving. You can't say that and then change the subject."
"As soon as possible. So you guys have to promise me that you won't give up. You will train hard." Blue looked between them.
"As long as you promise you are going to come back." Ilho said.
"And as long as you figure out a way to take us with you. Seriously, I want pizza and now i want to see a bigfoot." Jinhu's stomach rumbled. "And now I want some food. All this talking has made me hungry." Jinhu stood.
Blue and Ilho looked at each other and sighed as they each took one of Jinhu's hands and stood. "I promise I will come back. I don't know how long I'll be gone though." Blue put an arm around Ilho and Jinhu's shoulder.
"Well, from what Wu Jin said, it will take us a couple years of training under them. But we may be able to reach even Ascendant-rank in that time. I don't think even your system can help you do that." Ilho smirked. "Let's go get some of that boar before Mu Jang eats it all."
"I'm sorry for exploding on you. But for real, what the fuck are you." Ilho chuckled as the boys walked outside. "We heard your dantian was shattered from the monk now you're fine."
As the sun hit their faces Blue looked into the sky. He gripped the pendant that was dangling from his neck tight in his palm. "I honestly don't know, what I am or how I'm alive." Blue sniffed the air. "It doesn't matter though, I am just glad I am." As Jinhu rushed forward he grabbed some meat and handed it to Blue. Blue closed his eyes and thought to himself. "Grandfather, what am I truely?"