Yeo Un (PoV) Warrior Baek Dong Su

Yeo Un (PoV) Part 1

I ride as fast as the wind could carry me; with every laboured breath I take, I pray my old friend, Cho Rip, is not harmed. Please, Cho Rip, hang in there. In the middle of the wheat fields, just like Koo Hyang said, three familiar figures surround Cho Rip, ready to kill. I use the limited authority I have left as Sky Lord and command them to stop. They cease their advance, looking up in surprise as I ignore them, running straight towards Cho Rip.

I grab his shoulders and call out his name. He's badly wounded, his body rattling limply under my grip. A small part of me wonders: when was the last time we've been on good terms with each other? Do I even deserve to worry for him?

"Don't touch me!" he yells, avoiding my eyes. I feel my heart rip wide open and my grip loosen. Cho Rip... "Don't you understand?" he takes hold of my shirt and stares me down with hatred and desperation in his eyes. "As long as you exist, they won't ever disappear. As long as you exist, no matter if it's the Prince or Dong Su, no one is safe."

As long as you exist, no one is safe. As long as you exist, no one is safe.

No one is safe.

I'm a monster. That's what he's telling me. I've brought misfortune and death wherever I go. Why am I surprised? Why do I feel so heartbroken when Cho Rip, one of my oldest companions, tells me something I already know?

"I finally understand," he continues after letting out a cough. "You thought Sword Saint left this world unattended because his martial arts weren't good enough?"

I don't say anything. I can't.

"It's because he couldn't kill. Captain Jang Dae Po, too. Training Commander Im Su Ung, too. Crown Prince Sado, too." Every name he says drives another dagger in my throat. "Everybody just let it go. Everything is because of Heuksa Chorong. Un, you... It's all because of you."

Cho Rip collapses, having said all that he wanted to. I don't move. Every word he said echoes in my head in a repeated loop. I feel like I'm sinking into an abyss, a place I would rather be than here, than anywhere. I'm a monster. He's right. All the wrong I've done, they won't ever go away, will they? I was naïve. I thought I could fix everything, but it's not enough. Cho Rip wounded, lying here helpless, it's my fault. I did this. I killed all those people. I've brought suffering to those around me. My father, Miss Ji Seon, Dong Su... All of Joseon. It's all my fault. It's all my fault. Why am I even still alive? What an ugly, cruel fate.

I stand up slowly, what's left of Heuksa Chorong awaiting my next move. Ha, what other moves do I have left?

"Leave." I say. "Put down your sword and leave."

"But..."

"This is the final order," my voice full of conviction despite the dead feeling in my heart. "Those who defy the order will surely die."

They obey, and they leave. But the dread inside of me doesn't. What now?