Chapter 7: Remains of the Organization
A month had passed since the battle at Mara Mountain. In that time, the village—once a ruin—was steadily reborn. Half of the reconstruction was already complete, not through miracles, but through sheer perseverance. The villagers, hardened by tragedy and inspired by newfound purpose, labored from sunrise to dusk.
Thanks to the martial techniques Ri-hyun had taught the village's hunters and security teams, their strength had multiplied. No longer mere survivors, they now moved and fought like seasoned warriors, each step steadier, each strike sharper. They had ascended to the veteran stage—the same realm Lilith had reached before her fall.
Among them, Ciro's progress was the most staggering. His natural agility bloomed into something supernatural. With each practice session, his speed grew, until he became a blur on the battlefield, his blade carving arcs of silver through the air. Ael, ever the composed second-in-command, had reached his own milestone. Rather than relying solely on brute force, he had uncovered the spiritual essence hidden within the martial teachings. The strength he forged was not just physical, but mental—a burning conviction that endured even in despair.
High above it all, Ri-hyun sat atop his usual perch in the massive pine tree overlooking the village. His gaze wandered into the endless sea of stars above, distant and eternal. The tranquility was broken by a familiar voice from below.
"My lord, the people would like to show you something," Ael said, his tone brimming with unspoken anticipation.
Ri-hyun rose without a word, landing beside him in a fluid motion.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Please, follow me."
They walked around the mountain's side, where something unexpected awaited—a small manor, sturdy and elegant, balanced on beams overlooking a deep chasm.
"The villagers built it... so you wouldn't have to sleep in the trees anymore," Ael said, pride softening his usually rigid demeanor.
Ri-hyun paused, studying the manor in silence. The angled roof, the symmetry of the walls, the balance of stone and wood—it all mirrored the architectural philosophy of his past life. It wasn't just a house. It was a reflection of his world.