Episode 126: Bulgaram (2)
Today, I want to withdraw my support for Kang Arin.
Anyway, Kang Arin was my light and my anchor—
Both emotionally and financially.
I never imagined she’d so readily hand over 15 billion won.
It couldn’t have been an easy expense for her either…
‘……’
No, actually, maybe it was an easy expense for her.
Still—
“I’ll definitely pay you back.”
I wanted to say this, no matter what.
I had no intention of just taking it for free.
Given enough time, it was an amount I could more than repay.
But before I could even finish speaking, Kang Arin gently pinched my arm.
“No.”
At some point, she had softly grasped my shirt sleeve.
“I did it because I wanted to. Just… think of it as a gift.”
I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at her words.
Kang Arin looked straight into my eyes.
“And… you know, what I said earlier.”
She hesitated a bit.
“The person you go to when you need help…”
Her voice grew quieter.
“I hope I’m the first one who comes to mind.”
I was momentarily speechless,
But I could tell her feelings were sincere.
In truth, there was no need for her to say it.
Whenever I needed help,
Kang Arin was already the first person who came to mind.
Rather than someone who took care of me,
She was someone who naturally had everything under control,
And ended up looking after me in turn.
In fact, I had tried to distance myself, thinking,
‘I shouldn’t rely on her anymore.’
I gave a bitter smile and spoke.
“Won’t I get spoiled like this?”
Kang Arin smiled faintly at my words and leaned in a little closer.
“It’s okay. I’ll allow it.”
Those were comforting words.
Her slight weight leaning against me,
The warmth of her arm touching mine— It made a part of me feel warm.
Though of course, it wasn’t just because she was pressing up against me.
***
Ha Taesung sat in his chair, a heavy atmosphere surrounding him.
The short wisps of cigarette smoke filled the room.
“Is it today?”
“Yes.”
I nodded in response to the old man’s question.
Ha Taesung slowly scanned my face.
One of his eyebrows twitched slightly, And then he stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.
Tap.
The cigarette end sparked faintly as smoke drifted.
“Judging by your face, I guess you’re not too nervous.”
Today, his voice was lower than usual.
Though he always pretended to be indifferent,
Today there was a subtle tension in his expression.
I took a breath and answered.
“No, I am a bit nervous.”
At least until I actually reached the ‘real front door,’ it was uncharted territory.
It was only natural to feel nervous.
Of course, I had prepared various things for this.
“…Don’t push yourself too hard. No one else has been able to…”
“I’ll succeed.”
I cut in confidently.
Ha Taesung let out a bitter smile.
Then he stood up and gave my shoulder a light pat.
That gesture carried a faint trace of his cigarette scent.
“Don’t get hurt. I have to see my granddaughter get married.”
“Married, really…”
He said it like a joke,
But there was unmistakable concern behind those words.
I smiled lightly and nodded.
“I’ll be careful.”
Ha Taesung remained silent for a while.
He let out a long sigh, and gazed out the window for a long time.
“Just… do only as much as you can.”
“…….”
A short but weighty phrase.
Those words lingered with unusual depth.
That was the end of it.
I gave him a light bow and left the office.
In the hallway, the members of Vanquisher were waiting.
I’d heard they had recently completed a dungeon raid.
They should’ve been resting, yet it seemed they’d come out just to see me off.
All of them clearly looked exhausted.
Normally, we’d exchange a light greeting and part ways, But today, no one left first.
“You’ve worked hard. I’ll be back soon.”
I was the first to speak.
“We’ll be waiting.”
Park Gwangchul quietly looked at me—
Then gave my shoulder a gentle tap.
With that, the other members followed suit,
Each giving me a tap on the shoulder before heading to their rooms.
It was their way of cheering me on.
I could feel their consideration.
I smiled faintly and nodded at each one in turn.
The last to remain was Sion.
Sion quietly approached and hugged me without saying a word.
Though she had a small frame, The weight that wrapped around my arms was unmistakable.
A low voice, just barely brushing against my ear:
“Don’t… get hurt.”
I unconsciously patted her back.
“I’ll be right back.”
After the brief hug, Sion looked at me one more time, as if reluctant to let go.
I gave her a small smile.
With everyone’s eyes on my back—
Now, it was time to cross the flame.
***
The association’s lobby was quieter than usual.
They had likely cleared the path for my passage today.
“Hero Jung Haein! Please proceed with final checks!”
I entered the waiting room provided by the association
And began checking my equipment one last time.
[Purgatory of the Yaksha]
Despite its ominous name, the martial robe was dazzling white.
I rolled up my sleeves and slipped my arms into them,
And the garment shrank to fit me as if it were alive.
As I straightened the collar, a strange chill seeped in between my skin and the fabric.
Over that, I draped a long black coat.
Next came my weapon.
Aldebaran’s Fang — Catastrophe.
I lightly tapped the hilt with one hand to familiarize myself with its feel,
Then strapped it tightly across my back.
And lastly, the artifact I brought to avoid losing my way—
[Compass of Salvation]
[Even in the depths of despair, it points the way like a ray of light.]
A palm-sized metallic device vibrated faintly at my fingertips.
If I ever lost my path, this would be my last hope.
[Magma Booster]
[Absorbs surrounding heat and converts it into a protective barrier.]
This one was more of a backup—
Something I hopefully wouldn’t have to use,
In case the martial robe couldn’t withstand the heat.
“It’s done.”
I informed the association staff.
I pressed down on various parts of my outfit to ensure everything was in order.
After confirming all systems were go, I nodded to the staff member.
It wouldn’t take long.
Inside, time would flow incomparably slower than it did outside.
So even if I go through everything in there, only a small amount of time will have passed out here.
Behind me, a door quietly slid open.
The entrance was made of crude stone—
A modest door with only a small keyhole in the center,
Like a secret passage in an old castle.
“Here it is.”
I accepted the cube containing the key from the Association President.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
A brief word of encouragement followed.
I silently bowed and gripped the cube in my hand.
And then, without hesitation—
CLINK!
I infused mana and shattered the cube.
With a clear sound like breaking glass, the key inside tumbled out and landed in my palm.
The moment I grasped it, a faint heat began to radiate from the key.
I took a deep breath and slowly inserted the key into the hole.
The cold metallic friction buzzed against my fingertips.
As soon as the key entered, I felt the entire wall subtly vibrate.
Click.
The lock disengaged, and the wall began to slowly split open.
“Kh….”
Soon, a torrent of searing heat and crimson light streamed out from the crack.
It felt like the flames beyond the door were trying to consume me.
Sweat beaded on my forehead.
Just taking a single step forward felt like diving into a volcano.
The fire and heat didn’t just burn the flesh—it clawed at the mind as well.
I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes.
I adjusted my martial robe once more and gripped Catastrophe on my back tightly.
The sweat on my forehead dripped down along my jaw.
‘Endure it.’
Gritting my teeth, I stepped into the inferno—the Bulgaram Forge.
***
At that moment, in the Arcadia Order.
Beneath the grand cathedral’s dome, a long round table stretched through an endless chamber.
Voices clashed and tensions flared.
As always, the Saint faction and the Hero faction were engaged in heated debate, championing their own beliefs.
To Cheon Yeoul, it was just another boring, pretentious meeting.
There was no tension in the air for her.
Morning light streamed through the windows as Yeoul quietly traced circles on the desk with her finger.
She half-listened to the noise while subtly glancing at her watch screen to pass the time.
‘When is he going to contact me?’
It was about time to head for the Vatican anyway.
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly, a massive system alert popped up in the center of her vision.
> [Where flames devour blood, and molten steel pounds upon the heart. The Bulgaram Forge now tests a new master.]
Brilliant red letters filled her vision.
‘So, today’s the day.’
Cheon Yeoul smiled faintly.
Jung Haein had entered the Forge.
She was certain—he would emerge with exactly what he sought.
“What… what is this?”
“Is this real?”
Inside the order, chaos erupted.
While the Saint faction remained calm, the Hero faction—especially Bishop Sung Young-il—leapt to his feet.
After all, the expected candidate to challenge Bulgaram had been Yohan.
It had been agreed upon behind closed doors.
The Hero faction was flipped upside down.
“What… what the hell is this?!”
In a rush, he grabbed his watch and called the Vice President of the Association.
But the answer he received was unexpected.
“…What? TV…?”
He snatched up the remote and turned on the TV—
Immediately, every eye in the Order was glued to the screen.
A special emergency broadcast by the Association played.
The Association President began to read from his script, his expression somber.
> “We hereby appoint the hero who made great contributions during the Apostle battle as the next challenger of the Bulgaram Forge, and officially declare this to the public…”
The Hero faction’s expressions instantly twisted.
“Goddammit!”
Sung Young-il hurled his watch to the floor.
The broadcast left no room for doubt.
“Who the hell is it?!”
It was the Association’s way of announcing their chosen successor.
The one they were backing to lead the next generation.
Yohan’s expression also began to distort.
Then, the Association President’s voice once again echoed through the speakers.
>“…That individual, once known as the ‘Silent Ghost’…”
The screen shifted.
A young man dressed in a white martial robe and black coat filled the screen.
> “…will cast aside the name of a dark ghost and rise anew with a new title—
> Jung Haein, the Hero.”
Silence fell over the Order.
And in that moment, only one person—
Only Cheon Yeoul kept her eyes on the screen, smiling sweetly as she whispered:
“So handsome~”
A smile bloomed across her lips, impossible to hide.
****
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