Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Dokgo Jin slowly lowered Extinction.

‘A pity.’

It had been a rare chance to cross hands with a proper master. Yet on the other hand, he also felt it was fortunate.

‘If we had gone all the way, I could have won, but…….’

He was not an easy opponent, so Dokgo Jin would not have been able to avoid exposing the full extent of his strength. Even the martial prowess he had revealed so far might be enough to draw the Northern Heaven Alliance’s wariness if he was careless.

‘That would be troublesome.’

Dokgo Jin turned and was about to head for the stairs when Paeng Jin-ak opened his mouth.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

“……?”

He took out a heavy piece of metal from within his robes and tossed it lightly to Dokgo Jin.

WHOOSH!

Dokgo Jin reflexively snatched the object flying toward him and opened his palm.

It was a black iron tablet the size of an adult’s palm.

Across its rough surface, marked by the traces of time, an ascending dragon and a roaring tiger were carved in intricate relief.

Whatever material it was made of, it felt cold and heavy against his fingertips. Even at a glance, it was no ordinary object.

“What is this?”

“It is the Dragon-Tiger Tablet.”

Paeng Jin-ak sprawled flat on the wooden platform again and answered half-heartedly.

“It is proof that you passed the Third Gate safely. Take it with you.”

“……Is that all?”

“What else would you need? You passed, so I am giving you proof.”

Dokgo Jin furrowed his brow.

‘Just proof?’

It was far too fine a tablet for that.

Besides, if that was all it was, would there have been any need to give him proof? Paeng Jin-ak could simply report it to the higher-ups.

“…….”

Dokgo Jin was suspicious, but since Paeng Jin-ak would not tell him, he decided there was nothing he could do about it.

“Then.”

After giving a brief bow of respect, Dokgo Jin left the stone chamber through the stairs.

“…….”

Paeng Jin-ak raised himself from where he had been lying and muttered.

“Well, now. I thought he would pester me a little more than that. He just left.”

Naturally, the Dragon-Tiger Tablet was no ordinary object.

He had deliberately left out the explanation because he wanted to have a longer conversation with the taciturn and reticent Dokgo Jin.

“……Well, there will be someone who recognizes it.”

Paeng Jin-ak stroked his short beard.

‘Such martial prowess at such a young age…… It is like seeing the Alliance Leader in his younger days.’

Of course, he did not think he would lose.

‘When young fellows keep rising up like this…… I suppose I cannot afford to neglect my training.’

Paeng Jin-ak sprang to his feet and gripped his Horse-Cleaving Saber again.

In truth, the stone chamber of the Third Gate also served as his personal practice chamber.

THUD!

A bout of training even more violent than usual began.

***

CREEEEAK!

The rusty hinges screamed as the massive iron door of Dragon-Tiger Hall opened.

Son Dang, the Seventh Instructor of the Martial Training Hall, who had been anxiously pacing near the entrance, swallowed dryly and stared into the darkness.

Step, step.

Before long, a familiar figure walked out through the pitch-black gloom.

It was Dokgo Jin, his clothes a little torn and covered in dust, but with all four limbs intact.

“Do-Dokgo Jin!”

Son Dang ran over in a single bound.

He had been so curious about what would happen to Dokgo Jin that he had been unable to suppress his curiosity and had returned to wait.

“What happened?”

Dokgo Jin looked at Son Dang and smiled inwardly.

‘He is a curious man.’

Son Dang asked cautiously.

“You must have passed the First Gate and the Second Gate, yes?”

“That is right.”

He nodded broadly, as if he had expected as much.

“As expected, impressive! I knew someone like you would be able to succeed at that much, ha ha ha!”

“Are you not asking about the Third Gate?”

“Hm? Surely…… Did you enter the Third Gate as well? You crossed hands with the Master of Dragon-Tiger Hall…… with the Chief Instructor?”

“That is right.”

“……!”

Son Dang’s eyes widened as if they would split open.

“How can that be? I did not expect this at all…….”

He suddenly examined Dokgo Jin’s appearance.

‘For someone who faced the Chief Instructor, he is far too intact. Did he give up at the beginning?’

His opponent was the unpredictable, eccentric, and terrifying Paeng Jin-ak.

Simply coming out alive was already impressive, so even if Dokgo Jin had given up, it would not have been a flaw.

“Do not be too disappointed. Just facing the Chief Instructor is already enough to…….”

Dokgo Jin cut him off.

“I do not know what you are talking about.”

“Hm?”

“I passed the Third Gate as well.”

Son Dang’s mouth fell open.

“R-Really? You mean the Chief Instructor acknowledged your passage?”

“That is right. He was certainly no easy opponent.”

“…….”

Son Dang was struck speechless.

‘This is insane! The Chief Instructor is not merely on the level of being “no easy opponent”…….’

Son Dang stared blankly at Dokgo Jin, who answered as if it were no great matter, then suddenly asked in a hurry as though something had occurred to him.

“Then, did the Chief Instructor happen to give you anything?”

Dokgo Jin was pleased by his question.

‘I was curious about that anyway. This works out well.’

He took the heavy piece of metal from within his robes and held it up before Son Dang’s eyes.

“Do you mean this?”

The black iron tablet gleamed under the red light of the setting sun, and the intricately carved dragon and tiger seemed to writhe as if they might leap out at any moment.

The instant Son Dang saw the Dragon-Tiger Tablet, his pupils shook greatly.

“Ah!”

He gave a short gasp and swallowed dryly.

“The Dragon-Tiger Tablet…… I cannot believe you managed to receive this!”

“The Master of Dragon-Tiger Hall only said it was proof that I passed the Third Gate. Is that correct?”

“Ha ha ha, there is no way that is all. That eccentric man must have found it troublesome to explain.”

Son Dang gazed at the Dragon-Tiger Tablet with eyes full of awe, then continued in a low, solemn tone.

“The Dragon-Tiger Tablet is not something given out unconditionally just because one passes the Third Gate. It can be called a tablet containing the highest honor of the Martial Training Hall, bestowed only when the Master of Dragon-Tiger Hall sincerely acknowledges the challenger’s martial prowess.”

“…….”

“Accordingly, the owner of the Dragon-Tiger Tablet is called the ‘Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder’ and receives the reverence of all warriors in our alliance. Even a Flag Master of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven cannot treat such a person carelessly.”

Son Dang slowly raised his head and looked at Dokgo Jin. The look in his eyes as he saw Dokgo Jin had changed greatly as well.

“Since the founding of our alliance, there have only been two Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holders, both direct disciples of the Alliance Leader. You are the third.”

Dragon-Tiger Hall could be challenged not only by special newcomers, but also by martial artists who had trained in the Martial Training Hall and built up their martial arts, provided their qualifications were acknowledged.

‘There is no way an object like this carries only honor.’

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Dokgo Jin asked.

“So, what is its use? It seems there must be something more.”

Son Dang was inwardly dumbfounded.

‘What is its use, he asks…….’

On the other hand, he could understand.

‘Well, he has not officially entered our alliance yet, so perhaps it does not move him much.’

Son Dang calmly explained the benefits of the Dragon-Tiger Tablet.

“The Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder has the right to choose better lodging and is exempted from all duties.”

Since his talent had been proven, it meant he should use that time to train and become stronger.

“In truth, that is a minor matter…… The greatest benefit is that it grants the authority to open the ‘Purple Tenuity Vault.’”

The Purple Tenuity Vault.

It was the treasure vault where the Northern Heaven Alliance stored the various objects, manuals, and spirit medicines it had gathered while reigning as one of the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains.

“On the condition that you return the Dragon-Tiger Tablet, you may take any single treasure from the Purple Tenuity Vault. For a martial artist, that is a value one could exchange even one’s life for.”

A strange light appeared in Dokgo Jin’s eyes.

‘The Purple Tenuity Vault, is it? This is better than I expected.’

He placed the Dragon-Tiger Tablet back inside his robes.

“Thank you for explaining. Should I return to the main hall of the Martial Training Hall now?”

“That is true, but…….”

“I learned the geography on the way here, so there is no need to guide me.”

It seemed he thought Son Dang had been waiting there to guide him.

“Then.”

Dokgo Jin simply began walking.

Son Dang stared blankly at him as he grew distant.

‘To think he would receive the Dragon-Tiger Tablet.’

He gave a strange smile.

‘This means the alliance will be stirred up for the first time in a while, does it not?’

***

“A person who passed the Third Gate of Dragon-Tiger Hall…… has appeared?”

“Who is it?”

“A newcomer brought in by the Captain of the Iron Soul Unit?”

“Was his name Dokgo Jin?”

The news spread in an instant and reached the leadership of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven, and it was only natural for them to take an interest in Dokgo Jin.

Countless people showed interest in Dokgo Jin, the Third Gate passer who had emerged after so long.

“It was not just a pass!”

“They say the Master of Dragon-Tiger Hall gave him the Dragon-Tiger Tablet.”

“What?!”

“The Dragon-Tiger Tablet?!”

“Just what kind of monster did the Captain of the Iron Soul Unit bring in?”

The title that had been permitted to only two people in the history of Dragon-Tiger Hall: Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.

The previous two Dragon-Tiger Tablets had been exchanged at the Purple Tenuity Vault and disappeared, so it could be said that Dokgo Jin was currently the only Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.

The news that a third protagonist had appeared came as a fresh shock to the warriors of the Northern Heaven Alliance.

“The Captain of the Iron Soul Unit brought in quite a find!”

“The Iron Soul Unit is lucky.”

“Will it really be? Even if he is the Captain of the Iron Soul Unit, protecting the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder will not be easy.”

“True. The other four Northern Heaven Flags will not stay still.”

“This should be interesting, no? I wonder if Mountain-Breaking Spear can defend the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.”

The rumor that spread in the blink of an eye naturally flowed into the Iron Soul Unit as well.

BANG!

The massive iron door opened violently, as if it might be torn off.

The one who rushed into the private practice chamber of the Captain of the Iron Soul Unit was Vice-Captain Yu Seol-ah.

Her face, usually cold and composed, was flushed red.

“Captain!”

However, the inside of the practice chamber was not merely calm, but heavy.

Standing at the center of the practice chamber with a heavy iron spear in his hands, Yeom Baek glanced at her, then stared forward again.

“Why the fuss? What is it?”

“This is not the time to be training! Have you heard the news?”

Yu Seol-ah beat her chest in frustration and shouted.

“That newcomer—no, Dokgo Jin! They say he came out of Dragon-Tiger Hall as the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder!”

“…….”

Yeom Baek calmly lowered the iron spear. The spear shaft touched the floor, and the practice chamber reverberated.

THUD.

The iron spear weighed a full one hundred geun, and he had been holding that spear for an entire double-hour.

“I know.”

“You know? You know, and you are acting like this?”

Yu Seol-ah approached with a dumbfounded expression.

“That eccentric Master of Dragon-Tiger Hall acknowledged him! Honestly, I was surprised too. I never imagined he would become the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.”

Yu Seol-ah bit her lip and continued.

“Outside, everything is in an uproar right now. There are even rumors that the leadership of the other four Northern Heaven Flags will move personally! At this rate, the talent our Iron Soul Unit staked a claim on will be stolen right before our eyes!”

In principle, priority in recruiting talent was given to the person who brought that talent in.

However, if the other party was the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder and the Flag Masters of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven stepped forward on top of that, the story changed.

Rather, the hilt of the blade would be handed to Dokgo Jin.

Yet among the combat units under the Five Flags of Northern Heaven, the Iron Soul Unit handled the most dangerous and brutal missions. It was not treated especially well, either.

Even under similar conditions, it was far more likely not to be chosen.

Yu Seol-ah’s worry was natural.

However, Yeom Baek merely wiped away his sweat with a towel and answered indifferently.

“Then we must not let him be stolen.”

“How? The other four Northern Heaven Flags will offer incredible conditions!”

“Our Iron Soul Unit has me, and it has you, does it not?”

Yu Seol-ah looked puzzled.

“Pardon?! Well, you are called the strongest among the Captains of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven, so that is one thing, but what help am I?”

“You are the most beautiful of the vice-captains in the Five Flags of Northern Heaven.”

“What did you say?!”

It was not wrong. Among the vice-captains of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven, Yu Seol-ah was the sole woman.

“Is this the time for jokes? We do not even have enough time to think fiercely about how to hold on to Dokgo Jin!”

“You saw his eyes.”

A faint smile formed at Yeom Baek’s lips.

“I knew from the moment I first saw him that he was no ordinary man. I did not expect him to become the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder, though.”

Yeom Baek gripped the iron spear firmly again and continued.

“In the end, it depends on Dokgo Jin’s will. If he is the real thing, he will walk into the tiger’s den on his own feet. If not, he will go elsewhere. A weak bastard has no place in our Iron Soul Unit, so would that not be better?”

“Captain!”

“Noisy. Stop interfering with my training time and leave.”

Yeom Baek lifted the iron spear high again and exhaled heavily.

Yu Seol-ah clicked her tongue as she watched him.

‘Look at him acting like such a man among men. Is he saying it is fine if we lose the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder to somewhere else, or what?’

Yu Seol-ah nervously swept back her hair.

“Ha, honestly…… You seem to have something you believe in, Captain, but I am too anxious to stand still. I will step in myself.”

“Do as you wish.”

“I will grab him by the collar and drag him here if I have to, so know that!”

Yu Seol-ah whirled around and left the practice chamber.

BANG.

The sound of the massive iron door closing rang out. Only then did Yeom Baek set down the iron spear he had been holding, almost as if throwing it onto the floor.

“…….”

His shoulders, which had seemed as steady as a great mountain, slumped all at once. Yeom Baek glanced toward the closed door and grumbled.

“Why did she have so much to say instead of leaving quickly? ……If she had gone out even a little later, I would have nearly bolted out myself.”

He anxiously chewed on his lip and gripped the iron spear again. His palms were soaked with cold sweat.