Golden Horizon

The small room was dimly lit, with Sun is casting a warm, flickering glow. So Hyeon stood by the window, her arms crossed, gazing out into the quiet courtyard. Beside her, Alara leaned against the window frame her Crimson red eyes looking outside as well

Behind them, Min Joon lay sprawled on the bed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The boy was so deeply asleep that he hadn't even bothered to inspect the room when they arrived. It was, after all, the first time in his life he'd had a proper bed to sleep on.

The faint creak of the door broke the silence. So Hyeon turned her head slightly, her gaze sharpening as Lee Kang stepped into the room. His hair was damp, as though he'd just washed, and he scratched the back of his head with an air of mild discomfort.

"What did they say?" So Hyeon asked without preamble, her voice steady but laced with curiosity.

Lee Kang hesitated, his fingers still at his neck. "From now on, these kids will be your direct students," he said finally. "The elders want to keep an eye on them—just in case."

So Hyeon's brow furrowed. "It doesn't make much of a difference to me," she said, turning back to the window. "But wouldn't it be better for them to learn from the trainers? I'm still in training myself."

Lee Kang shrugged as he leaned against the doorframe. "Of course, I know that. But until the Grade 1 exam starts, this is how it'll be. When the time comes, I'm sure Min Joon and Alara will join the others."

There was a pause before So Hyeon spoke again, her voice quieter this time. "Did the leader mention Jin Seok?"

Lee Kang glanced at her, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Don't worry. He didn't."

So Hyeon's shoulders relaxed, but Lee Kang wasn't finished. He straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. "But why do you care so much about these kids?" he asked, his tone pointed. "I get that they resemble him, but aren't you going too far?"

So Hyeon stiffened, her jaw tightening as she kept her gaze fixed on the shining courtyard. "It's not just about that," she said after a moment, her voice calm but edged with something unspoken.

He raised an eyebrow *Isn'it?*

She talked again*I Mean mostly ıt isn't*she said

*So its about Jug Yeong as well*he said.

She got blushed from hearing his name.*Will You Ever shut up*She shouted while Pushing Lee kang out of the room.*Okey okey ım going out so you can think about your lover*he laughed with a smirk on his face.That was the last thing he could say before she kicked him Out with a strong kick waking up Min Joon on the way*GET OUT*She shouted

After waking up Min Joon noticed Alara smiling faintly, though she still seemed to wonder what they are talking about. He yawned, stretching lazily.

Before he could drift back to sleep, So Hyeon's voice cut through the room. "Before you go back to bed, come with me. Let's get you two some proper clothes. Right now, you both look like homeless people."

Min Joon blinked at her, still groggy. "That's because I am a homeless person," he said with a deadpan expression before dragging himself off the bed.

So Hyeon rolled her eyes, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Well, not anymore. Now, move it."

Alara, who had been silently observing the exchange, tilted her head slightly, still not fully understanding what was going on. Yet, without a word, she joined them, following along with an expression that said she was just going with the flow.

Min Joon glanced at her as they stepped into the hallway. "Do you even know what's happening?"

Alara looked at him, her crimson eyes wide with curiosity.she tryed to talk using her hands but gave up after a few try.

Min Joon yawned again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. At least I'm not the only one who's confused."

So Hyeon turned to look at them both, walking ahead with an air of authority. "Less talking, more walking. You'll thank me later when you're not dressed like a pair of street rats."

Min Joon sighed but couldn't help a small smile creeping onto his face. Alara, on the other hand, simply followed, her quiet smile never leaving her lips, still trying to piece together the chaos of the day.

While walking through the sect, Min Joon couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement as he watched disciples around the ages of 10 to 13 running and training diligently. The air buzzed with energy, and the sight of so many young martial artists stirred something in him. He glanced at Alara, who remained quiet, her crimson eyes darting curiously around the bustling sect grounds.

After some time, they arrived at a modest building with the name Star Tailor etched on a wooden sign above the entrance.

"Let's head inside, you two," So Hyeon said, pushing the door open.

The room was warm and lively, filled with the chatter of young women in their mid-20s, all busily knitting and working on various garments. Their nimble fingers moved swiftly as they exchanged laughter and stories.

So Hyeon stepped forward confidently. "Hello, ladies! Can you help these rats get some proper clothes?" she said, gesturing toward Min Joon and Alara.

The women paused their work, their gazes shifting toward the pair. In an instant, they surrounded Min Joon and Alara, measuring their heights, inspecting their frames, and taking note of their proportions.

"SO HYEON, HELP ME! I'M DROWNING! PLEASE HELP MEEEEE!!" Min Joon cried out dramatically as one of the women tugged on his unruly yellow hair to measure him properly.

"AHHHHHHhhhhh!" he screamed, flailing as he was dragged back into the group of women.

Meanwhile, Alara stood completely still, unfazed by the commotion. She allowed herself to be measured without a word, her expression calm and unreadable.

So Hyeon couldn't hold back her laughter, clutching her stomach as Min Joon continued to struggle in vain. Just then, a soft yet authoritative voice called out from behind her.

"So Hyeon, when did you return to the sect?"

So Hyeon turned to face the speaker and immediately straightened her posture. Standing before her was Miss Doum, a woman in her fifties and one of the sect's elders. She was in charge of managing the non-combat divisions of the sect, including buildings like Star Tailor.

"Miss Doum," So Hyeon greeted, bowing respectfully. "We returned this morning."

Miss Doum smiled warmly, her sharp eyes glancing past So Hyeon to where Min Joon and Alara were being whisked away into another room. "And who are those kids?" she asked.

"Ah, those kids will be my direct disciples for a month before the Grade 1 exam starts again," So Hyeon replied.

Miss Doum chuckled at the news. "Hahaha! Our little So Hyeon, when did you grow old enough to take on disciples? Or was it those sharp eyes of yours that convinced you to accept them?"

So Hyeon's face flushed with embarrassment. "First of all, I'm not old," she said, her tone defensive. "Second, yes, it was my eyes that got Min Joon accepted. And third, I'm sure you've already heard from the other elders about what happened in Aniyo Village."

Miss Doum's smile faded slightly, replaced by a somber expression. "Yes, I heard. Such a tragedy…"

So Hyeon nodded. "She's the sole survivor," she said, glancing toward the door where Alara had disappeared. "But for some reason, we can't understand her, and she doesn't seem to understand us either."

Miss Doum's eyes softened. "I'm so sorry for the loss that young girl has suffered. Don't worry—we'll find a translator to help with communication. Leave that to me."

"Thank you, Miss Doum," So Hyeon said sincerely.

Miss Doum's gentle smile returned. "Now, I'm sure you came here to get clothes made for them. But why don't you step inside as well?"

"What?" So Hyeon blinked in surprise as Miss Doum took her by the arm, guiding her toward the back room.

"We can make something for you, too," Miss Doum said with a teasing grin. "It's about time you had some new clothes, don't you think?"

So Hyeon sighed, though she couldn't hide the faint smile creeping onto her face. As they entered the room, the sound of Min Joon's muffled protests echoed through the hall.

"Leave Me Alone You Damm Witches!?"

After what felt like an eternity to Min Joon They finally stepped out of the Star Tailor. Their new white Murim-style clothes with the amblem of Iron Will Sect fit them perfectly, tailored to highlight their individuality while maintaining the elegance of the sect's traditions.

Min Joon tugged at the hem of his robe, frowning slightly. "These clothes are so… fancy," he muttered, glancing down at the intricate embroidery along the cuffs. "I look like I'm about to meet emperor or something."

So Hyeon crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "You look like less of a street rat now, which is an improvement. What do you think, Alara?"

Alara blinked, her crimson eyes darting between So Hyeon and Min Joon. She didn't respond, her expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion. Instead, she touched the edge of her robe lightly, running her fingers over the smooth fabric. Her lips curled into a faint smile, but she said nothing.

So Hyeon noticed her silence and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right. She doesn't understand a word we're saying."

So Hyeon tilted her head, studying Alara. "Well, at least she looks like she likes the clothes. That's progress, I guess."

Alara caught So Hyeon's gaze and tilted her head slightly, mirroring the gesture. She gestured at the robe, her hands moving as if trying to form a question, but her motions were hesitant and unclear.

Min Joon muttered, "Yeah, I have no idea what you're trying to say, but sure."

So Hyeon chuckled, shaking her head. "Come on, let's get moving. Even if she doesn't understand us, we can't just stand here all day."

Min Joon groaned but followed, glancing at Alara. "You know, if you ever figure out how to talk to us, the first thing I want to know is what you think of all this."

Alara simply smiled faintly, her eyes taking in the bustling sect around them as they walked, her quiet demeanor a stark contrast to Min Joon's grumbling.

After walking for a while, So Hyeon spotted a young disciple passing by. She called him over and gestured toward Alara. "Please take her to her room and make sure she's settled in," So Hyeon instructed.

The disciple nodded respectfully and motioned for Alara to follow him. Alara hesitated for a moment, her crimson eyes darting toward Min Joon, as if unsure whether to leave. With a reassuring nod from So Hyeon, she finally followed the disciple, her movements cautious but curious.

Min Joon, however, was left standing in confusion. "Wait, what's going on? Why is she leaving?" he asked, scratching his head.

So Hyeon turned to face him, her expression shifting into a sly smile. "Now," she said, her tone sharp and commanding, "we start your training. Are you ready?"

Min Joon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Wait, are you serious? Yes, I'm ready!" he said, practically bouncing in place. "What do I do? Should I grab a sword? Or—I don't know—should I start doing sit-ups?"

So Hyeon chuckled, shaking her head. "Nope. First, you're going to sit down and cross your legs."

Min Joon froze, staring at her with disbelief. "Wait, is this one of those patience-training things? Can we, like, do something cooler? Something that doesn't involve me sitting like a statue?"

So Hyeon raised an eyebrow and looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, without warning, she moved—so fast that Min Joon barely registered her blur of motion before she was behind him. A sharp slap landed on the back of his head.

"Ow! What the—" Min Joon yelped, rubbing the sore spot.

"Listen up," So Hyeon said, standing over him with a smug smile. "Training your body is good, sure. And at Grade 1, they'll have you doing all kinds of running, lifting, and sparring. But if you want to do the things I can do, you need more than that. You need to feel IQ."

"IQ?" Min Joon repeated, blinking at her.

"Yes," So Hyeon said, crossing her arms."Martial arts isn't just about brute strength or speed. It's about intelligence and understanding.

The seriousness in her tone struck something in Min Joon. Without another word, he dropped to the ground, crossing his legs and sitting up straight. His eyes gleamed with determination. "Okay. Tell me what to do."

So Hyeon grinned. "Good. Let's begin."

"Now," So Hyeon began, her voice soft but firm, "calm yourself. Reset everything—your thoughts, your surroundings, even yourself. Don't try to control anything; just feel your surroundings."

Min Joon nodded, his face scrunched in concentration as he closed his eyes and tried to focus. So Hyeon watched him for a moment before gently covering her hand with her own IQ, hoping to make it easier for him to sense the subtle energy around him.

A minute passed. So Hyeon's sharp eyes remained on Min Joon, waiting for a sign of progress. Instead, she noticed his head beginning to tilt forward, a slight snore escaping his lips. Drool trickled down the corner of his mouth as he teetered on the edge of sleep.

Her eye twitched. Without hesitation, she slapped the back of his head, hard enough to make him jolt upright.

"Can you focus?!" she shouted, glaring at him.

"Ow! That hurt!" Min Joon yelped, rubbing his head. "And, uh, I didn't realize this could be so boring. I'm sorry!" He gave her a sheepish grin, but it didn't help his case.

So Hyeon sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. What am I going to do with him? she thought, glancing at the boy in front of her, who looked both apologetic and clueless.

So Hyeon crossed her arms and took a deep breath, trying to suppress her frustration. She wasn't about to let Min Joon off that easily.

"Alright, one more time," she said, her tone firm but with a hint of patience. "Try again. This time, focus. Don't let your mind wander."

Min Joon nodded eagerly, though there was a glint of hesitation in his eyes. He knew what was coming, but he didn't want to admit it. He sat back down and crossed his legs, trying to steady his breathing.

So Hyeon, once again, covered her hand with her IQ, creating a faint aura around her palm to help him sense it.

"Remember, just feel. Don't think. Just feel."

Min Joon closed his eyes and tried again, but after a few moments, the inevitable happened. His head drooped forward, his eyes fluttered shut, and soon enough, he was drooling again.

So Hyeon didn't even blink. She waited for the moment before she reached out and slapped the back of his head once more.

"Focus, Min Joon!" she shouted, her voice sharp.

He jolted awake, his face flushing as he wiped the drool away. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! It's just… so hard to concentrate."

So Hyeon's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of amusement behind her gaze. I knew it.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "You're going to make me regret this, aren't you?" she muttered to herself, before speaking more loudly. "Alright, one more time, but this time, no sleeping."

Min Joon gave her a half-smile, knowing he was in for another round of this strange training. He sat up straighter, determined to do better this time.

So Hyeon covered her hands with IQ, still wondering how she could get this kid to focus.

Min Joon took one last look at So Hyeon before trying to focus again, noticing the hint of disappointment in her eyes. He let out a sigh with a sad tone to it. determination flickering in his chest.

Delete everything, he told himself. Delete So Hyeon. Delete the space itself. Only your mind should remain.

With that thought, Min Joon closed his eyes, letting the world around him fade into nothingness. For a long, uncertain moment, there was only silence—deep, heavy, and all-encompassing. It was as if the entire universe had paused, holding its breath. He felt suspended in an infinite, boundless space, with no sense of direction or time. The emptiness stretched on, swallowing him whole.

In that vast nothingness, there was no sound, no light, no presence of any kind. His thoughts felt distant, muffled, as if they were being absorbed by the void. His mind drifted aimlessly, like a small boat on an endless ocean. Doubt began to creep in. Was this the right path? Was this how it was supposed to be?

But Min Joon pushed the doubts aside. Focus, he reminded himself. Focus on the void. Let everything go. Just your mind remains.

For the first time in ages, there was no pressure, no distractions. The world had been reduced to a single point—himself, his thoughts, and nothing more.

Minutes, maybe hours, passed in this emptiness. Then, faintly at first, something stirred. A flicker of light appeared in the distance. It was barely noticeable, a tiny spark in the vast blackness. Min Joon almost missed it, but then it happened again—another flicker, brighter this time.

The particles began to multiply, appearing like fireflies in the darkness. They drifted lazily at first, then began to move with purpose, drawn toward him by an unseen force. The glow they emitted was warm, gentle, yet their brightness grew, filling the space around him.

Min Joon's breath caught as the particles started to converge. At first scattered, they soon began to form patterns, swirling around him like an intricate dance. The light became more intense, growing in size and density until the entire space around him was alight. It was as if the void had come alive, shifting from emptiness to a vibrant, glowing tapestry.

The light hummed with energy, like a heartbeat in the air, filling the space with a palpable force. Min Joon could feel it, the power of it. The particles weren't just light; they were fragments of his own mind, his energy, coming together in harmony. The void was no longer empty—it was alive with purpose, with his own power.

So Hyeon, watching from a distance, felt her heart lift as she saw the change in Min Joon. The restless energy he had carried before was replaced with calm, focused determination. His focus was unwavering. Her lips curved into a proud smile as she observed the radiance around him. Finally, she thought, he's done it.

As the particles swirled around Min Joon, something shifted—an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from within him. It was as if the light had found its purpose and, in that moment, transformed into something far more powerful. The glow intensified, and suddenly, a massive flame erupted from Min Joon's body, enveloping him in a blaze so fierce that it seemed to burn the very air around him.

The flames were unlike anything So Hyeon had ever seen before. They were not just fire—they were a manifestation of pure, unrestrained IQ. The fire was immense, swirling in violent, passionate spirals, stretching high above Min Joon. The heat radiated from it, searing the air, yet it didn't harm him. Instead, the fire was a part of him, a reflection of his newfound focus and strength.

So Hyeon instinctively took a step back, her eyes wide with awe and a hint of fear. She had been accustomed to seeing power, but this—this was something entirely different. The flames were wild, uncontrollable, and as they roared, they pushed everything around them away. She barely had time to react before the heat reached her, and in an instant, the flames sent her stumbling backward, forcing her to shield her face with her arms.

The force of the blaze knocked her off her feet, sending her sprawling to the ground several paces away. She could feel his IQ on her skin, her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at the towering inferno. The fire's sheer magnitude left her in awe. It was far more than she had expected.

But as the flames continued to rise, Min Joon remained at the center, his expression one of complete calm. His eyes were still closed, his body undisturbed by the chaos surrounding him. The fire seemed to respond to his inner state, growing stronger, brighter, and more intense the more focused he became.

So Hyeon, still lying on the ground, blinked away the lingering spots from her vision. She stared at Min Joon with a worried look

The flames surrounding Min Joon roared with an intensity that shook the air itself. This was no ordinary display of energy—it was wild, untamed, and far beyond what anyone would expect from someone like him. The IQ radiating from his body was unnatural, a torrent of raw power that seemed to tear through the very fabric of the space around him.

Each roar of the flame echoed through the sect like the cry of a raging beast, reverberating off the hills and buildings. The sound was deafening, carrying with it a primal energy that made the ground beneath So Hyeon tremble. The sheer magnitude of it wasn't something she could ignore—nor could anyone else.

In the distance, disciples paused in their training, their faces turning toward the source of the sound with alarm some even getting scared by the pure existence of it.

Leader Yang's serene expression gave way to concern as he looked outside from a room in the main building of rhe sect, his gaze narrowing toward the direction of the phenomenon. The entire sect seemed to be held captive by the roaring inferno, its energy pressing down on them like a storm about to break.

So Hyeon, still sprawled on the ground, felt a growing sense of unease. She tried to steady herself, shielding her face from the waves of heat and light that pulsed outward with every roar. Her earlier pride at Min Joon's breakthrough was now replaced with worry. This isn't normal, she thought, her heart pounding,even ıf Min Joon had this much IQ. How did he managed to stay alive till now,she questioned.

With every deafening roar, her concern deepened. The flames weren't just strong—they were volatile, unpredictable. They surged and twisted as if they had a will of their own, threatening to spiral out of control. So Hyeon's mind raced. Does he even know what he's doing? Can he control this?

"Min Joon!" she called out, her voice almost swallowed by the roar of the flames. But there was no response. He remained unmoving, his body at the center of the chaos, completely immersed in the storm of his own making.