TDWAD 08

TDWAD

Posted by Fahad, Released on August 8, 2025

Chapter 8

“…Last night, multiple corpses were discovered in a freezer of an abandoned factory. The police have launched an investigation. A civilian’s report revealed the gruesome scene. Among the deceased were known loan shark Mr. Choi and gang member Mr. Jo. Authorities suspect they may be linked to the victims and are focusing their investigation on those connections.”

“Those bastards deserved it!”

Since early morning, customers tipsy on soju and blood sausage soup were already shouting and pointing fingers at the TV.

“…You were the one who reported it?”

Seo Hye-jin whispered, cupping her hand beside her mouth.

“Nope. Han Sang-il did.”

Do-yoon smirked as he answered.

“He really listens when told.”

“Did he turn himself in? What did you do to him?”

Hye-jin’s suspicious look practically said, “What the hell did you do to make him think it was better to confess?”

“Han Sang-il didn’t know Jo Yong-bae’s true nature. I advised him that tipping them off early would be in his best interest.”

“So he gave them the full story?”

“There’s nothing that’ll tie back to us. I made sure he kept his mouth shut and tied up loose ends. Not that the police would believe it anyway.”

“Ah…”

Trickle.

Hye-jin refilled his water glass.

A stinging, spicy taste lingered in his mouth. Do-yoon chugged the water and muttered incredulously.

“Why does everyone eat everything so spicy and salty? No wonder we’ve got the highest stomach cancer rates.”

Clack.

Hye-jin silently took the empty plate and brought back more radish kimchi.

Do-yoon immediately picked one up and started crunching away.

After swallowing, he looked at her with a raised brow.

“You don’t have to sit there staring at me with your chin in your hand, you know.”

“I’ve got a question.”

“…?”

“Why are you still speaking informally to me?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, just curious. I mean, you saved my life, so I’m not gonna complain. But you’ve been like that since you showed up at my house.”

“Was I?”

“What do you mean, was I? You used to always call me noona, and now all of a sudden—what, you just got a new attitude?”

‘I’m a guardian spirit of the nation. You think I can go around calling people “noona”?’

The actual reason—being over 5,000 years older—couldn’t exactly be said out loud.

Hye-jin’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re not doing one of those things, are you? Like, ‘I’m not gonna call you noona anymore~’ Eeeek~ Stop, you cheesy little—”

“Where do you even come up with this stuff.”

“Just kidding… Wait a second. What do you mean “stuff”? You pushed me away back then to keep me out of danger, didn’t you?”

She looked down shyly, her cheeks red.

“A-and at the factory, you definitely said… something about my beautiful face…”

“…?”

She was just chopping the sentence into pieces.

Did Choi Ki-hyun plug his ears halfway and open them only to hear that part?

“Aren’t you going home?”

“Oh, trying to change the subject? So it was real, huh?”

“That’s not it. A grown woman shouldn’t be away from home this long.”

Hye-jin chuckled.

“What is this, a historical drama? I got my own room, my parents know where I am—what’s the big deal?”

‘Descendants are getting more liberal by the generation… Is this something to encourage in modern times?’

He had no comeback, but he still had to send her back.

“Still, you should go. I’ve got things to do.”

“That old book collecting hobby?”

“Good memory.”

More precisely, old books related to martial arts.

After the gates opened and mass awakenings swept the globe…

Humanity gained weapons it had never possessed before.

On top of intellect and social bonds, they now had beaks and claws capable of tearing enemies apart with overwhelming physical power.

A chosen strength no lifeform on Earth could rival.

But it wasn’t just people who were awakened. The system also awakened humanity’s heritage.

Among the most notable of these were ancient martial techniques classified as “Mu-gong” (武功).

It was also the reason reincarnators were in high demand—and why collecting martial texts had become Do-yoon’s top priority after securing his finances.

“First, I need to secure the Heavenly Fortune Sword Art.”

The Heavenly Fortune Sword Art—Cheon-un Geom-gyeol (천운검결)—was a mysterious martial manual never seen, even amid the explosive popularity of old-book collecting.

Why?

“Because no one knew it existed.”

Not a single trace in documents, legends, or folklore.

A hidden ultimate technique, buried behind the veil of history.

Hye-jin took out a notepad and pen.

“If you’re serious, I think I can help.”

“You?”

This martial manual had never appeared in any timeline.

Even other reincarnators of the same era had missed it. No returning regressors had ever reached it.

He didn’t know it from memories—but from glimpses seen as he observed the land over millennia.

Only Korea’s guardian spirit knew the Heavenly Fortune Sword Art was in Haenam.

“So, what exactly are you looking for?”

“Can’t say.”

“Related to your ability…? Oh—sorry.”

Hye-jin covered her lips with her palm.

“Gotta be careful with your words. Do you know where the place is, at least?”

“Of course.”

Do-yoon recalled the spot.

A blessed site with mountains to the north and water flowing in front…

“Wait.”

“You don’t know, do you?”

“No, I do. It’s just…”

Do-yoon grabbed the pen and started sketching.

It was his first time drawing anything, but the image in his mind was so vivid, it flowed easily onto paper.

The result—

“…Looks like a landscape painting. A place like this really exists in Korea?”

“Did. Past tense.”

“Draw an X on it with a red pen and it’s practically a treasure map. How are you gonna find this place?”

“Somehow.”

He always had a plan.

If a wall appears—break it.

He mimed gripping a sledgehammer and activated [Great Library of Memory].

He accessed the memories of a Haenam local, along with the knowledge of a regional historian…

“Do-yoon, I found it!”

“…?”

Hye-jin held out her smartphone.

A high-resolution image of an old map filled the screen.

“See? It’s a perfect match. There’s nowhere else with this terrain.”

“…Where did you even get this?”

“Is that what matters right now? Gimme your phone.”

“Uh… okay.”

“Open the map app, switch to topography mode, compare with the current map… and narrow it down…”

“…How do you even know how to do this?”

“Because I didn’t sleep through History and Human Geography. Ah! Found it!”

The spot Hye-jin pointed to.

The one that matched the terrain of the old map.

The two stood atop a hill, looking down at a quiet alley.

“…It’s changed too much. What if this is the wrong place?”

The scenic mountain and river were gone. In their place were rows of homes and shops—a completely different view.

“…No.”

Do-yoon could see it.

Time, sped up like fast-forward.

Land carved down and buildings rising in its place.

Green trees swallowed by gray concrete.

“We’re in the right spot, Hye-jin.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks.”

“Wha—hey, don’t say stuff like that out of nowhere.”

“No, I mean it.”

Spending the last two days with her had changed how he saw her.

At first, he just valued her as the descendant of a great hero and a future S-class scouter. He wanted to protect her for her potential contribution to the nation.

But—

‘She’s not just good at scouting Hunters. She’s just… a competent person, period.’

Her instincts were sharp.

She could anticipate what others needed and fill in the gaps without being told.

And she never tried to take credit.

‘No wonder she became deputy director at her age.’

She was a natural leader—skilled across many fields.

“Hye-jin.”

“What? Gonna tell me to leave again?”

Do-yoon nodded… then shook his head.

A guardian spirit’s quirk:

They lose their minds when they discover exceptional talent.

“Just listen to this before you go.”

“What is it?”

“Yeongju, Yeongcheon, Yeongwol. Do you have any ties to any of those places?”

“My mom’s side is from Yeongcheon… Why?”

Yeongcheon was one of the “Three Yeongs”—safe zones known among regressors.

Non-Awakened people were best off heading there during the early chaos.

“Perfect. Stay with your family there for a while.”

“Out of nowhere? I’ve got classes, and I already missed two days of work.”

“Is that more important than your life?”

“…This again? I’m not falling for it twice.”

“Think. Have I ever been joking?”

Hye-jin’s smile faded.

Thinking back… he hadn’t.

Even the cryptic things he said always had deeper meaning.

“Stock up on essentials—food, water, portable gas.”

A chill ran down her spine.

“W-why do I need that stuff? What’s going to happen?!”

“Remember what I said yesterday? Time will tell.”

Hye-jin had survived to the latter half in ten different timelines.

But in the failed ones, she always died early—caught in an initial gate event.

“There’s a 20% chance I could lose her…”

He didn’t want to take that chance anymore.

He was starting to feel… attached.

“Five days. If nothing happens by then, just assume I was being paranoid and come back.”

“Ughhhh… Fine! I’ll trust you. But this better not be a joke!”

She stormed off.

The moment her figure disappeared, Do-yoon turned and walked away.

To a hidden spot in a residential area.

An old, grand gate stood before him.

What did he sense?

“…Nothing.”

But didn’t he have a page from 200 years ago in his memory?

Without hesitation, he pushed the gate open.

A worn-down hanok (traditional Korean house).

No sign of life, its eeriness hinting at years of abandonment.

Then—

A surge of electricity sparked through his body.

…!

His senses sharpened.

Dust on the pillars, the settled particles on the floorboards—every detail came into focus.

This feeling…

His [Detection] skill had activated.

One of the most crucial Tier-1 abilities among Awakened.

It allowed one to find the system’s hidden “pieces.”

Do-yoon’s Detection was at 20 (+2).

He’d invested those points just for today.

“Even with 22 points, I only sensed it this close… no wonder it’s the ultimate sword art.”

He stepped into the courtyard.

A weathered stone lantern sat half-buried.

He reached into a crevice—

[You are standing on a land of trials.]
[Only the brave may challenge it. Only the worthy may overcome it.]
[Number of Attempts: 0]
[Failure Penalty: -1 to All Stats]
[Accept the trial? Y/N]

“…Wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. Start it.”

The moment the words left his mouth—

Zzzzzzzuuuuunng…

The world trembled and collapsed around him.

Then, a new scene unfolded before his eyes.

“…This is amazing.”

The abandoned house had transformed into a grand martial estate.

Courtyards larger than school fields.

A main hall and guest quarters.

Pine trees casting cool shadows, flower gardens in full bloom.

The splendor of a golden era, recreated perfectly.

But there was no time to gawk.