The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel

I slowly lifted my eyelids at the feeling of sunlight tickling my eyes.

The chirping of birds reached my ears, which had been completely silent as if blocked.

A warm breeze coming through the slightly open door caressed my shoulder inside the blanket and disappeared.

When I turned my head to the side, I saw Hyuk Dojin’s face, still deeply asleep.

I couldn’t help but smile at his cute, innocent sleeping face, unaware of anything.

Yesterday, we had skipped dinner and rolled around on the bed until dawn, only able to fall asleep around the time the morning sun began to shine.

The body without a stitch of clothing was no longer uncomfortable or awkward.

When I caressed Hyuk Dojin’s cheek from under the blanket, he smiled as if feeling good and moved closer to me, placing his hand on me. His hand naturally rubbed between my stomach and waist.

“…”

I considered removing the naughty hand faithful to his desires even in sleep, but eventually left it alone. If I stay like this, he’ll wake up on his own.

But contrary to what I thought, Hyuk Dojin’s hand persistently targeted weak spots.

The initially indifferent feeling disappeared, replaced by excited arousal.

I glared at Hyuk Dojin touching me so casually, as if he wasn’t really asleep.

In the past, I would have quietly removed his hand and run away, but now I didn’t feel like doing that at all.

Rather, I wanted to feel more of this sensation. But as soon as that thought occurred, my current appearance flashed in my mind like lightning.

‘…When did I become so depraved?’

I didn’t used to be like this until before our martial arts world tour. I bit my lip and shook my head.

Let’s endure it. It’s not a big deal. So let’s endure.

As I was trying to remove his hand while soothing myself, his hand went lower. At that moment, feeling my reason snap, I climbed on top of Hyuk Dojin.

“Mmm…?”

As if finally waking up, Hyuk Dojin groaned lowly and rubbed his eyes.

“So… wol?”

His eyes blankly looked at me on top of him.

Bad person. How dare he stimulate me like this and then look at me innocently like a child just waking up. I couldn’t forgive him. The one responsible for corrupting me like this was sleeping so peacefully.

“It’s your fault. It’s your fault. You know?”

“What are you…”

I stopped his confused voice with my lips.

Hyuk Dojin froze for a moment, unable to react, then slowly wrapped his arms around my back and waist, embracing me.

A long, quiet kiss was exchanged. Slowly parting my lips as I ran out of breath, I spoke softly to Hyuk Dojin, who still looked dazed.

“So, be prepared.”

It seemed we would miss breakfast this morning too.

* * *

The emotions that felt like they would burst like a surging wave subsided as time passed.

I sat blankly after washing up and returning to the room to get dressed for a late breakfast.

What on earth did I do from the morning? I sighed and shook the moisture from my hair. Hyuk Dojin, who had changed clothes, approached and gave me a light kiss before stepping back.

“I’ve thought about what you said before.”

“What did I say?”

“You said you wanted to participate in the martial arts competition, didn’t you?”

Ah, that’s right. I had completely forgotten why I fought with Hyuk Dojin, so even the fact that there was such a thing had been erased. I smiled and shook my head.

“That’s fine now. You were right, I couldn’t control my emotions. Besides, even if I defeat that woman in the martial arts competition, it doesn’t really change anything, does it?”

“Is that so? Well, since you brought it up, I looked into it.”

I turned my head.

Hyuk Dojin was wrapping a black string around his waist. I approached him and took the string, wrapping it for him instead.

Hyuk Dojin raised his hands to help me tie it comfortably while continuing to speak.

“As I said then, the registration has ended and the brackets have already been made, so your participation is impossible. It’s possible if we force it, but that could lead to gossip, so we couldn’t go that far.”

“So?”

“So… I think we can arrange a separate opportunity.”

Opportunity? I finished tying the string tightly in the back and stepped back.

“What kind of opportunity?”

“It’s simple. After all the martial arts competitions end, we were planning to have a match between the Demon Cult’s representative and the Murim Alliance’s representative. We can add the Golden Blood Sand Sect to make it a mixed match, and you can participate as the Demon Cult’s representative. What do you think?”

“…Me as the representative?”

“Yes. Originally, I was going to participate from our side, and the Murim Alliance Leader from their side, exchanging about a hundred moves lightly as an event. If we twist that a little, it seems possible. However, we haven’t heard the Golden Blood Sand Sect’s position yet, and it’s not confirmed with the Murim Alliance Leader, so it might not be possible. For now, you should just keep it in mind.”

Hyuk Dojin smiled and gently stroked my head.

When his large hand stroked my head, I felt happier than anything else in the world. I quietly smiled under his hand and nodded.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Well, shouldn’t you get ready now? Today is the day of the first match in the martial arts competition. You don’t need to attend all the matches over the next month, but since it’s the first time, you should show your face.”

Hyuk Dojin kissed my forehead.

“I’ll go down first. I’ll send Hwarin up, so take your time getting ready and come down.”

“Alright.”

I waved my hand at him with a smile. The door closed and silence fell. I stared at the door quietly, then turned my head.

Martial arts competition…

“I wonder if he’s arrived.”

Somehow, I felt a little nervous.

* * *

The huge space equipped with a total of 64 martial arts arenas was already so full of people it seemed about to burst.

The martial arts competition had always received a lot of attention, but this year, with the participation of the Demon Cult and the Golden Blood Sand Sect, the interest was explosive.

In the past, most people were simply curious about who would win, but this martial arts competition clearly felt divided into factions.

Righteous Sect versus evil sects.

Or Righteous Sect versus the Demon Cult.

They divided into factions and distinguished between their side and the other side. Even within the Righteous Sect, if someone said the Demon Cult might win, it went beyond discomfort to the point of showing madness where they might be beaten to death.

That was understandable, as while the Demon Cult had often caused bloodshed while coveting the Central Plains, the Righteous Sect had never directly stood up to eradicate the Demon Cult even once.

The anger of those who had only been beaten was beyond imagination. It was bad enough that the Murim Alliance Leader’s stern order had to be issued.

-During the martial arts competition, acts of insulting, attacking, and killing opponents will be severely punished regardless of faction or force.

Without Murim Alliance Leader Namgoong Baek’s order, it wouldn’t have been strange if the Righteous Sect drew their swords now, standing on the same sky and ground as the Demon Cult.

I went down the stairs and approached the pre-prepared place.

Namgoong Baek, whom I had met face to face yesterday, greeted Hyuk Dojin and me with a smile.

“Welcome.”

“We’re a little late.”

“Don’t worry about it. There’s still about an hour left before the martial arts competition starts anyway.”

He looked alternately at Hyuk Dojin and me with a gentle face, then pulled up the corners of his mouth.

“Well, it seems yesterday’s issue was resolved well? Seeing how both of your faces are glowing.”

At his words, Hyuk Dojin lightly shrugged his shoulders.

On the other hand, I was the only one whose cheeks reddened as last night’s events came to mind the moment I heard those words.

Namgoong Baek glanced at me like that, then smiled brightly.

“A woman who loves and is loved naturally radiates the most beautiful light. Looking at Miss Moyong, I feel she is receiving a lot of love.”

I glanced at Hyuk Dojin and nodded.

Namgoong Baek looked down at the martial arts arena with a gentle smile on his face. I also looked down at the martial arts arena and rolled my eyes.

From what I heard, the children of the Nine Renowned Sects and famous clans don’t participate from now, but when 200 people are selected for the main tournament, they participate then.

Does that mean the Moyong clan hasn’t arrived yet?

“The Moyong clan hasn’t arrived yet.”

I turned my head at Namgoong Baek’s voice. He stared blankly at the martial arts arena while rubbing his chin.

“They said they had some business at the Pearl Jade Mansion to take care of, so it seems they’ll arrive in two days. It’s unfortunate you won’t be able to see your family right away.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I had to be here for a month anyway. I’d be able to see them within that time.

I was just a little worried. At the recent meeting with the Righteous Sect, the Moyong clan didn’t seem to welcome me.

Moreover, seeing Moyong Geum’s appearance who came together, I thought perhaps the Moyong clan also wished for my death.

My brother who cried sadly looking at me when I left. Now to meet again as the Young Madam of the Demon Cult…

How will my brother react when he sees me?

-Traitor. Shame of the Righteous Sect. Puppet of the Demon Cult.

Words I didn’t want to hear but kept hearing. Words I tried hard not to pay attention to.

They were expressions I had heard countless times from leaving the Demon Cult until coming here. And that was how the Righteous Sect viewed me.

Will my brother think that way too?

I lowered my eyes, recalling the image of Moyong Do who always hugged me and smiled kindly.

At that moment, warmth settled on the back of my hand. When I turned my head, Hyuk Dojin nodded with a smile as if saying it was alright.

I quietly looked at his eyes, then smiled faintly before looking down at the martial arts arena again.

Let’s not worry too much. Whatever happens, it was something that had already happened and would happen.

Even if Moyong Do hated and detested me, I could accept it.

If other people in the clan threw stones at me, I would throw stones back, but if Moyong Do did it, I couldn’t endure it. At least, he was as precious to me as my own life.

“Well, let’s begin.”

He was a precious family who tried to save me by giving up what was his.

As Namgoong Baek rose from his seat, the venue quieted down. He also turned his gaze to Hyuk Dojin and me.

At his action of nodding once, Hyuk Dojin and I also stood up.

All eyes gathered. And naturally, those gazes were directed at me.

The Murim Alliance Leader was the head of the Righteous Sect, Hyuk Dojin was the Young Cult Leader of the Demon Cult.

And I was from the Righteous Sect and now the Young Madam of the Demon Cult. Moreover, with such a noticeable hair color.

Even without trying to stand out, it was enough to draw their attention.

“From now on, we will conduct matches for four days to select 200 people to advance to the main tournament. Except for those participating in the matches and the judges, approaching within ten zhang (about 30 meters) of the martial arts arena is forbidden. In addition to the existing rules, considering there are special guests at this martial arts competition, if anyone intentionally commits murder or blatantly provokes their opponent by toying with them, it will also be ruled as a defeat.”

His voice, carried by inner energy, filled the wide venue.

Namgoong Baek stopped speaking and looked at Hyuk Dojin. Hyuk Dojin nodded and slowly opened his mouth.

“Following the Murim Alliance Leader’s words, likewise, those participating as representatives of the Demon Cult will also be punished regardless of rank if they use provocations, hidden weapons, or unfair methods unsuitable for martial arts matches. Also, if anyone attacks the Righteous Sect out of resentment for the results of the matches during the martial arts competition, they will also be punished by death.”

As Hyuk Dojin finished speaking, his gaze moved to Namgoong Baek.

Namgoong Baek looked around at the audience and spoke softly.

“Well then, let us begin.”