[It’s me.]
Lee Gun heard a voice he would never have expected to hear. It surprised him. ‘This voice…’
The voice was familiar, and Lee Gun was hearing it after a long time. This voice belonged to one of the people who had screwed him over.
‘Saint’
There was a power in the man’s tough voice. The voice was low as if the sound was ringing within a cave and it sounded like an old man.
Lee Gun immediately received a warning.
[Someone contracted to a different saint has entered the lowly holy ground of the Archer Saint.]
[Caution! This person might sneak into the Serpent Bearer’s holy ground.]
However, this person would probably get executed by his familiars before getting a chance to hide in his one-pyeong holy ground.
“Lee Gun-nim! Are you ok!”
Bul-kuhk!
The beautiful female disciple of the Archer Saint had felt the chaotic energy. She entered the room through the door. One of her hands held a kitchen knife and the other had Yang Wei, who was stuck in a monkfish.
Yoon Yeorin! An avid fan of Lee Gun, she had planned on making steamed monkfish for Lee Gun. Of course, Yang Wei had been struggling as he was almost put in the pot. “Shit! Let me go! You’re merely a disciple! Do you know who I am! Ahk! That slime bastard took my ribbon, so she can’t understand me!”
As if the other hidden Saint didn’t care about Yang Wei’s plight, the voice rang once again.
[Lee Gun. Are you there?]
This time, both the disciple of the Archer Saint and Yang Wei were taken aback. It was to be expected.
“What the hell! That voice…!”
“Could it be a Saint…!”
All the familiars appeared from Lee Gun’s shadow. It looked like they wanted to unsheath their swords and murder someone.
[How dare you use Master’s name so frivolously!]
[We were holding back because we didn’t want to damage Master’s best friend’s holy ground! However, we can no longer stand back!]
[Let’s search the entire holy ground of the Archer Saint. Let’s sever the head of this lout!]
Yoon Yeorin quickly stepped forward. “I’ll bring the Archer Saint, and we’ll conduct a search!”
Lee Gun waved his hand to dismiss her suggestion. It wasn’t needed. As if to prove his point, he then headed toward the door. All kinds of delivery boxes lay there; Lee Gun had ordered a variety of items.
Of course, the news of Lee Gun’s return meant there had been a lot of boxes containing bribes. However, those boxes had been long filtered, and the bribes had been incinerated by those who managed the Archer Saint’s waste.
Kwahng!
Lee Gun kicked out, scattering the delivery boxes. Then, he picked a box made out of styrofoam.
Kwah-jeek!
When he broke the box open, a very plump piece of meat appeared in front of him. It was grade-one beef. However, the beef wasn’t the important part.
“I was wondering which bastard kept sending me stuff.” Between the meat was an item resembling a speaker. Clearly, someone wanted to talk to Lee Gun and had sent him that item.
[Finally, I get to talk to you!]
Lee Gun laughed as if this was a trifling matter.
The female disciple of the Archer and Yang Wei were shocked.
“As expected, it’s the Goat Saint!”
Yes, the dignified voice belonged to none other than the Goat Saint, the Saint for the Capricorn. He was the maker who had produced the missile that had completely devastated Yin & Yang palace a while ago.
Yoon Yeorin became tense at the sudden intrusion by a Zodiac Saint. ‘Unfortunately, the Archer Saint is absent right now…!’
Although they numbered a few, the disciples of the Archer Saint were like lone wolf mercenaries. As per Hugo’s orders, they had been dispatched all over the globe. This left only two of his disciples guarding the holy ground.
If things went south here, this might devolve into a fight between temples. Still, Yeorin hadn’t expected a Saint to make contact with them like this! She asked, “Why is Saint Sebastian—”
Suddenly, murderous intent emanated from the speaker.
[M name is Sergeyevich.]
“What?”
[It is not Sebastian. It is Sergeyevich.]
Yeorin looked baffled. Her reaction was normal. Whether it was the news, newspapers, or the official announcements, the name used for the Goat Saint had always been Sebastian.
“I’m pretty sure the textbook said—”
[No! My name is Ser—]
“It has been a while, Sebastian.” Lee Gun cut him off.
[…!]
Lee Gun soon heard a notification in response to his words.
[The Goat Saint’s energy has become turbulent.]
[The Black Goat’s energy is shaking.]
Lee Gun cackled when he felt his opponent’s anger. That was right. The Goat Saint’s real name was Sergeyevich Ivan. When Lee Gun had met the Goat Saint for the first time, the Saint had a sour expression on his face.
“It is Sergeyevich.”
“Ser… What?”
“Sergeyevich Vladimir Ivan…”
“Fuck off! I’ll just call you Sebastian.”
The Goat Saint’s name was too long for Lee Gun. It was like with the Archer Saint, Hugo Otis; Lee Gun had changed his name to Oh Taeksoo. In Hugo’s case, Lee Gun somehow thought that the new name was cooler.
Of course, Lee Gun had a variety of nicknames for the twelve Zodiacs, such as “Betwetter,” “Asshat,” and “Spoiled Crab.” Lee Gun had protected the image of only a few of them in official settings. One of them was Hugo.
The two friends’ first meeting had been when Lee Gun had saved Hugo. Hugo had begged Lee Gun to be his teacher. It had been then that Lee Gun had called Hugo by a nickname. After they became friends, Lee Gun continued to call Hugo by his name(?).
The second person was Sergeyevi. Lee Gun had respected him as an elder.
Back to the present!
The Goat Saint ground his teeth. Sergeyevich had lived his life as Sebastian for over twenty years, all thanks to Lee Gun.
[I wanted to talk to you, but the Archer Saint blocked me.]
‘That’s understandable. It’s obvious what this bastard wanted to say.’
[I want to apologize to you, Lee Gun. I also want an alliance with you.]
‘He’s speaking some grade-A bullshit.’
Yang Wei was surprised by the Goat Saint’s words. ‘That boomer is apologizing right now?’
The most confused person in the room was Yoon Yeorin, who was a disciple.
In truth, the words Lee Gun had spoken at the press conference had become an incredibly hot topic.
‘The one to kill Red Eye was Lee Gun-nim.’
Of course, most had laughed at the idea of Lee Gun killing Red Eye. However, a rumor had recently spread; it said Lee Gun was indeed the one who killed Red Eye. Maybe, the twelve Zodiac Saints purposefully trapped Lee Gun in the tower, then stole his achievements. Furthermore, the twelve Zodiac Saints had actively tried to cover it up.
[I apologize! I’m sorry for not being able to save you. I’m sorry for leaving the tower without you. I’m sorry for taking credit for your achievement.]
“…!” Yoon Yeorin was shocked. It was for no other reason. ‘Lee Gun-nim was really the one who killed Red Eye?’
She had always heard about the greatness of Lee Gun, but she had thought ninety percent of the story was exaggeration. However, this wasn’t odd at all. Lee Gun had displayed excellent skill in his archery match against Hugo.
[Anyway, I’ll tell the media about the truth. I’ll do it like Sophie.]
Yang Wei, who had been laughing, was suddenly shocked. ‘Uh? Uh? Wait a moment!’
The boomer admitting his mistake was shocking in itself. However, the actions he said he would do further would put the other Zodiacs in an awkward position. Yang Wei didn’t mind fucking over the other Zodiac Saints, but this would permanently damage the framework they had set up.
It was unclear if the Goat Saint knew this or not, but he continued.
[All the presents I’ve sent to you so far are to show my gratitude. I’ll give back all the items. I’ll even give compensation to you. You just have to name the price. I’ll pay for my sins.]
Yang Wei was so taken aback that he could only open and close his mouth. However, the Goat Saint was sincere.
[Please give me a chance to apologize to you. I’ll reveal everything…]
“You shit smelling Black Goat bastard!”
[…!]
Lee Gun let out a dark laugh.
“You are doing this nonsense because the situation might become unfavorable for you?”
[What?]
“We couldn’t save Lee Gun inside the tower. We stole his achievements. Do you really think I don’t know what you guys will say next?”
“…!”
“At the time, we had no choice but to lie to protect the people. I’m sure you’ll say something along the lines of that. Or maybe…”
A contemptuous laugh escaped Lee Gun’s mouth.
“Everything was set up by Yang Wei, who has passed away. We had no choice. We went along because he threatened us.”
Yang Wei screamed, “What the hell!”
Lee Gun picked up the speaker between the meat. “Once I appeared, you realized the truth cannot be concealed. So, you thought about making the best out of a bad situation. I will never let that happen.”
The Goat Saint let out a deep sigh.
[Lee Gun. I understand how you feel, but don’t be so distrustful. We were once comrad—]
“Fuck off! I planned on going after the Virgo Saint next, but I just decided you’re next. Keep your neck clean and wait for me.”
[…!?]
The Goat Saint had tried to negotiate with Lee Gun, yet he had suddenly become the prey in the process.
Lee Gun continued, “I’m sure you‘re worried. You are called the Maker Saint, right? Let’s see if my item is better than the holy items you make.”
[What…!]
“You probably wanted to join hands with me so that you can continue to make your weapons. You probably want to protect the number of disciples you have.”
[Lee Gun! You are misunderstanding—]
“You made two mistakes. First, you stole my achievements and assets.”
[…!]
A fierce light flashed in Lee Gun’s eyes. “The other one is….”
Kwah-jeek!
Lee Gun suddenly crushed the speaker.
Yoon Yeorin and Yang Wei were taken aback. “What the hell! Why did you suddenly destroy the speaker! You should have destroyed it after you finished what you had to say!”
Lee Gun smirked. “Since I did this, he will feel frustrated.”
“…?!”
Suddenly, the slime, which had been playing outside, rushed into the room. Then, it quickly turned on the TV as if it wanted to show its master something. The yellow ribbon in its mouth was an afterthought.
[People of the world! Do you see this!]
[We are in Manila on the island of Luzon!]
[The famous Thousand Legs has appeared from the Devil’s Ocean!]
[After turning the South Pacific into a Red Zone, he has passed the equator to reach here!]
Lee Gun’s eyes turned round at the words.
“That one is….”
Yoon Yeorin looked between Lee Gun and the scene being shown on TV. She screamed. “My god!! That’s the one Lee Gun-nim killed!”
It seemed the slime was in a hurry because it wanted to show the monster that its master had killed before.
Lee Gun looked quite interested in that. “Oh! Is it the same type as that one?”
[The famous Thousand Legs has appeared!]
[The more surprising part is the fact that temples that normally don’t cooperate with each other have gathered in one place!]
[This is especially true for the Leo temple! All the direct disciples of the Leo Saint have come!]
[Let us hear the rally speech of one of the generals!]
[This monster is famous for appearing in one of Lee Gun’s legendary stories.]
[This might be an opportunity. This will allow them to move out of Lee Gun’s shadow once and for all.]
[It’s like that video of Lee Gun! We will try to recreate it!]
[ The disciples of the south will be sure to show off our abilities.]
[We will show everyone the difference in the skills of us and the hero from twenty years ago!]
Yoon Yeorin looked at Lee Gun to see how he would react.
Lee Gun just laughed. “That monster isn’t easy to kill.” They could do whatever they wanted.
At that moment, a loud commotion could be heard from the TV.
[The Thousand Legs! Uh?]
[The Leo generals are starting to move quickly!]
[Could it be? The person hanging on to the Thousand Legs—]
[Isn’t that the Leo Saint?]
[He is hanging on using a bone! Am I seeing things?]
Suddenly…
[Ah! The key figure has arrived!]
[It seems his disciples are here to cheer him on!]
[Or does this have something to do with the appearance of the Leo Saint?]
At that point, an old man with great presence appeared amongst the disciples. He was the Goat Saint.
Lee Gun laughed at the sight of that familiar face. “Ah! He’s there?”
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