Inside one of the chambers of Pungwol-ru, the room was lavishly decorated, its opulence dulled only slightly by the flickering candlelight and the sound of women's laughter over clinking glasses. Dokyeon wore a gentle smile as she hosted the gathering.
"It's been a while since we've had a night like this, hasn't it? I know we're all busy with training, but sometimes it's nice just to sit and talk like this."
Baek Wol-hui raised her glass, smirking lightly. "Didn't expect to be invited to Pungwol-ru like this. It's not something that happens often… but I admit, this isn't a bad vibe."
Han Soyeon's cheeks were flushed from a few drinks already. "Right? At Heukwoon-gwan, we barely get to unwind like this. Everyone's always so serious about training… but sometimes, you need to loosen up!"
Miryung, quietly observing Dokyeon while lifting her glass, smiled politely. "It's a kind gesture. Thanks for creating a bit of space like this." Though kind, her words carried a hint of veiled caution.
As the alcohol flowed, the mood lightened even more.
Soyeon, more carefree than usual, was quick to dive into cheerful anecdotes from their recent training.
"One trainee spun his sword so hard he tripped backward! It was hilarious… but he didn't give up, and honestly, that was kind of inspiring."
Dokyeon, smiling softly, responded, "You really look after the trainees, Soyeon. I imagine Heukwoon-geom must appreciate that about you."
Soyeon waved a hand, laughing. "Oh, come on, don't say things like that. But... he really does care about everyone. He treats us like family."
Wol-hui took a slow sip from her glass and gently redirected the conversation. "Training stories are fine, but maybe tonight we should put that all down and just relax for a change?" With a smirk, she added playfully, "And Soyeon? Maybe ease off the drinks. No more talk about Heukwoon-geom tonight."
Soyeon's face turned a deeper shade of red, clearly flustered. Wol-hui chuckled and poured her another drink anyway. "Just teasing. But it's funny how everyone's eyes sparkle whenever he's mentioned."
Miryung watched the exchange quietly, her glass at her lips. Something about Dokyeon's questions didn't sit right with her. They seemed casual on the surface, but something about the way he asked them—it felt… calculated.
'Is he really just trying to bond with us?'
Dokyeon turned to her with his usual softness. "You fit in so well here, Miryung. It's heartening to see everyone so close. You can really feel how strong the bond is within Heukwoon-gwan."
Miryung smiled, but inwardly, her suspicion deepened. 'Is he praising our bond… or probing for weaknesses?'
As time passed, the drinking continued. Soyeon grew livelier, while Wol-hui paced herself, steering the conversation carefully. Miryung, meanwhile, continued to quietly decode the intentions hidden behind Dokyeon's pleasant smile.
"So, Wol-hui, you spar with Heukwoon-geom quite often, don't you?" Dokyeon asked smoothly.
Wol-hui set down her glass and smiled. "That's right. His style of training is certainly… unconventional. But I think that's part of what makes Heukwoon-gwan so strong."
Soyeon chimed in, giggling. "Exactly! He's always trying new things—it's so inspiring!"
Miryung's tone stayed light, but her gaze sharpened. "Just curious, Dokyeon. Why all the questions? Pure curiosity?"
He laughed. "Nothing serious. Just intrigued. This place is so unique—hard not to be curious."
But inside, his thoughts ran darker.
'Baek Wol-hui—composed, but she's not without tells. Han Soyeon—open, genuine, maybe too much. That honesty could be a weakness. And Miryung… you're the one I'll have to be most careful around. You see through too much.'
As he sipped his drink, he quietly took mental notes, cataloging the vulnerabilities, the cracks between them.
Eventually, the night wore down and the party dispersed. Dokyeon stood and smiled. "I had a wonderful time. Let's do this again sometime."
Wol-hui emptied her glass and answered, "Anytime. Let's bring Heukwoon-geom next time too."
Soyeon giggled drunkenly. "Yes! It'd be even more fun if he came!"
Miryung simply smiled. "I'm glad everyone had a good time." But behind that smile, her guard remained firm.
Dokyeon left with a smirk, inwardly satisfied.'The bonds between them are real, no doubt. But that strength... can just as easily become their downfall. I only need to find the right place to strike.'
After the others had left, Wol-hui and Miryung remained for a moment longer. Wol-hui glanced over. "Did you feel something off about his questions?"
Miryung nodded. "Yes. He's not just trying to understand us—he's digging for something."
Wol-hui was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "We've found the one we need to keep an eye on. From now on, we'll watch his every move."
Miryung's gaze sharpened with resolve.'We won't let our guard down. Not when Heukwoon-geom and Heukwoon-gwan are on the line.'
That night, the women of Heukwoon-gwan realized something profound: the bonds between them could be their greatest strength… but also their most dangerous vulnerability.And someone was already reaching into that fault line, trying to make it crack
***
Dokyeon's Mind Games
The training ground of Heukwoon-gwan was still filled with intense energy. Every day was grueling and rough, but within that hardship, the trainees were steadily becoming more skilled in martial arts. Amidst this, Dokyeon began to slowly focus his attention on Han Soyeon. She was a young martial artist from a respected orthodox family and maintained a close relationship with Lee Dohyun. To Dokyeon, she appeared to be the weakest link—one that would be easy to shake.
With a gentle smile and a friendly demeanor, Dokyeon approached her. He subtly edged into her personal space during breaks between training and in the relaxed moments after dinner. He would ask about her preferences or offer compliments that seemed casual on the surface but carried carefully calculated intent.
"Soyeon, don't you think the training uniforms are a little too plain these days?" Dokyeon said, smiling. "I actually have an eye for accessories and design. How about trying something like this next time? Men tend to notice these small touches." With that, he handed her a small brooch—a delicately crafted silver flower, both elegant and eye-catching.
Soyeon looked slightly flustered as she accepted it. "Oh... it's beautiful. But I don't usually wear things like this."
Dokyeon nodded gently. "I figured as much. But someone like you—strong and graceful—would look even more charming with a detail like this. Besides, I think it would pair perfectly with Heukwoon-geom." He smiled knowingly. "Other women might have stronger presences, but you have a soft and warm charm. That kind of quiet strength is incredibly attractive."
Soyeon's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded. Her feelings for Dohyun were no secret, but Dokyeon's words stirred something uncertain within her. He began subtly comparing her to Baek Wol-hui and Miryung, emphasizing their strong and commanding personalities in contrast to Soyeon's gentler nature. On the surface, his remarks were flattering, but beneath them, he was planting seeds of doubt.
Continuing his conversation, Dokyeon said, "Wol-hui is truly remarkable. She exudes confidence and has a commanding presence. Someone like Lee Dohyun, such a strong man, might naturally gravitate toward someone like her. But personally, I find calm and thoughtful women like you far more captivating."
With remarks like these, Dokyeon gradually planted small yet potent seeds of insecurity in Soyeon's heart. He subtly implied that there was a special bond between Dohyun and the other women, which began to shake Soyeon's confidence. She found herself questioning how Dohyun truly saw her and if she was falling behind compared to the others.
Even during training, Dokyeon continued to nudge her psychologically. "Soyeon, try to show more confidence during drills. I know for a fact that Dohyun wants to see your strength. He expects a lot from you."
Soyeon tried her best to meet those expectations, but the more she tried, the more confused she became. Her emotions toward Dohyun and her self-confidence clashed, leaving her in turmoil. Dokyeon had accurately pinpointed her emotional vulnerability and was exploiting it masterfully. His goal was clear: to unsettle her and create a crack within Heukwoon-gwan.
Unlike Baek Wol-hui and Miryung, Dokyeon had realized that Soyeon was more easily shaken. Her orthodox upbringing, her genuine beliefs, and her relatively limited experience made her the ideal target. By emphasizing her connection to Dohyun while also subtly fueling comparisons with others, Dokyeon steadily amplified her feelings of inferiority.
Gradually, Soyeon began making mistakes during training and losing focus. Doubts crept into her mind about whether she shared the same goals as Dohyun and whether she was truly someone he needed. The unease and confusion growing in her heart only made Dokyeon's influence more effective as he continued to destabilize Heukwoon-gwan from within.