Chapter 23: The Forbidden Bloodline
Mu-won collapsed to one knee as the Origin Shard embedded itself deep within his chest.
A thousand screams, a thousand lifetimes roared through his veins—ancient martial memories, divine techniques, and forbidden knowledge all clashing inside him like storming dragons.
His eyes snapped open.
And for the first time… they burned with three colors—crimson, silver, and gold.
Yura rushed to his side. "Mu-won?! What did it do to you?!"
His voice came low, controlled, dangerous.
> "It didn't give me power."
> "It unsealed what was always mine."
---
Baekrin stepped forward, eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "So you inherited the flame. Fitting."
Mu-won slowly rose to his feet, the air warping around him with invisible force. His aura had changed—it was no longer just oppressive or powerful.
It was sovereign.
> "You knew this would happen," Mu-won said, voice sharp.
> "Of course," Baekrin replied. "I could have taken it myself—but I don't need it. I've already evolved beyond bloodline shackles. You… were always destined to carry the burden."
---
Mu-won clenched his fists as waves of energy coursed through him. His qi flowed with a new rhythm—one ancient, primal, and divine.
Lines of glowing red began to trace themselves across his skin like tattoos, forming the shape of an ancient beast: a Three-Headed Heavenly Dragon.
A voice echoed within his mind—one that was not his own.
> "Bearer of the Origin Flame… you are now marked by the Heavens."
> "Balance must be restored. The Enforcers awaken."
---
Above the sanctuary, far beyond the clouds…
…in a place where mortal eyes could not reach…
Three colossal thrones, long abandoned, lit with fire once more.
Figures of divine martial will began to stir—each shaped by sword, flame, and time.
> "A mortal has broken the cycle."
> "He carries the Origin Flame."
> "Judgment must descend."
---
Back below, the chamber trembled as Mu-won stood straighter.
Yura stepped back instinctively.
> "Mu-won… your aura… it feels like I'm staring at a god."
He turned toward her, eyes still glowing.
> "Don't worship me," he said flatly. "Stand beside me."
Then he looked to Baekrin.
> "And you… don't think for a moment I've forgiven you."
Baekrin smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."
---
Suddenly, the air snapped with tension.
A rift tore open above the altar, lightning surging through the crack in reality. A presence beyond mortal comprehension peered through.
And then it stepped out.
A figure clad in heavenly white robes, face obscured, holding a staff forged from stars.
Its voice echoed in all directions.
> "Kim Mu-won, bearer of the forbidden flame… by decree of the Celestial Order, you are hereby condemned."
> "You will come with us. Or be erased."
---
Mu-won's pendant shattered.
His eyes narrowed.
> "I was condemned the moment I was born into this world."
> "I didn't rise to kneel."
> "Come take me, if you dare."
---
To be continued....