16.Fate Refuses to Let Her Go

It had been several months since Lee So-eun joined the Blue Cloud Society (Cheongunhoe).

She had adapted quickly to the organization, and though not everyone fully accepted her yet, the members of Blue Cloud Society gradually began to recognize her as one of their own.

However—

Just when she started to feel truly safe, fate refused to let her go.

One Night—

A strange presence was detected at the outer perimeter of the Blue Cloud Society.

And that presence was unmistakably familiar.

A presence she could never forget.

A presence she could not avoid.

The Demonic Cult.

They had finally made their move.

The Demonic Cult's Infiltration

The Demonic Cult had been waiting for the right time.

Before casting a larger shadow over the martial world,

they first needed to deal with a few unresolved matters.

One of those matters was Blue Cloud Society.

A place where women who had suffered under the Demonic Cult had gathered.

A place where those who rejected the Cult had formed their own path.

If that place grew stronger,

it would become a threat to the Demonic Cult.

However—

There was a more pressing reason behind their actions.

They had learned that Lee So-eun was there.

Her existence was becoming widely known within the Demonic Cult.

She was once of their bloodline.

She was the daughter of the Demonic Cult's Third Elder.

There was no way they would simply ignore her.

Thus—

The decision was made.

The Blue Cloud Society had to be 'handled.'

The Night Raid

The attack came suddenly and without warning.

In the dead of night, the Blue Cloud Society's defenses were breached in an instant.

The elite warriors of the Demonic Cult moved swiftly, silently, and with deadly precision,

quickly seizing control of the society's critical locations.

Then, they surrounded the leader of the Blue Cloud Society and its key figures.

"Hah… so it's come to this."

The Blue Cloud Leader clenched her teeth.

"I didn't expect you dogs to come all the way here."

The Demonic Cult warriors sneered.

"We never intended to destroy this place."

Their gaze shifted—

Locking onto Lee So-eun.

"We simply came to retrieve what belongs to us."

The Decision

Lee So-eun had always known this moment would come.

She knew the Demonic Cult would never leave her alone.

What she hadn't expected—

Was that the Blue Cloud Society would try to protect her.

She immediately rushed to find the Blue Cloud Leader.

"If I leave, this will end. Please, protect everyone."

But the leader's response was firm.

"This isn't just about you."

"Handing you over won't stop them."

Lee So-eun gritted her teeth.

"But if I stay, the Blue Cloud Society will be destroyed!"

Even as they spoke,

the Blue Cloud warriors were already locked in battle with the Demonic Cult forces.

They fought with all their might,

but they were not a structured, disciplined order like the great orthodox sects.

They were survivors.

And Lee So-eun knew—

They wouldn't be able to win this battle.

The Demonic Cult was simply too powerful.

The warriors of the Blue Cloud Society fell, one by one.

Their leader, wounded, collapsed.

A Choice Had to Be Made

"Enough, Lee So-eun."

A high-ranking warrior of the Demonic Cult stepped forward, pointing his sword at her.

"Enough blood has been spilled because of you."

"There's no point in resisting any longer."

"Come with us."

Lee So-eun gripped her sword tightly.

But in that moment, she realized—

'This battle is already over.'

The Blue Cloud Society warriors no longer had the strength to fight.

The Blue Cloud Leader spoke weakly.

"…Go, So-eun."

"As long as you are here, this fight will never end."

"Don't let our sacrifice be in vain."

Lee So-eun clenched her fists.

But there was only one choice left.

She slowly lowered her sword.

"…Fine."

With a blood-stained face, she lifted her gaze and said—

"I'll do as you say."

The Demonic Cult warrior smirked.

"A wise decision."

And so,

Lee So-eun was taken back to the Demonic Cult.

The Aftermath

The Blue Cloud Society had survived, but it would never be the same again.

Lee So-eun did not look back.

But she knew—

'Just because I left, doesn't mean this is over.'

'The Demonic Cult will cast an even greater shadow.'

And once again,

Fate had pulled her back into the darkness.

The Prisoner of the Demonic Cult and the Duel of Survival

When Lee So-eun opened her eyes—

She found herself in a cold, dark chamber.

Iron bars blocked her way.

Beyond them stood Demonic Cult guards, watching her every move.

She tried to move,

only to feel the cold chains around her wrists and ankles.

'…I've been taken.'

She clenched her teeth.

She had expected this.

But what she hadn't expected—

Was that the Demonic Cult had no intention of simply keeping her alive.

A Familiar Face

"Lee So-eun."

A low, chilling voice called out to her.

She slowly lifted her head.

Beyond the iron bars stood Wei Hyeok, one of the high-ranking figures of the Demonic Cult.

A man infamous for his ruthlessness.

He smirked.

"We've decided to see whether you're worth keeping alive."

Lee So-eun narrowed her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Wei Hyeok folded his arms.

"There are only two fates for a traitor."

"One— they die meaninglessly."

"Two— they prove their worth."

His gaze sharpened.

"You have no choice."

"You will fight."

"Win, and you live. Lose, and you die."

Lee So-eun took a deep breath.

'So that's how it is.'

She slowly stood up.

Then, she smirked.

"Fine."

"I'll survive."

A Duel of Life and Death

A massive underground arena.

Hundreds of Demonic Cult warriors gathered around, eager to witness the fight.

In the center—

Lee So-eun stood alone, gripping a single sword.

Wei Hyeok's voice echoed through the arena.

"Begin."

A warrior lunged toward her.

A Demonic Cult swordsman.

He sneered.

"Beg for your life, and I might spare you."

But Lee So-eun's response was cold.

"Don't waste your breath."

"Worry about your own survival first."

Then—

She moved.

A flash of steel.

Her blade cut through the air.

Her opponent's eyes widened.

"…What?!"

But before he could react—

Slash!

Blood sprayed through the air.

The man collapsed, lifeless.

For a moment, the arena fell silent.

Then, a roar erupted.

"Hahaha! The traitor can fight after all!"

"Maybe she's worth keeping alive!"

But Lee So-eun knew—

This wasn't over.

She took a deep breath.

'If I want to survive… I have to keep fighting.'

The game had only just begun.