16.The Tyranny of the Wiho Clan and the Awakening of Lightning

The Wiho Clan ruled the village with an iron grip, their cruelty masked behind false promises of protection. Their extortion bled the people dry, and those who dared to resist were swiftly met with brutal violence. Fear seeped into every corner, and the clan's dominance grew unchecked.

From the shadows, Lee Do-Hyun and Han So-Yeon observed the cruelty unfolding before them. Every cry for mercy, every injustice, ignited a fire deep within Do-Hyun's heart.

"In Kangho, strength is the only law," So-Yeon muttered, her fingers tightening around her sword hilt.

But Do-Hyun shook his head, his gaze unwavering.

"If strength is law, then where do the weak go? Strength should protect, not crush those beneath it."

Memories from his past life, filled with the same corruption and abuse of power, resurfaced. The cycle of oppression, no matter the world, seemed to remain the same.

"This isn't strength," he continued coldly. "It's nothing but thuggery dressed up as power—and I won't allow it."

For the first time, So-Yeon hesitated. She had lived by Kangho's harsh code her entire life: the strong dominate, the weak submit. Yet Do-Hyun's words planted a seed of doubt.

"You're right," she whispered finally. "Maybe I've just grown too used to this twisted reality."

The Challenge in the Square

That night, the Wiho Clan gathered the villagers in the town square under the guise of enforcing their so-called protection. Their leader, a towering figure with a sword as heavy as his cruelty, stepped forward.

"You will all submit—again," he declared. "Or you'll suffer the consequences."

But this time, a clear voice cut through the silence.

"Wiho Clan—your reign ends here."

The crowd turned in shock as Do-Hyun stepped forward, his tone calm yet unyielding.

The clan leader sneered.

"And who the hell are you? A fool playing hero? In Kangho, the weak have no right to challenge the strong."

Drawing his blade, the clan leader's aura radiated overwhelming force—a mountain bearing down upon all who opposed him.

So-Yeon moved closer, her voice low but determined.

"Don't try to take him alone. We'll end this together."

Do-Hyun nodded silently. As he gripped the Ego Blade, a subtle vibration pulsed through the hilt, and a voice whispered in his mind—one cold, ancient, and brimming with potential.

"If you trust me, I will show you true power."

The Awakening of Lightning

The clan leader lunged forward with terrifying speed, his blade heavy with internal energy. Do-Hyun barely evaded the first strike, the ground splitting beneath the weight of the attack.

'The strength difference is overwhelming.'

Suddenly, a spark danced along his blade.

And then came a voice—deeper, older, like the crackle of a coming storm.

"You have the will. Now… accept the storm."

Crackling lightning surged across the blade and up Do-Hyun's arm like a living serpent.

'It's not just fire… I have another path.'

Focused, Do-Hyun struck. Lightning erupted from the blade, arcing through the air like a viper and striking the clan leader squarely in the chest. The electrical force disrupted his flow of energy, leaving him staggering.

"What… What is this power?!" the leader gasped.

Before he could recover, So-Yeon seized the opening, her sword flashing with precision as she landed a clean blow to his exposed side.

"Strength means nothing if you can't defend against the unexpected," she snapped.

The End of Tyranny

With the enemy weakened, Do-Hyun summoned every ounce of his newfound power. His blade surged with blinding energy as he delivered a final, devastating strike. The bolt of lightning roared like a storm breaking free, knocking the leader's sword from his grasp and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Breathing heavily, the Wiho Clan leader struggled to rise, hatred burning in his eyes.

"You… you're strong. But this isn't over."

Without another word, he retreated into the darkness with the remnants of his clan trailing behind him.

The villagers, who had once stood in silent terror, erupted into cheers. For the first time in years, hope had returned to the square.

So-Yeon turned to Do-Hyun, her voice softer now.

"Captain, today you proved it. You didn't fight alone—you led us to victory."

Do-Hyun looked down at his blade, the lightning now dimmed but alive within the steel. Fire had been his first awakening, but this power—this storm—was something entirely new.

"If I can master this," he murmured, "I won't just survive… I'll change what power means in Kangho."

As they left the village behind, the cheers of the people still echoing in the distance, Do-Hyun couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far greater.

A storm was rising—and Kangho would never be the same again.