NOVPUBLong ago, before the heavens opened, in the age of myths and mysteries.
When the god of heaven announced that he would hold a ‘Dalyeon’ as an excuse to gather the nobles and bears, several nobles had already become famous.
The White Tiger of Seosan, who showed overwhelming power.
The wise Eunho, the younger brother of the White Tiger.
The Blue Tiger, who challenged the White Tiger and was recognized.
The Red Tiger, who had skills that matched his dirty personality.
The Yellow Tiger, who was known for his excellent use of energy.
When the mountain spirits and heavenly spirits of the mountains and waters spread their names, those who heard about them thought.
The nobles who symbolized color were all strong or wise.
However, there were exceptions.
“I’m a black tiger! I’m not a silent tiger!”
The black tiger cried out with a sad face.
The weak black tiger, far from making a name for itself, was often bullied by the rough-tempered nobles.
Most of the clans were good at fighting, so they were usually born with good physiques, but Heukho was different.
Heukho had a small physique like a spirit that resided in a mountain or stream with weak spiritual energy, but that doesn’t mean that he was particularly good at using sorcery like Hwangho.
‘But my name is Heukho... ... I was Heukho from the beginning... ... .’
There were some who didn’t like the fact that Heukho had a name that symbolized color like other famous clans.
There were quite a few who denied Heukho’s name, saying that to become a clan that symbolized color, you had to catch their eye.
They used derogatory terms like ‘Mukho’ or ‘Meokho’ because they dealt with ink-colored supernatural powers rather than the name Heukho.
They planned to harass Heukho until he gave up his name.
“I’m Heukho!”
Byeeeee!
The black tiger, who had been waiting for an opportunity, blew loudly on the grass flute hidden in his palm.
The ground was wet because there were many celestial spirits watching from the surrounding area, and when the black tiger blew the grass flute, the feet of those who had been chanting ‘Mukho’ froze.
If it were another clan, they would have taken advantage of this opportunity to cut off the mouths of those who had spoken outrageously or punched them in the jaw.
However, the black tiger did not have the confidence to strike them with his own hands, even if he had.
Furthermore, the black tiger knew that he could not hold their feet for long with his own strength.
Ppabak!
The black tiger grabbed a handful of dirt, threw it at the eyes of those whose feet were tied, and ran away.
He heard people cursing at the black tiger from behind, but they quickly moved away.
The black tiger was quite fast and was good at hiding his presence.
‘I can’t live around here anymore. Where should I hide from now on?
The black tiger was deliberately avoiding areas where the powerful clans with colored names resided.
He had never encountered them before, but he deliberately avoided those places because those who praised them harassed him.
‘The ‘Dal-ryeon’ will start soon, so we’ll encounter them someday.’
The black tiger hid his gloomy feelings and muffled his footsteps.
He didn’t seem to be chasing the black tiger, but he couldn’t let his guard down.
He was moving silently along the shadows.
Suddenly, the ground sank and the black tiger floundered.
He was so surprised that he couldn’t even scream.
He didn’t notice it at all, but there was a trap set.
The trap was a simple form that would fall down if you stepped on it, but fortunately, it was only as deep as the small black tiger’s knees, so he didn’t get hurt.
A trap of this level wouldn’t even be able to hunt small animals, so he couldn’t figure out why they’d make something like this.
Black Tiger was puzzled, then discovered something and shivered.
‘There’s a faint silver energy left in the trap. Someone who can handle this color of energy will come!’
Black Tiger ran away in a panic.
Black Tiger quickly dug into a crevice in the rock and hid himself.
Someone just barely made it to the trap.
It was a white-haired and silver-haired lord.
The silver-haired young man, who had checked the damaged trap, spoke gently.
“You’re a step too late. Brother White Tiger, can you check if anyone is around?”
“Got it.”
Black Tiger, who had heard their conversation, hid his presence even more as if he were dead.
Black Tiger knew those two.
White Tiger and Silver Tiger.
According to rumors, they were the two strongest and wisest among the lords.
He hid his presence even more thoroughly because he didn’t know what the two would do if they saw Heukho.
“No one is there.”
“Is that so?”
The frightened Heukho finally felt relieved after hearing those words.
Heukho just waited for the two to quickly disappear.
However, Eunho seemed unwilling to back down right away.
“There really is no one, or they’re hiding their presence so perfectly that even Baekho hyung can’t find them.”
Eunho’s words made his heart sink.
Baekho spoke in an arrogant voice, not hiding his dissatisfaction.
“There’s someone who dares to deceive my senses? Are you sure?”
“Yes. If the person I’m thinking of is here, Baekho hyung won’t even notice.”
Baekho added a few words, saying, “There’s no way,” and “You’re mistaken,” but Eunho’s words that followed refuted his words.
Eunho told them one by one the time the trap collapsed, the traces that remained, and the time it took them to move.
When Baekho became quiet, Eunho spoke to the sky, no, to Heukho.
“Heukho, I have no intention of harming you. I hope we can have a chance to greet each other at the training grounds prepared by the Heavenly God. You must not have had time to eat because you moved frequently. I will leave you some snacks.”
Eunho’s words were very affectionate.
His voice was so warm that he wanted to pop his head out of the crevice of the rock and greet them without realizing it.
After hearing Eunho’s words, Heukho realized that he was hungry.
He had been running away or getting upset by the sound of the silence, so he had no time to eat.
Eunho’s gentle voice continued.
“I heard that Heukho plays a wonderful instrument. “At Cheoniksan at night, someone who can sing a song that matches the performance will appear.”
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Black Tiger found Eunho’s words confusing, but he took them to heart.
Cheoniksan was the place where the voice of the Heavenly God was heard the loudest and most magnificently.
There was a story that Hwangho would come and go every now and then to hear the voice of the Heavenly God a little more, so I haven’t been there, but if I climbed the mountain secretly at night, I might be able to avoid Hwangho.
In addition, there was a story that Hwangho would train with Jeokho before a match hosted by Cheonshin.
In fact, it was a strange and unexpected suggestion, but Black Tiger’s heart was greatly moved by the affectionate voice that spoke to him for the first time.
“Is this the end? I wasted my time training.”
White Tiger didn’t seem happy, as if he was still dissatisfied with the fact that he hadn’t found any sign of Black Tiger yet.
Eunho smiled and said soothingly.
“Baekho-nim, if you go down in the opposite direction from where you came up, you’ll encounter those with ice chips on their feet. Although they lack willpower, they’re used to violence, so they’ll go along with Baekho-nim’s training without complaint.”
“Got it.”
Baekho swung his greatsword around as if he was trying to loosen up his body.
If they have ice chips on their feet, do you mean those whose feet Black Tiger had just frozen?
Black Tiger was secretly curious about how White Tiger’s training would go, but he couldn’t move.
No matter how affectionately Eunho spoke to him, he couldn’t help but feel scared.
It was only after they disappeared that Black Tiger, while keeping a close eye on his surroundings, slipped out of the crevice of the rock.
Where Eunho had been, there was a fruit wrapped in leaves.
‘It’s delicious.’
At first, I thought it might be poisoned, or that it was a joke mixed with dirt and sour fruits, but it was all precious and delicious.
Heukho wanted to eat the remaining fruits sparingly, but it was hard to hide his presence once the sweet scent got into his body, so he ate them all with regret and washed his hands that were covered in juice.
And that night, Heukho headed to Cheoniksan.
‘Someone who sings a song that suits my playing... ... .’
No one had ever sung while Heukho played his flute.
Heukho usually played his flute alone in a place where no one was around, or when he used the special flow of energy that he activated when playing to control the cold air.
Regardless of whether it was appropriate or not, he would be very happy if someone sang along with Heukho’s playing.
Heukho put the flute to his lips only after confirming that no one was around.
Beep... ... .
He played a few songs as he felt like it, but no one sang.
Thinking about it carefully, there was no way anyone would sing if he played in a place where there was no one.
When the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) disappointed Black Tiger was about to leave the mountain.
Paaaaat!
A ray of light with a divine energy descended from the still dark sky.
The ray of light illuminated the Cheondansu where Black Tiger was standing.
The light was so thin and secretive that it seemed that Black Tiger was the only one who noticed it.
As Black Tiger blankly stared at the light, someone with a beautiful and kind appearance appeared.
Black Tiger unconsciously trembled because he could see the strong energy even at first glance, but his feet did not move.
“I wanted to hear your performance from closer. I’m sorry for startling you.”
That someone’s voice was brighter and more beautiful than any sound Black Tiger had ever heard.
Black Tiger didn’t even notice the flute falling from his hand because he was so focused on that person.
Black Tiger stared blankly at the person standing in front of him for a long time, his mouth wide open.
The person who introduced himself as the son of the god, a new man, picked up the flute and put it in Black Tiger’s hand before he came to his senses.
The new man smiled brightly at Black Tiger, who was lost in the beauty of his voice rather than the name of the god or new man.
“Tell me your name.”
Black Tiger hesitated after hearing those words.
Those who called Black Tiger derogatory, saying that his name did not suit him, came to mind.
‘Wouldn’t he be disappointed if he found out I was Black Tiger?’
However, he didn’t feel like lying to the new man or hiding his name.
Black Tiger hesitated and then opened his mouth.
“I am Black Tiger.”
“Your name goes well with the color of your hair and eyes. Black Tiger, could you please sing one more song?”
“Uh, yes... ...!”
Heukho's heart swelled at the rookie's words.
If the rookie wanted, Heukho would continue playing even if his lips were chapped and his fingertips were worn out.
When he asked, "Can I sing along with your playing?" Heukho almost shed tears.
But the night was short, and he had not yet come to this world.
The newcomer, who could not stay, had to return to the sky.
The newcomer spoke to the sad and crying Black Tiger.
“Black Tiger, I will come back at night. Then, let me hear your music again.”
“Can I only see you at night? Can’t I stay on this land forever?”
“After the duel that the Heavenly God called for is over, I plan to stay on this land for a long time. Please wait until then.”
At the newcomer’s words, Black Tiger decided to wait.
When day came, there might be people who would harass Black Tiger again, but he could endure it.
One night, when Cheongho appeared, drawn by the sound of the newcomer singing along to Black Tiger’s music, he was greatly surprised, but Cheongho did not harass Black Tiger.
And then the day that the Heavenly God called for came, and Black Tiger also participated in the duel.
‘The newcomer will also watch this match. I want to win at least once!’
However, unfortunately, Black Tiger’s first opponent was Eunho.
There was not a single flaw in Eunho, who smiled gently.
“Heukho, it’s finally nice to meet you.”
As a result, Heukho was completely defeated in the first match.
