Chapter 17: Shattering Bonds

Ji Won stumbled through the gates of the Evolver Academy, her steps faltering and her strength failing. The journey had taken its toll, her physical and emotional reserves depleted by the harrowing events of the previous days. As she crumpled to the ground, a cry of alarm rose from nearby students, their faces a blur of concern.

The healers of the Expert Class rushed to her side, their gentle hands and soothing magic working to restore her health.Ji Won's eyes fluttered open, the world around her swimming into focus. She blinked, trying to remember where she was, her mind still fogged by the aftermath of battle. The faces of her fellow Evolvers swam before her, their expressions a mixture of relief and sorrow.

"Ji Won," a soft voice said, "you're safe now."

She recognized the voice of In Na, a talented healer of the Expert Class. "In Na..." she whispered, struggling to sit up. "The others... they..."

"We know," In Na replied, her voice sympathetic.Ji Won closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. In her mind, the memories of her fallen comrades flashed like a series of cruel images: Seung Woo's body, crumpled on the ground. Sueong Wu, his face contorted in pain. Min Ho, his smile fading into a detonation of light. And Cheol Su...

She shook her head, refusing to believe that he was truly gone. "No. Cheol Su... he can't be..."

"I'm so sorry, Ji Won," In Na said, her voice heavy with emotion.Ji Won's heart crumpled, the weight of the loss threatening to crush her. But she knew she couldn't stay here, wallowing in grief. Master Yun needed to be informed of the situation, of the coven's power, of Jeong Woo's betrayal.

With a deep, shuddering breath, she pushed herself to her feet, ignoring the protests of her fellow Evolvers. "I need to see Master Yun. Now."

Her voice was filled with a fierce determination, a fierce rage that burned like a wildfire in her soul. As she hurries to Master Yun's office.

Meanwhile Cheol Su is already in Master Yun's office explaining all that had happened. He sat across from Master Yun, his face grave as he recounted the events of their mission. Go on Cheol Su, what happened next?, Master Yun asked digesting the information. "We were ambushed, Master Yun. By a man we meant who offered us help, his name is Jeong Woo he and the corrupted Evolvers. Mo Hee , Ji Won fought bravely, but..."

His words trailed off, the weight of their sacrifice too much to bear.

"Go on," Master Yun said gently, his expression betraying nothing. "Mi Hoo he died to protect us, just as Sueong Woo died to buy us time ," Cheol Su continued, his voice strained. "They paid the ultimate price, Master Yun. Those corrupted bastards from the demonic cult , the people of Mt. Hakusan are all gone, the village in ruins, they twisted their minds with dark magic."

Master Yun's brow furrowed, his hands resting on his knees. "This is grave news indeed, Cheol Su. But what of Ji Won? Did she escape with you?"

Cheol Su's eyes dropped to the floor, his hands balled into fists. "Ji Won... I ... I don't know if she actually made it out of that hell". Master Yun's silence was heavy in the room, the weight of the news threatening to crush them both.

Cheol Su drew in a shaky breath, the pain of his memories cutting through him like a knife. "I... I thought I was lost too, Master Yun. But somehow, I found myself back here. I don't know how. All I know is that Ji Won was the only one left..."

His voice trailed off as he heard a noise in the hallway. And then, Ji Won appeared in the doorway. Ji Won's eyes locked onto Cheol Su's, her heart thudding in her chest. In that moment, it was as if nothing else existed, not even Master Yun and his questions.

"Ji Won..." Cheol Su breathed, his relief evident in his voice. "I thought... I thought you wouldn't make it."

Ji Won took a hesitant step into the room, her eyes never leaving Cheol Su's. "And I thought I'd lost you too," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Master Yun watched them both, his expression inscrutable. The silence stretched between them, each heartbeat an eternity. Ji Won's mind raced, trying to reconcile Cheol Su's presence with the image of his death, her thoughts tumbling like water over rocks.

Cheol Su cleared his throat, his voice cracking with emotion. "I don't know how I got back here, Ji Won. All I know is that I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you behind."

Ji Won's eyes welled with tears, the weight of her grief finally breaking free. "Cheol Su... oh, Cheol Su," she sobbed, her body trembling. As she knell to the floor, Cheol Su with an aloof look painted on his face, crossed the room in an instant, pulling Ji Won into his arms. Her body was warm against his, her tears soaking through his shirt. He held her tightly, as if he feared she might slip away if he let go, Trying to get her on her feet.

Master Yun watched them with a mixture of compassion and curiosity, his mind already turning over the pieces of the puzzle. "Ji Won, Cheol Su. Come sit down. We have much to discuss."

Cheol Su nodded, his gaze still locked on Ji Won. Together, they sat. Master Yun leaned forward, his expression solemn. "First, I must offer my condolences for your fallen comrades. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Ji Won's throat tightened, her heart aching at the thought of her lost friends. She managed a shaky nod, but said nothing.

"Second," Master Yun continued, "we must consider the threat the demonic cult poses and If they have the power to corrupt other Evolvers, we must act with caution."

Cheol Su's eyes hardened, his jaw set in a determined line. "Finally," Master Yun said, his voice measured and even, "there is the matter of your return, Cheol Su, and Ji Won's survival. Something very strange is at work here, and I believe it is out of the ordinary, very mysterious ."

He looked at Cheol Su, his gaze piercing and direct. "Tell me, what do you remember of your last moments? How did you find yourself here?"

Cheol Su swallowed, his mind racing as he searched for the right words. "I remember... dying. Jeong Woo's sword cut me down, and everything went dark. Master Yun eyes narrows as he turned to Ji Won what about you, what happened after you saw Cheol Su die. I .. I used my triumph card, "she recall using her Triumph card the ruin of teleportation to escape Jeong Woo clushes, she makes it clear to them she was teleported a few mile away from the scene, all she had to do then was thrive to the school gates" .As Ji Won recounted her story, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. "The Ruin of Teleportation," Master Yun said, his brows drawing together in thought. "That explains your survival, Ji Won. But what of Cheol Su? I have never heard of an Evolver returning from the dead."

Cheol Su's face was a mask of confusion and uncertainty. "Master Yun... I don't know. All I remember is the darkness. And then, suddenly, I was here."

Master Yun pondered this for a long moment, his fingers steepled in front of him. "This... this is not a coincidence," Master Yun said at last, his tone grave. "Something beyond his world happened, perhaps you were rescued by a saint god from the spirit realm, they are theories about the existence of this realm."

Cheol Su's eyes widened in alarm. "But why? What could they possibly want from me to save me ?"

"I do not know, my student," Master Yun replied, his eyes flashing with worry. "But I fear that we are at the heart of a great conspiracy. Whatever happened to you, Cheol Su, it was not natural. "You must be very careful from now on, you are truly special for the saint gods to interfere in your battle". You must keep all this a secret not even Dean Park is to hear about this. With a nod, Cheol Su stood to leave, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will say nothing, Master Yun. My lips are sealed."

Master Yun watched him go, his thoughts spinning as he contemplated the puzzle before him. As the door closed, he turned to Ji Won, his expression grave.

"Ji Won, I fear that your survival, and Cheol Su's return, are pieces of a larger mysteries unsolved. The demonic cult is moving against us, and we must be vigilant."

Ji Won nodded, her eyes steeling with resolve.