Chapter 84: The Winter's Recognition

Cheol Su's eyes glinted with ferocity, the fire of his Dragon Flames surrounding him like a halo of destruction. With a growl, he activated the system, calling forth the Black Scythe from within.

"Time to reap the harvest of that tree," he snarled, the dark blade of the scythe glinting with deadly promise as he swept it through the icy branches of the forest, cutting down the hidden archers like wheat before the scythe. As Cheol Su swung the Black Scythe with deadly precision, the sound of rushing wind and booming footsteps caught his attention. He turned, his eyes narrowing as a massive figure charged towards him with lightning speed.

Clad in armor of glistening ice, with a greatsword in hand that blazed with the cold fury of the frozen forest, the figure loomed over Cheol Su like an angry winter storm.

"I am Cerulon, the Ice Lord," the figure roared, its voice like a hurricane of frost. "And you will fall before my blade, mortal."

Cheol Su's eyes widened as the Ice Lord towered over him, the frigid air around the lord growing even colder. But before he could raise his scythe in defense, the Ice Lord's fierce gaze softened, a look of surprise crossing his face.

"Wait..." the Ice Lord murmured, his voice no longer raging with fury, but laced with recognition. "You...I sense the blood of a Saint God within you. Our peoples have been allies for generations. What brings you to our forest?" Cheol Su's brow furrowed, his lips parting as he took in the Ice Lord's words. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and a spark of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

"I am Cheol Su," he replied, lowering the Black Scythe but keeping it at the ready. "I've come to pass the third floor of the Tower of Chaos."

The Ice Lord's eyes narrowed, and then he nodded slowly.

"So it is written in the scrolls," he said, the cold air around him calming.

Meanwhile in the outside world, The disappearance of Cheol Su, the star student of the blue dragon evolver Academy, had sent shockwaves through the martial arts community. Three long months had passed, and still, there was no sign of him. The world had begun to whisper, speculating wildly about his fate.

Some claimed that he had been assassinated by a rival school, while others believed he had fallen victim to the insatiable ambitions of an enemy nation. The more superstitious said he had been kidnapped by demonic creatures from the depths of the Earth, never to be seen again. As the rumors swirled, Ji Yeon, Cheol Su's devoted sister, found herself caught in the middle. The burden of her brother's disappearance weighed heavily on her heart, and she struggled to keep up with her own training in his absence.

With the uncertainty surrounding Cheol Su's fate, Master Yun, taking pity on the young girl, opened his home to her. He vowed to protect and guide her, even as they continued to pray for Cheol Su's safe return.

Despite the shelter offered by Master Yun, Ji Yeon's life was far from peaceful. The whispers of the community and the fear of what might have become of her brother haunted her every waking moment. She spent long hours training with Master Yun, honing her skills and pushing herself harder than ever before. Ji Yeon would not allow herself to be weak, not while her brother's fate remained a mystery.

As she sat alone in her room, the moonlight streaming through the window, she found herself lost in thought. What if Cheol Su never returned? What if he was lost forever? The very thought sent a shiver through her body, chilling her to the bone. Just then there was a knock on the door, The knock on the door was soft, but insistent. Ji Yeon knew who it was without even having to ask. With a sigh, she rose from her bed, her body weary from another

As she opened the door, her eyes brow with enlightenment. Standing before her were three figures, their faces etched with sorrow and grief. Yuer Mo, Hana Lee, and Wu Long had come once again to offer their condolences and support. This was their weekly ritual, a sad reminder of the void that Cheol Su's absence had left in their lives. "Ji Yeon," Yuer Mo said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're sorry to intrude on you again, but we couldn't bear not to come. We know how hard this must be for you."

Ji Yeon smiled wanly, the sadness in her eyes mirroring the sorrow of her friends. "Thank you," she murmured. "Please, come in. Master Yun is not home, but I could use your company."

The Trio filed into the sparsely furnished room, each taking a seat around a small table. Meanwhile, in a distant, secret compound, the elite martial arts master Tae Won wiped the sweat from his brow, his muscles aching from hours of intense training. He had never given up hope of surpassing Cheol Su, even though his rival had mysteriously disappeared.

But as Tae Won rested, his mind drifted to the news that had been spreading like wildfire.

"The Government and Guilds have called off the search for Cheol Su," the news reporter announced, her voice grave. "They've chosen to reveal the truth behind the problems facing our world. Demonic cults, on the rise. "The number of incidents involving magical beasts has skyrocketed, and the demonic cults that had previously been suppressed are now active once again," the reporter continued. "Beast waves and outbreaks are rampant, and the guilds have suffered heavy losses. Many are asking, where did this start, and how can we stop it?"

Tae Won's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the screen. He had heard whispers of these cults, whispers that spoke of dark magic and forbidden rituals. Could it be that they were responsible for Cheol Su's disappearance? What every it was suits him right for acting all high and mighty, the strong shall fall if they are not cautious.