MADman-Chapter 68: Red Scent

The underground peephole was a shadowy labyrinth of rusted walls and echoes of dripping water. Whitepalm moved through the dimly lit tunnels, his steps deliberate, his breathing steady. The scent of iron and blood filled the air, clinging to the damp, corroded surfaces around him.

As he approached a heavy iron door, his keen senses detected a faint but distinct sound—a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down his spine. He pushed the door open, revealing a gruesome scene: blood soaked into the walls, an artificial arm discarded on the floor, and at the center of the room, a massive creature chained to the ground.

It was a monkey-like beast, standing nearly four meters tall. Its scarlet eyes glowed in the darkness, and its ancient, weathered voice broke the silence.

The Last Remnant of the 13th Zodiac

Monkey:

"So, the son of Rat comes here... What a surprise."

Whitepalm froze, his sharp instincts kicking in.

Monkey:

"My hands are soaked in blood, blood from a time so old I can barely remember... But even with these cursed hands, I was defeated by Gok Sun Ji decades ago. The Infinite Blade, my legacy, is no more. I heard Gok was taken by the National Rankers seven years ago. And me? I'm nothing but a relic. So, kid... finish me. My time is over. I have no reason to live."

Whitepalm's expression hardened. He reached down and picked up the discarded artificial arm, inspecting it briefly before tossing it toward the chained beast.

Whitepalm:

"Reason or not, I'm not here to put you out of your misery, old man. If Gok could defeat you and still rise to become the symbol of humanity, then maybe it's time for you to do the same. I'm giving you a chance to make your own reason to live. Help me find the Blossom Rift. I'm headed to Korea, and I could use someone with your strength."

He drew a blade from his side, its edge gleaming faintly in the dim light, and slashed through the chains binding the Monkey Zodiac.

The beast stretched its limbs, a deep, guttural laugh rumbling from its chest.

Monkey:

"You've got guts, kid. Maybe too much for your own good. Very well... I'll follow you. But if this path leads to more bloodshed, don't expect me to hold back."

Whitepalm handed him a large black cloak, its fabric designed to conceal the creature's monstrous frame.

Whitepalm:

"Wear this. We don't want people panicking before we even get started."

The Monkey grinned, draping the cloak over his massive shoulders.

Monkey:

"Let's see if this Blossom Rift is worth my time. Lead the way,

Meanwhile, in Seoul, Gok Sun Ji sat at his desk in the Prime Minister's office, the weight of leadership and the battles he'd endured etched into his features. The room was quiet except for the scratch of his pen against paper as he wrote a letter—one meant to be read if he fell in the battles ahead.

Gok (writing):

"As a friend, as a Prime Minister, as a savior... no, not at all. As Gok Sun Ji. This road was heartful and important to me. I never had a mother, nor a father. I think, somehow, I built my family along the way. Thank you for everything. That was my reason to live."

He paused, staring at the words before him. For a moment, his hand trembled. Then he folded the letter and tucked it into an envelope, sealing it with care.

Looking out the window at the city he had fought so hard to protect, Gok murmured to himself:

Gok:

"If this is my last fight, let it be for something that matters."

Far from the Prime Minister's office, Whitepalm and the Monkey Zodiac began their journey toward Seoul. As they approached the city, Whitepalm couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental was about to unfold.

The rift above the Five Saviors Statue shimmered faintly in the distance, an ominous reminder of the battles to come.

Monkey:

"So, kid... tell me. What makes you think this Blossom Rift is more than just another headache for humans?"

Whitepalm:

"Because it's not just about humans anymore. Whatever's on the other side of that rift isn't waiting for an invitation. We're going to need every ally we can find to survive what's coming."

The Monkey chuckled, his voice tinged with both amusement and menace.

Monkey:

"Then let's see if this world still has a fight worth joining."

As the two figures moved toward the heart of Seoul, the skies above began to darken, the rift pulsing with a foreboding light.

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