The next morning, Kang Woo stood at the sect's eastern exit with a satchel over one shoulder and a sigh already brewing in his chest.
A young disciple with nervous energy and too many teeth showing walked beside him.
"This way, Elder Kang! Your peak is located just beyond the Cloudfang Ridge! Not many disciples go there, so it's nice and quiet!"
"…Great."
They walked for nearly two hours through winding paths and overgrown stairs until they reached a narrow bridge suspended over a misty chasm. On the other side…
A lonely peak stood crooked, jagged, wild — like nature itself had forgotten to finish carving it.
The stone halls were cracked, the spirit trees barely blooming, and the main gate had a sign swinging loosely that read:
> "Unbound Peak — Glory through Freedom."
Kang Woo stared at it blankly.
"…Looks like a retirement home for swordless ex-warriors."
The disciple chuckled awkwardly. "Haha! It has character."
Kang Woo rubbed his temples. "It has termites."
---
Back at the guest house, Hajin ran up to him as he returned from the tour.
"Hyung! I heard you're getting your own peak. I want to join!"
Kang Woo raised an eyebrow. "You're already an inner disciple under Elder Hui."
"Yeah, but I can request a transfer—"
"No."
"…Hyung?"
Kang Woo clapped a hand on Hajin's shoulder. "Stay with Hui. You need someone who'll sharpen your talent. My peak's just a pile of rocks and weirdos."
Hajin deflated slightly, but then smiled. "Then I'll visit every day. Deal?"
"Deal."
---
Later That Day — At Unbound Peak
Kang Woo returned to Unbound Peak, hoping for some solitude, maybe a nap. Instead, he was greeted by ten unfamiliar faces — lined up, standing crookedly, and eyeing him like a wild animal.
A message talisman floated in front of him with a stamp from the Sect Leader himself.
> "To our newly appointed Elder Kang Woo,
These ten disciples have been entrusted to you.
May your wisdom guide them.
P.S. They are… difficult."
Kang Woo's brow twitched.
He turned and looked at the lineup:
One kid picking his nose.
Another talking to a rock.
A musclehead trying to flex at a tree.
A girl chewing on a sword hilt.
A boy nervously clutching four spirit manuals upside-down.
Two twins pretending to be one person using a robe.
A short girl glaring at everyone like she wanted to burn the world.
A tall boy hiding behind the others.
And one guy snoring while standing.
Kang Woo stared at them. Then stared at the sky.
"…Why the fuck do I have to teach misfits?"
One disciple sneezed and accidentally shot a small fireball at his own foot.
"…And they're only like a year younger than me."
The Shadowfang Panther yawned beside him, unimpressed.
Kang Woo dragged a hand down his face. "What am I, a glorified babysitter with divine roots?"
No one answered.
So he shouted:
"ALRIGHT, you chaotic goblins! Welcome to Unbound Peak — where logic comes to die! From today onward, you're mine!"
Half of them clapped. One cried. The rock-talker asked if they could bring his rock too.
Kang Woo muttered under his breath.
> "This is hell. I got sent to hell wearing an Elder's robe."