Since it wasn't Hae-Hyuk's fault, no one would blame him. That being said, they became very curious about which remnant dared to break the sacred vow. Whoever it was, as soon as it was found out, actions would have to be taken. Well, this was something for the Saint Patron to think of. As for them, they didn't need to ponder any more about this. What they were interested in however was how this would play out. While many rare and unexpected things happened during this trial, it was a first for that to happen. They were curious and gloating at Hae-Hyuk's misfortune. It seemed like he grew fine disciples strength-wise but lacking when it came to loyalty and morals. After all, wasn't he being betrayed during the final right now? They couldn't help smiling at his misfortune. Regardless of the outcome, this event would go down in history. Betrayals happened in this trial but never in such a way.

Hae-Hyuk was not the only one who reacted strongly though. Sophia did as well. She glared at her mother and asked for answers. Isla did not quite know how to proceed... They planned to hide this part away from her. So, she was hesitating. Meanwhile, Sophia continued to push on, to the point that she screamed. Hae-Hyuk, already angry, sent a wave of energy at her and she fell down unconscious.

Isla yelled at him: "What the fuck did you do?!"

Hae-Hyuk calmly looked at her through his blindfold and stated: "I put her to sleep. Don't worry"

Isla sighed and looked at her unconscious and foolish daughter. She asked Hae-Hyuk: "What will you tell her?"

Hae-Hyuk was back to watching the screen and didn't turn around before ending the conversation with a: "Later"

Isla sighed again as she picked up her daughter and placed her into a vacant seat. She couldn't simply leave her on the ground... Then, she returned to Hae-Hyuk's side to watch how things would proceed. And while this commotion happened, they did.

...

Min-Su heard Jin loud and clear and could not believe his ears. This was the worst joke he ever heard and he heard loads of bad ones. Killing the winner for his heart? Because the heart was the key? Just how bad was Jin at lying today? Min-Su frowned and pointed his sword towards Jin: "Jin, there are limits to what you can and can't say. Master is many things but not a liar"

Some experts within the grand hall laughed when they heard those words... Jin did not. He was frowning instead. Things were going as he expected and he didn't like it one bit. Min-Su believed in Hae-Hyuk too much. This was the problem. And this would be the reason Min-Su would die if this went on.

Jin looked at the ongoing battle a bit further. It seemed like it would take more time for it to be settled. He turned back to Min-Su and asked him: "Now that I think back, I never asked you how you met Hae-Hyuk, did I? Could you tell me since we have some time?"

Min-Su brought his weapon down and looked at the other battle. They did have some time. A last chat with no intent behind it... He didn't mind it. It was better than hearing that guy's lies.

He began his story: "You already know that the clan was jealous of my sister so I won't go into details there. Because of it, they also decided to take me out of the equation. Killing the tiger before it grew or something like that? Anyways, they did not want to do it themselves so they abducted me and sent them in the middle of the wild lands filled with the chaotic space elements"

"I stood there in fear for a few hours until a group of hooded men approached me and picked me up. Next thing I knew, I was alone in a room made from distorted space. There was nothing else but that in there. And time went by. Even the food and water they gave me was distorted... I lost myself in the distortion. I was getting crazy"

"Then everything broke and Hae-Hyuk appeared. He took me out and made me his disciple. We travelled and then you and I met at that border war. That's about it"

Jin could glimpse between the lines that Hae-Hyuk saved Min-Su's life. But more than that, he understood that Min-Su saw Hae-Hyuk as his hero. Maybe, to Min-Su, Hae-Hyuk was closer to a father than a master. In any case, it was quite obvious that Min-Su trusted Hae-Hyuk completely. Someone who saved your life and gave you a future... Just how much trust would you give such a man? Jin had mixed feelings about it. He didn't think Min-Su would ever believe him if he tried to show him what Hae-Hyuk truly was like.

Everyone had their own truth and as long as you believed something, it was your truth.

Min-Su's truth was that Hae-Hyuk was a savior worth trusting with his life. To Jin, this was madness. There was nothing he could do though that would change things. But still, he would try until he could no more.

He said: "I see. I understand that Hae-Hyuk saved your life. But have you never doubted him?"

Min-Su shook his head with a depreciating laugh and stated: "My life? No. He did much more than that. He saved yours too. And then my sister's. And my parents too."

Jin paused. It wasn't wrong. Hae-Hyuk did act in such a way that he seemed like a benevolent man. Truly a wolf disguising as the sheep. The problem was that the other beasts believed the actor. Jin felt like he was playing the werewolf game from his childhood. The game was all about finding out who the hidden werewolf between the villagers was. Right now, there were three players: Hae-Hyuk, Min-Su and Jin. And the werewolf was either Hae-Hyuk or Jin in Min-Su's mind. Jin had to make Min-Su believe him somehow...But how?

He was never that good with words not meant to enrage an opponent...