<p> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그렇군요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그래서 당신과 은빈 도령은 자신의 나약함에 자책하고 여기까지 오신 건가요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈은 충분히 전예린과 이은비를 죽일 수 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">하지만 그러지 않은 이유는 그가 살인을 할 수 없어서야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">침소에 있던 모든 사람들은 입을 다물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">살인을 하지 않는 건 당연한 일이지만 자기방어나 정의구현을 위해서는 허락되어야 한다고 생각합니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그가 어떤 상황에도 살인을 하지 않는 이유를 설명하면 오늘 밤을 새도 모자랄 거다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">*</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">귀뚜라미 소리가 울려퍼졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">산림을 이루고 있는 곳에서 들개의 울음소리가 들려왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성을 지키기 위해 족히 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">20</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">명은 되는 문하생들이 성벽에 진을 치고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">당장이라도 사람을 죽일 수 있는 장창을 들고 잠도 잊은 채 눈을 부릅뜨고 성벽을 둘러쌓다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그들은 당장이라도 동료들을 부를 수 있는 호루라기를 목에 건 채 백월을 기다리고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">검은색 판쵸를 착용한 남자가 당당하게 산길을 걸어올라왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">판쵸에 있는 후드를 눌러쓴 채 손에는 제 키만한 길이와 호두만한 지름의 쇠막대기를 들고 들어왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 후드를 벗자 문하생들은 일제히 창을 그에게 겨누었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아 신수학교라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마치 비극적인 이별을 맞이한 전 연인의 얼굴을 보는 것 같구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이 개자식</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">정신이 나가 맞아죽고 싶은 게로구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">정문을 지키던 복호는 당장이라도 창을 던질 기세로 위협적인 자세를 취했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성벽을 치고 있는 자가 왜이리 많지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설마 내가 비겁하게 숨어들어올 것이라고 예상했나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 말하며 얼굴을 찡그린 채 고개를 흔들었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">제 발로 무덤에 들어오다니 정말 고마워서 어쩌지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">복호가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">무덤의 주인이 누가 될 지는 두고 봐야 알겠지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말하기 무섭게 창병들은 일제히 백월을 쑤시기 위해 달려들었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 쇠막대기로 가운데 창을 위로 튕기고 그 사이를 다시 쇠막대기로 벌려 들어가 양 옆의 문하생들의 머리를 가격했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구보다 재빠른 쇠막대기로 문하생 다섯의 머리를 때려 기절시킨 백월은 양 옆으로 파고드는 창을 고개를 돌려 아슬아슬하게 피한 뒤 몸을 뒤로 날려 피했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각도 쓰지 못하는 열등인 주제에 입만 살았구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">너의 명줄은 여기서 끝이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">창병들을 지휘하던 복호는 도발하며 백월의 머리를 창끝으로 가리켰다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각을 쓰지 못한다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그건 네 생각이지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 말하기 무섭게 숨을 크게 들이마셨다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">심상치 않음을 느낀 복호는 달려들어 백월의 목을 찌르려고 했으나 한 발 늦은 뒤였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">[</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백호성파</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">]</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">몸을 후드려패고 고막을 갈기갈기 찢는 듯한 음파가 울려퍼졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">문하생들은 귀를 부여잡고 바닥에 자빠져 나뒹굴었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">맷집이 좋은 복호를 제외한 다른 문하생들은 찢을 듯한 고통에 실신하고 말았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">음파가 멈췄음에도 날카로운 고음이 귀에서 느껴졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">말도 안 돼</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 혈맥이 끊어져있어 기각을 쓰지 못한다고 들었는데</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.’</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 어리둥절해있는 복호에게 생각할 기회조차 주지 않고 수도로 목을 쳐 기절시켰다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 쇠막대기를 들고 성벽의 문을 부숴 안으로 들어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">소리를 듣고 깨어난 다른 문화생들이 횃불을 들고 백월의 앞에 나타났다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임언과 사성을 데려와라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">웃기지 마라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성과 친하게 지내던 사범 예인이 소리쳤다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 사성을 찾는 것을 두고 볼 수 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이은비와 전예린은 어디있지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">왜 데려오지 않았지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">예인이 물었다</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사형을 할 때 도살을 하는 칼을 쓸 수 없지 않나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">걱정마라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아무도 죽이지 않는다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">먼저 날 죽이려고 하지 않는다면</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월의 말을 무시하고 성의 종탑에 은신 중이던 궁수 한 명이 백월의 목에 화살을 쏘았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 너무나 손쉽게 화살을 맨손으로 붙잡았고 놀란 문하생들이 한 발 짝 뒤로 물러났다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">말을 듣지 않는 군</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 투덜거리며 자신이 들고 있던 쇠막대기의 끝부분을 쥐고 돌렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">쇠막대기는 연꽃이 피는 것처럼 부풀어오르더니 이내 나팔모양으로 변하였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 나팔의 끝 부분에 입을 가져다대더니 어마어마한 음파를 내지를 것처럼 숨을 크게 들이마셨다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">멈추어라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 말을 듣고 백월은 순순히 나팔을 내려놓았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">결코 겁에 질렸다거나 포기했다는 심보가 아니었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">자신이 원하는 것이 왔으니 더 이상 백호성파를 쓰지 않아도 된다는 생각이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">새하얀 소복을 입은 임언이 문하생들 사이로 걸어나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">문하생들은 고개를 숙이며 길을 비켜주었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다녀왔습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사부님</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">공손하게 직각으로 허리를 숙여 인사한 뒤 조용히 다시 고개를 올렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 네 사부가 아니고 여긴 네가 올 곳도 아니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임언이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각을 쓰지 못한다는 이유로 대장까지 올라간 저를 천대하시더니 결국은 이렇게 되었습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">너를 피한 이유는 너가 기각을 쓰지 못해서가 아니라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">잘못된 길을 걷고 있었기 때문이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임언이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">군신유의</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대통령을 마지막까지 지킨 제가 어찌 잘못된 길을 걸었단 말입니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임금이 나라의 주인일 때는 임금에게 의를 다하는 것이 맞으나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">민중이 나라의 주인일 때 민중이 지도자를 져버린다면 군인이라 하여도 그들의 뜻에 동참해야하는 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임원은 꾸짖었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">박일화 각하의 탄핵과 사형은 오로지 선동과 거짓말로 이뤄낸 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 경멸에 찬 목소리였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">당신이 가르친대로 했어</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">한 번 맺은 충성은 산이 깎이고 강이 마른다고 해도 변하지 않는 것이라고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 마지막까지 대한민국 정부를 지키려고 했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">하지만 너는 뭘 했지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월의 목소리가 점점 커졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">박일화가 학창시절 창녀였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">조폭의 딸이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">여성우월주의자다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">너희는 이게 싹다 개 뻥이었다는 걸 알고 있었잖아</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">탄핵 심판 근거의 절반 이상이 조작된 거라는 것도 내가 법적으로 아무 혐의도 없었다는 걸 너희들은 다 알고 있었잖아</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월의 목소리는 귀가 아플 지경이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">미안하다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">임언의 말을 마지막으로 백월은 나팔에 백호성파를 내질렀고 신수학교의 광장은 초토화가 되었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">귀에 피를 흘린 채 기절한 문하생들이 널부러져있었고 백월은 사성의 방으로 걸어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">*</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">방금 그 소리는 뭡니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈은 침소로 헐레벌떡 뛰어와 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월의 소리인가요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니 백월은 기각을 쓰지 못하는 거 아니었습니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이 세상 그 어떤 사람도 몸에 기각이 흐른다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월의 경우에는 기각이 없는 것이 아니라 혈맥이 막혀 기각을 쓸 수 없는 것이었는데</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이게 어찌 된 일이지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?’</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 비교적 여유를 부릴 수 있었던 거도 백월은 기각을 쓸 수 없다고 알려졌기 때문이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">태생적으로 혈맥이 막혀 기각을 쓰지 못하는 사람도 있는데 백월도 그 중 한 사람이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월과 있었던 모든 일에 자문자답하면서 심고하고 있던 와중에 사성의 침대 뒤에 달려있던 문풍지가 찢어지면서 백월이 방 안으로 들어왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">바닥으로 멀리 뛰어내리더니 몸을 돌려 사성을 마주보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단은 무기를 백월에게 겨누었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">각시</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다녀왔소</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말하자 사성은 몸을 돌려 침대에서 일어났다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 네 아내가 아니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 차신단을 훑어보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">남편으로는 모자라 아이들까지 거둔 건가</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">양심이란 것이 결여되었구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">파문자 자식</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">스승님께 손 하나 까닥대면 가만두지 않겠다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁은 소리쳤다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나도 너희와 같은 때가 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀의 사랑을 받고 성장했지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 비웃음이 섞인 목소리였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">건방떠는 것도 그게 마지막이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주는 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">[</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인포</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">]</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">로 백월에게 돌진하였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">우지근하는 소리와 함께 성주와 백월의 몸이 맏부딪혔고 문까지 부수고 밀려나간 둘은 침소 바로 앞에 있는 난간에 같이 떨어져 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">층 휴게공간으로 떨어졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단의 나머지 셋도 난간에서 뛰어내려 착지하였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 등에 맨 쇠막대기를 들어올려 성주의 머리에 꽂아박았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">얼마나 세게 쳤는지 피가 쏫아나왓다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시는 급히 일어난 백월의 목을 베려하였으나 백월은 한 손으로 여유롭게 쇠막대기를 들어 칼을 막아냈다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">스파크가 일어날 정도로 강한 충돌이었으나 백월은 마치 칼을 휘두른 가시를 비웃듯이 웃고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 뒷통수에 도끼를 휘둘렀지만 백월은 손쉽게 피했고 대혁의 도끼는 가시의 칼과 맞부딪히는 꼴이 되었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">둘은 밀려났고 아리도 창을 휘둘러보았지만 백월과 창으로 대결이 성사될 리 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">몇 번의 공격을 모두 쇠막대기로 막아낸 백월은 아리의 배에 발차기를 꽂아넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">뒤늦게 정신을 차린 성주가 사슬을 던져 그의 쇠막대기를 붙잡았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 그대로 창을 당겨 성주를 끌어당겼고 성주의 얼굴에 강력한 박치기를 박아넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">칼을 떨어뜨린 가시는 뒤로 기습하여 등에 몸을 마비시키는 모든 점혈을 찔러넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">근육의 맥을 끊어 그를 제압하려는 심산이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 아무렇지도 않았고 가시를 집어들어 투포환을 하듯 가시의 머리를 대혁의 머리에 명중시켰다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">너희들은 강해</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">하지만 너무 가볍구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 일침 후 넘어진 성주의 머리를 벌레 밟듯이 밟아버렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">몸의 먼지를 털고 일어서려는데 사성이 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">2</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">층에서 그대로 낙하면서 백월에게 발차기를 꽂아넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 무슨 이유서인지 쇠막대기를 바닥에 던져버리고 맨손으로 격투를 벌였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">날카로운 손날이 백월의 목과 급소를 노리고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 지치지도 않는지 비웃는 듯한 표정을 지으며 공격을 모두 막아내었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성은 자신의 모든 힘을 쏟아내 백월의 목에 양손 수도를 날렸으나 백월은 양손으로 사성의 팔뚝을 붙잡았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성은 오른다리를 굽혀 무릎을 그의 명치에 꽂아넣으려 했으나 백월은 오른손을 재빨리 빼내 그녀의 무릎을 밀어내고 즉시 주먹을 쥔 뒤 그녀의 배에 꽂아넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">네 말이 맞아</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 너의 남편이 아니야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그저 사냥개에 불과했지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">말세가 되었으니 사냥개에게 먹혀라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 말하며 그녀의 목을 잡고 들어올렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나하고 은빈을 놔두고 게임 끝이라고 생각하는 건 아니지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">싸움을 지켜본 그리마는 사성에게로부터 시선을 돌리게 하기 위해 말을 걸었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 사성을 살포시 내려놓았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈의 몸에 번개가 칭칭감겨 태양을 보는 듯한 모습이 되었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월은 아무 말 없이 사성의 머리를 쓰다듬고 조용히 문 밖으로 걸아나갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">*</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">반나절이 지나서야 사성과 차신단은 의식을 되찾았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">새벽의 빛이 밝자 문하생들은 하나 둘 씩 일어나 수습을 하고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">예인은 기의 흐름을 이용하여 상처를 빨리 아물게 만들었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이해가 가지 않습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">왜 백월은 한 명도 죽이지 않고 깽판만 치고 나온 걸까요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성과 차신단은 의무실에 옹기종기 모여 휴식을 취하고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">애초에 우릴 죽일 생각이었다면 은비와 예린도 같이 데려왔을 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누군가가 의무실의 문을 열고 나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">뚱뚱하고 허리까지 내려오는 긴 머리카락을 가진 사내였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">키가 어중간하고 얼굴이 반반하여 울대뼈가 없었더라면 성별을 헷갈렸을 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구시죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">전 기암입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈과 친구 사이죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">조사해달라고 부탁한 게 있어서 잠깐 왔습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 말하며 들고 있던 서류봉투에서 종이뭉치를 꺼내 바라보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 절맥인 건 알고 있었죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">당연하지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥이라 기각을 쓰지 못한다고 들었습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">혹시 절맥의 절이 무슨 한자를 쓰는 지 알고 계십니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">끊을 절 자 아닙니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">끊을 절으로 알고 있습니다만</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사록을 뒤져본 결과 절맥을 한자로 쓰면 마디 절자입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 설명했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥은 맥이 끊어졌다는 뜻이 아니라 맥이 마디마디로 되어있다는 뜻이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">어쨌든 절맥이면 기각을 쓰지 못하는 거 아니였어요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이 세상에 기각을 쓰지 못하는 자는 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥은 기각을 쓰지 못하는 것이 아니라 협술을 쓰지 못하는 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 설명을 이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각은 세계 그 어떤 사람도 사용할 수 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각을 실체화하는 술법에는 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">8</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가지 종류가 있는데 협술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">도술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">요술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">연술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">주술 총 여덟까지입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">파생 술법까지 합하면 더 많지만 방금 말한 여덟 술법이 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">8</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대 술법으로 손꼽히고 있지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">앞의 넷은 아시아권에서 발달하였고 나머지 넷은 인도와 중동</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">서양에서 많이 발달하였지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥인 자는 협술을 사용할 수 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">협술은 몸에 기를 흐르게 하는 술법인데 백월처럼 절맥인 자는 맥이 마디로 되어있어 협술을 쓸 수 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다만 절맥은 기각 하나하나를 몸에 보관하기 쉬어 다른 술법은 너무나 쉽게 사용할 수 있지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말하였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그럼 백월이 쓰는 술법은 뭐죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span></p> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그건 알 수 없지만 도술로 추정은 하고 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span>
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