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**

The day broke. The two who had visited the grove last night stared at the man who sat there silently.

Despite their intense gaze, he did not move. Although there was something black and tattered draped over his body, that was about it.

His clothes were little more than rags, barely covering him. He looked like a beggar.

But the important thing was elsewhere. He wouldn’t stir even when shaken awake. He didn’t resist when they attempted to shake him, remaining quiet like a corpse.

Yet… he was still breathing.

“Dad, what do you think it is?”

“Hmm…”

Yuk Nam-pyeong tried to move him. But for some reason, he couldn’t lift him.

“Is he heavy…?”

He was strangely heavy. A gentle shake was possible, but…

When they tried to lift him, his feet wouldn’t budge.

Yuk Hae-won stepped back a pace.

“Is he… actually a person?”

“I’m not sure. But by the atmosphere he gives off, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary person… It’s as if this whole place is a cradle for him…”

Yuk Nam-pyeong glanced around. With nothing more they could do, they decided to just leave him be.

“There’s likely a reason he’s asleep. Let’s just leave him.”

“…He looks cold.”

“Go fetch a blanket or something.”

“Yes!”

Yuk Hae-won swiftly got up.

What a mystical place.

It felt as though the entire flora here was alive and moving.

From the dense foliage to the overall ambiance, it had that peculiar feeling. Simultaneously, it felt like something invisible was watching them.

What’s going on? What could be here?

…To begin with…

If this man is sleeping, what was the sound they heard last night?

“Dad!”

Yuk Hae-won dashed in a circle, her movements so cute that Yuk Nam-pyeong couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Take your time.”

“Okay!”

A blanket was laid over the man’s shoulders. This should keep him from shivering from the cold.

The more they looked at him, the more fascinating he was. He had scars etched on his face, which oddly accentuated his features. Even with his eyes closed, he gave off a strong sense of being handsome.

“He looks like a rich young master.”

“I feel like a warrior from a martial family. Quite rugged, too.”

“…Should we leave him as he is? He seems like he’d be hungry…”

“Hmm…”

“Dad.”

“Yes?”

“Can I share the food that’s meant for me with that brother?”

“…….”

Yuk Nam-pyeong stared at Yuk Hae-won intently. Finally, he sighed and nodded.

“Let’s feed him for now. We can’t let him starve to death.”

“Thank you! Dad!”

But even when food was brought close to the man’s mouth, he didn’t stir. His mouth wouldn’t open either, making it impossible to force feed him.

“…Oh, brother… please wake up… or you’ll starve…”

Even with shaking, he remained unmovable. Eventually, the two gave up on feeding him.

They decided that checking on him once a day would have to suffice.

The days flew by swiftly. Even while cultivating fields and planting new crops, the man astonishingly stayed alive, having consumed no food at all.

He was quiet, as if time had stopped for him alone. Simultaneously, Yuk Hae-won, Yuk Nam-pyeong’s daughter, began spending more time there.

Initially, Yuk Nam-pyeong had told her not to do that, but at some point, he too would drop by to see her. The very space he occupied was refreshingly cool, making him feel healthier just by being there.

Could he be a sage who had fallen into slumber?

Yuk Nam-pyeong decided this must be the case. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.

…

After quickly finishing his morning tasks, Yuk Hae-won hurried to the sacred place.

The reason it was called a sacred place was simple. Being there just felt good. It felt like both body and mind were becoming healthier, and there was an indescribable sensation of something gently brushing through her hair.

“Oh, brother! I’m here!”

After brushing the dust off the man’s body, Yuk Hae-won sat down among the flowers she had planted.

He didn’t respond. Not to a single question. But speaking softly felt like a conversation with him.

“Today, you know… Dad…”

She spilled out the happenings of the day. After saying everything she wanted, she laid back and fell into a moment of contemplation.

As busy as her father was, she was busy too. So the time she could spend there was very little.

But you see…

That little time was exceptionally happy. Just being in that place was enough for joy.

“…What kind of person were you, brother? Why are you sleeping so deeply?”

“…….”

“You can’t do that. Brother. If you keep it up, you’ll be forgotten. By people. My mom used to say that the scariest thing is being forgotten, worse than dying. So, I always wear this necklace to remember her. It’s pretty, right?”

Yuk Hae-won proudly showed the necklace she had hidden in her clothes.

“Even though she’s in a place I can’t see anymore, mom is always by my side. Do you have someone like that, brother?”

“…….”

“I feel like you do. There seem to be many here… related to you, right? It’s similar to my mom. I feel like they’re watching over you.”

“…….”

“Brother, please start answering soon. The crops Dad planted are now growing enough to be eaten. The weather’s also getting warmer little by little.”

Yet again, he remained motionless. Yuk Hae-won gently turned her head.

There was a sword at the man’s waist. But no matter how much she tried to pull it out, it wouldn’t budge even slightly.

It simply stayed there. What could be inside it? She was incredibly curious. But since it belonged to her brother, she shouldn’t go poking around more than necessary.

“…Were you a warrior? Could you unleash shockwaves from your hands?”

“…….”

“My dad told me to avoid getting involved with warriors as much as possible. But… you’re different, right?”

“…….”

“I’m going to go work now! I’ll see you at dinner!”

Yuk Hae-won jumped up. She left the sacred place.

A small breeze flowed through the suddenly quiet area.

But just as quickly, it settled down.

As if nothing had happened at all.

…

“Haewon.”

“Yes?”

“Has there been any change with him?”

“None, Dad. He’s still asleep.”

“Is that so?”

Yuk Nam-pyeong nodded. He took a bite of the food cooked from the freshly grown crops.

It felt good for both body and mind. To be honest, it wasn’t that tasty. Just plain natural food.

He didn’t mind. But for the growing child, some meat was needed. He had been diligently setting traps to catch wild game…

But not a single one had been caught. Thankfully, now that they had some leeway, going down to the nearby village to exchange for meat wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Yuk Nam-pyeong shared some of his food with his daughter.

“Stay home by yourself tomorrow.”

“Wha—what?”

“I’m planning to head to the village.”

“C—can I go with you, Dad?”

He, too, wanted to take her with him. Every parent would want to show their child around the village.

However, the safety these days was so precarious that one could get stabbed even in daylight.

Showing off wealth is a no-no. It could be taken away. Displaying what you have invites envy.

It was an era where having what others had was taken for granted. And within that, Yuk Hae-won’s beauty was a hindrance for her.

His daughter was undeniably beautiful. Beneath her grimy face lay features that resembled her mother, elegant and lovely.

So, he couldn’t. He couldn’t risk taking her out into a crowd, where she could easily catch someone’s eye.

Furthermore, this place was now within the Sado Clan’s territory.

It was different from the days when they were under the Cheonryong Association. It couldn’t be helped.

The Warrior of the Sapa was no different than rogues wielding swords.

“I’ll be back soon. Be patient. Instead, I’ll bring you something delicious.”

“……”

“Got it?”

“…Yes…”

Yuk Nam-pyeong organized the crops he planned to take to market.

Tomorrow would certainly be a busy day. He truly needed to bring something delicious for his sulking daughter.

…I’m sorry. As a father… I can’t even fulfill my role properly.

I’m truly sorry.

…

Dad went down.

Yuk Hae-won spent her time curled up in the sacred place.

She felt a bit cranky. But at the same time, she understood. There must be a reason for them both to be moving separately, mingled among the group of shifting cultivators.

Even among those cultivators, fights broke out frequently. They’d shove each other to grab slightly better land.

In the ensuing brawls, logic seemed absent. They simply looked like beasts fighting to get a little bit more.

Dad always disliked those fights, observing from a distance. Everyone would choose the lowest quality land left over, and then they’d cultivate it.

But crops from such lands couldn’t possibly yield good produce. Hunger became a norm…

The other cultivators didn’t share food with them. Unlike with their own.

“……”

Still…

He didn’t regret sharing food with them.

If the same situation came up, he would act the same way.

For now, he simply wanted to explore the village. He had been there a few times before. Dad had many acquaintances there.

He wished, even for just one day, to run around the market with Dad like they used to.

Perhaps if the world gets better, it would happen. But who knows when that day will come?

“…Ugh…”

Yuk Hae-won flopped over. She stared up at the ceiling made of intertwined branches and grass, mumbling softly.

“Oh, brother. When will the world quiet down?”

“……”

“I want to visit the village too. With Dad.”

But again, there was no response.

Yet, Yuk Hae-won felt satisfied.

Just the existence of someone quietly listening was comforting.

She waited there. For her dad to return.

But something unusual occurred.

Her father, who had said he would return by evening, did not come back.

Even after two days, he still hadn’t returned.

 

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