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Chapter 222: Omen (8)

How many days has it been since I became trapped in this forest?

In this dreadful space where night and day can’t be seen, I couldn’t know for sure.

I could only wait for time to pass, unable to do anything else.

– What’s really horrible is that I’m with you.

– Why are you starting a fight for no reason?

– You do that too, sometimes. Endure it.

– Have you finally gone mad? Or was it always like this?

We walked for a while, exchanging meaningless words.

Even though walking was pointless since we couldn’t leave, I had no clue why I was bothering to move.

If I said I wouldn’t, I’d know you’d throw a fit with those vicious eyes.

So, I just went along with it.

– Ugh… what a crazy woman.

– I can hear you!

– That’s the point. I want you to hear me.

After getting trapped in this forest with Seolbong and Moyong Hi-ah,

I tried every possible method to find a way out, but in the end, I failed.

Food was manageable; whether I killed demon beasts or caught bugs, I could survive as long as I endured.

But being stuck in the same place, going in circles was the pinnacle of frustration.

– This is so damn annoying. Why do I have to go through this?

– Do you really have to use such crude language?

– Crude? Please, you expect to maintain nobility in this situation?

– I seriously don’t want to deal with you… Are you really of noble blood? I really don’t think you are.

– I’m thinking the same thing, you damn woman. Just walk without talking to me.

Among all the things in the world that made me angry, she was at the top of the list.

Why did I end up getting stuck with this bothersome girl, of all people?

No, wait, is it better than being with the Sleeping Dragon?

At least that guy was creepy too.

In some ways, it really was the same.

– What have you been mumbling to yourself since earlier?

– Don’t mind me, just focus ahead. Why do you keep clinging to me?

– Who’s clinging to you? Do you want to die?

– Using such base language is unacceptable. Use your words politely, young lady.

– …Wait a second. Hold on.

– No way.

It was a repetitive scuffle that could barely be called conversation.

Nothing about our personalities matched up from head to toe, so there was no way we could get along.

I quickened my steps to escape and looked back to ask,

– Why do you keep trying to stick to me?

– …When did I ever?

– Then why do you keep trying to stick? Do you like me or something?

– I’ll tear your mouth apart and kill you.

– Right, that doesn’t sound likely.

The killing intent I just felt was real.

To unleash killing intent just because I joked around…

– Then what is it?

– It’s not like I can say anything because I have eyes too.

– You do?

– Are you insane?

She clicked her tongue and turned away.

Why on earth was she acting like this?

– Ever since we entered the forest together.

It felt like the subtle distance with Seolbong had significantly closed.

Moyong Hi-ah, who used to glance at me like a bug, kept trying to stick to my side, and it uncomfortably caught my attention.

As I pondered over this, I asked Seolbong.

– Hey.

– What?

– Are you scared?

– …What are you talking about?

Seolbong frowned as if she’d misheard me, but I could feel a slight gap in her demeanor.

– Are you scared of the dark?

– Are you feeling alright? Why are you spouting nonsense all of a sudden?

It couldn’t be a joke because Seolbong’s eyes were shaking.

Her hands, which had been rubbing her chilly shoulders, were moving even faster.

Seeing that, I hardened my expression.

– You really are annoyingly close.

– …I told you I’m not!

– Then get lost. Don’t stick close.

It was unsettling how much the distance between us was shrinking compared to usual.

I wished she’d just keep some space, regardless if it was true or not.

– …What if we lose our paths after splitting up?

– The path has already been lost; does sticking together make any difference?

No matter how hard we looked, we’d end up back in the same place anyway.

As I frowned and spoke, Seolbong’s gaze narrowed a bit.

– I guess you really aren’t interested in anyone besides the So Sword Sect.

– What the hell are you talking about? Why did that girl come up here?

Out of nowhere, mentioning So Sword Sect… Had she really lost it from not eating?

– Only you don’t know, but everyone else is aware. They all know you have a particular weakness for the So Sword Sect.

– You must be kidding.

It’s not that I’m uncomfortable sticking close; what kind of weakness is that supposed to mean?

– Oh, when I say weakness, it doesn’t refer to prowess. You should know that you’re the weakest out of everyone.

– That damn woman…

Just when I was genuinely about to smash her face, I barely held back.

No point in bashing her; it wouldn’t do any good.

– Being with you is making me nauseous.

– What a coincidence; I felt the same way.

As Seolbong turned her head away while muttering something,

I changed direction abruptly, hoping she wouldn’t follow me.

If she wasn’t going to cling to me, she would fall behind by herself.

…

After wandering through the foggy forest for a while, I quietly murmured,

– What a damn terrible world this is.

That was all I could say.

More than anything, those words suited the moment.

– Am I really going to die like this?

The words I muttered felt terrifyingly true, yet strangely, I had no further thoughts on it.

No matter how short, at least a week had passed since I entered this forest.

Even if I couldn’t grasp day and night, my senses told me that much.

If I truly died in this forest without escaping…

– What a pointless life it was.

I found myself letting out a laugh without realizing it.

It felt too pitiful to die like this.

Rustling.

I broke through the underbrush.

I didn’t plan to head anywhere specific.

After all, it was pointless to walk; I was just searching for a good place to rest.

Then suddenly…

– Huh?

Something felt off.

The path I had been walking for days felt different somehow.

Why is that?

I had become so familiar with this route that I could walk it with my eyes closed, yet something was changing.

I hastened my steps.

Perhaps the forest had changed to allow me to escape.

I felt a bit desperate.

As I passed trees and finally stepped out of the thicket…

– What the…?

An unfamiliar space was waiting for me.

– What’s wrong? What happened?

After I stopped, Seolbong rushed over, panting.

She said she wouldn’t follow me…

Of course, it wasn’t the time to address that.

Seolbong turned to look where I was staring and her eyes widened immensely.

—…A cave?

In front of us was a cave I had never seen before.

It wasn’t very big, but it was dark since no light shone in.

I immediately headed towards it.

– Wait a second!

As I moved toward the cave, Seolbong grabbed me with urgency.

I tilted my head slightly to look at her and asked.

– Why?

– …Are you really going in there?

– Is it hard to tell?

– What do you expect to find there?

A pitch-black space where nothing could be seen ahead.

As I headed toward that potentially dangerous area, she stopped me.

Her words made sense, but I couldn’t comprehend why she was saying that.

– So you want to just sit here and die?

– That’s not it! I just want to figure things out a bit…

– Figure things out? You go ahead; I’m going in…

Just as I tried to shove her away and enter, Seolbong’s face looked strange.

– But why is your face red?

At my question, Seolbong quickly covered her cheek with her hands.

As if she shouldn’t show it.

– It’s nothing… I’m just a bit hot.

– Hot? You?

That girl was bundled up in clothes people had discarded while it was sweltering outside—saying she was hot?

– You’re saying nonsense. If you’re feeling off, you should stay here.

– I told you I’m fine! Just ignore me.

– Why are you yelling and fussing?

She really did seem like a weird girl.

I left her behind and headed towards the cave.

After all, staying here was pointless; if I found anything, I had to dig through it.

– No… wait…!

I threw myself into the darkness.

Left all alone, Seolbong bit her lip hard.

– …Why the hell do I have to stay with someone like him…!

Tucking her tangled emotions away, Seolbong also moved into the cave.

Because being alone in this dark space was something neither of us wanted.

That was the beginning of the problem.

“Get lost.”

After I blurted out those words, I immediately covered my mouth with my hand.

‘…I messed up.’

What I initially meant to say got turned upside down and spilled out.

I was trying to refrain from mixing up with that stupid thing.

‘Damn idiot.’

It seems my instincts had overthrown my better judgment.

The words I had gathered in my heart.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

First, I had to scramble to recover from this.

“No, that’s not it… I just had a bad breakfast this morning…”

As I gestured around, trying to fix my mistake.

– Pfft.

I heard a giggle from the front.

“Haha…!”

I glanced over, curious.

“Hahaha!”

Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t contain her laughter, covering her mouth with one hand.

With the other, she hugged her belly, bursting out in laughter.

“…Was it me who had the bad breakfast?”

What was going on with her?

Getting scolded yet starting to laugh—you’d think something was seriously wrong!

“Um… Moyong Soja.”

“Ha… Haha… oh… I’m sorry.”

Finally, regaining her senses, Moyong Hi-ah straightened her posture.

However, it seemed she still couldn’t stop laughing entirely.

She seemed to struggle to hold back her grinning lips.

“I didn’t mean to just… I’m so sorry.”

“…It’s fine. I’m sorry too.”

“It seems the Gu Prince has a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?”

Asking me to spend the night with her?

Was there anything more direct than that?

[A misunderstanding… I’d love to hear more about that.]

‘Noya, control your voice…’

Noya’s voice was somber, as if he had been calmly sharpening a blade.

If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, what kind of stunt was she trying to pull?

With my confusion, Moyong Hi-ah smiled sweetly and spoke.

“I just wanted to spend some time together.”

“Time? Didn’t we just say it was night?”

“Exactly. I must’ve misspoken.”

Moyong Hi-ah smiled, narrowing her eyes, but it wasn’t a slip of the tongue.

She clearly said that on purpose.

“Usually, it’s hard to misspeak when mixing words about nighttime, isn’t it?”

“I had a bad breakfast this morning.”

“Aha, so you’re using that now?”

Smart people are really something…

“…So tell me what you meant by asking to spend time together.”

“You’re really special, Gu Gongja.”

“Why?”

“It’s surprising because not knowing that feels incredible. Is it because of the Sword Dance Hero around you?”

Why was she bringing up Nangong Bi-ah all of a sudden?

I narrowed my eyes slightly at her.

Moyong Hi-ah cleared her throat and switched topics.

“I want to buy some of your energy.”

“…What?”

“I already have the clan leader’s permission.”

“Wait… my energy? You mean my father granted permission?”

What kind of absurd talk was happening right now?

Buy my energy?

“Yes, the clan leader said it was allowed… I want to buy some of your energy.”

“…Buy energy? With what are you planning to pay?”

“I’ve prepared something expensive; if that doesn’t work… my body?”

She tilted her head innocently, trying to act pure.

It only made me want to take a step back.

[Some lucky ones just have delicious treats handed to them. Life really does suck.]

‘Is that really important at this moment?’

[Nah, it probably wouldn’t be to you, you bastard…!]

Noya’s outburst wasn’t something that was new; I brushed it aside.

While it seemed excessive compared to usual… Ah, maybe because she’s from Moyong Clan.

“No… my energy… no.”

“Is it impossible?”

“It’s not that; what on earth do you want to do?”

“If it’s not impossible, then that’s fine. I’ll come back later.”

“What kind of nonsense… where are you going…? Hey! Where are you going?”

Strutting around, Moyong Hi-ah said her piece and walked away with her attendants.

For a moment, I wondered if I should catch her, but I knew bringing her back would only lead to more turbulence caused by her sly tongue.

“Buying energy…?”

What does she mean by that, does she consider my energy an item?

From far away, I spotted Wi Seol-Ah hurrying over with a towel to wipe my sweat, but

sweat or whatever, I had to find my father for now.

“What’s going on?”

When I burst into the Head House, my father gave me a curious look.

I asked him, seeing his expression.

“Moyong Soja came to me to say she wanted to buy something. Do you know what she meant?”

She said she got permission from my father.

‘Could it be that my father allowed this kind of thing?’

It would be strange to sell my energy out of the blue.

Even I would find it hard to understand.

“Yeah.”

“Right? You didn’t know either… huh?”

“She said she would do that.”

“I can sell my energy?”

“There’s nothing else to do, but the deal’s already made.”

“Why didn’t you at least consult me about this?” I expressed my displeasure at the lack of discussion occurring in the proceedings.

My father pulled out a letter from the drawer and handed it to me.

“Here are the terms of the deal with Moyong Clan.”

“…Why are you suddenly giving this to me?”

“Everything listed there is about trading your energy.”

I focused my gaze on the letter at my father’s words.

What did they decide to offer that was so significant…

Reading the letter, I had to close my mouth.

It was such an overwhelming quantity; it was ridiculous.

Silk that didn’t trade easily with outsiders.

And even the industry of selling outfits made from that silk.

‘…Isn’t Moyong Clan really insane?’

It was a level that was hard to comprehend otherwise.

“Further details are confidential, so they’ll be dropping you the information separately.”

“…What? Am I supposed to build a bonfire all day? You know I’ll be going into closed training soon, right?”

It felt like they could have made a bonfire out of humans at that value.

Setting that aside…

Since I was supposed to enter closed training, and I definitely had plans ahead to go to the front lines, it was hard to see how Moyong Clan came across such decisions.

“That’s something you’ll have to deal with; it should be okay.”

“I still don’t understand what you mean by that… even so, this is…”

“Certain amounts of the Spirit Pills and money listed there will come to you.”

“It sounds like it should be fine; I should try my best.”

[…What a crazy fool.]

Thinking about it again, since it was so enormous, it didn’t seem worth worrying about.

‘But why did it have to be me?’

I already had a fair understanding of Moyong Hi-ah’s body condition.

Growing steadily consumed by that chill.

Regardless of divine abilities or medicinal skill, it was a condition that couldn’t be treated easily.

Could the reason behind her wanting my energy be because of that?

‘Even so…’

In consideration of the Clan’s Fire Technique, I had my father around, and there were plenty of other martial artists proficient in Fire Techniques, so I couldn’t understand why it was me she singled out.

My energy couldn’t possibly help her.

This was something I could tell based on my previous life’s experience.

My energy won’t reach her.

Even if it did, it wouldn’t help her thaw the cold…

‘Did she find something different?’

As I arrived in this life, I experienced powers of the Heavenly Demon.

Whether it’s purifying Demon Energy or absorbing other energies,

I underwent absurd transformations, so perhaps something similar has occurred on her side as well.

‘So that’s why Moyong Hi-ah specifically sought me out?’

If my energy could help with her condition, it would make sense that Moyong Clan was willing to go this far to obtain it.

What I couldn’t set aside was her reaction.

For some reason, the glint of pleasure in her eyes was too different from the way she had acted in my previous life.

I shivered at the thought without realizing it.

‘…No way, between closed training, and front lines, there are plenty of places I can escape to.’

Moyong Clan would handle their side of things, surely at least in that regard, I would be fine.

While I was lost in thought,

suddenly, Shin Noya interjected softly.

[I remember something I said in the past.]

‘What did you say?’

[I mentioned gathering women by hair color.]

‘…’

[It seems like that’s exactly what’s happening now. Hahaha. This cursed world, those destined for greatness don’t even have to bite; they’re served on a platter.]

Noya, perhaps having snapped, began muttering to himself.

I had to ponder whether to speak to Moyong Hi-ah, Wi Seol-Ah, or Nangong Bi-ah.

‘…Whether I say something or not.’

There didn’t seem to be a good conclusion coming from any of this.

I felt driven to enter closed training as quickly as I could.

 

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