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– “Please avoid it!”

Kwah-reu-rung-!

– “Kyaaaak-!!”

The once beautiful streets of Hanam.

As the most developed area in the Central Plains, it was bustling both day and night, but now the sudden ambush had caused buildings to collapse and the streets to be in disarray.

The stalls that had once lined the streets had long since crumbled.

The merchants and inns erected in the heart of Hanam were now starting to be destroyed due to the attack.

– “Smash it-!”

– “Push it away! Don’t hesitate!”

Those in black clothes were indiscriminately destroying everything—buildings and people alike.

Where on earth did these people come from? Why was the sky like that, and why were they caught in such a crisis?

People were filled with questions, but there was nothing they could do.

Disaster was simply that way.

“Aaah, Daddy…”

“Shh-!”

My young daughter was curled up in my arms, sobbing.

I pulled her closer, hoping the sound wouldn’t carry, and we hid behind a crumbled wall, holding our breath.

“…Hoo… Hoo…”

My frightened child’s breathing was ragged.

With my body drenched in sweat, I glanced back.

Those wearing dark martial robes were looking around.

Were they checking to see if any survivors remained?

‘Please….’

Seeing that, I tightly shut my eyes.

If this continued, we might be discovered. We had to survive.

I needed to ensure that at least my daughter made it out alive.

Just then.

Creak.

“…!”

A noise came from behind the wall.

‘Oh, God…’

My body trembled.

If this continued, we would be discovered in no time.

Should I run away with my daughter now?

Could we actually succeed in escaping?

The enemy was a martial artist; they would easily catch up with my slow legs.

Perhaps it would be better to plead for mercy instead.

Appealing to emotions might be the way to save my daughter.

As I sank deeper into my thoughts.

Thud.

The presence around us grew stronger.

“…”

With trembling hands, the only thing I could do was pray.

I prayed that someone would come to save us. When first thrust into this situation, I had told my daughter not to worry. That the Martial Alliance would protect this land, so nothing would happen to us.

Surely, I had said that.

‘When on earth…’

When would they arrive?

– “Help me!”

Screams were erupting from all around. What was the Martial Alliance doing?

Just as I began to lose myself to fear, a voice broke through.

– “Found them…! They seem to be here!”

A glimmer of hope shone from afar.

Figures in light blue martial robes began to appear in the surroundings.

Those robes were the symbol of the Martial Alliance that protected Hanam.

The members of the alliance were pulling someone from beneath the rubble of the collapsed building.

It appeared to be the innkeeper, the owner of the establishment.

It wasn’t far.

‘…Please…!’

I hoped they would discover us.

That they would find us and save us.

As I wished with all my heart.

“…!”

I really made eye contact.

I met the eyes of the martial artists as they supported the old man.

I survived.

That thought sprang to mind immediately.

Now, the Martial Alliance would come and rescue us, and save my daughter.

As I firmly believed and recalled my hopes.

‘Uh…?’

My hope quickly turned to despair.

The martial artists I had believed would save us.

‘…Why…?’

Despite making eye contact, they were pretending not to see me, looking away.

Were they too busy tending to the rescued old man to even glance toward us?

Clearly, we had locked gazes.

It was something I had longed for; why was the alliance trying to abandon us?

‘Why on earth…?’

Despair spread like a swamp.

Deep and deep it gripped me.

But.

“Please save us!!”

I couldn’t give up hope, for I had my daughter.

Maybe they didn’t hear me? Was that moment of eye contact merely an illusion?

My mind knew that wasn’t the case, but now was no time for such thoughts.

“Please! Save us…!!”

I cried out desperately.

At my cry, I felt movement from behind. The strange ones seemed to have noticed me.

“I don’t mind if it’s not me… Please, just save my daughter…! Please!!”

With all my longing, I shouted.

Even if I had to be stabbed from behind, I begged to save my daughter.

Though I poured my heart into my plea.

– “Damn it…”

The members of the alliance looked like they were in a dilemma, alternating gazes between the old man and myself.

– “Deputy Lord…”

As if my shout was a hindrance.

But even so, if they would look this way, I wouldn’t mind.

However.

– “This isn’t a good place to fight. First, we must escort the innkeeper.”

– “But…!”

– “That’s the order.”

– …

The members of the alliance exchanged a few words among themselves before hastily moving.

“Alliance Leader…? Alliance Leader!!”

At that sight, I cried out.

Are they really abandoning us?

Why in the world would the Martial Alliance abandon us?

It was an unbelievable scene.

It was more fitting to think of this as a dream. In an instant, I was engulfed in despair.

Just then.

“Cough cough.”

A clear mocking laughter echoed from behind.

At that noise, I jerked my head, finding the strange ones closing in on me.

“So you’ve been abandoned, huh?”

With that voice, I quickly wrapped my arms tightly around my daughter.

I had to run away right now. That thought crossed my mind, but my legs felt weak and wouldn’t let me move properly.

“…Ah… My daughter is… very… young. So, please…”

My shaking voice spilled out. At those words, the strange one’s gaze shifted toward my daughter.

In an instant, a glimmer of nostalgia appeared in their eyes.

“Ah, my daughter was just about that age.”

Could it be that sympathy was flowing?

For a brief moment, such thoughts crossed my mind.

“Yet, she was killed by the righteous faction back then.”

That nostalgia swiftly transformed into resentment.

“She was a precious and lovely child. I still remember the time when she chatted away in front of me.”

Malice thickly emanated from his voice.

No matter how much it had built up, just hearing it was almost enough to make me want to vomit.

“Did you believe in the Martial Alliance?”

The strange figure’s face twisted like a demon.

That’s when I could see it. One side of their face was marred, as if seared by a hot iron.

“If you did, that would be your reason to die.”

“P-please…! I’d rather die. I’ll do anything…! Just… save my daughter!”

“Ugh…!!”

Death was closing in.

As the strange one raised their sword as if they had no intention of sparing me.

“Hiik!”

I shut my eyes tight, embracing my daughter protectively.

At that moment.

Flame Burst–!!

Suddenly, warmth enveloped me.

Kwahhh–!!

My closed eyes momentarily filled with light.

Instead of the anticipated pain, I felt a strange warmth.

Am I… dying?

Is this the sensation of death?

Worry gnawed at me, so I cautiously opened my eyes.

“…Huh!”

I gasped in astonishment.

Crackle-! Crackle-!

Flames were blazing all around me.

Blue, roiling flames.

The vibrant fire danced and surrounded me.

“This… What is happening…”

What on earth could this mean?

As I was immersed in confusion.

“Hey, don’t touch that.”

A voice cut through the flames.

“You’ll end up with your skin burned off.”

Fwoosh-!

Simultaneously, the flames that had enveloped me began to dissipate.

Revealing the chaotic scene beneath.

“…!!”

I drew in a breath at what I saw.

Though damaged, it was only moderately so; now, it was completely blackened.

Flames of blue were consuming everything around; the walls seemed to boil and melt.

Additionally, I caught sight of the original strange ones.

“Daddy?”

At the sound of my daughter calling for me, I moved my hands.

Her gaze fell upon too ghastly a sight. Just as I intended to cover her eyes.

“I can’t see anything. What is happening?”

My daughter’s eyes were already covered.

The blazing blue flames had obscured her vision.

Seeing that, I quickly turned my gaze.

Toward the one who had saved me, the owner of the flames.

“Th-thank you, Alliance Leader…”

I began to express my gratitude, only to pause momentarily.

The figure was far younger than I had anticipated.

With black hair and blue eyes.

From a boy to a young man, at most barely into their twenties.

He seemed like someone barely on the cusp of adulthood.

Moreover.

‘…I feel like I’ve seen this person before.’

It wasn’t exactly that I had seen him, but his features seemed familiar. If a martial artist of his age could use this fire technique… then, could it be?

“Are you… So Yeomra?”

“Mm.”

As soon as I uttered the alias, the young man, Gu Yangcheong, slightly furrowed his brow.

It was an alias that never failed to sound uncomfortable.

‘It can’t be helped.’

But I had to get used to it.

“Since you seem to recognize me, I suppose an introduction isn’t necessary.”

“…I’m truly… truly thankful…. Thank you…”

While I bowed my head repeatedly, Gu Yangcheong looked at me with a somewhat wry expression.

“Enough with the thanks… Just remember me.”

“Yes…? Remember…?”

“I intend to flaunt my deeds later. So please just keep it in mind.”

“Ah… yes…”

I struggled to comprehend his words, but simply nodded.

Noticing this, Gu Yangcheong chuckled a little. Then, seeing my daughter still in my arms, he continued.

“Hey.”

His voice, somewhat sharp, startled the child.

“Listen to your father.”

“…Y-yes… Thank you.”

Trembling in fear, my daughter replied hesitantly.

As she spoke, her words stumbled, and her pronunciation was a mess.

But at least her eyes weren’t crying, thanks to being covered.

That was somewhat cute, and I thought to pat her head, but.

‘Tsk.’

I had just sullied my hands.

Not suitable for touching her.

So I concealed my soiled hands and spoke to her.

“If you head north from here, the Huangbo Clan will be waiting. Seek protection from them.”

“The Huangbo Clan…?”

“Yes. They should be better than the Martial Alliance.”

“…”

At those words, my eyes trembled.

Normally, wouldn’t the Martial Alliance be preferable? It would have been reasonable to think so, but I couldn’t voice that thought.

There was nothing but distrust in my eyes.

Gu Yangcheong quietly observed me before adding more.

“Anyway, just head that way.”

“…A Alliance Leader, do you happen to…?”

I vacillated, trying to say something.

“Sorry, but I’m busy, you see.”

Gu Yangcheong firmly declined. He had quickly figured out my intentions.

We were likely seeking protection due to the distance.

But that couldn’t happen.

“I still have many places to save.”

“…”

Hearing his reason, I was left speechless and deeply bowed my head.

“…Thank you, Alliance Leader. Truly, thank you.”

“What’s with that? Get going instead of thanking me.”

Waving his hand dismissively, I finally started to hurry away while holding my daughter.

Thus, the two of us gradually faded from view.

“…”

Gu Yangcheong watched us with a frown.

‘Thankful…’

Hearing those words felt heavier than I expected.

I had intended to hear such words, yet I had no right to earn them.

‘Tsk.’

I looked around.

The area was charred beyond recognition.

Too scorched to salvage anything.

‘…It’s hard to control.’

It wasn’t easy.

The act of fighting to save people was the root of the problem.

‘How would one be aware if they hadn’t saved anyone?’

I had certainly burned everything without leaving anything behind, but I had hardly engaged in battles to rescue people.

Because of that, Gu Yangcheong was feeling troubled.

‘It would have been simpler to just annihilate everything.’

If I intended to wipe everything out, that would have been far easier.

Yet adjusting to save people proved to be incredibly difficult. The urge to give it all up was quite strong.

– Thank you.

“…”

The words that brushed past unexpectedly wrapped around me like a shroud.

‘Get a grip.’

I immediately cooled my mind.

‘Do I think I’ve become some kind of hero?’

Let’s not kid ourselves.

In fact, the more I thought about it, the more it was reinforced.

This situation was something I had created, not a heroic act; it was merely cleanup.

I wasn’t a hero; I was only pretending to be one.

With that in mind, I bit my lip, moving forward.

Flame Burst! Flames wrapped around me, lifting me into the air.

Time was pressing, and there was so much more to do.

I had to move more urgently.

 

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