A delightful scent tickled my nose, and a warm feeling enveloped my body.
I definitely fell asleep outside, didn’t I?
The warmth and fluffiness touching the back of my head felt even better than my usual pillow.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to get up.
“Are you awake?”
At that sweet voice from above, I slowly opened my eyes to see two large, fluffy white blobs in front of me.
I guess I wasn’t fully awake yet, as my head felt fuzzy…
“Hehe, looks like you’re still half-asleep.”
Long, delicate fingers gently stroked my forehead, and I finally came to my senses.
Oh no, don’t tell me…
“I’m sorry about that.”
I shot up from my spot. Looking to the side, I realized Hongryeon had her long legs stretched out, using her thigh to prop my head up.
So, a knee pillow… or should I say a thigh pillow?
I awkwardly apologized to the seemingly pleased Hongryeon and glanced around.
The sun had been high when I fell asleep, but now it was setting.
Just how long did I sleep?
“You looked pretty tired.”
“Not particularly… You could have woken me up. Um, anyway, I’m really sorry.”
Even if Hongryeon practiced martial arts, staying like this for so long felt a bit much. Besides, she must have stayed up all night too. I didn’t bring her along for this.
“I’ll make dinner. Just relax.”
“No, no. I’ve rested enough.”
Hongryon’s expression looked refreshingly bright, almost sparkling with a beaming smile.
“But…”
“I’m serious! And I’m a martial artist, you know. I’m not that worn out from just this.”
She proudly smacked her snowy thigh. But after lying on it for hours, it must be sore.
I felt even more guilty.
“It’s okay. Anyway… while you were sleeping, some creatures appeared.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. They backed off since I was around. But they may get stronger and show up again tonight.”
“That’s good. I needed to purify them at night anyway, so I guess it’s a relief I don’t have to do it twice. Now, let’s prepare.”
I started a campfire. After making sure to sit Hongryeon down, I laid out the talismans I got from Changju before I could start preparing dinner.
“It’ll be hard to eat well outdoors. I hope you understand.”
“Anything is fine. Are you making seomhwapo?”
“Yes. I have the ingredients…”
I had the blood for the seomhwapo from the inn, and the rest I could just fry here. I had prepped all the ingredients, so I just had to cook.
I drizzled oil in a pot on the fire and tossed in the ingredients. After seasoning with spices and salt, I wrapped it in the blood and placed it in the steamer to cook while making vegetable soup.
Hongryeon watched, smiling brightly.
“Your cooking skills are pretty good!”
“Better than yours?”
Hongryeon, who handled the household chores in the Hongseong clan, must have learned a lot from Yohwan, so her cooking skills could compete with any chef.
“But I really do prefer what you make.”
“Thanks for saying that. Here. Eat up.”
I handed her the seomhwapo and vegetable soup, and she took a small bite. Judging by her expression, it seemed I didn’t mess it up.
“Um, did I do something embarrassing while I was asleep?”
Hongryeon smiled brightly with the seomhwapo in her mouth.
“There’s nothing embarrassing about it.”
“Thank goodness…”
“Your face was rubbing against my leg, so I couldn’t help but notice.”
“……”
“I’m just kidding! You really looked like you passed out. You must have been really tired. Have you been busy lately? Are you getting enough sleep?”
“Hey, you’ve been busy lately, huh? Are you getting enough sleep?”
“I’ve had a lot on my plate.”
“I see… I wonder what could be keeping you so busy all the time.”
“It’s unavoidable. More importantly, it feels like the eerie energy is getting stronger…”
Hongryeon grabbed her greatsword next to her and threw it into the air. The sword spun in the sky and crashed to the ground, instantly dispelling the chilling aura that had been lingering.
“…Impressive.”
“This is nothing much.”
Casually saying that, Hongryeon devoured the remaining Seomhwa-po and sighed deeply.
“Alright, shall we get started?”
I’ve finished eating too, so it’s time to move. As I unleashed Ogumhee’s forbidden technique, I released my spiritual energy. As the talismans around us reacted,
– Huh… Huhh… Huhhh… Huh…
– Kyaahhh!!!
The area began to resonate with eerie cries.
The chilling screams were spine-tingling enough to send shivers down my spine, accompanied by the creeping black mist.
It engulfed the surroundings like fog, reminiscent of purifying the spirit realm in Heavenly Bright Moon.
“I can sense a strong aura from that mist. We can just smash everything that comes at us, right?”
“Right. Just make sure this campfire doesn’t go out. I’ll handle the fire, so don’t worry.”
“Heh, I’m not worried at all.”
– Whoooooooom!!
Something pale burst forth from the black mist. Hongryeon lightly swung her greatsword, and the moment that red energy struck it, the pale thing vanished completely.
“This place, and you too.”
– Kyaahhh!!!
“I’ll protect it.”
As expected, Hongryeon fought well. Every swing of her greatsword pushed the black mist back.
Of course, I wasn’t just standing around either.
The eerie energy was fundamentally negative energy.
And because negative energy signifies chilliness, the mere revelation of that energy made the campfire’s flames naturally dwindle.
To keep it alive, I used Ogumhee’s fiery energy to steadily stoke the campfire.
Naturally, there were spirits aiming for me.
But as I declared earlier, they were all destroyed by Hongryeon.
“Heh, it seems our synergy is pretty good, huh?”
“That’s probably because you’re doing well. It looks like the master of the spirit realm is about to show up.”
As the skirmish concluded, the black mist retreated. From within the mist, the eerie cries diminished, and a woman dressed in white with black hair, concealing her face, staggered into view, revealing only her bloodshot eyes.
– That man…
“…Why is he here?”
– That man… if you kill him… I’ll let you go…
Before the woman’s words finished, a smile disappeared from Hongryeon’s face.
“…What?”
– If you kill that man, I’ll let you go…
– Kuuuuuuuung!!!
An overwhelming power erupted, shaking the surroundings. As Hongryon’s red hair shot up in response to the intensity, both I and the spirit realm’s master were alarmed as she jumped into the air with her greatsword.
And then…
A star fell.
A star of destruction plummeted from the sky.
Wrapped in pure, red energy, Hongryeon swung her greatsword down on the spirit realm’s master.
– Kwaaaang!!!
It was a single strike.
Power concentrated without causing any surrounding devastation.
The greatsword technique of Hongseong Divine Art. The falling star literally ‘destroyed’ the master of the spirit realm.
Of course, that wasn’t the end. The remaining red energy within Hongryeon’s greatsword cut through the remaining energy of the spirit realm, shattering it completely.
Like a red storm, after she rampaged once, all that remained was the feeble spirit that could only vanish by itself.
“…What are you going to do to whom?”
Hongryeon, revealing this, spoke in a fierce tone. However, there was no answer.
The black mist was dissipating.
Hongryeon had completely purified the Ghost Field by herself.
I looked around the campfire. A worn-out dagger stood there, emitting a soft light.
This was the reward for purifying the Ghost Field.
The Pure Release Sword.
The natural energy, once trapped by the ghostly essence, began to dwell within the dagger.
With this, ghosts wouldn’t be able to approach Hongseong recklessly, so I should give this to Hongryeon.
-Whooosh…!!
A doll lying on the ground spontaneously ignited. What remained of its remains was a small silver bead.
This is called the Spirit Orb, a material used for crafting good equipment later.
“Well done.”
As I greeted Hongryeon, who approached with a frown, I smiled at her. She seemed still annoyed, lightly clicking her tongue.
“Why were they targeting you?”
“It seems they wanted to steal my vital energy.”
“…Your vital energy…”
Hongryeon’s face slightly flushed. After a brief cough, she turned her eyes back to the campfire.
“Is this what you can get by purifying the Ghost Field?”
“Indeed. Here. You should take this.”
As I handed her the Pure Release Sword, Hongryeon nodded slightly and accepted it. When I put the remaining Spirit Orb in my pocket, Hongryeon tilted her head.
“What are you going to use that for?”
“I’ll have a use for it later. So, is it too late to head back now?”
Despite spending quite some time purifying the Ghost Field, it was still early for the sun to rise. I looked at the campfire and said to Hongryeon.
“Shall we rest a bit before leaving?”
“…Yes.”
I tidied up the area, which had become a mess from dealing with the ghostly energy. I made the ground level for sitting and spread a thick cloth. Then I spoke to Hongryeon, who was sitting down.
“Please rest for a bit.”
Since I had already been resting before. It should be safe for her to take a break.
“…Is that really okay?”
“Of course.”
Hongryeon’s face flushed slightly. Then she gently laid down her body.
“…Is this alright?”
She pointed at my legs. Looking up at me shyly, I nodded.
“Hehe~.”
Seeming pleased, Hongryeon rubbed her face against my leg. She then slightly turned her body to look at me and took a deep breath.
“Is it because there’s no moon? The stars seem more numerous.”
“Indeed.”
I casually glanced at the sky. Even without the giant light of the moon, countless stars were present in the darkness.
Looking up at the twinkling lights with me, Hongryeon spoke softly.
“Every time I see the night sky, I always wonder if I’ll have a day to lean on someone like this and peacefully rest.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’m the eldest sister of Hongseong, and I have to lead everyone.”
“But there’s also the Sword Saint.”
“I can’t just leave everything to my Master.”
Pouting her plump lips slightly, she whispered.
“So… I think I’ve always wanted a place where I could lean and rest like this.”
“That’s understandable. If I’m okay with it, feel free to come and take a break anytime.”
“Really? Yay!”
Smiling faintly, Hongryeon looked at the sky, no, at me.
“…Um. Can I ask just one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“…Master. Did you help me?”
Was it Yujeong who said that?
I looked down at her. The seriousness of her expression and the longing in her eyes were unmistakable.
Gaze.
As I stared at it, I nodded my head.
“Indeed.”
Gently, I closed my eyes. Hongryeon’s hand moved and touched mine. When her long, pure white fingers intertwined with my fingers, she cautiously opened her mouth.
“…Then. What about me…?”
Well, it was only natural she’d think that once she realized I helped the Sword Saint.
And if she investigated through the Murim Alliance or other organizations, she would know that one can enter the mental realm using the Heart-Soul Technique.
Having figured that much out, there was no need to hide it.
“Indeed.”
Hongryeon shut her mouth. But her eyes, which had been closed, were now wide open.
“Chaejin also… helped, right?”
“Indeed.”
Even while thinking of her as a rival, Hongryeon smiled brightly at my answer.
As if she expected it. She didn’t seem to hold any grudge toward me for helping Chaejin at all.
“Do you know?”
It wasn’t really a demand for an answer. Slowly lifting her body, Hongryeon looked straight at me from her seated position.
Her outstretched hand grabbed my face.
And her plump lips touched mine.
But unlike the kiss we had in her mental realm last time—
– Lick.
A warm, moist sensation entered my mouth.
As Hongryeon slowly navigated my mouth, teasingly flicking her tongue, she eventually pulled her lips away, shyly averting her gaze from me, a bashful smile gracing her lips.
“…It’s the second time, so this much should be okay… right?”
Before I could respond, the sweet scent and the fragrance of the Thousand-Year Plum Blossom tickled my nose.
Her soft chest pressed against my face.
And the sound of a heartbeat filled the air.
Hongryeon pulled my face into her embrace, gently stroking my head and whispering sweetly.
“Being by your side, I feel this peaceful?”
Her voice didn’t stop.
And within the softness she mentioned, that could be felt all over my face, the incredibly calm sound of her heartbeat echoed.
“When I’m under your big tree, I’m not Senior Sister of the Hongseong Clan, nor a disciple of the Sword Saint. I can just be Hongryeon. The monk Yujeong once told me that those who do good deeds, without even thinking of the good they’re doing, are true giants. Under that giant, I feel so good just being Hongryeon. Do you know?”
Hongryeon didn’t seek a response. She only wanted me to listen, so I remained quietly in her arms, paying attention.
With the sound of my pounding heart, a sweet, melting voice flowed into my ears.
“How could I not like someone like you?”
Her gentle stroking was filled with affection. I looked up at her, and as she gazed down at me with a beaming smile, she slowly lowered her head.
With a soft sound, something gentle touched my forehead.
“Someone amazing that anyone would fall for, someone who could reach out a hand without hesitation to anyone. Being next to someone as grand as you, I know I’m still lacking a lot. Even if I stand next to you now, I’ll just end up depending on you. I can’t give you anything… but… it won’t be long now.”
Slowly, Hongryeon pulled away from my chest and looked at me with longing.
“No matter who stays by your side, or who leans against you, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
In the eyes of a strong warrior, capable of purifying the Ghost Gate alone, there was fear hidden.
Afraid that I might reject her or leave her behind, she was shrinking away.
Hongryeon looked at me with eyes that seemed ready to shed tears, gently taking my hand.
“So… can you give me a chance?”
“I will.”
I nodded and reached out my hand.
I had already prepared myself and decided to go through with it.
