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Spirit’s Den

The sudden appearance of the butterfly introduced itself as a spirit.

What an unexpected entrance.

Caught as soon as it came inside! My brow instinctively furrowed at such an awkward situation.

What should I do? Should I go back out?

The thought crossed my mind. Or maybe, should I just get rid of this butterfly and move on?

‘…Not a chance.’

It was obvious. This was not the real body.

It would be more accurate to say it was sent here to speak to me using something else.

‘So, did it figure out I intruded the moment I arrived?’

Or perhaps it noticed the moment I touched the sorcery.

I had two theories, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.

What was important was:

‘Is this butterfly an enemy?’

Or is it not?

That was all that mattered.

“Are you a spirit?”

“Yes, indeed, noble one.”

“…Uh.”

What should I say? I couldn’t think of anything to respond at that moment.

I then cleared my throat and said to the spirit, “…I apologize for bursting in unannounced. I have my own circumstances here.”

I decided to lay it out honestly. The butterfly flitted around, swirling in the air.

“It’s of no concern. Rather, please disdain us for not honoring such a great being’s arrival.”

“…”

Hearing such noble and grand words made me scratch my neck awkwardly.

“I appreciate your understanding, but… what exactly is this place?”

“This is known as Spirit’s Den.”

“Spirit’s Den.”

“It is a gathering place for those who cannot leave the mountain.”

“Hm.”

Those who cannot leave the mountain, huh.

As I mulled over that statement, I added, “If it’s not too much trouble, could you guide me to a more permanent place within here…?”

“‘A more permanent place’?”

-Though I have presented myself in this humble form due to my movement limitations. I beseech you for the opportunity to give my apologies in front of your divine countenance.

“…”

This was the first time I’d ever experienced such a polite tone. It’s surprising that I was the one who rushed in, yet here was a request so earnest.

‘For now, it seems to have no ill intent.’

Was it okay to follow along just like this? I glanced at the Heavenly Demon for confirmation. The Heavenly Demon was merely staring at the butterfly, showing no reaction.

In an absurd twist, I unconsciously sought the Heavenly Demon’s response.

If something were wrong, wouldn’t it act before I did? It stemmed from that narrow-minded thought.

‘What am I doing?’

Just moments ago, I had advised myself to stay alert, and now I was acting foolishly.

Damn it. After cursing inwardly, I spoke to the spirit, “Which way do I go?”

Having already entered and being discovered, there was no turning back.

With that mindset, I continued, “I will guide you.”

The spirit began to lead the way with soft flaps of its wings.

*

So, I followed the spirit’s lead. As it wasn’t moving too quickly, I could take in my surroundings.

What I saw was not significantly different from the outside.

If anything, it might have been a bit cleaner in terms of nature?

The scarlet sky above was an unmistakable trait of Mankye, while the trees and grass created within resembled Central Plains more closely.

‘Is that why it doesn’t seem so strange?’

It was just ordinary nature. There wasn’t anything exceptionally remarkable about it.

‘In fact, that makes it more compelling.’

Who would have thought I’d see such a familiar landscape in Mankye?

‘Though I have seen it in the Hwasan Sect…’

That was undeniably built to resemble the Central Plains, so if this was unusual, one could say this was even more so.

‘At least here, it doesn’t feel like something was artificially created.’

It was merely concealed. The space itself was not fabricated.

As proof of that, even with my heart eye active, I couldn’t feel the effects of any sorcery.

All I sensed was the ceiling above.

‘So, it’s merely a ceiling over an originally existing space.’

An invisible layer of sorcery disguised as a ceiling.

While pondering that, I asked the butterfly, “How much further do we have to go?”

It felt like we had already walked quite a bit. Walking on what didn’t seem like a proper path made me uneasy.

Were they plotting something? While I had been cautious from the start, I couldn’t shake the feeling.

I waited for an answer, yet the spirit was silent.

What’s going on? Is it really up to something?

Doubts rose instantly, and I called upon my energy, readying my body for an immediate response.

“Right up ahead.”

In that moment, the spirit spoke.

“Up ahead?”

As I fixed my gaze, I could see something in the distance.

A wall made of wood and beasts standing on two legs guarding it, just like before.

“…Are you telling me to go there?”

“Yes.”

“Is it alright for me to go?”

“If you declare you are the guest of the spirit, the children will pay their respects. If possible, I wish to accompany you till the very end…”

“Hmm? Excuse me?”

“…”

Halfway through the sentence, their voice faded, and when I called out again, the butterfly went silent. What’s with that?

“Hey, what’s going on?”

As I asked again, the butterfly without a word gracefully flitted away to another location.

“…What’s up with that?”

Just moments ago it was speaking fine, and now it’s off on its own like a real butterfly.

…Is this really okay to proceed?

I nodded slightly and moved forward.

‘If it said to go, I’ll find out when I get there.’

With that resolve, I approached the door when—

“…Stranger?!”

“Who goes there—!”

As I approached, the two-legged beasts watched me with extreme vigilance. They bared their fangs and had an intimidating stance.

“Immediately contact inside…! Intruder—!”

“No, wait ….”

“…State your identity!”

Clack—!

All the sentinels aimed their spears at me, ready to stab at a moment’s notice.

“Um…”

I scratched my head briefly.

“Uh, it’s nothing much. Just that I…”

“State your identity—!”

“Then I was just trying to talk—!”

“Don’t move!”

“Damn it. Could you at least stop interrupting me?”

Crack—!

“…Ugh!”

I moved my hand and broke their spear with ease. The sentinels were startled by my action, but I was quicker.

Crack—! Crackle—!

I shattered all the weapons they held in an instant.

Thud! With the weapons dropping, shock and dread washed over their faces.

“Do whatever it takes to defend…! Never let them in!”

“…We must protect!”

Even in that frantic situation, they seemed determined, rallying their spirits. Their courage was admirable. I could feel their resolute will to protect at all costs.

“One.”

“Calm down,” I said.

“Protect your lives until the end!”

“Calm down… ugh.”

I shook my head slightly. Tapping my tongue once again, I spoke to them, “Calm down.”

Whoa—!!!

“…!!”

“…Grrrr!”

The beasts that had been about to charge at me froze in place.

It wasn’t mere intimidation. This time I used Dragon Word to halt them.

Perhaps due to suddenly stiffening up, an even greater fear blossomed inside me.

Now that it was a bit quieter, I confirmed it and continued speaking, “…Can’t you listen? Why rush to attack without hearing me out?”

Looking at myself, I felt I had lost my edge. Normally, I would have smashed a few heads before starting things.

Yet here I was, sparing all their lives instead.

“What did I say? Ah, right. I came as the spirit’s guest.”

–!

The beasts reacted sharply to my words.

I could see their eyes narrowing wildly.

“They claimed that if I said this, you all would pay your respects. Is that true? If so, roll your eyes around.”

“…”

All the beasts’ eyes began to dart around rapidly. Seeing that, I clapped my hands.

Clap-!!

As I clapped, the beasts that had been frozen released their tension.

Thud—!! Thud-thud—!!

In unison, the beasts knelt before me.

“…Huh?”

Why are they suddenly kneeling? Frowning, I stared at them.

“We greet the noble one…”

“Grant us release…!!”

“…No.”

Was it my title of spirit that held some power? All at once, their attitudes flipped on a dime.

“…That’s enough of that. Please guide me instead.”

Not wanting to waste more time here, I waved my hand casually, and the foremost kneeling beast stood up.

“…I am Mosong, the captain of the spirit guard. Thank you for your forgiveness…! I’ll escort you right away.”

“Ah, yes.”

From what I could tell, he had reached the peak of martial prowess. I couldn’t gauge his exact post but it seemed to be a respectable one.

He staggered a bit, perhaps still affected by the residual power of Dragon Word, and I followed him through the entrance.

Once inside, the place was filled with structures made of wood.

So different from Yawol. If I compared it, I could say:

‘This seems several centuries behind.’

It felt a tad desolate, to say the least.

‘What on earth is this?’

They had said this was Spirit’s Den, a place for those who couldn’t leave Spirit Mountain.

‘…Hmm.’

Since it was within the mountain, it might be similar to Yawol’s situation.

‘A realm ruled by the Duryeong.’

That interpretation might be the simplest to grasp.

In truth, all the beings I saw were just those two-legged beasts.

‘Almost like Duryeong himself.’

After all, he was also a creature standing on two legs, maybe this was some sort of influence.

“…This is the place. Where the spirit resides.”

Lost in thought, I realized we had already reached our destination. It was several times smaller than Yawol, so we arrived swiftly.

“Is it here…?”

I tilted my head, glancing around.

What I found was merely a door at the wall’s end.

What could be inside this place, I wondered.

Creeeak—!

The being who introduced himself as Mosong grasped the door and opened it.

“…!”

As the door slowly creaked open, the hairs on my body stood on end.

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk-!!

An overwhelming familiar sensation coursed through me.

‘This is…?’

I leaned my head through the door.

Within, lo and behold, was a presence emanating that familiar energy.

A well-maintained lake and a hill formed in the center.

And atop that hill was something standing tall.

That was exactly:

“Divine Tree…?”

The very reason I had ventured to Spirit Mountain. The Duryeong was supposed to guard the Divine Tree, yet astonishingly, it seemed to be welcoming me.

 

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