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**

Su-ryeon suddenly hugged me tightly.

“If the injury is a problem, please treat it with Cheongeop right away.”

“I don’t want others to experience pain that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone… It’s better to refrain unless it’s urgent. Your spirit could become tattered.”

“But still… I can at least have a drink…”

“Hey. Aren’t you going to hold the clan leader? If you pour alcohol into a sick body for no reason, you’ll ruin it.”

While Il-ho was embracing Su-ryeon, Gu Ok-gyeong pulled my hand.

I was led by her into the Sado Clan’s inner area. The maidens who followed her had vanished by now, and no one else was around.

“I’ve prepared everything.”

“What?”

“A drinking party. Just trust me.”

Where she took me was not inside the building.

A lake bathed in the moonlight. In the silence, the sound of bamboo crackling could be heard.

Without the lake, the garden was nothing of note. There was a small flowerbed beside it, but no designated seating area.

The lake was a bit large, but it was far from the vibrant and splendid scenery I had seen before.

Gu Ok-gyeong pointed to a small ferry floating on the lake. On it were food and extra alcohol, as if prepared in advance.

“Isn’t this charming?”

“…Pfft.”

“What? You laughed? You laughed! Twice. Twice! You laughed twice in front of me. Next time, I’ll make you laugh again.”

The ferry.

Grabbing the oars, Gu Ok-gyeong slowly maneuvered toward the middle of the lake. There were no insects. The only sound in the quiet place was the gentle lapping of water.

“I’ve put a barrier in place to keep flying insects away.”

“…Because of the flying insects?”

“I wouldn’t want to ruin a good spot with bugs, right? Just imagine, while having a drink and snacking, a bug lands on your food. Ugh. No way. No way.”

She slid the snacks in front of me.

“You like meat, right? I’ve seen everything you eat. This is meat too. That is meat too. Though, out of courtesy, there’s a little vegetable here. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it.”

“…How do you know that?”

“I’ve watched you eat it closely! Do you think I wouldn’t know? In this world, there’s nothing I don’t know, kid. Just eat quietly.”

Chuckling, Gu Ok-gyeong pinched my cheek.

“But first, we should have a drink. Here. Let’s pour… pour. Pouring…!”

Gu Ok-gyeong rattled the bottle of alcohol. But instead of opening the lid, she abruptly stopped.

“…What are you doing?”

“I’m centering my thoughts. This is alcohol I can only have once a year. Ah, it’s such a shame! If I don’t drink today, I won’t get to drink twice next year, right?”

Gu Ok-gyeong casually swayed the bottle again.

“Two bottles next year… hmmm… that would be wonderful… If you’re here with me next year, we could each have a bottle…”

“I’d be okay with a different drink.”

“…Are you setting the stage for something? Really. It’s just ridiculous.”

— Pop.

With a cheerful sound, an unbelievable fragrance flowed from the bottle. I couldn’t help but flinch in surprise.

The aroma was incredibly sweet. Yet it wasn’t just sweet. Various scents mingled perfectly, tickling my nose with an unfamiliar fragrance.

“…This is…”

I swallowed without realizing. I wasn’t really a fan of alcohol. I didn’t even know what it tasted like.

But that was different. I felt immediately that this one was different.

Gu Ok-gyeong subtly asked, “Isn’t it amazing?”

“…Yeah.”

“Pfft. Right? I told you! When I first smelled it, I was like, ‘Wow! I need to drink this with Ilma!’ That’s all I could think!”

Excited, Gu Ok-gyeong spouted words rapidly.

“And this! You can’t just make it easily because you want to! It’s made from ingredients that have been carefully selected!”

“What? Why are you looking at me? You should be looking at the alcohol!”

“No.”

Was her excitement childlike? Or was the disparity from her usual laid-back behavior striking?

Seeing her excitedly explaining was funny and also nice, so I smiled slightly.

“You’re cute.”

“…Hey! What are you trying to accomplish here?”

“…You want to do it just once? Here? Have a martial arts duel?”

“…….?”

Gu Ok-gyeong gently filled the glasses.

“Let’s drink first.”

I tilted the cup. It was definitely a taste that matched the word ‘fine liquor,’ incredibly clean.

It wasn’t harsh. Rather, it felt more like a beverage. But the sharp aftertaste was much cleaner than a drink, and the unique buzz that followed was quite special.

After having one glass, I wanted to pour another. Gu Ok-gyeong, savoring her drink, closed her eyes.

“…Hah…”

Her heavy breaths made it seem like she was truly enjoying the alcohol. I quietly took her glass and filled it to the brim.

“Hey, it’s overflowing! Why are you filling it so much? Pour some for yourself!”

I filled mine halfway.

“…Isn’t it bad?”

“No, it’s delicious. Really.”

“Then why aren’t you drinking more?”

“I figured if I only drink half, you could drink double.”

“…….”

Gu Ok-gyeong shifted closer. Her shoulder pressed against mine.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Just become my personal doctor here. Really. I’ll take care of you. I won’t make you do anything hard. You won’t have to fight in the war either. If you don’t like attention, I’ll hide you well. Okay? Let’s live together.”

“You know that’s not going to work.”

“Is it that precious?”

“Yes, it is.”

I gently clinked my glass against hers.

Gu Ok-gyeong insisted, “What about that Su-ryeon or whatever? What will happen when he gets all healed up?”

“I’ll go see the Former Society first. The organization that’s been roaming alone within the righteous faction.”

“Isn’t the head there a friend of yours? Gu… Gu… whatever her name is?”

“Gu Hwa-rin.”

“Is she pretty?”

“She… is pretty?”

“Hmmm.”

Gu Ok-gyeong took a sip of her drink and popped a snack into her mouth.

“Well, there’s no one prettier than me, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“…….?”

“And? What happens after you see the Former Society?”

“I’m still thinking it over. Between two options.”

“What are the two options?”

“One is… returning to the Demon Cult.”

“And the other one isn’t staying with the righteous bastards, right? Oh, come on! Just come back to this side! Make that the second option.”

“The second is to continue chasing Jin Baek-cheon.”

Gu Ok-gyeong blinked, pausing the conversation for a moment.

“…Right. Wasn’t that the original mission? Jin Baek-cheon? Is he really that strong?”

“Strong. I can’t completely guarantee I can win against him in my current state.”

“You mean you think he’s that strong? What the hell is a monster like him not at the head of a faction doing? Such power is wasted. Tsk tsk.”

“I don’t understand the intentions of Reverse Heaven. I also don’t get why they keep causing chaos in this martial world.”

“What reason do crazy people need? They’re just nuts, that’s all. Now, eat.”

I took the offered snack.

Gu Ok-gyeong laughed.

“Let’s say you continue chasing Jin Baek-cheon. But you don’t have a clue, right?”

“I’ll have to… gather clues again?”

“Should I investigate for you?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll handle it myself. Chasing that organization could put you in danger.”

“Uh-oh. Drawing that line, huh? Right. It might be difficult for me to meet you if I’m within the Martial Alliance’s territory. Ugh. That’s so frustrating! Hey! If you go to the Demon Cult, it’s so far! How am I supposed to meet you then?”

“That’s…”

Parting ways with her, who had crossed battle lines together with me, felt a bit saddening.

Initially, I had helped out of necessity, but later I had genuinely become attached.

She took good care of me, and I liked how she treated me. It was awkward at first, but now…

I could definitely call her a friend.

“Me too.”

“Yeah?”

But that statement felt a bit embarrassing to say out loud, so I subconsciously averted my gaze.

Had my voice been that soft?

“I feel the same way. Ok-gyeong.”

“…….?”

Gu Ok-gyeong glanced back at me. Her eyes widened as she stared at me intensely.

I shyly reached for the alcohol. But she swatted my hand away.

“You almost spilled it!”

“Does it really matter? That kind of alcohol isn’t important anymore. Not with what you just said. You really…”

Gu Ok-gyeong narrowed her eyes.

“…Do you not want it? I’m asking seriously.”

“I already answered you. I can’t.”

“Then why say it? Do you want to die?”

“I’m being sincere.”

“…You’re doing this again. Wow. This guy really drives me crazy. It’s just ridiculous. What are you going to do? How am I going to handle this? Ugh!! It’s driving me insane!”

Gu Ok-gyeong’s furious gestures nearly tipped the boat over. I quickly steadied myself.

“Don’t go flailing about on the lake.”

“You made me flail! You jerk! Just… just live here! I’ll take care of everything!!”

“There’s… no one here!”

“Bring everyone here! Combine the Demon Cult and the Sado Clan!”

“I’m not some Heavenly Demon…!”

“Become a Heavenly Demon! Just do it! You could easily do it! Bring Ilma too! Right now!”

“Alcohol is spilling! It’s expensive alcohol!”

“Does that even matter?!”

“It matters, doesn’t it?!”

I hurriedly grabbed the bottle from the air. Gu Ok-gyeong clung onto my waist whining.

“Just let’s live. I’ll build you a palace. Okay?”

“I said that’s not going to work…!”

“Ugh… I really… should seriously consider this… I was just so repelled this time by not being able to tell the real from the fake…”

“Ok-gyeong?”

“Just wait. You. For now, while you’re here, stick close to me. Got it? I’ll get you the best healer for that Su-ryeon or whatever.”

With her cheek pressed firmly against my waist, Gu Ok-gyeong grumbled.

“As long as you’re around, you need to remember me after I’m gone, right? So stay close to me.”

“That… I like too.”

“Huh? You like it?”

“What I need right now is a healer. And also, if I could see your face a lot before we part…”

I slowly set the bottle of alcohol down.

“It would be really good for me too.”

“…….”

“Ok-gyeong?”

“Come here! Why aren’t you coming here?!”

“Wait, the boat’s going to flip…!”

“Come here already!”

The boat eventually capsized. The fine alcohol mixed with the water, rendering it undrinkable.

We were drenched in cold water. But strangely, I didn’t feel bad at all. We even laughed at each other, soaked to the bone.

Rather…

It felt good.

 

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