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**

The path to Eungmin was well-maintained, but it was still a long way off.

Even after utilizing my light-footed techniques to run diligently, the distance felt far. If it hadn’t been for Black Wind’s advice, I might not have even figured out the right direction.

“Mu Gongja, you’re worse at direction than I expected. What would you have done without me?”

“…Thank you.”

Though he often displayed ridiculous behavior, Black Wind was surprisingly versatile. From finding our way to locating suitable camping spots, he even pinpointed the exact location of a river.

“You see, normally this would all cost money. But for you, Mu Gongja, I’ll do it for free.”

“…Thanks?”

“Kehehe. Lady So, did you notice anything?”

“There’s no need to use a slaughtering knife just to kill a chicken. There’s really no reason for it, so I’m just staying still.”

“Is that even a comparison?”

“Would you like me to show you?”

The two of them had oddly incompatible personalities. Black Wind teased Black Danhwa, questioning whether the so-called world’s beauty was real since he’d never seen her face, while Black Danhwa ridiculed Black Wind by likening his wild moves to a dog.

“Don’t get too surprised when you see me.”

Black Danhwa also had a hidden ace up her sleeve. Shaking the small vial at her waist, filled with a substance called Misty Soft Water, she summoned a bizarre phenomenon before my eyes.

She conjured an enchantment on the spot, summoning birds flying about with ease.

“Choose whatever you like, Warrior. Since we might run out of rations, shouldn’t we conserve while we can?”

It wasn’t just birds. When they discovered a river, she lured fish to capture, and even enticed distant deer to slay with ease.

A true feast of meat.

With a slight flick of his hand, Black Wind swatted at the feast.

“I never said it was for you to eat!”

“The river was found by me, and so were the beasts.”

“Didn’t I capture those two?”

“I could have caught them too.”

“But you didn’t, right? Animals are faster than you think and they’re clever; I’ve seen them run away as soon as we got close.”

“I was letting them go.”

“Then keep letting them go, even the ones right in front of you.”

“Why the fuss?! Turns out the world’s beauty is just nonsense! With that personality, no one could like you no matter how pretty your face is!”

“I never asked you to like me. If you want the world’s beauty at your level, go to that noisy girl.”

“Don’t insult the lady!”

“Isn’t that you?”

Easygoing Black Wind.

Picky Black Danhwa.

They were bickering non-stop while I basked in a luxurious journey, caught in between.

I was eating better now than before we left.

Both of their statements had some truth to them.

Muttering as I sat by the campfire.

“Both of you are indeed helping.”

“You only realized it now, Mu Gongja? Hahaha! But I’ll let it slide! Should we stick together in Eungmin?”

“Please don’t force it. Black Wind. Warrior. It’s easy to find a way inside Eungmin. It’s a well-ordered city. However, someone like me, who has heard much, can provide valuable information. I can also find out things myself and relay it back.”

“I might have more than you do, even if you heard all the rumors. Sitting around and living off the support of occasional visitors is not…”

“I never lived off of it, Black Head! They came and offered their support themselves. Isn’t it strange that they come crawling in only knowing that it’s a dangerous world, just like you?”

“Have you finished your rant?”

“I haven’t even started!”

We passed a few more villages. Black Wind, snoring away, was casually looked down upon by Black Danhwa.

“…How can you not even like someone’s sleeping face?”

She muttered and sat beside me, aimlessly poking at the campfire.

“Warrior.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you curious about my story?”

“Do you want to tell it?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Then let’s keep it for later. If you feel like sharing, I’m all ears, but if after saying it, you think you’ll regret it, then it’s better not to.”

“That’s a pretty carefree way to put it.”

“Lady So.”

“What?”

“Didn’t I say before? If a person’s charm is ten, then appearance is just one of those ten.”

Black Danhwa turned to look at me. I slowly wiped the scabbard of Bai Ya with a dry cloth.

“You catch fish well and hunt beasts skillfully.”

“…Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“A single fish given to a starving person can outweigh the title of the world’s beauty.”

“But you’re not starving.”

“That means our standards of charm differ.”

“What is your standard then?”

I thought for a moment.

“…To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Could it be… virginity?”

“……”

“Why? With that face, and those martial skills, why? Doesn’t anyone say anything around you?”

“This too wasn’t just handed to me. The sword I wield was earned through investing all my time for leisure.”

“…Isn’t that tough?”

“If it wasn’t tough then it would be a lie…”

I swept the now clean scabbard.

“There’s just something more impactful in changing with the sword.”

“You’re a true warrior at heart.”

“That’s a nice compliment.”

“To put it another way, you’re a hardliner. So that’s how you managed to escape from that fleshy paradise…?”

Deep in thought, Black Danhwa leaned closer to me.

Of course, I couldn’t see her face beyond the veil.

“Aren’t you curious about what’s underneath this veil?”

“I’m curious about one thing.”

“What is it?”

“I once encountered a woman wearing a veil like that before… Can you actually see properly with something that thick?”

“…….? It’s made of different materials on the inside and outside. It’s a famous fabric… Is this your first time hearing it? It’s quite pricey but very common.”

“Is that so.”

“Really, you didn’t know?”

“I’m a bit… slow on current affairs.”

I cleared my throat unnecessarily.

“I have a lot I don’t know, Lady So.”

“…Hmm… what is it… I get the impression you can handle everything alone, yet I still want to help…?”

“Yes?”

“No, just talking to myself.”

Black Danhwa sighed and fiddled with her hands.

“I have a favor to ask, Warrior.”

“Yes.”

“If a day comes when I want to speak about the face behind this veil, will you be the first to listen?”

“…….”

I nodded.

Black Danhwa whispered.

“…I’m really sorry for trying to do something bad before. There’s no excuse for it. If you want, you can take my life anytime.”

“It’s alright, Lady So. Things turned out well; I even ended up taking from you.”

“That’s a natural consequence of my defeat. I’m just grateful that there’s still something remaining. Misty Soft Water can be remade anytime, and if I keep making it consistently, it can be replenished too.”

Black Danhwa lowered her head.

“I’m just grateful you granted me my whims, Warrior.”

“…….”

Could this be the true form of Seob Honyohee, who ruined so many warriors?

I nodded in response. While it felt like goodwill, I honestly couldn’t be sure.

Even in a world of warriors, there’s no clear notion of good or evil…

Just look at Ansasugwi.

The hidden blades concealed within the favor.

I didn’t let my guard down. Ilma had advised me to.

Even so, I couldn’t help but feel slightly drawn in.

“Lady So.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to hold onto what you did to me too tightly.”

I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.

“I’ve already forgotten.”

“…You’re kind, Warrior.”

Kind, huh.

That’s just something I said because I have nothing to hold onto. In fact, I’ve gained quite a bit.

…

Arriving in Eungmin.

This was a vast metropolis, definitely larger than a mere village.

Recently built towering walls encircled the outskirts. But where there should be gatekeepers, there were none.

Instead, three warriors of varying styles gathered.

Black Wind grinned.

“Hmm. I heard Eungmin is in disarray, but seeing three heads in one city is a rather amusing situation.”

“…Are those three warriors from the main schools, pillars of support in their respective factions?”

“That’s correct. They’re warriors from the Nacaldong, Heuksajong, and Manmajong. You can tell their affiliations by the clothes they wear.”

We passed them by. Although the individuals who were blocking the city gate saw us, they didn’t impose any restrictions.

What greeted us were simple questions.

“Can I know your names?”

“Mu Myung.”

“I’m Black Wind.”

“What’s that? Nothing impressive, so it’s hard to reveal.”

Despite their blatant evasion, the warriors let us pass inside.

A simple warning was all they did.

“Watch yourselves.”

As I stepped inside, it felt bustling, proving it was indeed a city. However, I could see an unknown wariness in the eyes of the people.

There were overwhelmingly more armed individuals. The only news from the taverns was filled with underwhelming expressions.

“I’m so sorry.”

The stock of goods being sold by merchants was dreadfully low, like the entire city had plunged into a bleak slumber.

Yet among this isolation, there were things that made my skin crawl.

Warriors roamed the alleyways, busily disturbing the surroundings as if chasing someone.

An incessant search. Dried blood stains clung to the walls.

Black Wind clicked his tongue.

“I see why people are on edge. This is like… it’s straight out of hell. If one strays even a little from the main street, you’ll undoubtedly come across a corpse.”

“The reason the taverns are packed is likely due to warriors staying here. But… is Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan really so precious that one would dedicate so much time to it?”

“Lady So, you don’t understand much. Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan is an elixir of the ages. It’s said to break through realms in a single shot. It doesn’t just increase internal energy, not at all. It apparently expels filth from the entire body like a light rebirth, correcting damaged bodies as well. It’s the best elixir and even has the power to resurrect the dead.”

“That’s quite an exaggeration. If that were true, Seven Star Gate would have become the center of Nacaldong ages ago.”

“Isn’t it just that it’s hard to make? You keep twisting your words like a pretzel.”

“I think it’s better to live life avoiding unnecessary dangers. Believing every single rumor is foolhardy.”

Here we go again.

I sighed and turned around, glaring at the two.

“Now that we’ve arrived in Eungmin, as I mentioned before, I plan to separate. Good luck to you both. Black Gongja. Black So.”

“Hey, don’t be so heartless! Since we’re here, why not act together? I don’t know what we’ll be doing, but I owe you, Mu Gongja, so I’ll help.”

“I feel the same way, Warrior. I will be of help. Who should we kill?”

“As I said before, I came here to save someone. I can’t disclose who.”

I flatly refused.

“I believe it’s best for us to part ways here. So long.”

“No, Mu Gongja!”

“Warrior!”

After forcibly detaching from them halfway, I took out the paper I received from Ilma.

It contained a rendezvous note and code phrase.

Once I read it through, I burned it. I quickly turned my steps towards the location drawn on the map.

“Come quickly!”

As expected, the place was crowded, with people bustling about. I peered at a table in the back, the third one inside.

Two people were picking at some unremarkable food placed in the center.

I sat in front of them. The two of them flinched simultaneously.

“It seems like there’s no space, may I join you?”

“…We were waiting for someone.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll cover the costs for six portions of Yukgaejang and any other dishes you may want. If your friends arrive, I’ll cover for them as well.”

“……!”

The two exchanged glances, subtly straightening their backs.

“In that case, can we also order Chunjang Yuksa?”

“Why would there be any issue? Let’s also order some Hoegwa-yuk.”

I summoned a waiter and placed a simple order. After the dishes were served, we ate in silence.

I was the first to leave the tavern. Once two ticks passed, the two came out and headed into the alleyway.

I followed them, matching my footsteps, and they suddenly changed direction.

A different tavern. The individuals entered through the back door and headed up the stairs. I followed closely.

They entered a room.

The door that had been slightly ajar shut quickly.

“I greet a member of the Pursuit Spirit Pavilion.”

“Enough with the pleasantries. What’s the situation?”

One of the two men lit an oil lamp.

The other whispered while closing the open window.

“We couldn’t find the location of the Blood Sea Member. But luckily, we have one piece of information.”

“What is it?”

“The Blood Sea Member Wolhyang has gone missing, but not at Seven Star Gate. Apparently, it’s a villa somewhat distant from there.”

“…Hmm.”

“It’s a rare place where people are sparse. Hidden in an inconspicuous location, slightly separated from Eungmin.”

“Have you personally been there?”

“I’ve been near it, but never actually entered. We can’t take unauthorized actions on our own.”

I hastily received the hastily drawn map.

The man bowed slightly.

“If we acquire additional information, we will contact you separately.”

“And how will you reach me?”

“We’ll handle that ourselves. Since we’ve memorized your face, it won’t be difficult. I wouldn’t want to bother a high-status individual.”

Their work had a flowing, smooth quality to it.

Not a single rash action could be detected.

“You’re a member of the Blood Demon, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm.”

He was completely different from me.

I understood why Ilma had expressed disdain for my actions.

If acting that way was normal, then I would be nothing short of a disaster.

Feeling a strange sense of respect, I spoke.

“Impressive. You truly excel.”

“……?”

The Blood Demon member blinked.

 

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