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Chapter: The Gathering of Shadows

I looked up at the sky.

The sun was setting, gradually devouring the hue of twilight.

As I felt before, time was moving exceptionally slowly.

By now, it should have already been night, but seeing the sunset so late made it all too clear.

‘So, how much longer until it’s night…?’

Based on my sense, about two moments? I figured it might take that long.

Only then would the night come.

So, I was confirming a few pieces of information before the moon rose.

In the process, I discovered some things.

– Hwasan? Where is that?

– I seem to have heard of it… Was there such a place?

The reality that most folks don’t even know where Hwasan is struck me.

– Ah, right, aren’t those the mercenary types that roam around?

– Ah… that idiot…

– Oh dear!

Even if I knew, I certainly wasn’t thinking clearly about it.

‘Mercenaries?’

It felt strange, so I looked into it further.

That resolved one of the questions inside me.

– What, mercenaries? What’s that?

– Who even asks that, where are you from?

The moment I looked suspiciously at them, they nodded, as if they understood something from the clothes I wore.

– Oh… you’re one of those from Hwasan.

When I asked how they knew, a man with deer ears replied as if questioning me back.

– In Yawolgung, only those dressed like you are from Hwasan.

I got that, but what did that have to do with recognizing it?

I asked about that too.

– Well, Yawol is the place where most mercenary work happens, so I figured you were a new recruit, but was I wrong?

I initially agreed.

Then the man pointed to a large structure in the distance.

It was a big building, about four stories high, definitely different from the architecture of the Central Plains.

I approached, observing the building from a distance without getting too close, hiding my presence.

Inside, I could sense several presences.

I gradually took stock of my surroundings. Among them, I focused on sounds.

– This time, the task…

– Captain, over there…

– We should inform the Sect Leader next…

Hearing that much, I withdrew my perception. No need to listen further.

‘That’s it.’

From just a brief conversation, I knew they were other disciples engaged in different tasks.

What were they doing?

I wanted to find out more, but—

‘Well, now I know the location.’

That was enough for now. After gathering the necessary info, I turned my back.

I made a short leap onto the roof of the tall building.

Beyond the wide view, the silhouette of Yawolgung came into sight.

“Hm.”

I gleaned various bits of information beyond the recognition of the Hwasan Sect.

First and foremost.

– This place is ruled by a general named Yusa.

Under the Master of Mankye, there are four generals, each presiding over their own region.

Yusa takes charge of Yawolgung, and beneath him are the four noble families.

The White, Blue, Gold, and Black families.

Among them, the White Family was the one I just encountered with Baek Ul.

They’re responsible for a portion of Yawolgung’s military and some businesses, right?

‘And they provide food supplies periodically through a contract with Hwasan.’

It was through this arrangement that Baek Ul was engaging in shady dealings.

Even though the originally agreed amount had already been paid, he insisted that if more wasn’t given that day, he wouldn’t send any supplies.

Naturally, that was absolutely unacceptable; it was worth complaining about.

‘Baek Ul seemed to be deliberately baiting this situation.’

He was open to negotiations and willing to discuss breaking the contract as long as penalties were considered.

Go ahead and try, that’s how his attitude came across.

Did he actually want the contract to be canceled?

And then—

‘Gu Bong was just the same.’

It also bothered me that he referred to himself as Black Night. Didn’t it seem like he knew me?

‘From that perspective, there definitely seems to be something going on…’

What could the connection between the two be? Since it didn’t seem overly critical, I didn’t dig deeper.

I could always torture Gu Bong later to find out more; that shouldn’t be too difficult.

What was crucial here was—

‘Do I really need to acquire food supplies from that White Family?’

Just the mention of it made Noya’s Hwasan seem pretty out of favor.

It appeared he was painfully gritting his teeth while enduring the insults flung at him by Baek Ul.

At the very least, a contract had been kept here.

This meant the circumstance was such that dealings with other entities were off the table…

‘Hmm…’

I squinted and kept mulling it over.

‘What should I do?’

I wanted to handle it casually, but—

‘Noya likely sent me knowing all this.’

The one who tossed me into this mess surely had some level of foresight about the situation.

Also.

‘Just watching isn’t the end goal.’

He likely wanted me to earn my keep while I was out.

That intent was abundantly clear.

While it was a mere illusion, it felt almost like certainty.

‘Shin Noya can’t enter other territories. That part really felt off.’

He didn’t think Noya would know nothing about this? As I recalled Gu Bong’s words, it was laughable.

‘There’s no way he wouldn’t know.’

Noya must be aware. Or perhaps he sent me with expectations.

To report back on the conditions. Or—

‘To resolve it.’

What a crafty little wind he was blowing.

And here I was, about to assist.

‘But I’m sorry…’

Thinking about the houses sparkling beneath the sunset and the throng of people, I pondered.

‘Solving it might prove difficult, wouldn’t it?’

There’s bound to be some fallout from smashing Baek Ul, no less.

I chuckled softly, gazing towards the castle entrance.

‘It’s not that there’s nothing happening. It’s already unfolding.’

In the place they entered, anomalies were evident.

– Halt! No entry allowed from here on!

The Gatekeepers halted those who were moving about freely.

I figured it was likely to prevent taking food supplies from Hwasan. That was my assessment.

Though there might be other reasons… Who knows?

I rose up.

‘So, what now?’

Should I just let it be and walk away? That didn’t seem overly complicated.

Reporting back about what I saw in Noya’s Hwasan wouldn’t pose much of a problem either.

‘But I do share some responsibility in this.’

Although Gu Bong’s words annoyed me, had I just kept my cool, none of this would have escalated.

Yet, ignoring it entirely felt a bit off.

‘Hmm.’

While pondering my next approach, a voice rang out from the east.

– Step aside!

– There’s a family movement! Clear the way!!

I turned my gaze to see several individuals moving in a group.

Counting them, there were about six.

They weren’t mounted on horses or in carriages, simply walking.

Based on their direction…

‘They must be headed toward Hwasan.’

The decrepit building located in a corner of the alley.

It was a gathering place for the disciples of Hwasan.

Flap—!

The flag they carried caught my attention.

‘That emblem.’

The tooth-like design painted in white.

Where had I seen that? Oh right, it was the same marking on the clothes worn by Baek Ul.

As I recognized that, I focused on the one leading the group.

A large man with white hair.

Bulging muscles, protruding ears, and a tail; he bore the same traits that Baek Ul had.

What set him apart was—

‘The presence is on a completely different level.’

The presence he exerted compared to Baek Ul felt like night and day.

Even against Gu Bong, it was like comparing apples to oranges.

The quality was simply different.

‘Out of all the beings I’ve seen here, he stands among the countable few.’

I know it’s a funny statement to think about how many I’ve seen, but… that was how remarkable he seemed.

And then.

‘Is that him?’

He looked similar to Baek Ul but with a far more commanding presence.

The aura surrounding him and the subtle momentum he exuded hinted at a notable standing within the White Family.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he might be the Master of the White Family.

‘For someone like him to be moving in that direction…’

The intentions were unmistakable.

It was the scenario Gu Bong had worried about, and I couldn’t help but feel a budding anticipation.

‘Hmm.’

Observing this situation made me nod slightly.

Now, what should I really do?

‘Should I just reveal myself out of the blue?’

That felt just a tad too risky.

If Baek Ul was one thing, disturbing that guy would only lead to unpredictable repercussions.

I hadn’t adequately assessed the degree of influence he held.

No matter how foul my nature was, barging in like that could lead to dire consequences.

Most importantly.

‘Wearing Hwasan’s garb is one thing. But I’m not really part of Hwasan.’

Any further involvement from me as a member of Hwasan would stir up trouble.

‘In that case…’

After briefly contemplating, my eyes brightened.

‘What if I’m not Hwasan then?’

Well, if I’m not a part of Hwasan…

That could work too.

‘A total stranger to them.’

That would do the trick.

Having that thought, I chuckled and shoved my hands deep into my pockets.

This felt like it might lead to something fun.

 

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