1118 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"You're staying behind?" Father's voice echoed back, seeking confirmation. I nodded in response to his question. "Yes. I'm staying." "...What do you mean?" "I mean it literally." "Are you saying that going back is the right decision, or that staying is?" As Father spoke, I scratched my cheek with a slight smirk. "Like I just said, going back seems like the right decision." "And yet?" "It may be the right thing to do, but I won't be returning." "..." The more words spilled from my lips, the more my father's expression twisted. His face was a portrait of confusion, unsure if staying was right or not. I thought to myself, how could I make it any clearer? "Let's just leave it at that." "So even if we decide to go back, you intend to stay here, Baek Daewon?" "Yes." "Your reason?" "Because I want to." Hearing this, my father's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Even if we command you to return, staying might not be an option just because you want it." "Yeah, that's true. But, well..." I shrugged, appearing nonchalant. "Let it be a little act of disobedience." "..." I declared this boldly. My father's eyes darkened with intensity at my words. I flinched at that look—one he often wore when I was in serious trouble. "No... It's not really about disobedience. It's just how I feel." Unconsciously, I toned my words to soothe. Upon hearing this, a sliver of my father's sternness seemed to ease. "Ultimately, does this mean you're convinced that staying is the right move?" "...Yes, in my view." "What about you, Do Yoon?" This time, Father turned the question to Do Yoon, causing him to flinch. "Oh... As for me..." Do Yoon hesitated midway, glancing at me. What was that look? "I think staying would be better." "..." He responded hesitantly, almost as if gauging my reaction. What is up with this guy? Why is he checking for my cues? It's baffling. "..." Father fell silent, appearing lost in thought, after mulling over the responses. Then, he turned to Mi Hyo Ran and spoke. "I'm staying." "Sir Gu...!" Mi Hyo Ran's eyes widened in surprise at Father's choice. "You're staying...? Why...?" "The reason is simple." With a calm yet intense gaze, Father continued as he looked at Mi Hyo Ran. "Because it seemed right." "But, but..." "You should return." "What...?" Mi Hyo Ran hesitated at Gu Cheol Woon's words. "Return?" "Yes." "What do you mean by that?" "You belong back there." "Ha...!" Mi Hyo Ran seemed about to protest, opening her mouth. "Protecting you is a hindrance." "…!" Father's sharp remark pierced through her, leaving her petrified like stone. 'Wow.' I hadn't expected him to be so blunt. His cutting words chilled the atmosphere around us. "…" Mi Hyo Ran, speechless for a while, finally spoke up. "…Fine then." With a frosty expression, she turned and reached for the door. Creak—! Slam—!! She opened and shut the door with all her might, the thudding of her footsteps rapidly distancing. "…" I watched, slightly anxious, glancing between the two of them. Clearly, Mi Hyo Ran was fuming. I was curious about Father's reaction as well, but... "The first matter is settled, so let's move to the next." "…." He seemed utterly indifferent. How is he so composed? While others appeared tense and concerned, he remained unperturbed. "The second matter concerns the situation if we were to stay." Father continued his words nonchalantly, disregarding Mi Hyo Ran's departure. * * * By the time our discussions concluded, the sun had already set, painting the sky with hues of twilight. "Following the plan, we shall begin our movements tonight." "Yes." "Understood." With our strategy clear, the meeting wrapped up. Finally, everyone left the room, each trailing their own path. Father likely went to his quarters, leaving only Do Yoon, So Yi, and me emerging. "You heading back to your room?" I asked Do Yoon, who seemed a bit flustered as he replied. "Oh, yes. Probably." His response was vague, but I just nodded. "Alright, then. I'll join later." "Going somewhere?" "Oh, I have something to check on." "..." "..." We locked eyes, reading each other's expressions. Both wearing the same face. A look that said, 'He's not planning to be forthright.' Exchanging mutual understanding. Nod. Simultaneously, we nodded. "Take care." "Yeah. Rest up." Both decided not to involve ourselves further. Once Do Yoon disappeared into his room, I prepared to make my move. "Hey." "Hmm?" So Yi called out to me. Curious, I looked her way to find her wearing an unusual expression. "About earlier." "Yes." "Why did you say that?" "...Huh? The earlier thing?" Confused, I asked what she was referring to. "About deciding to stay instead of leaving." "Oh, that?" It clicked for me. She was talking about my decision to stay behind even if everyone else returned. "Well, it was just as I said." "You really planned to stay even if entirely alone?" "Yes." "Why...?" "Why? I just wanted to." "That's all?" "Yes. Though if I dig deeper..." I scratched my head, reluctant to say more. "It just didn't sit right." Leaving behind a mess I caused felt unsettling. I simply couldn't abide that discomfort. I knew all too well that guilt was a wretched feeling and wanted none of it lingering. "…" So Yi's expression grew even more peculiar at my words. Her eyes, already narrowed, seemed to constrict further, making her confusion all the more apparent. "...That's unexpected. I wouldn't have pegged you for the type." "I get that a lot." "Who are you really? You're such an odd person." "I hear that quite often too. Are we done here, ma'am?" "..." So Yi remained silent. I took it to mean the conversation was over. "If that's the case, take care. I'll be on my way." After offering a polite farewell, I turned to leave. So Yi didn't say anything further as I departed. Once confirmed, I hurried my pace, driven by something I needed to check. * * * I roamed around a certain dwelling. It wasn't exactly a stroll, though I circled for quite some time. 'Where could she be?' If I used my senses, I could find her quickly. But since I couldn't, I was forced to search on foot. Where had she disappeared to? The person I was looking for was none other than... 'Where did Mi Hyo Ran go?' I was searching for Mi Hyo Ran. Her vanishing after that conversation with Father had left me uneasy. Especially the expression she wore at the end; it lingered in my mind. Even though I knew I couldn't really do anything by seeing her, I felt compelled to keep searching. A needless meddling, out of character for me. Yet, here I was. 'Is it because of this world?' Picking uncomfortable people to be around, she'd definitely make the top three. Yet here I was, going around looking for her. Even I found it odd. The problem, though... "Damn it..." I had no clue where she could have gone. 'Did she leave?' Had she already headed back to Hanam as Father suggested? If so, it would have been a relief. 'At least she wouldn't be in danger.' At the very least, it meant she wouldn't be in any immediate danger, which would be an advantage. Still, that didn't seem likely. Knowing Mi Hyo Ran, it was feasible, but... '...She's not the same as Mrs. Mi. This is the younger Mi Hyo Ran.' The person now is much younger and less mature. Rational, sharp, but noticeably immature. With that in mind, she wouldn't simply leave just because she was told to. 'So where could she be?' Likely still within the clan's grounds. 'Hmm...' Feeling irritated, I scratched the back of my head. 'Should I give up?' I pondered. As I've said, finding her wouldn't necessarily change anything. So maybe it was time to quit. "..." I clicked my tongue inwardly and finally decided to slightly tap into my senses. I shouldn't have usually done this. Not even considering the likes of Chunzon, I should've refrained. 'That old sage.' He surely took note of me. Even though we've only met once, he knows of me, so even if he stayed secluded in the mountains, he'd be on guard. Ideally, I wanted to remain discreet, but... 'It's been weighing on my mind.' That last expression she had. It reminded me of when, in a previous life as a demonic practitioner, I encountered Mrs. Mi again and she looked at me the same way. Shhh— Power flowed out, carefully controlled. The qi dispersed into the air, spreading throughout the Namgung clan's territory. Tap. 'Found her.' Shortly thereafter, I located Mi Hyo Ran. However... '...Huh.' Something was peculiar. 'Why...' Her presence was in a place where I wouldn't expect her to be at all. "..." Confused, I made my way over. Quickening my pace, I soon arrived at my destination. It was a place I'd been to before. A slightly rundown dwelling. Uncharacteristically poorly maintained for the Namgung clan, known as a prestigious family, both the road and the building appeared neglected. I moved past them, approaching a specific door. Creeeak. I swung the door open. In that moment... "Wha—?" "...?" "Oh my." Those inside all looked at me with startled reactions. Mi Hyo Ran, her eyes swollen from tears. Nam Gung Hyung, paused with chopsticks in hand. Hyun So Yeon, busy transporting dishes. Right. This was Nam Gung Hyung's residence. For some reason, Mrs. Mi was here. And she was caught with a mouthful of food that Hyun So Yeon had prepared.