1244 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"......." "......." I couldn't find any words as we locked eyes. It was a moment marked by surprise. Who wouldn't be taken aback? The woman, her body covered in blood, initially wore a fierce expression. Yet, upon recognizing me, her demeanor softened immediately. Who would have guessed an unexpected human would appear here? Especially... 'Why is Poison Phoenix here...?' The presence of someone who hadn't attended the Sword Dance Festival made it all the more perplexing. If she were among those present, it would be understandable, but she hadn't attended at all. "......why are you he-." Just as I attempted to question her amidst my confusion. "Young Master Baek......!" Suddenly—! Poison Phoenix rushed into my arms. Damn it. Blood smeared all over me. Utterly unpleasant. "Oh, I never thought I'd see you here......! Is this destiny?" "Could you let go for a moment...... Why are you holding on tighter?" I struggled and twisted my body despite the threat of broken bones. I barely managed to extricate myself, and Poison Phoenix looked disappointed. "Sorry. I was just so glad to see you." "......." At her words, I looked back. It was the space where loud noises had been emanating from just moments ago. Upon inspection, the demons were already lifeless and sprawled on the ground. It seemed like Poison Phoenix had dealt with them. From their condition, it appeared they had been eliminated in a single blow. '......As expected.' Seeing that, I looked at Poison Phoenix again. 'She's stronger.' She felt more formidable than the Poison Dragon Tang Cheongi, the former Poison King and future head of the Tang clan. It was a conviction I had even from our previous encounter. "Are you alright, miss?" "Me? Yes, I'm alrigh......" Poison Phoenix, in mid-sentence, hesitated and rolled her eyes. "......I think I might be a bit tired. Ah, dizziness......" "So, you're alright." "......Ah, yes." She tried to do something strange, so I blocked it at the root. "Ah...... For now, since it's dangerous here, shall we move?" "Move?" "Yes. I’ll guide you to a safer place." My eyes widened in surprise. Her words implied she had already prepared a hideout. 'How did she manage that in such a short period?' It hadn't been long since I regained my senses. Despite the time difference, was it possible to set one up already? Looking at Poison Phoenix in wonder. "Then, I'll ask you to lead the way." Witnessing with my own eyes was the top priority. * * * Following Poison Phoenix’s lead briefly, she seemed quite accustomed to crossing the forest. Walking with ease, as if she'd been here numerous times, she confidently navigated through the woods, and I followed her footsteps with curiosity. Shortly after, we arrived at the hideout she mentioned. 'A cave.' It was a cave located at the edge of the forest. It didn't appear very deep. "Is this it?" "Yes, that's right." Poison Phoenix spoke as she entered first, and I followed her again. Inside, despite the darkness, she navigated downward effortlessly. I wondered how she'd manage without any light. "If we light a fire, the demons might react." She explained to me. I squinted my eyes at her response. Something felt off. The more we conversed, the stranger it seemed. "Excuse me." Just as I intended to ask about my suspicions. "We’ve arrived." Poison Phoenix informed me that we had reached our destination. Hesitant, I examined the interior. I observed the space inside. Only upon opening the wooden door did the previously unseen light become visible. Several lamps were fixed to the walls, and judging by the number of beds, it seemed there were others here. "Everyone's out right now, but they'll be back soon." "......." "Would you like to sit for a moment?" Poison Phoenix brought over a chair. Though it looked crude, it served its purpose. "Thank you." Seated in the chair she brought, I looked at Poison Phoenix. "Oh......" Under my gaze, Poison Phoenix blushed and averted her eyes. "When you look at me like that...... I......" "......Miss Poison Phoenix." "Yes...... yes." Piercing the quiet atmosphere, I spoke. Poison Phoenix paused, yet met my gaze. In her flushed eyes, a peculiar emotion lingered. Observing that, I asked her. "By any chance, do you mean-" "I like you too." "......Pardon?" I was taken aback by her sudden confession. "Ah. That wasn’t it?" "......What do you mean by that?" "......Never mind." It wasn't a denial. What was with this person? Despite the awkwardness of the conversation, I ignored it for now. I had urgent questions. Just as I was about to ask. "At this mo-." "Sister, I’ve returned......" Someone appeared at the door. It was Tang Cheongi. Upon entering the space, he paused upon meeting my eyes. "......You are-" "Oh......" So Tang Cheongi was here too. Luckily, it seemed the two were together. Observing this, I tried to greet him cheerfully. Swoosh-!!! Tang Cheongi drew a blade and pointed it at me. "How did this person end up here?" "......Huh?" How? I was brought here by your sister. "Your sister brought me here." "......What?" Tang Cheongi hastily looked at Poison Phoenix after hearing my explanation. "Sister......?" Meeting his gaze, Poison Phoenix offered an awkward smile. "Hehe......?" "......." Tang Cheongi was momentarily speechless, looking dumbfounded. He was clearly taken aback. Additionally, others appeared behind Tang Cheongi. "Poison Dragon, what’s happening?" "Is there some sort of problem......?" More people than expected, their faces unfamiliar to me, assessed the situation upon seeing me. "Greetings-." Just as I attempted a polite greeting. Clank-! The warriors immediately drew their swords. Their blades, somewhat blunt, flickered with energy. "......An intruder?" "Damn it. Has our location been compromised already?" The hostility was palpable. A sense of tension and vigilance radiated strongly. "How did you find this place?" "......As I mentioned earlier......" "Wait, that face......?" One of the warriors, upon seeing my face, exclaimed. "The Bloodhound......!" "What? Bloodhound?" "The Bloodhound... that's the one who made Chu Yeongyeon piss his pants." "Isn't it the Bloodhound, not the Hound...?" "Now's not the time to quibble over nicknames!" "... Bloodhound, Hound, they're all just mongrels." My head throbbed. The confusion over my multiple nicknames was quite curious. Though someone recognized me, their reaction wasn't particularly welcoming. "... The Mad Hound, how did you get here?" "Didn't you just say Bloodhound?" "The Bloodhound, how did you?" "... Ah, yes. Quick to correct yourself, aren't you?" Thanks for keeping up, really. I sighed and spoke again. "Is there a problem with me being here?" "What's important is which faction you're affiliated with." "Affiliation...?" "Or perhaps you might not be human at all." I frowned at the warrior's words as he pointed his sword at me. Not human? "What do you mean by that? How could I not be human?" "Are you trying to play dumb? If so, it's too late." "No, I'm genuinely clueless about what you're talking about." "Silence-!" Telling me to shut up when I'm speaking. That stung a bit. It seemed like words weren't working at the moment. Gazing down the sword's edge, I scratched my nose lightly. Their gaze shifted to my fingertips. In that moment. Grab-! Thud-!! "Ugh!?" I snatched the sword from his wrist and subdued him swiftly. "Release me...!" "So...! It really was an intruder...!" "Damn it...!" Their troubled faces provoked my irritation. "I told you it's nothing like that, so stop with the nonsense and explain. I only grabbed you because you kept waving your sword in front of me." "And how are we supposed to trust you?" I released my hold on the warrior I subdued. "Gasp..." Freed, he looked at me with wide, surprised eyes. "Just in case, don't think about swinging that sword. Next time, I'll dislocate your shoulder." "......." Upon hearing the warning, the warrior flinched. Fortunately, he understood and didn't raise his blade. Though the tension remained palpable, it was less intense than before. Now seemed like a good time. "I've been meaning to ask since earlier." I shifted my gaze from the others to Poison Phoenix. She too held a dagger, but unlike the others, her stance differed. '...Doesn't seem like she's pointing it at me?' It felt as though she was aiming at the others, not me. Must be my imagination? Hopefully just a figment of my mind. I let it slide for now and gathered my thoughts. This place, the people's reactions—all of it felt strange. Finally, I could ask the question that had been on my mind. "Miss Poison Phoenix." "Yes?" "I have a question for you." I looked at her and asked. "How long have you been here?" "What? What do you mean...?" "In this world. How long since you all arrived?" "...Oh..." Poison Phoenix rolled her eyes, pondering for a moment. "I haven't exactly counted, so I'm not sure, but..." Then she answered. "It's been a little over a year, I think." She gave an answer I wasn't hoping for. "...A year." "Yes." I bit my lip upon hearing it. The cave, the people, their reactions—they all seemed off. 'The time we arrived is different.' By a year. The others had entered this world significantly earlier than I did.