1256 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Something exists to the west. They were aware of it, but couldn't head there immediately. The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader opposed going there, and considering the others' physical conditions, pressing forward wasn't an option. He thought this reasoning was sound. So, regardless of his instincts, he decided to return. "We've returned." "Welcome back." As soon as the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader reentered the hideout, he headed straight to Mi Hyoran and began his report. "The monsters launched an attack." "Yes, that's correct." "…Regardless of their type, they banded together and attacked first, huh." "Did the Wind Dragon side have anything to say about this?" "No, I haven't heard anything." No word had come from the formation keepers managing the magic circle. "…That's strange. It's unprecedented." "Indeed. It seems to be an unusual phenomenon. I wanted to conduct further reconnaissance, but the exhaustion from combat was too severe to proceed. We'll prepare another scouting party as soon as possible." "…Understood. Delaying it further won't do any good. Thank you for your hard work." "Yes, everyone, you are dismissed." At the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader's words, the members began to move. As I was about to follow the Poison Phoenix and Tang Cheongi... "Iron Dragon Deputy Leader." "Yes, Sub-Leader." "Please come with me." Mi Hyoran and the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader entered together. "……." I watched the two for a moment before resuming my steps. * * * After dispersing the group, Mi Hyoran looked at the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader once they were inside a separate space. As soon as he gestured with his hand, a barrier of energy formed. With the barrier established, Mi Hyoran asked him, her expression slightly changed. "What exactly happened?" "You say the monsters have begun their attacks?" "It happened as we were heading towards the western region. Suddenly, the ground vibrated, and, as I explained earlier, monsters swarmed at us." "They were different types of monsters, weren't they?" "Yes, it was an unprecedented situation." "There wasn't anything else?" "…There were no notable features in the other regions." "…Strange indeed." Her eyes signaled her lack of understanding. It was a phenomenon that hadn't occurred before. "Though we should check for issues with the formations, it seems they haven't detected anything since there's been no report." "Yes. If that's the case, then there might be other issues." "…Other issues, you say." Mi Hyoran was lost in thought about what that might be when the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader spoke cautiously. "Sub-Leader." "Do you suspect something?" "…It's just that." He furrowed his brow slightly as he continued. "Given the strange occurrence, I believe we should look for reasons internally as well." "Internally, as in—?" "A peculiar event has also occurred on our side recently, hasn't it?" The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader looked back. "Surely referring to a strange individual appearing?" "…." Mi Hyoran’s eyes cooled as she heard this. "By that, do you mean Young Master Baek?" "Yes." "You believe Young Master Baek is at the center of this anomaly? Or are you suggesting he's affiliated with the heretic faction?" "It could be both, or neither." "So you’re making judgments based on unproven suspicions." "That’s also true. However, I thought it was a situation worth suspicion. The circumstances support that." "So, in the end, you’re saying you think Young Master Baek should be scrutinized." "Yes. And if you permit, I would like to investigate myself." "…How do you plan to do that?" When Mi Hyoran asked after hearing about confirming Baek Yangcheon, the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader confidently responded. * * * The next day arrived. Perhaps due to the previous day's events, I went to bed a bit earlier and woke up to step outside once again. "We will begin the second day's search." Once again, the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader announced that he would lead the search. There were slight changes in personnel. While the Poison Phoenix was included, Tang Cheongi was excluded, along with another individual. The group was composed of martial artists affiliated with the hideout. Tang Cheongi initially protested, but was quickly subdued by the Poison Phoenix, rendering his anger meaningless. "We will head west to understand the anomaly from yesterday." I subtly glanced at the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader as he spoke. "Hmm." Heading west, I thought. Given the conversation with Mi Hyoran yesterday, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. However. "Look at this." I could sense something different in the look the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader gave me—suspicion. His gaze carried a hint of doubt. "Oh?" It seemed like... "I'm being suspected." I supposed he was eyeing me with suspicion regarding what happened yesterday. Although his reasons were valid, directly moving to suspicion was a bit unexpected. "Is there more to this, or is it…" Perhaps he simply found me bothersome. Whatever the case, the important thing was... "This might become troublesome." The situation didn't seem particularly favorable. The only consolation was that... "At least we're heading west." I was about to address what had been nagging at me. I decided to focus solely on that for now. * * * While heading west. It was the Poison Phoenix who disrupted my relaxed walk. "So, about last time—" She chattered ceaselessly. The Poison Phoenix turned out to be much more talkative than I had anticipated. "Oh, and in the Tang Clan... in Sichuan..." From topics about the Tang military armory to the poisons they were attempting to ingest. She brought up topics I had little curiosity about, giving me no chance for reprieve. "Oh, I see." All I could do was nod along. I couldn't quite bring myself to tell her to shut her mouth. "It's probably because she's like Tang Soyeol." Because of the woman with light green hair in my mind, it was a bit difficult to be harsh with the Poison Phoenix. 'Still, it's somewhat comforting that there aren't any monsters around.' Despite her constant chatter, the number of monsters was extremely low, likely due to the large number we dealt with yesterday. 'Let's see.' I checked within. The amount of remaining energy wasn't much. I divided it and released some into the surrounding area. Swoosh—!!! The energy spread out, covering the surroundings. Still, no monsters were sensed. 'Then...' This time, I concentrated the energy and directed it westward. Focused on a single point, it stretched out instantly, and before long, it brought back information. At that moment. "......!" My body froze momentarily. '...Well now.' I lifted the corners of my mouth at the influx of information. There was a startling reason. '...What’s with those numbers?' The far edge of the west. The number of monsters gathered there was anything but ordinary. It seemed to be twice as many as we encountered yesterday. Why would they gather like that? 'Besides, it doesn’t seem to be just monsters.' Among the cluster of monsters, I sensed something unusual. 'What could that be?' I tilted my head. I couldn’t discern it. The sense wasn’t enough to make out anything clearly. I lacked the energy to send out more. In that case. 'I'll learn when I see it for myself.' I need to find out directly. There was no change in the choice I made when we set off. * * * "I will prepare for reconnaissance." As soon as we reached the destination, the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader spoke. Everyone began to carry out their assigned roles. Some sought higher ground to observe monster movements. Others stood guard, ready in case monsters appeared nearby. And then. "We are heading inside." The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader and I moved to head inward. "Uh, then I will also...!" "Isn't your assignment elsewhere?" When the Poison Phoenix tried to follow, the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader stopped her. "...But." "It's fine, please go." "..." I spoke without looking back. Hearing this, the Poison Phoenix hesitated but eventually stepped back. Only then did the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader move, and I followed him. Into the west. We moved into the danger zone marked on the map. As we approached the target area, I asked him. "Didn't you say it’s dangerous to head this way?" "It is dangerous. A slight mistake, and we could be detected by the heretics." "Oh, really?" "The limits of what can be cloaked with the formations were reached here." "Hmm." Barriers and formations. It seemed they were using these as much as possible to obscure the eyes of the heretics. Step. "……." "……." We walked a while longer in silence. It was less discomforting than it was unsettling. Then. "Speaking of which." The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader, who had fallen silent, spoke to me. "I'm curious how you managed to survive out here for a year." 'A probing question, huh.' I inwardly scoffed. "I got by, one way or another." "Food supplies must have been limited." "There are plenty of things to eat. Even tree bark is okay once you get used to it." I truly had survived on tree bark before. Probably back when I was stranded with the reincarnated Moyong Hi-ah. "You ate monsters, too?" "I would if I had to." I replied calmly. At that, he said. "Really?" The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader momentarily stopped and looked at me. "If you're not a heretic, eating a monster would kill you, wouldn't it?" "……." I halted my steps as well. Our eyes met. "……." "……." The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.