Chapter: 279
I already knew that Geom-hu was staying at the inn.
The entire inn was occupied by the Hwasan Sect, and the surroundings were filled with pottery.
It was because I could vaguely sense the strongest artifact among them.
“I didn’t expect you to come find me in person….”
Following Youngpung’s guidance to the room, Geom-hu greeted me with surprised eyes.
After exchanging a few casual remarks like, “How have you been?”
I immediately got to the main point.
I didn’t want to drag it out.
“Hmm….”
After hearing what I said, Geom-hu made a strange expression.
Then, with a slight smile, he started speaking.
“It’s an ambiguous request.”
“Ambiguous?”
“I don’t think you’re asking me to take you as my disciple… But you’re not asking me to teach your sister how to wield a sword either.”
“Is that a difficult request?”
At my words, Geom-hu shook his head.
Fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.
“It’s just a question.”
Even as he spoke, Geom-hu glanced out the window.
It was still raining outside.
“I just never imagined you would make such a request.”
Someday.
Since I’m the benefactor who saved her life.
She had given me the rationale that she would grant my request.
I was just finally using it now.
“It’s not like you’re asking me to solve your problems; you just want me to show you the sword. Do you think that’ll be sufficient? From what I hear, you don’t seem to be at such a low level.”
What I requested of Geom-hu was nothing else.
I merely wanted to see Gu Yeonseo’s sword once.
“Yes, if it’s not too difficult, I would appreciate it if you grant me that request.”
“Hmm….”
Daring to request such a thing from a martial artist, especially from Geom-hu, felt rather ridiculous.
The very concept of courtesy was thrown aside.
Geom-hu seemed to think it an odd request, as he contemplated.
“Is that truly all you need? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to ask me to resolve that child’s mental issues instead?”
“That will do.”
After a moment of contemplative silence following my answer, Geom-hu nodded.
“If that’s what you want, then I understand.”
“…Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Considering what you’ve done for me, it feels shameless to let something like this slide.”
Looking at Geom-hu smiling, I felt relieved.
Recalling how badly my body had been before, I thought about how much it had deteriorated.
I probably hadn’t completely recovered, but the vitality I felt was a clear sign of improvement.
The appearance of the old woman, who had looked older than Maehwa-seon, the eldest daughter of the volcano back then, had now returned to that of a woman barely past her prime.
“Is that the end of your request?”
“Yes, I apologize for coming so suddenly.”
“Not at all. It’s a relief you came while I was at the inn.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Hmm… You’ll find out tomorrow, so it’s better if I hold back on saying anything.”
Tomorrow?
Tomorrow will be the day I enter the Shinryong Academy, right?
Wondering what she meant, I looked at Geom-hu, but she merely smiled, seemingly unwilling to explain further.
Amidst this, Geom-hu brought up another topic.
“Are you not going to inquire about your brother?”
“I trust he is well. It seems you’re looking well too, Geom-hu.”
“Hmm….”
Geom-hu’s expression shifted slightly, as if my answer was unsatisfactory.
Was there something that displeased her?
“Sometimes you seem quite astute, yet at other times, not at all.”
“Yes?”
“Forget it, that’s not worth discussing. Don’t worry about your request. I’ll make sure to fulfill it before the day ends.”
“Thank you…”
Fortunately, Geom-hu agreed to grant my request.
Honestly, the easiest thing would have been to ask to be taken under her wing.
But that was out of the question.
Given that Gu Ryeonghwa has already been accepted as a disciple,
it would mean leaving Sega and going to the embrace of the volcano like Gu Ryeonghwa.
As for Gu Yeonseo herself,
she would never go to Hwasan.
From what I vaguely understood of her burning desires, it felt more like poison than anything else.
“I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Alright. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes? Yes.”
Bowing my head in respect to Geom-hu, I stepped outside the room.
When I closed the door and stepped out, Youngpung was still waiting for me.
“Oh, you’re out?”
“Why are you still here?”
Youngpung’s eyes were filled with yearning at my question.
Those eyes, I had seen somewhere before.
Oh, it was the same look he had when he came to Hwasan, begging me to train with him.
Realizing this, I couldn’t help but sigh.
This person, still obsessed with training, hadn’t changed at all.
Part of me wanted to indulge him for a moment,
but now was not the time.
Youngpung’s disappointment was evident upon my refusal.
It didn’t seem to deter him that much though.
“That’s too bad… I’ve been wanting to spar with Gu So-hyeop after a long time.”
“…Please don’t say things that can easily lead to misunderstandings.”
What do you mean, mixing bodies, you crazy person?
Just the thought sent shivers down my spine.
There’s a perfectly good term for this—sparring.
I really didn’t understand why he expressed it in such a way.
Ugh…
Having briefly imagined it was enough for my insides to rot, I had to escape quickly.
My goal had been accomplished.
Since Geom-hu said she would consider my request,
there was no reason to linger at the inn any longer.
‘Will this work?’
As I left, I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty.
Of course, I believed there was no better way for Gu Yeonseo,
but if this turned out wrong,
I could figure out a different method later.
Though the uneasy feeling remained, I decided to let it slide for now.
‘Tomorrow is right around the corner, and things have become a bit tiresome.’
I already had many things to worry about.
My mind was a jumble.
Regarding the Pay-Joon as well,
and the Sleeping Dragon.
On top of that, the Brain,
not to mention Shin Noya.
I needed to organize my thoughts on what to do next.
Making connections with this ignorant brain was no easy task.
Especially since tomorrow was the entrance exam day for Shinryong Academy.
I had no idea what kind of test they would be giving.
No matter what came, I had to be prepared; I wouldn’t fail.
‘I should also find time to go in and search for the note, even if it isn’t immediate.’
A note buried beneath Shinryong Academy.
Not knowing its exact location or the method for retrieval meant I had to keep this in mind as well.
And.
‘I must find that guy too.’
The biggest reason I came to Shinryong Academy.
The underground note is honestly just a minor detail.
I had to uncover the truth.
I needed to meet the ancient tree again.
To meet such an ancient tree,
I had to head toward the Demon Realm.
There isn’t just one or two demon gates.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be easy to find a door leading to that world.
Since I couldn’t afford to waste time,
I had to find the fastest route I knew.
‘I need to find someone who can open it.’
In my previous life,
the disaster of all the participants at the Yongbong gathering being transported to the Demon Realm at once,
was caused by Jang Seon-yeon.
However, Jang Seon-yeon did not possess the ability to open the Demon Door.
Still, he could fling the late bloomers into a different dimension because there was a ‘guy’ next to Jang Seon-yeon.
‘What was that guy’s name?’
To find loopholes in dimensions,
a peculiar fella with the ability to tear open and close with his hands.
His name was… something like Jegal.
I couldn’t help but click my tongue at the name that sprang to mind.
‘Of all names, it had to be Zhuge Liang.’
These are people whose clan has already been destroyed, now living solely by their surname, probably just like that.
I had already submitted several requests to the Haomen and Kaebong.
However, unlike in the time of Zhuge Hyeok, finding information was tough.
He’s likely living under an alias.
‘Will he actually come this time?’
The only thing I knew,
was that he was part of this upcoming class.
And since I knew he was a cohort of Jang Seon-yeon, that was the only detail I could recall.
‘So I have to go and find him.’
I desperately hoped nothing had changed.
That’s all I wished for.
Pat pat.
As I headed back to my lodgings, the rain poured down on me.
Surveying the streets, perhaps it was due to the looming entrance to Shinryong Academy.
The street I was staying on bustled unusually.
Whether they were carrying swords at their waists,
or gauging their stamina,
most of them were young martial artists.
They were undoubtedly all here to enter Shinryong Academy.
Thanks to this surge of people,
the traders filling the streets wore smiles on their faces.
Those who waited for this day weren’t just the later bloomers.
It was probably the same for them.
Thud.
“Oh, excuse me.”
Someone bumped into me and left an apology.
With so many people, it was common to jostle and have pointless contact.
I really detested such crowded situations.
I moved along, grumbling to myself.
“Hey, you mighty warrior! Give this a try!”
“It’s cheap and tasty! You won’t believe the noodles your master was stunned by!”
As I walked through the bustling street little by little,
the voices of various shopkeepers and vendors buzzed in my ears.
I listened to them one by one, walking steadily.
Despite my dislike for such crowded places,
ironically, I enjoyed the lively streets.
The first street I encountered after my return was similar to this.
That might be why it stuck in my memory.
Such bustling streets were filled with life.
I could feel that this world hadn’t yet been struck by bloody calamities,
and looking around, I felt grateful to be given another chance to return.
So, as for this discomfort, it mattered little.
Despite the rain falling, I exhaled among the traders,
continuing onward.
At that moment.
“Try some medicinal snacks!”
Suddenly, at the sound ringing in my ears, I found myself stopping in place.
Medicinal snacks?
It had been a while since I heard that name.
I could see why.
After Wi Seol-ah left,
I hadn’t bought medicinal snacks with my own hands since.
Perhaps it was because, imagining holding one brought back memories of her bright smile.
Since she left, I hadn’t really bought any.
With a hint of curiosity,
I pushed through the crowd to approach the medicinal snack stall.
The old man, with many wrinkles, greeted me with a broad smile.
“Oh, would you like to try one?”
“Please give me two.”
The old man beamed as he handed me some medicinal snacks, and I only bought a small amount, declining the change.
“Thank you, esteemed warrior!”
The way the old man spoke to me and addressed me felt different.
I paid it no mind.
I picked up a piece of the medicinal snack and popped it into my mouth.
The chewy texture remained unchanged.
The taste still lingered on my tongue,
but somehow it felt less sweet.
Is it because there’s no one here to enjoy it with?
If that was all, then what a trivial thought.
Just because I had no companion to share it with,
should I say the taste and feeling of eating differ?
It seemed like an utterly pointless sentiment.
Recalling the smiling face that once radiated warmth,
I pondered to the air.
’I wonder if you’re doing well.’
Are you eating well?
I hope you aren’t sick.
And.
I truly wonder if it was alright that I didn’t come to see you.
I wanted to ask that.
There’s no way for me to hear the answer.
I simply posed the question.
Pitter patter.
The unvoiced question I cast out vanished,
still washed away by the falling rain, escaping the wind.
“…”
Just like that white breath that quickly dissipated.
Watching the rain softly fall,
I finished off the remaining snack,
and began to walk again.
In the midst of busyness, I could indulge in a brief moment of sentimentality.
If I delayed too long, those at the inn would surely come looking for me.
Slowly.
Just as I was about to leave those foolish thoughts behind and take a step forward.
Crrr…
Suddenly, a beast’s growl emitted from within me.
“Weren’t you sleeping?”
Since there hadn’t been any movement for a while, I thought the arrival of winter would cause me to hibernate.
It seemed I was mistaken.
Krrr… Krrrr…
As if awoken from a deep slumber,
the creature began to whine repeatedly,
sounding quite disgruntled.
“Are you hungry? I fed you well along the way.”
On the path to Hanam, I’d caught plenty of monsters to feed it beforehand.
So why all of a sudden was it making such a fuss?
Crrr…
The beast whining as if throwing a tantrum didn’t seem directed at me.
It felt more as if it was barking towards somewhere else.
“Why on earth are you acting like this…?”
Just as I was trying to soothe it.
“Hmm?”
I sensed a presence.
At the sound of something familiar, I quickly turned my stiff neck, searching for the source.
It was up on the rooftop of a building.
Far above my line of sight,
a figure appeared with a veil draped over their head.
Anyone would think, “Who goes there! Someone incredibly suspicious!”
But that wasn’t the main issue.
What mattered to me now was.
She was watching me from a distance.
‘…Why?’
It wasn’t about why they were looking at me.
Rather, why was she here?
For a figure whose gender I couldn’t quite discern,
what I knew for certain was that it was her.
It was because the presence felt extraordinarily familiar.
‘What on earth is she doing here?’
If it had been in my original life,
or even after my return, I never would have felt such a presence.
A presence that was obliterated to the point where even trying to catch or find it seemed futile.
For some unknown reason, I now perceived it so clearly.
Like she always had in my past life.
“…You.”
With my confusion spilling over, I exhaled the words.
She seemed to sense I had recognized her, quickly flinching before jumping down from the roof and vanishing into the crowd in an instant.
“…”
With her jumping into that throng of people,
the relatively profound presence faded away.
The energy blending into the multitude scattered my senses.
All I could do was remark in annoyance.
“Seriously, you show up and cause trouble for everyone.”
Boom!
“Eek! What was that!”
“Gack…!”
In that moment, the aura I released startled those around me, causing them to stagger.
It seemed that creature had tried to use that as a tactic.
It must have known my personality, yet this was a blunder.
In the midst of a bustling crowd, it likely aimed to make it impossible for me to find her.
Unlike last time, when I let her slip away without a second thought,
this time, by any means necessary,
I had no intention of letting her get away.
Though it might have been a mere figment of my imagination.
Perhaps, she simply didn’t want to see me.
Regardless of all that,
the person I faced now, if you are real,
would unfortunately find that I had no intention of letting you slip away.
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