Chapter 924
“Are you here?”
“Hello, Jang Moon-in…”
Upon arriving at the Volcano Sect, Shin Noya was waiting in front.
The disciples who saw Noya quickly bowed.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ugh.”
Seeing this, Noya smiled slightly and nodded.
I found it unpleasant to watch, as he seemed to be feigning kindness.
“It’s late at night, so clean up tomorrow and get some rest.”
“…Jang Moon-in…”
At the mention of ‘rest,’ Gubong took a small step forward. He seemed to have something to say.
“Rest. You’ll hear the explanation from the guy behind you anyway.”
Shin Noya said while pointing at me.
Hearing this, Gubong’s eyes widened.
“Jang Moon-in. However, I still have something to report.”
“Reports can wait until tomorrow. Go in quickly.”
“Yeah, but…”
“Quickly.”
“…”
Gubong bit his lip at Shin Noya’s words.
It seemed like he had more to say.
“…Understood.”
He just lowered his head, swallowing his words.
“Disband.”
Once the order was given, the disciples respectfully made their exit, slowly dispersing.
Before leaving, Gubong glanced at Noya and me.
His expression, particularly towards me, was vivid.
It seemed like he was hoping for something. If I had to guess, maybe.
‘Don’t tell me what happened. That must be it.’
You could tell just by looking at him.
He was likely sending a silent plea for me to stay quiet.
‘What do you want me to do?’
Even if the little fellow made that kind of face, it wouldn’t work on me.
Of course.
I had every intention of spilling everything.
“Let’s go.”
Noya said this and entered his quarters.
Seeing that, I spoke to Cheonma.
“Go wait.”
I didn’t specify where, but Cheonma nodded briefly and vanished.
*
It was a room where nothing was lit. There wasn’t even a trace of light.
Moreover, the room felt cold and unwelcoming.
The meaning of this was straightforward.
‘This guy has been outside for a long time.’
It meant Shin Noya had been waiting outside instead of inside.
I snapped my fingers.
Click—!
Whoosh—! Sparks flew immediately, igniting a flame on my back.
“What are you doing without even turning on the lights? Feeling lazy?”
Feigning ignorance, Shin Noya let out a brief cough.
“I just find it bothersome.”
From his expression, he looked like he got caught, but he just ignored it.
We both knew the truth but pretended otherwise.
I settled into a chair across from the table.
The funny thing was that tea was already prepared.
As if he had anticipated the two of us entering.
While sitting quietly sipping tea…
“Alright.”
Noya spoke.
“How was it?”
What did he mean by “how”? I was taken aback by his sudden question.
Of course, that was unnecessary.
This sly old man thought I would know his true intentions.
To my frustration, he was correct.
“It was crap.”
So I answered candidly.
Upon hearing this, Shin Noya made a comically contorted expression.
“Wow, you’re really casual about reporting.”
“Sorry. Today was quite a lot, so I couldn’t help but curse.”
“…“
Noya looked slightly embarrassed at my reply.
It seemed he was aware of his own faults.
“Still… there was definitely an effect, right?”
“You think. If it happened twice, I’d probably faint.”
“…Heh heh heh.”
Normally, by now, a punch would’ve been thrown, but Noya merely chuckled.
After a moment of laughter, Noya’s expression grew serious.
“I apologize.”
Suddenly dropping the joke, he said.
Hearing that, my eyes widened. I didn’t expect him to apologize.
I was somewhat surprised.
And a little uncomfortable.
“…It’s fine.”
I replied hesitantly. Quite an odd feeling washed over me.
“Why are you apologizing? It doesn’t suit you.”
“As I said, I thought this was the quickest method.”
Noya’s words made me chew my lip. I could understand up to a point.
Now that I had experienced it, I understood,
‘Even so.’
The thought that Noya had made a somewhat rushed decision lingered on my mind.
To be precise.
‘Noya, that’s not like you.’
This behavior was quite different from the Shincheol I knew. That nagged at me since earlier.
Maybe that’s why I kept wanting to divert the conversation.
“Alright… Anyway, I’m sure you’re curious about something.”
Noya nodded at my words.
The reason he sent me.
I knew he wanted me to know more about this world, but I figured there was another reason.
So,
“When I first went to this place called Yawol…”
I slowly began to recount the tale that had intrigued Noya.
*
The story wasn’t particularly lengthy.
Since I condensed it, it took no longer than finishing a cup of plum tea.
“…”
After hearing this, Noya sat quietly, lost in thought.
It was perhaps because it wasn’t different from what he had anticipated.
Or perhaps it was slightly more complex than expected.
Whether it was that or some other reason, I couldn’t be certain.
I quietly observed Noya in that moment.
His contemplative demeanor somehow reminded me of myself.
I wasn’t judging by how he looked. It just struck me without me realizing it.
‘…Unless.’
I might be thinking of it because I subconsciously wanted to resemble him.
“I see.”
Noya, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“So that’s what happened.”
His face displayed a mixture of understanding and complexity.
Even then, I said nothing.
I simply waited quietly for Noya to continue.
After all.
‘Because I already know.’
I was already aware of what Noya was about to say.
Given that I’d come this far, there was only one thing he could say to me.
After a brief pause.
“Yangcheon-ah.”
Noya called my name.
My ears perked up. I frowned slightly.
-Yangcheon-ah.
Usually, Noya referred to me as Aesong.
It was rare for him to use my name. His choice to call me by my name held numerous implications.
“I have a request—”
“Don’t bother.”
I interrupted Noya.
As I mentioned, I already knew what he was going to say.
It had been clear since the moment I entered the night sky and grasped the situation.
In that case.
“Please don’t express apologies or requests.”
Could Noya really be different this time?
Did he come all this way genuinely unaware of what I had to say?
I thought not.
“You don’t need that. Just carry on as you’ve always done.”
“…”
It was disheartening to see someone like him, who knew better, use expressions like “sorry” or “please.”
I said with an amused grin.
“Why would the most stubborn old man act all shy now?”
“…What are you on about?”
Noya wore a bewildered expression at my words. Seeing that, I stood up.
“I’ll manage on my own. I wasn’t particularly fond of this anyway… Looks like I might need to do it if I’m going back.”
The first part was genuine, and the latter was a lie.
Was it necessary to go back? I didn’t really think so.
I figured it wasn’t completely unrelated, but it would be only a tiny connection.
But.
“So. You need to focus your gaze back. I can’t stand this sight of you.”
I genuinely disliked witnessing that old man feigning weakness.
“I’m off.”
I grasped the door handle and prepared to exit without saying anything more.
Just holding it, I turned to step outside.
“Thank you.”
Noya’s voice brushed against my ears as I left.
This time, I chose not to respond.
*
Whenever I sleep, that moment comes flooding back.
A rainy night several decades ago.
It was the time I barely escaped the rain, hiding among trees, concealing my tears from the moisture.
Huff… hew…
I huddled down, clutching my stomach.
My body ached, and I was exhausted. That hunger swallowed me whole to the point I couldn’t muster a cry anymore.
What should I do now? Nothing came to mind.
Ugh…
Was I meant to die like this?
Would I simply be abandoned to perish? The child was frightened yet slowly resigning to the reality.
Ah.
I suppose it wouldn’t matter if I die like this.
If I died here, no one would remember me.
Certainly, not my father, my siblings, or anyone who ever knew the child.
I would just collapse and be buried underground.
Because I am worthless.
So it made sense to waive any worry.
As I dwelled on that, the child checked out and drifted into despair.
I want to live…
Then, he immediately scrunched his face and sobbed.
Please save me…
Yet, despite everything, I still wished to live. I desperately yearned to survive.
The child trembled, crying before the face of death.
Damn.
Then, a voice suddenly rang out in front.
Upon hearing that, the child jumped.
In alarm, the child braced himself. Could it be those seeking to kill him? Terrified, he froze in place.
What the hell is this luck?
Coming into view was a rather ragged-looking old man.
A white-haired elder with rosy-tinted eyes.
His gaze was fierce, and in his arms, he clutched a strange object.
It beamed round and glimmered in deep purple. Momentarily reminiscent of a bead.
I thought you were black-haired, so I came here. I shouldn’t have, huh?
Tch.
The elder clicked his tongue and stared at the child. The poor boy could only gaze back at the strange old man, confused. Was he not here to end his life?
As questions arose in his mind.
Didn’t you say you saw something and to go investigate? Get real! Just because they’re black-haired, you think they’re all the same? You were boasting about a great figure, yet look at how useless they are.
The old man suddenly launched into an odd monologue, speaking to the air.
Seeing that, the child became even more terrified.
Ah, right. He’s a crazy old man. Thinking this way, I started seeing things differently.
‘…Ears and tails.’
The old man bore the signature ears and tail I couldn’t see before.
What in the world was that? A race I had never encountered.
‘Oh, could it be….’
Remembering what my mother had told me, about a creature that would take me when I approached death…
Is this really the end for me?
The child extended tiny hands, recalling the legend.
Those tiny hands clutched the elder’s pant leg.
Huh?
The old man, in surprise, reacted.
Please save me…
What?
Save me… I want to live… Please…
Heh…
The child sobbed.
No longer able to hold back, tears flowed freely, despite thinking they had dried up.
Heh heh…
The old man chuckled at the sight.
I can’t really be responsible for anyone.
A clear hint of annoyance resonated.
Why on earth is it a black-haired child? How rare.
The old man then ruffled the child’s hair as he spoke.
…Is this all fate? Or is there something you lack that you so desperately need?
The old man, in existential musings, soon sighed and turned to the child.
Hey, what’s your name?
…
My name.
Upon hearing that, the crying child went silent. He feared that speaking it would bring abandonment.
Thus, he remained quiet.
…I don’t know.
That was all he mustered.
The answer was bizarrely strange yet seemed to fit the moment.
Is that so?
The old man, seemingly unconcerned, shifted to another topic.
Then should I create one for you?
…
The child nodded. He lacked the right to refuse.
Hmm… let’s think it over.
The elder pondered briefly.
…Ultimately, I ended up like this while searching for that fellow. That guy’s last name is… Ah.
Then, as though struck by inspiration, he snapped his fingers.
Your surname is Gu. Then, how about naming you Gu-bong to ensure you never turn into a Bong? Yep, from now on, your name is Gu-bong.
It marked the moment the child’s name changed to Gubong.
It was when Gubong was saved by the old man.
“…”
With that memory, I opened my eyes.
Gubong quickly rose.
“…Huff.”
A sigh escaped involuntarily. Perhaps due to a hectic day yesterday, I recalled a past dream I stubbornly buried.
It was a memory I should never forget, though recalling it now felt ill-timed.
Because it involved someone whom Jang Moon-in awaited daily.
Thus, Gubong frowned.
“…Damn.”
Someone currently residing at the Volcano came to mind.
At that moment, Gubong scowled and cursed.
“Why are you jumping straight into harsh words first thing in the morning? Did you have a bad dream?”
“It wasn’t a nightmare. Just… um?”
Gubong widened his eyes at the interruption.
A voice he shouldn’t have heard was audible nearby.
He hastily turned his head. There it was.
“Hello?”
A guest of Jang Moon-in and someone Gubong was already worried about.
“Are you awake?”
Go Yangcheon smiled as he looked at Gubong.
“…What?”
Gubong was flustered by the odd situation. Then,
“Now, let’s go do some work together.”
“Gah!?”
Go Yangcheon suddenly grabbed Gubong’s collar and yanked him off.
It all occurred in the blink of an eye.
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