Chapter 38: Way Back (1)
It’s an unfamiliar ceiling.
Oh, how cliché and uninteresting this sentiment is.
I can’t believe the day has come when I think like this.
My head hurts.
My head is spinning, and my stomach feels queasy.
My abdomen especially aches a lot.
I barely manage to sit up after struggling.
…Where am I?
…I could have sworn I fainted in the Secret Vault.
The demonic absorption technique activated of its own accord, drawing energy from the marble the snake spat out.
It felt like the amount I absorbed was too much for me to handle, causing me to faint in the end.
Feeling a sudden sense of unease, I focused my Qi.
The energy that had surged in was overwhelming. If my dantian had been damaged, that would truly be a disaster.
Huff-!
“What the…?”
I was startled by the heat escaping from my body.
It was much hotter and faster than I expected.
I thought I had circulated the same amount of energy as usual.
But the amount that flowed out was much more than I’d anticipated.
3rd Realm.
The Destructive Flame Martial Art that had barely reached the beginning of the 2nd Realm had actually ascended to the 3rd Realm.
Not just any 3rd Realm, but almost at the very peak of it.
The amount of Qi I now possessed was enough to draw an awed gasp.
It was an amount that could only be achieved through consistent training for thirty years.
…I didn’t expect it to be this much…
When I think back on the Qi I had absorbed, it seems it wouldn’t have been as much as this…
But the purity of the energy I now had was staggering.
Is there truly such soft and potent energy out there?
Despite having absorbed so much Qi, feeling no trace of demonic energy within me was baffling.
Was it not a demonic stone after all? I thought the Flame Art might have absorbed demonic energy once again, but it felt different this time.
The energy flowing through my dantian felt astonishingly strong.
The reason I hadn’t reached the 4th Realm yet is simply that my physical body couldn’t support it.
If I trained my body diligently, reaching the 4th realm would likely come swiftly.
Then, how far could I go now?
That Namgung brat will be out of reach… but I could easily handle someone like Gu Jeolyub.
Objectively speaking, without using any tricks, I could see myself placing myself above or equal to Gu Jeolyub.
The Lightning Dragon is out of my league.
Even if I am familiar with the sword techniques of Namgung Clan, in a real fight involving Qi, I still wouldn’t stand a chance.
But seriously, where am I?
After confirming there were no abnormalities with my body, I began to take in my surroundings.
There were some shabby-looking furniture, and I could faintly smell the distinct bitter scent of herbs.
“Young Master!”
“Ugh!”
While I was still dazed and reeling, something jumped into me.
It was Wi Seol-Ah.
“Young Master, are you feeling better now?”
“…uh, could you get off me first?”
What kind of person tackles a patient in pain, and then asks them if they’re okay?
I urgently shoved Wi Seol-Ah away.
Thank goodness she seemed unharmed, but she still radiated an unusual amount of energy.
Then, I immediately asked what I needed to know.
“What about the snake? What happened to the Secret Vault?”
“The snake?”
Wi Seol-Ah tilted her head as if confused by my words.
What? That giant snake was huge—why this reaction?
Feeling something strange, I pressed on with more urgency.
“The gigantic snake we saw in the Secret Vault.”
“Hmm…?”
“…You don’t remember?”
“Nope!”
“Then when did you lose your memory—no, how much do you even recall?”
Changing my question, I noticed Wi Seol-Ah rolling her eyes.
It was easy to see with her big eyes.
“I remember up until the time I started following you!”
“…Huh?”
So she forgot all of it!?
Was everything from the Secret Vault and the snake just a hallucination?
That can’t be right…
That wouldn’t explain why my martial skills had grown or how my Qi increased.
Then did the snake interfere with Wi Seol-Ah’s memories?
But why?
I didn’t understand.
“Do you really not recall anything at all?”
“Nope… When I woke up, I was sleeping on a mountain with the Young Master!”
“What the…”
Creak!
Someone entered after opening the door beside me.
It was an old man, hunched with white hair.
“What’s with all this heat in here?!”
The old man entered, sounding irritable. The heat was probably from me gathering my Qi.
After glancing at us, he muttered.
“So you finally woke up.”
“…Who are you?”
“After sleeping for two whole days, you’re finally awake.”
…Huh? Two days?
“I slept for two days?!”
Thinking back to how quickly I found the Secret Vault, that must mean I used up all the time I had!
“Yeah, you seemed fine, but since you kept on sleeping, I thought you were dead.”
“…Could I ask where exactly I am?”
“Do you still not realize? I’m a doctor, so this must be the medicinal ward.”
…How should I know you’re a doctor?
He wore shabby clothes and seemed far from professional.
I guess the herbal smell in the air could be a hint…?
“Is your body feeling okay now?”
“Yes… better now.”
According to the old man, this was a medicinal room at the foot of the mountain. So how did I end up here?
Wi Seol-Ah mentioned waking up in the middle of a mountain, not the Secret Vault.
So did this old man find us and carry us all the way here?
As the old man prepared some herbs, he quietly asked.
“Why would you carelessly sleep on the edge of a cliff?”
Cliff, huh?
I could have sworn it turned into flat land with a maple tree standing majestically.
Has it transformed back into a cliff?
The situation didn’t make sense. First, I needed to thank the old man.
“…Thank you, sir. Did you save us?”
“Saved you? You should be thankful to the girl next to you. With such a pretty face, she’s got strength like a bull. She carried you all the way down here.”
Looking at Wi Seol-Ah, following the old man’s words, she stood proudly with her hands on her waist.
She carried me all the way down from the mountain?
“Uh, thanks.”
“Of course!”
Her incredible strength was something else, especially coming all the way from the Tang Clan with me.
I’ve teased her for being round so often, but in truth, she was on the slender side.
Her round shape came from always having something in her mouth.
But how could those slender arms be so strong…?
The old man examined my arm, giving it a light squeeze before speaking.
“Since you seem fine now, I think it’s time for you to leave. The room is cramped, and I can’t keep you here any longer.”
“…Ah, thank you, sir. Thanks to you, I’ve woken up safely from a dangerous situation.”
“Haha, it’s rare to see young ones speak so respectfully…”
Even if he looked old, taking a random person into your room and letting them sleep for two days was no small task.
Wi Seol-Ah was busy chewing something mysterious, probably from the old man as well.
“…What are you chewing on?”
“Huh? Cheon Grandpa gave it to me as a snack!”
Cheon Grandpa?
It seems Wi Seol-Ah had already exchanged pleasantries with the old man.
The old man continued, answering my question.
“It’s nothing much, just some ginseng root that I found ineffective, and since this is a village doctor’s room, it was all there was to offer.”
…Ginseng roots? Can ginseng even be ineffective?
That surprised me, but the fact that Wi Seol-Ah was chewing that bitter stuff nonchalantly was even more surprising.
I thought she only liked sweet things, but it turned out she was omnivorous.
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine, so stop apologizing and get going. Your parents must be worried about you.”
Parents? Worried?
That made me think of my father.
There’s no way he would be worried about me.
Most likely it would be Muyeon pacing and anxiously waiting for me.
I rummaged through my pockets and said to the old man.
“I don’t really have much, since I left in a hurry…”
“Huh?”
“What kind of child would have money? Don’t worry, I’m just a bored old man wanting to help you…”
After searching for a bit, I finally found some silver coins.
Thankfully, I had at least this much.
Clink, clank!
I hurriedly pulled them out, but they tumbled to the ground, leaving the old man speechless as he surveyed the coins.
Thud, two silver coins must have fallen there.
“I didn’t take much, and this is what I can offer…”
Before I could finish, the old man grabbed my hand. His expression turned serious.
What is he going to say?
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
“…Young master, if you would like, you can stay longer. Oh, how rude of me to not serve such precious guests a tea! Please wait; I pride myself on my tea brewing skills!”
“…”
Glad to see he was pleased with the coins.
I declined the tea the old man practically forced on me and exited the room.
He kept insisting on giving me things, which felt quite overwhelming.
Luckily, it was already daytime, and I could set out immediately.
Perhaps thanks to the boost in my Qi, my body felt lighter than ever.
If I use my current Qi, could I sprint straight to the village where I left the letter?
“…That might be pushing it, right?”
It was possible if I took a few breaks, but considering Wi Seol-Ah would be following me, I decided to restrain myself.
Wait, could Wi Seol-Ah possibly keep up with me?
Seeing her follow me effortlessly when I left the Tang Clan made me think that might be plausible. But with no Qi at all, could that really be achievable?
Now that I remembered, I checked to see if she had any Qi in her.
But as the outcome showed, she didn’t have even a speck of Qi.
But then how?
Since she claimed she had no memory, I had no clue what happened after I passed out.
What on earth was that snake?
And upon returning to the cliff, how could it have happened like that?
What in the world was that bizarre spatial magic?
And… and…
I suddenly came to a halt when the most important thought crossed my mind.
“…Hey…”
“Yes?”
“Those… those moonlight marbles!”
“Eh…?”
I felt a shiver.
So many of those moonlight marbles… I didn’t manage to bring even a single one back.
Remembering them left me wanting to collapse on the ground and pound it in frustration.
…Wait, maybe they never existed at all since the Secret Vault has vanished?
I was trying to think optimistically but…
What then, about the marble I got from the snake?
“…”
“Are you okay, Young Master?”
“…I’m fine. Just feeling a little dizzy.”
‘It wasn’t even mine to begin with…’ That should’ve been my mindset, but human greed makes it hard to think that way.
Seeing me like that, Wi Seol-Ah smiled.
“Young Master, your face looks really ugly right now.”
“How could you say something so harsh!?”
“But you actually do look ugly…”
How cruel could she be after everything…
Wi Seol-Ah had a surprisingly evil side to her.
Then suddenly, Wi Seol-Ah grabbed onto the hem of my sleeve.
Wondering what was going on, I saw she was pointing at a restaurant we had just passed.
I then asked her.
“Are you hungry?”
“…I am, but when Young Master looks ugly, eating dumplings makes it better!”
“Oh, so you want me to eat…?”
Wait a second, you’re the one who’s hungry!
I didn’t mind the idea of stopping to eat, but I didn’t have much time.
Knowing the situation, it seemed wiser to reach our destination quickly.
What should I do? Should I really sprint there?
With my current condition, I thought it could be manageable.
I glanced down at Wi Seol-Ah, who continued to hold onto my sleeve while I pondered.
“…I think we should run now, but what should I do about you?”
“Yes…? I-I’m really good at running…”
“Should I just carry you?”
“…Huh?”
What did you just say?
It seemed she quickly mumbled something.
When I asked her to repeat, she suddenly plopped down onto the ground.
As she sat abruptly while still holding onto my sleeve, it jolted me as well.
“O-ouch, ow!”
Then an awkward scream escaped her lips.
“What, what’s wrong?”
“My leg! It hurts! I think I’m injured!”
“What…? That’s serious! Should we head back to the medic room?”
“We’re in a hurry! I-I’m not that hurt.”
“So you can walk then?”
“…Erm.”
“Hmm?”
What does she want?
It’s the first time I saw Wi Seol-Ah look so conflicted.
After a long pause, she finally whispered softly.
“C-Carry me…”
As she said that, her ears turned red.
Seeing that took me by surprise.
So she can feel embarrassment too, huh?
I thought she was immune to it…
“Haha!”
I let out a laugh, and Wi Seol-Ah sulked at my response.
I quickly bent down, turning my back to her.
Wi Seol-Ah carefully wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled close.
After feeling her warmth on my back, I stood up.
Feeling a little mischievous, I decided to tease Wi Seol-Ah.
“You’re heavy.”
Surprised, she shouted back.
“I’m not!”
“You are… it feels like I’m lifting a boulder.”
“That’s unfair…! I-I want down!”
“Too late for that now.”
When was it again?
It almost felt like a similar situation had occurred before.
But unlike now, that time didn’t have this pleasant atmosphere, and Wi Seol-Ah wouldn’t remember it, either.
I was the only one holding onto that memory.
And I would likely keep that memory alone.
It wouldn’t bode well if it happened again.
I sprinted, my Qi swirling and propelling me forward while carrying Wi Seol-Ah.
To my surprise, I leaped higher and faster than expected.
I thought Wi Seol-Ah would be delighted by the winds blowing against her, but instead, she buried her face into my back.
I believed I would reach our destination without any issues, running at this pace.
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