Chapter: 574
Her green hair shines in the moonlight.
The colors, much brighter than before, somehow appeared even more stunning.
The hair that used to reach my shoulders now cascades down to my waist.
The wafting scent was oddly fragrant.
Is it the scent of flowers?
I was overwhelmed with a sweet sensation I couldn’t quite place.
The smiling face combined with the hint of maturity peeking through her chubby cheeks was enough to remind me of someone.
No, to say ‘someone’ feels strange.
Because it’s me.
A woman who stood alone in the land of Sichuan, warding off demons.
The last hope of the Tang Clan, who lost both her eyes and took her last breath in my hands.
The woman from that time and the current Dang So-yeol looked remarkably alike.
If there was anything different, it was that she had been withering away, suffering terribly.
While the current Dang So-yeol sparkled brightly.
Feeling that difference was oddly painful, almost laughable at the same time.
Why does it hurt?
It was a feeling I couldn’t comprehend.
I could see Dang So-yeol smiling brightly at me.
I looked at her and asked, “What’s going on?”
I held back the question I truly wanted to ask.
It was something I wanted to pose to her, but it wasn’t something I should be asking her either.
Upon hearing my question, Dang So-yeol pouted her lips as if displeased.
“I came all this way. Why are you asking me why?”
“No, I’m just curious.”
How could I not be curious when she showed up out of nowhere?
Of course, I had heard the rumors.
‘The Dark King said he would send her.’
I had already caught wind of the preparation for her arrival, so I knew that she was coming soon.
But.
‘I didn’t expect her to be here so quickly.’
I wasn’t sure where she had set off from, but I hadn’t anticipated this swift arrival of Dang So-yeol.
As I glanced around her, it dawned on me.
‘So that’s why Nahi didn’t react.’
Nahi must have managed this whole area. If someone managed to sneak in past her, they’d have to be at least on the level of a Dark King.
Though I didn’t think he was that formidable, he should certainly be at the level he was before.
With those thoughts in mind, I looked at Dang So-yeol.
As soon as our gazes met, she smiled.
It was a smile I hadn’t seen in ages.
However, at that moment, I was looking at something entirely different.
I had to stifle a gasp when I laid eyes on Dang So-yeol.
‘The Dark King, that human…’
What in the world had he done?
‘Her very essence has shifted.’
Now, I had to focus intently on Dang So-yeol.
Otherwise, I felt I might lose track of her existence altogether.
Her presence felt so tenuous.
So faint and hazy that ichan even right in front of me needed special attention.
It was a state unlike her at all.
‘I can feel this much thanks to the fragrance.’
The delightful floral aroma emanating from Dang So-yeol made it easier to focus.
Without it, I would have been in quite a pickle.
‘This isn’t how it used to be.’
The Tang Clan had originally specialized in assassinations, led by their signature poison arts.
As a result, their descendants generally had a low presence.
It was a knack developed over years of martial training.
However.
‘Dang So-yeol was never that remarkable among them.’
In a kind light, she could be seen as a commoner.
In a harsher tone, one would say she didn’t measure up to what a descendant should have.
On the flip side was Namgung Bia, a descendant of the Namgung Clan, whose presence was overpowering.
She outclassed Dang So-yeol quite significantly in that facet.
‘…Well, she’s exceptional at everything, I guess.’
In that case, one could manage your presence rather effectively.
Excelling at it was another story.
If we were to consider Namgung Bia as a point of comparison, the number of worthy opponents dwindled to a handful.
Nevertheless, everyone around me had that vibe.
That level of existence was definitely notable.
What about the current state of Dang So-yeol?
Even though I wasn’t feeling my best…
‘I couldn’t catch a hint of her presence.’
Her aura was something only detectable upon closing the distance.
Nahi had sent her over, and even with my less-than-optimal condition…
Now that’s quite impressive.
Reflecting on this, I turned my attention to Dang So-yeol.
“…You must have had quite a journey.”
“Yes?”
After hearing my remark, Dang So-yeol tilted her head for a moment, but as if she grasped my intent, she brightened up and replied.
“Don’t worry, Your Grace.”
The slow, flowing gesture made her hair dance.
“I did it because I wanted to.”
“…”
Was that truly the case?
Those words danced at the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them.
It was I who asked the Dark King for help.
In the end, it was Dang So-yeol who decided to take this on.
When making the request to the Dark King, I had made my intentions perfectly clear.
If Dang So-yeol voiced her discontent, I would have stopped it right there.
I was certain I had expressed that sentiment.
And yet, the fact that Dang So-yeol stood here now meant that she had firmly resolved against giving up.
Even.
‘Assessing Dang So-yeol’s skills, for her to reach this level…’
What sort of training had she undergone?
The last time I had seen her was about two years ago.
At that time, her abilities were decidedly subpar.
But now.
‘Has she reached Hwagyeong?’
With my sense of life being off-kilter, I couldn’t be sure, but it certainly felt that way.
How could it be?
I gazed at Dang So-yeol with wide eyes.
She replied with a chuckle, as if she understood the surprise in my eyes.
“Did you know, Your Grace?”
“Huh…?”
“Now, I can see you a little bit better.”
“…”
“I really worked hard. Good job, right?”
Hearing that, I let out an unexpected laugh.
It was as if she could finally sense a fraction of my hidden strength by leveling up.
That she wanted me to applaud her for it.
“…I guess so…”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You truly worked hard. Well done.”
“Yes!”
With my playful praise, Dang So-yeol beamed, her joy palpable.
She seemed so cheerful that she bounced around a little, which was rather amusing to witness.
But soon enough, the wandering Tang So-yeol turned her gaze towards someone.
“But who is that person…?”
I followed her line of sight to see Seong-yul still awkwardly coughing.
Oops.
Suddenly, I realized I had to wear an embarrassed expression upon seeing him.
‘I forgot.’
Seong-yul was in quite the predicament, reeling from the backlash of Cheonsalseong.
I had nudged him, and now he was utterly dazed.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
‘I made a mess, so it’s on me to fix it.’
Even if there were extenuating circumstances, Seong-yul’s condition largely fell on my shoulders.
With that in mind, I shifted my focus to take responsibility.
As I walked towards Seong-yul, he gazed up at me with dazed eyes.
I assessed his condition for a moment.
“Umm…?”
Smash!
“Ugh!?”
I swung my hand at his head.
The direct hit was enough to knock Seong-yul out cold, sending him plummeting to the ground.
Thud.
Silence swept over the room as Seong-yul collapsed.
However, being such a long-awaited reunion, could my first greeting really be so violent?
I turned to Dang So-yeol and pointed toward Seong-yul.
“He’s a friend. Just a little under the weather today.”
“…”
Even I had to admit that excuse was rather flimsy.
Yet, upon hearing my words, Dang So-yeol burst out laughing.
Why?
Moreover, her smile carried an odd edge to it.
“Oh, I see!”
Her enthusiastic response rang out.
Watching Dang So-yeol’s expression, I realized something.
What to consider…
‘…I can’t help but feel relieved it’s just like it always is?’
Was it a look of relief?
That’s roughly what it looked like.
Somehow, that sight stirred a strange feeling in my heart.
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