Chapter: 949
A guy opens the door and appears, waving his hand.
My expression didn’t change as I looked at Mongmong.
Bright green hair. A cheerful expression that matched the hair color, and even the sparkling eyes.
It was exactly the same as what I saw during the day.
“It’s been a while since we last met?”
“It hasn’t been that long, though.”
“Hahaha. Is that so? Well, that’s how it is.”
He still looked as if he was out of his mind. He seemed quite excited about something, practically bubbling over with joy.
How did he suddenly show up?
That question didn’t cross my mind.
‘I knew you’d be around anyway.’
I hadn’t tried to sense anything, but I was sure he had been watching me.
I had confidence in that.
‘You must have already seen me.’
Once I began to suspect, he wouldn’t back off easily.
Even if he had confirmed something without realizing it and then left, he would definitely want to check again.
That was the foundation of my thoughts.
‘That’s right.’
It seemed my intuition was on point.
He had actually been watching me.
Confirming that, I spoke to him.
“You’re not from here, right? Is it really okay for you to just waltz into the prison like this?”
“Huh?”
Mongmong tilted his head at my words. He looked more innocent than I had anticipated, behaving in a way that matched his appearance.
But.
“Hey. There’s nowhere I can’t go in here.”
In stark contrast to that innocent demeanor,
I had no idea what could possibly be lurking inside that tiny body.
“You know that too.”
“…”
Mongmong smiled at me.
Hearing that made me hesitate for a moment.
“Have you heard from the black child? Who I am.”
“… Yeah, I heard.”
“Hahaha. That’s interesting.”
Mongmong stepped closer to the iron bars and said to me.
“But your head is still so stiff. How can you act that way knowing who I am?”
The green pupil seemed to slit vertically.
The moment I saw that, the hairs on my entire body stood on end.
Shiver.
It sent chills down my spine.
If I hadn’t restrained myself in that moment, I might have broken the chains and assumed a defensive stance.
Something stirred in my heart.
He seemed to be trying to show off his power as if he disapproved of my attitude.
He pressed down strongly, making it so I couldn’t lift my head.
Why does this kid keep pulling this stunt?
I wanted to force him to kneel down right now.
To slam him down so he couldn’t even think about raising his head.
I was screaming internally like that.
Whew…
I somehow managed to hold it together. At the same time, I inclined my head to Mongmong and attempted to be polite.
But.
“Ah, don’t do that. I was just joking.”
Before I could take action, Mongmong blocked me.
“Hey. I don’t like that sort of thing. It’s fine, just relax.”
“…”
He’s a funny character.
Just a moment ago, he was passive, and now he stops me as I try to move.
‘I guess you wanted to see how I would react.’
What would have happened if I hadn’t moved? From my perspective, it didn’t seem like a very pleasant situation would have arisen.
“Anyway. Iron Line.”
“…?”
“Iron Line?”
“Oh, yes.”
I reacted late.
Right, I had mentioned that idiot’s name, Ji-seon.
I had completely forgotten.
“Hmm.”
On that note, Mongmong looked at me with a strange expression.
He didn’t seem to register anything unusual.
Rather,
‘I know it’s a fake name, so at least pretend to be sincere.’
That was more or less the meaning behind that look.
‘He’s not an easy opponent.’
I felt like I might just laugh.
He may seem simple and carefree, but there was a sharpness in his eyes.
An attitude that suggested he was constantly trying to confirm something with me.
And even his gaze and breath.
It indicated that he hadn’t just come casually.
Then Mongmong chuckled softly.
“Well, that’s fine.”
He seemed to want to brush it off, as if it wasn’t important.
‘What the hell.’
I was aware that he would keep probing, so I didn’t let my guard down.
“Ah. It’s nothing major. I made a mistake earlier this afternoon, right?”
“That’s right.”
“… Ah… Uh-uh.”
When he answered without hesitation, I was momentarily taken aback.
“… So? I was wondering if I could help you if you needed it.”
“Helping me…?”
Right after he reacted as if intrigued, I spoke up.
“How can you help me?”
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
“If I ask you to let me go, will you let me go?”
“Oh, sure! That’s definitely possible.”
“Will the chief here allow that?”
“Huh?”
Mongmong looked perplexed by my words.
“Why would you need to ask for permission?”
His tone suggested he truly couldn’t understand.
“After all, this land is mine. There’s no need for such formalities.”
“…That’s true.”
He nodded.
From that obvious attitude, I sensed a lot of things quietly.
‘I’m starting to get a feel for what kind of guy he is.’
I had an inkling. I was beginning to understand what kind of being he was.
One, but the clues were still too sparse for certainty.
‘The shell is still thick.’
It was difficult to dig inside due to the thickness of the mask he wore.
Should I delve deeper into this matter? No, not yet.
“Okay, what should I do?”
He appeared genuinely willing to listen to everything.
Whatever I said, it seemed he would acquiesce.
Those eyes had a strangely pure yet sinister feel to them.
In fact, they were so innocent that it was almost unsettling.
“Hmm.”
After hearing that, I pretended to think for a moment.
Then I spoke to him.
“It’s fine.”
“Huh?”
As I declined, Mongmong’s eyes widened. He looked genuinely surprised.
“Why? Why are you refusing? I said I’d help you!”
“I don’t particularly need it, and I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Come on, it’s not a bother. I feel bad about causing you trouble!”
“Still…”
“Don’t worry, just tell me what you need!”
“… Hmm.”
As I rejected him, his tone shifted to that of someone asking for a favor.
I wondered what was behind that.
“… Then.”
I organized my reaction and spoke to him. As soon as I uttered the words, his eyes lit up.
“Can you let me meet the chief here?”
“Huh? The chief?”
Upon hearing that, Mongmong tilted his head in confusion. He no doubt didn’t understand why I suddenly wanted to meet the chief.
“Yes, the chief.”
“Why?”
“If I’m going to ask to leave, I’d like to speak directly with the chief… I have something to say when we meet.” “Something to say….”
At my words, Mongmong squinted slightly. I carefully observed his reaction.
It was a strange situation to suddenly say that I had something to discuss with the chief.
Besides, I was aware Mongmong was scrutinizing me closely. I knew that saying this would only invite further suspicion.
‘How will he react?’
It was almost as if I had said it just to gauge Mongmong’s response.
“… Hmmm.”
Mongmong thought for a moment before saying,
“Okay, let’s do that.”
“…”
He nodded lightly in acceptance. Watching that, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘I can’t figure out what’s going on in your head.’
He was pretending to be so innocent, yet he fit the part perfectly.
I couldn’t even discern what thoughts were brewing inside him.
That signified he wasn’t an easy contender.
Moreover.
‘… Their presence is becoming stronger and stronger.’
Perhaps it was due to nightfall. I felt the presence I had sensed from Mongmong gradually amplifying.
I recalled Noya’s words.
-The Moonlight Tribe grows stronger at night, and each general possesses their unique powers.
If so, did that mean that Mongmong—no, Yusa—not only grew stronger at night but also wielded powers?
Then.
‘Will I have a shot at winning if I fight at night?’
That was the fundamental question buzzing in my mind.
I felt that same thing when I had seen the chief, but could I really prevail against them at night?
That question remained unanswered.
So, I looked at Mongmong in front of me and pondered again.
‘Indeed.’
Could I really kill that guy? I scrutinized him, mulling over that thought.
Tsk…
The more I looked, the more my expression darkened.
I simply couldn’t grasp the situation. The fact that I was stumped proved my opponent was immensely strong.
‘Is it still too early?’
Even if my physical condition were perfect, it was uncertain. At the very least, it didn’t feel right at this moment.
“Then, can you summon him now?”
“… Yes, please.”
“Great! Just wait a moment!”
After Mongmong finished speaking, he closed the door and stepped outside.
Immediately, the presence vanished. Feeling that, I focused a bit more.
Was it truly gone, or was he perhaps hiding?
I contemplated those thoughts as I waited a little longer and then, when I felt it was enough, I gathered my energy.
Whoosh! I felt power surging from my heart as I shattered the chains binding my arms.
Snap!
There was a crisp sound as the chains snapped apart.
My hands and body were free. The suppression of my energy had vanished.
As soon as I confirmed that, I tightened my grip.
Chi—!
It felt more like filling the room with heat than merely lighting a fire.
I concentrated heat in the palm of my hand and brought it to a boil. In that state,
Chi—!!!
I grasped the bars lightly, and they started to melt. I used that to grab an end and tear it off.
Creeeak—!
I slipped outside through the gap I had created, then reattached the torn bars after taking a hold of them.
Since they had melted and I removed them, it wasn’t too difficult to affix them back.
I could easily conceal my actions by merely controlling the heat.
“Done.”
After securing the bars, I glanced at the heavenly horse inside.
She was sitting quietly, watching me.
Looking at her, I said,
“Do you remember what I mentioned earlier?”
The heavenly horse nodded.
“Just stay put. If anything occurs, just act as I instructed.”
“… When will you return?”
“I don’t think it’ll take long.”
“If you don’t come back, can I go looking for you?”
“…”
The implication of that was to tear apart all the bars and everything else to find me.
That was somewhat troublesome.
“If I say no, will you endure?”
“…”
There was no answer. Seeing that, I sighed.
“It’s best if you just wait.”
With that, I reached into my robes. And then,
[It certainly won’t take long.]
I pulled out my black uniform and a slightly cracked white mask and put them on my face.
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