Chapter 221: Omen (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 221: Omen (8)
I’d lost track of how many days I’d been trapped in this forest.
It was a vile space where I couldn’t distinguish night from day, making it impossible to tell.
All I could do was wait for more time to pass, utterly powerless to change my situation.
-And to make matters worse, I’m stuck with you.
-Why are you picking a fight when I didn’t do anything?
-You do it too, from time to time. Just bear with it.
-Have you finally lost your mind? Oh, wait, you never had one to begin with.
We walked for what felt like an eternity, bickering pointlessly all the while.
We both knew walking wouldn’t get us out of this space, but she insisted on it anyway. I had no idea what she was thinking, but I knew if I didn’t go along, she’d just glare daggers at me forever. So, I resigned myself to following her lead.
-Ugh… You crazy bitch.
-I can hear every word you’re saying.
-I’m saying it so you can hear. Please, by all means, listen.
Ever since the Snow Phoenix, Moyong Hi-ah, and I had become trapped here, we’d tried every method we could think of. In the end, we found no way to escape.
Food wasn’t an issue—we could hunt demons or insects. But the fact that we were just walking in circles, unable to leave the forest, was pushing my anger to its limit.
-This is fucking ridiculous. Why do I always end up in these shitty situations?
-Must you always resort to such vulgar language?
-Vulgar language, my ass. Do you really have to act so noble even now?
-Wow, I really don’t want to be associated with you… Are you truly a blood relative of a noble clan? It doesn’t seem like it, no matter how I look at you.
-The feeling is mutual, you bitch. Stop talking to me and just keep walking.
I was genuinely irritated, and this bitch was the primary cause.
Why, out of all people, did I have to be stuck with this annoying girl?
Then again, maybe she was better than the Sleeping Dragon. That guy was downright disgusting.
In some ways, they were equally terrible.
-What have you been mumbling to yourself for the past few minutes?
-Just ignore it and look forward. Why do you keep clinging to me?
-When did I ever cling to you? Do you have a death wish?
-How can you use such lowly words? Please speak nicely, my lady.
-…Wait. Stop right there. Don’t move.
-Yeah, I’m not listening to you.
This back-and-forth was so pointless it could hardly be called a conversation.
We had nothing in common, so getting along was impossible.
As I quickened my pace, almost as if running away from her, I glanced back and asked.
-Seriously, why do you keep trying to stick close to me?
-…When have I? Why would I want to stick close to someone like y-
-Exactly, why do you keep trying? Do you have a crush on me or something?
-I’ll kill you by ripping your mouth off.
-Alright, at least it doesn’t seem like that.
The murderous aura I felt just then was real.
She’d unleashed that much killing intent over a little joke…
-Then why are you acting like this?
-…
-I have eyes, you know. For you to say you’re not…
-You do?
-Are you a crazy bitch?
I clicked my tongue and turned my head away.
Seriously, what was her problem?
It felt like she’d been acting strange ever since we entered this forest.
Strangely, the distance between me and the Snow Phoenix had shrunk considerably.
The Snow Phoenix, who used to look at me like an insect and wouldn’t come near me, was now sticking uncomfortably close for some reason.
After thinking it over, I decided to ask her directly.
-Hey.
-What.
-Are you scared?
-…What?
The Snow Phoenix frowned as if she’d misheard me, but her reaction confirmed my suspicion.
-The darkness. Are you scared of it?
-Are you sick or something? Why are you spouting nonsense all of a sudden?
Despite her denial, I saw the rare sight of her pupils trembling.
Moreover, the hand rubbing her shoulders against the cold was moving faster.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but frown.
-No wonder you’ve been sticking to me like that.
-…I told you I’m not.
-Then screw off. Don’t stick to me anymore.
Her unusual proximity was beyond uncomfortable.
I didn’t care if I was right or not; I just wanted her to back off.
-…But what if we get separated if I move away?
-We’re already lost. What difference does it make if we stick together?
After all, we’d just end up back in the same spot anyway.
When I responded with a frown, the Snow Phoenix’s eyes narrowed further.
-As expected, you don’t seem to care about anyone except the Celestial Sword.
-What the hell are you talking about? Why bring her up now?
Had she gone crazy from not eating? Why mention the Celestial Sword out of the blue?
-Everyone knows except you—you’re quite weak when it comes to the Celestial Sword.
-Bullshit.
I moved away because her presence was uncomfortable. What did she mean, ‘weak against her’?
-Oh, I don’t mean martial arts. Everyone already knows you’re the weakest in that regard.
-You piece of…
I really wanted to turn around and smash her face in right then, but I barely held myself back.
Not that I would’ve won if I’d tried.
-It’s sickening being around you.
-What a coincidence. I feel the same way.
The Snow Phoenix turned her head away and kept talking, but I fiercely picked up my pace and changed direction.
If she really wasn’t following me, then we’d naturally get separated.
After walking through the foggy forest for a long time, I quietly mumbled to myself.
-What a crappy world.
That was the only thing that fit my situation.
-Am I going to die like this?
The words I muttered were terrifying to say so casually, yet I felt nothing when I spoke them.
It had been at least a week since I’d entered this forest.
Even without seeing the sun or moon, it felt that long.
If I really didn’t escape and died here…
-Then it was a pointless life.
I chuckled without meaning to.
Such a death seemed far too pathetic.
Rustle.
I pushed through the bushes.
I had no destination in mind.
Knowing I couldn’t escape no matter how far I walked, I was just looking for a place to rest.
Then, suddenly…
-Hmm?
Something felt different.
The path seemed unfamiliar compared to the ones I’d seen over the past few days.
Why was that?
I’d grown so accustomed to the route that I could navigate it with my eyes closed…
Yet now, it felt changed.
I kept walking.
A spark of hope ignited—perhaps the forest had shifted, offering a chance to escape. It made me feel a sense of urgency.
After passing through the trees and pushing past more bushes…
-What the…?
A space I’d never seen before lay before me.
-What is it? Did something happen?
Shortly after I stopped, the Snow Phoenix hurried over.
And she claimed she wasn’t going to follow me…
Of course, this wasn’t the time to nitpick.
When the Snow Phoenix looked in the same direction I was, her eyes widened into circles.
-…A cave?
Before us was a cave, the first we’d encountered.
It wasn’t very large, and it was pitch black, with no light penetrating the entrance.
I started toward it immediately.
-W-Wait!
As I headed for the cave, the Snow Phoenix called out urgently to stop me.
I glanced back slightly.
-What.
-…You’re thinking of going in there right now?
-Isn’t it obvious?
-How can you go in without knowing what’s inside?
A dark space where nothing could be seen.
She had a point. But as I tried to enter the mysterious cave, she stopped me.
Her concern was valid, yet I couldn’t understand her hesitation.
-Then, are you just going to stand here and wait to die?
-That’s not what I’m saying. We should first learn abo-
-Learn about it, my foot. You can do that yourself. I’m going in.
I was about to ignore her and enter when I noticed the Snow Phoenix’s face looked strange.
-Why is your face all red?
Hearing my question, she quickly covered her cheeks with her hands, as if to hide it.
-It’s nothing… I just feel a bit hot.
-Hot? You?
She was feeling hot? She was the type to wear a discarded coat even in sweltering heat.
-Bullshit. Stay here if you’re feeling unwell.
-…I told you I’m fine! Don’t concern yourself with me.
-Why are you shouting about it…!
Jeez, what a weird personality.
Leaving the Snow Phoenix behind, I headed for the cave.
Staying here offered no answers; I had to go inside and see if there was anything useful.
-No… Wait…!
As I plunged into the darkness, the Snow Phoenix, left alone, bit her lip.
-…Why, of all people, did I have to be left alone with him…!
Swallowing the boiling feeling inside, she hesitated for a moment before also heading toward the cave.
After all, she’d rather die than be left alone in this darkness.
And that’s where the problem began.
* * *
“Screw off.”
I covered my mouth the instant the words left my lips.
…I messed up.
My inner thoughts had swapped places with the response I’d intended to give.
I’d been trying so hard not to get involved with that damned girl.
I really am an idiot.
But it seemed my deeply ingrained instincts couldn’t contain themselves.
My emotions toward her had exploded.
Wait, this isn’t the time for this.
I had to quickly take back what I’d said.
“Uh, that’s not what I meant… I didn’t have a good breakfast this morning, so…”
As I flailed, trying to backtrack,
-Pff.
I heard laughter in front of me.
“Haha…!”
When I looked to see what it was…
“Hahaha!”
It was Moyong Hi-ah, unable to hold back her laughter.
She was doubled over, one hand covering her mouth, the other clutching her stomach.
“…It seems I’m not the only one who had a foul breakfast.”
What was wrong with her?
She’d just burst out laughing after I cursed at her. Had she eaten something bad?
“Uh… Lady Moyong.”
“Ha… Haha… Ah… I’m sorry.”
Finally regaining her composure, Moyong Hi-ah straightened her posture.
But it seemed she still couldn’t completely suppress her laughter, as I noticed her forcing her lips down.
“I couldn’t help it… I apologize.”
“…No problem. I apologize as well.”
“It seems Young Master Gu has misunderstood.”
“A misunderstanding?”
Asking me to spend the night with her was something anyone could misunderstand. Those words were self-explanatory.
[A misunderstanding, huh… I’d like to hear her explanation too.]
Elder Shin, please calm down…
Elder Shin’s voice was unusually serious, like a sword being quietly sharpened.
If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, I wondered what she was planning.
Moyong Hi-ah smiled, answering my curiosity.
“I merely wished to ask you to spend some time with me.”
“Some time? You clearly said ‘night’.”
“True. It seems I misspoke.”
Moyong Hi-ah smiled as if she’d chosen the wrong word, but I knew it was no mistake.
That girl had said exactly what she meant.
“Isn’t it a bit of a stretch to mistake ‘some time’ with ‘night’?”
“I had a foul breakfast.”
“Aha, so you’re using that against me now?”
This is why I don’t like clever people…
“…Whatever. Explain what you meant by ‘spending some time’ with me.”
“Young Master Gu is truly unique.”
“Why?”
“It’s strange that you don’t know. Is it because you have the Sword Dancer around you…”
Why was she bringing up Namgung Bi-ah all of a sudden?
When I narrowed my eyes at her, Moyong Hi-ah let out a light cough and changed the subject.
“I wanted to purchase your heat.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ve already received approval from the Gu Clan’s Lord.”
“Wait… You want to buy my… No, you got approval from my father?”
What kind of nonsense was unfolding?
She wants to buy my heat?
“Yes, the Lord gave his approval… and I wished to purchase a portion of your heat.”
“…What do you mean, ‘buy my heat’? What will you pay with?”
“I’ve prepared something valuable, but if that doesn’t satisfy you… Then I suppose with my body?”
She said it with her head tilted, feigning innocence, but to me, it was anything but. It made me take a step back.
[I’ve heard that those born lucky get things even when they do nothing. What a crappy life this is.]
Is this really important right now?
[Only you would find something like this unimportant, you rotting piece of shit…!]*
I was used to Elder Shin’s rage, so I set it aside for now.
Though he did sound harsher than usual… Oh, right, because she’s a Moyong.
“So you want to… buy my… No.”
“Is it not possible?”
“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but what do you intend to do with it?”
“Then I suppose it’s settled. I will return later.”
“What kind of nons… Where are you going…? Hey! Where are you going!”
After saying all she needed to, Moyong Hi-ah left with her servants.
I considered stopping her to ask more, but I knew she’d just twist her words even if I did.
“She wants to buy my heat…?”
Buy it, my ass. Did she think my heat was some kind of object?
I saw Wi Seol-Ah running toward me from a distance with a towel to wipe my sweat, but who cared about mere sweat?
I needed to see Father right away.
* * *
“What is it?”
When I entered the Lord’s room, nearly kicking the door open, Father looked at me with a curious expression.
I got straight to the point.
“Lady Moyong came to me and said she wanted to buy something from me. Do you know what she’s talking about?”
I’d come here because Moyong Hi-ah claimed she had Father’s approval.
Though there’s no way Father would agree to something so absurd…
Who buys heat? It sounded insane even to me.
“Yes.”
“Right? It’s something you don’t know anyth—…What?”
“I told her she may.”
“That she’s allowed to buy my heat?”
“There is no buying or selling. The deal is already concluded.”
“Why didn’t you ask for my opini—“
As I began to argue, frustrated he’d done this without my consent, Father took a letter from his drawer and handed it to me.
“These are the terms agreed upon with the Moyong Clan.”
“…Why are you giving this to me now?”
“Everything written in that letter pertains to your heat.”
Hearing that, I looked down at the letter.
What kind of grand trade had he made…
“…”
I fell silent the moment I read it.
The terms of the trade were overwhelming.
It involved their precious silk, which they rarely traded, and even their clothing business built upon that silk.
…Has the Moyong Clan gone insane?
Otherwise, this was impossible to comprehend.
“The details will be explained to you separately later.”
“…Wha— Do I have to keep my flame lit all day or something? You know I’ll soon be entering closed-door training, right?”
The trade was so beneficial to our clan that acting as a human bonfire almost seemed reasonable.
But aside from that, I was about to enter seclusion and then head to the frontlines. I couldn’t fathom why the Moyong Clan would make such a deal.
“The deal was made with those issues already resolved. It is fine.”
“I don’t see how it’s fine… Furthermore, no matter how I look at it, this is…”
“A portion of the herbs and money mentioned in the letter will be allocated to you.”
“Then it’s fine. I’ll work hard.”
[…What a crazy bastard you are.]*
On second thought, this wasn’t something I needed to worry about.
But why me, of all people?
I knew a little about Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.
Her body was slowly being consumed by her Ice Qi.
It was an ailment even the Immortal Healer couldn’t cure, let alone other physicians.
Did she want my heat because of that?
But for me to make that claim…
Looking at our clan’s Fire Arts, Father was here, and there were many other fire practitioners. Why choose me?
My heat probably wouldn’t even help Moyong Hi-ah.
I knew this from my past life’s experience.
My heat couldn’t reach her.
Even if it did, it wouldn’t be enough to melt her coldness…
Did she see something else in me?
After all, since regressing, I possessed the Heavenly Demon’s power, the ability to cleanse Demonic Qi, and the power to absorb other energies.
With all these absurd changes, the thought crossed my mind that my heat might have changed too.
Is that why Moyong Hi-ah chose me, out of everyone?
If by some chance my heat could help her condition…
I could understand why the Moyong Clan would spend so much.
But what I couldn’t understand was Moyong Hi-ah’s reaction.
Her demeanor, which seemed almost playful, was drastically different from the Moyong Hi-ah of my past life.
It was unsettling.
If this is really happening, does that mean Moyong Hi-ah will be staying here for a long time?
Just the thought sent a chill down my spine.
…No, with my closed-door training and the battlefield, I’ll have plenty of places to escape to.
The Moyong Clan also said they’d handle things, so it should be manageable during those times.
As I was lost in thought…
Elder Shin suddenly mumbled.
[It reminds me of something I said in the past.]
What?
[When I said you were collecting girls with all sorts of hair colors.]
…
[That’s exactly what’s happening now. This crappy world. A lucky guy like you, who can’t even chew because he’s lacking teeth, still gets spoon-fed.]*
Elder Shin began muttering to himself as if he’d lost his mind.
Meanwhile, I had to think about Moyong Hi-ah.
About whether I should tell Wi Seol-Ah or Namgung Bi-ah about her.
…Whether I tell them or not…
I couldn’t see a good outcome either way.
So much so that I’d rather begin my closed-door training ahead of schedule.