Namgung Mir (2)
Thud. Thud.
The four of them were heading toward the person referred to as the "guild leader." Kang Him-chan and Ye Dongtak led the way, providing protection and guidance. Behind them, Choi Siwoo walked side by side with the orange-haired girl, Ryu Chae-hwa.
The girl had a tiny frame that barely reached 130cm, with a young, innocent face. She looked like a cheeky rascal now, but Choi Siwoo, who knew her future, couldn't stop the image of her as an adult from flickering in his mind.
"…Ah, so Ryu Chae-hwa, you're like a special hire, then?"
"Y-yeah. My 'unique ability' is super rare for detection and calculations… So the guild leader saw my potential and offered me the job directly. I accepted right away."
"In that case, could you mimic the movements of veterans who've handled weapons for years?"
The unexpected question made Ryu Chae-hwa blink rapidly. She crossed her arms with a thoughtful "Hmm…" that radiated an adorable cuteness befitting her age.
"Uh, probably something like that. But stuff that requires a lot of skill and insight—like swords or spears that geniuses wield—would be impossible."
Ryu Chae-hwa counted on her fingers, spreading them out one by one.
"Yeah. Probably… ranged weapons. Especially guns, I bet you'd handle those best. Of course, you'd need a specialist to observe and mimic over a long time."
"…I see."
Choi Siwoo recalled how Ryu Chae-hwa had doggedly followed future Ohana around. Thinking about it, the timeline matched—the time when her appearance had started resembling Ohana's, almost like a perfect copy.
'……'
A complex, subtle emotion stirred unrest in his heart. Lowering his head, the image of Ryu Chae-hwa's final moments flashed before Choi Siwoo's eyes. Her vacant gaze staring at him. Her severed head rolling on the ground, eyes still seeking an answer until the end.
While Choi Siwoo suffered in silence, Ryu Chae-hwa fidgeted with her fingers and stole glances at his profile.
'He's… so handsome.'
The girl hid her flushed face and took a deep breath inwardly. She looked like any young girl, but Ryu Chae-hwa believed her mental age rivaled most adults. It wasn't mere arrogance—just objective fact, proven by her time at school.
'They're all so childish…'
Boys her age only fought over who was stronger, while girls whispered about her being an orphan. If she hadn't awakened her ability young and had a cute appearance, she'd surely have been bullied.
'Idiots…'
Having endured this environment for years, she naturally saw her peers as immature. She wanted to grow up fast. Society's laws and overprotection felt like shackles to her.
That's why Choi Siwoo fascinated her. Her investigation said he was 17… What was with that composure? He seemed far more mature than the two burly men ahead.
'He's cool…'
Beyond his looks… how to put it? She sensed an inexplicable loneliness from him.
'He must've walked a tough path.'
Mature beyond her years, Ryu Chae-hwa could tell. The loneliness, wounds, and tragic emotions hidden in his expressionless face made her young heart pound.
She knew it didn't make sense, but… she wanted to protect him. Ashamed of the inexplicable pull, she heard chuckling voices from ahead.
They'd turned around at some point—Kang Him-chan and Ye Dongtak were looking at Ryu Chae-hwa.
"Heh heh~ This little squirt's all quiet now that she's met a handsome oppa?"
"Agreed. Blushing like that, she really does act her age."
Ryu Chae-hwa bristled at their words. Her face flushed red like a ripe persimmon, betraying her childish embarrassment.
"U-Uncle! What kinda talk is that outta nowhere?!"
"Why are we uncles and this young guy's an oppa, huh?"
"'Cause… you're uncles, so uncle it is."
Ryu Chae-hwa replied nonchalantly, glancing at Choi Siwoo once more. His puzzled gaze looking down made her heart thump.
"O-Oppa’s… oppa, so oppa."
"Damn, the favoritism's off the charts."
"Agreed. Ryu Chae-hwa, we told you—we're early twenties."
"Doesn't matter. You look thirties."
At the girl's final jab, the two men's shoulders slumped. They muttered privately about grabbing drinks after work.
Watching the trio bicker, Choi Siwoo felt an inexplicable pang.
'…Even back then, they were like this.'
Just younger and smaller. The group was exactly as he remembered. Closing his eyes, Choi Siwoo silently followed their lead.
Ten minutes later.
A sudden shift in mana flow made him flinch instinctively.
'…Warp gate?'
A teleportation ritual activating just by crossing a room… Namgung Mir's technological prowess was more impressive than expected.
"Oho~ Young friend, you noticed?"
"Yeah. Incredible magic ritual."
"Haha. This little one's handiwork. Though Namgung provided the materials."
Startled by Kang Him-chan's words, Choi Siwoo looked anew at Ryu Chae-hwa. Designing something like this confirmed her talent was extraordinary.
'Come to think of it, she said she'd been scouted everywhere since she was little…'
Under his gaze, the embarrassed girl yelped.
"D-Don't say unnecessary stuff!"
She cleared her throat with a "Ahem!" and hurried ahead.
"We're here."
"…The guild leader's in there?"
"Yes. Inside."
A chirping bird and fresh air greeted them. Gazing at the tiled house before him, Choi Siwoo nodded calmly. As expected, she was here for recuperation.
'In other words…'
She wasn't mentally or physically stable.
Ryu Chae-hwa grabbed the doorknob and knocked lightly.
"Guild leader! I brought the guest! The one you mentioned!"
Silence. Puzzled, she tilted her head. As she went to knock again—
Choi Siwoo dashed like lightning, scooping the girl into his arms.
"Eek?!"
"Quiet."
Kang Him-chan and Ye Dongtak caught on a beat late to his action.
"Damn it! Young friend, fall back!"
Right after Kang Him-chan's shout, an ominous energy seeped through the door crack.
BAM!
A fierce gale shattered the doorframe. -GRRROOOAR!
A deep green wind dragon surged before them, baring its fangs with murderous intent.
Choi Siwoo's hand went to his waist. A flash like lightning—a straight sword strike cleaved the dragon, sending it skyward.
Admiration came from behind.
"…Couldn't even see it?"
"Guess we were still underrating him big time."
Ignoring them, he entered the room.
Clank! Chains rattled.
A woman with glowing red eyes emanated feral fury.
"Grrr…!"
Beast-like growls. Drool dripping between bared teeth. On all fours like a prowling animal. She looked rabid.
"…Long time no see."
"Graa!"
She lunged again. Choi Siwoo sidestepped effortlessly. No rationality left—just berserk rage. She was no match for him now.
THUD!
He grabbed her head and slammed it into the floor.
"GRAAACK!!"
Despite the impact, her screams continued. He hurriedly rummaged at his waist, pulling out a syringe labeled [Jeon Eunbyeol's Love!] and jabbing it into her neck.
The injected fluid spread like veins. Eyes rolled back, she went limp in his arms.
Moments later, Ryu Chae-hwa approached from behind, swallowing hard. The girl alternated glances between the unconscious woman and Choi Siwoo, subtly channeling faint mana.
"…What did you inject?"
Her tone held suspicion. Choi Siwoo smiled reassuringly and handed her another syringe instead of answering.
"…This?"
"No need for lengthy explanations. With your ability, you'll know right away."
"W-Wait a sec."
Faint blue mana spread over her body. Admiring her talent at such a young age was fleeting—her eyes widened impossibly.
"Wh-what the hell… Who the heck made this? How—"
"—How does it suppress madness? Specifically the Dragon's Curse, right?"
"Y-yes, how…"
"Hold on first."
Cradling the woman, Choi Siwoo gently laid her under the blanket. He wiped the cold sweat from her pained face with his fingertips.
'It was green back then too.'
He brushed back her deep greenish-gray hair. Her beautiful face bore mismatched freckle-like scars. Crackle. The scar around her right eye grew slightly, resembling a coiled baby dragon.
'Namgung Ryun.'
Reunited, a bitter smile tugged at Choi Siwoo's lips.
"I see."
Ryu Chae-hwa, sitting primly, nodded slowly.
"So now… the deal?"
"Exactly."
Choi Siwoo pulled a small case from his pocket, revealing dozens of syringes like the one he'd used on Namgung Ryun.
"Sorry, I can't explain the source. It's from a friend who whips these up like nothing… You get it, right?"
"Understood."
Sipping tea, Ryu Chae-hwa showed poise unbelievable for her age.
"Then about the disease in the email… the origin of the guild leader's illness—you can't reveal that either?"
"Yeah, hard to explain. But no spies in Namgung, so rest easy."
"…I'll trust you. We have no other options anyway."
"I have a few questions too."
Choi Siwoo glanced at the unconscious Namgung Ryun. Painful groans escaped her lips.
"You three are the only ones who know her condition fully?"
The group nodded in agreement.
"Yes. Some suspicions, but only we three know for sure."
"…Suspicions from…"
"Do you know the power dynamics tangled with Namgung Mir?"
He shook his head. Even with past-life memories, he hadn't been directly involved.
"Just that Namgung Ryun is the head."
As Ryu Chae-hwa opened her mouth to explain—
Choi Siwoo turned at her stiffened gaze, noticing Namgung Ryun struggling to rise with a pained expression.
"Guild leader!"
Ryu Chae-hwa rushed to support her.
"Cough… cough…"
Blood flecked Namgung Ryun's palm from the harsh coughing.
"…You're the one who sent the email?"
"Yes."
"…Younger than I thought. Really 17?"
Sighing, she bowed her head deeply.
"Sorry about earlier. I wasn't in my right mind."
"It's fine. If talking's hard, we can—"
"No."
Interrupting, Namgung Ryun met his eyes with grave intensity. Despite her severe injuries, her presence as leader of a top-10 guild commanded inner awe.
"I'll explain what Ryu Chae-hwa was about to say."
Choi Siwoo nodded, listening intently to what followed.