Shadows in the Dark
Thump, clink.
Ran gently set down the teacup after ending the connection to the contact mirror.
“I apologize for interrupting our conversation. A sudden call came for my dear subordinate.”
“No, since the matter is settled, it’s fine. Speaking of dear subordinates… the one who protected the clan’s children in Seo-Wangdo, is it?”
“Yes. To be on the safe side, I sent this friend secretly to them.”
“Your trust in that person is remarkable.”
“Of course. With this friend, he will surely take his place among the Pillars in the future. I have no doubts about that.”
A mere half month after taking his seat among the Seven Pillars, to receive such an evaluation from Ran.
* * *
One, Arirang Peltix felt interest in Jubern.
“Since you say so, my curiosity toward that person stirs as well.”
Peltix had come to handle his business and thought he might share a drink and chat with the others, but
“Hmm?”
He met Wolhyang’s sharp gaze directed straight at him.
Fortunately, Peltix was not so lacking in perception that he missed the meaning in Wolhyang’s eyes.
“True to form.”
Peltix smiled faintly, a smile no one would notice, then downed the lukewarm tea in front of him in one gulp and rose.
“Thank you for the tea. It was enjoyable after a long time. I’ll see you again sometime. Don’t go out for a while.”
“I’ll be careful. I hope you can find Six Weeks. I’ll investigate Six Weeks’s whereabouts in every way I can.”
After Peltix left, and only Ran and Wolhyang remained, Wolhyang flushed as they were left alone, fidgeting with her eyes.
* * *
What on earth are you doing over there?
The person wearing a robe had been subtly avoiding the patrols and circling the same spot for some time now.
“Tch.”
The thief suddenly concealed himself behind the tallest building nearby, then vanished from view.
Did they notice my presence? It might be the only clue. I can’t leave this person behind. No choice. I’ll have to approach closely and check.
Tap.
After leaping down from the roof, I suppressed every sound and crouched, leaping across the rooftops like a flying squirrel.
Upon landing lightly on the ground, I hurried through the alleys until I reached the spot where the thief’s hidden building was visible.
Because of the curfew, the streets of Dongye were completely deserted.
The footsteps of the distant patrols and the sound of my own heartbeat were the only things reaching my ears.
I swallowed hard and slowly closed the distance to the building, but no presence could be felt there at all.
This can’t be. I saw him there with my own two eyes a moment ago. What happened?
Caught off guard by the situation deviating from my expectations, I completely forgot that I should be careful.
I simply thought I had to find the thief and was about to turn the corner ahead when
“You’re late?”
A strange voice from directly behind wrapped around my entire body.
Startled, I quickly lowered my upper body. Something brushed past my back with a whooshing sound.
Crack!
The wall, scraped by something, collapsed tragically as if hit by a disaster.
The danger of exposing my back to the enemy. I spun my body and tried to thrust out my leg, but the thief easily blocked it with one arm.
The touch at my toes felt as hard as hitting a stone, making my feet tingle.
I withdrew my leg and created distance. The thief smirked and let out a low exclamation.
“Heh, your movements aren’t half bad?”
I hadn’t noticed because my mind was in a daze earlier, but hearing that voice… this person seems to be a woman.
“You’re late. Were you waiting for me?”
“Heh, I’ve been irritated lately by how you keep poking around everywhere.”
It was a lure… or was it? Anyway, it seems the latter. The criminal fits too.
“Who are you? Why did you do this? What did you do with the people you kidnapped?”
“Too many questions. But rather than being curious about such things right now, shouldn’t I be more concerned for you? Well, anyway, you’re about to die, so it doesn’t matter if I tell you.”
The thief lazily licked their thin fingers and maintained a relaxed posture, with no preparatory movements, then stomped the ground.
In a single leap, the thief reached close to my nose and swung their leg.
Unforeseen. With walls blocking both sides, there was no time to dodge.
“Crap…!”
I desperately tried to block it, but the thief’s Cheneung far exceeded my expectations.
Crash!
Receiving the thief’s power, my body didn’t just fly—it smashed through a house’s wall and fence.
Tsk. Why is my body so tough? It feels like I’ve been struck by a huge steel beam. I don’t think it’s possible with just strength.
“Kyaaah!”
The family who had just been going to sleep saw me bursting through the wall and screamed, throwing whatever they could grab.
“Ugh…! Calm down.”
Tap tap.
Seeing the thief approaching from beyond the collapsed fence, I tried to get the people to evacuate, but they, whether frightened or not believing my words, stood rooted in place, gripping whatever weapons they had.
…I’m going to lose my mind and jump.
“Oh! Even after hitting that, you’re fine? Amazing?”
In the end, the thief crossed the broken rubble and stepped inside the house.
The thief’s fluttering clothes touched the floor, and the people in the corner finally realized the situation.
Not to the point of despair, but an unfavorable one. Fighting alone, beating such an opponent would be easy, yet I had to protect them while fighting.
If I had Ineung like Teraden or Blanser…
No. In this severely disadvantaged situation, thinking such thoughts—what is that supposed to mean? Focus on what must be done now.
Keeping them safe until I sense the others coming to support.
I took a deep breath, gripped my throbbing arms, and blocked the trembling people in front of me.
I couldn’t leave them and run away alone.
Thus, another fierce fight broke out inside the house.
* * *
Dok. Dok.
“Ugh…!”
Blood from the torn forehead obstructed my vision.
Having lost considerable blood, my mind was hazy and my body felt like soaked cotton.
The thief, upon realizing I was protecting unrelated people, instead of targeting me, doggedly pursued the others behind me.
Probably judging that would be more effective at knocking me down.
Wherever my blood was scattered, they grew even more terrified.
I maintained maximum composure and tried to reassure them.
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“Haa, hah… What a tough guy. Thanks to protecting those humans behind me, it ended sooner than I thought.”
“Well, it seems it won’t go exactly as you want.”
In the completely empty, quiet streets of Dongye, causing such a commotion—how could no one have noticed?
“Hey! I finally got you!”
Someone who had noticed the commotion here earlier and arrived relatively close blocked the way.
From the rough mouth, it seemed Teraden had come.
“Eh? Ya, your body…?”
Teraden had been grinning at the thief’s back, but upon seeing me, blood-soaked and rags, his body stiffened.
“You bastard!”
Teraden’s face twisted like crumpled paper as he roared and charged at the thief.
“Heh, what is this guy now?”
Seeing Teraden charge, the thief casually extended their leg like they had done to me.
Clang!
Metal clashed as the thief’s leg met Teraden’s Hwigwang.
“You idiot, you handed it over on a silver platter. Nice catch. You’re dead.”
Although pushed back half a step, Teraden grabbed the thief’s ankle with a wicked smile.
“Ugh?!”
The thief, caught by Teraden’s ankle, screamed and half-collapsed.
It was only a momentary opening, but the thief couldn’t balance properly and staggered, and Teraden didn’t miss the chance.
With no options left due to the ankle being caught, the thief allowed the unhindered attack.
Crack!
Teraden’s foot struck the thief’s face, bending their head so the hat flew backward.
“Horns? What the hell are those? You have horns like the ones from Seo-Wangdo? Are you a yokai too?”
The yokai who shook off Teraden and leaped back had a face twisted in shock.
“You… You! How did you get that power?!”
“Why do all of you react so strongly just at the sight of my Ineung? What, if I use the same power as you, does it scare you?”
“How dare you…!”
Pop-pop-pop!
“There it is! Hurry!”
“We can’t let it escape! Protect the people from Gukhak!”
At that moment, the commotion drew every defense unit and patrol from Dongye. Almost all soldiers rushed here.
“H-hii!”
The situation had reversed against her. She bit her lips tightly and gracefully somersaulted, landing on the wall top.
She seemed about to escape the area, but Blanser didn’t let her.
“You dare harm my brother!”
Crunch.
Blanser’s powerful fist struck her side. The sound of breaking bones accompanied the yokai crashing to the ground.
Because Blanser had thrown her far, the yokai spat blood and barely stood up to flee, but
“Catch it!”
The Dongye soldiers pursued.
Soon after, the arriving companions saw my appearance and couldn’t keep their mouths shut.
“Hey, what is this? Are you okay?”
“Ai-o! Hyung Haru! What kind of mess is this?”
“I have no words, Lord Haru. Our response was too late, and…”
Why is everyone so flustered? Is my condition that bad?
Surrounded, I shook my hand wildly to show them I was fine.
“I’m fine. Lieutenant Yebaek. And stop the nonsense. I’m only tired from losing blood. I’m okay otherwise.”
“Um…”
After calming the people, I thought to take a breath, but this time a child behind me pulled my collar carefully.
The trembling I felt and the dried tear marks on the cheeks clearly conveyed the fear and terror the child had felt.
The people behind me bowed their heads repeatedly, offering thanks.
But did I really deserve their gratitude?
No, I had no right to receive their thanks.
If I had been stronger, these people who had been living peacefully wouldn’t have been struck by lightning today.
“Kkheuk…! Thank you… Huu…”
“Thank you so much…! You are the savior of our family’s lives!”
“…”
While hesitating to accept their thanks, Teraden, who didn’t understand my feelings, poked me lightly and teased.
“Hey, what are you doing? You said you’re grateful.”
I smiled bitterly, barely suppressing the guilt rising to my chin, and clasped their hands with a bright smile.
“Thank you for your safety. I’m grateful.”
* * *
“Ugh…!”
Jubern, gripping the sword handle with trembling hands while watching everything, swallowed a painful groan.
Haru had only been watching as the yokai approached him. He was now beyond anger and quite furious.
“If only Teraden-nim had been a little later… I almost disobeyed orders and left my seat.”
Jubern wanted nothing more than to leap out in one stride and sever the yokai’s neck. No, he had probably already done so.
“Hoo.”
“Then even now? No. Calm yourself. This is a trial only the Lord’s strength can overcome. Unfortunately, my duty is merely to observe.”
With great effort, Jubern calmed his anger and turned his gaze from the yokai fleeing from the soldiers, clutching his broken arm.