#45 They Say the One Hit in the Back of the Head is a Legend
Kang-ho rarely showed interest. Druids are truly rare even on the Mu continent. They're a tiny minority here too, since they rarely show themselves unless it's something major.
"Legends?" Kang-ho prompted, and Phantom continued slowly, watching him.
"All sorts. In the south, tales of a four-tailed White Fang fending off a disaster. In the north, one that turned human and lived in a village..."
"......"
Kang-ho sank into thought. 'Tails grant more power as they increase.' That made perfect sense. For instance, Seol-a had gained one by absorbing demonic energy.
Absorption.
Suddenly, it clicked for Kang-ho. 'I see.'
It resembled the power of the Eternal Crystal from the Demon Realm.
"And in the west, a five-tailed one opened a gate to another world one day and vanished through it. All just legends passed down. White Fangs are rare enough, but subspecies? You might see one once in a lifetime."
"Oh ho." Kang-ho's eyes sparkled.
-It had five tails!
Johanna had mentioned it once.
Nyeng!
Suddenly, Seol-a wriggled out from under the bedsheets and hopped onto Kang-ho's head. She'd grown quite a bit now. She wobbled unsteadily atop his messy hair, paws slipping, before sliding sadly into his arms with a pout.
"......"
Phantom let out a sigh, her face stunned. "Out of all those legends... none mentioned one that follows a human around like this."
Choi Kang-ho. The man shrouded in mystery had gone public recently during King's ranking match. Since then, the internet had exploded with talk of him and King. Especially on Eternals, the Awakener community hub—it was a nonstop hot topic.
SS-rank matchups—who wins? Most Eternals threads started there. Top Awakeners' lives were everyone's dream. Sure, anyone could awaken, but touching the SS world? Rare as hell. Their fights were endless entertainment.
But.
King vs. Pyro footage topped Eternals' charts. Daily viewers turned it into a madhouse. Choi Kang-ho and King's popularity soared.
With all the reposts, eyes drifted to an unexpected figure.
Before long, Theo's nickname was NapeVictim.
"......"
Phantom stared blankly at Theo, then nodded with an "Ah."
"You're that guy...? Face wasn't clear, so I didn't recognize."
NapeVictim Remix
"NapeVictim."
Pfft. Kang-ho covered his mouth.
Theo shot Kang-ho and King a baffled look. King pretended to gaze at distant mountains; Kang-ho turned his head slightly.
At Theo's demanding glare, King hesitantly pulled up a YouTube video. The nape-hit scene—with a loud SMACK! added.
Energetic music synced to endless nape replays.
Theo stared at his phone in disbelief, hand clamping his mouth.
Not just one. The net was NapeVictim's world now.
Kang-ho cleared his throat awkwardly.
"About the Druid treasure—"
Kang-ho opened his mouth, but Theo barked.
"......"
Kang-ho silently patted Theo's shoulder.
Phantom watched them amusedly, hesitating on Kang-ho's question.
"The clan must've reclaimed it."
She flinched at his words.
"You can go now."
"......"
She lingered, gathering gear, then eyed her pajamas hesitantly.
"Here."
She took them blankly.
"......Pardon?"
"I'll drop you off."
* * *
She eyed the massive Shabel Tiger.
"This Shabel Tiger... as expected."
Her gaze fell on the black scarf tied to Furball's chin. The mysterious one from the penthouse.
Krreung—
Furball panted happily, licking her cheek. He clearly loved his new ribbon.
"He took a real shine to it."
"Uh......"
She glanced at Kang-ho.
"But dropping me off means...?"
"Hop on."
She climbed atop Furball hesitantly, and he bolted like a gale.
Whiiish—!
Objects blurred to mush at that speed. Tongue lolling, Furball accelerated further, panting gleefully.
"Wh-where are we—"
Suddenly, she gawked at the scenery. Ganghwa Island.
'How does he know?'
Furball veered naturally onto Ganghwa. The sea breeze carried scarce human traces. Modern Korea crammed 90% into big cities. Ganghwa held war's scars.
Legions crawling from the sea. Ruined buildings loomed grotesquely.
Furball hugged the coast; her heart raced.
'He knows the Druids' secret hideout.'
Official spot: Yeongdeungpo 15th Street guild. This was top-secret.
Sensing her anxiety, Kang-ho spoke. "Relax. Thought I'd see Niva while dropping you."
Niva! Her eyes widened.
"You know the Elder?"
"It's been a while."
Vrooom!
Furball charged into low hills. Kang-ho hopped off grinning. "Good job, Furball. Hang nearby."
Krreung!
Furball nodded. Phantom blinked dazedly.
"This is... the clan's... ultra-secret..."
"I know."
Kang-ho strode in. Nature's power pulsed instantly.
Whoosh—!
Trees and roots shimmered oddly. Translucent figures flickered. Spirits.
Like fairies, yet different. Only chosen wielded them—like Mu's Druids.
Colorful spirits peeked from the woods, eyes wary and curious.
Slither— Vines snaked toward Kang-ho. Trees swayed alive; bugs and birds hushed.
Then—
"Enough!"
A booming voice from deep within halted all threats. Spirits fully emerged.
They resembled shrunken humans. Young ones stubby-limbed, big-headed. Elders near-human, trailing pastel afterimages when moving.
Nyeng!
Seol-a perked curiously from his arms. Kang-ho smiled, setting her down.
She eyed the spirits, tails wagging furiously.
Soon, the voice's owner appeared. Thick brush parted willfully for an elderly woman. Wrinkled face, eyes closed, smile gentle.
"Choi Kang-ho, my old friend."
"Niva."
Niva, the Druid elder.
"Doing well?"
She nodded. "Always with nature. You're unchanged."
Kang-ho pointed at stunned Phantom behind. "Circumstances."
Niva eyed her, nodding. "Worried, but you're safe thanks to him. Come."
Phantom toddled forward. Niva placed a hand on her head.
Whoosh—!
Nature's energy flowed in. Her eyes brightened.
"Um... how do you know him...?"
Niva smiled warmly at her whisper. "An old friend who helped greatly long ago."
Kang-ho smiled wryly. "Told you to forget."
"Thanks for saving her. Truly... but I've burdened her too much."
Niva's eyes clouded with regret.
"......"
Phantom just gazed silently.
"Rest well, child. Kang-ho, tea?"
"Sure."
Kang-ho followed slowly. Forty years back, mid-war, he'd saved Elder Niva.
The forest was fantastical. Silver dust sparkled; foliage swayed alive. Spirits frolicked.
Spotting young ones, Seol-a dashed over, bowing low. Tails whipped wildly.
"A White Fang... subspecies?"
"Hatched from an egg left by fire."
"Hoo..."
Niva stared, extending a hand.
Hek!
Seol-a whipped around, body-slamming into Niva's arms.
"Lively one."
"Beastkin granny was wary."
Niva chuckled heartily. Kang-ho asked while walking. "Reclaimed the Druid treasure?"
"Yes."
"Show me?"
"......"
Niva paused, turning. She smiled, nodding. "To a friend, anytime."
A massive oak towered centrally. Beneath: stone table, root chairs shaped by nature.
Soon, warm tea appeared. Handing Kang-ho a cup, Niva drew a small box from her bosom.
Click!
Inside: an emerald stone.
"......"
Kang-ho knew its twin: Eternal Crystal.
◈ Essence of the 2nd Dimension 'Mu Continent'
◈ Primal power of creation and evolution
"Our clan's treasure. Its mere presence sways eras. Alluring power... but—"
Niva grew grave. "Never awaken it. That's the legend. All who did met tragic ends—save one."
Kang-ho nodded. "One?"
"Central Forest's High Priest. Only he wielded it."
"Hmm... How many on Mu?"
"......"
Niva pondered. "East, west, south, north, central clans each guarded one. Long ago."
Kang-ho reached slowly. Niva watched silently.
At that moment—
Flash—!
Light burst from Seol-a playing with spirits afar.
"......!"
Her eyes blazed starry. Light popped from her body as she bolted to Kang-ho.
Nyeng! Nyeng!