Chapter 102
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102
So-ya, who had grown in an instant, stared at the woman and clenched her fists.
—The problem is the Illusion of the Dead. It tries to bewitch visitors and trap them in the swamp.
—Many have fallen into the swamp after being trapped in illusions, so you must be careful, Baby Bird.
The words the Divine Beasts had spoken to her moments ago echoed in her mind.
The Illusion of the Dead…
The woman before her was merely an illusion of someone already deceased.
As a child, So-ya had always been curious about this woman and had longed to see her. However, even at a young age, she couldn't easily show her feelings, fearing her family would be saddened if they knew how much she missed her mother.
Thus, all So-ya could do was secretly hug the things her mother had left behind under her covers before falling asleep.
"So-ya?"
Sensing the change in So-ya’s demeanor, the woman gave an awkward smile and reached out toward her.
But So-ya took a step back.
Because of that, the woman’s hand failed to reach her and dropped back down.
Staring straight at the woman, who hesitated for a moment, So-ya spoke in a clear, steady voice.
"The mother who gave birth to me left this world worrying about me until the very end."
She knew that the moment she uttered the next words, the illusion before her would vanish. Even though she now knew it was a fake…
"What’s wrong, my child… did Mommy make a mistake?"
The woman’s eyes drooped sorrowfully, her expression filled with concern. That look made So-ya’s heart ache with sadness.
If she were truly alive, would she have looked at her with such an expression?
The touch that had stroked her hair and the warmth of the embrace that had held her tight were so cozy and gentle. They were exactly as cozy and gentle as So-ya had wished for all this time.
Perhaps that was why even an illusion felt so heartbreaking.
"That is why you, who are trying to trap me here…"
I probably won't be able to see you again, even as an illusion.
Despite knowing this, So-ya had to say it.
Because…
Her father was waiting for her outside.
The person she loved most in the world, her most reliable shield, was waiting for her even at this very moment, standing against the pouring legion of demonic beasts.
"…are not my mother."
In that instant, the woman’s eyes wavered violently, and then…
Drip.
Splatter. Splash.
The woman’s body melted away into black mud.
As So-ya watched the black mud fall like heavy tears, the sound of rushing water reached her ears.
Whoosh—
The black swamp that had risen to the top of her head drained away, and her obscured vision finally cleared.
—Baby Bird, are you alright!
—Baby Bird!
—Baby Bird!
Immediately, she heard the anxious voices of the Divine Beasts calling out to her.
"Divine Beasts?"
—We kept calling you, but we were worried when there was no answer, Baby Bird.
They must have been very concerned while she was caught in the Illusion of the Dead. Even the Dragon God of Cheonghae, who usually didn't express much emotion compared to the other two, was searching for her with a worried voice.
"Thank you."
Feeling her slightly empty heart fill with warmth again, So-ya gazed straight ahead.
A modest palace stood upon the black water that rippled at ankle height.
"This place is…"
—The palace of the Black Tortoise Tribe. You did well to overcome the Illusion of the Dead and arrive here.
The Hyeon-to Underground Palace—a palace hidden beneath the black earth by the Black Tortoise Tribe using the Authority of Water passed down to their leaders.
Unlike the other three great clans, the Black Tortoise Tribe, which ruled the North, was composed of several tribes gathered into one. Among them were seven dominant tribes, and the strongest of the seven tribal chiefs would take turns becoming the next leader of the Black Tortoise Tribe.
And the palace where that leader resided was this very place, the Hyeon-to Underground Palace.
Another name for the Northern Divine Beast, the Black Tortoise, was the "One Who Swallows."
Consequently, his power frequently sought to swallow living things, so the Black Tortoise Tribe hid their palace beneath the black earth to ensure the creatures living in the Northern Land were not affected.
So-ya looked at the cold, desolate landscape of the black palace. Just like the world outside, there was no sign of any human presence.
Until a dozen or so years ago, many beastkin lived in the Northern Land. However, when Hyeon Ra-baek allied with the Evil and brought in the demonic beasts, the beastkin were either all killed or driven to the South.
Hyeon Ra-baek didn't stop there; to sever the direct lineage, he personally executed the beastkin of the seven tribes who had fled. Rumor had it that his own wife and child were among them…
How could he do that?
No matter what, to harm his own child with his own hands.
Then that child died at the hands of the father who gave them life.
She remembered being furious at that terrifying and horrific story.
"But where is Seol-yo… Seol-yo!"
Looking around for Seol-yo, So-ya spotted him and ran over. Seol-yo was sitting blankly on the floor, his beast transformation undone.
"Seol-yo, are you okay?"
"……."
"Wake up!"
She grabbed his shoulders and shook him, but Seol-yo remained unresponsive, looking like someone who had lost his soul.
The Illusion of the Dead is holding onto Seol-yo. At this rate, he’s in danger…
Flinch.
So-ya’s face hardened as she reflexively looked down.
The black swamp rippling at ankle height had turned into the shape of human hands and was gripping Seol-yo’s ankles. So-ya quickly summoned her Purification Flame and burned them.
The black hands touched by the flames immediately melted into mud and fell away.
"…!"
Seol-yo’s eyes snapped open as he regained consciousness.
"Seol-yo! Are you okay?"
"So-ya…?"
Looking up at So-ya, Seol-yo’s face was pale with terror, as if he had seen something horrific.
Poof!
On the verge of tears, Seol-yo suddenly transformed into a baby tiger and leaped into So-ya’s arms.
"So-ya…!"
"Seol-yo?"
Seol-yo’s body was trembling uncontrollably.
"What’s wrong, Seol-yo? Did you see something very scary?"
"……."
Seol-yo couldn't answer; he just squeezed his eyes shut and buried himself deeper into So-ya’s embrace. Large teardrops welled up in the corners of the baby tiger’s tightly shut eyes.
"It’s okay, Seol-yo. What you saw wasn't real. It was an illusion shown by the Swamp of the Dead."
So-ya patted Seol-yo’s body to comfort him.
"So you don't have to be afraid."
"……."
Seol-yo lifted his moist, ash-colored eyes and looked up at So-ya. So-ya, who had a soft spot for tigers, felt pity seeing Seol-yo so frightened.
"Seol-yo. If you're scared, do you want to wait outside while I go in alone?"
"Whimper, whine…"
Seol-yo bit his lip hard and shook his head.
"Okay, okay. Let’s go together, Seol-yo."
So-ya soothed him as he gripped her clothes tightly with his thick front paws, as if he would never let go.
Feeling Seol-yo’s trembling gradually subside, So-ya glanced at the black palace before her. Amidst the eerie and silent air, the occasional cries of demonic beasts drifted through.
I have to find the Black Tortoise’s Divine Object inside. To do that…
So-ya looked down at Seol-yo, who had finally calmed down, and asked.
"Hey, Seol-yo. By any chance…"
*
Meanwhile, deep within the underground palace, a pale-faced man with long black hair reaching down to his feet sat upon a throne.
"Do-cheol… is harboring other thoughts."
Tapping the armrest with an indifferent face, he tilted his head and muttered.
"Is he planning to find a new master while I am weakened?"
The connection with Do-cheol had been fading for some time. He already knew that Do-cheol was expressing dissatisfaction with him.
"Well, not that it matters."
The corners of the man’s mouth curled up into a crooked smirk.
"It doesn't matter who the vessel for evil is. As long as this world can be destroyed."
His goal was only one: the annihilation of this world. Even if it brought about his own destruction.
"You think so too, don't you, Si-yeon?"
He suddenly asked the empty air with a gentle smile. Naturally, there was no answer, but his eyes crinkled even more. He looked like someone gazing at something precious.
However, at the following sound of water, his expression froze into something chilling.
His ash-colored eyes turned sharp as he glanced down at his feet.
"…Intruders."
The black water that had risen to his ankles shook slightly, as if giving a warning.
"It seems the underground palace has a rare guest."
*
The silent and desolate underground palace was devoid of living life, leaving only demonic beasts.
And then, a single demonic beast stepped into the black palace, its gait somewhat awkward compared to the others.
From within its fluffy black fur, a small bird peeked its head out, surveying the interior of the underground palace with bead-like eyes. It quickly hid itself at the sound of a passing demonic beast’s footsteps.
This suspicious duo of a small bird and a black demonic beast was none other than So-ya and Seol-yo.