A Sudden Chill
As soon as I woke up, I sat down at the dining table.
By the time I sat, the table was already laden with food, and the others were already seated.
It wasn't a crowd like last night's banquet. There was Cheon Ui-jin and Do-hyeong, who looked as though they had just finished their morning training. And...
"Do sit down."
"..."
Moyong Yeong-sun was sitting there.
The empty seat next to her was obviously meant for me, but I pointedly ignored it and walked over to sit next to Cheon Ui-jin.
"Scoot over a bit."
"Huh? Ah, yes..."
Cheon Ui-jin gave me a look that asked why on earth I was squeezing in next to him, but he didn't voice his question.
Thanks, buddy.
He's a nicer guy than he looks.
Despite his cold appearance, he was surprisingly gentle.
Anyway.
"Hmph."
Moyong Yeong-sun snorted at my behavior.
That irritated me, but more than that...
"...Why are you here, Lady Moyong?"
Why was she here? That was the bigger mystery.
This was the residence provided by the Dang Clan, meant only for those of us from Cheongwol Gate.
Yet here she was, first thing in the morning.
When I asked with clear suspicion in my voice, Moyong Yeong-sun furrowed her brow.
"I went out of my way to wake you up this morning, and this is the cold shoulder I get?"
"I never asked you to wake me up. And I got up on my own."
"Right, right. Of course you did."
"I asked why you came here."
"What do you mean, why?"
Moyong Yeong-sun swept back her long hair. In that brief moment, a faint floral scent drifted through the air.
"I came because I wanted to see you."
"...Whoa."
"...Ahem."
At her words, Cheon Ui-jin and Do-hyeong reacted instantly.
Cheon Ui-jin stared at me as if looking at some fascinating, incredible creature.
Do-hyeong did his best to maintain a blank face, clearly finding it awkward to react.
"...Don't mind her. She just spouts nonsense sometimes."
It wasn't the first time she'd talked crazy.
I let out a deep sigh and picked up my chopsticks.
Paying attention to her would only give me a headache. I needed to fill my empty stomach first.
As soon as I shoved a bite of food into my mouth, Moyong Yeong-sun picked up her chopsticks as well.
Then she began placing side dishes onto my plate.
The annoying part was that they were all things I hated eating.
"...What are you doing?"
When I glared at her, asking with my eyes if she was trying to pick a fight, Moyong Yeong-sun chuckled.
"It seems that picky eating of yours won't change even after all these years. I told you so many times to eat your vegetables."
"Even my father gave up on that. Mind your own business, will you?"
"Oh, please. Your father didn't give up; he just didn't care."
"..."
She was right, so I had nothing to say. That man probably didn't even know what I liked or disliked.
"Ah, don't eat that one, it's spicy. The one next to it is fine."
"..."
I was about to ignore her and reach for it anyway, but I stopped.
Ugh, there goes my appetite.
My appetite was ruined, but my stomach was still empty. I had no choice but to keep eating.
As I forced the food down...
"Bang Seong-yeon."
Do-hyeong spoke to me.
I turned my gaze toward him. He was staring intently at his food as he spoke.
"Is something wrong?"
"...About what?"
"Your expression is dark."
When did this guy even look at my face if he's only staring at his food?
And why won't he look over here now?
No, to be precise...
Is he avoiding looking at Moyong Yeong-sun?
He couldn't even cast a glance in her direction and was strictly focusing on his plate.
Could it be?
"...Senior, are you shy around—"
"Answer me."
"Ah, right."
He was definitely shy. Or maybe he just felt uncomfortable around women.
He's surprisingly innocent for someone who looks so rugged.
He looked like a manly warrior, so this side of him was unexpected.
"My expression... well."
A dark expression. Was I really looking that bad? If so, there was only one reason.
"I just had a restless dream. A bit of sleep paralysis."
"Sleep paralysis?"
"Yes. A rather shitty dream."
I rubbed my arms as I spoke.
Goosebumps had broken out without my realizing it.
Just thinking about it made my knees weak.
That frigid gaze.
Those starved eyes.
And the unfathomable murderous intent radiating from that expressionless face.
What on earth was that?
What could it have been?
Could that thing even be called human?
If it was indeed human...
How old was he?
Just how old was the Yoo Chun-gil in that dream?
I had already experienced that space once before.
Since it happened last time and again now, I could guess that the entity was a past version of Yoo Chun-gil, but...
He was too different.
His very aura was entirely different from the Yoo Chun-gil I knew now.
His emaciated body and the vibe he gave off were completely distinct.
When was that, and what had he gone through to end up in such a state?
And...
...He wants me to face something like that?
Why did he leave me to deal with such a monster?
I don't see even a sliver of hope.
Usually, I'd at least give it a shot. But that thing made it impossible to even think of trying.
It felt like an ant trying to fight a lion.
That was exactly how it felt.
The only saving grace...
...was that he didn't tell me to win this time, only to block a single strike.
However...
Conversely, this means that even blocking a single strike will be mind-bogglingly difficult.
Knowing that old man's personality, he would never assign me anything easy.
It was the same when I first entered the Yeongmong.
How many times did I die?
I died countless times, challenged him countless times.
Only after experiencing endless decapitations, as if walking in and out of hell, did I finally overcome it.
...And now, I might have to go through that all over again.
My face grimaced involuntarily.
Seeing this, Do-hyeong questioned me again.
"Bang Seong-yeon. Are you truly alright?"
"...Ah, yes. I'm fine."
"You must suffer from sleep paralysis often."
"...Occasionally."
It wasn't just occasionally; I was practically plagued by it daily.
Even more so because I lived with a vicious ghost every single day.
"Is that so?"
Only then did Do-hyeong turn his gaze to look at me.
"Then, once we return to the sect, you should pay a visit to Misa Seonnyeo."
"...Excuse me?"
Who?
Misa Seonnyeo?
Startled by the sudden name, I looked at Do-hyeong and asked.
"Who is that?"
I had directed the question at Do-hyeong, but it was Cheon Ui-jin who answered.
"Ah, I know of her. Isn't she the shaman who's been famous in Henan lately?"
"...A shaman?"
It was an irritating word I hadn't heard in quite a long time.
"They say she's quite skilled."
"Do you believe in that kind of stuff, Senior Brother?"
"Sometimes."
At Cheon Ui-jin's words, Do-hyeong nodded in agreement.
Seeing that, I asked.
"Do you believe in ghosts then, Senior?"
"I believe they could exist."
"Oh, come on."
I let out a chuckle the moment I heard that.
"Where in the world would you find ghosts?"
"You don't believe in them?"
"No. I don't."
It was a half-truth.
Of course I don't believe in them.
It wasn't that I didn't believe they existed.
I just didn't trust them.
Because ghosts were not to be trusted.
"Still, if it gets too difficult, go see her. It wasn't a bad experience."
"Have you already visited her, Senior?"
"Yes."
"Oh..."
My curiosity piqued, I asked another question.
"What did the shaman say when she saw you?"
"She said I have no spiritual affinity, so ghosts won't cling to me. That's why I never suffer from sleep paralysis."
"Ah. Is that so?"
Hearing that, I immediately turned my head away.
My interest vanished instantly.
She's a fraud.
No spiritual affinity, my ass.
What about the Guardian Spirit floating right next to him then?
And not getting sleep paralysis? Of course he didn't, with a Guardian Spirit like that attached to him. No ordinary ghost would dare approach.
Tsk.
A wave of disgust washed over me.
Even in my past life, I hated fake shamans the most.
I was suffering because I was forced to see things I didn't want to see.
Meanwhile, those who couldn't see a thing used it as a gimmick to make money.
Though there are genuine ones occasionally.
But they were a tiny minority.
Based on what Do-hyeong just said, I was convinced this Misa Seonnyeo character was a fake.
"If I get the chance, I'll pay her a visit."
Still, I added those words out of gratitude for his recommendation.
Just then.
"Ghosts..."
Moyong Yeong-sun, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, murmured.
"Hmm."
She glanced at me as she spoke of ghosts.
I ignored her gaze.
I went back to stuffing my face.
No further conversation passed between us.
I simply ate in silence, and just as I finally managed to satisfy my hunger...
"You know."
Moyong Yeong-sun spoke to me.
"Yes."
"Let's talk later, shall we?"
"..."
I froze, my chopsticks hovering in the air.
"It's about time we did, isn't it? Unless you want..."
Moyong Yeong-sun reached her hand out toward me.
Her pale fingertips brushed past my eye, plucking something away.
It seemed to be a stray strand of hair.
"...me to force you to sit down and talk. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"..."
The way she spoke while gently blowing the strand of hair from her fingers was undeniably alluring.
Looking at her face alone, she was a literal fairy descended to earth.
But remembering the vicious nature hidden deep inside her made it hard to appreciate.
"...Well... yes. Sure..."
"Give me a proper answer."
"...Let's do it later."
"Good."
Moyong Yeong-sun smiled brightly.
"When shall we do it? Right after breakfast?"
"No. That's a bit difficult."
I refused flatly. Moyong Yeong-sun narrowed her eyes at my response.
"Why?"
"I have plans."
"...Plans?"
"Yes. Important business."
"What kind of business?"
"?"
I tilted my head.
"Do I have to report that to you, Lady Moyong?"
"..."
My voice came out a bit colder than intended. I did it because I felt she was trying to cross a line.
Hearing this, Moyong Yeong-sun turned her head slightly.
"...No, you don't have to."
"..."
There it was again. That wounded expression.
The way her eyes softened with hurt was beautiful.
Scratching my cheek as I watched her, I spoke up.
"I have business with Lady Dang."
"...!"
At those words, Moyong Yeong-sun's expression shifted. Her downcast eyes instantly sharpened.
"...What... Why?"
"I have my reasons. Anyway, I've let you know, so I'll see you after I'm done."
I stood up. I had delivered my message and finished my meal. It was time to get to work.
"Senior. May I excuse myself first?"
When I asked for permission, Do-hyeong nodded.
Seeing that, I walked out of the residence.
I could feel a stinging gaze burning into my back. I considered looking back, but ultimately decided against it.
My instincts were screaming that if I looked back now, I'd be in deep trouble.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and stepped outside.
Silence fell over the dining table after Bang Seong-yeon left.
Cheon Ui-jin and Do-hyeong sipped their tea without saying a word.
Even under normal circumstances, the two rarely spoke, but this time, they couldn't even manage the smallest exchange.
They simply couldn't bring themselves to speak.
The current atmosphere was just that suffocating.
At that moment.
Crack!
A harsh, splintering sound echoed from across the table.
It came from Moyong Yeong-sun.
Cheon Ui-jin looked up to see what it was, his eyes widening in shock.
"L-Lady Moyong...! Your hand...!"
The chopsticks she had been holding were snapped in half.
Cheon Ui-jin spoke in a panic, worried she might have gotten splinters, but...
"Seriously. He's really testing my patience."
"..."
The freezing tone that slipped from Moyong Yeong-sun's lips made Cheon Ui-jin's entire body stiffen.
She hadn't sounded particularly warm before, but now it felt as if they were trapped in the dead of winter.
"Lady Moyong...?"
"I've been holding back all this time... but my little raccoon keeps trying to cross the line. Ha."
Moyong Yeong-sun stood up as she spoke.
The two men sitting opposite her flinched.
They had no choice; the expression on Moyong Yeong-sun's face was terrifying.
Then, in an instant, she wiped the expression from her face, replaced it with a bright smile, and addressed the two.
"I enjoyed our breakfast, young masters. I'll see you next time. I have some urgent business to attend to, so I must be going."
"Ah, yes..."
"..."
"...You're dead..."
Moyong Yeong-sun marched out of the room.
Once she vanished, Do-hyeong and Cheon Ui-jin rubbed their arms.
The room felt as though it had suddenly plunged into a deep freeze.
While Moyong Yeong-sun was bringing on the winter chill...
"...Pardon?"
I was at Dang Ye-ran's quarters, talking with her.
Upon hearing my words, Dang Ye-ran asked, her eyes widening like saucers.
"What did you just say...?"
"Exactly what you heard."
I smiled and said to her.
"Do you remember the favor I asked of you last time?"
"A favor..."
"The request to forge a sword for me."
"..."
No answer came, but I knew she remembered.
It hadn't been that long, and I still recalled how delighted Dang Ye-ran had looked back then.
Recalling that, I spoke to her.
Or rather, to be precise...
"Could you grant that favor for me now?"
I was looking past her, addressing the figure behind her.
The Dok-jon, who stood there wearing a heavy expression.