Special Request (3)
I asked again.
"Pardon? A spirit in the shape of a human?"
"Yes. Several tribesmen have already fallen victim. Fortunately, no one's died, but according to them, it looks just like a person."
"Then isn't it a person?"
He gave me a troubled look.
"Well, they say its actions are too beastly to call it human."
Hard to get a sense from words alone—I could only tilt my head.
"When did it first appear?"
"About a fortnight ago. No deaths yet, but the tribesfolk are deeply worried someone might actually die soon."
Can't blame them.
But worry or not, I couldn't just sit idle.
To fill our wagons with clean snow, we'd need to venture deeper anyway.
Plus, the safety of the hunter tribe was at stake.
Protecting them meant a steady supply of beast hides.
"For now, our Silver Wind Unit warriors are out hunting with the tribe to safeguard the trading post."
"Wise call."
"Anyway, be careful out there."
As I chatted with Branch Chief Su, a frantic voice called out.
"Branch Chief! Branch Chief! Big trouble!"
He glanced at me, and I nodded.
"Let them in."
"Come in."
A staffer burst in, panting.
"What is it?"
"Disaster! The Silver Wind warriors who went hunting with the tribe just got ambushed by that freakish spirit."
"What?"
I turned to him.
"Where are they now?"
"Still out there."
Branch Chief Su spoke up.
"Round up the Silver Wind warriors right now. I'll head there myself."
I stood too.
"I'll come with you."
.
.
.
Moments later, we reached the ambush site.
"Status?"
One of them answered in a feeble voice.
"It fled shortly after. No deaths, thank goodness, but the wounds are bad—hard to move."
He was the least hurt, barely standing. The other hunters and warriors lay or sat on the snow.
Red blood drops stark against the white snow caught my eye.
Branch Chief Su ordered treatment, bandaging, and stretchers.
"Um, one more thing."
"What?"
The warrior bit his dry lips.
"About that freakish spirit. It's... not a spirit."
"Not a spirit? You mean—"
"Yes. Definitely human. When most of us were down, it spoke in a pained voice. Begged us to kill it."
Begged to be killed...
Some circumstance? Forced into this against its will?
"Anyway, we need to move the wounded fast. Frostbite or infection could set in."
"Got it."
We returned to the branch with the injured.
That night, I pondered deeply in my room.
My purpose here was the commission from Guijuseong's Pojungsa. For the snow.
So, head to the North Sea tomorrow, load up, and go.
But some unknown threat loomed over the branch and tribe.
Leaving after just doing my part? That'd make me a failure as sub-leader.
A sub-leader stands in for the leader, resolving company issues.
Shirk duty while chasing perks? The others would think little of it.
No help to the company's growth.
My goal: Make Eunhae the world's top merchant group. Can't neglect this.
Beyond that, another reason fell to me.
The freak appeared in Snow Wind Palace territory.
As its disciple, it was my duty.
Decision made, I ate breakfast, sipped tea, and told Palgap.
"I'll head to the North Sea briefly today. You stay here."
"For the snow, sir?"
"No, later."
"Pardon? What's up? That spirit—or whatever—thing?"
"Yeah."
"Too dangerous, sir!"
I shook my head, dismissing his worry.
"I get your concern, but this is on me. Tied to our branch—sub-leader can't sit it out. These tribe folk trusted us to build here, keep trading. Can't betray that."
Palgap sighed after a pause.
"You're right, sir. But request aid from HQ?"
"Too slow. Even via Gold Decree messenger, support from main branch takes over a month."
I continued.
"Lucky no deaths yet, but no guarantee."
"......"
I smiled gently.
"Don't fret. You know my skills."
Comforting him, I left my quarters.
Eh...
Branch Chief Su, shirtless, swung a long spear vigorously in the courtyard.
Heard he was ex-Silver Wind warrior—spear his main weapon?
More than that, his body's improved—and that's why?
Makes sense...
Few admin duties here—plenty of training time.
Spotting me, he clasped hands in salute.
"Sub-leader, good morning?"
"Morning. Practicing spear arts?"
"Been ages since I held one—feels off, so drilling hard."
"I see."
"Paths here get beast or spirit attacks often. Brushing up for self-defense."
"Feel bad now."
He waved it off.
"Nonsense! Thanks to you, I'm healthier than ever. Haha!"
Too healthy, maybe...
"How are yesterday's wounded?"
"In the infirmary. Wounds were deep—worried—but your ointment worked wonders. Bleeding stopped; should be fine."
"Good."
Their cuts were nasty, hard to staunch. I'd given pre-made salve.
Protective oil—with Gold Decree saliva mixed in.
Secret, of course.
"Want to hear more from that warrior."
"For report to leader? I have one drafted."
"No... I'll handle it myself."
"Pardon?"
He blinked in shock.
"You, sub-leader?"
"Yes. My guards are top-notch. Waiting for aid takes too long."
"True, but..."
I headed to the infirmary for details.
"Disheveled hair, red eyes. Held shattered pottery—moved too fast to track."
"Height?"
"Hunched, hard to say—over six feet, maybe."
"Build?"
"No. Skinny. Black clothes, torn—gaunt frame visible."
Done, I gathered my guards.
"We'll kill or capture that freak. If you can't join, speak up. I understand staying."
None raised hands.
"We follow our lord alone."
Seo-u warrior spoke; others nodded.
Myeongjong and Cheongun warriors agreed.
"We're no cowards."
"Backing out shames Jongnam."
"Good."
I nodded crisply.
"Thanks for trusting me. Let's go?"
Branch Chief Su wanted to come, but I insisted he stay.
No branch chief in emergency? Can't happen.
With his send-off, we headed North Sea-ward.
"Isn't North Sea under North Sea Ice Palace? Why leave it be?"
Cheongun warrior asked; Jin Yu answered.
"Wasn't originally their turf."
"Less attention, then."
"Probably. They manage vast upper areas."
Myeongjong warrior queried.
"So, someone managed it before?"
"Yes, Snow Wind Palace."
Unlike others, Myeongjong and Cheongun were new here—didn't know Snow Wind Palace.
Nor my discipleship.
Kept secret publicly; Jin Yu held back.
Judgment pending on them.
Less than a year as my guards—natural.
They might resent it, but trust isn't handed or grabbed easily.
Layer by layer, though—they'd be fully mine.
Soon, North Sea.
No snowstorm next three days—settle it then.
"Rest here awhile."
"Sounds good."
We unpacked wood planks, laid them, lit a fire.
Warmth spread.
As Jin Yu said, once Snow Wind Palace turf.
If intact, would that freak roam free?
Indefinable emotion surged; I suppressed it, gazed skyward.
Plop.
Snowflake on cheek.
It haunts here, but timing unknown.
Means stake out.
Can't wander hunting.
Conserve energy.
First-rate or peak warrior—puny vs. nature.
This cold? Major hurdle.
Waited all day—no freak.
"Hungry..."
"Yeah."
"Roast jerky?"
Seo-u nodded.
"Best."
Jerky out.
North's cold preserved it soft—roasting a treat.
Skewered, grilled, blew cool, ate.
Delish.
Then—
"......!"
Chill hit. Like a beast eyeing me.
Plus skin-crawling prickles.
Not killing intent—that's needle pricks.
No dallying.
Tossed skewer, stood, drew sword.
"Wha—"
Seo-u's question froze on his face.
He sensed it too.
Something approaching.
Other guards alerted.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
It neared.
Disheveled hair, tattered black robes. Red eyes.
The "human-like spirit."
Finally!
That skin-crawling from it, sure.
Bit lip at the vivid chill.
Confirmed: human.
Those eyes: not sane.
"Kill... me..."
What?
"Kill... me..."
Freakish look, words.
Palgap here? Freak out in fear.
Imagining eased me.
Focus.
I barked.
"Eyes sharp!"
"Yes!"
Then it charged.
Whoosh!
Fast!
But I'm no slouch!