Chapter v15c13

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened.

“Where…?”

“You’re safe now.”

“The… the pirates?”

Dokgo Ryeong’s body stiffened as she remembered what had happened. Eunmyeong soothed her.

“It’s okay. They’re gone. You can rest now.”

He smiled gently. The cold, ruthless aura she had sensed earlier had vanished.

“H-How…?”

Her senses were still fuzzy, but she knew that none of her fellow disciples were around. Eunmyeong was the only one with her.

“D-Did you…?”

She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. He didn’t deny it. He just smiled, a mysterious smile.

“You saved me…”

She smiled back. He nodded silently. The details didn’t matter. She was just happy that he had saved her.

“Thank you.”

She whispered. Her warm breath tickled his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

“How are you feeling?”

“I-I’m okay. Just a little dizzy…”

She replied.

“I’m glad you’re not seriously injured.”

She nodded silently, then lowered her head, her eyes closed. She remained silent for a long moment.

Eunmyeong watched her, unsure what to do. He had never learned how to comfort a crying girl. A tear glistened on her long eyelashes.

Suddenly, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. He was startled at first, but he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, his hands trembling. Her scent filled his nostrils.

“Sob… sob…”

She began to cry softly. He felt awkward. He had heard that a crying woman was the most powerful force in the world, and it seemed to be true. Even the reaper was helpless against a woman’s tears.

“I was scared… sob… I was so scared… sob… sob… I was so scared…”

It had been her first real battle. She had sparred with her sisters before, but she had never faced a life-or-death situation. The sight of dying men, the feel of her sword slicing through flesh, the stench of blood, the screams… It had all been too much for her. She was still a girl. She wasn’t ready for this.

He held her close, patting her back gently, his hand stroking her hair.

“Everyone has to overcome obstacles to become an adult. Reality is harsher than we imagine. It’s hard, it’s cruel, but we can’t avoid it. That’s what life is, overcoming one obstacle after another. But don’t worry. I’m here. It’s easier to overcome obstacles together…”

She looked up at him, her eyes, those black pearls, still glistening with tears. The cold, ruthless aura she had sensed earlier was gone.

She smiled, her face streaked with tears.

“Hehe, I look… terrible, don’t I?”

Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair a mess. But she was still beautiful. He shook his head, smiling gently.

“No, you’re beautiful.”

They gazed at each other for a long moment, their eyes locked. Words were unnecessary.

In that moment, their hearts beat as one.

A fire crackled in a cave on the cliffs overlooking the sea. But it wasn’t the fire that warmed Dokgo Ryeong’s chilled body. It was the warmth of another human being.

The tension drained from her body, leaving her feeling empty and hollow. She had faced death, she had been drugged and nearly kidnapped, and her mind was reeling.

And… she had killed for the first time. She had known it was inevitable, but it was harder than she had imagined. She longed for human contact, for warmth and comfort.

He gently stroked her hair, his hand warm and reassuring. It was the same hand that had held her close when she had cried. His touch comforted her, his presence a source of strength.

“Are you okay?”

He asked, his voice gentle. She nodded silently, too embarrassed to speak.

‘I like this man,’ she thought. She didn’t regret her decision. Her heart yearned for him. She needed him.

She needed human warmth. The stench of blood still lingered in her nostrils. She needed something else, something to cleanse her senses. And he was here. The man who had saved her, who had comforted her. His touch was so gentle, so tender, that she felt tears welling up in her eyes again. She could feel his warmth, his energy, flowing into her. Their energies mingled, their souls intertwined.

She looked up at him, his shadow flickering in the firelight. His eyes met hers, his gaze kind and reassuring. She closed her eyes.

Their lips met.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a lullaby, soothing and comforting.

She was happy.

He vanished like a mirage, without a trace. She didn’t know why. All that remained was his promise to return, echoing in the silence of the cave.

She wept, her heart aching. But she couldn’t scream. Only tears flowed, silently, endlessly, soaking the ground beneath her.

He was gone, leaving behind only an empty promise. She decided to wait. She had no clues to follow, no way to find him. Waiting required an unimaginable amount of patience.

A year passed.

“Finally… finally…”

He had contacted her. A letter, delivered by a messenger. Her hands trembled as she took it.

“Eunmyeong…”

She clutched the letter to her chest, her heart overflowing with joy.

“You idiot! A year? You’re so late!”

She resolved to scold him, to berate him for his tardiness. But she never got the chance.

Na Yerin grabbed her arm as she was rushing out the door, her urgency palpable. She was always energetic, but this was different. She looked like she was running for her life, fleeing from a relentless pursuer.

“Wait, Sister!”

She had to restrain Dokgo Ryeong, who was acting like a wild horse, desperate to escape the clutches of time.

“What is it, Yerin? I’m busy! Can’t this wait?”

Dokgo Ryeong was frantic. Time wasn’t chasing her with a knife, but she was acting as if it were. Na Yerin sensed a desperate urgency in her movements.

But Na Yerin held on tight, refusing to let go. She tightened her grip on Dokgo Ryeong’s sleeve, her hand strong and resolute.

“Yerin…?”

Dokgo Ryeong looked at her, her face creased with confusion. Na Yerin had never been so assertive before.

“Sister, you shouldn’t go out today.”

She said, her voice quiet and monotone.

“Why?”

“Just because.”

Na Yerin replied, trying to hide her anxiety. But her answer was unconvincing. Dokgo Ryeong was bewildered by her uncharacteristic behavior.

“Just because? What are you talking about? What are you so worried about? There haven’t been any pirates lately.”

Since the death of Do-gok, the One-Eyed King, and the destruction of his pirate crew, the Black Sea Wind, a year ago, pirate activity in the area had decreased significantly. No one dared to touch Mount Putuo Temple anymore. They didn’t want to suffer the same fate as the Black Sea Wind. The island had been peaceful, almost boring.

“But… I have a bad feeling. Please don’t go out today. Please, Sister!”

There was a note of desperation in her voice. Under normal circumstances, Dokgo Ryeong would have agreed without hesitation. But she was desperate too.

“I’m sorry, Yerin. But I have to go.”

She placed her hands on Na Yerin’s shoulders, forcing a smile.

Na Yerin saw the determination in her eyes and knew that she couldn’t stop her.

“Th-Then be careful! Please!”

She had been feeling uneasy since sunset. Her heart felt heavy, as if a weight had been placed on it. It was a new feeling.

Dokgo Ryeong had never seen Na Yerin so anxious before. She felt a pang of guilt.

“Don’t worry! I’ll just be gone for a little while!”

She wanted to stay and comfort her junior sister, but her desire to see Eunmyeong was stronger. Her emotions were overwhelming, too powerful to be contained.

“In this weather…”

The sky was overcast, the stars and moon hidden behind a thick layer of dark clouds. It looked like it was going to rain, and the wind was howling. The air was heavy with the scent of an approaching storm.

But Dokgo Ryeong’s mind was made up.

‘I’m sorry, Yerin. But I have to go tonight.’

He had finally contacted her after a year of silence.

“Senior Sister Dokgo!”

She pulled away from Na Yerin’s grasp and ran out the door. The wind howled through the open doorway, strong enough to knock a small girl like Na Yerin off her feet.

“Sister…”

Na Yerin watched her go, her eyes filled with worry. The wind whipped at her face, its fury growing. The dark clouds overhead added to her unease.

‘I hope she’ll be okay…’

She prayed that her anxiety was unfounded.

A flash of lightning illuminated the sky.

A deafening clap of thunder shook the ground.

Raindrops began to fall, splattering on the puddles, creating concentric circles. The storm was coming.