Chapter 424: It’s a snake.

What is it?

I can’t see or hear properly underwater.

I carefully adjust, trying not to disturb the water, and scan my surroundings.

It’s a strange situation to have sent a telepathic message from outside.

Yet, it was unusually clear, as if it came from underwater.

[Why… why….]

As if I hadn’t misheard, the voice continues to echo in my head.

Could this be…

-Is it you?

I send a telepathic message as if speaking to a monster, and its body twitches slightly.

[…Great being….]

What the hell is this bastard?

Is a real monster actually talking to me?

‘…A monster speaking?’

It wasn’t something I should find entirely strange.

After all, a giant snake spoke to me back when I visited the archives of the Geumcheon Family.

And this guy is also a snake.

‘Maybe snakes are capable of speech among monsters.’

The thought crosses my mind, but I’ve never had such an experience in my past life.

-Who are you? Do you know me?

I try speaking to it again.

Kyaaaaaaah-!

It just screams, engulfed in flames.

I try to quickly recall the flames, but the monster’s eyes gradually lose their vitality, and finally, it stops moving as if its life has ended.

‘Damn.’

I frown watching it.

It seemed like it had something special, but it died…

I pull out my arm that was stuck in it and recall what the monster said.

‘A great being?’

It definitely called me that while looking at me.

What could that mean?

‘Calling me that makes it seem like we’re allies.’

Monsters are allies? What nonsense.

They only follow instincts, their sole purpose being to devour their opponents; how could such creatures be allies?

‘It’s not entirely impossible, though.’

Even as I think that, memories from my past life surface, as if it wasn’t entirely impossible.

There were instances where those who only followed instinct bowed their heads unusually.

Heavenly Demon (天魔).

I remember countless monsters bowing their heads before her, even throwing away their lives at her slightest gesture.

‘…This.’

Thinking that far, something felt strange.

Could this really be a coincidence?

No, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence at all.

Like the sudden appearance of the crimson monster.

And how the timing has become strangely twisted.

Plus, the feeling that I’m at the center of all these problems.

‘Something feels wrong.’

It feels like the flow is going the wrong way.

Even if the situations are complexly intertwined, what’s certain is that I’m definitely involved.

‘So, is the appearance of the crimson monster also because of me?’

That’s ridiculous.

I want to say that, but it was impossible.

Because all the circumstances felt like they were pointing at me, making it impossible to deny.

‘Shit.’

I bite my lip and recall the flames attached to the monster’s body.

This wasn’t confirmation. Besides, now wasn’t the time to be thinking about this.

I roll my eyes around and rummage through the monster’s corpse.

Since it was such a huge body, finding it was somewhat burdensome.

It was obvious it would gradually sink deeper into the riverbed if left like this, so I had to find it as quickly as possible.

I spread my ki sense wider, scanning the monster’s body.

‘…!’

Only then did I find a part of the monster’s body where the ki was highly concentrated.

I go to the spot I felt, infuse it with my internal energy (nei), and tear off its scales.

They were tough and resilient, no joke, but since it was already dead, it wasn’t difficult to tear them off with force.

Deudeuk-! I forcefully rip them off, parting the flesh, and reach my hand deep inside.

I can’t reach. Not even close, so I push my body in.

I clearly feel its flesh and blood.

It’s a really unpleasant sensation. This is why I don’t hunt in the water… Damn it.

Pushing aside bones as I go deeper, I feel something brush against my fingertips.

This is it.

I grasp the sensation of what I caught and pull it out.

Dudududuk-! Right after obtaining what I wanted, I pull out of the monster’s body and check the item.

In my hand was a lump of rock about the size of a child’s head; this was the crimson monster’s magic stone.

Confirming it, I nod slightly.

Although the preceding events were quite unsettling, I did obtain what I sought, so it should be fine.

‘It’s better than getting nothing.’

This is a harvest of sorts.

The reason I’m heading to Sichuan right now is to obtain a white magic stone to compensate for my current incomplete realm.

I don’t know how the situation is unfolding, but the amount of internal energy (nei) the crimson magic stone provides won’t be small.

As I thought that, the moment I tried to absorb the magic stone in my hand underwater.

Woong-

‘Huh?’

I felt something from the magic stone in my hand.

Leaving the monster slowly sinking to the bottom behind me.

I turned my gaze to the magic stone.

And then.

“Ack…!”

I couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.

The air that burst out with my breath from my mouth rises through the water.

Thanks to that, I had to swallow a large amount of water mixed with the monster’s blood, but that wasn’t important right now.

‘What is this now?’

With wide eyes, I examined the magic stone in my hand.

No matter how I look at it.

The condition of the magic stone was somehow strange.

---

After Gu Yangcheon was sucked into the river with the monster.

Inside, the river had churned wildly from the monster’s screams and rampage, but after some time passed, it became quiet as if nothing had happened.

After a few minutes had passed, to be precise.

Not only the monster, but for some reason, Gu Yangcheon hadn’t surfaced for quite a while.

It was barely a few minutes, but the situation was different underwater.

Time during which it wouldn’t be strange for a normal person to die.

While a peak martial artist might endure for over an hour, the important thing was that he sank with the monster.

Namgung Bi-ah, watching this, was about to jump into the water with a stiff expression when-

Kkwak-!

Someone grabbed her arm.

It was Woo Hyuk.

The moment her movement was stopped, Namgung Bi-ah turned her head towards Woo Hyuk, and Woo Hyuk flinched inwardly upon meeting Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes.

Where were the calm eyes of Namgung Bi-ah he’d seen until now? Eyes filled with murderous intent were staring at Woo Hyuk.

“Let go.”

Not just her eyes, but her voice also exuded a chilling aura.

Seeing this, Woo Hyuk flashed a brief smile and said to her,

“Calm down.”

“I told you to let go.”

As if intending to sever his arm if he didn’t let go, Namgung Bi-ah channeled her internal energy (nei) into her sword just as-

“Sister-in-law. Doing this won’t make that guy particularly happy, you know.”

“…”

Perhaps it was the term Woo Hyuk used. Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes wavered slightly.

“You know that friend of yours isn’t someone who’d die this easily.”

“…”

“He wouldn’t have gone in without a plan. Let’s wait a bit first.”

At Woo Hyuk’s words, Namgung Bi-ah’s murderous intent gradually subsided.

Seeing that, Woo Hyuk inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

‘…That was close.’

Although he was smiling on the outside, Woo Hyuk wasn’t entirely calm either.

Because the murderous intent Namgung Bi-ah had just displayed was genuine.

If he had been even a moment later, she would have truly tried to sever his arm.

‘That’s some intense love right there.’

I was slightly envious of Gu Yangcheon, basking in the company of beauties, but seeing this made me feel a bit distant.

It seems having too many women is also a problem.

Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t the only issue.

Woo Hyuk glanced slightly to the side and saw another woman staring sharply down at the river.

Was her name Wi Seol-ah? A descendant of the Sword Saint, wasn’t she?

Including the time at the Divine Dragon Pavilion, we’ve been together for several months now.

Woo Hyuk had spoken with her only a handful of times.

To be precise.

Excluding Gu Yangcheon, very few people initiated conversations with Wi Seol-ah.

This was likely because the difference in Wi Seol-ah’s demeanor when Gu Yangcheon was present versus absent was extreme.

When he was around, she was like a gentle lamb or a puppy, but without Gu Yangcheon, Wi Seol-ah was like a sharply honed blade. It felt as if she wouldn’t permit anyone to approach.

Seeing that.

It seemed likely that these two women would soon throw themselves into the river.

And that…

‘Includes me, too.’

Woo Hyuk was no different.

Right after Gu Yangcheon went into the river with the monster.

Woo Hyuk’s ears were in quite a state of disarray.

-Gu Yangcheon…

-What is that young master…

-Around them…

From the sounds nearby to those from ships that had turned around and distanced themselves far away, all sorts of noises were piercing Woo Hyuk’s ears.

‘This is troublesome.’

He tried to maintain a calm facade with a forced smile, but the noise, heard after so long, was still overwhelming.

He had known for a while that the noise would return if he distanced himself from Gu Yangcheon, but it had been a long time since it got this noisy.

It was like before he met Gu Yangcheon.

Perhaps it was because he hadn’t heard it recently; a headache began to build, making Woo Hyuk feel instantly exhausted.

‘What happened?’

Feeling this, Woo Hyuk looked down at the river. The noise started suddenly like this a few minutes after Gu Yangcheon fell into the water.

Around the time the monster’s rampage subsided and the waves stopped.

It was a phenomenon that appeared abruptly, and seeing this, Woo Hyuk wondered if something might have happened to Gu Yangcheon.

And then.

‘Those two as well.’

Woo Hyuk’s gaze turned towards Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

Right after the noise started reaching his ears.

Woo Hyuk saw that they too flinched simultaneously, their expressions changing drastically.

‘No way. Are they also experiencing something?’

Seeing that, he wondered if they were also experiencing something abnormal like him, but Gu Yangcheon’s safety was more important right now.

Woo Hyuk recalled what Gu Yangcheon told the group right before he stepped forward to hunt the monster.

[Just do as I say. Don’t be surprised if strange things happen.]

He definitely said that.

If anyone else had said it, I would have wondered what they meant.

Yet, strangely, Woo Hyuk trusted Gu Yangcheon’s words.

If you ask whether he’s a person worthy of such trust, not really… That’s not it.

Still, strangely, his words felt trustworthy.

In fact, by following his instructions, I was able to deal with the monster.

It’s truly baffling.

How is that possible?

When Woo Hyuk first felt the monster’s membrane, he was shocked, wondering what on earth it was.

A membrane that absorbs internal energy (nei)?

He thought, ‘What kind of thing is this?’

How on earth am I supposed to hunt something like that?

That shock lasted only a moment before Gu Yangcheon observed it and gave instructions. The moment I drew my sword accordingly, Woo Hyuk received an even greater shock.

He vaguely understood why Gu Yangcheon was giving such orders.

After swinging the sword a couple of times.

Woo Hyuk could feel a distinct difference in the transparent membrane.

It was a very subtle difference to perceive.

Detecting this anomaly was quite difficult for Woo Hyuk, which meant Gu Yangcheon sensed all of it from back there and gave the instructions.

‘…He really is an unbelievable friend.’

Every time I looked at Gu Yangcheon, I felt an inexplicable barrier.

Woo Hyuk knew he possessed talent.

He had never become arrogant or conceited because of it, but he knew he had superior talent compared to others.

However.

He often felt that even that was meaningless when compared to Gu Yangcheon.

Their paths are different.

Born in the same generation, Gu Yangcheon was somehow different.

Barring any unforeseen events, Gu Yangcheon would ascend to greater heights at a different pace than them, and soon reach a position beyond imagination.

Woo Hyuk was certain of this.

Furthermore, he was curious about that future.

Which is why…

‘Hurry up and come out.’

I grip my sword, looking at the river.

Gu Yangcheon is not someone who should die in a place like this.

At least, that’s how it seemed to Woo Hyuk.

As impatience grew and I couldn’t help but frown.

Saaaaaaah-!

“…!”

Woo Hyuk’s eyes widen at the sensation felt from beneath the water.

He then felt the surrounding noise disappear as if by magic.

It wasn’t just Woo Hyuk.

Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah seemed to have felt it too, as they ran across the water towards the center of the presence.

Ppogeul ppogeul-

Bubbles gradually rose from that spot,

“Puhak…!”

and a head suddenly burst out from underwater, gasping for breath.

“Whoa… You bitch. I almost died… Aack!”

The fierce-looking young man who emerged from the water tried to say something, but Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah lunged and embraced him.

“Wait… wait! It’s a bit dangerous right now!”

Gu Yangcheon struggled in the embrace of the two women and stumbled back into the water, but Woo Hyuk could finally let out a sigh of relief watching that.

---

Immediately after the monster commotion ended, we returned straight to the ship.

Normally, one would salvage the monster’s corpse to take its bones or hide, but the corpse had already sunk deep into the river, and since the situation wasn’t over, I judged it unreasonable to search for it right away.

Under the command of the Poison King, we returned to the deck.

I remember the Poison King’s surprised expression when we arrived on deck.

And no wonder, the surroundings were littered with monster corpses.

They seemed to be the ones who were targeting the ship along with the crimson monster.

The fortunate thing was that they were all dead.

The number of corpses floating around the river and dead on the deck was considerable.

So many it was hard to count.

And standing calmly at the center, holding a spear, was a martial artist.

It was Tang Deok.

Because before I jumped down to hunt the monster, I had ordered him to protect the people.

His expression was souring at the fact that he had to protect the people of the Tang Family, but that was none of my business.

Especially when the Poison King thanked Tang Deok, expressing his gratitude, the expression Tang Deok wore was quite a sight.

The Poison King also wore a strange expression seeing it.

Seeing that, I had to explain that this guy was mute and his face was just naturally like that.

It was a bit of wordplay, but the certainty I gained from it was:

‘The Poison King doesn’t know Tang Deok.’

He hid his distinctive hair with a Pifengyi (a type of robe), and although Tang Deok hadn’t learned poison arts, the fact that he felt nothing even when facing him so closely meant he didn’t know about Tang Deok.

‘Though that could also be the Poison King’s act.’

Thinking that far was too complicated.

The situation was already chaotic due to the sudden appearance of the crimson monster.

The martial artists were at a loss due to the appearance of a rank not seen in hundreds of years.

Whether we could continue sailing like this.

A debate ensued about whether we should first return to Henan and report this, but the leader of this group was the Poison King anyway.

The Poison King stated that safely sending the transport team to Sichuan was the top priority and concluded by sending a brief letter to the Martial Arts Alliance.

Even if others wore displeased expressions, nothing changed.

If they didn’t like it, they could jump into the river and swim back.

If they couldn’t do that, they had to stay quietly on the ship.

They probably wouldn’t choose the former right now.

Having witnessed the might and power of the crimson monster firsthand, they couldn’t ignore the anxiety about the possibility of another crimson monster appearing.

To conclude, there was no way we could stop the journey to Sichuan anyway.

“Haa…”

I sit alone on the ship’s bunk and let out a sigh.

This situation was truly unexpected.

Because of it, I was tense from head to toe.

Only after the situation ended did my tensed body relax.

I could finally breathe a little, so to speak.

When I returned to the ship, Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah heard about the situation and lectured me endlessly.

They told me to stop doing dangerous things, I think.

From my perspective, it was a bit unfair.

Because it was a situation where I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

When such a guy appeared right before my eyes, how could I just stay on the ship?

“…No, maybe it would have been better if I had just stayed put.”

It’s absurd that I almost drowned, of all things.

If I had known that would happen, I would have just stayed quietly on the ship.

I keep sighing and hold out my hand in front of my eyes.

Why did I almost drown after going to the trouble of killing a monster?

“…Come out now.”

It’s all because of this guy.

Seureureuk….

Hearing my call, something slides out from inside my sleeve, along my hand.

In terms of thickness, it was about the size of a pinky finger, and its length was at most from my wrist to my elbow.

The creature, wriggling and coiling around my hand, turns its small head towards me.

Naellem.

The flickering tongue protruding from its mouth and the yellow glint in its eyes, which I feel like I’ve seen somewhere before, are familiar.

Yes, they were exactly the same as the monster’s eyes I faced earlier.

Not just the feeling, but the species too.

A snake. Yes, a snake.

A very small snake with red scales.

It was wrapped around my hand, looking at me.