Chapter 927: So in the end.

I could catch glimpses of murmuring from the guards’ side.

Watching them, I waited patiently.

Gu Bong seemed inexplicably restless, but it didn’t matter.

Because I was gripping his forearm to make sure he couldn’t run away.

“Honored Guest. What is this-!”

He looked flustered by my restraint, but I had to do this.

“You never know. It’s for safety, in case you decide to run, you know?”

“…Where would I suddenly run off to….”

“Who knows.”

Besides.

“If you run, there are plenty who can catch you anyway…. It’s just a bit bothersome.”

“…”

When I told him the truth, Gu Bong’s expression soured instantly.

Just as we were having a non-argument that was basically an argument.

-Huh. What’s that?

-…Why are they…?

The already quiet and chilly atmosphere grew even heavier.

Fear bloomed on everyone’s faces. Those nearby suddenly parted to both sides, clearing a path.

Though they did it voluntarily, it was closer to fleeing because they didn’t want to touch whatever it was.

The commotion seemed quite artificial, and they looked stiff.

And beyond the path thus created.

Thump-!

I could see someone approaching.

A flag attached to a tall, elongated pole. Below it, about a dozen figures were approaching.

I tilted my head as I looked at them.

‘Different.’

They were different from the White Clan or whatever it was I saw yesterday.

Completely opposite colors.

They were beings clad in a sickeningly dark black.

What was peculiar was that they all wore masks, hiding their faces.

‘Strange folks. What is that?’ I stared with puzzled eyes.

“…Damn it….”

Gu Bong let out a groan upon seeing them. I felt the grip on his arm tighten.

“What’s wrong? You said you weren’t going to run.”

Unlike what he’d just told me, his reaction was unusual.

Seeing that, I chuckled.

“Hey, you can’t run anyway, so just stay put.”

“…Let go. This isn’t the time for games-.”

“Games? Who said that?”

“…Honored Guest?”

Hearing my words, he looked at me, his eyes widening.

He seemed to sense something from my reaction.

“No way….”

“Ah. Don’t look at me like that.”

The gaze was truly burdensome.

“I didn’t exactly intend it…. Well, I half-did it, but I didn’t know which side it was.”

Color-wise, I didn’t know what it meant.

Moreover, I hadn’t fully expected it to turn out like this.

It’s just that.

“I had some expectations.”

I didn’t expect it; I hoped for it.

I hoped it would turn out like this.

And now, that hope had been realized.

“You…!”

Hearing my answer, Gu Bong scowled and tried to break free, but I had no intention of letting go.

“Ah, just stay still. What are you going to do now that we’re here?”

“You don’t know anything…. I don’t know how you figured it out, but this doesn’t help the Volcano at all-!”

It’s actually detrimental.

Gu Bong tried to shout like that, but.

“Right. It could be.”

I cut him off, as I already knew that.

“Whatever secret you’re holding, and whether that secret is detrimental to the Volcano. Yes, it could be. But.”

I looked down at Gu Bong.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“…What?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve never been an enemy for the Volcano here.”

The anger I felt yesterday for their sake.

And the rage I directed at Gu Bong at the same time.

If you think it was purely out of concern for the Volcano, you’re wrong.

“I.”

Was angry for Roya’s sake.

“Don’t really care about the Volcano.”

I don’t have much interest in the place where you reside.

Whether it thrives or perishes.

Gu Bong’s eyes trembled upon hearing my answer. Simultaneously, anger began to flare in his gaze.

I shrugged, looking at those eyes.

“Still, don’t worry. Since the old man asked me for something, I don’t plan on ruining things.”

“Really…!”

Gu Bong couldn’t hold back and tried to speak, but.

“It’s been a while.”

“…!”

Gu Bong had no choice but to shut his mouth at the voice that cut in front.

It was dry and crisp. There was absolutely no emotion, as if spoken from the depths of a well.

Gu Bong’s gaze shifted. It was the leading figure among those who had been approaching earlier.

His face was still hidden, and he was pitch black from head to toe.

I quite liked what he was wearing.

“Black Young Master-nim.”

“…”

At the words of the man presumed to be male, Gu Bong trembled, biting his lip.

“The Leader-nim is looking for you.”

Hearing this, Gu Bong forced his lips open to reply.

“…I… am not the Black Young Master anymore. I don’t use that name any longer.”

The man showed no particular reaction to the words spoken in denial.

He merely paused for a moment before adding calmly.

“He said he has something to ask regarding this matter. Let’s go together.”

“Didn’t you hear? I abandoned that name, and therefore, I am no longer one of your people.”

As if determined, Gu Bong placed his hand on his waist.

He looked ready to draw his sword if necessary.

“I… am not going there anymore. Not even in death.”

“…”

At Gu Bong’s words, the man glanced at me and Gu Bong, as if nodding, from behind his mask.

He seemed to ponder for a moment.

“The Leader-nim said.”

Having seemingly finished his thoughts, he spoke to Gu Bong again.

“If he doesn’t listen, bring him by force. That’s what he said.”

“…”

“We merely follow his word.”

“So…. In the end, you’re taking me by force, aren’t you.”

Chulgeok-.

Gu Bong tightened his grip on the hilt.

Immediately, a sound came from the scabbard.

“I am a person of the Volcano.”

Determination could be felt in his eyes.

It was quite different from last time.

“…I won’t have any more weak feelings-!”

Kwaang-!

“Ggguhk.”

Mid-sentence, Gu Bong collapsed.

Because I had knocked him out by striking the back of his head.

I caught him before he could roll on the floor and roughly picked him up.

Then, looking at him with disbelief, I said.

“Seriously, this bastard was willing to kneel last time, so why is he suddenly being so prideful?”

Why is he acting up now when he didn’t when I told him to?

Making things difficult for people.

“People should have consistency. Honestly. Don’t you think?”

I looked at the man as if seeking agreement, but he just kept staring at the fallen Gu Bong.

“No reaction. How boring.”

Tsk. With a short click of my tongue, I tossed Gu Bong.

The man caught Gu Bong casually, as if he had been waiting. Just like that.

Then, finally, he stared intently at me.

“So. Do you have something to say?”

“The Leader-nim….”

“Did he say to bring me too?”

“…Yes.”

“Was it specifically me, or did he say to bring anyone nearby along?”

“…”

There was no answer.

Meaning he wouldn’t tell me.

Then again, I wasn’t really expecting it.

It was obvious he wouldn’t tell me.

Still, honestly, it didn’t matter.

“Let’s go. I want to see that Leader fellow or whatever.”

I had intended to follow anyway.

It was all part of the plan.

I slowly blended into the group.

And followed them somewhere.

Somewhere very, very deep.

---

While Gu Yangcheon and Gu Bong were moving, following someone.

Someone stood motionless atop the high, soaring castle wall, watching the scene.

The eyes faintly visible beyond the black mask gazed down serenely, as if taking in the entire castle.

-Let’s go see that Leader fellow or whatever.

Her brown ears perked up at the voice, and her tail, of the same fur color, swayed.

Without a word, she watched only Gu Yangcheon moving.

He would gradually get farther away, and once inside, he would escape her sight and hearing.

What should she do?

If she stayed like this, she’d lose him.

Especially if he went into that darkness; who knew what would happen.

“…”

The woman, who had been watching quietly, slightly shifted her body.

Let’s follow.

She couldn’t let him go like this, nor did she want to.

Thinking thus, she tried to sneak into the castle.

“Hey.”

“…!”

At the voice from beside her, she quickly created distance.

But.

“Why do you keep following me?”

Even creating distance, the voice sounded close.

Kwak-!

“–!”

Someone’s hand grabbed the woman’s mask.

Just like that.

Kwaaaaaaaa-!!!

She shot off the castle wall at tremendous speed.

Enduring the wind pressure, she distanced herself in an instant. She didn’t even know how far she’d gone.

She’d flown out of the territory, and by the time she realized it, the woman was rolling on the ground.

Her body tumbled across the dirt.

Managing to regain her balance and stand, she saw someone standing before her.

“Hello.”

The black-haired woman lightly waved her hand.

“I saw you last time too.”

“…”

“I let you go that time.”

The woman tilted her head.

Her expression showed confusion.

“Why did you come back?”

“…”

“Why are you watching that person?”

“…”

“You.”

Suddenly.

“Do you hate that person?”

Kugugugugu-!!!

An immense energy burst forth from the woman’s shadow.

The emanating energy enveloped the ground. The dirt began to turn black.

“…”

The woman said nothing, even while looking at the energy.

She simply opened her hand, and at that moment, energy began to gather in her palm.

Jiiiiing-!!

The gathered energy soon took the form of a sword.

“Hmm….”

The purple eyes sparkled as they watched.

It was a fascinating sight.

Moreover, it felt like I’d seen it somewhere before.

Where could it have been? I couldn’t quite recall.

It probably wasn’t that important.

The black-haired woman looked at it and opened her own hand.

Jiiiiiiing—!!

Energy rising from the ground gathered in her palm.

Eventually, it too transformed into a sword.

“This seems different from that.”

It was different somehow. I could tell just by looking.

It’s just that.

“It doesn’t matter anyway.”

Even if they weren’t the same, there was no problem.

Different processes wouldn’t change the outcome.

“You. Are you that person’s enemy?”

“…”

There was no answer.

“Yeah?”

Therefore, I took that as a yes.

“Then you shouldn’t.”

As she spoke, the woman took a step forward.

Pzzzzzzzz-!!!

Night bloomed like a flower from her toes.