Chapter 949: Bow down.

The guy who opened the door and appeared, waving his hand.

Looking at Mongmong, my expression didn’t change.

Bright, light green hair. A clear, innocent expression resembling the hair color, and even slightly flushed eyes.

It was exactly the same as the way I saw him earlier today.

“We’re seeing each other after a long time, aren’t we?”

“Saying it’s been a long time… it really hasn’t been that long, has it?”

“Hahaha. Is that so? Then so it is.”

He still looked like he’d lost his mind. He looked quite excited, as if something was making him incredibly happy.

How did he suddenly appear?

I didn’t entertain such questions.

‘Because I knew he’d be around anyway.’

Although I never tried to sense his presence, he’d be watching me from somewhere nearby anyway.

I was certain of it.

‘Because he must have already seen me.’

Now that I had started suspecting him, he wouldn’t have left easily.

Even if he had left after confirming something, consciously or unconsciously, he would surely try to confirm more.

It stemmed from that thought, and…

‘I was right.’

It seems my thoughts were correct after all.

He was actually watching me.

Confirming this, I spoke to the guy.

“You wouldn’t be someone from around here. Is it really okay to just barge into a prison like this?”

“Huh?”

At my words, Mongmong tilted his head. Doing such things to match his appearance made him look more innocent than I expected.

But.

“Aw, come on. There’s no place I can’t go within this place.”

Unlike that innocent facade.

I couldn’t even imagine what might be inside that small body.

“You know that too.”

“…”

Mongmong said to me with a smile.

“You heard from the black child, right? About who I am.”

“…Yes. I heard.”

“Haha. How curious.”

Mongmong approached the iron bars and said to me.

“But still, your head is held so high. How can you do that, even knowing who I am?”

His light green pupils slit vertically.

The moment I saw it, the hair on my entire body stood on end.

I got goosebumps.

If I hadn’t controlled myself for a moment, I would have broken the shackles and gone into combat stance.

Something writhed within my heart.

It kept trying to express its dominance, as if displeased by that attitude.

It pressed down firmly, preventing me from lifting my head.

“Why the hell does this bastard keep doing this?”

“Grab that guy and make him kneel right now.”

“Slam him down so he can’t dare lift his head!”

That’s what it was clamoring.

“Hhh…“

I somehow managed to endure it. At the same time, I tried to show respect by bowing my head to Mongmong.

But.

“Ah. Don’t do that. It was just a joke.”

As soon as I tried to act, Mongmong stepped in to stop me.

“Aw, come on. I don’t like that sort of thing. It’s fine, just relax.”

“…”

He’s a funny guy.

The fact that he was fine just standing there until now, but blocked me the moment I moved…

‘…means he was just trying to see how I would react.’

Indeed, what would have happened if I hadn’t moved? As far as I could tell, it probably wouldn’t have ended well.

“Anyway. Cheoljiseon.”

“…?”

“Cheoljiseon?”

“Ah, yes.”

I reacted belatedly.

That’s right. Jiseon was using that name as a cover.

I had forgotten.

“Hmm.”

Mongmong looked at me with a strange expression.

It wasn’t a look of sensing anything strange.

Rather, it was more like…

‘He knows it’s a fake name anyway, so at least pretend properly.’

“He’s not an easy guy.”

Even though he seemed to be acting all innocently and foolishly, there was something sharp lingering in his eyes.

An attitude of continuously trying to confirm something about me.

And even his gaze and breathing.

It meant he hadn’t come here simply.

Then Mongmong let out a chuckle.

“Well, that’s settled then.”

He tried to gloss over it as if it wasn’t important, but…

‘Settled, my ass.’

I didn’t let my guard down, knowing he knew I was continuing to investigate.

“Ah. It’s not about anything else. I did make a bit of a mistake earlier today, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“…Uh… yeah…”

He was momentarily flustered when I casually confirmed it.

“…Well, so I thought I might help if you happened to need it.”

“Help…”

Right after reacting as if intrigued, I said to him.

“How would you help?”

“I’ll do whatever you want.”

“If I asked you to let me out, would you let me out?”

“Oh, sure. Anything is possible.”

“Would the leader here permit that?”

“Huh?”

At my words, Mongmong wore a puzzled expression.

“Why would I need permission for that?”

His tone suggested he couldn’t understand at all.

“This land is mine anyway. There’s no need to go through such formalities.”

“…I see.”

I nodded.

I quietly realized a lot from that nonchalant attitude.

‘I’m starting to get a sense of what kind of guy he is.’

I have a feeling.

What kind of being he is.

However, the clues were too scarce to form any certainty.

‘His shell is still too thick.’

His mask was particularly thick, making it hard to dig deeper.

Should I use a stratagem to dig deeper? No, not yet.

“So, how can I help you?”

He had an attitude like he would sincerely grant anything.

He’d grant anything if I just asked.

His eyes were pure, yet somehow sinister.

In fact, they were so innocent they felt ominous.

“Hmm.”

After hearing him, I pretended to ponder for a moment.

And then I said to him.

“I’m fine.”

“Huh?”

Mongmong’s eyes widened when I refused.

He looked surprised.

“Why? Why refuse? I’m telling you I’ll do it!”

“It’s not really necessary, and I don’t want to impose.”

“Aw, impose? I’m doing this because I messed up.”

“Still…”

“Don’t worry, just say the word!”

“…Hmm.”

Instead of accepting my refusal, he seemed to want me to ask.

I wondered why he was acting like this, but…

“…Then.”

Organizing my thoughts, I said to him. As soon as I spoke, his eyes lit up.

“Could you let me meet the leader here?”

“Huh? The leader?”

Hearing this, Mongmong tilted his head.

His face showed he didn’t understand the intention behind suddenly asking to meet the leader.

“Yes. The leader.”

“Why?”

“If I’m going to ask to be let out, I want to tell the leader directly… Plus, I have something I need to say to him.”

“Something to say…”

At my words, Mongmong narrowed his eyes slightly.

I carefully observed his reaction.

Anyone would find it strange that I suddenly claimed to have something to say to the leader.

Moreover, I knew Mongmong was watching me closely.

I knew saying this would only increase his suspicion, but…

‘How will he respond?’

This was practically saying it deliberately just to see Mongmong’s reaction.

“…Hmmmmm.”

Mongmong pondered for quite a while like that, and then…

“Okay, let’s do that.”

“…”

He accepted with a slight nod.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘I can’t figure him out.’

It suits him well, acting so innocent like that.

I couldn’t even grasp what thoughts were going on inside him.

It meant he was not an easy opponent.

Furthermore.

‘…His presence is getting stronger too.’

Is it because it’s night now?

I felt Mongmong’s presence gradually growing stronger.

I recalled Noya’s words.

“-The Moonlit Night Tribe grows stronger at night, and all generals possess their own unique powers.”

If that’s the case, does that mean that Mongmong-no, this Yusara guy-not only gets stronger at night but also possesses powers?

If so.

‘Would I stand a chance if I fought him at night?’

It was a fundamental question.

It was something I’d wondered when I saw the leader too: could I really defeat them at night?

That question remained unresolved.

So, looking at Mongmong before me, I thought once more.

‘Indeed.’

Indeed, could I kill that guy?

Recalling that, I examined the guy, but…

‘Tsk…’

The more I looked, the more my brow furrowed.

I couldn’t grasp him properly.

And the fact that I couldn’t meant the opponent was incredibly strong.

‘Does this mean it’s too soon?’

It was uncertain even if my physical condition had been perfect.

At the very least, it didn’t seem like it was now.

“So, can you call him now?”

“…Yes, please do.”

“Okay! Wait just a moment!”

Mongmong finished speaking and closed the door, leaving.

His presence disappeared in an instant right after.

Sensing that, I focused a little more.

Did he really disappear completely?

Or perhaps he was hiding nearby?

While thinking that, after waiting a little longer, when I felt it was enough, I summoned my strength.

Vwoom! Feeling strength surge from my heart, I broke the shackles tied to my arms.

Snap!

The shackles split apart with a crisp sound.

My hands and body were freed.

The suppression of my energy also vanished.

Confirming this, I channeled strength into my hand.

Fshhh…

It felt less like starting a fire and more like gathering intense heat.

I gathered the heat in my palm, heating it intensely.

In that state,

Fshhhhhhhhhh—!!!

As I lightly gripped the bars, they gradually began to melt.

Using that, I grabbed and tore off the end.

Creak-!

I slipped out through the gap created, then grabbed and reattached the torn-off bars.

Since I had melted them off, reattaching them wasn’t that difficult.

With careful control of the heat, it was even possible to attach them without leaving a trace.

“Done.”

After reattaching the bars like that, I looked at Cheonma inside.

She was sitting quietly, watching me.

Looking at her, I said.

“You remember what I said earlier, right?”

Cheonma nodded.

“Just stay still. And if anything happens, do exactly as I told you.”

“…When will you be back?”

“It probably won’t take long.”

“If you don’t come back, can I come looking for you?”

“…”

Coming looking for me means tearing down the bars and everything else to get here, which would be a bit problematic.

“If I say no, will you wait?”

“…”

There was no answer.

Seeing that, I sighed.

“If possible, just stay put.”

Saying that, I reached into my pocket.

And.

“[It really won’t take that long.]”

I pulled out the black martial attire and the slightly cracked white mask, putting them on my face.