Chapter 1256: Scorched World

Something exists in the west. I grasped that, but I couldn’t head there immediately.

Cheollyongdaeju opposed heading there, and considering the physical condition of the others, it wasn’t feasible to proceed further.

I thought it was a valid reason. So, regardless of what my instincts screamed, I decided to return.

“I have returned.”

“Welcome back.”

As soon as Cheollyongdaeju returned to the hideout, he went to Mi Hyoran and began his report immediately upon arrival.

“You said the monsters attacked.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“…They banded together regardless of their species and attempted to attack first, you say.”

“By any chance, did the Pungryongdae side have anything else to say?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything else.”

The Jinbeop-ga experts managing the formation, they haven’t heard anything, huh.

“…That’s strange. It hasn’t happened recently.”

“That’s correct. It seems like an anomalous phenomenon. I wanted to search further, but the fatigue from the battle was extreme, so I couldn’t. We will form a search party again and depart in the near future.”

“…Understood. I don’t think delaying any further would be beneficial. You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes. Disperse now, everyone.”

At Cheollyongdaeju’s words, the personnel began to move. I also intended to follow Poison Phoenix and Dangcheongi.

“Cheollyongdaeju.”

“Yes. Young Master So.”

“Come inside with me.”

Cheollyongdaeju went inside with Mi Hyoran.

“……”

After watching the two of them for a moment, I moved my steps again.

---

After dispersing the group and entering a private space, Mi Hyoran looked at Cheollyongdaeju.

At that gaze, the Daeju immediately waved his hand.

Whooong-!

Energy spread out, forming a barrier.

Only after seeing the barrier form did Mi Hyoran ask him.

“What happened?”

His expression was somewhat different from before.

“You said the monsters started the attack.”

“It was when we were heading towards the western region. Suddenly, the ground vibrated, and as I explained earlier, monsters swarmed us.”

“Monsters of different species, you mean.”

“Yes. It was a situation I had never seen before.”

“Was there anything else besides that?”

“…The other regions didn’t show any significant characteristics.”

“…This is strange.”

His eyes held incomprehension. It was understandable, as this was something that had never happened during the past times.

“We’ll need to check the formation side of things as well, but judging by the lack of reports, it’s highly likely they didn’t sense this.”

“Yes. If that’s the case, the problem likely originated from somewhere else.”

“…Somewhere else, you say.”

What could that be? Mi Hyoran’s eyes held a moment of contemplation.

“Young Master So.”

Cheollyongdaeju carefully brought up the topic.

“Is there something you suspect?”

“…It’s nothing else, but…”

He continued speaking, his eyes slightly furrowed.

“The fact that an anomaly occurred… I believe we need to find the reason from within as well.”

“Inside, you mean-?”

“An unusual event hasn’t just happened on our side, has it? To be precise.”

Cheollyongdaeju glanced behind him.

“It would be accurate to say a peculiar individual has appeared.”

“……”

Hearing that, Mi Hyoran’s eyes turned cold.

“Are you saying, perhaps, that you mean Young Master Baek?”

“That’s correct.”

“Does that mean Young Master Baek is the center of this anomaly? Or does it mean he’s an individual from the Apostle side?”

“It could be both, or neither.”

“You mean you’re judging based solely on circumstantial evidence without proof.”

“That is also correct. However, I thought it was a situation worth suspecting. The circumstances certainly point that way.”

“Then, Daeju-nim’s intention is, ultimately, to suspect Young Master Baek.”

“Yes. That’s correct. Furthermore, if Young Master So permits it, I will step forward and investigate.”

“…How would you do that?”

Investigate Baek Yangcheon. Hearing that, Mi Hyoran asked.

“I have a plan.”

Cheollyongdaeju answered confidently.

---

The next day arrived.

Perhaps because of what happened the first day, I fell asleep a bit earlier. As soon as I opened my eyes, I found myself outside again.

“We shall begin the second day of searching.”

This time too, Cheollyongdaeju said he would lead the search from the front.

There were some changes in personnel.

Poison Phoenix was included, but Dangcheongi was excluded. One other person was also removed. The personnel consisted of warriors belonging to the hideout.

Dangcheongi protested this, but it quickly turned into meaningless anger as Poison Phoenix subdued him.

“We will head west to understand the anomaly that occurred yesterday.”

At Cheollyongdaeju’s words, I glanced at him.

‘Hmm.’

Heading west, huh. Since there was the conversation with Mi Hyoran yesterday, it wasn’t particularly strange.

However.

‘Well, well.’

I could feel something different from Cheollyongdaeju’s gaze. Suspicion.

Such a thing permeated the eyes he looked at me with.

‘Oh ho.’

It seems so.

‘He’s suspicious of me.’

He must be suspicious of me regarding what happened yesterday. The reason is valid, but… it’s a bit odd that he immediately jumped to suspicion in that situation.

‘Is there something more? Or…’

‘Does he just find me bothersome? Whatever it is, the important thing is…’

‘This looks like it’s going to get troublesome.’

The situation didn’t look particularly good. If there’s anything good about this situation, it’s that…

‘At least we’re going west.’

I’ll be able to resolve the part that was bothering me.

I decided to focus only on that part for now.

---

On the way towards the west.

Poison Phoenix intervened in my mood, which was set on walking leisurely.

“So. Last time-“

She prattled on without pause. Poison Phoenix was a much more talkative person than I thought.

“Ah, right, in the Tang Clan. In Sichuan…”

From the Dangbyeonjeonhoe meeting to the weapons they forge. Even stories about the poisons they recently intended to consume.

She brought up things I wasn’t particularly curious about, without giving me a moment’s rest.

“Ah, I see.”

All I could do was nod my head.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to shut up.

‘She probably takes after Tang Soyeol.’

Because of the green-haired woman in my mind, it was a bit difficult to treat Poison Phoenix harshly.

‘Still, it’s fortunate there are no monsters.’

Putting aside her noisy chatter, perhaps because I dealt with so many yesterday, the number of monsters was extremely low.

‘Let’s see.’

I gauged my internal state. The remaining amount of energy wasn’t much. I divided a little of it, released it into my sensory energy, and let it flow around.

Swoooooosh-!

The sensory energy that spread momentarily enveloped the surroundings. Monsters were still not detectable.

‘Then.’

This time, I focused my sensory energy and shot it towards the west.

Focusing on one point and throwing it, it extended instantaneously. Before long, it brought back information from that location.

At that moment.

“……!”

My body froze for a moment.

‘…Whoa.’

I received the flood of information and lifted the corners of my mouth.

It was a surprising reason.

‘…What is that number?’

The western edge. The number of monsters gathered there is extraordinary. It looks twice as many as what I encountered yesterday.

What could it be? Is there a reason for monsters to gather like that?

‘Besides, it doesn’t seem like just monsters.’

The gathered monsters. I felt something foreign amidst them.

‘What could that be?’

I nodded my head. I couldn’t tell. It was difficult to grasp with sensory energy. My energy was insufficient to send more.

If so.

‘I’ll know if I go see.’

I’ll find out in person. Nothing had changed from the choice I made when departing.

---

“We will prepare for the search.”

As soon as we reached the destination, Cheollyongdaeju spoke. At his words, everyone moved to perform their assigned roles.

Some sought higher ground to grasp the monsters’ movements.

Still others stood guard, watching for nearby monsters.

And then.

“We are going inside.”

Cheollyongdaeju and I intended to head inside.

“Oh, then I should too…!”

“That wouldn’t be your assigned duty, would it?”

As Poison Phoenix tried to follow, Cheollyongdaeju blocked her.

“…But.”

“It’s alright, you can go.”

“……”

Hearing this, Poison Phoenix hesitated and stepped back.

Only then did Cheollyongdaeju move, and I followed him.

Inside the west. We entered deeper into the danger zone indicated on the map.

Since we were going outside the target area, I asked him.

“Didn’t you say it was dangerous to go this way?”

“It is dangerous. If we make a mistake, we could be detected by the Apostles.”

“Oh, really?”

“Because the limit of what could be obscured was within this range.”

“Hmm.”

Formations. Barriers.

It seemed like they were using those things to their fullest extent to blind the Apostles.

Thump. Thump.

“……”

“……”

We walked silently for a little longer. It was an unpleasant silence, more than just uncomfortable.

Just then.

“Come to think of it.”

Cheollyongdaeju, who had remained quiet, spoke to me.

“I’m curious how you managed to survive for a whole year.”

‘Is he probing me?’

I snorted inwardly.

“I lived, somehow. You know.”

“Your food supply must have been limited too?”

“Is food limited to just one or two things? Even tree bark is fine if you eat it enough.”

I had actually survived by eating tree bark before. It was probably when I was stranded with Moyong Heea in my past life.

“You ate monsters too?”

“If you have to eat it, you eat it.”

I said it nonchalantly. At those words.

“Is that so?”

Cheollyongdaeju stopped walking for a moment and looked at me.

“Unless you’re an Apostle, you’d die if you ate a monster, wouldn’t you?”

“……”

My steps also stopped.

Our gazes met.

“……”

“……”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.