Chapter 1268: Scorched World

“……What did you just say?”

As I asked again, wondering if I’d misheard, Mi Hyoran-nim spat out an explanation as if she’d heard me correctly.

“I said it was a place attacked by an Apostle-.”

“No, not that. What kind of Apostle?”

“…….”

I’d already heard about the Apostle’s attack long ago. What kind of Apostle? That was the most important thing to me. If I had heard correctly.

“Did you say Sword Dragon?”

Sword Dragon.

As far as I know, there’s only one Sword Dragon in this world right now.

“Are you saying Namgung Jin-ssi has become an Apostle?”

Sword Dragon Namgung Jin-ssi. It meant that human had become an Apostle.

“……That’s right.”

Mi Hyoran-nim, after a moment of silence, finally nodded. It meant I hadn’t misheard.

‘……That guy became an Apostle too?’

Namgung Jin-ssi became an Apostle, huh?

‘I’m not that surprised, really?’

Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a deal. I was surprised when I heard my father became an Apostle, but the fact that Namgung Jin-ssi became one wasn’t that surprising to me.

‘It makes sense.’

Based on the Namgung Jin-ssi I knew, I thought it was possible. So, this part is understandable, but…

‘Why is Mi Hyoran-nim’s reaction like that?’

Mi Hyoran-nim’s reaction to Namgung Jin-ssi becoming an Apostle was strange. Although faint, I felt guilt mixed with hesitation.

‘Why?’

Mi Hyoran-nim feels guilty towards Namgung Jin-ssi? I narrowed my eyes at that part.

‘Well, well?’

Something’s weird. Seeing this, the pieces that didn’t fit are finally starting to fall into place.

‘Is this it.’

The reason Mi Hyoran-nim bothered to abandon her hideout and come all the way here.

The reason she went out of her way to do unnecessary things and find a way to help elsewhere.

Perhaps.

“Did you come here because of Namgung Jin-ssi?”

“It’s not like that.”

Mi Hyoran-nim denied it instantly at my words, but…

‘She’s avoiding my gaze?’

‘Huh?’

What is this situation? Mi Hyoran-nim not only feels guilty towards Namgung Jin-ssi but also took action?

It was impossible.

At least, according to my common sense.

“What on earth did you…”

“……It’s late. Let’s go inside quickly. It could be dangerous if we stay here any longer.”

Mi Hyoran-nim ignored my question and walked ahead. I could strongly feel her refusal to answer.

“……Hmph.”

I let out a breath at that sight.

Mi Hyoran-nim walked quickly ahead, and I followed her back, narrowing my eyes.

---

As we reached the front of the cave, I saw personnel standing guard, just like elsewhere.

The figure standing in front reacted immediately upon seeing our group, placing a hand on his sword and blocking our path.

“……Halt…”

The moment he was about to speak, the guard recognized Mi Hyoran-nim’s face.

“Mi So-danjoo…?”

“It’s been a while.”

“What brings you here…?”

“I came after receiving a letter from the Divine Dragon Unit Leader. I heard you needed help.”

“……Huh…?”

“Are procedures required? Then I’ll wait.”

“No, you don’t.”

The guard answered hastily at Mi Hyoran-nim’s words.

“……I’ll contact the Unit Leader immediately.”

“Please do.”

The guard went into the cave like that.

At that moment, I looked around with the cave in front of me. A place reached barely a day after passing through the vines.

In terms of distance, it meant it wasn’t that far.

‘The difference in terrain is significant.’

Unlike Mi Hyoran-nim’s hideout built on an open field, this seemed to be a large forest, with a hideout created inside using vines.

‘It looks highly secure, though.’

The fact that such a place was attacked… doesn’t that mean it was ultimately pointless?

‘Hmm.’

As I was looking around, taking in information piece by piece…

“You must have had a hard time traveling a long way.”

A voice came from afar. I turned my gaze upon hearing it, and saw a familiar face.

‘Tae Ho-an…’

It was Tae Ho-an, the Divine Dragon Unit Leader.

It was a face I’d seen recently.

‘What the?’

Something was different. I narrowed my eyes, looking at Tae Ho-an’s body.

‘His arm and eye…’

His left arm was missing, and he wore an eyepatch over his left eye. It seemed like a lot had happened in the past year.

“Honestly, I didn’t really expect anything when I sent the request. So, I’m surprised you came to help. Moreover…”

Tae Ho-an’s eyes turned towards me.

“I didn’t expect to see a familiar face along with you. You were Baek Yangcheon, right? I’m sure that was your name.”

“That’s correct.”

“Haha. You’re alive.”

Everyone says that when they see me. It wasn’t surprising anymore.

“Come on in.”

Tae Ho-an didn’t ask anything further. He started guiding us right away.

I was even more surprised after entering the cave.

‘How is it so spacious?’

The cave’s interior was much larger than I expected. I could tell the place with the poison darts was just cramped.

‘If it’s this big…’

It was similar to the space where Moyong Hi-ah had gathered survivors when I came before.

That was Mount Tai, so it was amazing that such a place existed underground.

‘The personnel…’

As we walked, I didn’t see many people. Although I could sense presences here and there, it wasn’t a large number.

As I was walking, figuring this out…

“The others are currently undergoing treatment, so they aren’t upstairs.”

Tae Ho-an spoke, seeming to have grasped my question.

“There are several seriously injured individuals, so it would be difficult to treat them where people are around.”

“……Ah, is that so?”

“Well, we’ve arrived. Come in.”

Tae Ho-an entered a space created in one wall of the cave. The inside wasn’t very large compared to the main cave.

It was a simple room with a few tables and chairs.

“I apologize. There’s nothing much I can offer you. Given the circumstances.”

“It’s fine.”

We all sat down after entering.

As soon as we sat, Mi Hyoran-nim cut through the brief silence and got straight to the point.

“I received the letter. You mentioned an Apostle attack was scheduled.”

“……That’s correct.”

An Apostle attack was scheduled. The words made my brow furrow.

‘Scheduled?’

What did that mean? For now, I kept listening.

“……Is it the same Apostle this time?”

“I’m not certain. It’s just a prediction. I suspect it might be. There’s also a possibility someone from our hideout might come…”

“No… that part won’t happen. Chu Yeong-yeon is dead.”

“What?”

Tae Ho-an’s eyes widened at Mi Hyoran-nim’s words.

“……What do you mean by that?”

“Just as I said. Apostle Chu Yeong-yeon is dead… because Young Master Baek handled him.”

Tae Ho-an looked at me regarding Chu Yeong-yeon’s death. His eyes asked if it was true.

“……Ah, yes. It happened like that.”

“How…”

Just as I was about to explain that I simply grabbed him and beat him up.

“Young Master Baek possesses a special power that can capture Apostles. The reason he was unseen for the past year was also due to that power, or so I’ve heard.”

‘……Huh?’

Mi Hyoran-nim suddenly brought up something unexpected.

It was completely different from what I thought.

‘What is she doing?’

It was strange, but I decided to just watch for now.

“A power that can capture Apostles…?”

Tae Ho-an looked at me with intrigued eyes.

“Is that true, Young Master Baek?”

“……Ah, yes… well…”

I looked at Mi Hyoran-nim. She looked back at me with eyes devoid of any emotion. Was she telling me to choose?

“……That’s correct.”

I nodded for now. I figured she must have a reason, so it was best to wait and see.

“Such… a power that can capture Apostles. How did you obtain it?”

Tae Ho-an looked at me with somewhat urgent eyes. How did I obtain it?

I quickly racked my brain. Ah, but what should I do?

‘Can I even control my expression?’

It didn’t seem like I could, and if I messed up, it might be worse than not saying anything. As I hesitated with that thought…

“The method of obtaining it is difficult to explain. However.”

This was all I could manage to say.

And with that.

Hwareureureuk.

“This…?”

I ignited the White Flame in my hand, drawing Tae Ho-an’s attention.

“……This is the power that works on Apostles.”

“……What is this that works like that?”

“It doesn’t really have a name. I’ve roughly called it White Flame… but it seems to work on Apostles.”

“……This flame?”

“Yes.”

Holding it, I grabbed Tae Ho-an’s hand.

“……!”

Tae Ho-an flinched at my action, but…

“Huh?”

Realizing there was no sensation, he widened his eyes.

“It doesn’t affect ordinary people. It’s a power that only works on Apostles.”

This explanation wasn’t a lie either. The White Flame was indeed a useless power against other objects and mere humans.

As I explained about the White Flame, Mi Hyoran-nim interjected as if she had been waiting.

“……It is because you possess such power that we brought Young Master Baek here. So, if you have any information, please tell us.”

“…….”

“This attack. Is the Sword Dragon also scheduled to come? And.”

Mi Hyoran-nim asked with serious eyes.

“If the Sword Dragon is attacking this place for the third time, what is the reason?”

The reason.

The reason the Sword Dragon is attacking this place? …Is there such a thing?

Tae Ho-an’s brow furrowed upon hearing Mi Hyoran-nim’s words.

“……Mi So-danjoo.”

“Really.”

Mi Hyoran-nim cut Tae Ho-an off as he was about to say something.

“Do you not know the whereabouts of Hyun So-jeo?”

Suddenly.

Hyun So-jeo.

At that word, not only Tae Ho-an but also my body froze.