Chapter 1270: Scorched World

Shortly after a brief rest, I met Taehoan again. By the date, it seemed like a day had passed, but being inside the cave, I couldn’t properly confirm it.

“I believe you’ve already heard the situation from the Young Master, Young Master-nim.”

Taehoan responded as if he intended to skip the detailed explanation. That was true. I had already heard the full explanation from Mi Hyoran.

All that remained was a mere confirmation process.

“I heard the attack was scheduled for three days later. Is that correct?”

“That’s right. Now it’ll be two days away.”

“Hmm… In what manner will the attack come?”

“There’s nothing particularly special. They simply push forward, quite literally.”

This means they don’t use tricks or ambushes, but simply barge right in. I wonder if it’s even possible to attack so brutishly. Recalling those fiends called Apostles, it seemed plausible.

‘They all looked like they had screws loose.’

Seeing as I didn’t see any sane individuals among them, it was entirely possible.

“Then, do you have any specific countermeasures prepared?”

“First, we plan to divide our forces according to their cultivation realms. Furthermore, since there’s only one entrance, we intend to utilize that… but….”

“I heard there was an attack last time as well; is it the same method that worked then?”

“……To some extent.”

His tone lacked confidence. The Taehoan I knew was someone who had quite a bit, almost to the point of being arrogant, but perhaps getting roughed up here had changed him subtly.

Just then.

“……Have you not considered fleeing?”

Poison Phoenix interjected with a question.

“Fleeing, you say?”

“Yes. If the Apostles are indeed a threat… and if they have an attack planned, fleeing is also a viable option, isn’t it?”

“Haha.”

At that, Taehoan chuckled softly.

“It’s impossible to flee with all these people. And, it’s not as if we haven’t tried that before either.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Do you know what it means for the Apostles to plan an attack?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s because we aren’t prey they’ll let go just because we try to flee.”

“……You mean!”

“That’s the kind of beings Apostles are. Poison Phoenix seems to still know little of the world.”

Poison Phoenix faltered at Taehoan’s words. Irritation could be felt in his voice. Was it because he saw it as pointless questioning?

“Ah, darn it. My apologies. I’ve been rather sensitive lately.”

Sensing he’d gone too far, Taehoan offered an apology.

“……No, it’s alright. I was out of line as well.”

Poison Phoenix responded formally. Seeing that, the chilling atmosphere returned to normal.

“No, it’s understandable. It’s natural not to understand. Well then, that covers this part… Now we must discuss what lies ahead.”

Taehoan’s gaze turned towards me.

“Young Master Baek.”

“Yes.”

“Can you truly subdue the Apostles?”

“Well…”

“Hmm?”

Taehoan’s eyes widened at my ambiguous answer. Reacting to his response, I continued immediately.

“Killing them would be easy… but I haven’t tried subduing them, so I’ll have to see.”

“Ah…?”

“So, I ask for just one promise.”

I said, looking at Mi Hyoran.

“If I find subduing them impossible, then allow me to kill them.”

“……”

Mi Hyoran’s eyes wavered upon hearing my words.

“I have no intention of causing needless sacrifices. If it’s truly impossible, killing them is the right course of action. I’m telling you this in advance. For the record, this is a notification.”

I wasn’t asking for permission.

Mi Hyoran surely knew that too.

I’ll try until I can’t anymore, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll just have to kill them, what else can I do? Mi Hyoran, hearing my words.

“……Alright.”

She nodded, accepting it. In reality, whether she accepted it or not wouldn’t change anything.

After observing Mi Hyoran, I looked back at Taehoan and said.

“You said two days from now?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… two days.”

It’s a short time to prepare, but fortunately, there wasn’t much I needed to prepare.

“Are there no tasks for me until then?”

“It seems not.”

“Is it possible to go out and come back?”

“It could be dangerous, so perhaps refraining would be best…”

“Oh, bother.”

So, I guess I can’t go out after all. Nodding with apparent disappointment, I got up.

“It seems we’ve finished talking, so I’ll go get some rest. Oh, is it okay to wander around the cave a bit?”

“That’s fine. I’ll let them know in advance.”

“Understood.”

Having received permission, I moved.

All the talking was done. What remained was for the two of them to handle.

Thinking so, I left the room.

* * *

Looking at the cave brought back various memories.

In my previous life, during the Moyongmun battle. Even then, I had a history of using caves as hideouts.

The warriors organized under Moyong Hi-ah.

The place where they gathered was also just such a cave.

Swoosh.

I walked, touching the wall.

‘You.’

Somehow, memories from that time surfaced gently.

‘Are you just planning to die? Meaninglessly like that?’

It was Moyong Hi-ah’s frustration, always asking me that while looking at me.

‘At least struggle to survive.’

Why should I have struggled when there wasn’t much reason to live?

I couldn’t understand.

So I asked Moyong Hi-ah why I had to.

‘What reason is needed? You’re alive, so I’m telling you to struggle to live.’

‘Even if I don’t know the reason or understand it. Just do it anyway.’

‘If you show that kind of attitude, it affects others too. I intend to live. At the very least, you shouldn’t interfere.’

‘I will live. I’ll save those people too. So don’t interfere.’

An inexplicable sense of responsibility. Moyong Hi-ah was a person who possessed such a thing.

Even though she was more level-headed than anyone and seemed to discard colleagues easily.

‘Ugh… blurgh…!!’

On the days she chose the option of sacrificing colleagues, she was a woman who secretly hid by the wall and vomited.

The fact that I happened to see that was, perhaps, a stain on our relationship.

It was unexpected.

I thought, ‘So this woman has emotions too.’

One day.

I asked her if, since it was so difficult, she couldn’t just not do it.

At my words, Moyong Hi-ah told me with a weary face.

‘It’s something someone has to do. And… it’s something only I can do.’

‘Only I can do it.’

It was true. Among the survivors, there wasn’t anyone who knew how to use their head. Even if there was someone who could use their head.

‘There was no one willing to discard them.’

No one could bring themselves to abandon colleagues when affection had grown and it was necessary to do so.

That’s why Moyong Hi-ah said it was something she had to do.

‘Someone needs to be given a reason.’

A person was needed to blame.

The perception that colleagues must be abandoned due to orders.

The thought of doing it reluctantly because orders were received.

That was necessary. That’s why she stepped forward.

Moyong Hi-ah was that kind of person.

“Really…”

She was a woman whose inside held such things, unlike her outward appearance. That’s why, no matter how rudely she behaved, I couldn’t bring myself to hate her.

Hate? No.

‘I couldn’t.’

Even if I couldn’t express it as love (愛).

It wasn’t resentment or hatred.

She probably felt the same way towards me.

‘……Live.’

Especially seeing those words she spoke to me at the last moment.

“Tsk.”

I looked at the wall and shook my head. Unnecessary thoughts arose.

‘Is it because I haven’t seen them for so long?’

Could it be because it’s been a while since I saw the kids? Or perhaps it’s because I ended up here of all places.

Memories from that time kept coming back.

‘I wonder what they’re doing.’

What could Moyong Hi-ah be doing?

The moment that question suddenly crossed my mind.

Kugugugugung—!!!

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a vibration occurred.

* * *

Kureureureung—!! Kureureung-!!

Harsh thunderous sounds poured out consecutively. The entire cave reverberated with the intense explosions and vibrations.

The shaking space. Inside it, the warriors in the hideout reacted.

“Keuk……!!””……Lightning Qi!”

An unknown Lightning Qi swirled within the space. Just brushing against it caused paralysis, not to mention a sensation of internal organs twisting.

As everyone staggered and collapsed.

“What is this? What’s happening?”

I appeared and asked. By then, Taehoan and the others, who were already in the room, had also come outside.

“……It’s an attack.”

“What?”

At Taehoan’s answer, I scrunched up my face.

“An attack? You said it was two days later.”

“That’s what I’m saying… The attack that was supposed to come in two days, how could it be now…!”

The moment Taehoan reacted, looking just as confused.

Kureureureureung—-!!!!

An explosion, the same as before, erupted.

“Ha.”

I let out a hollow laugh and tensed my body.

The air felt sharp/stinging. Sensing the energy, I too unleashed my fighting spirit.

Hoooook-!!

The energy spread out, pushing back the Lightning Qi. By creating a barrier and blocking the Lightning Qi like that, people could finally catch their breath.

“Kluk……!!””Those barely holding on as they collapsed.

Looking at them, I glanced ahead.

The source of the energy. I involuntarily gasped at something felt far away.

“I wondered how much had changed.”

This Lightning Qi.

It felt familiar yet alien. And, I already knew well who the owner of this energy was.

How much could that incompetent and arrogant guy in my head possibly change even if he got stronger? I thought even becoming an Apostle wouldn’t be that threatening.

“You’ve changed quite a bit more than I expected?”

Seeing the being before me, I had to change my thinking.

Tteobuk.

Footsteps crossing the cave.

Keureureureureung—!!

Amidst the cries of the monsters, distinct footsteps were visible.

Pajijijijik-!!

As they approached, a light pushing back the darkness appeared. The gray Lightning Qi swirled around the young man’s body like fireflies.

Seeing such Lightning Qi, I clenched my fist.

Strong.

That thought naturally crossed my mind.

The Sword Dragon, Namgung Jin.

I made eye contact with him, who had become an Apostle. Then, I spoke to him.

“It’s been a while. We meet faster than expected, don’t we?”

“……”

At my words, Namgung Jin looked at me.

At that moment.

Kuuuuuuuuung—!!

An immense aura emanated from his body.

The imposing aura of the Emperor Sword Form burst forth.