Chapter 232: Battlefront. (2)

After walking through the forest for a while, following Gujeolyeop.

Biyeonseom was able to reach the center of the forest.

Unlike the entrance, where no signs of people could be felt.

As they reached about the middle, signs of people finally began to be felt little by little.

‘Dense.’

The impression was brief.

But it wasn’t trivial.

As the Naegi pertaining to the surroundings was, without exception, deep and dense.

It was a level not felt at the Maeng’s resting area near the Jeonseon entrance.

I walked carefully, following behind Gujeolyeop.

Then, from far away, I could see someone standing guard.

Although not clearly visible, judging by the fact that they were wearing the same martial attire as Gujeolyeop.

They probably seemed to be someone from the same clan.

“Stop.”

But for some reason, the one standing guard pointed the tip of their sword at Gujeolyeop.

And there, Gujeolyeop, as if it were natural, raised both hands, expressing no intention to fight.

Following suit, Biyeonseom also raised their hands.

The warrior who confirmed this took a step towards Gujeolyeop.

Thump.

“…!”

In that moment, Biyeonseom was startled by the sharp energy felt from the warrior standing guard.

Because it was a much more potent energy than expected.

‘What is this…!’

Biyeonseom could tell.

That the warrior before their eyes was someone who had crossed the wall.

Crossing the wall meant they were a peak-level martial artist.

‘A peak-level martial artist…?’

What kind of nonsensical situation is this?

A peak-level martial artist is standing guard?

From the oppressive aura, which made cold sweat pour down just from feeling it.

Biyeonseom could only swallow dryly, gulping.

The terribly sharp Naegi brushed against Biyeonseom’s body, examining them here and there.

‘Such delicate control….’

It was an unbelievable application of Naegi.

The warrior who drew their sword glanced at Gujeolyeop and Biyeonseom. As if checking if they were dangerous elements.

However, the surprising thing was, if Gujeolyeop belonged to their faction.

Why would there be a need to be this wary and check.

Moreover, their faces were fully revealed, not hidden by masks.

While checking for a long time like that.

“…Butterfly.”

In the chilling silence, Gujeolyeop softly uttered the word.

It was a truly abrupt and random word.

But Biyeonseom felt like they knew why Gujeolyeop said that word.

‘Is it a password?’

It seemed to be a password.

Furthermore, the warrior on the other side must have already initiated this.

‘Although I didn’t hear it…’

If so, was it telepathy?

I thought that was probably the case.

“Hmm….”

Whether what Gujeolyeop said was correct.

The warrior slightly nodded and reduced their oppressive aura.

As the intense energy that had been pressing down on the surroundings disappeared.

My stuffy chest felt relieved, and only then could I barely breathe.

Phew.

Was that the turning point?

The warrior looked at Gujeolyeop, relaxed their stiff expression, and smiled.

Gujeolyeop, facing that smile, frowned as if displeased.

“…Please don’t laugh.”

“Haha! How could I not laugh?”

“Ugh….”

“This month alone, it’s already three people.”

“…I know that too.”

What could three people mean?

Perhaps, is it the number of people Yeolhyeopgeom saved?

When such a question arose, the warrior asked Gujeolyeop.

“Will you be alright?”

To the warrior’s question, Gujeolyeop let out a deep sigh.

All the worries and concerns in the world were contained within that sigh.

“…I’m not alright.”

“Despite that, Gongja always brings them.”

“…”

At the warrior’s words, Gujeolyeop glanced at Biyeonseom.

“…Because I couldn’t just leave them behind.”

At Gujeolyeop’s reluctant words, the warrior smiled once more.

Biyeonseom, watching that, thought.

Somehow, it felt somewhat different compared to the peak-level martial artists Biyeonseom had seen.

The characteristic arrogance and pride of reaching a certain level were absent.

They seemed full of humility and goodwill.

‘It’s so different compared to when they raised their aura earlier.’

It was to the point where I wondered how they could look like such different people.

While Biyeonseom felt surprised.

Gujeolyeop, for some reason, asked a question with a slightly cautious expression.

“…What is Gongja-nim doing right now?”

“Ah! They probably went hunting. I saw them leave after reporting to Daeju-nim this morning.”

At the warrior’s words, a little liveliness appeared on Gujeolyeop’s face.

“Hmph…. That’s a relief, at least.”

Meanwhile, Biyeonseom could hear Gujeolyeop muttering very quietly behind them.

-If they’re just working up a sweat, maybe they won’t get beaten as much.

The words spoken while nodding were quite chilling.

Why have they been trembling like that since earlier?

Biyeonseom was very curious.

Just as they were thinking of asking casually.

“Young Hero.”

The warrior standing guard spoke to Biyeonseom.

At this, Biyeonseom unconsciously felt their body tense up.

After all, the opponent was a peak-level martial artist.

However, unlike Biyeonseom’s tension, the voice that was heard was quite gentle.

“If it’s not rude, may I ask your name?”

“Ah! Uh, I am Biyeonseom of Biseonmun.”

“I see.”

Biseonmun, that warrior probably hadn’t heard of it.

How would they know about a small sect in a remote mountain valley?

A strange sense of inferiority slowly crept up inside Biyeonseom.

But they had to suppress it.

Whether the warrior knew this or not, they smiled faintly and said to Biyeonseom.

“I am Muyeon.”

Biyeonseom envied the confidence and unknown camaraderie emerging in that tone.

“Please take care of me. Young Hero Bi.”

“…Yes, yes! Please take care of me.”

When Muyeon reached out first.

Biyeonseom, unsure of what to do, cautiously shook hands.

Even at the moment of shaking hands, they repeatedly debated whether to use both hands.

But they shook with one hand for now.

Gujeolyeop, watching this, asked Muyeon.

“How much time is left until your shift change?”

“Not much time is left. Do you perhaps need something?”

“Ah, it’s nothing major…. I was wondering if I could ask for a sparring match later.”

At Gujeolyeop’s words, Muyeon grinned.

“I’m fine with it, but would you be alright?”

“So, about that…. If you could perhaps make an excuse with me….”

Muyeon, without losing his smile at Gujeolyeop’s words, nodded.

Does it mean yes?

Gujeolyeop, for a moment, as if believing him, sent praise to Muyeon with his expression.

“That won’t do.”

“…”

With a friendly face, it was a much firmer answer than expected.

Muyeon also valued his own body.

---

The resting area set up deeper in the forest was much better maintained than expected.

To the extent that I wondered if it could be managed this well in the forest called the center of Jeonseon.

‘It’s quite different.’

The atmosphere, somehow differentiated from the Maeng, contributed to this.

Stiff and cold.

Unlike the people of the Maeng who distrusted each other.

This place had a slightly more natural atmosphere.

Yet firm.

I couldn’t figure out why I felt such a difference.

While Biyeonseom walked around, observing.

Gujeolyeop, who was walking ahead, stopped.

Before them, the largest tent visible in the surroundings could be seen.

It seemed like this was where the person managing this area resided.

Although they entered carefully, there was no one inside the tent.

They seemed to have left.

Just as they wondered what to do, Gujeolyeop said.

“…Daeju-nim isn’t here. Please wait here for a moment first.”

“Yes?”

At Gujeolyeop’s words, Biyeonseom was quite flustered.

Even though Gujeolyeop had saved them, it was strange to be left alone like this, considering they knew nothing about Biyeonseom other than belonging to the Murim Alliance.

‘What do they think I can do?’

To just leave me alone in a place like this?

However, as if not caring about Biyeonseom’s concerns.

Gujeolyeop brought a chair from the side and handed it to Biyeonseom.

“Please sit. Soon… or maybe not? Anyway, I’ll be back.”

“Yes…? Rather, let’s go together…!”

“No.”

It was a very firm refusal.

“…Because it’s a situation that’s a bit awkward to show to outsiders.”

“Ah…. Yes.”

If they said that, I had nothing to say.

Because Biyeonseom was in a position of receiving help.

“Please wait just a moment.”

Gujeolyeop, having finished speaking, went out of the tent.

Biyeonseom, left alone, maintained tension rising to the back of their neck, sat on the chair Gujeolyeop handed over, and rolled their eyes.

---

Gujeolyeop dumped Biyeonseom in the tent and walked towards the back of the forest.

The person they were looking for would be somewhere in this vast forest.

But it wouldn’t take long to find him.

Snap.

The sound of stepping on twigs brushed against my ears.

The incessant chirping of insects disappeared.

The subtle presence of monsters vanished.

In that gap, only.

What filled the surroundings was only heat.

‘It’s hot….’

The intense heat felt as soon as I took a few steps must have been emanating from ‘him’.

Even Gujeolyeop, who possessed similar heat, felt a suffocating heat.

So Gujeolyeop had no choice but to raise their Naegi.

As I moved forward, the heat intensified.

The forest, wearing a mask of vibrant blue, gradually revealed its true nature as they went deeper.

Sssshhh-

“Gasp….”

By the suffocating miasma that rushed in, Gujeolyeop raised their Naegi further.

This place was not somewhere one could endure without properly resisting such bizarre energy.

As they raised their Naegi, they recalled words he had once told them.

-If you don’t want to die, think of this forest itself as a monster.

Those were the words.

At the time, I didn’t understand what he meant, but now, I think I understand a little.

It must mean this forest is that dangerous.

Yet the one who spoke those words was wandering this forest as if it were his home.

“…Hmph.”

Gujeolyeop sighed.

Because the sky visible far away had turned a faint red, as if sunset.

It was only a little past noon.

It was too early for the sun to set.

Then, what could that be?

“Every time I see it, I can’t understand it.”

That wasn’t sunset.

If it were sunset, it would be strange for only that spot to turn red.

That was proof that it was a space made solely of heat and fire.

With an immeasurable, nonsensical amount of Naegi.

The flames created by martial arts were dyeing the sky with their unique color and dominating the surroundings.

“…”

Watching that, Gujeolyeop smiled bitterly.

Over the past year.

By toiling away at Jeonseon, Gujeolyeop’s level increased unbelievably.

Their own intent began to be infused onto the monotonous sword path.

The natural control of energy reached the level of creating sword intent as if waiting.

Others saw this and told Gujeolyeop.

That they definitely had talent.

That they were indeed a genius.

Having raised their level so much in this short time.

It was only natural they had talent.

However.

Gujeolyeop couldn’t just be happy about this.

Thinking of someone very close by, it was only natural.

Because the one who grew the most over this past year wasn’t me, but him.

Furthermore.

The one who tormented and pushed me the hardest to bring me this far was none other than him.

Rolling on the ground unable to refuse his words felt terrible, but looking back, I could clearly see.

That I could reach this point because he was there.

Of course, separate from that.

Frequent violence.

Being subjected to taunts and nagging all day long did change Gujeolyeop’s personality a bit.

“…Gulp.”

As they got closer to the domain.

Gujeolyeop had to swallow dryly.

That they wouldn’t fare well upon arrival could be known from past experiences.

“…Should I just go back?”

The thought didn’t last long.

Yes, let’s go back.

The work can be sorted out after returning.

He doesn’t need to know about such frequent occurrences.

Gujeolyeop, nodding firmly, turned their steps, which they had been forcing forward, and headed back towards the tent.

The steps going back were about twice as fast as the steps coming.

“…If I just run back, send a letter to the Maeng appropriately, and finish this….”

“Where are you going?”

Freeze.

Gujeolyeop, who was trying to escape quickly.

Stopped walking and flinched at the voice from behind.

“Where are you going?”

At the voice heard twice in succession.

Gujeolyeop’s head turned with a creaking sound, as if broken.

There was still some distance to go.

How did they even get here?

At the end of the gaze they forced to turn.

Still fierce eyes.

With eyes flushed red from the heat of their body not cooling down, looking at Gujeolyeop.

The demon, no, Gu Yangcheon stood there.