Chapter 279: Winter Rain.(3)

I had known for a while that Sword Empress was staying at the inn.

The entire inn, no, the surroundings were filled with disciples of the Mount Hua Sect; it was packed.

Among them, I could faintly sense the strongest disciple.

“I didn’t expect you to come find me directly…”

Following Yeongpung’s guidance to the room, Sword Empress greeted me with surprised eyes.

After exchanging a few pleasantries like asking how she’d been.

I got straight to the point.

Because I didn’t want to drag things out.

“Hmm…”

Upon hearing my words, Sword Empress wore a peculiar expression.

Then, she spoke with a slight smile.

“That’s a rather ambiguous request.”

“Ambiguous?”

“It doesn’t seem like you’re asking me to take you as a disciple… nor are you asking me to teach your sister sword techniques.”

“Is it a difficult request?”

At my words, Sword Empress shook her head.

Fortunately, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“It’s merely a question.”

Sword Empress spoke while glancing out the window.

It was still raining outside.

“Because I never thought you’d use your favor in such a manner.”

Sometime.

As I was the benefactor who saved her body.

She had given me the justification that she would grant my request.

I was merely using it now.

“You’re not asking me to resolve a mental demon, just to show you a sword technique. Do you think that’s enough? From what you’re saying, it doesn’t sound like a low-level skill.”

What I had asked of Sword Empress was nothing else.

Simply, to show Gu Yeonseo sword techniques just once.

“Yes, if it isn’t a difficult request, I would appreciate it if you would grant it.”

“Hmm…”

It was asking a warrior, especially Sword Empress, to demonstrate their sword skills.

It was a request that had thrown all manners straight up its ass.

Sword Empress also seemed to have much on her mind, considering it such a nonsensical request.

“Are you sure that’s all? It might have been more appropriate to ask me to resolve that child’s mental demon instead.”

“That is sufficient.”

Sword Empress, after a brief silence following my answer.

Soon nodded.

“If you say so, then I understand.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s alright. Considering what you did for me, it’s practically shameless to let something like this slide so easily.”

Seeing Sword Empress speak with a gentle smile.

It felt like she had thankfully regained her health.

Recalling the extent to which her body, which had been consumed, had been damaged.

Although she might not have fully recovered.

The palpable vitality alone showed that she had recovered significantly.

Her appearance, which had seemed older than the Mount Hua Sect Leader, Mae Hwa-seon, at the time.

Had now returned to that of a woman who seemed just past her early twenties.

“Is that all for the request?”

“Yes, I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“Not at all. It’s fortunate, as I happen to be staying at the inn.”

“Where are you going?”

“Hmm… You’ll know by tomorrow, so it’s best I keep quiet.”

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is supposed to be the day I enter the Divine Dragon Pavilion, isn’t it?

I looked at Sword Empress, wondering what she meant, but she just smiled, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Just then, Sword Empress brought up another topic.

“Aren’t you going to ask about your sister?”

“She’s doing well, which is likely why you look so peaceful, Sword Empress.”

“Hmm…”

Her expression shifted slightly, perhaps finding my answer unsatisfactory.

Was something bothering her?

“Sometimes you seem incredibly sharp, but at other times, not so much.”

“Hm?”

“Never mind, it’s not something to argue about. Don’t worry about your request. I’ll fulfill it before the day ends.”

“Thank you…”

Fortunately, Sword Empress agreed to my request.

Honestly, the easiest option would have been to ask her to take me as a disciple, but…

I couldn’t do that.

Guryeonghwa had already been accepted as a disciple.

Besides, becoming Sword Empress’s disciple meant…

Leaving my family sect and going under Mount Hua’s wing, just like Guryeonghwa.

Gu Yeonseo herself…

Would never go to Mount Hua.

From my perspective, knowing vaguely what aspirations she held in her heart…

It would be poison instead.

“I’ll take my leave first.”

“Alright. See you tomorrow.”

“Huh? Yes.”

After bowing respectfully to Sword Empress’s farewell.

I stepped out of the room.

Closing the door behind me, Yeongpung was still waiting.

“Ah, you’re out?”

“Why are you still here?”

At my question, Yeongpung’s eyes were full of eagerness.

Those eyes… I remembered seeing them somewhere before.

‘It’s the same look he had when he persistently pestered me to train together at Mount Hua.’

Realizing that, I couldn’t help but sigh.

This training-obsessed fellow seemed unchanged.

Part of me wanted to indulge him a bit, but…

It wasn’t possible right now.

Yeongpung’s disappointment was evident at my refusal, but…

He didn’t seem the type to cling persistently.

“What a shame… I wanted to mix bodies with Young Hero Gu for a bit after so long.”

“…W-what are you saying? Don’t phrase it in such a misleading way.”

Mix bodies, my ass! What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic?

Just imagining it gave me goosebumps.

There’s a perfectly good word like ‘sparring’ or ‘duel’.

Why does he have to phrase it like that?

Ugh…

The brief imagination made my insides rot, so I had to quickly make my escape.

My objective was complete.

And Sword Empress agreed to my request,

So I left the inn without lingering any longer.

‘Will this be enough?’

Even as I left, I wondered if this would truly work, but…

The thought that there was no better method for Gu Yeonseo remained.

If this turned out to be wrong,

I could always try another method then.

Though the uneasy feeling lingered.

For now, I decided to let it be.

‘Tomorrow is already here, and things just got a bit annoying.’

I already had several things to worry about,

So my mind was cluttered.

Regarding the Heaven’s Pride,

And the Sleeping Dragon.

Also, concerning the Brain Demon,

And even Old Man Shin.

I had to systematically organize how to proceed in my mind.

Trying to connect the dots with my ignorant brain was no easy feat.

Moreover, tomorrow is the Divine Dragon Pavilion admission test.

I don’t know what kind of tests they’ll give, but…

Whatever comes my way,

I won’t fail, so I need to prepare for that too.

‘Once I’m in, even if not immediately, I’ll need time to search for the Bigo.’

The Bigo, rumored to be hidden beneath the Divine Dragon Pavilion.

Since I don’t know its exact location or method,

I needed to keep this in mind beforehand as well.

And.

‘I’ll have to find that guy too.’

The main reason I sought out the Divine Dragon Pavilion.

The Bigo in the underground is honestly just a minor reason.

To uncover the truth,

I had to meet the colossal ancient tree again.

And to meet such an ancient tree,

I had to head towards the Demonic Mirror Realm.

There isn’t just one or two gates to the Demonic Mirror Realm,

And finding the gate leading to that world isn’t easy.

Since I couldn’t afford to waste time,

I had to choose the fastest method I knew.

‘I need to find someone who can open it.’

In my previous life,

The incident where the disciples attending the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering were simultaneously transferred to the Demonic Mirror Realm…

Was a disaster created by Jang Seon-yeon.

However, Jang Seon-yeon didn’t possess the ability to open the Demonic Mirror Realm gates.

Yet, the reason he could tear open dimensions and throw the later-generation disciples in was…

Because ‘that guy’ was beside Jang Seon-yeon.

‘What was his name again?’

Finding the dimensional rift,

A guy with the bizarre ability to tear open and close dimensions with his hands.

His name… I think it was Zhuge something.

I clicked my tongue at the name that came to mind.

‘Why Zhuge of all surnames?’

They were already a ruined clan, leaving only the surname. By now, they’d likely be living just with their surname.

I had put out requests to the Hao Clan and the Beggars’ Sect a few times,

But unlike with Zhuge Hyuk, finding information was difficult.

They were probably living under aliases.

‘Will he really come this time?’

The only thing I knew was…

That he belonged to this batch.

And even that was information I could recall only because I knew he was a peer of Jang Seon-yeon.

‘So I have to go find him.’

I truly hoped this hadn’t changed.

That’s all I was wishing for.

Tuduk.

Getting soaked by the rain falling as I walked back to my lodging.

I looked around the street.

Perhaps because the Divine Dragon Pavilion admission was drawing near.

The street I was staying on was unusually bustling.

Some wore swords at their waists,

And judging by their physiques,

Most were young warriors.

They were likely all here to enter the Divine Dragon Pavilion.

Thanks to the unusually large number of people,

The merchants lining the street had smiles plastered on their faces.

Those who had waited for this day weren’t just the later-generation disciples,

But the merchants too.

Tuk.

“Ah, my apologies.”

Someone bumped into my shoulder and offered an apology.

With so many people, jostling shoulders and unnecessary contact were unusually frequent.

I really hate this kind of hassle.

I moved forward, muttering complaints to the sky.

“Hey there, great warrior! Try some of this!”

“It’s cheap and delicious! Even the Alliance Leader was surprised after tasting it!”

As I walked further down the street.

The voices of shopkeepers and merchants from each building buzzed in my ears.

Filtering them one by one, I continued walking.

Although I wasn’t fond of places with so many people gathered,

Paradoxically, I liked bustling streets.

The street I first encountered after my regression was similar to this.

Perhaps that’s why it’s memorable.

These streets feel so full of life,

And I could feel that the bloodbath hadn’t yet descended upon this world.

Seeing that, I could feel that I had returned, given another chance.

So this level of inconvenience is nothing.

Amidst the people cheerfully trading despite the rain,

I continued walking, taking breaths.

Because I needed to get back to my lodging quickly.

Just then.

“Have a Yakgwa!”

At the voice that reached my ears, I stopped walking without realizing it.

‘Yakgwa.’

It’s been a while since I heard that name.

Of course.

Ever since Wi Seol-ah left,

I hadn’t bought Yakgwa with my own hands.

Perhaps because the memory of her face lighting up when I handed her one surfaced,

I hadn’t really bought any after Wi Seol-ah left.

Feeling a flicker of interest,

I pushed through the crowd a bit and approached the Yakgwa stall.

A wrinkled old man greeted me with a grin.

“Oh, would you like one?”

“Give me a couple.”

The old man smiled brightly at the money I took from my pocket and handed me the Yakgwa.

I didn’t want to buy many, so I bought a small amount and didn’t take the change.

“Thank you, great warrior!”

The way the old man spoke to me, the title he used, seemed different,

But I didn’t bother paying attention.

I picked up a Yakgwa and put it in my mouth.

The texture was still the same,

And the taste on my tongue was also the same, but…

Somehow, it felt less sweet.

‘Is it because the one who used to enjoy it so much isn’t here?’

If it’s for such a pointless reason…

‘How trivial.’

Just because there’s no one to share it with,

Does the taste and feeling change?

It was still a pointless sentiment.

Recalling the face that used to beam with smiles inside my mind,

I asked the empty air.

‘Is she doing well?’

Is she eating properly?

Or perhaps, is she sick?

‘And.’

Was it truly okay that I didn’t go looking for you?

I wanted to ask that.

Though there was no answer to be heard,

I simply asked.

Tududuk.

The question I sent away…

Was washed away by the continuing downpour, unable to catch the wind and melting away.

“…”

Like white breath scattering instantly.

I watched the falling rain quietly,

Then popped the remaining Yakgwa into my mouth.

And started walking again.

Indulging in sentiment amidst the busyness was only meant for a moment.

If I delayed any longer, the people at the inn would probably come looking for me.

Slowly.

Just as I was about to lift my foot, leaving my lingering thoughts behind.

[Krrr….]

Suddenly, a beast growled within my body.

“Weren’t you sleeping?”

Since there was no movement for a while, I thought maybe it decided to hibernate for winter, but…

It seemed that wasn’t the case.

[Kkeureung…. Krrr….]

As if it had woken from a deep slumber,

It began letting out growls one after another.

It felt like it was whining.

“Are you hungry? I fed you plenty on the way here.”

Catching the monsters we encountered on the way to Hannam,

I had fed it until it was full beforehand.

Why is it acting up like this all of a sudden?

[Krrr….]

The creature whining and growling like that…

Didn’t seem to be growling at me.

It was more like it was barking towards somewhere.

“What is wrong with you…”

Just as I tried to calm it down,

“Huh?”

I sensed a presence.

Sensing a familiar presence, I quickly turned my stiff neck and looked somewhere.

The location was on top of a building’s roof.

Far away, looking up at the high place,

I saw a figure completely covered by a cloak, hiding their face.

Anyone could tell that figure looked like a ridiculously suspicious person, radiating that vibe, but…

That wasn’t the important part.

What was important to me now was…

That she was watching me from that distance.

‘…Why?’

It wasn’t a question of why she was looking at me.

It was a question of why she…

…was here.

Regarding the figure whose gender I couldn’t properly discern,

What made me certain it was her…

…was the exceptionally familiar presence.

‘Seriously, why?’

Normally,

No, it was a presence I hadn’t been able to feel since my regression.

As if she had erased all presence from herself,

A presence I couldn’t even sense when trying to catch or find her…

…was now, for some reason, so clearly palpable.

As if…

…it was in my previous life, just like she was.

“…You.”

As I uttered the word, filled with surprise,

She, perhaps realizing I had noticed her, flinched, jumped off the roof, and instantly vanished into the crowd.

“…”

Because she jumped into the densely packed crowd,

The relatively strong presence faded.

The energy mixing within the countless people…

Scattered my senses.

Seeing that, there was only one thing I could do.

“Showing up after all this time. Making things difficult for me.”

Kuuung.

“Aargh! What the hell?!”

“Gack…!”

In an instant, the aura released from my body startled those nearby, making them stagger.

It seemed that creature thought using that was some kind of method,

But it knows my personality well; that was a mistake.

It was probably trying to make sure I couldn’t find her with just a glance in this crowded place, but…

Unlike last time when I let her slip away ineptly,

No matter what method I used,

I had no intention of doing so this time.

Even if…

I might be seeing things right now,

Or perhaps she’s doing this because she doesn’t want to meet me, but…

Regardless of that,

If the you I’m facing now is real,

Unfortunately, I have no intention of letting you go.