Chapter v10c18: Day 2 of Being Buried!

“Hmm.”

Bi Ryu Yeon was examining a small pill in his hand. It was a Bigeokdan, known as a revolutionary item in the martial world for its ability to provide the nutrients of a full meal in a single pill. Its lightweight and compact size made it convenient to carry, which was its greatest advantage. In the martial world, it was often used as emergency food during long journeys or closed-door training. However, its high production cost and terrible taste were its main drawbacks. For Bi Ryu Yeon and Na Yerin, this handful of Bigeokdan was their last remaining lifeline.

“Do we have enough food?”

Na Yerin asked. In an extreme situation like their current isolation, food was the most pressing issue. It needed to be checked and planned for accordingly. Fortunately, they weren’t as destitute as they feared. Before entering the cave, the academy had provided ample Bigeokdan and leather water pouches, anticipating the possibility of getting lost. Bi Ryu Yeon also always carried extra Bigeokdan, thinking that anything could happen at any time.

In addition to that, he carried various other items, one of the most special being the sleeping bag pack. When folded, it was no bigger than a small scroll, but when unfolded, it provided enough space for two people to sleep comfortably. It was a remarkable item with waterproof, windproof, and thermal insulation features, making it essential for camping. Bi Ryu Yeon had received it as a gift from Jang Woo Yang, the head of the Zhongyang Escort Agency.

Indeed, being prepared might be cumbersome, but it prevented falling into the worst situations. Na Yerin was very surprised by Bi Ryu Yeon’s unexpected preparedness.

“How did you think to prepare all this?”

She had a few Bigeokdan and a water bottle, but she hadn’t prepared as thoroughly as Bi Ryu Yeon.

“Preparing for emergencies might be a bit cumbersome, but it never hurts. ‘It’s much better to endure a bit of inconvenience than to die a dog’s death due to lack of preparation!’ That’s what my wicked master always said.”

Bi Ryu Yeon said, looking directly at her.

“What an unusual master.”

Judging by Bi Ryu Yeon’s words, Na Yerin had to agree that he was far from ordinary.

Bi Ryu Yeon laid out the sleeping bag pack on the ground. The cold was seeping up from the ground, and lying directly on it wouldn’t be good for their health.

Fortunately, the sleeping bag pack was for two people.

“Come in.”

Bi Ryu Yeon said nonchalantly to Na Yerin. However, Na Yerin hesitated. The thought of lying under the same blanket with an unrelated man—even if it was a sleeping bag—was uncomfortable.

Seeing her hesitation, Bi Ryu Yeon spoke up.

“This is an emergency. Don’t you think it’s too extreme a situation to worry about manners or rules? Right now, we need to prioritize conserving our strength to get out of here. In the face of life and death, the distinction between men and women is trivial.”

His words flowed smoothly. Na Yerin couldn’t think of a rebuttal.

“You’re right. I was thinking wrongly.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Na Yerin reluctantly entered the sleeping bag.

‘This is incredible!’

Her eyes widened.

“This is amazing!”

“Isn’t it?”

The sleeping bag pack was indeed a remarkable item. The cold that had been seeping through her skin was no longer felt. Instead, she felt warmth. It was undoubtedly an extraordinary item.

Day 3 of Being Buried!

“I never realized martial arts could be so convenient.”

She was right. They could endure for days without a drop of water. The existence of qi, which filled the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, and the stars, along with the internal energy accumulated through consistent training, made it possible.

One Bigeokdan could sustain them for a day. They had originally had 40 Bigeokdan. Sharing them, they could last for 20 days. They had to survive on these until the rescue team arrived.

Internal energy greatly helped in maintaining their strength. Additionally, the sleeping bag pack’s thermal insulation made it easier to preserve their energy. The biggest problem in this narrow space, like a grain storage bin, was handling bodily functions.

In fact, this was more urgent than running out of food. In this cramped space where they couldn’t even stand properly, there was no private area to handle bodily functions. Currently, they were using martial arts to control their bodily functions, but it wasn’t a perfect solution.

However, four days passed, then five, and then eight, and the rescue team still hadn’t arrived. Bi Ryu Yeon had to think of another plan.

**Day 7 of Being Buried!**

As the days passed, the anxiety growing in Na Yerin’s heart increased. The longer they waited without rescue, the more her anxiety grew.

On the other hand, Bi Ryu Yeon remained calm. It was hard to tell if he was composed or simply naive.

“Are we going to die like this?”

Na Yerin asked with a dark expression.

“Do you see our deaths in your vision?”

Instead of answering, Bi Ryu Yeon asked. It was a question for someone who claimed to have foresight.

“I don’t know. My vision is completely covered in darkness.”

She shook her head.

“…If I can’t find any more meaning in life, maybe it’s better to just die like this.”

Na Yerin said in a dry voice. She was becoming increasingly pessimistic, which was not a good sign. It was important to instill hope for life in such times.

“A person’s fate is something they carve out for themselves! And I believe life is worth living. Because living is a joyful thing.”

“Do you really think so?”

Na Yerin looked at Bi Ryu Yeon blankly. Their gazes met and intertwined.

At that moment, a brilliant idea popped into Bi Ryu Yeon’s head. He still had one last trick up his sleeve. He thought now was the perfect time to reveal it.

‘Good!’

Bi Ryu Yeon made a firm decision.

“Would you like something good?”

Bi Ryu Yeon said with a sly smile.

“Something good?”

What could possibly be good in this situation? She had no idea.

“Yes! Something very good.”

Bi Ryu Yeon answered and suddenly handed her a water bottle.

“This is just a water bottle. I’m not thirsty right now.”

The dew in the cave was enough to quench their thirst. Besides, drinking too much water might make it difficult to control their bodily functions, which they were forcibly managing.

“Here! Take it.”

“?”

Na Yerin reluctantly took the water bottle from Bi Ryu Yeon.

“Drink it!”

Her suspicion deepened. But Bi Ryu Yeon didn’t offer any further explanation.

When Na Yerin opened the cap of the water bottle, a fragrant aroma wafted out. She looked at Bi Ryu Yeon incredulously. The bottle contained alcohol instead of water.

“Isn’t this alcohol?”

Her eyes widened as she took a sip under Bi Ryu Yeon’s persistent urging. It was definitely alcohol.

“Oh! What a coincidence. How absurd…”

Bi Ryu Yeon tried to brush it off. He pretended it was an accident, but Na Yerin was almost certain it was deliberate.

“This is against the rules.”

Bringing alcohol into the exam site… It was unbelievable.

“But now you’re an accomplice too. Hahaha!”

Bi Ryu Yeon laughed.

“No… that’s…”

Na Yerin started to argue but stopped. It was ridiculous to worry about such rules in their current situation.

“You’re right. It’s meaningless to worry about that now. So, we’re accomplices now?”

“Yes, we’re accomplices.”

Bi Ryu Yeon nodded with a pleased expression. Then Na Yerin said,

“In that case, can I have another sip?”

“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret. We’re already accomplices, aren’t we?”

When Bi Ryu Yeon handed her the water bottle disguised as a wine bottle again, Na Yerin took a few more sips. The extreme situation was severe enough to make even the sharp-minded Na Yerin seek solace in alcohol. The strong liquor spread warmth throughout her body.

She was surprisingly weak to alcohol. Moreover, the drink Bi Ryu Yeon had was sweet, making it more enticing with each sip, eventually leading to intoxication.

Gulp, gulp!

**Na Yerin Drinks Again Like Water**

Na Yerin drank the alcohol as if it were water.

“Oh no!”

A regretful sigh escaped from Bi Ryu Yeon’s lips. He hadn’t expected Na Yerin to drink so much. He had only intended for her to take a light sip to relax…

“It was an expensive Thousand-Day Drunk that I secretly obtained…”

It was a high-quality liquor he had coerced from Yeomdo the day before the exam. But if his drinking partner was the world’s most beautiful Na Yerin, it wasn’t a waste. She was so beautiful that Bi Ryu Yeon didn’t mind the cost. However, it was clear that she was getting drunk. Thousand-Day Drunk was sweet but incredibly strong. Its name suggested that a single sip would make one sleep for a thousand days. Neither internal nor external martial arts could counter its effects. The extreme situation seemed to make her get drunk even faster.

Her sharp eyes turned hazy. She was definitely drunk.

“Ryu Yeon… Ryu Yeon…”

Due to the cramped space, Na Yerin naturally leaned into Bi Ryu Yeon. Moreover, she called him by his name, not “Mr. Bi.” She was undoubtedly drunk.

“Do you think we can get out of here alive?”

“Of course.”

Bi Ryu Yeon gently patted Na Yerin’s back. Suddenly, she seemed like a teenage girl.

“Really?”

“Of course. So just rest easy. We will definitely get out of here alive! Don’t worry! We won’t die here! We can’t go to the afterlife without spending all the money we’ve earned. Since the value measurement systems in the afterlife and this world are different, we must spend everything we’ve earned in this world. With all the money I’ve saved, I can’t give up here. I’m not someone with a weak spirit.”

A will to live surged from Bi Ryu Yeon’s entire being like a spring. He seemed like someone who knew neither surrender nor fear.

Na Yerin smiled brightly. The alcohol added warmth and brightness to her once cold smile. It felt as if the surrounding darkness had vanished in an instant.

“It’s strange, but why do I feel reassured? Why…?”

With that, Na Yerin closed her eyes and fell asleep, breathing softly.

“Hehe, it seems this alcohol has the magical power to melt ice.”

Bi Ryu Yeon smiled as he looked at Na Yerin sleeping on his shoulder.

“To life!”

He raised the flask towards the darkness in a toast and took another sip. The alcohol tasted twice as good, and Bi Ryu Yeon felt satisfied. The shadow of death had not yet struck him and remained far away.

**Day 10 of Being Buried!**

Crack! Thud!

Their cozy little nest was not as safe as they had thought. Each time cracks appeared and dust fell, their anxiety grew. It had been ten days since they had been surviving on one Bigeokdan a day, carrying this anxiety.

The sound of falling dust and cracking rocks was never welcome.

“Isn’t this going to collapse?”

As the cave’s shaking intensified, Na Yerin couldn’t shake off her anxiety.

Seeing Na Yerin growing more anxious, Bi Ryu Yeon decided to reveal his last resort, which he had been considering for a while.

“Would you trust your life to me?”

Bi Ryu Yeon asked.

“Do you have a good plan?”

“I’ve been thinking about something since yesterday. Rather than staying here and getting buried alive, it might be better to take a risk and leave our fate to the heavens.”

Na Yerin looked at Bi Ryu Yeon with eyes like those she used when gazing at the night sky.

‘This man is serious!’

She could easily sense it.

“Alright! You’ve saved my life once, so I’ll trust you again.”

Na Yerin nodded.

“Alright, Ryu Yeon! From now on, my life is in your hands.”

She didn’t even ask “how.”

Over the past ten days, their relationship had undergone significant changes. One of those changes was that Na Yerin had developed a deep trust in Bi Ryu Yeon, even though she didn’t talk about it much. Due to the confined space and having only one sleeping bag, she often found herself resting her head on Bi Ryu Yeon’s chest when she woke up. Although she felt embarrassed, Bi Ryu Yeon didn’t make a big deal out of it, which reassured her. If Bi Ryu Yeon had teased her about it, their relationship would have become more awkward. Bi Ryu Yeon’s choice was wise.

Na Yerin was amazed that she had developed a sense of trust in Bi Ryu Yeon. It was truly a miraculous change.

How could she have developed such a noble feeling of trust for a man who seemed so unreliable, irresponsible, self-centered, and sometimes even selfish?

Even Na Yerin herself couldn’t understand it at times. Another significant change was that they had naturally started calling each other by their names. The bond formed by overcoming life-and-death situations together had erased any gaps between them.

‘When I sent my qi towards that wall, I definitely felt an empty space not far away! The air is thin, and there’s no hope for rescue. Rather than waiting for the slow rescue team, it seems wiser to find our own way out! This is the only method left! Although I never gamble with my life without a sure win, this time is an exception!’

Bi Ryu Yeon began to gather his qi and focus his mind. An immense energy radiated from his body as he maximized the Thunder Spirit Divine Art (雷靈神功). His mind became a sharp sword, cutting through the wall blocking his view and opening a new path for him.

Na Yerin watched in amazement as an immense energy concentrated at Bi Ryu Yeon’s fist. A vortex of qi formed at his fist. Finally, a golden flash sparked in Bi Ryu Yeon’s eyes.

“Hah!”

Boom!

The rock wall shattered as if it had been sliced through by Bi Ryu Yeon’s punch.

‘Success!’

Bi Ryu Yeon’s eyes gleamed. He had definitely felt it. There was an empty space behind the wall.

Rumble!

Despite his caution, the impact of breaking through one side of the wall was too much for the fragile buried area to withstand. Bi Ryu Yeon quickly grabbed Na Yerin’s waist and leaped towards the spot he had punched.

Crash!

With a thunderous roar, the space they had spent ten days in collapsed all at once.