Trickle.
I furrowed my brow at the sensation of something flowing.
I lowered my head.
My chest. No, my heart had been pierced.
I could see someone’s hand. It was the hand of the person who had pierced my heart.
I shifted my gaze with effort and looked at the face.
The owner of the hand was none other than me. To be precise, my past self.
Squelch.
As the hand pulled out, blood gushed forth.
“*Cough.*”
I knelt, blood pouring from my mouth.
Because of the height difference, he looked down at me.
Then he moved his hand and held it out before me.
[Bring me an answer next time.]
[If not, you might as well take your own life.]
With those heavy words as his final remark.
Fwoooosh—!!
Black flames swept over my head.
******************
I opened my eyes wide and sat up.
“...*Huff*...”
Panting raggedly, I clutched my chest. I fumbled over it a few times and let out a sigh.
Fortunately, my chest was intact.
However.
“...*Ngh*...”
My entire body throbbed, screaming with pain.
No, it hurt far too much to be compared to mere muscle pain.
Rather than muscles, this was more like...
‘...It feels like my acupoints are swollen.’
The acupoints throughout my body were swollen. As I felt the pain, I realized what had happened before.
“Ah. Damn it.”
I recalled what had happened at the end. How, when I came to my senses, I had collapsed on the spot.
And also how I had forced down my qi until I vomited blood.
Recalling that, I undid my clothes. Marks remained on my upper body.
They were traces from where fingers had been plunged straight in.
‘...I think they’ve almost healed.’
They were merely marks. Most of the wounds had closed up. My physique had improved so much that injuries of this degree were no longer a problem.
Seeing this, I exhaled low.
‘The method worked.’
My qi had been rampaging so violently that I had worried about what to do, but fortunately, the method had worked.
The method of plunging my fingers into my body to regulate my qi.
This was something the Heavenly Demon had done to me in my previous life. I wasn’t sure it would work since I had only experienced it a handful of times.
But when I gritted my teeth and pressed on, I somehow managed it.
‘So it works.’
Even I found it absurd. Anyway, thanks to that, I had survived.
I had nearly suffered qi deviation or died from the backlash. I had survived by a hair’s breadth.
While relieved about that, on the other hand.
“...Shit.”
I had to curse as I recalled the reason my qi had gone berserk.
The cause was none other than this.
The bastard from my past life whom I faced after consuming the Spirit Pill.
I fought him.
And lost in the end.
“...Damn it all.”
When I opened my eyes after my defeat, my qi had become tangled and begun to rampage.
Thanks to that, I had to suppress my qi before I could even understand the situation.
That didn’t matter. Ah, it would be strange to say it didn’t matter. But more important than my life was...
“Why did I lose?”
Why on earth had I lost?
That was the question I had to ask.
I could not understand the result of that fight.
“I was definitely stronger.”
My realm had already surpassed that of the Black Flame bastard from my past life.
I had been certain that I would never lose if we fought.
Yet in that fight, I lost.
Why?
“Was it because I couldn’t use the flames?”
The Nine Flames Fire Wheel Art being sealed. If that was the problem, then it was indeed a problem.
In the fight, I could not use my fire arts.
But.
‘Was that really the reason?’
Even so, it made no sense.
‘I couldn’t use the flames, so I got thrashed that badly?’
He used fire arts, and I could not.
No matter how I looked at it, it was far too one-sided a defeat.
I wondered if he had been much stronger than I had known, but.
‘No.’
That wasn’t it either. He was no different from his level in my previous life.
Then there was only one reason.
‘I simply lost.’
I was beaten by him in terms of pure skill.
I had been unable to defeat the guy from my past life. Meaning I had been killed because of that.
*Grind.*
I clenched my teeth.
“Damn it.”
Why? What the hell was the problem?
What even was that bastard to begin with?
The reason I couldn’t use the Nine Flames Fire Wheel Art was definitely because of him.
I didn’t know why it had to be my past self acting like that, but...
‘Why did it have to be now of all times.’
I was furious. It was the moment when I could faintly see the path to the Great Ascension.
But now, of all times, my Nine Flames Fire Wheel Art was bound.
“Time is of the essence.”
I had to regain that sensation before I lost it.
But that bastard was blocking me? And I couldn’t even win?
It was enough to drive me mad.
“...*Hiss.*”
What should I do?
My instinct was telling me. That no matter what, I had to see him again.
Then.
“...I have to fight him again, what else.”
I was dying from lack of time; how could I have the leisure to worry?
I wanted to find him again right this instant.
The problem was.
“...Wasn’t today the day I was to see Ilcheonggeom?”
Ilcheonggeom, whom I had met last time while disguised as the Gyecheon Gate Lord. It was the time I had told him we would meet again.
If I went to meet him like this. If I couldn’t win like that...
‘Plans and everything else will go up in smoke.’
I had learned that meeting him would not end peacefully.
Should I attempt it even knowing that?
In my heart, I wanted to meet him again and tear him to pieces, plans be damned.
That was what I thought, but...
“Damn it.”
Contrary to my heart, my body was already moving.
It wasn’t as though my martial arts were completely sealed.
There was too much to do ahead.
I couldn’t keep clinging to my pride like before forever.
As I thought so and moved my pain-ridden body.
[Much has changed.]
“...”
The bastard’s words brushed past my ears.
[So much has changed. Do you believe that you yourself have changed?]
He had said this while tearing out my left leg.
[Don’t be mistaken. You merely thought you wanted to change. In truth, you haven’t changed at all.]
[You are still ugly and weak.]
The words he had spat while beating my entire body had been clear, even amid the pain.
“You son of a bitch.”
I spoke, furrowing my brow.
Those words were directed at him, and also at myself.
Why on earth?
[Why are you alive?]
Why had I been unable to answer any of the bastard’s words?
And.
“What the hell do you want from me?”
What was the answer he wanted?
There was nothing I could know.
******************
I moved and faced the Poison King. I had words to say along with my thanks.
“...Just where do you think you’re going?”
The Poison King spoke as if dumbfounded upon hearing me.
“Do you even know in what state you collapsed?”
“Yes. I remember. I must have startled you greatly. Thank you for handling the situation.”
It was sincere.
I had heard that right after I collapsed, the Poison King had taken me to a physician. And also.
“I heard that you deliberately did not inform Young Lady Dang of the matter. I am grateful for that as well...”
I had also heard that he had sent her to the Alliance in advance without telling her anything. I was most grateful for that.
Because if Dang Soyeol had heard, she would obviously have been worried.
He must have done so because he knew that.
“The physician said your acupoints were in a considerably exhausted state. He also said you should rest for as many days as possible, so how can you move so soon?”
“My body is not in bad shape. I am busy, so I cannot stay long. I will visit again next time to offer my proper thanks.”
“You...!”
“I am sorry to have worried you.”
Even as I said it, I felt it was truly inappropriate.
Not only had he come all the way here the day I collapsed, but he had shown me much consideration; yet to say I would leave immediately upon waking seemed terribly ungrateful.
Furthermore.
“You still won’t provide an explanation?”
It felt even more so because I could not say anything to the Poison King.
Why I had suddenly needed the Poison Heaven Pill. Why on earth I had collapsed after consuming it.
Leaving aside that I could somewhat trust him, it was an action for which I had no excuse even to myself.
“...I’m sorry. I will explain when I return.”
“...”
“I promise.”
At this point, I should have at least fabricated a simple excuse.
‘Then the plan...’
Meet Ilcheonggeom with the Dark King. After finally throwing his mind into disarray. Then meet separately with the Gyecheon Gate Lord?
‘During that process, I can subtly leak information regarding Ilcheonggeom beforehand.’
Maintain a precarious relationship between the Gyecheon Gate Lord and Ilcheonggeom like that. After making them sprout mutual doubt, make them meet?
‘No... then the task I gave Cheoljiseon in the middle will get tangled up.’
Then, should I buy more time? But the situation isn’t good for buying time.
‘My body isn’t even in proper shape, and I want to buy time? If I do, by what means?’
Yes, let’s say I buy time. Would that solve anything?
Right now, I don’t even have many red magic stones, so I have to make the Poison Heaven Pill again...
Whatever I did, I was short.
I had to constantly accomplish things while securing justification. I couldn’t afford to trip up.
There was too much to do.
‘Damn it, what should I do...?’
I had to organize the tasks before me. At the same time, I had to check my body’s condition.
And while doing so, I had to watch for justification so there would be no problems when this was all over.
My head throbbed.
I covered my forehead. I wanted to erase my thoughts right away, but I couldn’t.
‘...I have to organize this.’
Even if I didn’t want to, I had to organize it.
I was not Moyong Huia, nor was I Jegal Seon. Much less Cheoljiseon.
Since I was not smart, there would be errors. And even with those errors, I had to make it so I could handle them.
To do that, I had to cut down on sleep and wear myself down.
I chewed my tongue, grinding it.
Remember. Remember somehow.
Please, I had to remember somehow...
“Young Master Gu—!”
“...!”
My body stiffened at the rough shout.
I turned my eyes and saw the Poison King looking at me.
Only then did I come to my senses a little.
“Are you alright?”
“...Ah. I’m sorry... I had too many distracting thoughts.”
I answered, forcing a smile.
A bad habit had taken hold again. I sighed inwardly and continued to regulate my breathing.
“...I’m truly sorry. I will tell you the circumstances when I visit later...”
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yes...?”
“Are you really alright?”
“Excuse me?”
I wore a blank expression at the Poison King’s words. It lasted only a brief moment.
“...Ah, yes. I’m really fine. I simply blanked out for a moment because I had too many thoughts.”
“...”
Even at my words, the Poison King wore a subtle expression, as if he could not believe me.
And that expression was the face I hated most in the world.
“Today, my daughter spoke to me.”
A face worried about me. The expression I hated most in the world.
“She said your condition hasn’t been good lately.”
“...I don’t know what you mean. I’m perfectly fine.”
“It’s time I barely managed to make... The child talked about nothing but you all day. I was truly displeased. However.”
Even as he spoke, the Poison King was still looking into my eyes.
“Now that I see you, I can somewhat understand the child’s feelings.”
With those eyes, he asked me again.
“...Are you really alright?”
“...”
*Tch.*
I kept biting my tongue.
I didn’t know what he meant by alright.
Also, I didn’t know why he was asking if I was alright.
To the guy who had suddenly come and stirred up chaos, who was wielding his precious daughter as he pleased, asking if he was alright?
I could not understand the Poison King’s feelings in the slightest.
Therefore, there was only one answer I could give.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
I was fine.
No.
I had to be fine.
******************
I was exhausted.
My head, my body, everything was exhausted.
Those were the only words in my mind as I walked away from the Tang Gate.
I hadn’t slept a wink yesterday either, yet for some reason, the sun had already set long ago.
Every time I took a step, my body went numb. The swollen acupoints hadn’t fully healed.
I had barely managed to gather my qi, and my heart was also under some strain.
Even if not for that.
‘Fatigue had accumulated.’
I could tell that fatigue had built up in my body itself.
No, if my body wasn’t under strain, was it mental fatigue?
‘Should I rest a bit?’
Perhaps this was a time when I needed rest. That might be the case.
But I couldn’t rest.
“...*Huu.*”
I swept my hand down my face and managed my expression.
I wouldn’t be sleeping today anyway.
‘First. Priority is the Dark King.’
I’ll find the Dark King upon arrival. And handle things one by one according to plan.
Suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape immediately, I took a step.
‘Endure.’
I won’t collapse.
I would endure with that resolve.
However, if there was one thing I wished for.
‘...I need to see the kids.’
I felt like I had to see the kids’ faces before doing anything.
Not that I was going to do anything by seeing them.
Just seeing them was enough.
With that, I could take one more breath, and even when I thought about stopping, I could take a few more steps.
“Haha.”
Thinking of it, laughter burst from me before I knew it.
It was absurd.
‘Back when I told them not to follow me.’
How long ago was it that I had screamed at them not to come near me, yet now I felt glad that they had followed?
It was truly contradictory. Even knowing that, I somehow wanted to see them.
Only by doing so could I endure the present.
Before I knew it, the Sacheon Branch was visible in the distance. The moment I saw it, I straightened my hunched shoulders.
At the same time, I returned my breathing to normal and managed my expression.
“Chief!”
The moment I arrived, an agent ran up to me.
I waved my hand slightly and smiled.
“I’m quite late. Sorry.”
I felt awkward.
I had given out many orders, yet the person called the Chief had gone out in the morning and returned late at night after being unconscious all day, so if I were pressed about where I had been, I would have nothing to say.
“...Still, nothing serious happened, right?”
“Chief... something terrible has happened.”
“What?”
“Agent Namgung and Agent Wi... they have disappeared.”
At those words.
*Snap—*
Something that had been barely holding on inside me broke.