Hatred and Conflict
If you were to define the expanse of the mountain range where the dragon sleeps, it could be summed up in one word: boundless.
It’s so vast and endless that even during the first expedition, we couldn’t explore every corner. However, if we set our destination as the site of the ruins rather than the end of the range, we can estimate how much distance remains. After all, the key to our mission lies in those ruins.
Reflecting on this, as we near the third day since rescuing Han-gyeol, we’ve covered about a third of the journey. We’ve successfully passed the first checkpoint, the entrance, and the second, the “Land of Wandering.”
Tomorrow, we expect to reach a fork in the road, marking the entrance to the third checkpoint.
The third checkpoint of the dragon’s mountain range is uniquely divided into two regions. In other words, the fork acts as a kind of branching point.
To the right lies the “Land of Hatred,” and to the left…
“I think I’m starting to understand.”
Vivian’s clear, lively voice broke my train of thought. I glanced up to see three women gathered around the small campfire.
Kim Han-byeol, Cha So-rim, and Vivian were keeping watch with me. This meant the other nine clan members were tucked away in their sleeping bags.
We had a reason for resting here. Although we successfully rescued Han-gyeol, rescuing Ahn-hyun was still uncertain.
Moreover, the clan members were subtly worn out from the continuous battles and exertion. Considering the journey ahead, it was crucial to recover our strength, even if just a little.
“Kim Soo-hyun, I’m telling you, I think I get it now, okay?”
Vivian spoke again, her tone carrying an unspoken plea for acknowledgment or at least some attention.
‘Seems like she’s still bothered by that misstep with the branch.’
I chuckled quietly. With Cha So-rim and Kim Han-byeol being so reserved, the watch could get a bit dull, but thankfully, Vivian had started a conversation.
Trying not to show my amusement, I calmly poked the fire and replied.
“What is it?”
“Why Baek Han-gyeol was wandering around. I think I understand what this mountain range really is.”
Vivian’s voice was so triumphant that I was tempted to say, “Just stop.” It would be amusing to see her sulk and bury her head between her knees for the first time in a while. Besides, there was a good chance she was about to tell me something I already knew.
But seeing Kim Han-byeol and Cha So-rim’s eager eyes, I reconsidered. It wouldn’t hurt to hear her out, and it wasn’t the time for jokes.
I stopped poking the fire and looked at Vivian intently.
“Alright… go on.”
“What’s with that smug look? It’s annoying.”
“What?”
“No, no! I mean, you mentioned something about field effects before, right? So I started thinking differently based on that.”
Though her words were somewhat irreverent, I decided to let it slide, appreciating her effort to steer the conversation back on track.
I nodded for her to continue, and Vivian, looking relieved, carried on.
“Ahem. So… a ‘mang-in’ usually refers to a dead person, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Okay. From that perspective, a dead person is completely still. Their heart, body, and thoughts all stop. But the ‘mang-in’ I’ve seen since entering the mountain range didn’t seem dead. Sometimes they spoke, cast spells, and fought almost like living humans. So here’s the question: how can these dead beings act like humans?”
“Spirits, obsessions, grudges, curses… I suppose there are various factors that could make such things possible, as we’ve seen in the Frozen Forest.”
I answered quietly, watching Vivian. She nodded vigorously and continued with enthusiasm.
“Good, good. Now, let’s go back to the field effect. Think about it. Why does this field effect occur?”
”…There are two conditions. Either someone created it artificially, or it occurred naturally due to certain conditions aligning.”
“Exactly. I focused on the natural occurrence. Because, based on everything you’ve told me, I came up with a hypothesis.”
“A hypothesis?”
Vivian paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, then stretched as if to shake off fatigue.
“Ugh. Yes. In the last part of the myth, the dragon Magna Carta cursed humans. And you mentioned spirits, obsessions, grudges, and such?”
“Those things… So you’re saying the natural occurrence is a field effect created by the dragon’s curse mixed with human spirits, obsessions, and grudges?”
“Exactly! But, but, Kim Soo-hyun. Why would humans hold grudges in this place? Is it really because of the dragon’s curse?”
”…….”
I waited silently for Vivian to continue. By now, Kim Han-byeol and Cha So-rim were also focused on her.
Vivian glanced at us, then smiled deeply.
“No. They must have been prepared for the final battle when they entered the mountain range after decades of war to reclaim their dominion. But at the end of the battle, would they really hold a grudge just because the dragon cursed them? I don’t think so. There must be a more direct reason for their grudges. Perhaps some significant event, not recorded in history, happened here.”
Vivian finally finished her long explanation. She was slightly out of breath from speaking so quickly at the end. I looked at her with newfound respect.
“What do you think of my story?”
‘It’s almost spot on.’
In the first expedition, users proposed various theories about the dragon’s mountain range. The most supported theory was that “there’s an unknown event.” Vivian’s words closely matched that theory.
Of course, it’s just a theory. It could be right or wrong. The truth lies buried in the ruins, sealed away by Istantel Low.
I thought her argument was quite plausible, but for some reason, I didn’t want to admit it outright. No particular reason. Maybe I just didn’t want to see Vivian’s smug “Ahem” face.
So I simply shrugged in response.
Vivian seemed dissatisfied with my reaction and clicked her tongue. Then she turned to Kim Han-byeol, who was quietly warming herself by the fire.
“Jewel, what do you think?”
“Shut… It’s noisy. Why am I ‘Jewel’? I told you not to call me that.”
Kim Han-byeol raised her eyebrows, then glanced at me and softened her expression. I guessed she was about to say, “Shut up.”
“What’s wrong with it? You’re a mage who uses jewels, so you’re ‘Jewel.’”
“Stop it. I don’t like it, so why do you keep calling me that? If you keep it up, I’ll start calling you ‘Alchemy.’”
Kim Han-byeol protested fiercely. Vivian pouted and grumbled, then turned to Cha So-rim, who was sitting quietly.
“Then what about ‘Spear-spear’? Did you hear my story?”
”…Vivian La Clacidas. It’s not good to talk too much during the watch. Please, be careful.”
‘Spear-spear,’ huh? Because she uses a spear?
Cha So-rim’s voice was calm, but she was gently stroking her Arcus Valkyrie spear. I found the nickname amusing, but it seemed the person being called didn’t. The tone of her final words, “Please, be careful,” was so earnest that even I felt the seriousness.
As I chuckled to myself, Vivian slumped her shoulders. She looked disappointed, having expected more enthusiasm for her well-thought-out theory. I thought that expression suited her as I quietly observed.
Then, suddenly, Vivian lifted her head, her face filled with determination. It seemed she was about to speak to me, so I quickly cut her off.
“Shut up.”
“Then, Sword-sword… Why! What!”
“Don’t call me that.”
“No! It’s my choice! What’s wrong with it!”
“By the contract’s name, I command you. May that noisy mouth of yours forever…”
“I sincerely apologize.”
Vivian, who had been about to argue, immediately prostrated herself. It was a simple and effective suppression.
And so, the night deepened.
The next day.
After resting in shifts of four, three, and two hours, I announced our departure to rescue Ahn-hyun.
The clan members might not know the full details yet, but having confirmed Ahn-hyun’s disappearance, I had already concluded that we needed to enter the ruins. The missing users were most likely there.
Of course, this was just a hypothesis from the first round. The mountain range where the dragon slept remained an uncharted territory, with nothing certain about it.
We set out in the morning, but the terrain was so rugged and the trees so dense that it was hard to tell if it was still morning or already afternoon.
After three battles, we finally reached the fork in the road that Han-gyeol had mentioned, just two hours after we started.
A fork in the road.
In mountainous areas, forks are common, but this one was special. It was unmistakably a crossroads, with a massive tree marking the spot where the path split into two.
“Is this… the fork?”
Nam Da-eun, still catching her breath from the battle twenty minutes ago, muttered to herself. Her eyes were fixed on the large, withered tree that looked like it would crumble at a touch.
I glanced at the left and right paths before looking down at Han-gyeol, who wore a worried expression.
“You said you went down the right path from here?”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure.”
“How far in did you go?”
“Not too far. About ten minutes… and then…”
Han-gyeol trailed off, wincing as a faint groan escaped him. Though he was less anxious than when we first rescued him, the shock still lingered, leaving him confused.
“Let’s talk again once we reach the last place you remember. We’ll figure it out then.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
Han-gyeol bowed his head and turned to walk to the back. Watching him shuffle away, I called for Shin Jae-ryong, who was currently overseeing Han-gyeol’s condition.
I spoke quietly. “Is Han-gyeol in bad shape?”
“If you mean bad, then yes, he is. What exactly are you asking?”
“I’m wondering if he can participate in the rescue mission without overexerting himself.”
“Absolutely not.”
Shin Jae-ryong shook his head firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“…Is it that serious?”
“Yes. Honestly, I’d prefer to take him back right now to let him rest.”
“…Sigh.”
“I understand the urgency with rescuing Ahn Hyun, but managing his condition from the start is crucial to minimizing aftereffects. I’m not sure what you’re thinking, Clan Lord, but please reconsider Han-gyeol’s participation. Staying here might be too much for him right now.”
His earnest tone made me nod in agreement. I sighed deeply, looking at the fork in the road ahead.
Vivian’s words from yesterday suddenly came to mind. The path to the ruins didn’t matter much whether we took the left or right. However, the right path, which Ahn Hyun had taken, was known for its terrifying field effect called the “Land of Hatred.”
To protect against this field effect, Han-gyeol’s defensive abilities were essential, but forcing him in his current state…
‘Should I use the Jeongshimdan?’
I had considered it since we had prepared some before setting out, but I quickly dismissed the idea.
We had brought all the stock from the warehouse, but it was barely enough for each clan member. Moreover, we didn’t have the time to make Jeongshimdan effective for this mountain range.
Considering the field effects of the areas ahead, it would be more strategic to use the Jeongshimdan at the fourth gate rather than the “Land of Hatred.”
‘Let’s just go in for now.’
The only way forward was to reach the place Han-gyeol remembered. With no other choice, I steeled myself and started walking.
I took a few steps toward the left path, then quickly turned to the right. I glanced back at the clan members.
“Alright, let’s move out.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
In the first round, Lee Yoo-jung and Kim Han-byeol received the fewest votes, so they’ll be included in the second round of voting. For the second round, I’d like to gather readers’ opinions.
I want to limit the total number to eight. With Lee Yoo-jung and Kim Han-byeol taking two spots, that leaves six open. This isn’t just for fun; characters with high votes might appear more frequently in the story or be chosen for illustrations.
If you have any characters you’d like to recommend, aside from Kim Soo-hyun (to prevent votes from skewing towards the protagonist), please leave a comment. I’ll count each suggestion and shortlist the top six for the second round of voting. If we proceed with the vote, I’ll update you in the author’s note. Thank you. (__)