“Just once more. Please, just think it over one more time.”
It was at that moment—just as Sarah was about to turn away without hesitation, Arnold’s desperate voice rang in her ears.
“Sarah. These are the people we’ve been with all this time. And you know them, and I know them too. Joy, Jonathan, Rachel, Teresa! They’re all friends.”
“Arnold?”
“We’ve been comrades, helping and relying on each other long before this. Are you really going to abandon them just like that?”
“…”
Arnold’s voice continued, almost pleading.
“Of course, you’re not wrong. But the best choice doesn’t always lead to the best outcome, does it?”
Sarah fell silent, as if words had caught in her throat. Not because she had nothing to say, but because when she looked at Arnold, she simply couldn’t bring herself to speak. Through his messy brown hair, his eyes shone clear and kind. Meeting those sharp, passionate eyes made Sarah’s cheeks flush.
“True, we almost got caught two days ago, but since then, we haven’t seen them even once. Maybe they took a wrong turn or went back the way they came.”
“But—”
“Look around you. Everyone’s exhausted from the relentless march. That’s why some have fallen behind. We all need rest, even if just a little.”
“Arnold…”
Arnold’s steady persuasion went on. Glancing around, Sarah couldn’t help but agree. A young couple, worn out, cradling a baby with tired smiles. A little girl bent over, gasping for breath, while a young boy gently pats her back with a worried expression.
It was true—everyone looked utterly drained. Understandably so, given they’d been running from monsters and outlaws the entire time.
“Sarah, I get how you feel, but you’ve been too tense lately. We want the warm, bright, cheerful Sarah we knew before to come back. So please…!”
Arnold’s repeated pleas wore down even Sarah’s resolve. Most users had fled to the southern continent, chased in haste by outlaws, but Sarah had chosen to lead the remaining users north, hoping to find a way through the gaps. The intention was good, but the problem was that she barely knew the route. Fortunately, Arnold, who had shared hardships with her for two years, stepped up to find the way.
In truth, it was mostly thanks to Arnold that they’d made it this far. Sarah knew how devotedly he’d sacrificed himself, so she couldn’t just dismiss him outright.
“Sarah, just thirty minutes ago, I confirmed everyone was still here. I promise, they’re not far. So can’t we at least look for them during a short rest?”
That was the final blow.
“…Alright.”
Sarah nodded ever so slightly. She desperately needed a break, and she couldn’t coldly refuse Arnold’s request.
Arnold’s face brightened.
“Sarah!”
“But don’t wait too long. Twenty minutes. Just twenty minutes, okay?”
As she spoke, Sarah suddenly felt a strong shake and opened her eyes wide. When she came to, Arnold was holding her tightly.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Though Arnold smelled faintly of sweat and earth, Sarah strangely didn’t mind. Instead, she felt a comforting warmth soothing her weary body and mind.
“…I’ll wait just twenty minutes.”
Arnold smiled gently. With both hands, he cupped Sarah’s face and whispered softly.
“Good. I’ll be back within twenty minutes. Promise me you’ll rest well until I return.”
“Arnold?”
“We have a deal, right? Promise me.”
“Y-yeah.”
They were so close their breaths mingled. Sarah’s cheeks flushed as she gave a reluctant nod.
Without hesitation, Arnold turned and started running. Sarah called out worriedly when she saw him limping, but Arnold raised a potion and waved off her concern. Before long, he disappeared into the forest.
Sarah stared after the spot where Arnold vanished, then slowly brought her hands to her cheeks. The lingering warmth wrapped around her like a gentle embrace.
Part of her worried if this was really the right thing to do, but the others nearby were already settling down. The young couple smiled softly at the baby in their arms, relieved. The siblings clung to each other, heads resting together.
Seeing that, Sarah thought maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. She found a large tree and leaned against it.
Suddenly, Arnold’s words echoed in her mind.
“We want the warm, bright, cheerful Sarah we knew before to come back.”
At that moment, a soft smile, like a spring breeze, quietly spread across Sarah’s usually stern face.
“Really, you’re just too sentimental…”
She smiled gently and closed her eyes. Then, a warm feeling began to rise from somewhere deep inside. Her cheeks remained flushed as the comforting sensation slowly enveloped her whole body, as if urging her to just fall asleep.
It wasn’t unpleasant. Somehow, she felt that if she slept now, she’d wake up feeling incredibly refreshed.
Sleepiness crept in like a tide. Her eyelids fluttered shut, then weakly opened again. For a fleeting moment, she thought she shouldn’t fall asleep here—but the wave of drowsiness was unstoppable.
As complete darkness settled over her mind, Sarah closed her eyes and slipped into a deep sleep.
Dawn broke. The sun climbed steadily toward midday, casting bright rays into the dark forest. Freshly sprouted blades of grass stretched and shook off dew in the sunlight. The once cold, pitch-black woods had transformed into a sparkling, beautiful scene.
Crunch, crunch. Crunch, crunch.
Crunch, crunch. Crunch, crunch.
Fourteen users, their gray robes pulled tight over their heads, walked steadily deeper into the forest.
“Found them.”
A low voice sounded.
Crunch…!
The fourteen stopped in unison.
“It’s only been four hours since they entered… fast. Can you tell us where exactly?”
The man standing farthest to the right quickly pulled back his hood. His neatly cropped hair and indifferent eyes came into view. It was Sun Yoo-woon.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the area, as if gauging how far they had to go.
“Northwest. About 0.8 kilometers. No sign of people, but plenty of traces. Lots of them.”
“Thank you. Then… Clan Lord.”
“Go ahead. There’s no one there, but be careful just in case.”
“Yes.”
Kim Soo-hyun, at the front, nodded. Sun Yoo-woon lightly jumped up and climbed a tree. Moving from branch to branch, he vanished in the direction Kim Yoo-hyun had indicated.
Kim Soo-hyun spoke quietly.
“Sun Yoo-woon is scouting ahead. We’ll approach at a moderate pace.”
The other thirteen turned left and quickened their steps.
Baek Han-gyeol walked at the rear, feeling awkward. This was so different from previous expeditions or explorations.
There were no detailed orders like before. They didn’t exchange long words, only glances, and acted on their own—as if this was the natural way to operate. Well, except for Ko Yeon-ju and Yeon Hye-rim, who frequently exchanged heated looks.
For someone like Baek Han-gyeol, still somewhat passive, it felt distinctly strange.
After a while, the rescue team reached the spot Kim Yoo-hyun had mentioned. Nothing unusual had happened on the way. Sun Yoo-woon had finished his reconnaissance and, apparently reaching the same conclusion, knelt down and carefully examined the ground.
“Any findings?”
Kim Soo-hyun approached. Sun Yoo-woon swept the soil with a broad hand, then sighed and stood.
“I think we’re a step too late.”
“A step too late?”
“Yes. It’s certain the fleeing users made it this far… but there are signs of encirclement everywhere. And more importantly, no traces beyond this point—only signs of retreat.”
“Hmm… recent traces?”
“About four hours old.”
“Damn.”
Kim Soo-hyun clicked his tongue. Putting together Sun Yoo-woon’s report, only one scenario came to mind.
Ko Yeon-ju slowly walked around, surveying the area.
“But if that’s the case, why aren’t there any bodies? No signs of resistance either.”
“Maybe the power gap was twice as big. They could’ve been dragged off without a fight. Can’t you even consider that?”
Yeon Hye-rim chuckled mockingly.
Ko Yeon-ju scowled sharply and glared at her.
“If you don’t know anything, just shut up. All you know is fighting.”
With a fierce glare, Ko Yeon-ju placed her hand on a large tree, took a deep breath, and then slowly pointed downward, as if savoring the moment.
“There’s a strong scent of rata here, strangely enough.”
“Rata? You mean… the sleep herb, right?”
Shin Jaeryong spoke up, as if something clicked in his mind. Ko Yeonju nodded in agreement.
“Yes. To be precise, it’s an herb that warms the body and relaxes the muscles. Especially effective when someone is exhausted or hasn’t slept for days—the effect hits at full force.”
“I see. But as far as I know, rata only grows in warm climates year-round… and this is the Forest of Darkness.”
“That’s right. The scent of rata is only coming from this spot. And there are signs someone was leaning against this tree.”
“So then…”
Shin Jaeryong trailed off, looking puzzled.
Ko Yeonju’s eyes softened as she spoke.
“No matter how beneficial an herb is, its effects can vary depending on how it’s used. Who in their right mind would use rata directly when they’re being chased?”
Her words carried weight. Shin Jaeryong’s expression stiffened.
“In any case, we can’t deny that we’re a step behind.”
Kim Suhyun quickly summarized the situation.
“Maybe giving them a whole day was a mistake… Four hours is a tricky window.”
As he spoke, Kim Suhyun glanced at Kim Yuhyun. Now that things had come to this, they had to decide whether to keep tracking or give up. Suhyun was leaning toward pursuit, but with a four-hour gap, speed was crucial. They had to pick the right direction from the start and follow relentlessly.
“Hyung, how far can you sync your vision with Jjorong…?”
Just then—
“It doesn’t seem as vague as I thought.”
Before Kim Suhyun could finish, Kim Yuhyun, who had been standing quietly, muttered to himself in a tone far more intense than before.
“Hyung?”
Suhyun flinched. Yuhyun, who had been calm moments ago, was now radiating a faint but unmistakable aura of hostility. His golden eyes narrowed as if he’d just seen something filthy.
“These guys… they’re completely insane.”
Yuhyun ground his teeth, then irritably pulled back his hood and turned to Suhyun.
“Outlaws, huh? They’re not far from here.”
A flicker of confusion crossed Suhyun’s face.
“No way. Four hours means at least…”
“No. It’s not that.”
Yuhyun shook his head and let out a heavy sigh before speaking.
“They’ve set up camp, it seems.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Oh dear. Yes, I can’t sing. I’m both tone-deaf and rhythmically challenged. Or maybe not rhythmically challenged?
Anyway, I’m definitely no singer. I remember back in high school, a friend seriously told me my voice was a couple of notes lower than a grown man’s. So whenever I hear someone sing well, I’m secretly envious.
And…
My gender is still a topic of debate. After some thought, I realize I might be partly to blame. At first, I thought readers were just teasing me, but maybe my way of speaking and attitude cause some confusion.
So I’ve decided to clear things up.
Here goes.
Hello~ I am Royujin.
Some folks seem to think I’m a woman, but I’m not.
I am definitely not a woman, but a healthy, very masculine man.
Please keep that in mind.
Wishing you a peaceful night. (__)