Peaceful Conversations at the Campsite
Time: 3 hours after emerging from Kang Cheonhyeol's tomb, 2 AM
Location: A secluded forest in the northern valley of Cheongeomsam Mountain
The campfire crackled softly as the four companions sat around its warm glow. After the harrowing journey through the tomb, these simple moments felt precious.
"We were really amazing back there."
Noejiun gazed at the fire with satisfaction, his face filled with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
"Especially you, Seolhwarin. When you froze the Flame Emperor at the end—that was absolutely incredible!"
Seolhwarin smiled. Her expression seemed warmer than usual.
"It was really dangerous back then... Fortunately, we were able to stop him by working together."
"And Eummugeuk, when you used the shadows to block the Flame Emperor's vision—that was brilliant."
Jinho added, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"When all four of us combined our strength, we were truly powerful. I could never have won alone."
Eummugeuk showed an embarrassed expression.
"Ah, it's nothing. We could do it because we're real companions."
He poked at the campfire thoughtfully.
"At first, we were all awkward with each other, but now we really feel like a team."
Noejiun nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. I felt it when we fought the Flame Emperor in the tomb. We completely trusted each other."
"Especially when Eummugeuk had my back..."
Noejiun's voice was filled with emotion.
"I really felt like 'ah, this person is my companion.'"
Seolhwarin agreed as well.
"I felt the same way. When Jinho protected me, I really felt safe."
Jinho smiled in response.
"Isn't that natural? We're companions, after all."
"But what should we do going forward?"
Noejiun asked.
"All four major cults are targeting us..."
"First, we need to completely escape from our respective cults."
Seolhwarin spoke calmly.
"Especially Jinho—the Blood Flame Cult will pursue him most persistently."
"If we stay together, we can protect each other."
Eummugeuk suggested.
"All four of us traveling together and confronting the cults."
Jinho nodded.
"That's a good idea. There are limits to what we can do alone."
"Then let's move to a safer place tomorrow morning."
Noejiun proposed.
"This place is too close to the tomb."
Everyone agreed. It was a harmonious atmosphere as they planned for tomorrow.
"The water's running low."
Seolhwarin checked her water container.
"I'll go fetch some from the stream."
"I'll come with you."
Eummugeuk stood up.
"I want to drink some water too."
The two headed toward the stream together. It was an ordinary, everyday scene. Jinho and Noejiun continued their conversation by the campfire.
"Jinho, you've changed a lot."
Noejiun said.
"You seem more mature since we came out of the tomb."
"Really? I think it's because of seeing ancestor Kang Cheonhyeol's memories."
Jinho replied.
"I realized a lot of things."
A few minutes later, Seolhwarin and Eummugeuk returned with water. The peaceful atmosphere continued.
More time passed, and it was now 3 AM. Everyone looked tired, but they had decided to take turns keeping watch.
"I'll take the first watch."
Eummugeuk offered.
"Everyone should rest."
"Thanks. Let's switch in an hour."
Jinho said.
Seolhwarin and Noejiun began to doze off. Jinho also leaned against a tree to rest.
Eummugeuk patrolled the campsite's perimeter alone, slowly circling. Then he naturally ventured deeper into the forest.
After some time, Jinho got up to relieve himself. Not seeing Eummugeuk anywhere, he looked around but couldn't tell where he was.
'Where did he go?'
As Jinho entered the forest to relieve himself, he faintly heard someone's voice.
'Huh? Whose voice is that?'
Curious, he carefully approached the source of the sound and saw Eummugeuk holding a black crystal orb, talking to someone.
"Yes, this is Agent 13. Position confirmed."
A low, cold voice came from the crystal orb.
"Are both the Death Blood Constitution and Thunder Constitution together?"
"Yes. Including the Ice Soul Constitution, all three are together."
Jinho's face turned pale. Eummugeuk was revealing their location to someone.
"Good. We'll surround them in 20 minutes. Find an appropriate excuse to get away."
"Understood."
Eummugeuk ended the communication and hid the crystal orb. Jinho quickly hid and watched Eummugeuk return to the campsite.
'No way... this can't be happening...'
Jinho's mind was in turmoil. Eummugeuk, whom he had truly considered a companion just moments ago, was betraying them.
Jinho quickly returned to the campsite, arriving before Eummugeuk and naturally taking his seat.
Ten minutes later, Eummugeuk returned as if nothing had happened.
"Where did you go?"
Jinho asked with a trembling voice. He tried to act normal, but his voice shook slightly.
"Just... relieving myself."
Eummugeuk answered naturally. His expression showed no change whatsoever.
Jinho looked at Seolhwarin and Noejiun. He wondered how to tell them. Maybe he had misheard, and acting hastily could be dangerous.
But they had said 20 minutes to surround them—there was no time.
"Seolhwarin, shall we go fetch some water? Come with me."
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Seolhwarin followed, though puzzled.
As soon as they reached the stream, Jinho spoke urgently.
"Seolhwarin... I saw Eummugeuk communicating with someone just now."
"What?"
Seolhwarin's expression turned cold.
"It seemed like the Shadow Society. He was telling them our location. They said they'd surround us in 20 minutes."
Seolhwarin quickly scanned the surroundings. With her ice-freezing abilities, she could detect temperature changes and energy flows.
"It's true... Several people are stealthily approaching."
Seolhwarin's voice grew even colder.
"Then really..."
"Let's hurry back. We need to tell Noejiun too."
The two rushed back to the campsite.
Seolhwarin's face was completely hardened when they returned to the campsite. Jinho also looked tense. Noejiun noticed their expressions and wondered what was wrong.
"What's wrong with you two? Did something happen?"
Seolhwarin looked sharply at Eummugeuk.
"Eummugeuk."
"Yeah?"
Eummugeuk responded as normally as ever.
"I'll ask you one last time. Did you really just go to relieve yourself?"
"...What else would I have done?"
There was subtle wariness mixed into Eummugeuk's response.
"Then why are Shadow Society assassins surrounding us right now?"
Suddenly, the air froze. Noejiun jumped up in surprise and looked around. Indeed, faint sounds of movement could be felt from the darkness.
"Eummugeuk... don't tell me..."
Jinho looked at Eummugeuk with disbelief.
"Did you... really betray us?"
Noejiun stood up urgently.
"Wait, what are you talking about? Betrayal?"
Eummugeuk's face turned pale. He looked genuinely panicked.
"No! It's not true!"
"Then explain! Why is the Shadow Society here!"
Noejiun asked desperately. He still wanted to believe in Eummugeuk.
Tears welled up in Eummugeuk's eyes. His voice began to tremble.
"Actually... actually..."
"What is it? Tell us quickly!"
Jinho urged him.
"They... they took my little sister."
Everyone was shocked.
"What?"
Noejiun couldn't believe it.
"The Shadow Society is holding my family hostage. My sister is only 12 years old..."
Eummugeuk clenched his fists. His voice was filled with despair and anger.
"They said they'd kill my sister if I didn't tell them your locations."
"Then... then why didn't you tell us earlier!"
Noejiun felt sorry for him.
"How could I? It would put all of you in danger..."
Eummugeuk hung his head.
"It should just be me sacrificing myself anyway. But... but when I thought of my sister..."
However, Seolhwarin remained cold. Her eyes became as icy as frost.
"That's a lie."
"What?"
Eummugeuk looked up.
"I can sense the magical residue of a Shadow Society communication device on your body. And..."
Seolhwarin took a step closer.
"Your behavior isn't that of someone being truly threatened. You communicated too naturally."
"That's..."
Eummugeuk stammered.
"And the story about your sister is strange too. Why mention it only now?"
Seolhwarin's interrogation continued.
"If your family was really in danger, you should have asked for our help from the beginning."
"I... I..."
Eummugeuk tried to make excuses, but Seolhwarin's cold gaze overwhelmed him.
At that moment, the shadows moving in the forest became increasingly clear. The encirclement was being completed.
"We're out of time."
Seolhwarin said coldly.
"Choose now. Will you tell the truth, or..."
Cold energy began emanating from her hands.
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