Chapter 110

Right now, Yoo Ju and the members of the Eternity Clan were tracking the traces of Lee Yun-seong along with some members of the Myth Clan.

As soon as Wi Ho-yeon’s urgent report came in, they requested help from the Myth Clan, and Yoon Yeon along with some clan members arrived immediately.

Every second was precious, and there was no time to waste.

After giving Wi Ho-yeon a quick healing, they put her at the forefront of the pursuit.

Everyone was moving swiftly, channeling energy into their lower bodies.

Naturally, those with relatively lower stats fell behind, leaving only the elite members at the front.

From the Eternity Clan, it was Yoo Ju, Lee Jae-hyo, and Wi Ho-yeon.

From the Myth Clan, it was Yoon Yeon and one skilled tracker.

While moving, Yoon Yeon spoke up.

“I heard they were attacked by outlaws, but what exactly happened?”

Having left in such a hurry, Yoon Yeon wasn’t aware of the detailed situation.

Wi Ho-yeon answered Yoon Yeon’s question since she was the one who experienced it firsthand.

“We were attacked while moving in a carriage. I don’t know the reason… but it’s clear that Lee Yun-seong was the target, not me.”

Yoon Yeon sighed at Wi Ho-yeon’s words.

“…. Then this might be retaliation for the spy incident.”

Yoon Yeon’s expression looked troubled.

From her perspective, she felt responsible since Lee Yun-seong had helped her clan.

“Is Yoo Ju… okay?”

Yoon Yeon asked this because Yoo Ju looked completely different from usual.

Her eyes were bloodshot, and her icy gaze made her seem like a different person.

It felt like lava frozen before eruption.

“… Yes.”

No one believed Yoo Ju’s words. She clearly didn’t look okay.

Wi Ho-yeon kept glancing at Yoo Ju, feeling guilty.

She had failed in her role as a guard, and the guilt was overwhelming.

Wi Ho-yeon’s guilt wasn’t just about disobeying Yoo Ju’s orders but also about leaving Lee Yun-seong behind.

Even though it was the guard’s duty, she had fled alone, abandoning him.

As Wi Ho-yeon bit her lip and moved, she suddenly shouted.

“Wait, please stop for a moment!”

Everyone halted at her words.

“Why, why are we stopping? We don’t have time…!”

As Yoo Ju tried to speak, Wi Ho-yeon interrupted.

“I found a trace.”

“A trace?”

“Here, on this tree…”

Looking at the tree, they saw it had been carved, pointing in a direction.

“Ah, it seems like Lee Yun-seong left this trace.”

“Ah….”

Everyone looked somewhat relieved.

If he left a trace, it was likely he wasn’t in immediate danger.

However, the Myth Clan’s officer expressed doubt.

“But… isn’t there a chance this is a trap? If the outlaws anticipated our pursuit, they might have left this to mislead us…”

Everyone fell silent for a moment. His words made sense.

If this trace was deliberately left by the outlaws, following it could be the worst choice.

But the situation demanded a cold, hard decision. This was the only clue, and time was running out.

Yoo Ju held her face in her hands, looking agonized for about ten seconds, then spoke quietly.

“….. No, even if it’s a trap, we have no choice. We’ll follow the trace. There’s no other option. Everyone, keep an eye out for other traces as we move.”

Everyone nodded.

Although the Myth Clan members were part of the pursuit team, since the kidnapped person was from the Eternity Clan, Yoo Ju had the formal authority to make decisions.

And so, they began moving again, following the trace.

After sleeping minimally and moving for a while, they sensed a presence ahead.

“…. Everyone, prepare for battle. I sense a few people ahead. They’re likely outlaws.”

Just as Yoo Ju sensed their presence, the other side seemed to sense them too. Soon, they were in a standoff.

“Who, who are you?!”

Ignoring the outlaws’ words, Yoo Ju quickly scanned the area.

‘Yoon Seong isn’t here.’

All she could see were the outlaws.

But seeing they were injured and bloodied, she realized something had happened here.

“Where is Yoon Seong?”

At Yoo Ju’s icy words, the outlaws hesitated.

“… Lee Yun-seong? Wait, are you the pursuit team?”

“The pursuit team is already here? Wait, that woman is the Sword Monarch…!”

The outlaws were shocked that the pursuit team had arrived so quickly.

When they didn’t answer her question, Yoo Ju immediately stepped forward.

A battle broke out instantly. As Yoo Ju moved, the others followed suit.

But the outlaws, who had just faced Yanagiya Riki, had no strength left.

Having faced a top-tier fighter, they were in no condition to fight.

“Argh!”

“Where is he, where is he?! Where did you take him?!”

The outlaws had practically given up resisting.

Many of them paled and stepped back.

Not only were they facing strong opponents, but Yoo Ju, with her bloodshot eyes and screaming as she swung her spear, terrified them.

“P-please… ugh…”

Those who knew Yoo Ju’s usual demeanor felt a stark contrast to her current state.

After brutally killing one, Yoo Ju approached another man, who trembled and spoke.

“W-we didn’t take him! Yanagiya, Yanagiya Riki took him!”





Yoon Yeon retorted to the man’s words.

“…What do you mean? Yanagiya Riki?”

“Hey, it’s true. We also lost that guy to Yanagiya Riki, who suddenly appeared! The corpse, the corpse is proof! Our leader died fighting Yanagiya Riki! If you go a little further from here, you’ll find a corpse with both arms cut off!”

“What are you talking about? Why would Riki take Lee Yun-seong?”

“I don’t know, it just… seemed like she came to the neutral country to take him.”

The members of the pursuit team all realized that the situation had gotten complicated.

They barely managed to succeed in tracking down the outlaws, but in the end, it felt like they were back to square one.

After hearing the man’s words, Yoo Ju coldly opened her mouth.

“…How many people? Was she alone?”

“Ah, no… Yanagiya Riki and a man who seemed to be her subordinate…”

“The people at the front will resume the pursuit, leaving these guys behind. The rest of you, take the outlaws back to the city. If they resist, you can kill them.”

******

Before they knew it, rain was pouring down.

“The trail… ends here.”

The pursuit team ultimately failed to rescue Lee Yun-seong. They couldn’t go any further.

“Ms. Yoo Ju, from here on out, it’s the Eastern Alliance. We can’t go any further…”

Yoo Ju sat down on the ground, looking dazed.

“…We can’t proceed from here. We left in such a hurry that we don’t have supplies, and blindly pursuing into the Eastern Alliance… there are too many issues.”

“……”

“Ms. Yoo Ju, we need to turn back. The trail is already lost, and it would be better to file a complaint with Yanagiya Riki’s clan…”

“Then… what about Yoon Seong?”

“……”

“To the Myth Clan Master, he’s from another clan… but Yoon Seong is one of our clan members. What if, what if that woman harms Yoon Seong…?”

“…I’m not entirely sure, but I know a bit about Yanagiya Riki’s personality. We were close once. In my opinion, given her personality, she wouldn’t kill or seriously harm Mr. Lee Yun-seong.”

“What do you mean…?”

“If I contact Yanagiya Riki, at the very least, she won’t do that. Trust me. Even though she’s a crazy bitch, we’re still friends.”

“…..”

“And… I think I know why she kidnapped Mr. Lee Yun-seong. One reason, of course, you already know, is the drug issue. And the other… is probably because of me.”

“Huh?”

“Anyway, I’ll explain it to you slowly on the way back. Let’s go back. You must be exhausted, and so is everyone else.”

Only after hearing Yoon Yeon’s words did Yoo Ju finally look around at the others.

Everyone looked utterly exhausted.

For days, they had been moving with minimal rest and had fought the outlaws.

It would have been strange if they weren’t exhausted.

Especially Wi Ho-yeon’s condition looked the most severe.

She had been attacked and only received minimal treatment before joining the forced march, so it was a natural outcome.

Driven by guilt and a sense of responsibility, she gritted her teeth and joined the march, but Wi Ho-yeon had already reached her limit.

Finally realizing the reality, Yoo Ju bowed her head deeply and spoke.

“…I understand…”

******

‘Damn it, damn it!’

In the end, I was dragged all the way to the Eastern Alliance by this crazy woman.

I had already given up on being rescued the moment we crossed the border.

‘What… should I do?’

Since I obediently followed her orders, there was no violence or torture, but now I had arrived at her clan house.

Whether she felt no threat from me or treated me like an insect, she didn’t even restrain me.

‘Did she judge that I pose no threat?’

Well… honestly, Yanagiya Riki’s judgment was understandable. From her perspective, I probably looked less than an insect.

Even if there were 100 of me, I wouldn’t be able to defeat her.

‘And… her outfit is really…’

I hadn’t noticed it properly until now, but it was hard to look at her.

She was wearing a crop top-like outfit that exposed her arms and navel, and her body was covered in tattoos, making it really awkward to look at her.

Also, I couldn’t bring myself to speak to her because I kept remembering the outlaw with both arms cut off by Yanagiya Riki.

‘What if I say something and she suddenly stabs me because she’s in a bad mood?’

While moving with her, she suddenly spoke to me first.

“Hey, you… your name is Lee Yun-seong, right?”

“Huh? Ah, yes! That’s right! Haha…”

“What are you laughing about? Don’t you understand the situation? You’ve been kidnapped.”

“Ah, right, right…!”

‘Damn it, what does she want?’

“Well… anyway, it’s good that you’re not causing trouble. Oh, and I have a question.”

“Yes, yes! Ask me anything!”

To others, my attitude might seem servile, but when you’re actually facing her, this is the only way to be.

I was both curious and nervous about what she wanted to ask.

Even though I didn’t intend to, I had thrown a wrench into her business.

‘Damn it, what if she asks about the drugs?’

All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind. The reason she kidnapped me was most likely because I had messed up her drug business.

But what came out of her mouth was something completely unexpected.

“You’re Yoon Yeon’s boyfriend, right?”

“….. Yes?”

…What? What did you say?