Chapter 146

“Is this voice… Kim Seok-ho?”

“Yes, but wait, can you not see?”

It seems he quickly figured out my condition.

“Yes. Right after I fell here, this happened…”

“Tsk… What bad luck. Falling here right after, and losing your sight on top of it.”

“Haha… You’re right. By the way, how did you end up here, Kim Seok-ho?”

“Well… The ground I was standing on collapsed, so here I am. There might be a few others here besides us.”

From what Kim Seok-ho said, it seems it wasn’t just the ground I was standing on that collapsed.

“By the way, did Lee Yun-seong and the Sword Monarch fall together?”

“No, I was the only one falling, but Wi Ho-yeon jumped in to save me.”

“Is that so? Wow, impressive. The Sword Monarch has a strong sense of loyalty.”

“Not at all. As a guard, protecting the person I serve is only natural.”

“Haha… I like you. You’re way better than most men out there.”

Seems like our Seok-ho here has taken a liking to Wi Ho-yeon.

Of course, not in a romantic way, but as a person.

“But seriously, figuring out how to escape is giving me a headache. The situation isn’t exactly ideal for waiting for rescue.”

“Let’s move around and wait for rescue. Finding an exit will be tough since it’s not sideways but up and down.”

Realistically, escaping on our own is nearly impossible.

They’ll have to defeat the White Devourer and throw down multiple ropes to rescue us.

What we need to do now is find a spot where we can be rescued.

We need to move to a place where the ceiling is visible. Right now, it’s blocked.

Of course, since we fell here, there should be an open space above, but the rocks that fell must have blocked it.

“Ah, by the way, how are your senses, Kim Seok-ho?”

“Perfectly fine. That’s what scares me. I might lose my sight like you did.”

“… Let’s just pray you don’t lose your sight.”

There are three of us, but only two can fight.

If Kim Seok-ho loses his sight, the situation will become dire.

The problem isn’t just that Wi Ho-yeon would be the only fighter, but also that we’d have two deadweights.

Someone who’s lost their sight can’t contribute in a situation like this.

‘… If Kim Seok-ho loses his sight and the worst happens, I’ll have to be ready to abandon him.’

It’s a trashy thought, but there’s no other choice.

While talking to him, I’ll keep a smile on my face, but if he becomes useless and the situation worsens, I’ll have to make a tough decision.

The most important thing to me is myself and the people close to me. What happens to others doesn’t concern me.

Since Kim Seok-ho is friendly toward me, it’s best to escape together, but you never know how things will turn out.

“Alright, let’s move slowly. Wi Ho-yeon, could you help support me?”

“Of course. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you.”

“Hey, if you need my help, just say so. A man should help when someone in need is right in front of him.”

“… I appreciate the sentiment.”

‘Seok-ho, why are you so kind?’

I almost felt self-loathing for even thinking about abandoning such a kind person, but I pushed it aside.

‘Bro, you’re going to get backstabbed. Thinking about helping others first is dangerous. How do you even survive in this harsh world…’

Anyway, having a reliable meat shield… I mean, a reliable fighter like him makes me feel a bit more at ease.

******

“Man, they just keep coming.”

*Crash!*

“You’re right.”

“But you really live up to the title of Sword Monarch. One swing of your sword, and the monsters’ heads go flying.”

“You flatter me.”

Wi Ho-yeon and our Seok-ho seem to have gotten pretty close.

‘Well, there’s no better environment to bond than a life-threatening situation.’

“But it seems like the battle above is slowly coming to an end.”

“It does seem that way.”

No wonder, the sounds of magic explosions and monsters are gradually fading.

Meaning, the battle is winding down.

‘If the battle ends… will those who lost their memories regain them?’

If so, Yoo Ju will also regain her memories of me.

“Wait, there’s someone up ahead.”

At Seok-ho’s words, we stopped.

‘There’s someone else here?’

“… You’re the master of the Plum Blossom Clan.”

“… Kim Seok-ho? And those two…”

In my blind state, I couldn’t fully grasp the situation, but Wi Ho-yeon quickly pulled me back and spoke up.

“… What are you doing, Seo Mi-kyung?”

“Ha, so you think I look calm seeing that man?”

“I’m warning you. Stand down.”

“I lost everything because of that man and Ha Yu-ri!”

‘What the hell, how is that my fault?’

“Seo Mi-kyung, Lee Yun-seong hasn’t done anything to you or your clan members.”

“Shut up! Are you fawning over him like Ha Yu-ri did?! That bastard voted against my clan!”

“Wait, Plum Blossom Clan Master, I don’t know the details, but you should calm down.”

“Ha!”

“This isn’t the time for us to fight among ourselves. This place might be a monster’s den, and raising your voice isn’t wise.”

“…. Damn it! Aaaah!”

‘She’s completely lost it.’

Well, I can understand losing everything you’ve built, but it’s unfair to blame me.

Blaming me once or twice is one thing, but if she’s going to act like this every time she sees me, what am I supposed to do?

‘It’s not like I can bring the dead back to life.’

“Let’s keep moving. Plum Blossom Clan Master, you should come with us. It’s safer to stick together.”

“Don’t talk to me like you’re giving orders. It’s pissing me off.”

“Tsk… Seriously…”

‘Now she’s just being unreasonable.’

Even our kind Seok-ho seems at a loss for words with her attitude.

As we moved, I asked Seo Mi-kyung something. There was something I was curious about.

“By the way, Seo…”





How did you end up falling here, Mi-kyung? Do you happen to know where the top is…?

“Why should I answer you? Just looking at your face makes me want to tear you apart, so shut up.”

‘Is she crazy?’

Her words made my lips twitch on their own.

Since Eras is a place where military power rules, people generally avoid saying things like “I’ll kill you” or “I want to kill you,” even as a joke.

Frankly, in this place, if someone really wanted to, they could stab you in the gut with a sword. Saying things like “I’ll kill you” is practically a murder threat.

And right now, I had someone reliable by my side who could get angry on my behalf.

“Seo Mi-kyung, what did you just say? Did you just say you want to tear Lee Yun-seong apart?”

“So what?”

“I demand an apology immediately. Don’t you know that such words are implicitly taboo on this continent?”

“…You. Just because people call you the Sword Monarch, do you think you can act so recklessly? I’m the master of a clan, and you’re just a clan member. Do I look easy to you?”

‘You’re the one acting recklessly, you lunatic.’

“Or is it because I’ve lost all my clan members that you think I’m an easy target?”

“Hey, come on! Why is everyone acting like this? We’re in a situation where we need to work together, not fight!”

Seok-ho is probably in the top 1% of sane people if you think about it.

“And let me say this. I understand that losing all your clan members might make it hard to control your emotions, but the tone of the Plum Blossom Clan Master is getting too sharp.”

“Ha, Kim Seok-ho, you better choose your words carefully.”

“What do you mean?”

“That man over there, he’s lost his sight… Do you really think he’ll be any help in this situation?”

‘She’s hitting the nail on the head. Well, that’s the only argument she has right now.’

“From what I see, that man is just dead weight. He was never much in terms of military power, and in this situation, it’s even worse.”

Even though I couldn’t see, I calmly waited for Kim Seok-ho’s response.

I had a feeling Seok-ho wouldn’t let me down.

“…You’re right, Plum Blossom Clan Master.”

“Ha, see? I thought so…”

“That guy is weak, it’s true. Frankly, in this situation, he might as well be dead weight.”

At Kim Seok-ho’s words, Wi Ho-yeon flared up.

“Kim Seok-ho! What are you…!”

‘No, Ho-yeon, you have to let people finish speaking.’

“However, I don’t abandon my comrades just because they’re weak. Dead weight? Isn’t it a man’s job to carry even the dead weight with strength? Do you know why my clan is called the Brother Clan?”

‘Wow…’

Kim Seok-ho, the quote machine.

Not a single word was wrong.

“I consider my clan members as my own brothers. And that includes the guy over there in the same expedition.”

“W-what did you say?”

Seo Mi-kyung sounded utterly baffled.

At first, she probably thought Kim Seok-ho was siding with her.

‘But our Seok-ho isn’t that kind of calculating person.’

“I, Kim Seok-ho, am not a despicable human who abandons my brothers just because they’re weak. Do you understand now?”

I don’t know when Seok-ho and I became brothers, but there’s a sense of loyalty in his voice.

‘Seriously, after this expedition, I need to get Seok-ho on my side.’

“Ha… such an idiot…!”

“So, Plum Blossom Clan Master, calm down and just say you’re sorry. The Members of Eternity will understand given your situation.”

He even naturally steered the conversation toward reconciliation.

There’s no greater magnanimity than this.

But reconciliation requires both sides to be willing.

“Why should I? Why should I apologize to that man? He’s the one who’s wrong! What did I do wrong!”

“I can’t listen to this anymore. Stop it. Why are you treating Lee Yun-seong like this?”

“Shut up!”

Swoosh—

“…What are you doing? Are you drawing your sword?”

“Hey! Stop it! What are you doing!”

It seems Seo Mi-kyung has completely lost it.

‘This crazy woman, drawing her sword in this situation?’

I knew she wasn’t in her right mind, but I never expected her to draw her sword.

In a place that might be crawling with monsters, we’re about to have a sword fight among ourselves.

I couldn’t see Wi Ho-yeon and Kim Seok-ho’s expressions, but they must be as shocked as I am.

“I have nothing left to lose anyway! You keep scratching at me? How dare you?”

Clang!

“Stop it right now! Seo Mi-kyung, you’re swinging your sword at a fellow comrade!”

“Who’s a fellow comrade? That damn bastard? That guy is my comrade? Don’t make me laugh!”

‘Damn bastard, huh…’

Honestly, I’ve never been called a damn bastard before, so it was quite a shock.

Seo Mi-kyung is also a clan master, a woman.

Perhaps that’s why Wi Ho-yeon, while dealing with Seo Mi-kyung, turned to me and Kim Seok-ho.

“Ugh…! Kim Seok-ho! Please take Lee Yun-seong and move somewhere else! I’m begging you!”

“Me, you mean?”

“Yes, please! Seo Mi-kyung doesn’t seem to be in her right mind! Please…”

As Wi Ho-yeon blocked Seo Mi-kyung’s attacks, she was interrupted.

Rumble—

Suddenly, the blocked ceiling of the cave began to collapse with a loud noise.

Amidst the dust, a voice could be heard.

“No, that won’t be necessary.”